Liu Xiaolou kept searching through the people of the Qingyu Sect for Jingzhao, but he never found anyone who matched the image he had in mind of this so-called prodigy.
There were twelve people from Qingyu Sect who entered the Danxia Grotto-Heaven. Sect Leader Dongfang was easy enough to recognize, and the gray-bearded old man beside him was likely an elder of the sect. Liu Xiaolou had seen him once before, back when he was selling wine on Wulong Mountain. None of the stewards or overseers he had met back then were present now. As for the rest, all the faces were unfamiliar. Judging by their ages, they should be inner disciples, much like those from the other sects.
But these inner disciples looked plain. At best, they could be called “proper-looking” or “refined.” They were certainly nothing that could compare to him. At the very least, shouldn’t a genius like Jingzhao have a profile somewhat resembling Dao Ye’s?
He turned to Tigerhead Dragon. “Which one is Jingzhao? Did he not come?”
Tigerhead Dragon shook his head. “Haven’t seen him. I heard he’s here, but he hasn’t shown himself. Maybe he’s preparing for the sword trial.”
Back when the “Three Truths” of the Dongyang Sect visited Shenwu Mountain, Su Xi, as both an inner disciple and heir of the Su family, entered the Danxia Grotto-Heaven to persuade the sect leader and elders. In the end, she succeeded in convincing Danxia Sect to step forward and mediate the dispute among the great factions of Jing-Xiang that had broken out over Hou Sheng’s disappearance.
At the time, Su Xi advised Sect Master Cai Qiugong: “Hou Sheng, the Qingyu Sect’s roving inspector, has always been responsible for investigating cases. He has offended more petty thieves than one could count. Who can say which of his enemies harmed him? To take one rash remark from Dongyang Sect as cause for a campaign of retribution is not the conduct of an orthodox sect. What is more, Qingyu previously sealed off the Taoyuan Mountains, and afterward occupied Wulong Mountain for months on end. They have already overstepped their bounds, and the three mountain regions of Western Xian, Southern Xian, and Central Xian are all watching them with suspicion. Qingyu’s ambitions are great. If we do not seize this chance to keep them in check, once they subdue the Three Mountains, who can say they will not turn east and cast their eyes on our Jiangnan?”
Sect Master Cai Qiugong found this reasoning convincing. Thus, the Danxia Sect offered up the privilege of a “Grotto-Heaven Trial,” inviting the four major sects of Jing-Xiang to a sword competition, turning what could have been a great conflict into a smaller one.
All the grotto-heavens and blessed lands under heaven are occupied by orthodox sects. But grotto-heavens and blessed lands are far from the same. To say nothing of the rest, some grotto-heavens are notoriously unstable, often connected to cracks in the void. Within those rifts lie unimaginable opportunities, and for cultivators, their allure is irresistible.
Danxia Grotto-Heaven contains just such a rift. Its capacity is usually weak, and if the flow of true qi shifts too violently, accidents can occur. For that reason, it is rarely opened to outsiders, and usually only sect members are allowed inside. Each time it is opened, only one person may enter.
This was the fifth time in a thousand years that Danxia Sect had released an opening to outsiders. On average, once every two hundred years. It was clear proof of how precious it was. That was why Qingyu Sect agreed. But Danxia Sect also made it plain: the trial carried immense risk, and some might never return. To this, Qingyu Sect gave its assent.
So, after the banquet ended, it was time for the four sects to test their swords. Since words could not resolve right and wrong, victory would be settled by the Dao. The loser would pay a sum of wealth, while the winner would gain the right to enter the rift within Danxia Grotto-Heaven for the trial. Serving as judges were not only Sect Leader Cai Qiugong of Danxia, but also Sect Leader Wei Jianzi of Jinting Sect and Ouyang Patriarch of Yuezhou.
The tables were cleared away, and the seats moved back ten zhang. On the summit of Danqiu, an open arena about thirty zhang across was marked out. Four elders of Danxia Sect stood at the four corners, holding down the field, both to contain any Daoist techniques from spilling beyond the ring and to shield the low-level cultivators from harm.
Elder Cai happened to be assigned to Liu Xiaolou’s side, standing very close to him. Their eyes met, and Elder Cai let slip the faintest of smiles.
That smile filled Liu Xiaolou with sudden confidence. Everything was set. Elder Cai and Steward Tu would no longer be watching him. As for Dong Wei, he could go to hell.
Among the four elders of Danxia Sect, Elder Cai’s cultivation was the weakest, only slightly stronger than Elder Xin, who was also in the late Golden Core stage. But the Cai family of Longhu was powerful. Aside from Elder Cai himself, they had three more Golden Core cultivators, and even Sect Leader Cai Qiugong had risen to his position thanks to support from the previous head of the Cai family. Cai Qiugong had even married into the clan, making him practically a Cai clansman himself.
As for Elder Xin, he was a brilliant figure who had grown up under the wing of the Xin family of Serpent Mountain, a vassal of the Cai clan. He, too, counted as part of the Cai family’s faction.
For that reason, the Cai clan was truly the ruling house within Danxia Sect.
As long as Elder Cai was not watching him, Liu Xiaolou felt the world grow vast and open, the air fresh and clear, and no difficulty seemed like a difficulty at all.
Before long, four young cultivators drifted up from below Danqiu. At a glance, it was clear they were all Golden Core experts. Liu Xiaolou, of course, did not recognize any of them, but Tigerhead Dragon was at his side, explaining things, and only then did he understand.
The one with his wide sleeves billowing was Lu Yuanlang, ranked third among the inner disciples of Tianmu Mountain. Just hearing his name made Liu Xiaolou’s neck shrink back instinctively, pure guilty conscience. Whenever he thought of Young Master Lu’s younger brother, a chill crept down his spine. If Lu Yuanlang ever learned the real cause of his brother’s death, where on earth could Liu Xiaolou possibly hide?
The long-haired one with hair falling past his shoulders was Qu Xuan, ranked fourth among the inner disciples of the Zhanglong Sect, and the son of Sect Leader Qu himself. The Qu family already held both the position of sect leader and one of the elder seats, and Qu Xuan was the leading talent of the next generation. With such influence, it seemed certain the Qu clan would keep their grip on Zhanglong Sect for at least another century.
What left Liu Xiaolou uneasy was that Wulong Mountain lay within Zhanglong Sect’s sphere of influence. Yet this was the first time he had ever laid eyes on their next sect master, and it was only here in Danxia Grotto-Heaven. That alone showed that Wulong Mountain’s standing would likely remain unchanged for another hundred years as well.
The one in white, brighter than snow, was Sun Zhenliu, ranked sixth among the inner disciples of Dongyang Sect. Back at the banquet on Shenwu Mountain, when Liu Xiaolou had hosted Dongyang Sect’s inner disciples, Lou Zhenwu had mentioned this man. Known for devoting himself entirely to the sword and ignoring worldly affairs, he was recognized as the foremost duelist among the inner disciples.
The most striking of the four, dressed in light blue robes and a thin sash, was none other than Jingzhao, the one Liu Xiaolou had been searching for all along. Staring at him for a moment, Liu Xiaolou turned to Tigerhead Dragon and asked, “Brother Tigerhead, where does this fellow look anything like me? I don’t see the resemblance at all.”
Tigerhead Dragon was quick to agree. “Exactly! I thought the same. He looks so ordinary, not nearly as dashing as I am. But everyone insists I’m speaking against my conscience, that it’s nothing but jealousy. Only you feel the same as I do. You’re truly my kindred spirit!”
Liu Xiaolou was speechless. He turned to study Tigerhead Dragon again, then shook his head. “Brother Tigerhead, I think you’ve misunderstood me. What I meant was, in what way does he resemble me?”
Tigerhead Dragon said, “Of course his face doesn’t look like yours. Just wait a moment… look, look now! See it? How about now? Now he doesn’t look like you again… ah, he turned away! What do you think?”
Liu Xiaolou considered. “At best there’s a slight resemblance, but the style is completely different. I'd say each has their own distinct qualities, nothing more.”
Tiger-Headed Jiao snorted. “Either way, he’s not good-looking! Not from the front, not from the side. Ah… I don’t mean you, brother, I mean him! I really don’t know what Ninth Lady is thinking…” Then, suddenly bristling with anger, he said, “Look at her! Look at her eyes! What kind of look is that? Ah… it makes me furious! Brother, don’t stop me, I swear today I’ll—”
Liu Xiaolou cut in, encouraging him. “Brother Tigerhead, I’ll be counting on you.”
Tigerheaded Dragon let out a long groan, then finally sagged in defeat. “Forget it. He’s about to take part in the sword trial. If I step in now, even if I win, it won’t count as honorable. I’ll wait for another chance.”