Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 449

Volume 3 - Chapter 132: A Proposal? Guiding Lin Qingying - Part 2

The Dragon-Slaying Holy Son's expression shifted, a mix of anger and shock flashing across his face as domineering cold light burst forth from his eyes. His swordsmanship radiated an emperor's aura, honed by slaying dragons to cultivate its sword intent. Now, it exuded a fearsome swordsmanship pressure, as though he were a divine emperor, standing regally in the arena.

This pressure was so palpable that, even with the barriers of the formation separating them, the disciples below could feel it. An overwhelming urge to kneel in reverence gripped them, fear coursing through their veins.

Lin Qingying's gaze wavered slightly under the influence. Yet, her Supreme Soft Sword Dao, gentle and unassuming like water, diffused the pressure as if it could not truly touch her.

"Supreme Soft Sword Dao, gentle as water—truly formidable."

On another holy platform, a dozen other Holy Sons and Holy Daughters watched the battle with intense focus. They could discern that Lin Qingying's sword intent was nearing perfection, almost at the point of consummation.

In contrast, the Dragon-Slaying Holy Son, despite his imperial might, found himself restrained when faced with Lin Qingying's supreme softness.

The atmosphere was so oppressive that even the clouds atop the mountain dissipated in turbulent waves.

"The Heavenly Avatar—it’s the ultimate boundary before sainthood!"

As his Heavenly Avatar manifested, anger and murderous intent flared in the Dragon-Slaying Holy Son’s eyes. Originally intending to reserve these techniques for his duel with Haoyue, he was now forced to reveal them prematurely.

"Sword Sovereign Unbounded, Heaven and Earth Unbounded Sword!"

In an open field, with the Void Extreme Realm, one could escape instantly. However, within the confines of the arena, even the Void Teleportation Technique couldn't allow prolonged invisibility. Reappearance was inevitable, and with it came the risk of being subjected to indiscriminate area attacks.

Precisely because of the Void Extreme Realm's peculiarities, the arena was designed to limit movement. Without these constraints, both parties could teleport endlessly, prolonging battles indefinitely.

Amidst the boundless onslaught of sword qi, Lin Qingying’s figure transformed into a streak of green light. Instead of retreating, she advanced, her Void Teleportation bringing her directly before the Dragon-Slaying Holy Son.

The sword in her hand lifted, and suddenly, the sound of surging tides echoed around her.

Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft!

Lin Qingying’s sword qi erupted in waves, enveloping the Dragon-Slaying Holy Son. Her sword intent, resembling the tides of the sea, surged and penetrated through his Heavenly Avatar and Dao Domain, riddling his body with sprays of blood mist.

"You!"

The Dragon-Slaying Holy Son was stunned, rage filling his eyes. Bearing grievous injuries, he abruptly swung his sword in a desperate counterattack.

Lin Qingying's expression shifted slightly. She raised her sword, countering the strike that seemed to press the weight of mountains and rivers upon her. With a deafening boom, her body was sent flying.

Cough!

Lin Qingying spat out a mouthful of blood, her face pale. In the next instant, she swiftly teleported, transforming into an extreme streak of green light. With precise accuracy, she pierced through the Dragon-Slaying Holy Son’s Heavenly Avatar.

The battlefield quieted as the storm of sword qi ceased. The imperial avatar dissipated, leaving the Dragon-Slaying Holy Son pale and trembling. He stared at the sword light piercing his chest, his expression a mixture of bitterness and frustration, more directed at himself than his opponent.

Lin Qingying withdrew her sword and spared him only a single glance before turning to leave.

The battle was over; the victor was clear.

Among the millions of outer disciples, and even the majority of the inner disciples, none had comprehended how Lin Qingying had dispersed the Heavenly Avatar. Watching the colossal clash conclude so abruptly left them in stunned silence.

However, the dozen Holy Sons and Holy Daughters atop the holy platform wore solemn expressions.

Li Hao, upon seeing Lin Qingying emerge victorious, let out a breath of relief. Though her sword intent still had minor flaws, her victory was largely due to her opponent's vulnerability. The Dragon-Slaying Holy Son possessed an imperial arrogance, but lacked the truly invincible dominance of an emperor.

The emperor’s aura cultivated by slaying dragons was ultimately insufficient.

A true emperor’s aura should embody unrivaled supremacy, a force before which even saints would bow.

Li Hao shook his head slightly. This battle had been perilous for Lin Qingying. If given the opportunity, he resolved to help her refine the flaws in her swordsmanship.

As Li Hao pondered, six Semi-Saints, including Yao Zu, smiled in satisfaction. The Sword Ancestor Holy Land's Holy Sons and Holy Daughters had displayed such prowess, filling them with pride.

Despite unleashing his Five Extremes Realm strength, the Dragon-Slaying Holy Son had still suffered defeat. His shortcomings in swordsmanship had cost him dearly. Conversely, Lin Qingying, though she had not revealed her Heavenly Avatar, had sword intent nearing perfection, marking her as a rare prodigy in swordsmanship, not seen in millennia.

...

The battles atop the arena continued. As the contestants engaged in second rounds to accumulate points, both Qiu Wuhen and Lin Qingying were selected again to fight inner disciples, securing easy victories.

Two other matches pitted Holy Son-level contenders against each other. One ended in a protracted, brutal fight between two Five Extremes Realm powerhouses. Their Heavenly Avatars clashed fiercely for half an hour before one emerged as the narrow victor, bloodied but triumphant.

This exhilarating display left many disciples in awe, marveling at the sheer might of the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters.

The other match, however, concluded swiftly.

"The Haoyue Holy Son defeated the Ziyang Holy Son with a single Crescent Moon Sword strike! How overwhelming!"

"They say his Sun and Moon Sword Technique seeks to unify heaven and earth, achieving eternal harmony."

"Did you know? Among the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters, the Haoyue Holy Son stands unparalleled. His Dao Domain reportedly reached thirty layers three decades ago!"

"Thirty layers? That’s unbelievable!"

"That’s not all. He was born with a Sun and Moon Sword Body, harboring sword qi of both yin and yang from birth. He’s likely the reincarnation of a saint, possessing dual meridians of yin and yang!"

...

"Compared to him, someone like me, born with a single yang meridian, feels like a mere mongrel."

As the Haoyue Holy Son demonstrated his might, the surrounding Holy Sons and Holy Daughters grew solemn. The Ziyang Holy Son’s Heavenly Avatar and Void Extreme Realm abilities were effortlessly dismantled with a single Crescent Moon Sword.

Nearby, Lin Shanhai and others discussed anxiously.

"One sword to defeat a Holy Son... If Qingying encounters him, she should consider conceding and conserving her strength for second place," Zhao Yingzhen advised Lin Shanhai with a worried expression.

Lin Shanhai sighed heavily, his heart filled with concern. He understood his granddaughter’s temperament. Retreat to compete for second? She might appear soft-spoken and composed, but deep down, she was fiercely proud and would never bow her head!

The battles continued fiercely atop the arena. Meanwhile, Yuwen Haoyue, tall and commanding, with eyes glowing faintly with golden light, strode directly toward Lin Qingying.

“So, have you thought it through since the last time we spoke? Will you marry me?”

Yuwen Haoyue's question was shocking.

The dozen or so Holy Sons and Holy Daughters nearby were taken aback, exchanging glances between Yuwen Haoyue and Lin Qingying.

Yuwen Haoyue is pursuing Lin Qingying?

This revelation was earth-shattering, and none of them had known until now.

“You wish to use me to hone your swordsmanship, severing emotions to attain detachment and fulfill your aspiration for unity with heaven and earth? Please, seek someone else. I won’t entertain you.”

Lin Qingying frowned, her tone cold and detached.

Yuwen Haoyue’s golden eyes flickered as he gazed at her. “Your Supreme Soft Sword Dao is but a minor path. If you follow me, once I attain sainthood, I will guide you to a path of sainthood in return as my betrothal gift. Isn’t that fair?”

Their conversation made the nearby Holy Sons and Holy Daughters realize something. At their level, personal feelings were secondary to their pursuit of the path. Any personal matters were weighed against their ultimate goal of sainthood.

For Yuwen Haoyue to pursue Lin Qingying seemed to defy practicality. After all, she was unlikely to accept such a proposal easily, given her independent path of swordsmanship.

However, when they heard his offer of a sainthood path as a betrothal gift, a few Holy Daughters revealed flickers of interest. While some remained unmoved, others couldn’t hide their curiosity.

Ultimately, the pinnacle of cultivation was sainthood—a path to eternal legacy and supremacy.

Though proud and exceptional as Holy Sons and Holy Daughters, many acknowledged that Yuwen Haoyue stood on an entirely different level.

“My swordsmanship is not a minor path. And even if it were, I would cultivate it into a grand one!”

Lin Qingying’s gaze grew icier as she added, her voice cutting: “Do not force me to draw my sword now!”

Yuwen Haoyue’s brow furrowed slightly, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. “Then we shall see when the time comes.”

With that, he turned and walked back to his seat without further argument.

Lin Qingying’s expression remained cold as she turned away, ignoring him completely.

This exchange was sealed off within the barriers of the holy platform, unheard by the disciples below, who continued to focus on the fierce battles on the stage.

Meanwhile, Li Hao sat in one of the floating seats, bored and idly observing the scene. Though the barrier prevented him from hearing the conversation, he noticed Lin Qingying’s somewhat unsettled expression.

...

As the endurance-based battles stretched on for two full days, the ranking competition finally concluded.

Lin Qingying had fought five times, emerging victorious in every match, earning a spot among the top sixteen.

Of the top sixteen, fourteen were Holy Sons and Holy Daughters, and two were top-tier inner disciples who had narrowly lost in previous rounds but had proven their exceptional combat strength.

The top sixteen matches were scheduled for the following day.

After two days of intense combat, the disciples were mentally and physically drained. Many retired to rest and process the wealth of insights gained from observing the battles.

Li Hao left with Lin Shanhai and the other alchemists, deciding not to visit the Sword Master to fish that day.

Upon returning to the alchemy courtyard, Li Hao noticed that Lin Qingying had already arrived ahead of them. She sat cross-legged in her usual spot, her sword resting on her knees, eyes closed in meditation.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Hao approached her. “I watched your battles today. They were impressive and skillful.”

Lin Qingying showed no reaction, remaining unmoved with her eyes shut.

Li Hao added, “However, some of your postures weren’t as graceful as they could be. I’d like to draw them for you—what do you think?”

Lin Qingying finally opened her eyes. The last time Li Hao had pointed out flaws in her swordsmanship, he had done so under the pretext of aesthetics. Graceful… his painter’s perspective, after all.

Could it be that her swordsmanship still had flaws?

She looked at Li Hao for a moment before asking abruptly, “What about your swordsmanship? Have you stopped practicing? I heard you passed Yao Zu’s trial within ten days and have already entered the basics. Your talent for swordsmanship is among the best of the inner disciples. Are you not planning to continue cultivating it?”

“How did you know?” Li Hao was surprised. He hadn’t publicized his passing of Yao Zu’s trial, and few people even knew the trial had occurred.

Lin Qingying frowned slightly, retracting her gaze. “Go ahead and draw if you want.”

Understanding her agreement, Li Hao immediately retrieved his drawing board. After some thought, he realized the battles ahead would become increasingly frequent and challenging, with formidable opponents awaiting. He decided to sketch all the flaws in her swordsmanship at once.

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