sjar Chapter 48 Exchange Meeting
Chapter 48 Exchange Meeting
At the victory banquet, the sect's main hall was brightly lit and filled with a dazzling array of delicacies.
Xu Xiaoxiao was surrounded and sat in a prominent position, with everyone taking turns to toast and congratulate her.
After several rounds of drinks, Master Li Changchun coughed lightly, and the hall instantly fell silent.
"Xiaoxiao, winning this championship is an honor, but also a great responsibility. Three days later, the elite exchange meeting of the younger generation of various sects will begin, which aims to learn from each other and seek opportunities for breakthroughs. Your teacher would like you to represent your sect at the meeting."
Xu Xiaoxiao stood up abruptly, clasped her hands in a fist and said, "Master, rest assured, your disciple will do her best and not bring shame to the sect."
Senior Brother Jiang Jingzhi frowned with worry: "Although Xiaoxiao has just won the championship and is quite strong, this elite exchange meeting is full of top talents from various sects, and they have a variety of methods. Junior Sister still needs to make more preparations."
Second Senior Brother Mu Zhusheng nodded in agreement: "Senior Brother is right. I have a few rare spiritual plants here, containing powerful spiritual energy. Junior Sister, take them and absorb and consolidate them properly these next few days." As he spoke, he handed over a storage bag.
Xu Xiaoxiao gratefully accepted it: "Thank you very much, Second Senior Brother. This is a great help."
Yuan Mengyao also chimed in: "Xiaoxiao, there will inevitably be tricky opponents who use poison or control talismans at the exchange meeting. I've compiled some ways to deal with them, and we can figure them out together after the meeting."
Upon learning that she would be attending an elite exchange meeting for the younger generation of various sects in three days, Xu Xiaoxiao quickly threw herself into intensive preparations.
On her way back to her room, she began to analyze her own shortcomings, unconsciously gripping the hilt of her sword, her mind flashing through the strange and tricky moves of her opponents.
Upon entering the room, Xu Xiaoxiao immediately sat cross-legged on the futon, closed her eyes and concentrated, guiding her spiritual energy to slowly circulate through her meridians, stabilizing her newly broken-through Qi Refining eleventh level spiritual energy. With each cycle of spiritual energy circulation, her aura became more refined.
Before dawn, Xu Xiaoxiao got up, took her sword, and went to the training ground. Facing the dim light, she practiced "Phantom Strike" move by move, her figure moving like a ghost, bringing with it gusts of wind, until the ground was covered with footprints of varying depths.
After practicing her movement techniques, she faced the training wooden stake and unleashed a powerful sword strike with all her spiritual energy. The stake shattered, sending splinters flying. As she practiced, she recalled the problem of inconsistent spiritual energy flow during her battle with Leng Shui Ning, and worked hard to adjust the rhythm of her spiritual energy output, striving to make each sword strike as powerful and fluid as her own.
At this moment, Yuan Mengyao rushed over with the materials: "Xiaoxiao, I've finished organizing them, let's take a look quickly."
Xu Xiaoxiao took the book, her eyes gleaming, and flipped through the pages one by one, occasionally discussing with Senior Sister Yuan and simulating countermeasures. She muttered to herself, "If we encounter someone skilled in stealth and ambush, we should first use our spiritual power to sense their location, and then use Phantom Strike to get close..."
In the afternoon, her second senior brother, Mu Zhusheng, came looking for her and took out some spiritual plants to set up an array to help her absorb the nutrients.
Xu Xiaoxiao stood in the center of the magic array filled with spiritual energy, calmly feeling the spiritual energy of the spiritual plants flowing into her body. The blockages in her body were gradually cleared under the impact of the abundant spiritual energy. Her whole body was hot and she was sweating profusely, but she gritted her teeth and endured it, not letting go of a single bit of spiritual energy.
As dusk fell, Master Li Changchun personally came to the training ground to watch Xu Xiaoxiao practice, and gave her some pointers: "This move is good for defense but not for offense, you can adjust it like this..."
Xu Xiaoxiao humbly accepted the instruction and corrected her movements time and time again.
As night fell and the stars twinkled, she was still on the field, practicing alone by the moonlight, determined to be in top form for the exchange meeting.
Three days later, at the exchange meeting, experts gathered in great numbers.
On the day of the exchange meeting of elites from various sects, the scene was filled with colorful flags and a large crowd.
Disciples from various sects, dressed in distinctive costumes, gathered together, their vibrant colors resembling a lively scroll painting of immortals and heroes.
The disciples of the Qingyun Sect, dressed in pristine white robes, each held a whisk and surrounded by a pure aura, exuded an otherworldly charm. They chatted in hushed tones about their cultivation techniques, occasionally flicking their whisks to trace elegant arcs, their spiritual energy shimmering and revealing their graceful figures.
Confronting them were disciples of the Blackwater Sect, clad in black robes, mysterious and sinister, with dark water flowing around them, causing tiny water droplets to condense on the ground wherever they passed. When they spoke, their eyes were dark and deep, faintly radiating a chill that made people afraid to look directly at them.
The people of Yanyang Palace were dressed in tight-fitting clothes, red as fire, and were passionate and unrestrained.
Some disciples, unable to contain their excitement, practiced their moves in the open space by the sidelines. Their punches whistled through the air, and their spiritual flames blazed, drawing the attention of onlookers. They also burst into hearty laughter and boldly challenged others: "When we spar on the field later, don't hold back!"
As soon as Xu Xiaoxiao stepped into the venue, everyone's eyes turned to her.
Some looked at her with scrutiny, as if assessing her strength; some were defiant, with a slight upturn of their lips and unruly eyes; and others were kindly curious, nodding to her.
The elders leading each sect stood ready on the high platform, their eyes sweeping over their disciples, occasionally whispering instructions.
As the opening gong sounded, the disciples entered the arena in pairs. Each pair consisted of disciples at the same stage of cultivation, demonstrating the sect's fairness and impartiality.
In an instant, the arena was filled with intertwined spiritual energy and booming spells.
Some used water manipulation techniques to conjure up towering waves that crashed down on their opponents; others had lightning flashing at their fingertips, with a "crack" as electric snakes danced wildly; still others unleashed magical flying swords, filling the sky with their gleaming light, making the spectators hold their breath, afraid of missing a single exciting moment.
Xu Xiaoxiao gripped the sword hilt tightly, took a deep breath, and prepared to face the first round of challenges. Her gaze was resolute as she locked onto her menacing opponent.
The two magical maids, one from the first year of junior high and one from the second, nervously watched Xu Xiaoxiao walk onto the stage. "We must trust our master."
As soon as Xu Xiaoxiao entered the arena, someone taunted her: "Oh, so this is the newly crowned champion of Chongyang Peak? He's got quite a reputation. I'd like to see what he's made of."
Xu Xiaoxiao remained composed and respectful, cupping her hands in a smile: "Please enlighten me."
The man made a move instantly, a black wind howling in his palm, carrying a corrosive poisonous mist.
Xu Xiaoxiao drew her sword, its blade radiating spiritual energy to dispel the poisonous mist. She dodged to the side and swiftly retaliated.
After a few moves, Xu Xiaoxiao spotted an opening and used "Phantom Strike" to instantly appear behind her opponent, lightly touching his back with the tip of her sword: "Thank you for the favor."
Upon their triumphant return, their fellow disciples showered them with praise.
Senior Brother Jiang Jingzhi smiled and said, "Junior Sister's response is becoming more and more composed and efficient. She will definitely make a good breakthrough on this trip."
Xu Xiaoxiao's gaze was firm: "Don't worry, Senior Brother, I will fight every single match!"
His words were full of fighting spirit, ready to meet the challenges ahead.
Xu Xiaoxiao won the first round and took a short rest. She then glanced at the draw screen and saw her next opponent—Lin Yuchen from Qingfeng Pavilion.
This person, dressed in a moon-white long robe and holding a folding fan, strolled onto the stage with an elegant demeanor. He appeared to be a frail scholar, but in reality, he possessed hidden spiritual power.
"Miss Xu, I have long admired your name. I am Lin Yuchen. Greetings." Lin Yuchen unfolded his folding fan, cupped his hands slightly, and was very polite, but his eyes were sharp, as if he could see through the trajectory of Xu Xiaoxiao's spiritual energy.
Xu Xiaoxiao returned the greeting: "Young Master Lin, you're too kind. Please."
After speaking, she took the initiative and struck first, her sword shooting out like a meteor, its energy like a rainbow.
Lin Yuchen remained calm and composed, lightly waving his folding fan, which generated several spiritual energy wind blades that hummed and blocked all the incoming sword attacks. He even used the force to deflect them, aiming straight for Xu Xiaoxiao's face.
Xu Xiaoxiao dodged to the side, but felt something strange under her feet. Looking down, she saw that the ground had been turned into a muddy swamp by Lin Yuchen's spiritual power, which hindered her movement.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lin Yuchen closed in, and with the opening and closing of his folding fan, his wind spiritual power transformed into fine needles, shooting out in a dense barrage.
Xu Xiaoxiao was anxious, so she forcibly circulated her spiritual power to break free from the swamp's restraints. Her spiritual power exploded, shattering the sharp needles.
"Young Master Lin, you have some impressive skills!" Xu Xiaoxiao said through gritted teeth.
Lin Yuchen smiled faintly: "Miss Xu, you flatter me. Your 'Phantom Strike' is renowned far and wide, and I must do my best to deal with it."
Having said that, he soared into the air, his folding fan swirling into a massive vortex of spiritual energy with astonishing suction, seemingly about to pull Xu Xiaoxiao in and crush her.
Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes sharpened, and she poured all her spiritual power into the sword. With a loud shout, she swung the sword towards the center of the vortex. The sword wind and spiritual power collided, producing a deafening roar, and the arena was filled with flying sand and stones.
After a fierce battle, Xu Xiaoxiao seized the moment when Lin Yuchen's spiritual energy was replenished and used the improved "Phantom Strike" to instantly appear beside him with a light tap on his shoulder with the hilt of her sword: "Thank you for the favor!"
No sooner had she stepped off the stage than the referee elder announced loudly, "In the next round, Xu Xiaoxiao will face Zhao Ling'er from the Jade Spring Sect!"
Zhao Ling'er skipped onto the stage, dressed in a pink dress, looking charming, but her eyes revealed a resolute determination.
"Sister Xiaoxiao, I've heard you're incredibly skilled, but I'm not bad either, so please go easy on me."
Zhao Ling'er smiled and chatted, but quickly produced a spirit whip in her hand. The whip was crystal clear and flowed like water.
As soon as Xu Xiaoxiao bowed, Zhao Ling'er attacked with her whip. The whip snaked through the air like a dragon, and the spiritual energy it unleashed splashed everywhere.
As Xu Xiaoxiao dodged, she was accidentally splashed by water, and her arm felt a chilling cold, as if it were frozen.
"Oh dear, sister, be careful! My spirit whip is imbued with ice elemental power!"
Despite verbal warnings, Zhao Ling'er continued her offensive.
Xu Xiaoxiao thought to herself that this little girl looked sweet, but was actually cunning. She quickly circulated her spiritual power to resist the cold, wrapped her sword around the spiritual whip, and tried to fight her in close combat.
Zhao Ling'er smiled slyly, and her spirit whip instantly split into several strands, trapping Xu Xiaoxiao from all directions, tightening like a python coiling around her neck.
In the critical moment, Xu Xiaoxiao closed her eyes and calmed her mind to sense the flow of spiritual energy. She found a weak point, unleashed her spiritual energy to shake off the spiritual whip, and used the force to flip back and create distance.
"Sister Ling'er's use of the spirit whip is truly masterful!" Xu Xiaoxiao exclaimed.
Zhao Ling'er chuckled, "Sister, you flatter me. We'll have to see who can last the longest!"
After saying that, she attacked again. Xu Xiaoxiao roused her spirits and fought back with all her might. The audience around the arena watched intently, and cheers rose and fell. Xu Xiaoxiao was full of fighting spirit and determined to break through all obstacles and win the first place in this exchange meeting.
After Xu Xiaoxiao defeated Zhao Ling'er, her hair was disheveled, her clothes were torn, and sweat was streaming down her face. Just as she caught her breath, the referee elder's voice rang out again: "Xu Xiaoxiao, prepare to face your next opponent—Chu Xinghe of the Lingyun Sect."