175: Chapter 45: The Great Sword Qi Competition 175: Chapter 45: The Great Sword Qi Competition After the Island Master of Wangyou Island left, the oppressive aura that enveloped everyone gradually dissipated.
Xie Xuanyi noticed that although there were many people coming and going by his side, no one cast their gaze, Divine Thought, or even attention toward this place—
Even Yuan Yi, who had previously greeted him, now “overlooked” this area.
And after the Island Master of Wangyou Island departed, the noise and clamor finally began to swell.
This corner seemed as if it had been plucked away earlier, only returning to the normal world at this moment.
“Brother Xie Zhen.”
Amidst the clamor, the crowd parted to make way for a slender youth dressed in splendid robes, surrounded by dozens of people walking straight toward Xie Xuanyi.
It was Prince Jiangning.
Prince Jiangning halted his steps and smiled, “Mr.
Xie, did you have a good night’s sleep yesterday?”
“Thanks to the Prince.”
Xie Xuanyi couldn’t be bothered to get up; he just glanced over and then averted his gaze, “Last night I finally had a peaceful sleep.”
The visitors from last night asking about Sword Dao had all come from Prince Jiangning’s residence.
Their dispute was already the talk of the Sword Palace, though without solid evidence.
But at this moment.
Prince Jiangning’s arrival at the arena, and the first thing he did was to greet Xie Zhen…
almost confirmed the recent rumors in the Sword Palace as true.
“It’s truly a pity you’re not participating in the Sword Qi Ceremony.”
Prince Jiangning’s face showed some regret as he took the initiative to telepathically say, “This hall was looking forward to crossing swords with Brother Xie Zhen.”
Xie Xuanyi kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, chatting with Prince Jiangning while comprehending the Golden Body cultivation method previously mentioned by the Island Master of Wangyou Island, “I’ve said before…
if the Prince wishes to challenge me, you’re welcome at my residence anytime.”
“A private duel doesn’t seem quite right, does it?”
Prince Jiangning looked toward the direction where the Law Enforcers from Golden Turtle Peak were located, smiling, “What if the punches and kicks are too heavy and someone gets killed…
wouldn’t that spoil the Sword Qi Ceremony?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll control myself.”
Xie Xuanyi also smiled upon hearing this, “There won’t be any fatalities.”
The atmosphere in the arena became somewhat tense.
Their telepathic conversation did not spread.
The crowd only knew that Prince Jiangning and Xie Zhen seemed to have “confronted” each other; they didn’t know what the two had discussed, but the tense atmosphere was obvious.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
A few sounds of objects cutting through the air rang out.
The Law Enforcers from Golden Turtle Peak arrived in time, positioning themselves between the two.
“Not to worry, fellow seniors.”
Prince Jiangning hurriedly raised his hands with a smile, “I’m just reminiscing with Brother Xie Zhen.”
This little episode drew the attention of quite a few people.
Even those of high status sitting in the front row cast interested glances.
But after a few brief exchanges.
Prince Jiangning then led the delegation away, and a wave of discussions rose among those seated in the arena.
“I heard the Sword Qi aptitude review today…
Xie Sheng received a ‘superior’ rating.”
“Superior…
In the entire Da Sui Sword Palace, it seems that in the recent decades, there has only been one person.”
“It’s already been spread all over Jiangning’s side, Xie Sheng’s overall talent is not inferior to Xie Xuanyi’s, and might even surpass it…
Today he was supposed to have three duels, but as soon as his opponents heard they were going to face the Princely Heir, they all chose to forfeit.
I think the final result of the Sword Qi Ceremony will be Xie Sheng’s victory.”
These voices also reached Xie Xuanyi’s ears.
He continued to rest with his eyes closed, unconcernedly smiling to himself.
In fact, during this past decade, in the Da Sui Sword Palace, there hasn’t been just one person who could achieve a ‘superior’ rating in Sword Qi aptitude.
Huang Su, who was picked up by Lotus Peak back then, also received a ‘superior’ rating.
This so-called Sword Qi aptitude.
It’s the degree of “fit” between a cultivator and Sword Qi.
The higher the Sword Qi aptitude, the faster one can comprehend Sword Intent, and if one could enter the Da Sui Sword Palace in the future…
the speed to gain control of “Sword Qi Decree” would be faster as well!
The reason why the Da Sui Sword Palace holds such a lofty status, and stands far above other sects even in decline,
Is due to the existence of the “Sword Qi Decree”!
It is the “supreme treasure” left behind by successive Sect Leaders and Masters of the main peaks.
Each main peak has hundreds to nearly a thousand years of Sword Qi accumulation, as well as the remnants of the Sword Dao Realm.
Those who take charge of a main peak can control that peak’s “Sword Qi Decree,” and constantly comprehend the Sword Intent of the peak.
If foreign enemies invade, within the main peak’s formation, with the help of Sword Qi Decree, the Peak Master’s combat power will be elevated a level!
Don’t be fooled by Huang Su’s young age and her recent promotion.
With “Fluttering Clouds,” combined with the boost from Lotus Peak’s Sword Qi Decree, she’s fully capable of fighting against the late-stage practitioners of Yin God without falling behind!
High aptitude for Sword Qi is naturally a good thing.
But it isn’t that significant.
The dumb son of the Island Master of Wangyou Island likely doesn’t have high Sword Qi aptitude, but does that hinder his rapid cultivation progress?
There are three thousand paths in the Dao.
There will always be one that one can follow.
…
…
Over the next several days, Xie Xuanyi came to the arena daily, ostensibly to observe the Sword Qi Ceremony.
But in fact.
He was just meditating and cultivating…
trying to break through to the Golden Body Realm using the method taught by the Island Master of Wangyou.
Sealing the major orifices, allowing the golden Primordial Energy to flow into one’s meridians, in order to forge a Golden Body.
The guidance from this peak Martial Artist enlightened Xie Xuanyi greatly, but the advancement to “Golden Body” was still difficult.
The sealing of the major orifices could not be performed simultaneously, causing the golden Primordial Fire to flicker on and off, unable to circulate through the whole body for one complete cycle.
Xie Xuanyi was very clear that ever since he awoke in Yuzhu Town, his cultivation journey had been exceedingly fast.
Many times, despite arduous contemplation, one still could not break through.
What cultivation required might be just an opportunity.
From the outsider’s perspective,
Xie Zhen had obtained the Lotus Jade Token and had no need to participate in the so-called grand ceremony.
His daily attendance was merely to watch the meaningful battles.
Now, everything was unfolding just as Fangyuan Fang had predicted in advance.
Except for Jing Qingming, all the cultivators from the Grotto Heaven had qualified.
These young talents from the Grotto Heaven indeed each had their own “gifts.”
However, the most eye-catching among them was Prince Jiangning, Xie Sheng!
In the past few days, Prince Jiangning had advanced through the tournament in an overwhelmingly dominant manner.
The battles left no room for suspense.
The realm of Perfect Cave Heaven was simply too far ahead of the other cultivators in the Sword Qi Decree—
In fact, the outside world’s speculations about Xie Xuanyi’s actions were only half-right.
His daily attendance was indeed for “one person.”
But that person was by no means the so-called Prince Jiangning…
When daylight ended and he returned to his mansion…
He had to deal with that blockheaded heavy sword youth.
Perhaps because the Island Master of Wangyou Island had made a personal appearance and sent greetings, news of Duan Zhao’s participation in the Sword Qi Decree was concealed by the Sect Leader’s personal intervention, obscuring the heavens’ secrets.
This sixteen-year-old martial artist in the Golden Body Realm has not yet caught anyone’s attention.
With a low profile, he kept advancing through the ranks.
Following this trend, there was a high probability he could secure a spot in the “top ten” without revealing his true strength.
After all, he was the biological son of the Island Master of Wangyou Island.
But as the number of contestants dwindled,
it was only a matter of time before Duan Zhao would be noticed.
Every day, after the tournament ended,
Xie Xuanyi would help the silly youth review his battles.
At his request, Duan Zhao was required to completely abandon his physical prowess in the past few days during fights with lower-realm combatants and only rely on his sword presence to win.
The silly kid only had a swordsman’s talent of a Grade B, but his understanding was indeed keen.
The Heavy Sword Sword Manual, casually written by the Island Master of Wangyou, might have been nonsense in terms of Sword Dao, but the top martial artist’s insights on cultivation and combat skills were indeed priceless treasures.
Xie Xuanyi made some slight modifications.
The sword manual derived from the manual of boxing was infused with “spirit.”
Each day, Xie Xuanyi only pointed out one move, but Duan Zhao’s progress was rapid.
Because the foundation laid by Wangyou Island was truly rich.
Just in a matter of three to five days, he made transformative progress!
It could be said that the “Martial Artist Realm,” painstakingly taught by the Island Master of Wangyou, had already been partially converted to the application of Sword Dao.
Every move and style was methodical and precise.
Of course…
With only his sword, Duan Zhao was still not yet a match for these Grotto Heaven geniuses in the Sword Qi Decree.
Thus, Xie Xuanyi specifically advised him,
If he ever felt “powerless,” he should just throw away his heavy sword and punch the hell out of them, and not to stand for any humiliation.
This little guy had the whole Wangyou Island behind him.
As long as he didn’t beat up a direct descendant of the Imperial Family of Dachu, who would dare to trouble him?
Today,
was the final day of the Sword Qi Decree.
According to the rules,
today would determine the top ten of the Sword Qi Tournament.
Then there would be a banquet at Golden Turtle Peak, where all the Peak Masters and qualifiers would gather.
After the dinner and a night of rest, tomorrow would be the day Xuanshui Cave Heaven opens.
These young talents will step into Xuanshui Cave Heaven to seek out their own “fortunes.”
The arena was exceptionally lively today.
In addition to the powerful figures who had been watching the previous days, several Main Peak Masters also came in person.
Inside and outside the Sword Palace, countless gazes were focused.
The entire Dachu Dynasty, and even Nanli…
were all watching the results of today’s tournament!
Da Sui Sword Palace had been sealed for ten years.
This Sword Qi Tournament would determine the direction of the Sword Palace’s fate for the future.
If nothing unexpected happened,
Prince Jiangning, Xie Sheng, would claim the top spot of today’s Sword Qi Tournament.
No one had been his match in the past few days.
However, there was something “odd” about today…
It was almost time for the tournament,
but the Law Enforcers of Golden Turtle Peak hadn’t yet informed the twenty contenders to prepare for taking the stage.
Besides that,
the central seat of the first row in the arena was specially left vacant today.
Lotus Peak Master Huang Su and the Master of True Hidden Peak were sitting on either side of the chief seat.
Clearly,
this position was reserved for the Sect Leader of the Sword Palace.
From the beginning of the Sword Qi Decree until now, it had always been hosted by Qi Lie, a disciple of the Sect Leader—
Suddenly, there was a loud “thud!”
Atop Golden Turtle Peak, the bell and the drum shook.
Golden light flashed, cutting through the clouds from the rear mountain.
With the Sword Qi Decree in hand, Qi Lie arrived at the arena.
Although Golden Turtle Peak had specially reserved the chief seat for the Sect Leader today, the highly anticipated leader of the Sword Palace still did not show up.
“Fellow Daoists,”
Qi Lie stood on a Flying Sword, hovering high above the arena.
He held the Golden Decree in both hands and proclaimed loudly, “By the Sect Leader’s command, a decree is hereby announced to all…
Da Sui Sword Palace, having been sealed for a decade, now opens its doors.
Due to an overabundance of Qi fortune, we are modifying the past rules.”
“Today’s Sword Qi Decree will not rank the contestants, nor determine their sequence.”
“The number of slots to enter and comprehend Xuanshui Cave Heaven is expanded to twenty!”