Chapter 41: The Exchange Competition and the Maiden’s Gift (Bonus Chapter—Please Keep Reading)

On the fourth day after Zhou Yan began to study Swallow’s Whirlwind, which was also the seventh day since his return from the journey, evening had arrived.

After finishing dinner, Zhou Yan was just about to excuse himself and return to the martial hall in the main building when he was stopped by Luo Xuan.

“Zhou Yan, don’t go just yet. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

He sat back down, curiosity in his gaze. “What is it?”

The young woman hesitated briefly, then spoke with direct candor. “Zhou Yan, previously, because of your lack of strength, there was something I hadn’t planned to involve you in. But I didn’t expect your progress to be so swift. Now, I think it’s fitting to ask your opinion.”

“Oh? What matter is this?” Zhou Yan asked with growing interest.

“In a few days, the Lihuo Pavilion of Wing City will organize an exchange event among the ten subordinate cities, involving roughly seventy Nanfeng Sword Halls,” Luo Xuan explained after a pause. “Though it’s called an ‘exchange,’ in reality, it’s a competition. Each sword hall master will bring their strongest student. Those who perform exceptionally will have the honor of accompanying their masters at the end of the month to meet the visiting Inspector from Vermilion Bird Palace.”

Her bright eyes shone. “Although you haven’t had any real matches with Yan Yong and Luo Zhiming since that day, it’s clear your strength now surpasses theirs. I intend to invite you to participate. What do you think?”

Zhou Yan listened carefully, pondering her words. Soon, he understood her intent, remembering that before his first journey, Luo Ke had mentioned that Luo Xuan had been troubled by something: a high-ranking official was coming to inspect the sword hall, and every hall would strive to send their most outstanding student to compete for the chance to meet this figure. If the student sent was too weak and got easily defeated, it would be a disgrace to the master as well.

Clearly, this was the matter Luo Xuan now raised.

Seeing Zhou Yan lost in thought, Luo Xuan assumed he was weighing the pros and cons and spoke softly, “Zhou Yan, the annual regional inspection by Vermilion Bird Palace isn’t just about evaluating the cultivation of talent in the seven main cities. It’s also an opportunity for especially gifted students to receive resources...”

“No need to say more,” Zhou Yan interrupted, smiling. “Xuan, the secret sword technique I learned from you—I haven’t had the chance to use it on anyone else yet. Yan Yong and Luo Zhiming aren’t worthy opponents.”

He met the softness in her gaze, grinning. “So, this ‘exchange competition’—what level are the elite participants?”

Luo Xuan tilted her head slightly, answering slowly, “There are a few lower-level contenders, about as skilled as Yan Yong and Luo Zhiming—talented among ordinary people, but none have mastered a secret sword technique. The majority are mid-tier, matching you in physique and skill, and all have at least one secret technique. Then there are a handful of top-tier elites—stronger than you in every way, having mastered all the secret sword forms. Some may even have been privately taught a breathing technique by their masters, which makes them especially formidable.”

She glanced at Zhou Yan. “Just as you were taught the breathing technique ahead of time.”

From the side, Luo Ke could no longer contain herself and exclaimed in a hushed tone, “Sister, did you secretly teach Zhou Yan the breathing technique without approval?”

Luo Xuan shot her a glare, turning away from Zhou Yan. “I didn’t teach him—he learned it on his own.”

“Yes, yes, I picked it up myself,” Zhou Yan replied, shrugging helplessly.

This aloof sword prodigy certainly had a stubborn mouth.

He stood, smiling. “Well, since we’ve settled that, I’ll head to my training. Just thinking about facing the true elites from the other halls makes me feel pressured!”

“Wait!” Luo Ke suddenly raised her hand, halting him.

“What is it, Ke?” Zhou Yan asked, puzzled.

Luo Xuan, too, looked curiously at her younger sister. This girl was always so dramatic, often giving them headaches. Lately, she’d been acting secretive, tinkering with something in the corners, and just yesterday, she’d gone out and returned with a backpack stuffed with unknown contents.

“Hehe~” Luo Ke withdrew her hand. “Since Zhou Yan has officially agreed to participate in the exchange competition, and even learned the breathing technique, tonight feels quite ceremonial. I might as well join in the fun.”

She turned to Zhou Yan. “Wait here a moment—I’ll bring something down.”

Before Zhou Yan could respond, she dashed upstairs. Moments later, she returned, carrying a rectangular box about a meter long.

She set it down on the table before him with a thud. “Zhou Yan, can you guess what’s inside?” she asked, brimming with pride.

Zhou Yan eyed the box, tilting his head thoughtfully. “Is it... a weapon? A sword?”

“No, no! You’ll never guess!” Luo Ke waggled a playful finger. “It’s what you need most right now!”

What he needed most...

Zhou Yan glanced at his left arm, the hand missing, and chuckled. “If I could, I’d want a left hand.”

He had slowly come to accept his disability, even joking about it.

Luo Ke paused, scratching her head in frustration.

She scowled, muttering as she opened the box, “Zhou Yan, did you peek when I wasn’t looking?”

As the lid lifted, Zhou Yan’s gaze dropped to its contents. His pupils quivered, and for a moment he was speechless, his voice hoarse when he finally spoke.

“Did you make this, Ke?”

Luo Xuan leaned in with curiosity, also pausing in surprise. “A mechanical... prosthesis?” she murmured.

Inside the box rested a highly futuristic-looking mechanical hand, sized to cover about half the forearm, its surface a mix of matte gray-black with streaks of yellow-green.

Luo Ke giggled, lifting the prosthetic hand and displaying it before Zhou Yan. “Behold! The first creation handcrafted by the soon-to-be student of Vermilion Bird University’s top Mechatronics program—the one and only in the world! I call it: the Luo Hand Prototype!”

With both hands on her hips, she awaited her praise with an expectant look.

Zhou Yan looked from the cheerful, innocent girl to the mechanical hand before him. So this was what she’d been secretly working on these past days—crafting this prosthetic to surprise him?

He blinked hard, and then, a gentle smile blossomed on his face as he looked at the beaming Luo Ke.

“Ke, this is probably the best gift I’ve received in a very long time.”

Zhou Yan’s heartfelt thanks were met with Luo Ke’s carefree, radiant grin.

“Hehe, Zhou Yan, aren’t I amazing?”

...