Chapter Forty-Eight: The Celestial Sword of Dragon Spring

Chapter Forty-Eight: The Immortal Sword of Dragon Spring
Chapter Seven: Rain and Clouds, Beauty Dances with Dragon Spring, Autumn Water Startles Dream, Chrysanthemums Bloom by the Hedge (Part Three)

Ye Hua could not help but lower his head, feeling a sense of inferiority. The young woman, accustomed to others’ astonishment at her appearance, remained indifferent; her expression was cold as she addressed Zhi Mie, “Master, your disciple understands.” Her voice was gentle and melodious, captivating all who heard it. After speaking, she turned and ascended the stone platform with slow, graceful steps. As the crowd watched her departing figure, it seemed as though a veil of mist and cloud enveloped her, truly someone not of this mortal world.

Ling Yun’er leapt lightly onto the platform, offering a slight bow to the young lady. “Sister Li, please.” With these words, she formed a quick gesture with her hands, and a crimson ribbon appeared, floating in the air. Instantly, the atmosphere grew scorching, waves of heat radiating outward.

Opposite her, the young woman returned the courtesy with a nod, her left hand forming a sword seal, while her right hand flicked lightly. A long sword was already in her grasp, its blade shimmering with a verdant glow. Remarkably, the surface rippled like water. A carved dragon wound its way along the blade, seeming almost alive, restless and unpredictable.

Below the stage, Zhi Ku and the others bowed their heads and clasped their hands together, murmuring, “Amitabha, how could our junior sister bear to bring forth such a treasured artifact? Could it be that the Immortal Sword of Dragon Spring has chosen a new master?” Zhi Mie nodded with a faint smile. “Indeed, the Dragon Spring Sword has possessed spiritual awareness for centuries, awaiting its destined wielder. My disciple, Li Ningyue, possesses extraordinary wisdom, unlike any other.” Pride and joy flickered across his face.

Zhi Ku and his companions were astonished, their hearts filled with wonder. “Could this disciple truly possess such profound wisdom, or perhaps some remarkable origin? If so, today’s contest between Ling Yun’er and Li Ningyue will be impossible to predict.”

On the platform, Ling Yun’er’s crimson ribbon had already transformed into a length of several dozen feet, sweeping across the stage and swirling around Li Ningyue. Li Ningyue stood motionless, sword in hand, as the Dragon Spring Sword emitted a circle of emerald light, enveloping her. It was as if the crimson ribbon could not penetrate her defenses. Seeing this, Ling Yun’er gripped the ribbon in her left hand and struck swiftly; the ribbon contracted into a single scarlet strand, and she leaped forward, wielding it like a sharp blade.

Li Ningyue saw the red strand approaching, its force intense. Instantly, she angled the Dragon Spring Sword toward Ling Yun’er’s right shoulder, and her left hand shifted from a sword seal to a palm, striking at the ribbon. Li Ningyue felt the ribbon was as hard as iron, and though it was briefly deflected, it quickly darted back toward her.

Unable to dodge, Li Ningyue drew back her sword, slashing upward while leaning aside. With a crisp clang, she barely blocked the attack. Ling Yun’er gave a spirited cry, and the red strand suddenly scattered, flickering like lightning, twisting like a serpent to ensnare Li Ningyue.

The crowd below watched in awe, dazzled by the sight: one dressed in fiery red, the other in snowy white, both peerless beauties. Their contest seemed less a battle and more a graceful dance.

Ye Hua’s palms were sweating as he watched, his heart anxious. Though Ling Yun’er was clever and talented, already possessing extraordinary skill at such a young age, Li Ningyue was equally exceptional, not inferior to her senior sister. The outcome remained uncertain.

When Ye Hua looked back to the stage, the two had already exchanged more than a hundred moves. Ling Yun’er’s crimson ribbon was now unleashing the Fire Dragon Array, a sea of flames roaring with the cries of dragons. A scarlet dragon appeared, spitting streams of tri-colored fire—the true fire of three suns. Her power was immense; clearly, she had pushed her abilities to their peak.

In contrast, Li Ningyue moved silently amid the flames. The cold brilliance of her Dragon Spring Sword radiated, emerald ripples swirling around her, as if she stood within a chilly jade pool. She fought the crimson ribbon head-on, yielding not an inch.