Chapter 26: CH-26: Prideful idiots

"This is where we test our mettle and hone our skills. It is one of the backbones of the Sword Sect."

She turned to face them, her eyes boring into each of the little ones in turn.

"You disciples are welcome to use this arena for their... ’friendly exchange’."

Her emphasis on the last two words was subtle, but unmistakable. It was a challenge, a veiled insult to the Cloud Piercing Sect’s softer approach.

Elder Ye, however, just chuckled, thick-skinned as he was, proving something wasn’t their purpose for coming.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! This is exactly what my disciples need!"

He said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Now, let’s get settled in, shall we? I’m sure our young ones are eager to... ’sharpen’ their skills!"

Not wanting to personally be a guide any further, Elder Jian let a disciple show the guests to their living quarters.

...

"I will leave you to your own devices. Behave well and try to make the most of this trip."

Elder Ye also decided to leave them, the last part hinting at Gu Changsheng as he also made his way out.

"Safe travels, Elder/Master/Father!"

They all saluted Elder Ye as he departed. Although they were puzzled by his sudden decision to leave them there, they could only assume that he had some matters to attend to.

Reassured by the thought that they were safe, they soon put their doubts aside.

The disciple tasked to show them the way then guided them to their temporary living residence.

It was a series of stone chambers, carved directly into the canyon walls. They were spartan, to say the least.

Each room contained a simple bed, a small table, and a single, unadorned weapon rack. The windows were narrow slits, offering a breathtaking view of the canyon but doing little to let in light.

"These will be your quarters for the duration of your stay."

The Sword Sect disciple said, his voice as flat and emotionless as the stone walls around them.

"Training is permitted in any of the designated areas, but unauthorized entry into restricted zones is forbidden."

He listed a set of rules, then turned and walked away, leaving them alone in the cold, unwelcoming corridor.

"Hmph, what a dump!"

Ning Rongrong muttered once she was sure the Sword Sect disciple was out of earshot.

"They call this hospitality? I’ve seen pigsties with more warmth."

Su Mingyue, however, shushed her and called out softly, her voice a low but urgent whisper.

"Rongrong, be quiet! We are guests here, and this is their territory."

"Alright, alright, let’s rest for a while and meet up in the Sword Arena."

Gu Changsheng intoned, his mood an even bigger mess.

And so they parted ways, with Dong Mulan following Gu Changsheng into their designated chamber.

As the heavy stone door groaned shut behind them, only the silence in the room remained, broken only by the faint, distant roar of the waterfall.

Dong Mulan sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress as unyielding as the stone floor. She watched him, her expression a bit troubled.

"Changsheng... Is something wrong? You’ve been tense since Elder Ye left."

She asked, her perception sharper than he’d given her credit for. He sighed, the sound loud in the small room.

He sat down beside her, the bed groaning under their combined weight.

"I might have... made a bit of a mistake."

"Huh??"

...

The Sword Arena, when they reconvened, was just as imposing as before, but now it was populated.

Pairs of disciples moved through precise forms, their blades flashing in the crystal light, each movement accompanied by the sharp clanging sound of steel.

As Gu Changsheng and the group entered, the activity didn’t cease, but the atmosphere shifted slightly.

Multiple eyes, dismissive and judgmental, tracked their every move.

They found a spot in the corner seating, carved from the same unyielding stone as everything else.

Three disciples from the Sword Sect, seeing them arrive, came forward and introduced themselves.

"Greetings, fellow daoists. I am Chu Chen, a Sword Sect disciple, and these are my junior brothers, Jin Hui and Feng Luo."

"As ordered by Elder Jian, we will be your sparring partners."

Though he tried to appear humble, pride was evident in his tone. It seems everyone here is a prideful idiot.

Ye Che nodded, returning the greeting.

"Shall we spar then?"

And just like that, they started sparring.

Ye Che and Chu Chen, both in the 10th Stage of Qi Refinement, battled each other.

Ye Che, who had been practicing the blade for many years and had much battle experience, performed a very refined sword style, showcasing his expertise.

However, Chu Chen’s style was different. He didn’t make any fancy moves, just hack and slash, but was clearly dominating this battle.

On the other side, Su Mingyue and Gu Changsheng battled against the two disciples.

Su Mingyue used a staff instead of a sword, but she was also very experienced in fighting. It looked like the other disciple, Feng Luo, wasn’t as much of a fighter as he looked.

Gu Changsheng sparred with Jin Hui, who was two stages higher than him, and the guy clearly took advantage, not holding back at all.

Only now did Gu Changsheng understand that Ye Che had held a lot back when they fought and that he wasn’t a skilled swordsman.

As Jin Hui stepped forward, his sword flashed toward him in a swift strike.

He immediately raised his own sword, meeting the attack head-on.

*Clang**Clang*

The sound of steel ringing through the air echoed across the training ground.

Rather than simply pushing Jin Hui’s blade away, he followed the movement of his sword, twisting his wrist and guiding the blade along Jin Hui’s before attempting to close the distance.

However, Jin Hui seemed to have anticipated it, calmly taking a step back and letting the attack fall short.

Then his sword moved again, this time a quick slash toward the shoulder.

Gu Changsheng hurriedly turned his blade and blocked it.

Jin Hui’s attacks weren’t particularly powerful, nor were they excessively fast, yet each strike forced him to defend rather than attack.

Whenever he tried to seize the initiative, Jin Hui simply retreated, redirected his blade, and returned with another precise strike.

Their swords clashed repeatedly.

*Clang**Clang*

He suddenly stepped forward instead of retreating, catching Jin Hui off guard and swinging his sword toward his waist.