Chapter 108 – Li Zixuan Pays Her Respects, Greetings Senior Brother!

“You’re my Senior Brother?”

Li Zixuan exclaimed in surprise, instinctively taking a step back as she scrutinized Qin Yang from head to toe. “You’re also Teacher’s disciple?”

“Correct.”

Without a trace of embarrassment, Qin Yang straightened his posture and continued his bluff: “Our esteemed teacher is the Jianghai Sword God. By seniority, you should be my Shimei.”

As his words fell.

“Shimei?”

Li Zixuan’s furrowed brows relaxed as she recalled the previous stone inscribed with the character “Qin,” suddenly everything became clear.

So…

Teacher sent me to find Senior Brother?!

No wonder Qin Yang could so effortlessly disrupt my sword technique earlier.

Since we’re both disciples of the same teacher, it’s not surprising at all that he possesses such skill!

“Senior Brother, huh…”

Li Zixuan raised her gaze, studying Qin Yang intently. Noticing the calm expression on his face, she felt a wave of hesitation and showed a hint of suspicion.

It wasn’t for any particular reason.

But this single statement alone.

Clearly wasn’t enough to prove Qin Yang’s identity.

After all.

In Jianghai City these days, many claim to be Sword God’s Disciples – any random person can pose as the Sword God’s student.

Now that recognizing a Senior Brother is such an important matter…

She still needed to be rigorous and have him provide some concrete proof to be safe.

With this thought.

Li Zixuan stared at Qin Yang and cautiously tested him again: “Empty words prove nothing. I’ve never heard Teacher mention your name.

Since you claim to be Senior Brother, you should at least produce something taught by Teacher as evidence, right?”

“Evidence?”

Hearing this, a smile played on Qin Yang’s lips as he couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

This silly apprentice is indeed somewhat cautious.

But not enough.

Her little head is a bit too naive.

“Never mind, I’ll play along with her. After all, I need to see this bluff through.”

Qin Yang shook his head with a light laugh and asked softly: “How would you like me to prove it?”

“How to prove it?”

Li Zixuan frowned in thought for a moment, then drew her sword: “Since we share the same teacher, let’s compete with Sword Intent. We’ll both execute Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate.”

As she spoke, she took a step back and stared at Qin Yang:

“Moreover, if you want to be my Senior Brother, you naturally need to surpass me in sword technique.

Otherwise, since Teacher is the Jianghai Sword God, you shouldn’t tarnish his esteemed reputation, right?”

Hearing this.

Qin Yang chuckled lightly.

Compete with me in Sword Intent?

I didn’t expect this girl to be so competitive.

“Very well, let this Senior Brother see what level you’ve reached now, Shimei.”

Qin Yang said calmly as he slowly walked to the corner, set down Xiaobai, then picked up a thick wooden stick. Using it as a sword, he effortlessly executed an elegant sword flourish.

“You plan to use that as your sword?”

Li Zixuan also took a step back, looking down at the ancient sword in her hand with some hesitation: “Wouldn’t this be too unfair to you?”

After all.

When there’s too great a disparity between weapons, it can even compensate for differences in skill.

If Senior Brother overestimates himself and accidentally loses after unleashing Sword Intent, wouldn’t it be awkward when we meet again later…

“Maybe we should check the weapon shop nearby.”

Li Zixuan suggested hesitantly, “I’ll get you a proper sword, then we can…”

“No need, let’s make this quick, Shimei.”Qin Yang twirled his sword with a flourish and softly interrupted, adopting the “Su Qin Carries Sword” opening stance. “Let’s finish this quickly. I still need to go to the market later.”

“……”

Li Zixuan fell silent upon hearing this, thinking to herself that this Senior Brother was far more down-to-earth than she had imagined.

“Very well, since that’s the case, blades and swords have no eyes. Please be careful, Senior Brother.”

She cupped her hands in salute, took a step back, raised her sword to face Qin Yang, her gaze intense.

The next moment.

Boom!

Sword Intent erupted, Star Pressure sweeping through the entire alley.

The two stood facing each other, holding their sword and staff respectively.

“Not bad. Shimei’s Sword Intent does show some promise.”

Qin Yang tilted his staff, maintaining his usual casual demeanor as he circled around Li Zixuan, casually tapping the pavement tiles, more like a disciplinarian teacher scolding a student.

“Apologies, Senior Brother.”

As the words fell.

Li Zixuan lightly tapped her toes on the ground, raising her sword in response. She brushed her fingers along the blade, and an even more immense Sword Intent surged forth, the air currents swirling to directly seal off Qin Yang’s movement space.

The wind howled, sword light flashed.

Buzz!

With a single thrust, the Sword Qi in the alley erupted violently, then abruptly contracted, all converging at the tip of her sword.

The next moment.

Li Zixuan gripped her sword sideways and thrust toward Qin Yang’s abdomen with overwhelming force!

Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate!

“Not bad, you’ve improved.”

Qin Yang nodded with satisfaction at the sight.

It seemed the girl had been quite diligent these past few days—her Sword Intent was already taking shape.

But…

It still wasn’t enough.

Facing the surging Sword Intent, Qin Yang lightly raised his staff, and a hundred times more powerful Sword Intent erupted like an unfathomable ocean, crashing toward Li Zixuan.

The next moment.

The two Sword Intents collided, turbulent flows surging through the alley.

Qin Yang guided the alley’s Sword Intent with his staff, completely seizing control of its momentum, gathering it all at the tip of his staff before sending it back to Li Zixuan.

In an instant!

Countless Sword Intents rushed toward Li Zixuan, brushing past her ears and shooting toward the sky behind her.

“?!”

Li Zixuan’s hair flew wildly as she froze in place, maintaining her thrusting posture.

Terrifying!

Was this the true strength of the Senior Brother?

His Sword Intent had completely crushed hers.

Li Zixuan turned back in bewilderment, following the direction of the Sword Intent. In the sky, the layered sea of clouds parted—that single sword strike had actually split the lingering glow of the sunset.

To possess such absurd mastery of Sword Intent…

Who else but her own Senior Brother could achieve this?!

At this thought, Li Zixuan dropped her longsword and clasped her hands toward Qin Yang.

“Zi Xuan pays respects to Senior Brother!”

“Mm.”

Qin Yang nodded slightly, praising, “Shimei’s One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate is quite good too.”

“You flatter me, Senior Brother.”

Hearing this, Li Zixuan replied somewhat sheepishly, “Compared to Senior Brother, I’m still far behind.”

Qin Yang wasn’t much older than her, yet his mastery far surpassed hers by multiple times.

At this thought, the pride in her heart somewhat subsided.

“Senior Brother, why do you stay at Jianghai Library as an administrator?”

After recognizing him as a fellow disciple, Li Zixuan became noticeably more cheerful, excitedly approaching Qin Yang. “With such strong abilities, working as a librarian at the library is such a waste of your talent.”

“Would you like me to introduce you to Elder Li…”

“No need.”Qin Yang shook his head to interrupt her, gazing at the sunset at the end of the street. “People live for peace of mind. The world is vast—I can leave anytime… Though the Library is small, staying there brings comfort.”

“Where the heart finds peace, there lies home.”

As his words faded,

the lingering sunset glow spilled over, casting a thin golden sheen upon the distant pedestrians.

Hearing this, Li Zixuan sensed Qin Yang’s carefree demeanor and suddenly felt a flicker of understanding. “Could it be that our teacher sent me to find Senior Brother…”

“to learn from his state of mind?”

(End of Chapter)