30: Chapter 30 Clear Snow Gifts Ice Marks

Lin Qingxue glanced at him, her gaze clear and bright.

"My Lin family naturally hopes you can go further. But the primary concern is that you must preserve yourself. After the last setback, Wang Teng's father, Wang Mang, will undoubtedly spare no expense to help him advance.

He has likely already broken through to the Meridian Opening Sixth Level, or even higher. Ye Hu, nurtured wholeheartedly by Grand Elder Ye Rushan, will also not be weak. Although your progress has been astonishing, your Foundation is still shallow, and your resources are limited..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Facing Wang Teng and Ye Hu, who were built up with abundant resources, Ye Chen held no advantage, and was even at a disadvantage.

Merely making it into the top three would be an achievement in itself; contending for first place seemed a distant hope.

What worried her more was that Wang Teng and the others might resort to underhanded tactics during the competition.

"Meridian Opening Sixth Level..."

Ye Chen gently tapped the stone table with his fingertip, his eyes calm and without fear.

"I will do my best."

He had his own confidence.

His comprehension of the Profound Ice Origin and the bond with the Beauty Record were his hidden trump cards.

Moreover, he felt he had already reached the Peak of the Meridian Opening Stage Five Middle Phase.

Only a thin line separated him from the Late Stage. Given the right opportunity, a Breakthrough on the eve of battle was not impossible.

Seeing his calm yet confident eyes, Lin Qingxue felt a slight stir in her heart.

This young man always seemed capable of creating miracles in desperate situations.

After a moment's thought, she retrieved a long, narrow wooden box from her sleeve and pushed it towards Ye Chen.

"What is this?" Ye Chen looked at the box.

"Open it and see," Lin Qingxue indicated.

Ye Chen opened the box. Inside lay a sheathed short sword.

The scabbard was a dark cyan, simple and unadorned.

He gripped the hilt and slowly drew the blade.

The sword was about a foot and two inches long, two fingers wide, with an ethereal blue body as if forged from ice. Near the guard, two small ancient seal characters were inscribed.

"Ice Scar."

As the sword left its scabbard, a biting cold qi spread, and the surrounding temperature seemed to drop several degrees.

"A Yellow Rank Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact, the ice scar sword,"

Lin Qingxue stated.

"This sword is forged from 'Centennial Cold Iron' mixed with 'Ice Soul Stone.' It carries innate cold qi, which aligns with the attributes of your Cultivation Technique and can amplify the power of your cold qi. You currently lack a suitable weapon; this sword might serve you well."

A Yellow Rank Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact! It was immensely valuable!

Lin Qingxue's gift was undeniably significant.

Ye Chen's fingers brushed over the cool blade. He could feel the pure cold qi contained within, faintly resonating with his own Profound Ice True Essence.

This sword was indeed perfectly suited for him.

"Miss Lin, this is too precious."

Ye Chen sheathed the sword and pushed the box back. He didn't want to incur too large a debt of gratitude.

Lin Qingxue did not take it back. She merely looked at him, her tone flat yet brooking no refusal.

"It's not a gift. Consider it an advance payment. During the competition, if you encounter any disciples of my Lin family, please look out for them if possible.

Furthermore... I hope you can do your utmost to prevent Wang Teng or Ye Hu from taking first place. If the Tianyun Sword Sect's recommendation falls into the hands of the Wang family or Grand Elder Ye's faction, it would be detrimental to the Lin family, and to both you and me."

So that was it.

It was both an investment and a transaction, with clear objectives. This actually made it easier for Ye Chen to accept.

After a brief moment of thought, he nodded. "Very well. I'll accept this sword. I will do my best to fulfill your request, Miss Lin."

For both public and private reasons, he had no intention of letting Wang Teng and Ye Hu have an easy time.

Seeing Ye Chen accept, a flicker of relief, barely perceptible, passed through Lin Qingxue's eyes. She continued,

"The Blazing Sun Art cultivated by Wang Teng is supremely Yang and rigid. Although your cold qi can counter it, if his cultivation level far surpasses yours, the countering effect will be greatly diminished. You must avoid his sharp edge and strike where he is unprepared.

Ye Hu's Green Wood Art is balanced and steady, but Grand Elder Ye may have taught him some insidious methods. Be cautious and on guard.

Also, pay attention to the young master of the City Lord's Manor, Zhao Feng. He has been studying outside for years and suddenly returned to participate. His strength is unknown, but the City Lord's Manor's resources are abundant; he should not be underestimated."

She was analyzing his opponents in detail for him, truly holding nothing back.

"I've noted it," Ye Chen nodded seriously, committing this information firmly to memory.

With the serious matters discussed, the two fell into a momentary silence.

The bamboo grove was quiet, with only the rustling of wind through the leaves.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo, casting dappled light on both of them.

Lin Qingxue picked up her teacup, gently blowing on the steam, and asked as if casually,

"Your younger sister... is she settling in?"

"Xiao Yu is doing well. Thank you for your thoughtful arrangements, Miss Lin," Ye Chen replied.

That old servant was quiet but took excellent care of Xiao Yu.

"That's good." Lin Qingxue took a sip of tea, set the cup down, and stood up.

"The competition is imminent. Prepare well. If you need anything, have Scarface inform me. I won't keep you any longer."

"Understood. I take my leave."

Ye Chen also stood, picked up the wooden box containing the ice scar sword, and bowed with clasped hands.

Lin Qingxue gave a slight nod.

Ye Chen turned and walked out of the small courtyard.

Scarface was still guarding the door. Seeing him emerge, he silently led him back to the guest courtyard.

Back at the bamboo grove courtyard, Xiao Yu was hopping around in the yard, chasing a butterfly.

Seeing Ye Chen return with a box in hand, she ran over curiously.

"Brother, what's this?"

"A weapon." Ye Chen opened the box and took out the Ice Scar short sword.

"Wow! Such a pretty sword! And it's so cold!" Xiao Yu wanted to touch it but didn't dare.

Ye Chen smiled, returning the short sword to its scabbard.

He walked to an open area in the courtyard, took a deep breath, and grasped the hilt of the ice scar sword.

*Shing—*

The ethereal blue short sword was drawn once more, cold qi overflowing. Ye Chen flicked his wrist, executing the most basic sword Moves.

At first, it felt a bit clumsy, but soon, the ice scar sword seemed to connect with his will. The sword followed his body's movements, cold qi crisscrossed, tracing faint blue arcs in the air.

The temperature in the courtyard dropped sharply; a thin layer of frost even condensed on the ground.

Xiao Yu watched, dazzled, clapping and cheering.

Ye Chen moved faster and faster. His Profound Ice True Essence flowed into the sword. The ice scar sword emitted a faint hum, with inch-long blue sword light flickering at its tip. The power was astonishing.

He felt an incredible compatibility with this sword. Wielding it felt like an extension of his own arm, boosting his combat power by at least thirty percent!

He sheathed the sword and stood still, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

With the ice scar sword, he felt more confident about the upcoming competition.

For the next few days, he secluded himself, devoting himself entirely to Cultivation.

During the day, he practiced sword techniques, familiarizing himself with the ice scar sword's characteristics. At night, he meditated and refined his Qi, consolidating his Cultivation base and contemplating the Nirvana of the Profound Ice Origin.

Lin Qingxue had Scarface deliver several batches of high-quality Medicinal Pills to aid his Cultivation.

As days passed, the date of the competition drew nearer.

The atmosphere in Qingyun City grew increasingly tense and heavy, with undercurrents swirling beneath the surface.

And Ye Chen, like a lurking leopard, honed his claws and fangs in silence, awaiting the moment for a thunderous strike.

On the eve of the competition, the moon was bright, the stars sparse.

In the bamboo grove courtyard, Ye Chen sat cross-legged on a bluestone slab, the ice scar sword laid horizontally across his knees.

He closed his eyes, focusing his spirit. His Profound Ice True Essence circulated slowly within, merging and resonating with the cold qi emanating from the sword. His aura was as steady as a mountain, having already reached the Peak of the Meridian Opening Stage Five Middle Phase. Only an opportunity separated him from the Late Stage.

Days of arduous Cultivation, coupled with the resources provided by the Lin residence, had brought his condition to its optimum.

Xiao Yu was already asleep; even breathing came from within the room.

Outside the courtyard, all was silent save for the rustling of wind through bamboo leaves, adding to the pre-battle tranquility.