Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

Lu Xueqi was stunned for a moment, then the corners of her mouth curved almost imperceptibly, though she quickly suppressed it again.

"You don't use a sword."

"Uh...that's what they say."

Jiang Xiaochuan was a little embarrassed.

"Actually, I originally wanted to practice swordsmanship, but who knew that the magic weapon would be a spear in the end. If I have the chance, I would really like to try what it feels like to use a sword."

He recalled the martial arts and fantasy novels he had read in his past life, where swordsmen were always very handsome.

The first page of the sword manual: tie your hair in a high ponytail; the second page: have a blade of grass in your mouth; the third page: cultivate the ruthless path; the fourth page: find a wife... cough cough, I'm getting carried away.

"You like swords?" Lu Xueqi asked.

"A little." Jiang Xiaochuan nodded, looking at the Tianya pendant at Lu Xueqi's waist with undisguised envy in his eyes.

"Like your Tianya, so handsome, so cool, so... uh, so powerful!" He almost said the word "cool," but quickly corrected himself.

Looking at the undisguised envy and affection on his face, Lu Xueqi felt a little less stifled.

She reached out, untied the Tianya amulet from her waist, and handed it to Jiang Xiaochuan.

"Give it a try."

"Huh?" Jiang Xiaochuan was startled and waved his hands repeatedly. "This, this won't do! Tianya is your divine weapon, I..."

"Take it." Lu Xueqi's tone was calm but brooked no refusal as she directly shoved Tianya into his hand.

It feels slightly heavy and cool to the touch. The scabbard has an antique feel and a warm, smooth texture.

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart pounded, not in the simulated way of the Bloodthirsty Bead, but in a real, frantic beat of excitement and anticipation. He gripped the Tianya sword, his fingers trembling slightly.

This is Tianya! A divine weapon from the heavens! Lu Xueqi's sword from the original novel! The dream sword of countless fans of the novel!

He took a deep breath, pressed his thumb against the hilt of the sword, and slowly applied force.

"Zzzzt!"

A clear and melodious sword cry rang out in the silent night sky, not loud, but with a penetrating power that went straight to the heart. A deep blue light, like the slowly opening eyes of a sleeping deep sea, flowed from the ancient scabbard, illuminating Jiang Xiaochuan's excited face and Lu Xueqi's clear eyes.

Its light shimmered, and its sword energy was contained within. Holding it in one's hand, one could clearly feel the vast spiritual power contained within the sword.

Jiang Xiaochuan subconsciously swung the sword twice, the sword light flowing like water, carrying a smooth and natural rhythm.

Although he had never specifically practiced swordsmanship, at his level of cultivation, one mastery of one technique leads to mastery of all techniques, and he could perform basic slashing, thrusting, parrying, and wiping techniques quite well.

"What a sword! What a fine sword!" he couldn't help but exclaim softly, his eyes shining. "So cool! So awesome! So... amazing!"

From the shadows, Tian Ling'er watched Jiang Xiaochuan on the bridge, holding the Tianya sword and excited like a big child who had just received a new toy. She saw the genuine, pure joy on his face, and the natural admiration and... intimacy that flowed from his eyes when he looked at Lu Xueqi. It was as if the wounded part of her heart had been crushed again.

He had never looked at her with such eyes before, nor had he ever shown such undisguised affection for the things she gave him (such as that warm jade bead).

He loved swords, while Lu Xueqi possessed the world-renowned Tianya sword.

He could even hold her Tianya sword and wave it in front of her, while she just watched quietly, her eyes... gentle.

What did he have? Only an amber-red silk ribbon and a warm jade bead that he casually put away and didn't pay any attention to.

Looking at Jiang Xiaochuan's appearance, Lu Xueqi's eyes also revealed a faint smile, very subtle, yet genuine.

She liked seeing him like this, liked seeing him happy because of his things.

Jiang Xiaochuan waved it a few more times, reluctantly stopping and handing Tianya back with both hands. "Thank you...it's wonderful."

Lu Xueqi took it, hung it back on her waist, and asked, "Don't you want to play a little longer?"

Jiang Xiaochuan blushed and scratched his head: "No, no, if I play any more, I won't want to return it."

Lu Xueqi looked at him and suddenly said, "Why don't you forge a new sword?"

Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback, then shook his head, his gaze falling on his palm, where the dark red God-Slaying Spear had quietly slid out half of its tip.

"No need. This is enough for me." He stroked the cool gun barrel and smiled.

"Besides, I might become the best gunman in the world. But swords..." He paused, looking at Lu Xueqi, "You are the best swordsman in the world. At most... I can compete for second place."

Lu Xueqi was taken aback by his words, and then, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curved upwards into a clear and touching arc.

Under the moonlight, her cool face seemed like ice and snow melting, spring flowers blooming, breathtakingly beautiful.

She looked at Jiang Xiaochuan and nodded gently.

Jiang Xiaochuan was momentarily dazzled by her smile, and secretly admired her beauty.

He quickly composed himself, remembering the important matter at hand, and carefully began, "Um... Xueqi, about your competition with Senior Sister Ling'er tomorrow..."

Lu Xueqi's smile vanished instantly, her eyes turning cold and even sharp again.

"Are you still going to plead for her?"

Jiang Xiaochuan was startled by her rapid change of expression, thinking to himself, "Why are all women like this? They change their minds so quickly."

"No, I just wanted to say... could you... go easy on her a little? Don't let her lose too badly. After all, girls are sensitive about their image..."

"Aren't you afraid... your Senior Sister Ling'er will hurt me?"

"How could she possibly hurt you!" Jiang Xiaochuan blurted out, his tone one of certainty and self-assurance.

"Your talent is so high, and you have a divine weapon like Tianya, your cultivation is unfathomable. No matter how much Ling'er trains, she can't..." He suddenly felt that his words were a bit hurtful, so he quickly stopped, but the meaning was already very clear.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xueqi's expression softened somewhat.

Although he was pleading for Tian Ling'er, his words were filled with absolute trust in her abilities and...praise?

Looking at his anxious yet ingratiating face, her initial displeasure slowly dissipated.

"OK."

She nodded readily, "I promise you, I won't let her lose too badly."

Jiang Xiaochuan's eyes lit up: "Really? Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"However," Lu Xueqi changed the subject, "after the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, you have to prepare a gift for me. It can't be a sword tassel, it can't be flowers, it can't be candy. It has to be prepared with care, you can't try to fool me."

"No problem!" Jiang Xiaochuan patted his chest and assured him, "Leave it to me!"

Seeing his quick agreement, Lu Xueqi pursed her lips and whispered, "Also... from now on, don't call me Junior Sister Lu anymore."

"Huh? What's it called?" Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback again.

Lu Xueqi pursed her lips, looked away, and gazed at the deep night sky in the distance. Her profile was beautifully framed by the moonlight, but her ears were slightly flushed.

She spoke softly, her voice almost carried away by the night wind: "Call me... Xueqi. That's what Master... calls me too."

Jiang Xiaochuan blinked. Xueqi? This way of addressing her... suddenly felt much closer.

However, it seems quite normal for friends to call each other by name?

He readily nodded: "Sure, Xueqi. Then you can call me Xiaochuan from now on. Don't call me 'senior brother,' it sounds too formal."

Lu Xueqi trembled almost imperceptibly at his natural way of calling her "Xueqi," and the blush on her ears seemed to deepen.

She neither nodded nor shook her head, but simply gave a soft "hmm," very softly, but Jiang Xiaochuan heard it.

"So...it's settled then?"

Jiang Xiaochuan smiled and said, "Tomorrow, take good care of Senior Sister Ling'er. I'll prepare a gift for you after the martial arts competition."

"Mmm," Lu Xueqi replied again.

"Then... I'll go back?" Jiang Xiaochuan said.

"Aren't you going to see me off?" Lu Xueqi looked up at him.

"Huh? Oh, okay, okay, here you go." Jiang Xiaochuan scratched the back of his head and followed beside her.

The two walked side by side down the Rainbow Bridge, their figures in light blue and cyan gradually blending into the distant night and hazy mist.

Tian Ling'er watched their figures disappear from the shadows, remaining motionless like a stone statue.

The night wind chilled her hands and feet, but a fire burned in her heart, causing her internal organs to ache.

She wanted to cry, but her eyes were dry and not a single tear could come out.

That inexplicable pain surged through her heart like a wild beast that had lost its mind, leaving her heart wounded and bloodied.

"No matter how much Ling'er cultivates, she can't compare to Senior Sister Lu."

The words echoed in her mind, buzzing repeatedly. Each time they resonated, it was like a dull knife cutting into her heart.

She knew that Xiaochuan meant no harm. He was simply stating a fact that everyone already knew.

Lu Xueqi is a once-in-a-century genius, nurtured with all her might by Xiaozhu Peak and possessing the Heavenly Sword. Tian Ling'er, on the other hand, is merely a pampered daughter of Dazhu Peak with decent talent.

But she couldn't help thinking about it, desperately trying to think about it. The more she thought about it, the more fiercely the fire in her heart burned, almost driving her to the brink of madness.

It was very late when she finally dragged her leaden legs back home, taking one step at a time, looking utterly lost and dejected.

Back outside the dormitory where the female disciples of Xiaozhu Peak were temporarily staying, she leaned against the cold wall, slid down, and buried her face deeply in her knees.

We cannot lose.

We absolutely cannot lose tomorrow.

She told herself a thousand times, ten thousand times in her heart.

……