**The Next Day**
At the center of the Blue Soul group, there was a mountain peak called "Asked Dingshan." The mountain was bald and rocky, with a brown hue, and at its peak, there was a large, smooth area where several hundred "fencing stages" had been constructed. Each fencing stage was filled with sword marks. For countless years, many Blue Soul Sword cultivators had battled here, determining their ranks and even deciding matters of life and death.
In the early morning, as dawn broke and all things awakened, a rumbling sound suddenly echoed.
Boom—
A giant stone in four colors—azure, scarlet, white, and yellow—descended from the sky with a deafening roar, illuminating the surroundings with dazzling rays. It fell loudly onto Asked Dingshan! This sound caused the vegetation of the Blue Soul hills to tremble, and the birds took flight.
When the giant stone landed, it transformed neatly, radiating colors. It resembled four separate blocks of stone fused together, and in the center, there was a cavity filled with dense four-colored fog. The thick fog changed into the shapes of dragons, snakes, and birds, emitting roars and cries that resonated throughout Asked Dingshan.
"The Four-Pole Sword Stone has arrived!"
Laughter echoed through Asked Dingshan!
The four-colored giant stones divided the stage into eight regions, each area containing magnificent and grand locations. At this moment, the top figures of the Blue Soul Sword Sect were gathered in these places!
And without a doubt, the foremost sword cultivator, Ye Tiance, was leading today's proceedings. He sat in the most central position, shaped like a sword, with a nose that seemed to pierce through the air. His sharp eyebrows slanted upward, and despite his invisible stature, he radiated an intimidating aura.
Next to him was the third sword reverend, Wu Wu, a tall and strong character whose presence seemed to suppress the atmosphere around them!
It was evident how significant the Blue Soul sword cultivators were at that moment!
However, even Ye Tiance, a figure of such stature, revealed respect at that moment for an old man sitting in the central position on the stage.
This man, with golden hair like a lion descending from a mountain, had wrinkles on his face, but they couldn't diminish the dignity of his high rank.
"Ye Tiance, thank you for taking the time to visit the Blue Soul Sect, despite your busy schedule!"
"Thank you, Buddhist Elder, for bringing the Four-Pole Sword Stone!"
The crowd echoed their gratitude. They dared not look directly at the old man, filled with infinite awe. This was because the old Buddhist came from the Ten Thousand Swords Sea—a true sacred place for sword cultivators! It was a dream for ordinary sword cultivators to even approach it.
"Ye Tiance," the old Buddhist with thick eyebrows said, looking at the first sword, "even in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea, having a 'Tianquan' Sword Soul is supreme. Therefore, you should take this seriously and not make light of it."
"Buddhist Elder, rest assured, at least it is Yuheng." Ye Tiance nodded solemnly.
Yaoguang, Kaiyang, Yuheng, and Tianquan!
"Then let's proceed." The old Buddhist nodded with satisfaction. "I came to visit your Blue Soul Sect because I was interested in Ye Guying's progress. I hope I won't leave empty-handed."
"How much can you be certain of Ye Guying's azure advancement?" Ye Tiance also wanted to learn from him.
"90%." The old Buddhist stated shamelessly, and a happy expression appeared on his face as he sighed, "This child possesses a twin dantian, with supernatural powers reaching two levels. He can leap ranks to attack!"
"A sword cultivator's Sword Soul can differ, but it can also depend on Sword Gang, and even 'Sword Rings' to compensate. However, this twin dantian talent is extremely rare and precious. With this natural gift, he is bound to have a bright future in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea!"
The old Buddhist then touched his nose and said to the first sword, "Ye Tiance, you have a good teaching method."
"I dare not take credit; it is entirely due to the Buddhist Elder's recommendation and cultivation that Ye Guying has such an opportunity!" Ye Tiance replied humbly.
"Is it true that your Blue Soul is a paradise?" the Buddhists always said.
Ye Tiance smiled.
"Alright! First, I'll appreciate the heroic spirit of the Blue Soul disciples, and then witness the miracle of their birth." The old Buddhist also smiled.
"Congratulations to the old Buddhist, and congratulations to the first sword of reverence!"
In the central area of the catwalk, besides the highest point, many guests were present from the square. They were respected and popular figures from neighboring boundaries. Among them were:
- The head of Lingbao Pavilion, 'Qian Kun', a wealthy man.
- The island lord of Eastern Profound Island, 'Chen Yihai'.
- Another female figure wearing a veil, whose position is also quite high. It is said she is a flower cultivator, personally invited by Ye Tiance, named 'Yuexian'.
Although her appearance could not be seen, her exquisite figure and the mist surrounding her were striking.
In addition to these three, there were more than ten other honored guests!
They directed their attention towards Ye Tiance. Some admired Ye Tiance, while others revered the swords of Jianfeng, only nodding and smiling in response.
"Brother Ye, let's begin!" Qian Kun from Lingbao Pavilion said with a smile.
"I've heard that each generation of Blue Soul produces talented individuals. I, Chen Yihai, have come to take my seat early," he said, with a smirk on his lips.
He had inscribed the characters 'Sword Pavilion' on the armrest of his seat.
This center stage was clearly the region of the Sword Pavilion, yet it had become a guest area?
At this moment, Ye Tiance stepped forward and announced in a stern voice,
"The competition for seizing the sword will now begin! Eight swords enter the arena!"
Clang!
His voice resonated, suddenly causing the mist to swirl and push forth, with the sound of swords howling.
A buzzing sound filled the air!
Seven sword cultivator formations emerged from seven different directions, breaking through the clouds.
In the fog, young sword cultivators stood on six-foot-wide Sword Souls, rising vertically with the clouds, their governing swords soaring to the heavens!
Each formation comprised 120 sword cultivators!
With 120 Sword Souls, the astral energy broke through the vast sky, different Sword Souls stirred up various elemental strengths, causing the winds and clouds to agitate with thunder, cold, frost, and sleet!
They were sword immortals in the eyes of mortals!
With seven governing sword formations, there were a total of 840 participants.
This momentum could be said to be a total reverence for the first sword.
Qian Kun, Chen Yihai, and other guests commended the display, while the old Buddhist merely moved his lips slightly, refraining from commentary.
Whoosh!
The young Blue Soul sword cultivators governing the swords rose to the high ground, gathering uniformly before the stage.
Without Ye Tiance needing to say anything, they knelt towards the stage and proclaimed loudly, "Blue Soul sword cultivators pay their respects to the old Buddhist!"
"Get up!" the Buddhists gestured with their hands, clearly satisfied.
Ye Tiance observed with a smile.
"Which one is Jiang Yue?" the Buddhists asked.
"That one," Ye Tiance pointed to a female sword cultivator standing at the front of Jianfeng.
She was surrounded by a crowd of sword revering disciples, resembling a flower blooming amid the billowing clouds. She exuded confidence and met the old Buddhist's gaze without being arrogant or servile.
"Good!" the Buddhists nodded, narrowing their eyes with a smile.
"I hope you can impress the old Buddhist," Ye Tiance said with a smile, then turned to announce, "Let's begin the sword discussion!"
As the competition began, the sword stones were placed in the arena.
A series of movements commenced!
"There are still some people missing," Wu Wu said quietly beside him.
"Are they retreating?" Ye Tiance asked coldly.
"They're coming," Wu Wu replied, looking in a specific direction.
There, more than ten people appeared, led by a stunning woman in a black dress. Despite her youth, she carried herself with a commanding presence, leading her group straight toward the stage.
Ye Tiance and Wu Wu exchanged glances, each gripping their swords as they prepared to face the sixth Sword Reverence master, Yao Manxue. Yao Manxue, dressed in an ice-blue sword robe, emanated a heavy, cold aura. She was the elder sister of Yao Qingqian.
"Stop right there!" the three blocked the path of the Sword Pavilion members.
"Zhao Xuanran, restrain yourself!" Wu Wu roared, glaring at the woman in black.
"Me? Restrain myself?" Zhao Xuanran's eyes glinted with frost. "You force others to bow to the so-called Blue Soul teachings, trampling on the very honor of the Blue Soul lineage, and dare call me reckless?"
"Silence!" Ye Tiance's gaze was piercing.
"What would you know?" Yao Manxue scoffed. "This monk from the Ten Thousand Swords Sea is so powerful that even your father would bow to him."
Zhao Xuanran clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms, blood pooling in her eyes. Forcing members of Blue Soul to kneel—this was a disgrace. The Sword Pavilion members looked on with rage; the elders at each of the Seven Sword Peaks were aghast. Sword Pavilion's one place of honor had been given to a stranger, forcing them to stand aside.
Ye Tiance, with a wave of his sleeve, turned away. "The head of Blue Soul is not here; we swordsmen are in charge, and this decision was made by the heads of all seven swords. Any who resist—cut them down!"
With a vicious smile, Wu Wu looked back at the Sword Pavilion members. "Don't forget what happened the other day. Withdraw from the contest, and dissolve the Sword Pavilion if you value your lives." He and Yao Manxue then swaggered away.
"Young Lady," an elderly man, Grandpa Qin, held Zhao Xuanran back, his face pale. "Today, we must swallow our pride. If we endure, the Sword Pavilion may survive another year…"
Though filled with resentment and anger, his words were like cold water, extinguishing her fury.
He was right. They had to endure. If they could vent their anger, who wouldn't? But she looked at the young disciples behind her—innocent and willing to stand firm. To protect them, she had to hold back.
Zhao Xuanran unclenched her fists and sighed bitterly. Her hand instinctively reached for her waist, only to remember she hadn't brought any wine. She thought of someone…
Turning her head, she saw a young man in white watching her. When their eyes met, he smiled, calm and gentle. His smile, like sunlight, eased her heavy heart, illuminating the darkness within.
Even in a world overrun by demons and danger, this young man seemed like a lotus blooming in the mud—untouched, with a pure heart.
Little did she know, many from the first, third, and sixth Sword Peaks were watching him as well.
"This is the youth from Sword Pavilion, isn't he?"
"Yes, he's also supposedly a disciple of the Pavilion master. One day, he'll face him as a rival in the sword arts."
"If he crosses us, we'll crush him without hesitation."
The second, fourth, fifth, and seventh Sword Peaks, however, stayed quieter.
"Get ready for battle!"
The call to arms electrified the disciples who would be competing.
Grandpa Qin gave his final advice to the eight disciples entering the contest. "Remember what I said—if you face someone too strong, withdraw immediately."
"Yes, sir," Cai Maomao, Qin Tong, and the others replied reluctantly.
"Children! Over the past three years, we have lost too many young lives defending the Pavilion's honor. Now, you eight are all that's left. This time, I don't want to see the elders mourning the young..." Grandpa Qin's voice wavered.
As long as they entered the competition, the Pavilion could survive another year. To fight was to live; surrender meant survival.
"Especially you, Yun Xiao, do you understand?" Grandpa Qin asked sternly.
Yun Xiao was looking at the dazzling Sword Stone for a while, not quite listening.
"Yun Xiao?" Grandpa Qin repeated.
"Oh, yes, yes! I'll do it." Yun Xiao nodded hurriedly. "I'll make sure to withdraw."
"No, I mean I want you to withdraw at the first sign of trouble," Grandpa Qin emphasized.
"No problem, I'm used to forfeiting anyway." Yun Xiao replied.
"Used to it??" Cai Maomao muttered, embarrassed. "Junior Brother Yun, you can only forfeit once."
"Understood!" Yun Xiao nodded.
"Do you even know the rules?" Cai Maomao asked.
"I practiced my sword all day yesterday and didn't have time to study them," Yun Xiao answered.
"There's not much to understand—just forfeit if things get too intense," Grandpa Qin said, still worried.
Yun Xiao turned to Cai Maomao. "So, how does this work?"
"There are two parts: first, the Sword Trial, then the Contest," Cai Maomao explained.
"What's the Sword Trial?"
"The Sword Trial is a one-on-one battle to earn points and personal rewards! Over 800 sword cultivators will be split into 22 rounds on more than 400 stages."
"Twenty-two rounds? So, first place could take ages," Yun Xiao muttered.
"No, the Sword Trial has a time limit of half an hour. Whoever defeats their opponent fastest moves to the next fight! At the end of half an hour, the top 100 are ranked by sword points."
"Sword points?"
"Right. You get points for each opponent you defeat," Cai Maomao explained.
"Do we all start with the same points?" Yun Xiao asked.
"No, they vary. Initial points depend on strength—one for a beginner, two for someone at peak Longquan, three for those at Fixed Realm, and five for Divine Sea Realm."
"So I start with three points?" Yun Xiao guessed.
"No, you start with ten," Cai Maomao said.
"Why?"
"Because you're a Pavilion disciple. Beating you brings extra points to your opponent."
"In that case, if I never lose, I keep my ten points and rank at the top?" Yun Xiao asked.
"Exactly," Cai Maomao nodded.
"In short: half an hour. Whoever wins the most is the Sword Trial champion!"
"What's the reward for the first-place winner?" Yun Xiao asked, always practical.
"There are lots of rewards for the top 100, but—"
"Just tell me the reward for first place," Yun Xiao interrupted.
Grandpa Qin reminded him, "I said you should forfeit…"
"Just say it," Yun Xiao pressed.
"The skull of a thousand-year-old monster sovereign and 20 Longquan pills," Cai Maomao said, barely containing his excitement.
"Raised the stakes again?"
"Yes…" Cai Maomao forced a smile.
The "Millennium Monster Sovereign"? Yun Xiao knew the concept well. Across the entire northern desolate region, it was said that this title belonged to the most fearsome of all monsters. Three years ago, tens of thousands of evil spirits had forced the head of Blue Soul to shatter his sword—a sword broken by none other than the reigning monster sovereign.
The skull they were fighting for today was from a past monster sovereign. Though not the current one, it was likely the remains of a legendary elder from the same line.
"This is Blue Soul's most prized relic, even more valuable than a Divine Sea pill," Cai Maomao explained with a shrug.
"I see." Yun Xiao thought. They were really going all out for this? And this time, it wasn't anyone's personal possession but the property of Blue Soul itself.
"The Eight Swords Contest is a battle for treasure today, but tomorrow, it's a battle for honor," Cai Maomao remarked, a sense of awe in his voice. "The sword trials are for personal glory, but the contest is for the honor of each Sword Peak."
"How exactly is the contest for honor?" Yun Xiao asked casually.
"It's an all-out war," Cai Maomao replied with a shiver.
"An all-out war?"
"Every lineage against every other," Cai Maomao explained.
"Wait," Yun Xiao looked around, noticing the small group of Sword Pavilion members and then the large group of disciples from the other Sword Peaks. "Eight of us against…120 of them?"
"No," Cai Maomao shook his head, and Yun Xiao felt a bit relieved.
"It's actually just you—taking on 120 people. And they're the top disciples of each Sword Peak," Cai Maomao added.
"What?! Why?" Yun Xiao asked, stunned.
"Because the seven of us are forfeiting to save our lives. Taking part in the sword trials is one thing, but the full contest would be suicide for us. As long as we participated in the sword trials, Sword Pavilion's honor is safe, and we won't need to fight tomorrow," Cai Maomao explained.
"Fine!" Yun Xiao gritted his teeth. "And you said the contest was about honor—what kind of honor are we talking about?"
"The Sword Peak rankings for this year will determine the resources each sword lineage will receive over the next year. The higher the ranking, the better access they'll have to compound elixirs, monster bones, valuable armor, sword techniques, mystical arts, and other essential cultivation resources. So, in a way, they're fighting for themselves, too," Cai Maomao added with a hint of regret.
"And… there's something even more important?" Yun Xiao asked, noticing Cai Maomao's heated gaze.
"The Blue Soul Cauldron," Cai Maomao replied.
"The Blue Soul Cauldron?"
"Look over there," Cai Maomao pointed to a massive blue cauldron near the four sword pillars. It sat prominently in the center of Dingshan, ancient and sturdy, its presence commanding respect from all who gazed upon it.
"It's a rare artifact," Cai Maomao explained with admiration. "The Blue Soul Cauldron is the most sacred artifact of the Blue Soul Sword Sect, a supreme magical tool! It has the power to gather Spirit Qi, so wherever it's placed, that lineage experiences a surge in Spirit Qi—several times more than others!"
"Once a year, the winning Sword Peak gains the right to keep the Blue Soul Cauldron," Yun Xiao narrowed his eyes, thinking it over.
"Exactly," Cai Maomao sighed. "Here's what I didn't tell you. Blue Soul is actually an alliance of eight great powers. But the Blue Soul Cauldron originally belonged to our Sword Pavilion; eventually, we shared it with the sect. For nearly 100 years, it was exclusively ours. That was until three years ago when the First Sword Peak took it over. Now you can see why Ye Tiance and his group are so ambitious."
"Got it," Yun Xiao replied, a storm brewing in his gaze.
"Junior Brother Yun, I'd encourage you to take part in the sword trials if you like—they're helpful for your training—but stay away from the main contest," Cai Maomao said firmly.
"Why?"
"Last year, Senior Sister Zhao won first place in the trials but felt discontent and entered the main contest," Cai Maomao explained, clenching his teeth.
"She lost?"
"How could anyone stand against 120 fighters alone? That kind of strength is unnatural," Cai Maomao replied, taking a deep breath, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "Besides, the main contest has a 22-part elimination series. In the first round, the last-place peak fights the reigning champion First Sword Peak. If we join, we'd be up against the strongest right from the start."
"Was she injured?" Yun Xiao glanced at the woman in the black skirt nearby.
"Yes, badly. She was out of training for six months and still bears lasting wounds," Cai Maomao said softly.
Yun Xiao knew Zhao Xuanran carried many scars. He hadn't seen another woman with so many marks from battle.
"Distribution of the sword points has started!" Cai Maomao suddenly announced.
Sword points, a basic magical technique, formed glimmering lights like fireflies surrounding each participant.
Cai Maomao had one sword point. Yun Xiao, ten.
At the same time, Yun Xiao received his number for the sword trial stage: 3rd.
"Mine's 250," Cai Maomao said with a wry smile.
"I'll be way ahead of you," Yun Xiao noted. "Remember, surrender immediately."
"Do I look like the kind who values his life that little?" Cai Maomao rolled his eyes.
"Those guys will definitely try to taunt and shame me, pressuring me to fight. But I want to live!"
In his eyes, though, there was a trace of sadness. He didn't fear death—he feared that on the day his elder brother's spirit returned, it wouldn't find its home.
Whoosh!
At that moment, there was an uproar in Dingshan.
"Jiang Yue, 30 sword points?"
"She's not a Tang, how could she have such a high starting value? It's unfair!"
"I heard it was decided jointly by the seven major sword sects."
"With a higher sword point, the enmity grows larger. If someone defeats her, it's equivalent to defeating 30 Longquan in the later stages!"
"The issue is, who dares? There's only one youth in the Blue Soul, in the Sword Pavilion!"
"That's true."
"Okay, we can't compare ourselves to Jiang Yue's abnormal level of talent."
In the crowd, Jiang Yue's talent stood out!
Her 30 sword points radiated brilliantly, captivating everyone's gaze, drawing admiration.
"For an extraordinary person like me, who would dare to fight?"
Her eyes glimmered like frost, and she smiled confidently, relishing the moment.
"Start the sword competition! Everyone, head to the fencing stage!" Ye Tiance announced loudly.
With that, anticipation filled the air.
Everyone had their serial numbers for the initial fencing stage.
Yun Xiao was assigned to No. 3 fencing stage!
Defeating his initial opponent would allow him to fight others freely, seizing more sword points!
The limit was half an hour!
This rule was quite fierce.
Countless blood bubbles surged to the brim.
Thud! Thud!
Over 800 participants were scattered across more than 400 fencing stages.
Cai Maomao was very far from Yun Xiao.
He ran for half the day and finally found his position, jumping up.
Suddenly!
A cold gaze fell upon him.
Cai Maomao felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
"Are you a disciple of the Sword Pavilion?" A cold voice echoed from a female figure.
She looked at Cai Maomao through his sword robe and judged him.
Cai Maomao raised his head with difficulty.
Before him stood a young girl surrounded by a sword aura, her entire body emanating frost.
"Jiang Yue?!"
Cai Maomao trembled all over.
At that moment, Ye Tiance announced the start of the sword competition!