Chapter 199: Thousand Eyes of Fear (9)

Chapter 199: Thousand Eyes of Fear (9)

My owner swallows nervously at this. For a brief moment, I know she considers lying to Elder Qin, but she knows just as well as I do that the Elder would see through it immediately. Her gaze is set to somewhere distant, beyond the horizon, as she considers her options.

She returned to the Perilous Sword Valley, Lan Xiaohui says.

Elder Qins reaction is visible for only a brief moment too short for Lan Xiaohui to notice, but nothing that can challenge my processing speed. It is a reaction of deep confusion, in one part, and disbelief in another part.

Did I hear you correctly? Elder Qin says, tone quieter and meaning more direct than before. She returned to the Perilous Sword Valley?

Yes, Elder Qin, Lan Xiaohui says. Sister Wu felt that it could help her advance her cultivation.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.

Even a cultivator like You Feixue can be stunned into silence by a competent and death-seeking junior, it seems, because it takes several seconds for Elder Qin to come to terms with what she is hearing.

When she finally responds, she does so by laughing helplessly. Advance her cultivation!? she murmurs the words, barely audible. The holy testing site of my clan abused for advancing ones cultivation?

Not sure what to do or how to react, Lan Xiaohui does the most logical thing: I am sorry, Elder Qin, she apologizes, even though shes not sure for what.

Zhu Xuelian, Elder Qin announces my owners name, approaching closer and placing a hand on Lan Xiaohuis shoulder. I have underestimated you and Wu Yulan once again.

For once, seeing Elder Qin wear that warm smile of pleasant surprise and acknowledgment of my owners abilities, I am capable of understanding a cultivator like Elder Qin. It must be not too dissimilar from my own observations of Lan Xiaohuis capabilities.

From Elder Qins perspective, Lan Xiaohui obtained a glimpse of the Sword Law at the Foundation Establishment realm, comprehended an incomplete inheritance within a very short time, and returned from a place that not only has a destructive, rampaging qi but also demonic beasts of the Nascent Soul realm that have also comprehended Sword Law.

It is not just Lan Xiaohui the entity that failed the Pagoda of Introspection trial but Wu Yulan also. For an Elder to find one such disciple would be a blessing from the Heavens; to find two, on the other hand, is unthinkable.

I focus my attention on the box in Lan Xiaohuis hands and peer through the hard outer shell which is comprised of a strange wooden material that is capable of suppressing the powerful qi and fragrance of the medicine inside.

Lan Xiaohuis smile remains as she turns toward the distant forbidden land beyond the peak. As Wu Yulan said, we are not lost; we are just wandering, Lan Xiaohui says as if to confirm my thoughts.

Elder Qin looks at the box, and ponders it for several moments, before reluctantly putting it away within her dimensional storage ring.

You still want to compete in the Conference? Elder Qin asks.

A moment of hesitation, and then Lan Xiaohui nods. I do, she says.

Elder Qin chuckles and the rustle of her dress informs my owner that the Elder has jumped back on her sword. Good, she says. You never disappoint, Zhu Xuelian. Regarding the rankings, who do you plan to challenge?

At this, Lan Xiaohui lowers her head slightly, thinking for a moment. The one who is ranked first: Tian Li.

Tian Li; it is a name weve often seen in the rankings, having occupied the first rank since we arrived at the sect.

Elder Qins smile suggests she expected that reply. Good, very good, she says. However, you should know; Tian Li is no longer ranked first. That title now belongs to Xie Zhiqiang.

Without another word, Elder Qin pours her qi into her sword, and in a blast of essence and sword energy, takes off into the sky and is outside my perception radius within moments.

Lan Xiaohui is too distracted by her thoughts to acknowledge Elder Qins departure or to engage in more conversation.

There is a strange, mysterious blaze in my owners heart at the prospect of this coming Conference, and the ranking duel to decide whether she will have a place in it or not.

The Sky Continent Martial Conference is no longer just about the reward; it is far more than this.

Though, I am not yet sure exactly what that is.