บท 206: Chapter 205: The Second Round (V) - Retsu vs Xiao Nan

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Blue Wind Imperial Family – Yun Che Wins!!

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"All right, talk… what do you know about him?" Jasmine asked, her voice low as they made their way through the crowd. The other participants instinctively parted for Yun Che, their wary eyes following him as though he were a volcano on the verge of erupting. Unbeknownst to them, his earlier anger had already been suppressed by the system.

"Him?" Yun Che mused, glancing ahead. "Well, let's just say he's tied to a bit of lost history—something related to a perished sacred ground. According to the system, there's a hidden tomb belonging to the King of the Eternal Night Royal Family. A sacred ground once known for its darkness attribute cultivators."

"Darkness? Like Mio?" Jasmine asked, her interest piqued. She knew Mio cultivated darkness, but it was unlike anything she had encountered before.

"Not quite," Yun Che replied thoughtfully. "Mio's darkness is self-made, born of her unique essence. What I'm working on now is finding ways to help her cultivate it properly. That sacred ground's techniques… the Eternal Night Royal Family's cultivation arts… they're intriguing. Tempting, even."

Jasmine frowned slightly, processing his words. "A sacred ground based on the darkness element, wiped out? What happened to them?"

"Greed." Yun Che's voice turned colder. "The other sacred grounds saw an opportunity. According to what I've pieced together—especially from the Yin Devouring Sect—the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region convinced everyone else that darkness attribute cultivators were a threat to humanity. They called them the 'enemies of the continent.' And in the name of righteousness, they united to annihilate the Eternal Night Royal Family."

He paused before continuing, his tone bitter. "Of course, it wasn't about protecting humanity. It was about seizing their arts, their resources. The Yin Devouring Sect's cultivation technique? That's just one fragment of what they stole and sealed away."

Jasmine's expression darkened as she absorbed the revelation. "Barbaric," she muttered.

"Barbaric," Yun Che agreed, his gaze distant. "But effective."

"That's why it was sealed," Yun Che said with a sigh. "The Eternal Night Royal Family wasn't just protecting themselves; they were protecting the continent. Those arts were dangerous and barbaric, meant to remain locked away. But no—those fools from the Four Sacred Grounds uncovered them, cultivated them without any real understanding or knowledge, and brought ruin upon themselves. Ironically, the Eternal Night Royal Family—the ones who sealed away these dark arts—were the ones truly on the path of righteousness."

Jasmine frowned, her curiosity deepening. "I see. But if what you're saying is true, then there must be more to it. The Mighty Heavenly Sword Region convincing the others to join forces? That doesn't sound simple."

Yun Che smirked. "Right you are, sweetie. Believe it or not, the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region wasn't just after the Eternal Night Royal Family's destruction. They were searching for something—The Heavenly Sin Divine Sword."

Jasmine's eyes widened. "The Heavenly Sin Divine Sword? It's here?"

"You've heard of it?" Yun Che asked, glancing at her.

Jasmine nodded, her expression serious. "It's a deity-level dark sword from the Realm of the Gods. It was said to have been destroyed during the war between the gods and devils. To think it ended up here… But if it still retains even a fraction of its original strength, I would sense it."

Yun Che nodded thoughtfully. "According to the system, its power has been greatly diminished—it's now merely a Sovereign-Level Sword. But here, on this planet, that still makes it the 'Monarch of Swords.' Too powerful for anyone to wield safely. That's why the Eternal Night Royal Family sealed it and built their sacred ground to guard its secret."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "The system also said that the ancestor of the royal family stumbled upon the sword ten thousand years ago, with no clue of its origin. The sword made an offer—grant it one drop of devil blood and the cultivation art, Illusory Devil Tome of Eternal Night, in exchange for removing its seal."

"Hmm… knowing this story, I can already guess the ending," Jasmine said with a sigh. "The ancestor tricked the sword and sealed it instead, didn't he?" She paused, then added, "But I'm curious about that tome. The Illusory Devil Tome of Eternal Night might be suitable for Mio."

"For now, the system is compiling exclusive arts for her—ones even more powerful," Yun Che said with a chuckle. "Once they're done, that Illusory Devil Tome will look like it was written in crayons."

Jasmine rolled her eyes at the remark. "I don't know what 'crayons' are, but I'll assume it means something unimpressive."

"Exactly," Yun Che replied, grinning. "Anyway, back to the story. This happened 10,000 years ago. Long story short, before the Eternal Night Royal Family's sacred ground was annihilated, the queen cast a forbidden technique on the king, ensuring he could be revived in the future—a legacy to continue their bloodline. And here's the kicker: the tomb's location? It's currently in the hands of the Burning Heaven Clan. Piece that together."

Jasmine's eyes narrowed as she thought it over. "Hmm… so Fen Juechen, desperate to avenge his humiliation, will eventually find the tomb to gain power and come after you?"

Yun Che gave her an approving nod. "Exactly. Seems like someone's been paying attention and spot on, but I'm not going to let him get that far this time," Yun Che said, his tone excited. However, the moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake.

"This time?" Jasmine's sharp gaze fixed on him, suspicion evident in her voice.

"Uhh… I mean, the system knows what he's planning to do, so I'm just not going to let it happen," Yun Che stammered, his expression betraying his nerves. He quickly turned to leave, heading toward the seating area.

Jasmine stayed silent, but her eyes narrowed in thought. Yun Che's slip didn't go unnoticed. The way he said this time wasn't something she could easily dismiss. It wasn't just his usual playful demeanor—there was weight behind those words, as if they carried a deeper truth he wasn't sharing.

She recalled a previous conversation she'd overheard between Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi. He had mentioned alternate worlds and timelines, suggesting that in some realities, events unfolded differently, while his presence here seemed to alter the flow of this world. His actions, his choices—they weren't random. They were deliberate, guided by knowledge he didn't fully disclose.

He knows more than he's letting on, Jasmine thought, her suspicion growing. The system may guide him, but there's something else at play. He's not just changing the timeline… he's shaping it according to what pleases him.

Yun Che made his way back to the seating area, greeted by warm smiles from his companions. Despite the earlier display of anger, his face now radiated calm happiness. The group seemed relieved to see him back to his usual self.

Retsu approached him quietly, her expression gentle but filled with concern. "Yuu-kun, good work out there," she said softly, giving a small nod toward Jasmine, who rested on his shoulder in her doll-sized soul form. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Yun Che replied with a grin. "Kind of got out of hand, though. I guess I made a scary face."

"Pfff… I thought I was the worst when I got mad. We've never seen you so angry before," Retsu said with a worried smile.

"He threatened to harm our family," Yun Che explained, his tone dropping. "It might not be you girls specifically, but my mind immediately went to Megu-chan and grandfather. They're the weakest right now, so they'd be the first targets."

At this, Retsu's demeanor shifted, her expression darkening. "That fiend," she muttered, her voice low with fury. "Trying to get to our Megu-chan? Getting punched in the face was merciful enough."

"Don't worry, he won't," Yun Che reassured her, his voice steady. "That's why Megu-chan is getting stronger. Even if he did try something, she could handle it. She's come a long way."

Nemu, who had been listening quietly with Mio, tilted her head curiously. "Forgive me for asking, Nee-sama, but who is Megu-chan?"

Mio, already familiar with Xiao Lingxi's story, stayed silent as Retsu turned to Nemu with a fond smile. "Ah, Megu-chan is Yuu-kun's little aunt, Xiao Lingxi. We call her Megu because Yuu-kun told us that, in an alternate reality, her name was Megumi. So, we started calling her Megu-chan."

"Huff!" Mio crossed her arms, clearly irritated. "Targeting our family? Let me feed him to the spiders, Danna-sama!"

Yun Che chuckled at Mio's fiery response. "Don't worry about it. I've already given him an injury that might last a lifetime. And once he wakes up, he'll be dealing with the backlash from both the palace and his own clan."

As they spoke, a sudden profound notification appeared in the air above the arena. The crowd erupted into cheers once more, their excitement palpable as the next match was announced.

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Blue Wind Imperial Family – Unohana Retsu ----versus----- Xiao Sect, Xiao Nan

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The crowd erupted with excitement, the anticipation palpable as Unohana Retsu stepped onto the arena to face Xiao Nan of the Xiao Sect. Following Yun Che's earlier battle with Xiao Zhen in the first round, this match marked another clash between the Blue Wind Imperial Family's representatives and the Xiao Sect. The shift in matchups had clearly disrupted the tournament's natural flow, drawing even greater attention from the spectators.

Yun Che sweatdropped, shaking his head at the unexpected twist. In the original sequence, he was supposed to face Xiao Nan in the round of 32. But now, the rankings had shifted, and it was Retsu taking the stage against him instead. He could already imagine the devastation she was about to bring, undoubtedly rewriting the established order once again.

"Ara, it seems I'm up next," Retsu said sweetly, glancing at the arena. "Xiao Nan? Hmm… Who is he?"

Yun Che smirked. "His grandfather came to the Xiao Branch Sect and took those tricky profound pills we used back in New Moon City. You can imagine the rest."

Retsu's lips curled into a gentle chuckle, recalling that particular incident. Disguised as Kuchiki Hisana at the time, they had thoroughly shaken the Xiao Sect. "Oh my, that was his grandfather?"

"Yep. He escorted his grandson—your opponent—and his granddaughter tagged along for the ride. Looks like fate swapped the matchups; you'll face him instead of me." Yun Che's casual tone hid the satisfaction of knowing Xiao Nan's inevitable defeat.

Jasmine, observing the exchange, narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. The ease with which Yun Che spoke about events he seemingly shouldn't have known only deepened her suspicions. "Where exactly does he get this information?" she wondered, her gaze sharp.

"Ara, was this Xiao Nan supposed to be your opponent?" Retsu teased with a mischievous grin.

"Not anymore," Yun Che replied with a shrug, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Jasmine kept her thoughts to herself, though her curiosity churned within. If Yun Che's words were true—if she was originally meant to be the master of the original Yun Che, one without his current knowledge or companions—what could that timeline have been like?

The question gnawed at her mind. A timeline where she guided the original Yun Che... where Yuuki and Retsu weren't there to intervene, and where this version of Yun Che or Yuuki, with his inexplicable foresight and strength, didn't exist. What would have become of that Yun Che?

Jasmine's crimson eyes flickered with contemplation. Would he have survived? Thrived? Or would he have fallen? Or What happened to her instead? Is there an original version of Jasmine? The thought was unsettling, for she understood her power and guidance could only take someone so far. The current Yun Che, however, had an uncanny ability to twist fate itself, to upend plans and rewrite destinies.

Her lips tightened slightly, a rare sign of her inner conflict. Does this timeline exist independently? And if so, what could I learn from it?

But for now, she stayed silent about the matter, observing and waiting. If the truth lay somewhere in Yun Che's enigmatic knowledge, she would uncover it in time.

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[Ding…]

[Name: Xiao Nan]

[Age: 18 Years old]

[Level: 49 (Ninth Level Spirit Profound Realm)]

[Law: Lightning]

[Description: The grandson of Xiao Wuji and the brother of Xiao Yuerui. In the original story, you're supposed to face him in the round of 32. He used a jade sword called Wind Spirit Sword and it was an Earth Profound Weapon.]

[PS: An arrogant one as well. Make quick work about it]

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"Good luck, sweetie," Yun Che said with a warm smile, placing a gentle kiss on Retsu's cheek. She smiled brightly in return, her confidence radiant as she walked toward the arena. The crowd erupted into cheers, their anticipation rising for the next battle. This was the second match between the Blue Wind Imperial Family and the Xiao Sect, and tension was high.

Yun Che had already dealt with Xiao Zhen in the previous round, leaving the pressure on Xiao Nan to turn the tide. If Retsu emerged victorious, the only hope for the Xiao Sect would rest on Xiao Kuanglei. Defeat for him would mean the end of the Xiao Sect's run in the tournament.

The Xiao Sect members were visibly nervous, their anxiety palpable. Losing Xiao Nan would put them in a desperate situation, and their cheers grew louder and more frantic, a desperate attempt to bolster their fighter's resolve. All eyes were now on the arena, where Unohana Retsu stood gracefully, exuding an aura of calm yet unshakable strength.

Retsu didn't hesitate, her elegant form gliding toward the Sword Discourse Arena as if weightless. Behind her, the cheers of her family echoed with encouragement—Mai and Mei clapped enthusiastically, Nezuko gave her an encouragement shout, and even Little Fairy, ever reserved, silently exuded an air of quiet confidence in her. The stakes were high, as her opponent was a disciple of the prestigious Xiao Sect, one of the Four Major Sects. After Yun Che and Cang Yue had faced their representatives, it seemed only fitting that Retsu would now challenge their pride.

Xiao Nan, standing on the opposite side, felt the weight of his grandfather's words.

"Nan'er, remember," Xiao Wuji cautioned sternly, his voice carrying both authority and concern. "This opponent may appear to be in the True Profound Realm, but she has mastered the way of the sword, and that parasol weapon she wields is both unconventional and unpredictable. Treat this as a formidable match, no matter her appearance or cultivation. Underestimation is the first step toward failure."

"Yes, Grandfather," Xiao Nan replied solemnly. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he observed Retsu descending gracefully onto the stage. Her movements were serene yet carried an undercurrent of lethal precision. Xiao Nan recalled the fate of Xiao Zhen, who had underestimated Yun Che and been soundly defeated.

This is no time for arrogance, he thought, clenching his fists. His resolve hardened—he had to win. If he faltered here, only Xiao Kuanglei would remain to represent the Xiao Sect, and the consequences would be dire. The honor of the Xiao Sect as one of the Four Great Sects teetered precariously on this battle. He could not let it crumble.

As Retsu's calm gaze met his, the tension in the arena thickened, the air electric with anticipation.

Xiao Kuanglei sneered quietly from the sidelines, his tone dripping with disdain. "Xiao Nan's twelfth opponent is nothing more than a lucky nobody. A dark horse that stumbled this far by sheer fortune. Losing to her would disgrace our family. To be defeated by a woman, no less!" His interest, however, wasn't purely disdainful. His gaze lingered on the veiled figure of Retsu. What kind of face must she have to hide it so carefully under that hat? It must be divine.

Meanwhile, on stage, Xiao Nan had already drawn his weapon—a jade sword emanating a faint, cool glow. The Wind Spirit Sword, an Earth Profound Weapon of exceptional craftsmanship, shimmered in his hands as he adopted a battle stance. His expression was calm but resolute. Bowing slightly, he announced, "Xiao Sect's Sword Sect disciple, Xiao Nan. Please guide me!"

Retsu, standing motionless, made no verbal reply. Instead, she twisted the handle of her parasol, a quiet action that immediately captured the audience's attention.

"Her parasol… it's disassembling itself?" someone murmured in surprise.

All eyes were on Retsu as her parasol began to shift and transform. The soft shield portion unlatched, folding and sliding apart. The handle extended until it matched her height, and the tip unfurled into a gleaming, bladed edge. The shield segments reassembled further down the shaft, forming a secure grip beneath the blade.

Cang Yue, watching from the audience, gasped softly as recognition dawned. "Isn't that…?"

The crowd erupted in murmurs and exclamations as the parasol completed its transformation into a double-bladed spear—sleek, lethal, and unorthodox. Its design blurred the line between an elegant weapon and a tool of destruction, with a shaft as balanced as a spear but blades sharp enough to rival an axeless halberd.

Retsu held the weapon gracefully, her movements unhurried, her aura serene yet commanding. In the audience, Yun Che smirked knowingly. The modification he had made to her parasol had taken hours to perfect, and now, it was time to see it in action.

"You guessed it right," Yun Che said with a grin, leaning back in his seat as though he had nothing to worry about. "She originally had a short spear function, so I figured, why not take it up a notch and give her a weapon that can shift forms? This prototype parasol can turn into a halberd with just a few tweaks."

Cang Yue was staring at the transformation on stage with wide eyes, completely floored. "That parasol was… a spear all along?" She muttered in disbelief.

"And now it's a halberd?" Nemu added, her eyes wide with curiosity. She quickly began jotting down notes in her device, but before she could get far, her HUD lit up with shared schematics from Yun Che. She paused, her eyes scanning the intricate designs.

"Exactly!" Yun Che's grin grew wider, clearly enjoying their reactions.

Nemu's surprise deepened as she realized just how versatile the parasol was. "It's more than a weapon," she muttered, impressed. "An air gun, a shield, a short spear, a hidden sword, and even an instant blunt-force club… and now it extends to form a spear or a halberd?"

Yun Che chuckled at her reaction. "That's just the current setup. I've been fine-tuning it to add more features while keeping it lightweight and manageable. With Retsu field-testing it, I'll get the data I need to make it even better."

Cang Yue, however, was more intrigued by his explanation than the weapon itself. "A halberd?" she repeated, eyes narrowing as she tried to piece together his intentions. "And you say her parasol is just a prototype?"

"Yup," Yun Che said nonchalantly. "I am currently working on a much more advanced version of it. A version where I can fit one thousand types of function. This version is just a stepping stone, but it's perfect for field testing. Last night, I added the new function you just saw—extending the handle and reforming the blade to make it a halberd. Retsu's giving it a proper test run now." His tone was casual, but the pride in his work was unmistakable.

Cang Yue's brows furrowed in thought. A more powerful variation? With even more features? "You really are full of surprises," she said softly, her gaze returning to the arena where Retsu was twirling the halberd effortlessly, as if it were an extension of herself.

If this is just the prototype, then the final version must be extraordinary, she thought, her mind already wondering who Yun Che might be creating it for.

To the untrained eye, the halberd in Retsu's hands looked deceptively simple—a bladed stick with no excessive embellishments. Yet those who had witnessed her skill before knew better than to judge by appearances. Even a modest-looking short sword, when wielded by her, transformed into a weapon of surgical precision and deadly force. The murmurs in the crowd only grew louder as they speculated on the mysterious halberd's hidden capabilities.

Xiao Nan's face betrayed his unease. His mind raced as he analyzed the weapon before him. If this halberd has a shield mechanism like the parasol, it could become a shielded halberd in an instant. His gaze flicked toward its handle. And that hidden sword... His grip on the Wind Spirit Sword tightened. I'll have to tread carefully.

At the seating zone, Little Fairy sighed softly, shaking her head. "Rascal, is your mind an endless ocean of knowledge? To create something this intricate, you must have been born with some divine blessing."

Xia Qingyue was equally astonished. Her usually calm demeanor cracked as her eyes lingered on the unfolding scene. Turning toward Yun Che in the distance, she stares at him quietly but with undeniable weight.

Down below, Retsu stepped forward, spinning the halberd in her hands with effortless grace. The sharp whistle of its edges cutting through the air silenced the remaining whispers in the audience. She stopped abruptly, pointing the weapon directly at Xiao Nan. Her voice, calm and sweet yet carrying an undercurrent of lethal precision, echoed across the arena.

"Unohana Retsu," she declared, her tone polite but firm. "Seeking guidance as well."

"Begin!"

The arena fell into an eerie silence, the buzz of the crowd fading into nothingness as all eyes fixed on the Sword Discourse Arena. But it wasn't Xiao Nan who held their attention—it was Unohana Retsu. Her calm and composed demeanor, standing in stark contrast to the tension in the air, had a magnetic pull that commanded respect. No one dared to jeer or dismiss her, not after witnessing her rise through the earlier rounds. The match between her and a Xiao Sect elite had become one of the most anticipated battles of the day since Yun Che and Cang Yue had faced an elite of their own.

On the platform, the announcer's announcement echoed before dissipating into the tense quiet. Suddenly, Xiao Nan erupted with energy, and a fierce storm of profound power was unleashed from both his body and the Wind Spirit Sword in his hand. The wind storm spun around him, sharp and relentless, cutting faint grooves into the surface of the arena. Its sharpness was almost tangible, as though invisible swords danced wildly around him, eager to lash out at the slightest provocation. Even those seated far from the platform could feel the biting chill and the oppressive weight of his aura.

The audience's tension rose palpably, many murmuring in awe at the display of Xiao Nan's strength. But on the stage, Retsu remained utterly unfazed. She stood still, her halberd held lightly in her hands. The weapon glimmered faintly under the sunlight, its form as elegant as its wielder. She didn't flinch, didn't move a muscle, and didn't show even the faintest hint of fear or hesitation.

"Please don't hold it against me, dear fairy." Xiao Nan's voice carried a mocking courtesy as he adjusted his stance. With a swift motion, he called out, "Receive my attack… Extreme Wind Slash!"

The Wind Spirit Sword in his hand glowed with an intense brilliance as the storm surrounding him coalesced into the silhouettes of countless ethereal swords. Each blade-shape moved with terrifying speed, carried by wind so sharp it howled like a living beast. The air seemed to tear apart as the gale surged toward Retsu, shredding the sturdy Sword Discourse Arena in its wake.

The audience gasped collectively at the sheer destructive force. Fragments of stone from the arena flew into the air, and several spectators cried out in awe and fear, their faces pale from the sharpness they could feel even from their distant seats.

Xiao Nan's grin widened as he observed Retsu raise a delicate hand to hold her Uchikatsugi hat in place, her veil rippling dangerously under the force of the winds. To him, it was a sign of weakness—an opening. She's distracted, protecting her face instead of preparing for the attack. She won't be able to counter properly if she's concerned about her appearance.

But his grin faltered as Retsu stood firmly in place, her body unmoving as the violent winds raged around her. The flying swords of wind sliced through the air, yet not a single one reached her.

The audience leaned forward in stunned silence as the tempest seemed to die the moment it reached within an arm's length of her. Xiao Nan's attack dissipated harmlessly, the sharp winds reduced to gentle breezes that brushed past her like whispers of air.

Retsu tilted her head slightly, her voice calm and unbothered. "Are you done?"

She lowered her hand from her hat, and with an elegant flourish, spun her halberd with a grace that was almost hypnotic. The weapon moved fluidly, each turn accompanied by a faint whistling sound that resonated like a gentle melody. The scattered winds around her were caught in the motion of the spinning halberd, turning them into harmless currents that orbited her like obedient servants.

Xiao Nan's smirk turned into a scowl, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. What just happened? The ferocity of his attack was undeniable, yet she had dismantled it as if it were nothing more than a light breeze.

"Hurm… that was it?" Retsu murmured, her voice carrying a tone of mild disappointment as if critiquing a child's halfhearted attempt.

The audience erupted into a cacophony of murmurs, admiration, and disbelief spreading like wildfire. Xiao Nan's face contorted, his teeth grinding in frustration as his chest tightened with growing humiliation.

"I'm just getting started!" he barked, gripping his sword tighter. I won't lose to her. Not to a woman!

Despite his bravado, doubt had started to creep into his mind. That last attack wasn't his strongest, but it was one of his most reliable techniques, capable of overwhelming most opponents. He had been so confident that she would have no choice but to evade. Instead, she met his assault head-on—with infuriating ease.

One hand… One hand was all she needed. The memory of her calmly spinning her halberd with one hand while holding her hat with the other replayed in his mind. Not only did she deflect the brunt of his wind swords, but she did so with grace that made his effort look pitiful. This is impossible!

Retsu's calm gaze locked onto him, her expression unreadable beneath the veil. With deliberate precision, she raised her halberd, its mechanical form gleaming in the light. The air around her seemed to shift, heavy with suppressed energy.

The arena transformed into a scene of ethereal beauty as cherry blossom petals rained softly from above, filling the air with an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The delicate petals shimmered faintly as they drifted down, catching the light in a way that left both Xiao Nan and the audience captivated.

Xiao Nan found himself momentarily mesmerized, his grip on his sword loosening as his eyes followed the gentle descent of the petals. The earlier tension in the arena seemed to fade, replaced by murmurs of admiration from the spectators.

"Is this… her profound art?" Xiao Nan murmured, his voice tinged with awe and uncertainty. The unexpected elegance of the scene caught him off guard, making him question whether this was a mere flourish or part of a deeper strategy.

Even the crowd began to comment in hushed tones, unable to look away from the spectacle. "It's… beautiful," one voice said, echoed by others. "Who would have thought such power could be so graceful?"

Retsu stood calmly amidst the cascade of petals, her halberd resting lightly in her hand. Though she remained silent, the serene confidence in her stance made it clear—this beauty was no mere accident.

"These Cherry blossoms… aren't they pretty?" Retsu's soft voice carried across the arena, her tone light and almost playful. Though her face remained hidden beneath her veil, the smile in her words was unmistakable.

With a single fluid motion, she swung her halberd in a graceful horizontal arc. The movement was so seamless it appeared almost effortless. A burst of energy erupted from the blade's edge, surging forward with precise intent.

The remnants of Xiao Nan's fierce wind swords, which moments ago had dominated the arena with their sharp and terrifying force, were now effortlessly cut down. The storm dissipated entirely, leaving only faint traces of harmless breezes that stirred the air.

In the wake of her strike, illusory Cherry blossoms petals began to cascade through the air. They shimmered and danced, ethereal and mesmerizing, as if conjured from a dream. Retsu's subtle infusion of illusory Kido gave her attack an artistic elegance, turning a scene of destruction into one of fleeting beauty.

The crowd watched in stunned silence as the petals rained softly onto the Sword Discourse Arena, their delicate glow contrasting sharply with the devastation they had replaced. It was as if the battlefield itself had become a canvas for Retsu's mastery.

From a fierce sword storm to a gentle Cherry blossoms rain.

The crowd gasped collectively, eyes widening in astonishment. She deflected it… and then destroyed it… all with one swing!

"She actually… received and destroyed it!" someone from the audience exclaimed, their voice filled with awe and disbelief.

"Is this Unohana Retsu really only in the True Profound Realm?" one spectator gasped, their voice tinged with disbelief. "That swing of Xiao Nan's… even if it were me, I wouldn't dare take it head-on!"

Xiao Nan staggered back a step, his heart pounding as his mind scrambled for an explanation. His most trusted attack had been neutralized—not just countered but utterly dismantled—with no apparent effort. The woman before him hadn't even shifted her stance, let alone used both hands.

"What… what are you?" he demanded, his voice trembling with a mixture of rage and fear.

Retsu didn't answer immediately. She twirled her halberd once more, its polished surface catching the light as if mocking his inadequacy.

The murmur of agreement spread through the crowd. The swing Xiao Nan had unleashed was no ordinary attack—it was one that had defeated countless challengers. Yet, she had neutralized it as though it were a child's plaything.

Little Fairy, seated in quiet observation, found herself murmuring, "Sister Retsu…" Her voice was barely audible, yet it carried an air of astonishment. She had known Retsu was formidable—perhaps even stronger than most gave her credit for—but this level of control and precision was beyond anything she had imagined. Moreover, Retsu had yet to reveal the true depths of her power.

"Hehe… pretty Cherry blossoms!" Nezuko happily shouted seeing the illusory Cherry blossoms rain.

The arena was a sea of shock. Spectators, participants, and even the elder masters of sects whispered among themselves, their disbelief plain. It wasn't just Yun Che who seemed like an anomaly anymore when he defeated Xiao Zhen. Time and again, Unohana Retsu and even Cang Yue defied expectations, presenting feats that bordered on the impossible.

For the Xiao Sect, the atmosphere was stifling. Their disciples and elders alike sat in silence, their faces pale as realization sank in. Xiao Nan's Extreme Wind Slash was a technique they had placed their faith in—a strike that should have overwhelmed any opponent. And yet, this veiled woman, supposedly of the True Profound Realm, had dismissed it as if it were a minor inconvenience.

Even Xiao Kuanglei, who had earlier scoffed at Retsu, found himself frowning deeply, his confidence shaken. He couldn't help but feel a chill crawl up his spine. If Xiao Nan couldn't handle this opponent, what would that mean for him if they faced each other next? Or even Yun Che or Cang Yue?

On the arena, Xiao Nan's grip tightened on his Wind Spirit Sword, his knuckles white. His pride as a Xiao Sect disciple burned fiercely, but the crack in his composure was undeniable.

"Then, I shall attack as well," Retsu declared, stepping forward with an unhurried grace.

Xiao Nan's eyes widened, his instincts screaming at him. Behind her, he could almost see the faint, menacing outline of a demonic being, its form poised to unleash devastation. The weight of her aura alone told him that her strike held the power to shatter mountains and split the earth. A single misstep could mean severe injury—or even death.

I must stop her!

With desperation fueling his movements, Xiao Nan charged forward, his sword flashing toward her. He aimed for her chest, expecting her to evade the strike. But Retsu didn't flinch. His sword sliced through empty air as if she were a phantom, her form completely unmoved.

He gritted his teeth and aimed for her head next. This time, she sidestepped smoothly, her movements deceptively simple yet unnervingly precise. Before he could recover, her halberd pierced his armor, the force of the strike pushing him several paces back.

The crowd gasped in unison as Xiao Nan stumbled, his footing precarious. To their astonishment, Retsu seemed to flicker—her movements so swift that she appeared to teleport behind him before reappearing at a distance.

Regaining his balance, Xiao Nan landed crouched and swiftly retaliated, launching two powerful sword waves toward her. The air crackled with energy as the attacks roared toward their target.

Retsu, however, didn't budge. She didn't dodge. She didn't counter. The sword waves passed her harmlessly, missing by the narrowest of margins, and exploded against the arena behind her, leaving deep scars in the stone.

"That… she didn't even dodge," a disciple muttered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

The audience sat in stunned silence, unable to comprehend the sheer mastery on display. Every movement she made—or didn't make—was calculated to perfection, her presence more terrifying than any overt display of power.

"It was precisely calculated! Who is this woman?!" one of the Xiao Sect disciples exclaimed, gripping the edge of his seat.

"How… how is she doing this?" another whispered, his voice trembling.

"She's making Xiao Nan look like an amateur," came another awed voice from the crowd, barely audible over the murmurs of disbelief.

Retsu moved with serene precision, gliding effortlessly toward Xiao Nan. Desperation surged in him, and he lashed out with his sword in a frantic attempt to regain control of the match. But she countered with graceful ease, deflecting his strike without a moment's hesitation.

Before he could recover, her halberd swung low and behind him. With a sudden, explosive motion, she hoisted him into the air, tossing him like a weightless leaf caught in a storm.

The crowd erupted into gasps as Xiao Nan's airborne body spun helplessly. Retsu followed with three precise air swings, each unleashing a burst of energy. The strikes were accompanied by an ethereal shower of cherry blossom petals, their surreal beauty contrasting sharply with the brutal effectiveness of her attacks.

Xiao Nan could do nothing. No counterattack, no defense—just humiliation.

Retsu smiled softly beneath her veil as she began to glide again, seamlessly juggling her opponent in the air with a sequence of strikes that appeared almost effortless. Her movements were fluid, her strikes calculated, each one ensuring Xiao Nan remained suspended and unable to recover.

The audience sat frozen in their seats, spellbound by the display.

On the Xiao Sect platform, Xiao Wuji's expression darkened, his teeth grinding audibly. His grandson—a disciple of the Xiao Sect—was being toyed with like a novice, humiliated in front of thousands. Yet there was nothing he could do but watch.

Xiao Nan gathered his profound energy into his feet, propelling himself tens of meters into the air to escape Retsu's relentless juggles. At the apex of his leap, rippling waves of energy radiated around him, forming concentric circles in the air. Behind him, the silhouette of a massive, emerald-colored eagle emerged, its wings spreading majestically as if to dominate the heavens.

With a fierce battle cry, Xiao Nan dove toward the ground. His body merged with the green eagle's image, transforming him into a descending force of nature. The Wind Spirit Sword, glowing with a sharp, pale green light, was thrust forward like the talon of a mighty predator. The air around him seemed to fracture, splitting apart as the blade cut a path through the atmosphere.

The terrifyingly sharp aura aimed directly at Retsu's chest made the air feel heavy, suffocating. Even from the stands, the spectators could feel the oppressive force of the attack, as though the strike could pierce through anything. The eagle silhouette's wings flared wide, adding to the overwhelming presence of Xiao Nan's assault, while the glowing light from his sword grew blinding.

"Although there were a few close calls, this is the end!" Xiao Kuanglei's voice was filled with confidence, his grin widening as the strike descended. The crowd watched in anticipation, believing that Retsu's calm demeanor had finally been outmatched.

"This feels… familiar… Wait!" Retsu's eyes momentarily widened with a flicker of recognition. A horrible memory surged into her mind—a time when a similar attack had left her scarred. Her grip tightened on the parasol halberd as she snarled internally, "I will not have another hideous scar on my chest!"

As Xiao Nan's Wind Spirit Sword descended with ferocious power, Retsu acted swiftly. She parried the strike with the reinforced handle of her halberd. The loud clang of metal against metal echoed across the arena, silencing the crowd. The force of her parry not only nullified the attack but disrupted the flow of Xiao Nan's profound energy, cutting off his profound art mid-assault. His momentum faltered, and his confident form wavered in the air.

"What… just happened?" gasped a disciple in the audience.

Retsu didn't stop there. Gathering wind energy into her palm, she released a concentrated blast aimed directly at Xiao Nan. The explosion of energy slammed into him, sending him skidding across the arena floor. The sheer force of the retaliation left the spectators in awe.

Xiao Kuanglei's smug grin vanished instantly, replaced by a deep frown. "What's going on?" he muttered, his tone tense. He looked again at Retsu and the mysterious halberd she wielded. An unsettling thought wormed into his mind, one he didn't want to accept: Victory might be impossible.

"Hawk of the Storm!!"

Xiao Nan roared, his determination reigniting despite his earlier failure. Sword energy began to pool at the tip of his Wind Spirit Sword, threads of razor-sharp energy radiating outward like steel needles. He leapt high into the air once more, the eagle silhouette reappearing behind him, and thrust his sword toward Retsu with renewed ferocity.

But Retsu remained unshaken. She neither dodged nor showed any sign of retreat. With calculated precision, she raised her halberd to intercept the attack, her movements fluid and composed. Using both hands, she deftly slapped the blade's trajectory aside with the flat of her weapon. Before Xiao Nan could recover, she spun her halberd and unleashed another devastating Cherry Blossom Wave.

The pink, illusory petals shimmered in the air before coalescing into a powerful slash that crashed into Xiao Nan. The strike sent him hurtling into the air, his figure spinning helplessly as the audience collectively gasped in disbelief.

Xiao Nan, despite being hurled into the air, secretly gritted his teeth and smiled. This is my chance. She gave me the perfect position!

"Heavenly Eagle Limitless Strike!"

He roared. The silhouette of a majestic green eagle materialized behind him, wings spread wide as if ready to dominate the skies. With his sword poised for a decisive strike, Xiao Nan dove toward Retsu like a predator aiming for its prey.

The air around his blade screamed with sheer sharpness, an ear-piercing RIIIP tearing through the arena as his Wind Spirit Sword cut through the atmosphere. The strike was so powerful that it seemed capable of slicing apart even the densest energy barriers. This was Xiao Nan's ultimate technique, his trump card, and the hope of the Xiao Sect rested on this blow.

Retsu, however, was unfazed. With effortless grace, she began gliding across the arena floor. Her parasol halberd rested comfortably in her hands as trails of shimmering cherry blossom petals swirled behind her, a mesmerizing spectacle that captivated the audience.

Then it happened.

The audience gasped as the blossoming petals began to take shape, forming a massive, ethereal dragon. The dragon coiled behind Retsu, its shimmering scales and glowing eyes exuding a quiet yet overwhelming presence. Its translucent body seemed to pulse with life, flowing as if it existed on the boundary of reality.

But what left Xiao Nan in utter shock was that he could see the dragon clearly—its enormous form bearing down on him as if it were alive and sentient. Yet the spectators could only see the breathtaking spectacle of cherry blossoms, unaware of the terrifying illusion Retsu had conjured.

She's toying with my mind! Xiao Nan realized, his heart gripped with panic. He swung his blade down with everything he had, but the illusion loomed closer, filling his vision and mind.

The audience leaned forward in anticipation, their eyes fixed on Retsu as she calmly raised her halberd. The air between them was charged with tension, a collision of profound arts on the verge of exploding into brilliance.

"Heavenly Eagle Art!"

Xiao Nan roared, releasing an explosive surge of energy to amplify his speed. He narrowly avoided her initial strike, his body blurring with rapid movement. But it was already too late.

Retsu had anticipated his evasion. With the same unyielding calm she had shown throughout the battle, she reappeared behind him in a flash, her halberd raised high. As she brought it down, a massive surge of energy erupted from its blade, a devastating wave of power radiating outward. The illusory dragon trailing her roared to life, slamming into Xiao Nan with overwhelming force and enveloping him in its shimmering, petal-strewn jaws.

The Wind Spirit Sword's energy, once sharp and menacing, was completely neutralized in an instant, its power dissipating like mist in sunlight. A sharp, discordant buzzing emanated from the blade as if it were protesting its failure.

Xiao Nan's face turned ashen. His aerial momentum faltered, and he spun wildly, his body wracked by the overwhelming energy of Retsu's strike. In desperation, he poured every ounce of his remaining profound energy into a desperate defense. His body glowed faintly with the last remnants of his profound shield, but the sheer might of Retsu's attack was too much.

Bit by bit, his defenses cracked, fragments of energy peeling away like shattered glass. Finally, with an audible shatter, his barrier collapsed entirely. The unrelenting force of Retsu's attack surged through, slamming into his body with a deafening roar.

Xiao Nan's descent ended with a resounding thud as his body crashed onto the arena floor thirty meters away. Dust billowed into the air, and when it settled, his pale face was visible, stained with a trickle of blood trailing from the corner of his lips. His chest heaved as he struggled for breath, but it was clear—he had nothing left to give.

The entire arena was plunged into silence, the sheer magnitude of what had transpired freezing the audience in place. All six members of the Xiao Sect leapt to their feet, their expressions twisted in disbelief and horror. Xiao Wuji's fists clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening as a vein throbbed on his temple. His granddaughter stared, wide-eyed, unable to comprehend the scene before her.

"Nan'er... lost?!" Xiao Wuji growled under his breath, his voice tinged with anger and desperation.

On the stage, Retsu glided forward, her steps as calm and measured as they had been at the start of the battle. Her halberd rested against her shoulder, its blade faintly gleaming in the sunlight. She stopped before Xiao Nan, her weapon lowering until the edge of its blade hovered just beneath his chin.

Xiao Nan, gasping for air, looked up at her. His trembling hand instinctively gripped the dirt beneath him, but his strength was spent. The oppressive aura of his opponent, who stood unscathed and serene, rendered him utterly powerless.

Retsu's breathing was steady, her posture as composed as ever. Beneath her veil, her expression was inscrutable, exuding a calm that was almost chilling. She stood there silently, her presence a stark reminder of the gap in their abilities.

Xiao Nan's lips quivered, as though he wanted to speak, but no words came. With a deep, shaky breath, his hand finally dropped limply to the ground, his sword slipping from his fingers.

The match was decided. Unohana Retsu had triumphed, leaving the Xiao Sect shaken to its core.

Xiao Nan's words, though tinged with defeat, carried a surprising hint of respect. "You're much stronger than I had imagined... I admit defeat, Fairy Unohana Retsu." His voice was quieter now, the weight of his loss settling in, but there was a faint sense of peace in the way he spoke. His hand, which had once gripped his sword with such determination, now lay limp beside him.

Retsu, her parasol halberd resting casually in her hand, glanced down at him with a soft smile that was barely perceptible beneath her veil. "You gave me the test I needed. This is my first time using a halberd, so my movements were a bit sloppy." Her tone was light, almost playful, but there was a calm confidence in her words that spoke volumes about her self-assurance.

"First time?" Xiao Nan blinked, genuinely taken aback. The shock in his voice was evident. "You've never used a halberd before?" Despite the bitter taste of defeat, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. She had taken him down so effortlessly with a weapon she was unfamiliar with. Yet, there was a subtle sense of dejection, too—he would never know the true face of the woman who had bested him so decisively.

Retsu said nothing more. She simply nodded, her calm demeanor undisturbed by the victory. As she gracefully walked down from the arena, her movements fluid and serene, the crowd's hushed whispers grew louder. The shock and awe in the air were palpable.

The announcer's voice rang out, breaking the tension. "Blue Wind Imperial Family – Unohana Retsu wins!"

The Sword Discourse Arena, which had been swallowed by a heavy silence moments earlier, erupted into a cacophony of astonished voices. The spectators—who had come to witness battles between the most skilled disciples—were now staring in disbelief. Retsu, with her calm poise and unassuming presence, had just done the unthinkable. She, a woman with relatively weak profound strength compared to many of the other competitors, had decisively defeated another disciple of the Xiao Sect.

First, it had been Yun Che, whose battle against Xiao Zhen had shaken the arena. Then, it was Cang Yue, who had overcome a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Villa. And now, Unohana Retsu—she had silenced the crowd with her effortless victory, proving that true strength lay not only in raw power but in skill, strategy, and the calm determination to never back down.

As Retsu made her way off the stage, the gazes of the audience followed her, their eyes widening as the realization set in—this woman, who had seemed so unassuming, was now one of the most formidable forces on the arena.

Xiao Kuanglei leaped into the arena, his face a mix of concern and frustration as he approached Xiao Nan, who was still sitting on the ground, visibly shaken from the match. He crouched beside his brother, offering a supportive pat on his shoulder. "Little brother Nan, don't let this get to you. She must be incredibly skilled with that thing. I'll do my best to defeat them and take revenge for our losses."

To his surprise, Xiao Nan shook his head, his expression grim but resolute. "No," he said firmly. "She wasn't skilled with it. She was an amateur."

"What?!" Xiao Kuanglei's brow furrowed deeply, and he instinctively glanced toward Xiao Kuangyu, who stood watching with a similar look of disbelief. Their shock mirrored each other's as the realization of Xiao Nan's words began to sink in.

Xiao Nan, his voice quiet but tinged with bitterness, continued. "She only just started using that halberd. I could tell—it was a new weapon for her. She wasn't precise, and her movements weren't refined. She was testing it out… and she used me as the dummy."

Xiao Kuanglei's eyes widened. "You're saying—"

"She never once used the other weapons hidden in that parasol," Xiao Nan interrupted, his voice trembling with both frustration and awe. "Not the shield, not the sword, not even that air cannon we heard about. She didn't need them. She fought me entirely with the halberd, and she held back. If she had used her sword, I wouldn't have lasted a single exchange."

The weight of Xiao Nan's words settled heavily between them, the implications clear. The mysterious woman, Unohana Retsu, had defeated him without breaking a sweat, using a weapon she barely knew.

Xiao Kuanglei clenched his fists, his confidence shaken. He was the last remaining member of the Xiao Sect now that Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhen are disqualified. Right now, he wanted to at least enter the top 32. Should he face them, he hoped to have at least enough strength to resist.

"Great work, sweetie," Yun Che said with a wide grin as he watched Retsu glide gracefully back to their seating area, her parasol halberd slung over her shoulder. The trail of cherry blossoms followed her, shimmering like stardust before fading away. She had finally fulfilled her goal of defeating one of the Xiao Sect's top disciples, and she did so with effortless poise.

"Good work, Nee-sama," Nemu chimed in with her usual calm demeanor. Before she could say anything else, Retsu scooped her into a warm embrace, enveloping her entirely.

"Ehee… hardly broke a sweat," Retsu said playfully, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "It was my first time using the halberd, after all. Just needed a few moments of inner practice. I should be able to master it fully in no time." Her grin widened as Nemu let out a muffled squeak, her face buried in her sister's bosom.

"You two are monsters," Cang Yue sighed, shaking her head. Despite her words, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Laughter rippled through their group. Mai, Mei, and even Yuanba were still caught in the aftershocks of awe from Retsu's earlier performance. Mei, ever curious, playfully waved her hands through the illusory cherry blossoms still lingering in the air around Retsu.

"I see you pulled out an illusory kido," Yun Che remarked, his tone both impressed and amused. His eyes traced the faint glow of the blossoms as they dissipated from the arena floor, yet still danced gently in Retsu's wake. "Nice touch."

"Ehee… I wanted my attacks to look pretty," Retsu admitted with a soft giggle, her expression alight beneath her veil. "Besides, I was testing some of my newly developed air-bending techniques merged with the Sakura petal rain. But the only one I could properly try out was the Sakura Air Slash. I've created four techniques so far, but…" She sighed lightly. "Only managed to test one."

"We'll have plenty of opportunities to test the rest," Yun Che said, patting her head with a warm smile. "For now, enjoy the victory."

Retsu nodded eagerly, her spirits lifting immediately. She moved gracefully to the tatami mat, settling down under the kotatsu. Still cradling her precious sister Nemu in a gentle hug, she let out a contented sigh.

"Uffuuu… Mio-chan! Tea!" she called out cheerfully, her tone carrying a playful demand.

"Hai! For my Ret-chan!" Mio chimed from the corner, her voice just as enthusiastic. With a bounce in her step, she began preparing tea, humming softly to herself.

The crowd's wariness of the Blue Wind Imperial Family trio grew with each passing match. Despite their cultivation being at the True Profound Realm, Yun Che, Retsu, and Cang Yue had systematically dismantled opponents from the top sects, leaving the audience in awe of their remarkable skill and performances. Yun Che's fiery leg techniques, Cang Yue's majestic dragon kirin, and Retsu's breathtaking parasol halberd artistry had made them the center of attention.

Yun Che secured his thirteenth victory, Retsu followed suit with her own flawless streak, and even Cang Yue, now with twelve consecutive wins, was proving to be an indomitable force.

Cang Wanhe was ecstatic, his joy evident as he watched their relentless triumphs. For Qin Wushang, Xia Yuanba's unparalleled success validated his faith. Yuanba had achieved the impossible, dominating through sheer might and tenacity, even against opponents two or three levels above him in the Spirit Profound Realm. Each victory strengthened Qin Wushang's hope that Yuanba's luck and determination would carry him further despite losing two members against Yun Che—so long as he avoided crossing paths with the trio from the Blue Wind Imperial Family or disciples from the Four Great Sects.

Meanwhile, the Xiao Sect was on edge. With their elite disciples falling one by one, Xiao Kuanglei stood as their final hope. The weight of the sect's honor rested squarely on his shoulders, and failure to advance to the round of 32 would result in disastrous consequences for their reputation and standing.

As Yun Che and Retsu concluded their fourteenth matches with yet another round of spectacular victories, the crowd turned its attention to the next bout. When Cang Yue's name was announced for her fourteenth match, the arena erupted with anticipation. All eyes were on her as her opponents, the Xiao Sect, and even her allies braced for the challenge.