“Miao’er, are you alright?” This was Senior Brother Tang Yubai, his brows furrowed, his manner full of tender concern.
“Senior Brother Tang, I’m fine. Thank goodness you protected me. Otherwise, who knows where I’d be now?” This was the pitiful-looking Gu Miao’er, leaning into Tang Yubai’s arms as delicately as a willow swaying in the breeze.
The two were so absorbed in each other that they did not notice Feng Qiwu nearby. Folding her arms, Feng Qiwu gave them an indifferent glance, then left in the opposite direction with her broadsword on her back.
This secret realm was strange indeed. The moment she entered, she had been separated from her fellow disciples and, of all things, landed in the same place as Tang Yubai and Gu Miao’er.
Her priority now was to reunite with her fellow disciples. Since these two had feelings for each other, she would not be the one to tear the lovebirds apart. But that could wait until after the trial.
It was clear now that the rumors were not unfounded. She had seen it with her own eyes. If she had not, who knew how much longer Tang Yubai would have kept her in the dark?
It was not as though he did not know they were engaged. Yet here he was, openly embracing Gu Miao’er. Where did that leave her, his actual fiancée? If he had fallen for someone else, he should have said so earlier. Who was he putting on this display for now?
A quarter of an hour later, Feng Qiwu successfully reunited with her fellow disciples. By then, Senior Brother Ming had gathered most of them and was making every effort to find her. Everyone was delighted to see her.
Although Feng Qiwu was rather aloof, sword cultivators valued strength and naturally admired the strong. Besides, she was thoroughly upright, and they all preferred to deal with one another frankly.
Feng Qiwu briefly explained what had happened with Tang Yubai and Gu Miao’er. Her fellow disciples were outraged.
She was their Sword Sect’s once-in-a-century genius, born with sword bones, a talented young woman renowned throughout the cultivation world. Tang Yubai of the Yunshui Sect knew perfectly well that he had a fiancée, yet still pursued another female cultivator. What was he playing at?
Senior Brother Ming pressed a hand to his sword hilt. “I think the Yunshui Sect has grown far too full of itself. When we return, we need to discuss this engagement properly with our master. How is someone who can’t even conduct himself properly fit to become our Sword Sect’s son-in-law?”
“Exactly. Our senior sister is so outstanding. What on earth is wrong with Tang Yubai’s eyes?”
“As I see it, that female cultivator is no good either. Practically every sect knows about Tang Yubai’s engagement to our senior sister, yet she still insists on clinging to him. Clearly, she’s no better.”
“Senior Sister, don’t be sad. We’re all on your side. Once the trial is over, we’ll ask Martial Uncle, the sect leader, to get justice for you!”
“I’m not sad. What do I have to be sad about?” Feng Qiwu raised her eyebrows slightly. She was not sad at all. She had only met Tang Yubai twice. To speak of feelings between them would be ridiculous.
Seeing how composed Feng Qiwu was, her fellow disciples relaxed. One of the more outspoken ones said, “It’s alright, Senior Sister. There are plenty of male cultivators in the world. Even without Tang Yubai, there are many more outstanding men.”
Feng Qiwu smiled faintly. “I have no interest in finding a Dao companion. Devoting my life to studying the way of the sword is my ambition.”
“Quite right. The path of immortal cultivation is long. We should spend more effort improving our cultivation.” The group of sword fanatics nodded in agreement. Wasn’t there still cultivation to improve, with never enough time to do it?
What did they need a Dao companion for? The sword in their hands was their Dao companion! Human hearts could change, but their swords would never betray them.
Watching Feng Qiwu surrounded by her fellow disciples, Senior Brother Ming smiled faintly. Then he frowned deeply at the thought of Tang Yubai. But on second thought, perhaps Tang Yubai’s change of heart was a good thing. Could this be his opportunity?
During the following month’s trial, the Sword Sect disciples went out of their way to make trouble for the Yunshui Sect, targeting Tang Yubai in particular.
They did not take things too far, merely making life difficult for him without killing anyone. Tang Yubai was the Yunshui Sect’s eldest disciple, after all. What if they overdid it and caused a conflict between the two sects?
A month later, the trial ended. Elders from the various sects waited outside the secret realm. The first to emerge were the Yunshui Sect disciples, led by Tang Yubai. He and the fellow disciples behind him all looked listless and dispirited.
Their cultivation had improved a little, but their overall spirits were poor. The Yunshui Sect elder frowned. Noticing the looks directed their way, he swallowed his questions, intending to ask Tang Yubai privately later.
Naturally, Tang Yubai understood why the elder was frowning. But he really did not know what to say. It had been strange indeed. The Sword Sect disciples seemed to have set their sights on them this time. Whenever they obtained medicinal herbs or ores, the Sword Sect disciples interfered.
They also set all kinds of little traps for them, making it impossible to guard against everything. After a month of this, Tang Yubai was mentally and physically exhausted. He was not stupid and had vaguely guessed what the Sword Sect disciples meant by it.
But he could hardly say that to the elder. If the elders learned that their sect had come away empty-handed because of his romantic entanglements, he would certainly be punished when they returned, and his standing among the disciples would fall.
While he was trying to come up with an excuse, disciples from the other sects emerged one after another. The last group all wore black magical robes and held their flying swords in an orderly fashion, radiating formidable sword intent.
At their head was a tall, slender male cultivator with a pleasant smile. At the sight of him, Tang Yubai tasted bitterness in his mouth. Clearly, he had suffered considerably at this man’s hands during the trial.
This was, of course, Senior Brother Ming, the Sword Sect’s eldest disciple. He was the one who had arranged for them to trouble the Yunshui Sect disciples. The Sword Sect was fiercely protective of its own. After what Tang Yubai had done, did he expect them to smile and let bygones be bygones?
As sword cultivators, they believed in repaying grievances and settling scores. Although Tang Yubai had not yet caused Feng Qiwu any actual harm, if he had, the Sword Sect disciples would have broken his third leg long ago, regardless of his status.
Looking at their spirited disciples, then at the dispirited Yunshui Sect disciples nearby, the Sword Sect elders stroked their beards and nodded repeatedly.
At the sight of Tang Yubai in the crowd, the elder broke into a broad smile. He beckoned to Feng Qiwu. “Qiwu, it’s been a long time since you saw your Senior Brother Tang Yubai. Aren’t you going to catch up with him?”
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