Chapter 282 : Sword Champion, True Transmission
Chapter 282: Sword Champion, True Transmission
For the Clear Sky Sect, Wei Tianxiong had not truly been interested. He had only wanted to survive and properly recuperate from his injuries.
But ever since moving into the Clear Sky Sect, his interest in it had gradually begun to grow.
After staying only a single day, his vigilance toward Li Qingqiu had already lessened by more than half. At least everything he had seen and heard proved that the Clear Sky Sect had no apparent connection with the Heavenly Nether Sea. The Clear Sky Sect truly was a small immortal cultivation sect that had been established for just twenty years.
As for the sect’s recently most lively Grand Dao Tournament, Wei Tianxiong had sneered at it.
A minor immortal cultivation sect with only a handful of Spirit Perception Realm cultivators organizing such flashy spectacles—how impetuous.
What did interest him, however, was the internal struggle within the Heavenly Works Hall. Ming Guang and Wu Xingyue frequently argued until their faces turned red over forging resources. He could tell that these disciples bore no grudges against one another—it was simply their temperaments.
Still, the level of their formations and artifact refining truly made him unable to stand watching.
Finally, one day—
The disciples of the Heavenly Works Hall began loudly quarreling again. Wei Tianxiong, who had been recuperating in a side courtyard within the hall, could no longer endure it. He went out and berated them harshly.
This only angered the disciples further. Though they argued, they did so for the development of the sect. What right did a newcomer have to point fingers?
Wei Tianxiong’s residence within the Heavenly Works Hall had already drawn discussion. One look at him and it was clear he was no ordinary figure. Yet the disciples of the Heavenly Works Hall had been well protected by the sect. Moreover, this was the Clear Sky Sect—they were not afraid that Wei Tianxiong would act recklessly.
Thus, Wei Tianxiong offered his own opinions regarding the matter they had been discussing. His attainments in restrictions far surpassed those of the Heavenly Works Hall disciples. With only a few sentences, he left them utterly stunned.
Afterward, the disciples followed his method when forging a magic implement—and it truly succeeded.
This matter quickly reached Zhu Yan’s ears, leaving her astonished.
So it turned out that the Sect Master had arranged for Wei Tianxiong to enter the Heavenly Works Hall not because she was especially trustworthy, but because Wei Tianxiong could help the hall.
Her heart was filled with mixed emotions—disappointment, yet also admiration.
Only by following such a Sect Master could she see boundless hope.
In the days that followed, she visited Wei Tianxiong from time to time. She handled the boundaries well and did not delay his recuperation.
Through Zhu Yan, Wei Tianxiong also learned of the Clear Sky Sect’s development history. This gave him a deeper understanding of Li Qingqiu.
Could it be that Li Qingqiu truly had no powerful figure backing him?
If that were the case, then Wei Tianxiong’s attitude toward the Clear Sky Sect would have to change.
…
The Top Sixty-Four of the Grand Dao Tournament would compete within a month to determine the Top Thirty-Two. By the end of July, the Top Ten would be decided. August would host the final battle.
Aside from the last day of June, there was only one match each day. Even with just a single match, it was immensely satisfying to watch.
By this stage of the Grand Dao Tournament, every battle was extraordinarily spectacular. There were no longer any instant defeats. Of course, there were still cases where some disciples held back. When the disparity in strength was too great, the stronger party would allow the opponent to fully display what they had learned.
At the beginning of July, the Top Thirty-Two had been determined, and the competition for the Top Ten began.
The Heavenly Son Liu Jing arrived at Clear Sky Mountain with the princes, princesses, and numerous imperial relatives to observe the matches. This made the Grand Dao Tournament draw even greater attention from across the land.
After bringing Wei Tianxiong back to Clear Sky Mountain, Li Qingqiu did not seek him out for heartfelt conversation. Instead, he devoted most of his time to cultivation.
Even though he held the Life-Control Talisman in hand, Li Qingqiu still preferred to rely on his own strength to keep Wei Tianxiong in check.
Watching Wei Tianxiong’s loyalty gradually increase, Li Qingqiu knew that arranging for him to enter the Heavenly Works Hall had been the correct choice.
Deliberately currying favor sometimes produced the opposite effect.
Li Qingqiu hoped that Wei Tianxiong would, from the bottom of his heart, develop a sense of belonging toward the Clear Sky Sect.
As for Liu Jing’s arrival, Li Qingqiu did not personally receive him. He entrusted Zhang Yuchun with the reception. No one dared to voice an objection.
On this day—
The weather was clear, sunlight brilliant.
Li Qingqiu was practicing swordsmanship in the forest outside his cave dwelling. The third strike of the Immortal Severing Three Swords had already become his killing move. He had to allocate stable time to refine it, ensuring it remained formidable.
Recently, he had even been considering merging the Immortal Severing Three Swords with the Soul-Seizing Flying Sword he had created himself.
The third strike of the Immortal Severing Three Swords rendered the enemy unable to dodge, but the enemy could still resist. If the enemy were not even given the opportunity to resist, then that strike would be even more perfect.
At that moment, two figures walked out from Lingxiao Courtyard. They were Xiao Wuqing and Bai Ning’er.
Xiao Wuqing stopped, saluted Li Qingqiu from afar, then turned and left.
Bai Ning’er looked at Li Qingqiu’s back, took a deep breath, and walked toward him.
“Disciple Bai Ning’er greets the Sect Master!”
Bai Ning’er came behind Li Qingqiu and respectfully saluted.
Li Qingqiu sheathed his sword, turned, and looked at him with a smile. “What is it?”
He had always liked Bai Ning’er. Though the boy was reckless, the “Lucky One” fate trait was constantly working in his favor.
This time, not only had he discovered the Relic Palace of the Supreme Sword Sect, but he had also helped the Clear Sky Sect obtain a powerful aid like Wei Tianxiong.
Wei Tianxiong was not only strong in personal combat power—he could also assist the Clear Sky Sect in formations, artifact refining, and even alchemy.
Without exaggeration, Wei Tianxiong could help the Clear Sky Sect advance by a great stride.
This was absolutely Bai Ning’er’s merit. Without him, before discovering the Supreme Sword Sect, it would have been difficult for the Clear Sky Sect to encounter Wei Tianxiong.
Facing Li Qingqiu, Bai Ning’er steadied his mind, and much of the worry in his heart dissipated. He took out a piece of green jade from the Storage Pouch at his waist.
The green jade was shaped like a sword, about ten centimeters long, exquisitely crafted.
“Sect Master, this is a treasure I previously found in the Supreme Sword Sect. There is something like a soul hidden inside it. Only by defeating it can one pass the trial. My strength is insufficient—I feel unworthy of this treasure—so I wish to present it to you,” Bai Ning’er said earnestly.
Ninety percent of what he had obtained from the Supreme Sword Sect had already been handed over to the sect. Sect rules stated that disciples exploring outside could keep a portion for themselves. Precisely because of this, disciples enthusiastically took on exploration missions.
Li Qingqiu looked at the green jade but sensed nothing special. He extended his Spiritual Sense into it and discovered that there was indeed another world inside. A special restriction, like a whirlpool, attempted to drag his consciousness inward, startling him into immediately withdrawing his Spiritual Sense.
“You have already attempted the trial inside?” Li Qingqiu raised his brow and asked.
Bai Ning’er nodded. “I could not defeat that person—and he even mocked me.”
Li Qingqiu inquired further about the details. Unfortunately, Bai Ning’er knew nothing about the green jade. The figure within had not introduced himself either.
“Very well. I will study it. Thank you for your kindness,” Li Qingqiu said with a smile.
The boy thinking of him in good fortune pleased him greatly.
Had it been anyone else, failing the trial now would mean keeping it until their strength improved before accepting the inheritance.
Bai Ning’er scratched his head. “Sect Master, I was worried you would blame me for privately keeping this treasure.”
“How could I? Every disciple will have their own opportunities. I cannot have everyone hand over all their fortunes. What sort of person would that make me?” Li Qingqiu said, shaking his head with a chuckle.
Bai Ning’er did not know how other sect masters conducted themselves, but he believed no one could be more magnanimous than Li Qingqiu.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu placed the green jade into his Storage Pouch and chatted with Bai Ning’er for a while longer.
After Bai Ning’er left, Li Qingqiu continued pondering how to reward him.
Bai Ning’er did not seek authority. His temperament was similar to Li Sifeng’s—he preferred descending the mountain to temper himself. Li Qingqiu could only reward him with cultivation resources, such as pills, to make him stronger.
After thinking it through, Li Qingqiu decided to raise Bai Ning’er’s cultivation benefits to the highest tier, placing him on the same level as Xu Ning and Zhao Zhen.
Such an arrangement would certainly invite criticism, but he intended to shoulder it personally.
He resumed practicing swordsmanship, planning to test the green jade again at night.
The sun set; the moon rose.
Night fell.
Li Qingqiu sat on his stone bed, turning the green jade in his hand.
Nangong E and Lin Chuan floated before him, examining the jade together. Not only that—behind Li Qingqiu, a black flood dragon soul drifted faintly. It was the Ghost Flood Dragon.
The Ghost Flood Dragon possessed Spirit Perception Realm strength, like Great Demon Luo, and also came from Ghost King Ridge. Ever since subduing it, it had transformed into black patterns attached to the back of Li Qingqiu’s right hand. Li Qingqiu had yet to use it in battle.
“There is indeed no aura of a ghost soul,” the Ghost Flood Dragon’s voice sounded, filled with curiosity.
Li Qingqiu said, “I will try first. Keep watch for me.”
Jin Lang, standing by the Spiritual Lake, also turned to look at Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu injected his Spiritual Sense into the green jade once more. This time, he did not resist the mysterious restrictive force within it.
He felt his spirit jolt. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself atop a cliff.
The sky was azure, the earth vast. Below the cliff stretched a chain of mountains—not steep, nor densely forested.
It was a place he had never visited.
Li Qingqiu was secretly shocked. He felt not only his consciousness had entered—he could feel his body’s existence and the flow of Vital Energy within him.
It was as if he had truly entered, not merely his consciousness.
“Fated one.”
An aged and drifting voice sounded from afar. Li Qingqiu turned to look and saw an old man seated on the cliff of a neighboring mountain. He wore a black Daoist robe and cloth cap, gazing coldly at him.
Li Qingqiu could not determine the depth of the old man’s cultivation.
“May I ask how Senior is addressed?” Li Qingqiu asked.
Although Bai Ning’er had said this person could not communicate, he still wished to try.
“You are somewhat stronger than the previous boy. You may call me Sword Champion. Defeat me, and you shall obtain the true transmission of the Supreme Sword Sect.”
The old man in Daoist robes answered. As he spoke, he slowly rose to his feet.
Sword Champion?
Li Qingqiu narrowed his eyes. He found that even his Storage Pouch seemed real. He took out a Clear Sky Sword, preparing for battle.
Sword Champion stared at him from afar, his gaze falling upon the sword in Li Qingqiu’s hand. “Your sword does not match you.”
Li Qingqiu replied, “Then let me see yours.”
Sword Champion raised his right hand, palm facing upward. In an instant, a fierce wind descended from the heavens, causing the forest below to sway violently. The cliff beneath Li Qingqiu trembled.
A streak of sword light descended from the sky and fell into Sword Champion’s hand.
Li Qingqiu looked at the sword and found that its shape resembled the green jade, only sharper and more imposing.
Once Sword Champion grasped the sword, his entire aura transformed. A domineering presence of unrivaled supremacy emanated from him, and his eyes grew razor-sharp.
Their gazes met.
Sword Champion suddenly stamped his foot and leapt forward. In a blink, he had already reached Li Qingqiu. Sword light illuminated Li Qingqiu’s face, and within his pupils seemed to reflect a chilling gleam.