After speaking, Lu Guichen waved his hand, preparing to pick up the spiritual sword that had slipped from Su Lingxi's grasp.
After all, he believed Yuan Shu would never refuse his offer.
She should want to stay at Qingyun Peak more than anyone else!
However, just as he made his move, a faster red shadow beat him to it.
Swish!
The red shadow wrapped around Consonance on the ground and returned to Yuan Shu's side.
Zhuohua presented Consonance to Yuan Shu like a treasured prize, the tip of the whip scratching her pinky finger like a little dog.
It wore a smug expression that seemed to say, Aren't I amazing, Master?
It knew that old scoundrel Lu Guichen would try to go back on his word and take away the spoils of the match that rightfully belonged to its master.
So it struck first and snatched Consonance back.
Yuan Shu was amused. She stroked its tail as a reward and praised, Well done!
Opposite her, Lu Guichen's face darkened. He stared coldly at Yuan Shu, his tone laced with anger.
Yuan Shu, what are you doing? That is your junior martial sister's spiritual sword!
Junior martial sister's spiritual sword? Yuan Shu raised her eyes, repeating the words flatly before a mocking smile suddenly tugged at the corner of her lips.
Has Peak Lord Lu forgotten? I have already been personally expelled from Qingyun Peak by you. Where would I get a junior martial sister?
Furthermore, if I remember correctly, this spiritual sword was the wager when Su Lingxi and I made our bet!
I won the match, so this spiritual sword is mine! Peak Lord Lu, are you trying to go back on your word?
Yuan Shu's tone was neither haughty nor humble, and her expression remained calm. Her long fingers had already gripped Consonance, giving it a couple of practice swings in the air.
Having been nurtured by Su Lingxi, this sword had long since recognized its master and developed sentience. If Yuan Shu tried to force its use, it would not be a good fit.
However, the blade of this spiritual sword was forged from rare century-old sunken gold crystal. If she took it to be reworked, she might just be able to create a decent spiritual weapon out of it.
Of course, the most important thing was the trace of beast soul within the spiritual sword.
She couldn't sense it from a distance earlier, but now, holding the spiritual sword in her hand, Yuan Shu realized that the beast soul within the sword seemed capable of affecting one's divine soul.
This showed just how high its quality was!
It was a good item!
Yuan Shu inspected it up and down, left and right. Her attitude of treating the spiritual sword entirely as her own property made Lu Guichen's already ugly expression look even worse.
But thinking about how, for all these years, Yuan Shu might have been silently working hard to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm just to stay at Qingyun Peak and not be driven down the mountain...
Lu Guichen suppressed the anger in his heart and spoke again.
Yuan Shu, this spiritual sword is your junior martial sister's beloved possession. It is meant to be cultivated into her natal spiritual sword. In the past, as your master, I neglected you and caused you to suffer many grievances.
I know it was not easy for you to come up the mountain, and you wouldn't easily give up this qualification.
If you can give up this spiritual sword, I promise you right here that I will re-grant you the Qingyun Peak core disciple token.
From now on, you will still be my core disciple, and I will personally teach you. I will do as I say!
As Lu Guichen said this, his gaze couldn't help but glance at the spiritual whip in Yuan Shu's hand.
A spiritual whip possessing sentience was rare indeed. The secrets Yuan Shu held were far deeper than he had imagined!
No matter what, he had to keep her here first and investigate the situation later!
Furthermore, Su Lingxi truly needed this spiritual sword. The ancient beast soul within it was incredibly important.
He absolutely could not let Yuan Shu take it away!
Lu Guichen believed he had done everything out of the utmost benevolence and righteousness. Allowing Yuan Shu back up the mountain was already a great act of mercy.
Yuan Shu ought to obediently kneel in gratitude!
To his surprise, upon hearing this, Yuan Shu merely let out a soft sneer, her tone cold. Qingyun Peak core disciple token? Do I look like I care for it?
What did you say?
Lu Guichen's face darkened, anger surging in the depths of his eyes as he stared at her coldly.
What was the meaning of Yuan Shu's indifferent attitude?
He had already gone this far with his words, yet she still wanted to push her luck?
Yuan Shu, however, showed not the slightest hint of fear, continuing in a nonchalant voice, Since I have left Qingyun Peak, I have no intention of going back.
So you can save that core disciple token for someone else. I don't want it.
This spiritual sword is mine now, and there is no way I'm returning it. Peak Lord Lu, give up on that idea!
As Yuan Shu spoke, she waved her hand and directly stored the spiritual sword into her Divine Tree Space.
Insolent!
Lu Guichen's expression turned icy cold. Boiling with rage, he let out a furious shout. A powerful surge of spiritual energy gathered in his hand and he struck out toward Yuan Shu!
Yuan Shu's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't expected Lu Guichen to be so despicable as to bully the weak!
In the split second she turned, she gathered all the spiritual energy in her body in front of her, forming a spiritual energy shield.
But Lu Guichen's strength far exceeded hers. Even a casual wave of his hand was not something she could withstand.
Yuan Shu's spiritual energy shield didn't even last a second before it shattered with a bang.
The powerful spiritual energy pressed down ruthlessly toward Yuan Shu. Just as it was about to crash into her, a streak of light green spiritual energy suddenly blocked its path in front of her.
Bang!
It collided with Lu Guichen's attack, emitting a muffled sound before rapidly dissipating.
At the same time, a tall and upright figure swept onto the martial arts stage, standing protectively in front of Yuan Shu.
He was gentle as jade, a modest gentleman.
Seeing clearly who had arrived, Lu Guichen's gaze narrowed. Yao Qianci, what are you doing?
Ahem, Peak Lord Lu, seeing such a frail little girl all alone and helpless, I simply couldn't bear it.
Although she has left Qingyun Peak, she is still a disciple of the Luoxian Sect. Her identity has not yet been removed from the sect's roster, so I have a duty to protect her.
Yao Qianci's tone was gentle, his voice just like his person—elegant, upright, and pleasantly melodic.
Yuan Shu looked up at him in surprise.
Ever since they met at the pavilion last time, when he invited her to join Yaoyun Peak, she hadn't seen him alone again.
She never expected that he would step in at this moment and confront Lu Guichen for her sake.
Hearing this, Lu Guichen's face grew even uglier. Yao Qianci, Yuan Shu is a member of my Qingyun Peak!
She has already been expelled from Qingyun Peak by you. I saw it with my own eyes, Yao Qianci stated plainly, repeating the facts.
You... you want to stop me? Lu Guichen was furious.
In terms of strength, he was definitely stronger than Yao Qianci, but the other party was the Peak Lord of Yaoyun Peak, so he had to give him some face in his actions.
But today, Yuan Shu's blatant disdain and contempt for him and Qingyun Peak in every word she spoke had truly enraged him.
If he didn't teach her a proper lesson, how could he establish his authority in front of his disciples in the future?
With Peak Lord Lu's status, why lower yourself to the level of a mere Foundation Establishment disciple? Yao Qianci sighed and spoke warmly, yet his figure did not retreat in the slightest.
This action alone clearly demonstrated his stance.
Good, very good! I was wondering how this Yuan Shu suddenly had the audacity to disrespect her elders. It turns out she has you backing her up!
Lu Guichen began to sneer, the fire in his heart burning even hotter.
He pushed Su Lingxi, whom he was holding, to a nearby junior disciple to look after. Taking a step forward, he waved his hand and summoned his own natal spiritual sword.
Seeing this, the expressions of everyone present changed.
