Chapter 82: Chapter 17 My Senior Sister is Really Over-Protective
Duan Fenhai’s complexion was extremely poor as he leaned in and said in a low voice:

“Do you really think after snatching away my second place on the Immortal Sword Ranking, you’ll be able to keep it?”

“This spot isn’t so easy to keep.”

“Not to mention, everyone from the third to the sixth place on the Immortal Sword Ranking, Lin Duanshan, Guan Shanyue, Sima Changyan, and Bi Sheng, who doesn’t want to move up the ranks?”

“Previously they couldn’t beat me, let alone dare to challenge your Senior Sister An. But now it’s you sitting in this spot.”

“When the time comes and you’re brought down by a series of challenges, how long do you think you can keep it hidden?”

“That’s no problem at all.” Ling Yunpo, with many trump cards up his sleeve, was not afraid at all, and he said righteously, “Senior Brother Duan, you worry too much!”

“We, as Sword Immortals, ought to wield our swords and press forward, cutting down all obstructions and Heart Demons in our path!”

“As for those demons, whether the swordsmanship is sharp, or the Daoist Magic powerful, can I possibly walk around them?”

“Senior Brother, you’re overly concerned with so-called intelligence, to the point where it seems like a hesitation to move forward, a sign of inferiority.”

[Unyielding character established, Synchronization Value +1.]

[Unyielding character established, Synchronization Value +1.]

[Unyielding character established, Synchronization Value +1.]

………

With every sentence Ling Yunpo uttered, the Kunlun Mirror’s Synchronization Value increased by +1.

Duan Fenhai almost spat out blood hearing this; just as he was about to burst out, a flash of light appeared in the distance. Having just finished her battle, An Zhisu, controlling her sword, rushed to the two, enveloped in an ascent of murderous aura. She pointed her Frostfall Sword at Duan Fenhai from afar and shouted:

“Duan Fenhai! If you dare harm a single hair on my junior brother, I swear to run you through with my sword and cast you up into the Nine Heavens to suffer the torment of the whipping winds!”

Duan Fenhai’s eyes twitched as he said coldly:

“An Zhisu, what does your junior brother’s sword match have to do with you?”

An Zhisu rushed in front of Ling Yunpo, grabbed his right hand, and checked him over with her Divine Sense, the color of anxious concern clear on her face.

Standing opposite, Duan Fenhai took in the expression on Senior Sister An’s face and was taken aback.

Isn’t this Qingluo Peak’s killing god supposed to be inherently cold and heartless?

How come she’s showing such an indecisive expression of a tender-hearted woman?

Could it be that she’s been possessed by a soul?

Once she thoroughly examined him with her Divine Sense, confirming that her junior brother indeed had not a single injury inside him, An Zhisu finally let out a sigh of relief as if a weight had been lifted.

Turning her head, her eyebrows sharply raised, she reverted to the familiar cold-blooded killer the others knew and coldly said to Duan Fenhai:

“It appears you were sensible enough this time to hold back. But that’s beside the point. This attempt to ambush and kill Junior Brother Ling is a grudge I will have to settle with Yellow Dragon Peak’s folks when I have the time.”

Duan Fenhai let out a breathless laugh:

“An Zhisu, you’re probably just too consumed by your killing intent, nearing Deviation.”

“My Yellow Dragon Peak and your Qingluo Peak have always had no quarrels. I’ve had nothing to do with your junior brother prior to this, why would I look for an opportunity to plot against him?”

“The real adversary who manipulated the drawing of the sword match is someone else. Don’t you have any clue who it might be?”

“Just now, dragging out the sword fight with me was none other than your own Yellow Dragon Peak’s Xue Qianchao!” An Zhisu scolded him angrily, “And you’re saying Yellow Dragon Peak isn’t involved?”

“Junior Brother Xue? Impossible!” Duan Fenhai’s face went completely pale. “He was gravely injured during an expedition last month and has been recuperating deep in Yellow Dragon Peak. He didn’t even register for the sect competition this time!”

“Whether it’s true or not, you’ll find out once you go back and ask,” An Zhisu said, no longer engaging with him, grabbing Ling Yunpo by both hands. “Junior brother, let’s go.”

The two of them conjured their Sword Light and departed into the distance, leaving Duan Fenhai standing there with a face alternating between pale and green.

After a long moment, despite the severe injuries on his body, he also summoned his badly damaged Stellar Dark Iron Sword and conjured a Sword Light to escape.

On the way back to Qingluo Peak, An Zhisu rode her sword above the floating clouds with a grave expression and said to Ling Yunpo:

“Junior Brother, fortunately, you were not injured this time. Otherwise, if anything had happened to you, I truly do not know how I would explain it to our master.”

“Although you were defeated in the sword fight this time, your defeat was not unjust.”

“Your opponent Duan Fenhai is ranked second on the Immortal Sword Ranking, has reached perfection in the Refining Mansion Realm, and wields the Twin Fairy Swords. He is indeed a formidable figure, second only to those with the Shushan Golden Core.”

“Even I wouldn’t be confident in claiming a sure victory against him. After this defeat, you should return to Qingluo Peak and recuperate well to avoid being targeted.”

“When the sect competition is nearing its end, I’ll find an opponent who matches your strength on the Immortal Sword Ranking and let you challenge and defeat them.”

“Senior Sister, I won,” Ling Yunpo touched his nose and said.

“Hmm, winning is good. Losing to that Duan Fenhai is no big deal; there will always be a chance for you to win next time.” An Zhisu kept rambling on, suddenly coming to her senses.

“Won… You won? Who did you win against?”

“I won against that Duan Fenhai.” Ling Yunpo said helplessly.

With a whoosh, An Zhisu’s sword light suddenly went out of control, and the two of them plunged into the clouds.

Less than ten seconds later, they emerged from beneath the clouds, both drenched in moisture from the clouds, their clothes and hair wet.

An Zhisu’s eyes widened as she stared at her junior brother, asking in alarm:

“You… won the fight just now?”

“Yes,” Ling Yunpo said.

“You defeated Duan Fenhai?”

“Right.”

“How did you win?”

“With a sword,” Ling Yunpo said vaguely.

An Zhisu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out her slender hand and placed it on Ling Yunpo’s forehead.

“You’re not feverish, and it doesn’t seem like you’re speaking nonsense…” she mumbled, her eyes beginning to redden, “Are you really not deceiving your senior sister?”

“I’m not.”

“This is just too…” An Zhisu wanted to say it was unbelievable.

But upon reflection, how many unbelievable things had her junior brother done since he started his training?

Slaying Lou Zhizheng, advancing rapidly through Marrow Cleansing – weren’t they all beyond belief?

Master often said that geniuses of extraordinary talent were common in this world.

If the junior brother was a swordsmanship genius, what’s so surprising about him defeating Duan Fenhai, who is second on the Immortal Sword Ranking?

With this thought, An Zhisu’s protective instincts kicked in, and she immediately discarded any sense of rationality.

My junior brother is the best in the world, unrivaled by anyone!

“Junior Brother, you did very well.” Adjusting her damp hair slightly, Senior Sister An said with a beaming smile, “With this, you are now second on the Immortal Sword Ranking.”

“The third seat is Lin Duanshan, we’ve already given him a heads up, so he definitely won’t make a move against you.”

“The fourth seat is Guan Shanyue, whose thoughts run deep; she likely won’t risk provoking my anger by challenging you for the seat.”

“With Duan Fenhai defeated by you and off the rankings, he must be both shocked and afraid. Given his character, he won’t rush to reclaim the second seat without being certain of victory.”

“But you need to watch out for those further back in the rankings; with dozens of people, there will inevitably be some bold enough to test your strength.”

As she spoke, she made a cutting motion with her hand, and a flash of fierceness passed through her eyes.

“In the upcoming drawing of lots for sword fights, you must win decisively, slaying any Life-bound Sword Artifacts that should be slain, and quickly establish the majesty of a second seat Sword Immortal!”