Chapter 118

"First place in the second round, Cheng Xinzhan."

His name echoed once again throughout the city and the tower, and everyone cheered for him; dual cultivation of both swords was something they hadn't seen in a long time.

"Third round."

The voice of the Master of Huanzhu Tower rang out again. He paused, and countless flying sword cultivators within the city and the tower were eager to try.

"Flying sword round. Those who practice flying sword arts may enter. Those who wish to enter, draw your swords first."

The crowd was puzzled upon hearing this. Not ascending the stage, not entering a mirror, but drawing their swords directly?

"All swordsmen, land on the ground, then draw your swords toward the heights. The thirty-six who reach the highest point may enter."

The crowd was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

That was it. Even the magic sword competition had thousands of entrants, and the flying sword round would undoubtedly have even more. If they really had to compete by dueling, who knows how many years it would take.

A flying sword is meant to take a head from a thousand miles away; flying high and flying far are the simplest and most intuitive ways to select the best. It's just that flying high is harder than flying far; those who can fly a hundred miles away find it harder to fly even one mile high. With the whole city watching, flying high would reveal the results much faster.

Swordsmen on the pavilions jumped down one after another. Even those sitting on walls or steps jumped to the ground now. They didn't want to lose out on this, lest when it came time to judge height in the sky, it be said they had taken advantage of the ground.

It was like rain falling from Huanzhu Tower; thousands of people leaped down from all sides of the tall building, a truly spectacular sight.

Cheng Xinzhan, who had been standing at the highest point, also leaped down and landed directly at the entrance of the Haishi Restaurant.

Now, there was no one in the city who didn't know Cheng Xinzhan. The people around Haishi Restaurant all crowded over, and the mistress and her maid on the floor above naturally noticed him too.

Qingyu thought to herself, this Daoist Cheng is really quite decent. After taking first place in the second round, he just happened to land at the restaurant entrance. This could earn the restaurant quite a bit of fame; the wine tonight wouldn't be wasted.

Xiao Shiniang couldn't think about such things at all. She hurriedly got up and went downstairs, standing right at the entrance, looking out.

Qingyu was indeed quick-witted and observant. Seeing that Cheng Xinzhan was only standing at the entrance and not coming in, she immediately guessed something. She hurriedly took a chair from the stone cave and sent it behind Cheng Xinzhan. He thanked her and sat down. This wooden chair was made of an unknown material, emitting a faint fragrance that cleared the mind and brightened the eyes.

The maid returned to her mistress's side, took out an identical chair, and helped her mistress sit down. At this moment, Xiao Shiniang couldn't have been more satisfied with Qingyu.

Cheng Xinzhan took the gourd from behind his waist, pulled out the stopper, and a crimson sword light darted out.

"Taodu" hovered at his side.

The crowd roared with applause. Xiao Shiniang, like everyone else, clapped her hands. Sure enough, he was going to compete in the third round!

"Raise swords!"

The voice of the Master of Huanzhu Tower rang out.

Instantly, spiritual light shone, and ten thousand flying swords rose from the city, like meteors taking flight, like a waterfall flowing backward, like startled birds leaving the forest.

Tens of thousands of flying swords flew upward into the third heaven. The trails of the flying swords stretched a hundred feet long, and under the moonlight, they looked like a forest of spears.

Some flying swords were dazzling, their trails multicolored, chasing the clouds and the moon, like rainbows and neon.

Everyone watched this scene in a daze. The city was silent, with only the sound of fireworks exploding, but the fireworks could only add to the celebration and could not attract even a single glance.

Who in the world today doesn't practice flying sword arts? Even those not focused on the Dao of the sword carry one or two. At this moment, everyone controlling their swords contributed to this magnificent scene, but it was merely adding color. A thousand feet is a major threshold, and more than half failed to fly past it.

And after passing a thousand feet, the spectators could only gaze at the faint trails that were barely visible.

At this moment, the image in the Yingyue Mirror changed again, revealing the leading batch of flying swords.

The Master of Huanzhu Tower used the bright moon as a background, reflecting forty or fifty flying swords very clearly.

On a rooftop, the Bearded Immortal Li Yuanhua lay on the tiles drinking wine, while five people stood neatly under the eaves—the five high disciples of Shushan.

Their flying swords were naturally all in the mirror's image, but at the same time, they also discovered a familiar flying sword appearing in the mirror.

The other four looked toward Li Yingqiong. Indeed, that sword was of the Qin-Han style, the sword body crimson and curved like a willow leaf. Under the moonlight, even the ancient seal characters on the sword body could be seen clearly: the two characters "Taodu".

That sword was flying very high, among the top few, side by side with them.

Li Yingqiong had no expression on her face, but her eyes were overflowing with malevolence. As her thought moved, it showed in the mirror: a silver-white flying sword, also flying at the highest point, suddenly changed its trajectory and turned to strike at "Taodu".

The crowd was shocked. That flying sword was slender, with a blade but no hilt, as if it had no form or substance, appearing to be a mass of silver light condensed together.

Everyone knew this was Yingqiong's sword. It was the flying sword bestowed by her master after Yingqiong lost "Taodu" and returned to the mountain. It was forged entirely from a single piece of Taibai Geng metal. In terms of sharpness alone, it surpassed "Taodu". It was called,

"Taibai Zhirui".

"Taodu" was focused on flying high at the moment and truly didn't expect the sword at its side to suddenly attack. "Taibai Zhirui" was extremely fast, striking "Taodu" horizontally, causing the latter to spin and fly out dozens of feet, and the flying swords behind it instantly overtook it.

However, after "Taibai Zhirui" knocked "Taodu" away, it didn't take the opportunity to move upward, but instead attacked "Taodu" again.

Everyone saw this sudden scene and was a bit confused for a moment. This was competing for entry, not a sword duel!

But soon, those with quick minds reacted. These people's flying swords were sharp and peerless, rare treasures, but the sword masters' own willpower was insufficient. Just talking about flying high, they might not be able to beat ordinary flying swords.

But now someone had given a hint, and acted on it.

Wouldn't it work to just knock down other flying swords before running out of strength?

As long as only thirty-six flying swords remained in this sky, or even fewer, then no matter how low they flew, they could still enter!

Li Yingqiong didn't mean that, but others thought so.

And so, other flying swords also began to strike left and right. Some flying swords were knocked away and collided with others.

For a time, the flying swords that had been soaring high suddenly fell into chaos, clanging and clashing, and countless flying swords fell.

At this time, it formed a sharp contrast with the initial scene of ten thousand swords flying together: falling like rain, dropping like stars, dying like birds.

The flying swords fell into the city, causing gasps of surprise. At this time, the Master of Huanzhu Tower took action. All the flying swords that couldn't stop their downward momentum were supported by a gentle force, slowly placed into the city, and retrieved by their respective sword masters.

The Master of Huanzhu Tower's expression wasn't good, but he didn't stop it all either. After all, before drawing the swords, he hadn't said that one couldn't rely on dueling to compete for rankings.

Li Yingqiong hadn't expected her actions to cause such a commotion, but she didn't think much of it. At this moment, her only thought was to strike down "Taodu" and vent the resentment in her heart.

And Cheng Xinzhan, sitting in the chair, straightened his body. He was also completely confused. Who was this?

Did he look like a soft persimmon?

He controlled his flying sword and immediately met it head-on.

Seeing "Taodu" not dodging but attacking instead, Li Yingqiong's fighting spirit grew even stronger. "Taibai Zhirui" turned into a streak of white light, almost impossible to look at directly.

"Taodu" naturally wouldn't be outdone; golden solar Bing fire ignited on the sword body, and it charged straight up.

As the two swords neared, they each changed. "Taibai Zhirui" suddenly dispersed into a mass of Qi. This was the special feature of Taibai Geng metal: it had both metal and Qi states, changing as one wished, making it impossible to guard against.

"Taodu" missed, and "Taibai Zhirui" reformed behind "Taodu", flipped over, and slashed at "Taodu" again.

Suffering consecutive losses, "Taodu's" ferocity was also stirred up. The golden flames expanded and spread with a "Boom", turning the hundred-foot range centered on the sword body into a sea of fire, naturally encompassing "Taibai Zhirui" as well.

On the ground, Cheng Xinzhan changed his sword formula, and "Taodu" suddenly turned into a mass of fire, melting into the sea of fire.

"Ding!"

"Taibai Zhirui" was fiercely knocked over, sparks flying everywhere.

"Taibai Zhirui" wanted to escape, but it couldn't see "Taodu's" true form in the sea of fire. Under the solar Bing fire, and because fire overcomes metal, "Taibai Zhirui" found it difficult to perform.

However, "Taodu" wouldn't easily let it get away, following closely behind.

At this moment, "Taibai Zhirui" flew high again. Li Yingqiong didn't believe that the Eastern stubborn Daoist who practiced the Inner Dan Dao could surpass her in willpower, as she practiced the Primordial Spirit Dao. Once in the high sky, wouldn't it be hers to manipulate?

After suffering a loss last time, she also felt she had improved a lot.

A streak of white light and a streak of fire chased each other in the sky. Other flying swords couldn't dodge fast enough and wouldn't go looking for trouble. The two flying swords soon returned to the front and appeared in the Yingyue Mirror.

At this time, the height reached two thousand feet. Several other flying swords flew over to protect "Taibai Zhirui" in the middle, while the fire-blazing "Taodu" also attracted another flying sword.

A flying sword with a deep blue body and a snow-white hilt danced around "Taodu". When "Taodu" sensed it, the fire on its body also subsided.

Cheng Xinzhan's gaze narrowed.

"Yuepo"?

He looked at the other flying swords protecting that sneak-attacking sword. Their aura seemed related to "Taodu" and "Yuepo"; it seemed to be a set of flying swords.

He understood everything in an instant, and he also knew the identity of the owner of that white sword.

On the other side, everyone turned their eyes to Zhou Qingyun. Why didn't "Yuepo" go to protect "Taibai Zhirui", but instead stuck close to "Taodu"?

Zhou Qingyun was a bit incoherent. "No, it's not me, "Yuepo" went on its own."

She hurriedly changed her sword formula to control "Yuepo" to return. "Senior Sister Zhou is perhaps covering for me!"

Li Yingqiong said coldly. Taking advantage of "Taodu" retracting its fire and responding to "Yuepo", she suddenly controlled her sword to rush over and stab "Taodu".

"Taodu" had been hit three times, and "Taibai Zhirui" wasn't an ordinary flying sword. This blow directly dimmed "Taodu's" spiritual light, and a thin crack even appeared on the sword body.

And the thought attached to the sword by the sword master was also damaged.

"Hum!"

With a sharp, high-pitched sword cry, "Taodu" was completely enraged, and Cheng Xinzhan's anger flared as well!

His hand sword formula changed repeatedly, dancing into afterimages. The sword formula he used was the secret method recorded in the immortal scripture "Iron Crutch Li's Discourse on the Rapid Fire Sword Scripture" gifted by Master Canxia.

"Taodu" turned into firelight and instantly disappeared from where it was.

Having risen another thousand feet, Li Yingqiong wanted to duel again. After taking the opportunity to hit "Taodu", she wanted to strike while the iron was hot and gather momentum to attack again, but she suddenly lost "Taodu's" trail.

The thought she attached to the flying sword didn't find where "Taodu" was, and she looked at the Yingyue Mirror but didn't see it either.

"Clang!"

Li Yingqiong felt the thought she attached to the flying sword shake, knowing the flying sword had been hit, but no matter how she turned the flying sword or used her thought to probe, she couldn't see "Taodu's" trail.

=9+Shu_ba

Once, twice, three times.

The crowd saw in the Yingyue Mirror that "Taibai Zhirui" was being slashed and chopped in the air, clanging and sparks flying, but they couldn't see what was attacking it.

"Did you see it?!"

Li Yingqiong shouted.

The other three tried their best to probe with their thoughts, but they gained nothing. There were faint flashes of fire in the air, but they couldn't see where "Taodu" was at all.

It was the "Lihuo Sword Scripture".

Zhou Qingyun knew, but she didn't say it.

Watching "Taibai Zhirui" like a fish helpless in a dark current, the crowd couldn't help but feel anxious.

At this time, Little Zhuge Jingrui changed his sword formula, and the flying sword "Chusu" suddenly emitted a dazzling crimson light. The sword body turned and actually transformed into a huge red-headed centipede.

The red-headed centipede hissed, and hundreds of eyes suddenly split open on its head!

The hazy red light illuminated the four directions. "Taodu", which had been flying back and forth like a shuttle to slash at "Taibai Zhirui", slowed down after being hit by the red light, as if it had fallen into a quagmire, and its trail was seen by these people.

Because "Taibai Zhirui" had been hit repeatedly, the thought attached to the sword had been frustrated, reflecting back to her physical body, and Li Yingqiong's pretty face had long since turned pale.

Yu Yingnan had been watching with worry. Seeing the culprit finally revealed, she immediately changed her sword formula and controlled "Qingkou" to attack.

"Qingkou" turned into a snake shadow. Yu Yingnan was anxious to save her friend and pushed it with all her might. "Taodu" was restrained by "Chusu", and in the blink of an eye, it was difficult to dodge. The snake shadow bit straight onto "Taodu".

"Ding!"

With a cracking sound, "Taodu's" sword tip broke off!

"Taodu" was refined by Cheng Xinzhan's spirit. At this moment, the sword body was damaged, and he didn't feel well either. This was a bamboo body, and the damage to his thought didn't reflect back to his physical body, so he didn't vomit blood, and his complexion remained the same, but the headache and dizziness were not fake.

He was already extremely angry inside, but at this moment, there was no expression on his face.

"Since you all want to play, then try this!"

"Cock-a-doodle-doo—"

A rooster's crow sounded in the third heaven. Everyone was very surprised. Why, does Peacock City raise chickens?

Afterward, they realized the sound came from higher up.

"Taodu" turned into a white-feathered, red-crowned rooster.

The rooster crowed three times, and the centipede and snake shadow began to tremble.

Little Zhuge Jingrui and Yu Yingnan found it increasingly difficult to maintain the divine form of their flying swords.

The rooster crowed three times, and the east revealed light.

Only then did the crowd realize that after the body sword ascension and the magic sword tournament, this wonderful night had actually passed!

It was dawn!

The golden light of the eastern sun shone on "Taodu", as if soothing the scars on the sword.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo—"

The rooster crowed three more times, and the rooster's divine form spat out scorching solar Bing fire from its mouth. The golden flames turned into clouds, reflecting the golden sunlight.

Under such power, "Chusu" and "Qingkou" could no longer maintain their insect forms, and they turned back into sword forms with mournful cries.

"Taodu" also took the initiative to turn back into a sword form, with Bing fire burning on the sword body, impossible to look at directly under the sun.

Cheng Xinzhan once again performed the "Rapid Fire Sword Scripture". Under the morning glow, "Taodu's" speed was even faster. In just a blink, "Taodu" flew to the side of "Chusu". Having lost its sword tip, "Taodu" slammed into it fiercely.

In this strike, Cheng Xinzhan didn't hold back at all, and "Taodu" also released its anger to the fullest.

"Ding!"

One side of "Chusu's" sword body was instantly covered in cracks.

Little Zhuge Jingrui spat out a mouthful of blood, and "Chusu" fell from the air.

"Taodu" didn't stop, nor did it pursue, turning to chase "Qingkou".

"Qingkou" hurriedly fled, but how could it be faster than "Taodu"? "Taodu" rose above "Qingkou's" head, and under Cheng Xinzhan's full-force push, it slashed down from top to bottom onto "Qingkou's" sword body.

"Clang!"

"Qingkou" broke into two pieces and fell.

Yu Yingnan also spat out a mouthful of blood.

At this moment, "Taodu" turned toward "Taibai Zhirui".

And after witnessing "Chusu" and "Qingkou" fall, "Xuan Sha", which had been motionless, finally moved and protected "Taibai Zhirui".

On the ground, Li Yuanhua looked at Zhou Qingyun. He had no intention of investigating whether Zhou Qingyun knew this Cheng Xinzhan from Sanqing Mountain, but now, the four Emei disciples were all facing that young man, so Zhou Qingyun had to take a stand.

He would never allow Zhou Qingyun to have a wavering heart at this moment; he would never allow any Emei disciple to have two hearts.

Zhou Qingyun noticed Li Yuanhua's gaze, her heart full of bitterness.

From the first day she met Cheng Xinzhan, because of the grudge over the stolen sword, she knew that one day she would stand on the opposite side of him, but she never thought that day would come so quickly, so suddenly.

From the moment Li Yingqiong drew her sword, she had been thinking, and by now, she had also figured it out: she admired him. When they first met in the misty Mount Huangshan, hearing him recite poetry and describe the scenery, she had already felt admiration. After spending a few days together, she appreciated his conversation and conduct even more.

Later, she and her master, Master Canxia, saw the Horned Qilin ascend, saw the mountain terrain where the Horned Qilin gazed at the moon gradually recover its vitality, and saw the lake where the Horned Qilin bowed its head gradually become full.

She knew he had succeeded. Such a meticulous person would surely succeed.

She had hoped to meet him again.

She saw that Cheng Xinzhan was extremely happy on the magic sword field, and even forgot to hide it in front of Yingqiong.

She saw Cheng Xinzhan on the magic sword field and was happy for him, but there was also a trace of unease in her heart.

Until she saw "Taodu" among the flying swords in the city, she was very afraid.

And then, without any warning, Yingqiong took action.

But she had figured it out now. To him, she was a passerby; to her, he was a man who had suddenly broken into her heart. The palpitation was temporary. Perhaps after a long time, her heart would slowly harden, and the palpitation would naturally disappear.

But Mount Huangshan was her home, and Emei was her sect. The kindness was like the sea, and the slight palpitation in her heart was truly insignificant compared to it.

She moved her thought.

"Yuepo" protected in front of "Taibai Zhirui", side by side with "Xuan Sha".

If you're going to do it, do it well.

"Yuepo's" sword tip faced the oncoming "Taodu", and it rushed up.

Zhou Qingyun's hand sword formula changed, it was exactly,

"Iron Crutch Li's Discourse on the Kan Water Soft Sword Scripture".

The monthly ticket growth has been too fierce these past few days, and the support from book friends has been too great. I'm writing very happily, and here is a big five-thousand-word chapter. Thank you all for your support!

Continuing to ask for monthly tickets and recommendations, everyone is welcome to comment and leave messages!

(End of chapter)