Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, dusk sank westward, and Heavenly Light fell completely dark.
Yet amid the thousand peaks and myriad ravines of Hibernation Academy, countless lights flickered to life, swaying and waxing and waning in a dazzling spectacle of flowing radiance.
These lights came from the dwellings of Hibernation Academy cultivators, the small courtyards where Embryonic Breath Realm cultivators stood watch for each hall, and the bustling night markets thronged with people.
Once night fell, aside from the watchkeepers on duty in each hall, the Heaven-Gazing Sect's vast administrative apparatus also began to dismiss for the day.
The Hour of the Dog was the liveliest time of day in the Heaven-Gazing Sect.
It was also at this time that Lu Xuan rode a cloud out of a residence shimmering with brilliant light, his face carrying both relief and emotion.
"Sure enough, once one leaps through the Dragon Gate, old affections bloom anew..."
After leaving Jiang Ningxue, he had paid visits to two senior sisters as well.
These two senior sisters were not Withered Dragons of Hibernation Academy. They were instead heaven-favored talents who had succeeded in a Grand Rite and entered the inner sect directly.
Over the past nine years, his former self had been fairly close to both senior sisters. At the Culinary Hall, they had all eaten at the same table.
But... once he had failed at Qi Refining, that bond had undergone a subtle change.
It was not as though there had immediately been some scene of "mockery and ridicule" or "cutting one's robe to sever all ties."
Yet the atmosphere between the three of them had indeed become delicate.
Especially since... failing the Grand Rite meant needing to choose a Dao companion.
That made matters even more complicated.
At first, the two senior sisters had come to his residence, seemingly wishing to comfort his former self and perhaps salvage something as well, but his former self had kept his doors shut.
Afterward, many junior sisters seeking a "Dao companion" began appearing at his residence.
Now that Lu Xuan had succeeded in Qi Refining a second time and taken the initiative to visit them, the immense surprise and enthusiasm of the two senior sisters left even him, a "reincarnated" man, somewhat unable to cope. He had to keep a cold expression with great effort just to accomplish today's purpose.
He refused his senior sisters' offer to see him off and left the residence alone. When the evening breeze blew over him, Lu Xuan was suddenly moved, and the words slipped from his mouth.
Looking out from the sky and pondering the hour for a moment, Lu Xuan ultimately decided to return to his residence first and cultivate the "quick-success method" he had obtained today.
As for a metal weapon capable of harming a Bright Ape, he had left himself enough Spirit Stones. It would not be too late to visit the market tomorrow.
With that thought, his Cloud Qi turned to light. Like a streak of flowing fire, he tore through the night sky and flew toward his own residence.
"Hmm?"
His senior sister's residence was not far from his own, and before long, Lu Xuan had arrived amidst the familiar cliffs.
Yet someone had already been waiting amid the flowing clouds and broad boulders.
Lu Xuan focused his gaze and saw two middle-aged Daoists of the Embryonic Breath Realm waiting quietly before his residence.
"Is this Cultivator Lu Xuan?"
"This humble one is a steward of the Xie Family, ordered to deliver a treasure."
Lu Xuan's Cloud Qi radiance was particularly conspicuous in the night sky, so the two middle-aged Daoists had noticed him long ago. They immediately bowed in salute, humbly greeting him and stating their purpose.
"A Xie Family steward?"
"Ordered to deliver a treasure?"
Lu Xuan leaped down from his Cloud Qi and asked in surprise.
"In reply to Cultivator Xuan, we have come under our young master's orders to present a spirit weapon of metal and a letter."
"The reasons are all written in the letter. Cultivator Xuan may read it first."
The steward had evidently received instructions. His manner was exceedingly respectful as he bent over and presented a letter lacquered in gold.
Several neat little characters were written on the seal: To Senior Brother Lu.
Lu Xuan accepted the letter and opened it at once.
"Congratulations to Senior Brother Lu on succeeding in the Grand Rite and being admitted into the inner sect. This junior brother, Xie Zhou, was also the one who obtained Senior Brother's [Fire Origin Sword Sand]."
"This was not because I was overbearing or tyrannical. I truly had not expected someone to succeed in a Second Grand Rite. I deeply admire Senior Brother's talent."
"I have already taken the sword sand, and there is no undoing it. I heard that Senior Brother will enter Sunfire Cave to contend for the Sunfire Branch, so I hereby present a metal spirit sword. This sword can cleave Fire Fiends and wound Bright Apes. It is a superior spirit weapon. I hope Senior Brother will exalt our sect's prestige and return in great victory."
"This junior brother is currently cultivating in seclusion and cannot pay respects to Senior Brother. Once I have succeeded, I will invite Senior Brother for drinks."
The letter explained the reason for the gift and included the method for using the metal weapon at the end.
"So they are from the Xie Family..."
Lu Xuan put away the letter and looked thoughtfully at the crimson-gold treasured sword the middle-aged Daoist raised in offering.
Children of great clans truly understood human sentiment and worldly ways.
Knowing that the Flowing-Roselight Token had already been given away, Xie Zhou had simply sent a treasured sword as well, allowing Lu Xuan to win and thereby forge a good connection.
With this sword as a gift, even if Lu Xuan harbored resentment, it would be difficult for him to give vent to it.
"Still... why would someone like him insist on taking a mid-grade Class A Fire Origin Sword Sand rather than contend for the Sunfire Branch?"
"Could there be some hidden reason?"
The letter offered no explanation, however, and Lu Xuan had no way of knowing.
But surely... for a mere Orifice-Opening Spirit Item, given his esteemed status as an inner sect disciple, there would be no petty schemes and underhanded dealings.
"Red Crow Sword..."
Lu Xuan did not worry over imaginary troubles. With Sharpness in his heart, he would not dither. Instead, he fixed his eyes on the golden sword held by the steward.
The sword measured three feet and three inches long. Its raised spine resembled a dragon's ridge, while its twin edges were thin as cicada wings. In the deep night, fine rainbow gleams could be seen wavering across its blade.
The contest within Sunfire Cave required neither side to bring pills, armor, or magical artifacts. They could only carry a single spirit weapon.
A spirit weapon was a purely martial weapon forged from spirit metal and other "strange materials" possessing a trace of extraordinary power. It bore no inscribed "spirit patterns," could not link to the qi of Heaven and Earth, and relied solely upon its own material.
The Red Crow Sword was precisely such a weapon. Forged from crow-gold, its blade was scorching like fire and naturally bore rainbow light. It greatly restrained baleful and evil things, and it was peerlessly sharp, slicing iron like mud.
Moreover, this sword was exceptionally compatible with qi of the Great Yang. Any Great Yang qi that fell upon it could linger for a long time, like fire in a lamp.
"Since I have received the Xie Clan's opportunity, I should naturally do my utmost. I will accept this sword. Convey my thanks to your young master."
Lu Xuan took the sword and spoke to the Xie Family steward.
Seeing Lu Xuan accept the sword, the steward also breathed a sigh of relief and hastily said, "Cultivator Xuan is too courteous. We only hope Cultivator Xuan will emerge victorious. We shall not disturb you further."
The two then saluted Lu Xuan, summoned clouds, and departed upon them.
"Interesting..."
Lu Xuan watched their retreating figures and did not linger outside for long before turning and returning to the courtyard.
The metal weapon was merely an aid and not difficult to find. What truly mattered was the method and qi.
This action by the Xie Clan had merely been to seek a measure of "decorum" and express goodwill.
In the contest to enter the cave, he would still have to rely on himself.
Lu Xuan returned to his residence and sat in the quiet chamber for a long while. Once his mind had settled, he took out the three arts he had obtained today.
Besides Jiang Ningxue's Marrow-Burning Sword Fiend Formula, there were also Heart-Palace Yin-Thunder Eye Art from Senior Sister Jiang and Life-Burning Talisman from Senior Sister Lin.
Heart-Palace Yin-Thunder Eye Art used damage to the five viscera as its price, igniting a wisp of Yin Thunder within the eyes to silently wound another's soul.
Lu Xuan had chosen this art precisely to deal with the Bright Ape's "Eye Fire Wheel."
Though the Bright Ape's flesh did not fear lightning, this ocular divine ability could be broken with Yin Thunder.
As for Life-Burning Talisman, it was even more domineering. It enhanced both flesh and qi in every aspect, at the cost of burning one's blood.
With these three arts, combined with the metal weapon and the True Qi he had gathered, he now had some confidence in the contest within the cave.
Lu Xuan did not delay and read through all three arts in their entirety.
These three arts wounded the enemy by a thousand while damaging oneself by eight hundred, so they were not difficult to cultivate. After only one reading, he already had ninety percent confidence.
Only Heart-Palace Yin-Thunder Eye Art still contained a few points he did not understand, but he was not anxious.
He merely waited quietly for the proper hour.
As long as the sun rose and Dawn Light appeared, Dawn Radiance True Qi would grant a sliver of insight and a turning point of comprehension to any confusion.
Furthermore, at Dawn, the countless injuries suffered through the previous night could almost all be restored.
Tonight, Lu Xuan would master all three arts and test the wonders of True Qi.
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