"The first place in the second round goes to Cheng Xinzhan."
His name echoed once again through the city and the tower, and the crowd cheered.
Dual-sword cultivation was something rarely seen these days.
"The third round."
The voice of the Pearl Tower Master rang out once more.
He paused, and countless sword cultivators within the city and the tower grew restless, eager to participate.
"The flying sword arena. Those who practice flying sword techniques may enter. Those who wish to enter must first draw their swords."
The crowd was puzzled.
They weren’t being asked to ascend a stage or enter a mirror, but to simply draw their swords?
"All swordsmen, descend to the ground, then send your swords upward. The thirty-six highest flyers will be allowed to enter."
The crowd was momentarily stunned, but then they understood.
Of course.
If even the magic sword competition had thousands of participants, the flying sword competition would undoubtedly have even more.
If they were to determine the rankings through direct combat, it would take forever.
Flying swords are meant to take heads from a thousand miles away.
Flying high and flying far are the simplest and most straightforward ways to determine superiority.
However, flying high is more difficult than flying far.
Those who can fly their swords a hundred miles away might struggle to fly them even a single mile upward.
With the entire city watching, flying high would quickly reveal the best.
The swordsmen on the tower began to jump down.
Even those sitting on walls or steps leaped to the ground.
No one wanted to be accused of having an unfair advantage when the competition began in the sky.
The Pearl Tower seemed to rain people as thousands leaped down from all sides of the tall building, creating a spectacular sight.
Cheng Xinzhan, standing at the highest point, also jumped down, landing directly at the entrance of the Haishi Tavern.
By now, everyone in the city knew Cheng Xinzhan.
The people around the Haishi Tavern quickly gathered, and the master and servant in the tavern naturally noticed as well.
Qingyu thought to herself, "This Daoist Cheng is quite considerate. After winning first place in the second round, he landed right at the tavern entrance, giving the place quite a reputation. The wine tonight won’t be wasted."
Xiao Shiyiniang, however, didn’t think of such things.
She quickly got up and went downstairs, standing at the entrance, watching.
Qingyu, being sharp and observant, noticed that Cheng Xinzhan stood at the entrance but didn’t enter.
She quickly guessed his intentions and fetched a chair from the storeroom, placing it behind him.
He thanked her and sat down.
The wooden chair, made of some unknown material, emitted a faint fragrance that cleared the mind and sharpened the eyes.
The maid returned to her mistress’s side and brought out another identical chair, helping her sit down.
At this moment, Xiao Shiyiniang couldn’t be more satisfied with Qingyu.
Cheng Xinzhan took a gourd from his waist, opened it, and a crimson sword light shot out.
"Taodu" hovered by his side.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Xiao Shiyiniang, like everyone else, clapped her hands.
Indeed, he was going to compete in the third round!
"Draw your swords!"
The voice of the Pearl Tower Master rang out.
Instantly, spiritual light flashed as tens of thousands of flying swords rose from the city, like meteors shooting up from the ground, like waterfalls flowing backward, like startled birds fleeing the forest.
Tens of thousands of flying swords soared into the third layer of the sky, their tails trailing hundreds of feet, resembling a forest of spears under the moonlight.
Some swords shone brilliantly, their tails a kaleidoscope of colors, chasing the clouds and the moon like rainbows.
Everyone was mesmerized by the sight.
The city fell silent, with only the sound of fireworks breaking the stillness.
But the fireworks only added to the festive atmosphere, unable to draw even a glance from the captivated crowd.
In this world, who didn’t practice flying swords? Even those not focused on the sword path carried a couple.
Now, everyone’s swords contributed to this magnificent scene, though they were merely adding color.
A thousand feet was a significant threshold, and most swords couldn’t surpass it.
Beyond a thousand feet, the spectators could only see the faint trails of the swords.
At this moment, the image in the Moon Mirror changed again, showing the leading group of flying swords.
The Pearl Tower Master’s mirror, with the moon as its backdrop, clearly reflected about forty or fifty swords.
On a rooftop, the bearded immortal Li Yuanhua lay on the tiles, drinking wine.
Below the eaves stood five people, the top disciples of Mount Shu.
Their flying swords were naturally in the mirror, but they also noticed a familiar sword.
The other four looked at Li Yingqiong.
Indeed, that sword was of the Qin-Han style, with a crimson blade curved like a willow leaf.
Under the moonlight, the ancient seal script on the blade was clearly visible: "Taodu."
That sword flew high, among the top few, alongside theirs.
Li Yingqiong’s face showed no expression, but her eyes were filled with killing intent.
With a thought, the mirror displayed a silver-white sword flying at the highest level suddenly changing its trajectory, turning to strike at "Taodu."
The crowd was shocked.
That sword was slender, with a blade but no hilt, as if it were made of condensed silver light.
Everyone knew this was Yingqiong’s sword, given to her by her master after she lost "Taodu."
Made entirely of Tai Bai Geng Metal, it was sharper than "Taodu" and was called,
"Tai Bai Zhi Rui."
"Taodu," focused on flying high, didn’t expect the sword beside it to suddenly attack.
"Tai Bai Zhi Rui" was extremely fast, striking "Taodu" and sending it spinning dozens of feet away.
The swords behind quickly overtook it.
However, after knocking "Taodu" away, "Tai Bai Zhi Rui" didn’t take the opportunity to climb higher.
Instead, it turned to attack "Taodu" again.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.
This was a competition to enter, not a sword fight!
But soon, some quick-witted individuals realized that while these swords were incredibly sharp and rare treasures, their wielders’ mental strength might not be sufficient.
Flying high might not be their strong suit.
But now, someone had given them an idea and acted on it.
As long as they knocked down other swords before their strength ran out, wouldn’t that work?
If only thirty-six swords, or even fewer, remained in the sky, even those flying lower could enter!
Li Yingqiong didn’t intend this, but others thought so.
Thus, other swords began to strike left and right, some swords were knocked away, colliding with others.
In an instant, the orderly flight of swords turned into chaos, with clanging sounds everywhere as countless swords fell.
This scene contrasted sharply with the initial spectacle of ten thousand swords flying together, like rain falling, stars plummeting, and birds dying.
Falling swords caused gasps of shock throughout the city.
At this moment, the Pearl Tower Master intervened.
All swords that couldn’t stop their descent were gently caught by a soft force and slowly lowered to the city, where their owners retrieved them.
The Pearl Tower Master’s expression wasn’t pleasant, but he didn’t stop the chaos.
After all, before the swords were drawn, he hadn’t said that sword fights couldn’t determine the rankings.
Li Yingqiong hadn’t expected her actions to cause such a commotion, but she didn’t dwell on it.
Her only thought was to knock down "Taodu" and vent her anger.
Cheng Xinzhan, sitting in his chair, straightened up.
He was equally confused.
Who was this?
Did he look like an easy target?
He controlled his flying sword and immediately went on the offensive.
Seeing "Taodu" not retreat but attack, Li Yingqiong’s fighting spirit soared.
"Tai Bai Zhi Rui" turned into a beam of white light, almost blinding.
"Taodu" naturally didn’t back down.
The sword ignited with golden solar fire, charging forward.
As the two swords neared, they changed.
"Tai Bai Zhi Rui" suddenly dispersed into a cloud of gas, a unique trait of Tai Bai Geng Metal, which could shift between metal and gas, making it unpredictable.
"Taodu" missed its target, and "Tai Bai Zhi Rui" reformed behind it, flipping over to strike "Taodu" again.
After being hit repeatedly, "Taodu’s" ferocity was aroused.
The golden flames exploded, spreading a hundred feet around the sword, engulfing "Tai Bai Zhi Rui."
On the ground, Cheng Xinzhan’s sword technique changed.
"Taodu" turned into a ball of fire, merging into the sea of flames.
"Clang!"
"Tai Bai Zhi Rui" was violently knocked away, sparks flying.
"Tai Bai Zhi Rui" tried to escape, but in the sea of solar fire, it couldn’t see "Taodu’s" true form.
Moreover, fire overcomes metal, making it difficult for "Tai Bai Zhi Rui" to perform.
But "Taodu" wouldn’t let it escape so easily, closely following behind.
At this moment, "Tai Bai Zhi Rui" flew higher.
Li Yingqiong didn’t believe that Cheng Xinzhan, who practiced inner alchemy, could surpass her in mental strength, given her mastery of the soul path.
At higher altitudes, she would have the upper hand.
After her last defeat, she felt she had improved significantly.
A beam of white light and a trail of fire chased each other across the sky.
Other swords avoided them, not wanting to get involved.
The two swords quickly returned to the forefront, appearing in the Moon Mirror.
By now, they had reached two thousand feet.
Several other swords flew over to protect "Tai Bai Zhi Rui," while the blazing "Taodu" attracted another sword.
A sword with a deep blue blade and a snow-white hilt flew around "Taodu," and upon sensing it, "Taodu’s" flames subsided.
Cheng Xinzhan’s eyes narrowed.
"Yue Po"?
He looked at the other swords protecting the sneak-attacking sword.
Their aura seemed connected to "Taodu" and "Yue Po," as if they were part of a set.
He suddenly understood.
He also realized the identity of the white sword’s owner.
On the other side, everyone looked at Zhou Qingyun.
Why wasn’t "Yue Po" protecting "Tai Bai Zhi Rui," but instead getting close to "Taodu"?
Zhou Qingyun was flustered.
"No, it’s not me. 'Yue Po' went on its own."
She quickly changed her sword technique, trying to bring "Yue Po" back.
"Senior Sister Zhou might be covering for me!"
Li Yingqiong said coldly.
Taking advantage of "Taodu’s" subdued flames and its interaction with "Yue Po," she suddenly charged forward, striking "Taodu."
"Taodu" was hit three times.
"Tai Bai Zhi Rui" was no ordinary sword, and this strike dimmed "Taodu’s" spiritual light, leaving a fine crack on its blade.
The sword master’s mental connection to the sword was also damaged.
"Hum!"
A sharp, high-pitched sword cry.
"Taodu" was thoroughly enraged, and so was Cheng Xinzhan!
His sword technique changed rapidly, creating afterimages.
He used a secret technique from the "Iron Crutch Li’s Rapid Fire Sword Scripture," a gift from Master Canxia.
"Taodu" turned into a flame, disappearing instantly.
After rising a thousand feet, Li Yingqiong wanted to fight again.
After hitting "Taodu," she wanted to press her advantage, but she suddenly lost track of "Taodu."
Her mental connection to the sword couldn’t locate "Taodu."
She looked at the Moon Mirror but saw nothing.
"Clang!"
Li Yingqiong felt her mental connection to the sword shake, realizing it had been struck.
But no matter how she maneuvered the sword or searched with her mind, she couldn’t find "Taodu."
Once, twice, three times.
The crowd saw in the Moon Mirror that "Tai Bai Zhi Rui" was being slashed and struck in mid-air, sparks flying, but they couldn’t see what was attacking.
"Do you see it?!"
Li Yingqiong shouted.
The other three tried their best to search with their minds but found nothing.
There were faint flashes of fire in the air, but they couldn’t locate "Taodu."
It was the "Rapid Fire Sword Scripture."
Zhou Qingyun knew, but she didn’t say anything.
The crowd watched as "Tai Bai Zhi Rui" flailed like a fish caught in a whirlpool, growing anxious.
At this moment, Zhuge Jingrui changed his sword technique.
His sword, "Chi Su," suddenly emitted a dazzling red light.
The sword transformed into a giant red-headed centipede.
The centipede let out a hiss, and hundreds of eyes opened on its head!
A hazy red light illuminated the area.
"Taodu," which had been darting around like a shuttle, striking "Tai Bai Zhi Rui," slowed down under the red light, as if stuck in mud, revealing its location.
Li Yingqiong, having her sword repeatedly struck, felt the feedback in her body.
Her face had already turned pale.
Yu Yingnan had been watching worriedly.
Now that the culprit was revealed, she quickly changed her sword technique, sending "Qing Kou" to attack.
"Qing Kou" turned into a snake shadow.
Yu Yingnan, desperate to help her friend, used all her strength.
"Taodu," restrained by "Chi Su," couldn’t dodge in time.
The snake shadow bit directly into "Taodu."
"Clang!"
A cracking sound.
The tip of "Taodu" broke off!
"Taodu" was spiritually connected to Cheng Xinzhan.
The damage to the sword affected him as well.
Though he didn’t vomit blood, his face remained unchanged, but the headache and dizziness were real.
He was furious, but his expression remained calm.
"Since everyone wants to play, let’s try this!"
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
A rooster’s crow echoed in the third layer of the sky.
Everyone was surprised.
Did Peacock City raise roosters?
Then they realized the sound came from higher up.
"Taodu" transformed into a white-feathered, red-crowned rooster.
The rooster crowed three times, and the centipede and snake shadow began to tremble.
Zhuge Jingrui and Yu Yingnan found it increasingly difficult to maintain their sword forms.
The rooster crowed three times, and light appeared in the east.
Only then did the crowd realize that after the physical sword competition and the magic sword tournament, this thrilling night had finally passed!
Dawn had come!
The golden sunlight from the east bathed "Taodu," seemingly soothing its wounds.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
The rooster crowed three more times.
From its beak, intense solar fire spewed out, turning into golden clouds that reflected the sunlight.
Under such power, "Chi Su" and "Qing Kou" could no longer maintain their insect forms, reverting to swords with mournful cries.
"Taodu" also returned to its sword form, its blade burning with solar fire, too bright to look at under the sun.
Cheng Xinzhan used the "Rapid Fire Sword Scripture" again.
Under the morning light, "Taodu" moved even faster.
In a flash, it flew to "Chi Su’s" side.
Without its tip, "Taodu" slammed into it with full force.
This strike held nothing back.
"Taodu" unleashed its full fury.
"Clang!"
One side of "Chi Su’s" blade was instantly covered in cracks.
Zhuge Jingrui spat out a mouthful of blood, and "Chi Su" fell from the sky.
"Taodu" didn’t stop or pursue.
It turned and chased "Qing Kou."
"Qing Kou" tried to flee, but how could it outrun "Taodu"? "Taodu" rose above "Qing Kou" and, under Cheng Xinzhan’s full power, slashed down from above.
"Clang!"
"Qing Kou" broke in two and fell.
Yu Yingnan also spat out blood.
Now, "Taodu" turned toward "Tai Bai Zhi Rui."
Having witnessed the fall of "Chi Su" and "Qing Kou," "Xuan Sha," which had remained motionless, finally moved, positioning itself in front of "Tai Bai Zhi Rui."
On the ground, Li Yuanhua looked at Zhou Qingyun.
He didn’t care to investigate whether Zhou Qingyun knew Cheng Xinzhan from Mount Sanqing.
But now, with the four disciples of Emei facing this young man, Zhou Qingyun had to take a stand.
He wouldn’t allow any wavering in Zhou Qingyun’s loyalty.
He wouldn’t tolerate any Emei disciple having divided loyalties.
Zhou Qingyun felt Li Yuanhua’s gaze and was filled with bitterness.
From the day she met Cheng Xinzhan, she knew that one day they would be on opposite sides due to the sword dispute.
But she never expected it to happen so soon, so suddenly.
From the moment Li Yingqiong drew her sword, Zhou Qingyun had been thinking.
Now, she understood.
She admired him.
When they first met in the misty Huangshan Mountains, listening to him recite poetry and describe the scenery, she had developed feelings for him.
Over the days, she grew to appreciate his speech and actions.
Later, she and her master, Master Canxia, witnessed the Kirin’s ascension.
They saw the mountain where the Kirin gazed at the moon regain its vitality, and the lake where the Kirin bowed its head fill with water.
She knew he had succeeded.
Someone as meticulous as him would surely succeed.
She had hoped to meet him again.
She was overjoyed to see Cheng Xinzhan in the magic sword arena, even forgetting to hide her feelings in front of Yingqiong.
She was happy for him in the magic sword arena, but a hint of unease crept into her heart.
When she saw "Taodu" among the city’s flying swords, she was terrified.
Then, without warning, Yingqiong attacked.
But now she understood.
To him, she was just a passerby.
To her, he was a man who had suddenly entered her heart.
The fluttering feelings were temporary.
Perhaps, with time, her heart would harden, and the fluttering would fade.
But Huangshan was her home, and Emei was her sect.
The debt of gratitude was as deep as the sea.
Compared to that, the fluttering in her heart was insignificant.
She made her decision.
"Yue Po" moved to protect "Tai Bai Zhi Rui," standing alongside "Xuan Sha."