Was it you that night?-Chapter 41 - Facing the Challenge Again
Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Facing the Challenge Again
Chapter 41 -41: Facing the Challenge Again
Shen Zhiyao immediately became alert when she heard Shen Qinghe was going to Juxiu Hall, “Why don’t you just not go? Nan Sheng is the center of attention right now, I’m afraid people will say unpleasant things!”
Nowadays, wherever you go in the sect, everyone is talking about Nan Sheng. Qinghe’s Foundation Establishment happened around the same time as Nan Sheng’s, yet she hasn’t shown any signs of a breakthrough.
So, people started gossiping behind her back, saying things like Qinghe couldn’t keep a man, and her man fell for Nan Sheng. Now, Qinghe couldn’t even surpass Nan Sheng in cultivation, despite having the Heterodox Cultivation Manual given by Dongfang Wuya. But even with that, Qinghe’s cultivation base hasn’t improved at all, calling her a hopeless case.
It pained her to hear these words, let alone how Qinghe herself must feel.
Shen Qinghe knew what Shen Zhiyao was worried about, “I don’t care about those rumors, I still need to attend the lessons.”
She had even survived the deadly trials, how could she care about some hurtful words?
“Then I’ll go with you. If anyone dares to talk nonsense, I’ll make them pick up their teeth off the floor!” Shen Zhiyao sprang up, suddenly invigorated.
As it happened, today’s lesson was a practical combat class taught by Sword Master Tian Yan.
When the Shen sisters appeared, the lively scene fell silent for a moment, and all the strange looks fell on Shen Qinghe.
Not only because Shen Qinghe had become increasingly charming, but also because she had always been at the center of public opinion.
The entire sect was comparing Shen Qinghe with Nan Sheng, and at this moment, Shen Qinghe still dared to show her face, making people wonder whether she was thick-skinned or just didn’t care.
Nan Sheng stood between Yan Changsheng and Xiao Chen, the two most outstanding young talents of the sect and her flower guardians. She was already the center of attention.
But when Shen Qinghe appeared, she suddenly stole everyone’s focus, and even if those were disdainful looks, they still made Nan Sheng uncomfortable.
She glanced at An Lu, who immediately understood and issued a challenge to Shen Qinghe, “I’ve heard Junior Sister Qinghe’s swordsmanship is exceptional. Later on, I’d like to exchange a few moves with Junior Sister. Please don’t hold back.”
Shen Zhiyao couldn’t help but laugh in anger, “Does Junior Sister An have no shame? You’re on the verge of Core Formation, and Qinghe has only achieved Foundation Establishment. Aren’t you just bullying the weak with strength? How about this, I just reached Core Formation; how about a match with me?”
An Lu smiled mockingly, “But Sister is a cultivator at the Golden Core Stage, and as long as I haven’t formed my core, I am a Foundation Building Cultivator. Naturally, Foundation Building Cultivators should spar with Foundation Building Cultivators. Sister surely wouldn’t want to unfairly challenge across levels, as that would be against the sect’s sparring rules!”
Shen Qinghe’s spiritual energy was depleted, making her listless, but as soon as she entered Juxiu Hall, the abundant spiritual energy of the main characters surged towards her.
She trembled all over, finding that the spiritual energy she absorbed this time when facing the main characters was purer and more abundant than before.
Her hands were itching for a challenge, and she was eager to test out the results of her recent days of cultivation.
“Since Senior Sister An wishes to spar with me, then I will respectfully accept the challenge. Please show mercy, Senior Sister An,” Shen Qinghe accepted the challenge.
Shen Zhiyao tugged at Shen Qinghe’s sleeve, worried about her getting hurt, and Shen Qinghe reassured her with a comforting smile, “I have been training behind closed doors all day without the opportunity to face trials. If Senior Sister An is willing to enlighten me, I will give it my all. Elder sister, don’t worry.”
Shen Zhiyao had recently realized that her younger sister had become more and more decisive, and there was no stopping her once she made up her mind.
She handed her Spirit Sword to Shen Qinghe, “Swords have no eyes, be careful.”
Shen Qinghe was wiser than she was and must have seen that An Lu was Nan Sheng’s lapdog. This was clearly Nan Sheng’s intention to humiliate Qinghe. She herself didn’t make a move but had An Lu face Qinghe instead.
The purpose was self-evident.
“I can save it,” replied Shen Qinghe.
Other cultivators also successively found their match-ups. Among them, the match between Xiao Chen and Yan Changsheng excited all the cultivators present, and the most eye-catching one was the match between Shen Qinghe and An Lu.
An Lu’s cultivation base was just one step away from Core Formation, while Shen Qinghe had been marking time at the same spot since Foundation Establishment. Nan Sheng, who reached Foundation Establishment at the same time, had already advanced to the Late Stage of Foundation Building. It was unclear whether Shen Qinghe’s lack of progress was due to poor talent or a lack of diligent practice.
Everyone believed that An Lu’s match with Shen Qinghe would be an overwhelming victory, with no suspense regarding the outcome.
When Shen Qinghe and An Lu stepped onto the stage for the competition, they attracted the attention of many spectators.
Nan Sheng still remembered the humiliation of her loss to Shen Qinghe and had made arrangements with An Lu early on. If Shen Qinghe dared to show up today, An Lu would challenge her—an opportunity to embarrass Shen Qinghe in public.
Not expecting Shen Qinghe to actually appear, Nan Sheng realized she wouldn’t need to take action herself to see Shen Qinghe’s reputation ruined, avenging the grudge of their last encounter.
She leaned close to Xiao Chen and asked, “Brother Xiao, how many moves do you think Qinghe can last under Senior Sister An’s sword?”
Xiao Chen, recalling the last match between Shen Qinghe and Nan Sheng, lightly curled his lips into a smile, “Qinghe might surprise us.”
A mortal girl without a Spirit Root could cultivate and even defeat the talented Nan Sheng. An Lu might not necessarily be able to defeat Shen Qinghe. He thought that before the result was out, anything was possible.
Nan Sheng didn’t expect Xiao Chen to actually rate Shen Qinghe highly. She felt displeased but didn’t show it on her face.
Her doe-like eyes shimmering like water, she turned to Yan Changsheng and asked, “Brother Changsheng, do you think Qinghe has a chance of winning against Senior Sister An?”
Yan Changsheng shook his head indifferently, “The chances are slim. But Qinghe has been practicing swordsmanship with the Master since childhood and is quite proficient. It’s just that her cultivation base is far inferior to Junior Sister An, so the chance is very slim.”
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Nan Sheng pursed her red lips slightly, surprised to find that Yan Changsheng also rated Shen Qinghe highly.
Many of those present were disciples of Shen Zhuo; didn’t they all learn the same swordsmanship? An Lu had over a decade more in swordsmanship practice than Shen Qinghe; with that in mind, An Lu would certainly not be worse than Shen Qinghe in swordsmanship alone.
As for cultivation base, An Lu was just one step away from the Golden Core Stage, whereas Shen Qinghe was still at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage. Perhaps for many years to come, Shen Qinghe would only be able to wander at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage. Many with poor cultivation talent end up like this, and Shen Qinghe was likely one of the mediocre ones.
Shen Qinghe’s victory over her last time was nothing but a fluke.
Nan Sheng didn’t agree with Yan Changsheng and Xiao Chen, but she didn’t argue.
She just quietly waited to see Shen Qinghe’s defeat.
On the platform, An Lu mockingly said to Shen Qinghe, “Since my cultivation base is higher than Junior Sister’s, I’ll let Junior Sister have three moves.”
She deliberately took this stance in order to pave the way for inflicting a heavy blow on Shen Qinghe later on. If Shen Qinghe were to be severely injured, hampering her cultivation journey from there on, it would be all the more to her liking.
Nan Sheng disliked Shen Qinghe, and so did she, especially because the man she had pined for years, Wuya, showed exceptional and unlike any other consideration for Shen Qinghe, which she could not tolerate.
Shen Qinghe knew that An Lu and Nan Sheng were in cahoots and was aware that An Lu, the female antagonist, had no bottom line in her actions, so she naturally wouldn’t underestimate the opponent.
Since An Lu was offering her three moves, she would certainly seize the opportunity.
