Chapter 93 – Whispering Starlight

  The ground trembled as Zhao Wuxian’s devastating attack surged forward like a tidal wave of destruction.

  The air warped and cracked under the pressure of his ‘Tyrant’s Obliterating Strike,’ which formed a monstrous fist of burning Qi that tore across the courtyard, annihilating flagstones and leaving a smouldering trench in its wake.

  Flames spiralled along its edges, and the sheer fury of it made the watching Disciples stagger back and shield themselves with their Qi.

  But Jun De didn’t move.

  He stood alone in the path of the oncoming inferno, his robes fluttering in the heat. His eyes were calm and clear as moonlight. As the attack neared him, he finally let out a soft, deliberate exhale.

  In the next heartbeat, he moved.

  “First Form: Whispering Starlight.”

  His sword thrust forward, not with unstoppable force, but with impossible precision and elegance. The Cloudvein Jade Edge shimmered with pale silver light, like the tail of a falling star, and as it met Zhao QWWuxian’s overwhelming strike, it didn’t clash with it.

  It pierced through. There was no explosion or thunderous shockwave. Instead, it was a quiet sound similar to glass cracking.

  The unstoppable and brutal attack that was destroying everything in its path suddenly shattered. It fractured down the middle, torn apart as if cleaved in half by a nearly invisible force. It dispersed into harmless sparks that scattered in the wind.

  But Jun De’s sword didn’t stop there.

  The silver sword energy continued forward, streaking like starlight through the smoking remnants of the shattered technique. Zhao Wuxian’s eyes widened in disbelief, and the hazy figure of the Iron-Backed Flame Ape roared in protest as Jun De’s thrust approached.

  For a moment, Zhao Wuxian’s transformed body resisted. His enhanced muscles and the spiritual beast aura around him flared to hold back the blade.

  But the resistance only lasted for a heartbeat.

  With a wet sound and a flash of light, the silver Qi pierced through his chest, just above his heart and near his shoulder. It forced his entire body backward.

  Zhao Wuxian gasped as he staggered, and his expression froze in stunned horror as the power that sustained his bloodline transformation collapsed. His massive frame shrank rapidly, while his muscles deflated and his Qi spiralled out of control before fading entirely.

  The faint layer of fur that covered Zhao Wuxian’s arms and back evaporated like mist in the sun, and the image of the Iron-Backed Flame Ape gave one last defiant roar before disappearing.

  The courtyard was deathly silent, save for Zhao Wuxian’s laboured breathing. Thousands of Outer Sect Disciples stood frozen, mouths agape and too stunned to speak or react.

  The duel had ended in one move!

  Jun De relaxed his stance and calmly returned the Cloudvein Jade Edge to his storage bag, while his expression showed a hint of regret for having been forced to fight once again.

  Before he could approach or speak to Zhao Wuxian, Elder Hua and the other Outer Sect Elders arrived in front of him.

  “Congratulations, Jun De. Your time within the Array was well spent. We will see to Zhao Wuxian’s wounds. Do not worry, your strike was well placed, and he will recover without lingering injury.” Elder Hua said.

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  “To anything but his pride.” Another Elder said dryly.

  They were clearly pleased that the Disciple who had been causing so much trouble over the past few months had been cleanly defeated and would no longer be a hassle for the Nine-Treasure Pagoda.

  Jun De bowed low to the gathered Elders.

  “This Disciple thanks the Elders for their guidance and concern. I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused you.” He said, and his voice carried through the now-silent courtyard. Several of the Elders nodded approvingly.

  A few Elders murmured amongst themselves as they directed several Servant Disciples to carefully lift the crumpled form of Zhao Wuxian. His transformation had fully unravelled, leaving him pale and unconscious.

  They took him away to his residence to be healed and cared for, and the crowd had no doubt that Zhao Wuxian would soon be raging throughout the Outer Sect once more.

  Elder Hua approached Jun De, and there was a hint of pride in her tone as she spoke to him.

  “Do not push yourself too hard, Jun De. You should return to your courtyard and rest for now. The Entrance Ceremony for the Inner Sect will take place in a week’s time, and you will need to be at your best.”

  “Yes, Elder.” Jun De said with another bow. He was grateful that at least someone in the Sect was understanding enough to recognize his desire to go home.

  At that moment, Lin Yue and Shen Ruolan stepped up beside him.

  “I asked the Servant Disciples to clean your courtyard. They have been tending it these past few days in preparation for your return. Everything should be just as you left it.” Lin Yue offered him a small smile as she spoke softly.

  Jun De smiled in anticipation of going home, and Lin Yue blushed.

  “Thank you, Yue. That was very thoughtful!”

  Shen Ruolan tilted her head and folded her arms.

  “I have tea ready, and a few warm dishes from the restaurant in Tranquil City that you spoke of. I thought you might prefer a real meal instead of fasting pills for once.” Shen Ruolan said, and her eyes flicked to Lin Yue and back to Jun De before her expression softened.

  “You deserve to rest in comfort, Jun De, even if it's only for a few days.”

  Jun De’s expression lit up at the thought of a clean home and good food. After six months in the Array, he wanted nothing more than to be lazy and pig out for a while. He nodded gratefully to them both.

  “Thank you.”

  The three bowed once again to the Elders, then they turned and walked away from the shattered courtyard. Behind them, the Outer Sect finally exploded into excited whispers and speculation. The Disciples spoke in awe of the match, the elegance of Jun De’s sword technique and the terrifying transformation Zhao Wuxian had undergone.

  The rumours and gossip of what had transpired wouldn’t fade from the Outer Sect for quite some time.

  When Jun De stepped through the familiar gate of his courtyard, he stood at the threshold and took it all in for a moment.

  The air was crisp and cold, but the courtyard caught the afternoon sun, leaving it warm enough to remain comfortable. The leaves had fallen from the trees, but the plants had been pruned and cared for. The flower beds were tidy, and the weeds had been recently pulled.

  The stone paths were clear of leaves and scrubbed of any lingering moss. His familiar chair had been placed in the sun by the stone table, and a fresh cloth had covered its surface. Even the Koi fish in the pond seemed to dart about with more energy than he remembered.

  It was even better than he remembered it!

  Jun De exhaled slowly, and the tension in his shoulders began to fade away. For the first time in what felt like years, he felt at peace.

  “I’m home.” Jun De whispered happily.

  “It wouldn’t have been right for you to come home to dust and weeds.” Lin Yue said with a soft smile as she watched his contented look with happiness.

  Shen Ruolan stepped past him to enter the courtyard, and with a flick of her fingers, she summoned porcelain dishes, lacquered boxes, and a steaming tea set from her storage ring. They settled neatly onto the table.

  “Come sit, Jun De. It’s only proper that a wife prepare a meal for her husband after a long day.” Shen Ruolan said with a grin as she pulled out a chair and took a seat.

  Jun De chuckled, for once not minding her nonsense talk about marrying him and moved to join her. Lin Yue paused for a moment before doing the same, even though Shen Ruolan shot her a warning look that she pretended not to see.

  The warmth of the sun combined with the light aroma of steamed buns, braised pork, pickled vegetables and spiced tofu enhanced the experience of returning home. Shen Rulan even poured him tea, a deep amber brew that he recognized from his time in Yunlai City.

  For a while, the three simple ate in silence. Lin Yue would smile whenever Jun De looked her way, while Shen Ruolan would scowl at her when Jun De wasn’t watching. Shen Ruolan’s own glances at Jun De lingered, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

  When the meal was finished, Jun De leaned back in his chair and sipped his tea in contentment. He had just put the cup to his lips once again when Shen Ruolan spoke.

  “So, Jun De, Lin Yue told me about the night you spent together in Green Willow Hamlet.”

  Jun De’s contentment ended with a sputter as he choked on his tea.