Chapter 4: The Duel Agreement and Regaining Cultivation

“Here, big brother, wipe your sweat.” Seeing the situation, Gu Qingxiao thoughtfully handed over a handkerchief. Gu Qingyi took it and wiped the sweat from his face.

“Li Ji, right? You and I, two years from now, at the main gate of Sky Sword City—let’s settle this in a life-and-death duel.” Gu Qingyi looked at the barely conscious Li Ji on the ground and spoke lazily, “If I can’t defeat you then, I’ll end my own life at the city gate.”

“And during these two years, don’t loiter in front of me. See you once, I’ll beat you once!” Gu Qingyi turned around. “Well? Need time to think about it?”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re a cripple now. With a two-year agreement, what will you possibly use to beat me?” Li Ji didn’t hesitate and just agreed.

“Fine, I agree!” Li Ji was only thinking of surviving right now, not about anything else, and figured Gu Qingyi was useless anyway.

“You’re the useless one! You’re not even fit to wipe a bead of sweat from my brother’s brow!” Gu Qingxiao, furious, stomped Li Ji and kicked him away.

“Young Master Li, are you all right?” Shen Qinglian hurried over to help the feeble Li Ji, and the two left together.

“Uncle Shen, please, it’s best if you all head back soon. My little Gu family can’t house so many esteemed guests.” Gu Qingyi seemed to think of something, turned aside, and looked at Shen Zhentian.

“Yue’er, you see I…” Shen Zhentian’s eyes were blank as he glanced at his younger sister, hoping Shen Yue would help plead for him.

“Since my son has made himself clear, I’ll have to ask you, brother, to leave early. Please let me rest, I am tired.” Shen Yue snorted coldly and turned her head away, her tone icy and lightly annoyed. “Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to hit you myself!”

“Uncle, just listen to my mom and leave. If you stay any longer, she’ll really get mad, and that’s serious!” Gu Qingxiao whispered into Shen Zhentian’s ear.

“In that case, we’ll take our leave.” Shen Zhentian sighed, knowing he had no room to negotiate, and departed with the others.

“Don’t worry about the Li family—crushing them would be effortless. This two-year agreement isn’t worth your concern.” Shen Yue gave Gu Qingyi a thoughtful look.

“Mother, stop scaring my brother. Anyway, just let him enjoy this two-year agreement. Promise me you won’t meddle!” Gu Qingxiao smiled calmly at this.

“Fine, fine, I promise.” Shen Yue shook her head helplessly and waved her hand.

“Mother, sister, it’s just a two-year agreement. No need for either of you to worry.” Gu Qingyi shrugged it off and turned to leave.

…

News of the two-year duel had spread throughout the city. In one tavern, a crowd was whispering.

“Did you hear? The eldest young master of the Gu family actually challenged Li Ji himself.”

“If it were before, I’d definitely be backing the Gu family’s eldest. Now? It’s hard to say—Li Ji’s got talent too.” Someone waved and shook his head.

“But I thought Gu Qingyi was crippled? Where’s the confidence coming from?” This set off more questions.

“Who cares where he gets his confidence? It’s gonna be great to watch—makes for the best snack-time gossip!” Someone laughed, putting down his drink.

…

The Li family gathered in serious council.

“Ji’er, are you sure you can do this? Or do you need me to handle him?” Suddenly, someone turned to ask Li Ji.

“Relax, Father. Gu Qingyi is just a cripple now.” Li Ji replied dismissively, hiding the fact that Shen Yue was at Sword Saint Realm from Li Jiantian. “No need to trouble yourself—two years from now, I’ll leave him with nothing.”

“Very well, we’ll follow your lead.” The man nodded at his son’s confidence and said nothing more. This was Li Ji’s father and the City Lord, Li Jiantian.

…

Back at the Gu family, Gu Qingyi was tending his injuries in his room.

“Kid, being a cripple sucks, huh?” Suddenly, a pleasant voice echoed in his mind. “But I’ve figured out what happened inside you!”

“Turns out, when you’re at death’s door, the golden sword in your body will use up all your cultivation to save your life, putting you in a fake death state.” The Sword Spirit sounded both amazed and impressed.

“That’s the kind of thing every cultivator dreams of! Kid, you totally lucked out!” The Sword Spirit gave Gu Qingyi a sly, secretive look and grinned. “But the price is, your cultivation drops back to the very first level of Sword Practitioner Realm.”

“Still, the stronger you are the less backlash you’ll get.” The Sword Spirit gave Gu Qingyi a once-over and sighed. “But your current problem is that all your meridians are blocked with cold energy. Best case, you’ll cultivate slowly. Worst case, you’ll never advance again.”

“From what I’ve observed, you’re leaning closer to the second case—not good.” The Sword Spirit turned away with a helpless sigh.

Gu Qingyi’s expression instantly fell—he looked lost, his voice shaky. “How could this be? Isn’t there really any way?”

“There’s always a way!” that ethereal voice rang out again. “But it’ll take certain herbs and a core from a high-grade beast. I’ve got about a ninety-nine percent chance of fixing you!”

“What? I need a high-grade beast core too?” Gu Qingyi blanched, his smile forced. “With my strength now, I’d be lucky to kill a single first-tier beast.”

“What, you want to take on beasts at the first level of Sword Practitioner Realm? You must have a death wish.” The Sword Spirit laughed at Gu Qingyi. “Are you trying to make me laugh to death so you can inherit my legacy?”

Gu Qingyi’s face darkened at the mockery but he thought, “How is this not just nonsense? You know I’d be throwing my life away!” Of course, he didn’t say that out loud.

“So, Senior, what should I do instead?” Gu Qingyi cupped his fists and asked politely.

“Were you just cursing at me?” The Sword Spirit pulled a stern face, clearly displeased.

“No, you’ve got me wrong, Senior! I wouldn’t dare! I have the utmost respect for you!” Gu Qingyi sensed danger and hurriedly denied it.

“Good. You wouldn’t dare.” The Sword Spirit snorted. A flash of light—she stepped out of the sword, transforming into a tiny girl in a red dress, undeniably cute and sweet with a mischievous air that just begged for doting.

“Whoa, you’re adorable.” Gu Qingyi’s jaw dropped—he was totally stunned.

“What are you staring at?!” came a fierce but childish voice.

“I didn’t expect you to be a girl, Senior!” Gu Qingyi snapped out of it, scratching his head in embarrassment.

“And what’s so strange about that?” The Sword Spirit put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes.

“So, kid, wanna take me as your master?” The Sword Spirit eyed him with curiosity.

“Uh… take you as my master? You look even younger than me. Isn’t that weird?” Gu Qingyi looked completely dumbfounded by the little girl before him.

“Huh? I look young?” She blinked in confusion at his lack of enthusiasm.

“Well, you do look younger than me, Senior.” Gu Qingyi scratched his head.

She gave him a glare. “Don’t judge by appearances, got it? To be honest, I might look like this, but I’m over a thousand years old. Kid, how old are you?”

Gu Qingyi swallowed. “I’m seventeen this year.” He thought to himself, I was in my twenties in my last life, but this body is seventeen, so that answer’s not wrong.

“Now that you’re going to be my apprentice, am I qualified?” The Sword Spirit crossed her arms, almost smug.

“Master, please accept your disciple Gu Qingyi’s bow!” Gu Qingyi grinned. After waiting for some kind of system to appear for so long, to have an ancient master fall into his lap instead—looks like fate had other plans. He dropped right to his knees. “May I ask, Master, what is your name?”

“I’m Xuanyuan Lingxue.” She looked down at Gu Qingyi, coldly. “As for where I came from, beats me. I woke up in the sword inside you and that’s all I know.”

“Since you’re my apprentice, I ought to give you something.” Xuanyuan Lingxue flicked her wrist, and suddenly Gu Qingyi felt the weight of a cultivation manual in his hand.

“Master, what’s this manual?” Gu Qingyi stared blankly at the book.

“It’s the Skydome Sword Sutra, the one that comes with that sword in your body.” Xuanyuan Lingxue stretched and shot him a look. “What’s inside, you’ll have to discover for yourself.”

“Now, let’s prepare what you need to heal your meridians.” Xuanyuan Lingxue thought for a moment. “You’re too weak to slay a beast right now, but a medicinal bath could help, though it’ll hurt like hell.”

“Think you can take the pain?” Xuanyuan Lingxue stared seriously.

“Don’t worry, Master! I can take it!” Gu Qingyi gritted his teeth, steeling his resolve.

“All right.” Xuanyuan Lingxue hesitated. “You’ll need Dragon Tongue Grass, Hundred-Spirit Leaf, Dragon Sun Fruit, and Purple Sun Flower.”

“These are all yang-type herbs. Boil them and use the decoction as a bath.” Xuanyuan Lingxue circled him as she spoke. “The bath will hit those ice-blocked meridians. These are common enough—the city’s medicine shops should have them. Go look tomorrow.”

…

The next morning, after a night of rain, the courtyard buzzed with birds and insects.

The path was still damp, and droplets clung stubbornly to the treetops.

“Qingyi! Get up already! You’re sleeping away half the day—don’t you want your cultivation back?” Xuanyuan Lingxue glared at the snoozing Gu Qingyi, thundering in annoyance.

“Sorry, Master. I overslept.” Gu Qingyi jolted awake, looking sheepish at Xuanyuan Lingxue’s fury.

“So you know you’re late? Get up, now!” Xuanyuan Lingxue scolded, exasperated.

…

Sky Sword City’s biggest medicine shop.

At the entrance,

“Master, do you think they’ll have what you need?” Gu Qingyi looked inside in disbelief.

“Why not go in and check? What, do you think I know everything?” Xuanyuan Lingxue rapped her knuckles on Gu Qingyi’s head, impatient.

Master and disciple entered together.

A slightly chubby young man with squinting eyes came over, brimming with a friendly smile. “Gu Bro! Long time no see, how have you been?”

This was Wang Qiankun, also known as Fatty Wang—Gu Qingyi’s closest friend and a member of one of the city’s five great families.

“What brings you here, Kun’er?” Gu Qingyi asked lazily.

“Gu Bro, my family’s got a prescription we’re filling—it’s missing a few herbs. I figured I’d try my luck here. What about you?” Wang Qiankun forced an awkward smile.

“Same as you, looking for herbs.” Gu Qingyi stared at him. “Wanna go check together?”

“Hahaha, I was hoping you’d say that.” Wang Qiankun threw an arm around Gu Qingyi’s shoulders.

Xuanyuan Lingxue’s eyes lit up, excited. “Perfect, Qingyi—everything we need is here! Hurry and buy them!”

Soon, they’d found three of the four herbs—only the Purple Sun Flower remained.

“Clerk, wrap these up for me.” As Gu Qingyi reached for the last Purple Sun Flower,

…

A commotion erupted at the doorway.

“Hold it! That belongs to our Nie family!” quacked a nasal voice as several men barged in. Their leader, pockmarked and dressed in white, fluttered a fan and eyed Gu Qingyi sleazily. “Whatever price this kid offers, I’ll pay triple!”

Sky Sword City’s five great families were the Gu, Wang, Shen, Li, and Nie families.

Nie He’s beady, puffed eyes landed on his rival, and he sneered, raising his voice. “So it’s our legendary Gu genius reduced to scavenging for medicine after becoming a cripple?”

“Hahaha, so it’s him!” Nie He’s lackeys cackled.

“Young Master Nie, you may not know, but rumor has it our great Gu genius came back from the dead, only to drop to Sword Practitioner Realm.” A servant sidled up, giving Gu Qingyi a mocking glare. “He got dumped by his fiancée, then made a two-year pact with Li Ji… that’s the talk of the city right now.”

“Turns out even you have days like this, genius Gu! Hand over that herb and I’ll let you off today.” Nie He stared incredulously at Gu Qingyi. “Oh, and for the record, I’m already at Sword Sea Realm!”

…

“Did you hear what my young master said?” The Nie family flunkies burst out laughing.

Fatty Wang couldn’t stand it anymore and roared, “You’ve gone too far!” He punched Nie He so hard that the air itself seemed to shudder from the force.

“Oh no, something’s happened—run!” The crowd and shop clerks panicked and scattered.

“Damned Fatty, how dare you hit me.” Nie He could feel his bones cracking as he cowered in the corner, wiping blood from his mouth and glaring at Wang. “Didn’t expect you’d sneak attack me… turns out you’re at Sword Sea Realm too.”

“Young master, are you okay?” The Nie family servants rushed over, terrified, to support their howling master.

“Open your eyes! Look at me! Don’t you see I was nearly beaten to death? You useless lot! Do you want me to skin you alive when we get home? Get them for me!” Nie He howled as he squawked at his lackeys, who advanced at once, killing intent evident.

Despite his lowered cultivation, Gu Qingyi still had more than enough strength to handle these goons. He moved swiftly, dodged their attacks, then grabbed one by the head and clocked him with a brutal hook.

“Let me show you what I’ve got!” Gu Qingyi lashed out with a brutal kick, sending a Nie family servant flying, then took out the rest with a spinning back kick.

“How are you this strong? You’re supposed to be a cripple!” the fallen servants gasped, still struggling to get up.

“Oh, you’re still moving?” With a push from his left foot, Gu Qingyi launched himself airborne. He clamped his legs around an attempted sneak attacker’s neck, twisted hard, and there was a sickening crack. The man was dead before he hit the ground.

…

Moments later, every one of Nie He’s people was dead—except Nie He himself.

“Damn it, why are you so strong?” Nie He crawled up, seized his chance, and made a break for the door. “Can’t beat you… maybe I can run!”

“Trying to run now? Too late.” Gu Qingyi flew in with a kick and stomped murderously on Nie He’s groin.

“Aaahh, my manhood’s broken—it hurts!” Nie He’s wails echoed through the store.

“Let me give you a real taste of hospitality.” Gu Qingyi climbed on top of him and slapped him across the face, left and right.

Nie He could barely move his lips, a million thoughts spinning in his mind as he struggled to make a sound.

Death seemed almost a mercy; he gasped and wheezed, throat rattling as he struggled to breathe. His skinny hands clawed weakly at Gu Qingyi in vain.

Nie He thought he could see his ancestors calling him over.

Gu Qingyi was about to finish him off when Wang Fatty cried out, “Gu Bro! You can’t kill Nie He yet—he’s the favorite son of the Nie family’s master, Nie Yun at Sword Emperor Realm. With your current strength, you’d bring endless trouble down on yourself.”

Gu Qingyi grumbled inwardly, “He’s already run roughshod over me—now you tell me I can’t kill him? But with my low cultivation, maybe he’s right.”

“Still, Nie He has to die!” Gu Qingyi sneered. “I shattered every vital point in his body. He might look fine for now, but he won’t last long.”

“Nie He, isn’t it?” Gu Qingyi’s eyes flashed with killing intent. “See me next time, better get lost, got it? If you act tough in front of me again…”

“All right, all right…” Nie He hid in the corner, barely able to speak.

“Scram!” Gu Qingyi kicked him out the door.

“If others leave me alone, I leave them alone. But if you cross me, I’ll destroy you—even if it kills me.” Gu Qingyi watched Nie He leave, eyes cold. “If I go, you’re going with me.”

He turned to Wang Fatty, worried. “Kun’er, will this bring trouble for you?”

“Don’t worry, Gu Bro. The Nie family is tough, but my Wang family won’t back down.” Wang Fatty grinned, gave him a respectful salute, and said, “I’ve already got my herbs—if you need anything, come find me!”

“Just a mere Sword Emperor to worry about. With my mother around, he’s nothing but a clown.” Gu Qingyi mused to himself and realized Wang was a loyal friend, maybe worth trusting.

“Clerk, please wrap up the Purple Sun Flower for me.” Gu Qingyi called.

“Young master Gu, all four herbs you wanted are here.” The clerk handed him the packet with trembling hands. “That’ll be three mid-grade spirit stones.”

“Here you go.” Gu Qingyi took three spirit stones from his spatial ring and tossed them over.

The clerk’s face lit up as he collected the stones. “Take care, young master Gu.”

Gu Qingyi pocketed the herbs and left the shop—unaware that as soon as he exited, a shadowy figure tailed after him.

This was one of the assassins’ spies sent to keep him under surveillance.

…

Sky Sword Sect, core disciples’ residence.

“Senior Brother Zhi Yin, Gu Qingyi is just like the rumors say—useless, no threat at all.” Someone knelt on one knee before Zhi Yin.

“Oh, really? You’re dismissed.” Zhi Yin slowly opened his eyes and looked at the man.

The disciple bowed and left respectfully. “Yes, Senior Brother Zhi Yin.”

Zhi Yin smirked, as if remembering something amusing. He muttered to himself, “Gu Qingyi, you’d better not die too soon, or things won’t be half as fun.”

…

The Nie family estate, Sky Sword City.

An old doctor shook his head, sighing. “Young master Nie, I’m afraid you’ll never be a real man again, and your days are numbered.”

“What… what did you say?” Nie Yun flew into a rage, smashing everything in sight.

“Divine Doctor Qiu, isn’t there any way to save my son?” Nie Yun clung desperately to hope.

“If you can cure my son, Qiu, no matter the cost, I’ll do it—just save him!” Nie Yun’s face tightened with resolve.

Divine Doctor Qiu shook his head again. “It’s not that I won’t help, it’s just that your son’s injuries are too severe, and it’s too late to treat him.”

“There’s nothing more I can do,” the old doctor stood to leave. “Please, find someone else.”

Nie Yun grabbed him in a frenzy. “Divine Doctor! Is there really no hope for my son’s…?”

“I’m sorry. You must accept it.” The old doctor nodded, then walked away.

…

After a while.

“Dad, the pain is killing me!” Nie He, now unable to speak like a man, rasped with his broken voice. “I want Gu Qingyi and Wang Qiankun dead—both those brats!”

Nie Yun gripped his son’s hand tight. “Don’t worry, He’er, I swear I’ll capture those brats and slice them to pieces!”

Nie Yun left, not knowing his son’s end was near.

A quarter of an hour later, Nie He died in his room.

“Gu Qingyi, Wang Qiankun! I’ll kill you both, and avenge my son!” The Nie family estate erupted in a furious roar.

Suddenly, the Nie family was wiped out by a single unexpected palm strike.

In the Gu family compound,

Shen Yue idly played with her teacup, speaking almost to herself. “Nie He, Nie He… I didn’t mean to kill you, but you messed with my son.”

“So you have to die today—along with your entire family.” The teacup shattered in her hand.

…

Elsewhere,

Gu Qingyi watched the bubbling, greenish medicinal bath with unease. “Master, will this really work?”

“You think I’d hurt you? Stop wasting time—get in there. The later you go in, the weaker the effects.” Xuanyuan Lingxue snapped, growing impatient.

“All right, Master, I’ll do it.” Gu Qingyi glanced nervously at her before stepping in. He instantly felt something odd filling his body.

“Master, this is unbearable, I can’t take it!” Gu Qingyi cried out as his meridians swelled painfully, on the verge of rupture.

“You have to hang on, Qingyi, or your meridians will burst and I can’t help!” Xuanyuan Lingxue paced nearby, frantic.

“I haven’t had my revenge, I haven’t reached the pinnacle—I can’t fall here!” Gu Qingyi flashed through a lifetime of humiliation, being crippled, mocked, insulted, and even killed.

“I refuse to fall here—break!”

With a thunderous roar, the golden sword in Gu Qingyi’s body absorbed all the medicine’s effects, repairing his meridians. A blinding golden light shot into the air.

“It worked!” Xuanyuan Lingxue beamed with delight.

Gu Qingyi slowly opened his eyes, murmuring, “Power… I can feel it, I’m stronger than ever—right back to the peak of Sword Qi, even stronger than before.”

Xuanyuan Lingxue grinned cheekily. “Looks like you turned disaster into fortune. Your cultivation speed’s even faster now.”

“Master, where’d you get that prescription? Honestly, it didn’t sound that reliable.” Gu Qingyi suddenly recalled and felt suspicious.

“Well, uh… I found it in an old scroll. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it’d work,” Xuanyuan Lingxue ducked her head awkwardly.

Gu Qingyi glared, exasperated. “So you used me as a guinea pig! I nearly died!”

“Didn’t you make it through just fine? Now with your strength back, you can go hunt beasts!” Xuanyuan Lingxue stuck her tongue out mischievously. “Still, best to master the Skydome Sword Sutra before that, so you have something up your sleeve.”