Chapter 159: Third Trial (5)
If it were anyone else in front of her, other than Lady Yue, I have no doubt that Lan Xiaohui would have picked the tablet and run off to fight Yu Shun.
Elder Qin is a shrewd woman, and I have also underestimated her.
Since the first day theyve met, Elder Qin has put the idea into Lan Xiaohuis mind that she can teach her how to counter Yu Shuns technique and kill him. Even the manner in which she scolded my owner has been supporting this idea, like when she said that no disciple of hers is foolish enough to die without putting a scratch on their opponent. In other words, that a disciple of hers would, at the very least, be able to accomplish this.
Who is Lan Xiaohuis opponent? It is a person that has gone from the peak of Foundation Establishment, to the peak of Core Formation, in less than a year a feat that I cannot help Lan Xiaohui accomplish in my present condition. Yu Shun apparently a monster genius unlike any other is the definition of an opponent that Lan Xiaohui cannot even scratch at the moment, much less defeat or kill.
Elder Qins next attack, when she made Lan Xiaohui choose, was to make the initial seed of promise bloom: learn how to kill a man.
She made it sound so simple and even dispelled any notion that Yu Shun is special or even difficult to defeat.
It is no wonder that in this situation Lan Xiaohui picks the ring instead of the tablet.
It is also without a doubt that Elder Qin has known about Lan Xiaohui since before they met that day. Every word she spoke has been a deliberate and measured action to win over Lan Xiaohui. Even the method in which she closed the distance and surprised my owner by grabbing her neck could possibly be that fabled Shadowless Oblivion a demonstration of the kind of power Lan Xiaohui could wield.
It couldnt have been a coincidence.
It is too late to interfere now, nor do I see any reason to do so. Elder Qins motives are still unclear, but it is clear that she wants to make use of Lan Xiaohui to kill Yu Shun. My owner is neither foolish nor stupid as Elder Qin deduced and she is also willing to use other people for her goals, like Lady Yue. Elder Qin is no exception.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.
However, Elder Qin has made one miscalculation.
Lan Xiaohui is not an ordinary sword cultivator.
Slowly, my owner rises to her feet, shoulders trembling. I will learn from you but I dont need your help.
Oh? Elder Qin asks, raising a single eyebrow.
In two years, with or without you, I will be more than enough for one Yu Shun, Lan Xiaohui says, tone as cold as ice. But dont think that anyone who tried to play me like a fool will walk away as you said without a scratch!
Lan Xiaohui raises her head to look at Elder Qin. Since you are using me, then what reason do I have not to use you!?
I will pick this one, she says.
Elder Qin seems to consider Lan Xiaohui. Reason?
Lan Xiaohui looks up from the tablet and meets Elder Qins gaze. I am confident in my swordsmanship. I want to cultivate my heart, mind, and soul instead.
Elder Qin wears a mysterious smile. And what about you? What will you pick? Elder Qin asks Wu Yulan.
I will cultivate whatever Sister Xuelian picks, she says flatly.
You can walk away with two methods, but you will pick only one? Elder Qin asks.
Wu Yulan nods. I heard they are all incomplete inheritances which are difficult to learn and use. Even if I picked another one so we can learn two at once, it would just make it more difficult and less rewarding for us.
Elder Qin flashes a smile and nods. Suit yourself, she says and turns away. If you succeed in learning the first layer of that Empty Moon Prana in a year, I will make you the successors of my skills. You may depart.
The two girls cup their fists and bow. Palace Master Qin, they say, and then leave the Palace and head down the stairs toward the sect proper.
When they make it two hundred steps away from the Palace, I notice some strange movement from Elder Qin and direct my attention to her.
She raises her hand, holding it a few centimeters from her face, with curiosity and approval glimmering in her eyes. She whispers under her breath, as she stares at her fingers.
To think that brat made my fingers tremble with just her sword intent
Her eyes turn toward the window, and then slightly toward the ceiling.
What kind of monster did you deliver to me?
I somewhat regret not obtaining [Imprint], so that I can hear the words she speaks as she disappears from my perception range, but it is of no consequence now. I am more interested in my owner.
Is her sword intent really that special?