Chapter 188: Chu Feng – The Gentleman Sword and Returning the Favor?

"Lingyun Sword Technique!"

"One Point of Sword Intent!"

"This girl does have some skill, but she's still a long way from being able to defeat Senior Brother Ye."

The crowd below the arena discussed Su Qing's sword, but everyone was most curious about which technique Senior Brother Ye would use.

After all, every disciple of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute cultivated a different technique—this was common knowledge at Wendao Academy.

Faced with that sword, Ye Beixuan didn't even bother to defend directly. He simply gathered his spiritual power into a protective shield, casually blocking Su Qing's strike.

"It seems you've improved a bit, but just this much isn't enough for you to challenge me. Now, I'll show you what true Lingyun Sword Intent is!"

As soon as Ye Beixuan finished speaking, he brought his hands from behind his back, formed a sword with two fingers, and pointed casually at Su Qing.

Whoosh!

A sword qi shot out from between his fingers, flying toward Su Qing.

"Lingyun Sword Intent!"

Su Qing froze on the spot when she saw the sword qi.

Clang!

The sword qi struck Su Qing's longsword, producing a crisp ringing sound.

A massive force traveled down her sword, sending her flying. She drew an arc through the air and crashed heavily to the ground.

Bang!

Su Qing clutched her right shoulder, struggling to stand, only to feel her qi and blood surging uncontrollably. Her throat felt tight, and she instantly spat out a mouthful of blood.

Pfft...

Ye Beixuan looked down at Su Qing from above and said coldly, "Awake now?"

"You..."

Su Qing slowly stood up, her eyes filled with disbelief. "How can you be this strong? You didn't know anything about sword techniques before—how could you possibly comprehend sword intent in such a short time?"

"Hmph!"

Ye Beixuan snorted coldly. "Don't bother asking, you wouldn't understand anyway. The starting point of my life is a finish line you could never reach. If you know what's good for you, just admit defeat and spare yourself more suffering."

"I... I won't accept this... pfft..."

Overwhelmed by anger, Su Qing spat out another mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.

Ye Beixuan didn't even spare her a glance, only turning to look at the referee nearby.

"Ye Beixuan wins this round!"

With those words, the audience snapped out of their daze and erupted into cheers.

"Senior Brother Ye is amazing!"

"Senior Brother Ye really is powerful!"

…

Amid the cheers, Ye Beixuan jumped down from the arena.

As for Su Qing, who had fainted, no one paid her any attention. Those fellow disciples who hadn't known about her grudge with Ye Beixuan before now avoided her completely after this match.

Even if Senior Brother Ye would never trouble someone as insignificant as Su Qing again, there was no hope of getting close to Ye Beixuan by associating with her.

It was a long time before only Keke, enduring everyone's strange looks, went up to the arena to carry Su Qing away.

——

Seven days later, the outer sect competition finally ended.

Without any suspense, Ye Beixuan took first place in the tournament, while Xu Caichen finished in eighth.

This should have been something to celebrate, but in the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, Chu Feng was not happy at all.

Looking at his two disciples before him, he muttered to himself, "The Gentleman Sword and 'returning the favor in kind'—how did you two end up with these titles?"

Xu Caichen didn't think there was anything wrong with his title. Smiling, he said, "Master, before every match, I would salute my opponent. Everyone saw how polite I was, and since the principle I comprehended comes from the Analects—Rites—they started calling me the Gentleman Sword!"

Ye Beixuan added, "In this outer sect tournament, no matter what kind of opponent I faced, as long as they used a technique even once, I could use Hongmeng Intent to comprehend and replicate it, defeating them with their own moves.

None of these outer sect disciples had grasped Intent. Fighting them was like an adult sparring with children."

Hiss—

After listening, Chu Feng drew in a sharp breath. "So, what do you two think of these titles?"

Xu Caichen replied with excitement, "I really like it! After all, Master taught me according to the standards of an ancient gentleman."

Ye Beixuan nodded slightly. "I think it's a good title too. With a name like this, I'll surely become famous soon."

"Alright then, since you like them, I won't say any more."

Hearing them speak, Chu Feng decided not to interfere further. He raised his cup.

"Come, let's have a drink—to celebrate the two of you bringing honor to our Wendao Academy in this tournament."

"Cheers!"

The banquet lasted late into the night.

Everyone eventually returned to their own courtyards to rest. Chu Feng also returned to his bedroom.

Creak!

The door opened and Elder Bing entered, carrying a basin of water for washing feet.

That familiar Platonic atmosphere.

Elder Bing sat quietly across from Chu Feng, who narrowed his eyes, soaking his feet.

After a long while, Elder Bing finally spoke.

"Sir, I felt like you had something on your mind at the banquet. Would you like to tell me about it?"

Chu Feng opened his eyes and smiled. "Didn't expect you to notice, but it's nothing serious. If I could go from a playboy to an unrivaled Bafist in Da Qian, then the Gentleman Sword and 'returning the favor in kind' won't become bad things either."

???

Elder Bing's face was full of question marks. "I think those titles are fine. What's the problem?"

Chu Feng said, "There's a big problem with those two titles, but those two brats have exceptional fortune. Maybe they'll bring me some surprises."

With that, he began to think about how to brainwash his two disciples next.

Elder Bing didn't ask any more.

The outer sect tournament was over, and a new round of disciple recruitment was about to begin.

But Chu Feng wasn't particularly excited about recruiting disciples; recently, he'd just been waiting for Qin Qin to finish her seclusion.

That evening, everyone on Miaomiao Mountain suddenly noticed the spiritual energy in the area surging toward the back mountain. Instinctively, they realized Qin Qin was about to break through.

Seeing everyone's attention drawn to the commotion, Chu Feng smiled and said, "Let's eat first. After dinner, we'll go guard Qin'er together."

"Alright."

Everyone subconsciously sped up their meal.

After dinner, they all gathered at the back mountain, waiting quietly outside the cave where Qin Qin was in seclusion.

Time ticked by, minute by minute.

At dawn the next morning, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in Chu Feng's mind.

"Host's disciple Qin Qin has broken through to the Heaven Origin Realm. Host is rewarded with thirty years of cultivation."

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Qin'er succeeded."

Everyone instinctively turned to look at the cave entrance. A moment later, Qin Qin emerged.

Qin Qin saw Chu Feng and immediately saluted. "Thank you, Master, for protecting me."

Chu Feng waved it off casually. "No need for thanks. Your safe breakthrough is a great joy for your master. Come on, I've made something delicious for you."

"Thank you, Master."

Qin Qin bowed and followed Chu Feng and the others away.

By noon, everyone had gathered at the table to celebrate Qin Qin's breakthrough to Heaven Origin.

After a few rounds of drinks, Chu Feng said, "Qin'er, now that you've broken through to Heaven Origin, you'll lead this year's recruitment team. Xiuyuan and the others will go with you to the mountain gate. The selection standards will follow our Miscellaneous Dao Institute's rules."

"Understood!"

Qin Qin agreed without hesitation.

Ye Beixuan, Nie Xiuyuan, and Xu Caichen watched from the side, all curious as to what exactly the Miscellaneous Dao Institute's recruitment standards were.

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