Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 108 - 107: Such a Strong Opponent... I Almost Fought Seriously

"Senior Sister, you're so amazing! Even though you were seriously injured last night, you still managed to fight your way into the top four. Unlike me, I'm so disappointing... I got knocked out in the top eight."

"You were the only Early-stage Golden Core cultivator in the top eight. With your potential and strength, you don't need a high rank in the Sect competition to prove yourself. I admit, when I was at your cultivation level, I wasn't as good as you."

Yu Xiaoyan didn't respond to her senior sister's comforting words.

She sat in front of Qing Yueqiu, swinging her feet, and suddenly giggled. "Senior Sister, I have a feeling you're even stronger today than you were before you got hurt. Don't tell me Master transmitted some Divine Skill to you when he was healing you last night!

That darn Master, he's so biased! Tonight, I'm going to have Master heal me and transmit his skill to me too!"

The usually calm Qing Yueqiu's crimson eyes flashed with panic when she heard her junior sister wanted Master to transmit his skill to her as well. Her fingers subconsciously clutched the dress at her hips as she exclaimed, "You can't!"

"Why not?"

Yu Xiaoyan tilted her head, a sly grin on her face. The look in her eyes seemed to say:

'Senior Sister, you've really let the cat out of the bag. Master must have done something to you last night. That's why you're so strong today!'

Qing Yueqiu realized she had practically given herself away, but she was still determined to talk her junior sister out of asking Master for a skill transmission.

After all...

'Master's skill transmission... that posture... How is it any different from what Dao Companions do? This cultivation method compromises one's innocence... It's better that I, the Senior Sister, bear this burden alone. My junior sister shouldn't get involved!'

Yu Xiaoyan watched with great interest as Qing Yueqiu went on and on, explaining "how strenuous Master's skill transmissions are" and how "disciples must be independent and not trouble him."

'But the more she tries to dissuade me, the more I want to try it!'

Yu Xiaoyan had made up her mind. She was absolutely going to find Master and have him transmit his skill to her!

On one hand, Yu Xiaoyan was desperate to improve. On the other, if her Senior Sister had it, she had to have it too!

BWOOOOOM—

The deep, majestic blast of a war horn drowned out the sisters' argument.

The horn, crafted from the single horn of an Ancient Demon Beast, sounded, signaling the official start of the semi-finals.

Yu Xiaoyan looked at Qing Yueqiu and said, "We can talk about Master's skill transmission later. Right now, your match is what's important."

Qing Yueqiu nodded. Having come this far, she would naturally give it her all, her sights set on the Sect competition championship.

With her junior sister watching, Qing Yueqiu stepped into the dueling arena for the semi-finals.

A refined young man walked toward her, twirling black and white game pieces between his fingers. He gave Qing Yueqiu a graceful bow and introduced himself first.

"Bai Shi Academy, Du Zikang."

"Cold Palace Sword Mansion, Qing Yueqiu."

DONG— VMMMM—

The Honglu Grand Bell echoed through the clouds. Abandoning her previously conservative fighting style, Qing Yueqiu raised her sword and launched an immediate attack.

Her very first move was a killing blow aimed at a vital point.

...

CRACK—

Du Zikang looked at the last black game piece, now shattered in his hand, and sighed regretfully.

He gave Qing Yueqiu a sincere bow. "Thank you, Fairy, for showing me my shortcomings with your sword. I have lost."

Qing Yueqiu nodded, sheathed her Luminous Shadow Sword, and turned to leave.

Her steps seemed relaxed, but only she knew how perilous that fight had been. 'As expected of a disciple who made it to the Sect competition's semi-finals.'

'He was just shy of forcing me to go all out.'

DONG—

As the Honglu Grand Bell resounded, Qing Yueqiu officially advanced to the finals. Her unstoppable victory sent the crowd into a deafening, tsunami-like roar of cheers.

All the Cultivators had previously thought that with "that monster" in the Sect competition, the champion's throne was a foregone conclusion.

But Qing Yueqiu's brilliant display of skill had introduced a new variable into the race for the title.

Yu Xiaoyan stood grinning at the arena exit, waiting for Qing Yueqiu to arrive.

"Senior Sister, Ji Xichan's match is next. You know, so far, the only time she has actually had to fight was in the top eight against a powerful expert. Before that, every single one of her opponents forfeited."

"Don't you want to stick around and watch? Gather some intel? After all, in the finals tomorrow, she'll be the biggest enemy standing between you and the Sect championship."

Qing Yueqiu simply shook her head.

"There's no need. Master should be awake by now, and I want to get back to him."

"Oh, so Senior Sister wants to see Master? That's fine, you can leave Master to Xiaoxiao's care. You should stay here and analyze your opponent."

"No. I will be the one to take care of Master."

"Is it that Senior Sister thinks Xiaoxiao can't take care of Master, or do you just want to be alone with him...?"

Just as the tension between the two sisters was reaching a breaking point...

"Hey, hey, what are you two talking about? Do you think I'm some old geezer? I'm not even two hundred. I don't need you two juniors taking care of me."

A resigned yet amused voice spoke up from behind them, making both Qing Yueqiu and Yu Xiaoyan turn around.

The moment Qing Yueqiu saw her Master's face, she couldn't help but recall that morning when she had removed her blindfold and seen his body, completely revealed to her.

She swallowed hard and lowered her head, blushing. She looked nothing like the cool, aloof Female Sword Cultivator who had dominated the arena today. If the opponents she had defeated were to see her now, their jaws would hit the floor.

Just as Qing Yueqiu was about to offer her Master a demure greeting...

The cheerful, pigt-tailed girl beside her beat her to it, rushing forward and throwing herself into her Master's arms.

"Master~! Xiaoxiao hasn't seen you all day! You're so biased! You gave Senior Sister special treatment last night. Tonight, you have to come to my room. I want it too!"

"Junior Sister!"

Qing Yueqiu cried out anxiously, terrified that Pei Yuhang might actually agree.

Fortunately, Pei Yuhang just ruffled Yu Xiaoyan's hair and said:

"Ahem. There are conditions for performing a skill transmission on your Senior Sister. The two individuals' Cultivation levels can't be a full major realm apart. Your Senior Sister's Cultivation is even stronger than a typical Early-stage Nascent Soul, which is why she could withstand it. Xiaoxiao, your Cultivation is still too low. Wait until you're a bit stronger."

Qing Yueqiu breathed a slow sigh of relief, seeing her Master use stalling tactics to put off her junior sister.

A sense of relief, and even happiness, bloomed in her heart.

'So far, other than Master's wife, I must be the only Female Cultivator to have seen him so... intimately...'

At the thought of her Master's wife, Qing Yueqiu's eyes darkened. She had no idea how she was going to face the woman when she got back.

Yu Xiaoyan also had a vague feeling that Pei Yuhang was just stringing her along. But faced with her unwilling Master and his seemingly valid reason, there was nothing she could do, no matter how much she pouted.

So all she could do was puff out her cheeks, protesting to Pei Yuhang with a pouting, bun-like face.

"Ahem. Since I'm here, neither of you needs to head back. I'll take you to watch Ji Xichan's match right now.

Yueqiu, Ji Xichan is incredibly strong. In my memory, the only other monster with such terrifying talent was Junior Sister Nangong. What's more, she and I... have some history. You must be extremely careful."