Chapter 63: Three-Way Contest
The flowers and plants on Zhishui Peak had been barren for many years.
The weeds had grown taller than a person’s head, hiding the simple wooden cabin deep inside.
Making this place look like a wasteland.
But now, Yan Yan—dressed in a rusty golden sword robe with a sword jade hanging at her waist and holding the Tianming Sword horizontally in one hand to block many elders—knew that someone still lived here.
Someone who should have been the sect leader.
As the sword master of Tianming Sword, the sixth of Tianzhen’s Seven Swords, she was quite young among the sword masters.
She rarely got involved in the sect’s internal affairs, preferring to study swordsmanship on her own peak… She loved swords and considered them precious.
So, even in this chaotic situation, she still supported Luo Hongyu.
This swordsmanship genius whose heart had been enlightened, a rare talent across ages, and their future sect leader by right.
“Yan Yan, you’ve made excuses before, but what excuse do you have today!”
Yan Yan sighed with difficulty, looking at the white-haired old man before her.
Normally she wouldn’t even be able to match the names and faces of these old men.
But after years of conflict, even someone as clueless as her knew this old man was Elder Liu, who managed the sect’s disciples…
And also the biggest advocate for Luo Hongyu to return the main peak.
According to tradition, Zhishui Peak was the sect leader’s peak. In other words, if one wasn’t the sect leader, they should give up this peak.
Since Luo Hongyu had never emerged from that small cabin, naturally she couldn’t inherit the position of sect leader.
If she was unwilling, by reason she should indeed give it up.
But…
Though she didn’t know the specific details of that earth-shattering change six years ago, Yan Yan at least knew one thing: Zhishui Peak must be very important to Luo Hongyu.
Asking her to give it up was impossible.
However, these elders who came to pressure her weren’t good people either.
The most resource-rich peaks in Tianzhen Sword Sect were the sect leader’s peak, the peaks where the Seven Sword bearers resided, and a few places that nurtured the sect’s elite forces. Even these elders’ peaks were inferior.
None of them wanted to be sect leader. They themselves knew that as long as the Tianzhen Seven Swords weren’t all dead, it wouldn’t be their turn.
So all they wanted was to divide the spoils and leave.
“Elder Liu, listen to my advice. Whatever else you want to do, I have no right to interfere, but this Zhishui Peak—you’d better not touch it.”
“This is for your own good.”
Others said that the Deer Orchid Sword was broken, Luo Hongyu had lost her sword heart, and even though she had broken through to the Yuan Ying stage, she was seriously injured and would never achieve greatness.
But… do you know why Yan Yan only guarded this mountaintop and didn’t go any higher?
There must be a reason.
Previously, with some self-awareness as one of Tianzhen’s Seven Swords, she had come to the peak to see what was going on with the self-isolated Luo Hongyu.
But as soon as she approached the cabin… she was attacked by Luo Hongyu.
At that time, due to the surprise attack and various reasons… Yan Yan had to retreat quickly.
And after that?
After that, she made this place her training ground, coming occasionally to learn a thing or two.
And based on the simple principle of fair exchange, she decided to block those who might cause trouble for Luo Hongyu.
And try to ensure these old men didn’t spill blood on Zhishui Peak.
Of course, these old men clearly didn’t appreciate Yan Yan’s good intentions.
“Since she has no intention of taking on the responsibility of sect leader, she should rightfully give up Zhishui Peak! Is there anything wrong with what I’m saying?”
“With the old sect leader dead and two of the Tianzhen Seven Swords lost, we are already in a precarious situation, facing extreme danger.”
“She has been negative and passive, with the position of sect leader remaining undecided for six years! If we don’t take measures quickly, do we wait until our thousand years of Tianzhen Sword Sect foundation is destroyed before taking action?”
Elder Liu’s words were sincere, his tone moving, his face full of the bitter lament of an old minister of Tianzhen watching the dynasty’s decline.
The first time one heard it, they might be somewhat touched.
But after so long, Yan Yan was immune.
She patted the Tianming Sword and asked helplessly:
“Alright, then who do the esteemed elders think should be the sect leader?”
The old men looked at each other, finally reaching a conclusion.
That’s for you Tianzhen Seven Swords to decide.
Sigh.
Fame, fortune, spiritual energy, magical treasures—possessing ever so much means nothing if one lacks something they truly love and rely on.
Yan Yan really couldn’t understand these people.
Just as she was about to use her usual method of both soft and hard tactics to try to get these old men to go down the mountain, she suddenly sensed a slight movement from behind.
This feeling… it was like something had opened.
“…Young Mistress, after six years, you’ve finally decided to come out?”
“…?”
Hearing Elder Liu’s words, Yan Yan was startled, then quickly turned to look.
She saw that the small cabin, buried by wild grass, had opened.
A woman walked out.
She wore the most common disciple uniform of Tianzhen Sword Sect and had long since lost her former sharp sword intent that had never failed.
Now, in terms of presence, she was no different from an ordinary Yuan Ying cultivator.
If there was anything different, it was the mask she now wore.
That white fox mask.
Yan Yan recognized the mask.
It belonged to that sword attendant by Luo Hongyu’s side, Luohe.
Yan Yan didn’t know much about Luohe, only that he had followed Luo Hongyu since he was very young.
And… after that incident six years ago, he seemed to have disappeared.
Now it seemed that the Young Mistress’s situation was related to him?
But before Yan Yan could think further.
Luo Hongyu had already started walking.
She ignored everyone in front of her and walked straight ahead.
Although all these elders had come for her.
But seeing Luo Hongyu who had locked herself away for six years now walking out, none of them dared to speak except for Elder Liu, who forced himself to continue.
Even though she was no longer that rising genius star…
Step, step, step, step.
Luo Hongyu walked to Yan Yan’s side.
Yan Yan felt the gaze from behind the mask rest on her for an instant.
That gaze made her feel… somewhat cold.
Then, she withdrew her gaze and continued walking.
“Wait! We’ve waited six years for you, you should at least give us an answer…”
Seeing Luo Hongyu ignore them, Elder Liu, in his urgency, actually reached out to grab Luo Hongyu’s shoulder.
Inevitably, his outstretched hand would touch the mask on Luo Hongyu’s face.
So…
Swish.
Accompanied by a heart-rending scream and the panicked voices of the elders, a cleanly-cut severed hand fell silently to the ground.
Luo Hongyu hadn’t dodged, but she had deliberately turned her face. Blood splashed on her face but didn’t touch the mask.
And there was no sword in her hand; in fact, she hadn’t even moved.
This was a unique skill of Yuan Ying sword cultivators—transforming spiritual consciousness into a sword.
“Young Mistress.”
Yan Yan didn’t hesitate any longer, drawing the Tianming Sword and standing in front of Luo Hongyu to prevent her from striking again.
Although things weren’t as serious as Elder Liu had said, Tianzhen Sword Sect was indeed in an unprecedented period of weakness, with many people watching and waiting.
If Luo Hongyu, who had finally come out of her cabin, marked her first action by cutting down one of their elders…
That would be troublesome.
With her action, Luo Hongyu finally stopped and looked directly at her.
Both at the Yuan Ying stage…
Yan Yan felt immense pressure.
…