Ch. 681The East–West Bank Exchange Tournament
Plot points and events
- Jun Wangchen meets Lu Deshui, who gives him intelligence on the West Bank’s top competitors. Jun notices that Lu is under a Spirit-Sealing Curse suppressing his cultivation and gives him a pill to break it.
- Overcome with gratitude, Lu vows to reclaim his former glory. Jun returns to his quarters and studies the West Bank profiles: Duan Shuiliu, Xiang Tianwen, Shangguan Ling’er, Shangguan Aotian, and Zhou Yuan, each dangerous in a different way.
- Jun concludes that the West Bank’s more ruthless approach to alchemy, beasts, gu, and ghosts helps explain its success over the East Bank. He spends the next three days cultivating and chatting with immortals online.
- On tournament day, rivalry between the banks sparks arguments and blocks the route to Third Peak’s summit. Several competitors use their abilities to bypass the crowd.
- Jun uses Shifting Form, Changing Shadow to vanish from the path and reappear at the summit, arriving before the others. The other competitors, especially Murong Tianyi and Zhao Wuji, resent his early arrival and are eager to regain the pride he took from them on the Proof-Seeking Bridge.
Character developments and interactions
- Jun Wangchen shows perceptiveness by diagnosing Lu’s curse, generosity by providing the antidote, and confidence in his abilities. He also assesses the West Bank’s competitors strategically.
- Lu Deshui shifts from excited admiration to emotional gratitude, then renewed confidence and determination after receiving the pill.
- Murong Tianyi and Zhao Wuji remain resentful of Jun’s earlier victory and see the tournament as a chance to restore their standing.
- The East- and West-Bank disciples trade insults, exposing how deeply their rivalry runs. Jun’s quiet, effortless arrival contrasts with their noisy confrontation.
Significant themes
- Rivalry and pride: The tournament intensifies long-standing competition between the banks and between individual disciples.
- Ruthlessness versus restraint: Jun sees the West Bank’s willingness to use dangerous methods as a key advantage over the East Bank’s gentler traditions.
- Restoration and confidence: Jun’s help gives Lu the chance to recover his cultivation and reclaim his identity.
- Skill and composure: While others compete openly or get caught in the crowd, Jun uses a subtle technique to reach the summit first.