Internal Sect Conflict

I rate the beauty a 10, on the same level as Xiao Hong. While her chest is not as big and perfect as Xiao Hong, she definitely makes it up for it in her postures and expressions, especially when she glides from above onto the ground gently.

It feels like a fairy has descended. A Chinese fairy, considering her long white robe and quite elaborate hairstyle.

There are also European fairies out there but not within this region.

"To think that Second Sister is hiding here with a man," she speaks up after a full body spin, retrieving the white cloths that had glided down alongside with her. She then pays attention to me. "Handsome. Would you mind if I take him off your hands?"

Hearing the compliment, I smile and decide to introduce myself. I might even get an introduction back even though I already know her name and a little bit about her background thanked to the Eyes of the Beholder.

Eyes of the Beholder is basically a cheat. Obviously not the only cheat I have in my possession. In fact, I still have my first cheat, and it can definitely be of help now that I am basically a mortal again.

Xiao Hong responses faster than me, however, and she sends out a blast of pure energy. "Scram, Long Yue!"

Long Yue spins and redirects the energy blast, sending it crashing into the nearby rocks, shattering the rocks into hundreds of pieces. She returns Xiao Hong the favor through the use of a technique instead of resorting to pure internal energy.

Using a technique amplifies the destructive power and force of the energy blast. It is similar to knowing proper swordplay versus knowing how to just swing a sword.

The different is heaven and earth.

Xiao Hong blocks and deflects the energy blast with the use of her sword, but it still forces her to take half a step back.

It appears that Xiao Hong is unable to fully dissipate the force behind the attack even if she is capable of fully diffusing the energy itself via her sword. Her understanding of Sword Aura has to be fairly high in order to accomplish that feat.

Xiao Hong retaliates with a sword technique of her own, and I decide to take a backseat.

I have not witnessed her sword style in full, so it is a good time to do so. And besides, I am not going to say no to watching two beautiful women fighting over me.

More beauties involved in the fight for my affection would be better, but that is for the future.

Long Yue drawls her long sword and meets Xiao Hong on equal footing. The sounds of swords clashing against each other sprung out throughout the immediate area alongside with countless energy blades, slashing into the air and carving up the earth.

Some of those energy blades manage to impact against me, but my divine robe dissipates their energy harmlessly. Interestingly enough, the scattered energy blades crash against my body more frequently as the battle between the two Elders of the Sword Maiden Sect continues.

I am obviously being targeted, and I am quite flattered. I am also aware that she is testing me, just to see whether I am more than I appear.

With my divine robe, it does not matter how much energy blades Long Yue sends my way, none would get through. Of course, for her to be able to target me while parrying Xiao Hong means her swordplay is simply better than Xiao Hong.

Or maybe Xiao Hong isn't taking Long Yue seriously. I seriously doubt that though.

Regardless of which, I am still getting knocked back from the forces behind each energy blade. I cannot do anything about that right now, unfortunately.

I really need to establish my foundations as soon as possible, and for me to do so, I need to find all the infinity stones. I mean the elemental stones.

One of the elemental stones is here within this sect. It is currently in the possession of the sect leader, and while I have not been able to locate her yet, it is only the matter of time. Even if she is of Spiritual Realm, she is not a true spirit yet, so she should still be bounded to the physical plane.

That means I have plenty of ways to coerce her into returning what is rightfully mine.

Returning to the battle, Xiao Hong is actually taking Long Yue seriously, but sadly, her swordplay is not on par with Long Yue, who eventually forces Xiao Hong to disengage to recollect herself.

"What is the matter, Second Sister? Didn't think I would not be able to match you in technique?" Long Yue questions as she flexes her sword and lances out at Xiao Hong.

The thrust is so fast that Xiao Hong has no choice but to block it with her weapon.

In addition, the force behind the thrust is very heavy. Heavy to the point that the sword that Xiao Hong wields bends away from the thrust. Even so, Xiao Hong holds her ground.

With Xiao Hong on the defensive, Long Yue presses her offensive, drawling her sword back just a little before thrusting forwards once more, smashing against Xiao Hong's blade heavily. So heavy that Xiao Hong is sent flying backwards along with her shattered sword.

With Xiao Hong's sword destroyed, Long Yue is clearly the victor, and Long Yue knows it.

"While you are wasting time playing around with others, I have completed yet another chapter," Long Yue pronounced, referring to the Maiden Sword Arts. She takes great pride in her accomplishment. It is quite adorable. "Soon, First Sister will not be a match for me, and it is a matter of time before I claim the position of leader."

Long Yue laughs.

"First Sister?" Xiao Hong questions and produces another sword in her hand. "You think too highly of yourself, Long Yue. You barely defeated me. With your sword against First Sister, you stand no chance let alone our Sect Leader."

Xiao Hong takes the initiative and attacks Long Yue with more vigor than before. However, it is clearly to me that Xiao Hong is outmatched in swordplay. The only reason that she manages to hold on for so long is because of her higher cultivation realm.

She would lose unless something miraculous happens. Like for example, someone gives her some good pointers. Or revealing weaknesses in her opponent, Long Yue. Whichever would work.

"Left side. Left shoulder. Right side. Straight Waist." I point out, and it only takes a fraction of a second for Xiao Hong to understand. She follows my guidance, striking at all the weak point with each breath, forcing Long Yue to switch into defensive style.

I have decided to help Xiao Hong simply because she is my woman. Whether I have claimed her or not does not matter. No one can refuse me once I have my eyes on them. And besides, it would look bad on me for Xiao Hong to be defeated by someone who is supposedly weaker than her.

While my eyes can keep up with their swordfight, my body is unable to. That is just an inconvenience since I can already predict what moves or stances or techniques Long Yue is going to use next.

It is not that hard, considering that there is only a handful of possibilities based on her current level of swordplay. She definitely comprehends more of the Sword Art manual, but she still has a long way to go still.

Long Yue eventually has to distance herself from Xiao Hong lest she wishes to be defeated. She swiftly casts me a glance before glaring quite accusingly at Xiao Hong.

"Second Sister. You dare reveal our secret manual to an outsider! If First Sister and Sect Leader learn about this, you are as good as dead! I will make sure of it."

Xiao Hong remains calm and readies her sword. "I did no such thing."

"Do not lie to me, Second Sister. If you have not, then how would this man know where to strike all of my poses and breaks my techniques?" Long Yue points out and points her sword in my direction.

"You know," I speak up as I stare at the end of the sword. "It wasn't that long that pointing a weapon at me would result in your demise, let alone sneak attack me repeatedly. But you are lucky since I am quite lenience at the moment."

Long Yue lowers her sword, as she is positive that I am more than I appear. If I wasn't, Xiao Hong would not have brought me here. In fact, Xiao Hong would never listen to me and accept my guidance during the fight.

"Master," Xiao Hong speaks up. "Long Yue does not mean to offend you."

"M-m-master!?" Long Yue utters. "What kind of relationship do you two have!? How could he be your master unless… you traitor! I must tell First Sister. No. I must tell the Sect Leader."

"You know where the Sect Leader is?" I question. It would be great if Long Yue knows where the Sect Leader is. I can just go directly to the Sect Leader and get what I have come here for.

"Of course. Only I do since Sect Leader trusts me the most," Long Yue answers with pride. "One day, I will be the Sect Leader, so she places a lot of hope in me. She has even taught me the secret chapters."

"Nothing Long Yue said can be trusted," Xiao Hong points out, and I simply nod in acknowledgement.

"Secret chapters, huh? There is a total of 88 chapters and 9 hidden chapters in the Maiden Sword Art Manual," I reveal. "Which one are considered secret chapters?"

"There are?" Xiao Hong and Long Yue both questions. Each one for a different reason.

I narrow my eyes. "Your ass must be pretty and lovely as your face with the bullshit you just spew out of your mouth, Long Yue. Actually, let me have a look."

The Sacred Knife in my hand thrusts forwards, and a powerful blast of wind comes forth at the tip.

Long Yue hastily blocks it with her sword, seemingly dissipating the energy. "Hah… hah! You scare me for a second there…"

Before Long Yue can finish her sentence, her sword explodes into cleanly sliced fragments, clattering on the ground. Her eyes widen in shock as her white robe splits apart, reducing to countless string and streaming down her body.

"You sneak attacks me exactly 29 times," I speak up as I twirl the knife in my hand. "I have repaid you back one of them. I still owe you 28 more, but I wonder whether I should continue or not."