Chapter 426: What Is the World's Number Ten

When Xu Fengnian put on his straw cape and hat again, then got ashore carrying his fishing rod and basket, the Sword Lunatic Wang Xiaoping had long since disappeared. Qingniao stood quietly by the shore, taking the items from her young master's hands. The fishing basket was empty, making Xu Fengnian feel a little embarrassed. The koi in Listening Tide Lake were so numerous that not only could you easily fish them, but even by bending down and slapping the water, a few would jump into your hands. Xu Fengnian had endured the cold and fished diligently for an hour or so, yet returned empty-handed.

Apart from Liu Wenbao, who trotted over, Zhang Dongling and his son Zhang Chunlin from Youyan Villa, and the woman who had defected from the Guanyin Sect also arrived. All of them were profoundly grateful, their thanks evident from the bottom of their hearts. Before Xu Fengnian could say anything, Zhang Dongling, who was considered a leader in the martial arts world of their province, immediately knelt down to kowtow without a word. Xu Fengnian quickly helped him up, preventing him from performing such a grand gesture. Zhang Chunlin, holding an armful of famous swords, looked even more reverent, wishing he could apprentice himself on the spot. Xu Fengnian hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not reveal the truth, seeing it as a rare chance to play the role of a chivalrous hero. He spoke politely, "Your villa offered me lodging first, and I've merely returned the favor. We owe each other nothing, Master Zhang, so please don't take it too much to heart. To be honest, I borrowed over a thousand swords from Youyan Villa this time, and a good number of them were stolen by those qi practitioners from the South Sea. I feel deeply ashamed right now."

Zhang Dongling had believed he would surely die, so he didn't care about the hundreds of swords that had been stolen. Besides, the dozens of precious famous swords from the villa were still there. Swords like Zhang Chunlin's personal sword, Rootless Skywater, along with Dragon Beard, Beacon Fire, Slender Waist, and Winter Slayer, had all been returned to their original owners without exception. Zhang Dongling had been willing to seal the ancestral Dragon Rock Incense Burner for the woman by his side; how could he value the villa's stored famous swords more than his wife, with whom he shared such a deep bond? Zhang Dongling was not articulate, and at this moment, he didn't know how to express his gratitude or repay even a fraction of the kindness. This prominent man, a true patriarch, merely had trembling lips as he clasped the hand of the young, white-haired man before him; everything was conveyed without words.

Xu Fengnian was not in a hurry to return to Ruler's Snow Courtyard. He stated directly, "Youyan Villa still has three years to forge the remaining talisman swords. Coincidentally, I have a few ancient Qin swords at home made of material similar to the Wooden Ox. Once I return to my estate, I'll have someone send them to the villa soon, which should largely help Master Zhang with his immediate needs."

Zhang Dongling looked astonished, murmuring to himself, "How can this be? People say a drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring, but if this is the kindness of a gushing spring, how can Zhang Dongling ever repay it?"

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Intercepting the South Sea immortals on the lake was merely a spur-of-the-moment act. But as for those ancient Qin swords, Youyan Villa will need to conduct a transaction with me; they won't be given for free."

Zhang Dongling, who dreaded being indebted, felt relieved and nodded repeatedly, saying, "That would be best. If my benefactor doesn't mind, all the secret chambers of Youyan Villa, even the Dragon Rock Incense Burner, will be open for you to take whatever you wish. Except for Rootless Skywater, which is my son's coming-of-age gift and cannot be sold to you, all other four treasured swords—Winter Slayer, Dragon Beard, Beacon Fire, and Slender Waist—along with all renowned ancient and sharp swords in the villa, can be taken by you. Furthermore, several of our ancestors had fortuitous encounters while traveling the martial arts world, and Youyan Villa has some insights into qi cultivation. Of those few secret manuals, Zhang Dongling will keep only the copies, and you may take the originals. The villa also has some land deeds, gold, and silver..."

Zhang Dongling was speaking enthusiastically when his wife tugged at his sleeve, jolting him back to reality and making him realize his lapse in propriety. He gave an awkward smile, thinking that given the young master's background and wealth, he wouldn't care for such mundane gold and silver. Upon realizing this, he cupped his hands in apology, saying, "Zhang Dongling was being crude; please don't be offended, young master."

Xu Fengnian glanced back at the lake, then turned and smiled, "Shall we go to Ruler's Snow Courtyard to talk more slowly?"

Zhang Dongling naturally had no objections. The group arrived at the small courtyard. Steward Zhang Han had already tricked and led away three visiting maids, leaving only two servant girls who regularly worked at Ruler's Snow. The host and guests sat around the stove. Young Master Zhang Chunlin didn't dare to sit, instead boldly sizing up this young master who appeared to be of similar age. Having several famous swords tucked into his arms looked somewhat comical. If he carried a few more on his back and wore some more, he'd look like someone peddling cheap, broken swords in the martial arts world. Perhaps Xu Fengnian's sword-borrowing feat was too astonishing; Zhang Chunlin mistakenly thought this white-haired sword immortal only *looked* young, but was actually an otherworldly immortal who had transcended worldly concerns for several centuries.

Xu Fengnian took a sip of yellow wine and asked, "Master Zhang, have you ever considered moving the foundation of Youyan Villa elsewhere?"

Beiliang lacked land and gold and silver, but most of all, it lacked talent. The exquisite sword-casting craftsmanship passed down through generations in Youyan Villa was a skill, not just a product. The nearly hundred skilled artisans at the villa who had spent their entire lives dealing with casting were not to be measured by the value of a few famous swords. For Beiliang, renowned for its formidable cavalry, such talent was incredibly precious. The imperial court would certainly tighten its grip on Beiliang concerning salt and iron, pressing closer step by step. Xu Fengnian had to plan ahead. Having a large number of experienced artisans at hand would be equivalent to saving a significant amount of iron ore.

After his astonishment, Zhang Dongling said bitterly, "Benefactor, to be honest, seeing the hopelessness of completing the talisman swords over the past two years, I, Zhang Dongling, did hesitate whether to wander the world with my wife and child, hiding and clinging to life. But every time I went to the Dragon Rock Incense Burner, that thought vanished. This is an ancestral business spanning hundreds of years and over twenty generations. Zhang Dongling can die, but the ancestral legacy cannot be destroyed by Zhang Dongling. Leaving aside everything else, even if future generations are unproductive, they must still perform the annual Qingming ancestor worship and grave sweeping."

Xu Fengnian nodded, not pressing the issue.

Zhang Dongling dared not even breathe, feeling utterly deflated and filled with guilt, thinking he had greatly failed the benefactor who was slowly sipping yellow wine before him.

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Then I shall exchange swords for swords, taking nine famous swords, including Dragon Beard and Beacon Fire."

Zhang Chunlin became anxious and quickly interjected, "Benefactor, please take this Rootless Skywater sword that I wear too! Even if the villa has to sell everything, we must gather a hundred good swords to repay your kindness."

Zhang Dongling smiled readily, "Indeed it should be so. If our benefactor finds a hundred swords too cumbersome, Youyan Villa will personally deliver them to your residence."

Zhang Chunlin volunteered, "I can do this myself. It just so happens I want to travel the martial arts world and gain some experience."

Xu Fengnian did not refuse. He looked up at the dashing Zhang Chunlin. "I have two carriages on this trip, one of which can be used to transport the hundred swords. However, let's forget about Rootless Skywater. A gentleman helps others achieve their desires, while a petty person seizes what others like. I may not be a gentleman, but I don't want to be a petty person either; that would look too greedy. I've only just managed to appear somewhat like a chivalrous hero in front of the Master and Madam; I can't let that image be ruined in the blink of an eye."

Zhang Dongling, a stern and unadorned man by nature, also broke into a smile upon hearing this. This benefactor is truly a man of genuine character. The Master's wife, too, felt several hidden anxieties gradually unravel, her brows relaxing, making her appear even more gentle and serene. Zhang Chunlin, whose martial arts experience was not extensive, was even more speechless. In the eyes of this young master, who had achieved fame at a young age, since this benefactor had personally witnessed such unparalleled sword-immortal prowess, his speech should also be devoid of any worldly taint. He never imagined the conversation would be so approachable. Xu Fengnian raised his hand to borrow a sword for a look. Zhang Chunlin hurriedly and awkwardly handed over the Beacon Fire sword. The two maids outside the door exchanged smiles, as the young master was usually very refined and polite; even when meeting great martial arts heroes and seniors, he'd never seemed this constrained or nervous.

Xu Fengnian drew out half of the famous Beacon Fire sword; its blade was as clear as a mirror, reflecting like water. Xu Fengnian squinted as he looked, then smiled, "Just now on the lake, during the sparring session, a female qi practitioner used a 'finger-sword' technique. It's said she could point at mountains to fill the sea, and point at the sea to destroy mountains. Your Youyan Villa emphasizes both qi cultivation and sword practice. Do you have any insights into this?"

Zhang Dongling had a peculiar expression, while Zhang Chunlin listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word. It was the Master's wife who softly said, "Benefactor, you may not know, but the Guanyin Sect specializes in qi cultivation. Among their most exceptionally talented individuals, they can glean insights from both the Zhixuan and Tianxiang first-rank realms, metaphorically called 'Dragon Palace Treasure Hunting.' Understanding from Zhixuan is relatively simpler compared to the higher Tianxiang realm, but only relatively so. An ordinary qi practitioner, even if they dedicate their entire life and never slack off for a single day, might not be able to achieve it. It truly tests a qi practitioner's talent and serendipity. The person who used the finger-sword on the lake adopted the profound 'point-talisman' technique from the Daoist Talisman Flying Sword Sect: 'point to the sky, and the sky clears; point to a person, and the person gains longevity; point to a sword, and the sword becomes sentient.' These are three progressively diminishing realms. That qi practitioner is only around thirty years old. To reach this stage, if they can 'point to a sword' and then 'point to a person' before the age of sixty, they might very well be able to 'point to the sky' before they turn a hundred, seeking celestial treasures from the Tianxiang realm. The strength of a qi practitioner naturally lies not in their physical body, but in the 'qi cultivation' itself."

The madam hesitated for a moment, then let out a soft breath, her expression complex as she said, "The leading qi master is our sect's elder, Guanyin 'Water Droplet,' who is most skilled at controlling water. The pure porcelain vase in her sleeve weighs no more than three liang, yet legend has it she can pour thirty-three thousand jin of water from it."

Xu Fengnian ran his finger over the ancient Beacon Fire sword and smiled, "It seems this qi master went easy on me."

Zhang Chunlin snorted coldly, "Benefactor, you conjured tens of thousands of snow swords on the lake. That old woman clearly retreated because she knew she couldn't win."

Xu Fengnian shook his head, "My displays, whether using Youyan Villa's real swords or conjuring snow swords on the lake, are good for scaring people, but when it comes to truly harming someone, they are rather ordinary."

Zhang Chunlin was about to argue a few points in defense of the benevolent immortal he revered as a pillar of strength. Xu Fengnian, however, had already smiled and said, "Young Master Zhang, I am actually about your age. We might as well address each other as brothers."

Zhang Chunlin's mouth fell open. Zhang Dongling and his wife also exchanged glances, unable to believe that this young sword immortal was truly a man in his twenties.

They were virtually strangers, and it wasn't appropriate to delve into deeper topics. So, Zhang Dongling and the other two politely rose to take their leave. Apart from Rootless Skywater, the other famous swords were left behind. Xu Fengnian closed his eyes, recalling the female qi practitioner's finger-sword technique on the lake, and mimicked it by pointing and drawing on the Beacon Fire sword, exhaling to imprint a talisman. Perhaps because Beacon Fire wasn't a talisman sword, Xu Fengnian only captured its form but not its essence, producing no qi movement whatsoever. Wang Xiaoping entered the room, sat down, poured himself a cup of wine, and drank it in one gulp. He glanced sideways at His Royal Highness, who was repeatedly practicing the finger-sword on Beacon Fire, and spoke hoarsely, "The finger technique is correct; it is indeed a wonder of qi cultivation and the Zhixuan realm. But it's useless. The Guanyin Sect has its own unique qi channeling methods. Wudang claims that all inner cultivation techniques originate from its Jade Pillar, and many secret manuals have been circulated outside the mountain, word for word. Yet, why do so few truly grasp the right path? No other reason than this: the yin and yang fish; lose one, and the essence is entirely lost."

Xu Fengnian nodded, then changed the subject, "Young Master Wang, will you take a sword as your personal blade?"

Wang Xiaoping didn't stand on ceremony. He reached out and grabbed the ancient Dragon Beard sword, then tapped its scabbard with his finger, and the wind and snow in the courtyard abruptly ceased. Wang Xiaoping nodded approvingly, "This one will do."

Xu Fengnian merely smiled.

Wang Xiaoping said flatly, "How will you deal with Han Diaosi's interception?"

Xu Fengnian sighed, "I can only deal with it as it comes, adapting to the situation."

Wang Xiaoping shook his head, "Although you have Xuanyuan Qingfeng, a Zhixuan realm practitioner, Wang Xiu, the Spear Immortal's 'Instant,' and a Tianxiang-level Yin artifact by your side, even with my sword at that time, you still might not be able to escape completely unharmed."

Xu Fengnian asked in surprise, "That's still not enough?"

Wang Xiaoping countered, "Wang Mingyin, the eleventh strongest in the world, died before your eyes. Do you truly believe these masters aren't masters? Furthermore, Wang Mingyin's eleventh rank in the world was merely at the very bottom of the ten greatest masters in the Liyang Dynasty. Han Diaosi is different; he is one of the undisputed top ten masters in the world, and he is most skilled at using Zhixuan to kill Tianxiang. If Han Diaosi is willing to sacrifice his life, killing you would absolutely not be as difficult as you imagine. Among the top martial arts masters, one type of contest is against Wang Xianzhi, where all effort is put into sparring. Another is when Cao Changqing, who was still in the Tianxiang realm at the time, faced Han Shengxuan, whose Zhixuan comprehension was only inferior to Deng Tai'a; both held back, leaving some leeway. The last type is an absolute life-and-death struggle. A Han Diaosi willing to engage in such a fight would even give the Confucian Sage Cao Changqing a headache."

Wang Xiaoping's words were meant to shock. "I advise you, when you face Han Diaosi, do not easily let the Red Robed Yin artifact make a move. While it can contend equally with Liu Haoshi, it would probably lose nearly half of its cultivation within fifty moves against Han Diaosi. 'Skilled at using Zhixuan to kill Tianxiang' is not just an empty boast. If you let the Yin artifact return its inner energy to you and fight Han Diaosi to the death, and the Yin artifact is severely wounded, how much better off will you be? Perhaps Han Diaosi is just waiting for you to do precisely that. At that time, even if I, Wang Xiaoping, were to protect you at the cost of my life, it would be incredibly difficult. In my opinion, you can only rely on her who wields the 'Instant' spear, along with the hidden death-sworn soldiers sacrificing their lives to fill the gaps and exhaust Han Diaosi's internal energy. Then, hope that the Huishan woman will fight to the death for you, and finally leave it to me to decide the outcome within three sword strokes. If you win, all will be well. If you lose, you're on your own."

Xu Fengnian gave a wry smile, "What does it mean to be the tenth strongest in the world? Is this the capability of a top ten master?"

Wang Xiaoping sneered, "Yang Taisui felt guilty, and his realm has fallen terribly in recent years. Your ability to kill him alone isn't a great feat. As for Fifth Roe Deer, his Zhixuan is not weak, but compared to Han Shengxuan, the 'Man-Cat,' who can contend with Deng Tai'a in Zhixuan, he's still not worth mentioning. Consider yourself unlucky. If Han Diaosi were replaced by Deng Mao, the ninth strongest in the world with his Broken Spear, and you had a Tianxiang Yin artifact protecting you, it would be much easier."

Xu Fengnian closed his eyes, murmuring to himself, "Is Han Diaosi invincible below the realm of Earth Immortals?"