Chapter 48: Qingyue's First Appearance with the Flute

As Ji Yao shifted her stance, her hands moved as well. She opened her palm, channeling spiritual energy to control the flute, and with a sweep of her arm, the Clear Moon Flute spun gracefully. Her index finger landed precisely on the tone hole, and in one fluid motion, she brought the mouthpiece to her lips, both hands naturally supporting the flute’s body.

As she traversed with the Astonishing Swan Step to the opponent’s offhand side, her fingers twitched, and a clear, melodious flute note rose and lingered.

The male disciple realized what was happening, but it was too late. Before he could swing his flying sword, the flute’s sound rang by his ear, and he felt a sudden stab in his mind.

Now wary, he quickly summoned his flying sword, making it orbit protectively around him. His hands formed a sword gesture before his chest as he prepared to launch an attack at any moment.

On Ji Yao’s side, after the soundwave’s influence succeeded, she retreated with the Astonishing Swan Step, keeping a measured distance, shifting her form around him as the flute’s notes continued to flow.

The male disciple tried several times to force Ji Yao to stop with his flying sword, but every attempt failed; she always managed to evade.

Half a quarter-hour passed, and Ji Yao still circled him, changing her melody.

The male disciple soon noticed his control over his fire-attribute flying sword was waning, and his mind, which he’d tried to keep clear, grew increasingly muddled.

He bit his tongue hard, but it was useless. Panic rose in his heart, and his hands unconsciously lowered. The flying sword, lacking its master’s spiritual support, flew slower and slower.

With a dull clang, the crimson sword fell to the arena floor, its owner standing dazed and vacant in the middle.

Ji Yao’s flute music had not ceased. It was her first time using the Clear Moon Flute in battle, and she wasn’t sure how effective it would be. She feared that once the music stopped, her opponent would immediately regain consciousness.

Eyeing the sword on the ground, Ji Yao decided to play it safe. Her fingers relaxed on the tone holes, and she expelled spiritual energy from her lips, sending a silent but tangible sound wave toward the sword.

The crimson sword bounced into midair from the impact, and Ji Yao leapt up, pressing the flute with one hand and summoning the sword with spiritual energy in the other, instantly capturing it.

As she landed, the music ceased, and the daze in her opponent’s eyes began to fade, signs of awakening appearing.

Ji Yao had achieved her goal and understood that once her music stopped, a slight stimulus would bring her opponent back. So she flicked the flute, sending a shrill sound wave only he could hear, rousing him directly.

“Senior brother, I won’t play with you any longer,” Ji Yao said, waving the sword before his eyes.

“This sword, you can retrieve it yourself once you’re off the stage!”

The male disciple’s eyes widened, reaching out to snatch it.

“Wait!” Ji Yao wouldn’t let him take it back so easily. With her words finished, she turned briskly and jumped off the stage, flying sword in hand.

The sword’s owner chased halfway, then realized what had happened. He glanced at Ji Yao, then awkwardly looked at the referee, waiting for the match’s result to be announced.

The referee was somewhat bewildered himself. He hadn’t expected the female disciple to turn the tables so easily. Seeing her in such a favorable position, he was puzzled that she didn’t press her advantage but instead gave up directly. It was simply inexplicable.

This was the confusion of those unfamiliar with sound attacks. Outsiders see the spectacle, insiders see the subtleties. Anyone with some knowledge would know that relying solely on this rudimentary sound attack could never secure ultimate victory.

Ji Yao knew she wasn’t a true sound cultivator; what she had learned was merely an attack technique, not a full cultivation method. Its power was greatly diminished, and its effects couldn’t last.

Therefore, she stopped while ahead, enough to fool those who didn’t understand. As for those who did, Ji Yao had already asked Mu Baiyun and learned that no one in Lingyun Sect currently studied this art.

Only cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage or above, with years of experience, could discern the truth.

For now, the referee saw Ji Yao’s nonchalant demeanor and, feeling sorry for her, announced the male disciple as the winner without further comment.

Receiving the referee’s confirmation, the male disciple breathed a sigh of relief, jumped off the stage, and went to retrieve his sword from Ji Yao.

Ji Yao was about to hand it back, but before she could speak, the other presented a flying sword from his storage treasure, offering it to her.

“Thank you, junior sister, for showing mercy and letting me advance.”

He thanked Ji Yao first, then added, “I shouldn’t be stingy over a flying sword, but the one you took is a gift from my elders—I dare not lose it.”

“Therefore, I’d like to exchange this mid-grade metal-attribute flying sword for my original one. I hope you’ll agree!”

Ji Yao raised her brows in surprise. She hadn’t expected such an unexpected boon today. He must have chosen this knowing her sword was damaged.

The male disciple grew anxious as Ji Yao merely raised her brows and stayed silent.

“Junior sister! Though this is only mid-grade, it matches your attribute and is quite a rare treasure for a Qi Refining cultivator.”

Ji Yao knew if she didn’t respond soon, he’d say even more, perhaps reverting to his initial stance. She quickly tossed the crimson sword to him and eagerly accepted the mid-grade sword—a gift shouldn’t be refused, lest she be mocked for foolishness.

“Senior brother, may I ask your name?” Ji Yao inquired.

The male disciple, carefully inspecting his sword for damage, finally replied with satisfaction, “My name is Shi Xiuyie.”

Ah... cough, cough, cough! Ji Yao nearly choked on her own saliva.

Shi Xiuyie! He was a true tycoon!

Rumors about Shi Xiuyie weren’t widespread, but in Lingyun Sect’s outer court, they were well-known.

The Shi family he hailed from operated the largest cultivator business in the Mi Cang Realm. Their Treasure Pavilion was found in every major cultivation city, and even busy market towns had their branches.

Shi Xiuyie was ranked second in his family, with an outstanding, resourceful elder brother above him. His spiritual roots were unremarkable, and he rarely appeared in public.

Thus, the Mi Cang Realm didn’t gossip much about him. But with his status as a second-generation cultivator and formidable wealth, coupled with his handsome features, he’d surely be a heartthrob among female cultivators if he were more prominent.

Given the Shi family's standing, they could easily arrange for him to enter the inner courts of any major sect, or with some effort, apprentice under a grand master as a true disciple.

For example, his younger sister, Shi Xiangxue, was the personal disciple of Jade Pure Immortal from the Ancient Moon Sect.

No one knew what possessed Shi Xiuyie to conceal his identity and seize the opportunity of Lingyun Sect’s decennial recruitment, entering the outer court with his three spiritual roots.

By the time his family realized, he was thriving in the outer court, determined to temper himself and refusing to rely on family resources. At that time, Shi Xiuyie was just twelve or thirteen, the age of youthful stubbornness.

The Shi family couldn’t sway him, and, wanting him to learn from hardship, let him be.

He ended up staying in Lingyun Sect’s outer court for sixteen or seventeen years, reaching the peak of Qi Refining, his swordsmanship exceptional and among the best of his generation.

His cultivation and combat prowess even surpassed his sister, Shi Xiangxue, an elite disciple of the Ancient Moon Sect. This time, relying solely on his own strength, he advanced to the inner court of Lingyun Sect and reached the top sixteen.

At this thought, Ji Yao suddenly froze. Would the Shi family bear a grudge?

Would they? Surely not! Heaven help her!