Outside the Spring and Autumn Bell.
The Shangyuan Sect.
The daylight was bright, and the area in front of the martial arts arena was packed with people.
Jiang Yuliu was dressed in white, appearing like a celestial fairy untainted by the world, sitting quietly in a corner of the spectator stands.
However, those cool and clear eyes would occasionally steal a glance at Jiang Tong beside her, looking somewhat puzzled.
Compared to her internal struggle, Jiang Tong appeared exceptionally calm.
After coming out of the Spring and Autumn Bell, he had claimed a wave of rewards, and his cultivation had risen directly to the early stage of Foundation Establishment.
Jiang Yuliu was even more convinced that the medicinal soup had worked. Before coming to the grand competition this morning, she had insisted that Jiang Tong drink another bowl.
Jiang Tong couldn’t argue with her, so he could only consume the soup in its entirety. He lied to her, saying that the foundation he had accumulated over the past eight years had all exploded at once, triggering a ten-billion-fold subsidy that caused his cultivation to rise at lightning speed.
Even though he had spent a long time inside the Spring and Autumn Bell, only a few days had passed in reality.
This kind of speed in increasing one’s cultivation was indeed a bit inconceivable.
Jiang Tong was currently thinking about whether there was a suitable way to slow down his progress slightly; otherwise, it would be too bizarre. No matter how much of a genius one was, this shouldn’t be possible.
Seeing that the fight on the arena had already begun, he turned his head thoughtfully. Jiang Yuliu looked away as if nothing had happened.
“Was Master just looking at me?”
“Who’s looking at you.” Jiang Yuliu refused to look at him. “Don’t be so conceited.”
“Master.” Jiang Tong suddenly frowned and asked seriously, “What’s been wrong with you these past two days?”
He felt that his Master was a bit less cold and had become somewhat dazed. Although it was cute, there was definitely something going on.
Jiang Yuliu didn’t seem like the type of person who couldn’t keep a secret.
For a moment, Jiang Yuliu was stunned. The phrase “A sword cultivator should forge ahead undaunted” echoed in her mind again, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the corner of her clothes.
She turned her eyes and met Jiang Tong’s gaze. Originally, she wanted to put on her majestic front as his Master.
But as their eyes met, she opened her mouth, feeling as helpless as a little girl.
“Hey, don’t move.”
Looking at his Master’s features, Jiang Tong suddenly spoke up. He leaned in closer and gently pinched an osmanthus petal from her hair.
Feeling the warm touch of his fingertips, Jiang Yuliu’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, but she didn’t move. She just quietly looked at Jiang Tong.
“The osmanthus in the courtyard has started to fall. Winter isn’t far off.”
Jiang Tong looked at the petal in his hand and smiled. “Is there a headpiece Master likes? Before they all fall off, I’ll make one for you.”
On the surface, he was as calm as a breeze, but in reality, drums were beating in his heart.
When Jiang Tong’s fingers touched Jiang Yuliu’s hair, he realized it in hindsight.
Oh no, just now while looking into his Master’s eyes, he had accidentally seen the image of his little disciple.
It seemed that entering the Spring and Autumn Bell too many times really had downsides; he was mixing up two people who were completely unrelated.
Did this count as indirectly stroking his Master’s head?
Unexpectedly, Jiang Yuliu didn’t get angry. She looked into his eyes and said, “There is one…”
Jiang Tong was stunned. He watched as she took an item from her bosom—it was a hairpin.
The hairpin was adorned with a blooming osmanthus flower that looked radiant, but the petals and leaves had already begun to turn yellow.
“Master, this is?”
“Can you help me make another one?” Jiang Yuliu looked at him quietly and said softly, “I want a new one. This osmanthus is about to wither.”
Jiang Tong was momentarily confused. He leaned in toward her fair palm and saw the truth.
This osmanthus had been nourished by spiritual energy for years, maintaining a small amount of vitality. By now, it had reached the end of its life.
Even if more spiritual energy was injected or if it was stimulated with wood-element roots, it would be difficult for it to live for another few months.
Jiang Tong’s expression was a bit strange… If the flower died, wouldn’t it be fine to just replace the flower?
Why go through the trouble of making a whole new hairpin?
However, Jiang Yuliu’s gaze was stubborn. she held out her hand without moving, not looking at all like a woman over two hundred years old should look.
“Alright, I’ll do it.”
Jiang Tong agreed. When he took the hairpin from his Master’s hand, his fingertips brushed lightly against her palm.
Jiang Yuliu blinked. Her eyes looked toward the arena calmly, and she didn’t say a word.
But Jiang Tong could feel that his Master’s mood seemed to have improved significantly.
On the other side of the arena, Ji Nianxue looked toward the corner of the stands and silently sheathed her sword.
She took out the osmanthus wood hairpin that Jiang Tong had given her, stared at it for a long time, and then slowly closed her palm.
Her hairpin… didn’t have a flower.
***
“Next match, Jiang Tong versus…”
Jiang Tong rubbed his face. It was finally his turn.
If his name hadn’t been called, he might have fallen asleep leaning against his Master.
Just kidding—if that really happened, Jiang Yuliu would likely whip his backside into blooming flowers with her sword.
“Master, I’m going then.”
“Mhm.”
Jiang Yuliu nodded. Watching his figure as he walked down from the stands, although there was still some worry in her eyes, it was much less than before.
Jiang Tong walked slowly onto the arena. The whispering voices from the stands grew louder; clearly, many people were surprised that he was participating in the Inner Sect Grand Competition.
After all, in their memory, Jiang Tong’s cultivation was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining a few days ago.
If he were to participate, shouldn’t he be in the Outer Sect Grand Competition?
Jiang Tong’s expression was very calm. He followed the procedures, cupping his fists in a formal salute, then drew his sword and said, “Please advise me.”
“Senior Brother Jiang, you go first.”
The opponent also cupped his fists, his attitude somewhat deferential.
Aside from the personal disciples, the lowest level required to enter the Inner Sect was the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Although he was just a stepping stone, he wasn’t someone a Qi Refining stage cultivator could defeat.
Since the Sword Immortal Jiang was present, it was better to let Jiang Tong lose gracefully, which could be considered saving some face for the master and disciple.
“Then I shall accept your kind offer.”
Jiang Tong suppressed his cultivation to the sixth level of Qi Refining. Taking a step forward, he raised his sword and began the fight.
The opponent had originally held back some strength, but after more than a dozen rounds, he had to exert more effort, feeling secretly shocked in his heart.
This Jiang Tong’s sword was so sharp.
Even if his cultivation had been ruined, his talent in the Dao of the Sword was still staggering. It was just a pity…
He sighed and completely released his strength.
“Senior Brother Jiang, my apologies.”
With an apologetic look on his face, he followed up with a sword strike, intending to use this move to defeat Jiang Tong.
However, before the opponent could see clearly, the tip of Jiang Tong’s sword tapped against the opponent’s blade like a willow branch.
The opponent’s vision blurred, and he only felt a neutralizing force surge toward him. The sword in his hand uncontrollably slipped from his grasp, hitting the ground with a clang.
“I accept your concession.”
Jiang Tong sheathed his sword, cupped his fists toward the man who was still standing there in a daze, and turned to walk off the arena.
Since the opponent’s attitude had been quite polite, there was no need to cause any injury; disarming him was enough.
“Jiang Tong wins!”
The referee elder was stunned for a few seconds before announcing the result in disbelief.
The entire audience broke into a commotion. The gazes directed at Jiang Tong were filled with shock and awe.
However, at this moment, the reaction of one person in the corner was stronger than anyone else present.
Jiang Yuliu had been watching the arena without blinking until Jiang Tong performed that sword strike.
She stood up abruptly, her beautiful eyes fixed tightly on the sword in Jiang Tong’s hand. Her hands were clenched into fists, trembling uncontrollably.
Jiang Yuliu let out a breath. On her cold, frost-like face, a rare loss of composure appeared.
In that single instant, many images and thoughts flashed through her mind.
Whether it was the angle of the strike, the speed, or the shape and spirit of the sword flowers…
They were extremely similar to the Slender Willow Sword Manual.
Lifting her eyes to look at Jiang Tong, Jiang Yuliu’s gaze gradually became complex. Lost in thought for a moment, she whispered softly:
“Master…”