Chapter 152: Jiang Li’s Chosen Participants

He was going into the River of Time to search for the Ancient and Modern Sword, yet the Ji clan ancestor had already left behind a wooden box with a note telling him not to look for him.
The identity of the Ji clan ancestor—Emperor Shun—was obvious. He was the Ancient and Modern Sword.
Jiang Li guessed that during the Immortal Artifact Appreciation Assembly, when the Ancient and Modern Sword was struck by him into the River of Time, it must’ve undergone some unknown transformation and returned to the past, becoming the Ji clan’s ancestor.
“I remember you once said the Ancient and Modern Sword was crafted from the shed form left behind by your ancestor during ascension, refined with supreme power?”
“Yeah.” Ji Zhi had no idea why Jiang Li suddenly brought that up.
So I refined myself? Jiang Li questioned internally.
And from the message on that slip of paper, he would, in the future, enter the River of Time in search of the Ancient and Modern Sword—otherwise, the Ji clan ancestor wouldn’t be so wary.
“You think I might actually enter the River of Time?”
Ji Zhi looked Jiang Li up and down. “Wait until I reach the Tribulation Stage, then I can bring you into the River of Time.”
“…I’d be better off counting on your daughter. So, what exactly does the River of Time look like? Is your ancestor the only fish in it?”
“The River of Time is exactly what it sounds like—a river made of time. Upstream is the past, downstream the future. Every single drop in the river represents a segment of time. When all those time segments come together, you get a river.”
“Our ancestor once said that the time of all worlds across the heavens manifests within the River of Time. It doesn’t belong to any one world, but exists above them all. That’s why the Dao of Time is the most unique of all ‘Daos.’”
Ji Zhi added, “You see, the Dao of Space doesn’t have a corresponding River of Space. The Dao of Karma doesn’t have a River of Karma. The Dao of Dreams doesn’t have a River of Dreams.”
“There are fish in the River of Time—only fish. Our ancestor was one of them. But they’re just fish—no intelligence. The only difference from fish in lakes and rivers is that they live in the River of Time. No one knows how our ancestor gained sentience.”
That was the odd part to Ji Zhi. By all logic, their ancestor should have known, but he never wrote anything about it in his notes—as if he’d deliberately avoided the topic.
What else could it be? Obviously the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal enlightened your ancestor, Jiang Li thought.
“So what did the note inside the box actually say? Did it give you a way to enter the River of Time?” This was what Ji Zhi was most curious about now.
“No.” Jiang Li’s answer was curt.
“I see.” Ji Zhi looked disappointed. He had hoped to see some extraordinary method that broke all convention—something that let someone enter the River of Time.
But he quickly remembered something else. “So that means you’ve got nothing going on right now. Want to help me out with something?”
“What is it?”
“I want to promote greater harmony between cultivators and spiritual treasures. I’m planning to host a tournament open to the entire Nine Provinces, limited to those under the Nascent Soul Stage. Major factions will be invited to spectate. Participants can bring spiritual treasures, but the power of the treasure must not exceed the user’s cultivation level.”
Ji Zhi’s rules were fair. Otherwise, a Golden Core cultivator carrying a sentient Dao Artifact could sweep the whole field. That wouldn’t be a test of compatibility, just a contest of treasure strength—a complete derailment of the original purpose.
“So what do you need me to do? Join the tournament?”
“…You actually said that with a straight face. Of course I want you to endorse the tournament—give it some authority and credibility.”
Jiang Li gave it a brief thought and agreed. As far as he knew, this tournament would be the largest spiritual treasure–focused event in all the Nine Provinces. Other dynasties may have had similar ideas, but none had acted. The Great Zhou was taking the lead to set an example for the others and send a clear signal to cultivators.
By lending his support, Jiang Li would be indicating the Human Sovereign Hall’s stance and expanding its influence.
Now that the Spiritual Treasure Law and Spiritual Treasure Contracts had started yielding results, the average cultivator’s combat power had risen by twenty percent. And if someone achieved true harmony with their treasure, the boost could be even greater. Every cultivator was now actively exploring how to better cooperate with their spiritual treasure.
The Great Zhou’s decision to host this tournament was timely. It would fuel the momentum among cultivators and set the whole field ablaze with passion.
One could already imagine how many new and never-before-seen fighting styles, involving close coordination with spiritual treasures, would appear at this event.
“I have a few people in mind. I want them to participate too—okay with you?”
Anyone Jiang Li chose would naturally be the elite of the elite. Their presence would only raise the quality and prestige of the event. Ji Zhi had no reason to refuse. “Of course.”
With Ji Zhi’s approval, Jiang Li went off to find his candidates without worry.
…
“You want me to join the tournament?” Yu Yin’s elegant lips parted slightly—she thought she’d misheard.
She hadn’t participated in a competition like this for hundreds of years. In her mind, these kinds of events were for mid- to low-level cultivators. Since when did someone in the Tribulation Stage qualify?
Did anyone even consider how this would make the others feel?
“Of course. I already got Ji Zhi’s approval.” Jiang Li nodded and explained to Yu Yin, “Look, the tournament’s aim is to promote harmony between cultivators and their spiritual treasures. And if we’re talking top-level compatibility, there’s no one more qualified than you.”
“My master and I are perfectly in sync—no one can compare!” The Ruyi Gourd, squashed under Yu Yin’s foot, declared its loyalty loudly.
Yu Yin still didn’t know what had triggered the gourd. Ever since it developed sentience, it constantly demanded she step on it.
It was kind of perverse, really. Yu Yin glanced down at the Ruyi Gourd with faint disdain—but that very look made the gourd even more excited.
“Be honest.” Yu Yin and Jiang Li were old rivals—she knew he had more up his sleeve.
Someone like her entering this event would be like bullying kids. It was bound to cause trouble. Ji Zhi’s expression would probably be priceless. As an Empress, she had to think about her relationship with the Great Zhou.
“We’re using the tournament to invite all Tribulation Stage cultivators to join in. Everyone else agreed—only you’re left.”
Yu Yin’s eyes lit up, and she instantly agreed. Ji Zhi? Who cares about Ji Zhi?
Since reaching the Tribulation Stage, she had never fought another Tribulation Stage cultivator. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Of course she had to go.
“Wasn’t it limited to the Nascent Soul Stage?”
“Just suppress your cultivation to that level. Problem solved.”
…
“Old Bai, the Great Zhou is hosting a tournament. I’m getting all the Tribulation Stage cultivators to participate. Everyone else already agreed—just waiting on you.”
“I’m in. Of course I’m in!”
…
“Sword Sovereign, how’s the body holding up? I’ve found you a reason to challenge Bai Hongtu. The Great Zhou’s hosting a tournament—he’s participating. You should too.”
The Sword Sovereign answered with a single sword strike that split the heavens—he was in.
…
“Li Er, everyone else is going. You’re the only one left.”
…
“Commander Liu… oh, right. You still need to sit tight in the Human Sovereign Hall. Never mind.”
“…Shouldn’t that be your job as the Human Sovereign? Why do you make it sound like it’s my responsibility?”