Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 208: Purple Qi Fills the Mountains and Rivers

This time, it was Zhao Changhe’s eyes that bulged wide open.

Now it’s this little girl? This little princess of the Cui Clan is lowering her status to participate in the Wang Clan’s competition? Did her father not tell her to just use her eyes and ears and do basically nothing?

No, even if you suddenly feel roused by the previous displays and now want to spar with someone, who here do you think you can even beat?

Cui Yuanyang seemed to know what he was thinking and grumbled, puffing out her cheeks as she said, “What? Is my Cui Clan not allowed to compete for the treasure that expands one’s meridians? Even if I don’t win, then I’ll just negotiate and demand it as a dowry for my brother’s wedding!”

Zhao Changhe was speechless.

The corners of Xia Chichi’s mouth twitched, knowing the real reason behind her actions.

Xia Chichi knew that Cui Yuanyang was not after the treasure but after a certain someone’s favor. She rolled her sleeves and stepped forward with her sword in hand. “I’ll spar with you. Please enlighten me!”

Cui Yuanyang: “?”

But before Xia Chichi could even take two steps forward, she was pulled back by Zhao Changhe. “Stop messing around... You say you aren’t injured but your breathing is a mess. Don’t think that I don’t know. Just adjust your breathing at the side. You need to be ready in case something happens later...”

Xia Chichi pursed her lips and remained silent, though she was fairly sure that nothing would be happening later on.

Surprisingly, Zhao Changhe added, “Even though I think that there might not be any changes later on, it would still be much better to be prepared. Besides... This way, I get to see the splendor of the hidden dragons of the divine land, especially our Chichi.”

Xia Chichi tilted her head to look at him and saw his eyes sparkling.

Suddenly, the two of them inexplicably felt like they had gone from being married to being new lovebirds... Since their parting, they had changed so much that it felt like they were meeting each other anew.

The saber that suppressed Divine Brilliance, Zhao Changhe, now had an imposing aura and a dignified demeanor.

The sword that shattered Langya, Xia Chichi, was clad in clothes white as snow.

Were they still the same people they used to be?

The feeling was truly strange, especially considering how well they had known each other back then.

“I don’t really have much splendor,” Xia Chichi said leisurely. “But I have to admit, I did feel the urge to battle after seeing your display earlier. I felt quite happy after I got to fight a bit myself... In fact, even Wang Zhaoling did not disappoint me as much as I thought he would.”

Zhao Changhe nodded. Wang Zhaoling did seem to have been stirred by the martial spirit of the event, and it was likely that his actions had already deviated from the original plan of their clan.

Xia Chichi turned to look at Cui Yuanyang, who was in the arena, and smiled faintly, “And there’s her too.”

Cui Yuanyang said that she wanted to help Zhao Changhe secure the treasure, but perhaps she, too, had been stirred by that martial spirit?

After months of seclusion, understanding the secrets of the Qinghe Purple Qi, and being bestowed with the ancestral sword of their clan, was all she did just for show?

Of course not, and she would prove her worth and demonstrate what she has learned in front of the heroes of the world!

It seemed that the Wang Clan organizing this grand event had truly scratched an itch in many people’s hearts.

Just then, a voice came from the arena, sounding slightly impatient, “Is there any hero who would like to come forward and enlighten me?! My feet are falling asleep from waiting!”

The crowd looked at each other, feeling quite embarrassed.

Who the hell would step forward to “challenge” a cute fifteen-year-old girl? Whether they win or lose, won’t they lose all their face?

Finally, anger surfaced on Cui Yuanyang’s small round face, “You all don’t consider me a martial artist, do you? Fine, then I’ll take the initiative to challenge someone.”

She paused for a moment and looked at Wang Zhaoling, who was bandaging his palm, “Big brother Wang, how about a battle between you and me, limited to the fifth layer like in big brother Zhao’s battle, to validate our progress?”

Wang Zhaoling’s expression twitched. “I’ll just admit defeat.”

Without saying a word, Cui Yuanyang suddenly sent her palm toward his shoulder.

Situ Xiao, who was drinking and watching the show from the corner, suddenly showed a look of surprise in his eyes.

Wang Zhaoling’s expression instantly became solemn, and he pushed with his uninjured left hand.

Bang!

Their palms met.

Due to Wang Zhaoling limiting his power to the fifth layer, this Heaven-Suppressing Sea Palm did not give off the same earth-shattering sensation as it did when he had faced Xia Chichi just now. However, it was still fierce and violent, giving off the impression that it would turn the delicate little girl it was directed to into mincemeat.

But from the opposing slender jade hand, waves after waves of qi surged, and it was not even pushed back in the slightest.

Like the waters of Qinghe, deep and vast, flowing incessantly.

Like expansive qi, rising from the heart, pervading mountains and rivers.

That fierce and violent palm strike was dissipated in the vast expanse of mountains and rivers, its force gradually dissipated until it was no more.

Pa!

Their palms separated, and surprisingly, Cui Yuanyang merely shook her hand, while Wang Zhaoling had been pushed back half a step.

The entire hall was in an uproar.

Although Wang Zhaoling did restrict his power to the fifth layer, and although he did use his left hand, which was not his good hand, that did not change the fact that it was absolutely shocking for him to be at a disadvantage!

Wang Zhaoling himself could not believe it. “What...”

Cui Yuanyang said seriously, “The Tome of Troubled Times ranked me as the ninety-ninth hidden dragon, but I honestly feel unworthy of it. They say I’m young, but I’ve been practicing martial arts for as long as I can remember. It took me ten years just to reach the fifth layer. What merit or ability do I have to be listed among the top hundred hidden dragons? But I will work hard to make myself worthy.”

Her gaze swept over the onlookers, especially those who were at a similar level of cultivation as herself, and she said word by word, “I, Cui Yuanyang of the Cui Clan, have decided to step into the jianghu today.”

Unfortunately, despite her strong performance and formal words, the crowd remained silent, with no one daring to challenge her.

Only Xia Chichi was itching to go, but Zhao Changhe held her back firmly by her sleeve.

Cui Yuanyang looked around, and disappointment finally appeared in her big eyes. She shook her head and said, “If no one challenges me, does that mean I win by default?”

Wang Zhaoling sighed deeply and asked, “Did you also come forward for the treasure?”

Cui Yuanyang’s eyes flickered, and her formally serious expression suddenly became playful, “Can I not?”

Wang Zhaoling said, “It’s not a pill or something like that. You need to enter a place by yourself. So...”

He paused and suddenly laughed. “After all this fuss, we haven’t really gotten to carry out a martial arts meet among the hidden dragons. It’s clearly just been a family trying to snatch a treasure from the hidden dragons.”

Cui Yuanyang looked at the sky and pretended not to understand.

“My family also has too many agendas, so everything’s become a mess,” Wang Zhaoling chuckled. “Let’s discuss that matter later. For now, little sister Yuanyang, please have a seat and let’s actually carry out a proper martial arts conference, shall we?”

Cui Yuanyang stared at him for a while, and then smiled brightly and said, “Okay.”

She knew that Wang Zhaoling had thoroughly understood the significance of her actions. When the Cui Clan desired that “treasure,” there was no need for any victory in martial arts; it was meaningless as the situation was already determined.

It was just a pity that the desire to engage in a thrilling battle like the one her big brother Zhao and big sister Xia got to enjoy now seemed like an extravagant hope.

Wang Zhaoling’s words earlier were indeed correct. It was difficult for people like them to sharpen themselves.

But it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that big brother Zhao’s expression changed after that exchange between me and Wang Zhaoling. Will he stop treating me as a child now?

Cui Yuanyang returned to her seat, stealing a glance at Zhao Changhe, who seemed pensive. Cui Yuanyang poked at the pastries on the table but then saw Xuan Chong jump into the arena, clearly intent on fighting someone. “I would kindly ask everyone for some pointers!”

At the same time he leaped out, someone else also jumped into the arena, but Xuan Chong beat them to it by half a second.

The two of them looked at each other, laughed simultaneously, and politely greeted the other, “Please enlighten me!”

Wang Zhaoling smiled. The martial arts competition had finally taken on its rightful appearance.

Although it seemed like the Wang Clan’s desired political display had been achieved, Wang Zhaoling suddenly felt a little regretful. Would it not have been better if it were like this from the beginning?

With the splendor of the hidden dragons of the divine land in full display, the Langya Sword Conference would have been immensely captivating.

At the very least, it would not have led to so many jokes about broken doors and stolen plaques, nor would it have allowed Situ Xiao and Zhao Changhe to take the limelight. From beginning to end, he had just been a supporting character, and even winning felt tasteless.

He turned to look at Zhao Changhe and suddenly transmitted a message. “Brother Zhao, after the competition, let’s go for a walk and have a chat.”