Chapter 58: Qingxi’s Counterattack

Within the domain of Yunchuan Prefecture, those possessing spiritual-grade roots are deemed geniuses. But prodigies of the “Heaven’s Chosen” caliber are even more formidable than the average spiritual-grade genius. Such individuals may possess profound-grade spiritual roots, or, like Muyue, may have comprehended sword intent—marking them as top-tier talents.

Regardless of the specifics, anyone worthy of the title “Heaven’s Chosen” is far superior to ordinary spiritual-grade geniuses. The host of this year’s Eastern Domain Heroes Gathering, Wang Shuiling, is one such renowned prodigy, having secured a place on the list of Yunchuan Prefecture’s Seventy-Two New Stars. Though she ranks near the bottom, her strength is such that few peers can match her, and she can even overpower some seasoned experts. Even when traveling alone, she commands respect wherever she goes.

Now, with the emergence of Muyue, the Water Immortal Sect boasts a second prodigy of this level, prompting all present to marvel at the sect’s strength. Two prodigies within a single sect—such a spectacle has never before been witnessed in the Eastern Domain.

At present, among the four great sects of the Eastern Domain, only the Water Immortal Sect and the Lingyuan Sect have Heaven’s Chosen prodigies in their ranks. The Scarlet Flame Sect and the Elysium Sect, for now, lack such extraordinary talents. This means that, should the prodigies of the Water Immortal and Lingyuan Sects fully mature and reach the level of the grandmasters, the balance among the four great sects will be decisively shattered.

This is precisely what the Scarlet Flame and Elysium Sects dread most. For this reason, the Scarlet Flame Sect, already at odds with the Lingyuan Sect, has sought an alliance with the Elysium Sect to counterbalance their rival. As for the Water Immortal Sect, it has maintained neutrality for centuries, giving the other two sects no cause to act against them.

With Muyue’s arrival, the Water Immortal Sect now has a second prodigy. When she and Wang Shuiling reach their full potential, their sect will possess the strength to suppress the other three great sects. This development has put immense pressure on the disciples of the Lingyuan, Scarlet Flame, and Elysium Sects present. The great noble families, on the other hand, though amazed, feel no such pressure. Being essentially bystanders, lacking the strength to intervene in the struggles of the great sects, they can only bear witness to history—perhaps with little sense of presence, but at least free from danger.

On the dueling platform, Qingxi took a deep breath, marveling at Muyue’s formidable strength. As things stood, unless he unleashed his five-elemental origin, he stood no chance of contending with her outright. He considered this for a moment, feeling that perhaps admitting defeat was nothing to be ashamed of. After all, a true man knows when to bend and when to stand tall.

Just as he opened his mouth to concede, a cool, clear female voice suddenly sounded in his ear: “You have the strength to fight. Continue the battle—I will guide you.”

Who was it?

Qingxi’s gaze sharpened as he looked around and activated his scanning technique, only to discover that there was now one more person on the rooftop besides the old man, Hong Jiu.

“Don’t be alarmed. I am Qiu Yingying. I won’t harm you,” the cool voice came again, leaving Qingxi astonished.

Senior Sister Qiu Yingying was actually on the rooftop? What was she doing here? Though puzzled, Qingxi had no time to dwell on it, for Muyue was closing in with a piercing gaze, asking, “Have you made your decision? Will you concede, or do you wish to continue?”

Before Qingxi could respond, Qiu Yingying’s voice sounded in his ear once more: “I know you have mastered over a hundred martial techniques—most only at the basic level, but they cover offense, movement, disruption, swordplay, and more. Under my direction, you can fight.”

Qingxi had no idea where Qiu Yingying’s confidence came from, but recalling that Ouyang Changfeng had mentioned she was looking for him, he judged that her intentions were not hostile.

He chose to trust Qiu Yingying. Facing Muyue, he cupped his fists and declared, “Conceding would bring no honor, especially before such an audience. More importantly, I am fighting on behalf of my sect. Even if I lose, I must lose with dignity!”

Qingxi’s voice echoed throughout the great hall, stunning many. They knew his abilities were respectable, but he was still some way from the level of a true prodigy. Was there any point in resisting further?

Muyue’s expression hardly changed; she nodded calmly. “If you wish to fight, then forgive my offense.”

With that, she raised her jade hand and, sword in hand, unleashed a sharp arc of sword energy.

“Side-step Arrow Step!”

At the instant Muyue struck, Qiu Yingying’s voice sounded in Qingxi’s ear. Without hesitation, he executed the Arrow Step—mastered to perfection—darting three meters to the left, easily dodging the sword energy.

This unexpected maneuver made Qingxi’s eyes light up.

“Crescent Energy Slash—fire from both sides!”

Qiu Yingying’s voice came again, and Qingxi quickly used his superior spirit sword to unleash two crescent-shaped energy blades, arcing from left and right to pincer Muyue.

“He dares to counterattack? This lad has some fire,” Hong Jiu remarked in mild surprise from the rooftop.

In his gaze, Muyue retreated three steps, dodging the crossing blades, then lifted her Snow Sword to strike again.

But Qingxi, agile as ever, sidestepped again, dodging the attack, then once more unleashed crescent-shaped energy blades, crossing them toward Muyue.

“Repeating the same trick won’t work on me,” Muyue said as she swung her sword, shattering the two energy blades. What she did not expect was a thread of spiritual silk snapping up from the ground, twining around her body.

“Blossoms Unfurl!”

Vital energy erupted from Muyue’s body like a flower blooming in an instant, snapping the threads. Yet before she could react, several more threads coiled around her; she frowned slightly and severed them all with a single stroke.

But what she could not foresee was that Qingxi’s counterattack had only just begun.

“Icicle Assault.”

“Earthen Wall—Block!”

“Gale Palm.”

“Rising Smoke and Wind.”

…

Under Qiu Yingying’s guidance, Qingxi linked dozens of martial techniques in seamless succession: at one moment, a barrage of icicles forced Muyue to defend; at another, an earthen wall erupted from the ground, blocking her path as she dodged; then, a cloud of smoke and a sudden gale impaired her vision and movement. Spiritual threads snapped up from the earth, weaving into a net that entangled her limbs.

Coordinating so many martial techniques—some at the intermediate, others at the advanced level—Qingxi actually forced Muyue into a defensive posture. Although none of these techniques had reached perfection, the sheer variety left the onlookers dizzy with astonishment.

“This… this must be the fifty-third technique he’s used, right?”

“How many martial arts has this youth mastered?”

The crowd was dumbfounded.

Within the Lingyuan Sect’s ranks, Zhou Yuanlong suddenly recalled something and exclaimed, “I remember—this guy learned over a hundred martial techniques in just two days! His comprehension and memory are extraordinary!”

“He mastered over a hundred techniques in two days?”

“Even Heaven’s Chosen aren’t much better than that!”

Hearing Zhou Yuanlong’s words, disciples from the other sects were shaken. Even if Qingxi lost today, his name would quickly spread throughout the Eastern Domain. Not only did he possess astonishing insight, but he was also able to turn the tide against a prodigy like Muyue, even gaining a faint advantage.

Still, no one believed Qingxi could win.

After all, Heaven’s Chosen are so named because when they go all out, their true power is revealed.