Chapter 402 - 61: Seizing the Championship
"It’s over, Junior Sister Ruo’s sword is broken."
"Don’t worry, Junior Sister Ruo is so abnormal, maybe her body is as tough as He Zhiqiu’s!"
"Fighting head-on, huh? Let’s see who gets pierced first this time!"
All the Outer Sect disciples were excited. Such a delicate girl like Junior Sister Ruo clashing with a macho man like He Zhiqiu, chest against chest, just imagining the scene was thrilling!
On the high platform, Shi Shuhong said with a smile to Tantai Mingyue:
"Junior Sister Tantai, I didn’t expect a disciple from Danxia Peak to not only excel in Body Cultivation but also be so adept at Sword Control Technique. It seems this will be a tough battle."
Tantai Mingyue smiled gracefully, "Senior Brother Shi, you’re too kind. This is all due to Ruo Mei’s own talent, I have never taught her."
She also believed that Ruo Mei and He Zhiqiu were equally matched and that their duel had only just begun.
Mo Xiaolan looked at the two in the arena, her expression a bit complex.
If it were truly as Qin Gengyun said, he could recognize Taoist Friend Qiu’s body scent, then as soon as the two got close, he could tell if Ruo Mei was Taoist Friend Qiu.
If it really is Taoist Friend Qiu... then should I leave?
Qin Gengyun laughed heartily and strode towards Ruo Mei.
"Junior Sister Ruo, both of us are Body Cultivators. In the end, we must get close and fight in proximity to decide the winner!"
He was excited, eager to unveil the mystery.
"I concede."
Suddenly, Ruo Mei spoke up.
"..."
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Qin Gengyun stared at her in shock, "You, you concede?"
Ruo Mei’s eyes reddened, pointing at the broken sword on the ground, "This is the Magical Artifact that has accompanied me for years, and today it broke on your body, Junior Brother He. You, you have such a cruel heart!"
After saying that, she covered her face, whimpered, and ran away.
"???"
Everyone just stared blankly at the crying, running petite figure, a strange, indescribable feeling rising within their hearts.
"Is it over just like that?"
"That’s it?"
"Why did Junior Sister Ruo concede?"
"Could it be that she is infatuated with He Zhiqiu and deliberately let him win?"
"Does a Body Cultivator love swords that much?"
"Ah, ah, ah! Junior Sister Ruo’s crying is so pretty, whimpering!"
Liu Su gaped, her eyes wide in disbelief, "Huh?"
Mo Xiaolan was also bewildered; she never expected Ruo Mei to concede and run away like that.
Wu Yiren, however, seemed to understand, "It seems Junior Sister Ruo really likes Junior Brother He, willing to concede so that he could be the champion. Brother Lan, if it were you and me, I would do the same."
"Oh right, my brother won the championship!"
Liu Su finally realized, however strange the process had been, the win was ultimately Qin Gengyun’s, and now he could finally rid himself of the Pill Poison!
Once my brother-in-law cures his Pill Poison, he will have no more worries about his lifespan.
Moreover, he can enter the Inner Sect and have the opportunity to uncover more secrets of Zhenyang Sect.
Perhaps he might even find out the truth behind Cyan Lotus Sect being labeled as the Demon Sect back in the day, and maybe vindicate the Cyan Lotus Sect, allowing the Saintess to no longer conceal her identity, bearing everything alone.
Liu Su’s thoughts wandered far, and suddenly a gentle and bright voice reached her ears:
"The champion of this Outer Sect contest is He Zhiqiu from Divinity Transformation Peak!"
Wow!!
Clap clap clap!
Why him?!
Cheering, applause, unwillingness – a cacophony of sounds arose, representing the feelings of the Outer Sect disciples at this moment.
Qin Gengyun’s mood was equally complex, pleased to have won yet disappointed he hadn’t been able to approach Ruo Mei and solve the mystery of her identity.
Suddenly, he bent down to pick up the broken sword and brought it to his nose for a sniff.
Yet, the sword only carried a chilling aura, devoid of any other scent.
"What the heck is He Zhiqiu doing?"
"Did he really have to do this to the broken sword after the person left?"
"He’s definitely a pervert!"
Amidst the unwilling banter of the Outer Sect disciples, Qin Gengyun walked up the high platform and respectfully greeted the five Peak Masters.
Tantai Mingyue, as the main Peak Master of this Outer Sect contest, stepped forward to hand him the Spirit Key to the Spirit Pill Pavilion, saying warmly:
"He Zhiqiu, you may enter the Spirit Pill Pavilion and freely select a Spirit Pill below the Sixth Grade."
Qin Gengyun received it with both hands and suddenly asked, "Master Uncle Tantai, can I select two Fourth Grade Spirit Pills instead?"
Tantai Mingyue was slightly taken aback, while Cheng Yue couldn’t help but remind:
"Junior Brother He, previous champions have always chosen Sixth Grade Spirit Pills, as they are more beneficial to your cultivation."
Qin Gengyun replied, "Thank you, Senior Brother Cheng, but I have two friends who are Alchemists suffering from Pill Poison and are not long for this world. I wish to acquire two Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pills to save their lives."
Tantai Mingyue understood, "Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pills can indeed cure Pill Poison. It’s rare to see you so loyal to your friends, so you may take two."
Qin Gengyun bowed to her again, "I thank you on behalf of my friends, Master Uncle Tantai. Your compassion extends to Loose Cultivators by crafting the Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pills, saving countless lives. I admire your noble spirit."
This was not mere flattery; the world knew that the Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pill was specifically created by Tantai Mingyue to eradicate Pill Poison, a boon for Alchemists worldwide.
However, because of the Three Great Sects’ monopoly and restrictions on high-grade pills, the Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pill rarely made its way into the hands of grassroots Loose Cultivators.
But this was not Tantai Mingyue’s fault, so Qin Gengyun always respected her deeply.
If one has the ability, one should strive to benefit the world; such is the calling of a Grand Alchemist.
Upon hearing his words, Tantai Mingyue was mildly surprised before finally letting out a soft sigh:
"I am just an Alchemist and cannot ultimately bring blessings to the entire world. You overpraise me, Junior Nephew He."
Qin Gengyun looked up and saw a hint of melancholy in Tantai Mingyue’s expression, realizing that she seemed to have some criticisms about the Major Sects’ resource monopoly.
In future attempts to uncover the secrets of Zhenyang Sect, he might start with Tantai Mingyue.
However, it was too early to discuss this now. Qin Gengyun once again greeted the other four Peak Masters.
Jian Yue remained aloof, pretending to be a cool and detached fairy, though a flicker of heat flashed in her eyes.
Chuckling inwardly, ’The Lord has indeed won the championship, he must be delighted. I’ll visit him someday to ask for a reward.’
Shi Shuhong beamed with pride, patting Qin Gengyun’s shoulder:
"I heard from Cheng Yue that you have good talent in Body Cultivation. Go to the Inner Sect tomorrow!"
"Thank you, Peak Master." Qin Gengyun bowed, expressing his gratitude.
Cheng Yue stepped forward to squeeze Qin Gengyun’s arm in delight, "Junior Brother He, well done! You have honored us Body Cultivators!"
Qin Gengyun displayed a sincere smile, "Thanks to Senior Brother Cheng’s guidance."
"Hahaha! Now that you are in the Inner Sect, we can spar conveniently. I’ll find you for an all-nighter fight someday!"
Tantai Mingyue smiled, "Su Xin, take him to the Spirit Pill Pavilion to choose some pills."
Su Xin responded with a bow and addressed Qin Gengyun, "Junior Brother He, please come with me."
With that said, a Flying Sword appeared beneath her feet, and Su Xin stepped onto it, signalling Qin Gengyun to do the same.
Qin Gengyun stood on the Flying Sword as Su Xin rose into the air, carrying them towards the Spirit Pill Pavilion on the opposite peak.
Below Lianxia Hall, a small, frail figure looked up at the Flying Sword in the sky, a smile appearing on their face.
"My husband’s Pill Poison can finally be cured... But his fault of attracting so many butterflies is yet to be accounted for."