Chapter 21:

Finally, it was Bai Zhu who paid for the jade pendant. As she put it, ten spirit stones weren’t expensive, and it could serve as a nice little gift to give away in the future.

Zhang Yue, who had a habit of sizing people up and targeting the wealthy, was utterly infuriated. In her eyes, selling it to Xue Ying for ten spirit stones was a testament to her skill. But selling it to Bai Zhu for the same price? That was an insult.

Feeling humiliated, Zhang Yue even forgot to hand out the VIP card and stormed off in a huff.

After Xue Ying and Bai Zhu left, a disciple came to report, “The Holy Maiden has left. Should we…?”

Blacklist them both!

Zhang Yue was so angry she tore her handkerchief to shreds. Ten years ago, it was that swordsman, and now another one. How could she tolerate this?

When she learned that Xue Ying was a disciple of the Tai Xuan Sect and the legendary Sword Immortal’s apprentice, Zhang Yue smirked coldly and raised her chin arrogantly.

“Oh, the Sword Immortal’s apprentice? I was just wondering where to leech some fame, and she delivered herself right to my doorstep.”

If she could defeat this girl, she’d break into the Daoist market, boost her reputation, and soon, clients would be lining up, begging her to promote their goods.

Zhang Yue gloated, “Do you know how to humiliate someone?”

“Mock their attire with words, scorn their taste with gestures, make them ashamed and furious until they cry.”

Just imagining the other girl weeping in public, begging her to stop, made Zhang Yue burst into laughter.

She couldn’t possibly lose to a mere swordsman.

“Send the challenge!”

—

On their way back, Bai Zhu sighed, “Regional prejudices are hard to overcome.”

Recommending things to a swordsman? Might as well be charity.

Noticing Xue Ying’s silence, Bai Zhu asked curiously, “What’s on your mind, fellow Daoist?”

Xue Ying hadn’t spoken since they left, but now she finally understood. “I get it now.”

“Get what?”

“The reason I don’t accept these flashy things is because Bai Lu would be upset.”

“Think about it—if I’m fighting with all these shiny distractions, who’d notice Bai Lu’s beauty?”

Xue Ying gently stroked the sword at her waist, her expression tender.

Bai Zhu covered her mouth with her sleeve and chuckled. “The Valley Master once said swordsmen are endlessly amusing. I didn’t understand at first, but today, I see it.”

Xue Ying didn’t respond. She felt Bai Zhu and Cang Wu were alike—always smiling, impossible to read.

Though most of the time, she couldn’t be bothered to guess what others were thinking.

Later, when Zhang Yue’s challenge arrived, Du Yizhou asked, “What happened?”

Xue Ying turned the challenge letter over in her hands before handing it to Du Yizhou. “I’m not sure. I only met her once.”

Du Yizhou, however, saw through the ploy. “She’s not challenging you—she’s challenging the Sword Immortal’s apprentice.”

Xue Ying half-understood. Whether it was her or her title, she decided to accept Zhang Yue’s challenge.

Women shouldn’t fight men—women should fight women.

Du Yizhou wasn’t convinced. “The Martial Arts Conference is our priority. Her sudden challenge is suspicious. There might be a trap.”

Xue Ying didn’t overthink it. “A fair fight is a fair fight. If I win, I win. If I lose…”

Her tone suddenly turned grave. “About the debt to Tai Chu Sect… could you give me a discount, Senior Brother? I might be stuck paying for the rest of my life…”

Du Yizhou looked puzzled. “You’d lose?”

Xue Ying paused. “Probably not.”

“Then it’s settled.” Du Yizhou pushed the challenge letter toward her and stood. “Win. No excuses.”

In other words: no discounts.

Clutching the letter, Xue Ying remembered something. Senior Brother Du didn’t seem to know she’d inherit the Sword Immortal title upon returning.

Xue Ying didn’t plan to make a big deal of it, but Zhang Yue wanted all of Yunmengze to witness this “epic battle.” With her little announcement stand set up outside the shop, word spread within three days.

“Xue Ying, apprentice of the Sword Immortal! The Sword Immortal’s apprentice from the Daoist world is challenging our Holy Maiden! Our Holy Maiden didn’t want to, but for Tian Yin Pavilion’s sake, she had no choice. Spellcasters, swordsmen, hybrids! On the ninth day of the eighth month, right here in Jing City, our Holy Maiden will fight the Sword Immortal’s apprentice to the death—a desperate, life-or-death battle!”

The slogan was so catchy that people started asking about it the next day. Du Yizhou frowned at Xue Ying. “What’s going on?”

Now the whole city knew Xue Ying was a cruel, unreasonable woman—with the prefix “Tai Xuan Sect disciple, Sword Immortal’s apprentice.”

Thankfully, he was from Tai Chu Sect. If it were Wen An, he’d probably drag Xue Ying by the hair to apologize.

Major sects had to maintain dignity. Bullying wasn’t about words—it was about disdainful looks.

Xue Ying was just as confused. “Aside from not buying her artifacts, I didn’t do anything.”

After Du Yizhou got the full story, he scolded her, “Why skimp outside? Your lifebound sword was forged by Tai Chu Sect, and now you’re causing trouble.”

As if spellcasters were responsible for handing out wives, and swordsmen had to obediently play son-in-law.

“Stop bragging. Zi Ya told me—last generation’s twenty-eight divine swords weren’t all given out, so you just renamed them and redistributed them. Even clearance sales come with discounts, but you didn’t even change the scabbards.”

Du Yizhou sneered. “What, you want a buy-one-get-one deal?”

Xue Ying muttered, “Wouldn’t say no.”

The response was Du Yizhou’s icy glare.

A swordsman’s sword was his wife. No swordsman divided his sword into wife and concubine. Even spellcasters weren’t that promiscuous.

After being lectured on swordsman ethics by a spellcaster, Xue Ying trudged out, only to run into Lin Jiu Jiu. “Little Sister Lin.”

Du Yizhou left first, leaving the two in silence until Lin Jiu Jiu spoke up. “I heard you’re fighting Holy Maiden Zhang Yue.”

Xue Ying nodded.

Lin Jiu Jiu hesitated. Zhang Yue, though called a Holy Maiden, was more like a demoness. Born from the Blood Sea as an Asura maiden, she somehow ended up in the Consciousness Realm and, after joining Tian Yin Pavilion, became a Holy Maiden on par with the Buddha’s disciple.

In her past life, Xue Ying had fallen into Zhang Yue’s hands. Jealous of Xue Ying’s bond with Jun Zhuo, Zhang Yue tortured her nearly to death.

After much deliberation, Lin Jiu Jiu warned, “Holy Maiden Zhang Yue excels in sonic attacks. She goes berserk at the sight of blood. Be careful, Senior Sister.”

Xue Ying barely remembered the plot, only that female antagonists took turns tormenting her. She had no idea who was who. Still, she thanked Lin Jiu Jiu.

Three steps later, Liu Jun Zhuo appeared. He wasn’t here to share intel. “I heard from the senior brothers and sisters that Holy Maiden Zhang Yue is very strong.”

Xue Ying looked at him. Liu Jun Zhuo continued, “Senior Sister, if I were stronger, could I fight in your place?”

Xue Ying thought seriously. “Unlikely.”

“I’m going to be the Sword Immortal.”

The Sword Immortal—the strongest under heaven. Anyone who dares challenge her must die!

After the Liu Jun Zhuo scene, a few steps later, junior disciples came to inquire. Xue Ying dealt with them one by one, then turned a corner to find Su Yu perched on a wall.

“Heard you’re fighting some Holy Maiden.”

Xue Ying counted—she’d taken fewer steps than words spoken.

Su Yu, for some reason, couldn’t retract his rabbit ears (probably due to Cang Wu’s potions), preventing him from sneaking out to compete.

His ears twitched adorably as he spoke.

Why couldn’t bunnies be girls?

“I’ll be there to cheer you on. Don’t embarrass me.”

Xue Ying was numb by now. She dismissed Su Yu with a few words, only to find You Tan sitting inside when she opened the door.

What kind of plot arrangement was this?

You Tan was overjoyed about losing his hair, but Guardian Li Xiang wasn’t. According to Bai Zhu, Li Xiang had secretly come begging for hair-growth potion, only to be scolded off by Cang Wu.

“Tai Su Valley is a top-tier hospital, not a private beauty salon. Get lost.”

Lesson learned: medicine can’t cure baldness.

“Li Xiang said you’re fighting Zhang Yue,” You Tan said slowly, his tone unique. “I’ve met her a few times. She’s… special.”

“Li Xiang said never interrupt Zhang Yue during business.”

Xue Ying didn’t get it. Business? Wasn’t she here to fight?

“Zhang Yue says a magical girl’s transformation must never be interrupted.”

Before leaving, You Tan added, “Li Xiang and I will be there to watch. Do your best, Dad.”

Xue Ying returned the courtesy. “I won’t let you down, Father.”

On the ninth day of the eighth month, the crowd that should’ve been watching the preliminaries had mostly flocked to this spectacle.

Xue Ying arrived as promised, still in her gauzy robes, her sword case on her back, her face half-hidden behind a veil, leaving only an ethereal silhouette.

Zhang Yue appeared after a wait. Compared to the opening day, she was even more extravagantly dressed.

Xue Ying figured this was the “magical girl transformation” You Tan mentioned.

In other words: waiting for a woman to finish her makeup.

Barefoot as ever, her hair in a towering style, gold and jade ornaments woven into her locks, she looked like a celestial consort. Xue Ying noticed Zhang Yue had opted for simpler attire today. The focus was on her feet.

As if ensuring every female cultivator below could see, Zhang Yue leaped into the air, walking as if on solid ground. Golden lotuses bloomed beneath her feet, lasting seven steps before vanishing, repeating the spectacle.

Someone gasped, “Seven steps of the Buddha, each step a lotus.”

Zhang Yue smiled brightly. “This is the limited-edition ‘Lotus Steps’ artifact from Deer Park. Super popular in the Consciousness Realm! A single Qi-Gathering Pill keeps it running for three hours. Unisex, available in lotus or sandalwood scents. As you can see, the effect is stunning.”

Some female cultivators were already tempted. Zhang Yue danced lightly, her movements fluid, the lotuses beneath her feet enhancing her grace.

Xue Ying quietly sheathed Bai Lu. Now she understood why You Tan said not to interrupt Zhang Yue’s business—she was selling Deer Park’s products.

Who knew Deer Park not only hired beautiful spokesmodels but also played the limited-edition game?

Collaborating with Tian Yin Pavilion—did they not care how sad the Buddha must be?

One cultivator couldn’t resist. “I’ll take one!”

Zhang Yue landed. “Don’t rush! After I spar with the Sword Immortal’s apprentice, you can decide. Deer Park’s representative is here. No one will leave empty-handed.”

What was supposed to be a life-or-death duel had turned into a Tian Yin Pavilion sales pitch for Deer Park artifacts. Getting leeched once was bad enough, but twice?

Xue Ying regretted not treating Senior Brother Du as an ATM. At least then she’d be the one leeching.

Once the sales pitch ended, Zhang Yue turned to Xue Ying with a smile. After exchanging bows, Zhang Yue said before the fight began:

“Fellow Daoist, your veil is distracting. Let me remove it for you.”

A provocation.

A stringless pipa appeared in Zhang Yue’s hands. She leaped, plucking the air, and five notes materialized as icicles, shooting toward Xue Ying.

Xue Ying dodged the first strike, then drew Bai Lu to block the second.

Sonic attacks were the most elusive—formless yet tangible, appearing and vanishing unpredictably.

Xue Ying knew she’d met her match. Gripping Bai Lu, she looked up at Zhang Yue in midair and said just one word:

“Down.”

A sword aura like a colossal blade slashed toward Zhang Yue, forcing her to land. Before her second foot touched the ground, Xue Ying’s sword was already at her throat.

Zhang Yue’s expression shifted. The pipa sounded, and she vanished from sight, her presence disappearing entirely.

This was Xue Ying’s first glimpse of Zhang Yue’s unique ability.

She closed her eyes, focusing. The crowd grew restless. One moment, they were fighting; the next, one disappeared, and the other stood motionless, eyes shut.

Then, a hand materialized from the void. Without opening her eyes, Xue Ying flipped her sword and thrust toward the emptiness.

Her blade rested against Zhang Yue’s neck, while Zhang Yue had only managed to snatch her veil.

When Xue Ying’s face was revealed, the crowd fell silent for a moment.

Xue Ying opened her eyes. Without Guan Huo, she grew anxious. “Give it back.”

At that moment, Yan Gou, watching from below, instinctively hid behind Du Yizhou.

Zhang Yue was annoyed. She’d always prided herself on her looks, but Xue Ying had just shown her what true beauty was.

Still, in front of so many people, Zhang Yue wouldn’t admit her envy. Instead, she sighed. “I thought myself peerless in beauty, but today, I’ve seen what ‘flawless’ truly means.”

Before Xue Ying could reclaim Guan Huo, the long-absent Voice of Di Ting flounced onto the scene in a puff of skirts.

*”Oh, my Three Purities, look at the mess you’ve made. You took her veil, you fool! Your endorsement career is over!”*

The Voice’s tone was so heated that Xue Ying almost felt its anger.

To prevent further chaos, she extended her hand to Zhang Yue. “Fellow Daoist, please return Guan Huo.”

Zhang Yue, fixated on the word “endorsement,” clutched the veil tighter. “What do you mean?”

Xue Ying raised her voice. “Fellow Daoist!”

*”You idiot! Losing a fight isn’t pretty. What right do you have to stand here? Get off before you embarrass me further!”*

Zhang Yue opened her mouth to explain, but the Voice cut in again. *”Look at you—red and yellow like a fried egg. Your taste is atrocious.”*

Zhang Yue refused to return the veil, arguing with the Voice. “I’m a top endorser!”

*”Yes, you can still endorse after failing. But what will people remember today? Your dreadful fashion sense, your less-than-stellar face, and of course—elegant, refined me.”*

Xue Ying muttered, “Shut up.” She reached for the veil, but the Voice was quicker.

*”Let’s face it—your leeching was a flop. If it were me, I’d hype the fight, then auction off the right to participate.”*

Zhang Yue’s eyes lit up. She dodged Xue Ying’s grasp. “Please, Senior, enlighten me!”

Unable to retrieve Guan Huo, the Voice rambled on. *”Sell it, then buy it back. Trust me, your fame will surpass the Sword Immortal’s apprentice.”*

Wrapping up, the Voice sighed. *”Facing a formidable foe, she once challenged, retreated, but fate declared: only those who dare to confront adversity deserve respect. She has a story—will you sit and listen?”*

Zhang Yue was moved to tears. “Senior’s words have opened my eyes.”

*”See? Endorsements need hype and branding. No story, no fans, no sales.”*

She grabbed Xue Ying’s hand, instantly adopting a repentant persona. “Fellow Daoist, I was blinded by greed, trying to leech off your fame. I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”

Xue Ying blinked. Before she could respond, Zhang Yue asked, “Will you fight me again?”

The Voice chimed in. *”Yes, leech once more, then stand her up.”*

Xue Ying, leeched one too many times, snapped. “No.”

The Voice cried, *”Tomorrow’s headline: Tian Yin Pavilion’s Holy Maiden Challenges Sword Immortal’s Apprentice—Rejected!”*

Xue Ying: “…”

Whose side are you on?!