If I Do Not Draw My Blade, None Will Know How Terrifying My Swordsmanship Is

As cups clinked and wine flowed, they spoke freely of past and present. Their relationship grew more harmonious and casual, without any of the politeness of their first meeting.

Once everyone had enjoyed themselves, He Wu said, "Have you heard? There are supposedly going to be changes to next year's Hidden Dragon Gathering."

At the mention of the Hidden Dragon Gathering, Jiang Xu was the first to turn his gaze toward He Wu. Clearly, he was particularly concerned about it.

Seeing everyone looking at him, He Wu did not keep them in suspense and continued, "I heard that some important figure has spoken up. Banditry in this province is said to be severe, so they intend to vigorously nurture martial artists."

"Therefore, next year's Hidden Dragon Gathering will be especially fiercely contested."

Although Liu Yunche had not practiced martial arts in previous years, he still knew of an event that encompassed the entire provincial prefecture.

The Hidden Dragon Gathering was held once every three years. Its purpose was for Great Qian to recruit talented martial artists. Any martial artist under twenty who had reached Flesh Tempering could participate.

However, the Hidden Dragon Gathering only accepted the top hundred martial artists. As far as Liu Yunche knew, no Flesh Tempering martial artist from Verdant Grain County had ever fought their way into the top hundred. Those who made it into the top hundred were all Tendon Forging martial artists.

At this thought, Liu Yunche glanced at Senior Brother Jiang and understood. Senior Brother Jiang cared so much about it because he must have intended to participate in the Hidden Dragon Gathering.

I have only just reached Copper Skin. I'll see what level I can reach in a year. If I attain Tendon Forging, then I can give it a try as well.

The thought flashed through Liu Yunche's mind.

For a moment, everyone's gazes fell upon Senior Brother Jiang.

"Senior Brother Jiang is already a Tendon Forging martial artist. In a year, perhaps he will have reached Perfected Tendon Forging. The Hidden Dragon Gathering should be no challenge for him."

Li Xuantong greatly admired Jiang Xu and said with certainty.

"Qualifying will not be difficult. The hard part is securing a good ranking," Jiang Xu said softly, though his tone carried a trace of confidence.

He swept his gaze around the room and encouraged the youthful faces before him.

"Junior brothers and junior sister, you are still young. If next year does not work out, you can wait for the following Hidden Dragon Gathering. You must cultivate diligently and must not grow lax or slacken off."

Li Xuansheng smiled. "Rest assured, Senior Brother. No one would abandon an opportunity like the Hidden Dragon Gathering, where fish leap over the dragon gate and change their fate."

Jiang Xu nodded, then brought up another matter. "At the previous Hidden Dragon Gathering, the fighting among martial artists resulted in considerable deaths and injuries. Even talented disciples of Green Grain Martial Academy were reduced to cripples."

"The root cause was still a lack of experience in life-and-death combat. This time, the Martial Academy is preparing to organize a hunting expedition."

"Will you be taking part?"

Shi Qingyue asked doubtfully, "When did this happen?"

He Wu explained, "The Martial Academy elders announced it recently. Qing Yue, you were in secluded cultivation at the time, so it is normal that you did not know."

Li Xuantong smiled faintly. "How could one possibly decline such a good opportunity?"

Jiang Xu said, "Indeed. Hunting outside the city carries risks, but Martial Academy elders will accompany us, so the risks are manageable. It is a rare opportunity for experience."

Liu Yunche sat to one side, quietly listening to their idle conversation without speaking.

Shi Qingyue suddenly addressed him.

"Yunche, will you come along? The Martial Academy elders are at least Bone Tempering Realm martial artists. They will be more than enough to ensure our safety."

As soon as he said this, before Liu Yunche could respond, Li Xuantong first frowned, then said,

"Young Master Liu has only just reached Copper Skin. Even with elders accompanying us, there will be many people. The elders may not be able to protect everyone thoroughly."

"That is true," He Wu said earnestly. Turning to Liu Yunche, he continued, "Brother Yunche, we children of prominent families are unlike lowborn martial artists, who must gamble their lives to fight for cultivation resources."

When he mentioned lowborn martial artists, his fingertips lightly tapped against the table, and a flash of contempt passed through his eyes. Though he hid it deeply, Liu Yunche still noticed it.

Sure enough, wherever one goes, one cannot escape the prejudices of family background... Liu Yunche sighed inwardly.

He paused briefly and did not argue with He Wu. He merely said slowly,

"Brother He is right."

Shi Qingyue glanced at He Wu. Though he did not agree inwardly, it was an indisputable fact. Every resource a lowborn martial artist possessed had been won by risking his life.

He did not dwell on the matter and casually said, "Yunche, since you practice martial arts now, why not come cultivate at the Martial Academy? The two of us can keep each other company."

"Hasn't the Martial Academy's period for accepting disciples already passed?" Liu Yunche asked in confusion.

"If Young Master Liu wishes to join the Martial Academy, simply tell me. It is nothing more than a word," Li Xuansheng suddenly interjected.

Liu Yunche glanced at Li Xuansheng, then heard Shi Qingyue explain softly, "Xuansheng's father is one of the Martial Academy's elders."

Liu Yunche nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Brother Li, but for now, I am cultivating at home under my father's guidance."

Seeing him refuse, Li Xuansheng did not say anything further. He had only made the offer out of consideration for Shi Qingyue and with the intention of making a connection.

"Haha... Brother Li, you may not know this. Brother Yunche's father is a renowned Bone Tempering Realm martial artist in the city, and his blade techniques are utterly unfathomable." He Wu reminded him from the side.

Upon hearing this, Li Xuansheng and Li Xuantong looked at Liu Yunche with several degrees more seriousness.

There were quite a few Bone Tempering martial artists in Verdant Grain County. As the most prosperous county under the Prefecture City's jurisdiction, it had at least a hundred Bone Tempering martial artists.

Among them, those with recognized names were at least Perfected Bone Tempering Realm martial artists, with hopes of attaining Blood Exchange.

Even in the Prefecture City, Blood Exchange martial artists could claim a place for themselves. Li Xuansheng and Li Xuantong could not help but take them seriously.

Li Xuantong suddenly became interested. Her eyes lit up as her gaze fell on the long blade behind Liu Yunche's back.

"Young Master Liu, you must practice the blade as well. I have always been interested in blade techniques. How about the two of us compare notes?"

Liu Yunche shook his head.

Li Xuantong raised a brow, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation.

"Could Young Master Liu be..."

At this point, she paused slightly, leaning forward a little. A sharp, aggressive gleam surfaced in her eyes as she slowly uttered two words.

"Afraid?"

Before her words had faded, Li Xuansheng softly rebuked, "Xuantong! Watch how you speak."

"Brother Liu, Brother Shi. My younger sister does not know how to speak properly. Allow me to apologize on her behalf."

Liu Yunche could see that this was a provocation, but he was not angered. He waved a hand. "Brother Li, there is no need to be nervous. It is only a trivial matter."

"I know Miss Li has a frank temperament and cannot keep her thoughts hidden. I have not taken it to heart."

Only then did he respond to Li Xuantong.

"It is not that I am afraid. It is simply that my father taught me that a blade is an instrument for killing. What I have learned is also killing techniques, and I cannot draw it lightly. Otherwise..."

He did not speak the rest, but everyone present understood what he meant. Their expressions varied, and no one spoke first.

Jiang Xu could not help recalling his meeting with Liu Yunche a few days ago.

Back then, he had only felt that Liu Yunche possessed a slight edge, and he had thought it came from the blade at his side.

Yet upon seeing him again today, he actually sensed a trace of danger. He found it inconceivable; only a few days had passed.

His senses were naturally keen. He could detect danger in the smallest details, as though he possessed an instinctive warning of impending peril.

This talent had helped him avoid calamity many times, and he had never doubted it.

After pondering for a moment, he spoke in a clear, gentle voice.

"Junior Brother Liu, if you wish to go, simply stay by our side. Martial artists must ultimately see blood."

"Besides, there are still around forty days until the hunt outside the city. By then, Junior Brother Liu may have reached Iron Skin Realm, perhaps even Silver Skin Realm."

Jiang Xu's tone was gentle and carried a trace of friendliness.

Liu Yunche wore a perfectly measured smile. "Thank you, Senior Brother Jiang. Then I shall borrow your auspicious words."

Seeing Jiang Xu attach such importance to Liu Yunche, the others said no more.

The sky gradually darkened, and the lights of Verdant Grain County slowly came on. This banquet, too, reached its end.