Volume 3 - Chapter 402: Then I Shall Pluck It for You
Claiming ten victories was already enough to place someone among the pinnacle of their realm.
After all, anyone able to reach this place was a monstrous talent from one of the major clans—individuals capable of facing a thousand peers alone.
In past years, when the Immortal Aura Purple Osmanthus had not yet bloomed, the fight over the Divine Spring Golden Osmanthus was especially fierce. Even someone like Su Qiyu had to go all out. Yet judging by Su Wanqing’s tone, it was as if this young man could win with ease.
Su Wanxue glanced at Li Hao, a flicker of light flashing in her eyes. She too was curious to see how this youth fared in real combat beyond mere talent.
Feeling the gaze of the Su Clan members, Li Hao's eyes, however, landed on Su Muqing. The girl sat quietly, expression cold, like a snow lotus under the moonlight. Her long dark hair fluttered gently, releasing a subtle fragrance. She gazed toward the distant Sword Pool, lost in thought.
In that moment, she said nothing. Her face showed no disdain. That stunning visage was serene and beautiful—like a shattered image slowly healing before his eyes, coming together once more.
“No,” he said softly.
Li Hao shook his head, his gaze never leaving the girl. He felt that letting time flow quietly like this was more than enough.
He had not come to the Northern Domain to seek fame, but simply to be by her side when she awakened.
Su Wanqing froze upon hearing his refusal. Earlier, Li Hao had managed to keep pace with her and Su Muqing, proof of his powerful movement technique. Just that alone would place him in an invincible position among first-stage Immortal Lords. Even if his attacks were lacking, he could still force a draw through speed.
And yet, he gave up this rare opportunity to make a name for himself?
“Hmm?”
Su Wanxue frowned, clearly not expecting Li Hao to abandon the chance.
He should’ve known—fame gained here would soon spread across the entire Gusu Emperor Star. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Even Su Qiyu showed a trace of confusion. For a prodigy with only a hundred years of soul lifespan, what was there to fear? Unless he was just a fluke propped up by drugs—form without substance.
“Hmph!”
Su Muqing suddenly scoffed coldly, turning her head to Li Hao with eyes full of contempt.
“A true prodigy should possess the will to soar like an eagle in the sky and swim like a fish in the depths—not someone like you, who doesn’t even dare dream of standing supreme among peers.”
Li Hao stared at her and said, “If I had such a dream, would that let me stay with you ten years longer?”
“Impossible. Don’t even think about it!”
Su Muqing’s face turned icy, her eyes filled with coldness. “Don’t flatter yourself. Even if you truly were unrivaled among your peers, I wouldn’t spare you a second glance. Give up.”
“In that case, what more is there to say?” Li Hao said calmly.
Su Muqing was so furious she choked back a retort, clenched her teeth, and turned away, ignoring him.
Su Qiyu frowned slightly and said, “Little brother, Muqing is right. As a man, your ambition should stretch across the world. If you don’t even have the courage to suppress your peers, how could Muqing ever look at you differently?”
Ambition across the world… Li Hao gently shook his head, his eyes reflecting a trace of worldly weariness. “By the time the sword is drawn in the jianghu, when fame is finally earned, those waiting have already grown old. If someone only likes you for that fame, do they really like you, or merely the fame?”
Su Qiyu paused, frowning in contemplation. “But if you never show your brilliance, how can others be drawn to you?”
“What kind of brilliance counts as true brilliance?” Li Hao countered. “Is it the brilliance of standing alone atop a mountain—or the brilliance of staying beside someone, weathering storms together?”
Back in the desperate south, facing the awe of a Supreme One, even after condensing the Dao-Origin Immortal Seal, he had lost all light and hope. Yet, that figure from across time still came, stepping toward death without hesitation.
What kind of brilliance had she been chasing?
Su Qiyu raised a brow, growing tired of the conversation. He only wanted to see Li Hao make a move, but it seemed that chance was gone.
“Brother Qiyu, there’s no point talking to a coward like him. Even if he did step onto the stage, I wouldn’t give him another glance,” Su Muqing said coldly.
Hearing that, Su Qiyu could only sigh and give up.
Su Wanqing, seeing the shift in mood, sighed silently and stopped trying to persuade him.
At the side, Su Wanxue glanced at the youth’s shoulder with added disdain in her eyes.
As the elite duel atop the battle platform raged on and time passed, a young noble from a prominent family stepped onto the stage. He was at the sixth level of the Immortal Lord Realm.
Just then, Su Muqing abruptly stood up and said, “It stinks here. I’m going to get some fresh air.”
Before her voice even faded, she blurred and soared onto the platform.
The noble youth had just been surveying the crowd for a suitable opponent when Su Muqing suddenly teleported onto the stage. He froze in shock, then his hair stood on end and his expression shifted dramatically.
That beautiful, otherworldly girl appeared to him more terrifying than a feral beast—like being locked in a cage with a monster.
“M-Miss Muqing, what are you—?”
The noble stammered, forcing a smile while trembling inwardly.
The crowd below fell silent for a moment before erupting in uproar. Everyone was stunned.
In past years, this True Phoenix had always saved her battles for the finale. Yet today, before the other Four Little Phoenixes or even Lin Jinrou and Jiang Huanhuan had gone up, she had already taken the stage.
“Enough talk. Take my sword!”
Su Muqing was seething inside. She called it a sword strike, though in truth, she didn’t even draw her blade. No peer had ever been worthy of her drawing her sword.
Her pale, slender fingers came together as if gripping the void. With a single sweep, a sword intent condensed instantly. Space shattered. Time itself seemed to sever as her attack followed the trajectory of frozen time—striking toward the noble youth.
That silent trajectory… was Time Freeze.
With no time or space to react, her sword technique landed instantly—inescapable and unblockable.
Boom!
Before the noble could even respond, just as his Immortal Defense flared, it shattered. His Immortal energy was torn apart by a sharp force, and his body was hurled backward, smashing into the boundary array.
A long gash extended from his forehead to his chest, refusing to heal—growing worse instead. The sword energy at the wound was like a venomous serpent, devouring his divine blood and destroying his Immortal body.
He hurriedly cried, “Please, Miss Muqing, show mercy! I concede!”
Su Muqing snorted coldly and waved her hand, dispersing the sword energy from his body.
The youth bowed repeatedly in gratitude and, the moment the barrier dropped, fled the stage as though escaping death.
“That’s insane! The Kong Clan’s heir couldn’t even withstand a single move!”
“And she wasn’t even serious! He had five victories already, good enough to claim a Flowing Frost Silver Osmanthus. The Su Clan’s True Phoenix really lives up to her name!”
“She might actually be unrivaled in her realm. That Immortal Aura Purple Osmanthus… truly deserves someone like her.”
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