Chapter 247: Chapter 242: Refining the Sword with the Purple Sun
"Judging by the looks of it, the decision to display the Xuanyuan Sword hasn’t been made yet."
Walking up the stone steps, Qi Changsheng talked as he listened intently, hoping to catch any news about the Xuanyuan Sword.
Although the clash between Jiang Li and Ling Wujue was sensational, and the news of Yun Jiuye’s upcoming promotion was significant, if we’re talking about something truly major, it would be the Xuanyuan Sword. If the Sect had already decided to exhibit the Xuanyuan Sword, by now the news would surely have spread, and there would undoubtedly be some discussion among the Sect disciples.
The absence of such news could only mean that the higher-ups had not yet decided, and Elder Kaiyang’s pressuring tactics were still known only to a select few.
Seeing this, Qi Changsheng expressed his regrets and then cupped his fists toward Jiang Li, saying, "I’m afraid I won’t be able to witness the Xuanyuan Sword, so I’ll take my leave now. After being away for about a month, I must visit Elder Yun upon my return; otherwise, I’m likely to endure endless nagging later on."
Though that’s what he said, it seemed that Qi Changsheng himself was quite eager to meet Elder Yun.
The two shared a bond deeper than any formal mentor-apprentice relationship, and their affection for each other was clear to see.
"I’ll need to visit Elder Wan as well, after my trip to Yuheng Hall," added Jiang Li with a smile.
He always felt a deep gratitude toward Elder Wan, and it was almost a given for him to pay a visit after each journey. Sometimes, if he managed to please the elder, he would receive valuable guidance to clear his doubts, sparing him from many detours.
"Until next time."
After parting ways with Qi Changsheng, Jiang Li led people from the Yaoguang and Kaiyang Halls into Yuheng Hall.
Whether the Inner Sect or Outer Disciple, a Disciple’s name would always be recorded by the authoritative, law-enforcing Yuheng Hall, archived within.
Registering the young clansmen was a smooth process; after all, the master of the Yuheng Hall... let’s just say, those in the know, understood.
As a disciple of Tianxuan, Jiang Li enjoyed treatment comparable to direct disciples of the hall masters in both Yuheng and Tianquan Halls. He simply had to reveal his identity, and then it was all green lights, allowing for an effortless induction.
Of course, even with their backgrounds, these newly initiated disciples still had to start from the rank of Outer Disciple and work their way up. What Jiang Li needed were assistants who could prove useful, not a group of talentless cultivators who only knew about cultivation. Hereafter, these people needed to undergo trials, and Jiang Li would, at best, provide resources.
Subsequently, Jiang Li planned to depart with his group when, upon reaching the doors of Yuheng Hall, a voice called from behind, "Senior Brother Jiang, please wait."
A young man with a delicate appearance, looking to be about seventeen or eighteen, approached rapidly.
His face still bore traces of youth, younger than Jiang Li, but already a Red Robe, he had become an Inner Sect Disciple. His hand rested on the long sword at his waist, and his attempt to look mature with every action and word felt very familiar.
"Chu Zhaoyuan greets Senior Brother Jiang."
The young Chu Zhaoyuan spoke with an emphatic cadence, reminding Jiang Li of the familar "three character classic" of his second senior brother, Feng Ziyang.
Chu Zhaoyuan’s next words indeed confirmed his relationship with Feng Ziyang.
"Senior Brother Feng would like to invite Senior Brother Jiang for a meeting," said Chu Zhaoyuan.
Hearing this, Jiang Li nodded slightly and said to Luu Wangji, "Junior Brother Luu, you take the others to collect their Disciple robes."
Luu Wangji took the order, leading the group away.
Then, Jiang Li turned to Chu Zhaoyuan and said, "Junior Brother Chu, please lead the way."
Chu Zhaoyuan, much like Feng Ziyang, made no detours as he led the way, with a brisk step that whisked him forward. They skirted the side of Yuheng Hall onto a small forest path and had gone about sixty steps when a steep cliff and an open area came into view, with the figure of Feng Ziyang immediately noticeable.
The second senior brother was forming seals with his fingers, with a sword hovering, tip down, in front of him.
Suddenly, the Sword Light blazed, transforming the sword into a long rainbow that pierced the sky — concentrated, pure, dazzling, and unstoppable. The clouds in the distance parted, leaving a long-lasting sword scar in the sky.
Feng Ziyang’s sword formula changed again, and the Sword Light flew back at lightning speed to his side, halting abruptly yet not out of place.
"How does this sword compare to Yuan Zhen’s?" Feng Ziyang asked in his distinct cadence.
"In terms of the sharpness of the sword, it’s no less than that of Yuan Zhen that I have witnessed," Jiang Li compared with the Sword Light he remembered and responded.
"I haven’t given it my all," said Feng Ziyang.
His eyes seemed to reminisce, and for a moment, his gaze became as sharp as the sword’s edge, "Daode Sect’s Li Zhenjun, The World’s Number One Sword, his disciples, rank higher than me."
’So he means that Yuan Zhen didn’t use all his strength,’ Jiang Li translated in his mind.
The Sect Master of Daode Sect, Taibai True Monarch Li Xuan, was hailed as The World’s Number One Sword, with the illustrious title of "One Sword Breaks All Techniques". His disciples were naturally superior in the sharpness of their swords compared to their peers.
But...
"Yuan Zhen most likely didn’t follow the way of Li Zhenjun. He seems to use the Five Elements or the Five Virtues to interpret the Sword Dao, perhaps aiming to create a myriad of techniques through the sword. His Sword Light is sharp indeed, but it cannot surpass that of senior brother," Jiang Li negated yet corroborated, "However, Yuan Zhen indeed did not exert his full strength at that time, as his Mental State had flaws, and he still reserved some of his power. If senior brother encounters him, pay attention to the evolution of his sword styles."
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Li took out a Red Sword Orb from his Protective Bracelet, "This is Yuan Zhen’s Sword Orb; with this, senior brother should be able to glimpse into this man’s swordsmanship."
This was the same Sword Orb obtained from slaying Yuan Zhen’s incarnation.
The item fell into Jiang Li’s hands, but he had no use for it as his cultivation of Sword Control methods was centered on using a sword, not a Sword Orb. Besides, the Sword Orb had been refined by Yuan Zhen, perfectly attuned to Yuan Zhen’s Sword Qi, making it difficult for others to wield. If one wanted to use this Sword Orb, one would either have to reforge it or have knowledge of Yuan Zhen’s method of refining the orb.
Rather than leave it unused, it would be better to give it away as a favor.
The Red Sword Orb floated up from Jiang Li’s hand and gently landed in Feng Ziyang’s hand.
He bowed his head to look at the sword orb, then suddenly flicked his finger and shot out a burst of Sword Qi.
"Buzz!"
The sword orb reacted to the stimulus, with the Sword Qi entering it and traveling inside, gradually deforming the orb and turning it into a handle-less sword blade.
In some ways, the sword orb was actually no different from the Incarnation Golden Core used by Yuan Zhen; both were created by the methods of Alchemy Dao. The small sphere contained channels like the meridians in the human body. Only with the correct activation method could the sword orb be used, and only with the compatible True Qi could its full power be unleashed.
When the sword orb was fully activated, it would change from a spherical shape into a sword shape and then transform into Sword Light, bending and straightening as desired, directed by the mind.
But at this moment, as soon as Feng Ziyang took hold of it, he knew the method to activate the sword orb, stimulating and forming the sword shape and then—
He kept snapping his fingers, and bursts of Sword Qi shot onto the handle-less blade, producing clanging sounds or a clear humming buzz.
From the initial reaction to complete understanding, the Sword Qi gradually merged into the handle-less sword blade, vibrating as it moved, and suddenly, the sound of a sword cry rose.
"Clang!"
The handle-less blade turned into a streak of Red Sword Light, slicing through the air, moving like a dragon and snake, still like a boulder.
He had refined the sword orb.
’Using Sword Qi to stimulate the sword orb, testing it step by step, meticulously observing its transformation, and ultimately exploring its principles...’ Jiang Li was surprised as he witnessed this scene, ’Senior Brother Feng shouldn’t have learned Echange Skill, but his calculation power almost rivals mine.’
’Or perhaps, he has learned a spell where calculation is the key, and I merely am unaware.’
At the same time, Jiang Li noticed that Feng Ziyang’s series of activation techniques seemed to follow a certain pattern that was a profound and mysterious method. And by doing this in front of Jiang Li and Chu Zhaoyuan, he displayed all the intricacies of this method.
Limited by his realm, Chu Zhaoyuan couldn’t discern much, but Jiang Li saw everything clearly.
"This favor, I accept," said Feng Ziyang, as he grabbed the Sword Light, which then turned back into a sphere, and placed it in his hand.
"This favor, Senior Brother Feng has already repaid," Jiang Li said.
This technique alone was enough to offset the value of the sword orb. Since Feng Ziyang could use it to figure out the method for sacrificially cultivating the sword orb, could Jiang Li use this method to analyze the Qi of Dantian he had stealthily taken from Zhang Daoyi and then dismantle it?
Jiang Li felt it was quite feasible.
"Minister Fu Shan, mere trickery, sufficient to offset the sword orb, but not enough to repay the favor," Feng Ziyang said firmly.
He meant that this technique was merely the tip of the iceberg of a method called "Minister Fu Shan," enough to counterbalance the sword orb, but not enough to repay the favor of giving the sword orb.
Jiang Li automatically translated the meaning and then thought to himself: ’What an odd fellow.’
In other words, the value of the sword orb itself was one thing, while the brotherly sentiment Jiang Li held in giving the sword orb was another.
Such calculation was probably unique in the world.
At the same time, this also indicated that Feng Ziyang’s stance was leaning towards Jiang Li... or rather, towards Gongsun Qingyue.
In the past, although Master had been fawning, Feng Ziyang himself had always remained neutral. But now, he seemed to be inclined towards their side.
Even with Jiang Li’s own schemes, he found it somewhat incomprehensible.
With these thoughts, Jiang Li was about to probe, but Feng Ziyang was immersed in the sword orb, engrossed like a sword fanatic and unconcerned with anything else.
"Junior Brother Jiang, please excuse me."
Feng Ziyang said this and was about to take his leave.
But before he went, he paused, and a mysterious expression appeared on his usually expressionless face.
"My master says, Junior Brother Jiang, do not be impulsive; there is plenty of time, no need to rush," Feng Ziyang stated succinctly.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li almost couldn’t maintain his composure. Why did everyone think he might cause trouble for Yun Jiuye? It was one thing for Elder Kaixiang to say so, but now Elder Yuheng too?
Was he that kind of person?
The only difference was that Elder Kaixiang’s warning came with vigilance and caution, whereas Elder Yuheng was advising restraint, urging Jiang Li not to be impulsive.
"Please relay to Elder Yuheng," Jiang Li managed to keep his expression in check, "that I have no intention of acting rashly."
To be honest, if not for fearing it would be impolite, Jiang Li wouldn’t have planned to be present at Yun Jiuye’s promotion.
That way, even if Yun Jiuye lacked the strength and failed to succeed in the promotion, he couldn’t blame Jiang Li.
Thinking this, Jiang Li even began to consider not attending.
’Wait, something seems off.’ Suddenly, something struck Jiang Li.