10. Seeking a Master (Part II)

"That girl's primordial power hasn't diminished much." One of the grandmasters finally noticed something.

Everyone couldn't help but scrutinize Lin Jiuge in detail. They had assumed the young girl was merely a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, but it turned out she possessed genuine talent; the more they watched, the more shocked they became. The sword techniques she used in the fight, in particular, looked incredibly familiar.

Even Li Yun hadn't expected that his disciple would have fully mastered the few moves he demonstrated during their practice sessions in just three days!

Relying on those sword techniques, Lin Jiuge successfully kicked the Galaxy Star Swordmaster—the weakest in terms of cultivation among the sword masters—off the arena.

The atmosphere on the stage turned tense in an instant. The Red Phoenix Swordmaster immediately unleashed the lethal strike of the Red Phoenix Sword.

Lin Jiuge did not hesitate. Holding the Golden Sword, the blade emitted waves of golden light, carrying an aura of guardianship; yet, the killing intent within that golden glow was no weaker than anyone else's.

"This is the Golden Sword. Legend says it is a sword of protection, but no matter how it protects, it remains a sword—a lethal weapon," one grandmaster analyzed.

Li Yun remained silent. Was it possible that while the Golden Sword was a blade of protection, his disciple had been practicing something else entirely? He was also relieved that everyone only knew the sword by its reputation; otherwise, it would have been difficult to deceive them.

With one red and one gold sword clashing, everyone activated their sword auras for protection. Neither blade would yield. Amidst the combat, Lin Jiuge’s eyes flickered with a faint purple light, unseen by any. Soon, she spotted the Red Phoenix Swordmaster's weakness, intentionally exposed a flaw of her own, and struck directly at her opponent’s vulnerability, knocking her off the stage.

After employing the same method, only the Azure Firmament Swordmaster, Jun Lin, and the Yellow Jade Swordmaster, Sun Qianqian, remained on the stage. Even if the match were called off now, no one would dare question Lin Jiuge’s worthiness as a disciple.

This young girl was formidable. Much like her master, she grew more excited the more she fought, becoming stronger against stronger opponents. What was even more terrifying was that she was better at identifying her opponent's weaknesses than her master.

Jun Lin and Sun Qianqian exchanged glances.

"We acknowledge that you have the qualifications to be his disciple, but we will not lose." Otherwise, they would become the laughingstock of the world—a group of established sword masters unable to defeat a newcomer.

"Qualifications? Do I need your acknowledgment? What a joke," Lin Jiuge said with disdain. She was far too proud to be humbled by their coddling.

"You!" Sun Qianqian’s voice was sharp with agitation.

"Let me tell you this: I, Lin Jiuge, am the disciple my master favors. The opportunity I earned, the qualifications I fought for, and the results my master approved—do I need you outsiders to point fingers?" As Lin Jiuge finished, everyone’s expression shifted.

Lin Jiuge had insulted everyone present, but she wasn't wrong. Taking on a master was a matter of mutual consent; in this affair, they were all outsiders.

"The bond between my master and me was agreed upon by both parties. Is it possible my master just wanted me to broaden my horizons? You lot... you don't live up to your reputations." The final sentence was dripping with provocation.

Truly the disciple I chose, Li Yun thought, feeling a swell of joy; he knew this girl would never let herself be taken advantage of. However, given her current cultivation level, being so provocative might get her beaten. But it didn't matter; as long as she was still breathing, his senior martial brother would ensure she was back on her feet in no time.

Zhou Yan’s eyes sparkled. *Hmm, I should consider sparring with my junior sister; she’s so much to my taste.* The key was that Lin Jiuge looked at him with such indifference—and it wasn't a feigned indifference, either!

"Ha, you’re courting death." Jun Lin unleashed his full primordial power. Blinded by rage, he completely forgot to suppress his cultivation.

Lin Jiuge felt the pressure from across the stage, but she was unafraid! For a sword practitioner, everything is momentum. At that moment, the unknown sword in her consciousness resonated with the Golden Sword in her hand.

None of the three would yield. The grandmasters, fearing that Lin Jiuge might be injured and trigger retaliation from the unreasonable Dao-Enlightenment Yuanzun, looked at her in astonishment as she held her ground. Suddenly, they realized something.

"Many thanks to you for this lesson, Fellow Daoist Enlightenment," Jun Lin’s uncle said gratefully, knowing his nephew had already lost.

"It is nothing." His original intention had only been to let his disciple see the 'momentum' of other sword masters. It seemed he had miscalculated—his own disciple’s momentum was clearly more powerful and domineering!

When the three swords collided, everyone was stunned.

"That is the Red Phoenix Swordmaster’s technique!"

"Shameless," the Red Phoenix Swordmaster gritted her teeth.

"That is the Galaxy Star Swordmaster’s move!"

"Despicable," the Galaxy Star Swordmaster muttered, watching the match in frustration.

"What a terrifying ability to learn." The grandmasters saw more than just mimicry; what did it matter if she learned? To synthesize and master it as one’s own was the true path.

A vast expanse of golden light followed. Everyone watched the figure engulfed in that radiance.

With one strike, Lin Jiuge dropped to one knee, using her Golden Sword to prop herself up. Blood flowed incessantly from the corner of her mouth, while the two opponents stood opposite her, swords in hand.

Lin Jiuge wore a smile, then, with lightning speed, struck out to knock both of them off the arena. This reversal was beyond anyone’s expectations.

"In that case, let’s call it a draw. A-Yan, go check on your junior sister’s injuries," Li Yun commanded. His disciple was truly something, and he couldn't be more satisfied.

"Yes, Senior Martial Uncle." Zhou Yan walked over to Lin Jiuge, raising an eyebrow, as hissing gasps could be heard from the surroundings.

His junior sister was far too interesting. He hurriedly helped her up, though he "accidentally" stepped on Jun Lin’s right leg and trampled on Sun Qianqian’s robes several times while moving to support Lin Jiuge.

"Junior sister, are you alright?" Zhou Yan looked at the young girl with genuine concern.

"Many thanks, Senior Brother. Your timing was impeccable." Lin Jiuge was completely exhausted. Zhou Yan carried her directly to the Dao-Enlightenment Yuanzun.

The Dao-Enlightenment Yuanzun did not hesitate, producing one white and one blue vial.

"Take the white one orally, and apply the blue one externally. Go find a female disciple to assist," the Yuanzun said, looking at Zhou Yan with some dissatisfaction. It was fortunate he had sent little Fu-Zai away beforehand; if that child had seen her sister in this state, there would have been a flood of tears.

"Yes, Grand Senior Martial Uncle." Zhou Yan wondered if he had seen wrong—had his Grand Senior Martial Uncle just looked at him with disdain?

Lin Jiuge was taken to be treated, while the unconscious Jun Lin and Sun Qianqian were sent to the guest quarters. As their families inspected their injuries, they grew increasingly shocked. This girl’s talent was immense, even surpassing her master’s, yet she possessed a gentleness he lacked. They realized that both of them had likely lost consciousness on the stage, and the girl had held on by sheer will to descend the stage with them, preserving their dignity. Had she not done so, they would have lost more than just face. Regardless, after this match, the girl named