C23 – Little Courtyard Competition


    “Ni Huibo, what do you mean by that?”


    The words had barely left his mouth when a young man standing to the side suddenly shouted and advanced two steps. But he was promptly intercepted by Ni Zongzhao.


    “With the patriarch backing you, you’ve grown quite bold. You don’t even take us into consideration anymore.”


    Ni Zongzhao then slowly approached, his gaze fixed icily on Ni Huibo. His presence was subtly palpable, exerting an invisible pressure on Ni Huibo.


    He towered over Ni Huibo, his height advantage adding to his imposing demeanor. Yet, regardless of his frosty stare or the palpable aura emanating from him, Ni Huibo’s expression remained unchanged.


    “Just as Big Brother Ni Situo predicted, this kid must have studied the ways of cultivation. How else could a mere mortal remain soposed in such a situation?”


    Ni Zongzhao mused internally, his face growing sterner. He was there on Ni Situo’s implicit orders. Even though Ni Situo had been stripped of his title as the young patriarch, he was still the patriarch’s son. Ni Huibo, on the other hand, was an outsider. Ni Zongzhao was clear about where his loyalties should lie.


    “After this is resolved, Ni Situo will surely see me in a new light. My status within the n is bound to rise.”


    Despite being older, he still referred to Ni Situo as ‘big brother’ out of respect for his seniority and direct lineage. Many in their generation were staunch supporters of Ni Situo. Ni Huibo had been drawing attentiontely and was even responsible for Ni Situo’s loss of the young patriarch title. They certainly wouldn’t stand idly by. Unlike Ni Huibo, who had grown up outside their traditions, they had been steeped in the secr world from a young age and ced great importance on power and influence.


    Now, Ni Huibo presented himself as an excellent stepping stone for Ni Zongzhao’s ambitions.


    With this thought, a shadow of cunning flickered in Ni Zongzhao’s eyes. He suddenly extended his left hand, resting it on Ni Huibo’s shoulder.


    “A person should be aware of their limitations. Trash will always be trash. Don’t delude yourself with thoughts of advancement. Someone like you belongs in this decrepit courtyard for life, understand?” He spoke nonchntly, all the while covertly channeling spiritual energy within. The energy flowed steadily into his hand, the force behind his grip intensifying.


    “What are you implying?”


    Ni Huibo’s brow creased slightly as he felt the pressure on his shoulder intensify. He couldn’t help but let out a stifled groan. He sensed that his opponent’s cultivation was somewhatckingpared to his own. However, he refrained from taking action out of respect for the nurturing he had received from his family over the years, not wanting to upset his eldest uncle.


    A smirk slowly spread across Ni Zongzhao’s face upon hearing the groan, his lips curling into a sneer. He believed Ni Huibo was too weak to withstand his force, considering his strength to be mediocre. Perhaps Ni Huibo had employed some trick to curry temporary favor with the n leader.


    His hand gradually withdrew, acting as though nothing had transpired. The slight concern he had previously felt, prompted by Ni Situo’s warning, faded away.


    “Ni Huibo, I’ve heard you’ve been practicing your swordsmanshiptely?” Ni Zongzhao abruptly shifted the conversation.


    ?”Yes,” Ni Huibo responded, nodding. A strand of spiritual energy coursed through him, soothing the soreness in his shoulder caused by Ni Zongzhao.


    “Excellent. I’ve studied sword techniques myself. How about a friendly match?”


    Having gauged Ni Huibo’s average cultivation, Ni Zongzhao dropped the verbal jabs and proposed a duel. The secluded courtyard left Ni Huibo with little choice but to ept. Ni Zongzhao nned to ‘identally’ leave Ni Huibo incapacitated…


    The Ni family prohibited violence among kin, yet sparring for progress was eptable. idental injuries during such exchanges were not umon. Should the matter escte to the patriarch, there would be little to say; what’s done is done.


    A gleam of anticipation shone in his eyes at the thought. Crippling Ni Huibo would surely elevate his status within the Ni family, especially once the patriarch reinstated Ni Situo’s identity.


    The young men with him also perked up at the prospect. They were ustomed to following Ni Situo’s lead.


    ?With this in mind, they subtly formed a half-circle, effectively blocking the doorway. To them, Ni Huibo was like amb to the ughter.


    ?”Alright,” Ni Huibo agreed, much to their surprise.


    Ni Zongzhao was ted. Though he had been prepared to coerce Ni Huibo intopliance, this turn of events would undoubtedly spare him considerable hassle.


    “You’re quite astute. I’ll be sure to go easy on youter.”


    A sinister smile crept across Ni Zongzhao’s face as he stepped back and slowly drew the long sword from his waist.


    The sword, forged from fine steel, gleamed with a chilling light, its de etched with several unusual patterns—a clear mark of a master craftsman’s hand.


    Gripping the sword in one hand, Ni Zongzhao lowered his stance slightly, the tip of the de glinting coldly as he aimed it directly at Ni Huibo.


    “Don’t use me of bullying you. You make the first move.”


    Buoyed by the thought of Ni Situo’s promise once this was settled, Ni Zongzhao couldn’t help but feel upbeat, and he spoke with a clear, confident voice.


    Ni Huibo arched an eyebrow, casting a nce at Ni Zongzhao before inspecting the Longevity Sword in his grasp. He nodded faintly. His willingness to engage in this duel stemmed primarily from a desire to gauge his own strength and to practice the High rity Mantra. Indeed, without the test of actualbat, it was challenging to grasp such sensations.


    “Take care.”


    With a slight bow, Ni Huibo offered a word of caution.


    No sooner had the words left his lips than the spiritual energy within him surged to life, coursing wildly through his limbs and body.


    In that instant, Ni Huibo’s movements became more fluid, his Longevity Sword shimmering with a barely perceptible glow. He lunged forward, his de tracing a bizarre arc as it sped towards Ni Zongzhao.


    With a coldugh, Ni Zongzhao, who had been readying himself, reacted. His torso arched back sharply in an attempt to evade Ni Huibo’s strike, while his own sword swept forward, targeting Ni Huibo’s abdomen with lethal precision. His response was swift, his de exceedingly sharp.