Chapter 1508: The Ancient Spirit Still Remains, One Sword Dares to Challenge Three Immortals

A commotion erupted among the people in the city.

Is she really challenging him?

Bei Jianxian, daring to face Xu Xiaoshou, who can even slay a Half-Sage?

"Is this an internal ranking battle among the Seven Sword Immortals, fought for fame?"

"But Bei Jianxian ranks higher than Lord Shou. Why lower herself to challenge him? That doesn't seem to follow the rules."

"Don't speak if you don't understand. There's nothing against the rules; it's just that no one has ever challenged someone ranked lower like this before."

"I know! Let me explain! I heard that in the rules of the Seven Sword Immortals' battles, anyone fighting 'for fame' must forgo all other Dao techniques. That includes refining spirits, of course, and even the power of ghost beasts—it's purely about the skill of ancient sword techniques… Bei Jianxian is brilliant!"

"Hah, she's not really after the wine; it's the ulterior motive. This little Bei Bei is too devious. Not only is she limiting our Lord Shou's abilities, but she's also set the fight for three days from now, clearly buying time!"

"Oh? Is that you, Zhu brother? What's your insight on this?"

"Three days from now, maybe the people from Shengshen Hall will bring in reinforcements from the Zhan Shen Guan ruins… Didn't Lord Shou guess that Cangsheng is trapped in the ruins? They're probably calling for help right now, and this ancient sword cultivator's challenge is just a way to stall for time…"

"Hiss! Zhu brother, you're truly sharp!"

"It's nothing; we can all see through it, and Lord Shou sees it even clearer than day."

High in the sky, Xu Xiaoshou easily read Bei Bei's little scheme.

He pointed at the girl, turned to Lei Xier and the others behind him, and said with an amused smile:

"She's joking around."

Bei Bei's expression froze stiff.

She was serious! Ancient sword cultivation was serious!

And as an ancient sword cultivator, Xu Xiaoshou had taken her challenge letter in hand, which meant he had accepted.

Yet, he was still mocking it verbally—this was so unserious!

"Xu Xiaoshou, don't you know you've already agreed to her challenge?" Lei Shuixing suddenly spoke up.

He knew Xu Xiaoshou's temperament.

This guy had only learned ancient sword techniques, but he wasn't a pure ancient sword cultivator, nor did he fully understand the ancient sword cultivator's circle or their spirit.

In this vast world, there was a group of people who still upheld the "chivalry" passed down from ancient traditions. It might seem outdated, but it created individuals with distinct personalities—that's what ancient sword cultivators were.

The title of the Seven Sword Immortals was sacred to every pure ancient sword cultivator.

They must accept any challenge.

They must honor any agreement.

In just a single month, some ancient sword cultivators might have to face hundreds or even thousands of challenges.

As long as circumstances allowed—like in the previous generation when Gu Lao went into seclusion and forgot about the world entirely.

Even if, in the end, the one accepting the challenges ended up exhausted to the point of near death.

From the perspective of most people in the current world, this "chivalry" of ancient sword cultivators seemed a bit superfluous.

After all, it was too straightforward, making them easy to exploit.

But Xu Xiaoshou… well, he was somewhere in between.

He had picked up the "good" aspects of ancient sword cultivation while completely ignoring the "bad" ones.

And this "bad" wasn't truly bad.

He was tough, yet not always; it depended on the situation.

He had pride, yet none at all—at least in the current circumstances, he was the type to yield to softness but not force.

"I accepted her challenge?"

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoshou whipped his head around, annoyed. "I haven't said a word. How is that accepting? What kind of rule is that?"

Lei Shuixing shook his head. "By taking the challenge letter, you've accepted the fight. That's not just the Feng family's rule; it's the long-standing custom among ancient sword cultivators."

"She threw it at me! I just wanted to see what was written in it…"

Xu Xiaoshou muttered, then flipped open the challenge letter.

Glancing through it quickly, he found the content almost identical to what Bei Bei had said.

But it had to be said—it was incredibly formal!

The challenge letter was made of bronze foil, with a satisfying texture.

Its surface was etched with an intricate sword tower design, but no figures were depicted—only two crossed swords, symbolizing a duel sanctioned by the Sword God at the absolute peak.

Opening it, the ink on the letter was still fresh, the characters bold and unyielding, full of spirit and vitality, leaping off the page.

From the surrounding patterns, the opening salutations, the wording throughout, the closing with its gold-embossed signature and seal, and even Bei Bei's personal sword mark and aura… everything conveyed formality, politeness, and respect.

Xu Xiaoshou could almost picture Bei Bei standing on a chair, bent over the desk, pen in hand, pouring her heart into every word, focused to the point of puckering her lips.

He was a bit surprised.

Closing the letter, he glanced at Bei Bei.

Seeing the young girl's indignant expression, mixed with a hint of humiliation in her eyes, Xu Xiaoshou was touched.

She was so earnest!

Truth be told…

From the start, Xu Xiaoshou had no intention of paying attention to Bei Bei, let alone engaging in some gentleman's duel.

You could see that from his earlier "heart-piercing" remarks, indirectly insulting everyone in Shengshen Hall and their rules.

He hadn't left any face for Bei Bei or Sheng Mountain; he just wanted to humiliate them.

As for the South Domain…

The Feng family might rank people and have the Seven Sword Immortals, but Xu Xiaoshou didn't care about them at all!

He believed his place on the list was due to his own strength.

When he eventually claimed the title of "First Sword Immortal," the value of this generation's Seven Sword Immortals would rise with his presence.

Naturally, having "Lord Shou" among the Seven Sword Immortals was an honor for the Feng family, not for him, Xu Xiaoshou.

But…

It seemed the ancient sword cultivators understood this battle differently from him.

They were all so serious!

Not just Bei Bei.

Xu Xiaoshou looked back at Lei Shuixing and realized this guy had been speaking up for Bei Bei from the beginning—or rather, for the ancient sword cultivators' customs.

Even Mr. Mei Siren…

When Xu Xiaoshou glanced over, he saw his usually kind teacher avoiding his gaze, his expression calm, but with a subtle undertone…

It wasn't calm; it was more like out of sight, out of mind!

The old Sword Saint clearly knew his student's nature.

Since he knew persuasion was futile and Xu Xiaoshou was right in his own way…

Because he had his own principles and stood with Bei Bei, he couldn't speak for Xu Xiaoshou, but he also wouldn't ignore his stance and speak against her…

So, he simply kept quiet!

He just looked at Bei Bei with pity, knowing that facing Xu Xiaoshou, the young girl was in for a rough time.

"You all make it sound like I'm the sinner here…"

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but chuckle bitterly, though deep down, he was deeply moved.

After mixing in the refining spirit world for so long, especially after dealing with someone as cunning as Dao Qiong Cang, he realized he had been tainted too.

If even someone as clever as me has changed,

Then these stubborn ancient sword cultivators, each one like a mule, haven't changed at all.

Should I call them sticklers for tradition, or say they're unyielding to the end?

Xu Xiaoshou wasn't sure, but he suddenly understood why ancient sword cultivators seemed so out of place in the refining spirit world.

In today's era, there are too many who go with the flow, yearning for new Dao paths and fawning over external laws.

Yet, without anyone pushing them, there are so few who can persist in ancient rites, carrying on the civilization and backbone from ancient times, day after day for decades.

That's exactly what ancient sword cultivators are!

A gentleman is cautious when alone and does not deceive in secret chambers.

Those who can achieve this naturally hold firm in the mainstream, standing out like cranes among chickens.

You might not understand it, but their spirit is truly worthy of respect!

"Fighting for fame…"

Stroking the weighty challenge letter in his hand, gazing at Bei Bei in the distance, enduring her humiliation in silence, and listening to the quiet whisper of the wind and snow around him, Xu Xiaoshou finally grasped the meaning of those words.

This "fame" wasn't just about the seven individuals of the Seven Sword Immortals.

This "battle" wasn't merely to elevate the seven names.

The Seven Sword Immortals' list and their disputes were just a form.

What they truly passed down was the backbone of the ancient sword cultivation era, aimed at continuing the spirit represented by "ancient sword cultivator"—unwavering forward, unyielding to the end!

In the rolling waves of the refining spirit era, amidst the schemes of various insidious figures, this spirit was all the more precious.

"A group of contrarians…"

Under the watchful eyes of thousands, Xu Xiaoshou sighed and rose from the ghost qi throne.

He restrained his earlier playful demeanor, becoming solemn and serious. Waving the challenge letter in his hand, he said earnestly:

"First, I apologize for my joking words just now."

Apolo… gize…?

Bei Bei, sword in hand, was stunned.

Had she experienced too many shocks today, leading to hallucinations?

The arrogant and unstoppable Xu Xiaoshou, who had insulted and then slain the Xuanji Hall Master—wait, insulted in words.

And now he's apologizing to me?

Could it be… he likes me?

Lei Xier's divine demon pupils slowed slightly as she was also baffled.

This didn't match the Xu Xiaoshou she knew. Had someone taken over his body?

Only Lei Shuixing's lips curved slightly as he shook his head with a chuckle.

Behind them, Mei Siren was startled at first, then burst into laughter, casually fanning out his paper fan:

"How dare you, rascal?!"

Realizing he could see the words "The child can be taught," the old gentleman quickly flipped the fan over and continued fanning as if nothing had happened.

Ancient sword cultivators understood ancient sword cultivators.

But female ancient sword cultivators might not…

"Xu Xiaoshou, are you sick?" Bei Bei shook her head publicly in refusal. "I don't accept, and I could never like you."

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't even finished his sentence and was already at a loss for words.

What? Did you jump to some forbidden channel? Are you overthinking and misunderstanding something?

"What I mean is…"

Xu Xiaoshou held back his laughter and waved the challenge letter vigorously to steer the conversation back:

"I've seen your respect."

"I've also seen your seriousness about the Seven Sword Immortals' name."

"I'm sorry for my earlier rudeness. This apology is more directed at your identity as an ancient sword cultivator… Of course, it includes you personally, but not much."

Bei Bei blushed at the first half, realizing her misunderstanding, but her face darkened at the latter part as she rolled her eyes dramatically:

"You're really sick! You have to break down an apology so clearly. Is it only when you sound justified that you don't feel guilty?"

"You can think of it that way…" Xu Xiaoshou shrugged, dropping his serious expression and adding a touch of playfulness. "But from your challenge letter, I saw not just respect, but also some trickery."

"What do you mean?" Bei Bei frowned. Though she had followed the Xuanji Hall Master's orders, she was very serious about the challenge.

"Three days…" Xu Xiaoshou tapped the bronze letter with his finger, smirking. "Do you think I'm a fool? By then, the daylily would be cold. Stalling time isn't done like this."

"Let me guess who you really want to bring in against me… Yue Gong Li, Ai Cangsheng?"

He paused, then scoffed. "Come on, Bei Bei, you're that lacking in confidence? Giving up before the fight—it's a big taboo against enemies!"

Bei Bei's face flushed again, but she stubbornly replied:

"You're overthinking, Xu Xiaoshou."

"The Seven Sword Immortals' battle should be announced across the five domains of the continent, inviting the world to witness it. It's a ceremonial match."

"The challenge is just the beginning. After that, I still need to ask the Feng family of the South Domain to send someone to oversee it and wait for the spectators to arrive."

"Once the Feng family people come, we have to set up the 'Transmission Mirror' to broadcast the Sword Immortal battle to the major royal cities across the five domains and record it for posterity in the Feng family archives."

"This battle will be watched by all!"

Bei Bei counted on her fingers, gripped her sword, and looked back seriously:

"Even then, three days is short. After all, our battlefield is in the Central Domain, not the South Domain."

As if remembering something, she added excitedly: "If you want to fight in the South Domain, that's even better. I'm ready anytime!"

Go to the South Domain for what?

If I go, wouldn't that mean letting go of Dao Laopo?

Xu Xiaoshou frowned after listening, glanced back at Lei Shuixing—completely forgetting the guy was blind—and just raised his eyebrows in a signal.

He was quite interested in fighting before the world.

Though through that "Transmission Mirror," he might not gain passive points, the people in Jade Capital City were enough, so it didn't matter.

Mainly, it was for the "fame"!

Fame nourishes Sword Immortals.

Fame nourishes famous swords.

The Eight Venerables had pioneered this, and Xu Xiaoshou wanted a piece of it too.

But he hadn't realized the Seven Sword Immortals' challenges involved such a tedious process.

Hearing this, the respect he had just felt for ancient sword cultivators vanished completely.

What nonsense about being unyielding—it's just a bunch of stubborn mules sticking to old ways!

And Lei Shuixing, as the prime example of a stubborn mule, didn't even side with his own people. He just nodded and said: "I just came from the South Domain."

This guy…

He was already in the South Domain, planning to challenge the people on the Seven Sword Immortals' list one by one upward. Did he also want a piece?

Xu Xiaoshou immediately became wary. Would he challenge me later?

He hadn't figured out Lei Shuixing's level yet. The guy always seemed cold and aloof, acting superior, but Xu Xiaoshou had never seen him go all out.

"Does it really have to follow this process?" Xu Xiaoshou turned to Mei Siren for confirmation again.

"If you're going to fight, then yes, you have to follow this process." Mei Siren smiled kindly, his eyebrows benevolent as he flipped the fan back over.

Xu Xiaoshou stared at the words "How dare you, rascal?" and fell into thought…

Old stubborn mule!

Lei Xier watched with a smile.

So Xu Xiaoshou hadn't changed; he had just suddenly had a moment of conscience, reflecting on himself, going from unreliable to serious—everyone has times when emotions get the better of them.

"Three days is too long!"

Soon, Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand impatiently. "In three days, I could slaughter a city thirty times over. Don't think you can stall me."

Jade Capital City was terrified.

Bei Bei's face turned ugly. "Ancient rites are ancient rites. If you're going to enjoy the conveniences of the Seven Sword Immortals' name, you have to take on the corresponding obligations. You can't abandon the rites!"

"What obligations? I haven't even started enjoying any conveniences—it's all trouble—and you're talking to me about obligations? Nonsense!"

Xu Xiaoshou swung his sword, looking far into the distance outside Jade Capital City at the other two ancient sword cultivators, and called them out:

"You, and you—are you also thinking of challenging me?"

"You're all ancient sword cultivators, no need to pretend. You look like you want to fight."

"I'm short on time. I'll give each of you one incense stick's worth— that's the greatest respect."

"After three incense sticks, I need to end this, storm Sheng Mountain, and I don't have time to waste with you here!"

The people in the city followed Lord Shou's gaze and turned back sharply, seeing two figures rising in the distance outside the city.

"Gu Lao?"

"The First Sword Immortal, Gu Yu—is he really going to challenge Xu Xiaoshou?"

"And that girl—who is she? I don't recognize her…"

"Liu Fuyu! She's Liu Fuyu from Sword Tower, ranked fourth among the Seven Sword Immortals, below Xiao Kongdong!"

"Wow, this is getting exciting…"

The onlookers thought it was exciting, but Gu Yu's face wasn't pleasant—clearly, he was another top-tier stubborn mule. "Rites are rites. After Bei Bei's fight, once you've recovered, I'll face you."

"Oh? A round-robin?" Xu Xiaoshou laughed. "No need for that trouble. I'm endlessly enduring—you can all gang up, or put it this way…"

"I, Xu Xiaoshou, will take on you three alone!"

Lei Shuixing: "Thanks, but anyone related to Dao Xuanji still needs to be killed."

Wu Dengguai: "Promoted to a fifth-rank star, feeling happy, wanted to come out for a stroll."