The fight has begun!
From the moment that sword’s cry echoed throughout Yashan, the entire originally quiet peak of Lingzhao immediately became lively.
Someone excitedly shouted, “Come out quickly! Uncle-Master Shen has drawn his sword against Uncle-Master Qu!”
“Quick, come out and watch!”
“They’re about to fight, hurry up!”
…
Jian Chou simply watched in stunned amazement, her gaze unconsciously turning toward the cliff face above.
On this stretch of cliff face, there were quite a few cave dwellings, some close together, some far apart. Many people had opened their doors and were looking down below.
This Yashan cliff face was practically a natural viewing platform!
Jian Chou finally understood.
Moreover, after this kind of incident occurred, everyone’s first reaction was actually to come watch the excitement, as if this had already become the norm. This rather surprised Jian Chou.
After assuming his stance, Shen Jiu’s entire temperament became wickedly arrogant, looking provocatively toward Qu Zhengfeng, who stood suspended in the air in the distance.
“I’ve heard that Senior Brother Qu has now reached the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage and can step into the Soul Separation stage at any time. Today I humbly request Senior Brother’s guidance!”
Having said this, the hand he had pressed against his waist finally slowly drew out.
A brilliant silver light was gripped in his hand.
That should be a sword, only Jian Chou couldn’t see clearly what this sword looked like—she could only see a large expanse of silver light.
As for Qu Zhengfeng, he was unhurried and leisurely, stepping on that “Sea Light Sword” he had once introduced to Jian Chou, completely at ease.
“Junior Brother, your temperament is too petty. You still need more practice.”
Heh heh.
More practice?
Lose a few more treasures and be played for a fool by you?
Shen Jiu refused.
He gritted his teeth, already imagining his Shuyue Sword in hand transforming into a cleaver, dismembering Qu Zhengfeng into eight pieces.
The hot blood flowing through his body suddenly accelerated.
Shen Jiu felt that unprecedented excitement, his eyes wide open, the silver radiance around his body growing even more intense.
Though it was daytime, he already seemed to have draped all the stars in the sky upon himself!
At the moment when that silver light blazed so intensely that people couldn’t look directly at it, Shen Jiu charged straight out, as if he too had transformed into a shooting star. That point of silver radiance had already reached Qu Zhengfeng’s eyes in an instant.
Qu Zhengfeng hadn’t expected Shen Jiu’s sword to come with such fierce momentum.
He was slightly stunned, then reacted, raising his sword to lightly block.
“Ding.”
An extremely ordinary sound that, after spreading out, struck the deepest part of people’s hearts!
That swift silver radiance was blocked back with precision!
“Not bad.”
Qu Zhengfeng flicked his wrist and praised.
This junior brother never sparred with him, only because he never drew his sword against those with higher cultivation than himself.
Qu Zhengfeng’s cultivation was above his, but he rarely made moves, so actually very few people knew his true strength.
Regarding Fudao Shanren’s seven disciples, they were Yashan’s greatest mystery.
Their master was not in the mountains year-round, and even when in the mountains only pointed out their confusion when they were most puzzled. The rest of the time, their cultivation relied on themselves.
So the seven people walked on completely different paths.
Perhaps they all had the same magical artifacts, but the same artifacts produced different effects when used by different people.
Everyone was clear about these seven people’s cultivation levels—Qu Zhengfeng was at Nascent Soul Peak, while Shen Jiu had just stepped into mid-stage Nascent Soul.
Only the cultivation level didn’t equal combat power.
On the surface, the highest combat power should be the fourth disciple, Shen Jiu, who frequently drew his sword in Yashan. Since he began drawing his sword, he had never been defeated. But some also said it was Fudao Shanren’s third disciple, that sword fanatic who spent 364 out of 365 days a year in closed-door cultivation, who might be the one with higher combat power.
As for Qu Zhengfeng, he was quite gentle, treating people and handling affairs like a spring breeze and rain. Few people thought about his combat power.
Only observant people noticed that Shen Jiu had drawn his sword against others, but had never drawn his sword against Qu Zhengfeng.
A match between mid-stage Nascent Soul and Great Perfection of late-stage Nascent Soul?
Almost everyone who understood was practically glowing with excitement!
Nascent Soul stage cultivators, when placed in the entire Nineteen Continents, were great figures who could sweep across entire regions. Even in a place like Yashan, they were considered exceptionally formidable. Nascent Soul stage cultivators could often cause mountains to collapse and rivers to be destroyed with just a gesture.
Now fighting only on Yashan, they definitely couldn’t unleash their full power; at most, it could be considered “sparring.”
However, even “sparring” was enough to make people’s hearts race with anticipation.
One silver, one blue—two streams of brilliant light began their fierce battle on Lingzhao Peak, soon landing on the Sword Drawing Platform.
Just right.
The more Shen Jiu fought, the braver he became, feeling as if all the anger and resentment in his heart were being poured into his techniques. The stellar radiance on the Wanxiang Battle Disc beneath his feet flickered frequently—each flicker represented his activation of a technique corresponding to a Dao Seal.
The silver radiance of that sword in his hand had never dimmed by half.
Compared to Shen Jiu’s grand and sweeping style, Qu Zhengfeng was much gentler.
When Shen Jiu attacked, he defended; when Shen Jiu advanced, he retreated.
Only between advancing and retreating, they gradually reached the edge of the Sword Drawing Platform.
Before him, Shen Jiu struck down with another sword from the air, the air even faintly crackling with lightning, all brought forth by this sword’s mighty force!
Qu Zhengfeng finally stamped his foot heavily, stone dust flying everywhere.
A dark blue battle disc suddenly appeared beneath his feet!
At this moment, Jian Chou, standing high on the cliff face, even widened her eyes!
A three-zhang radius battle disc!
Throughout the entire fighting process, Qu Zhengfeng had never revealed his battle disc, as if he was being considerate of something. At this moment, when he suddenly revealed his battle disc, the surroundings immediately filled with gasps of shock!
Jian Chou couldn’t help but recall that Fudao Shanren’s battle disc also seemed to be exactly three zhang…
She remembered that she had once asked Fudao Shanren about his cultivation. He said that three hundred years ago, he entered the world, and now he was at the Soul Separation stage.
Innate Battle Disc One Zhang.
Now at the Soul Separation stage cultivation, battle disc three zhang.
Then what about this Qu Zhengfeng, Junior Brother Qu?
His innate battle disc was unknown, but the Great Perfection of Nascent Soul stage with three zhang was undeniable!
There were only two possibilities: first, his innate battle disc exceeded Fudao Shanren’s; second, his current strength was equivalent to a Soul Separation stage cultivator!
Those who could see Qu Zhengfeng’s battle disc could naturally make the same judgment as Jian Chou.
Everyone found it somewhat hard to believe!
Even Shen Jiu, who was fighting with Qu Zhengfeng, cursed loudly: “Damn it, we’re all fellow disciples, and you’re still holding back!”
“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.”
Qu Zhengfeng’s voice carried a faint smile.
His sword tip pointed diagonally toward the ground, his battle disc rotating on the surface—it was precisely a pattern composed of seven dao characters, a Dao Seal!
As his words fell, that Dao Seal began to glow faintly.
A stream of light began from the first dao character, gradually moving to the second, the third…
In just an instant, the entire Dao Seal was illuminated!
Qu Zhengfeng’s figure swayed gracefully, as if among clouds and mist.
Being close to Qu Zhengfeng, Shen Jiu felt as if he could hear the sound of rolling waves, deep ocean currents gradually surging, making one feel peaceful and comfortable, as if his entire body and mind were willing to slumber in such gentle radiance.
…
If one looked from a distance, one could see that on the Sword Drawing Platform suspended on a single sword, towering dark blue radiance had already covered the entire platform. Qu Zhengfeng’s figure had long become blurred, while the silver light in Shen Jiu’s hand gradually weakened.
Jian Chou stared intently, already having a vague premonition in her mind.
Victory and defeat would probably be decided at this moment, right?
She saw that within the towering blue light below, the silver light that had already weakened suddenly blazed intensely, as if exploding, causing all the dark blue radiance in the sky to tremble.
However, it ultimately failed to break free successfully.
“Boom!”
When the two streams of radiance collided, a tremendous wave of air bounced outward from the Sword Drawing Platform toward all directions.
Upon sensing this wave of air, the mountain wall immediately emitted a misty azure light, rippling like water. That explosive wave of spiritual power then dissipated accordingly.
Everyone felt a gust of wild wind hit their faces. When they looked again, that silver light had already been thrown from the Sword Drawing Platform, crashing to the ground.
When Shen Jiu landed, he narrowly thrust the dimmed silver light in his hand into the ground, avoiding an embarrassing tumble, finally managing to steady himself with great difficulty.
He panted continuously, his face bearing a faint pallor.
He raised his eyes to look toward the Sword Drawing Platform.
High on the Sword Drawing Platform, Qu Zhengfeng stood with his hands behind his back, smiling: “To draw your sword against Senior Brother, Junior Brother Shen probably needs to consider your skill level.”
“Heh…”
Shen Jiu exhaled, slowly standing up. The silver light in his hand was absorbed into his body the moment he stood, disappearing without a trace.
“Under Yashan’s tutelage, who fears drawing the sword?”
His gaze suddenly became frighteningly bright, and the way he looked at Qu Zhengfeng became fervent.
“However, I didn’t expect that Senior Brother Qu was the one who had been hiding his true abilities all along. Being defeated by Senior Brother this time, Shen Jiu is thoroughly convinced. But next time… heh heh.”
“…”
Hearing that laughter, Jian Chou immediately buried her head, sighing.
Earlier, he spoke with such passionate fervor, but now how…
“Heh heh.”
A laugh almost identical to Shen Jiu’s suddenly rang out beside Jian Chou’s ear.
Jian Chou was startled, turned her head, and saw that at some unknown time, Fudao Shanren was already standing beside her holding a chicken leg, his gaze burning as he watched the events on the Sword Drawing Platform ahead, chewing constantly.
“Master, when did you arrive?”
Jian Chou had been completely unaware.
Fudao Shanren waved his hand, smacking his lips: “I came when they started fighting. I had no idea these two boys had improved over these years, especially that fool Zhengfeng—his battle disc dares to cultivate to the same size as mine! This is going too far! Going too far!”
Jian Chou was speechless.
Between Qu Zhengfeng and Shen Jiu, it seemed they had just fought this one match. After coming down, they even joked with each other, with no real problems at all.
She recalled the tense sword-drawing atmosphere when the two were fighting earlier, and found it marvelous.
Fudao Shanren spoke with quite a tone of someone with experience: “This is Yashan. You’ll get used to it.”
This is Yashan.
You’ll get used to it.
Jian Chou had already heard words with similar meaning more than once.
Yashan was indeed a very special place.
Watching Shen Jiu and Qu Zhengfeng walking back while bickering, she couldn’t help but laugh: “Speaking of which, I always feel that Junior Brother Qu seems… not so simple.”
“Nonsense.” Fudao Shanren recalled the past and felt simply agonized, “This group of fools, every single one has a rotten heart. Do you know why Master became an irresponsible master?”
“You know you’re irresponsible?”
Jian Chou was incredibly surprised that Fudao Shanren had such self-awareness.
Fudao Shanren nearly choked to death from this wretched girl!
How could he forget his constitution?
Every disciple he took in was no good!
This girl Jian Chou only looked honest on the surface—who knows, she might be just like that bastard Qu Zhengfeng, white on the outside and black on the inside, rotten to the core!
Thinking of his painful experiences taking disciples over these hundreds of years, Fudao Shanren couldn’t help but feel grief welling up from within, feeling that even his usually delicious chicken leg tasted like wax.
He silently stuffed the half-eaten chicken leg into his sleeve, and it disappeared.
Raising his head, he looked at Jian Chou with utmost seriousness: “Girl…”
As if he had something to say?
Jian Chou turned to look at him, puzzled: “Master?”
“Over these years, Master has taken these seven disciples, and basically without exception, they’ve all grown crooked.” Fudao Shanren was extremely grave.
Hearing this, Jian Chou’s eye twitched.
Fudao Shanren’s voice carried even more sorrow: “It’s all Master’s fault for trusting them too much, letting them develop freely. Ever since Qu Zhengfeng became a schemer, the disciples who came after really followed his example. Though they didn’t learn even two or three-tenths of his cunning, they’re not much different.”
Is that so…
Jian Chou silently recalled the “heh heh” laugh she’d just heard. Shen Jiu’s style was identical to Fudao Shanren’s!
So, who exactly are your disciples learning from?
Is it okay to push all the responsibility onto Qu Zhengfeng, the only one who seems relatively normal?!
Fudao Shanren paid no attention to Jian Chou’s nearly convulsing expression. He remained immersed in his sorrow, unable to extricate himself, incomparably melancholy.
“So, Master has now made a very important decision.”
Turning his gaze to her, he looked at Jian Chou seriously.
Jian Chou blinked.
Fudao Shanren said, “To prevent you from being led astray by them into becoming a crooked melon or cracked jujube, I’ve decided to personally teach you. I will make you the most outstanding female cultivator in all of Yashan!”
This…
Jian Chou had an urge to hold her forehead and sigh deeply.
She finally couldn’t resist reminding Fudao Shanren: “Master, I am Yashan’s only female cultivator.”
Without your teaching, no one could be more outstanding than her!
Fudao Shanren slapped his forehead, showing a look of sudden realization, and quickly corrected himself: “No matter, there can be another interpretation—that is, to make you the most outstanding person among this generation of Yashan disciples. Even being a female cultivator doesn’t matter. Later, you can beat down all seven of those fools! You can become a female cultivator who surpasses male cultivators!”
This time it was correct, but these words sounded wrong no matter how she heard them.
Jian Chou wanted to tell Fudao Shanren: With you around, the possibility of me growing crooked is much higher!
Unfortunately, Fudao Shanren couldn’t hear her inner cries.
Seeing Jian Chou’s expression, he thought his disciple was moved, and couldn’t help but sigh: “Rather than choose a day, why not today? Come with Master.”
Fudao Shanren flipped his hand and produced a black jade slip with the character “Scripture” carved on it.
He raised his hand and directly pressed this jade slip onto the wooden plaque hanging in front of Jian Chou’s room. The simple wooden plaque originally carved with the two characters “Jian Chou” suddenly transformed, ancient patterns spreading out, with three ancient characters “Scripture Pavilion” carved upon it.
Jian Chou still watched in amazement.
Fudao Shanren walked to Jian Chou’s door and directly pushed it open with his hand. The familiar door opened, but inside were not the furnishings Jian Chou had seen last night.
Pushing open this small door was like pushing open two giant gates!
Row after row of bookshelves were neatly arranged within the room, with a high dome decorated with crane patterns.
With one look, Jian Chou knew that when Fudao Shanren had pressed that jade slip onto the wooden plaque in front of her room, the space inside seemed to have changed.
Walking inside, Jian Chou looked around and knew that this space was truly vast beyond measure, with row after row of bookshelves extending endlessly. Each book, whether thread-bound, silk scrolls, or bamboo slips, had a faintly glowing jade slip floating in front of it.
“This is our Yashan’s Scripture Pavilion. The stronger one’s cultivation, the more things one can see here. Generally speaking, this Scripture Pavilion opens to Yashan disciples once a year, but since you’re newly initiated, Master is giving you backdoor access.”
Fudao Shanren didn’t explain about the jade slips, only paced proudly with his hands behind his back in this enormous Scripture Pavilion.
“With your Qi Refining stage cultivation, you probably can’t browse through much. I’ve thought about it—before sealing the disc and establishing foundation, it’s all just accumulating power, and you don’t need much guidance from me. The Scripture Pavilion is a good place for cultivation. Simply put, you should cultivate here in one go until you seal the disc and establish a foundation before coming out!”
Cultivate in one go until sealing the disc and establishing the foundation before coming out!
Jian Chou couldn’t help but widen her eyes, feeling that Fudao Shanren was joking with her: “Master, didn’t you say some people can’t establish a foundation even in three to five years? Am I supposed to stay in the Scripture Pavilion this entire time?”
“Three to five years is for mediocre talents.” Fudao Shanren rolled his eyes, “Like that Zhang Sui you encountered in the hidden realm of Qingfeng Nunnery—that’s the type. But how can you compare with them? You have a one-zhang innate battle disc that others would envy beyond measure, showing exceptional talent. You only need to cultivate quietly here, light up all the Kun lines you can light up, and then you can seal the disc and establish foundation.”
Is it that easy?
This is Foundation Establishment after all.
From what Jian Chou understood of the basic situation, Foundation Establishment also seemed to be a threshold. Far too many people couldn’t cross this barrier. Yet Fudao Shanren spoke of it as simply as eating and drinking, as if it were natural.
She then recalled what Shen Jiu and the others had said—in Yashan, the Cloud Ladder was for newly initiated disciples.
Indeed…
Is this truly Yashan?
Jian Chou began to understand somewhat why ordinary people couldn’t survive in Yashan.
“Our Yashan has always had high standards for taking disciples. It’s a place where geniuses gather.” Seeing Jian Chou’s expression, Fudao Shanren couldn’t help but speak to comfort her, “You are also one among these many geniuses. But having a genius alone cannot accomplish anything. The reason Yashan is Yashan is not only because we only want geniuses, but also because we only want down-to-earth geniuses.”
“This is not only a place where geniuses gather, but also a place where geniuses work harder than ordinary people.”
“I once told you that I dislike Kunwu’s Hengxu Laoguai. Besides being mortal enemies, he, like those under Yashan’s tutelage, deeply understands the principle that geniuses need to work even harder.”
This was quite a weighty topic.
Jian Chou hadn’t expected Fudao Shanren to have such a serious side.
After a long while, she finally nodded: “Disciple understands.”
“Good, that you understand.” Fudao Shanren squinted his eyes and said, “Rest assured, as long as you listen to Master and cultivate well. Your battle disc is one Zhang—if you can light up half of it, you’ll already be among the elite. If you can light up seven or eight-tenths, you’ll be able to defeat those seven fools outside in the future!”
“I never thought about defeating…”
No…
Jian Chou nearly let Fudao Shanren lead her astray. She paused to react, then quickly corrected herself: “Jian Chou has no such intentions toward the seven junior brothers…”
“Alright, alright, doesn’t Master know you well enough?” Fudao Shanren wore an expression of “I’ve seen right through you,” waving his hand dismissively like shooing flies, “Who knows who was just watching those two fools sparring on the Sword Drawing Platform with glowing eyes. Tsk, Master really should have used a Shadow Mirror to capture that for you to see if you’d still dare speak against your heart!”
“…”
Jian Chou raised her hand, unconsciously pressing the corner of her eye.
Her eyes were very beautiful, with elongated eye corners, colored slightly deeper than the surrounding snow-white lustrous skin, showing an unusual charm. Yet her pupils were crystal clear, giving a cold and piercing feeling.
Glowing eyes?
Really?
Jian Chou recalled the brilliant silver light and vast blue radiance on the Sword Drawing Platform, and couldn’t help but smile: “Perhaps.”
She didn’t know whether she yearned for a life of “drawing swords at the slightest disagreement,” only knowing…
At this moment, she had no reason to refuse Fudao Shanren.
In the Nineteen Continents, she needed to make herself strong.
There was no soil here for the weak to survive—everything needed to be spoken for with strength.
Different from others was that she didn’t only have the pressure of survival.
Xie Buchen, Nie Xiaowan, Xu Lan’er, Zhang Sui… even Fudao Shanren—one by one, they all made Jian Chou feel that she urgently wanted to become stronger.
Slowly lowering her hand, Jian Chou clasped her hands in front of her body and bowed to Fudao Shanren: “Jian Chou is willing to enter closed-door cultivation in the Scripture Pavilion. Before sealing the disc and establishing foundation, I will not emerge from seclusion.”