Bang!
Ripples of flame surged outward, and everyone hurriedly channeled spiritual energy to withstand the狂暴的 (raging) aftershocks. The gully plowed by the wind sword intent halted a zhang away from the green-robed elder, then the intent slowly dissipated, vanishing as cyan light in the imperial garden.
Only then did everyone see the elder shielding Jiang Xuan was in狼狈 (disarray). Though he blocked the wind sword intent, his clothes were tattered like a beggar's, and dozens of deep sword marks crisscrossed the ground at his feet, as if he'd stood in a storm's eye.
"Incredible! The wooden sword that little girl wore held such a powerful wind sword intent!"
"I heard when Great Han's Second Prince was assassinated, a wooden sword he carried unleashed wind sword intent to slay the assassin!"
"Does that mean this wooden sword was made by Great Han's national guardian?"
All eyes in the garden focused on Chu Chu,震惊 (shocked). The green-robed elder, a Myriad Manifestations Second Grade expert, was left狼狈 (disheveled) by the wind intent—imagine the power of the one who sealed that intent in the wooden sword.
"Third Uncle..."
"Third Brother!"
Chu Chu and Seventh Princess looked at Lin Yu, eyes wide. They never knew the wooden sword Lin Yu gave them before parting hid such a fearsome intent.
Lin Yu shook his head, signaling them to stay silent.
"Dammit! You used a treasure to ambush me! I won't forgive you!" Jiang Xuan's face turned铁青 (livid),后怕 (terrified). If not for Zhang Ling, he'd be dead.
Zhang Ling eyed Chu Chu coldly. "Girl, ambushing with a treasure is unforgivable. But since you have talent, join our sect to train, and I'll spare you."
Even now, he wanted to take Chu Chu back—Profound Yin Physique cauldrons were too rare. Cultivating with her would skyrocket his power; no Profound Heaven disciple could resist.
"He said he'd suppress his cultivation to mine, so I agreed to the duel. But he broke his word and used Purple Mansion power! If not for my protective treasure, I'd be dead!" Chu Chu snorted, meeting Zhang Ling's gaze fearlessly.
"I thought only Profound Heaven disciples were untrustworthy, but now I see the top is crooked. Even sect elders twist right and wrong. My Chu Chu will never join such a sect!" Lin Yu laughed, standing beside Chu Chu. With him here, no one would bully her today.
"Hehe! A waste who hasn't reached Xiantian—believe I can crush you with one finger!" Jiang Xuan sneered, stepping forward before Zhang Ling could speak.
"Go ahead and try." Seventh Princess joined Lin Yu and Chu Chu, patting the small wooden sword carving at her waist—her confidence to face a Myriad Manifestations expert.
"Another wooden sword!" Jiang Xuan's face changed, recalling the daunting wind sword intent.
Zhang Ling's expression turned凝重 (grave). He'd used all his strength to block that intent; another might wound him.
"Elder Zhang, your sect is strong, but Sky Dominance Sect isn't weak. Your disciple broke his word today. I advise you not to push too far!" The Sky Dominance elder stood, facing Zhang Ling and Jiang Xuan. If they let Profound Heaven bully their disciple, where would Sky Dominance's honor lie?
"Hmph!" Zhang Ling glanced at the wooden sword on Seventh Princess's waist, flicked his tattered sleeve, and bowed coldly to the Zhou Emperor. "Your Majesty, I feel unwell and will take my leave." He headed for the garden exit.
"Elder Zhang..." Jiang Xuan was stunned the elder would concede. "Are we leaving like this?"
Zhang Ling turned, glaring. "Stay to embarrass ourselves?"
Jiang Xuan flushed and hurried after him.
"Great Han's Prince Su must be stronger than ordinary Myriad Manifestations experts."
"Definitely! His wind sword intent repelled a Profound Heaven elder—he must be beyond Myriad Manifestations Second Grade!"
"The Prince Su who attacked the capital must have been a Demon Sect imposter—his strength was too weak!"
Ministers whispered, the wind sword intent dispelling their doubts about Great Han.
"Excellent! Princess Ningbing is formidable at such a young age. This jade thumb ring is yours!" The Zhou Emperor clapped, awarding the ring to Chu Chu.
Lin Yu marveled—with a single sentence, the emperor drew attention back and regained control of the banquet. Also, the Profound Heaven white-dressed woman remained calm after her companions left, not following—a curious detail.
After the banquet, Lin Yu declined Su Miaozhen's escort and returned to the hostage manor with Chu Chu and Seventh Princess. Reunited in Great Zhou's capital after years, they had much to say.
Outside the city, Chu Chu let loose, riding beside Lin Yu. "Third Uncle, your carved wooden sword is amazing—hiding wind sword intent! I'd have been doomed without it."
"Chu Chu, Third Brother's seven seas dantian was crippled; he can't cultivate. The wooden sword must belong to..." Seventh Princess smiled at Lin Yu. "Third Brother, these swords—did Prince Su carve them? I remember he's a sword cultivator."
"I can't say. Just keep the sword close—it can save your life in a pinch." Lin Yu chuckled, neither confirming nor denying, letting them guess.
Back at the manor, he bid them farewell, secretly infusing Chu Chu with spiritual energy as she left. It would burst forth in danger, as powerful as the wind intent in the wooden sword. With the trial starting and Chu Chu offending Profound Heaven, the vindictive pair might strike during the trial. Her wooden sword was spent, so this was his insurance.