Chapter 151: Four Peaks Have Swords, Who Will Ask?

Liantian Town was nowhere to be seen on the desolate plain.

It seemed to be hidden within an invisible space, whose transparent walls rippled faintly. From time to time, people walked out of it with bewildered expressions.

That scythe-like sword energy, black as a flock of crows, swept over everyone's heads, only to be severed mid-air by a vast, white rainbow light, shattering into countless specks.

Lu Jiajia stood in front of Ning Changjiu and Ning Xiaoling. Though the sword in her hand was an ordinary one, it emanated an unearthly, vibrant immortal energy.

Twelve Autumn raised his head. Beside his pale nose, eyes under his hood gleamed like a spectral blue blade. He stared at the sudden appearance of the woman, guessing her identity: "Is this the Suspended Sun Peak Master Xue Xunxue in person?"

Lu Jiajia did not reply.

Her snowy-white figure vanished from the spot. The clang of swords echoed as the blade at her side transformed into several long rainbows, like a swirling wind and snow, striking towards Twelve Autumn.

Twelve Autumn's expression was solemn. He thought that the Suspended Sun Peak Master was indeed stronger than he had imagined.

He flicked his starry robe, and its wide sleeves opened. The vast, dark sleeves encompassed everything, with flickering lights and shadows within, like a profound cave dwelling, drawing everything they touched inside.

The dragon-like sword energy collided with the wide, dark sleeves, silenced without a sound.

Within Twelve Autumn's wide sleeves, his pale hand was so thin it was skin and bones, yet an indescribable power erupted from his emaciated arm. His long, slender fingers, like five sharp deboning swords, sliced directly towards Lu Jiajia's chest.

At that moment, Lu Jiajia's sword was entangled by the starry sleeves and could not be freed. The strike was also too fast; by all accounts, she should not have been able to react.

But almost simultaneously, Twelve Autumn let out a cry of pain.

A light flared within his dark, wide sleeves. All the sword energy that had been drawn into his sleeves earlier, like countless fuses, exploded at that very moment.

If it had merely been sword energy, it certainly wouldn't have breached Twelve Autumn's wide sleeves. But incredibly, the stars within his sleeves also transformed into sword energy, turning back against him!

The true essence he had released had, astonishingly, been assimilated into sword energy by his opponent.

Shriiiing!

Sharp, bright sword light burst forth like a splash of water; each droplet transformed into a razor-sharp blade, tearing countless slits in his vast, soft sleeves.

Meanwhile, the palm strike also stopped an inch from Lu Jiajia's chest.

Her body was like a sword, every inch of her skin constantly radiating sword intent. The tips of those emaciated fingers were instantly mangled by Lu Jiajia's personal sword energy.

Twelve Autumn withdrew his hand, gave a slight shake, and the mangled flesh at his fingertips dissipated, his skin regenerating as if new.

He formed a hand seal, and his torn, floating sleeves suddenly expanded, transforming into countless pale purple clouds that enveloped his body. The sword energy that entered the cloud dissipated invisibly.

Through the pale purple mist, Twelve Autumn stared at the woman, whose swordsmanship was exceptional, and said coldly, "You are not Xue Xunxue!"

Lu Jiajia still did not respond.

Her Sword Physique was almost perfected. Sword energy, like snowy mist, continuously swirled around her, forming an impenetrable armor. Behind this icy armor, the woman's expression was strikingly cold and beautiful.

She was ready to strike with her next sword at any moment.

Twelve Autumn stopped trying to guess her identity. He wasn't sure if he could defeat her even by unleashing all his spiritual arts, but if they fought, it would be a prolonged, exhausting battle. Under normal circumstances, he would have undoubtedly attacked without mercy, fighting to the death.

But today, he had more important matters to attend to.

Lu Jiajia shared a similar thought. She, too, urgently needed to return to her sect, but she refused to show any sign of retreat. Every wisp of her sword intent seemed to weigh thousands of pounds, crushing the peak stones beneath her feet.

Twelve Autumn was the first to yield.

"If we meet again someday, only one of us will survive," Twelve Autumn said calmly. Clouds enveloped him and Zhang Qieyu, and they vanished from the cliff.

"Her Sword Physique feels somewhat familiar," Zhang Qieyu suddenly said.

"Oh? You know her, Sir?" Twelve Autumn was equally curious about this Heavenly Sect Sword Immortal. When had the Heavenly Sect produced another breathtaking woman in the Purple Court realm?

Zhang Qieyu recalled, "Eight years ago, I saw a similar sword intent in another young girl."

"Eight years ago..." Twelve Autumn vaguely knew that a significant figure had visited Nanzhou eight years prior.

He didn't press further, taking Zhang Qieyu directly to the Purple Heaven Daoist Sect.

The people of Liantian Town couldn't see the full scene unfolding on the cliff.

They only knew that this elegant woman in white was an immortal sent to save their lives.

Lu Jiajia turned around and struck a sword towards the open ground of the desolate plain.

Without Zhang Qieyu presiding over it, the Ghost Festival in Liantian Town weakened considerably. That single sword strike actually cut through the town's concealment, subtly revealing a glimpse of the scenery behind it.

The crowd looked back and vaguely saw that Liantian Town's main street had a distinct curve at that moment, though the people within it could not perceive it.

At the end of the lotus pond, there was a long, scroll-like underground river. This dark river led to a boundless tunnel beneath the riverbed, looping back to the beginning of Liantian Town in an extremely long arc, with countless murals adorning the tunnel walls.

But for some reason, people within it were completely unaware of these things.

Some tentatively returned to the town, while others stayed outside, observing and hesitating whether to step inside.

And some let out exclamations, because the white-clad immortal on the cliff, after unleashing that sword strike, vanished in the blink of an eye.

Disappearing with her was a pair of young boy and girl from the crowd.

"You're always causing trouble for me!" Lu Jiajia glared at Ning Changjiu and tapped his forehead with her finger.

Ning Xiaoling hid behind her senior brother, not daring to look at her master's fierce expression.

Lu Jiajia's gaze softened considerably as she looked over Ning Changjiu's shoulder, asking with concern, "Xiaoling, are you alright?"

Ning Xiaoling nodded gently.

Ning Changjiu was somewhat displeased by Lu Jiajia's differential treatment, thinking to himself that women truly had two faces.

He smiled faintly, "Congratulations, Master, on perfecting your Sword Physique. To reach such a realm today must be the result of arduous cultivation."

Lu Jiajia knew he was subtly mocking her past indiscretions during body cultivation. She mentally made a note of it, her expression unchanged as she said, "If your master isn't a bit more powerful, how can I save my disciples?"

Ning Xiaoling's eyes were full of excitement and admiration: "Yes, Master is the most powerful!"

Lu Jiajia smiled, pursing her lips. Seeing them both safe and sound, the ice and snow in her spiritual eyes finally melted. She reached out and ruffled both their heads, asking, "What exactly did you two experience in there? Who trapped you?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Do you remember the three paintings in the Sword Hall?"

Lu Jiajia nodded, "Of course."

Ning Changjiu said, "The three demonic beasts in the paintings might still be alive."

Lu Jiajia's expression changed. "Are you joking?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Jiuying is currently in the Purple Heaven Daoist Sect, said to be missing a head. That head is very likely the giant python from Liantian Town. Xiushi is currently missing, and Yayu..."

Ning Changjiu paused, then said, "The one who trapped us was a painter named Zhang Qieyu. Many paintings in the Sword Divining Heavenly Sect are his work. Qieyu... it probably means Yayu, stripped of its beastly nature."

The more Lu Jiajia listened, the more surreal it felt. She asked, "If they are truly ancient demonic beasts, how could you have survived?"

Ning Changjiu said, "I don't know what he was thinking. Perhaps his ambitions are immense, or perhaps he truly lacked the ability to kill us. In any case... something big might happen in Nanzhou today."

"Jiuying..." Lu Jiajia recalled its legends, still puzzled. "If the legends are true, those are demonic beasts from three thousand years ago. How could they still be alive today?"

Ning Changjiu explained, "Cultivators and demons above the Fifth Path can live for thousands of years, but most of them are killed by more powerful beings..."

As Ning Changjiu spoke, a chill crept into his heart.

He didn't elaborate further, only saying, "Let's return to the sect first. We can discuss the rest on the way."

Sword Divining Heavenly Sect.

The Four Peaks Sword Gathering proceeded as usual. Disciples from Guarding Cloud Peak, Suspended Sun Peak, Returning Sun Peak, and Heavenly Grotto Peak, each bearing their immortal swords and inheriting unique skills, began their sword competition in the arena. Dozens of masters and elders stood around, preventing any accidents during the gathering.

However, the Heavenly Grotto Peak, which was initially the least favored, brought the biggest surprise.

Nan Cheng, a disciple of Heavenly Grotto Peak, fought against the leading disciples from each of the other three peaks, winning every match decisively.

"This disciple is excellent. It's rare to cultivate sword intent to such a degree. It's just a pity he was born on the wrong peak. If he could have come to Guarding Cloud Peak, his status among this generation's disciples would surely be second only to Fang Hegao's," an elder from Guarding Cloud Peak remarked with emotion.

Fang Hegao was the most renowned senior disciple of Guarding Cloud Peak among this generation of the four peaks.

"I don't think it's how powerful he is, but rather that the top disciples from the other three peaks were relatively too weak," another person leisurely commented. "While Nan Cheng's talent is good, this match doesn't reveal his true strength. Let's see in the second round."

"Heavenly Grotto Peak has no one else, that's why they sent Nan Cheng to lead. Any disciple below Nan Cheng would probably be utterly defeated."

The people from the four peaks discussed Nan Cheng animatedly. While acknowledging his strength, they still didn't have high hopes for Heavenly Grotto Peak.

However, the previously low morale of the Heavenly Grotto Peak disciples lifted significantly due to Nan Cheng's consecutive victories.

Everyone felt that Senior Brother Nan Cheng, having cultivated in seclusion on Hidden Peak for so long, truly lived up to his reputation. The sharpness of his sword energy was something even many masters had not seen, let alone in a boy not yet twenty?

"It's a pity Junior Sister Xiaoling isn't here. I wonder who is stronger between her and Senior Brother Nan Cheng."

"Of course Senior Brother Nan Cheng is stronger! While Ning Xiaoling's talent is notable, the early spring sword trials were just an internal competition, and Senior Brother Nan Cheng hadn't even emerged from seclusion then."

"Hmm... Senior Sister, are you perhaps jealous of Junior Sister Xiaoling?"

"No way!"

Nan Cheng stood alone in the sword arena, the light of the formation flowing vividly beneath his feet as if substantial. Below the formation, the peak towered thousands of feet high, with swirling clouds that made it seem as if he were in the heavens.

He quietly regulated his breathing, awaiting his next opponent.

His Sword Physique was more powerful than he had imagined. However, he was severely wounded today, and every wisp of spiritual energy consumed placed a multi-fold burden on him.

"You are Nan Cheng?" The next opponent arrived with an ethereal grace. In his hand, he held a specially forged sword, thick and heavy, yet in his grip, it felt as light as plucking a cloud.

The man stared coldly at Nan Cheng, seeming to disdain the sword in his hand.

"The Senior Disciple of Suspended Sun Peak! His name seems to be Lin Cai."

"What a strange name."

"They say he's an orphan picked up by the Suspended Sun Peak Master, carefully raised for many years, and personally taught swordsmanship. He was originally supposed to be Suspended Sun Peak's final showpiece, but now he probably can't stand Heavenly Grotto Peak's moment of glory, so he wants to come out early and suppress Senior Brother Nan Cheng."

"Suspended Sun Peak... hmm, is it a woman's jealousy? Ah, I wonder if Senior Brother Nan Cheng can withstand it."

"Difficult..."

Nan Cheng looked at the sword in his hand. Though it seemed so light, it brought him a heavy sense of oppression. His sword seemed to transcend the sword scriptures, leaving no trace.

"Draw your sword," Nan Cheng said, vigilant but fearless.

Lin Cai revealed a faint smile. His figure drifted lightly, appearing both fast and slow, elusive. The sword in his hand was like a kite dancing in the wind, striking towards Nan Cheng.

The Suspended Sun Peak Master watched his sword, very satisfied, and smiled.

She alone knew the depth of Lin Cai's swordsmanship and the power of his sword intent, and she was training Lin Cai as her successor.

Nan Cheng stood rooted, his sword-like gaze fixed on the trajectory of Lin Cai's sword.

Many people looked over.

Two swords clashed in the wind.

Lin Cai was like an approaching cloud, while Nan Cheng was like stubborn bedrock.

The moment their swords met, it was like a glacier suddenly breaking, cold water gushing like a waterfall. The two figures moved, one rising, one falling, but their sword tips remained locked together in unspoken understanding. Their sword energy surged and collided almost simultaneously, leaking outwards to form countless ripples that spread rapidly in all directions.

The Suspended Sun Peak Master frowned slightly, saying with interest, "Are they competing on the purity of their sword energy? Ha, that's asking for death."

He had expected Nan Cheng to use some intricate sword moves, but he didn't expect him to resort to such a simple method.

Competing with Lin Cai in sword energy was tantamount to extinguishing his only chance of victory.

As expected, Lin Cai's sword energy surged down like a great river, instantly overwhelming Nan Cheng. Nan Cheng held his sword high with both hands, struggling to hold on, his knees trembling slightly.

The Heavenly Grotto Peak disciples watched him nervously; they had lost confidence. Although Senior Brother Nan Cheng was formidable, the Suspended Sun Peak's senior disciple was even more renowned. And with just one exchange, he had completely suppressed Nan Cheng. They were all sword practitioners and understood that a single slow move could lead to being disadvantaged at every turn.

But Nan Cheng once again surprised everyone.

Lin Cai's sword energy, vast as the sky full of clouds, suddenly turned somber, like a cool breeze turning into rain. And those rain-like sword energies were then assimilated by Nan Cheng, astonishingly refining into his own sword intent within an extremely short time.

The reversal of the offensive was completed within three breaths.

More than half of Lin Cai's sword intent was instantly assimilated, as if within a grand army, all the subordinate generals and soldiers had mutinied, turning their spears in a blink of an eye to point directly at the marshal in the center.

Lin Cai didn't understand what was happening.

Nan Cheng's sword was already aflame with sword fire, thrusting towards Lin Cai.

The tangible sword energy was like a multifaceted mirror, reflecting the sword fire into a furnace-like reddish glow. That glow was beautiful, making Lin Cai's cheeks even redder.

It was the red of shame.

Nan Cheng's sword was already pressed against his chest, the fire on the blade gradually extinguishing.

"Thank you for the match," Nan Cheng sheathed his sword, bowed, and turned to leave.

Behind him, the Heavenly Grotto Peak erupted in sudden cheers.

"Sword Spirit Unity?" Suspended Sun Peak Master Xue Xunxue's brows furrowed tightly, her sword-like eyes unable to conceal her shock. "How is this possible? Is Heavenly Grotto Peak going to produce two individuals with Sword Spirit Unity?"

"Unlikely," Returning Sun Peak Master Xue Lin shook her head. "I once saw Lu Jiajia draw her sword; Sword Spirit Unity should not look like this."

"Then what is it?"

"Could it be an Acquired Sword Physique?"

"Acquired Sword Physique?" Xue Xunxue immediately denied it. "The cultivation method for Acquired Sword Physique was lost three hundred years ago. How could Heavenly Grotto Peak still possess such a technique?"

Their debate yielded no conclusion.

After a few more sword exchanges, Nan Cheng defeated another opponent, standing alone before Heavenly Grotto Peak, like a lone guardian holding the pass.

Everyone could see his exhaustion, his bloodless face, and the blood seeping from his abdomen.

However, his trump card—the ability to assimilate others' sword intent for his own use—left challengers unable to find a solution in a short time.

Older observers recalled the scene when Lu Jiajia first participated in the Four Peaks Sword Gathering and won the championship.

Back then, Lu Jiajia was just a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl.

Ten years had passed in a flash.

As they felt this surge of emotion, a sword was drawn from Guarding Cloud Peak.

Sword energy struck the ground, sending tiny ripples across the indestructible formation.

"Fang Hegao?" Nan Cheng sensed his sword intent and confirmed his identity.

He was Fang Hegao, the senior disciple of Guarding Cloud Peak.

He looked at Nan Cheng's injuries, a hint of apology in his voice: "I apologize for not stepping forward earlier. Even if I defeat you now, my reputation might not be untarnished."

Fang Hegao paused slightly, then smiled, "But I also don't want to see you keep winning. While the Four Peaks Sword Gathering history has seen feats of one person battling twelve disciples from three peaks consecutively, in this generation, I won't let such a thing happen to anyone else."

His words were calm, his tone gentle; though he was clearly challenging, he gave off a refreshing, spring-like aura.

The Guarding Cloud Peak Master had intended to stop him, to give his junior brothers and sisters more opportunities to practice swordsmanship, but after a moment's thought, she said nothing.

A youth's sharpness is inherently an unyielding sword.

Nan Cheng could sense his realm.

If he hadn't been injured and was at his peak strength, he might have had a thirty percent chance.

But now, drawing his sword, he had no chance at all.

He was somewhat glad that his master and seniors wouldn't witness his defeat. He also felt regret, regretting that he couldn't emerge from seclusion and astonish everyone until the very end.

He disliked what this Guarding Cloud Peak disciple said.

In Nan Cheng's mind, true masters should be like his master and seniors: concise in speech and solemn.

But at this moment, he simply couldn't win against him, which made him feel utterly frustrated.

"It's an honor to finally meet you," he said, exchanging courtesies with Fang Hegao.

Nan Cheng's consecutive victories also gave the Heavenly Grotto Peak disciples many illusions.

Hadn't Lin Cai also arrived with an air of an immortal, only to return defeated?

They cheered for Senior Brother Nan Cheng.

However, their cheers grew progressively softer.

Fang Hegao truly lived up to his reputation as Guarding Cloud Peak's senior disciple. The sword intent around him seemed both tangible and intangible, constantly shifting, giving Nan Cheng no opportunity to assimilate it.

Thus, their sword competition became a pure comparison of realms and sword moves.

Nan Cheng remained as unyielding as bedrock, not falling quickly.

A line of fire ignited between them, intertwining like lightning.

Sword energy overflowed, surging erratically.

Tangible and intangible sword moves transformed into intertwining light and shadow between them.

But anyone with a discerning eye could see that with each sword strike, Nan Cheng's chances of victory diminished. After ten moves, Nan Cheng was clearly at a significant disadvantage.

"Without the Sword Physique's protection, is this all you've got?" Fang Hegao raised an eyebrow slightly.

Nan Cheng remained silent, holding his sword upright before him like a monument.

Fang Hegao's sword energy swooped down like a snow eagle hunting prey, a myriad of arrows all shooting towards this stubborn rock unwilling to yield.

Suddenly, a white light flashed.

Fang Hegao's figure paused slightly; he crossed his arms over his chest to block.

A pair of ram horns struck his chest.

The ram was not large, yet its power was no less than a full-strength strike from a peak Immortal Passage realm cultivator. Even someone as strong as Fang Hegao was pushed back several steps instantly.

"Congenital Spirit?" The surprise in Fang Hegao's expression quickly turned to indifference.

A Congenital Spirit is an auxiliary cultivation item, inherently fragile. If opponents are of similar realms, a surprise attack with a Congenital Spirit usually only provides one chance.

Since Fang Hegao was unharmed by the strike, Nan Cheng's last glimmer of hope was naturally extinguished.

Yazhu knew the outcome was decided and closed her eyes, unable to watch further.

All the disciples fell silent.

So much so that no one except the three peak masters noticed that the Peach Curtain had opened at some point, and a sword light arrived at the very back of the Heavenly Grotto Peak crowd.

Ning Changjiu saw Nan Cheng's losing sword strike.

Lu Jiajia was somewhat surprised by the Sword Divining Heavenly Sect's current tranquility, but tranquility was always a good thing.

She looked at the heavily injured Nan Cheng, sighed, then glanced at Ning Changjiu and said, "Why don't you try?"

Ning Changjiu said, "I'm not interested in martial arts competitions."

Ning Xiaoling, however, didn't look at the martial arts arena. Instead, she gazed at the glittering objects on the high platform and asked, "Master, Master, what are those?"

Lu Jiajia explained, "Those are the rewards for this year's Four Peaks Sword Gathering champion: the Heavenly River Si, the Heavy Fire Casket, and the Illusory Snow Lotus. Each has its own wonderful use."

Ning Xiaoling nodded, thinking their names sounded very good.

Ning Changjiu's expression subtly shifted. He looked towards the lotus with its many layered petals and asked, "Is that the Illusory Snow Lotus?"

Lu Jiajia grunted a disgruntled 'Hm,' thinking, "Could the Heavenly Sect possibly be faking it?"

In the arena, Nan Cheng ultimately fell.

He hung his head, looking at the sword tip pressed against him, a sense of powerlessness washing over him.

Fang Hegao had defeated a formidable opponent, yet there was no joy on his face; his victory was merely a matter of course.

He sheathed his sword, offered a polite smile, looked around, and asked, "Who will be the next to challenge?"

Silence enveloped the surroundings.

They knew that Fang Hegao could keep winning until the end.

This was something everyone had known even before the Four Peaks Sword Gathering began.

Nan Cheng had brought surprises, but not an unexpected outcome.

Holding his sword, he silently walked away towards the back, in the posture of a loser.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but as he lowered his head, a glimpse of a white-robed figure suddenly flashed in the corner of his eye. His expression jolted, and he immediately raised his head, looking back.

He saw a familiar back standing before him, with an outstretched hand.

Nan Cheng understood and quickly handed over his sword.

Ning Changjiu took the sword, walked up to Fang Hegao, and said calmly, "I'll be next."