Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

The third day of the competition began in an eerie and solemn atmosphere.

Jiang Xiaochuan, with two faint dark circles under his eyes (he barely slept last night) and a somewhat pale face, stood below the "Kan" position arena, waiting for his opponent.

His opponent was Wen Min from Xiaozhu Peak.

When the matchup list was posted, Song Daren's expression changed on Dazhu Peak's side.

He first glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan with concern, then secretly looked in the direction of Wen Min on Xiaozhu Peak, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Before the competition began, Song Daren hesitated for a long time, but still quietly slipped away to the vicinity of the area where the disciples of Xiaozhu Peak were gathered.

Then they arrived at Wenmin, who stood alone to the side with a gentle and peaceful expression.

"Junior Sister Wen..." Song Daren rubbed his hands together, his face slightly red, and his voice low.

When Wenmin saw him, a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it and said gently, "Senior Brother Song, is there something you need?"

"Um... Seventh Brother... He faced you today..." Song Daren stammered.

After holding it in for a long time, she finally blushed and whispered, "He...he was injured yesterday, and his cultivation isn't as solid as yours...during the competition later, please, Junior Sister Wen...go easy on him, don't...don't hurt him..."

Looking at his honest and anxious appearance, as he came to "plead" for his junior brother, Wenmin felt both amused and a little sweet.

But she deliberately put on a stern face and gave him a reproachful look: "Senior Brother Song, what are you saying? In the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, everyone relies on their own abilities. How can there be any reason to show mercy? Besides..."

She paused, glanced at Lu Xueqi who was standing quietly not far away, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of mischief, "Junior Sister Xueqi specifically told me that when facing Junior Brother Jiang, I shouldn't hold back and should go all out. She said she trusts Junior Brother Jiang's strength."

Upon hearing this, Song Daren panicked: "Junior Sister Lu...sigh! Seventh Brother, after all..."

"After all what?" Wen Min raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at him with a half-smile.

"Senior Brother Song, you care so much about Junior Brother Jiang, but why don't you care about yourself? What if I hurt myself if I hit him too hard? Or what if Junior Brother Jiang accidentally hurts me?"

"I..." Song Daren was speechless at her question, his face turned even redder, and looking at Wen Min's smiling eyes, he stammered and couldn't say anything for a long time before finally managing to utter a sentence.

"You...you have high cultivation levels, you definitely won't get hurt...Seventh Brother...he certainly wouldn't dare to hurt you..."

"Hmph, biased." Wen Min snorted softly, turned around, but couldn't help but curl up her lips.

"Alright, I understand. You should go back now; the competition is about to begin."

Song Daren felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly slipped away, but his mind was even more confused.

Did Wenmin agree or not?

The competition begins.

On the stage, Jiang Xiaochuan and Wen Min stood facing each other.

"Junior Brother Jiang, please." Wen Min smiled and cupped her hands in a graceful manner.

"Senior Sister Wenmin, please give me your guidance." Jiang Xiaochuan also put aside his chaotic thoughts and waited attentively.

Wen Min is the eldest disciple of Master Shuiyue. With a cultivation level of the sixth level of Jade Purity, she has a solid foundation and rich experience, making her no easy opponent.

As expected, Wen Min immediately demonstrated her profound skills upon making her move.

She wielded a light blue celestial sword. The sword light was not sharp or intimidating, but rather like a gentle spring stream, penetrating everywhere. The sword's movements were smooth and fluid, carrying a supple and winding force.

Furthermore, his spiritual power was pure, and when he used the exquisite Qingyun sword technique, every move was precise and flawless.

Jiang Xiaochuan focused intently, his Snow River Sword flashing with icy blue and silver light, alternating between ice and lightning attributes.

They might use their cold aura to slow down the opponent's flowing sword momentum, or they might try to break through with their swift, thunderous energy.

The two fought to a standstill, their swords flashing, drawing cheers from the audience.

Wen Min did not hold back, but her swordsmanship was more inclined towards meticulous defense and using softness to overcome hardness, rather than the kind of approach that relied solely on brute force.

Under Lu Xueqi's "hellish" training, Jiang Xiaochuan was able to barely cope with this delicate fighting style.

After several dozen rounds, although he was at a disadvantage and was forced to make a mess of things by Wen Min's exquisite sword moves.

His Taoist robe was torn in several places, but he was not seriously injured. On the contrary, under pressure, he used the characteristics of the Snow River Sword more and more skillfully, and occasionally he could even counterattack with a move or two, forcing Wen Min to return his sword to defend.

Below the stage, Lu Xueqi watched quietly, her eyes focused.

She truly believed in Jiang Xiaochuan.

Over the past nine years, she has instilled in him countless combat experiences and swordsmanship insights accumulated in her previous life in various ways.

Although limited by his current cultivation level and comprehension, he can only master about one or two hundred of them, it should be enough to deal with his fellow disciples as long as he doesn't lose his composure.

Tian Ling'er watched nervously, her hands clenched tightly.

She both hoped Jiang Xiaochuan would win and feared he would get hurt, her feelings were complicated.

Song Daren was sweating profusely watching the game, even more nervous than if he were on stage himself.

After several dozen more rounds, Jiang Xiaochuan's spiritual energy was greatly depleted, sweat beaded on his forehead, and his movements slowed down slightly.

Wen Min seized an opportunity, and the Azure Immortal Sword suddenly shone brightly, transforming into a dense net of water that descended upon Jiang Xiaochuan, sealing off all his escape routes!

A fierce glint flashed in Jiang Xiaochuan's eyes; he knew he couldn't delay any longer!

He gritted his teeth and poured all his remaining spiritual power into the Snow River Sword.

It is not ice, nor lightning, but two forces layered and compressed within the sword in an extremely subtle way, yet held back!

The Snow River Sword emitted a deep hum, its light subdued, yet it faintly exuded a dangerous aura.

Then, he stopped dodging and thrust the Snow River Sword straight out towards the azure sword net!

At the tip of the sword, a tiny, yet perfectly condensed, icy blue lightning suddenly shone brightly, like a cold star in the night, carrying an unstoppable momentum as it pierced the weakest point of the sword net!

"break!"

"bite--!"

A crisp, clear impact sound!

That icy blue lightning collided head-on with Wen Min's aquamarine sword net!

A sharp, penetrating force and an instantaneous burst of ice and lightning power tore a tiny gap through the dense sword net!

Jiang Xiaochuan moved with his sword like a fish, narrowly escaping through the gap. The Snow River Sword continued its momentum, aiming straight for Wen Min's throat!

However, halfway through the sword's flight, its power waned, and the tip of the sword trembled slightly.

Wen Min hadn't expected him to break through her "Water Cloud Sword Net" in this way. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she reacted extremely quickly. The Water Blue Immortal Sword returned to defense and, in the nick of time, was held horizontally in front of her throat.

"clang!"

The tip of Xuechuan's sword touched Wenmin's sword, making a soft sound.

Jiang Xiaochuan exhausted his strength, let out a muffled groan, staggered back a few steps, and used his sword to support himself before he could barely stand. His face was pale, and he was panting heavily, already at his last gasp.

Wen Min also took a step back, looking at the tiny white mark on her sword, marked with frost and electric arcs, and then at Jiang Xiaochuan, who was almost exhausted, her eyes filled with even more admiration.

She sheathed her sword, smiled slightly, and said frankly, "Junior Brother Jiang's swordsmanship is exquisite, and his counter-attacks are ingenious. I have lost."

The elder referee stepped forward, examined the two players, and announced loudly: "On the Kanwei platform, Jiang Xiaochuan of Dazhu Peak wins!"

A burst of amazement and applause erupted from the audience.

Jiang Xiaochuan actually beat Senior Sister Wenmin!

Although the victory was extremely hard-won, almost to the point of exhaustion, it was a real and tangible victory!

Cheers erupted from the Dazhu Peak side.

Jiang Xiaochuan, leaning on the Xuechuan Sword, bowed to Wen Min and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister Wen Min. You flatter me."

He knew that if Wen Min's final sword strike were a life-or-death battle, he might not be able to get close.

Wen Min's cultivation and swordsmanship are indeed superior to his.

Wen Min smiled and returned the greeting: "Junior Brother Jiang, there's no need to be modest. You are indeed qualified to enter the next round."

She glanced meaningfully in a certain direction below the stage (Song Daren was looking at her with excitement), and then gracefully stepped off the stage.

Lu Xueqi watched Jiang Xiaochuan win from below the stage, a faint smile flashing in her eyes, but she remained standing in place, not stepping forward as she had done the previous two days.

But their gazes remained fixed on him.

Tian Ling'er breathed a sigh of relief and wanted to go forward, but then she remembered the kiss last night and Jiang Xiaochuan's words, so she paused, her eyes dimmed, and in the end she just watched from afar.

Before Jiang Xiaochuan's competition, Lu Xueqi's competition on the "Qian" platform had already ended.

Her opponent was a senior brother at the sixth level of the Jade Purity Realm from Tongtian Peak. He too was swept off the stage by a sharp sword aura without lasting a single move.

On the "Leaving" platform, Tian Ling'er's opponent was a disciple from Feng Hui Peak, who was also quickly defeated by her with her increasingly fierce Amber Crimson Silk.

She won easily, but there was little joy on her face.

With this, the third round of competition has come to an end.

Of the nine participants from Dazhu Peak, only four made it to the fourth round (top eight): Jiang Xiaochuan, Lin Jingyu, Song Daren, and Tian Ling'er.

Wu Dayi, Zheng Dali, He Dazhi, Lü Daxin, and Du Bishu have all been defeated.

But this is already the best result ever achieved by the Seven Peaks of Dazhu Peak in the martial arts competition!

When Tian Buyi learned the result, his chubby face beamed with joy, and he walked with a swagger, wanting to praise his apprentice to everyone he met.

But seeing the complex and indescribable look in her daughter's eyes as she gazed at Jiang Xiaochuan, and the aloof, pale figure not far from Jiang Xiaochuan, the joy in her heart was mixed with a bit of headache and helplessness.

The competition ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

After resting for a while and regaining some strength, Jiang Xiaochuan was about to go find his fellow disciples from Dazhu Peak to meet up when a pale orange figure appeared timidly in front of him again.

It is "Xiaoyu".

She was still wearing her light orange Taoist robe, her hair was carefully combed, her face had a shy blush, and her eyes were sparkling as she looked at him. In her hands, she was holding a small oil paper package that gave off a faint medicinal fragrance.

"Jiang, Senior Brother Jiang..." she said softly, her voice filled with admiration.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Jiang, you've won again!"

"She even beat Senior Sister Wenmin! That's amazing!"

She pushed the oil paper package forward, her face turning even redder.

"This...this is a medicine I made myself using herbs from the back of Sunset Peak. It's incredibly effective at restoring spiritual energy and treating internal injuries...Senior Brother Jiang, you expended so much energy just now, you'll definitely need it..."

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at her, then at the medicine packet in her hand, feeling somewhat embarrassed and a little too shy to refuse her kindness.

"Thank you, Junior Sister Xiaoyu. I... I'm fine, this medicine..."

"Senior Brother Jiang, please accept it!"

Xiaoyu (Biyao) said hurriedly, her eyes instantly filled with tears, as if she was about to cry.

"I... I didn't mean anything by it... I just... I saw how hard you were working in the competition, and I wanted to... I wanted to help you out... Yesterday, I even caused Senior Brother Jiang to be misunderstood by Senior Sister Lu and Senior Sister Tian... I've been feeling really bad about it..."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked so pitiful that I could hardly bear to see her like this.

Jiang Xiaochuan is most afraid of seeing others cry.

He quickly took the medicine packet, saying repeatedly, "Okay, okay, I'll take it. Thank you, Junior Sister Xiaoyu. Don't cry..."

Biyao stopped crying and smiled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Her smile was shy yet satisfied: "Mmm! Senior Brother Jiang, you're so kind!"

She looked around, then suddenly leaned closer, lowered her voice, and spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction and indignation on Jiang Xiaochuan's behalf.

"Senior Brother Jiang, actually... I think Senior Sister Lu and Senior Sister Tian are sometimes too harsh on you."

The way they looked at you yesterday was terrifying... not gentle at all.

If it were me... I would only feel sorry for my brother, and I wouldn't be so mean to him...

As she spoke, her face turned red again.

She glanced up at Jiang Xiaochuan's reaction, and seeing him stunned, she quickly lowered her head again, her voice even softer: "I... I mean... someone as capable and handsome as Senior Brother Jiang should be treated gently..."

Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback by her blunt remarks, his face flushed, and he didn't know how to respond.

This... this Junior Sister Xiaoyu, isn't she speaking way too... directly?

Moreover, she seems to have a lot of opinions about Lu Xueqi and Tian Ling'er?

Seeing that he remained silent, Biyao assumed he had been persuaded and was secretly pleased. She pressed her advantage, saying:

"Senior Brother Jiang, there should be a short break after the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament ends, right?"

I would like to invite Senior Brother Jiang to Shanhaiyuan, the best restaurant in Heyang City, for a meal to celebrate his success.

"And...and thank you, Senior Brother Jiang, for not minding the medicine I sent. Is...is that alright?"

"Huh? Go to Heyang City? To eat?" Jiang Xiaochuan was even more confused.

Can disciples of Luoxia Peak casually invite male disciples from other branches to come down the mountain for a meal?

Moreover, Shanhaiyuan... seems quite expensive.

"Yes!" Biyao nodded vigorously, her eyes full of anticipation. "I... I've saved up some silver, it should be enough! Senior Brother Jiang, please say yes, okay?"

"This..." Jiang Xiaochuan scratched his head.

He said with difficulty, "Junior Sister Xiaoyu, I appreciate your kindness."

However, I need my master's permission to go down the mountain, and Uncle Tian... probably won't let me go down the mountain on my own.

He had secretly gone down the mountain a few times, but that was in the past. Now, in this sensitive situation, he wouldn't dare.

"I see..." A hint of disappointment flashed in Biyao's eyes, but it quickly brightened again.

"It's alright! We'll talk about it when Senior Brother Jiang has time, or... when there's another opportunity! Anyway, I'll always wait for Senior Brother Jiang!"

After she finished speaking, she seemed extremely shy. She bowed to Jiang Xiaochuan and said, "Goodbye, Senior Brother Jiang." Then, like a frightened little rabbit, she turned and ran away, her pale orange figure quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Jiang Xiaochuan stood there, holding the packet of medicine that still carried her body heat and faint fragrance, watching people come and go. The tangled mess in his heart seemed to have a few new threads of a different color added to it.

What kind of mess is this?!

He sighed, tucked the medicine packet into his pocket, and dragged his weary body toward the rest area of ​​Dazhu Peak.

Tomorrow is the fourth round. The quarterfinals. I wonder who I'll face this time.

Meanwhile, in the distance, outside the crowd, Lu Xueqi and Tian Ling'er almost simultaneously turned their gazes to the spot where Jiang Xiaochuan had just stood, then turned to the direction where "Xiaoyu" had disappeared, their eyes cold and sharp.

That woman... there's definitely something wrong with her.