Chapter Eighteen: A Friendly Duel

The next morning, Yao Ye, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, was roused by a knock at the door.

Opening it, he was surprised to see his senior sister, Liu Xin. “I noticed you hadn’t come for breakfast, so I thought I’d check on you. How are you settling in? Are you comfortable?” she asked, carrying breakfast as she walked in.

“Senior sister, you’re too kind. Everything’s fine here! This is the first time someone has cared for me like this,” Yao Ye replied, moved by her concern.

Liu Xin smiled gently. “We’re family now. If you need anything, just tell us. But even if you’re busy, don’t forget to eat! Come, have some breakfast.”

As she set the breakfast down, Liu Xin looked Yao Ye up and down with curiosity. “Don’t tell me you slept last night with that sword on your back?”

“Hehe, I’m used to it. This greatsword is indispensable for my cultivation now!” Yao Ye replied, eating as he spoke.

“By the way, senior sister, I want to spar with someone to see how much I’ve improved.”

Liu Xin’s smile blossomed. “Eat first. After breakfast, I’ll take you to see our eldest brother. Among the five of us, Lei has taken the sword path, his attacks are the most powerful, and his cultivation is at the early stage of Sword Master. He’s truly obsessed with martial arts! Then there’s our third brother, Zhao Mu—he’s at the peak of the Free Heaven Realm. I mainly support others, as I’ve always been interested in divination, so I practice the Great Prophecy Art, and my cultivation is at the Free Heaven Realm. Xiao Xiao is the most gifted among us, but she’s a bit mischievous. She’s currently at the peak of the Free Earth Realm.”

Yao Ye hastily shoveled a few more mouthfuls of food. “Senior sister, I’m done! Let’s go find eldest brother!”

“Alright, I can see you’ve lost interest in eating. Come on, Lei should be at the training grounds now!” Liu Xin said as she tidied up the breakfast dishes. “You head to the training ground first. I’ll join you after I return these.”

Watching his senior sister clear away the leftovers for him, Yao Ye couldn’t help but think, how wonderful it would be if he truly had an elder sister like this.

Upon arriving at the training ground, Yao Ye called out to his eldest brother, who was practicing sword techniques in the distance, “Eldest brother! I’d like to spar with you and see how much I’ve improved lately!”

Peng Lei laughed heartily when he heard this. “Finally, someone to practice swordplay with me! Come on, little brother! The others refuse to spar with me—thank goodness I have you now!”

Hearing their exchange, Zhao Mu and Xiao Xiao came over, both looking at Yao Ye with sympathy. Xiao Xiao said, “What’s gotten into you? Challenging eldest brother to a spar? Don’t you know he’s crazy about martial arts? You’re in for a rough time!”

Zhao Mu added, gloating slightly, “Little brother, you’re on your own! Thanks to you, I won’t have to dodge eldest brother anymore!”

“Don’t worry, Yao Ye—I’m a healer. I guarantee you’ll be up and about by tomorrow!” Liu Xin joked as she approached from a distance. “If you get hurt in the future, just come to me. Treating wounds is my own kind of training!”

“So you all think I’ll lose? Well, just wait and see!” Yao Ye declared confidently, piquing everyone’s interest.

He strode to the center of the training ground and, standing before Peng Lei, cupped his fists in salute. “Brother Lei, forgive me—please!”

Peng Lei laughed. “Go on, little brother—don’t hold back for fear of hurting me!”

Yao Ye gripped the Greatsword of Heavenly Scar and launched his attack. Peng Lei, curious about Yao Ye’s strength, met him head-on. Thanks to his weapon’s advantage, Yao Ye’s first strike forced Peng Lei back four or five steps.

“Nice one, little brother! Give him a good beating!” Xiao Xiao cheered gleefully.

“What strength! But no matter how strong you are, it’s useless if you can’t hit your opponent,” Peng Lei said, changing his stance.

Suddenly, Peng Lei’s movements became much faster. In a flash, several fresh cuts appeared on Yao Ye’s body. Yao Ye’s attacks were disorganized, unable to touch Peng Lei at all—he could only defend passively.

After deflecting a blow and retreating out of Peng Lei’s reach, Yao Ye called out, “Brother Lei, I’m going all out now! Watch yourself!”

“Come at me!” Peng Lei replied, sheathing his sword as he eyed Yao Ye with curiosity.

Yao Ye set down the greatsword, and the weapon crashed to the ground, cracking the training ground’s surface. The four onlookers stared, astonished.

“Who would have thought that sword was so heavy? Carrying such a massive sword into a duel with eldest brother—what a monster!” Zhao Mu exclaimed in disbelief.

Switching to the Blood-Weeping Sword, Yao Ye renewed his assault. “What speed!” Peng Lei exclaimed as he defended. “If these are all your techniques, you won’t beat me! Brace yourself for what’s next!”

Peng Lei’s attacks grew ever swifter. Yao Ye instinctively countered with his Drifting Willow footwork, and for a while, neither could gain the upper hand.

“Impressive, little brother—your movement skills are excellent. Now, let’s see if you can withstand my martial technique! Take this: Rain of Feathers!”

Countless sword images filled the air around Yao Ye, and in an instant, many more wounds appeared on his body.

Peng Lei sheathed his sword and stood at ease. “You did very well, little brother, especially considering you’re only at the Innate Realm. If you reach the Free Heaven Realm, I doubt I’ll be your match. And your body—how tough you are! My attacks only left a dozen shallow cuts. You really are a monster!”

The others hurried over to examine Yao Ye. Xiao Xiao immediately grabbed his arm. “Hey, Yao Ye, that movement technique just now was beautiful—like leaves drifting in the wind. Will you teach me?”

“Uh, well… I’ll write it out for everyone later,” he replied awkwardly.

“Well, I can’t just learn your technique for nothing. I’ll give you a kiss in return!” Xiao Xiao’s eyes sparkled mischievously. Yao Ye, suddenly uncomfortable, stammered, “Well, I have to go see Master—I have something to take care of!” With that, he sheathed the Blood-Weeping Sword, hefted the Greatsword of Heavenly Scar, and made a hasty retreat.

Everyone burst into laughter. “Honestly, am I that scary? Just wait until I catch you—you’ll see!” Xiao Xiao muttered, her words making Yao Ye run even faster, which only sent the others into another round of laughter.