My Daily Cultivation Life with a Clumsy Female Disciple

Outside the arena, Sun Yicheng pointed at the excited Boundless Sword Sect disciples and said to Jian Wuming, "Sect Master, Elder Qin is scheming behind the scenes."

Jian Wuming glanced at him and replied, "I'm not blind. I can see very clearly.

"It's nothing but underhanded tricks. Stirring up public outrage, creating conflict, maximizing the importance of this competition. This way, if we lose, it will deal a devastating blow to our Sword Sect and suppress us."

"Why doesn't Sect Master intervene?" Sun Yicheng asked in confusion. They knew the enemy was causing trouble, yet you won't stop it. What kind of attitude is this? Waiting to die?

Jian Wuming sneered with disdain, "The disciples he brought from the Dao Sword Sect - Lu Junxing, Li Shiyin, and Gu Yueming's personal disciples - are the strongest of their generation. He's confident they'll win. That's why he's resorting to these petty tricks.

"But is his victory certain? What's so special about Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin? Do they think our Sword Sect has no talents? Do they think we can't defeat them?

"Look at Gu Yueming's personal disciple - nothing extraordinary.

"He's using Dao Sword Sect's strongest disciples to pressure our Boundless Sword Sect disciples. If they win, we'll accept it. But if his people lose, then this generation of Dao Sword Sect will forever kneel before our Boundless Sword Sect!

"It's just a gamble, why should our Sword Sect fear them?!"

Sun Yicheng pondered, realizing that Jian Wuming saw everything clearly - he had underestimated this sword-practicing brute.

After some thought, he reminded, "I heard Lu Junxing is undefeated among his peers."

"Undefeated? That's because our Sword Sect disciples didn't bother to challenge him." Jian Wuming showed contempt, "And precisely because he's never lost, he can't afford to lose. Once he's defeated, he'll be destroyed."

Sun Yicheng didn't quite agree with Jian Wuming's statement.

He knew Lu Junxing's undefeated reputation was earned through combat, not empty talk.

Since Lu Junxing's debut, he had dominated the Land of Immortal Legacy for decades, and everyone acknowledged his supremacy among peers. If your Sword Sect had someone capable of defeating Lu Junxing, why hadn't they done it earlier? Wasn't the title of being first among peers, being undefeated, appealing enough?

He shook his head internally and looked at Li Shiyin.

While defeating Lu Junxing might be impossible, Li Shiyin was a different story.

And if they could defeat Li Shiyin, even if they couldn't beat Lu Junxing, they would still win with two victories against one loss. The Boundless Sword Sect would still emerge victorious.

So he asked, "Who have you arranged to deal with Li Shiyin?"

"Have you heard of the Sword Core technique?" Jian Wuming glanced at him sideways.

"Sword Core!" Sun Yicheng was startled. With his vast knowledge, he naturally knew about the so-called Sword Core technique.

Sword Core was essentially Golden Core, but it was a sword cultivator's method of using a sword instead of forming a Golden Core. Instead of cultivating a Golden Core, they cultivated only their primary sword - the purest path of sword cultivation.

The sword was inherently meant for killing, and using it as a Golden Core... therefore, this cultivation method sought the ultimate sword-killing power.

While gaining ultimate combat power, they would lose something in return. They would lose the chance to form a Primordial Spirit, only able to form a Sword Embryo with their Sword Core.

However, forming a Sword Embryo was countless times more difficult than forming a simple Primordial Spirit.

Therefore, the Sword Core path was essentially sacrificing a sword cultivator's future in exchange for tremendous power during the Golden Core stage. It was the ultimate path of killing.

"Your sect actually has someone practicing the Sword Core technique?" he asked.

"Hmph! Sword Core is the purest path of sword cultivation!!" Jian Wuming declared, "Our Sword Sect has countless disciples practicing Sword Core every year.

"Li Shiyin may be strong, but against my top Sword Core disciple, she's nothing but a vain female cultivator playing with refinement."

The strongest Sword Core disciple under Jian Wuming...

Sun Yicheng's expression changed as he probed, "Could it be Sikong Changhen, who's said to be invincible below the Primordial Spirit realm?"

"Heh!" Jian Wuming's face showed pride.

"So Sikong Changhen practices the Sword Core technique!" Sun Yicheng realized, "No wonder he could be invincible below the Primordial Spirit realm, even able to fight against Primordial Spirit cultivators with just a Golden Core."

At this moment, Li Shiyin entered the arena, her presence alone overwhelming all the Sword Sect disciples, making Jian Wuming's expression turn somewhat ugly.

Sun Yicheng glanced at him and said, "The previous method probably won't work on Li Shiyin."

"What method?" Jian Wuming glanced at him and said, "My Sword Sect disciples never stoop to using such underhanded tactics! We always face our opponents head-on, victory or defeat is decided by a single sword strike!" As he finished speaking, someone flew up from the crowd. With one rise and fall, they landed several zhang away from Li Shiyin in the arena.

This was a man who appeared to be in his thirties, with ordinary and low-key features, lacking the typical sword-bone pride of Boundless Sword Sect disciples, appearing very peaceful.

He wore plain cyan robes, exhibiting the state of returning to simplicity that marked true masters.

Obviously, he had quite a reputation within the Boundless Sword Sect. As soon as he stood in the arena, the crowd outside erupted in cheers, as if he had already won.

"It's Senior Brother Sikong! Senior Brother Sikong himself has come to deal with that woman."

"Hah! What a waste of talent!"

Someone shouted: "Go, Senior Brother Sikong, defeat her and take her as your Dao companion!"

"Senior Brother Sikong is invincible below the Primordial Spirit realm, I don't even know how he could lose..." someone sighed, "I hope he doesn't make another opponent cry!"

Someone laughed, "Don't go too far, what if she wins?"

Before he could finish laughing, he was "killed" by others who dressed him in enemy clothing.

"Ah, how lonely it is to be invincible. They came all the way from Dao Sword Sect to challenge us, if they end up not winning a single match, how will they go back?!"

"They'll have to walk back..."

"If it were me, I wouldn't have the face to return."

"Dao Sword Sect, Li Shiyin, greets Senior Brother." Li Shiyin picked up her sword that was planted in the ground and bowed with her sword to Sikong Changhen.

"Boundless Sword Sect, Sikong Changhen, greets Senior Sister Li." Sikong Changhen's face bore a faint smile, one of confidence.

Li Shiyin completed her greeting, expressionless, slowly drew her sword, and said softly, "They have great confidence in you."

"Sword Sect disciples have always been full of fighting spirit, they're just a bit more enthusiastic today." Sikong Changhen smiled, his right hand struck his chest and made a sword-drawing posture, pulling out a sword from within his body that emanated powerful sword qi, "Of course, I have never disappointed their enthusiasm."

Li Shiyin held the scabbard in her left hand at her side, raised the sword in her right hand before her, she seriously looked at this sword she didn't particularly like but had used for five years, and asked Sikong Changhen, "Is this the Sword Core technique?"

Her master was well-versed in all texts and had taught her about this cultivation method; she had rich combat experience and had seen the Sword Core technique before.

And she remembered her master's evaluation: it was a method of self-destruction, a path for those with no other options.

"Senior Sister has good eyes." Sikong Changhen held his sword in one hand and placed the other behind his back, appearing quite casual and elegant as he nodded with a smile.

"The Sword Core technique is indeed powerful." Li Shiyin acknowledged first, then asked, "So how many of my sword strikes do you think you can handle?"

"Senior Sister need not be afraid." Sikong Changhen replied, "I always show mercy to the fairer sex, I won't use lethal force."

"Why are they chatting?" Outside the arena, Jiang Ran was still weakly wiping tears, while Jiang Qin asked Qin Ran with red eyes, confused.

Qin Ran glanced at her and explained, "Actually, it's similar to the situation you encountered earlier. It's also a psychological battle. Earlier, you were in the arena while that couple was below. Now they're both in the arena, both have drawn their swords. They appear to be making small talk, but they're actually clashing in spirit. They're both waiting for the moment when the other can't hold on and shows an opening."

"Really?" Jiang Qin looked again but only saw that Li Shiyin and the Boundless Sword Sect cultivator both seemed relaxed, as if they were just acquaintances running into each other on the street and chatting.

Qin Ran looked at her and explained seriously, "When you were in the arena earlier, that couple was actually outside. They deliberately didn't appear, using these thousands of Boundless Sword Sect disciples to pressure you. In the arena, you were constantly disturbed by the disciples outside, you became anxious, your hands shook, you got nervous, felt the enemy was looking down on you, felt indignant, experiencing extreme pressure every moment, and as time went on, you became more and more flustered, finally unable to bear the psychological pressure, defeating yourselves."

"Think about it now - if you remained calm and steady as a mountain in the arena, how do you think that couple using such underhanded tactics below the stage would feel? When the Boundless Sword Sect disciples see you relaxed in the arena while your opponents hide below, what do you think they would think and do?

"Public opinion is a double-edged sword. Home field advantage is also a double-edged sword. The Boundless Sword Sect disciples will encourage their fellow disciples, but also pressure them.

"Both sides are under immense pressure - it's just a matter of whose mental fortitude is stronger."

Hearing this, Jiang Qin pondered thoughtfully: "So Senior Sister Li and Sikong Changhen chatting casually now - they're putting pressure on each other?"

Jiang Ran asked through tears: "What mountain is as steady as that?"

"..." Qin Ran glanced at her and shook his head, "This child is truly unteachable!"

Boom!

Just as he finished speaking, the sky suddenly transformed.

"Li Shiyin has made her move..." he said, "Li Shiyin has won."

The three of them looked up together as the sky darkened. The wind scattered the clouds, and in the dark sky, countless stars sparkled with brilliant light.

Those rays of light converged in mid-air, and a massive white sword made of starlight began forming bit by bit, though at an incredibly fast pace, in the darkness.

In the arena, Sikong Changhen's expression grew heavy. Looking at the sword energy in the sky, he knew that if it fully formed, he likely couldn't block it.

"Mutual destruction!"

Without hesitation, he unleashed his killing move.

His sword immediately lit up with red light. His form flickered, drawing an ethereal red line as he instantly appeared before Li Shiyin.

He thrust his sword toward Li Shiyin's chest... where the Golden Core was located. His first move was already a fatal strike.

Moreover, this move was designed to break through formations and defenses - an unavoidable death strike.

"Die!" Blood trickled from his eyes, his face twisted grotesquely, showing none of the tranquil demeanor of a true master.

However...

Li Shiyin didn't even try to block. She continued casting the Celestial Soaring Immortal in the sky while gathering sword energy in her Qingxing Sword, multitasking as she swung to meet Sikong Changhen's fatal strike.

"Bang!"

The two swords clashed with a tremendous sound.

Sikong Changhen was sent flying backward, while Li Shiyin stood unmoved in her original position.

The wind from their clash whipped up her robes, and the massive force transmitted through her body into the ground, causing it to cave in as cracks spread in all directions.

Holding the Qingxing Sword in her right hand, she raised her left hand toward Sikong Changhen who was flying through the air, her cold, clear voice resonating throughout the arena:

"Celestial Soaring Immortal."

The huge white sword of light that had formed in the sky, like a white-robed immortal descending from the heavens, flew toward Sikong Changhen.

Everyone could see clearly that without external intervention, Sikong Changhen would certainly be unable to block this massive sword of light, and the consequence of failing to block would be...

Death!

And so external intervention came.

Suddenly, someone leaped from the crowd, kicked Sikong Changhen away, and extended their sword energy several hundred feet long, striking the star-bright sword energy that resembled a celestial being.

The sword energy formed by the Celestial Soaring Immortal was deflected, slicing off a small peak of the Boundless Sword Sect, letting it fall into the thousand-foot deep abyss, before crashing into the sect's protective formation and disappearing.

The person who intercepted the sword took the full force of the Celestial Soaring Immortal, their internal energy rapidly circulating to dissipate the vast majority of the power. The remaining force drove them into the ground, their legs sinking deep into the earth, making onlookers concerned about potential injury.

The darkness receded, the stars vanished, and the sun reappeared.

Li Shiyin stood in the arena holding her sword, looking toward the person who had intercepted her attack. The Boundless Sword Sect disciples between her and the interceptor unconsciously scattered, not daring to block her line of sight.

"Do you wish to fight me?" she asked.

The person rose from the ground, apparently unharmed despite their disheveled appearance, still maintaining some dignity.

"Are you worthy?" He looked down at Li Shiyin from mid-air with contempt. "Call Lu Junxing out."

"I'm not worthy?" Li Shiyin laughed, sheathed the Qingxing Sword, took a deep breath, and drew the Mu Ran Sword from within her body. "All you rely on is your Primordial Spirit cultivation level. Is that really so impressive?

"Come down, and let's fight before we discuss further."

"Are all Dao Sword Sect people this arrogant?" The man sneered and flew toward the arena. "Fine, I'll teach you a lesson first, then deal with Lu Junxing."

But just as he entered the arena, Lu Junxing's figure appeared before Li Shiyin, blocking the man's path.

"Shiyin, Master Uncle said one fight per person. You've had yours, so let me handle this one," Lu Junxing said with a smile.

Li Shiyin looked at the now-stationary Boundless Sword Sect cultivator, then at Lu Junxing's back, and decided to sheathe the Mu Ran Sword.

Whatever else might be said, she had to give Senior Brother Lu face.

She turned and left the arena, returning to Qin Ran's side.