True Qi Spirit Sand, Stakes

Three months later.

Cangyun Island had grown increasingly lively, because the Hibernation Academy disciples who had converted to the Golden Armor Jade Body had gradually grasped the key to "Spirit Formations" and practiced their formations on the Heavenly Melody River every three days.

The Golden Armor Jade Body could not grant longevity, but its magical power and combat strength were no weaker than ordinary Qi Refining cultivators.

They could rival those who had harvested Clear Qi.

Yet their cultivation speed far surpassed that of Clear Qi cultivators, even exceeding True Qi cultivators.

In just over half a year, some had already broken through Qi Refining First Layer and entered Qi Refining Second Layer.

The Golden Armor Jade Soldiers assigned to the Sea-Calming Bureau numbered a full one hundred and eight, accounting for most of this year's "Hibernation Academy Withered Dragon."

With so many "cultivators" practicing Spirit Formations upon the Heavenly Melody River, the spectacle naturally shook all around them.

Yet none of it reached beyond a hundred li.

A hundred li from the Heavenly Melody River, its course suddenly bent sharply. Furious waves plunged straight down with the sound of thunder collapsing, spraying endless gleams of water.

It was a perilous stretch impassable to boats, yet four people now stood atop the river.

The great river plunged in torrents, its waves crashing hard enough to shatter mountains and split rocks. Yet within the tiny space beneath the four people's feet, the river lay utterly calm, as if a giant hand had forcibly smoothed it flat.

They suppressed only a small patch of river, while the greater river still roared with raging waves.

It was plain to see that all four had mastered their water-suppressing arts.

Whoosh!

Boom!

At that moment, two brilliant streaks of cloud-light raced over from the distant horizon.

One shone like the morning sun, seeming cast from molten gold, dazzlingly splendid. The other rumbled like thunder, blindingly bright, like the blazing noon sun.

"Senior Sister, Senior Brothers, Junior Brothers, sorry to keep you waiting."

"We went to find a stake for everyone, which delayed us somewhat."

As the cloud-light dispersed, it revealed Lu Xuan and Wei Zhixing.

Wei Zhixing naturally would not offer an explanation, so Lu Xuan alone spoke, apologizing to the others.

"Why be so polite, Junior Brother? We are fellow students. What harm is there in waiting a moment?"

Zhan Qingyang waved a hand, indicating that it was nothing.

"Hehe, Senior Brother, aside from earning the honor of first place and commanding us in demon-slaying, does this sword duel have stakes as well?"

With a chuckle, Zhang Xuange asked Lu Xuan.

With a sweep of his sleeve, Lu Xuan sent a jade bottle floating into the air.

"This is the [True Qi Spirit Sand] Senior Brother Wei and I found. One grain can equal ten days of arduous cultivation. There are three grains in the bottle."

"It is not anything particularly precious, but it is better than nothing. Let it add to the excitement."

Lu Xuan explained with a smile.

Three months earlier, he had written back to Wei Zhixing, hoping to arrange a "Sword-Dueling Assembly."

As he had expected, Wei Zhixing would not refuse this sort of "contest."

Moreover, his reasoning had been more than sufficient—joining forces to slay demons.

This was an essential part of the three assessments. Qi Refining First Layer cultivators naturally had to travel in groups when venturing out, and thus had to understand one another's methods.

Once Wei Zhixing agreed, the rest was simple. Lu Xuan wrote several more letters and swiftly persuaded the others.

However, Wei Zhixing made one request—three months' time, to cultivate more arts.

Since it was a sword duel, they naturally needed all manner of methods for it to be exciting.

They could not possibly duel using only the Three Water-Suppressing Arts.

That would be far too limiting.

What if they encountered a vicious demon that was not a water demon? Would they not be left helpless?

Had the Sea-Calming Spell Compendium not provided so many wondrous arts precisely so they could cultivate diligently?

Lu Xuan naturally did not object to this request. He agreed with it deeply.

Thus, they set a three-month deadline and waited until today.

Yet as the three-month date drew near, Wei Zhixing proposed "adding stakes."

He believed that first place carried honor alone and no tangible reward. The junior brothers might endlessly defer to one another and fail to give their all, so they should find an "item" as a prize to spur everyone on.

Lu Xuan's original purpose in organizing this "Sword-Dueling Assembly" had only been to complete Ancient Script Reflection. He wanted to keep everything simple and did not wish to spend much.

After all, he truly did not have many Spirit Stones.

But since Wei Zhixing had raised the matter, Lu Xuan could hardly oppose him.

And since he had proposed the assembly, and since he stood to benefit the most if it succeeded, he naturally could not let Wei Zhixing alone provide the stakes.

In the end, the two pooled their funds and found a bottle of [True Qi Spirit Sand].

Upon hearing Lu Xuan speak the words [True Qi Spirit Sand], the others reacted differently. Zhan Qingyang directly frowned and said:

"Improper!"

"This sword duel was merely arranged privately among us, so that we might understand each other's methods and prepare for future demon-slaying expeditions."

"The honor of first place and the authority to command cultivators are already enough."

"True Qi Spirit Sand costs no small sum. Neither of you junior brothers comes from a great clan. How many Spirit Stones can you possess? After buying this pellet, how much cultivation funding will remain for yourselves?"

"And this [True Qi Spirit Sand] must have been purchased jointly by the two of you, correct?"

"If so, no matter which of you wins and takes the honored place of first, the other will inevitably suffer a loss. It would be equivalent to using your own Spirit Stones to support the first-place winner's cultivation."

"Improper, improper!"

Zhan Qingyang objected repeatedly.

If it were an Immortal Cult sword duel, with rewards for the winner, he naturally would have no objection.

Exceptional talent naturally deserved the reward of advancement.

The Immortal Cult possessed such resources.

But now, Lu Xuan and Wei Zhixing were paying out of their own pockets for Spirit Sand to aid the first-place winner's cultivation. Was that not damaging their own paths?

They barely had any money in their pockets, yet they were holding a prize competition?

"Indeed. We have accepted the goodwill of you two Senior Brothers, but there is no need for this pellet."

"The honor of first place is already enough!"

Shen Jingyuan also spoke at the right moment, urging them to abandon the idea.

Like Zhan Qingyang, he had harvested Central Balance True Qi.

"Senior Brothers, put the Spirit Sand away!"

Zhang Xuange also urged them after hearing this.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan looked toward Wei Zhixing. Wei Zhixing formed words from water: "Without a reward, can the sword duel be wholehearted?"

He loved sword duels and contests, but his opponents had to strive with all their strength to win. They could not yield or hold back.

"What are you saying, Senior Brother? How could we possibly not give it our all?"

"Senior Brother, just watch closely. This time, I absolutely will not yield. I will make you understand how formidable I am!"

The moment those words appeared, Zhang Xuange immediately shouted.

Wei Zhixing looked at the others. They all nodded, and only then did Wei Zhixing nod as well.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan smiled. "In that case, we shall follow Senior Brother Zhan's words. However, this sand cannot be returned. Senior Brother Wei and I will each take back one grain, while the remaining grain shall serve as the stake."

"It is only ten days of cultivation, after all."

At those words, Zhan Qingyang immediately nodded and stopped objecting.

Three grains of [True Qi Spirit Sand] could equal a month of arduous cultivation. It could have no small impact on Zhou Xuanpu's Qi Refining Second Layer assessment; it might even determine success or failure.

But ten days of cultivation would have far less impact, and its value would be greatly diminished.

It would merely add to the excitement.

"Then let us begin!"

"Our Immortal Cult's True Qi all possesses its mysteries, and combat strength may vary with the time of day. But the sword duel at the Hour of the Snake was decided by drawing lots. Just as when encountering enemies in the wild, one cannot choose the hour. Do any of you object?"

Once the discussion was finished, Lu Xuan did not waste words. As the host, he immediately called for the duels to begin.

No one objected.

They then drew lots again to determine their opponents. The winners would battle the winners from another group.

Until victory and defeat were decided.

There were only eight of them, so there would merely be four groups and three rounds.

Including the time needed to recover their qi between bouts, Lu Xuan would know the Reflection of his ancient script in one or two hours at most.

Yet whether he could win still depended on his own methods.

At this moment, the drawing of lots had ended, and the first pair of duelists had been decided.

Zhang Xuange against Shen Jingyuan.

Temporal-Sequence True Qi against Central Balance True Qi.