Chapter 145: Probing

Seven days after the Master of Wanhua Valley left, people from the Tianxuan Sect came again.

This time, it wasn't Elder Shen who came, but a young woman in her early twenties, wearing a pale gold long dress, with a cold and aloof expression and a profound aura.

She was at the Initial Stage of Soul Transformation.

Behind her followed four female Disciples at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, each outstanding in appearance and temperament.

The five of them landed at the gates of Qinghe Sect without announcing themselves and walked straight in.

The female Disciple guarding the gate tried to stop them.

The young woman raised her hand, and a flash of golden light shot out; the guarding Disciple was sent flying, crashing to the ground and vomiting blood.

The nearby Disciples' expressions changed drastically, and they hurriedly sounded the alarm.

Zhou Yuanshuang leaped down from the city wall, and seeing the intruders, her expression darkened.

"What is the meaning of this?"

The young woman said indifferently, "The Tianxuan Sect has come to visit Su Yun. Let your people move aside."

Zhou Yuanshuang gritted her teeth, and just as she was about to speak, Su Yun's voice came from inside the city.

"Let them in."

The young woman led her people into the city.

Along the way, she saw the female Disciples on both sides of the street looking at her with unfriendly gazes.

She didn't care; in fact, she looked somewhat smug.

When she walked into the courtyard, Su Yun was drinking tea by the stone table.

He glanced at the injured guarding Disciple, then looked at the young woman.

"Who are you?"

The young woman sat down opposite him.

"The daughter of the Tianxuan Sect Master, Zhao Lingji."

Su Yun nodded.

"You injured my people. Is there something you need?"

Zhao Lingji laughed.

"Young Master Su, my father sent me to see exactly what kind of skills you have to dare to establish a sect in the Western Region."

Su Yun put down his teacup.

"Are you done looking?"

Zhao Lingji shook her head.

"Not yet. I heard Young Master Su is at the Mid Spirit Severing Stage, and I would like to trade a few moves with you."

Su Yun looked at her.

Initial Stage of Soul Transformation, daughter of the Tianxuan Sect Master.

He thought for a moment and stood up.

"Let's go outside to fight."

The two flew outside the city.

Valley Master Su Yao, Fairy Jianyun, Zi Wuji, Zhou Yuanshuang, and those Nascent Soul Stage female Disciples all followed, standing on the city wall to watch.

Zhao Lingji's four attendants also followed and stood in the distance.

Zhao Lingji drew the long sword at her waist; the blade was entirely gold and emitted a blinding light.

She slashed out, and the sword light transformed into a golden Dragon, lunging at Su Yun.

The aura of this strike was astonishing, carrying the full power of the Initial Stage of Soul Transformation.

Su Yun did not retreat.

He raised his hand and struck with his palm.

Ice-blue and blood-red light intertwined and exploded; the golden Dragon was shattered, and the sword light scattered.

Zhao Lingji stumbled back several steps, her expression changing drastically.

Su Yun did not give her a chance to catch her breath; he stepped forward and appeared right in front of her.

Zhao Lingji swung her sword to block, but Su Yun slapped the sword body with his palm.

The golden long sword flew out of her hand, and Zhao Lingji was sent staggering backward, falling to the ground.

She struggled to stand up, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

Su Yun stood before her, looking down at her.

"Do you still want to fight?"

Zhao Lingji bit her lip and said nothing.

Her four attendants rushed up, trying to protect her.

Su Yun raised his hand, and a beam of light shot out, sending all four flying back simultaneously, crashing to the ground, unable to get up.

The city wall was silent.

Those female Disciples looked at Su Yun, their eyes full of worship.

Zhao Lingji stood up and stared at Su Yun.

"You are very strong. But my father is a hundred times stronger than me. You have offended the Tianxuan Sect and will not have a good ending."

Su Yun laughed.

"Go back and tell your father that the Qinghe Sect is not under anyone's control. If he wants to find me, he is welcome at any time. But he should bring enough people."

Zhao Lingji's Face turned livid, and she turned and left.

The four attendants hurriedly followed.

After they left, Valley Master Su Yao walked to Su Yun's side, her expression grave.

"Master, the Tianxuan Sect Master is at the Late Huashen Stage. Although you won against Zhao Lingji, your chances of winning against her father are slim."

Su Yun nodded.

"I know. That's why I won't fight him."

Valley Master Su Yao was stunned.

"Then you…"

Su Yun turned and walked back into the city.

"He will come to find me. But not now. The Tianxuan Sect is a major sect in the Western Region and cares about Face. His daughter lost, so he won't make a move personally; he will send others to probe first. Only after he has figured out my bottom line will he take action. This period of time is enough for us to do many things."

Valley Master Su Yao understood; the Master was stalling for time.

Sure enough, ten days after Zhao Lingji left, people from the Sword Sect came.

A middle-aged man arrived, with a stern expression, carrying a black long sword on his back, and his aura was profound.

He was at the Mid Spirit Severing Stage.

Behind him followed two young women, both at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, wearing white sword robes, looking heroic and spirited.

The three landed at the city gate.

They didn't attack like Zhao Lingji, but properly asked to be announced.

Su Yun met him in the courtyard.

The middle-aged man claimed his surname was Liu and that he was an Elder of the Sword Sect's Outer Sect.

After sitting down, he got straight to the point.

"Young Master Su, the Sword Sect Master sent me to ask you a question."

Su Yun nodded.

"Speak."

Elder Liu said, "How is Young Master Su's sword technique?"

Su Yun shook his head.

"I do not practice the sword."

Elder Liu was stunned for a moment.

"Then what weapon does Young Master Su use?"

Su Yun raised his hand.

"I use this."

Elder Liu was silent for a moment.

"Young Master Su, the Sword Sect Master's meaning is that among the three sects of the Western Region, the Tianxuan Sect values rules, Wanhua Valley values interests, and the Sword Sect values strength. Our Sword Sect has no objection to Young Master Su establishing a sect in the Western Region. But Young Master Su must prove that he has this strength."

Su Yun looked at him.

"How to prove it?"

Elder Liu stood up.

"Fight a match with me. If you win against me, the Sword Sect will acknowledge you."

Su Yun also stood up.

"Let's go outside to fight."

The two flew outside the city.

This time, there were even more spectators.

Valley Master Su Yao, Fairy Jianyun, Zi Wuji, Zhou Yuanshuang, and those Nascent Soul Stage female Disciples were all standing on the city wall.

Elder Liu drew his sword; the blade was pitch black, without luster, yet it emitted a heart-palpitating Sword Qi.

He slashed out, and the sword light was silent and fast to the extreme.

Su Yun dodged to the side; the sword light grazed past him, leaving a deep gully in the ground behind him.

He raised his hand and threw a punch.

Elder Liu swung his sword to block, and the force of the punch sent him back three steps.

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Such powerful strength."

He did not probe further and attacked with all his might.

The sword light was like a rainstorm, attacking from all directions.

Su Yun did not retreat but advanced, using both fists and palms, each strike accurately hitting the weakest point of the sword light.

The two fought fiercely outside the city, air waves surging, and the ground cracked.

The female Disciples on the city wall watched with trepidation.

After fifty moves, Elder Liu suddenly withdrew his sword and retreated several zhang.

"I won't fight anymore."

Su Yun stopped.

"Admitting defeat?"

Elder Liu shook his head.

"It's not admitting defeat. It's enough. I will report Young Master Su's strength truthfully when I return. The Sword Sect will not make things difficult for the Qinghe Sect."

He sheathed his sword and looked at Su Yun.

"Young Master Su, I will ask you one last question."

Su Yun nodded.

Elder Liu said, "Why don't you learn the sword? With your talent, if you learned the sword, your achievements would not be lower than mine."

Su Yun laughed.

"My fists are enough."

Elder Liu was silent for a moment, then turned and left.

The two Sword Sect Disciples hurriedly followed.

Su Yun stood outside the city, watching them disappear into the horizon.

The Sword Sect matter was also resolved.

The Tianxuan Sect, Wanhua Valley, the Sword Sect.

Of the three Western Region sects, two had already relented.

There was only one left, the Tianxuan Sect, and he would have to make a trip there sooner or later.

He turned and walked back into the city.

On the city wall, those female Disciples were still watching him.

In their eyes were worship, reliance, and deep admiration.

Su Yun did not look at them and walked straight into the courtyard.

Zhao Lanxin stood at the door, holding a bowl of soup.

She gestured to ask if he was tired.

Su Yun shook his head, took the soup, and drank it in one gulp.

Zhao Lanxin smiled, took the empty bowl, kissed him on the cheek, and ran away, blushing.

Su Yun stood in the courtyard, watching her back disappear behind the door.