The second sword contest, between Cui Zijie and Xiang Zongyuan, truly brought everything to a climax.
Four years ago, people had spoken of Kongtong in the north and Falling Blossoms in the south, placing Ji Zhuowu alongside Xiang Zongyuan. Later, Ji Zhuowu had fallen silent, and the one who rose to take his place had always been Cui Zijie of Yuquan Mountain.
The two most brilliant names in Shaolong's Sword Dao over the past three years now faced each other with such solemnity for the first time.
The clash between "Mayfly Transforms into a Swan" and the "Withered Flower Register" more than justified two months of anticipation. Amid white feathers and petals filling the sky, two figures crisscrossed, every flash of their blades accompanied by a clash between the two Intent Swords.
Cui Zijie had unquestionably put pressure on this [Withered Maple]. Though Xiang Zongyuan's movements remained measured and orderly, that ease had disappeared. They exchanged blows at tremendous speed, the most dazzling swordlight always bursting from the most perilous gaps.
In the end, however, the heir to the "Withered Flower Register" claimed victory.
This was, in fact, an exceedingly pure and ancient Intent Sword, without intricate realms or exquisite variations, only a sweep of clear, cold sword intent.
Dozens of mu of peach groves still grew on the back of Falling Blossoms Mountain. Legend held that the mountain's founding master had comprehended this sword there. It had been the third month of a warm spring, yet when he drew his sword, nine hundred and seventy-two peach trees seemed to enter autumn and winter, their blossoms falling bare in an instant.
Thus he named it the "Withered Flower Register" and founded his sect.
A ballad still circulated in southern Long: "One sword withers nine hundred and seventy-two; count through the