Chapter 22
This mission, it wasn’t difficult, but it wasn’t easy either.
But the grand competition was indeed his best chance to drug him. After all, if he successfully dragged Helan Xue to the banquet, he could trick Helan Xue into drinking tea.
This was one of the few opportunities he had to get Helan Xue to drink something!
It was just the timing and opportunity to drug him…
Lin Queli exchanged for the drug and put it in his spirit pouch, falling asleep in a jumble of thoughts.
The next day, Lin Queli got up early and ran to the Ice Cave Abode to “review.”
Outside the cave, there was a scarecrow. Lin Queli practiced with the wooden sword, awakening the memory of last night’s cramming.
Sigh, it felt like cramming for a final exam early in the morning.
When Helan Xue came out, he saw Lin Queli practicing.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling as if… the sun had risen from the west.
This brat actually has a moment of hard work and anxiety.
When Lin Queli saw Helan Xue, he gave a dry laugh. “Shizun… good morning!”
As he said this, the wooden sword in his hand nervously fell, as if Helan Xue had discovered that he was not ready.
Or perhaps, more than not being ready, it was nervousness.
Sob, sob, sob…
If I lose again today, it will be so embarrassing.
Although Shouyang said it was fine, I also feel embarrassed.
“Ah, I’m sorry, Shizun, I…” Lin Queli scratched his head. “Although I’m not afraid of getting hurt now, I’m worried that I won’t perform well and lose too badly.”
He had thought that Helan Xue would either ignore him, thinking he was useless, or have a conscience and persuade him like Shouyang that winning or losing didn’t matter. But Helan Xue said, “If you win, I’ll grant you a small wish.”
???!
Huh?!
Lin Queli hugged the wooden sword, greatly shocked.
“Any wish… is fine?”
Helan Xue played with the cinnabar beads and said with his eyes lowered, “As long as it’s not too much or too greedy.”
He had thought that the request Lin Queli would make would be nothing more than asking him to deal with Qiu Heng, treasures, or magical tools.
After all, that was what most people in the mortal world wished for.
Lin Queli said with a grin, “Then if I win, I hope Shizun will accompany me to the celebration banquet and drink with me. Is that okay?”
?
Helan Xue paused.
He looked at Lin Queli.
Lin Queli’s two eyes were sparkling, not like he was joking or lying.
Was this really… Lin Queli’s wish?
Lin Queli pouted and asked carefully, “…Is it not okay?”
If it’s not okay, then I won’t have a chance to drug him! It would be too obvious to bring a cup of tea to the Ice Cave Abode. I might be exposed if I’m not careful.
That’s right, I’m nervous.
I can’t miss the chance to drug him.
“It’s okay.”
“Yay!!”
Lin Queli swung a few more times. He turned his head and saw that Helan Xue was still standing on the side, not leaving, as if he were preparing to go down the mountain to the grand competition site with him.
Hmm…?
Why?
Lin Queli secretly observed Helan Xue, and then his body trembled as if he had thought of something.
He understood.
Helan Xue was going to supervise him, to prevent him from being lazy, or perhaps he was worried that he had forgotten everything he learned last night and would bring shame to the Myriad Sword Sect.
Lin Queli wanted to cry but had no tears, and he swung the sword even harder.
After roughly reviewing everything, the two went down the mountain. The grand competition site was as lively as yesterday, but even with so many people, everyone knew the rules of the Myriad Sword Mountain and didn’t dare to be too noisy.
When Helan Xue arrived at the site, many people looked over, and those who were close also stood up respectfully.
Everyone also saw Lin Queli following behind Helan Xue.
Everyone was in an uproar, with many guesses in their hearts.
After Lin Queli lost the match yesterday, everyone was curious if the Myriad Sword Sect would still want him as a “prospective disciple,” and they were also curious about who Lin Queli was and where he came from. Why had they never seen him before?
But now, everyone saw Lin Queli obediently following behind Helan Xue. When he met everyone’s gaze, he smiled gracefully. His bright eyes and white teeth, his delicate but not aggressive features, made people feel good about him.
But even though Lin Queli was well-dressed and well-mannered, a discerning person could still see that he seemed a little nervous. Perhaps because of this, he was almost clinging to Helan Xue, very close to the high and mighty, unapproachable Taxue Xianzun.
Before Helan Xue went up to the high platform, he glanced at Lin Queli. “Go.”
“Mmm…!”
Lin Queli nodded heavily. He cupped his fists and smiled. “Shizun, I will definitely not let down your teachings. I will do my best!”
With that, he stepped onto the arena.
Everyone was discussing.
“The Xianzun seems to… think very highly of him and dote on him?”
“I don’t know… but it seems that that Lin Luo is not someone who can be easily manipulated or bullied. I thought this was a forced marriage by the Changming Clan, but no, he was personally taught by the Xianzun.”
“Aiya, if I had such a disciple, I would definitely dote on him too!”
Qiu Heng heard these words in the crowd, and his face darkened.
He flicked his sleeve and also went up to the stage with great vigor.
Unlike yesterday when everyone was still in the dark, this time many people had heard the news and came to watch. The arena was surrounded by people.
Lin Queli looked at his confident opponent opposite him and took a deep breath, feeling his heart pound wildly.
He quickly adjusted his mood and told himself to be calm.
On his wrist was a spirit bead from Helan Xue, to protect him from evil qi.
Around his neck was the longevity lock Helan Xue had given him, to protect him from being hurt by others.
And the sword in his hand was a treasure from the Myriad Sword Sect’s treasury that Shouyang had chosen for him to use temporarily. It was light and agile, but it could cut hair like mud.
Last night, Helan Xue had even personally taught him. He had not forgotten.
At this moment, both Shouyang and Helan Xue were watching him.
Then it seemed… there was indeed nothing to be afraid of.
Lin Queli closed his eyes. After his vision went dark, he could no longer see the crowd that was putting pressure on him or the Qiu Heng who was eyeing him like a tiger watching its prey. All that appeared was Helan Xue’s impassive golden eyes when he was teaching him last night.
Seeing that Lin Queli had relaxed and even closed his eyes, Qiu Heng smiled and directly swung his sword and rushed forward, striking first like yesterday.
Clang!
The two swords met. Lin Queli reacted quickly and caught it. He even easily made Qiu Heng’s sword turn and stab into the ground with a twist.
Qiu Heng was dragged to the side with his sword, his upper body completely unprotected. Lin Queli’s other hand condensed spiritual energy and struck him.
Thump!
Although it was only beginner-level spiritual energy, it was still effective when it hit the vitals of the chest in a large area. Qiu Heng’s strength was now scattered, and after being hit by Lin Queli like this, he was actually sent flying and fell to the ground.
—It was the same process as yesterday, but this time it was Qiu Heng who was thrown out.
The crowd was in an uproar. Everyone was stunned.
Lin Queli himself was also stunned.
His eyes widened, and he thought to himself, so… it’s that easy?
Helan Xue is amazing!!
He’s not the number one sword in the world for nothing!
The dismantling method Helan Xue taught him is really deadly!!!
On the high platform, Helan Xue played with the spirit sand, his gaze obscure as he looked down at the stage.
Ji Chun, who was standing behind him, belatedly realized that Helan Xue… seemed to be in a good mood?
And after Lin Queli’s successful debut, his confidence soared. Then, as if he had opened a cheat, he resolved all of Qiu Heng’s sword moves and came to the big drum.
Whoosh—
Lin Queli threw his sword out. The hilt hit Qiu Heng’s chin, forcing him back several steps.
In this instant, Lin Queli took out the drumstick—
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Three heavy drum beats echoed through the sky.
Lin Queli held the drumstick, panting.
“Oh my god…” Ji Chun said with emotion, “He won! He really won!”
Shouyang couldn’t stop smiling.
The audience below was also in disbelief.
“It was actually Lin Luo who won! Didn’t they say that Qiu Heng was the youngest and most powerful prodigy of the Changming Clan?”
“And this is a victory that crosses levels! A Foundation Establishment winning against a Golden Core, this… is too rare!”
“Aiyo, how can you say that? No matter how powerful a prodigy is, how can they compare to Taxue Xianzun’s disciple? Even if he hasn’t officially become a disciple, just being in the Myriad Sword Sect and breathing in the immortal qi, and watching his senior martial brothers practice, is probably enough to surpass others by several years!”
“This is enough to show that that Young Master Lin is not a vase as Qiu Heng said. He is already so good at the Foundation Establishment stage. His future is promising!”
“Now that Lin Luo and Qiu Heng each have one win, the final battle tomorrow will be the key!”
And the other protagonist of the discussion, Qiu Heng, was kneeling on the ground, staring at Lin Queli in a daze.
Lin Queli’s spiritual energy was too weak to hurt him, but…
Qiu Heng’s eyes widened.
He lost?
Lost to that wastrel, that unlearned Foundation Establishment?
Impossible! He must have cheated!
The drum had already been sounded, and everything was settled. But Qiu Heng still picked up his sword, got up, and stabbed at Lin Queli again.
“…?!”
Lin Queli was so scared by the sword tip that suddenly stabbed at him that he jumped up and his spiritual energy burst out.
Swoosh—
Perhaps it was a miracle born from adversity. This time, Qiu Heng flew even farther.
“…”
The surroundings were in an uproar. Lin Queli didn’t see Qiu Heng’s expression… or rather, he was too far away to see it.
But no matter what, he had already won now!
Lin Queli looked up, wanting to see Helan Xue, but he could only vaguely see the white figure in the distance. He didn’t know what expression Helan Xue had at this moment.
Shizun… will he be happy?
Will he be proud of me?
…
At night.
At the banquet, cups were clinking, and the juniors were busy getting to know the seniors, while the seniors were busy exchanging recent news.
And Lin Queli was huddled by Shouyang’s side, eating hard. At first, many people wanted to curry favor with him, this prospective disciple of the Myriad Sword Sect, and many seniors came to ask him questions, but Lin Queli’s answers were stumbling and naive, so Shouyang blocked them all.
The table was full of delicacies and fine wine, but Lin Queli was eating while worrying.
Will Shizun come as promised?
Lin Queli secretly glanced at the empty seat beside him.
The drug was ready. Later, he would offer tea to Helan Xue, and then use the excuse to go back with Helan Xue. Everything would be a great success, hehehehe…
“Junior martial brother…”
A call interrupted Lin Queli’s thoughts. He looked up and saw Qiu Heng suddenly appear in front of him.
Hmm…?
Lin Queli blinked. What is he doing here?
Qiu Heng held up his wine cup and bowed humbly. “Junior martial brother, I’ve come to apologize to you.”
Eek!!!
Lin Queli used all his acting skills to not show a disgusted expression.
“It’s-it’s okay.” Lin Queli gave a dry laugh. “If you really feel sorry, how about we don’t fight tomorrow?”
Qiu Heng: “…?”
The corner of Qiu Heng’s mouth twitched. “How is that the same? A friendly spar, teaching you in the arena is also a way for your senior martial brother to make up for it.”
Lin Queli said with a grin, “No need, no need. It’s enough for me to have Taxue Xianzun as my teacher.”
Lin Queli was like the little fox in the story of the fox borrowing the tiger’s might.
Qiu Heng: “…”
Qiu Heng could barely hold back his expression.
Lin Queli looked around. Where was Shouyang? He wanted to ask his senior martial brother to drive him away. Sob, sob, why did he have to leave his seat at this time to catch up with his old friends?
Qiu Heng looked at the delicate features of the person before him, his eyes darkening slightly.
For the sake of his junior martial brother, he had bought some medicinal powder from the Medicine Sect. But it wasn’t poison. After all, he didn’t have the guts to poison someone in the Myriad Sword Sect, and it would be easily discovered.
—His medicine was harmless, but it could make Lin Queli embarrass himself, or even worse, unable to compete tomorrow.
Qiu Heng sat down beside Lin Queli and said with a smile, “Junior martial brother, I’ll toast you.”
