"The first round concludes with Cheng Xinzhan taking first place, and Xue Lixing in second," the voice of the Pearl Return Tower Master echoed once more.
The city erupted in cheers, and fireworks lit up the sky.
At the Seaside Tavern, Xiao Shiniang smiled brightly, not turning her head as she asked, "Qingyu, the city lord has requested that all establishments offer free drinks tonight. What are we serving?"
Qingyu replied, "Naturally, the lowest grade Bilu wine, as is customary. It's the usual one-gold-per-jar wine."
"And above that?"
"Next is the Liuxia wine, at one hundred and twenty taels per jar."
"And above that?"
"The Baiyang wine, at one hundred and sixty taels per jar."
"And above that?"
"The Ruicai Mingqiong, at two hundred and fifty taels per jar."
Xiao Shiniang nodded with a smile, "That name sounds delightful. Pass it down: all Seaside Taverns under the Bohai Seaside will offer Ruicai Mingqiong for free tonight, in honor of Daoist Cheng."
"Understood," Qingyu responded with a smile and relayed the order.
At the tavern where the Golden Phase Sect members were gathered, Jiang Nanjing exclaimed, "Our benefactor has taken first place! Uncle, Father! Our benefactor has taken first place!"
Jiang Yanxing was also pleased.
After a moment of thought, he asked Jiang Yuexing, "Is this tavern part of our Bright Light Hall or the sect's property?"
Jiang Yuexing, though not particularly dedicated to cultivation, was well-versed in the family's finances.
"Elder Brother, this isn't a tavern; it's a brothel. Naturally, it's part of our hall's property."
Jiang Yanxing shot him a glare and said no more.
He had considered having the tavern offer free drinks tonight to spread the word that the Golden Phase Sect's Bright Light Hall was honoring Daoist Cheng of Mount Sanqing.
But a brothel? Better not.
He didn't want good intentions to lead to a bad reputation.
At the eaves where the Emei Sect members stood, the Bearded Immortal's eyes held a hint of admiration.
Yan Renying was filled with respect and longing.
Li Yingqiong's expression was grave.
Zhuge Jingrui was still pondering the illusory and real thunderous momentum from earlier, no longer daring to underestimate physical swordsmanship.
Zhou Qingyun gazed at the man in the Moon Reflection Mirror, her heart in turmoil.
Yu Yingnan's eyes darted between Li Yingqiong and Zhou Qingyun, filled with curiosity.
Suddenly, people noticed that the Moon Reflection Mirror was empty.
Upon closer inspection, they realized the two had appeared atop the Pearl Return Tower, standing beside the Sword Immortal.
"Young people are full of ideas. That last move was quite impressive," Li Shanshou said with a smile, looking at the two young men.
Cheng Xinzhan and Xue Lixing hadn't expected to meet the Sword Immortal and quickly bowed, "Cheng Xinzhan of Mount Sanqing / Xue Lixing of Mount Lao, paying respects to Tower Master Li and City Lord Qian."
The two immortals nodded with smiles.
However, Qian Boya no longer mentioned recruiting them as advisors.
Mount Sanqing was a major sect of the current era, and Mount Lao was a top-tier sect.
Disciples from such sects naturally wouldn't join him.
Instead, he handed them two green tokens adorned with peacock feather patterns, exquisitely crafted, "These are VIP tokens of Peacock City. Within the city, all purchases are at a 40% discount. At my family's establishments, you can withdraw up to one hundred taels of gold at a time."
The two thanked him.
The Sword Immortal then said, "Lixing, your sword is agile but lacks strength."
Xue Lixing cupped his hands, listening attentively.
"You should practice with a heavy sword. This is a heavy sword I used in my youth, named 'Red Ant.' It adjusts its weight based on the wielder's cultivation level. When you can wield it as easily as your current sword, your strength will be sufficient."
The Pearl Return Tower Master produced a crimson sword, which looked no different from an ordinary sword.
Xue Lixing thanked him and reached out with both hands, nearly stumbling under its weight.
The Tower Master chuckled and turned to Cheng Xinzhan, "As for you, Xinzhan, I don't see any obvious flaws. If I had to point out one, it's that you're too relaxed."
Relaxed?
Cheng Xinzhan pondered the word.
"Your casual approach in battle is commendable, but it means you only exert eighty percent of your strength when you could give a hundred. This works against opponents of similar strength, but I worry it will become a habit. If you encounter a stronger opponent or someone who hides their true strength and suddenly unleashes it, you might struggle. Of course, perhaps I'm overthinking it."
Cheng Xinzhan cupped his hands in gratitude, "Your wisdom is invaluable, Senior."
The Sword Immortal nodded with a smile and handed him an iron flask, "'Autumn Water' is a fine sword, but it's too sharp and lacks flexibility. I see you wield it with a hard style. You might consider practicing with a soft sword to broaden your skills. This is 'Frostflow Mercury,' which you can use to nourish your sword and enhance its flexibility."
Cheng Xinzhan thanked him.
The Sword Immortal concluded with encouragement, "The path of the sword is divine, with no hierarchy. Physical swordsmanship is not inferior. Cultivate well and make a name for yourselves. Also, don't limit yourselves to physical swordsmanship. If you have the capacity, learn spell swords and flying swords. The path is vast; broaden your horizons. I will now open the spell sword arena. Watch carefully and learn. Go forth!"
The two bowed in thanks and then departed on clouds.
"Where are you staying, Fellow Daoist Xue? Did you come with your sect?" Cheng Xinzhan asked.
Xue Lixing nodded, "I'm staying at the Evergreen Tavern in the Late Summer District, with my senior brothers. And you, Fellow Daoist Cheng?"
"I'm at the Northwest Seaside. After tonight's sword competition, I'll come find you tomorrow to discuss swordsmanship."
Xue Lixing agreed, and the two parted ways.
"The second round of the sword competition begins. Those skilled in spell swordsmanship, step onto the platform," the Sword Immortal's voice rang out once more.
Cheng Xinzhan halted his cloud and turned back.
This time, there were no barriers on the Jade Platform.
He flew directly onto it, noticing thousands of spiritual lights rising from the city and towers, heading toward the Jade Platform alongside him.
Far more participants than in the first round.
The Jade Platform then transformed, elongating into a long embankment-like shape.
Everyone landed on it, lining up in a row.
Those standing near Cheng Xinzhan suddenly remarked, "Hey, aren't you Cheng Xinzhan, the first-place winner from the last round? Are you joining the spell sword competition too?"
His comment drew many eyes toward Cheng Xinzhan.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Cheng Xinzhan cupped his hands to both sides and said, "Just here for the fun, just for the fun!"
The commotion on the platform also caught the attention of the Pearl Return Tower Master.
He spotted the young man and smiled, "So he's a dual-cultivator swordsman. I misjudged him."
With a thought, the familiar face reappeared in the Moon Reflection Mirror.
He wanted to see where this young man's potential lay.
The city and tower dwellers were equally surprised to see the young Daoist again, and discussions buzzed.
On the Jade Platform, among the thousands, one man's face was flushed red, as if he had just emerged from hot water.
He stared intently at the face in the Moon Reflection Mirror.
Someone nearby asked with concern, "Fellow Daoist, are you feeling unwell?"
Liang Zhenjing glared at him but said nothing.
The Pearl Return Tower Master then waved his sleeve, casting a bright light that grew with the wind.
It flew about twenty miles opposite the Jade Platform, transforming into a massive cloud ridge, as long as the Jade Platform itself.
"This is the Yangming Cloud Hall Aura, one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Auras, of the Yang attribute. Half a tael of Yangming Cloud Hall Aura can form such a massive cloud ridge. This is the prize for the first place in the second round."
The swordsmen on the Jade Platform breathed heavily.
This was spiritual aura, even rarer than true煞!
Those standing on the Jade Platform were first and second-level cultivators, precisely the ones in need of spiritual aura.
Truly, the immortals' rewards were extraordinary, everyone thought.
"Draw your swords and cut the cloud. Those whose sword qi can split the cloud ridge may remain on the platform. Begin!"
As soon as the Tower Master's words fell, countless sword lights flashed, and thousands of sword qi surged forth, forming a colorful wave of sword qi that rushed from the Jade Platform toward the cloud ridge.
Cheng Xinzhan was a step slower this time because his sword wasn't even out yet!
He usually kept his spell sword, "High Truth," hidden within his body, with the Fire Mansion Inner Deity Yuan Dan Daoist, Thunder Mansion Inner Deity Demon-Subduing True Lord, Divine Thunder General, Water Thunder General, and Metal Mansion Inner Deity Kirin Golden Corpse inscribing talismans on the sword.
They also tempered it day and night with the Five Elements' spiritual power and thunder energy.
Thus, he had habitually stored it in his bamboo body's acupoints when he left.
With a thought, he summoned "High Truth."
Now, looking at "High Truth," it was vastly different from when he first saw it in the Sword Mountain Armory.
The rough sword blank had been tempered and refined by spiritual power into a proper sword.
Those knowledgeable in swords would recognize it as a Han-style sword.
Han swords are upright, with straight blades and distinct edges, also known as ceremonial swords.
As spell swords are tools for summoning spirits and deities, they must possess a certain dignity.
This was why Cheng Xinzhan had forged the sword blank into a Han-style sword.
His Han sword had an eight-sided grind, thick yet narrow, narrow yet long, exuding even more majesty.
The sword retained the original color of the sword blank, mostly purple, but with the black character patterns unique to Purple Script Bronze, resembling tiny tadpole-like inscriptions on ancient tripods.
The blade and tip were a bright silver, like frost, the color of Moon Soul Silver.
However, the sword's blade was not only adorned with the black character patterns of Purple Script Bronze but also densely inscribed with various talismans—Five Elements talismans, wind and thunder talismans, cloud and dragon scripts, thunder and wind grass scripts, each as small as flies, seemingly scattered like ink drops.
But if someone highly skilled in talismans examined it closely, they would notice the interconnectedness of the talismans.
Seemingly unrelated talismans, when viewed together, formed new talismans.
Prolonged viewing could induce dizziness.
He had drawn so many talismans on yellow paper, partly to comprehend their meanings and partly to draft the inscriptions for "High Truth."
He cultivated by absorbing spiritual energy through his bamboo body, and most of the energy absorbed by his physical body was channeled into "High Truth."
As his thunder artifact, "High Truth" had been tempered by nearly a hundred heavenly thunders, with thunder patterns hidden beneath the talismans, its edge concealed.
Now, "High Truth" was in his hand, sensing its master's intent.
It glowed with spiritual light and emitted a sword hum.
He slashed upward, using the thunder energy most compatible with the sword.
The thunder talismans on the blade flickered, and an arc of electricity shot from the sword, catching up to and surpassing the wave of sword qi, striking the cloud ridge.
Most noticed the swift arc of sword qi, but the cloud ridge showed no reaction.
Instead, the hundreds of sword qi following it split the cloud ridge into hundreds of fragments.
Some sword qi didn't reach the cloud ridge, dissipating before covering twenty miles.
Some lightly brushed the cloud ridge, scattering a wisp of cloud.
Some penetrated the cloud ridge but only made a small hole.
Those near Cheng Xinzhan looked at him.
One said, "Spell swordsmanship isn't as simple as your physical swordsmanship."
Another added with a laugh, "But there's no harm in a young man trying. If it's not his forte, he can always return to practicing physical swordsmanship."
Sparse laughter echoed across the Jade Platform.
In Peacock City, Late Summer District, Evergreen Tavern.
Xue Lixing had just sat down when he saw this scene.
The Moon Reflection Mirror also transmitted the mocking voices to everyone's ears.
Someone at his table said to Xue Lixing, "That Cheng Xinzhan is indeed impressive in physical swordsmanship, even surpassing you, Lixing. But crossing into spell swordsmanship was a mistake. Now he can't even pass the entry test, making a fool of himself."
But Xue Lixing, staring at the Moon Reflection Mirror, shook his head, "Senior Brother, you're mistaken. Many are mistaken."
He saw clearly that many sword qi, after traveling twenty miles, could no longer maintain their initial form, gradually dispersing and expanding.
From a distance, the sword qi appeared increasingly massive and imposing, but in reality, it was due to insufficiently condensed spiritual power.
Those massive sword qi didn't so much cut the cloud ridge as crash into it.
Notice how they dissipated immediately after crashing into the cloud ridge?
The grand cloud ridge had been shattered into a chaotic mess by these haphazard sword qi.
Only a few sword qi, like Fellow Daoist Cheng's arc of light, remained a thin arc even after traveling twenty miles, only much longer.
The arc of light sliced through the cloud ridge like a sharp knife through soft butter, passing through without resistance, leaving no trace on the surface.
As for how far the arc traveled beyond the cloud ridge, he couldn't tell in the bright moonlight.
Now, those who failed to split the cloud ridge vanished from the Jade Platform one by one.
Some looked at Cheng Xinzhan, hoping to detect a hint of emotion on his calm face.
But he stood with his sword, his expression as serene as ever, unchanged.
Even after all those who failed to split the cloud ridge had disappeared, he remained standing with his sword.
Some were puzzled, some were confused, some were resentful, but no one dared to question or inquire of the Pearl Return Tower Master, who presided over the sword competition.
The Tower Master didn't need to explain to those on the Jade Platform with poor discernment.
But with the entire city and tower watching, he needed to make things clear to the audience.
Thus, the Moon Reflection Mirror's image changed, showing the arc of sword qi that had split the cloud ridge, still maintaining its thin, solitary form, traveling far into the distance.
End of Chapter.
(Seeking monthly tickets and recommendations, comments and messages are welcome!)