Chapter 258: Chapter 253 All the 3rd rankers are the old 6th rankers
A promise made is a promise kept.
After parting ways with Elder Kaiyang and others, Jiang Li visited the Daoist Law Pavilion, paid respects to Elder Wan, played a game of chess with him, and then went to seek his master’s counsel.
Outside the chamber of the Tianxuan’s boudoir in Xuanji Palace,
Jiang Li waited earnestly at the door, sensing a faint mist of water coming from inside the room.
Tianxuan had likely just finished bathing and was currently dressing.
As a disciple who valued the respect for his master and the path of cultivation, Jiang Li naturally did not barge into the room. Instead, he recounted the day’s experiences outside her door and sought his master’s opinion.
—How should we deal with Kunxu Immortal Palace?
—Should I participate in the Sword Discussion Conference?
—If I do participate, should I become a Sword Holder and aid one side?
Having an elder in the family is like possessing a treasure; this was precisely the time for the Old Demon to come into play.
"Elder Kaiyang even said that he once slashed the Great Palace Master of Kunxu Immortal Palace until she was in disarray... heh."
A light snicker came from inside the room, bearing a hint of laziness after a bath. A simple "heh" was enough to convey that a certain elder might be slightly exaggerated in her storytelling.
"Had it not been for me and my junior brother Yaoguang lending him a hand back then, he would have become one of those spineless men he so often describes."
Well, that’s not just exaggerating; that’s practically inflating the tale to the skies.
Elder Tianxuan continued to mock for a few more sentences, then asked, "You have now understood the principle of Wood Qi in the Innate Eight Qi, have you not?"
"Yes," Jiang Li answered.
"That’s good," Tianxuan said at a measured pace. "You possess pure Wood Qi and are also of the Fire Element constitution, which perfectly matches the ’Shaoyang Heavenly Talisman’ of Kunxu Immortal Palace. This technique is said to be the method of the East King. It complements the cultivation techniques of Kunxu Immortal Palace. If their disciples could engage in Dual Cultivation with you, their strength would skyrocket. All they would need to do is calmly demonstrate their Dao Fruit. Watch, Kunxu Immortal Palace won’t let this go so easily, whether it’s you or Zhang Daoyi of the Daode Sect."
"You previously mentioned that he is also a Seventh Rank and his cultivation technique encompasses both Yin and Yang. In terms of medicinal efficacy, although not as potent as you, he is not far behind."
The choice of the word "medicinal efficacy" was rather fitting; Jiang Li felt like a walking elixir.
"Kunxu Immortal Palace is a reputable sect after all, they wouldn’t resort to tyranny, would they?" Jiang Li asked.
A good reputable sect was being portrayed like some Evil Path sect that indulges in dark arts; Jiang Li unconsciously formed a disparaging view of Kunxu Immortal Palace—a mere spent force.
"Against Zhang Daoyi, they probably wouldn’t, but for you, it is uncertain," Elder Tianxuan said with a light laugh. "After all, I am their Great Palace Master’s adversary."
Jiang Li: "?"
Elder Tianxuan didn’t leave him in suspense and explained, "One of the conditions for the Second Grade Dao Fruit of Kunxu Immortal Palace’s Queen Mother of the West is to become the foremost among all female cultivators. Ji Lingguang, the Rain Master from Taiping Sect, and a few others of us at fourth-rank are the greatest obstacles to their advancement. So long as I, or the others, are not defeated by her or submit to her, she will not achieve Second Grade. Currently, the relationship between Dinghu Sect and Kunxu Immortal Palace is cordial, but that’s only because it’s not yet time for her promotion."
Once the time for promotion comes, that’s when the relations will deteriorate.
No, they won’t wait until the time of promotion to act.
For such a crucial matter, there’s no waiting until the last minute; preparation must be made well in advance.
It was foreseeable that Jiang Li’s forthcoming situation would be rather dire. Even if he were not a person-shaped tonic pill, he would likely still be targeted by Kunxu Immortal Palace.
Because through him, they might be able to restrain Tianxuan.
"That being the case, if the Kunxu Immortal Palace were to move against its disciples..." Jiang Li wanted to ask how to strike back and to what extent the retaliation should be.
"Just fight if you can fight, kill if they should be killed," Elder Tianxuan stated with detached indifference.
"You just need to take action; leave the rest to your mentor to resolve. The fourth-rank of Kunxu Immortal Palace isn’t worth worrying about. As for third grade... There’s no need to worry about the third grade; it’s impossible for that person from Kunxu Immortal Palace to take action personally."
"Why?" Jiang Li inquired.
A playful laugh emanated from the boudoir, followed by Elder Tianxuan’s leisurely voice: "Do you know when the last Second Grade appeared?"
She answered her own question: "I don’t know when, and neither does your mentor. In any case, throughout the most recent millennium of history, there has never been a Second Grade; every individual who attempted to advance to Second Grade has failed, has died. It’s because no one wants another Second Grade in this world, no one wants another sovereign above them."
Jiang Li heard this and had some realization.
The gap between grades grows larger the higher one climbs.
The single killing move passed down by Elder Tianxuan had been enough to eliminate the fifth-rank Jiang Wuming; for Second Grade to kill Third Grade, perhaps it wouldn’t be instantaneous, but it certainly wouldn’t be difficult.
Should someone advance to Second Grade, that individual would become the only sovereign of this world until the next Second Grade appeared, with the power of life and death, supreme and unmatched.
How could those at the Third Grade tolerate such a thing?
Thus, the case was cracked.
The reason for the absence of Second Grade individuals wasn’t because the Promotion Ceremony was too difficult; even if it were hard, it wouldn’t make sense for not a single one to appear in a thousand years.
Nor was there a lack of Dao Fruits. Many sects today had wealthy ancestors; Second Grade Dao Fruits were indeed rare, but it was impossible to claim there were none at all.
The greatest obstacle hindering the advancement of Third Grade individuals was the rest of the Third Grade.
All of the Third Grades deterred one another, acting like ’Sixth Brothers,’ watching their peers closely. Anyone who dared to advance would be struck down collectively. This led to the absence of a Second Grade for the past thousand years or even longer.
"Therefore, if that Great Palace Master of the Kunxu Immortal Palace were to make a move against the mentor, it could be interpreted as an attempt to advance, and then the other Third Grades would deal with her," Jiang Li deduced the answer.
"Correct," said Elder Tianxuan, "Third Grades are indeed powerful, but in reality, when it comes to freedom, they are not as unrestrained as those of the fourth-rank."
Alright, the first question was resolved.
Next came the second one.
"You’re worried someone will try to seize the Xuanyuan Sword, but there’s no need for such concern. Unlike the Ochre Whip, the Dao Fruit within the Xuanyuan Sword is intact; it’s Second Grade. To use the Xuanyuan Sword, one needs to possess the Yellow Emperor’s bloodline and reach the fifth-rank realm; then, it might be possible. But to control the Xuanyuan Sword, only Second Grade can manage, and there aren’t any Second Grades in the world today."
Elder Tianxuan continued indifferently, "The Xuanyuan Sword has actually been nourished within the Heaven and Earth Furnace all along. When you go to the Heaven and Earth Furnace, you’ll see it. If someone tries to cause trouble within the Heaven and Earth Furnace, the Xuanyuan Sword will let them know what they’re up against."
"That’s also why I only penalized Elder Kaiyang by making him punt the boat. If the Xuanyuan Sword were truly easy to lose, just for making such a foolish suggestion, I would have him endure ten years of refinement at the bottom of the Heaven and Earth Furnace."
So, participation was possible.
On hearing that the Xuanyuan Sword was within the Heaven and Earth Furnace, Jiang Li was already interested, and with the assurance from Elder Tianxuan, he naturally wouldn’t miss the chance.
As for whether to become the Sword Holder, it seemed that Elder Tianxuan wanted him to play it by ear, all mysterious.
After Jiang Li had asked his questions, he was prepared to leave, reluctant to disrupt his mentor’s dressing and to prevent himself from getting too anxious waiting outside.
However, before he left, he suddenly remembered a long-standing doubt and asked, "Since the Xuanyuan Sword is an Emperor’s weapon, why isn’t it wielded by the Emperor?"
"Because the Emperor already has the Emperor Sword," replied Elder Tianxuan.
"And because the Emperor is the Emperor, not the Sovereign Emperor."