The soaring flames were so overwhelming that it was impossible to discern the state of the battle. Consequently, a figure rose from the viewing platform where the masters of the Wujing Sect were seated. Zhang Zongkun, the Head of Chongyang Hall—a cultivator in the late stage of the Essence-Consuming Realm—casually raised his hand and cast an array. It instantly enveloped the stage, suppressing the hue of the flames until they became transparent. Finally, the figures of Wei Qingming and Jingxin could be seen darting through the fire.
Having laid the array, Perfected Zhang flew back to his seat to watch as before.
Even so, the effects of their respective techniques were so similar and their combat speed so extreme that it was difficult for those outside to identify their moves unless they tracked one party’s silhouette with unwavering focus.
I suppressed the anxiety and worry in my heart. While silently circulating my sect’s heart-calming technique, I fixed my gaze on Wei Qingming’s jade-colored robes. Only then did I manage to make sense of the situation: Wei Qingming was actually avoiding close-quarters combat with Jingxin. It was as if she couldn’t break through the creature's defenses head-on, so she used her movement techniques to roam the perimeter, evading her opponent's attacks.
To be honest, Yi Fei’s victories had always seemed peculiar, as if every match was won by a stroke of luck. Since I had known Wei Qingming, I had seen her in many battles, large and small, and I had never seen her look even slightly disheveled. Even when she was injured, it was a calculated move; there was no battle she did not enter with a complete plan. Take her initial difficult fight against the Monk of the Secret Sect—even though she was far outmatched in cultivation and strength, she had utilized the timing and terrain, mobilizing every possible force on the field to actively plan her victory. Even her injuries were merely a link in her strategy, a necessary price for challenging a higher-level opponent, rather than a sign of incompetence.
The members of the Wujing Sect knew Wei Qingming’s strength even better than I did. Since descending from Zhuoxue Peak, she had never lost a single match she engaged in. No one expected her to be pushed to such a dire state by Yi Fei...
The faces of the spectators grew uneasy. If Wei Qingming lost, the title of "Number One in the World" would fall to one of the other two sects.
Ever since Perfected Zhang had stepped in, Bai Yuyu had been frowning, concentrating fully on discerning the battle. Now, his expression suddenly relaxed. "It is not over yet. He is laying an array."
I prided myself on understanding arrays, yet I was still baffled by his words. Zhu Yixin and Yu Niannian were so anxious they were practically jumping. "What array? There’s no brush, no spiritual light—where is the array?"
"The essence of an array lies in the connection of runes to construct a channel for spiritual power," Bai Yuyu explained patiently. "Just like the Pushan Sect to which Xiao Yingzong belongs, ink marks are simply transformed runes; when spiritual power flows through them, they become a painted array. Junior Brother Wei is using saber light and sword qi to create runes, laying down the Great Red Demon-Subduing Array. Because sword qi is sharp and piercing, it is even more efficient at breaking the enemy."
He then sighed. "Junior Brother Wei is proficient in arrays, martial arts, and runes alike. He is not inferior to those who specialize in a single craft. Furthermore, he is a humble person; I have never seen him use two different disciplines simultaneously to suppress or show off against an opponent. This time, he must truly be pressed to his limit, left with no other choice."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a surge of admiration for Yi Fei’s strength and her heaven-defying luck. I, however, breathed a small sigh of relief. I knew that as long as Lord Wei was methodically advancing her plan, she would surely win!
Bai Yuyu judged that, based on the current progress, the great array would be complete in half a quarter-hour. Everyone watched with bated breath as Wei Qingming dodged and parried, occasionally striking back while rapidly constructing the array.
Sure enough, in less than half a quarter-hour, Wei Qingming’s figure paused. Reversing her previous cautious style of avoiding close contact, she vanished like a ghost. An instant later, she reappeared directly in front of Jingxin, extending a single finger to press firmly against the center of the Asura’s brow!
This technique was profound and perilous, yet it looked remarkably familiar. I knew very well that she had used a combination of my Snow-Vanishing movement, illusions, and stabbing techniques. It was only because of her superior cultivation that it appeared far more masterful than my own... Sigh, in this battle, Lord Wei had used far more than just two disciplines!
A strange sense of tenderness welled up in my heart. Knowing that my martial skills could help her achieve victory made me quite proud!
The female Asura failed completely to defend against this unexpected attack. When the finger struck, it was as light as a dragonfly skimming the water, yet the demoness was sent flying backward with immense force. She crashed into the ground and couldn't get up for a long time. When she finally managed to stand, a blood-red dot appeared on her forehead. Soul power, appearing both red and white, began to leak out continuously, rising into the air in thin strands.
Suddenly, a massive pale blue light canopy rose into the sky—the color of the Wujing Sect’s fundamental spiritual power. Countless runes, fine as mosquito legs, circulated within it; it was supreme and incomparably mysterious. Jingxin’s soul power was drawn in and absorbed by it, leaving her without any power to resist.
It turned out that Wei Qingming, like Yan Mingqiu before her, had adopted a strategy of "drawing the firewood from under the cauldron" against the Moyu Sect. Since you merge your soul with a god, I shall simply extinguish your soul!
Having one's soul slowly extracted was ten thousand times more painful than being carved with a dull knife. The female Asura was racked with heart-piercing agony and fell into a frenzy, but her towering demonic flames quickly weakened, no longer able to suppress the majestic golden light of the sun.
In a rage, Jingxin raised her six palms, coalescing a sphere of pure black demonic flame before her chest. Although the sphere itself emitted light, it was so black it seemed capable of absorbing all light. An aura of world-ending destruction erupted. No one knew what kind of sorcery this was, but everyone knew she could not be allowed to complete the spell!
Wei Qingming tilted her sword toward her left hand and drew her fingers across the blade, sacrificing blood to the steel. As the blood flowed, Quexie was clad in a dazzling solar gold light that grew increasingly massive and stable, crackling like lightning until it formed a golden thunderbolt.
She transformed into a streak of sword light and struck. Simultaneously, the spiritual light of the pale blue array pressed down, extinguishing all the demonic flames.
The Crown Prince waved his small hands excitedly and shouted, "The Great Red Demon-Subduing Sword!"
Laying the array had taken nearly an hour, but breaking the enemy took only a single breath. Had it not been for the protective light of the stage, the female Asura’s heart would have been pierced through by that single strike.
The scales of power shifted in an instant. The entire audience was immersed in shock, and for a moment, there was dead silence. Yet, a strange memory inexplicably surfaced before my eyes: a Taoist, a demoness, and a sword through the heart...
Yi Fei was teleported out of the array. She rolled several times across the jade steps surrounding the stage before coming to a stop, unconscious. The ink-colored aura still surged around her, but the Asura’s features gradually faded, and her sweet countenance returned to its former state. Her long, delicate eyelashes were lightly closed, as if she were immersed in a peaceful sleep.
The seawater, the demonic flames, the blue array light, and the golden sunlight all vanished at once.
Wei Qingming stood quietly in the center of the stage, her jade-colored robes fluttering slightly in the wind.
If not for the divine sword Quexie in her hand, still wrapped in pale golden lightning that crackled softly, she would have looked almost as refined and elegant as she did when she first stepped onto the stage to wait for her opponent’s spell. The victory was decided, yet she remained fixedly staring at the defenseless Yi Fei outside the stage. Her eyes were narrowed as she gripped her sword, radiating a murderous intent, as if she were debating whether she should walk over and deliver a finishing blow.
After a few breaths, she finally raised her hand, sheathed the sword with a flick of her wrist, and turned to leave the stage.
Only then did a thunderous cheer erupt from the mountain where the Wujing Sect disciples were gathered. The Moyu Sect remained quiet as usual, showing little reaction. The people of the Tianjun Sect were making a ruckus, shouting their prowess; the "Number One in the World" of this generation would be decided between the two greatest sects!
Before Wei Qingming could walk back to her seat, I had already lifted my skirts and flown toward her. I jumped up, hooked my arms around her neck, and hugged her, tears streaming from the corners of my eyes. She looked normal, but she seemed to have lost some strength; when I collided with her in a hug, she actually took a step back.
I hurriedly tried to let go, but she smiled and reached back to hold me, gripping me as tightly and steadily as ever. Only then did I realize that the step back had just been her teasing me again.
With teary eyes, I grabbed her injured left hand to check it. Despite how tragic the battle had looked, she hadn't suffered a single injury or even a tear in her clothes. The only wound was the one she had inflicted on herself. Everything had been under control; Lord Wei was indeed the Lord Wei who planned everything from within her tent...
"Using Azhi’s techniques makes this Azhi’s victory." Her first words were actually about this.
Between laughter and tears, I gave her a light punch and scolded her for being "glib-tongued" before pulling her back to her seat to apply medicine. It was truly a tiny wound; once the salve was applied, it vanished without a trace.
After everyone had rested for a moment, Head Zhang, acting as the host, reappeared in the center of the stage to summon the two finalists.
According to the tradition of the Tianshan Meeting, if neither finalist is injured on the morning of the semi-finals, they can choose whether to skip the three-day rest period and hold the final match that very afternoon. Jingle Palace, the host of the event, had already sent someone to inquire about Wei Qingming’s condition. In truth, she had at most consumed some of her primordial essence and spiritual energy, which could be replenished in moments with a spirit crystal; she was merely suffering from mental fatigue.
We all suggested she should rest and fight He Hong in three days, but Wei Qingming looked at me with a smile and whispered in my ear, "I am fine. Once today's matters are settled, I can be with Azhi without any lingering concerns." Ignoring everyone’s advice, she turned and agreed to the afternoon match. He Hong’s response was the same; her match with Yan Mingqiu had been a standard sparring session, and neither had even scratched their skin.
Head Zhang confirmed it publicly once more. Wei Qingming bowed respectfully in agreement, and He Hong nodded as well. Thus, the final was set for the first quarter of the hour of the Horse. The two contestants ignored each other and returned to their respective mountains.
Upon her return, Wei Qingming was remarkably docile and well-behaved. Yan Mingqiu shouted loudly about taking "Wei the Third" to a restaurant immediately for a good meal to replenish her strength, and the brothers all followed him to treat her. However, his sister glared at him and tossed him aside by the ear. Martial Uncle Wei, already the object of universal adoration, instantly became the most precious of treasures. Everyone offered warm inquiries, yet they spoke so softly as if afraid they might blow her away.
In the end, it was Yu Niannian who stood with her hands on her hips and her arms spread to block the crowd. She decided, "One person to serve her is enough. Don't you all be so noisy!" She turned and pushed Wei Qingming and me into the room, closing the door with a smirk. She even pulled out a precious mechanical lock from her mother's family and clicked it shut from the outside...
I was embarrassed to death. In the eyes of others, wasn't this a "lone man and woman" proclaiming their indiscretions in broad daylight? Was this brat Yu Niannian too ignorant of the ways of the world, or did she know them too well...
Lord Wei, however, was quite at ease. As she paced toward the bed, she pulled off her belt and outer robe, lying down casually. With a half-smile, she raised her hand and lightly patted the soft quilt in front of her, signaling for me to join her for a quiet and comfortable afternoon nap.
"If we do this... what will people think?" I sighed, pressing a hand to my forehead.
"What will they think?" Wei Qingming repeated blandly, beckoning me over. At such a critical juncture, I didn't dare offend the person who was very likely to be the "Number One in the World" of this generation. I had no choice but to walk over and ask what she needed. Who would have thought that Lord Wei, having caught so many thieves, had even learned the art of the "Empty Hand"? With a movement as mysterious as gods and ghosts, a gust of wind brushed past me. Without even needing to touch my body, she used two fingers to pluck a frayed, pale blue ribbon, waving it before my eyes.
The moment I saw that object, my hair stood on end. I was both ashamed and furious, my face turning beet red as I scrambled to snatch it back. With her skill, I shouldn't have been able to grab it, but she didn't dodge, allowing me to take it.
I turned my back, surreptitiously tucking the thing away. When I turned back—good heavens—she hadn't fought me for it because she was holding the main piece of evidence in her hand. Wasn't that the old garment from the night we had slept in the Wen family garden after drinking, the one from which I had torn half a sash in the morning? This truly made us "unclean" in both name and reality...
"You actually learned from that bastard Cao Chengshuo, using a girl's clothes as blackmail!" I immediately jumped up and shouted.
"I didn't steal yours," Wei Qingming laughed, shaking the mountain-green gauze robe. "This robe is mine."
I was so angry I couldn't speak. She meant that *I* was the one playing the role of that wastrel Cao Chengshuo!
Playfulness aside, I stomped my foot and refused to listen to her. Lord Wei didn't force me. After a short while, she propped her head on her hand and fell asleep on her side. In the end, I couldn't help myself; I crawled onto the bed, cradled her head to gently level her arm, and let her lie comfortably. I held her and protected her, watching over her as she slept through this hour before the match.
***
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