289 - Elasia Saga

**Title: She Fled with the Sword – Chapter 289** "Palace Lord! Palace Lord!" As Fu Yan returned with Shui Liu Qing and others to the puppet ship of Shuanghua Palace, a wave of exhilaration erupted among the disciples below. They waved their spirit swords fervently, their eager eyes fixed on Fu Yan's silhouette. It seemed that the battle with Han Tong had left an exhilarating high. Faced with this unexpected fervor, Fu Yan was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected that dealing with someone like Han Tong would lead to such a spectacle. Regaining her composure, she cast her gaze downward at the disciples and merely nodded with a smile, choosing not to say much. After all, the commotion was over, and the competitions on the Yun Ni Platform continued. The second round for the Dao Comprehension Stage was nearing its end, and the finalists would be determined soon. Having witnessed the recent showdown involving celestial artifacts, the reputation of Shuanghua Palace soared to new heights. Cultivators all around were drawn to them out of curiosity. "This year's grand event has brought a formidable dark horse in the form of Shuanghua Palace, which was previously unheard of." "True, with Ming Xi in the Illusory Realm stage and their Palace Lord in the Dao Comprehension stage, and considering Shuanghua Palace hasn't been re-established for long, their future potential won't fall short compared to the major sects in Central Capital!" "With the malicious rise of the Corpse Ghost Sect, the emergence of Shuanghua Palace is indeed a blessing, as our strength will only grow stronger!" The crowd fervently dissected Shuanghua Palace's current situation from every angle. Fu Yan paid no heed to the surrounding discussions. Calming the disciples brought a sense of tranquility, allowing her to focus once again on the ongoing duels. Not long after she descended, Ji Xian stepped onto the stage. "Congratulations, Palace Lord!" Yi Tu approached with excitement, clasping his hands in respect as he said, "You're entering the finals with an undefeated record!" "Indeed, the disciples of the Tianji Pavilion must be beside themselves with anger, hahahaha!" Liu Bei joined in with a laugh. At this, Fu Yan glanced at Bai Yue Li before casually waving her hand. The battles had been exhausting, and they wisely refrained from disturbing Fu Yan's rest. Exchanging a few enthusiastic words, they hurried off to watch Ji Xian's match. Seizing the opportunity, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li retreated to the room at the back of the puppet ship. Upon entering, Bai Yue Li promptly had Fu Yan sit down and urged, "You have another match in the second round, sit down and recover." Fu Yan chuckled, acknowledging the considerable depletion of energy during her fight with Han Tong. Had her energy reserves not been more robust than average cultivators, the duel might not have ended so swiftly. Taking Bai Yue Li's advice, Fu Yan pulled out a few pills and swallowed them. With her current strength, she could recover gradually on her own, without needing to meditate. "So tired, Senior Sister," Fu Yan leaned against Bai Yue Li's shoulder, a hint of childishness in her tone. Despite knowing Fu Yan wasn't truly exhausted, Bai Yue Li sighed softly. She wrapped her arm around Fu Yan, who nestled into a comfortable position like a cat in her embrace. "How do you feel now?" Bai Yue Li looked down at Fu Yan with a touch of helplessness. Surrounded by Bai Yue Li's scent, reminiscent of sweet snow, Fu Yan couldn't help but indulge, closing her eyes with contentment. "Hmm, Senior Sister smells so nice," she murmured, nuzzling further into Bai Yue Li. Bai Yue Li's ears turned slightly red, but she maintained her composure, tugging gently at Fu Yan's clothing before asking, "Why did you reveal your celestial weapon so late?" "Even with a celestial weapon, it hasn't acknowledged me as its master. I had to negotiate with its spirit for quite a while just to fire one arrow," Fu Yan replied, a bit helplessly. Bai Yue Li: "..." "Don't worry, Senior Sister," Fu Yan opened her eyes, looking up at Bai Yue Li with a smile. "I should ascend soon, and by then, I'll find a way to make it recognize me as its master." Since she possessed this celestial weapon, she had no intention of relinquishing it. Bai Yue Li said no more, understanding Fu Yan's determination. Within half a day, Fu Yan's strength had mostly recovered. Having not sustained injuries, she faced no significant issues. After spending some affectionate time in the room with Bai Yue Li, they emerged (seemingly unperturbed) into the bustling atmosphere of Yun Ni Platform, where competitions raged on. As Fu Yan stepped out, the sight of sullen faces greeted her — a stark contrast to their earlier enthusiasm. Momentarily pausing, she realized what had transpired. "Palace Lord," Ji Xian, spotting her, approached with a strained expression, "I...lost." Considering the relatively small number participating in the Dao Comprehension Stage, those who made it to the finals were the finest. Compared to them, Ji Xian's skills admittedly fell short. "It's fine. Rest well," Fu Yan replied nonchalantly, revealing no particular emotion. "Yes." Ji Xian, evidently disheartened, swiftly descended from the Yun Ni Platform, retreating to the resting peaks of Shuanghua Palace. The others remained silent. In the upcoming, last match of the second round, Fu Yan once again triumphed, securing an undefeated entry into the final round of the Dao Comprehension Stage, as Yi Tu had anticipated. Only eight contestants advanced to the third round of matches. With the second round concluded, Yun Ni Platform experienced a brief calm as everyone returned to their peaks, preparing for the climax of the grand event. Shui Liu Qing busied herself in her cave, enhancing her puppets' abilities, while Ming Xi too continued training alongside her five-headed serpent. Thus, the contestants for the finals were hardly seen. Meanwhile, regular disciples gathered, speculating excitedly about who would emerge as this year's champions across various stages. Fu Yan, however, distanced herself from such murmurings. Unlike Shui Liu Qing and Ming Xi, who utilized every moment for self-improvement, Fu Yan understood that for someone at her stage — seizing strength in the Dao Comprehension phase — visible improvement within three to five years was rare. For her, maintaining a balanced mindset and attuning her Dao heart were paramount. Thus, during these resting days, aside from aiding the only ordinary disciple who reached the finals, Fu Yan stayed mostly with Bai Yue Li in their residence. One evening, as Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li were feeding a small alchemical beast, Tong Zhen arrived. Expecting his visit, Fu Yan welcomed him. Soon, they settled inside, while Bai Yue Li remained in the inner room, gently feeding the rotund little creature. "Chirp chirp..." The small creature devoured eagerly, resembling a snowy ball on the table, prompting Bai Yue Li's amused giggle as she affectionately petted it. In the outer room, while slightly surprised by Tong Zhen's sudden visit, Fu Yan poured him a cup of tea, asking, "Surely you didn't run all the way here?" Despite being seated, Tong Zhen was slightly out of breath, which Fu Yan immediately noticed, prompting her casual inquiry. "Heh, family matters kept me busy these past days, but I finally got some time off and heard you made it to the final round, so I came to congratulate you," Tong Zhen replied, accepting the tea without reservation. Taking a deep breath as he sipped, he continued, "I missed your match on the Yun Ni Platform that day, but I heard you decimated the Tianji Pavilion disciples. Remarkable!" Tong Zhen's expression turned regretful. The duel between Fu Yan and Han Tong had quickly become the talk of the town, and hearing about it, Tong Zhen regretted missing the spectacle firsthand. Nonetheless, she later caught a glimpse of the match through a luminescent orb. Fu Yan chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It wasn't much — the battle between celestial artifacts was what truly startled everyone." Indeed, without the aid of a celestial weapon, Fu Yan could have easily overwhelmed Han Tong, and a single match wouldn't have attracted so much attention. Tong Zhen, putting down his tea cup, laughed, "Fu Yan, you're still as humble as ever, hahaha!" After some casual conversation, Tong Zhen looked at Fu Yan, hesitated slightly, then spoke, "Actually, I came here to ask for your help with something." Fu Yan was not surprised. They had been friends for a while, and Tong Zhen had helped her numerous times before. Naturally, Fu Yan would not refuse his request. It turned out that the Tong family had recently discovered a very well-hidden secret realm. However, the entrance was blocked by a powerful barrier and required the power of a celestial weapon to open. Though the Tong family was a top-tier family in Central Capital, possessing a few half-step celestial weapons, they lacked a true celestial weapon. Thus, to quietly open the secret realm, they needed to collaborate with other forces. But if they approached the Jianwang Sect or Tianji Pavilion, the Tong family might be suppressed behind the scenes, leaving them without a chance to seize valuable opportunities. The entire Tong family was troubled by this predicament. At this juncture, news of Fu Yan using a celestial weapon to defeat Han Tong of Tianji Pavilion spread quickly, leading Tong Zhen to consider seeking her assistance. She immediately proposed the idea to her elder brother. Initially, the Tong family elders might not have agreed, but with Shuanghua Palace's burgeoning influence, a collaboration now seemed beneficial. Deciding to give it a try, Tong Zhen hurried to Fu Yan. Upon hearing Tong Zhen's explanation, Fu Yan was intrigued but not particularly concerned. After all, breaking a barrier was no major ordeal. "Of course, I can do that. It's not much trouble," Fu Yan replied with a smile, accepting without hesitation. Delighted, Tong Zhen's eyes sparkled. "Wonderful, thank you so much, Fu Yan." "Oh, by the way," Tong Zhen added hastily, "My brother mentioned that if you're willing to help, we're prepared to offer ten entry spots to the secret realm to your disciples at Shuanghua Palace." Fu Yan paused, surprised by the Tong family's generosity. She considered it but decided to decline, "There's no need. It's just a small favor, and since we're friends, let's not make a big deal out of it." The secret realm discovered by the Tong family, if large, would soon become widely known throughout Central Capital. Large-scale secret realms are impossible to keep secret due to the commotion they cause. Since the Tong family intended to open it covertly, it was likely a small to medium-sized realm. Despite such realms often containing significant opportunities, Fu Yan wasn't interested in taking undue advantage. The offer of ten spots was substantial, constituting about a third of the total entries. Tong Zhen shook her head, "If we approached other forces, they'd expect at least half, so don't worry about it, Fu Yan." Knowing Tong Zhen well, Fu Yan realized further refusal might seem overly modest and leave her friends uneasy. "Just five spots. That's all I need," she relented. "But..." Tong Zhen started to protest, only to be cut off by Fu Yan. "I'll send a celestial from Shuanghua Palace to discuss this with your family in a few days," Fu Yan assured her. She would have liked to go personally, but with the final round of the Dao Comprehension stage approaching, she couldn't leave Yun Ni Platform for the next month. Despite Tong Zhen's slight reluctance, the matter was settled. Five spots were indeed ample, considering the limited disciples at Shuanghua Palace, and only those at or beyond the late Integration stage should enter the secret realm. After finalizing the details, Fu Yan and Tong Zhen chatted a bit more before she accompanied him down the mountain. Upon returning, the little alchemy beast suddenly flew out, nestling lazily into Fu Yan's palm, satisfied and content. "Chirp..." Fu Yan chuckled, playfully lifting the creature as she headed inside. Bai Yue Li looked up and remarked, "Are you planning to send Lu Xiaowen?" "Yes, he's free right now, and I remember he has a celestial weapon, perfect for leading the disciples on a trial," Fu Yan nodded. In truth, helping the Tong family was also beneficial for Shuanghua Palace. The following morning, Fu Yan informed Lu Xiaowen about the Tong family's request. He agreed willingly since he could keep abreast of the competitions via the glass orb, without any delay. Moreover, with two celestial beings from Shenshu overseeing matters, there was no cause for concern. Having addressed the issue, Fu Yan resumed preparations for the upcoming finals at Yun Ni Platform, with only five members of Shuanghua Palace remaining. Three days passed swiftly. At dawn, Yun Ni Platform, quiet for nearly ten days, buzzed with activity. Cultivators brimmed with excitement, for the finals were always the most thrilling. Especially the matches in the Illusory Realm and Dao Comprehension stages, where spectators hoped to glean insights. Fu Yan and her group found themselves aboard the floating puppet ship once more, gazing at the throngs below, tightly packed with onlookers. "I'm so nervous!" Ming Xi confessed, glancing at the vast Yun Ni Platform, her legs slightly wobbly despite her confidence. Even Shui Liu Qing felt a bit tense. Luckily, being paired with Ji Qingjue, she managed to calm herself, knowing her abilities wouldn't take her too far, but she resolved to give it her all. Fu Yan, however, remained calm. Her primary goal—propelling Shuanghua Palace's name forward—was accomplished. Now, for her and others, it was about leaving no regrets. Finally, amid cheers, the finals began. The Integration and Illusory Realm stages would proceed consecutively, prompting no objections from the spectators. This arrangement allowed everyone to enjoy each match without the distraction of overlapping battles. Soon, Integration stage disciples approached the stage to draw lots. After the previous rounds, the strength of each contestant was well-known, with the finals becoming highly strategic. Resultantly, the matches unfolded rapidly, marked by either sheer power or tactful skills tailored to target opponents' weaknesses. During this, Shuanghua Palace's sole remaining finalist stepped onto the platform, only to face a seeded opponent as his first challenge. He was defeated within ten moves. Fu Yan promptly had Yuan He encourage him not to pressure himself. Reaching the finals was already an acknowledgment of skill. Nonetheless, he was eventually eliminated. With no disciples from Shuanghua Palace placing in the top ten for the Integration stage, the attending cultivators couldn't help but comment. "Someone claimed Shuanghua Palace was the dark horse, yet none of their disciples made the top ten." "They've only been around for a few decades. Look at the bigger picture. Three of their disciples reached the Illusory Realm finals!" "They only have a few hundred disciples, naturally lacking standout performers." Fu Yan advised her group not to dwell on external chatter. After consuming nearly half a month, the Integration stage finals concluded. The winner hailed from Jianwang Sect, with the top ten divided among Central Capital's major forces, save for one Buddhist disciple from the Western Regions. The festivities, unified efforts by major sects and families across the continent, offered enviable rewards. Many gazed enviously at those who had ranked. Soon, the Illusory Realm finals began in earnest. The crowd's enthusiasm soared once more. Fu Yan turned to Shui Liu Qing, Ming Xi, and Liu Bei, encouraging them, "Don't worry. Just give your best. Winning or losing isn't what matters—it's about what you gain." Battling against so many talented disciples from Central Capital meant valuable lessons for the three. Even Fu Yan had previously sought opportunities, amid competitions, to spark her ascension. "Yes, Palace Lord!" they responded in unison. The matches commenced. The first to step up from Shuanghua Palace was Shui Liu Qing. Taking a deep breath, she moved gracefully onto the platform. Unexpectedly, her opponent turned out to be a disciple from Hua Ling Valley, which momentarily left Shui Liu Qing stunned. However, she quickly felt relieved — at least it wasn't Ji Qingjue standing opposite her. She pondered that facing Ji Qingjue would unsettle her confidence and make it difficult to calmly engage in combat. As the match was about to commence, Shui Liu Qing swiftly adjusted her mindset and focused intently on her opponent. This disciple from Hua Ling Valley was named Lin Xuan Zhi, a formidable practitioner at the peak of the Illusory Realm. Lin Xuan Zhi's matches were always decisive, and like Ming Xi, she possessed a powerful contract spirit beast — the Cloud Thunder Wolf. With the signal for the match to begin, Shui Liu Qing wasted no time. She promptly summoned her two puppets. Since she had already revealed the second puppet in the previous elimination match, there was no reason to conceal it now. A beastly roar echoed as Lin Xuan Zhi's spirit beast appeared before her. Even with two puppets at her side, Shui Liu Qing remained vigilant. She quickly grabbed her Drip Water Sword, unleashing a surge of true essence throughout her body. In a flash, the Cloud Thunder Wolf lunged towards Shui Liu Qing, its sharp fangs poised to rip them apart. Instantly, one puppet positioned itself in front, launching a powerful force with a raised hand. Yet, the Cloud Thunder Wolf deftly evaded it. Seeing this, Lin Xuan Zhi leapt up, her sword gliding like falling petals, sending a flurry of blades through the air. Shui Liu Qing's eyes narrowed in concentration.