Chapter 26: Purple Swallow's Shadow

The main hall of the Spirit Heart Sect erupted in excitement as the figure at the entrance came into view.

Duan Qingming strode directly to Yue Songting, lightly lifting the hem of his robe before kneeling. "This disciple has emerged from fifteen years of seclusion and comes to pay respects to the Sect Leader."

Yue Songting personally stepped down from his seat to help him up, his voice trembling with emotion. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Rise."

The crowd rejoiced at his safe return.

Bu Shuihan's face darkened, ready to speak, but Gu Pinglin stopped him. This man is truly detestable—making our master feel guilty for two years for no reason. Still, Gu Pinglin didn't want Bu Shuihan to provoke him. He stepped forward, blocking Bu Shuihan, and spoke, "Senior Brother Duan, since you've already passed the tribulation, why did you delay your emergence, causing our master and fellow disciples to worry? Such behavior is hardly appropriate."

"Exactly!" Bu Shuihan stepped forward, drawing his sword and pointing it at Duan Qingming. "You did it on purpose, didn't you?"

The faint sword wind stirred the black hair at Duan Qingming's neck, the blade's gleam reflecting on his handsome face. Yet, he didn't even blink, remaining as composed as ever.

"Enough!" Yue Songting scolded Bu Shuihan. "Qingming must have had his reasons for delaying. Hear him out first! What kind of senior brother are you, pointing a sword at your junior like this?"

Gu Pinglin stared at Duan Qingming, who happened to glance back at that moment.

Those pitch-black eyes, though narrow, were like an endless abyss—as if nothing could ever fill them. The faint cruelty that once lurked in their depths was now gone, replaced only by a gentle, spring-like warmth. If Gu Pinglin had once been able to read him, now he found him utterly inscrutable.

Their gazes met for an instant before parting.

Duan Qingming smiled faintly and turned to the crowd. "Junior Brother Gu is right. At the time, I had successfully formed my core and intended to emerge. But suddenly, I felt an epiphany—a touch of the Dao. Had Junior Brother Gu not come today, I might not have awakened."

"Dao Enlightenment?" Yue Songting was overjoyed. "To think you'd have such fortune! Of course, we cannot blame you. This is only natural."

The crowd relaxed, offering congratulations.

Bu Shuihan reluctantly sheathed his sword.

Dao Enlightenment was a rare moment of insight into the Dao, a fleeting spark of realization that, if not seized immediately, would be lost forever. Any cultivator would have made the same choice.

Gu Pinglin's eyes flickered briefly before settling back into calm.

The evening wind whispered through the bamboo forest, stirring the towering stalks that arched overhead like a verdant dome.

Beneath this emerald canopy stood a figure in white robes—bright as spring snow, yet carrying a hint of frost.

A white silk ribbon fluttered with his flowing hair, his demeanor elegant and composed. A few bamboo leaves drifted down, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

Gu Pinglin stepped forward slowly, treading on fallen leaves.

Duan Qingming turned to face him.

Their eyes met.

Suddenly, he smiled—a smile that seemed to make spring bloom and flowers blossom. "Gu Xiaojiu."

Hearing that familiar address again, Gu Pinglin froze momentarily.

But it wasn't quite the same. His voice had changed subtly—deeper but not heavy, clear yet magnetic, laced with amusement, as if reminding Gu Pinglin that this was the Duan Qingming from his past life.

Gu Pinglin snapped out of his daze. "Congratulations. After two years of Dao Enlightenment, what have you gained?"

In his past life, by this time, Duan Qingming should have already laid the foundations for his Heaven-Mending Art and Shadowless Sword Technique. But in this life, by some twist of fate, he hadn't joined the Dark Abyss Sect. What had his enlightenment brought him?

"My gains?" Duan Qingming answered strangely. "I just had a dream."

"Hm?" Gu Pinglin frowned. "Why be so evasive?"

Duan Qingming chuckled. "Ah, life is but a dream. Enlightenment is like dreaming through three lifetimes—what's wrong with that?"

Knowing his silver tongue, Gu Pinglin didn't bother arguing. "Fine. Let's test it out and see."

His gaze sharpened in an instant, and he was already before Duan Qingming, striking at his chest with a palm strike.

Before his force could land, a flash of purple light dazzled his vision!

"You're really impatient." A low laugh sounded from behind.

Realizing he had been prepared, Gu Pinglin quickly withdrew his palm and summoned his sword, blocking the incoming Shadowless Sword while pivoting to intercept the palm strike from behind. He retreated two zhang like a purple swallow.

Duan Qingming held the Shadowless Sword, a smile still on his lips, but his edge was now fully exposed.

Gu Pinglin snorted. "Devious as ever."

"Come," Duan Qingming said. "Let me see your progress."

Gu Pinglin never refused such invitations. He wielded his sword and charged again. After a few exchanges, Duan Qingming spun his sword, sending dazzling purple light flashing.

Gu Pinglin tilted his head to avoid it reflexively. "No originality."

"No originality, yet I've only ever used this move on you," Duan Qingming parried his blade, their faces nearly touching. "You counter it so smoothly every time. Just how well do you know me, Gu Xiaojiu?"

Gu Pinglin stiffened.

In his past life, he had only known that Duan Qingming liked to use sword glare to disrupt his opponents. But thinking back, he truly hadn't seen him use this trick in any other situation.

A moment of distraction was all it took.

Boundless sword intent erupted around him.

The air trembled, bamboo leaves scattering and floating midair, obscuring vision. The sword intent was formless, yet it imbued everything—the wind, the earth, the bamboo, even the drifting leaves—turning each into a lethal blade.

This… this is the sword intent he only achieved after becoming a Grand Swordmaster in his past life!

Gu Pinglin was stunned.

Right now, Duan Qingming was merely an Outer Core cultivator, yet his mastery of the sword had already far surpassed his progress from the previous life. Had he completed the Shadowless Sword Technique ahead of time?

The sword drew upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, transforming the surroundings into his domain. Every strike contained endless variations, making defense impossible.

And yet—

There was no Heaven-Mending Art.

Gu Pinglin didn't know whether to feel disappointed or impressed. Without the Heaven-Mending Art, he had still managed to wield his sword technique to such an unfathomable level. In his past life, his title of Grand Swordmaster had been well-deserved.

But he had lost because of his cultivation foundation.

Since this was a fair duel, Gu Pinglin didn't plan to use the Creation Art. Instead, he activated his modified version of the Spirit Heart Sect's top-tier technique, stepping into the Minor Void Stance and raising his sword defensively.

In a flash, all the sword intent and its intricate variations vanished without a trace.

The bamboo leaves fell silently.

Gu Pinglin remained on guard, scanning his surroundings warily.

Then—

The sky darkened overhead as chaotic spiritual energy whipped up the fallen leaves, weaving them into a net.

A streak of purple light darted through the leaves like a swallow chasing through willows—graceful yet terrifyingly sharp.

"Purple Swallow's Shadow." Gu Pinglin recognized the move and didn't dodge. Instead, he charged forward.

Just as expected, the attack changed direction mid-course, exploding into multiple purple sword energies that targeted all possible escape routes. Against this move, fleeing was the worst option—Gu Pinglin had learned that the hard way in his past life.

Knowing the follow-ups, Gu Pinglin countered effortlessly, avoiding all subsequent strikes.

"Good. You didn't disappoint me." Duan Qingming landed, a hint of madness flickering in his eyes.

Confirming that the Heaven-Mending Art wasn't present, Gu Pinglin decided to end the duel. But just as he was about to withdraw—

"Watch out!"

A single warning, and thunder roared above.

An Outer Core cultivator can summon lightning?!

Before Gu Pinglin could react, purple light erupted again, transforming into countless sword shadows. The white-robed figure stood at the center like a sword deity, the sword intent radiating from him.

Sword gleams flashed; thunder and lightning intertwined.

This wasn't the Shadowless Sword Technique. He was pushing his cultivation to the limit, risking everything for victory.

"STOP!" Gu Pinglin shouted, activating the Creation Art without hesitation and charging forward.

The Creation Art operated on the principle of Taiji—the interplay of yin and yang energies grinding against each other like millstones. It successfully neutralized the violent lightning force, preventing the deadly technique from erupting.

"Your physique is truly fascinating." Duan Qingming remained indifferent even as his move was countered.

Gu Pinglin suddenly sensed danger—an instinct honed from countless battles in his past life. Duan Qingming often took reckless risks, but only when he had a backup plan.

A trap! Gu Pinglin realized too late.

He hadn't intended to fight seriously at all—he was probing Gu Pinglin's cultivation!

Unable to recover his energy in time, Gu Pinglin was struck by the erupting sword intent. Though he blocked with his sword, the force sent him skidding back, his feet carving deep grooves into the ground.

It was the Spirit Heart Sect's technique—but not quite.

He modified it too!

Shock piled upon shock. Gu Pinglin braced himself with his sword, barely stopping his retreat. Before he could steady himself, the Shadowless Sword was already at his throat.

Duan Qingming withdrew the blade and smiled. "You lose."

Gu Pinglin leaned on his sword, enduring for a moment before finally spitting out a mouthful of blood—half from injury, half from fury.

Without his sword, Duan Qingming reverted to his refined persona. He reached out to steady Gu Pinglin. "Are you alright?"

Gu Pinglin shoved his hand away.

"So quick to anger." Duan Qingming chuckled, half-embracing him while pressing a palm to his back to channel healing energy.

Gu Pinglin couldn't move. "Duan Qingming!"

"Here," Duan Qingming replied lazily. "Yes, I did it on purpose. Who knew you'd be so reluctant to hurt me?"

Knowing he was being provoked, Gu Pinglin calmed himself. "Disciples of the Spirit Heart Sect do not harm their own. I simply didn't want to see you court death."

"And that's why you lost." Duan Qingming withdrew his hand.

"Lost?" Gu Pinglin sneered. "Are you sure you could defeat me fairly?"

"Why would I need to defeat you fairly?" Duan Qingming leaned in, his breath brushing Gu Pinglin's ear. "You didn't fight me fairly either—practicing an external technique in secret?"

"I don't know what you mean." Gu Pinglin turned away. Even if Duan Qingming exposed him, he wasn't worried about Yue Songting testing him. Otherwise, how could the Creation Art be called a divine-grade technique?

Duan Qingming studied him for a long moment before narrowing his eyes. "Gu Xiaojiu."

Gu Pinglin tensed. "What?"

"Nothing," Duan Qingming smiled like a spring breeze. "After so many years apart, calling you 'junior brother' feels quite intimate."

Gu Pinglin tightened his grip on his sword hilt.

Duan Qingming called again, "Gu Xiaojiu."

Gu Pinglin ignored him.

"Purple Swallow's Shadow—what a good name. I like it." Long fingers gently tilted Gu Pinglin's chin. "I just love seeing you angry."

Gu Pinglin sheathed his sword and walked away.