Chapter 143: Chapter 137: Beautiful to Death

The Sword Dao competition ultimately compares swordsmanship, Source Power cultivation, and combat awareness.

Hai Yunfei’s character may not be exemplary, but his swordsmanship is indeed brilliant. His fractured ribs healed completely in just one day, thanks to treatment, and it had no impact on his strength.

No matter how unconvinced Jiang Xuejun was, she ultimately could not surpass Hai Yunfei in swordsmanship.

Under the gaze of dozens of spectators, the two battled fiercely for over a hundred moves, and eventually, Jiang Xuejun suffered a crushing defeat after being hit by three consecutive strikes.

The audience within the Sword Dojo fell silent, with disappointment and frustration etched on everyone’s faces.

Head coach Jiang Yuan was calm, having anticipated this result long before. It did not warrant any disappointment from him.

Jiang Xuejun had made rapid progress over the last two months, but her accumulation was still insufficient, falling just short of Hai Yunfei’s level.

Though Hai Yunfei was frivolous and somewhat spiritually attuned, he wouldn’t go far in the path of the Sword Dao.

In less than two years, Jiang Xuejun was sure to achieve a resounding victory over Hai Yunfei.

Jiang Yuan smiled and said to Fang Yumei, beside him, “Teacher Fang, you have taught a great disciple, whose talent is tremendous, alert and intelligent, truly impressive.”

Fang Yumei is the head coach of Haijing University and interacts with Jiang Yuan annually during the Sword Dao League.

As a ninth-level swordsman, Fang Yumei’s looks might be average, but her gentle and generous demeanor makes her well-liked. Although Jiang Yuan disliked Hai Yunfei’s self-satisfied arrogance, he chose to pay his respects for Fang Yumei’s sake.

Fang Yumei did not appreciate her disciple’s arrogant demeanor, and she shook her head slightly, saying, “Jiang Xuejun is very composed and has boundless potential.”

While the two head coaches engaged in pleasantries, Hai Yunfei was also smugly saying to Jiang Xuejun, “Your swordsmanship is not bad. Maybe we could set a time to chat and explore swordsmanship further.”

Hai Yunfei found Jiang Xuejun very attractive, especially because her proud confidence aligned with his own personality.

Jiang Xuejun coldly glanced at Hai Yunfei, “I’m not interested in you.”

Hai Yunfei’s smile stiffened at once; he thought he was being polite and hadn’t expected Jiang Xuejun to speak so bluntly.

He became a bit annoyed and retorted, “The renowned Mingjing University is no more than this. To be honest, I’ve been quite disappointed with Mingjing University.”

Hai Yunfei’s voice was loud, and everyone present heard it.

The students in the Sword Dojo all glared at Hai Yunfei with anger on their faces.

In contrast, Hai Yunfei felt even more pleased with himself, “Perhaps my words were too blunt. I ask everyone for understanding.”

His words were insincere, which only made them more infuriating.

Fang Yumei was quite displeased with her disciple’s brashness, and she apologized to Jiang Yuan, “Teacher Jiang, I’m sorry, this child is just naturally outspoken and quite thoughtless. I’ll make sure to educate him well when we return.”

“What he said might be a little harsh, but it’s not entirely wrong. We do have a lack of talents in the Sword Dao at our school.”

Jiang Yuan was calm and unfazed, holding the aces of Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang, alongside the spiritual genius Qingyi Fei Niao; why would he be affected by Hai Yunfei’s little provocation?

When they meet at the Sword Dao League again, let Haijing University witness the true prowess.

Jiang Yuan remained deep in thought, unconcerned about minor setbacks. As the head coach of the Sword Dojo, his responsibility was to achieve good results in the Sword Dao League.

Winning against Haijing University’s exchange visit would be ideal, but losing was also inconsequential. Unlike the students who might get hot-headed and act recklessly over small matters, he was composed.

Fang Yumei smiled and said, “Teacher Jiang, I heard that this year’s freshmen include two geniuses, Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang. Why haven’t we seen them?”

Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang are considered legends among the freshmen, especially the video of Gao Xuan’s sword defeating Xu Lingyun, which has been persistently trending on the school forum.

Recently, with the Haijing University exchange group acting boldly, the forum clamored for Gao Xuan to take action. The pages were almost entirely filled with posts discussing Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang.

Fang Yumei also had friends at Mingjing University, and besides, the school’s public forum was freely accessible. It wasn’t hard to check it out.

Honestly, after watching the video of Gao Xuan defeating Xu Lingyun with one sword, Fang Yumei was a bit surprised; this young man’s quick sword was indeed formidable.

Even Shen Ning wouldn’t dare claim certain victory against such a swift blade.

Precisely because of this, Fang Yumei had intentionally indulged Hai Yunfei. She didn’t expect Jiang Yuan to be so composed.

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, “Gao Xuan had an incident and is currently recuperating. Yun Qingshang is not yet an official member of the Sword Dojo, and she’s in the midst of orientation training, so it’s inconvenient for her to come over.”

Fang Yumei smiled without saying anything, not believing such excuses for a moment. The more Jiang Yuan concealed, the more interested she became.

In the days following the exchange, the Haijing University delegation visited various parts of Mingjing University and held a few exchange meetings.

The delegation included students from many other faculties, making it an opportunity for multifaceted exchanges. Sword Dao exchanges were just one of many types.

However, in other exchange meetings, they mainly sat down to discuss and communicate, which rarely sparked much excitement or showcased any superiority.

So, the Mingjing University forum continued to discuss Hai Yunfei and others, with a crowd collectively petitioning, asking Gao Xuan to take action.

“Is this Gao Xuan really that formidable?”

Hai Yunfei read the forum posts and was quite unyielding. He said, “If Gao Xuan is truly that formidable, why haven’t they brought him out for us to see?”

Hai Yunxi analyzed, “They probably have plans for the Sword Dao League. They intend to keep Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang as their trump cards.”

“Sword Dao League?”

Hai Yunfei scoffed, “With just those few people from Mingjing University, they dare to dream about doing something at the Sword Dao League, they must be dreaming.”

“Jiang Xuejun and Xu Lingyun are both quite decent. Qingyi Fei Niao is a bit more formidable than you. Their strength is quite good.”

Hai Yunxi said, “If both Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang have the capability of Level 7, they might even have a chance at contending for the East Continent championship.”

“Impossible.”

Hai Yunfei completely disagreed with Hai Yunxi’s analysis. He said, “Zhongjing is the leader in the East Continent, with a profound foundation. In recent years, two extraordinary geniuses have emerged. Even Senior Sister Shen might not be able to defeat them. There’s also Feijing University; rumor has it that an unparalleled genius, Xin Wuyou, has emerged…”

Hai Yunfei said, “Coach Fang also said, our goal this year is to secure third place and strive for second.”

Shen Ning also nodded, “In the past two years, sword dao geniuses have emerged one after another, making this year’s Sword Dao League very uncertain.”

“Mingjing University cannot win the championship. With such a sneaky behavior, they do not have the aura of a champion.”

Hai Yunfei said proudly, “The competition hasn’t even started, yet they’re already thinking of playing tricks. How can they achieve anything great?”

“That’s quite true.”

Jiang Xuejun, who had entered at some point, expressed her agreement with Hai Yunfei.

Although she couldn’t stand Hai Yunfei’s arrogant demeanor, she had to admit that he made a valid point.

Jiang Yuan has been cowardly for too long, losing even his sharpness. Holding the trump cards of Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang, yet still thinking of developing timidly.

Jiang Xuejun had a hundred thousand reasons to look down on Jiang Yuan’s style.

For this reason, she specifically went to Bai Yutang’s place to find Gao Xuan, and finally persuaded Gao Xuan to take action.

With confidence in her heart, Jiang Xuejun was also magnanimous enough to praise Hai Yunfei.

Hai Yunfei, however, was a little surprised, “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Xuejun smiled slightly and took out a red invitation to place on the table, “Tonight is our class of ’08 freshman party. I’m inviting you all to attend.”

“What do you mean?” Hai Yunfei was a bit puzzled. It’s just a freshman party, do you need to formally send an invitation?

“At the end of the party, Gao Xuan will invite everyone for a sword discussion. You all must come.”

Jiang Xuejun raised her long eyebrows proudly, “With the presence of everyone, the sword discussion is sure to be very exciting.”

Hai Yunfei sneered, “A sword discussion, do you think you have the skills?”

Jiang Xuejun was not angry at all; instead, she said with a smile, “If you’re scared, then don’t come.”

“I’m supposed to be scared of you? Hahaha…”

Hai Yunfei knew that they were trying to provoke him, but he wasn’t afraid of that at all. Even if Gao Xuan is stronger than him, can he surpass Hai Yunxi? Can he surpass Shen Ning? What a joke.

He sympathetically said, “You freshmen of the class of ’08 will definitely remember this freshman party forever. I suggest you bring more tissues.”

“We will.”

Jiang Xuejun was confident of victory and showed remarkable grace.

After Jiang Xuejun left, the smile on Hai Yunfei’s face vanished. He said in surprise, “This woman seems to be absolutely certain of winning. Where does her confidence come from?”

Shen Ning was also a bit astonished, “Jiang Xuejun is bursting with confidence. Just what skills do Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang possess?”

Hai Yunxi nodded, “Tonight, we should bring the full gear and play with them properly…”

…

The white sword robe, modeled after traditional design, featured a cross-collar with a right lapel and wide sleeves. A special weaving technique made the sword robe both crisp and smooth, fitting yet flowing when worn.

Bai Yutang helped Gao Xuan straighten his sword robe. “You don’t like wearing armor, so I specially ordered this for you. It uses special nano silver thread, offering protection comparable to armor and can better channel Source Power…”

The intelligent mirror in front of Gao Xuan presented his image from all angles.

Gao Xuan’s skin was like white jade, seemingly even whiter than the snow-white sword robe. He held the black-sheathed Hongyi Sword. Truly, in white robes brighter than snow, with sword qi pressing.

Free from worldly attachments, not constrained by emotions, moving gracefully as if a Sword Immortal walking with the wind.

Bai Yutang liked what she saw more and more, unable to resist resting her face on Gao Xuan’s shoulder to look at the reflection in the mirror.

“Stop looking at the mirror, don’t let my beauty kill you…”

“You’re talking nonsense again.”

Bai Yutang laughed and gently pushed Gao Xuan, yet couldn’t stop looking at the reflection, their brows filled with overflowing joy.

What Bai Yutang didn’t know was that there was another woman in the mirror with her.

The difference was, Nuwa was leaning on Gao Xuan’s other shoulder, dressed in a red robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, looking like a bride.

“We look so good together,” Nuwa said happily.

“Big sis, you still owe me two thousand points,” Gao Xuan communicated with Nuwa through the Six-winged Celestial Cicada, so Bai Yutang wouldn’t notice.

Nuwa’s smiling face suddenly fell, and she said irritably, “You broke my avatar, I haven’t even asked you for compensation yet.”

“That’s unreasonable,” Gao Xuan argued, “You know how corrosive negative space is. My clothes got corroded away, how could the watch be preserved.”

“Fine, I checked it out, I’ll credit you with two thousand points.”

Nuwa asked, “What do you want to exchange for?”

“How about the Undying Golden Cicada?”

“You’re dreaming!” Nuwa was furious, “Just the information on the whereabouts of the Undying Golden Cicada costs two thousand points.”

“You know where the Undying Golden Cicada is?”

Gao Xuan was delighted, “My dear sister, please tell me.”

Nuwa pursed her lips, “Luojia has sent experts to deal with you, you’d better worry about your own life first…”