Chapter 430: Hero Saves the Damsel!

“Whose scion is that?” someone asked from the sidelines.

“No idea. Probably pulled some strings to get here, hoping to make a name for herself.”

The crowd nodded in agreement, quickly losing interest.

Such scenarios were common during the Prefectural Examinations. Every year, some self-proclaimed prodigies would squander their family fortunes for a chance to compete, convinced they could rise above the rest and seize the top spot.

Reality, however, was far harsher. The scions of noble clans had been meticulously nurtured since childhood, their cultivation methods, mystical arts, and medicinal pills all of the highest quality. What chance did a mere peasant stand against such advantages?

Did they truly believe courage alone could suffice?

Ha… how naive!

Xu Sanyan propped his chin on his hand, quietly watching Tang Huanhuan’s performance as memories of their past flashed through his mind.

Back then, though they shared meals and lodging, they remained wary of each other. Had circumstances not forced them together, they would never have become allies.

In truth, Tang Huanhuan’s personality mirrored his own: “I’d rather betray the world than let the world betray me”—an extreme form of selfishness.

She had been a heavy drinker in those days, perpetually tipsy, yet her swordsmanship remained astonishingly precise. How she managed that remained a mystery.

“Drink!”

With a soft reprimand, Tang Huanhuan’s long saber erupted like thunder, slashing through the air in a crimson arc. A cloud of white smoke billowed, obscuring vision. When the smoke cleared, the saber was already pressed against her opponent’s neck.

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow slightly. With his cultivation level, he could easily discern Tang Huanhuan’s movements. This little vixen actually has some skill, he thought. She hasn’t wasted these years.

“Huh, she won?” someone exclaimed in surprise, clearly not expecting this peasant girl to actually win. They wondered which clan’s scion her opponent was, and how difficult his life would become afterward.

While those born into prominent families enjoyed a higher starting point, competition was fierce. Losing to a rogue cultivator would be a stain on their reputation, inevitably affecting their future access to clan resources.

“Hmph!”

The Huang Family Head snorted coldly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. It was clear that Tang Huanhuan’s opponent had been a member of the Huang clan.

“Match Three, Group C: Winner—Tang Huanhuan!”

After her victory, Tang Huanhuan retreated to a corner to replenish her spiritual power. Her expression remained impassive, showing no joy in her triumph, as if winning were a matter of course.

As time passed, Qin Shutong finally took the stage.

“Match Nineteen, Group A; Match Nineteen, Group B: Proceed to Arena Three.”

From afar, Qin Shutong waved enthusiastically at Xu Sanyan, her radiant smile brimming with youthful vitality.

Xu Sanyan returned her smile.

Behind him, Associate Magistrate Qin watched his daughter with a tender smile.

Li Wuxing tilted his head. “This must be the Associate Prefect’s beloved daughter?”

“Heh, indeed. My little girl is rather mischievous,” Associate Prefect Qin chuckled. “I hope Master Li finds her antics amusing.”

Li Wuxing nodded slowly, his gaze settling on Xu Sanyan with a thoughtful expression.

Xu Sanyan had become quite the hot commodity, with everyone eager to recruit him to their faction. Associate Magistrate Qin wanted him, Li Wuxing wanted him, and even the Prefect likely wanted him.

However, the Prefect had received the news late and hadn’t yet made his move, while the others had already begun their schemes.

Associate Magistrate Qin was using his daughter, attempting to seduce Xu Sanyan with her beauty.

Li Wuxing was employing emotional tactics, leveraging his connections with the Shan Clan father and son to forge a closer bond. What methods would the Prefect resort to?

In truth, Li Wuxing and Associate Magistrate Qin weren’t in direct competition. Li Wuxing sought to recruit Xu Sanyan to the Grand Temple of Eternal Harmony, while Associate Magistrate Qin wanted him as his son-in-law—two goals that didn’t necessarily conflict.

Xu Sanyan remained oblivious to their machinations, or perhaps he simply didn’t care. He adored honey traps, especially when they involved vibrant young women like Qin Shutong, whose beauty struck him to the core.

Propping his chin on one hand, Xu Sanyan watched Qin Shutong’s martial display with a beaming smile. She wielded a peach-patterned longsword with crisp, fluid movements, showcasing remarkable skill.

Xu Sanyan’s attention was entirely elsewhere, his gaze fixed on Qin Shutong’s slender legs and delicate waist, his expression gradually turning lewd.

Shan Zhoushan nodded slowly. “It’s only been a few days since we last saw her, yet Shutong’s cultivation level has already improved again.”

Because Qin Shutong often visited Shan Qiuyu to play, Shan Zhoushan was quite familiar with her, his words carrying the warmth of an elder speaking to a junior.

“Heh, that little rascal is always running around,” Associate Magistrate Qin remarked, his words carrying a pointed undertone. “Sooner or later, we’ll have to find her a good match and marry her off.” Shan Zhoushan, his mind as clear as a mirror, glanced meaningfully at Xu Sanyan.

“Hah!”

A soft exclamation echoed from the arena. Qin Shutong, wielding her sword with a finger gesture, moved with the speed of a flying shuttle, appearing before her opponent in the blink of an eye. The pale pink sword light radiated a hint of ferocity.

Her opponent, a young man whose attire suggested noble lineage, remained composed despite Qin Shutong’s swift attack. He spread his fingers, and a golden light shield materialized before him.

Clang!

The longsword struck the golden shield with tremendous force. Golden light swirled across the shield’s surface, seemingly absorbing the impact and redirecting it. The sword recoiled uncontrollably, twisting around to strike Qin Shutong herself!

Xu Sanyan’s eyes gleamed with interest. What a remarkable technique! To reflect an opponent’s attack back at them, completely unaltered—truly mystical.

“Ah!”

Qin Shutong’s heart jolted with alarm, clearly unprepared for this outcome. Her movements grew frantic as she hastily formed a sword-like gesture with two fingers, attempting to regain control of the Flying Sword.

However, the Flying Sword’s momentum was overwhelming. Though its speed had slightly diminished, it continued its relentless trajectory, hurtling straight toward Qin Shutong’s chest. Panic seized her, leaving her no time to evade.

“Danger!”

Everyone now recognized the gravity of the situation. Qin Shutong’s opponent was equally stunned, momentarily paralyzed by the unexpected turn of events. His Heaven and Earth Golden Light Shield could only reflect attacks back at their source; he had no control over their trajectory.

Below the arena, the referee, a mere Dao Seeking Realm cultivator, desperately tried to intervene, but the suddenness of the crisis left him no time to react.

Sensing the imminent danger, Associate Magistrate Qin abruptly rose, his figure blurring as he surged toward his daughter, intent on rescuing her.

Bang!

At that instant, a wooden chair exploded, and a streak of light, like lightning across a clear sky, flashed past Associate Magistrate Qin and onto the arena in the blink of an eye.

The crowd caught only a fleeting glimpse of a phantom-like figure, their eyes unable to track its movements. When they finally regained their senses and focused their gaze, a figure had already materialized before Qin Shutong.

With a flick of his wide sleeves, the sword light vanished instantly, and the peach-patterned longsword obediently settled into his hand, its earlier ferocity completely gone, now as docile as a well-behaved kitten.

Huff~

The young man across from him let out a long sigh of relief, his heart finally settling like a heavy stone dropped to the ground. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, knowing full well the identity of the young woman he faced. Had he accidentally injured her, he feared he would never see another peaceful day—or perhaps any days at all.

Meanwhile, Qin Shutong stared blankly at the tall, imposing figure before her, her eyes rimmed with red. The near-death experience had truly terrified her. She had been certain she was about to die right there.

But in that critical moment, Brother Liang had appeared like a savior sent from the heavens, shielding her firmly behind him and blocking all danger with his own body, as reliable as a towering mountain.

An indescribable emotion surged within Qin Shutong’s heart.

The crowd below also stared dumbly at Xu Sanyan, their faces etched with disbelief.

What kind of power is this?

(End of the Chapter)