The competition finally ended.
At the last moment, an elder from Daye Village School arrived just in time to separate the two locked in fierce battle.
As for the final result, it naturally ended with Luluo’s victory.
Anyone with clear eyes could see that under such a vast gap in strength, Luluo’s win was only to be expected.
On the arena, Xia Xia could no longer hold up her body.
She knelt down on one knee, barely able to keep from collapsing entirely only with Ban Xia’s support.
Across from her, Luluo still managed to remain standing, though her Spiritual Power was slightly depleted.
Even so, when recalling the sword strike Xia Xia had unleashed just moments ago, a faint tremor lingered in her heart.
To be honest, if she were still at the Qi Refining Stage, she definitely wouldn’t have been able to block that strike.
It wasn’t just Luluo. Everyone present was equally shocked by Xia Xia’s final slash—that unparalleled sword strike.
Could it really have been unleashed by a mere Qi Refining Stage disciple!?
No one cheered. No one applauded.
Everyone remained deeply stunned.
“No!”
The first sign of change came from the highest point of the viewing platform.
But it wasn’t the Old Headmaster, nor Nan Xi, and certainly not his old rival, Huazhu.
The Inquiring Sword Hero from Sword-Seeking Villa slammed his palm onto the armrest, quickly rising from his seat, striding over to the railing, and staring down at Xia Xia with disbelief.
His mind kept replaying the sword strike Xia Xia had unleashed.
“No, no…”
The Inquiring Sword Hero murmured to himself, frantically searching his memory.
He had once visited the Tianhe Sect and naturally had some understanding of their Sword Arts.
But Xia Xia’s sword strike didn’t match any of the sword techniques from the Tianhe Sect.
Yet he had seen that strike before.
Suddenly, a terrifying thought flashed through his mind.
His brow trembled. With a voice tinged with doubt, he spoke word by word—
“Could it be… See Blood and Seal Throat!?”
Yes, he had seen that sword strike.
Years ago, he had witnessed it from a mysterious figure.
The sword technique that person used then was identical to what Xia Xia had just displayed.
That sword strike was called—【See Blood and Seal Throat】.
More importantly, 【See Blood and Seal Throat】 was one of the Five Swords of the World that had once shaken the Central Plains!
He never expected to witness that strike again here at Daye Village School.
Wait… this disciple named Xia Xia was the personal apprentice of Nan Xi, the Peak Master of Tianquan Peak from the Tianhe Sect. Could it be that!?
The Inquiring Sword Hero turned around in delighted surprise, looking at Nan Xi, who had been seated in the main guest’s position.
“Peak Master Nan Xi, could you possibly be…?”
However, the Inquiring Sword Hero was immediately shut down.
Without paying him any attention, the moment the competition ended, Nan Xi had already stood up and leaped down from the viewing platform in a single bound.
What… what is this!?
On the other side, Huazhu shot him a suspicious glance before also leaping down toward the arena.
Seriously, why was everyone going down? Who was he supposed to share his surprise with now!?
No…
With a swish, the Inquiring Sword Hero’s gaze landed on the Old Headmaster.
Unlike others still in shock, the Old Headmaster seemed to retain some composure.
“Principal, Peak Master Nan Xi might very well be one of the Five Swords of the World that once shook the Central Plains!”
The Inquiring Sword Hero excitedly shared this news with the Old Headmaster.
“Ah!?”
The Old Headmaster froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Nan Xi was… one of the Five Swords of the World!?
The Old Headmaster suddenly gasped, as if a connection had been made in his mind.
He had never truly seen the Five Swords of the World; his knowledge of them was only based on legends.
But—
The Old Headmaster’s clouded gaze fixed on the Rear Lake in the distance.
After that astonishing clash had ended, the vast Rear Lake seemed to have regained its calm, everything perfectly harmonious.
But only the Old Headmaster himself knew.
He had seen that sword strike—or more accurately, he had sensed that unparalleled aura.
It was exactly the same as the sword aura he had felt by the lakeside five years ago.
Could Nan Xi be…
…
…
While the Old Headmaster and the Inquiring Sword Hero were lost in speculation, the protagonist of their thoughts had already landed steadily on the arena.
The arena was large. From where Nan Xi landed to where Xia Xia stood was still nearly a hundred meters away.
With Nan Xi’s cultivation, crossing that distance would only take a moment.
But he wasn’t in a hurry. He simply walked forward with calm, unhurried steps.
Suddenly, a bitter smile tugged at the corner of Nan Xi’s mouth.
He was laughing at himself.
With a hint of self-mockery, a touch of helplessness.
Without a doubt, this time he had lost his bet.
Ever since joining the Tianhe Sect, Nan Xi had always been gambling.
He had gambled that the elders and disciples of the Sword Furnace wouldn’t see through his plan to destroy Tianquan Peak’s financial lifeline, shutting down all their efforts with a single ban.
He had gambled that stealing the most precious famous sword from the Sword Repository would further drain Tianquan Peak’s savings.
Though unexpected twists had occurred every time, leading to outcomes beyond his predictions.
Still, Nan Xi would always find reasons to rationalize his actions, making up for his absurd measures.
Just like before this competition started, he had wanted Xia Xia to deliberately throw the match, disappointing the outside disciples so they wouldn’t choose to join the Tianhe Sect.
Yet, at the last moment, he hesitated.
Nan Xi left the choice to Xia Xia.
He bet that Xia Xia would lose the match just as he expected, that everything would go according to his plan.
…
But this time, Nan Xi lost the bet.
Xia Xia unleashed a sword strike he hadn’t anticipated.
That strike undoubtedly shocked everyone present, and at the same time, it told everyone—
Even an ordinary Qi Refining Stage disciple had a chance to become a sword cultivation genius in the Tianhe Sect.
With that, all of Nan Xi’s efforts up to now seemed to have gone to waste.
Hahahahaha!
The self-mockery at the corner of Nan Xi’s mouth could no longer be suppressed, spilling out as open laughter.
His pace seemed to quicken involuntarily.
Until finally, only ten meters remained between Nan Xi and that young girl.
“Xia Xia.”
Nan Xi spoke softly, uttering that unique name.
As if sensing his voice, the weakened girl slowly lifted her head. The moment she saw Nan Xi, her emerald-green eyes lit up instantly.
With strength she shouldn’t have had,
Xia Xia suddenly stood up. In two or three quick steps, she threw herself into Nan Xi’s arms like a swallow returning to its nest.
“Master!”
Her face still wore that silly, foolish smile, just like the night Nan Xi first met her. She had smiled just as dumbly back then.
Quite adorable, actually.
Nan Xi had undoubtedly lost his bet.
But this time, he no longer wanted to find excuses for Xia Xia’s improvement, nor did he want to fret over the incoming wave of recruitment enthusiasm.
Just for this moment,
Nan Xi wanted to leave this glory to his Little Trash.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.