After Breaking Off the Engagement, I Started Pursuing My Master-Chapter 41 - Congratulations

Chapter 41: Congratulations

As Su Xue’s sword was unsheathed, an overwhelming pressure descended, causing the disciples beneath the platform to suddenly turn pale.

Every disciple of the Tianxuan Sect had heard tales of the Su Xue sword.

Seven hundred years ago, when the first sect master of the Tianxuan Sect founded the sect, the Su Xue sword was his personal weapon, always by his side. Later, when the sect master attempted to break through to the ninth realm, he failed to receive the favor of the heavens and perished, leaving the Su Xue sword to become the Tianxuan Sect’s guardian spirit sword.

Before his death, the sect master had arranged his affairs, decreeing that if he failed to advance, whoever the Su Xue sword chose as its master could take it.

Over the years, every swordsman of the Tianxuan Sect had visited the Sword Tomb, trying to connect with the spirit of the Su Xue sword. However, nearly ninety-nine percent of them not only failed to claim the sword but were also injured by its proud and aloof spirit. As a result, for many years, no one dared to approach the Su Xue sword again—until Chu Xianning stepped into the Sword Tomb and stood before it.

She had been entangled with the Su Xue sword for a hundred years, spending a long time in contact with it. It was unclear whether it was her extraordinary talent or her persistence that eventually moved the spirit of the Su Xue sword. It became her personal weapon and had accompanied her for several hundred years.

But why had Chu Xianning summoned the Su Xue sword now? Could it be that she found Li Qiusheng’s bullying too much to bear and intended to personally intervene on behalf of her beloved disciple?

The disciples all gazed at Chu Xianning, holding their breath against the oppressive aura of the Su Xue sword. Yet Chu Xianning remained seated in the stands, unmoved, while the Su Xue sword flew into the arena, and Jiang Huai raised his hand to catch it.

“Heh,” Jiang Huai grasped the hilt, and the spirit of the Su Xue sword quickly responded, albeit with a touch of lazy coolness.

“It’s rare for you to think of me.”

There seemed to be a hint of grievance in that lazy, cool voice.

“There’s no helping it; he’s too overbearing. Just rein it in a bit, borrowing some of your sharpness is enough. There’s no need to reveal your full strength.” Jiang Huai patiently instructed the spirit of the Su Xue sword.

Then he stepped forward, slightly raising the sword’s tip, and the proud sword qi easily tore through Chu Xianning’s barrier that kept the rain at bay. The pouring rain turned into a blizzard in an instant.

……

Jiang Huai first saw the Su Xue sword when he was ten years old.

His master rarely showed the sword to others, firstly because the spirit of the Su Xue sword was proud and aloof, and secondly because it was quite lazy, preferring to sleep within the sword and not be disturbed.

Jiang Huai liked the sword very much at that time and had asked his master if he could touch it. Chu Xianning, fearing that the Su Xue sword would harm him, forbade it. However, the Su Xue sword approached him on its own, saying it wanted to see his sword intent.

The spirit of the Su Xue sword had not seen such sword intent like his in hundreds of years.

……

The hilt in Jiang Huai’s hand was slightly cold to the touch. Li Qiusheng, standing before him, was full of astonishment. He had heard of the Su Xue sword, of course, but who would have thought that Jiang Huai, only nineteen years old, could now easily wield the Su Xue sword without being harmed by its backlash?

The heavy snow soon blurred his vision. He only felt the invisible sword intent permeating the swirling snow. Suddenly, Jiang Huai’s figure disappeared from before him, as if he had merged with the snowflakes, becoming one of them.

When he felt pain, Jiang Huai was already in front of him. He tried to block with his sword, but Jiang Huai’s was too fast, effortlessly slicing through his spirit sword. The spirit within the Xuan Bing sword trembled, wishing only to hide securely, lest it be annihilated by the spirit of the Su Xue sword in an instant.

Thus, Jiang Huai’s sword easily pierced Li Qiusheng’s chest.

He did not push the sword any further; the tip merely left a mark on his chest. His spiritual energy shield could not block the might of a heavenly spirit sword. This sword, light as a feather, crushed all of Li Qiusheng’s will to strike.

Jiang Huai thought for a moment, and ultimately, the sword tip remained there, not advancing any further. The lesson Luo Qingyu had given him before was enough, and he had also received the Blood Sandalwood Flower from his mother. There was a time for mercy, and Jiang Huai did not always wish to be so ruthless.

Li Qiusheng lowered his head, hot blood gushing from his chest. Jiang Huai withdrew the spirit sword, gently shaking off the blood from the tip, and stood quietly on the platform.

Snowflakes fell until the sect master personally announced the outcome, declaring him the champion of the inner sect competition. Only then did the silent crowd below finally erupt into cheers.

Jiang Huai did not look at Li Qiusheng before him but simply turned and walked away. The snow continued to fall behind him. Li Qiusheng’s throat tightene, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, no sound came out.

……

The inner sect competition was over.

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In the courtyard, Jiang Huai was holding a large white spirit egg, lost in thought. This was his reward for winning first place in the inner sect competition. It was said that the egg could hatch an Snow Spirit Bird, which, if well-fed, could become a flying mount for someone at the seventh realm. However, Jiang Huai was slightly afraid of heights, and the thought of soaring through the skies on the wings of a large bird seemed terrifying.

“Does Qingyu like Snow Spirit Bird?” Jiang Huai asked, holding the egg and looking curiously at Luo Qingyu beside him.

Luo Qingyu nodded vigorously.

“Alright, then it’s yours to raise.”

Jiang Huai handed the egg to Luo Qingyu.

“When you get back, hold it for an hour each day, talk to it a lot. They say that once it hatches, it will be closer to Qingyu.”

Luo Qingyu was a bit stunned, blinking at Jiang Huai, “For Qingyu?”

“Mhm.”

Luo Qingyu’s eyes sparkled.

Tomorrow, Jiang Huai would send Luo Qingyu back to her sect. He estimated she would stay at Qingxuan Sect for just three or four days. By then, the Snow Spirit Bird would be ready to hatch. It seemed nice to think of it keeping Luo Qingyu company.

In the afternoon, Jiang Huai was busy in the kitchen for a long time. He even sent a message to Wen Wanwan’s courtyard with a spirit pigeon, inviting her to dine in the courtyard that evening. When Wen Wanwan arrived, the table was already filled with exquisite dishes. Jiang Huai brought out a jug of wine and looked at the three fairies at the table.

“Let’s have a light drink to celebrate my victory in the inner sect competition?”

Wen Wanwan, dressed in plain clothes, her cheeks unadorned and her black hair simply tied up, her cool eyes revealing a trace of shyness, softly replied,

“Wanwan cannot hold her liquor well, I hope Jiang Huai Senior Brother won’t mind.”

“No worries, just a little taste is fine,” Jiang Huai said, pouring a small cup for her.

Luo Qingyu followed suit, bringing her cup over. Jiang Huai filled everyone’s cups with wine. The luminous stones in the courtyard shone brightly, and after a full meal, Chu Xianning had one drink and then quietly went to the pavilion to watch the moon.

Luo Qingyu leaned back in her chair, nibbling on peanut brittle from the table. Wen Wanwan’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes slightly hazy, as if resisting the alcohol. Seeing this, Jiang Huai began to clear the table, taking the dishes to the kitchen to wash.

……

In the courtyard.

Luo Qingyu’s cheeks were puffed with peanut brittle, and Wen Wanwan’s gaze fell on her. After a moment of hesitation, she softly said,

“Thank you, Fairy Qingyu, for the other day on Alchemy Mountain.”

“You are Jiang Huai brother’s friend, so naturally, you are my friend too. No need to be polite,” Luo Qingyu replied, her gaze shifting to Wen Wanwan’s cheeks, but soon her eyes showed a hint of sadness.

“I will return to Qingxuan Sect tomorrow. It will be some time before we meet again.”

Wen Wanwan didn’t know what to say. She was not good at socializing, and she was not familiar with Luo Qingyu. The gap between their statuses was vast, and if not for Jiang Huai, they might never have crossed paths in their lives.

“The marriage arrangement between me and Jiang Huai brother was solely my mother’s doing, not a true cancellation. In time, the wedding date will be set again,” Luo Qingyu suddenly said softly.

Wen Wanwan looked into Luo Qingyu’s bright eyes, her lashes drooping slightly, and softly replied,

“Then I offer my early congratulations to Fairy Qingyu.”

“I don’t really have any friends. When I marry Jiang Huai brother, I will send you the first invitation,” Luo Qingyu said with a sweet smile.

Wen Wanwan nodded gently, her lashes drooping even more.

When Jiang Huai came out of the kitchen, Luo Qingyu was still chatting softly with Wen Wanwan. He didn’t listen closely but brought out a food box and placed it in front of Wen Wanwan.

“I saved some food for your sister. Take it back to her.”

“Thank you, Jiang Huai Senior Brother,” Wen Wanwan replied softly, her lashes lowered, gently grasping the food box.

“Then I’ll head back to my courtyard.”

“Shall I walk you there?”

“No need, Wanwan is sober now.”

Wen Wanwan stood up, shook her head gently, gave Jiang Huai another glance, and turned to leave, her graceful figure quickly disappearing into the courtyard, her steps quick as if fleeing.

Jiang Huai, having drunk quite a bit, didn’t notice anything unusual. He just watched Luo Qingyu, still obediently eating peanut brittle, and reached out to pinch her cheek.

“You’re really going to get chubby like a little pig.”

“I won’t, I won’t, the flesh will go to the right places,” Luo Qingyu replied, pouting, tilting up her pale face.

Jiang Huai’s gaze fell on her pale collarbone, which indeed seemed plump.

Jiang Huai was momentarily stunned, and Luo Qingyu caught his gaze, blinking at him,

“I’m leaving tomorrow. Can you… reward Qingyu one more time tonight?”

“Of course not,” Jiang Huai tapped her head lightly.

“Is it because you’re afraid Aunt Chu will hear?”

“Heh,” Jiang Huai pinched her earlobe gently.

“Keep asking, and there will be no story time tonight.”

Luo Qingyu pouted but obediently stood up, leaning into Jiang Huai with the help of the alcohol, pressing her soft body against him, tilting up her pale face, “Hug.”