Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

The voices of doubt fell silent at the elder of the Sword Pavilion’s reprimand.

Under the watchful, sharp eyes of the crowd, Ning Yin cradled the Radiance Sword and left the pavilion.

The Radiance Sword was the only one among the thousands in the Sword Pavilion that had never been stained with blood. Its origin was shrouded in numerous legends.

Some said that a thousand years ago, the sword's original owner was born into a noble immortal cultivation family—gentle and kind, a chivalrous hero who never unsheathed the Radiance Sword. After death, the sword was placed in the sword tomb, awaiting a destined master.

Others claimed the sword was forged by the Celestial Sovereign Ling Xiao himself, gifted as a wedding present to his fiancée. Tragically, Ling Xiao was betrayed by the demonic path, and the Radiance Sword disappeared without a trace.

Truth and falsehood intertwined in these tales, but one fact remained clear: since its forging, the Radiance Sword had never been stained by blood or killing intent. It had resided in Lingyun Sect for hundreds, even thousands of years, attracting seekers day after day. Yet, finding a person pure and kind enough to wield it was exceedingly rare. Thus, the Radiance Sword stood like a stubborn nail in the pavilion, refusing to acknowledge a master all these years.

Ning Yin hugged the sword, her face clouded with worry. “I don’t even know why this is the Radiance Sword. The sword spirits in the pavilion were fierce and filled with bloodlust. I just wanted to pick on an easy target, never imagining I’d provoke Radiance itself.”

Yan Hanzhou looked puzzled. “Isn’t Radiance a good sword?”

“You don’t know,” Ning Yin said, certain he was unaware. “In the novels, Radiance is the destined sword of Yu Lingyi. Do you know who Yu Lingyi is?” She continued without waiting for a reply. “She’s the favored junior sister of Qiyun Peak, my counterpart. She’s clever and quirky but kind-hearted; I’m arrogant and domineering, utterly wicked. Most importantly, Yu Lingyi is part of the main protagonist group. Both Shi Yunzhao and Si Heyu care for her deeply.”

Seeing Yan Hanzhou about to speak, Ning Yin cut him off. “I know what you want to say. I don’t feel guilty for ‘stealing’ her sword. Like I said, there’s no fate dictating who owns what in this world—you take what you can get. I just feel trouble will come looking for me soon enough.”

As Ning Yin expected, news that the Radiance Sword had chosen her spread quickly throughout Lingyun Sect.

Many disciples were convinced that Ning Yin must have tampered with the sword somehow; otherwise, how could such a pure and flawless blade willingly choose her as its master?

Because of this, numerous disciples friendly with Yu Lingyi rallied in her defense, vowing to seek justice on her behalf.

Ning Yin anticipated trouble but did not expect it to arrive so soon. Upon arriving at Muyu Peak, she was stopped by a group of disciples.

The leader’s eyes darkened when he saw Ning Yin holding the Radiance Sword. His voice was stern: “I’ve heard the Radiance Sword has chosen its master. Today, I’ve come to investigate. Ning Yin, I don’t know why the Radiance Sword chose you, but Junior Sister Lingyi spent five years visiting the Sword Pavilion daily for this sword. If you’re willing to surrender it, I can find you a sword even more powerful than Radiance as compensation.”

If Ning Yin guessed correctly, this man was the senior disciple of Qiyun Peak, Xie Wuyu—Yu Lingyi’s official partner. The pure and sweet, steady and reliable senior brother with the quirky junior sister was a pairing she once admired. Yet now, with Xie Wuyu’s spear pointed at her, she could only roll her eyes.

Has falling in love made you lose your mind?

In a cultivation world, a person who’s been practicing for hundreds of years should understand—destined swords aren’t so easily exchanged.

Every sword in the Sword Pavilion is placed into the sword tomb only after its master’s death. Losing a destined sword in life either means being devoured by it or having one’s cultivation forcibly stripped, which not only damages the foundation but can injure the spiritual consciousness, turning one into a sensory-deprived cripple.

Leaving aside such deadly consequences, offering another sword as compensation so casually—what if cultivation is ruined and senses lost? Who would stand up for me, a villainess? How can anyone say such thoughtless things? How thick can one’s skin be?

Yan Hanzhou’s face darkened at the side. “Surrender? I’d like to hear how you plan to get Ning Yin to give up Radiance.”

Xie Wuyu produced a pill. “This Life Core Pill can protect your meridians and spiritual roots. If you’re willing to surrender Radiance, I will personally ask the sect master to oversee the process. Your foundation and cultivation will not be harmed.”

Ning Yin’s face turned cold. “I won’t surrender!”

“Then how can you be convinced to give it up? Whatever conditions you want, I will agree.”

“I won’t! No matter the conditions, I won’t give it up! You know how dangerous it is to separate from a destined sword. Would you risk your life for just a sword? I’m not stupid. If you’re so obsessed with Radiance, even asking your master to step in, you’d be better off finding a more powerful destined sword for your junior sister.”

A disciple behind Xie Wuyu growled in anger, “Ning Yin, you’re arrogant and domineering, disrespectful to elders, arrogant and malicious. You even dared to draw your sword against Senior Sister Yun Zhao for an immortal herb. I don’t believe the Radiance Sword would recognize you as its master! Draw your sword! I want to fight you!”

“Why should I fight you?”

“If you don’t fight, you’re guilty. You must have tampered with the Radiance Sword! If you don’t draw your sword, hand it over!”

“I won’t waste words with you. Facts speak louder than words. The Radiance Sword is in my hands and recognizes me as its master. It is my destined sword. Whether you believe it or not doesn’t matter.”

“Ning Yin, don’t be too much! Junior Sister Lingyi spent five years visiting the Sword Pavilion for this sword. Everyone in Lingyun Sect knows Radiance belongs to her. Now you’ve used all means to obtain it. This is thievery!”

“Thievery?” Ning Yin laughed, gripping Radiance tightly, her rebellious spirit ignited. “In this world, you fight and snatch; nothing is predestined. Whoever takes it owns it. You say Junior Sister Lingyi spent five years at the pavilion. Heaven gave her five years, but she failed to claim Radiance—that’s her problem. Now Radiance is my destined sword. No matter how much you say, it’s all wasted breath. I will not give it up!”

Scanning the angry crowd, Ning Yin suddenly understood. “I suddenly see why Yu Lingyi couldn’t get Radiance after five years. Her beloved sword became someone else’s destiny. She lacks the courage to confront me face to face, so she hides behind you all to pick quarrels. That’s the reason!”

“Ning Yin!” Disciple after disciple behind Xie Wuyu wanted to argue, but Xie Wuyu stopped them. He looked at Ning Yin and said each word solemnly, “If that’s the case, enough talk. See you on the sect’s junior competition day, in the arena.”

With that, he turned and led his people away.

“You’re threatening me? Do you think I’m easily scared? I’m not afraid of you. See you in the arena if you dare. Fight if you can. If you chicken out, I’ll look down on you!” Ning Yin made a friendly gesture behind his back, then turned to Yan Hanzhou. “Less talk of romance in the cultivation world. Look at Xie Wuyu and the others—love has made them lose their minds! It’s scary!”

Yan Hanzhou looked at her thoughtfully. “I never thought that just a few days ago you insisted on not taking what isn’t yours, and now...”

“Isn’t it natural to prey on the weak? I can’t offend Si Heyu or Shi Yunzhao. These NPCs all bully me. If I keep running away, I’d be too cowardly. Most importantly, the Radiance Sword choosing its master isn’t my fault. It’s the sword’s choice, not stolen by me!”

Yan Hanzhou raised an eyebrow.

“But...” Ning Yin’s fierce spirit softened as she came back to herself. Looking at Radiance in her hands and her current cultivation, she muttered, “I spoke without thinking just now, only to vent. If I really face Xie Wuyu at the junior competition, am I doomed?”

Considering the cultivation gap between Xie Wuyu and Ning Yin, the answer was an obvious yes.

Even with pills, cultivation methods, and Radiance in hand, no matter how hard she trained these coming days, not even the Celestial Sovereign Ling Xiao could defeat those prodigies in a short time.

Ning Yin opened the list of disciples participating in the sect’s junior competition.

This time, apart from Muyu Peak where Ning Yin belonged, each of the twelve peaks had three representatives, all top talents of the sect. Surprisingly, she saw Si Heyu’s name on the list.

Si Heyu usually only competed in the grand contests of the seven great sects and never bothered with the sect’s minor internal skirmishes.

As the sect master’s first disciple, all the young disciples accepted his supremacy. Who could beat him once he stepped onto the arena?

With Sang Wan to watch out for, Xie Wuyu to contend with, and now Si Heyu, the odds of facing one of them increased greatly. Other peaks’ disciples might hold back, but these three would not be so lenient with her.

A villainess facing the main protagonist team head-on?

Wow.

A novel could be spun from her story alone.

“It’s impossible. I can’t be that unlucky,” Ning Yin comforted herself. “As long as the first match isn’t against Sang Wan, Xie Wuyu, or Si Heyu, I’m fine. Now that I have Radiance, even if I go to the arena, I can last ten minutes without losing face.”

She only hoped she wouldn’t be utterly defeated too quickly.

Face mattered a great deal to her.

She turned to Yan Hanzhou. “You said you’d help me before I found the Heavenly Spirit Spring water.”

“I did.”

“The sect’s junior competition is next month. Time is short and the task heavy. How do you plan to help me?”

Yan Hanzhou unrolled the scroll listing the competition participants fully and pointed to the last name. “I said I’d make sure they’re all crawling before you face them.”

Ning Yin focused on the last name on the scroll: Yan Hanzhou.