A Challenge Accepted

However, just as Lin Mo stepped forward under everyone’s watchful eyes, his voice clear and resolute, about to speak, someone else emerged before him.

This person was not Mu Qingli, nor was it Xian Chengyue, but Qing You.

She declared loudly, “Your Majesty! Old Ancestor Qiu! All the disputes today arose because of this junior; it was this junior’s instruction. If punishment is due, it should fall upon me, not this junior. If this junior’s death can appease the Qiu family’s wrath, then—”

Qing You brandished the precious sword in her hand, pressing it against her neck, her gaze resolute. “This junior can commit suicide to atone!”

Lin Mo’s heart lurched, and he froze on the spot!

Qing You’s earlier words of “shared animosity” still echoed in his ears, but Lin Mo had dismissed them as mere pleasantries.

There had never been a true relationship between him and Qing You; if anything, it was a history of schemes and subtle power struggles.

He had never imagined that Qing You would be the one to step forward for him in this moment of crisis.

‘Was this… an act?’

Yet, the sharp blade was already pressed against her fair neck, having slightly pierced the skin by a hair’s breadth, and a trace of crimson liquid was already trickling down the sword’s edge.

Facing Qing You’s declaration, Qiu Ku remained silent, merely glancing at the Empress.

With the Empress present, it was naturally not his place to decide; otherwise, he would never have agreed and would have simply killed her.

Ji Fengyi’s phoenix eyes were slightly lowered, her thoughts in motion.

‘Should Qing You perish, the Xuan Nv Sect and the Qiu family would become sworn enemies.’

‘This was precisely what she desired.’

‘The Qiu family had grown increasingly powerful, leaving no noble family in court capable of checking their influence. If the Xuan Nv Sect could be drawn into this conflict, it might serve as a counterweight.’

‘She had long sensed that over the past century, the Qiu family had been subtly shifting their power south, gradually seeking to distance themselves from the imperial center. Their actions were flawless, leaving no weakness to exploit.’

‘While other noble families were manageable, the Qiu family, a predatory wolf entrenched in the southern borders, remained a constant threat to the heartland.’

‘If Qing You were to die, the Xuan Nv Sect would be severely weakened, and this final strategic piece to curb the Qiu family’s southern expansion would be utterly ruined.’

Thus, the Empress intervened, saying, “Since these are grievances among juniors, they should naturally be resolved by themselves. I have already learned the full account of events from my Imperial Daughter. The future of the cultivation world ultimately belongs to the new generation. As this is a personal grudge, let them resolve it themselves. Didn’t one of the parties propose a suggestion earlier? Let’s hear it.”

What else could Qiu Ku say?

Since the Empress had spoken, he could only assent, “Your Majesty is right.”

Two gazes—no, the eyes of everyone present—fell upon Lin Mo.

The pressure and tension at that moment made Lin Mo slightly breathless, yet he showed no sign of faltering.

Lin Mo paused, then called out loudly, “Junior Lin Wan’er, I hereby challenge Qiu Yue! With this Qi Condensation body, I challenge Qiu Yue!”

“This battle, regardless of life or death, shall only determine victory or defeat. Should this junior lose, not only will I be at the Qiu family’s mercy, but I will also declare to the world that slandering Qiu Yue and defaming the Qiu family was my sole act, utterly unrelated to the Xuan Nv Sect!”

“Should this junior be fortunate enough to win,” Lin Mo’s voice was firm and decisive, his gaze fixed on the unsteady Qiu Yue, “this junior asks for nothing, only that this matter be laid to rest.”

The translucent projection in the void initially paused, its familiar form slowly turning to look at Lin Mo below, lost in thought.

The Empress’s imperial crown swayed gently, her gaze behind the bead curtain abruptly fixing on Lin Mo’s face.

On the other side, Qiu Ku’s murky old eyes, as if covered in shadows and dust, shot forth two sharp gleams.

He seized Lin Mo tightly, then raised his withered claw, pointing at him. “You dare to fight my Yue’er to the death? With your severely damaged foundation and chaotic Qi Condensation body? You truly don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth! Boy, Her Majesty granted you mercy, and you squander it thus?”

Even the Empress found it somewhat unbearable to watch. She had immediately seen Qiu Yue’s hidden cultivation, late Foundation Establishment, even on the verge of Core Formation.

Compared to Lin Mo’s cultivation, it was truly no match.

‘He truly didn’t know how to seize an opportunity.’

“Since this is within the Xuan Nv Sect’s territory, and involves martial practice and Hall of Clarity rules, then let us follow the Xuan Nv Sect’s rules,” the Empress’s voice carried an air of detached control and unquestionable resolve.

Her gaze shifted to the Xuan Nv Sect’s high-ranking members, led by Xian Chengyue. “The Hall of Clarity of the Xuan Nv Sect is renowned. For today’s martial competition, why not follow the Hall of Clarity’s rules and conclude this unfinished match?”

She paused, her gaze seemingly sweeping inadvertently towards Ji Xue. “Moreover, I also wish to see how much my Imperial Daughter has progressed within the Xuan Nv Sect’s Hall of Clarity.”

These words, by invoking “rules,” blocked the Qiu family’s excuse for forceful intervention and aggression, while also providing the Xuan Nv Sect with internal space to resolve the matter according to procedure.

At the same time, her emphasis, as a mother, on Imperial Daughter Ji Xue’s cultivation also necessitated adherence to these rules.

After all, this would give the Xuan Nv Sect a legitimate excuse to contend with Qiu Yue.

Given the current situation, none of the Xuan Nv Sect’s disciples would now consider Qiu Yue one of their own. A concerted attack on Qiu Yue was a foregone conclusion.

No matter how vast the difference between Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation, with continuous attrition, Qi Condensation cultivators could still defeat those at Foundation Establishment.

Qiu Ku and Qiu Jingwen were well aware of the Empress’s subtle calculations. This act of forcibly demanding action and applying pressure would be an open defiance of the Empress’s decree and the Xuan Nv Sect’s regulations.

He himself would lose any excuse to intervene and would also give the Empress leverage.

Qiu Ku’s withered face twitched, and he spoke in a sinister tone, “Your Majesty’s sacred judgment. This old one has no objection; let it be done according to the Hall of Clarity’s rules! I merely hope that certain overconfident juniors do not seize this opportunity to delay and cling to life!” His sharp gaze was fixed intently on Lin Mo.

“Your Majesty is wise, we shall naturally comply with the rules of our Xuan Nv Sect,” Xian Chengyue immediately bowed in response. Grand Elder Qing You and Zhao Qiubai, among others, also expressed their agreement, and the pressure instantly lessened.

Only Mu Qingli’s face grew even paler. She stepped forward urgently, “Your Majesty! Wan’er is severely injured, his meridians damaged, spiritual energy chaotic, and his foundation unstable! In such a state, how can he participate in the subsequent melee? Is this not akin to sending him to his death? I implore Your Majesty, allow him to recuperate and recover. It would not be too late to fight once his injuries stabilize!”

Her words were heartfelt and sincere, her worry almost overflowing.

Lin Mo looked at the still-wet bloodstains on her shoulder and her disheveled long hair, a warm current slowly flowing through his heart.

‘If I weren’t a man, perhaps she truly would be a—yes, she is a good master now.’

The discrimination of this world had changed her views, but it had not changed her heart.

“Hmph!” Before the Empress could respond, Qiu Jingwen let out a harsh cold snort, her voice like sandpaper rubbing. “Sect Master Mu, your words are mistaken! The Hall of Clarity rules clearly state: a disciple’s ability to protect and regulate their own physical condition is inherently part of their overall strength! Aren’t your Hall of Clarity rules designed for training to face real combat? In real combat, who can guarantee they will always face an enemy at their peak? If everyone demanded a truce and delay for such reasons, what practical significance would this martial practice have? Moreover, isn’t learning to give up and accept defeat also something the Hall of Clarity requires disciples to learn?”

She stepped half a pace forward, her imposing aura directed at Sect Master Mu Qingli. “As a Sect Master, you’re now quite adept at finding excuses?”

‘Are you, Mu Qingli, as Sect Master, not even as good as the hall’s rules?’

‘I’ve had the fortune to observe previous Hall of Clarity events, and I’ve never seen anyone granted an exception to rest and recover from injuries!’

These damning words, each piercing the Xuan Nv Sect’s rules, left Mu Qingli utterly speechless!

The Empress, however, spoke indifferently, “Sect Master Qingli, Family Head Qiu’s words are very true. A disciple’s condition is also a test. Furthermore, since it has been decided to proceed according to the Hall of Clarity’s rules, there is no justification for delay.”

Her words carried the final decision, directly suppressing all of Mu Qingli’s pleas. “Prepare swiftly for the final melee. I recall the Hall of Clarity’s final event uses a point system, correct? Then, the higher score between the two will determine the victor.”

Mu Qingli’s heart ached intensely. She looked at Lin Mo, her eyes filled with despair and helplessness. Lin Mo, however, shook his head slightly at her, conveying a message of “don’t worry,” though his weak figure appeared even more fragile in the wind.

Xian Chengyue took a deep breath, suppressing the worry in her heart.

Yet, she also knew this was the Xuan Nv Sect’s only way out. Since the Empress had arrived, there could be no further delay.

At this moment, only execution remained.

She strode into the arena, and the spiritual light that originally presided over the melee instantly activated. Her clear voice pierced the solemn atmosphere across the entire venue: “By Your Majesty’s decree! Xuan Nv Sect’s Hall of Clarity, final melee, commencing immediately!”

In the end, Lin Mo gained nothing.

The fifteen-day recuperation period ultimately transformed into an immediate confrontation.

But what did it matter?

Life, by its very nature, cannot always go as one wishes. As long as it didn’t lead to more severe consequences, it was for the best.

Indeed, one might even say this was better.

Lin Mo’s gaze cut through the crowd, meeting Qiu Yue’s eyes.

Qiu Yue, at this moment, still looked at him, her smile undiminished, as if victory was already in her grasp.

Now, Lin Mo felt no fear, no longer averting his gaze from Qiu Yue.

‘Lin Mo~’

‘Qiu Yue!’

‘Let’s put an end to this.’