[Wow, they're really here to test their blades against us.]

[Scary. Even if you get the million Mora, you might not live to spend it.]

[It's fine, Mu Yang will definitely go easy on us since it's the Traveler (trust).]

[The sentimental swordsman wields a merciless blade.]

After finishing their meal, Lumine and Paimon headed to the location Xiangling mentioned to register.

The two arrived at Guyun Stone Forest, which was even livelier than the city, crowded with a massive gathering of people.

"There are so many people here. Let's ask someone about the specifics first," Paimon suggested.

Lumine agreed, and they approached a burly man.

"Hello, are you here to participate in the Yujing Terrace Sword Challenge too?"

The towering, muscular man looked down at the two of them, appearing somewhat unfriendly.

"Yeah. Have you two already registered?"

Lumine replied that they hadn't yet and were just scoping things out.

"Then I'd suggest you go learn the registration rules first, because this Sword Challenge isn't open to just anyone," the man kindly reminded Lumine.

"Since it's a 'Sword Challenge', naturally, it's about testing martial prowess and determining superiority. If people sign up just for fun without any real skill, they're bound to get hurt in the end."

Lumine asked, "The rules? I heard only those who can wield a sword are allowed to join. But from the looks of it, you don't seem like a swordsman?"

She had observed the man earlier—his physique suggested he specialized in hand-to-hand combat.

The man burst into laughter, as if Lumine had just said something naive.

"Hahaha! Rex Lapis is hailed as the God of War, mastering all forms of martial arts. Us martial artists naturally dabble in everything."

Paimon chimed in, "Oh? That impressive, huh? So, do you have any notable titles?"

The man crossed his arms, proudly raising his head and declaring loudly:

"Second Place in the Chihu Rock Free Combat Tournament!"

Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances, their eyes conveying a single thought: speechless.

"Chihu Rock Free Combat…"

Paimon scratched her head, trying to mask the awkwardness. "Sounds… kinda unofficial."

…

Guinaifen's Livestream

[Lumine's utterly speechless. Chihu Rock Free Combat, and he wasn't even the champion.]

[If it weren't for the words 'Uncle Yun' above the dialogue, I'd have thought he was some legendary martial arts master (lol).]

"Thank you 'Brother Duan Shui Liu' for the superchat!"

"In 1974, I won my first Southeast Asian free combat championship. In 1980, I defeated Japan's heavy artillery 'Thunder Dragon'…" (100 Mora)

[What kind of demonic muscleman is this?]

Seeing this paid message, Guinaifen instantly seized the opportunity to entertain.

She performed a wobbly fist dance for her viewers, shaking her head vigorously.

Hard to say how many were watching her head and how many were watching her brain…

"Thank you 'Mu Yang' for the superchat!": "Head empty, no thoughts?" (10,000 yuan)

[LMAO, 10K yuan just to call her brainless?!]

[JFK: Drop the sensitivity settings, I wanna practice dodging bullets.]

[Little Gui's meme game is unmatched.]

[That head shake was chef's kiss, I love it.]

[I love watching the brain.]

"?"

The burly man noticed their subtle mocking expressions and seemed a little agitated.

"What do you mean 'unofficial'?! Haven't you heard of it? It's a regularly held tournament! When I competed, there were dozens of participants!"

"Besides the glory of the competition, I've also helped the Millelith catch Treasure Hoarders. Two fugitives? Taken down by me."

He then proceeded to boast about his 'exploits' to Lumine and Paimon—left hooks, right whip kicks, how he effortlessly handled those petty Treasure Hoarder thugs.

Lumine wiped her sweat and played along. "Whew… sounds really dangerous."

[Lumine's acting chops are on point.]

[LMAO that expression.]

Of course, Lumine wouldn't outright mock the guy. He wasn't a bad person, and he couldn't even use a Vision.

For someone like him, this was already pretty decent. (Fontaine's Boxing Champ: "If you're bad, just train more.")

"Thanks for telling us all this."

Paimon nodded too. "Mhm, we'll go check out other places."

The man cheerfully bid them farewell. "See you on the arena stage! I won't lose to youngsters!"

…

Lumine and Paimon then approached two tall, lanky young men.

"Hello, are you two also here for the Yujing Terrace Sword Challenge?"

The two nodded and introduced themselves.

The ponytailed one was Chai Yi, and the headband-wearing one was Liang Zi—martial brothers from the same school.

Chai Yi explained that aside from seeking the Adepti's guidance, they were here to follow their master's teachings:

"To refine your martial arts, you must accumulate real combat experience."

Practicing in a training hall was just rigid drills—no good.

Liang Zi added, "Of course, if we can gain the Adepti's insights, we'll surely become our master's most prized disciples."

Paimon giggled. "Seems like you really respect this master of yours. Can you tell us about him?"

Chai Yi puffed up with pride. "Our master is the founder of the Lingshan Sect, a true martial arts grandmaster. My junior brother and I are his successors."

"Lingshan Sect…"

Lumine thought back—she'd heard of the Guhua Sect during a previous commission.

Seeing her expression, Chai Yi clarified, "It's normal if you haven't heard of it. The Lingshan Sect is newly established, far less known than our master himself."

According to Chai Yi, their master was a martial arts prodigy who had created many techniques.

Rumors said over a dozen schools had been influenced by his teachings.

At the Lingshan Sect, he taught a technique called 'Transforming Force'—a form of qigong that circulated energy throughout the body, allowing one to neutralize external attacks without moving a muscle.

[What just happened?]

[Receive! Transform! Release!]

[LMAO, Pinecone Twitch Lightning Whip!]

[Fast-forward to: "Young people these days have no martial integrity—cheating, sneak attacks!"]

[Wait, don't laugh yet. This effect… isn't this just Mu Yang's first talent, 'Untraceable'?]

[Stop trying to ride my Yangbao's coattails, thanks. Try using your 'Transforming Force' to block Osial's tidal wave.]

However, this technique was extremely difficult to learn. The two brothers, with their average talent, were almost unable to afford the tuition anymore.

Hence, they also had their eyes on the 10-million-Mora prize.

The description of this 'Transforming Force' reminded Lumine and Paimon of Mu Yang—but it sounded more like these two had been scammed by their master.

If they couldn't learn it, it wasn't their fault—it was their master's.

Watching the two passionately chant their master's name and vow to make the Lingshan Sect the greatest school in Liyue, Lumine realized they were too far gone to reason with.

She decided to let go of the savior complex and respect others' life choices.

"Good luck to you both…"

"Mhm. Let's settle it on the arena stage."

With that, the two brothers pointed Lumine toward the registration area.

…

On the way, a voice called down from atop a rock.

"Young one, you're here for the Yujing Terrace Sword Challenge, aren't you?"

"Heh. Seems I've gained another competitor."