Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
The woman and the boy were actually the Whale Riding Immortal and the little girl.
Recently, they had risked danger outside Shu Mountain, plundering berries. But the berries were quickly consumed, and the little girl started fussing again, giving the Whale Riding Immortal quite the headache.
Originally, he thought such fruit only grew on Shu Mountain and might be some rare and exotic species, so he only intended to take a few. But seeing Chu Liang selling them in gift boxes, he figured the yield couldn't be low.
Why not transplant a few to the holy mountain? Then he could feed the little girl every day. After all, the spiritual essence contained in the fruit wasn't much, so he believed it wouldn't be too demanding on the soil and water.
With that in mind, he took the little girl up Shu Mountain.
However, Shu Mountain was a place where dragons and snakes mixed; someone might recognize them. After all, a weathered, handsome middle-aged man with a little girl who had a speech impediment was somewhat conspicuous.
But this was no problem for him. Ordinary disguises wouldn't work on Shu Mountain, where many powerful beings could spot them with a glance.
Among the demonic arts, there was a divine ability called the Skin Painting Technique.
It allowed one to change their appearance without being recognized, truly miraculous.
For example, the Danqing Hall of the Underworld Sect was known for having the top Skin Painting Technique in the human realm. Legend had it that the master of Danqing Hall had a thousand faces, and no one knew his true appearance. With just one glance, he could transform into that person, making it extremely difficult to identify him.
The Whale Riding Immortal also had a slight grasp of this technique. It was difficult to take on another's appearance, but changing his own was simple.
And so, the current scene unfolded.
After wandering around for a while, they heard a commotion from the center of the square: "Jiang Yuebai is here!"
"Immortal Jiang is about to perform!"
"Wow—"
The crowd surged toward the commotion, with lighter individuals almost lifted off their feet, swept away even if they didn't want to go.
The Whale Riding Immortal was no exception, leisurely walking over with the child.
On the high platform, Jiang Yuebai stood in a white dress, her figure ethereal like a banished immortal. With a casual turn, her eyes sparkled like flowing clouds.
The Whale Riding Immortal watched Jiang Yuebai, seeing her stand in the center of thousands, basking in the glory.
He suddenly smiled for no reason, his lips curling up.
Then, Jiang Yuebai's opponent stepped up.
The handsome young man in white sword attire always wore a harmless smile. Amidst the overwhelming shouts for Jiang Yuebai, a few cries for "Chu Liang" could be faintly heard.
Seeing the young man, the little girl immediately smiled.
She wanted to rush over to Chu Liang, but the Whale Riding Immortal quickly grabbed her hand, whispering, "Don't rush."
Chu Liang looked at Jiang Yuebai and bowed slightly: "Standing on this stage, Sister Jiang's help has been crucial. But to show my respect, I will give it my all."
Jiang Yuebai smiled gently: "Whatever step you reach is due to your own strength, and I will not hold back."
"I am satisfied with any outcome," Chu Liang said with emotion, "Half a year ago, I never imagined I could face Sister Jiang."
Jiang Yuebai felt the same. When they first met, she never thought Chu Liang would one day stand opposite her—on the final stage of the Shu Mountain summit.
At that time, she saw him only as a talented junior brother, but his growth had surprised her time and again.
"I'm happy for you too," she replied softly.
"If Sister Jiang becomes the chief disciple, I will be happy for you too," Chu Liang responded.
The audience was puzzled, having not heard that the two knew each other. Now they seemed familiar, as if there was some history. Their conversation was too peaceful.
Weren't they both quite arrogant before?
The presiding elder on the central platform hurriedly gestured for them to stop talking. The pre-match banter was usually for trash talk, but here they were, chatting.
He quickly announced: "Shu Mountain summit finals! Chu Liang of Silver Sword Peak versus Jiang Yuebai of Biluo Peak!"
"Begin!"
Boom—
The atmosphere seemed to ignite with those words, and the venue erupted. With such a sea of people, even breathing together felt like a heatwave.
On the viewing platform, Elder Sun smiled: "Both seem confident. Master Huang, who do you favor?"
Master Huang pondered: "Jiang Yuebai is well-known, leading in the fifth realm, and has shown fewer cards. But Chu Liang's superior Golden Elixir seems to bridge some of the gap in cultivation, and his physical strength surpasses Xu Ziyang, making it difficult for Jiang Yuebai. It should be an evenly matched fight, hard to predict… If I had to choose, I think Chu Liang will win."
"Oh?" Elder Sun chuckled: "Why do you finally favor Chu Liang this time?"
"Every time I doubted him before, I lost. Perhaps there's something magical about him," Master Huang said with a wry smile.
Elder Sun was smug.
Last time, by supporting Chu Liang, he won the right to use the Tian Shu Pavilion's treasure "Omniscience."
Master Huang continued: "With Chu Liang's physical strength, if he continues to choose close combat, Jiang Yuebai will likely struggle. Let's see how she responds. Regardless, it should be an intense match… Eh?"
The battle began.
"Heh—" Chu Liang brandished his Dustless Sword, drawing thirteen different runes, unleashing a complex burst of chaotic sword energy, "Sister Jiang, see what you think of my Rune Sword Technique now?"
"Not bad." Jiang Yuebai raised her hand with a smile, countering with her own Rune Sword Technique, sending over a dozen runes soaring through the air.
Boom—
The sword techniques collided in the sky.
The two sword energies exploded, sending shockwaves far and wide.
"Thousand Sword Technique!" Chu Liang shouted again, pointing upward.
Hiss hiss hiss—
The Dustless Sword transformed into thousands of sword lights, converging from all directions.
Jiang Yuebai also summoned her flying sword, turning it into thousands of sword lights to meet the attack.
Her sword lights outnumbered Chu Liang's, but his were more agile, slightly compensating for the numerical disadvantage.
The clashing sword lights created a cacophony of collisions.
Clang clang clang clang…
After a chaotic battle with the Thousand Sword Technique, the sword lights finally dissipated. Jiang Yuebai had a few dozen sword lights left, which she sent flying towards Chu Liang with the last of her momentum.
Swoosh.
Chu Liang's figure flashed, reappearing ten yards away, dodging the barrage of sword lights.
"My Shrinking Earth into Inches," he declared.
Swoosh! Jiang Yuebai smiled slightly, her figure darting forward, covering a dozen yards in an instant.
Chu Liang's Shrinking Earth into Inches was slightly shorter in distance but more frequent. Even if it was a bit shorter, another attempt would make up for it.
But he didn't dodge; instead, he drew his sword and met Jiang Yuebai head-on. It was unexpected for everyone, including Chu Liang himself, that Jiang Yuebai would approach him for close combat.
The previous battles had already quieted the audience. The fervent atmosphere had now become quite calm.
They started with a few rounds of probing moves, more like a daily sparring session than a final deathmatch, filled with love and peace.
Everyone was watching. This wasn't how they fought others before.
Were they exchanging pleasantries?