Hengyang Commandery was some distance from the Zhou Tian Immortal Sect. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would need several days to reach it by ordinary travel.
After forming his Nascent Soul, Xu Ziqing had cultivated a divine ability that used the qi of plants as a guide to link two places and tear open space. Even so, the space within was highly unstable and not somewhere one could travel carelessly, so he needed to remain vigilant.
He closed his eyes slightly and extended two joined fingers.
Green light flickered at his fingertips. A tiny black dot appeared where he pointed, then rapidly lengthened into a fissure.
Unhurried, Xu Ziqing stepped inside. He waved his hand once more, and the fissure vanished behind him.
Spatial storms raged around him. A halo of light protected his body, allowing him to walk safely through them.
After several hundred steps, he tugged at the space before him, as though drawing back a curtain, opened another fissure, and stepped outside.
Birdsong and the scent of flowers greeted him. He touched an ancient tree and considered for a moment, then reentered the fissure and walked another hundred steps in a different direction.
He repeated the process several times. After approximately two shichen, a fissure finally opened beneath a tall mountain overgrown with grass and trees.
Xu Ziqing smiled as he looked around. He waved his hand to close the fissure, then blurred into a mass of green light and sped toward a nearby city.
This was Fengqu City, in the southwest of Hengyang Commandery, at a junction between two commanderies. People from all walks of life passed through, and the place was prosperous and bustling.
It was an ideal place to gather information. If Xu Ziqing wished to know precisely where the Sword Discussion Assembly was being held, he could begin his inquiries here.
He entered the city at an unhurried pace, paying two low-grade spirit stones at the gate and making no effort to reveal his cultivation.
Perhaps he had simply grown accustomed to life within the Zhou Tian Immortal Sect, where even the weakest inner disciple was at Golden Core and Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation cultivators were everywhere. Despite reaching his present realm, he did not feel particularly remarkable.
Yet now, within Fengqu City, he noticed how many people had low cultivation. Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators were common. He even saw mortals walking about and conversing with low-ranked cultivators without appearing particularly subservient.
As he walked along observing the city, his mind grew peaceful. Some of the impatience and agitation he had felt earlier gradually subsided.
He missed his senior brother just as much as before, but he was able to think calmly again.
He had considered sending Yun Lie a message earlier, but it would have taken too long and could easily have been intercepted. He had therefore abandoned the idea.
As he walked, he listened to the conversations around him, searching for useful information.
Suddenly something caught his attention, and he walked toward a teahouse on the central street.
Someone there appeared to be buying and selling information.
The teahouse was remarkably spacious, furnished with many tables and chairs separated by decorative screens. It had an elegant atmosphere.
Trading information was a thoroughly mundane business, while brewing and savoring fine tea was a refined pleasure. Put together, they formed an interesting combination.
Xu Ziqing had scarcely surveyed the room when someone hurried over to greet him.
It was a lively boy in his early teens, with ink-dark eyes, a round head, and a round face. When he smiled, a small dimple appeared in one cheek, making him especially endearing.
He was quick and efficient as well. Although only at Qi Refinement, he swiftly showed Xu Ziqing to an elegant seat, served a fragrant cup of tea, and asked with an ingratiating smile, “Senior, have you come simply to drink tea, or are you looking for some information?”
Xu Ziqing smiled and pressed a palm against the table. A dozen or so glittering low-grade spirit stones appeared. “Consider these payment for your tea.” Then he continued, “I have come seeking some information. Would that be convenient?”
The boy’s eyes lit up, and he became even more attentive. “Of course! Certainly! Please ask, Senior. If I know, I’ll tell you directly. If I don’t, there are plenty of people above me who might know. I’ll arrange for you to meet them.”
His words were brisk and clear. He immediately put away the spirit stones, and his dimple deepened.
Xu Ziqing found him amusing, but he got straight to the point. “I’d like to know whether a Sword Discussion Assembly is being held in Hengyang Commandery recently, where it is taking place, and whether people who are not sword cultivators can attend as spectators.”
The boy listened patiently and breathed a sigh of relief. “So it’s that! That information isn’t particularly difficult to come by. Ten middle-grade spirit stones, Senior, and I’ll tell you everything.”
Xu Ziqing smiled gently and swept his hand over the table, placing the spirit stones before him.
The next instant, the boy launched into a rapid explanation.
The Sword Discussion Assembly was being held in Luchuan City, in eastern Hengyang Commandery.
In earlier years, a Sword Immortal had emerged from Luchuan City, a person of extraordinary talent. The sword Dao he established benefited the eighth-grade minor sect to which he belonged, greatly increasing its power and allowing it to train numerous sword cultivators. Over countless years, more and more Sword Immortals from the sect ascended, until the small sect finally became a third-grade immortal sect and a famous school of the sword Dao.
Gradually, more and more residents of the city took up sword cultivation, and many smaller sword sects sprang up. Luchuan almost became a city devoted entirely to swords. Its influence spread to many other cities in Hengyang Commandery. Even ordinary mortals could recite a few lines of sword formulas or demonstrate a few sword techniques.
The Sword Discussion Assembly was convened by several prominent sword-cultivating families and sword Dao sects. Countless people practiced the sword in the Qianyuan Great World, and there were many cities like Luchuan. This assembly had been initiated by the distinguished Jiwen family, whose ancestral home was in Hengyang Commandery. After much discussion, the organizers settled on Luchuan City as the venue.
Thus, not only nearby sword cultivators but disciples of sword sects from faraway regions had come in droves.
Sword cultivators differed from ordinary cultivators. They often had to battle and spar with others and exchange knowledge of the sword Dao in order to advance. When the chance arose for such a gathering, nearly everyone who could make the journey was unwilling to miss it. Even observing one additional sword technique could greatly benefit them.
By rights, none of this information was secret. Such an event ought to be the talk of the city.
The reason Xu Ziqing had not heard much discussion before now was that the Sword Discussion Assembly had actually been underway for several days already.
The initial tide of conversation had long since subsided.
Xu Ziqing paused in surprise.
The boy continued, “But sword assemblies usually last many days, and this one hasn’t ended yet. Even after it finishes, if the senior sword cultivators meet like-minded companions, they sometimes stay for years.”
The boy then answered his other questions.
Only sword cultivators were permitted to enter the Sword Discussion Assembly. Anyone who had practiced sword techniques could also enter to watch. However, attendees had to arrange their own food and lodging; the assembly provided no hospitality to ordinary participants.
Only sword cultivators who had comprehended sword intent would be offered accommodations. Everyone else was treated equally.
Xu Ziqing nodded inwardly.
If anyone who had practiced sword techniques could enter, then he had once comprehended a four-character sword formula. Given his present cultivation, his demonstration of it would certainly be vastly better than in the past. Admission should be no problem.
He then asked about the route to Luchuan City, local taboos, customs and habits, and what sort of family the Jiwen clan was, including any matters that deserved special caution.
The boy answered every question smoothly and in considerable detail.
Xu Ziqing was very satisfied. He gave the boy an upper-grade magical implement suited to his attributes before taking his leave.
After watching the visitor depart, the boy snatched up the implement, overflowing with delight.
Just then, a tall young man descended the staircase behind him. He flicked the boy on the forehead and laughingly scolded, “You lazy little brat! One magical implement and you’re already beside yourself with pride?”
The boy chuckled. “Don’t laugh at me, Second Shopkeeper! How could I not be happy when it’s so rare to encounter a guest who spends so generously?”
The second shopkeeper snorted. “You’re far too careless. It’s fortunate that expert didn’t take offense, or your manner might have earned you punishment for disrespecting a senior!”
The boy was astonished. “An expert? Wasn’t he just a Foundation Establishment senior who wanted to watch the Sword Discussion Assembly?”
The second shopkeeper gave him a look. “Foundation Establishment? You foolish, blind brat. That was clearly a Nascent Soul Patriarch!”
The boy stared, openmouthed. “A Nascent Soul Patriarch can be that nice?”
The second shopkeeper struck him lightly again. “Watch your mouth. Loose talk brings disaster! You were lucky enough to meet a good-natured one. Be more careful in the future. There are plenty of kind cultivators in the world, but far more who are not. The higher their realm, the more likely they are to see those below them as ants. If one took your life, there would be nothing you could do about it. I’m telling you this because you have a quick mind. Next time, sharpen your judgment. When you meet another such senior, don’t insist on serving them yourself.”
The boy hurriedly agreed again and again.
Xu Ziqing was already some distance away. Nevertheless, he had sensed another cultivator of his own realm concealed nearby and could not help listening a little more closely.
The second shopkeeper had probably assumed the visitor was an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator and had made little effort to conceal his words. Xu Ziqing, however, used wood qi to connect with a flowering plant in the teahouse and heard everything.
He found the exchange a little amusing, but it also made him more cautious.
Whatever the case, someone capable of running a teahouse in such a bustling, mixed city had certainly seen and heard more of the world than he had. If that man warned the boy with such gravity, there were probably many people outside who would kill others over a single disagreement.
Even as a Nascent Soul cultivator, Xu Ziqing needed to proceed carefully.
He withdrew his hearing and turned his gaze toward Luchuan City.
Better to hurry there first and send word to his senior brother afterward!
Luchuan City, at the Sword-Seeking Hall.
More than ten cultivators with sharp, cutting auras sat cross-legged beside a training arena, gazing intently at the center.
Two cultivators were sparring there.
An ordinary person would have seen only two darting figures, or two masses of different-colored light that collided and crossed one another from time to time.
The ringing of clashing metal sounded without cease, sometimes fine and continuous like rain, sometimes urgent as drumbeats. Countless flashes of sword light crisscrossed the field, displaying remarkably sophisticated techniques as the two fighters tested and challenged one another.
There was little killing intent in the match.
After only a few breaths, a shrill sound rang out. Half a sword blade snapped off and fell to the ground.
The two figures separated. One held a broken sword and smiled bitterly, while the other stood motionless, his expression undisturbed.
The onlookers beside the arena spoke up in succession.
“Fellow Daoist Yun’s swordsmanship is outstanding!”
“Fellow Daoist Yun has won again! None of us can compare!”
“Fellow Daoist Qin held out for five breaths this time, one more than in the previous bout. That’s quite an improvement!”
“It looks as though only Fellow Daoist Jiwen’s return will let Fellow Daoist Yun enjoy a truly satisfying match…”