Lin Mo’s gaze remained fixed on Zhu Shiyao’s sword.
With his Sword Heart Clarity physique, he could sense the extraordinary nature of this weapon.
It wasn’t just exuding sword intent—it carried a faint trace of life, as if the sword itself was alive.
“This sword was a gift from my master when I formed my Golden Core. Its name is Liuli,” Zhu Shiyao said, her gaze full of affection as she looked at the sword.
Lin Mo observed her expression for a moment.
Why did it feel… weird?
Her tender gaze, the soft look in her eyes—why did it seem like she was looking at a lover rather than a sword?!
“Senior Sister, are you really betting your Liuli Sword?” Susu was shocked, unable to believe her ears.
“Since I made the wager, as a disciple of Lingjian Sect, I must uphold our sect’s honor. If I cannot present an item of equal value, it would disgrace my master’s teachings.”
Zhu Shiyao’s tone was calm but carried a firm determination.
Though she spoke about the sect’s honor, Susu knew the truth—her Senior Sister was protecting her pride.
Sure, betting Liuli Sword might be a bit extreme, but…
Could Zhu Shiyao actually lose?
Xiao Zi, having examined countless rare items in Treasure Pavilion, carefully evaluated the sword.
After a while, she nodded and announced:
“This sword is at least worth 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones. However, I cannot give an exact valuation without consulting the other Treasure Pavilion appraisers.”
Lin Mo simply waved a hand.
“No need to trouble yourselves. I accept the bet.”
Even if the sword’s value was lower than the Ice Spirit Fruits, he would still agree to the duel.
This Liuli Sword—there was something special about it.
“You’re lucky, getting to bet against my Senior Sister’s sword!” Susu huffed with displeasure, but the smirk on her face gave away her true thoughts.
A duel against Zhu Shiyao?
This guy was basically handing over the Ice Spirit Fruits for free!
She was already picturing Lin Mo’s face when he lost—his pained, regretful expression when he realized he had made a huge mistake.
She couldn’t wait to mock him:
“You should’ve just taken the money, but no! Now you’re giving the Ice Spirit Fruits away for free!”
And better yet…
She wouldn’t even have to spend a single spirit stone to get all those Ice Spirit Fruits!
Her Senior Sister would surely praise her for being clever!
Hehehehe…
At that moment, Susu started giggling to herself, lost in her own delusions.
Seeing her face full of excitement, Lin Mo took two steps back—as if trying to distance himself from a fool.
Susu snapped out of her daydream and frowned.
“What are you doing?”
Lin Mo looked at her disdainfully and replied,
“My mother told me not to play with idiots.”
Susu was confused.
“Why wouldn’t your mother let you play with idiots?”
Lin Mo gave her a mysterious smirk.
“You tell me—why do you think my mother wouldn’t let me play with idiots?”
Susu blinked seriously and thought hard.
“Well, she’s your mother, not mine! How would I know what she’s thinking?”
Zhu Shiyao, realizing that her Junior Sister had been completely played, frowned and intervened.
“Susu, step back. Let me settle this duel.”
“Yes, Senior Sister!”
Susu obediently moved to stand beside Xiao Zi, but she still looked confused.
She leaned toward Xiao Zi and whispered,
“Miss Xiao Zi, do you know why his mother won’t let him play with idiots?”
Xiao Zi chuckled.
“Probably because she was afraid that if he played with idiots too much… he’d become one himself.”
Susu blinked blankly.
“Oh… Is that how it works?”
Xiao Zi simply smiled and said nothing more.
Zhu Shiyao was the first to speak.
“Young Master, how should I address you?”
“Lin Mo.”
Zhu Shiyao nodded. “Young Master Lin, I can sense that your cultivation level is lower than mine. A direct sword duel would be unfair to you, especially since you don’t even have a proper sword.”
Lin Mo was genuinely impressed by her fair-mindedness.
“Miss Zhu, you are truly reasonable. As expected of a disciple from Lingjian Sect.”
His impression of Zhu Shiyao improved considerably.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Zhu Shiyao suggested, “How about this? Instead of a physical duel, we will determine the winner through a pure contest of sword intent. That way, the outcome won’t be influenced by cultivation level, weapons, or external factors. It will also ensure that Treasure Pavilion’s business remains undisturbed.”
Lin Mo smiled slightly. “Let’s do as Miss Zhu suggests.”
Even if she hadn’t brought it up, he would have.
Against sword techniques alone, even with his Sword Heart Clarity physique, he had little chance of winning.
With the rules set, Xiao Zi took on the role of referee.
The two contestants locked eyes, bowed respectfully, and in the next instant—
Their sword intents clashed invisibly in the air!
Almost immediately, Zhu Shiyao was stunned.
She had assumed that Lin Mo, an unknown figure, would have weak and shallow sword intent.
Instead—though still unrefined—his sword intent was exceptionally pure and profound.
On the sidelines, both Xiao Zi and Susu were equally shocked.
As a pure sword cultivator from Lingjian Sect, Susu could clearly sense that Lin Mo’s sword intent was far more advanced than hers.
She was astonished—but she still didn’t believe that her senior sister could lose.
After all, her senior sister possessed the legendary ‘Innate Sword Embryo Physique’!
Lin Mo, on the other hand, was already sweating bullets.
He hadn’t expected Zhu Shiyao’s sword intent to be this ferocious—it was like an unstoppable tidal wave, suffocating him.
If he didn’t have Sword Heart Clarity, he would have lost instantly.
Meanwhile, Zhu Shiyao’s expression changed—her face lit up with excitement and joy.
“This is amazing! Truly amazing!”
For a sword master, loneliness was inevitable.
From birth, due to her Innate Sword Embryo Physique, she had never met a rival in her realm.
After achieving the eighth-grade Golden Core, she had been practically invincible among her peers.
She loved the sword, she loved dueling strong opponents, and most of all, she loved sword cultivators who could truly challenge her.
A duel of pure sword intent—with no influence from cultivation, techniques, or weapons—was her greatest pleasure!
Her eyes burned with exhilaration.
“Satisfy me. Satisfy me even more!”
Wait, wait, wait—was this girl possessed?!
Where was the calm and graceful Zhu Shiyao from earlier?!
Why was she suddenly acting like a battle-obsessed maniac?!
Her intense gaze, the fervor in her voice—this was straight-up yandere behavior!
Lin Mo felt extremely uncomfortable!
On the sidelines, Xiao Zi was dumbfounded.
She turned to Susu. “Miss Susu… what’s happening to your senior sister?”
Susu shrugged nonchalantly.
“Oh, my senior sister gets like this when she meets a worthy opponent. She just gets really… excited.”
Xiao Zi’s expression turned awkward.
“Yeah… I can see that…”
Zhu Shiyao quickly noticed that Lin Mo’s sword intent was weakening.
Her expression turned disappointed.
“What’s wrong? Why are you faltering now?”
She let out a sigh, her voice tinged with regret.
“I see… I suppose you could only hold out for this long.”
Lin Mo internally cursed.
Girl, it’s not that I’m weak—it’s that your hunger for battle is too damn intense!
What normal person could withstand such relentless sword intent?!
Just then—
[Reminder to Host: You may spend Regret Points to refine your sword intent. Each 100 Regret Points equals one year of refinement.]
[Additional Reminder: Sword intent is consumed when released.]
“System! You could’ve told me this sooner!”
[Host never asked!]
“…”
Lin Mo was speechless.
But fine—he wasn’t going to lose.
“Consume all my Regret Points to refine my sword intent!”
Since Zhu Shiyao had a need, he would graciously fulfill it.
If she wanted to be fed, then he would make sure she was fed properly!
[Ding! Consumed 1,120 Regret Points. Host has gained 11 years of sword intent refinement!]
In that instant, Lin Mo’s entire aura transformed.
His sword intent, which had been faltering, suddenly surged forth with terrifying clarity!
Zhu Shiyao’s eyes widened in shock.
Susu and Xiao Zi froze in disbelief.
The real duel was just beginning!
