After Being Expelled From the Sect, the Master and Senior Sisters Regretted It for Life

Chapter 21:

“Finally, it’s my turn!” Zhou Tong leaped onto the platform eagerly.

“You’ve witnessed my strength, yet instead of running away, you still choose to approach me?” Long Lingyun asked in mild surprise.

“How else am I supposed to beat you up if I don’t get closer?” Zhou Tong replied without hesitation. As he spoke, he casually snatched the Red Dust Sword hanging from the little enchantress’s waist.

“Show her what you’re capable of. If you lose, I won’t let you off!” The little enchantress waved her tiny fists, a playful yet threatening tone in her voice.

“Victory is guaranteed!” Zhou Tong replied casually, brimming with confidence.

“Such arrogance! You’re utterly overestimating yourself,” Tang Qi sneered. “Even I wasn’t her match, and you? You won’t even last a single move!”

The crowd nodded in agreement, not because they thought Zhou Tong was particularly weak, but because Long Lingyun was simply too formidable.

Zhou Tong ignored their thoughts and locked his gaze on Long Lingyun’s eyes. He noticed a peculiar clarity—a hint of naivety within them.

“Can you read?” Zhou Tong asked abruptly, his words causing Long Lingyun to blush with embarrassment and anger.

“Stop saying such pointless things! We’re here to duel!” she snapped.

Seeing her reaction, Zhou Tong felt a sudden realization. No wonder Long Lingyun had mastered sword momentum—she possessed the legendary “root of unlettered enlightenment.”

This rare trait belonged to individuals who were inherently unable to read. However, they could grasp the essence of shapes, comprehend the profound meaning of phenomena, and glean mastery from observing texts. It was an extraordinary gift.

“So, that old rascal Sword Saint had this trait, and his successor inherited it as well,” Zhou Tong muttered inwardly.

“What are you staring at? To be distracted in a duel with me… how bold of you!” Long Lingyun scolded and made her move. Her eyes sparkled as her root of unlettered enlightenment activated, opening her sword vision.

In her perception, Zhou Tong transformed into a rigid set of lines with no discernible sword aura.

“This… this is nothing but an ordinary person who knows nothing about swordsmanship. What a waste of my anticipation,” Long Lingyun thought, her enthusiasm fading. She prepared to end the duel swiftly.

But then Zhou Tong shifted into his opening stance, and Long Lingyun froze. It felt like a thunderclap had erupted in her mind.

A surge of extreme danger overwhelmed her instincts. She hastily tried to summon her sword momentum, but it was already too late.

Zhou Tong’s stance was perfect—a deep abyss with no flaws. His overwhelming sword momentum bore down on her like a mountain, leaving her unable to move. Her entire body trembled as if burdened by a massive weight.

“I… I can’t even counterattack!” Long Lingyun’s heart raced in terror. For the first time, she realized Zhou Tong wasn’t ignorant of the sword but instead a master of unfathomable depth.

“Here I come!” Zhou Tong finally moved, his sword slicing forward like flowing water. The blade’s light danced gracefully past her throat, leaving her frozen in place like a marionette.

The two figures crossed, standing back-to-back in silence. Everything seemed to return to calm.

The crowd held their breath. The silence was deafening; even a pin drop would have echoed.

Those who didn’t understand swordsmanship were bewildered. Those who did were drenched in sweat.

“What just happened? Who won?” someone asked, confused.

“That was the strongest sword technique I’ve ever witnessed—simple yet utterly invincible,” an elderly man murmured after a long silence, his voice filled with awe.

“The strongest sword? Whose sword?” another asked, their curiosity piqued.

All eyes turned back to the platform. Long Lingyun had fallen to one knee, her expression hollow.

“I lost… completely,” she admitted, her voice tinged with defeat.

The crowd was stunned. Her dejected demeanor made it hard to breathe. What kind of crushing defeat could reduce her to this state? The answer was clear—one where the gap was insurmountable.

“I refuse to believe this!” someone shouted in disbelief.

“Yes, this must be fake! It’s all an act! How could a cripple do this?” Ge Hongqiu screamed, her eyes bloodshot as she glared at Zhou Tong with seething hatred.

“It’s undoubtedly real. His sword momentum was far stronger, completely overshadowing Long Lingyun. You just couldn’t perceive it,” Ying Shaoxuan interjected, his words a heavy blow to the doubters.

Tang Qi’s face turned ashen. Unable to maintain his composed facade, a violent aura erupted from him. He couldn’t accept this reality—a man who had defeated him with a single move was then defeated by Zhou Tong with even greater ease. It was a complete and humiliating rout.

Only now did the crowd realize that even with his cultivation crippled, Zhou Tong’s former glory as a prodigy wasn’t something easily surpassed.

Disciples and elders from rival sects openly laughed. To them, the high-ranking members of the Azure Purity Sect must have been out of their minds to expel someone like Zhou Tong.

“Swordsmanship is just a minor path. True power lies in raw strength,” Mo Liusu stated coldly. “The Azure Purity Sect will never take back a treacherous and crippled outcast.”

Her words calmed Tang Qi, restoring his arrogant demeanor. She was right—Zhou Tong was a cripple. How could he ever compete with someone like Tang Qi?

Zhou Tong shrugged, indifferent to their opinions. This farce was over, and he had no intention of lingering even a second longer.

“Wait!” Long Lingyun suddenly called out.

“Yes?” Zhou Tong asked, turning back.

“According to our agreement, I lost. That means I must join your sect.”

Her words sent another ripple of shock through the crowd. The Hehuan Sect was becoming a force to be reckoned with. With a demoness, a little enchantress, Zhou Tong, and now Long Lingyun, it seemed they were forming an unbeatable team.

“Girl, don’t make a mistake. They’re not righteous, and their sect is on the brink of annihilation. If you wish to reach the pinnacle of martial arts, your best choice is to stay with the Azure Purity Sect. We’ll provide you with the best resources,” an elder urged, his shamelessness earning scorn from the audience.

Long Lingyun glanced back at Mo Liusu and her disciples.

“Apologies, but I’m not fond of petty scheming, nor do I have any interest in weaklings,” she said bluntly, her words igniting the Azure Purity Sect’s fury.

Ignoring their reactions, she approached Murong Ya and knelt on one knee.

“Senior Murong, may I have the honor of becoming your disciple?”

Murong Ya smiled warmly. “To nurture a prodigy is my greatest wish.”

Without hesitation, she accepted Long Lingyun into her sect.

“But our sect has fallen on hard times. Including you, we only have three disciples.”

“That’s even better,” Long Lingyun replied cheerfully, pointing at Zhou Tong. “This way, I can spar with my Senior Brother anytime!”

The little enchantress cleared her throat, her expression turning stern.

“Joining is fine, but you must follow the rules. From now on, I’m your Senior Sister, and Zhou Tong is your Senior Brother. Got it?”

“Understood. I’ll respect you both,” Long Lingyun replied.

“No, no… You don’t have to respect me, but you absolutely must not bother your Senior Brother!” the little enchantress added.

Long Lingyun hesitated. “I… I’ll try my best.”

“And you’re only allowed to spar with him for two hours a day.”

“Understood. Senior Brother needs time to train and rest.”

“No, the remaining ten hours, he’s helping me with my cultivation! He promised!” the little enchantress declared smugly.