Volume One, Chapter 143: Lu Jinyuan Is in Pretty Good Shape

"Heaven and Earth, nature and essence, disperse the foul vapors. Within the void, the Great Origin shines bright."

"The mighty spirits of the eight directions, heed my command. By the decree of the Lingbao talismans, I proclaim this to the nine heavens."

"Changyi Great Sword, hear my call!"

As Qin Yu finished the incantation, the Changyi Great Sword appeared in her hand, radiating a brilliant golden light. Yet, the sword was somewhat rebellious; it shimmered in her palm for a mere two seconds before suddenly dimming into nothingness.

Upon recognizing the Changyi Great Sword, Wang Changqian had initially been filled with dread. But seeing the lack of harmony between the wielder and the blade, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"I thought you possessed some real skill! So what if you have the Changyi Great Sword? A disobedient blade is no different from a piece of scrap metal."

At the same time, he mocked Lin Changxiu in his heart. Years ago, his master had only mentioned it in passing; he never imagined that a fool like Lin Changxiu would actually believe it. He had naively thought that by finding a master for the Changyi Great Sword, he could find a glimmer of hope for the future calamities facing humanity.

He scanned Qin Yu up and down repeatedly, looking at her as if she were a hopeless cause. The smile at the corners of his mouth grew wider—a mix of mockery, sentimentality, and, above all, the arrogant display of a victor.

"Lin Changxiu, is this the person you found to turn the tide of the world for the Changyi Great Sword? How pathetic! How laughable! How lamentable!"

Qin Yu’s face darkened like coal. She muttered under her breath, "That’s quite enough! Stop throwing a tantrum. Besides, you’ve already drawn turtles on my face; that revenge should be enough!"

The Changyi Great Sword, taking its role as a sword quite seriously, offered no reaction.

Frustrated by the blade’s foul temper, Qin Yu snapped, "Do you think I can't do without you?"

In the next second, the Changyi Great Sword flew from Qin Yu’s hand, lodging itself firmly into a camphor tree behind her. Without hesitation, Qin Yu formed a seal, and soon, another sword materialized in her hand.

"Clap, clap, clap."

Wang Changqian applauded. "Today truly is a good day. I am honored to see two precious swords. However, this Qingshuang Sword of yours is simply not in the same league as the Changyi!"

Qin Yu’s face grew colder. "For you, Qingshuang is more than enough!"

"Little girl, you are so arrogant. Have you never been beaten down by the world?"

Qin Yu smiled faintly. "I apologize, but I’ve always been the one doing the beating!"

With that, she lunged at the man with her sword. Despite his age, the man was remarkably agile. Qin Yu struck several times, but he dodged them all nimbly, with only his sleeve being grazed. Conversely, the exertion required to wield the Qingshuang Sword caused Qin Yu to feel a significant depletion of her inner spiritual energy. If her movements at the beginning were like playing at double speed, she was now barely managing one and a quarter.

Wang Changqian understood the fatal flaw of the Qingshuang Sword: it relied entirely on the wielder’s own spiritual energy. Once the wielder was drained, the blade became essentially harmless. Therefore, he was in no rush to attack; he simply wanted to watch Qin Yu exhaust herself to death.

He looked at the hot-blooded Qin Yu and shook his head. Still too young, losing control at the slightest provocation. Someone like this could never achieve greatness! Thinking this, he felt he had gained the upper hand over Lin Changxiu.

Eventually, Qin Yu was forced to lean on the Qingshuang Sword, barely able to stay in a half-crouched position. Sweat soaked her collar, and stray locks of hair clung to her forehead. Compared to her disheveled state, Wang Changqian appeared entirely elegant, looking down at her like a judge. "What will you use to fight me now?"

With a casual wave of his hand, a dark blue short sword appeared in his palm. "So, is it my turn now?"

Just as the short sword was about to strike, Qin Yu suddenly let out a giggle.

Wang Changqian frowned in confusion. "What are you laughing at?"

Qin Yu tilted her head, revealing her delicate features. "I’m laughing at how stupid you are! You didn't even know what I was planning."

Realizing something, Wang Changqian’s expression shifted drastically. He whipped his head around to see the tip of the Changyi Great Sword pointed directly at the large cauldron containing Lu Jinyuan. He tried to intervene, but it was far too late.

The Changyi Great Sword flicked its blade, and the cauldron split into two halves. Lu Jinyuan’s body slid out, and only then did Qin Yu realize he was completely naked. Under the sunlight, his skin, unaccustomed to the outdoors, looked as if it were glowing. Qin Yu averted her gaze slightly, her ears burning with embarrassment. If she were being honest, Lu Jinyuan had a rather good physique.

Wang Changqian ran over, crying out, "My precious medicinal ingredients! What a waste, what a waste!"

Qin Yu wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand as the Changyi Great Sword returned to her side. The blade began helping her replenish her depleted energy. Qin Yu, recalling the blade that had nearly touched her neck, looked at the Changyi Great Sword suspiciously. "You did that on purpose, waiting until the very last second, didn't you?"

The Changyi Great Sword vibrated twice: *Guess.*