Chapter 27: Chapter 26: Struggle
"Master, it’s just ahead," Xiaxia said, leading the way. Soon, they entered a lush, green forest.
Wen Qingye observed the somewhat gloomy surroundings and sighed inwardly. ’Xiaxia is so bold. If there were any Demon Beasts nearby, with her meager Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer Heaven cultivation, she’d have been eaten down to the bone by now.’
Xiaxia suddenly pointed ahead excitedly. "Master, look! Is that a Crescent Fruit?"
Wen Qingye followed her finger and saw a thick tree with dense foliage up ahead. A gentle breeze blew, causing the leaves to rustle.
On the tree grew a fruit shaped like a crescent moon. It was exquisite, like translucent jade, and glinted with a faint light, making one yearn for a taste.
’Usually, a Crescent Tree doesn’t grow just one Crescent Fruit. Where did the others go?’ Wen Qingye wondered.
"Last time, I wanted to pick it and eat it, but I was afraid it might be poisonous, so I didn’t. So it’s a Crescent Fruit! Master, can I have a bite later?" Xiaxia asked, looking at Wen Qingye with pleading eyes.
Wen Qingye replied helplessly, "If you take a bite, how am I supposed to perform Alchemy? With your saliva?"
"What’s wrong with that? I’m a girl, you know," Xiaxia muttered, turning her head away.
Wen Qingye walked slowly to the Crescent Tree, leaped up, and plucked the Crescent Fruit from its branch.
"Kid, that’s West Mountain’s Crescent Tree!"
Suddenly, a furious shout echoed from the distance.
Several figures could be seen flashing through the distance before leaping to a stop not far from Wen Qingye.
The man in the lead shouted, "Kid, I don’t care who you are! This Crescent Tree belongs to West Mountain, and it has always been under our care. I suggest you hand over that Crescent Fruit now, or don’t blame me for what happens next."
Seeing them, Xiaxia quickly ran to Wen Qingye’s side and whispered, "His name is Luo Tang. He’s really strong. He’s a new student from West Mountain and one of their most outstanding newcomers. His cultivation has already reached the Half-step Refining Essence realm."
Wen Qingye smiled and gestured at their surroundings. "You say this Crescent Tree belongs to West Mountain, but from the looks of it, this territory belongs to North Mountain, doesn’t it?"
Luo Tang’s brow furrowed. "That’s right, this is technically North Mountain’s territory. But North Mountain hasn’t had anyone to manage it for years, and this Crescent Tree has always been cared for by West Mountain. Therefore, for the time being, it belongs to West Mountain."
Wen Qingye said flatly, "It’s true that North Mountain has been empty for many years, but not anymore. As I see it, West Mountain can hand over this Crescent Tree now."
Luo Tang scanned Wen Qingye, and as if realizing something, he said, "You must be North Mountain’s only student, Wen Qingye."
"Correct," Wen Qingye confirmed with a nod.
Luo Tang’s expression darkened. ’Since Wen Qingye is North Mountain’s only student, his claim to the Crescent Fruit is perfectly reasonable.’ Unwilling to simply hand it over, Luo Tang thought for a moment and came up with a good idea.
"Since Brother Wen is a disciple of North Mountain, and this Crescent Tree is within North Mountain’s borders, the Crescent Fruit should rightfully be yours. However, I too covet this Crescent Fruit. How about this? I have a White Phoenix Leaf here. Let’s have a little competition. If you win, this White Phoenix Leaf is yours. If I win, the Crescent Fruit goes to me. What do you say?"
Xiaxia hurriedly interjected, "Master, don’t listen to him! He’s obviously up to no good. He’s at the Half-step Refining Essence realm, and you’re only at the Eighth Level of Qi Cultivation! You can’t..."
Wen Qingye waved his hand. "It’s fine. Just stand aside."
Wen Qingye had just been thinking that he was missing one more ingredient to refine the Crescent Fruit into a Crescent Pill, and now Luo Tang had personally delivered it to him. Wen Qingye couldn’t help but smile. "What’s the competition?"
Seeing Wen Qingye’s calm demeanor, Xiaxia looked like she wanted to say something more but ultimately held her tongue.
"Fine," Xiaxia pouted, then stepped to the side.
Luo Tang was overjoyed that Wen Qingye had agreed. He drew his saber and said, "Let’s decide the winner in three moves."
"Alright," Wen Qingye nodded.
Seeing Wen Qingye’s nod, Luo Tang said, "Then, Brother Wen, get ready."
The others all backed away, clearly aware of Luo Tang’s strength. Luo Tang drew his saber without hesitation.
"Sunset Saber Slash!"
Luo Tang raised his saber with both hands. A layer of red light shimmered on the blade. Instantly, the surrounding Primordial Qi gathered toward the saber in his hands, and the weapon’s aura grew heavy and powerful.
With a forceful chop, Luo Tang sent a twenty-foot-high wave of Saber Qi surging forward along the ground.
Wen Qingye’s sword moved as well. Flashes of golden light danced as incomparably sharp Sword Qi spread out, resembling a thrashing golden snake, furious and filled with killing intent.
BANG! BANG!
The golden snake and the Saber Qi collided and dissipated, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
"Spiritual Snake Sword! It’s really the Spiritual Snake Sword!"
"It seems the rumors were true. Wen Qingye really did master the Spiritual Snake Sword."
"That’s monstrous! How long has he been at Qig Mountain Academy? And he’s already mastered one of the most difficult entry-level swordsmanship techniques."
The people from West Mountain were aghast when they saw Wen Qingye use the Spiritual Snake Sword.
Luo Tang didn’t dare to be careless either. ’From that one move, I can tell his Swordsmanship is superb, far superior to my Saber Technique. The fact that he could clash with me head-on and not lose an inch, despite only being at the Eighth Level of Qi Cultivation, proves it.’
Wen Qingye nodded to himself. ’This Luo Tang is indeed a cut above Zhao Feng. While Zhao Feng’s strength ranked high in South Mountain, he wasn’t at the very top. Luo Tang, on the other hand, is truly worthy of being called a prodigy of West Mountain.’
Luo Tang took a step forward. The saber in his hand gleamed with a daunting cold light, radiating a murderous and fierce aura in the dim forest that shook one’s Heart Spirit.
"Three Yangs in Chaos!"
Luo Tang swung his saber three times in rapid succession. Three massive waves of Saber Qi, glowing with a blood-red light, shot forward with devastating force, completely sealing off all of Wen Qingye’s escape routes.
Wen Qingye’s eyes were fixed on the three incoming waves of Saber Qi. Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in his pupils.
"Spiritual Snake Lightning Strike!"
Wen Qingye’s sword moved. A silvery-white light flashed with lightning speed as a single stream of Sword Qi danced out. The Sword Qi was like a striking viper—fast and vicious.
The viper-like Sword Qi shot forward, weaving its way into the center of the three waves of Saber Qi. In an instant, the three waves of Saber Qi were shattered. The serpentine Sword Qi continued its advance, forcing Luo Tang to raise his saber to block.
BANG!
Luo Tang stumbled back three steps before steadying himself.
Xiaxia’s eyes were wide with disbelief as she stared at Wen Qingye. This completely overturned her understanding of the world. The Eighth Level of Qi Cultivation had actually defeated a Half-step Refining Essence cultivator.
Luo Tang looked at Wen Qingye and sighed. "I am not your match. This White Phoenix Grass is yours."
With that, Luo Tang tossed the White Phoenix Grass to Wen Qingye, who accepted it without ceremony. "Your Saber Technique is quite good," Wen Qingye said to Luo Tang. "If you practice diligently, you will surely become brilliant in time. I won’t take this White Phoenix Leaf from you for free. If I manage to refine enough pills and have enough to spare, I’ll give you some."
As he spoke, Wen Qingye pulled along Xiaxia, who was still in a daze, cupped his fists at Luo Tang, and walked away.
