C19 One Sword!

"Are you Yang Xuan of the Yang family from Azure Connection City? To think you've managed to cultivate in such a way as to hide your true power. It's clear now why you've drawn such unusual attention." The girl's beautiful eyes narrowed as she spoke with a commanding tone, "I am Qin Xianyi. Let's see what you're made of! Defend against my sword!"

Wow! Qin Xianyi!

Onlookers at the edge of the street burst into exclamations upon hearing the name, "Qin Xianyi, oh my god, I heard right, didn't I? That's the once-in-a-millennium prodigy, Qin Xianyi!"

"Damn, it really is her. I've seen her portrait; how could I ever forget such a face?"

"She's the youngest National General of Ya Country, the very Qin Xianyi who was honored by the king himself. Rumor has it she's been challenging talented warriors across various districts. She's already defeated twenty-eight districts, and it seems no one has been able to withstand her sword. Today, she must be here to challenge our very own Yang Xuan of Azure Connection City! If Yang Xuan can parry her strike, the Yang family's rise to prominence is all but assured!"

Qin Xianyi?

Who is she? Having been reborn not long ago, Yang Xiao was at a loss. No matter how renowned she might be, he had never heard of her. He gazed at the striking woman before him, puzzled, and said, "Uh... I don't believe we've met, nor have I wronged you in any way... Why should I face your sword?"

"You!" Qin Xianyi's eyes flared with indignation as she stared at Yang Xiao, her frustration mounting.

Yang Weiyue, sensing the tension, quickly tugged at Yang Xiao's hand, "Brother, you..."

But before she could finish, Yang Xiao reassured his sister and began to sift through his memories. Suddenly, a flood of information about Qin Xianyi came rushing back, and he was taken aback.

The name was indeed legendary; in his past life, Yang Xiao knew her as a household name. Qin Xianyi was the foremost cultivation prodigy of Ya Country, having reached the Profound Intercommunity Stage before even turning eighteen. Not only was she the preeminent female swordsman of the nation, but she also possessed a God Level secret scripture. This meant that this young woman's future cultivation was destined to be nothing short of extraordinary.

A genius of this caliber had never been seen in Ya Country before. Qin Xianyi's feats were even more remarkable, shattering records and legends throughout the Eight-wasteland. She was the youngest ever National General, the youngest to reach the Profound Intercommunity Stage, the female swordsman with the most consecutive victories, and the wielder of an extraordinary and mysterious sword described in the secret scripture...

Such talent transcended the mere label of 'genius'; she was a genius among geniuses, a rarity that comes once in a millennium.

Yang Xiao was taken aback by the girl standing before him. He hadn't expected a genius of her stature to arrive in the small Azure Connection City, let alone to find her sword pointed at him.

Qin Xianyi, still mounted on her horse, held her long sword and gazed at Yang Xiao without a trace of anger, her face a picture of serenity.

"I'm not Yang Xuan. You've got the wrong person," Yang Xiao said with a smile to the mounted girl.

"Hmm?" Qin Xianyi furrowed her brow, confused. "Are you certain?"

"I'm definitely not the concealed cultivator or the anomaly you're seeking. You're looking for Yang Xuan; he's at Yang Mansion. Feel free to seek him out there," Yang Xiao clarified.

"You really aren't Yang Xuan!" Qin Xianyi asserted, squinting her striking eyes.

"I'm not," he confirmed.

As Yang Xiao was denying the claim, Yang Weiyue suddenly chimed in, "My brother is also quite formidable, not at all inferior to Yang Xuan!"

With an indulgent smile, Yang Xiao gently pulled Yang Weiyue back and affectionately patted her head. She playfully stuck out her tongue and giggled, tucking herself behind Yang Xiao's arm.

Qin Xianyi gave Yang Xiao another scrutinizing look and remarked softly, "I never imagined Azure Connection City would be home to so many geniuses. To stumble upon someone like you, capable of cultivating such hidden power, is truly unexpected."

Yang Xiao remained silent, his smile unwavering.

Qin Xianyi went on, "Though you may not be Yang Xuan, you still have the honor of crossing swords with me! Do you accept the challenge?"

Yang Xiao couldn't help but laugh at the notion. To think he was deemed worthy of taking a sword from her!

After a brief silence, he began to ponder earnestly. Clearly, the individual before him was no ordinary person.

Accepting this sword challenge would undoubtedly catapult Yang Xiao's fame, aiding him significantly on his future journey. However, it wasn't without its risks. Revealing his abilities too soon could provoke the Yang family's steward and Yang Xuan to exhaust all means to eliminate him, potentially endangering his sister as well.

Yet, how could Yang Xiao be content with declining? Touted as the greatest prodigy of the Eight-wastelands, he was now reborn and facing nothing but challenges, and he inherently relished them.

With this in mind, Yang Xiao looked up at Qin Xianyi on her horse and declared, "In three days, I will certainly accept your challenge. What do you say?"

"Three days?"

Qin Xianyi shook her head at once, responding, "Sorry! You don't have the right to have me wait for you in Azure Connection City for three days!"

With that, she tugged on the reins and prepared to depart.

But just then, Yang Xiao channeled the power of the Four-dragon Ring, and a fleeting shadow dashed in front of Qin Xianyi's horse, startling it into rearing up.

Qin Xianyi steadied the horse, her gaze returning to Yang Xiao with a flicker of astonishment. "It seems you're not merely concealing your power. Such speed is truly uncommon."

Yang Xiao kept his focus on Qin Xianyi and asserted, "In three days, I challenge you!"

A smile graced Qin Xianyi's fair complexion, and she gave Yang Xiao a knowing glance. This time, he wasn't just talking about facing the sword—he was issuing a challenge. Things were becoming increasingly intriguing.

Qin Xianyi fixed her eyes on Yang Xiao and proposed, "I shall wait for you for three days! But first, I must seek out Yang Xuan of the Yang family in Azure Connection City. Being a local, do you know where I might find him?"

At that moment, Yang Weiyue, having overheard the conversation, bounded forward with a grin. "Sister, I know where to find Yang Xuan of the Yang family. We belong to the Yang family ourselves. We'll lead you to him."

"Hmm? Are you members of the Yang family?" Qin Xianyi glanced at Yang Weiyue, then turned to Yang Xiao and inquired, "Are you the son of the Yang Mansion?"

Yang Xiao gave a nonchalant shrug, replying, "A son of the Yang family, I suppose." But internally, he reflected on the relentless ridicule and humiliation he had endured within the Yang family, feeling less significant than even the servants. How could he truly claim the title of a young master?

"The Yang family is quite impressive, possessing two geniuses with exceptional talents. It appears the Yang family is poised for a resurgence," Qin Xianyi observed, nodding in approval. "Then please, lead the way."

Upon her agreement, Yang Weiyue bounced with excitement, while Yang Xiao simply offered a smile, choosing not to elaborate further.

Guided by the siblings, Qin Xianyi swiftly made her way to the Yang Mansion. Her arrival, a prodigy of national acclaim, sent shockwaves through the entire household. The great elder, accompanied by the other elders, stepped forward to greet her.

The Yang family, despite their dominance over the other clans in Azure Connection City, paled in comparison to the formidable backing of Qin Xianyi, who hailed from the capital. Her influence was so vast that it dwarfed that of the Yang family many times over.

Thus, when the great elder learned of Qin Xianyi's intent to challenge Yang Xuan, he and his colleagues spared no effort to receive her with all the honors due to a distinguished guest, secretly rejoicing at the opportunity.

As Yang Xiao, Yang Weiyue, and Qin Xianyi stood at the entrance, the great elder and his entourage hurried out to meet them. Noticing Yang Xiao and Yang Weiyue beside Qin Xianyi, the great elder's brow furrowed momentarily, but he quickly set aside his concerns and briskly approached Qin Xianyi, bowing slightly, "Miss Qin, it is an honor to welcome you to our humble Yang Mansion. Please accept our apologies for any shortcomings in our reception. We invite you to come inside."

Accustomed to such receptions, Qin Xianyi simply nodded and said, "A brief visit to the mansion will suffice. You know why I'm here. Is Yang Xuan present?"

"Yes, indeed," the great elder replied promptly.

Turning to the butler, he instructed, "Quickly, go and summon Yang Xuan!"

E Zhengqing had been glaring daggers at Yang Xiao, but upon hearing the elder's command, he had no choice but to pivot and head back into the Yang Mansion to seek out Yang Xuan.

At that moment, the great elder turned to Yang Xiao and his sister with a scowl. "What are you two loitering around here for? Get inside at once. Don't make a fool of yourselves in front of Miss Qin!"

Qin Xianyi's eyes widened with a flicker of surprise at the elder's harsh rebuke.

Unaccustomed to tolerating disrespect, Yang Xiao shot the great elder a withering look and retorted, "Why are you so concerned? How am I bothering you?"

The great elder's face turned icy in an instant, ready to chastise Yang Xiao, but Qin Xianyi, standing nearby, beat him to the punch, inquiring, "And who might this be?"

The great elder's stern expression softened as he addressed Qin Xianyi, "Miss Qin, you may not be aware, but Yang Xiao is the son of my predecessor, the former sect master. Since his father's disappearance on a mission, his talents and cultivation have severely declined. He's become increasingly violent and discourteous, causing no end of trouble here at the Yang Mansion. I never imagined he would show such insolence to an elder, especially in your presence, Miss Qin. It's truly..."

Before the great elder could finish, Qin Xianyi cut him off, "Elder, you claim he's violent and unreasonable, which I'm not in a position to judge. But to say his talent and cultivation are exceedingly poor? Are you certain about that?"

The great elder was taken aback. Anyone with a slight sense of vital spirit could determine Yang Xiao's level of cultivation. How could Qin Xianyi not be aware of this? Yet, he had to admit, "Indeed, Yang Xiao is nineteen and has been stuck at the Essence Condensation Stage for years, with no advancement. His talent is far below that of his peers."

Qin Xianyi furrowed her brow, appraising both the great elder and Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao's cultivation base was at the Spirit Gathering Stage, which for his age, was not subpar. Moreover, his true Spirit Gathering Stage was concealed beneath his outward cultivation. Could such a gift truly be considered poor?

Qin Xianyi was quite perplexed as she observed Yang Xiao. She refrained from commenting, as the situation spoke for itself. It was clear that the relationship between the Yang Mansion and Yang Xiao was somewhat strained.