ARLQLCC chapter 53

Pairs of excited eyes were fixed on Su Ji’s shifting figure in the arena. Someone couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration: “I really didn’t expect Chef Su, who usually looks so gentle, to become completely different when fighting.”

He was gentle as a person, and even the name of his sword was gentle, but his fighting style was not gentle at all.

His sword techniques were ruthless, his movements fast. Ordinary Soul Transformation realm disciples couldn’t last ten moves against Xie Yao, but now, not long after they started, they had already exchanged over a hundred moves.

Xie Yao’s swordsmanship inherited the ruthless style of the Kunlun Divine Palace, and with that vicious black iron sword, it was difficult for ordinary people to defend against.

Su Ji was also ruthless, but his ruthlessness carried a kind of softness. While directly clashing with Xie Yao, he was subtly dissolving his killing intent, responding to each move as it came, already showing a slight advantage.

Not only the watching disciples noticed this—the one who felt it most deeply was Xie Yao himself.

Many years ago, he had been defeated by Su Ji, just like today. The sword energy was fierce, yet the other party always had a way to dissolve his moves one by one, even learning the shape of his sword techniques in a short time and using the same moves to strike back.

Xie Yao had been a heaven-blessed prodigy since childhood. Although he was not arrogant or impatient, he understood that his talent far surpassed his peers. Until he met Su Ji—someone who was even a hundred years younger than him—but not only was Su Ji’s cultivation above his, even his talent in swordsmanship left him far behind.

In the past, he had issued countless challenge posts, but as time passed, no one could ever ignite his endless fighting spirit again. Only the battle with Su Ji on the snowy mountain—though he lost—had left him with that long-lost burning excitement, something he remembered for many years.

Until today, that feeling returned, even more intense than before!

The heavy black iron sword swept forward with violent force toward Su Ji’s face. The sword Fengchun looked extremely slender compared to the black iron sword, but this delicate spirit sword easily blocked the fierce strike!

Xie Yao’s swordsmanship had improved significantly, but Su Ji had spent twenty years on the Cliff of Reflection. Aside from meditation, he had been continuously practicing sword swings day and night. The sword intent Fengchun displayed now was something Xie Yao could not match.

“Clang!”

The two swords collided. Xie Yao’s wrist went numb, and he was forced back two steps.

He looked at Su Ji, whose breathing rhythm hadn’t changed at all, and understood that he still could not defeat him today. But his fighting spirit remained high. He shifted his stance and attacked from the side.

The two fought for a long time, their sword techniques not slowing even as their stamina declined. Each clash of blades was as fast as wind, dazzling those who watched.

In the eyes of the disciples, the two seemed evenly matched, but in the eyes of the powerful figures present, the outcome was already obvious.

Xie Daoqi came down but did not return to his seat. Xie Qinghuai stood beside him, extremely excited, almost wanting Su Ji to beat Xie Yao badly to vent his frustration. Clearly Xie Yao was his senior brother, yet he was shouting “Go Su Ji!” instead.

Xie Yao’s attack speed had already slowed. Others didn’t notice, but Xie Daoqi saw it clearly.

Su Ji never took the initiative to attack. Instead, he waited for Xie Yao to strike first, then responded to each move, deflecting them like a spring breeze turning into rain, steadily blocking everything.

Su Ji’s control over the sword was far too refined. The moment Xie Yao made a move, he could instantly see through his next step, defending flawlessly.

Xie Daoqi stroked his beard and laughed softly, shaking his head. They always said Xie Yao was the number one Soul Transformation realm cultivator of this era, but today, that “ironclad reputation” had finally been broken.

On the stage, Su Ji once again blocked Xie Yao’s attack. But this time, he did not wait for the opponent to continue.

Taking advantage of the moment Xie Yao was forced back, he lightly tapped his toes and in the blink of an eye appeared behind him.

Xie Yao’s breathing tightened. He didn’t even have time to care about his numb wrist and turned to strike—but hit nothing.

When he reacted, his hand suddenly felt light. The heavy black iron sword turned into a black shadow, and with a “whoosh” sound, it stabbed deep into the arena, leaving a long crack.

Su Ji stood beside Xie Yao and reached out a hand to help him up. Xie Yao looked at him for a long moment, then said hoarsely, “I lost again.”

Something about his reaction felt off. Su Ji thought Xie Yao was simply embarrassed from losing in front of so many people and was about to comfort him, when he suddenly saw that familiar fervent expression return.

Su Ji immediately thought something was wrong.

As expected, Xie Yao said, “Next time—when I break through—we’ll fight again!”

Su Ji: “……”

Su Ji: “Maybe let’s not.”

Xie Yao didn’t give him a chance to refuse, turned around to pick up his sword, and said, “It’s settled.”

Su Ji: “……” Can’t someone control him?

…

Xie Yao lost. The entire audience was shocked, yet at the same time felt it made sense. They only thought: as expected of the person who defeated Xie Yao years ago—someone who could make him remember a match for so long must not be ordinary.

Su Ji, after fighting, remained calm and composed. After putting away his sword, he turned back to hold Chu Zhaoye.

Having won, Chu Zhaoye felt proud, rubbing against Su Ji’s chest and deeply inhaling his scent.

Su Ji laughed and walked back toward the spectator stands with a light steps.

Since the match was over, there was no need to leave early; he might as well sit back down and finish watching the Sword Trial Tournament.

Along the way, Su Ji was met with admiring gazes from disciples of all sects. Xie Qinghuai even jumped in front of him excitedly: “Su Ji, you’re amazing! I knew that scoundrel couldn’t beat you!”

Xie Daoqi also smiled and said, “Little Friend Su, I heard you have no sect. Are you interested in my Kunlun Divine Palace?”

As soon as he said this, the disciples who overheard gasped.

With Su Ji’s monstrous talent—beyond even Xie Yao’s—Xie Daoqi was probably going to take another direct disciple.

Su Ji froze at his words and was about to refuse when another figure landed beside him. Turning around, it was Tao Yue.

Tao Yue looked anxious, displeased as he said to Xie Daoqi: “Sect Master Xie! I clearly saw him first—how are you cutting in line like this!”

Xie Daoqi didn’t mind: “You saw him first, but I said it first.”

Tao Yue: “You’re going to piss me off! All of you are trying to provoke me!”

Su Ji being recruited by Kunlun Divine Palace was already shocking enough, and now Mingxia Sect also joined the competition, making all the disciples jealous.

Geniuses were always fought over—especially one who had just defeated another genius. At this point, jealousy was pointless. Only envy remained.

Tao Yue continued arguing with Xie Daoqi. As the person being fought over, Su Ji raised his hand helplessly.

“Two Sect Masters, may I say something?”

The two stopped at the same time and looked at him.

Just as everyone thought he was about to choose between the two sects, Su Ji weakly said, “Thank you both for your appreciation, but I don’t plan to join any sect. It’s fine for me to run my own cafeteria…”

Tao Yue: “Are you serious?”

Su Ji: “Yes.”

Xie Daoqi: “Really not coming to Kunlun Divine Palace?”

Su Ji: “Yes. Yes.”

Xie Daoqi and Tao Yue: “Sigh…”

Su Ji: “……Sorry.”

Xie Daoqi patted his shoulder kindly: “No need to apologize. Everyone has their own path. You and Qinghuai are friends, and you’re also Xie Yao’s recognized opponent. If you ever have trouble, come find me. Kunlun Divine Palace will help you.”

Tao Yue also said, “Right, right. Even if you don’t join us, leave me your spiritual communication imprint. Maybe Mingxia Sect will have collaborations with you in the future.”

Su Ji smiled helplessly and exchanged spiritual imprint with the powerful sect master. Only after seeing it with his own eyes did he realize how different this person’s “vibe” was.

Finally, Su Ji returned to his seat under the admiring and envious gazes of the crowd. Yun Xicheng and the others excitedly leaned over.

“Wow, Chef Su! We already thought you were amazing, but you’ve really surprised us again today! Even Xie Yao couldn’t beat you!”

“That was so cool, Su Ji! What can’t you do?!”

“Why don’t you be my sword technique teacher? I’ll definitely learn properly!”

Su Ji wiped his sweat: “Stop teasing me. Can’t even stop your mouths with snacks.”

Yun Xicheng raised his hand, complaining: “I barely got any, Yun Che stole them all!”

Yun Che immediately covered his mouth: “Don’t slander me, I only took one bite!”

“One bite my ass—you ate half the bag! Are you starving or what?!”

The two started wrestling, making Su Ji laugh helplessly while Yue He and Yan Shao laughed loudly and tickled them.

The laughter from the spectator stands drifted all the way to the high platform. Tao Yue regretfully looked at Su Ji below, squinting and smiling faintly, then sighed again.

“Sigh… today really is unlucky. Tao Ming made a mistake, I wanted to take a new disciple and got rejected…”

The Grand Elder comforted him: “Don’t be discouraged. Sect Master Xie also got rejected. None of you gained anything.”

Tao Yue: “True, but that child not joining a sect doesn’t matter. Those who can achieve greatness will always stand out no matter the environment.”

“If Su Ji had competed for a sect today, I’m afraid the number one in Soul Transformation realm would have changed hands,” the Grand Elder laughed.

Xie Daoqi laughed: “Xie Yao just lacks skill. Even if he didn’t win first place, it’s fine—as long as he enjoyed the fight.”

Tao Yue envied: “Xie Yao has a strong heart. Sect Master Xie is a good teacher.”

Thinking of Tao Ming who lost but still resorted to sneak attacks, Xie Daoqi joined in comforting him: “Sect Master Tao, don’t be too hard on yourself. When you go back, talk to Tao Ming properly and bring him back on track.”

Tao Yue: “I hope I still can.”

The three of them chatted happily again, while Fang Que still couldn’t join.

His mind kept echoing the Grand Elder’s words—“If Su Ji had competed for a sect, the number one in Soul Transformation realm would have changed hands,”—and regret surged in his heart.

If Su Ji had competed for Chenxin Sect, then the number one spot would have belonged to Chenxin Sect.

To salvage reputation, half of the Trial Sword Tournament prizes were contributed by Chenxin Sect, yet they didn’t even get first place.

And worse—this person who could have brought the sect victory was pushed out by his own hand.

Just thinking about it made Fang Que want to jump off the high platform and end it all.

Author’s note:

Being a sect master and still getting excluded from conversations (pointing fingers)

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