Ch. 76
While Master Daoxuan and the others were focused on the intense battle between Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu, Tian Buyi had already picked up Zhang Xiaofan and was preparing to return to the side room for treatment.
Zhang Xiaofan’s injuries were severe. If not treated in time, they might leave lasting damage. Moreover, Tian Buyi was aware that the top four in the Seven Peaks Tournament would soon descend the mountain for training.
If Zhang Xiaofan couldn’t recover in time, he might miss this opportunity.
Lu Xueqi watched as Tian Buyi carried Zhang Xiaofan away and called out.
“Uncle-Master Tian.”
Tian Buyi paused slightly at her words, then turned around with Zhang Xiaofan in his arms, his expression somewhat grim.
Though even he had been stunned by Lu Xueqi’s beauty, if not for her, Zhang Xiaofan wouldn’t be so gravely injured.
He knew injuries were inevitable in combat, but still felt displeased. His tone turned slightly cold as he said,
“Niece Lu, is there something you need?”
Lu Xueqi, seeing this, understood Tian Buyi harbored resentment but didn’t mind.
Had it been her who was injured, her master, Master Shuiyue, would’ve acted the same.
She said directly,
“Uncle-Master Tian, Junior Brother Zhang was injured because of me. I have a healing pill here—please administer it to him.”
With that, she retrieved a pill bottle from her robes and offered it to Tian Buyi.
Tian Buyi was briefly stunned, instinctively wanting to refuse.
The Great Yellow Pill from Dazhu Peak was already a renowned healing medicine—there was no reason to think Xiaozhu Peak’s pill would be better.
However, the moment Lu Xueqi uncorked the bottle, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out. The words of refusal that had reached Tian Buyi’s lips froze, his eyes filled with surprise and doubt.
When had Xiaozhu Peak ever possessed such potent healing pills? This puzzled Tian Buyi.
Just the scent alone made it clear this pill was no ordinary item.
Seeing Tian Buyi’s confusion, Lu Xueqi explained,
“This pill is my own creation, based on a rare ancient record from the sect. It is highly effective for treating injuries. Please, Uncle-Master, ensure Junior Brother Zhang takes it.”
Tian Buyi gave Lu Xueqi a deep look, then finally nodded and took the pill, feeding it to Zhang Xiaofan.
At that moment, although Zhang Xiaofan appeared gravely wounded, his mind was in fact clear.
Hearing the exchange between Lu Xueqi and Tian Buyi, his eyes shifted subtly. He looked at Lu Xueqi’s stunning face, dazed and lost in thought.
As the pill entered his mouth and he swallowed it, ripples stirred in his heart.
His thoughts drifted to the past. In his memory, Lu Xueqi had been extraordinarily gifted and breathtakingly beautiful, yet cold and aloof, always keeping a distance from others.
But the woman before him—more beautiful than in his past life, with a celestial air—was now also gentle and kind, her manner carrying the warmth of human emotion. No longer the untouchable fairy he remembered.
This transformation stirred something inexplicable within Zhang Xiaofan.
He couldn’t help but wonder: was this due to the different trajectory of this world—or, like him, had she also returned with memories of their previous life?
Tian Ling’er stood beside Zhang Xiaofan. When Lu Xueqi called out to her father Tian Buyi, Tian Ling’er’s gaze had already locked onto Lu Xueqi.
Seeing her ethereal beauty, a sense of inferiority surged within Tian Ling’er.
She had always known she couldn’t compare to Lu Xueqi in appearance, but she hadn’t expected this life’s Lu Xueqi to surpass even the memory of her past self—like Heaven’s most favored creation, dazzling beyond compare.
Seeing Lu Xueqi offer medicine to Zhang Xiaofan, Tian Ling’er suddenly felt a trace of crisis. And when she noticed Zhang Xiaofan staring blankly at Lu Xueqi, a bitter ache rose in her heart.
Could it be that in this life, Junior Brother would once again tangle with this Senior Sister in a fated bond?
After taking the pill, a faint green light emanated from Zhang Xiaofan’s body. A surge of life force flowed within, rapidly healing his injuries.
Seeing this, Lu Xueqi nodded in satisfaction.
This pill had been refined using alchemy techniques uploaded by Xiao Yan, combined with medicinal herbs from this world. The formula was her own creation, and each pill was of the highest grade—its effects even surpassing those refined by Xiao Yan himself.
Watching Zhang Xiaofan’s injuries heal swiftly, a faint smile curled at the corner of Lu Xueqi’s lips.
That smile, like spring thawing snow, instantly stunned the Qingyun disciples who had been jealous of her gift to Zhang Xiaofan.
She was already unmatched in beauty. With that slight smile, she seemed like a fairy descending to the mortal world—making even Heaven and Earth pale in comparison.
Zhang Xiaofan felt a warm current coursing through him and let out a soft sigh of relief. As he opened his eyes, he caught sight of Lu Xueqi’s gentle smile—and found himself momentarily dazed once more.
Realizing the attention she was drawing, Lu Xueqi felt slightly awkward. She gave a light cough and said,
“Uncle-Master Tian, Junior Brother Zhang’s injuries are already healing. With some rest, he’ll recover fully.”
Tian Buyi finally snapped out of his shock and quickly cupped his hands in gratitude.
“Many thanks, Niece Lu.”
Lu Xueqi shook her head.
“Junior Brother Zhang was injured because of me—this is only right.”
Having said that, she bowed once more to Tian Buyi, then with a flicker of her figure, departed from the platform.
She walked quickly toward the arena where Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu were locked in fierce battle.
She wanted to see for herself how the duel between these two disciples of Longshou Peak would unfold.
After all, one of them would likely be her next opponent. More importantly, this was a duel between two transmigrators.
As Lu Xueqi reached the outer edge of the platform, the crowd immediately noticed her presence.
“Junior Sister Lu is here! Make way!”
“This way, Junior Sister Lu!”
“Heavens, she’s just too beautiful...”
Disciples from all the peaks stepped aside one after another, their chatter rising like a tide.
Lu Xueqi gave a slight nod and made her way through the crowd into the inner ring of the platform.
Disciples of Xiaozhu Peak immediately gathered around her, encircling her protectively, their gazes alert as they eyed the other peak disciples who stared at Lu Xueqi with burning intensity—as if guarding her from wolves.
Lu Xueqi seemed to be the supreme treasure of Xiaozhu Peak—how could they allow others to covet her so freely?
Lu Xueqi lifted her gaze toward the sky above the platform. Thunder rolled across the heavens. Two arcs of lightning, like giant dragons, converged onto Qi Hao’s Ice Immortal Sword and Lin Jingyu’s Dragon-Slaying Sword respectively.
“If this continues, both will suffer defeat.”
Lu Xueqi muttered softly.
She could see it clearly.
Qi Hao had a higher cultivation level but lacked deeper insight into the Divine Sword Lightning Summoning True Art;
Lin Jingyu, on the other hand, was slightly lower in realm but had thoroughly grasped the essence of the technique.
This final clash of theirs—though the outcome might hinge on a hair’s breadth—was certain to cost both a heavy price.
Cang Song stood below the arena, his gaze fixed intently on the two disciples in the air, concern evident in his eyes.
Both were seedlings he had painstakingly nurtured, yet their rivalry had only grown more intense over the past year.
He knew all too well: only through this life-and-death battle could their grievances be fully vented and resolved. Thus, he restrained his urge to intervene.
What he did not know, however, was that these two were transmigrators. The conflict between them could never be reconciled.
At last, both had completed their preparations. With bloodshot eyes, they locked gazes for a brief instant—then struck simultaneously!
Their swords sliced through the sky, accompanied by blinding thunderlight. With a sharp “psshht,” the two bolts of lightning-infused sword energy collided head-on!
The void trembled, thunder exploded, and a terrifying shockwave rippled outward like concentric waves. The disciples below had their robes and hair blown wildly by the blast.
As the residual force surged outward, both Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu spat blood and were sent flying from the arena.
The elder presiding over the duel flashed into the air, closely monitoring their fall.
This blow would decide who advanced to the final match. Victory depended on who landed last.
Lu Xueqi, using her divine sense to track their trajectories, determined that Lin Jingyu was falling just slightly faster.
Sure enough, with a dull bang, Lin Jingyu hit the ground before Qi Hao. A moment later, Qi Hao also slammed heavily onto the plaza.
“This round’s victor: Qi Hao of Longshou Peak!”
The elder’s voice rang out sharply.
The audience erupted into an uproar. Most had believed Lin Jingyu would win this time—but to their surprise, Qi Hao claimed victory by the narrowest of margins.
Still, those with keen eyes understood: the two were evenly matched. The outcome had been decided by the slimmest margin. Lin Jingyu’s strength had left a deep impression on all.
What’s more, Lin Jingyu was much younger than Qi Hao. His talent and potential far surpassed Qi Hao’s. Though he had lost today, he would certainly surpass him next time.
Cang Song and Master Daoxuan each rushed to Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu’s sides. After examining them, both let out sighs of relief.
The two were only unconscious from spiritual depletion—there were no serious injuries.
Daoxuan gazed at the unconscious Lin Jingyu, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes. The potential this young man had displayed in today’s battle would ensure the entire Qingyun Sect regarded him with newfound respect..