Reckless Words, When the Master Is Humiliated, the Servant Must Die

Xie Yuan stood beside the guest stands, witnessing the results of all five matches from start to finish. His expression had grown somewhat grave.

His thoughts were no different from those of the other disciples. Even if Yunshan Sword Sect was slightly inferior to Hidden Sword Pavilion, it should not have suffered such a crushing defeat. After all, these were merely a few external practitioners.

He had experienced Huang Zifeng's strength firsthand. Back then, Huang Zifeng had not been much weaker than him and should have been at the limit of the fourth practice.

The Yunshan Sword Sect disciples who had entered the matches were roughly on par with Huang Zifeng back then, yet they had lost without the slightest ability to resist!

Those Hidden Sword Pavilion disciples were flawless in Blood Qi, Inner Breath, and swordsmanship, fully displaying the standard of disciple training from the number one sect under heaven. These disciples were practically perfect swordsmanship seedlings. They were slightly stronger than their Yunshan Sword Sect opponents in every respect, and when all those slight advantages came together, the result was a one-sided victory.

Xie Yuan's heart chilled. If he had faced them during his fourth practice, he probably could only have reached this level himself.

Every one of these external-practice disciples from Hidden Sword Pavilion had been carefully nurtured and meticulously selected. Compared with them, the old Xie Yuan might not even have surpassed them in fundamentals. In areas such as footwork and movement techniques, he would have been at an enormous disadvantage.

This was the gap between a wild path and the childhood training of a truly top-tier great sect, a gap that could not be ignored. Xie Yuan had dominated Cloudshine's external practitioners through his techniques, especially the Inner Strength no one else possessed. Yet these great sect disciples lacked no techniques at all. What you had, they had; what you did not have, they had refined to perfection.

If the Xie Yuan of that time had truly fought them, he would probably have had to use the Three-Pronged Axe to secure victory.

But setting aside his realm, after Mu Chaoyun, Situ Qin, and the grandmasters behind them had painstakingly trained and guided him, even though it had only been a few short months, Xie Yuan's use of techniques in battle had already conformed to proper methods. He was no longer as freely unrestrained as a wild man by birth—in other words, no longer just fighting like a fucking idiot. To sects with genuine inheritances, Iron Clothes Gate and Soaring Dragon Escort Agency were simply wild paths.

These were things that progress could not display, yet Xie Yuan had benefited immensely. With his fundamentals now solid, he was not the slightest bit inferior when compared to disciples of great sects at the same realm.

As for things progress could display, leaving aside cultivation realm and the profound Cloud Dragon Step, simply the fact that he had perfected the newly acquired foundational sword art, Yunshan Sword Style, meant that even these Sword Sect and Sword Pavilion disciples at the same realm might not surpass him in swordsmanship comprehension. Add in his beginner grasp of the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms, and in terms of swordsmanship alone, not to mention the Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm, even the Second Transformation Realm would struggle to find an opponent for him. If they truly competed only in moves, Xie Yuan had an excellent chance of defeating the strong while weak and slaying foes against the odds.

The current Xie Yuan could not exactly be said to have washed away all his worldly dust, but if he truly faced disciples from these lofty great factions, one could see that both sides carried the inheritance of famed masters—one-on-one small-class instruction from grandmasters, and more than one at that. Naturally, that was the finest guidance possible.

But while Xie Yuan could match them, these Yunshan Sword Sect disciples could not. Thus, they had suffered a crushing defeat on the very first day, and the faces of quite a few disciples and elders had darkened.

Xie Yuan stole a glance around and saw that even the grandmasters did not look particularly pleased. Only Sect Leader Li Xingtuo remained composed, chatting and laughing with Wei Dong as they commented on the matches.

"Youngsters, you performed well. Qi Yun Sword has solid moves but lacks agility. That is no urgent matter; as your experience and realm improve, it will naturally get better...

"Ziyan, your skills are good, but you were too impatient. Otherwise, you would not have lost so quickly. That is a grave taboo. Remember this lesson. Everything else was quite good...

"Sun Feng, you won cleverly. Hehe, you do have a bit of fortune upon you. Keep striving...

"And the outstanding disciples of Hidden Sword Pavilion, your skills are exquisite and your foundations solid. You are truly refreshing to behold..."

Li Xingtuo publicly commented on several disciples. After offering a few pointers, he mainly encouraged those who had lost and did not consider them too poor. As for those who had won, he plainly said it was luck, without the slightest concern for appearances.

After commenting on his own disciples, he likewise instructed the Hidden Sword Pavilion disciples. While praising them without stinginess, he also pointed out each of their issues in a single remark—precisely the difficult problems in their cultivation. The disciples had not expected Li Xingtuo to be so open-hearted and entirely free of sectarian prejudice. Having received a grandmaster's guidance, all of them looked excited, bowed earnestly, and pondered his words carefully.

Seeing Li Xingtuo chatting and laughing so calmly, Wei Dong merely said blandly, "Sect Leader Li's breadth of mind is truly admirable. You lot, remember Sect Leader Li's guidance well. This is your good fortune."

"Yes!"

Li Xingtuo smiled, waved a hand, and said casually, "Not at all. When disciples advance bravely and diligently, their teachers are happy to see it as well."

Wei Dong nodded and said evenly, "In that case, I cannot appear to treasure my broom too dearly either."

He extended a finger and lightly traced it through the air. A mark suddenly appeared on the ground between the two groups of disciples on the arena. The mark sped up and slowed down unpredictably, and after a moment, it was complete, stretching from beneath the first disciple's feet to beneath the fifth disciple's feet.

Looking closely, the mark differed subtly beneath every disciple's feet. Even the left and right halves—the disciples of the two sects—each had their own differences. The disciples on the stage froze for a moment, lowered their heads to inspect it, then gradually fell into a daze.

"Look for yourselves. How much you comprehend depends entirely on your own fortune."

Wei Dong withdrew his hand and spoke blandly.

Li Xingtuo smiled and sighed. "Many thanks, Pavilion Master Wei. This move alone will be enough for these disciples to study for decades."

"Not at all. If Yunshan Sword Sect produces another genius such as Sect Leader Li, they will have attained such cultivation long before those decades pass."

Wei Dong spoke earnestly.

Li Xingtuo looked young despite his silver temples, but he was indeed not very old. He had only just passed forty, nearly a generation younger than Wei Dong. He was an unprecedented prodigy Yunshan Sword Sect had not seen in many years. Not only had his own cultivation advanced swiftly, but under his leadership, the sect had grown ever stronger.

As Xie Yuan watched the two sect leaders lavish commercial praise upon each other, he saw Situ Qin not far away glance back. Half deliberately and half casually, she smiled. "These two Old Foxes have already begun playing their little games."

"After all, this concerns the sects' reputations. The two sect leaders are courteous on the surface, but beneath it, they are competing with each other."

Li Tai chimed in from beside them. With so many great figures present this time, Li Tai had naturally accompanied them up the mountain as well. He and Red Aunt sat on either side of Situ Qin.

The corners of Xie Yuan's mouth rose slightly. Situ Qin was doing her duty as a commentator, explaining it for him.

But anyone with eyes could see it. Li Xingtuo's instruction of the disciples, displaying his breadth of mind, might have been his natural character, but it also carried the meaning of displaying the bearing of a great sect.

Wei Dong might not have intended it that way, but he immediately refused to be outdone. He drew a sword through the air with his finger, one sword transforming ten times, corresponding to every disciple. His swordsmanship had already reached the pinnacle, leaving people in awed admiration.

When the first day's matches ended, disciples within the sect and guests from beyond it were all discussing them animatedly. Xie Yuan had the other servants take charge of the remaining guest courtyards while he personally escorted Situ Qin back to Flower Valley Guest Courtyard.

The moment they entered the courtyard, Situ Qin's pent-up urge to chat finally burst forth in an endless torrent.

"Chief Escort Leader Xie! See? Yunshan Sword Sect's foundation really is far weaker than Hidden Sword Pavilion's. They said the foundational external-practice disciples were here to warm up the event, but in truth, they were comparing the sects' ability to recruit and teach disciples—comparing potential and foundations. Today's contest made the gap clear."

Xie Yuan sighed. "Miss Qin sees things clearly indeed. I originally thought external-practice matches would not reveal much to great sects, and that the gap would not be too large. Only now do I see that the disciples of the 'Four Factions,' in both talent and the sects' level of instruction, truly stand apart from Yunshan Sword Sect. The latter also reflects the sect's core strength. Hidden Sword Pavilion surpasses Yunshan Sword Sect in that regard as well."

Situ Qin smiled brightly. "Right? The Four Factions are the Four Factions, and other sects are other sects. Yunshan Sword Sect may have quite a reputation, but it is still a little short of the very top."

"Miss Qin, your insight is impressive! Then in your view, what are Yunshan Sword Sect's chances in tomorrow's matches?"

Xie Yuan cupped his hands.

Situ Qin took a sip of tea and shook her head. "In my view? They have no chance of winning.

"Three realms, three matches. In the First Transformation Realm group, Yao Tianchuan would count as an outstanding disciple even among all the top sects. Yunshan Sword Sect has no one like him.

"The Hidden Dragon Ranking at the Second Transformation Realm says it all. Someone on the ranking fighting someone outside it has an extremely low chance of slipping up.

"As for the contest between the leading disciples of the Third Transformation Realm, I imagine it will be extremely fierce, a battle that turns heaven and earth upside down. But Qin Zhenyang's strength is ultimately inferior, and he will lose in the end."

Xie Yuan nodded in considerable agreement, though with regret. Although he hoped Yunshan Sword Sect would win, the gap in strength lay plainly before them, and it was even greater than the gap among external practitioners.

After chatting for a while, they each went about their business. Xie Yuan had work to do, while Situ Qin had been invited to dinner by Xue Yanwen and his father, Yun Mountain Prince.

Though she was not particularly willing, blood ties remained. Since they were both on Yunshan Mountain, they had to meet and catch up eventually.

Xie Yuan busied himself around several guest courtyards, only returning to the Servant Courtyard to rest after night had fallen. Though all the servants had spent a highly tense and exhausting day, none had gone to rest yet. They were still chattering endlessly about that day's matches.

Yet though everyone was excited, they were clearly dejected by the day's results, all wearing expressions as if dark clouds and miserable mist hung over them. Being challenged at their own doorstep and beaten like this truly did not look good.

When they thought of tomorrow's matches, anyone who voiced something damaging to morale was immediately besieged by spit and curses. Yet everyone knew in their hearts that such words were not wrong, which only made their hearts sink further.

That was the atmosphere in the tiny Servant Yard, and it was also a reflection of all Yunshan Mountain. The anticipation and excitement before the grand gathering had received a blow right to the head. As Yunshan's disciples thought of this sword debate, pessimism began to fill their hearts.

The second day of the sword debate.

The members of Yunshan Sword Sect and Hidden Sword Pavilion entered the venue early, while the other guests eagerly took their seats, awaiting the battles of the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm on the second day.

Looking across the martial world of the entire Great Li Dynasty, the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm was also considered the backbone of its strength.

No matter where one went, a Qi and Blood Transformation Realm martial artist could be called an expert. Since they were not too distant from ordinary people either, this was also the realm that drew the widest and greatest attention. Though those on the Hidden Dragon Ranking were far weaker than grandmasters in terms of strength, their names were more widely known than the titles of many grandmasters, precisely because of this.

The Sword Sect disciples were no longer as enthusiastic as they had been yesterday, but they still rallied their spirits. They might lose the match, but they would not lose face. Over at Hidden Sword Pavilion, the disciples who had already held their heads high now carried even greater momentum.

The two sects each sent a disciple onto the stage.

Yunshan Sword Sect's representative was Xing Zhi, personal disciple of the Bamboo Sword Peak Leader.

He had quite a name within the sect. In multiple competitions, he had taken first place among those at the same realm, and his elders held great hopes for him. His strength was exceptional.

Hidden Sword Pavilion, meanwhile, sent up an extremely young yet solemn-faced young man. As expected, it was Yao Tianchuan.

"Yunshan Sword Sect, Xing Zhi."

Xing Zhi cupped his hands with utmost caution and seriousness. Faced with such a renowned opponent, no amount of vigilance was excessive.

"Hidden Sword Pavilion, Yao Tianchuan of the Jinling Yao Family."

Yao Tianchuan cupped his hands expressionlessly. The way he announced his name was somewhat against convention, but considering that he was a member of the Yao Family, no one found it surprising. The elders of Hidden Sword Pavilion tacitly approved as well.

Once they had exchanged salutes, each drew his sword and waited only for the referee's command before striking at the same time!

Xing Zhi flicked his longsword, bringing forth blossom after blossom of sword light. A hazy white radiance flashed, making his figure impossible to see clearly in an instant.

Seeking stability, he began in a defensive stance, as though Cloud Mist veiled his body. Yet if one assumed the sword blossoms and white light were all feints, the next moment his sword would emerge like a long rainbow piercing dense clouds, enough to seal one's throat with a single strike.

This opening alone displayed Xing Zhi's skill. As expected of the foremost disciple in the Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm of Yunshan Sword Sect, he was certainly among the finest of the great sects at the same realm.

Yet just as Xing Zhi's longsword began to move, a streak of brilliance pierced through cloud and mist, sweeping aside layer upon layer of feints and flashing straight before his face!

Xing Zhi was greatly startled. With a sweep of his longsword, he knocked aside Yao Tianchuan's thrust. But as though Yao Tianchuan had anticipated that response, the sword in his hand followed the force in an arc, stabbing directly toward Xing Zhi's lower body.

Xing Zhi had never expected Yao Tianchuan's sword to be so fast. In his haste, he could only leap up. He had intended to evade the strike and reverse his disadvantage in midair, but it turned out Yao Tianchuan's first two swift sword strikes had not even been at full strength. Taking advantage of Xing Zhi having nowhere to borrow force in the air, Yao Tianchuan's sword swept upward like a flash of lightning. Before Xing Zhi's sword could return to defend, it slashed across his abdomen.

A spray of blood blossomed. Xing Zhi flew backward and landed on the ground, and the entire venue fell silent.

Defeated in three swords.

Yunshan Sword Sect's number one disciple of the Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm had actually been defeated by Yao Tianchuan in three swords.

Even many Hidden Sword Pavilion disciples themselves likely had not expected this result.

The spectators around the arena looked at one another, speechless for a time. The arena was utterly silent.

They looked at Xing Zhi lying on the ground, then at Yao Tianchuan, their faces filled with astonishment.

No one believed Xing Zhi was too weak. That opening stance of his, balanced between offense and defense, revealed his swordsmanship attainments to those who knew their craft. He was absolutely no mediocrity.

Many First Transformation Realm disciples of Hidden Sword Pavilion, after seeing it, knew that if they themselves had taken the stage, they would not have been confident of dealing with even that opening move. Victory and defeat would have been hard to predict.

Yet Yao Tianchuan's sword was too fast and too powerful, like a bolt of lightning that gave Xing Zhi no chance at all.

Man and sword had become one. Many had not even seen his movements clearly. Under three swords, Xing Zhi had been wholly unable to cope, his flaws revealing themselves, and one sword had defeated him.

There were quite a few First Transformation Realm martial artists present. Having watched Yao Tianchuan's three swords, they felt only suffocation, utterly unable to imagine how they could respond. Even many disciples in the Qi and Blood Second and Third Transformation Realms frowned deeply, their expressions grave.

After a moment of silence, the Hidden Sword Pavilion disciples burst into cheers and applause, their morale clearly soaring.

The Yunshan Sword Sect disciples looked downcast. Someone silently went onto the stage and helped Xing Zhi up.

Xing Zhi staggered to his feet, his face deathly pale. He barely managed to cup his hands. "Brother Yao's swordsmanship is sharp, and his swift sword is unmatched. I willingly concede defeat."

Yao Tianchuan neither spoke nor replied, merely cupping his hands. He clearly had not taken his opponent seriously at all.

Seeing this, Xing Zhi gave a bitter smile and limped off the arena with the support of his fellow disciples.

Xie Yuan's brows drew together as well. No wonder Yao Tianchuan could defeat enemies above his realm through moves alone. This swift sword did not appear overwhelmingly imposing, yet its power was far from shallow. His attainments truly were extraordinary.

He glanced at Situ Qin and found her eating candied fruit by herself, her expression calm and without the slightest surprise.

Xie Yuan then quietly observed the expressions of the Sword Sect elders. Sure enough, none of them looked very pleased.

This defeat had been far too clean. It truly left them unable to save face...

He shook his head inwardly, then suddenly noticed that Yao Tianchuan had not come down from the stage.

As Xie Yuan stared at him, he suddenly saw Yao Tianchuan turn his head in his direction, seemingly casting him a glance. Xie Yuan could not help but freeze.

What was he looking at? Why was he looking at me?

Many people noticed that Yao Tianchuan had not followed the usual procedure, and murmurs broke out.

The referee stepped forward and asked, "Nephew Yao, the match is over. Why have you not left the stage?"

Yao Tianchuan shook his head and said coldly, "A sword match like this is far too dull. It ended in three swords—not even enough for a warm-up. I came all this way; was it only for these three swords? I might as well practice at home by myself! Does the great Yunshan Sword Sect truly not have a disciple who can let me fight to my heart's content?"

The entire venue erupted in uproar. Yunshan Sword Sect's disciples immediately surged with outrage.

"This bastard is far too arrogant!"

"Hmph, I'll go up and have a match with him!"

"Junior Brother Wang, though I'm angry too, you should forget it..."

The Sword Sect disciples cursed and complained, but their voices gradually faded. Their strength was insufficient, after all. No matter how loudly they shouted, they had no confidence to back it up.

The guests naturally wore colorful expressions, while the members of Hidden Sword Pavilion had mixed reactions.

Some cheered in support, while others showed disapproval. But Yao Tianchuan held a special status. His cultivation was high, his talent excellent, and his family background among the very best. He had always been favored by the elders within Hidden Sword Pavilion, so for the moment, no one spoke.

Only one elder shook his head, preparing to call him down, when a cold snort sounded.

"Hmph, I'll fight him!"

The Yunshan Sword Sect disciples had been full of pent-up frustration. At those words, they immediately turned their heads.

A young disciple in white, embroidered with twin Cloud Pattern designs and belonging to Into the Clouds Peak, entered the arena. Everyone's eyes immediately lit up.

The direct disciple of the main peak's sect leader, Zhou Xinhong!

His cultivation was roughly on par with Xing Zhi's, only a hair weaker. He was likewise one of Yunshan Sword Sect's foremost disciples of the First Transformation Realm. Seeing him leap onto the stage, everyone's spirits rose at once, and cheers broke out all around.

After consulting several elders, the referee returned to the stage and signaled that another match could be held.

Seeing Yao Tianchuan act so arrogantly, Xie Yuan felt a measure of anger as well. But when Zhou Xinhong stepped onto the stage, he was not as excited as the surrounding disciples. Instead, he quietly shook his head.

Senior Brother Zhou is powerful, but facing Yao Tianchuan, things are probably not going to go well.

With the referee's command, the match began.

Unlike Xing Zhi, who had waited defensively for an attack, Zhou Xinhong took the initiative. His sword moved like Cloud Dragon Probes its Head, baring fangs and brandishing claws as it whipped up a gale and surged toward Yao Tianchuan!

Seeing Zhou Xinhong's imposing attack and fierce momentum, the Yunshan Sword Sect crowd was just about to cheer when their vision suddenly darkened. Then a dazzling radiance flared.

The spectators seemed to see a falling star from beyond the heavens crash down upon the arena and tear through the darkness.

The next instant, their vision returned to normal, only to reveal Zhou Xinhong standing rigidly in place, his longsword frozen mid-motion, while Yao Tianchuan's sword had already reached his throat.

Yao Tianchuan sheathed his sword and shook his head in disappointment. "You are not even as good as the one before you."

Zhou Xinhong's face immediately flushed red and purple, then swiftly turned ashen white. Without saying a word, he slightly cupped his hands and left the stage in gloom.

This time, the area around the arena was so silent one could hear a needle drop. Even the Hidden Sword Pavilion disciples tactfully refrained from cheering.

A spar was a spar, but in such a grand setting, Yao Tianchuan had left no face whatsoever. This no longer resembled a spar, nor even instruction. It was more like he had come to smash their hall and settle a grudge.

The expressions of Yunshan Sword Sect's people were no longer merely low; they had become solemn.

Everyone could feel that the atmosphere on the arena had changed somewhat.

The Hidden Sword Pavilion elder's expression was complicated as well. He gave a light cough and was about to call Yao Tianchuan back, but saw that he still would not leave, his gaze sweeping all around.

This brat had better not cause more trouble...

Just as the elder was thinking this, Yao Tianchuan spoke again.

"If Yunshan Sword Sect truly has no one left, changing opponents is also acceptable."

Xie Yuan saw Yao Tianchuan abruptly turn his head, his eyes bright as he stared directly at him...

No, he was not looking at Xie Yuan after all.

Situ Qin tilted her head. Seeing Yao Tianchuan's eyes shining with an intimidating light as he glared at her, she wore a baffled expression.

Yao Tianchuan spoke coldly:

"I do not know why your Yunshan Sword Sect allowed the descendant of a demon cult enchantress to come up the mountain and observe the ceremony, but since you regard her as a friend, why not let her come up and fight me?"

At those words, quite a few spectators looked at Situ Qin in utter confusion, exchanging bewildered glances.

Not everyone was qualified to know who this stunning young woman, seated at the edge of the arena with such extraordinary bearing, was. Many disciples had been secretly watching her for quite some time and discreetly asking around, yet found nothing.

But upon hearing Yao Tianchuan say this, many quick-witted people instantly connected countless threads. Their expressions immediately turned uncertain and alarmed.

Situ Qin's innocent little face stiffened. Her formerly relaxed expression, as she watched the show and enjoyed the spectacle, gradually darkened bit by bit, but she did not say a word.

Xie Yuan clenched his fists and suddenly felt displeased as well.

Seeing this, Yao Tianchuan snorted heavily.

"Why do you not answer? Could it be that, like your mad Madam, you only dare hide your head and skulk in the shadows, committing evil in secret, never daring to show yourself before others? With such conduct, you still bear the surname Xue..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt the sunlight dim, and his words caught in his throat.

A burly figure stood before him, blocking out all the light.

There were more than ten grandmasters present, yet only a scant few had clearly seen how Li Tai had reached the stage.

Xie Yuan stood not far from Li Tai. He vaguely saw Li Tai straighten slightly from his seat, and in the next instant, he was already standing before Yao Tianchuan. It was as though the moment he rose, he had simply appeared on the stage. No one could tell what technique he had used. Had the Cloud Dragon Step, once mastered to perfection, truly reached such a realm?

Li Tai was expressionless as he looked down at Yao Tianchuan.

"Do not insult His Majesty. Do not insult Miss. Otherwise, die!"

An overwhelming aura shot into the heavens, as though a sandstorm had erupted before Yao Tianchuan and swallowed him whole in an instant.

It seemed as if sand had gotten into his mouth. He could not breathe properly, his mouth hanging wide open as he slowly began to suffocate.

"Hmph."

A soft snort shattered that aura. Yao Tianchuan could finally breathe again and took several great gasps.

Everyone's vision blurred, and another figure in white, pure as snow, had appeared on the stage.

Countless women's eyes immediately lit up.

The man who had stepped onto the stage had features as picturesque as a painting. He possessed a womanly beauty, yet his heroic bearing was overpowering; his deep eyes revealed a man's strength and mature charm. His temples were frosted white, with two locks of white hair hanging loose, adding a touch of weathered melancholy that stirred tenderness in the hearts of many female martial artists.

Even Xie Yuan secretly praised him. What a face. It was nearly as good as his own.

Needless to say, this was the Hidden Sword Pavilion's most famous handsome man, the Sword God, the Autumn Water Divine Sword, Song Qingping.

After taking the stage, he pulled Yao Tianchuan back and said lazily, "A dignified Flying General is bullying a junior now?"

Li Tai remained expressionless, wholly unconcerned by the accusation.

"Li came from the military. I know only orders and enemies. In my eyes, there is no distinction between men and women, young and old."

Song Qingping rolled his eyes and curled his lip.

"War has driven you mad."

Li Tai ignored him and merely looked at him.

"Yet Li disdains slaughtering a child still wet behind the ears. Did not his elder step onto the stage? Since that is so, let us begin."

His hand reached for his sword. It seemed he had not even grasped it yet, but in the next instant, a streak of blood-red light slashed down at Song Qingping's head.

Song Qingping's eyes widened as he cursed aloud, "Are you truly mad?"

He drew his sword in a backhand motion. In an instant, the sword light flowed across the arena like a stretch of autumn water. His sword-wielding motion was exquisitely graceful, every detail laid bare, as though he were displaying a sword dance before the crowd—yet though he moved later, his strike arrived first, blocking the blow above him.

With a clang, the swords collided. Neither side moved; they were evenly matched.

Seeing Li Tai about to withdraw his sword and slash again, Song Qingping retreated while shielding Yao Tianchuan, frowning as he said, "You mean to fight for real?"

"When the lord is insulted, the servant must die. Words once spoken strike the ground with a ringing sound, all the more so when a Yao Family disciple dares to speak recklessly of His Majesty... If you will not properly discipline your disciple, then as his elder, you must bear the blame in his stead."

Li Tai spoke in a deep voice.

Song Qingping knew he was in the wrong, but given his temperament, apologizing was naturally impossible.

With a flick of his hand, a gentle force sent Yao Tianchuan off the stage. Raising his sword, he clicked his tongue.

"Fine, fine, fine. I have long been unhappy that you rank ahead of me. Today, on Yunshan Mountain, we will swap our places in the rankings."

He slightly drew back his sword, then suddenly thrust it forward. It carved a graceful trajectory through the air, carrying a sword hum like singing as it stabbed toward Li Tai.

Li Tai moved his hand, about to meet the attack, when he suddenly stopped.

Li Xingtuo appeared abruptly on the stage and sighed.

"You two, please cease hostilities. This is the Yunshan Sword Sect's arena. Please watch the matches first. Harmony is precious."

Song Qingping's wrist trembled. His sword drew an arc and returned to its sheath as he rasped, "You came so suddenly. Aren't you afraid I would fail to rein in my sword?"

Li Xingtuo smiled faintly.

"I trust the Autumn Water Divine Sword."

Song Qingping stared at him, snorted, and shook his head.

"Hypocrite! You clearly trust yourself."

Tilting his head, he spoke to Li Tai over Li Xingtuo's shoulder.

"Just wait! Once I finish tomorrow's match, I will battle you for three hundred rounds. The two of us will have a proper contest!"

Li Tai replied calmly, "I will await you at any time."

Since Li Xingtuo had personally intervened, the two grandmasters could sense the difference between them and knew when to stop, each withdrawing sensibly.

After settling this disturbance, Li Xingtuo looked at the sky and shook his head helplessly.

"That will be all for today. The remaining two matches will be fought tomorrow."

There was not much change in his expression. He was likely the only person in the Yunshan Sword Sect who was not angered by Yao Tianchuan's attitude.

At his words, everyone dispersed.

Yet after the gathering ended, disciples of the two sects sought each other out and fought many private battles. Their resentment ran deep, and there were many injuries. Fortunately, elders and senior disciples kept watch, and no one died. That counted as good luck.

Flower Valley Guest Courtyard.

"Tai Bo, Red Aunt, why are you stopping me? Today, I am going to make that Yao Family brat unable to open his foul mouth ever again!" a sweet, spirited voice shouted.