The Immortal Palaces Debate

Beyond the world, in the Great Void, a lone green pine spread its branches through the void. Above a bank of clouds, two Daoists, one old and one young, sat facing each other over tea and discussed the Dao. The elder's aura was seamless, like cloud and mist, impossible to see through or grasp. The youth's face was tender, but the sharpness in his eyes made others afraid to meet his gaze. Both had reached Celestial Phenomenon Peak. They stood among the foremost in the world, surpassed only by Dao Embryo cultivators who remained in seclusion. One came from the Void-Purging Immortal Palace, the other from the War-Stopping Immortal Abode, and each was the public leader of his tradition.

"Brother Qing Xi, Huai Yu defeated three Divine Lords in Layered Mountains Continent on his own. He has quite a bit of your old flair. The War-Stopping Immortal Abode truly has a worthy successor."

Smiling, Daoist Shou Jing set down his teacup and looked at the youth before him.

Sword Lord Qing Xi was a towering figure of the War-Stopping Immortal Abode. Though he looked like a youth, he had lived for more than a thousand years and was older even than Shou Jing.

At those words, Sword Lord Qing Xi shook his head.

"Huai Yu has talent. Born clutching jade, he was extraordinary from the start. His swordsmanship advanced by leaps and bounds, and in a short time he mastered one of our sect's core sword arts. But he progressed too quickly. His sword looks sharp, yet it has not been tempered enough."

Speaking with the air of an elder, Sword Lord Qing Xi gave his assessment.

Daoist Shou Jing fell silent for a moment.

It sounded a little like boasting, but he knew Sword Lord Qing Xi meant every