12. Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

Within the Lingyun Sect, disciples were divided into inner and outer disciples. The inner sect consisted of twelve peaks, each with anywhere from dozens to over a hundred disciples. Counting carefully, there were several thousand inner disciples, while the outer disciples numbered over ten thousand.

To become an inner disciple, the annual assessment was crucial but extremely rigorous. Out of over ten thousand outer disciples, only a few dozen could advance each year—a near one-in-a-thousand chance.

Under such harsh selection criteria, the outer disciples seized every opportunity to stand out and rise through the ranks. The sect’s minor competition was the best chance to do so.

However, merely participating was no guarantee of success. If one was kicked off the stage during the contest, not only would they fail to rise, but they might also be too ashamed to lift their head for quite some time.

Although Yan Hanzhou entered the sect’s minor competition to help Ning Yin, with his current foundational cultivation barely established, the idea of him taking on the entire Lingyun Sect or the twelve peaks seemed far-fetched. Ning Yin doubted whether he could even last five minutes on the stage.

“I know you’re trying to keep your promise, but are you sure you can win when you step onto the stage? Don’t force yourself. It’s okay if you don’t go—I’ll think of another way,” Ning Yin said.

Yan Hanzhou responded calmly, “Rather than worrying about trivial matters, it’s better to spend more time cultivating in earnest. I have a set of sword techniques suited for the Radiant Sword. Want to learn?”

Ning Yin’s eyes lit up, and she put away the scroll. “Learn! Of course, I want to learn! Let’s go to the back mountain right now!”

At the same time, Xie Wuyu and a group of disciples left the Muyu Peak with stern faces. Behind them, the disciples murmured in discontent.

“Senior Brother, I believe the Radiant Sword recognizing Ning Yin as its master must involve some trickery. I’ve heard that the demonic path has many secret arts that corrupt the heart. Perhaps Ning Yin used some forbidden technique. We should report her to the Sword Pavilion elders!”

“Exactly! Even Ling Yi Sister couldn’t gain the Radiant Sword’s approval. Why should Ning Yin?”

“But the Sword Pavilion elders said the Radiant Sword chose Ning Yin willingly.”

“Then let’s take this to the sect leader! Let the sect leader decide!”

“Yes! Find the sect leader!”

“Enough!” Xie Wuyu’s sharp rebuke silenced the crowd instantly.

In front of the Qiyun Peak hall, a young woman dressed in pink hurried forward. Her eyes were as clear as autumn waters, and her delicate, charming appearance stirred a protective instinct. When she frowned slightly, it only enhanced her appeal.

“Senior Brother! You’re back! How was it? Did you go to Muyu Peak? Did the Radiant Sword really recognize Ning Yin as its master?”

Xie Wuyu remained silent.

The pink-clad woman’s eyes reddened as she whispered, “It’s because I’m not good enough that I haven’t gained the Radiant Sword’s approval in these five years. But I don’t understand—why did the Radiant Sword choose Ning Yin?”

Xie Wuyu himself harbored doubts.

Logically, the Sword Pavilion elders were present when Ning Yin selected her sword. If she had used any underhanded means, the elders would not have failed to notice.

But if Ning Yin truly gained the Radiant Sword’s approval on her own...

Impossible.

The Radiant Sword was pure and immaculate; only someone utterly pure and virtuous could become its master. How could Ning Yin be that person?

“Ling Yi Sister, don’t be anxious. The Radiant Sword’s recognition must be due to Ning Yin’s trickery. In the entire Lingyun Sect, besides you, who else deserves the Radiant Sword? Rest assured, we will help you reclaim it!”

Yu Lingyi had joined the Lingyun Sect only half a year before Ning Yin, yet their reputations were worlds apart.

During the forbidden trial ground, Yu Lingyi risked her safety to protect a limping little rabbit from demons, while Ning Yin, when facing demons, pushed fellow disciples aside to save herself.

Yu Lingyi treated all disciples—inner or outer—with equal kindness and was always willing to help. Ning Yin, by contrast, was disdainful to outsiders and arrogant within, never regarding others with respect.

Though both were princesses of a nation, their temperaments were polar opposites.

Xie Wuyu comforted her quietly, “Don’t belittle yourself. The Radiant Sword’s recognition means nothing. Perhaps—just as they say—Ning Yin was behind it. Don’t worry; I’ll help you find a better sword than the Radiant.”

“What if the Radiant Sword chose its master willingly and Ning Yin didn’t use any underhanded tactics?”

At these words, silence fell.

All eyes glared fiercely at the disciple who spoke.

The disciple blushed and hurried to backtrack, “That’s impossible! If Ning Yin didn’t use any forbidden means, I’d copy the sect rules upside down!”

Only then did the hostile gazes shift away.

Yu Lingyi was troubled. If an outsider had won the Radiant Sword’s favor, she might not feel so distressed. But Ning Yin had entered the sect just before her, and five years of effort had crumbled to nothing. Resentment grew deep in her heart.

She looked up at Xie Wuyu and whispered resolutely, “Senior Brother, I want to join this sect’s minor competition. I want to know where I truly fall short compared to Ning Yin.”

Xie Wuyu was silent for a long moment, then sighed, “Very well.”

“Hey... isn’t that Sister Sang?” some disciples noticed Sang Wan passing by the hall. “She must have heard about the Radiant Sword choosing Ning Yin.”

“Sang Wan is also participating in the minor competition. Finally, she can settle scores and grievances.”

Hearing the murmurs from afar, Sang Wan entered the training ground silently, her mind full of Ning Yin’s taunts.

“That’s right, I deliberately broke you all up, specifically making you my maid.”

“I heard he married and had a child within a year. His wife is gentle and kind. The family of three is happy and peaceful.”

“If you really want that man to carry you home on a sedan chair, you should leave now. With your current cultivation, if you return to Cheng State and kill his new wife, who can stop you?”

“There are so many fine men in the world, yet you picked the worst one.”

“If he truly loved you, why would he marry and have a child just a year after you entered the Lingyun Sect with me? You should thank me for giving you the chance to join. Instead of gratitude, you make an enemy of me. Ungrateful wretch!”

“Lies, lies!” Sang Wan suddenly drew her sword, slashing away the illusions before her.

Ning Yin! How could such a vicious person gain the Radiant Sword’s approval?

I will never forgive you! Never!

—

Muyu Peak.

Behind Muyu Peak lay a tranquil bamboo forest, perfect for solitary meditation and cultivation.

The crisp clash of swords echoed from deep within the bamboo. With a swift flick, the Radiant Sword flew from Ning Yin’s hand, knocked aside by Yan Hanzhou’s wooden sword.

Ning Yin rubbed her tingling wrist. “Am I your enemy? Why do you hit so hard?”

Yan Hanzhou, who had never taken on a disciple before, took a deep breath. “We’ve practiced this sword form back and forth over twenty times. Why can’t you even block one move? The Radiant Sword chose you because your heart is pure and free of evil. Yet you can’t even wield its sword energy. What are you afraid of?”

His tone and expression reminded Ning Yin of her driving instructor—exactly the same. She awkwardly picked up her sword and muttered, “I’m just afraid of hurting you. You’re foundational stage, and so am I. Blades are merciless; if I hurt you, that wouldn’t be good.”

Yan Hanzhou fell silent.

Just as Ning Yin bent to pick up her sword, the scenery blurred. When she stood up, the bamboo forest instantly transformed into a dense woodland.

She looked around but saw no sign of Yan Hanzhou.

“Yan Hanzhou?”

“I know you’re frustrated, but the sect’s minor competition isn’t for another month. We have plenty of time. We can take it step by step. You can’t expect to become an expert overnight, can you?”

“I’m not slacking. Haven’t I already learned the sword techniques you taught me? I just need more practice to unleash their power. You can’t rush these things. I promise, I’m trying, okay?”

Ning Yin sighed, about to speak further when a rumble came from deep within the forest, as if some mighty beast was bursting forth, roaring as it rushed toward her.

Clutching the Radiant Sword, Ning Yin retreated, glancing fearfully around. “Yan Hanzhou! Come out! What is that? Where are we?”

Before she finished speaking, through the gaps in the ancient trees, Ning Yin glimpsed something and quickly hid behind a tree. Strangely, the creature seemed able to smell her presence and stood nearby, searching.

Holding the Radiant Sword tightly, Ning Yin’s heart pounded as she glanced back at the creature in the clearing.

One look nearly made her drop her jaw.

The monstrous figure was over ten meters tall. Though not flesh and blood, it was composed of countless dark stones. Its head bore a pair of crimson, bloodshot eyes. Each step caused the ground to tremble, and stones cascaded from its body.

A scene only seen on television before, but now, up close, the visual impact was overwhelming.

Failing to find Ning Yin, the stone giant angrily smashed two ancient trees nearby, which collapsed with a thunderous crash.

“Why are you afraid?” Yan Hanzhou’s voice echoed from all directions.

“What do you think I’m afraid of?!”

“Draw your sword!”

“Yan Hanzhou!” This was too much—so much like a strict coach forcing you onto the highway!

Taking a deep breath, Ning Yin drew her sword, summoning all her courage and preparing to strike from behind the tree. But the stone giant smelled her approach early and slammed a fist hard into the tree where she hid. The trunk, thick as two men’s embrace, snapped with splinters flying.

The massive impact instantly shattered Ning Yin’s courage, and she fled clumsily through the forest.

“Yan Hanzhou, can we reason this out? Haste makes waste. You can’t start with advanced moves. We have to go step by step, you know? If you push me too hard—” Before she finished, a sharp pain exploded in her back, and she was flung through the air, crashing heavily against a tree and collapsing to the ground.

Pain seared her chest and back. Blood surged wildly, and a sweet taste filled her throat as she spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

“...It hurts so much.”

“You must get used to this pain,” Yan Hanzhou’s calm voice whispered in her ear. “Remember Shiyun Zhao? Si Heyu, Sang Wan, Xie Wuyu, Yu Lingyi—they are all your enemies. They will drive you to this point in the future. If you don’t resist, you will become a ghost under their swords!”

The stone giant approached step by step, its enormous rock arm raised high.

Its fist was like a small mountain, bearing terrifying power that tore through the air. It slammed down toward Ning Yin.

Her pupils contracted, skin pale, she struggled backward, narrowly dodging the deadly blow.

But the ground around her shattered and collapsed under the giant’s fist, sending a wave of stones and dust crashing toward her like a tsunami.

“I’m about to become… cough, cough… a ghost!”

Having dodged the first strike, the stone giant raised both fists again.

“If you don’t kill it, you’ll die!”

“Do you want to remain stuck at foundational level forever?”

“Don’t you want those who underestimate you to see you in a new light?”

“Don’t you want to change your fate as the villain?”

“Shut up!”

“Draw your sword!”

Clutching the Radiant Sword tightly, Ning Yin looked up fiercely. Under the shadow of death, her survival instinct summoned a rare courage. A resolute gleam flashed in her eyes. In the next moment, the Radiant Sword became a streak of light, stabbing straight into the stone giant’s chest.

Its crimson eyes widened in disbelief.

The Radiant Sword pierced through its body. The massive form crumbled piece by piece, dissipating until it was nothing but a cloud of dust, vanishing into the forest.

Emerging from the dust, Ning Yin’s figure appeared. Holding the Radiant Sword, her robe fluttered and hair was disheveled. Gasping for breath, she stared at the scene before her, eyes filled with disbelief.

Did she just single-handedly defeat the stone giant?

With only one strike?

Suddenly, the scene shifted again. When she regained consciousness, she was back in the quiet bamboo forest behind Muyu Peak.

Yan Hanzhou was still there, but now kneeling on one knee, coughing up fresh blood.

“Was that stone giant you?”

“That was just a clone of mine,” Yan Hanzhou wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and stood. “In the Jiuzhou Continent, the strong dominate. If you want to survive here, you must break free from everything that binds you. Remember the rules of this world, or you will die without a grave.”