Youth must seize its prime; how can one remain forever young? Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Inner Sect Duel

"Wow, Bai Qingzhou, your swordsmanship has become so impressive!" As soon as Bai Qingzhou returned to the resting area, Qin Yihan rushed over to him, speaking with joyful enthusiasm.

After more than three years of close companionship, Qin Yihan, Bai Qingzhou, and Ruan Xiuqi had grown very familiar with one another. The three had even traveled together once, facing challenges side by side, which deepened their bond.

Bai Qingzhou smiled gently. "If you don't slack off and keep practicing, I believe you could do it too."

Qin Yihan grinned mischievously. "Oh, that's not for me. I've already decided—I’ll just buy loads of talismans, throw them all out when fighting, and then run away!"

"Xiao Han, having lots of talismans might not be useful. Did you forget the battle just now?" Ji Heng teased with a cheerful laugh.

Qin Yihan turned, her cheeks tinged with pink, glaring at Ji Heng. "Don't get cocky, Ji Heng. I just didn't have enough talismans this time!"

"Haha, so how many would be enough?"

"At least a hundred... No, more than two hundred!"

...

Bai Qingzhou watched their banter with a smile and sat down in his spot, quietly calculating in his mind.

After this battle, Bai Qingzhou had a much clearer understanding of his own strength. Years of daily sparring with Ruan Xiuqi, combined with long practice of the Bamboo Leaf Sword Manual, had allowed him to easily surpass ordinary cultivators of his level in combat.

Recently, after beginning to study the Ask-Heaven Sword Technique, his understanding of the sword had reached a new height. The sword in his hand felt more natural than ever, and he had mastered all twelve moves of the Bamboo Leaf Sword Manual—when unleashed together, their power was astonishing.

Just like in the recent duel—if he had gone all out, he was confident he could have ended the fight within thirty rounds...

"Begin!"

With Chen Li’s announcement, Bai Qingzhou pulled himself from his thoughts and raised his head to watch the match intently.

There were eight participants in the mid-stage Qi Refining group, split into four duels. After Bai Qingzhou’s third match ended, the fourth was now underway.

On the stage stood two young men, each wielding a long saber. Both used all their skills—talismans, weapons, and techniques—in a well-matched fight.

Bai Qingzhou knew these two senior brothers well; both were at the fifth layer of Qi Refining. They had known each other for a long time, much like Bai Qingzhou’s own circle, and often sparred together. Familiar with each other's moves, neither wasted time probing—each immediately unleashed their best techniques, fiercely competing.

Given their mutual understanding, the match didn’t last long. As defeat became apparent, one senior brother struck hard to create distance, then dropped his weapon with a smile and conceded.

Chen Li promptly announced the result, and they bowed to the high platform before leaving the stage.

With the match concluded, the atmosphere grew lively. Even the outer sect disciples waiting in the preparation area craned their necks to watch the upcoming duel.

The next contest was the one everyone cared about most—the battle between the only two inner sect disciples present, and the sole duel in the late-stage Qi Refining group.

"Late-stage Qi Refining: Li Xian versus Zhang Zhiyan."

Chen Li’s emotionless voice rang out, and all eyes turned to the two who had been sitting quietly from the start.

Zhang Zhiyan rose swiftly, holding a pale blue longsword, and strode briskly to the platform.

Li Xian stood up unhurriedly, empty-handed, his face expressionless, walking slowly forward.

"Senior Sister Zhang is still so beautiful..."

"But why isn’t Senior Brother Li Xian carrying a weapon? Is he going to fight Senior Sister Zhang bare-handed?"

"I don’t know, but I bet this match will be spectacular..."

The registered disciples whispered among themselves.

The two ascended the platform and, once they had taken their places, Chen Li cleared his throat and announced the start of the match.

"Begin!"

At Chen Li’s words, Li Xian flicked his hand, and a hemp rope emerged from his sleeve, quickly winding up his arm and wrapping around his fist and forearm.

Bai Qingzhou saw clearly—it was the strange rope that had bound him at the mountain stronghold that day.

This unexpected move sparked discussion among the disciples...

"The Skyward Flying Rope, a mid-grade yellow-tier treasure. I hear Senior Brother Li Xian saved up spirit stones for ages to buy it at the marketplace—it suits his cultivation method perfectly." Seeing the crowd’s curiosity, the knowledgeable Ji Heng explained nearby.

Bai Qingzhou thought to himself: Mid-grade yellow-tier... That’s a level higher than my Clear Sky Sword.

While they spoke, the two on stage had already begun their duel.

Two figures crossed paths at lightning speed, so fast that most registered disciples couldn’t follow the action—only blurred shadows danced across the stage.

But Bai Qingzhou, with his mid-stage cultivation, could see clearly.

Zhang Zhiyan wielded her longsword in close-quarters combat, moving like lightning and constantly seeking to close in on Li Xian.

Li Xian manipulated the Skyward Flying Rope with spiritual energy, wielding it with superb skill. The area within two yards around him was as solid as iron, and the rope would sometimes extend beyond the defensive perimeter, attempting to ensnare Zhang Zhiyan’s agile form.

The battle raged back and forth, dazzling the audience with rapid exchanges.

Neither held back, frequently pulling out talismans to aid their fight. The stage flashed with vibrant colors, the contest thrilling.

"Fire Talisman, Water Breaking Talisman, Wooden Shield Talisman..."

"Wow, all sorts of talismans!"

"Look, there’s even a Heavenly Thunder Talisman!"

The spectators buzzed with excitement.

Bai Qingzhou’s eyes sparkled—so this is combat at the late stage of Qi Refining...

He imagined himself in either competitor’s place, wondering how long he could last.

The answer came quickly—if he took the stage, he’d likely only endure two rounds before defeat.

After all, Zhang Zhiyan and Li Xian were both at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, just one step from the peak. Bai Qingzhou, at the fourth layer, was four realms behind—an advantage his swordsmanship could not overcome.

At that moment, Zhang Zhiyan held her sword with utmost seriousness, her technique swifter than Bai Qingzhou’s own by far, relentlessly pressing toward Li Xian.

Li Xian’s strange rope, made of unknown material, was both hard and flexible. When rigid, it could block Zhang Zhiyan’s sharp sword without damage; under his control, it could instantly soften and stealthily approach her.

The lurking rope nearly ensnared Zhang Zhiyan several times, leaving her quite flustered—but her agility saved her each time, escaping in the nick of time.

The thrilling duel drew gasps from the disciples in the preparation area, while the registered disciples grew quiet, unable to follow the rapid exchange—only two dark shadows darted back and forth, with the occasional flash of talismans.

The two fought for over a hundred rounds.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion startled the crowd, as thick smoke billowed from the stone platform—some talisman had unleashed its power.

Bang! Bang!

Two loud crashes echoed from within the smoke.

Spiritual energy fluctuations emanated from the stage.

"This is... the platform’s automatic defensive array!" Ji Heng shouted in surprise.

The activation of the defensive array meant the duel had reached its conclusion. The array was triggered only when it detected lethal danger, protecting the participants and signaling defeat.

As the smoke slowly cleared, the two figures came into view.

Zhang Zhiyan’s face was pale, a trace of blood at her lips. Li Xian was equally bloodless, and the Skyward Flying Rope was nowhere to be seen.

The last moments of the duel had been obscured by smoke, leaving everyone unsure of the outcome. All eyes turned to Chen Li, who stood closest.

Surely he knew the victor...

Indeed, his lips moved: "Zhang Zhiyan wins!"

A wave of exclamations swept through the crowd, and applause erupted.

Zhang Zhiyan rallied herself, smiled gently at the audience, and bowed respectfully to the elders on the high platform before stepping down.

Li Xian remained expressionless, silently leaving the stage and returning to the preparation area to sit in meditation.

With their duel ended, Chen Li stepped onto the platform and declared sternly, "The first round of matches has concluded. All winners from the early and mid-stage Qi Refining groups, please come forward to draw lots for the second round!"

At his words, Bai Qingzhou hurried to his feet, joining the three other mid-stage senior brothers.

There had been eight mid-stage disciples, and after the first round, four had been eliminated, leaving four remaining.

Bai Qingzhou walked last, observing the three ahead—two at the fifth layer, one at the sixth. He alone was at the fourth layer, the lowest in cultivation.

"Sigh... If I draw Senior Brother Ji Heng for the match, I might be eliminated right away," Bai Qingzhou thought to himself.

He glanced around and saw that seven had advanced in the early-stage group, including the spirited Ruan Xiuqi and the expressionless Meng Li.

"The lot drawing will proceed as before, with the mid-stage group first," Chen Li said calmly.

Everyone was familiar with the process now and lined up without further words.

Soon it was Bai Qingzhou’s turn. He reached out and drew a slip—number one.

Seeing this, Bai Qingzhou felt a bit more at ease. One of the fifth-layer senior brothers also drew number one, so he would not be facing Ji Heng. Perhaps he still had a chance to advance.

Once the mid-stage group finished drawing, it was the early-stage group’s turn.

"Huh?" Ruan Xiuqi’s voice sounded nearby. "Why am I the one who gets a bye?"

He looked at Chen Li with open dissatisfaction.

Chen Li glanced at him coolly. "With seven drawing lots, one must receive a bye. This round, you advance without a match!"

"But I don’t want a bye—I want to fight!" Ruan Xiuqi shouted.

Everyone thought he must be mad—who would turn down a free pass just to fight?

"Hehe, Ruan, if you don’t want the bye, swap with me..." a cheerful young man behind him suggested.

Ruan Xiuqi brightened and turned to hand over his slip. "Sure..."

"No!"

Before the exchange was completed, Chen Li’s angry shout rang out.

"If you draw the bye, you keep it—no swapping! Move along, all of you!" Chen Li waved his hand, then continued, "Those who drew number one for the early-stage group, stay for your match. The rest, return and wait!"

With Chen Li’s command, Ruan Xiuqi dared not argue further, sighing as he returned to the preparation area.

Only two young disciples remained on stage, and they soon ascended the platform.

Under Chen Li’s guidance, they began their duel with practiced ease.

With some of the weaker disciples eliminated, the second round was even more exciting than the first, and the atmosphere soared once again.