Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 279, Round 3

"I wonder what grade this 'Nine Crow Sword' is?"

Immediately, some busybodies started shouting.

"This sword... must be a celestial artifact!"

Wu Su, with a stern expression, returned the Crow Nine Sword to Zhang Crow Nine: "If no one else draws their sword, the prize for this first match will belong to Zhang Crow Nine..."

After asking three times in a row, no one answered. Wu Su then tossed the 'Moon Soul Pearl' into Zhang Yajiu's hand.

Thank you.

Zhang Yajiu laughed heartily, casually stuffing the 'Moon Soul Pearl' into his pocket. He didn't seem to care much about this spiritual object, as if his main purpose for coming today was to forge a sword and make a name for himself.

In fact, he achieved his goal.

Those currently focusing on the Nine-Layered Jade Platform were not only the thousands of cultivators present, but also the tens of thousands of mortals on the shore…

Even in the Xuanxu Heaven, there are cultivators 'live streaming'...

It can be said that Zhang Yajiu's name will resound throughout the world after today, making him a first-rate swordsmith.

After Grand Marshal Wu Su left, the Grand Minister of Works stepped forward again: "The second match today is a contest of 'sword techniques'..."

"Please welcome all of you to perform a sword dance, and we will judge your skills... The prize is a 'Mysterious True Five Return Pill'..."

The Grand Minister of Works revealed a pill in his hand.

Its colors were vibrant and dazzling, and it also had a wonderfully fragrant aroma.

"The Mysterious Five Returns Pill? I've heard that this pill can increase one's origin and enhance supernatural abilities... Even a cultivator at the peak of the Dao Foundation stage would benefit greatly from consuming one when breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage."

The group of cultivators were all envious.

Fang Qing, as a pill refiner, also examined it and secretly shook his head: "Although it's an authentic product, displaying it in public and exposing its fragrance already diminishes its medicinal properties..."

This elixir is naturally inferior to the spiritual objects in the Purple Mansion that can assist in cultivating supernatural powers; it can probably only cope with the tribulation of extracting the essence of the physical body when the supernatural powers are about to be completed.

Even so, it is still of extraordinary value.

All elixirs require careful storage; they should ideally be kept away from wind and dust.

Once exposed to light, the medicinal properties begin to diminish.

Of course, since Li Lu wasn't involved, these spiritual items and elixirs were merely a prize from the Wu Kingdom for the cultivators, so they wouldn't care too much about them...

"Please take your seats, everyone, and witness the dance of the swordsmen of Wu..."

The Grand Minister spoke.

Many cultivators took their seats, and the original sword-wielding soldiers immediately stepped forward, lined up, and drew their swords. A chilling aura spread, and the entire place was filled with the cold light of swords.

"We, the swordsmen of Wu, only teach the skills of battlefield combat... In terms of bloodshed and danger, we can be ranked fourth... But in terms of the elegance of sword light and the agility of movement, we are only ranked sixth... Overall, we can be ranked fifth."

The Grand Marshal smiled and ordered the swordsmen to step off the stage: "Please welcome our heroes to the stage."

"I am Situ Lie of the Situ family, and my family heirloom is the 'Wildfire Sword.' I humbly request that you elders appraise it..."

Before he could finish speaking, a crimson sword light flashed.

When the sword light dissipated, a young man in black was seen on the platform. He had a high nose bridge and held a four-foot-long sword. As soon as the blade moved, a crimson sword aura shot into the sky.

On the stage, sword shadows danced continuously, like raging flames spreading across the sky.

"Very well, the Situ family are the lords of Black Mountain, and their family's swordsmanship is quite remarkable..."

Grand Minister of Works said, "Young Master Situ's sword, judging from its initial movement, the sound of the sword being drawn is like a dragon's roar, and there seems to be fierce fire hidden between the blades. When it first moves, the sword moves like the wind, and it burns the face when it brushes against it. The moves are unpredictable, like a wildfire spreading, which is in line with the Li hexagram... It's a pity that it's too fierce and doesn't achieve the balance of strength and gentleness. Otherwise, it could be considered a third-rank sword. Let's just call it a fourth-rank sword for now..."

"Thank you, Grand Commandant..."

Situ Lie, however, showed a look of joy on his face.

He certainly didn't intend to use his own sword technique to overwhelm all the talents in the world; he just wanted to make a name for himself in front of the three highest officials of the court. If he could be remembered even a little, he would benefit from it for the rest of his life.

After Situ Lie stepped down from the stage, another female swordswoman transformed into a beam of sword light, stepped onto the stage, and bowed: "Tao Yuanhong of the Purple Lightning and Azure Frost Sect, I've made a fool of myself!"

She wielded two swords, each strike as swift as wind and thunder, carrying the essence of yin and yang.

Fang Qing glanced at her a few times. Although the woman's sword dance was extremely beautiful, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Too ambitious... You're from a small, insignificant family, not even practicing the Great Sun and Great Yin, yet you dare to claim to regulate Yin and Yang?"

Even if it's just wind and thunder... without those two positions, no matter how exquisite the sword techniques and skills, the future is destined to be bleak...

"The swordplay is exquisite, and the concept is quite lofty; it can be considered a third-grade swordsmanship..."

The Grand Marshal remained unmoved, after all, this competition only focused on swordsmanship, and nothing else.

Clang!

After the woman left the stage, another zither melody began, its sound like flowing water amidst towering mountains, yet carrying the desolate feeling of autumn winds.

"Using the zither as a sword?"

The Grand Marshal laughed heartily: "This is quite a leisurely pastime..."

"This is the Ji family's 'Seven-String Invisible Sword Technique,' which conceals the sword within sound. I've long heard of its fame, and today I finally get to see it for myself..."

Yun Wuxin was equally excited.

Today's sword-fighting gathering will surely become the brightest memory in my youth, and even when I reach middle age or old age, it will still haunt my dreams from time to time.

Ultimately, this member of the Ji family was rated as a "first-class" swordsman, surpassing all others, and successfully obtained the "Mysterious Five Returns Pill".

"The final contest is about sword intent..."

The Grand Minister of Works withdrew, and the Grand Minister of Education stepped forward, his voice steady and profound.

"I have a treasure called 'Golden Wind and Fine Rain Picture'... You may enter by your sword intent. The one who stands out will receive the 'Autumn Mountain Scroll' from me."

"This... shouldn't be it, but with the Grand Minister personally vouching for it, and the prize being comparable to the 'Moon Soul Pearl' and the 'Mysterious True Five Return Pill,' it shouldn't be anything ordinary..."

Yun Jiadaoji laughed and said, "Why don't we all give it a try this time..."

Before the words were even finished, streaks of sword intent shot into the sky and entered the "Golden Wind and Fine Rain Picture".

Once this image is unfolded, a golden light spreads out, accommodating numerous sword intents without showing any damage. It is clearly a Purple Mansion magic treasure!

"As one of the three highest officials in the imperial court, it's barely acceptable for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage to wield a Purple Mansion magic treasure..."

"But isn't the righteous path a bit too wealthy? If the three highest officials of the imperial court all possess Purple Mansion Magic Treasures, they might get stolen..."

"After all, some True Immortals of the Purple Mansion don't even have magic treasures at their disposal, so they might not mind becoming bandits..."

Fang Qing did the same, bringing his index and middle fingers together to form a [Lou Jin] sword intent, which rushed into the 'Golden Wind and Fine Rain Picture'.

Countless golden winds, mixed with fine rain, swept in, cleansing the sword intent.

Splash!

As a result, almost 70-80% of the various sword intents instantly dissipated, leaving only a dozen or so barely holding on.

Four of them stood out particularly, and they must have been the four great sword immortals.

"Hmm!"

Beside her, Yun Wuxin covered her head, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

Not long after, the Yun family Dao Foundation cultivator gave a bitter smile, and his sword intent also dissipated...

"If I were to unleash my 'One Sword Breaks All Techniques' technique, I could easily win the prize... but I don't even want it, so why bother?"

Fang Qing glanced at the sword intents again, secretly calculating, then suddenly smiled and dispersed his own sword intent.

Whoosh!

At the same time, in the Golden Wind and Drizzle Painting, one sword intent after another collapsed, leaving only the last two.

One of them was as white as snow, crystal clear, and carried a chilling aura.

There was another one, which displayed seven colors and also emitted a faint black light.

Finally, with the last gust of golden wind and drizzle, the snow-white sword intent was finally broken.

"The one who is most affectionate and sincere, the one who is ruthless and heartless... In this round, the one who stands out from the crowd is Gongsun Qing."

The Grand Minister sighed, announced the conclusion, and then tossed a scroll of ancient painting to Gongsun Qing.

choke!

Just then, bells and drums sounded in unison, and the sound of jade chimes rang out.

"It is His Majesty."

The three officials quickly gave up their seats, and then they saw a young man sitting at the highest point of the nine-tiered jade platform.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The Wu Kingdom cultivators all bowed in greeting.

"The gathering of so many wise men today is a testament to the flourishing fortunes of our Wu Kingdom..."

Emperor Wu laughed and said, "I hereby appoint the three highest officials to select the best swordsmanship, the best sword technique, and the best sword intent, and have their names engraved on a monument so that their fame may spread throughout the world..."

"However, there is no first place in literature, but there is no second place in martial arts... If there is a sword fight, you may request to come up on stage."

Upon hearing this, many cultivators at the table couldn't help but turn their heads.

"The big one is coming..."

Fang Qing played with the jade cup in his hand, showing considerable interest as well.

These three dishes were just the opening act; the main event is yet to come!

How can sword cultivators determine who is superior without a life-or-death struggle?

This is the beginning of a grand drama of mutual destruction!

"Your humble servant is unworthy, but I beg to perform a joke for Your Majesty..."

Gongsun Qing stood up: "Young Master Yu...do you dare to challenge me to a duel over the ultimate sword?"

The battle between sword cultivators is not only about determining victory or defeat, but also about life and death!

"That is exactly what I wish for."

Gongzi Yu finished his drink and stood up, his hand on his sword.

In an instant, feathers fell from the sky, the river froze, and even the sound of the tide seemed to diminish.

Fang Qing manipulated the Dao Life Pearl with a wisp of his divine sense, controlling the puppet to enter the Profound Void Heaven, and his expression became somewhat strange.

Within the Xuanxu Heaven, there was also a light screen.

Many independent cultivators who were unable to enter the Nine-Fold Jade Platform were staring intently at this scene.

"Today's duel for the ultimate sword has actually begun between Gongsun Qing and Gongzi Yu?"

"Haha, the eight famous swords are long gone; now it's the four sword immortals vying for supremacy... I wonder if we'll see the Eighth Prince draw his sword tonight?"

……

In fact, it's not just Xuanxu Heaven.

Fang Qing silently sensed the surrounding void, and his gaze could even vaguely see strange real people sitting in all directions, calmly watching this grand event.

A thought struck him, and several plum blossoms fell, faintly forming a certain hexagram.

"The Four Min Sect Master has arrived! He's among the Purple Mansions in the Great Void!"

"It wasn't in vain that I joined the Four Extinctions Cult, forming a causal connection... and using 'Position Approaching the Abyss' to gather the fates of Four Extinctions Cult members like Yin Kaitian and Chu Chenguang..."

Even if a Purple Mansion True Man with divination abilities were here, it would be almost impossible for him to calculate the true form of the Four Extinctions Sect Master using these causal connections as a medium, as the power is still too weak.

But Fang Qing did it!

This is naturally due to the fact that by associating with the Dao Sheng Zhu's position, his divination abilities have been greatly enhanced!

"This cult leader is a big fish; he seems to know many ancient secrets... Now is the perfect time to force him to reveal his secrets, especially since True Lords are rarely seen!"