Chapter 90: Swordsmanship Astonishes

"Mid-grade spirit stones?" The stall owner paused, then exclaimed joyfully, "This sword is yours!"

He raised his hand and tossed the azure longsword to Jiang Fan. Then, overjoyed, he rubbed the mid-grade spirit stone. "These days, only the rich and powerful can afford to buy things with mid-grade spirit stones! Junior brother, you're truly generous! Unlike a certain senior disciple, who's notoriously stingy."

Ding Wanping's face flushed alternately green and red. He couldn't have imagined that Jiang Fan, a newcomer, would possess so many spirit stones, and mid-grade ones at that, which were rarely seen on the market.

Spirit stones are categorized into three grades: low, mid, and high. A high-grade spirit stone can be exchanged for ten mid-grade spirit stones, and a mid-grade spirit stone for ten low-grade ones. However, mid-grade and higher spirit stones contain abundant spiritual energy, typically used by martial artists for cultivation. Few are willing to exchange mid-grade spirit stones for low-grade ones, and even fewer use them as currency for transactions.

He said sardonically, "Generous? More like a fool! He spent two hundred spirit stones on a fifty-spirit-stone artifact. Rich and foolish."

Jiang Fan pursed his lips. "If you don't have money, just admit it honestly. Why be so sour? Do you really think this mid-grade artifact's only special feature is that fleeting blue light?" Although it was momentary, Jiang Fan had already discerned the sword's true power.

"You Ran, watch closely!" He gripped the azure sword and immediately demonstrated the 'Seven Star Sword Art'. As he performed, the azure sword continuously emitted blue light. Once the blue light reached a certain intensity, with a thrust of his sword, several beams of blue light shot out in the direction of the sword's tip, hitting the target straight ahead with soft popping sounds and slight explosions.

Xu Youran gasped, covering her mouth. "The blue light from the sword can attack enemies?"

Jiang Fan nodded slightly. "There's more. These blue lights seem to have a targeting effect, capable of continuous pursuit, causing significant trouble for enemies. In actual combat, it's definitely a divine artifact."

Clap, clap, clap— The stall owner couldn't help but applaud, admiring Jiang Fan. "So young, yet such keen insight. And your swordsmanship is quite extraordinary! Although the sword technique you just performed wasn't exceptionally profound, you've fully grasped its essence. Many senior disciples on our peak likely don't possess as deep an understanding of swordsmanship as you do."

An expert knows the measure of another by their first move. Jiang Fan's casual display of swordsmanship greatly surprised him. "I wonder which peak this junior brother is from? With such swordsmanship talent, why have I never seen you before?"

Only then did he notice that the two women beside Jiang Fan were wearing Heavenly Sword Peak attire. He couldn't help but frown. "Could he be a Heavenly Sword Peak disciple? That can't be right. Apart from that sword-obsessed maniac on Heavenly Sword Peak, everyone else is useless. There's no one like you there."

Ding Wanping, feeling unfairly targeted, could no longer tolerate it! "Who are you cursing?"

The stall owner looked at Ding Wanping, snatched off his hat, revealing his face. It was a very handsome young male disciple, with a hint of cynicism, appearing to be around twenty-five years old. He stared disdainfully at Ding Wanping. "I'm cursing you. Got a problem with that?"

Ding Wanping, who had been so aggressive just moments ago, was startled to see the man's face. "Gongsun Nan! It's you?"

Gongsun Nan scoffed, "You know it's me, now get lost!"

Ding Wanping's face showed deep apprehension. Gritting his teeth, he didn't dare utter another harsh word and immediately turned and left. Jiang Fan couldn't help but look at him in surprise. Could this person be incredibly powerful?

Chen Siling, beside him, excitedly tugged on Jiang Fan's sleeve. "Gongsun Nan! We've met Gongsun Nan, one of the Top Ten Disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, on our very first day!" As a businesswoman, she was clearly much more perceptive about various information than Xu Youran. As soon as she arrived at Heavenly Sword Peak, she had specifically inquired about a lot of sect information, including the ranking of the Top Ten Disciples.

Gongsun Nan looked at Jiang Fan somewhat astonished and said, "By your look, it seems you don't know me? That shouldn't be. Am I really that obscure?"

Jiang Fan quickly cupped his hands and bowed. "My apologies, senior brother, I'm a new disciple and not yet familiar with the sect. Please forgive any unintentional offense."

"A newcomer?" Gongsun Nan was startled. "My goodness, this batch of newcomers is quite formidable. You just joined the sect, and your swordsmanship is already this strong. Give you a few years, and I'd have to step aside." He said, not without envy, "Which elder got so lucky as to take you as a disciple?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan rolled his eyes and said, "I haven't been accepted into a master's lineage yet. I'm waiting for the elders to choose tomorrow. If I'm fortunate enough, perhaps I'll be able to join one of the peaks."

Gongsun Nan's jaw nearly dropped. "You weren't brought back to a peak?" He looked at the attire of the two women beside Jiang Fan and asked, "Elder Li Qingfeng brought you back to Azure Cloud Sect but didn't take you as a disciple? Just left you to fend for yourself?"

Although a bit awkward, it was the truth. Jiang Fan nodded lightly.

"My word! When did Elder Li's eyesight become so poor?" Gongsun Nan covered his forehead with a look of disbelief. "Such a promising swordsmanship talent, and he didn't want him?" Immediately, a look of delight appeared on his face, and he grabbed Jiang Fan's wrist. "Come, return with me to Carefree Peak! My master will absolutely cherish a swordsmanship genius like you!"

Xu Youran and Chen Siling were stunned. Carefree Peak? Isn't that the third-ranked peak? It's only below the Sect Master's Peak and the Grand Elder's Peak, extremely powerful, and produces many formidable individuals. Jiang Fan was actually going to be taken to Carefree Peak! This sudden stroke of great fortune filled the two women with immense joy. Jiang Fan could enter the inner sect.

Jiang Fan was also delighted. To find such an unexpected opportunity while simply strolling around was truly surprising.

"Wait!" But then, Gongsun Nan slapped his forehead. "Look at me! As a new disciple awaiting selection, you cannot privately take a master. You must wait for the elders to conduct the selection together tomorrow. What's your name?"

"Jiang Fan."

Gongsun Nan nodded. "Alright, I'll go back and tell my master right away. Just wait to be accepted into my Carefree Peak."

Jiang Fan said with relief, "Thank you, Senior Brother Gongsun, for your recommendation."

Gongsun Nan waved his hand. "A swordsmanship prodigy like you would be cherished by any peak. But luckily, only I discovered your extraordinary talent! Hehe! See you tomorrow then! I'm really looking forward to seeing the elders' expressions tomorrow when you, the unwanted one, display your swordsmanship talent in front of them, ha ha ha!"

Watching him laugh as he departed, it took a long time for Jiang Fan's mood to settle. He continued strolling with the two women. Unfortunately, they didn't encounter another good item like the azure sword.

"Siling, I'll find a suitable gift for you another time," Jiang Fan said.

Chen Siling's eyes gleamed. "Okay! I heard our Azure Cloud Sect holds a monthly trade fair. It only supports bartering. Oh, and mid-grade and high-grade spirit stones are also considered goods. There are even more good things there."

Jiang Fan nodded. After clarifying the date, he took the two women back to the stone monument and quietly sat cross-legged, waiting for dawn.

***

Heavenly Sword Peak.

"Damn it!" Ding Wanping kicked over a stone stool, his eyes full of rage.

Zhong Qizhen cautiously asked, "Senior brother, weren't you accompanying the two junior sisters?"

"Don't even mention it!" Ding Wanping slapped the table and recounted what had just happened.

Zhong Qizhen also grew angry. "That Jiang Fan is truly despicable! How dare he offend Senior Brother! Senior brother, don't worry. Tomorrow, I'll make him pay!"

Ding Wanping frowned. "Won't there be a problem? Tomorrow is when the elders select disciples. What if something goes wrong with him, and the elders inquire?"

Zhong Qizhen burst out laughing. "Senior brother, what are you thinking? Who is he? Which elder even knows him? Don't worry, I absolutely won't let him have the chance to see the elders, completely cutting off his opportunity to be favored by one of them!"

Ding Wanping thought about it carefully and realized he was right. If Elder Li Qingfeng didn't want him, who among the other elders would? No one would even know if he died!