Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Night once again enveloped Tongtian Peak, the daytime hustle and bustle and heat wave receded, leaving only the howling of the mountain wind and the scattered lights in the distance.

Jiang Xiaochuan didn't go back to his dormitory, nor did he look for a secluded place.

Alone, he wandered back to the cliff edge he had seen yesterday, sat down, and looked down at the deep, dark, slowly surging sea of ​​clouds. The tangled mess in his mind seemed to become even more chaotic with the night wind blowing through it.

Having defeated Senior Sister Wenmin and advanced to the quarterfinals, I should be happy.

My heart felt heavy, devoid of joy, only a deep weariness and bewilderment.

Guilt towards Tian Ling'er, shock at Lu Xueqi's announcement, doubt about "Xiao Yu's" strange words and actions, and Xiao Bai's elusive warmth... all gnawed at my heart like countless tiny insects.

The footsteps came from behind me, very light, yet exceptionally clear.

The first thing that catches the eye is the moon-white hem of her dress, followed by her unique, cool fragrance.

Lu Xueqi sat down next to him, not too far away, just enough so he could smell her sweet fragrance.

Neither of them spoke; they simply gazed silently at the sea of ​​clouds.

The wind whistled in my ears.

After a long while, Lu Xueqi finally spoke. Her voice was soft, slightly diffused by the wind, yet it clearly reached his ears:

"Still thinking about today's events?"

Jiang Xiaochuan remained silent.

"No need to think about it," Lu Xueqi continued calmly.

"If you win, it's your skill. If you lose, it's nothing. I'm here."

She paused, then turned her head to look at him.

Under the moonlight, the lines of her profile were so beautiful they seemed unreal, and her long eyelashes cast small shadows under her eyelids.

"I know what you're thinking. You feel guilty towards Tian Ling'er, you feel that my words scared you, you think that 'Xiao Yu' is strange, and... that fox."

With each word she spoke, Jiang Xiaochuan's body stiffened a little more. She always seemed to be able to read his mind.

"Feeling guilty is useless. Her liking for you is her obsession, not your fault. Now that you've made things clear, there's no need to dwell on it anymore."

Lu Xueqi's voice was flat, yet it carried a strange, comforting power.

"As for me..."

She suddenly reached out and took his hand, which was resting on his knee.

Her hands were slightly cool and soft, yet exceptionally firm. She pried open his tightly clenched fist, finger by finger, and then placed her own palm on top, interlocking their fingers.

I'm not trying to scare you.

She looked at him, her eyes unfathomable in the night, reflecting the starlight and his image.

"This is to tell you my decision. Jiang Xiaochuan, you are mine. It has been for a long time. And it will never change in this lifetime."

Her fingertips gently caressed the back of his hand, the movement slow and with an almost obsessive tenderness.

"So, don't think about escaping, and don't think about... letting others get close."

Otherwise, I really will lock you up, tie you up, and lock you in a place only I know.

I want you to only have eyes for me and a heart for me.

I... can do it.

"They can do it too."

She spoke in a calm tone, even with a hint of serious discussion.

But the content of those words stirred a strange feeling in Jiang Xiaochuan's heart.

He turned his head sharply and looked at her.

Lu Xueqi looked at him quietly, her eyes clear and calm, without any hint of joking or threat, only a deep and heart-stopping seriousness.

"You...you're kidding, right?" Jiang Xiaochuan's throat was dry, and his voice trembled slightly.

Lock her up? Tie her up? Bondage play? This... these are things Lu Xueqi would say?

"I never joke about you."

Lu Xueqi shook her head and tightened her grip on his hand.

"I mean what I say. But as long as you behave and stay by my side, watching me, none of that... will happen."

She leaned slightly closer to him, her nose almost touching his, her cool breath brushing against his cheek.

So, don't do anything that makes me unhappy.

For example, accepting medicine from other women.

For example, accepting invitations from other women.

For example... let that fox hug you.

Jiang Xiaochuan was forced to lean back, his back hitting the cold rocks, with nowhere left to retreat.

He stared at the stunningly beautiful face so close to him, the one uttering those terrifying words, his heart pounding, his blood seemingly freezing.

He couldn't tell if she was serious, or if she was trying to "comfort" him in an extreme way, or... to warn him.

"I..." He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no sound came out.

Looking at his terrified and bewildered expression, Lu Xueqi felt a faint, almost heart-wrenching emotion flicker in the depths of her eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by a deeper, unwavering determination.

She stepped back slightly, loosened her grip on his hand, and instead gently stroked the stray hairs on his forehead that had been ruffled by the wind, her movements incredibly tender.

"Don't be afraid," she whispered, her voice soft.

"As long as you obey me, I will not hurt you. I will treat you better than anyone else. I will teach you cultivation, protect you, and stay with you for the rest of my life."

She paused, her fingertip resting on his brow, where it was slightly furrowed with nervousness.

"You played very well in today's match."

Senior Sister Wenmin's "Water Cloud Sword Net" is dense and difficult to break. You were able to find that one weakness and use it to break through the whole thing. You must have used your brain.

The use of the Snow River Sword's ice and lightning power has become increasingly refined.

However, the manipulation of spiritual energy and subsequent changes still need some refinement.

Tomorrow you'll be facing Zeng Shushu. His cultivation is higher than yours, and his swordsmanship is unpredictable. You need to be extra careful.

She smoothly transitioned the topic, beginning to analyze his performance today and his opponents tomorrow, her tone returning to its usual cool and objective tone, as if his shocking "declaration of imprisonment" was merely a hallucination.

Jiang Xiaochuan stared blankly at her, his mind still reeling from the shock he had just experienced, unable to process what was happening.

That's it?

Just pretend I never said those things?

Lu Xueqi seemed to have no intention of continuing that dangerous topic. She stood up, her moon-white Taoist robe fluttering in the night breeze.

"Go back and rest. Get plenty of rest, and don't let me down tomorrow."

She glanced at him one last time, her eyes filled with complex emotions, then turned and disappeared into the night at the edge of the cliff.

Jiang Xiaochuan sat alone in the same spot, the night wind making him shiver.

He raised his hand, looking at his hand that she had just gripped tightly, which still seemed to retain her slightly cool touch and amazing strength. He then touched his forehead, where the warmth of her fingertips still lingered.

Lock him up... tie him up...

He shivered.

What kind of person is Lu Xueqi?

Were those words really just empty talk?

His mind was in turmoil. The gratitude and dependence he felt for Lu Xueqi because of her long-term guidance and help were now mixed with a deeper fear and an inexplicable, secret thrill.

She was truly good to him, giving him everything.

But behind this kindness...

He shook his head, forcing himself not to think about it.

Forget it, I can't figure it out anyway.

As for feeling guilty... Lu Xueqi is right, feeling guilty is useless.

Let's take a step by step.

Day 4, the quarterfinals.

The arena in the "Xun" position was packed with people. Jiang Xiaochuan faced off against Zeng Shushu of Feng Huifeng.

Zeng Shushu easily defeated his opponent yesterday, and today he still had that same smiling, carefree demeanor. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, he bowed to Jiang Xiaochuan and made faces at him.

"Junior Brother Jiang! We meet again! What a coincidence! I knew we were meant to be! That book from yesterday... cough cough, never mind. Let's have a proper sparring session today, but we'll stop when we've got it all, okay?"

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at him, feeling a bit speechless and amused. This guy really has a big heart. He returned the greeting with a bow, saying, "Senior Brother Zeng, please enlighten me."

The competition begins.

Although Zeng Shushu is unconventional, his strength is not to be underestimated. He has reached the sixth level of the Jade Purity Realm, which is one level higher than Jiang Xiaochuan's.

The immortal sword "Xuanyuan" that he summoned was entirely purple, with a simple, grand, and stylish design. As the sword light flowed, it exuded a majestic and righteous aura.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt the pressure in their first encounter.

Zeng Shushu's swordsmanship was neither as meticulous and conservative as Wen Min's, nor as fierce and violent as Chu Yuhong's. Instead, it was as swift as the wind, unpredictable, and often attacked from unexpected angles, making it impossible to defend against.

Furthermore, his spiritual power was abundant, and his swordplay carried a subtle sense of rotation and force dissipation, clearly indicating that he had a profound understanding of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao.

Jiang Xiaochuan roused himself, and the Snow River Sword shone brightly, unleashing its dual ice and lightning attributes to their fullest potential.

A chilling aura permeated the air, attempting to slow down the opponent's swift, wind-like speed; a sudden burst of lightning energy appeared, trying to break through the opponent's gentle swordplay with explosive force. The two swords clashed, the clanging sounds ringing out incessantly, leaving behind streaks of ice, flashes of lightning, and purple sword shadows on the arena.

While fighting, Zeng Shushu kept talking: "Hey, Junior Brother Jiang, your sword is pretty good! Dual attributes of ice and lightning, that's rare! It's a bit like Senior Sister Lu's Tianya, isn't it? Hehe!"

"Junior Brother Jiang, that 'A Touch of Cold Star' move was brilliant! However, the force was a bit scattered. If it had been concentrated a third more, I wouldn't have been able to catch it!"

"Tsk tsk, this lightning strike is quite powerful! But it's useless if it doesn't hit anyone! Watch my move, 'Wind Sweeps Away the Clouds'!"

He kept grumbling, but his hands moved quickly. The Xuanyuan Sword shone brightly with purple light, and its sword style suddenly changed, from strange and agile to wide and powerful, yet it also carried a supple and entangling force, like a whirlwind that swept Jiang Xiaochuan's Xuechuan Sword into it!

The sword light spun, faintly forming a force field resembling a tai chi symbol, constantly eroding and drawing away the ice and lightning power on the Snow River Sword.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt the Snow River Sword in his hand getting heavier and heavier, as if it were sinking into a quagmire. His movements became sluggish, and the power of ice and lightning was constantly being deflected and weakened by the rotating force field.

He felt a chill run down his spine, knowing he couldn't fight head-on. Instantly, the "using someone else's strength against them" and "breaking through a point" techniques that Lu Xueqi had mentioned in her usual guidance flashed through his mind, as well as the rudimentary principles of "qi circulation" and "yin-yang balance" from the Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao.

He no longer tried to forcefully break free from the purple sword light's entanglement. Instead, he followed the force of the rotation and gently guided the Snow River Sword, causing the blade to trace a strange arc.

Like a swimming fish, it slid along the spine of the Xuanyuan Sword!

At the same time, he withdrew most of his spiritual power, only condensing a small amount of extremely refined and compressed icy lightning energy at the tip of his sword.

In the instant the two swords clashed, that point of lightning, like a cold star, silently pierced the tiny opening three inches below Zeng Shushu's ribs, exposed by his sword swing!

Zeng Shushu exclaimed "Eh!", clearly not expecting Jiang Xiaochuan to react so quickly.

He hurriedly parried with his sword, and the purple sword light hastily formed a flexible wall of energy under his ribs.

"puff!"

The icy blue lightning struck the air wall, producing a dull thud.

The air wall fluctuated violently but did not shatter. However, its concentrated penetrating power still made Zeng Shushu feel numb in his ribs and his movements pause slightly.

It's now!

Jiang Xiaochuan let out a low shout, and the ice and lightning power that had been restrained on the Xuechuan Sword suddenly erupted!

Following the small crack that had just been opened, it surged in like a flood bursting its banks!

The cold air instantly froze the flow of spiritual energy in that small area, while the lightning energy surged wildly into it along the frozen meridians!

Zeng Shushu's expression changed, and he groaned as purple spiritual energy surged around him, forcefully dispersing the invading ice and lightning power. However, he couldn't help but stagger back two steps, and his blood and qi churned in his chest.

His gaze toward Jiang Xiaochuan finally lost its nonchalant air, replaced by genuine surprise and seriousness.

"Good lad! You've got some skills!" he praised, raising the Xuanyuan Sword once more, its purple light even brighter. "Again!"

The two clashed again.

This time, Zeng Shushu held back, fully unleashing his sixth-level Jade Purity cultivation. His swordsmanship became increasingly fierce and unpredictable, and his spiritual power became even more abundant.

Although Jiang Xiaochuan managed to maneuver using his ingenuity and the characteristics of the Snow River Sword, the difference in cultivation level and the depletion of spiritual energy gradually made him feel powerless.

After several dozen rounds, he was already struggling to stay afloat, with several shallow sword wounds on his body, his Taoist robe torn, and his breathing rapid.

Ultimately, Zeng Shushu seized upon a gap in his strength where his old strength had been exhausted and his new strength had not yet emerged.

The Xuanyuan Sword transformed into a dazzling purple rainbow, breaking through his hastily laid ice and lightning sword net with unstoppable force, its tip stopping three inches from his throat.

The sharp sword energy made his neck skin sting.