JSCMU-Chapter 26: Blending In

Ruan Jun’s expression darkened. He kept a straight face and gave no response whatsoever.

Idiot.

What was the meaning in looking at him during this moment?

Was he trying to hint that Ruan Jun was behind it?

Seeing no reaction from Ruan Jun, the disciple quickly caught on. His face turned pale, but he forced himself to retort, “You’re spouting nonsense!”

Yun Jin didn’t bother engaging further. She pointed to the second person. “And you. You’re the dumbest of them all. You made three mistakes on your own. Let me ask you, what was going on with those two consecutive moves starting at the tenth breath? And then at the fiftieth breath…”

Her tone was concise and to the point as she listed each error.

She pointed out all nine mistakes, one by one, each with exact precision.

The disciples’ faces grew increasingly ashen. Not one of them dared to admit the truth.

But seeing their reactions, the crowd began to murmur.

Did they really tamper with the demonstration?

And Yun Jin spoke with such clarity and confidence, it didn’t seem like she was lying.

Ruan Jun said coldly, “Yun Jin, just say whether you can learn the technique or not. Are you just making excuses by saying all this? You claim they made mistakes, and we’re just supposed to believe you?”

Once Ruan Jun spoke, the four disciples quickly followed suit, each insisting on denial to the bitter end.

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow, just about to speak.

Yue Zhao chuckled and directly pulled out a Recording Stone. “Ruan Jun, facing a despicable man like you, did you think I wouldn’t come prepared? I’ve recorded the entire incident. If they’re unconvinced, we’ll present it to the sect elders and let them judge for themselves to see if my little junior sister is making things up.”

Yun Jin blinked, then smiled.

She could’ve handled this herself, but having a reliable senior brother felt incredible.

Ruan Jun’s face darkened even more as he stared at the Recording Stone.

The four disciples broke out in a cold sweat.

Yue Zhao calmly placed the stone on the stage. “There are still two rounds left. You may continue.”

The stone, though small, now hung over the four like a sword ready to fall at any moment.

No longer daring to mess around, they performed the techniques properly two more times.

At this moment, Yun Jin also finished her bag of melon seeds at a leisurely pace.

“Your turn,” Ruan Jun growled, eyes fixed on her.

So what if they couldn’t deliberately make mistakes?

Could she really learn four sword techniques after just three demonstrations, and all of them at the same time?

Ruan Jun refused to believe it.

Yun Jin clapped her hands and slowly rose.

“Wind Sword Technique,” she said calmly. Wind stirred and the sword rose.

“Thunder Sword Technique.”

Her technique changed, swift and fierce like lightning.

“Phantom Trace Sword Technique.”

Her strikes turned unpredictable, appearing from all angles.

Three complete techniques in a row.

Sweat beaded lightly on her forehead.

She turned to the last person. “And finally, Falling Star Sword Technique.”

Sword light scattered like stars across the sky.

Four sword techniques.

Four schools.

Four distinct styles.

Yun Jin performed them all with seamless perfection.

When the final streak of sword light faded, her sword pointed straight at Ruan Jun. “Where’s your head?”

Silence fell.

Ruan Jun’s face twisted with rage.

Yue Zhao looked at his little junior sister, clicking his tongue in admiration. She really might possess an Innate Sword Body.

But typically, an Innate Sword Body was paired with an extraordinary spiritual root.

And…Little Junior Sister only has a Five Element Root.

Endless trouble would likely follow in the future.

Yue Zhao’s eyes held a trace of worry, but quickly turned resolute.

His master Lin Ya and Sect Master Zhao Wuji had once competed for the position of sect leader. In the end, it was Lin Ya who had voluntarily stepped down for unknown reasons, allowing Zhao Wuji to rise.

Ever since then, the Sect Master had treated Master like a thorn in his side. But Master’s cultivation was slightly superior, and he had never been able to do anything about it. 

It wasn’t until Master returned gravely injured from a mission for the sect. His strength had continuously declined ever since.

Zhao Wuji finally seized his chance and began suppressing him.

If it weren’t for the fact that Master was wounded on behalf of the sect, and Zhao Wuji feared backlash, he might not even be alive today.

Over the years, Zhao Wuji had quietly targeted Heavenly Sword Peak countless times.

Aside from Lin Ya, Yue Zhao, who saw himself as the eldest senior brother, also made considerable efforts. 

But it hadn’t stopped the decline and many disciples continued to abandon the peak.

Only the three direct disciples had remained loyal and stubbornly stayed.

Now, a new little junior sister also joined them.

Yue Zhao had only one thought,

Simply because she had chosen them willingly, he would protect her with his life!

As the eldest senior brother, this was his duty.

And now, with such shocking talent, if her spiritual energy could catch up, in addition to her Innate Sword Body, she might just be the opportunity to revive their peak.

He needs to earn more spirit stones. If relying on cultivating spiritual energy alone was too slow, he was willing to make up for it with pills. Whatever it takes to help Little Junior Sister advance!

While Yue Zhao was already planning for the future, Ruan Jun’s gaze locked on the sword pointed at him, expression turning cold.

He let out a snort and suddenly fired a blast of spiritual energy from his fingertip, aiming straight for Yun Jin.

The technique was swift and deadly. In addition to his Nascent Soul Stage cultivation, while she was a mere Qi Refining Stage… if it hit, Yun Jin would die on the spot!

Ruan Jun had no hesitation.

No matter the consequences, Yun Jin, this hidden danger, had to die!

Besides, with his master protecting him, he would be safe.

Ye Danxia’s eyes lit up.

If Yun Jin died, that would be perfect!

That ring would finally be hers.

But the attack never landed.

Yue Zhao, expressionless, stepped forward with his longsword and blocked it.

Then,

Si Wanning and Yu Songnian flew to either side of Yun Jin.

All three disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak stood in front of Yun Jin, protecting her. 

Yun Jin looked at her senior brothers and sister’s backs and gently pressed her lips together.

She had been given a second life. She could’ve gone to another sect, away from the female lead.

But she chose to stay.

At first, her mindset was to rise where she had once fallen. At the same time, she also wanted to repay the kindness Lin Ya had shown her from her past life and change the fate of Heavenly Sword Peak.

And of course, the female and male leads were great for farming Emotional Points.

But in this moment,

Watching her senior brothers and sister shield her, she felt a deep sense of belonging.

It wasn’t just about gratitude, nor was it just for revenge.

She simply liked it here.

“Ruan Jun!” Yue Zhao said coldly. “Are you aware of the severity of the crime involved in attacking another direct disciple?”

“The sect rules are clear,” said Si Wanning. “Killing a fellow disciple is a capital offense and deserves death.”

“Deserves death,” said Yu Songnian bluntly.

“Hall Master Yue! You witnessed the entire process. What do you have to say?” Yue Zhao’s gaze towards Yue Lin was sharp as frost, the tip of his sword gleaming coldly.

Their peak had already tolerated far too much!

But if they were still expected to endure after being bullied to this extent, 

Then truly, they could no longer have the dignity to lift their heads.

Yue Lin’s expression shifted repeatedly.

He was one of the Sect Master’s closest confidants, and Ruan Jun was the heir apparent in the Sect Master’s eyes.

He didn’t quite dare to punish Ruan Jun.

But Ruan Jun had attacked Yun Jin openly, in front of so many disciples.

If he ignored it,

Then the sect’s rules and order would become meaningless.

Zhao Wuji might be the Sect Master, but even he was subjected to the authority of the Grand Elders! If things escalated and the Grand Elders were forced to intervene, it would not end well.

“Yun Jin showed me disrespect. I merely intended to give her a light punishment and taking her life was never my goal. Yue Zhao, aren’t you blowing things out of proportion?” Ruan Jun’s expression was dark and grim.