Chapter Forty-One: I Have a Senior Sister

Sword energy arced like a rainbow, the force behind this strike far surpassing that of ordinary cultivators at the Golden Core stage.

Monk Huike’s expression shifted slightly, but then his hands formed the true seals of the Buddhist sect, and he recited sacred words—without the slightest hint of retreat.

The sky was filled with sword energy colliding directly with the Buddhist seals, producing a brilliant burst of light. Countless remnants of snow and leaves scattered, swept away by the sword’s power.

Boom!

Monk Huike was forced back over a yard, only halting after several breaths.

Yet the sword energy persisted. It surged wildly around his palms, then shattered the battered remnants of the courtyard into countless fragments. The dragon of sword energy twisted madly, its body writhing, faintly echoing with the sound of a dragon’s roar.

Huike stood unmoved, his entire body radiating a pale golden Buddhist light. Throughout, his arms never so much as wavered.

Shen Yu’s expression was calm, but the sword intent around him only grew stronger, becoming ever more majestic.

As the sword dragon’s momentum intensified, Monk Huike’s Buddhist aura surged as well, until the dim courtyard shone as bright as day.

The two were locked in a deadlock.

Suddenly, a voice filled with resentment rang out.

“Die!”

Li Chan had somehow appeared behind Shen Yu. Leaping high, he brought his massive fist down, aiming straight for Shen Yu’s head.

Huike cried out in alarm, “Layman Li, stop!”

Li Chan ignored him, his fist unwavering.

In that instant, Shen Yu’s face remained expressionless. His left hand punched out, blocking Huike’s Buddhist seal, while his right hand thrust his wooden sword backward, piercing Li Chan and freezing him in midair.

Without hesitation, Shen Yu twisted his sword, and the dragon of sword energy shifted direction, turning for another strike.

If it landed, Li Chan would surely have perished in that moment.

Huike frowned slightly, then pushed his right hand forward with a Buddhist seal.

Li Chan’s body was struck by the seal, forcibly shifted aside.

The next moment—

Blood-red sword energy pierced Li Chan’s left arm. Accompanied by a shriek, blood splattered, and his arm dropped from the air.

Li Chan crashed heavily to the ground, his face pale as he wailed in agony.

Shen Yu took another step, his figure instantly appearing before Li Chan, the tip of his sword aimed directly at Li Chan’s brow without a moment’s hesitation.

Bang!

The wooden sword halted three inches from Li Chan’s brow.

It turned out Huike had seized the sword between his palms just as it was about to pierce Li Chan’s brow.

Seeing this, Shen Yu withdrew his sword and retreated gracefully.

Huike did not attack further; instead, he looked back at the still-crying Li Chan, his face filled with compassion. With a gentle wave of his sleeve, he staunched the blood from Li Chan’s right arm.

After tending to Li Chan, Huike’s serene face showed a trace of anger. He said, “Layman Shen, your killing intent is so strong—perhaps you were just as ruthless when you slew the Shen family years ago?”

Shen Yu’s expression remained calm, and he did not reply.

“Layman Shen, your spiritual power is now exhausted,” Huike said, gazing at Shen Yu’s fair face. “You cannot escape.”

As he finished speaking, Huike’s coarse monk’s robe stirred without wind, golden light shooting from his eyes. A vast, imposing aura saturated the entire Shen family estate.

At that moment, Huike seemed like an angry Vajra, murmuring Buddhist chants, with myriad Buddhas appearing behind him.

He resembled the Buddha himself.

Shen Yu watched, and said, “So you’ve already stepped into the Upper Three Realms.”

His tone was tinged with reflection, and a hint of enlightenment.

...

The reason he acted today was to see how far the top cultivators of the current younger generation had progressed.

Though he had speculated, the true clash surprised him—the little monk from Lingyin Temple possessed astonishing talent, and yet ranked only fourth on the Rising Cloud List.

What of the three above him? What realms must they have reached?

Shen Yu calmly withdrew his wooden sword.

Indeed, his dantian was now utterly depleted of spiritual power, and he could no longer wield this innate spiritual treasure.

Huike looked at him. “You’re not fighting anymore?”

“No,” Shen Yu replied, shaking his head. “Let someone else fight.”

...

At the highest point of the Shen family’s main hall, a white-clad figure stood against the wind like a celestial maiden.

She had been there for a long time.

Among the three in the courtyard, aside from Shen Yu, no one had noticed her.

Huike was stunned by Shen Yu’s words, then looked up, his expression changing.

Cultivators of the Upper Three Realms had extraordinary vision, so he quickly saw her exquisite face, skin fairer than snow. In the moonlight, she appeared as a goddess descended to earth.

Her beautiful eyes met his gaze, utterly without ripple.

Huike pressed his palms together. “So it is Laywoman Yu of the Daoist Sect.”

White-clad, sword at her back, eyes like water, unmatched beauty—these were the marks of Yu Wenwen of the Daoist Sect.

Her cultivation talent was outstanding, and her ethereal presence had made her a rising star among the Daoist Sect’s younger generation.

After her defeat of Fang Hen in the Hall of Clear Laws, few doubted her strength.

Huike had never met Yu Wenwen, but in the southwest, a woman with these traits could only be her.

Yu Wenwen gazed calmly into the distance. “The border troops of South River City have been alerted, and the local people are uneasy. Little monk, do you wish to fight here or move elsewhere?”

Huike gave a bitter smile. “Could we not fight at all?”

Yu Wenwen replied coolly, “You struck my junior brother, so naturally, you must fight.”

Huike protested, “But Layman Shen... he cut off Li Chan’s arm, the one from Qing Emperor City.”

“He deserved it,” Yu Wenwen interrupted coldly. “A shameless sneak attacker—if it were me, he’d already be dead.”

Shen Yu glanced at Yu Wenwen in surprise.

Huike ranked fourth on the Rising Cloud List, while Yu Wenwen was ninth. There was a gap between them, but he hadn’t expected her to be so forceful, and so fiercely protective.

There was something special about her, he thought—a quality he found quite pleasing.

Huike fell silent for a long moment, then said, “Do you know, Layman Shen and that Shen…”

“The affairs of Daoist Sect disciples are for the Daoist Sect to handle,” Yu Wenwen said impatiently, frowning. “Are you going to fight or not?”

Huike’s expression was conflicted, but at last he sighed. “No, Laywoman Yu. I suppose you, too, have come here because of the Southern Barbarian Demon Domain. Now that the demon domain stirs…”

“We’re leaving,” Yu Wenwen said, addressing Shen Yu. Then she flew off on her sword toward the distance.

Shen Yu turned to depart.

“Layman Shen, take care,” Huike said earnestly. “Your talent is extraordinary—not only in cultivation, but also in the way of the sword. I only hope you can turn back before it is too late, and not step onto a mistaken path.”

Shen Yu paused, silent for a long time, then said calmly, “My actions are without shame to heaven and earth—what fault could there be?”

Sword light flared as he chased after the white-clad figure.

...

South River City, a certain inn.

Two figures landed silently at the edge of the courtyard.

Shen Yu sat on a stone bench, casually pouring himself a cup of tea, slowly savoring it.

Today’s two confrontations, with Li Chan and Monk Huike, had not only depleted his spiritual power, but also left some meridians in his body injured.

Yu Wenwen watched him quietly, saying nothing.

Shen Yu understood her thoughts, for when Li Chan from Qing Emperor City appeared at the Shen family mansion, she had already arrived. She had heard everything said afterward.

Yet Shen Yu did not wish to answer what she wanted to know—for the matter was too mundane.

“Thank you. I hadn’t expected you to come here,” Shen Yu broke the silence.

Yu Wenwen shook her head slightly. “Senior Brother Su Mo came to me some days ago. He was worried about you.”

Shen Yu smiled. “So that’s it.”

Silence.

After a long while, Yu Wenwen asked, “Shen Yuanzhi—is he your father?”

Shen Yu’s eyes grew distant, as if the question troubled him.

“Yes,” he finally replied.

Yu Wenwen nodded, not pressing further.

Shen Yu was surprised. “You’re not going to ask more?”

Yu Wenwen gazed at him. “There’s nothing worth asking.”

Shen Yu looked at the beautiful woman. “I thought you’d want to know.”

The Shen family massacre—was it, as Li Chan claimed, his doing? Outsiders would surely be curious.

“No need. Your Dao heart is clear, your mind tranquil,” Yu Wenwen said quietly. “This matter hasn’t affected your state of mind at all, which itself gives some answers.”

Shen Yu asked, “What answers?”

“For example, perhaps you didn’t do it. Or, if you did, it was a matter of no consequence to you,” Yu Wenwen replied earnestly. “If it’s the second, you might be one of those heartless people my master once spoke of. Such people are naturally dealt with—but not by me.”

Shen Yu was curious. “Why not you?”

Yu Wenwen looked at him seriously. “Because I owe you a great debt.”

...

Shen Yu smiled, bright and sunny.

Yu Wenwen had never seen Shen Yu smile like that. She looked at him in confusion.

Shen Yu’s smile faded. “Qing Emperor City and Lingyin Temple came because the Southern Barbarian Demon Domain is stirring?”

Yu Wenwen said, “Yes. The sect received word from South River City—strange happenings at the demon domain border, frequent roars from demon beasts, and huge spiritual energy vortices. Some think a rare treasure is emerging; others suspect the demon beasts are gathering to attack Great Li.”

Shen Yu nodded. He had sensed the spiritual disturbance upon arriving in South River City, but hadn’t expected it to draw not only the Daoist Sect, but also Qing Emperor City and Lingyin Temple.

“So, you didn’t come specifically to save me?”

Yu Wenwen was momentarily stunned, then replied helplessly, “What are you thinking?”