Early on, when observing Chu Binghuan's sparring match with a disciple of Shangqing, Mu Rongsa realized the gap between himself and Chu Binghuan.

Since they were all fellow disciples, there was no need to fight to the death; a token effort would suffice. However, upon further thought, Chu Binghuan was the son of Yuntian Shuijing, and Mu Rongsa was the young master of Fengming Valley. Even without the Lingxiao Palace being involved, for the sake of his family's reputation, he still had to give it his all.

Mu Rongsa thought this way, and then... he got beaten up.

Under Hua Che’s guidance, Mu Rongsa had become quite confident in his swordsmanship. This was his first time facing Chu Binghuan in combat, and he thought victory was assured. Little did he know that Chu Binghuan's swordsmanship was precise, fierce, and fast. Within a few exchanges, Chu Binghuan had shredded Mu Rongsa’s elaborate and costly “Peacock Display” technique to pieces. While Mu Rongsa was silently mourning the scattered fragments, Chu Binghuan used his “Scorching Soul” technique to bind him up like a dumpling.

Mu Rongsa lamented, "If we're talking wealth, Fengming Valley is no slump. My magical sleeve may lack other things, but it's full of treasures. But alas, Chu Binghuan's attacks were so swift and fierce that I didn’t even have a chance to throw out any of my magical artifacts."

"We’re all fellow disciples, there's no need to play this way, ouch!" Mu Rongsa exclaimed.

Chu Binghuan coldly said, "Admit defeat."

As the sixth senior brother, being beaten by the seventh junior brother was a disgrace. But what could he do? His skills were inferior, and he deserved it!

"Wait, Young Master Chu, are you sure you're a medical cultivator?" Mu Rongsa was practically questioning his own life choices. How could a healer, considered the weakest in the cultivation world, be so powerful and aggressive?

Chu Binghuan, with no change in expression, said, "Young Master Mu, don't worry. Whether you lose an arm or a leg, I can reattach them for you."

Mu Rongsa: "..."

This guy is terrifying, sob!

"What did I do to provoke you?" Mu Rongsa wanted to cry but had no tears. "Even if I'm a bit spoiled and arrogant, I respect my elders and love my juniors. I treat you, brother Hua, and Xiao Yan well, don’t I?"

Chu Binghuan lightly pursed his lips and cast a meaningful glance at Hua Che below the stage before his stern gaze fell back on Mu Rongsa.

Mu Rongsa shuddered.

Damn it! It’s been 365 days, and you're still holding a grudge? Your on-and-off relationship, entangled and complicated, has nothing to do with this young master! I’m not Hua Che’s new love, not at all!

Mu Rongsa almost spat blood, "This young master is innocent, heaven and earth can testify!"

Chu Binghuan, still expressionless, walked over slowly, preparing to kick Mu Rongsa off the stage.

Mu Rongsa didn’t want to roll off in disgrace and quickly pleaded, "No, no, no, my clothes are expensive and can’t get dirty! I admit defeat, I admit defeat!"

Mu Qinian, unable to bear watching any longer, said, "That brat, at least he knows when to give in."

A disciple of Shangqing announced, "In the penultimate match, Lingxiao Palace, Chu Binghuan wins!"

The next match was Mu Rongsa versus Lu Yao, competing for third place.

Mu Rongsa wasn’t discouraged by his loss; instead, he grew more determined. He vented all his frustration on Lu Yao. The two sword cultivators fought fiercely, and with the added motivation of “all his sect's dirty laundry” driving him, Mu Rongsa gave it his all. He finally defeated Lu Yao, securing a place in the top three.

At dusk, the final match began.

The crowd around Shangqing Platform grew larger, as this was the final battle of the Martial Arts Tournament, where the champion would be decided.

Xie Wanting smiled gently and asked, "Who do you think will win, masters?"

Mu Qinian replied, "It should be Chu Tianyu, right? After all, he comes from Yuntian Shuijing and has been training since childhood. Although Hua Qingkong has great talent, his time spent training is still relatively short."

Chu Changfeng said, "Judging from the numerous matches we've seen, it’s clear that these two are evenly matched. It's hard to say who will win."

Mei Cailian didn’t want to watch any longer. Recalling what Chu Binghuan had said that night made her feel restless.

What was the point of watching these two compete? She didn’t know about Hua Che, but she was sure Chu Binghuan would not bear to go all out. Wouldn’t he deliberately hold back?

When Hua Che stepped onto the stage, Chu Binghuan had already been waiting for a long time. He stood at a distance and called out loudly, "Take this seriously! Don’t hold back."

Chu Binghuan replied in a relaxed tone, but his gaze was firm, "What are you talking about?"

Hua Che smiled knowingly.

How could Chu Binghuan hold back? A fair match was a sign of mutual respect, and a victory gained by holding back would be meaningless.

Hua Che took out Gentle breeze.

Chu Binghuan was surprised, "You’re going to use a sword?"

"Yes," Hua Che nodded, "Aren’t you using Listening Spring?"

Chu Binghuan hesitated, "But you’re a music cultivator, you should use Hanxue."

"You’re a medical cultivator, but I don’t see you using medicine to poison me," Hua Che said, drawing his long sword and pointing it at Chu Binghuan, "Let’s settle this with our swords."

These words sent a shock through Chu Binghuan's heart.

In their previous life, when Hua Che, who had disappeared for a hundred years, reappeared, he was already a fearsome demon Lord. He went to Yuntian Shuijing without harming a single flower or blade of grass, and stood before Chu Binghuan in the bamboo tower.

His smile was faint, almost imperceptible, "Ice Cube, I won’t use Hanxue, and you won’t use Scorching Soul. Let’s settle this with our swords."

Shangqing swordsmanship was world-renowned.

Hua Che and Chu Binghuan’s sword skills were taught by the Shangqing Sect, further enhanced by their own understanding and creations, reaching the pinnacle of perfection.

But later, Chu Binghuan specialized in medicine and rarely used his sword.

Hua Che, having entered the demonic path, became a demon cultivator and gradually stopped using his sword.

Since that unresolved duel to death, they had never crossed swords again.

Even after being reborn, joining the same sect, and having the same master, Chu Binghuan never sought another sword duel with Hua Che, not wanting to recall the heartbreaking scene from their previous life.

And Hua Che never sought him out either.

This made Chu Binghuan feel relieved yet suspicious. Given Hua Che's personality and his exceptional skills, he should have sought out worthy opponents to show off his abilities. But he preferred to fight Mu Rongsa rather than someone equally matched like Chu Binghuan.

This was rather strange.

With Elder Qianyang's command, Chu Binghuan snapped out of his reverie and saw Hua Che attacking him. Chu Binghuan quickly dodged and counterattacked.

There were more things Chu Binghuan couldn't understand. During the match between Hua Che and Lu Yao earlier, Chu Binghuan felt that Hua Che intended to kill Lu Yao at the last moment.

That wasn't an illusion! At that time, Hua Che's killing intent was palpable. Any cultivator with a sufficiently strong spiritual sense could have sensed it.

Chu Binghuan was utterly baffled. Didn’t Hua Che like Lu Yao?

Even if, for some inexplicable reason, Hua Che didn’t join the Shangqing Sect in this life, there shouldn’t be such deep hatred, right?

Why would he harbour such resentment, to the extent of wanting to kill Lu Yao in front of so many people...

"Ice Cube, can you take this seriously?" Hua Che suddenly withdrew his sword. Chu Binghuan was caught off guard and hurriedly stopped.

Hua Che said, "Your swordsmanship has deteriorated."

Chu Binghuan, panting, retorted, "How do you know about my swordsmanship?"

Hua Che was stunned by the question. After thinking for a long time, he finally said, "It's just different from the last match. You need to fight me with the same intensity you used against Mu Rongsa, got it?"

Mu Rongsa, standing below the stage:  "..."

Hmph, they only get excited hitting me, these two jerks!

Chu Binghuan steadied his mind, "Bring it on!"

With his mind clear of distractions, Chu Binghuan's form returned. His every move became sharp, his actions swift, and his strikes fast, drawing thunderous applause and admiration from the elders.

The disciples of Yuntian Shuijing cheered, "The young master is amazing!"

The overwhelming cheers from the numerous Yuntian Shuijing disciples made Hua Che seem isolated and pitiable. Mu Rongsa couldn’t let this pass, so he rallied the Fengming Valley disciples to support Hua Che, joining in the cheers against Yuntian Shuijing.

The two sects refused to back down, even dragging the grudge from the previous match into this one, shouting themselves hoarse to support Hua Che.

"Hua Qingkong, Hua Qingkong, number one, number one!"

"Chu Tianyu, Chu Tianyu, champion, champion!"

Their racket only gave Hua Che a headache.

Every swordsman has their own habits, and as Hua Che and Chu Binghuan exchanged blows, an unusual sense of familiarity arose.

Once upon a time, they would spar every few days. On rooftops, under corridors, in gardens, even inside the library—there were traces of their duels everywhere.

Over the years, they had become intimately familiar with each other’s sword techniques.

At this moment, that familiarity surged back. When Chu Binghuan made one strike, Hua Che could predict where the next would come from, and vice versa.

Mu Rongsa was stunned, "How odd. These two have never fought before, but they look like they do this every day."

Chu Changfeng glanced at Mei Cailian, whose face was grim.

Hua Che, unsettled, was forced to retreat, only to see Chu Binghuan raise his sword to the sky. Thunder rumbled through the heavens, and a blue light shot up, piercing the sky!

Instantly, the temperature dropped, and snow began to fall from the sky.

Mei Cailian suddenly stood up: "Flowing Wind and Listening Snow?"

Mu Qinian was shocked: "Yuntian Shuijing's top-tier celestial technique?"

Where the sword energy swept, the grass and trees were covered in frost, flowers were sealed in ice, and white snow fell softly, blanketing the entire city in silver frost.

At the same time, silver sword energy shot up into the sky, marking the transition from winter to spring. Ice flowers melted, frost turned to dew; where the sword energy touched, everything revived. The white snow transformed into clear dew, and a fine rain fell from the sky.

Hua Che retracted his sword stance, breathing heavily.

Chu Binghuan stood in the rain, staring at him in disbelief: "Clear Rain and Gentle Breeze?"

Wasn't this a technique Hua Che only realized when he was twenty-five?

The advanced swordsmanship learned years early, the tacit understanding in their duel, the inexplicable resentment towards Lu Yao, the avoidance of the Shangqing Sect...

Chu Binghuan's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that Hua Che had also been reborn!?

 

Translator: DarNan