Two days later.
Qingzhou, Tianyun Sect's Martial Arts Platform.
As the morning light first shone, the Martial Arts Platform was already surrounded by Tianyun Sect disciples, with discussions rising and falling.
Lin Qingyue, dressed in white, stood with her hands behind her back. The Supreme Flying Sword "Cold Frost" hung by her side, its blade flowing with cold spiritual light.
She lifted her chin slightly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd below, a proud smile on the corner of her lips.
"I heard that Xiao Chen is coming to fulfill the ten-year pact?" a disciple asked in a low voice.
"Heh, a good-for-nothing expelled from his family, who took some unknown Loose Cultivator as a master, and he dares to come to the Tianyun Sect to make a fool of himself?" another person scoffed disdainfully.
Lin Qingyue listened to the discussions around her, her heart growing more certain.
—That's right, what was Xiao Chen anyway?
She was an inner disciple of the Tianyun Sect, with mid-stage Profound Mystic Realm cultivation, and she even had a Supreme Flying Sword that Senior Brother Bai had personally obtained for her.
And what about Xiao Chen? That good-for-nothing from back then who couldn't even break through the Object Control Realm, even if he had luckily found a master now, how strong could he be?
"Junior Sister Qingyue." Bai Mufeng walked over slowly, dressed in a green robe, his demeanor elegant. He smiled slightly and said: "Don't be nervous. A mere Xiao Chen can't make any big waves."
Lin Qingyue nodded, a flash of gratitude in her eyes: "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Bai."
Bai Mufeng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze distant: "Although the Tianyun Sect is not the top in Qingzhou, it is second only to those few powers. I, Bai Mufeng, am even on the Human Ranking. What does he, Xiao Chen, have to compare with me?"
The disciples below echoed in agreement, some even shouting loudly: "Senior Brother Bai is right! If Xiao Chen dares to come, we will surely humiliate him today!"
Hearing these words, the last trace of doubt in Lin Qingyue's heart vanished.
—That's right, so what if it's a ten-year pact?
A good-for-nothing is still a good-for-nothing. After today, she, Lin Qingyue, would completely sever this shameful past!
On a mountain path in the distance, a figure slowly approached. His black robe fluttered, his sword still in its scabbard, yet it faintly exuded an aura of wind and thunder.
The clamor around the Martial Arts Platform suddenly fell silent.
Xiao Chen slowly ascended the platform, his black robe fluttering in the wind. An ancient long sword hung at his waist, with faint lightning patterns flowing on the scabbard.
Behind him followed a gray-robed old man. Though his face was aged, his eyes were like torches, and his aura was restrained like an abyss.
Below the platform, the female disciples of the Tianyun Sect suddenly began to stir.
"Th...This is Xiao Chen?" someone exclaimed in a low voice.
"How is he completely different from the good-for-nothing in the rumors..." another murmured, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Even the usually aloof Lin Qingyue was stunned.
Where was the shadow of the destitute youth from back then in the calm and composed young man before her, whose features were as sharp as a sword?
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat, but she immediately pinched herself hard—how could she be attracted to this good-for-nothing?
"Xiao Chen!" She suppressed the strangeness in her heart and stepped forward, her voice intentionally cold and hard. "The ten-year pact has arrived, you..."
However, Xiao Chen's gaze passed directly over her and landed on Bai Mufeng behind her.
"Bai Mufeng." Xiao Chen spoke, his voice terrifyingly calm. "I'll give you a chance—how about you fulfill the pact on her behalf?"
The entire crowd erupted into an uproar!
Lin Qingyue's face instantly turned deathly pale, her outstretched hand frozen in mid-air. She had... been ignored?
Bai Mufeng narrowed his eyes and stepped forward slowly: "Xiao Chen, you are too arrogant."
Xiao Chen finally looked at Lin Qingyue, but his gaze was like that of a stranger looking at another: "Ten years ago, when you humiliated me, did you ever think of today?"
Yao Lao stood to the side, stroking his long beard, his eyes filled with a gratified smile.
—Within the Immortal Spirit Valley, Xiao Chen was as gentle as jade, modest and courteous. He was the Senior Brother respected by his junior brothers and sisters, and the most stable disciple under their Master.
But now, his black robe fluttered, his sword intent was chilling, and his sharp edge was on full display!
—This was his true bearing!
Lin Qingyue gritted her teeth and stepped forward, the Cold Frost sword hanging by her side. She said in a cold voice: "Xiao Chen, your opponent is me!"
Xiao Chen glanced at her briefly and shook his head: "Profound Connection Realm, mid-stage?"
His tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable indifference.
"I'm sorry, you are not qualified to be my opponent."
As his words fell, the aura around him suddenly changed. A vast, overbearing pressure erupted violently!
—Return to Oneness Realm!
"Boom—"
The airwave swept out, and the disciples around the Martial Arts Platform retreated one after another, their faces filled with horror.
Lin Qingyue's face instantly turned pale. Her hand holding the sword trembled slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Re...Return to Oneness Realm?!"
—How was this possible?!
The good-for-nothing from ten years ago, who couldn't even break through the Object Control Realm, had now actually stepped into the Return to Oneness Realm?!
Bai Mufeng's pupils suddenly contracted. His originally calm expression finally changed.
Bai Mufeng took a step forward. As his sleeves fluttered, a sharp sword intent suddenly erupted, gently pushing Lin Qingyue down from the platform.
"Step down, Junior Sister Qingyue." His tone was light, but his gaze was as sharp as a sword's edge. "He is indeed qualified to challenge me."
The aura of the Return to Oneness Realm swept across the entire scene, several times more powerful than Lin Qingyue's!
The disciples below the platform erupted into an uproar—
"Senior Brother Bai's sword intent is astonishing!"
"Truly worthy of a prodigy ranked on the Human Ranking!"
However, Xiao Chen frowned slightly, a flash of disappointment in his eyes.
—If Bai Mufeng hadn't erupted with his sword intent, he might have had some expectations.
But now, it seemed this expectation was completely unnecessary, which made him feel it was all rather dull.
He raised his eyes, his tone calm to the point of being indifferent: "Draw your sword."
Bai Mufeng narrowed his eyes: "What? Are you afraid?"
Xiao Chen shook his head and said faintly: "No. It's just that if I make the first move, you won't even have a chance to draw your sword."
As his words fell, the entire crowd fell into deathly silence!
Bai Mufeng's face darkened. He was so angry that he laughed: "Arrogant!"
He said no more. With a flick of his sword finger, the long sword at his waist suddenly left its scabbard, transforming into a blinding cold light, and slashed directly toward Xiao Chen!
...
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 8 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 64 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise