Beyond Xu Fengnian and Chen Tianyuan's table, the most conflicted individuals were certainly these proud young people, such as the toad-faced man and the thin-lipped woman. Within a single province of Liyang, they would undoubtedly be considered top-tier figures. But people often fear comparison. Just like the cold and beautiful woman carrying a pipa: no matter how many admirers or followers she had in the Huainan martial arts world, once she truly entered the greater martial arts world and was fortunate enough to encounter top-tier martial artists of the First Rank, Four Stages—those "heavenly sights"—she would inevitably feel inadequate. Regarding the young Exiled Immortal from the Taibai Sword Sect, when he was still far away, these martial arts disciples of similar age were awestruck, somewhat skeptical, but mostly envious. Now that he was suddenly right before them, they were even more overwhelmed with mixed emotions, feeling he was unapproachable, inevitably inferior, yet still hoping to exchange a few words with him.
They knew full well that their prominence in the martial arts world was mostly due to their sects and masters, but Chen Tianyuan was completely different.
It was said that someone in Beimang once embodied an entire sect; Chen Tianyuan, who had broken through three realms—Second Rank, Vajra, and Profound—in just one year, was not much inferior to that.
This young swordsman, who stood head and shoulders above his peers, was qualified to be considered an equal to their own patrons. As for his future, it was immeasurable; among the Four Young Grandmasters recognized in the Liyang martial arts world, Chen Tianyuan's future achievements would undoubtedly be the highest!
How high? Perhaps as high as Sword Immortal Li Chungang and Prince of Liang Xu Fengnian.
The toad-faced man quietly asked Feng Zongxi, whose nickname was well-known, "Master, has this young man from the Taibai Sword Sect really entered the Profound Realm in his martial arts cultivation?"
The short but imposing Grandmaster of Fist Arts nodded, "It should be true."
The thin-lipped woman's eyes sparkled, her gaze shifting. How could she have imagined that the unassuming man in green, whom she had barely glanced at and not wished to look at again, was precisely the future leader of the world's sword arts in her mind? The discrepancy was huge, but so was the pleasant surprise. Although Chen Tianyuan was not the rumored "second Li Chungang," and at worst did not appear to be a dashing figure, as long as his sword art talent was substantial, it would be enough for her to willingly try her best to attach herself to him.
Feng Zongxi quietly chuckled, "Changfeng, let me take this opportunity to tell you a secret. Do you know why those who reach the pinnacle of sword arts often become the foremost figure of their generation in the martial arts world?"
Dou Changfeng chuckled, "Master, please speak. Your disciple is all ears."
Feng Zongxi slowly said, "There are countless martial artists. Leaving aside those of the Three Teachings, swordsmen in this world value destiny the most. As one wanes, another waxes; everyone strives to be unique. Ultimately, one cannot tolerate rivals in one's sphere of influence."
Dou Changfeng seemed to understand, yet not fully.
The thin-lipped woman, sitting beside Lu Jiejun of Misty Peak, softly asked, "Is it like the number of Land Immortals, where there's a fixed quota?"
Lu Jiejun, who possessed profound secret techniques, smiled and nodded.
Dou Changfeng uttered, "Oh," then added, "So it's similar to the officialdom, with six ministry ministers, six chairs, one person for each position."
The Snow Lodge Spear Sage, with frosty temples, lowered his head to drink tea, twitching the corner of his mouth in disdain.
Dou Changfeng cautiously asked, "Master, should I go sit at the Exiled Immortal's table? Heh, just to soak up some of that immortal aura."
Feng Zongxi hummed in assent.
The toad-faced man scurried over, eager, and said, "I am Dou Changfeng, may I..."
Chen Tianyuan completely ignored this prominent young talent, one of the newly acclaimed Top Ten Young Masters of the Liyang martial arts world, and instead turned his head directly towards Feng Zongxi. Earlier, he and this Dou character had seen Fan Xiaochai at almost the same time, and Chen Tianyuan clearly remembered Dou Changfeng's expression.
Feng Zongxi, a Grandmaster of Fist Arts who, like Lu Jiejun of Misty Peak, held a prominent position at the Great Snow Plain Gathering, felt a slight displeasure towards this junior, whose fame was unrivaled for a time. However, his expression remained unchanged, and he did not call back his disciple Dou Changfeng, who was "offering a warm face to a cold backside," as Chen Tianyuan implicitly suggested. Dou Changfeng's talent was mediocre, and his character was even worse. Since Feng Zongxi had reached his current martial arts heights and constantly traveled, he inevitably dealt with all sorts of people. Naturally, he had long developed an excellent ability to discern character. However, Dou Changfeng was a distinguished scion from a prominent family, a legitimate son though not the eldest. His family's revered elder was a senior grandmaster who had retired from the martial arts world and lived anonymously, and who had once shown kindness to Feng Zongxi years ago. This was why Dou Changfeng became the favored disciple of this "Divine Fist of the Central Plains." Furthermore, martial artists of Feng Zongxi's generation valued "face" above all else; they believed in respecting those who respected them, and only accepted invitations, not forced confrontations. Although Chen Tianyuan's fame was immense, being counted among the New Four Young Grandmasters alongside Qi Xianxia of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the Jiang family's Tide-beater of Martial Emperor City, and the owner of the Gilded Dagger Manor, Feng Zongxi was not intimidated by this young Exiled Immortal from a sect far removed from the Central Plains. Moreover, as a fallback, he had Lu Jiejun, whose sect had deeply intertwined connections, by his side, and also Li Houzhong, the Snow Lodge Spear Sage, known for leaving only dead bodies beneath his Great Snow Cone Spear. Therefore, how could Feng Zongxi lower himself and show weakness to a junior? How would he continue to navigate the martial arts world after such a display? With his master's backing, the toad-faced Dou Changfeng instantly felt reassured. Since he couldn't win over this talented swordsman from the Taibai Sword Sect, it would be a great opportunity to use the situation to step on him a few times and ruin the reputation of someone whose fame surpassed his own.
Chen Tianyuan, in his green robe, slowly stood up, his face calm. "From today, my sword will be renamed 'Firewood'." This sentence was clearly directed only at Fan Xiaochai.
Xu Fengnian suppressed a laugh and glanced at her. The latter appeared completely unfazed.
Feng Zongxi frowned. According to the unwritten rules of the Central Plains martial arts world, if the strength of the conflicting parties wasn't vastly different and both knew each other well, they would certainly sit down to talk. Even if they didn't sit, and even if a fight was inevitable, they would still exchange some sharp words while standing first. He hadn't expected this rising star to be so ignorant of such "etiquette."
Dou Changfeng, fearing no chaos, fanned the flames: "Young Master Chen, I had no other intention. Why won't you even give me this much respect? Alright, even if you, Young Master Chen, don't wish to associate with me, Dou Changfeng, consider it my own presumption, that's fine. But with my master, the Snow Lodge Sect Leader, and Fairy Feichan present, why must you declare your sword's name so aggressively?"
Chen Tianyuan, with his back to Fan Xiaochai, softly said, "Don't worry, I won't lose."
Xu Fengnian couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't you realize Fan Xiaochai is probably wishing you'd be hacked to death right now?"
After saying this, the young man, who single-handedly supported an entire sect, underwent a complete change in his aura. Even though he hadn't gripped the hilt of his sword, there was no sword energy emanating from him. Yet, his sword intent soared to the sky. Three feet of steel hung from his waist, like a great river suspended.
Xu Fengnian looked up towards the direction of Wudang Mountain's Great Lotus Peak, feeling a headache coming on.
At this moment, Feng Zongxi's expression finally changed slightly. He had thought he deliberately overestimated this Sword Exiled Immortal, but now he realized he had still underestimated him greatly. Even Lu Jiejun of Misty Peak, who was fifty years old but looked eighteen, had to stand up and act as a peacemaker. Her voice hoarse, she advised, "Young Master Chen, a chance encounter is destiny; why must swords clash?"
Chen Tianyuan said in a deep voice, "Justice is on my side, and my sword is at my waist."
Lu Jiejun smiled bitterly, speechless. "Young man, you truly don't know the depths of the martial arts world. What if you, Chen Tianyuan, defeat this Divine Fist of the Central Plains? Feng Zongxi has painstakingly built his reputation in the Liyang martial arts world for thirty years; he has friends all across the land, especially an intimate bond with Huang Fangfo, the chief steward of the Great Snow Plain Gathering! Since the Taibai Sword Sect has already entered the ranks of the Ten Great Sects, it will inevitably interact with the Central Plains martial arts world in the future. The Taibai Sword Sect, being isolated in one corner, already lacks a geographical advantage. If you antagonize Feng Zongxi, aren't you afraid that Central Plains martial arts sects, local officials, and even the Ministry of Justice in Tai'an City will all hold prejudice against the Taibai Sword Sect? Perhaps you might even be removed from the next martial arts ranking!"
Chen Tianyuan, who often appeared indifferent, whether due to a sudden flash of insight or something else, this time spoke directly to the heart of the matter: "Since my Taibai Sword Sect is a sword sect, we should establish ourselves with the sword! We wield our swords to flatten valleys and ravines, and only take what is rightfully ours!"
Xu Fengnian took a large gulp of wine and laughed, "Well said!"
Just as Feng Zongxi and Lu Jiejun hesitated, the stern Snow Lodge Spear Sage, Li Houzhong, had already taken down two spear bags of different sizes and calmly stated, "My spear is named Great Snow Cone."
Xu Fengnian suddenly and frantically said to Fan Xiaochai, "I have to leave now. Please keep an eye on this fellow. If needed, intervene—not to kill him, but to help him! If things get dire, reveal your identity."
Just as Xu Fengnian stood up, ready to make a quick escape, a clear, crisp voice echoed distinctly from a distant height above everyone, "You, Xu!"
Xu Fengnian made a pained face and muttered, "That makes no sense. Can she see me from this far away?"
Princess Sui Zhu, Zhao Fengya, who had supposedly "died of illness," was coincidentally on Wudang Mountain, and Little Mud Doll was also there. Even more coincidentally, these two princesses had clashed fiercely on the mountain years ago. How could Xu Fengnian have known that Zhao Fengya would be determined to live in seclusion on Wudang Mountain after entering Beiliang, or that Little Mud Doll would be even more determined to tend to the vegetable patch on the mountain? Xu Fengnian certainly didn't think they'd sympathize with each other; it would be a blessing if they didn't fight.
Chen Tianyuan turned sideways, raised his head, and for the first time grasped the 'Firewood' sword, originally named 'Carelessness'. He was a natural sword embryo, rarely seen in a hundred years. That other person was even more so. When the martial arts world encountered a great year, a phenomenon rare in a thousand years, rationality ceased to apply.
Everyone simultaneously looked up at the sky. A woman, carrying a sword-box, rode her sword through the air! She emerged from the majestic sea of clouds above Great Lotus Peak, like an immortal descending, soaring towards them. Elders always said that when traversing the martial arts world, one must have style. Her style could probably not be grander. A Land Sword Immortal, riding a sword for a thousand miles, traveling to Kunlun in the morning and the East Sea by evening!
However, this female Sword Immortal's actions after gracefully landing, while everyone stared dumbfounded, left them even more petrified. Instead of continuing her ethereal display by returning her sword to its scabbard, she directly held the Great Liang Dragon Sparrow Sword, pointed its tip at a certain person with a forced smile, and angrily demanded, "Trying to run?!"
That certain person sat back on the bench and righteously declared, "How could that be! I was just thinking of going up the mountain to bring you a pot of Green Ant Wine!"
She widened her eyes. He stared back, seemingly unfazed. She remained flushed and furious. They glared at each other. A large group of people nearby also widened their eyes, watching the two. Finally, she glanced at an unopened pot of Green Ant Wine on the table and said stiffly, "You pay the bill yourself!"
Xu Fengnian grinned playfully, "I know you like to carry a money pouch when you go out. Lend me some first, and I'll return it later." Seeing her about to raise her long sword to strike, Xu Fengnian immediately lowered his head and pulled out a money pouch. "Huh? I distinctly remember not bringing any silver!"
After seeing this scene, Chen Tianyuan thought, "This person is truly shameless."
She let out a heavy snort and rode her sword back into the air. From the sky she came, to the sky she returned. He didn't forget to loudly remind her, "Slow down, it's windy up there."
Once her figure vanished into the vast sea of clouds, everyone turned to look at the spineless fellow. He slammed the table and indignantly exclaimed, "What?! Is there something wrong with a man caring for his wife?"
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