Chapter 73: A Sword

“Nicely done.”

On the other side of the dais, Ning Jiuyi examined Bai Chengzhou’s wounds with the gentleness of a compassionate master, while quietly sending him a message. Bai Chengzhou grinned in response.

But Feng Wanhai looked less than pleased; this situation, where someone lent him a helping hand, was not necessarily what he wanted to see.

...

Fang Junmei ascended the high platform and sat alone, a shadow passing over his features. On the dais, the three leading disciples from the three allied sects—Nanguo Cheng and his peers—glanced at him with knowing, enigmatic smiles. Veterans like them could hardly be fooled by Ning Jiuyi’s intentions or the simmering discontent among the disciples of Immovable Peak.

Nor was an overly powerful Taoyuan Sword Sect something they wished to see. With discord brewing among the sect’s younger generation, the greater the strife, the better.

Most of the Taoyuan Sword Sect elders wore grim expressions, except for the enigmatic Master Tianhe, whose deep, inscrutable gaze betrayed nothing.

The valley buzzed with hushed speculation.

“For the next bout: Gu Xijin of White Cloud Peak versus Yan Buhui of Emerald Tree Peak.”

The supervising disciple, after receiving a signal from Master Tianhe, announced the match in a loud voice.

The words resounded like a thunderclap. It had been countless years since anyone had witnessed Gu Xijin in action. This most outstanding disciple of the Taoyuan Sword Sect, the designated successor, was shrouded in mystery—just how formidable had he become?

In an instant, every eye focused on Gu Xijin. Even Fang Junmei, tamping down his complicated emotions, prepared to study Gu Xijin’s techniques closely.

Gu Xijin rose with confidence. With a casual flicker, he landed in the center of the luminous arena. His presence, even more dazzling than Fan Lanzhou’s, drew spontaneous cheers from many cultivators, swept away by that flawless aura.

His opponent, Yan Buhui, was also a young cultivator of respectable appearance and bearing, but standing across from Gu Xijin, he seemed instantly overshadowed.

Yan Buhui, ranked second on Emerald Tree Peak, was at the early Dao Embryo stage. Facing Gu Xijin in the opening round, he could only smile wryly, at a loss for words.

The visiting cultivators from the three allied sects, hoping to witness Gu Xijin’s prowess, showed clear disappointment once they realized Yan Buhui’s cultivation level. How could such an opponent possibly force Gu Xijin to show his true power?

“Senior Brother, please give me your guidance,” Yan Buhui said, gathering his composure, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

“Junior Brother, do your best,” Gu Xijin replied coolly, his demeanor impeccable.

Yan Buhui drew his treasured sword without further ado and immediately unleashed one of Emerald Tree Peak’s signature sword techniques—the “Riverside Twilight Rain Sword Art.”

As the art was invoked, endless sword rain swept through every corner of the arena. With nowhere to dodge, Gu Xijin did not unsheathe his sword. Instead, he struck out with both hands at the air, engaging Yan Buhui with spells alone, showing no intention of drawing his blade.

Waves of golden light crashed through the air!

Gu Xijin’s mastery of metal-elemental magic arts was evident. With a single strike, he conjured a tidal surge of golden radiance that obliterated the sword rain before him.

Yan Buhui was forced to switch tactics repeatedly under the onslaught of such overwhelming magic.

Gu Xijin, meanwhile, displayed a dazzling array of magical techniques, all of them metal-based.

For Fang Junmei, it was his first time witnessing such a variety of metal-elemental arts—golden light, blades of light, phantasms, veils of gold mist... He was quickly entranced, as though another door to swordsmanship was opening before him.

The battle was intense enough.

To be fair, both combatants were highly skilled in sword and spell, but after the epic duel between Fan Lanzhou and Bai Chengzhou, the spectators’ expectations had grown exacting. After a while, with Gu Xijin neither displaying the fabled “Sword to the Bone” nor the legendary “Bleeding Edge Sword Art,” their interest began to wane.

Yan Buhui’s swordsmanship was impressive, but as every strike was countered by Gu Xijin, he finally conceded, withholding further techniques or treasures.

Gu Xijin won with ease. Apart from showcasing his remarkable talent for metal-element magic, he revealed nothing else.

Having defeated Yan Buhui, Gu Xijin was done for the day. Rather than returning to the dais, he headed toward the horizon—straight for Immovable Peak.

Fang Junmei’s eyes glimmered thoughtfully.

...

One battle after another followed in quick succession!

Taoyuan Sword Sect truly lived up to its name; the dazzling variety of sword arts on display left the crowd in awe. Fang Junmei, in particular, was utterly enthralled.

Ji Nujiao, Feng Jianmei, Fang Henqiu, Yue Yu, You Da... the senior brothers and sisters of each peak all took to the stage! Most won their matches without resorting to “Sword to the Bone,” and most of their victories were over outer sect disciples.

Among the outer sect, only a black-robed youth unleashed “Sword to the Bone,” sweeping aside his inner sect opponent like autumn wind through fallen leaves. His name was Tie Yi.

Another comet rising among the outer sect disciples.

As soon as Tie Yi’s match ended, he was immediately claimed as a disciple by Master Tianfeng of Morning Sun Peak.

...

All the matches for the day—quarterfinals, sixteen down to eight—had to be completed.

According to the draw, Fan Lanzhou’s next opponent would be the winner between Ning Jiuyi’s second disciple, Feng Wanhai, and Xian Qingqiu, the senior brother of Absolute String Peak.

Xian Qingqiu was at the mid Dao Embryo stage, while Feng Wanhai was only at the early stage. Yet the victor was Feng Wanhai—because he had attained “Sword to the Bone,” while Xian Qingqiu had not.

At this stage, even using the same sword techniques, their power was multiplied.

Among this generation’s outer sect disciples, only Tie Yi had previously reached “Sword to the Bone.” When Feng Wanhai revealed his, the crowd erupted in astonishment; his reputation soared.

Fang Junmei watched intently, as if determined to memorize every move. In the end, he had to admit that this man truly had the strength to face Fan Lanzhou.

...

After the day’s eight matches concluded, Fang Junmei hurried back to Immovable Peak. Along the way, no one dared brazenly probe the condition of his cultivation.

Back at Immovable Peak, he entered the courtyard to find only Yang Xiaoman, seated idly, boredom written on her face.

“Is it over?” she asked offhandedly as Fang Junmei returned.

He nodded. “How is Second Senior Brother’s injury?”

Yang Xiaoman’s expression turned uncharacteristically somber. “His internal organs are severely wounded—not fatal, but he won’t recover fully in the short term. The next match will definitely be affected.”

She seemed to recall something and quickly asked, “Who won, Feng Wanhai or Xian Qingqiu?”

“Feng Wanhai. He’s mastered ‘Sword to the Bone,’ a formidable opponent,” Fang Junmei replied succinctly.

“Things aren’t looking good,” Yang Xiaoman muttered with a headache.

“Did Gu Xijin come by? What for?” Fang Junmei asked again, not rushing to check on Fan Lanzhou, lest he disturb his recovery.

Yang Xiaoman smirked. “What else? The future sect leader took the opportunity to visit Second Senior Brother and win hearts. What other reason could he have?” Her tone carried a hint of mockery.

Clearly, the disciples of Immovable Peak had some history with Gu Xijin. Fang Junmei’s eyes flickered, but he asked no further.

“Where’s Senior Brother Linghu? Did he go to invite Uncle Chunyu?”

“He did, but hasn’t returned yet.”

Fang Junmei nodded and took a seat on the stone bench to wait.

...

After the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Linghu Jiujiu finally returned.

“That old codger wouldn’t come. He just gave me some medicine, never mind that I begged on my knees for so long. They’re all the same—won’t lift a finger unless there’s something in it for them,” he grumbled before anyone could ask, his face full of indignation.

Fang Junmei and Yang Xiaoman could only sigh. In truth, they both understood—unless the injury was truly unusual, a medical master like Chunyu Qian didn’t need to come in person. Hearing Linghu Jiujiu’s description was enough for him to know the situation, not to mention his famously eccentric temperament.

The three entered Fan Lanzhou’s room.

Fan Lanzhou, his upper body bare, bore scars that were still raw and hideously fierce.

“You two should go back and cultivate. Tomorrow it’s your turn in the arena—no slacking off. Junmei, stay,” Fan Lanzhou commanded with authority.

The two exchanged a glance, then left as instructed.

Only Fan Lanzhou and Fang Junmei remained.

As Fang Junmei applied the medicine from Chunyu Qian to Fan Lanzhou’s wounds, he recounted the events of Feng Wanhai’s match. Everyone knew that, come what may, Fan Lanzhou would fight the next bout—there was no chance he would ever shrink back from a challenge.

Fan Lanzhou listened intently, occasionally asking questions. When Fang Junmei finished, he asked, “Junmei, today you witnessed Master’s Grand Evolution Wind and Cloud Sword Art. Would you like to learn it?”

Fang Junmei smiled. “I’m not picky. The more I can learn, the better.”

Fan Lanzhou nodded, his gaze suddenly deep. “Do you know what the third realm of swordsmanship is?”

“I do not,” Fang Junmei replied, shaking his head.

“Master once taught me that the third realm is called the ‘Crimson Heart.’ To reach it, you must discover your own unique heart toward the sword. For some, it is courage and fearlessness; for others, perseverance; for some, ultimate destruction; and for others, merciless slaughter. Junmei, what is your sword heart?”

Fang Junmei was left speechless, his eyes clouded with confusion. Was his simple pursuit of ever-faster swordplay truly his sword heart?

“You needn’t answer now, nor feel lost,” Fan Lanzhou said, glancing at him. “You have plenty of time to ponder before you reach that stage. Junmei, I hope that through the sword arts you learn, you will find your own heart toward the sword.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Second Senior Brother,” Fang Junmei replied in gratitude.

Fan Lanzhou handed him a jade slip, evidently having anticipated his answer all along.