LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 118: Shi Yan and Fairy Lu
Chapter 118: Shi Yan and Fairy Lu
Elder Liu frowned, his white brows knitting together as he looked at the female immortal. “Fairy Lu, do you have any advice?”
Fairy Lu, dressed in a flowing white robe with a gentle and elegant demeanor, replied, “Are there rules for this spar?”
“Of course, there are rules. Fairy Lu, as a steward of Book Immortal Peak, you are more familiar with the rules than I am. If you have something to say, please speak directly.” Elder Liu knew that the other party had come with ill intentions, so his tone was not particularly polite.
Book Immortal Peak was not only responsible for compiling books and leading the literary traditions of the mortal world but also for drafting laws. Many of the regulations, restrictions, and reward systems in both the mortal world and the Divine Mountain were established under the guidance of Book Immortal Peak.
“If there are rules, that’s good. Elder Liu, do you remember what Article 34 of the Mystic Firmament Sect’s Sparring Regulations states?” Fairy Lu’s voice was gentle, like a patient teacher guiding a student.
At this level of cultivation, everyone had a photographic memory. Fairy Lu’s question was merely to force Elder Liu to state the answer himself.
Elder Liu was well aware of this. He glanced back at the ruined arena and rubbed his temples impatiently. “Fairy Lu, are you here to test me? If you have any objections, please state them directly.”
“Let me remind Elder Liu. That article states that in an independent spar between disciples, no one other than the referee is allowed to enter the arena. If this rule is violated, the beneficiary of the violation will be immediately declared the loser. Elder Liu, take a look. There are four people on the arena now.”
Fairy Lu smiled faintly, and the crowd turned their attention to the arena. Besides You Su, Shi Yan, and Elder Liu, there was indeed a fourth person—Heavenly Maiden Wangshu, who stood silently to the side!
You Su’s sword-like brows furrowed tightly. This sudden appearance of Fairy Lu was likely one of the people his Master’s wife had warned him about.
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu blinked her blue eyes, which for the first time seemed clouded, no longer as clear as before.
The gazes of the entire crowd were fixed on her, and her grip on her sword tightened unconsciously. She exuded an air of discomfort.
You Su staggered forward a few steps, shielding his senior sister and blocking most of the stares. Heavenly Maiden Wangshu glanced at him, her eyes complex with unspoken thoughts. She seemed to resist his closeness, taking a few steps back as she said:
“I was trying to save my junior brother.”
You Su keenly noticed his senior sister’s retreat, feeling puzzled in his heart.
Fairy Lu’s smile deepened. “Heavenly Maiden Wangshu’s desire to save her junior brother is commendable, but you must understand that sometimes good intentions can lead to bad outcomes. You violated the rules, so You Su must be declared the loser. Next time, please don’t act so impulsively.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the audience shifted. Declaring You Su the loser after such a hard-fought battle was hard to believe. However, Fairy Lu of Book Immortal Peak had an excellent reputation, known for her beauty and kindness, and her words were factually correct. According to the rules, You Su had indeed lost. For a moment, no one dared to discuss the outcome privately, waiting for the decision of the higher-ups, though some recalled Fairy Lu’s famed kindness.
“I…”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu, inexperienced in the ways of the world, was at a loss for words. She tightly gripped the hem of her skirt, her gaze shifting between You Su and Fairy Lu.
Elder Liu cursed inwardly. He was well aware of the conflict between Book Immortal Peak and Lotus Peak, but there was little he could do against the rigid rule-followers of Book Immortal Peak. If You Su were declared the loser, his status as a core disciple would be revoked, which would be an immeasurable loss for the Mystic Firmament Sect. However, Elder Liu couldn’t openly refute Fairy Lu on these grounds, as rules were rules. He could only frantically search his memory for any special clauses in the regulations that could be used to turn the situation around.
The white light surrounding Heavenly Maiden Wangshu began to distort, indicating that her spiritual energy was in turmoil due to the turmoil in her heart.
You Su didn’t care whether Fairy Lu had ulterior motives or was simply a staunch defender of the rules. Regardless, he couldn’t let his innocent senior sister suffer because of him.
“Fairy Lu, this disciple has a question,” You Su said, forcing himself to stand straight.
“Although you are not a disciple of our sect, I am willing to enlighten you. Ask away,” Fairy Lu replied, emphasizing her words.
“This disciple would like to ask how the term ‘entering the arena’ is defined in the regulations.”
Fairy Lu smiled. “Appearing on the arena constitutes entering.”
“Does one have to stand on the arena, or does flying over it also count?”
“Both count, naturally,” Fairy Lu answered quickly.
“Then I would like to ask, if an immortal were to fly over the arena today, would that count as entering?”
As soon as these words were spoken, Elder Wu, who was flying on his sword high above, was momentarily stunned. The disciple beside him, Changwen, opened his mouth in surprise and asked:
“Master, can a Spirit Platform Realm cultivator’s spiritual sense reach that high?”
“It’s just a coincidence. If a Spirit Platform Realm cultivator had such spiritual sense, why would they need a sword?”
“Oh…”
Elder San, overhearing Elder Wu’s muttering nearby, rolled her eyes and focused her beautiful gaze on You Su.
“Of course not,” Fairy Lu replied, her expression slightly stiffening.
“Why not? Isn’t it the same as flying over the arena?” You Su pressed.
“The passing immortal wouldn’t affect the outcome of your match, so it doesn’t count.”
“My senior sister didn’t affect the outcome either. I was the one fighting, and she just happened to pass by. She never intervened. By that logic, my senior sister shouldn’t count as entering the arena.”
“Your senior sister flew too low, which could have influenced the opponent’s judgment and thus affected the outcome.”
“How high is high, and how low is low? Does the regulation not specify?”
Fairy Lu adjusted the golden crown on her forehead, her smile fading slightly. “Are you trying to be difficult? The regulations of Book Immortal Peak are not to be questioned.”
You Su coughed twice, feeling as though his entire body was falling apart with each breath, but he forced a smile. “Fairy Lu, please don’t misunderstand. It’s just that the rules seem a bit flawed, and it’s hard for me to accept.”
Elder Liu quickly added, “You Su has a point. Regulations with flaws cannot be enforced.”
Fairy Lu maintained her composure. “Even if your senior sister’s flight doesn’t count, she is now standing on the arena, which is still a violation of the rules.”
You Su crushed a piece of rubble under his foot. The surroundings were already in ruins, with debris scattered everywhere. It was impossible to tell where the arena’s boundaries were. He smiled and asked:
“Fairy Lu, where is the arena? Where does one have to stand to be considered on the arena?”
The spectators in the front rows were also busy kicking away the rubble at their feet, afraid that they might be considered as “standing on the arena” and thus violating the rules.
Fairy Lu’s eyes turned icy as she stared at You Su, about to speak, when a voice interrupted her:
“Fairy Lu, I, Shi Yan, thank you! I know you are kind-hearted and pitied me, and that you have a keen eye and recognized my talent, which is why you tried to find a way to turn my defeat into a victory. But I, Shi Yan, cannot accept such a victory. You Su’s senior sister didn’t help at all. I simply lost to him. I admit defeat! But Fairy Lu, don’t worry. In the next year, I will work even harder and will definitely join Book Immortal Peak to repay your kindness!”
Shi Yan solemnly clasped his fists and made his vow. The crowd was stunned. They couldn’t understand how this burly Shi Yan thought he could join Book Immortal Peak, a place known for its immortals of refined and scholarly demeanor. The mere thought of it was absurdly amusing.
After Shi Yan’s self-indulgent speech, the gentle smile that Fairy Lu had maintained completely disappeared. With the main party admitting defeat, there was no point in continuing to argue with You Su about the regulations.
Fairy Lu looked at Shi Yan, who was grinning foolishly, and said in a cold but controlled voice:
“Shi Yan, I hope you understand that I was not arguing for your sake. I was arguing for the regulations set by Book Immortal Peak. If it were someone else, I would have done the same. Therefore, I was not impressed by your talent. If you aspire to become a core disciple, I suggest you do not choose Book Immortal Peak, as you will not have a chance.”
Shi Yan scratched his head, looking relieved. “Fairy Lu, you should have said so earlier. You scared me. I’ve never liked reading since I was a child. Book Immortal Peak is the last place I want to go.”
Hearing this, Fairy Lu’s chest heaved as she took a deep breath, seemingly trying to suppress her anger.
The onlookers covered their mouths, stifling laughter, impressed that Shi Yan had managed to provoke the usually gentle Fairy Lu to such an extent.
Elder Liu stroked his goatee and said to Fairy Lu:
“Fairy Lu, it seems to me that the regulations of Book Immortal Peak are a bit outdated. They need to be reviewed and updated regularly.”
“Since the regulations have flaws, they cannot be enforced. I will take this case back and use it to improve the regulations. On behalf of Book Immortal Peak, I guarantee that next time, we will be able to deliver a fair judgment according to the regulations!” Fairy Lu declared solemnly before turning to leave.
Elder Liu laughed heartily. “How can everything in the world be accounted for? Fairy Lu, who is the winner today?”
Fairy Lu turned her head slightly, her golden crown glinting. She coldly stared at Elder Liu and said word by word:
“You Su wins.”
The disciples in the crowd erupted in cheers. After all, You Su was the rightful winner of this thrilling battle.
As Fairy Lu left, You Su finally relaxed, but his body nearly gave out. He felt a familiar hand support his back, while another reached under his knees. Out of habit, he bent his legs slightly to make it easier for her to carry him.
It was too late for regrets. Heavenly Maiden Wangshu had already scooped You Su up in her arms and flown straight into the sky, leaving the crowd staring in bewilderment.