"Yes, so instead of taking you to the cloud riders' encampment, we'll directly send you to The Shackling Prison. It includes full board and lodging, along with heavy guard protection—absolutely safe."
Just moments ago, he had been calling her "Big Sister." Now, his tone abruptly shifted as he spoke these words with unwavering conviction. His expression transformed from innocent confidence to solemn seriousness.
March 7th and Stelle both displayed looks of surprise.
They had just been teasing Yanqing, never expecting that he had already realized the situation long beforehand! He simply chose not to reveal it earlier, prioritizing the investigation of Blade's whereabouts first.
Embarrassed, they exchanged glances, realizing they might have played the fool here.
Even the chat comments took a sudden turn!
"Despite his pride, Yanqing is quite astute and vigilant."
"Jing Yuan has taught him well!"
"He's been hiding it all along—our little bro Yanqing sure knows a thing or two!"
"But come to think of it, does Yanqing stand a chance against Jingliu? That's his master's master we're talking about."
Confronted with Yanqing's accusation, Jingliu maintained his composed demeanor.
"Little Brother, you need some solid grounds to accuse someone."
"Suspicious behavior and evasiveness are reason enough. Did you think I could be easily fooled just because I'm young?"
"For starters, how did a stranded traveler suddenly appear at a sealed-off port? Moreover, observing your movements along our journey, they were swift yet steady—hardly indicative of a blind person.
"As for swordsmanship, it's one thing to discern techniques through sound alone, but you even accurately identified the number of swords I wielded. Such insight is far from ordinary.
"You're not truly blind, are you?"
Jingliu replied, "I never claimed to be blind. You assumed so upon seeing my black veil."
"Hm..." This left Yanqing momentarily speechless.
Jingliu continued, "Don't worry, Little Brother. There's no grudge between us, nor have I harbored any ill intent towards Xianzhou."
"This black veil serves as proof of my unwillingness to succumb to Mara's influence and commit further madness when confronted with such sights."
On the deck of another ship nearby, Jing Yuan felt somewhat taken aback upon hearing this exchange.
He couldn't help but glance briefly at Jingliu beside him.
Her mental state and logical reasoning were remarkably clear.
The characteristics of her Mara-Struck form seemed barely discernible on the surface.
Could it be...she has truly gained control over her Mara-Struck self?
It was almost as if the Jingliu who had once been both mentor and friend had returned.
However...
This feeling was fleeting.
Jing Yuan swiftly suppressed his emotions.
These must only be superficial signs.
Let's see what unfolds next in the story!
"I came here solely to capture someone, and coincidentally, traveling with you seems fitting," Jingliu continued.
"You too...are seeking 'Blade'?" Yanqing asked tentatively.
"Ah, 'Blade,' is that his current name now? Abandoning oneself to sharp edges, tempered by swords, quite apt indeed."
"Take me to him, little brother."
"You're no match for me, so you wouldn't stand a chance against Blade either. With my presence, at least you won't throw your life away needlessly, little brother."
At that moment,
Jing Yuan, Jingliu, and Dan Heng, who were engrossed in the unfolding scene, simultaneously turned towards the door.
A hand was prying open the entrance between the deck and cabin.
Then,
Blade appeared there, seemingly dazed.
"Who called out to me?"
"No one did; it's part of the game's storyline," Dan Heng replied.
"Oh."
As if all emotions had been drained from him, Blade indifferently sat down on the ship's edge.
"Do you want to watch too?" Jing Yuan asked.
"Mm-hmm."
"Alright."
Jing Yuan placed Yuzhao on the ground, activating its projection mode, allowing all four of them to view together comfortably.
On the small bow of the ship,
the four individuals gathered around the glowing screen,
quietly watching the narrative unfold.
An observer unaware of the context might sigh with sentiment—
How peaceful and serene these moments!
"Until swords clash and their glows emerge, how can one determine victory or superiority? I advise you not to underestimate my blade," Yanqing said to Jingliu.
Jingliu responded, "I don't wish to engage in conflict with fellow Cloud Knights. How about this—"
"We have a competition using the fiends rampant aboard the Ruo Fu Immortal Ship as our test subjects. Let's see whose sword is faster and cuts down more, what do you say?"
"If you win, I'll willingly accept defeat, submit myself, face trial at The Shackling Prison, and abide by any subsequent judgment."
"But if I triumph, you must share Blade's whereabouts with me. Deal?"
Yanqing shook his head. "Cloud riders don't bargain with official duties, besides, you won't win."
"I admire your confidence. However, remember 'until swords clash and their glows emerge, how can one determine victory or superiority'?" Jingliu countered.
Upon witnessing this exchange, Blade unexpectedly spoke up again, "This kid really picked the wrong opponent."
"Do you recall that during your time as sword leader, you were undefeated?" Jingliu addressed Blade.
"It seems you're in quite good shape now, able to remember past events." Jingliu turned towards Blade.
"Hearing this dialogue triggered some memories in my mind," Blade replied.
Jing Yuan smiled slightly, "Yingxing... no, Blade. Your sudden calmness feels almost unfamiliar."
"Perhaps you should spar with him again?"
Dan Heng remained silent.
Blade ignored Jing Yuan, seemingly losing temporary interest in Dan Heng as well. His attention was fully absorbed by the unfolding scene before them.
In stark contrast to their tranquil moment,
***
The atmosphere on the other ship was entirely different!
Yanqing had excitedly risen from his seat.
"Finally, is it time for the competition?! If this involves testing our swords against fiends to see who's faster, I doubt I'll lose!"
"Considering Jingliu has been absent for so many years, she must have been searching for ways to suppress her Mara-Struck condition. Plus, with her age, she likely isn't at her peak anymore."
"On the other hand, I've diligently studied and trained these past few years, honing both theory and practical skills."
"My chances of winning should be higher, right?"
"No, let's stay cautious—fifty-fifty seems fair."
Yanqing clenched his fists tightly.
Although he wasn't personally competing, he felt fully immersed in the moment, almost wishing he could step through the screen to complete this trial himself!
Noticing his nervousness, March 7th reassured him, "Relax, little bro Yanqing, Stelle and I admit we underestimated you before."
"Go get 'em! Beat that Jingliu soundly!"
"We're all rooting for you!"
"You're welcome," Jingliu replied with a nod.
In the live stream chatroom, Little Gui and the viewers began earnestly analyzing and making predictions.
"I think Jingliu is still likely to be stronger!" Guinaifen opined. "Regardless of her current physical condition, she was once the sword leader. Yanqing is too young; he has yet to reach that level."
The chat responded:
"In 'Feiguang,' Jingliu was absolutely queen-like! But now, her demeanor seems more subdued—maybe she's indeed past her prime."
"Jingliu looks so frail and delicate. Is she truly that powerful? Could there have been some exaggeration in that short film?"
"It might be a close call! After all, as an old Xianzhou saying goes: 'Fists fear youth.' The same principle probably applies to this trial by sword."
"A former sword leader versus a future one—it'll definitely be a well-matched duel!"
"Yes, fantastic! We're about to witness an extraordinary match!"
"Completely outmatched! Jingliu's frenzy is terrifying!"
"Show me what you've got."
Within Little Gui's live stream, Yanqing had already engaged in battle.
During this shared quest, Feiguang could utilize Yanqing, and even the trial version performed impressively well. The Mara-Struck Soldiers inherently possessed ice attribute weaknesses, making quick work of them.
"Sword, swift as a swallow's leap."
"That's enough probing for now."
"Myriad Swords, Descend from Heaven!"
Little Gui marveled, "Yanqing's skills feel incredibly smooth—great responsiveness!"
"If I ever manage to obtain a Yanqing in the future, they'd make an excellent main DPS against bosses weak to ice attributes."
Soon, the battle concluded.
"I wonder if Jingliu is ready yet; let's hurry and catch up!"
However, upon looking back towards their starting point, Yanqing exclaimed in surprise, "Where did she go?"
Jingliu appeared ahead on the street, standing atop the corpse of a Mara-Struck Soldier.
"When did you get so far ahead?" Yanqing asked incredulously.
Jingliu turned her head and replied, "You're quite slow, little brother."
Inside the ship's cabin, witnessing this scene unfold, Yanqing's expression mirrored his character's in-game—beginning to show signs of unease.
"No way..." he muttered. "This can't be happening..." "It must just be a coincidence."
As they continued their pursuit, another sight caught his breath once more. This time, Jingliu hadn't even touched the Mara-Struck Soldiers!
Jingliu stood ahead, with two dead Mara-Struck bodies at her feet, seemingly having waited there for quite some time. In a calm voice, she queried, "What held you up this round?"
"You really need to step up your game," said Jingliu. "Otherwise, not even a star ferry would help you catch up."
This time, there was no need for March 7th and Stelle to exaggerate or read provocative comments from the chat. Simply observing this unfolding scenario left Yanqing increasingly anxious!
His blood pressure spiked!
Jingliu had to be doing this deliberately!
Yanqing wished he could personally hit the sprint button and chase after her relentlessly!
"How is it impossible to keep up even a little?!"
"I didn't even see her make a move!?"
"Jingliu, do you have teleportation powers or something?!"
However, as he continued watching, his heart grew increasingly disheartened.
Streamcaster Little Gui Zi was truly giving it his all. He constantly sprinted at top speed, without wasting any time on detours, always taking the shortest routes.
Yet, still unable to keep up!
Yanqing had anticipated variations in performance during the sword trial competition, even envisioning scenarios of hot pursuit. But this outcome caught him completely off guard!
It wasn't about who could wield their sword faster or strike more enemies! After eliminating the first monster early on, the rest became nothing but a race!
And that initial advantage only occurred because Jingliu let him make the first move. Following that, she consistently waited for him at various checkpoints!
All Yanqing saw were fields littered with Mara-Struck corpses!
How could one compete against that? This wasn't even a fair match anymore!
The disparity was simply too vast!
"I..." Yanqing muttered, drenched in sweat. "Could she be defeating them while moving...?!?"
Finally, after chasing relentlessly, Yanqing spotted Jingliu's figure ahead at a crossroads—and the monster before her was not yet dead!
His spirits, which had plummeted to rock bottom, soared once again, hope flickering in his eyes.
"There's still a chance...!"
"Right..."
In the live stream,
Guinaifen was also sweating profusely as she chased along, imagining herself in Yanqing's shoes.
She didn't want such a crushing defeat either!
"It has been a long time since I felt this exhilarated..."
Jingliu's voice echoed in the background.
Guinaifen paused, her mouth agape.
The tone of Jingliu's voice had subtly changed compared to before!
Previously, Jingliu's voice was always icy and devoid of emotion, conveying a sense of detachment from worldly affairs. Now, there was a hint of suppressed excitement at the end of that sentence!
"Oh no..."
"This tone sounds unsettling!"
As Guinaifen caught up to Jingliu,
the monstrous creature still remained unvanquished!
Jingliu spoke, "It's been too long since wielding my sword; momentarily captivated, I nearly succumbed to Mara's influence."
"Come on, Little Brother. The encore performance is just for you."
The tone of Jingliu's voice had completely shifted!
Guinaifen wiped away her sweat.
"Uh-oh, it's happening! Something's not right!"
"Is Jingliu's Mara-Struck condition about to flare up?!"
[Entering Combat]
In the lower-left corner, two character names appeared:
Yanqing, Jingliu.
Guinaifen was taken aback!
"Wow!"
"Jingliu has joined our team!"
"Could we finally see Jingliu in action?"
It was now their turn to move.
Let's start with Yanqing's combat skill!
Facing four enemies, including an elite Shapeshifter in the middle, honestly, Guinaifen doubted that Yanqing alone could handle them. The question was, what attribute would Jingliu possess? Would they, like during the battle against the Luocha, provide a crucial buff at the right moment—casting a shield or healing Yanqing?
After executing his skill,
Jingliu assessed, "Hesitant and indecisive, lacking strength."
"Where did your confidence go just now?"
"It's my turn."
Guinaifen stared intently at Jingliu, expecting either a combat skill or perhaps the activation of some talent. However, it turned out to be just a basic attack!
Yet, the damage dealt was exceptionally high!
Instantly, one Inner Core cultivator was felled!
"Strike decisively, leaving no room for error—a single blow must ensure death!" As Jingliu continued attacking, their voice grew increasingly fervent. "Jing Yuan taught you how to slay demonic creatures... Did he also teach you how to deal with Xianzhou people fallen to Mara-Struck affliction?" Their tone carried a trembling note, as if a long-suppressed addict had suddenly broken a taboo!
Inside the cabin,
Yanqing, as the one directly involved, was utterly stunned!
Even March 7th instinctively clutched at Stelle's arm.
Her hair stood on end with fear!
As for Yanqing, he remained frozen in place, as if under a body-lock spell, staring incredulously at this unfolding scene from the game.
"If that sword were aimed at you, could you defend against it?"
"Do you truly believe swordsmanship is just about winning or losing, future Sword Leader?"
These questions seemed to pierce through the game and its storyline, directly confronting Yanqing's inner self!
He collapsed weakly into his seat.
At the same moment,
the battle within the game concluded.
And Yanqing reluctantly admitted, "...I lost."
Stelle opened the chat window, revealing the barrage of comments.
"Wow! This Jingliu is terrifying!"
"It's like she suddenly transformed into another person!"
"This isn't just a sword trial anymore; it's pure slaughter!"
"Mara-Struck: Stay away from me!"
"I'm losing my mind! Going insane!"
"Yanqing, run fast!"
"Now I can truly feel the horror of Jingliu's Mara-Struck state back then! And this is likely just the tip of the iceberg!"
However...
Just as everyone thought it was over, with victory already decided, Jingliu spoke in an eerie tone:
"The match isn't finished yet. My final strike never had a chance to land; my opponent vanished from the field..."
She turned her head.
Despite the black veil obscuring her face, her gaze seemed to pierce through everything, focusing on Yanqing before her.
"A sword drawn without purpose... heh heh..."
"Desecrating the divine will of Arbiter Siming is profoundly ominous."
Upon hearing these words,
everyone watching felt an impending sense of catastrophe!
Yanqing's cold sweat dripped profusely down his cheeks.
A peculiar smirk curved at the corners of Jingliu's mouth.
"With your strength," she said, "encountering Blade would lead you straight to death anyway."
"Instead of facing certain doom, I offer you a more dignified choice—witness my thousand-honed sword and meet your end as a true swordsman."
"Little brother, would you like to take one of my strikes?"
The entire arena fell silent!
No one could have anticipated this twist!
In the final moments!
Jingliu unexpectedly aimed his sword directly at Yanqing!
Earlier, predictions had suggested a close match, with both competitors evenly matched...
Now, those thoughts were long forgotten, tossed to the farthest reaches of their minds!
This fucking battle was not even remotely on the same level!
What's the point in continuing?!
Guinaifen snapped back to reality and couldn't help but shout:
"Don't accept it!"
"Absolutely don't take that challenge!"
"Jingliu has gone insane!"
"Yanqing, if you face this attack, your life is forfeit!"
At that moment, three options appeared simultaneously:
[Do Not Accept!]
[DO NOT ACCEPT!!]
[ABSOLUTELY DO NOT ACCEPT!!!]