Hearing Xue Wangxu’s words, Zhang Yi turned around with a tear-stained face. He looked at the speedily walking youth and stilled. He asked in puzzlement, “Cave Master, how do you know he came from Guanzhong?”

“Guanzhong is the origin of the Qin Dynasty. Only cultivators from there will have even less elegance than the cultivators of Changling in how they carry swords. They carry it like it is a hoe or a firewood axe,” Xue Wangxu smiled and said.

Zhang Yi saw that the incoming youth’s steps were spirited but the angle of the sword on his back really did look like he was carrying a hoe. He felt that Xue Wangxu’s words were too amusing and he laughed despite his tears.

The youth with the purple sword stopped a dozen meters away from Ding Ning and bowed slightly. He said, “This one is Shen Yi of Guanzhong. Sir must be White Goat Cave’s Ding Ning?”

Hearing that the other came from Guanzhong as expected, Zhang Yi almost laughed out loud.

Ding Ning held his snow shovel and asked coldly, “What?”

Shen Yi stilled.

While he had always been in Guanzhong and never been to Changling, he knew from the books and other people that the Changling people cared more about manners. However, of the two people facing him now, one looked to be laughing and crying, and this Ding Ning seemed to not have any friendliness at all.

“He has come far. Even if you do not invite him to a cup of hot tea, at least be polite,” Looking at the stiff Shen Yi, Xue Wangxu shook his head and helplessly lectured Ding Ning in a low voice.

“He likely came in search of a fight. I can’t even get peace shoveling snow and waiting for the new year. Why should I be polite?” Ding Ning glanced at him and said.

Shen Yi was even more stunned. He looked hesitant at Ding Ning and asked, “How did you know I came to fight … to challenge you?”

“Other than Xie Rou and Xie Changsheng, I do not know anyone from Guanzhong.” Ding Ning looked at him and said, “I know it is because of them without even thinking. You came in with fighting spirit and energy. If you did not come for a fight with me, you came to help me sweep snow?”

Shen Yi was still for a moment. His face grew serious. “Your thoughts are agile and you are extraordinary as expected.

“I will not lie to you. I fell in love with Xie Rou at first sight. I heard that she swore to marry no one but you so I want to challenge you. I’ve already been in Changling for a fortnight but you were away. I confirmed you are here today and came to find you,” he said solemnly before Ding Ning spoke.

Xue Wangxu laughed even more happily. “The true color of Guanzhong. He isn’t bashful at all when speaking of his jealousy for a rival.”

Ding Ning looked at this youth who was not dislikable. His brow furrowed and he said, “What you think about Xie Rou has nothing to do with me. You know that is only Xie Rou’s own thoughts.”

Shen Yi’s brow also furrowed. He said sincerely, “But I think if I am able to prove I am better than you, she may change her thoughts.”

Ding Ning said calmly, “What does that have to do with me? This is a matter for you and her. If I fight you and I help you prove you are better than me, what is the benefit for me?”

Shen Yi stilled again.

This had appeared to be a simple matter to him. He would find Ding Ning and they could start a fair fight. But when he heard Ding Ning’s words now, he had no words to argue. Because this did seem to be only beneficial to him, and there were no benefits for Ding Ning.

Ding Ning, who had no interest in a fight like this, opened his mouth. He wanted to say words to rid the other of his idea. But at this time, Xue Wangxu coughed from behind him and said childishly, “Ding Ning, I want to see you fight.”

Ding Ning stilled and didn’t speak.

Shen Yi’s eyes shone with hope.

The slightly plump merchant behind him coughed softly. he looked at Ding Ning and said in a tone of discussion, “If you feel this is of no benefit to you, maybe we can give you some reparations?”

Ding Ning thought and said, “Alright.”

Shen Yi immediately became excited.

“Junior Sect Brother, this is not good?” Zhang Yi’s tearstained face fell. He had never heard of one side giving the other reparations in a challenge in Changling. This was not selling one’s arts on the streets for money and getting tips.

“I want Three Yang Grass.”

Ding Ning ignored the other’s opinion. He looked at Shen Yi and the slightly plump merchant. “Of course, this is if I win, you give me Three Yang Grass. If I lose, then there is no need.”

Shen Yi instinctively turned and asked the slightly plump merchant. “Uncle Jin, Three Yang Grass is?”

The slightly plump merchant answered. “A kind of spirit medicine that can strengthen the spleen and kidneys. It is expensive, but still possible to find.”

Shen Yi was immediately happy. He looked at Ding Ning and said, “Your request is not outrageous, and the condition is only if you win against me. If you can win against me, the Shen Family will give you as many Three Yang Grasses as we can find.”

Ding Ning nodded calmly. “This is good.”

Behind him, Xue Wangxu was slightly worried. He whispered, “Why do you want the Three Yang Grass? Did you see a pill recipe of benefit to your health? Is it reliable?”

Ding Ning glanced at him and said, “It is reliable, do not worry.”

Seeing Ding Ning so certain, Xue Wangxu chuckled and said nothing else.

Shen Yi was extremely excited and said, “Then may we begin now?”

Ding Ning put down his shovel and wiped his hands. Looking at Zhang Yi whose tears were forming frost on his face next to Xue Wangxu, he took two steps into the snow and said to Shen Yi, “Yes.”

Shen Yi gripped the hilt of the long purple sword he carried on his back. He looked at Ding Ning and asked softly, “You have not yet reached Vital Energy Realm?”

Ding Ning looked oddly at him and nodded.

“Please!” Shen Yi said nothing else. He pulled out his sword and held it across his chest according to Changling’s etiquette.

Ding Ning’s expression became absolutely calm. He said no words. He gripped the hilt of the Last Flower sword, pulled it from the normal scabbard on his back and held it across his chest.

The people in the alley sweeping snow immediately became excited.

The neighbours on the street knew that the young proprietor of the wine shop, Ding Ning, had become a cultivator. Their initial excitement had passed, but they naturally wanted to see what means the young Ding Ning had after becoming a cultivator.

“Do not be scared! Fight well!”

“Do not lose face for Falling Parasol!”

“If you win, you will get noodles free tomorrow!”

Chaotic shouts sounded.

Among the sounds, Shen Yi’s eyebrows rose slightly when he saw Ding Ning had no intention of attacking first.

A sharp energy flashed across his determined face.

All the shouts suddenly stopped.

Because Shen Yi swung his sword.

He swung his sword towards Ding Ning.

There were at least twenty meters between him and Ding Ning. This sword would be able to touch Ding Ning but as he swung the sword, his body moved rapidly.

The remaining snow between him and Ding Ning was crushed into powder by a powerful force and spread outwards.

He had crossed dozens of meters in a flash and came in front of Ding Ning.

The gold seal scripts on his sword all lit up. Energy seeped from the blade and formed golden thunder.

The poor households of Falling Parasol had never seen lightning form from a sword like this and were all completely stunned.

Zhang Yi, next to Xue Wangxu, saw the purple lightning jump off the purple blade and his eyes widened. He praised apologetically, “A true gentleman. I thought meanly of him.”

He gave such praise because when he heard Shen Yi ask about Ding Ning’s cultivation, he thought that Shen Yi was confirming that Ding Ning had not reached Vital Energy Realm and he was assured.

Yet he found now the reason Shen Yi confirmed Ding Ning’s cultivation was because he did not want to benefit from Ding Ning’s disadvantage in cultivation.

The power of his strike was controlled to realm two.

—

Ding Ning frowned slightly.

The moment Shen Yi moved, he detected Shen Yi’s intentions. But in his view, this had no effect on the result of this fight. If this could make his victory simpler, of course he would not refuse.

As Shen Yi charged, Ding Ning channeled his physical power into the Last Flower sword.

White seal lines formed on his sides.

He did not take a step back. He had waited for Shen Yi to attack so he could win after striking after the other had attacked by locking onto Shen Yi’s sword move.

In a flash, the wind and lightning came in front of him.

The golden lightning was less than a foot away from his chest.

But in this moment, the sword seals on his sides moved quickly along his remnant sword and took shape around him.

Boom!

Two majestic green energies formed in the air.

Two green mountains rose up in front of Ding Ning and combined together.

The golden lightning was within the two green mountains and unable to advance.

“White Goat Sword Seal Manual … Junior Sect Brother … Junior Sect Brother …” Zhang Yi’s eyes were wide in surprise and disbelief. He could only repeat “Junior Sect Brother” over and over.

Shen Yi’s breathing suddenly stopped.

He felt as though his sword was being squeezed by the two green mountains, unable to advance or pull back.

Buzzz!

In the next moment, blue energy bounced back and shot towards him!

His body shook as though he was hit by a giant hammer. He retreated dispiritedly.

Ding Ning swung his sword upwards.

A square white sword seal immediately formed.

Cold energy formed in the cold air. Ice trees passed through the scattered golden threads and over Shen Yi’s head.

Ding Ning pulled away his sword. He did not say anything yet everyone understood the meaning.

Victory had been decided.

If Ding Ning had been willing, the ice tree just now could have rushed onto Shen Yi’s body as he retreated.

“Junior Sect Brother …” Zhang Yi looked at this result with great joy. He did not know what to say.

Xue Wangxu sighed softly. “Too fast.”

He appeared to not have enough and was discontent.

Translator Ramblings: The saying goes … old people are like children. And so is Xue Wangxu.