Free Web NovelChapter 771: Peerless Prodigy
Beyond the borders of Chu, at the edge of Great Heaven Mountain.
Biting cold winds whipped up bits of frost, sweeping past two figures struggling to trek onward.
Thick white bearskin cloaks bundled them tightly, and from beneath their hoods, two pairs of eyes and small, frost-nipped red faces peeked out.
Even with such specialized cold-weather gear, it was still impossible to completely block out the extreme cold that originated from nature itself.
The cold on Great Heaven Mountain was not something ordinary Spiritual Qi could withstand.
Normal protective Spiritual Qi was like thin paper against the frigid gales, and only by relying on these Demon Beast furs, which contained a faint fiery spiritual essence, could they barely endure.
"Zhouzhou, we’re almost there! Just a little more, and it’ll be warm when we get down the mountain!"
A voice with a distinct Southern Jiang accent, yet full of encouragement, rang out.
It was Xiang Zhaoling.
She herself was bundled into a round "snowball" at the moment, but her steps were slightly lighter than her companion’s.
The other "snowball" was her good friend from Cave Abyss Sect, Zhou Mengdie.
The snow reached her knees, and she trudged through it, each step accompanied by labored gasps, the warm breath from her mouth instantly freezing at the edge of her hood.
"Stinky... Stinky Ling’er..."
She spoke with some difficulty, her voice trembling from the cold, "You... you’ve said that... three times already... since we were halfway up the mountain..."
"You... you’re lying again!"
Hehe.
Xiang Zhaoling smiled a little sheepishly.
Climbing a mountain, you just have to rely on lies.
When the two of them had gone to Southern Jiang previously, her father had come to pick them up, making it effortlessly easy.
But this time, they had secretly run away again with her brother’s help, so they could only rely on themselves.
"I’m really not lying this time! Oh, my..."
Xiang Zhaoling stopped, turned back, and grabbed Zhou Mengdie’s somewhat stiff, frozen hand; the icy touch made her heart ache.
She quickly pointed to the faintly visible end of the snow line in the distance, a stretch of grayish-brown mountain rock.
"Look there! Once we get over that, the cold will be much weaker! We’re really almost there!"
Zhou Mengdie looked in the direction of her finger, her eyes showing even more exhaustion, with a strong look of suspicion.
She had been lied to too many times.
But perhaps she was too tired to argue, she just grunted sullenly and, with all her strength, took another heavy step.
After climbing another steep slope, the two finally stumbled onto that relatively flat area of mountain rock.
Indeed, the bone-chilling cold suddenly lessened; although it was still cold, it was at least no longer that terrifying, Qi-freezing extreme cold.
Zhou Mengdie collapsed to the ground, pulled off her hood, and gasped for air.
Her small face was red from the cold, and after recovering slightly, she looked up at Xiang Zhaoling, who was adjusting her cloak, her eyes full of confusion.
"Stinky Ling’er..."
Her voice was a little hoarse and puzzled: "I really can’t understand... Southern Jiang is so good... your family... cough cough..."
She paused to catch her breath, then continued: "Your family is one of the top powers there, and you have plenty of treasures."
"Instead of staying home, why would you cross mountains and valleys to suffer in Chu?"
This question had been bothering her for a long time, and now, fueled by exhaustion and confusion, she finally asked it.
Xiang Zhaoling’s movements paused, and she also removed her hood, revealing a sweet yet stubborn little face.
"Initially... it was to find something."
Her voice became a little softer: "I once saw a record of a very, very ancient Gu in an old book from my clan."
"It is said that such a Gu can see the ripples in the River of Time... foreseeing a person’s future right up to their death."
Foreseeing the future?
Zhou Mengdie’s fatigue was somewhat diminished by her curiosity, and her sparkling eyes widened.
"Really? Is there such a thing in the world?"
She usually loved to dream and was naturally sensitive to such mysterious things involving time and foresight.
Xiang Zhaoling waved her hand: "Legends, you know, are always a mix of truth and falsehood."
"That book was so old it was almost falling apart."
"But I believe it. The aura and clues described in that ancient scroll made me feel that it might have truly existed."
"At that time, I thought I had to find it and see it."
"However, when I followed the legends in the ancient book northward, passing through that small market town on the border of Chu, I had a very strange sensation... I seemed to detect the special aura described in that ancient book."
"In Chu?" Zhou Mengdie sat up a little in surprise.
Such a small place as Chu, does it have so many treasures?
"Yes, but it was very faint, only for a brief moment, either in the crowd or somewhere nearby. Then... it completely disappeared."
Xiang Zhaoling sighed, her face full of regret: "Like the wind, coming and going without a trace. I stayed in Chu to figure out the source of that aura."
"Unfortunately, I searched every possible place, asked many strange people, but found no clues at all."
"Perhaps it was a fragment that once carried that power passing by, perhaps someone briefly awakened it, or perhaps... it had already been used up and completely dissipated."
She shrugged: "In short, it was a wasted trip."
"Ah... what a pity!"
Zhou Mengdie felt her sadness empathetically, patting her shoulder with her small hand.
She had thought her friend came to Chu to pursue a broader world, never expecting such a story behind it.
Xiang Zhaoling put away her disappointed expression and revealed her signature mischievous smile again: "It’s okay, it’s also good to come out and broaden my horizons, I’m tired of staying in Southern Jiang."
"And... I had another fight with my father and fell out with him, so I’m running away from home."
"Pfft, you really are..."
After some laughter and banter, Xiang Zhaoling stood up and brushed the snow dust from her body.
"Alright, Zhouzhou Bao, have you rested enough? If we drag on any longer, we’ll really miss the big event at Dragon Pool Mountain."
She formed a hand seal and chanted a few words softly.
Accompanied by a clear, long eagle cry, she summoned a gray-feathered giant eagle from her Spirit Beast Bag at her waist.
In Great Heaven Mountain, these low-grade flying Spirit Beasts found it difficult to withstand the gales, and only outside the boundary could they be ridden.
"This is Grey Plume, my father... cough, I borrowed it from home, it flies fast."
Xiang Zhaoling patted the giant eagle’s lowered neck, and the latter affectionately rubbed her hand, then obediently lowered its body.
The two helped each other climb onto the eagle’s back, where they sat quite steadily.
Whoosh—
With a flap of its wings, a strong current of air stirred up the accumulated snow, and the giant eagle soared into the sky, carrying the two girls, and sped towards Qiyuan Prefecture in Chu... Wangling Immortal Valley, White Egret Cliff.
The Immortal Cave assigned to Song Yan was called "Carefree Abode," a very pleasant name.
The stone walls were cool, and the spiritual spring gurgled.
Before a green jade tea table, Song Yan, dressed in a loose black Daoist robe, sat cross-legged in the main seat.
Li Yi sat casually opposite him, and Xiao He, now in human form, sat between the two.
A set of elegant tea ware was placed on the table, with mist curling upwards.
"Master, Junior Martial Uncle Li."
Xiao Ju sat respectfully behind Song Yan, facing the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, yet she showed no signs of nervousness.
After all, one of them was her own Master.
"This Disciple arrived at Dragon Pool Mountain with the Sect’s spiritual boat seven or eight days ago. During this time, besides settling in and daily Cultivation, I also paid attention to rumors inside and outside the Valley, in various market towns, and among Cultivators."
"I have roughly organized the arrangements for the Dragon Pool Gathering and the participation of Cultivators from various Pulses."
Song Yan nodded with some surprise.
Xiao Ju had not been cultivating behind closed doors in the Immortal Cave; she had already organized this information for her Master.
Just as well, Li Yi had come to visit, and both of them were completely unaware of the current situation on Dragon Pool Mountain.
Song Yan casually picked up a green Jade Slip from the tea table, and a faint spiritual light flickered on his fingertip as Spiritual Qi was injected into it.
Light flowed over the Jade Slip, and the Spiritual Qi gradually materialized into a clear, detailed three-dimensional map, showing the area of the grand event in the Dragon Pool Mountain range.
The layout of the valley, the scattered pavilions, and the places where Spiritual Qi gathered were all marked.
"The Dragon Pool Gathering lasts for one month and is divided into three stages."
"The first stage is the first fifteen days, mainly held in various parts of the Valley."
"Every few days, several locations in the Valley will set up discussion forums for some specially invited elder Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Dragon Pool Mountain to give lectures on the Dao."
"There are already many shops in Diequan Market, and people will occasionally organize trade fairs and exchange meetings for Cultivators to exchange goods, and there will also be Daoist sites for cultivating the arts of the mind."
"Wangxian Platform is for Cultivators to spar and exchange ideas, getting to know each other beforehand."
This truly was a grand event for the Cultivation World of Chu, all-encompassing, with everything imaginable.
Song Yan nodded, signaling Xiao Ju to continue.
"In addition, the local Loose Cultivator forces of Dragon Pool Mountain will also open up places such as the Spirit Tea Garden and the Grand Sacrificial Tower for Cultivators to observe, or organize elegant gatherings for treasure hunting, tea tasting, and flower appreciation, each with its own unique flavor."
"These fifteen days are the most active period for all participants and observers."
Song Yan and Li Yi were already aware of the subsequent official grand competition.
The sixteenth to twentieth days were the selection stage; the specific format was still unclear, but it was rumored to be jointly decided by the principal figures of the Nine Pulses and would only be announced at that time.
But what was certain was that the situation would definitely be very intense.
"Among the Nine Pulses, the Six Major Sects of Dongyuan, Xuan Yuan, Xuanjian, Lingfu, Huadu, and Sheyang each occupy fifteen seats."
"The four great aristocratic families, Southern Chu Qin Family, Eastern Chu Zhao Clan, Western Chu Wan Family, and Northern Chu Yan Family, collectively occupy ten seats."
"Small Sects and Loose Cultivators each occupy thirty seats, for a total of one hundred and sixty seats."
However, only twenty people would make it to the final decision.
It is worth mentioning that the small Sects were led by Zhongmiao Sect.
This was natural, as before the appearance of Cave Abyss Sect, it was originally one of the Six Major Sects.
This time, Zhongmiao Sect was ambitious, monopolizing fourteen out of all the small Sects’ quotas in Chu.
Afterward, Xiao Ju also told them a few names she had heard frequently during these days.
The other names were scattered, occasionally heard, but only one person’s name was constantly mentioned.
Profound Origin Sect, Zhou Liu.
"This Senior Zhou seems to be very famous; he established his Dao Foundation nearly three years ago."
Three years ago... Li Yi’s expression shifted, while Song Yan understood.
In fact, according to Li Yi’s talent, he could have taken the Foundation Establishment Pill and established his Foundation around three years ago, during the Sword-Wiping Tournament, when he received the Foundation Establishment Pill reward.
It was only because he had something on his mind that he had delayed his Foundation Establishment.
He just didn’t know what this person’s combat power was like.
"This person is Profound Origin Sect’s fully cultivated, undisputed core of the new generation."
It should be said that when discussing this grand competition, all Cultivators seemed to tacitly agree that this person would win the top spot in the Nine Pulses Grand Competition.
They called him the Peerless Prodigy of the Chu Cultivation World.
Ho, such big talk.
After Song Yan became a Sword Cultivator, his ambition also sharpened a lot, but he still believed that even in the Chu Cultivation World, there were hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Among his peers, he felt confident in fighting anyone, but to call someone peerless in grace and talent, that was truly a bit arrogant.
The two exchanged glances, Li Yi’s eager Battle Intent completely undisguised in his eyes.
Song Yan was the same.
For Li Yi, an opponent of Zhou Liu’s caliber was precisely the whetstone he had always dreamed of.
And for Song Yan, the path of a Sword Cultivator was one of continuous evolution through constant combat.
Only by clashing with genuine powerhouses could one sharpen their blade.
"Junior Brother Song! Xiao Ju’s information is already very comprehensive, and just listening to dry numbers isn’t very interesting."
Li Yi slapped the tea table, startling Xiao He, who had been dozing off, awake.
"Between you and me, while the mountains are clear and the water is beautiful, how about we find an uninhabited place and spar a bit, warm up?"
I knew this would happen.
Song Yan had just such an expression.
He was actually also brimming with Battle Intent, but he had just arrived today and still had some matters he wanted to handle.
Unhurriedly, he picked up the teacup and took a light sip, the ripples in the cup undisturbed.
"Alright. However, let’s make it tomorrow."
"Uh... alright."
Li Yi’s Immortal Cave was not far away, and even walking over like a Mortal would only take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
No need to rush.
After seeing off Li Yi, who was eagerly looking forward to sparring tomorrow, the Immortal Cave returned to quietude.
Song Yan stood by the green jade tea table, his gaze sweeping over the simple furnishings within the Immortal Cave, finally resting on Xiao Ju, who was standing by his side.
He pondered for a moment, his thoughts clear.
The Grand Void Transformation Tome was profound and extensive. Although he had received the Legacy in a somewhat swallowing whole manner at the Sword Sect’s Purple Bamboo Courtyard, and had further solidified his Dao Foundation by re-cultivating the Purple Firmament Dao Scripture.
But immersing himself in it these past two days, he increasingly realized that the essence of swordsmanship within it was as vast as a sea of smoke, and he had only just begun to glimpse its secrets.
There were still seven or eight days until the selection, and Song Yan planned to spend these two days comprehending it, to properly conclude the content he had previously interrupted.
Although the Nine Pulses Grand Competition was important, the Grand Void Transformation Tome was even more crucial for his future Dao path.
Cultivating in seclusion for two days to achieve thorough comprehension was the most urgent matter at hand.
He slowly walked towards the Cultivation stone chamber, but stopped at the door, turning his gaze to Xiao Ju.
"By the way, Xiao Ju."
"Disciple is here." Xiao Ju immediately responded respectfully upon hearing his voice.
Although Xiao Ju had handled everything in an orderly manner these past days, with Song Yan absent, she always felt a sense of the lonely wandering she had experienced before.
Only with Song Yan’s arrival did she feel completely at ease.
Song Yan lightly brushed his finger across the qiankun bag at his waist, and a flash of light appeared, revealing two items before him.
One was the dark blue sword box engraved with flowing cloud patterns, "Useless."
The other was the ancient-looking Flying Sword "Lianli," whose aura was slightly cold.
Now that he had obtained the endless treasury sword box from within the Sword Sect, all Flying Swords could be placed inside it, and it was originally an item of the Sword Sect’s Legacy.
Naturally, he no longer needed the "Useless" sword box.
But the "Useless" sword box was not useless; it was just right to give to his young Sword Cultivator Disciple now.
