81: My Godly Father (Part 12)

That stab was silent and traceless.

An invisible Sword Intent separated from the wooden sword and directly pierced the Ox Demon's massive skull.

Almost at the exact same moment, Lin Huanqing's descending pink Sword Qi also struck the Ox Demon's neck.

"Boom!"

Smoke and dust filled the air.

The Ox Demon, which had been so fierce just moments ago, now lay stiffly on the ground, lifeless.

There was a sword mark on its neck, from which blood gushed out.

That was clearly Lin Huanqing's masterpiece.

However, right in the center of its ferocious head, slightly above the brow, there was an extremely tiny pinhole, from which not a drop of blood flowed.

After a brief silence, the surviving crowd erupted in earth-shattering cheers.

"Heroine! It was the Fairy from the heavens who saved us!"

"Thank you, Heroine! Thank you, Fairy!"

People knelt on the ground, their faces filled with the ecstasy and gratitude of surviving a disaster.

Lin Huanqing herself was somewhat stunned.

She looked at the Ox Demon's corpse, her willow brows slightly furrowed.

That strike of hers was merely a casual blow made in haste, not even utilizing sixty percent of her strength.

Could she really... kill such a formidable Ox Demon, even among those in the Spiritual Essence Realm, with a single sword strike?

She didn't believe it herself.

But looking around, aside from her, it seemed that no one else had made a move.

If not her, then who?

She couldn't figure it out.

Moreover, just now in the chaos, her Spiritual Rhino Body faintly sensed a hint of... fear.

That seemed to be a pure will that made even her heart palpitate.

Before she could think further, the youth trapped on the other side of the ravine slowly straightened up and turned around.

He was covered in dust, but his face was clean, his features distinct, and his eyes calm and deep.

Lin Huanqing looked at him.

After two years, he had grown much taller and sturdier, but those eyes and that unique disposition felt somewhat familiar to her.

Had she met this youth somewhere before?

Her memory finally settled on the dilapidated small courtyard from two years ago.

The stubborn figure who gave up an Immortal opportunity just to go home and save someone.

The boy who punched the ground and left a fist print.

"It's you?"

Lin Huanqing's eyes lit up, and her tone held a hint of surprise.

"The... Little Brother who practiced boxing two years ago?"

Quan Yun recognized her too.

He hadn't expected to encounter this Immortal Sister here again.

He put away his wooden sword and nodded toward Lin Huanqing, greeting her politely but distantly.

"Elder Sister."

At this moment, several young Disciples flew down from the Flowing Cloud Sect's Flying Boat. The one leading them was the same Senior Brother from two years ago.

They surrounded Lin Huanqing with worried expressions.

"Junior Sister Lin, are you alright? What if you got hurt acting so rashly?"

"Exactly, Junior Sister. Why would you need to personally deal with a small Ox Demon?"

Lin Huanqing waved her hand, indicating she was fine, her attention entirely focused on Quan Yun.

"Little Brother, why are you here? Are you also going to Cangyun City?"

Quan Yun answered honestly, "Yes, I am going to Cangyun City."

Lin Huanqing wanted to ask more, but the Steward of the Merchant Caravan walked over with a long face.

"Sirs, Immortal Elders, this... this transaction cannot be completed. Most of the goods are ruined, and the horses are spooked. We must return."

After speaking, the Steward cupped his hands toward Quan Yun with an apologetic expression.

"Little Brother, I truly apologize, but you won't be able to catch this ride."

Quan Yun's heart sank instantly.

The ride was gone.

It was still over a thousand miles from here to Cangyun City. Walking on two legs, even without stopping day or night, would take ten days to half a month.

By then, the Grand Competition would have long been over.

The distress on his face was fully observed by Lin Huanqing.

Her eyes darted around, and she immediately said, "We are also going to Cangyun City. Little Brother, if you don't mind, why don't you join us?"

Quan Yun suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with surprise.

"Junior Sister!" the Senior Brother immediately objected. "The Sect has rules that Flying Boats cannot carry outsiders arbitrarily..."

"Senior Brother!" Lin Huanqing interrupted him, her tone laced with a hint of spoiled affection. "If he hadn't stepped in just now to stall the Ox Demon, that little girl would have died. As practitioners of the Dao, can we not even form this small bit of good karma?"

The Senior Brother was rendered speechless by her argument. Seeing the persistence in her eyes, he could only reluctantly compromise.

"Fine, we'll do as you say."

Just like that, Quan Yun boarded the White Jade Flying Boat.

Upon reaching Cangyun City, the Flying Boat landed in a designated Plaza.

Quan Yun immediately found an excuse to bid farewell to Lin Huanqing.

"Elder Sister Lin, thank you for giving me a ride. I'll be going now."

"Wait, where are you staying? We are right next door at the Heaven Rank Courtyard. If you need anything, you can come find me."

Lin Huanqing was somewhat reluctant, but seeing that his mind was made up, she had to let it go.

Quan Yun waved his hand, carrying the wooden sword on his back, and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Following Uncle Cripple's instructions, he fumbled inside the seemingly worn Storage Pouch and quickly found an Inn that looked quite impressive.

"Boss, I need a room."

He walked up to the counter and spoke to the fat Boss who was fiddling with an Abacus.

The fat Boss lifted his eyelids and sized him up.

A half-grown boy, dressed plainly, carrying a ridiculous wooden sword on his back.

He revealed unconcealed disdain on his face.

"A mere child, why are you staying at an Inn? Do you even have money? Hurry up and leave, go get your adult."

The fat Boss impatiently waved his hand, as if shooing a fly.

Quan Yun remained expressionless.

"I have money."

He reached into his Storage Pouch and pulled something out.

When he withdrew his hand, a Crystal the size of a fist, entirely translucent and radiating pure energy, was casually placed on the counter.

"Thud."

A soft sound.

The fat Boss's hand, which was moving the Abacus beads, stopped.

His small eyes were fixed intently on the Crystal, and his breathing became rapid.

yuan crystal!

And it was a High Grade yuan crystal!

This single piece was enough to buy his entire shabby Inn!

The fat on his face trembled violently. Disdain and impatience vanished instantly, replaced by extreme flattery and subservience.

"Oh dear! Honored Guest! This lowly one failed to recognize a great person!"

He shot out from behind the counter and personally guided Quan Yun toward the best Heaven Rank room upstairs, bowing so low his waist was nearly parallel to the floor.

"Stay! You can stay as long as you wish! I will waive your room fee and arrange for two of the cleverest Maidservants to attend to you!"

...Three days later, the Cangyun Grand Competition officially began.

Outside the massive Cangyun Martial Arena, the area was packed with people, gathering numerous Prodigies from all corners of the Empire.

Some arrived riding magnificent Strange Beast Mounts, drawing gasps of surprise.

Others were surrounded by a throng of Servants, exhibiting extraordinary pomp.

Still others wore Dharma Robes that shimmered with radiant light, clearly not ordinary items.

Against the backdrop of these various magnificent entrance methods, one youth's figure seemed entirely out of place.

He wore the most common cotton clothes, alone, carrying a wooden sword on his back that looked like a toy, and silently walked toward the Registration Area.

His appearance immediately drew many surprised and mocking glances from those nearby.

"Where did that kid come from? A Body Tempering Realm cultivator?"

"A Body Tempering Realm cultivator dares to attend the Grand Competition? And carrying a wooden sword? Is he here to make a joke?"

"He's probably some wild kid from the countryside who doesn't know his own limitations, thinking this is just a village martial arts competition."

Various discussions rose and fell, but Quan Yun paid them no mind.

His gaze was fixed solely on the Cang Yun Empire banner fluttering in the wind atop the Martial Arena.

He had only one goal.

To Seize the Championship.