Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

The three walls of heavenly fire, each a thousand zhang tall, encircled the sect for a hundred li in every direction, blocking everyone out. The terrifying sight forced everyone to reconsider the Daxia Sword Sect’s true power and wealth. It made them realize just how fearsome Li Guanqi and the others truly were.

That was heavenly fire, after all. Millions of top-tier alchemists dreamed of owning a heavenly flame, and they wouldn’t hesitate to sell off their entire net worth for it. Yet the Daxia Sword Sect treated it like regular beast flames or earthly flames, casually using it to erect a barrier.

Sun Miao knew nothing of this yet. He was sweating, thinking hard about the question Cao Yan had just posed.

Cao Yan, in contrast, had looked calm since the beginning. He answered even the hardest questions with ease and offered his own opinions and insights on the pill Dao. His views might have struck Sun Miao as shallow or immature, but the fact that Cao Yan could think that way at all still impressed him.

The two had been debating for a full day and night. Not a single disciple had left; everyone was still seated below the dais, either fully focused on the debate or deep in thought.

Sun Miao raised his hand and extinguished the flame in the cauldron. He rose and bowed. “I have learned a lot from this debate. I… admit defeat.”

Cao Yan smiled, adjusting the hem of his robes. He rose and helped Sun Miao to his feet. “I’ve learned a great deal from this debate as well. I may have been born to a family of alchemists, but I truly admire your practical experience. Let’s keep in touch. I will prepare good food and good wine for you.”

Sun Miao burst into hearty laughter. This kid was brought up well. Cao Yan was well-mannered and warm, without a trace of arrogance.

He gave Cao Yan a fist salute and smiled. “Alright! In the future, I will prepare a pill-refining room for you at Pill Peak. Come whenever you want! There’s also been quite a stir outside over the past couple days. We should go see what’s happening.”

They bowed to each other, then stood shoulder to shoulder and left.Word of Li Guanqi’s lecture spread quickly through the sect. Some elders suggested charging outsiders a large sum of spirit stones for entry, but Li Guanqi rejected the idea. The Daxia Sword Sect did not lack money, and outsiders should not be allowed to enjoy those benefits. He wanted everyone to know that outsiders could not attend the lecture, even if they were at the Illusory Refinement Realm. It did not matter which faction they were from.

He wanted all Daxia Sword Sect disciples to stand tall and proud in the outside world, fostering a sense of pride in their sect.

Lu Kangnian slammed his palms on the desk. “That’s right! This is an internal sect matter. What business do outsiders have here? The Daxia Sword Sect doesn’t need the money!”

A ceremonial elder of the inner sect entered. He bowed and reported in a low voice, “Sect Master, the two sects and five pavilions of the Azure Cloud Continent have agreed to pay a hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones in exchange for three slots. Some of the other major factions from other continents have also agreed to this price. Also—”

Before the elder could finish, Lu Kangnian waved him off. “Tell them that the Daxia Sword Sect is not selling any slots! It does not matter how many spirit stones they offer!”

Lu Kangnian paused, then pulled out his jade slip and infused it with a wisp of spirit qi. His eyes lit up. He turned and whispered in Li Guanqi’s ear.

Li Guanqi smiled and nodded. Lu Kangnian turned to the elder. “Welcome the people from the Zhenyue Mountain Sect. Remember, you must give their sect master, Shen Ye, a lot of face.”

Li Guanqi was okay with it. Years ago, when the Daxia Sword Sect was being bullied by the Seven Strings Sect, Azure Dragon Island Sect, and other factions, the Zhenyue Mountain Sect was the only one that stood by them.

During the battle against the Purple Sun Pavilion, their sect master even brought his entire sect to help. Helping someone during their peak was easy, but delivering coal during a harsh winter was a true act of kindness.

The Daxia Sword Sect wanted to show everyone their current strength and wealth, delivering a slap in the face to every sect that had looked down on them. Lu Kangnian made all the remaining arrangements.

Li Guanqi bowed toward him on the dais. “Sect Master, since I am not needed for the remaining matters, I shall excuse myself.”

“Haha, alright, go.”

Li Guanqi left the pavilion with Meng Wanshu, taking her to the place where he once trained. Many disciples sat beneath the hundred-zhang-tall waterfall, cultivating. Across the three thousand peaks, many more climbed the cliff walls bare-chested with boulders tied to their bodies. Sharp stones cut into their chests, but they did not care. Their gazes remained determined through the blood and sweat.

The sect had always taught them to rely on themselves and work hard for everything they wanted. And there were countless legendary tales about this very place.

At Jade Teapot Peak, Meng Wanshu soaked her feet in the pond, instantly turning it into an icy pool. She gazed at the setting sun, surrounded by misty peaks and rivers, enjoying the breeze on her face.

“It’s impressive…”

“Hmm? What’s impressive?”

“This is an impressive sect. Everyone is united, focused entirely on cultivation, and fiercely proud of their sect.”

The more she thought about it, the more remarkable it seemed. She turned to Li Guanqi. “Did you know? The stronger a sect, the more problems it usually has. I’ve witnessed this far too many times. Some sects rise quickly because of a single disciple’s success, but all of them still fall into decline in the end!”

Li Guanqi nodded silently, pursing his lips.

She leaned back on her hands at the edge of the pond and sighed. “But I’ve never seen a sect like the Daxia Sword Sect before. From top to bottom, every single person has a positive mindset. None of them ever put on airs.”

Li Guanqi smiled proudly, thinking of what his grandfather had once said about the sect. “That is why I love this sect!”

“I see…”

Ye Feng and Xiao Chen both received Li Guanqi’s message. Cao Yan returned to the courtyard with a smile and sat down to cultivate. He had learned a lot during the debate with Sun Miao and wanted time to digest what he’d learned. He did not decline Li Guanqi’s offer. After spending a day at the Daxia Sword Sect, he’d decided it was a place worth staying.

Clang! Clang!

Sunlight scattered across the clouds. The bell rang nine times, and a thousand-zhang-wide plaza of white jade floated into view outside Heavenly Sword Peak.

Li Guanqi, clad in luxurious sect robes, opened his eyes and transmitted, “Let’s go. It’s going to be a busy few days. Thank you for this.”

Xiao Chen tossed his hair and said smugly, “Let me talk more today. I plan to make Sister Qing swoon over me!”

Ye Feng was sullen, gripping his sword sheath so tightly that his knuckles turned white.