Chapter 110 - Challenge
“…”
The atmosphere turned extremely awkward.
Meng Jin's face cycled through a spectrum of colors, from red to white, and finally settled on a shade of greenish-black as he stared at Guo Fan and the girl before him.
The voices behind him fell silent, seemingly filled with mocking undertones.
Meng Jin gazed at the sword in his trembling hands.
Xia Cai continued waving his hand cheerfully and asked casually, “Xia Shui! Did you bring that ordinary person into the Sword Pavilion?”
Guo Fan nodded and replied, “The Pavilion Master granted him entry into the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference and holds him in high regard.”
Xia Cai sighed and commented, “That's truly astonishing. Comparing a mortal to a Sword Pavilion swordsmith. By the way, why did you ascend through the Jolcana Road?”
Guo Fan furrowed his brow, and a wry smile tugged at his lips as he replied, “Was it inconvenient?”
Yi Dong, who was approaching them, was left speechless.
Meng Jin was rendered speechless as well.
How did this suddenly become convenient for him?
How could it be convenient?!
In recent years, there had been fewer than three genuine disciples in the Sword Pavilion, all of whom were at least Core Forming Stage warriors who had successfully completed the Jolcana Road trial.
However, judging by the time it took him to ascend the staircase for half a cup of tea, it seemed as though he could have reached it faster via the Jolcana Road in the time it took to finish a cup of tea.
Was this what it felt like to act without constraint?
Even Liang Xiulan from the Poison Desert Sect, who had maintained a stern demeanor, was deeply impressed. She thought to herself, Remarkable… This time, the Sword Singing Conference would undoubtedly feature him. There might not be much hope for him to break into the top ten, but considering his courage and movement technique, making it to the top twenty shouldn't be a problem.
At that moment, Yi Dong suddenly noticed the girl who had been leading the way. Despite her deliberate efforts to conceal her presence, her beauty and allure remained undiminished. Whispers started circulating among the onlookers as they speculated about her identity.
Many lower-level cultivators had not earned the privilege of meeting the Night's Fall Sword City Lord, as the city lord rarely appeared in public events. Over the centuries, his reputation had faded, leaving many unaware of his true identity.
As a Sword Pavilion disciple, Yi Dong couldn't help but recognize the 9-star swordsmith before him. His expression changed abruptly as he stepped forward and respectfully greeted, “The 49th cauldron disciple of Sword Pavilion pays his respects to Master Duan!”
The Sword Pavilion's legacy was passed down through generations, with each sword forging furnace inheriting its unique crafting technique. Among the seventy-two peaks of Emtou Heights, the lower a sword forging furnace was situated on the cliff, the more esteemed it was among the swordsmiths.
Nevertheless, many of these furnaces had fallen into disuse and were later rekindled. The cliffside furnace had seen countless ignitions and extinguishments over centuries.
The order of the sword furnaces didn't signify one's prowess but rather denoted their master. Consequently, most Sword Pavilion disciples employed this system when introducing themselves.
When Yi Dong addressed him as “Master Duan,” it immediately evoked thoughts of the sole female sword forging master bearing the Duan surname.
The Lord of Night's Fall Sword City!
An immediate commotion erupted among the gathering.
Even more people recognized Fang Xiang's presence and paid their respects one by one. Fang Xiang acknowledged them with a gentle smile, saying, “No need for such formality. I just happened to be passing by to escort Xia Shui. Please proceed with your registrations.”
After those words, she vanished, leaving behind a perplexed crowd.
What was the deal with this Xia Shui? Even the city lord herself had come… She claimed it was on her way, but how many individuals could merit an escort by the Night's Fall Sword City Lord along her route?
This was simply unprecedented, wasn't it? First, he received half a cup of tea's worth of attention on Jolcana Road, and now he was escorted by the city lord. What kind of special treatment was this? What kind of background did he possess?
Many began to closely observe this individual named Xia Shui, discreetly keeping tabs on him.
However, Meng Jin's focus wasn't here; instead, he had openly declared in front of the Night's Fall Sword City Lord that he would “eat” this sword and swore a grave oath…
Was there still an opportunity to retract his words at this juncture?
It seemed too late now.
So, would he truly go through with consuming this sword? If he didn't, it would tarnish Mount Gargantuan's reputation for integrity and honor…
“Smack!”
Xia Cai, standing nearby, gave his shoulder a pat and asked, “Are you really going to ‘eat' that sword?”
“…”
He certainly had no desire to “eat” it!
Who in their right mind would want to consume a sword? Why did someone have to bring it up again? Just go away!
Meng Jin's heart sank into despair.
He turned his hopeful gaze towards Guo Fan, seeking a way out.
Guo Fan flashed a smile and remarked, “Just remember that you owe me a sword. Eating one in front of the Sword Pavilion was unnecessary.”
Meng Jin breathed a sigh of relief but felt a twinge of annoyance, realizing he'd lost before the competition even began.
Guo Fan exchanged greetings with Song Ru and noticed that she had finished registration. Yi Dong guided her to the Sword Singing Platform registration area, completing the process swiftly. They received wooden plates with serial numbers for the upcoming competition.
Registration proceeded smoothly, despite the earlier complications experienced by Guo Fan.
Yi Dong wiped away his nervous sweat and asked, “Xia Shui Fellow Daoist, why did Duan Shi appear here?”
Guo Fan shook his head, “I'm not sure, but it might be related to the events involving the Profound Yin Family a few days ago. Let me be straightforward; the sword has returned to the Sword Pavilion. Coincidentally, I sent Lang Qing there. City Lord, accompany me down.”
Yi Dong widened his eyes, “Doesn't this imply an improved relationship between Xuan Yin and the Sword Pavilion?”
Guo Fan replied, “Who knows? Steward Wang, let's return to the inn now.”
“Alright, alright…” Yi Dong mumbled, “Such matters aren't within our control.”
Guo Fan and Song Ru made their way back to the inn together. Meng Jin's expression shifted several times, unable to believe how that Foundation Establishing Stage cultivator had crossed Jolcana Road in such a short time.
Not only did he pass, but he was also escorted by the Night's Fall Sword City Lord personally.
Meng Jin couldn't help but inquire, “How did he manage to pass Jolcana Road so quickly?”
Yi Dong pondered for a moment, still somewhat bewildered. He shook his head and explained, “It happened so suddenly… I barely had time to react. I was about to send someone to stop him, but he had already made it through.”
Meng Jin's expression darkened as he glanced at the cliff beside him and his sword. Eventually, he clenched his teeth, swung his sleeve, and walked away.
“Hey, where are you going? Stop!”
“Ah!”
Yi Dong witnessed the young man's painful fall to the ground, quickly sending someone to assist him. He sighed, “The first stage of the Jolcana Road is the Two Elements Sword Formation, with unpredictable changes. It's impossible to react without prior experience.”
Except for Xia Shui.
Meng Jin wore a bewildered expression, questioning how Xia Shui had managed to traverse the Jolcana Road so effortlessly.
……
Luo Shun gracefully descended from his flying sword, observing the tranquil and elegant “Livingbow Residence” ahead. Surprisingly, it belonged to a person of higher cultivation and importance in the city.
Sun Fen was naturally present as well.
After announcing his identity, Luo Shun faced minimal hindrance during his journey. However, those in charge couldn't help but regard him with concern and caution.
After all, news of his recent fierce battle with a Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator had spread, and the outcome had been rather harrowing.
Yet Luo Shun couldn't afford to let his sword heart falter now!
He needed to reclaim his courage.
“Hu…”
Luo Shun closed his eyes, reflecting on the arduous battle he had recently endured. Gazing at the courtyard before him, he took a deep breath and declared, “I am Luo Shun from the Honed Reaver Sword Sect, and I have come to challenge the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator!”
The woman meditating in the room suddenly opened her eyes.
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