This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 378 Exhausted, I have no mind for sword fighting anymore.
this person……

What a strange smell!

Shang Qingmeng immediately locked onto Xiang Yuan's transformed Yin Shuang. Though they were worlds apart, they were also very close. Her aura was elusive and difficult to discern, making her no ordinary grandmaster.

Shang Qingmeng couldn't see through Xiang Yuan at this moment. She was surprised that Wushuang Palace had such a powerful master. She was on high alert and had a strong sense of anticipation for the upcoming sword competition.

“Senior Sister, those two are Grandmasters Yinshuang and Daoxue from Wushuang Palace. I met them once before in Guanshan Daozhen Dianfu. Senior Sister should remember them,” Ziping transmitted her voice.

Shang Qingmeng nodded, deeply impressed. She stepped into the spatial restriction and saw Xiang Yuan pressing Zi Ping against the wall.

If she hadn't shown up in time, the two of them would have done something shameful right under her nose.

Zi Ping had no idea what Shang Qingmeng was thinking, and continued to transmit her voice: "Judging from the two of them, although their skills are not bad, they are no match for you, Senior Sister. However, the unfamiliar woman... according to Wushuang Palace, her name is Xiao Lingyue. She is the closed-door disciple of the Palace Master of Wushuang Palace and one of the two Grandmasters who will be fighting this time."

"unimportant."

Shang Qingmeng replied calmly.

"Senior Sister, Xiao Lingyue entered the Wushuang Palace when she was just over ten years old, and by the age of twenty, she had already reached the level of a Grandmaster. Her talent and aptitude are extraordinary." Zi Ping's expression was solemn, showing both amazement and a hint of envy.

Looking at Qin Zhaorong, who was quite talented, he shook his head repeatedly, showing great disdain.

"Senior sister, why are you shaking your head?"

"They are both geniuses, but some people have reached the level of a grandmaster by the age of twenty, while others... are lazy and never strive for improvement, always thinking about getting something for nothing, wasting their good talent." Zi Ping spoke disdainfully, trying to arouse Qin Zhaorong's fighting spirit, to make her turn over a new leaf and cultivate properly.

It would have been better if she hadn't said anything, because Qin Zhaorong immediately got angry: "And what about some other people? Why didn't Senior Sister say anything? She clearly had no chance of becoming a Grandmaster within ten years, but she broke through overnight, and somehow her cultivation advanced greatly overnight. Isn't this person just waiting for a pie to fall from the sky?"

Qin Zhaorong called Zi Ping a hypocrite, saying that she not only stole food but also mocked those who didn't get any, which was shameless.

"..."

Noticing Shang Qingmeng's icy gaze, Zi Ping was immediately taken aback, suddenly realizing that she seemed to have no right to point fingers at Qin Zhaorong.

She cannot stand on this moral high ground.

Zi Ping was speechless. She believed that she and Xiang Yuan were innocent, so she hadn't considered the matter when she was thinking about it. Only after Qin Zhaorong's rebuttal did she realize that things were different now. She was now in charge of the "doing nothing" scenario, and some of her arguments had to be changed accordingly.

It turns out that even giving up is this difficult!

Thinking this through, Zi Ping decisively changed her tone and transmitted her voice to Qin Zhaorong: "Junior sister is absolutely right. Waiting for a pie to fall from the sky is also a kind of effort. I, your senior sister, have already tried my best, so don't even think about it. Even if you get past the senior sister's hurdle, I will still stop you. I won't let you taste the sweetness."

With that, she left the furious Qin Zhaorong behind and transmitted her voice to Shang Qingmeng again: "Senior Sister, you can teach Ziping a lesson when you return to the sect. The most important thing right now is to have a sword duel. Don't let your sword spirit be disturbed."

"Before you return to the mountain gate, contact him. I need to meet with him."

Where am I supposed to find someone?

Zi Ping was extremely helpless, but nodded in agreement. She would consider the matter later and focus on the present. She transmitted her voice and said, "I don't know much about Xiao Lingyue. I can only infer from her cultivation time that she has extraordinary talent. If Senior Sister faces her, she should fight quickly and decisively, lest she discover her sword techniques and learn her skills."

Shang Qingmeng looked at Xiao Lingyue as just a passerby. Although she was surprised that Xiao Lingyue had the cultivation of a Grandmaster at the age of 20, she thought that was all.

Her gaze returned to 'Yinshuang' and she said calmly, "This person's cultivation is no less than mine. When you witnessed her last move, she must have been hiding something."

"Who is Senior Sister talking about?"

"Yin Shuang".

"..."

Zi Ping had no doubt about Shang Qingmeng's judgment. She reviewed the brief encounter at the Zhen Dianfu Post Station. Her main opponent was Dao Xue, and she only had one move to fight against Yin Shuang. Moreover, this time they joined forces to break through the spatial restriction.

After that, the three of them joined forces and were thoroughly humiliated by a scoundrel who was impersonating the Liu family master.

Both Yinshuang and Daoxue were defeated in one strike, showing no particular strength.

Yinshuang's cultivation level was no lower than that of the senior sister, yet she was knocked down by Xiang Yuan with a single punch. Does this mean that even that bastard could knock down the senior sister with a single punch?
Zi Ping recounted her doubts. She had briefly collaborated with Yin Shuang, using astrological techniques to enhance Yin Shuang's Great Sun Sword Technique, and was quite certain that Yin Shuang was no match for Shang Qingmeng.

So, did the senior sister misjudge the situation?

Upon receiving a negative answer, Zi Ping frowned and pulled Qin Zhaorong into the chat room, urging her to use her quick wit to analyze the remaining possibilities.

"That's simple. Yinshuang is not a Grandmaster from Wushuang Palace who will be participating in this sword competition. Her presence here is because Wushuang Palace is being petty and suspecting that we, Jianxinzhai, are up to no good. Her sudden surge in strength must mean she brought some kind of extraordinary treasure," Qin Zhaorong said logically.

Needless to say, assuming Xiang Yuan is impersonating Yin Shuang, her speculation is highly likely.

As for the possibility that Xiang Yuan was impersonating Yin Shuang, Qin Zhaorong hadn't considered it, not because she lacked the courage, but because...

You've never even tried it, what do you know! x2
She wasn't acting like a child, a pitiful goalkeeper, so she didn't humiliate herself.

Upon hearing Qin Zhaorong's analysis, Shang Qingmeng felt deeply disappointed that Yinshuang would not participate in the sword competition, causing her anticipation to plummet.

but……

Not participating in the fencing tournament does not mean there is no possibility of a fight.

Shang Qingmeng was too lazy to think too much, so she posed the question and asked Ziping and Qin Zhaorong for advice.

This is how the eldest sister and future sect leader are positioned: Shang Qingmeng only needs to issue orders, while Ziping and Qin Zhaorong have many other things to consider.

In the end, Qin Zhaorong's little brain was the quickest to work, and she offered a plan: "Senior Sister, I have a scheme..."

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

While Shang Qingmeng and the other two were whispering in the chat room, Xiang Yuan also created a chat room. To be precise, Dao Xue created a group chat and invited Xiang Yuan and Xiao Lingyue in.

"Senior sister, junior sister, those two Sword Heart Sect masters over there are Shang Qingmeng and Daoist Ziping."

Dao Xue transmitted her voice and said, "Junior sister, my senior sister and I have met Daoist Zi Ping. She is at the same level as you, just entering the Grandmaster realm. Although her realm is not high, she has five magic treasures for cultivating both body and mind. Her methods are endless and she is very troublesome."

Dao Xue assessed Zi Ping as quite troublesome, but nothing more. She had fought her once before and was confident she could defeat her.

Your information is outdated!
After Ah Ping gave up, her cultivation level skyrocketed. Judging her with the same eyes as before would be a mistake.

Zi Ping can be considered a grandmaster who was raised by Xiang Yuan, and he has a good understanding of her strength. Assessing the current Zi Ping and Dao Xue, he can only say that empiricism is deadly, and Dao Xue is definitely not going to have a good time.

Xiang Yuan wanted to tell the truth, but he didn't say it aloud.

Xiao Lingyue nodded repeatedly upon hearing Dao Xue's words. Looking into the distance, she was stunned by Shang Qingmeng's beauty.

Her lips were naturally red, her skin naturally white, her eyebrows like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn waters covered in frost, her black hair like a waterfall, like flowing clouds casting shadows. She had no adornments whatsoever, yet possessed a refined and elegant demeanor, untouched by the mundane world.

His appearance was unparalleled, and his demeanor was even more extraordinary. In every gesture, he was free from any worldly concerns, displaying only the aloofness and detachment of a swordsman.

It is aloof and distant, making one dare not desecrate it.

"Is she the Fairy Merchant who has severed all seven emotions and six desires? She's so beautiful!" Xiao Lingyue exclaimed in amazement.

“Junior sister, you are mistaken. If we’re talking about looks, Fairy Shang from Sword Heart Sect is far inferior to you,” Xiang Yuan said decisively.

That's San'er, you can't praise her!

"My wife admires me because she loves me." Xiao Lingyue had never heard this saying before, but she understood a similar principle. She rolled her eyes at Xiang Yuan and told him not to talk nonsense in the chat group.

I like to hear it, but I have to tell it secretly.

Dao Xue's expression immediately turned strange. As soon as Xiang Yuan spoke, she noticed that her senior sister 'Yin Shuang' was acting strangely today. She asked curiously, "Senior sister, why are you talking like this today? Is it because that scoundrel left something in your body...?"

"Cough cough!"

Xiang Yuan clenched his fist and coughed lightly, signaling Dao Xue to calm down. "You scoundrel! What do you mean by 'residing in the body'? How can you talk like that?"

"Senior sisters, what are you talking about?"

Xiao Lingyue frowned slightly. Cheng Yuling's experience told her that this matter was worth investigating. "It's nothing, just a defeat, let's not talk about it." Xiang Yuan shook his head repeatedly, gesturing to Dao Xue not to say anything more.

He wasn't really Yinshuang. Without their tacit understanding, his eyesight was poor. Daoxue noticed her senior sister's strange expression and realized she had clearly misunderstood something. She decisively said in the chat room, "The Palace Master ordered Senior Sister Yinshuang and me to go to Zhen Dian Prefecture to find a man named Xiang Yuan and test his cultivation level. That scoundrel is quite strong; Senior Sister and I are no match for him..."

"Junior sister, you don't know, this scoundrel's methods are despicable and utterly shameless. After defeating my senior sister and me, he used the techniques of the Illusionary Annihilation Path to bewitch our primordial spirits..."

Under Xiang Yuan's ashen gaze, Dao Xue told Xiao Lingyue everything that couldn't be said before: the modification of common sense, the manipulation of memories, and even the hypnotic switch in her mind.

In the end, Daoxue said with lingering fear, "My senior sister and I were like puppets in his hands, being driven by him without our knowledge. Fortunately, the Palace Master saw through our tricks, otherwise we would still be his playthings now, and we don't know when we would be able to escape."

"..." x2
(乛乛)(一一;)
"Senior sister, say something!" Xiao Lingyue looked worried, showing particular concern for her senior sister's plight.

"I'm not as skilled as others, there's nothing much to say."

Xiang Yuan left a helpless comment in the chat group, and privately poured out his grievances, saying that Dao Xue's narration was mixed with too much personal bias, and that he must have read too many forbidden books about the tragedy of a female knight-errant.

She's not pure!

Xiao Lingyue rolled her eyes, finally understanding why Xiang Yuan was so adept at impersonating Senior Sister Yinshuang; it turned out there was also a deep spiritual exchange between them.

Xiao Lingyue was still somewhat at ease with Xiang Yuan's behavior towards women, knowing that he was sensible and wouldn't force anyone. However, just in case, she still gave him a warning, telling him not to use the Illusionary Annihilation Path techniques on female cultivators so easily.

After transmitting the message, I was exhausted and felt that I no longer had the energy to fight.

Xiao Lingyue silently comforted herself, trying to think positively. Senior Sister Daoxue was unaware that the scoundrel named Xiang Yuan and she had an arranged marriage last year; otherwise, it would have been too awkward.

Regarding Xiang Yuan and Xiao Lingyue's engagement, Cheng Yuling had intended to publicize it extensively in Wushuang Palace. It's a gossip palace, after all, where a bunch of women would gather to eat melon seeds and love to talk about these things.

At that time, Xiao Lingyue refused to acknowledge the marriage agreement, feeling ashamed and indignant to the point of wanting to die. She drew her sword and held it to her neck, forbidding Cheng Yuling from speaking nonsense.

He held the sword to his own neck, not placing it on Senior Sister Cheng's shoulder.

Cheng Yuling assumed that Junior Sister Xiao was just shy, and that young women are easily embarrassed, so she suppressed her urge to spread gossip and didn't mention the matter to anyone. Later...

I just forgot about it.

Therefore, the only three people in the entire Wushuang Palace who knew that Xiang Yuan was their son-in-law were Bai Wuyan, Cheng Yuling, and Xiao Lingyue.

Bai Wuyan wasn't a gossip; true masters don't talk, and she wouldn't make fun of such trivial matters.

Unless the other party is the Sword Master Su Ran!
If the Sword Master Su Ran were to lose her virginity to a man, then sorry, Bai Wuyan would not only laugh eight times a day, but would also mobilize the entire Wushuang Palace and all friendly units to spread the news throughout the world, making sure that even the stray dogs on the street heard about it.

It is highly likely that whenever she encounters extraterrestrial demons, she will mention it and try to spread the news throughout the Three Thousand Worlds.

Bai Wuyan didn't mention it, Cheng Yuling had a bad memory, and Xiao Lingyue was afraid of being chased by her fellow disciples for wedding candy. Since none of the three people in the know said anything, no one in Wushuang Palace knew that Xiang Yuan was actually one of their own.

Under Xiang Yuan's silent gaze, Dao Xue cursed the dog a few more times, as if she had really been bitten by a dog.

That's enough. You attacked first, so what he did was forced to fight back!
Xiao Lingyue didn't want to hear her husband being scolded, so she shielded him behind her and changed the subject: "Senior Sister Daoxue, tell me quickly, is there any way to break the sword heart that severs the seven emotions and six desires of that Fairy Shang?"

"How can there be a way to break a sword heart that has severed the seven emotions and six desires? This is as difficult as ascending to heaven..." Dao Xue gently shook her head.

It's not that difficult. As long as I hold Ah Ping's arm, she'll immediately become extremely jealous.

Xiang Yuan thought to himself, then curiously looked towards the Jianxinzhai formation. He saw Shang Qingmeng staring at him with a deep gaze, and his heart skipped a beat.

No way, you could even tell that!
Xiang Yuan thought to himself that this was outrageous. He knew that Shang Qingmeng had seen it all and could easily take advantage of him, but that was when she was conscripting men. Now, he was following the natural way and it was impossible for her to see through his disguise.

What went wrong?
The thought of Shang Qingmeng identifying him on the spot sent a bead of cold sweat down Xiang Yuan's forehead. He came to see the wife beat up the mistress, not to be beaten up by both the wife and the mistress.

"Senior sister, you're sweating?" Daoxue asked in surprise.

You talk too much, you're the only one with eyes!
Just you wait, I'll install a switch for you later, the kind that lasts a lifetime!
Xiang Yuan glared at Dao Xue with annoyance, then said to the curious Xiao Lingyue, "I observe that Shang Qingmeng's swordsmanship is profound and far-reaching, and she is not someone that ordinary grandmasters can rival. It will be extremely difficult for the two of you to defeat her in this sword duel."

"Don't worry, senior sister, a two-on-two match can guarantee a draw," Daoxue said confidently.

"Alright, you can fight Shang Qingmeng later."

"..."

Before the two groups even met, the atmosphere between them was already ruined.

As soon as the Wushuang Palace group landed, Qin Zhaorong, who was several miles away, teleported over to them. She glanced at the unremarkable Wushuang Palace group, confidently stood tall, and stepped forward with a faint smile.

You start by taunting us as soon as you appear; you never disappoint.

"Qin Zhaorong of Jianxinzhai greets all the senior and junior sisters of Wushuang Palace."

Qin Zhaorong smiled and stepped forward. Seeing 'Yinshuang' standing between Grandmasters Xiao Lingyue and Daoxue, she regarded her as the leader, explained the details of the sword competition, and asked if she had any doubts.

The rules are simple: since everyone is cultivating immortality, there's no need for fancy tricks. The two sides set up a arena and start sparring from the Nascent Soul stage until their final trump cards meet.

The sparring between Nascent Soul stage cultivators is just a warm-up; the real challenge is the final trump card.

Xiang Yuan arranged the order of appearance, anticipating that Shang Qingmeng would appear last, so he placed Xiao Lingyue last.

"Senior Sister Yinshuang, aren't you planning to participate in this sword competition?" Qin Zhaorong asked with a smile.

“I’m not on the list. It’s two against two, that’s fair. My Wushuang Palace is not one to bully the weak with numbers,” Xiang Yuan replied calmly.

Not to mention that Bai Wuyan had forbidden him from interfering with a fair and just match, he himself had no desire to make a move, especially against Zi Ping, fearing that he might accidentally grab her shoulder and pin her to the ring.

They've revealed their true identity!

Qin Zhaorong smiled slightly: "Senior Sister Yinshuang, in this battle, our Sword Heart Sect will respect Senior Sister Shang Qingmeng, while Wushuang Palace will lead you. There is a rare opportunity in the Small Cave Heaven, and Senior Sister invites you to join us in finding it. What do you think?"

Sure enough, she figured it out and asked me to chat privately.

Xiang Yuan pretended to ponder for a moment, ignoring the look Dao Xue gave him, and nodded, saying, "If Fairy Shang is willing, I will accompany you to the end. Please tell Fairy Shang that I will come whenever you call."

"In that case, junior sister, I shall take my leave now."

After Qin Zhaorong left, Daoxue sighed in the chat room: "Senior sister, knowing it was a trap, why did you agree?"

"This small paradise is the territory of the Sword Heart Sect. I have always had the idea of ​​exploring forbidden lands. Rather than hiding it, it is better to be open and aboveboard, so as to show the righteousness of my Peerless Palace."

Xiang Yuan said firmly, "Besides, if I refuse, I will be ridiculed by Jianxinzhai, and what will become of the reputation of Wushuang Palace!"

These words were spoken with righteous indignation, and from beginning to end they were for the sake of Wushuang Palace. Daoxue could not refute them and told her senior sister to be careful in everything and not to fall into the trap of Jianxinzhai.

Xiao Lingyue initially didn't take it seriously, but then, as if thinking of something, she privately warned, "When you and Fairy Shang are searching for opportunities, if she gets injured, stay away from her... Even if she dies, don't worry about it."

I've suffered too many losses; I'm developing PTSD!
Madam, you were too late. If I hadn't stopped it, Shang Xianzi's belly would have been empty by last year.

Xiang Yuan thought to himself that it was absolutely impossible, and since he was now the female prime minister, even if he really saved someone, Shang Qingmeng would only thank Yinshuang and treat her as a good sister.

Finally, he added, "Madam, don't look down on a swordsman who has severed all emotions and desires; his heart is only for the sword."

Right!

Xiao Lingyue nodded secretly; this time, she had been a bit unreasonable.

But you can't blame her; there really can't be any more younger sisters in the family.

The two lines were several miles apart, with no clear boundary between the two arenas. Neither Wushuang Palace nor Jianxinzhai played any tricks. Each sent out a Nascent Soul stage cultivator to fight. The arena was both in the sky and on the ground, and the winner was determined by their own skills.

The fencing tournament has officially begun!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

10,000 words, please vote with monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)