Jinling Yao Family, Grand Gathering Opens

"Indeed, he was a descendant of the Jinling Yao Family."

Situ Qin said casually:

"Yao Tianchuan was sent to the Hidden Sword Pavilion to learn swordsmanship from childhood. His cultivation advanced at a breathtaking pace, and he broke through to the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm at twenty. He was hailed as the most promising young man of this generation of the Jinling Yao Family.

"At the Jinling Hidden Dragon Gathering at the beginning of the year, he had only just broken through. Judging purely by moves, he defeated a Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm swordsman by half a move, and his fame soared."

Xie Yuan thought for a moment before finally recalling where he had heard that name.

It had been this very tournament. The news had spread like wildfire then, and even now, people still discussed it from time to time.

Especially after the Hidden Sword Pavilion intended to ascend Yunshan Mountain to seek the Dao, and the two sects set a date for the Cloud Mountain Sword Discourse, Sword Sect disciples often spoke of the Hidden Sword Pavilion's outstanding disciples. Someone had mentioned both this man and this matter.

Yao Tianchuan had only just come of age this year. At the beginning of the year, he had broken through to the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm, and the moment he did, he displayed his prowess at the grand gathering of Jiangnan's younger disciples.

A newly advanced Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm martial artist defeating someone at the Second Transformation Realm—even if it was only in terms of moves—was still extraordinary. Many moves could only be comprehended and used at higher realms. Having just broken through, defeating someone at the same realm should already have been difficult, yet he had actually crossed realms and won. Thus, he became famous in a single battle.

Over the following half year, he traveled through Jiangnan and fought nineteen consecutive sword matches. Every opponent was an expert of the same realm—some were rising talents of his generation, while others were seniors renowned for many years. He suffered not a single defeat, winning battle after battle. His name spread far and wide, to the point that even martial artists of Cloud Province had heard of him.

Many senior Grandmasters lavishly praised Yao Tianchuan's talent, believing that becoming a Grandmaster was as certain as a nail driven into a board. It was even possible that he would one day become the foremost figure of the Yao Family and break through to an even higher realm.

Many also believed that once he reached the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm, he would certainly enter the Hidden Dragon Ranking—just as he had displayed such astonishing brilliance immediately after breaking through to the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm.

After half a year, how far was he now from the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm?

As Xie Yuan recalled Yao Tianchuan's achievements, his heart grew faintly solemn.

Judging by his combat strength, that Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm disciple of the Yunshan Sword Sect had almost no chance of victory.

He pondered, then said:

"Yao Tianchuan possesses the strengths of both the Jinling Yao Family and the Hidden Sword Pavilion. He cannot be regarded as an ordinary sect disciple. His record indeed proves as much."

"He had genuine skill. He was as crazed over martial arts as if possessed, addicted to them by nature, and possessed considerable perseverance. He was unlike those other children of great families. For the Jinling Yao Family to produce such a young man, they truly ought to treasure him."

Situ Qin said it offhandedly. Though she praised Yao Tianchuan, she did not seem to care much.

Xie Yuan nodded slightly. From nineteen formal sword matches in half a year alone, Yao Tianchuan truly possessed the air of a martial arts fanatic. On average, he fought three matches a month, practically without stopping for breath.

Moreover, every challenger he faced was a renowned expert or outstanding talent from across Jiangnan, none of them insignificant nobodies. Yet he still achieved nineteen straight victories. Such a record was enough to leave people dumbstruck.

He simply did not know how a child of a great family could be so obsessed with martial arts. Enjoying martial arts was normal; being addicted to them was truly rare.

The Jinling Yao Family was one of the Eight Great Families. Yet in recent years, it seemed somewhat quiet. Not much news had been heard of them; at least, few people on Yunshan Mountain or below it discussed them.

"Why didn't the Jinling Yao Family teach their own disciples? Why send them all to the Hidden Sword Pavilion to learn swordsmanship?"

Xie Yuan asked.

Situ Qin revealed a mocking smile:

"They were forming an alliance and looking for someone to lean on. During the Eight Gates Rebellion back then, they were among the ones jumping about the most wildly. Afterwards, my Madam personally came knocking... and they also died in the greatest numbers. Several Grandmasters were gone, and their strength was greatly damaged.

"They have behaved themselves much more these past years. They have also been actively reaching out to sects and families around Jinling, building friendly ties so others would not take advantage of their weakness and move in.

"East Lake is not far from Jinling, so naturally it was where they invested the most thought. On top of that, their relationship had been good before, so they directly sent all their talented disciples to the Hidden Sword Pavilion. Yao Tianchuan was the one who had amounted to the most these past years. He was probably even carrying the burden of reviving the Yao Family."

Xie Yuan fell silent for a moment. Whenever the Eight Great Families came up, Situ Qin's past was unavoidable.

But given their relationship, he did not need to avoid the subject. He merely sighed and said:

"Should I not have asked so much?"

"What does that matter!"

Situ Qin blinked.

"They are all old tales, like stale sesame seeds and rotten millet. I have been too lazy to think about them these past years. As long as they do not come provoke me, I will not bother with them either. It is all the same to me."

Hearing Situ Qin speak so freely, Xie Yuan relaxed slightly. He had also feared that she remained tangled in the events of that year, leaving her heart heavy and depressed. But judging from her temperament and conduct, she had clearly come to terms with it herself.

Yet how could there not be helplessness and compromise within that?

Who were her enemies? The Eight Great Families together? Even the number one martial artist under heaven, or the reigning supreme ruler, would have no possibility of completely uprooting these thousand-year-old families. One family alone would be difficult, much less eight. In a certain sense, the Eight Great Families were the entire Central Plains.

Or perhaps her enemy was the current emperor? But he was also one of her few remaining relatives. The emperor had indeed shown Xue Minghe great appreciation and trust back then. He was Xue Minghe's elder blood brother, Situ Qin's great-uncle. Could she truly seek revenge against him? Even if she wanted to, how could killing an emperor be easy?

There was no way around it. Better not to think about it.

A faint tenderness rose in Xie Yuan's heart for Situ Qin, but then he heard her giggle.

"Still, Chief Escort Leader Xie is always thinking about my feelings. You truly are such a considerate man~"

Xie Yuan's tenderness was diluted by her half-joking, half-teasing words. He said irritably:

"Just average!"

Situ Qin blinked, and softness shone in the depths of her beautiful eyes.

Yet she did not pursue the matter. Instead, she looked Xie Yuan up and down and smiled.

"Chief Escort Leader Xie, I nearly forgot—I have not congratulated you on breaking through to the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm!"

Xie Yuan seriously cupped his hands.

"I have you to thank for those three Blood Dragon Pills. Otherwise, I could not have broken through so quickly."

"The Qi and Blood Transformation Realm may not be exceedingly difficult, but it is hardly simple. Accumulating Blood Qi truly takes some effort, while transforming it and breaking through the barrier requires even more insight from the cultivator. Chief Escort Leader Xie, your swift breakthrough was also thanks to your own exceptional talent and diligent cultivation. External things cannot turn a mediocre person into a genius."

To be honest, although she had given him three Blood Dragon Pills, Situ Qin had not expected Xie Yuan to break through so quickly.

The three Blood Dragon Pills should have been enough to accumulate Blood Qi, but one could remain stuck at the barrier of a major realm for any length of time.

After Xie Yuan successfully comprehended the Cloud Dragon Step, Situ Qin had reassessed his talent, but she had still thought it would take some time.

Yet after not seeing him for just one month, he had broken through?

Situ Qin looked as though she were all smiles, but inwardly, she raised her guard.

He will not surpass Chief Escort Leader Xie, will he... No, I need to train harder too!

Situ Qin seemed playful and fond of food, warm and easygoing, easy to get along with, but deep within, she was immensely proud.

Her background and her talent would not allow her to fall behind anyone—not even Xie Yuan... no, not even him!

Xie Yuan did not know that seeing his breakthrough to the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm had left Situ Qin astonished and alert, secretly determined to work harder.

For some reason, he always seemed able to stir up those around him.

"Miss Qin is right. Then I shall not stand on ceremony. To have achieved what I have today, it truly was mainly due to my own sweat and effort."

After hearing Situ Qin's praise, Xie Yuan cupped his hands and said so.

Situ Qin burst out laughing and scolded:

"Shameless!"

Xie Yuan chatted and joked with her for a while. Seeing the time, he bade her farewell and left.

He did not have much free time these two days. The entire sect was bustling about, preparing for the grand gathering.

Autumn Equinox Day.

A large group of swordsmen dressed in blue robes patterned with rippling water, each carrying a sword at the waist, appeared outside Yun Mountain Town beneath the faint morning light.

Martial wanderers throughout the town and its surroundings had long been waiting there. They silently watched the swordsmen of the East Lake Hidden Sword Pavilion, their eyes either feverish or reverent as they gazed at the black-faced middle-aged man at the front: Wei Dong, fifth on the Soaring Dragon Ranking and master of the Hidden Sword Pavilion.

He appeared to be a man in his thirties or forties, but he was actually already past fifty. His cultivation kept his Blood Qi vigorous, concealing his true age. Only his sharp eyes and the naturally imposing aura around him made it immediately clear that his identity was anything but ordinary.

Although Yun Mountain Town was packed to bursting, the road to the mountain gate had long been voluntarily cleared. No one dared block the way at such a time.

With every step Wei Dong took, people inside and outside the town heard the faint sound of ocean tides rising. At first they paid it no mind, but later they whispered among themselves and exchanged remarks, only to discover that everyone had heard it. The range seemed to cover this entire area, and they could not help staring in horror at this Grandmaster of the Soaring Dragon Ranking.

His cultivation art stirred heaven and earth, unable to be restrained even as he walked. Could it be that he had truly touched the Harmony Realm?

Wei Dong led the Hidden Sword Pavilion disciples through Yun Mountain Town to the mountain gate of the Yunshan Sword Sect, where he saw a silver-haired young man waiting.

This young man possessed a gentle, refined bearing and a face like carved jade, utterly different from the stern, dark-faced Wei Dong.

He looked barely twenty, yet his temples were silver-white and his gaze deep as though it contained a sea of stars. Clearly, he was not truly young.

"Sect Leader Li, I have troubled you to personally descend the mountain and receive us. You are too courteous."

Wei Dong cupped his hands and spoke in a deep voice.

Li Xingtuo laughed freely and returned the gesture.

"Pavilion Master Wei has come from afar. How could Li fail to offer a proper welcome? Come, Pavilion Master Wei. I shall lead you up the mountain."

The Hidden Sword Pavilion disciples behind Wei Dong all held their heads high as they walked, their bearing extraordinary and carrying the pride of disciples from the foremost sword sect under heaven.

Yet upon seeing Li Xingtuo, they all restrained their auras and lowered their heads slightly.

He was ninth on the Soaring Dragon Ranking, one of the few greatest swordsmen in the world.

Among those who wielded swords, few could keep their heads raised in the presence of the Yunshan Sword Sect's leader.

Li Xingtuo and Wei Dong ascended the mountain side by side. Along the way, Li Xingtuo pointed out the sights of Yunshan Mountain and cited classics and historical tales, all stories of swordsmen and heroes from ages past.

Though the two sects had often held sword matches, this was the first time, at least during the period in which these two led their respective sects, that their leaders had exchanged pointers and one had personally come to Yunshan Mountain.

What this signified was endlessly debated throughout the martial world of the Great Li Dynasty.

When they reached the summit of the main peak and saw Sword Peak piercing straight into the heavens, Wei Dong's previously calm expression abruptly stiffened. His pupils contracted, and only after a long pause did he say:

"Fine sword."

Li Xingtuo smiled faintly. Pointing at the arena that had long been erected and the elevated platform beside it, he extended a hand in invitation.

"Pavilion Master Wei, shall we take our seats?"

Most swordsmen disliked excessive ceremony. After a simple ritual, host and guests took their respective seats, and the sword matches of the first day were declared to begin.

Situ Qin and the other guests from outside the sect were seated in a designated area. As the chief general servant managing the guest residence on East Half Mountain, Xie Yuan stood waiting not far from her, prepared for any sudden needs the guests might have.

Yet with so many people present, even though they were close, they could not freely laugh and talk. They could only exchange glances from time to time, somehow giving it the feeling of passing secret notes in broad daylight before a crowd.

The first day began with External Training Realm matches to warm up the event and assess the disciples.

The Yunshan Sword Sect and the Hidden Sword Pavilion each sent out five External Training Realm disciples. Though their cultivation was not high, they all possessed extraordinary bearing. They were clearly highly promising new disciples.

These five External Training Realm disciples of the Yunshan Sword Sect were no outer disciples. From the moment they entered the sect, their talent had earned them selection into the inner sect, even into the core and true disciples of various peaks and courtyards, much like Huang Zifeng in the past.

Naturally, their strength was no match for ordinary External Training Realm martial artists. They had essentially reached the limit of that realm.

Everyone felt there would not be much of a stir in this contest. External Training Realm martial artists only had so many methods, after all, and it did not yet involve a contest of profound sword arts or cultivation arts.

The Yunshan Sword Sect was also a great sect. The two sects should roughly have been evenly matched. The true contest was still to come.

Yet the five matches ended quickly, and the result far exceeded all expectations—

Of the five sword matches, the Yunshan Sword Sect lost four and won only one. Even that victory was a miserable one, not without an element of luck.

No one in the Yunshan Sword Sect had expected such a result. Even if they were inferior to the Hidden Sword Pavilion, they had thought they would at least win two matches, and that the spectacle would not be so unsightly.

Listening to the cheers from the Hidden Sword Pavilion, the faces of the Yunshan Sword Sect disciples darkened. The atmosphere atop the main peak immediately grew somewhat heavy.