Cohabitation with Sword Spirit-Chapter 242 - 203: The Team Grows Stronger

A few hours earlier.

After returning from the Aozora Martial Arts Arena, Li Wanqing and Shen Qingming did not go back to the Li Family Mansion but arrived at Shen Garden instead. This had become a routine during the main competition; every day after the match, they would come to Shen Garden for rest and to prepare for the next day's competition—after all, Shen Garden housed the top master on the entire Xiangzhou Continent, the Celestial Divine Sword.

And while having afternoon tea in the garden, the two suddenly engaged in a debate.

A debate about who truly deserved to be the champion of the Cyan Cloud Tournament.

After Li Wanqing inexplicably won the second semifinal, the championship of this Cyan Cloud Tournament had already been secured by the Li Family. Whether Li Wanqing or Shen Qingming won the championship, it would ultimately be the honor of the Li Family.

But that was only for the family; for individuals, the difference between champion and runner-up was obvious. Not to mention the historic prestige, the opportunity to meet the Holy Sect Immortal Envoy was invaluable.

Therefore, Shen Qingming sincerely suggested that she should forfeit the match the next day.

For Shen Qingming, this Cyan Cloud Tournament had already yielded much more than she expected, both emotionally and in her cultivation... To this day, she had no desires left for the Cyan Cloud Tournament.

So, why push things to the limit to claim honors that shouldn't belong to her?

Frankly, compared to a little girl who got lucky at the market and found a Celestial Divine Sword, then rose to prominence, isn't it more fitting that those with talent, who work hard and receive full support from others, should win the championship?

Although Shen Qingming hadn't told anyone else, in the quarterfinals and semifinals, when she consecutively eliminated the Lu Brothers... seeing their remorseful eyes, she felt somewhat guilty in her heart.

For the Lu Family, this Cyan Cloud Tournament must have carried many expectations. The talent and intelligence shown by the two brothers were truly admirable, and at least she felt inferior to them. Yet, just because she had the Celestial Divine Sword behind her, the Lu Brothers bowed out defeated, while she continued on.

In the end, this Cyan Cloud Tournament was originally just a wager with Lu Xin out of spite for her.

In comparison, Sister Wanqing returned from Yuqing Mountain, traveling from afar just for the Cyan Cloud Tournament championship. She was extraordinarily talented and always focused and diligent in cultivation, the hope of the Li Family. For her to win the championship was only natural.

But Li Wanqing resolutely refused Shen Qingming's proposal.

"Forfeit? Do you want me to be the first champion in Cyan Cloud Tournament history to win by default because my opponent withdrew?"

"That's not what I mean, I mean..."

"Or are you saying you plan to throw the match, granting me the championship as an act of charity from on high?"

"Of course not! You must know, the me competing now isn't the true me. Winning a championship with such an identity, I feel... it may not be against the rules, but it's not something I'd be proud of."

Li Wanqing looked at Shen Qingming with some helplessness: "So you think I have no hope whatsoever tomorrow, that I'm bound to lose?"

"..." Shen Qingming thought for a moment and honestly nodded.

"It's truly heartbreaking, to be looked down upon by someone I adore... Frankly, I've been saving a trump card for tomorrow's battle, but your words make me feel dispirited."

Shen Qingming pondered for a while, unsure how to explain, so she awkwardly changed the subject: "I just want to win the match with my own hands..."

"With your own hands... I understand, you don't want to be Wang Jiu's puppet, and your hands are itching to try themselves, right? Alright, then don't rely on Wang Jiu's power later, let's have a match just between us."

"Eh?" Shen Qingming was taken aback, "Without Wang Jiu's help... how could I possibly beat you!"

Li Wanqing explained: "I'll suppress my power to match your current realm, won't that do? Although the power realm is lowered, I still retain my vision, judgment, and combat experience, making me arguably the strongest at this level. If you can beat me, it at least proves that you are undeniably the top in the Cyan Cloud Tournament at your current realm, even at the age of 14. How about it, want to try?"

"Alright, please guide me!"

——

Reflecting on their conversation from an hour ago, Shen Qingming felt a sense of surrealism rising in her heart.

She actually won, won against Sister Wanqing, who's been full of glory since childhood?

This time, without relying on Wang Jiu's power, purely with her own strength, she won against an opponent seemingly impossible to defeat. This feeling, it's... so marvelous.

In a trance, her vision blurred a bit, and soon a handkerchief appeared in front of her, accompanied by Li Wanqing's warm and gentle voice.

"The taste of victory, isn't it wonderful?"

"Yes."

"You will gradually become addicted to this feeling over time."

"Yes."

"You're tired too, go have a rest."

"Hmm... Thank you, Sister Wanqing."

"You're welcome."

——

After a while, Li Wanqing returned to the training ground with a tinge of reluctance after escorting Shen Qingming back to the bedroom to rest, and sighed regretfully towards the sky.

"Ah, Little Sister Qingming's sleeping face is just too adorable. I really want to steal a kiss when she's not paying attention!"

Beside her, Wang Jiu asked curiously, "Then why don't you kiss her?"

Li Wanqing snorted, glaring, "Why don't you just drop dead! Every time I want to get close to her lately, you always intervene."

"Because Shen Qingming asked me to stop you if you try to do something to her when she's caught off guard."

Li Wanqing said unhappily, "Without you, I'd have taken the opportunity to form a bond with her long ago, let alone steal a kiss."

"That's why I wonder why you missed today's opportunity," Wang Jiu said. "Shen Qingming only asked me to stop you from doing something to her when she's unprepared, but not from doing something in her presence."

"...Huh?"

"Based on my understanding of Shen Qingming, she was emotionally stirred at the time, in a mental low point. According to the bridge effect, she might develop feelings beyond friendship for a target like you who is directly in front of her, seizing the chance to make a move could have a high probability of breaking the barrier."

"I..." Li Wanqing's body trembled slightly, "I've really become foolish from too much sword fighting, to need you to remind me of such an issue, it's truly the shame of my life!"

After speaking, Li Wanqing turned to go inside, but found Wang Jiu blocking her way.

"Now that Shen Qingming is asleep, she's unprepared. I can't allow you to do anything during this period."

"...Once she wakes up, it'll be even less of a chance!" Li Wanqing was truly filled with frustration. "Since you knew, why didn't you remind me earlier?"

"Because I didn't want to cause you lifelong shame."

"..." Li Wanqing was silent for a long time, only managing a bitter smile. "Sigh, maybe this is just love making a woman foolish."

Amidst her bitter smile, Li Wanqing also let go of her disappointment, glanced at Wang Jiu, and spoke softly, "Thanks."

Wang Jiu nodded, "You're welcome, as I'm not the type to enjoy humiliating friends."

"It's not about that incident, I mean Qingming..." Li Wanqing gestured toward the house with her mouth, "Thank you for looking after her during this time. Qingming has truly transformed."

Wang Jiu paused and then said, "I owe her a debt, and she's the daughter of an old friend, so it's only natural for me to take care of her."

"But from my perspective, I still want to thank you for everything you've done," Li Wanqing said, pausing briefly before continuing, "I honestly didn't expect to lose just now."

Wang Jiu nodded, "In theory, you should have won. When you voluntarily gave up, Shen Qingming's remaining stamina was actually less than yours."

"But her fighting spirit surpassed mine, and admitting defeat, at least, means she has already outdone me on a willpower level," Li Wanqing said. "Besides, I truly didn't expect her swordsmanship to have become so formidable. Although it can't compare to Uncle's flamboyant and marvelous sword style, it's somewhat clumsy in technique yet brimming with vitality, spirit, and momentum. Back then, I could only barely reach such a state."

Saying this, Li Wanqing flexed her wrist, "Just now when I was sword fighting with her, I often switched the sword between my left and right hands, it was actually because she numbed my wrist... Even with my innate divine power, I couldn't win in a contest of brute force."

"The Immovable Tyrant Body is undoubtedly first among the bloodline divine techniques."

"That's only reasonable for a weirdo like you," Li Wanqing said, "I've never even heard of something like the Immovable Tyrant Body before, let alone strange swordsmanship like Spirit Cat Swordsmanship. All this is what you've brought for Qingming. Having a mentor like you makes Little Sister Qingming enviably fortunate."

Seeing Li Wanqing's sparkling eyes, Wang Jiu thought for a moment before speaking, "If you also want to become my apprentice, I can accept."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I would really love to learn swordsmanship with you, but I already have a mentor. Sister Yuqing took care of me for 3 years, imparting all her life knowledge to me without reservation. It's impossible for me to have another mentor in this lifetime. Occasionally listening to your advice during regular practice is fine, but truly learning your skills might make me feel sorry towards the Yuqing Daoist Skill."

"In that case, why not have Yuqing become my apprentice?"

"...What?" At this moment, Li Wanqing seemed to be hit by legendary immortal techniques like Extreme Zero Split Freeze and Diamond Starbeam, freezing on the spot.

Wang Jiu seriously suggested, "As long as Yuqing becomes my apprentice and learns my swordsmanship, she can naturally teach it to you without affecting your unique mentor-mentee relationship."

"...Why does that sound so reasonable!?"

"I'm actually surprised you didn't think of such a simple solution."

"It's only simple for you!"