Chapter 180: Twelve People
All could see two blood-soaked figures facing each other.
Li Yi bared his teeth in a grin, stained with blood.
He raised his right hand with great difficulty: “Elder…”
At nearly the same moment, Song Yan also lifted his left arm, which could barely move.
Their hoarse voices overlapped: “I concede.”
“…”
Song Yan was momentarily stunned. He did not understand why Li Yi should concede.
This battle had clearly been his own defeat.
Both appeared to be at their limits, unable to continue fighting. Yet Song Yan knew in his heart that he had truly reached his absolute end.
His right arm was severely injured, essentially immobile.
Beneath the Suppression Sword Formation, his Dantian was empty. Not only could he not channel any Sword Dao spiritual energy—he could not even condense a single sword shadow.
Whereas the other could still walk normally.
The disparity was plain.
“Cough, cough…”
He coughed up a mouthful of blood. The searing pain in his right arm made him involuntarily close one eye: “Hiss…”
“Senior Brother Li Yi, a loss is a loss. If we both concede at the same time, it would count as a draw. That is hardly honorable for this junior.”
To his surprise, Li Yi shook his head. “Speaking only of this battle, I did indeed win.”
“But Junior Brother Song Yan, at merely the seventh level of Qi Refining, you nearly fought me to a standstill.”
“Then when our cultivation realms are equal, I will no longer be your match.”
“In that sense, I have already lost.”
Li Yi gazed at him and said: “I do not care for the sect’s rankings. What I seek is to be invincible among those of the same realm.”
Song Yan could not help but marvel inwardly.
This man held his own views and principles regarding righteousness and justice.
He was truly ruthless toward himself.
Snap.
Just then, the supervising elder clapped his hands together and spoke: “You two, hear me for a moment.”
All eyes turned to the supervising elder.
“There is no need to argue or be modest. Whether it is a draw or Li Yi’s victory, the final outcome is the same.”
Under their puzzled gazes, the supervising elder pointed toward the luminous script on the great stone sword, which displayed the rankings of all the finalists.
The two of them were now the last pair in the final round. Everyone’s scores had already been tallied.
“Since you both concede to a draw, your final scores are identical. Naturally, the ranking will be determined by the number of spirit markings from the first stage—the selection phase.”
He looked the two blood-soaked figures up and down, his tone carrying a note of jest: “Could it be that you two still have the strength for another round?”
Song Yan and Li Yi exchanged a glance, then looked at each other wordlessly.
“If you two still have the will to fight, this old man cannot sit still any longer.” The supervising elder laughed lightly and departed with a flick of his sleeve.
Immediately after, his voice rang across the entire Dueling Arena.
“Number Nine Li Yi and Number Seventeen Song Yan fight to a draw. By the number of spirit markings, Li Yi takes the first position, Song Yan takes the second.”
Whoosh!
The moment the supervising elder announced the result, the entire Dueling Arena erupted.
“They actually fought to a draw!”
“It was Senior Brother Li Yi who won—geniuses simply recognize and appreciate each other.”
“Because Song Yan is only at the seventh level of Qi Refining, he believes he would lose at the same realm, so he conceded voluntarily.”
On the spectator stands, the cultivators buzzed with discussion. Some marveled, some were puzzled, and many more wore expressions of shock.
“Senior Brother Li Yi… why did you concede? I bet everything I own on you!”
“Brother Ye, nine out of ten bets are lost.”
Gu Qingqing leaped up in excitement: “A draw! Oh my, Senior Brother Song Yan is truly incredible.”
At this moment, Sun Zhengfu had left the finalists’ preparation area and rejoined Li Qingfeng and Gu Qingqing.
His final score placed him last, making him the one eliminated among the eleven.
Yet he did not feel any regret. Instead, his mind felt at ease.
Li Qingfeng wore a complicated smile—gratification, admiration, and envy: “Old Song, he…”
Sun Zhengfu and he spoke in unison: “Has always been remarkable.”
In the western viewing section, Ju Luyi cradled a spiritual fruit in her arms like a treasured treasure. It had been distributed by an Eastern Abyss Sect attendant.
She stared at Song Yan on the arena, dazed and lost in thought.
“Senior Song…”
“He is simply like an immortal…”
Before long, several attendant disciples hurried onto the stage and carefully helped the two blood-soaked figures down from the Dueling Arena.
Neither was lightly injured, but the sect naturally had cultivators skilled in healing arts standing by at all times.
Xiang Zhaoling approached with Xiao He, and Gu Qingqing, Li Pang, and Sun Ge followed close behind.
“Yanyan, are you all right?”
Xiao He had assumed human form, her expression filled with worry. She gently lifted Song Yan’s arm.
“Hiss… careful, careful…” Song Yan drew a sharp breath as the searing pain in his right arm drew cold sweat to his brow.
“Ah…”
Xiao He was startled and released her grip. The arm dropped heavily.
“Ouch!”
Cen Qinghe, who was with the medical team, hurried forward to clean Song Yan’s wounds and tend to his injuries.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Yao walked over with a wine jug, chuckling as he went.
He poured a couple mouthfuls of spiritual wine into each of their mouths without ceremony.
“Good. That is what you get for showing off.”
Li Yi choked and coughed, yet still grinned: “It was exhilarating!”
Xiang Zhaoling crouched mysteriously beside Cen Qinghe, tilting her head to look at her: “This sister, he is in so much pain. Shall we try my numbing Gu on him?”
“No!” Song Yan refused hastily. “A bit of pain is nothing.”
The group gathered around, chatting and laughing.
From the end of the final match until the announcement of the rankings and distribution of rewards, the time was reserved for the elders to deliberate.
At the same time, this was the opportunity for the representatives of the Spirit Origin Marsh shops.
Many were eager to curry favor with the outstanding finalists of this Sword Testing.
At this moment, since Song Yan, Li Yi, and the others were receiving treatment, this area was off-limits to non-sect disciples.
This saved them the trouble of pleasantries and refusals.
After a brief while, the elders concluded their deliberations.
The luminous script on the great stone sword finally ceased changing, revealing the final list of the top ten.
“First position, Li Yi. Second position, Song Yan.”
“Third position, Yuwen Yao. Fourth position, Xiang Zhaoling.”
“Fifth position, Han Yuan. Sixth position, Lin Qing.”
“Seventh position, Kong You. Eighth position, Shao Sichen.”
“Ninth position, Chen Chen. Tenth position, Zhao Xuan.”
“After discussion and recommendation by the elders, the two accompanying disciples are chosen to be…”
“Sun Zhengfu and Qin Zhan.”
Sun Zhengfu was the disciple eliminated in the round-robin finals among the eleven. No one was surprised by his inclusion.
Qin Zhan was among the twenty-two and had performed notably well during the selection phase.
Song Yan and Li Qingfeng had encountered him before—he was one of the Sword Trial Peak disciples at Qingjiang Terrace during the selection stage.
Unfortunately, he had drawn Han Yuan in the elimination round and been battered off the testing platform.
His selection results were strong and his performance in the finals commendable. No one had any objections.
“Surname Qin?”
He cast a brief glance toward the figure in the crowd.
The surname “Qin” gave Song Yan pause.
On the elders’ dais, Luo Xiaming, the Peak Master of Sword Trial Peak, slowly rose to his feet: “This year’s Sword Testing Grand Assembly now concludes.”
“From the tenth to the seventh position, the reward is three hundred low-grade spirit stones and a choice of one mid-grade magical artifact or equivalent item.”
“From the sixth to the fourth position, the reward is five hundred low-grade spirit stones and a choice of three mid-grade magical artifacts or equivalent items.”
“The second and third positions each receive seven hundred low-grade spirit stones, a choice of one high-grade magical artifact, and a choice of one technique manual from the inner sect library.”
“The first position receives one thousand low-grade spirit stones, a choice of one high-grade magical artifact, a choice of one technique manual from the inner sect library, and…”
“A Foundation Establishment Pill.”
A Foundation Establishment Pill!
The moment this reward was announced, the crowd erupted.
If Song Yan claimed he was not tempted, he would be lying through his teeth.
This was a Foundation Establishment Pill!
For a cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Refining with decent aptitude, a single pill could elevate them beyond the mortal realm forever.
The gap between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment was as vast as that between clouds and mud.
But alas, his skills were inferior. Who could he blame?
The gazes of the crowd burned toward Li Yi, making him somewhat self-conscious. He slapped the back of his head and burst into hearty laughter.
“Disciples from the first to third positions may choose to join Bamo Peak.”
Bamo Peak was not without its merits, but it also represented greater danger.
There were those in the world who possessed extraordinary talent yet disliked conflict, preferring a life of leisure and wandering freedom.
Therefore, this reward was offered as a choice.
“The remaining disciples who ranked within the top twenty-two may claim their rewards at Harmony Peak using your disciple tokens.”
“This old man shall say no more.”
“Very well. This sect’s Sword Testing now concludes.”
“May your paths of immortality flourish.”
Daoist Lijun had already departed after the conclusion of Song Yan and Li Yi’s final battle.
Now, the elders also withdrew one after another.
On the Dueling Arena, discussion about the ten disciples was far from over. Many cultivators chatted as they walked.
Lamenting the past, envisioning the future.
Hoping that one day they too might stand at the center of the arena, feeling the gaze of all upon them.
Song Yan and his companions made their way along the path from the western viewing section, preparing to leave the arena.
Gu Qingqing asked as she walked: “Senior Brother Song Yan, what will you do next?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I’ll recover from my injuries first.”
Though he said this, he was already planning his travel route.
After the Sword Testing concluded, many sect disciples would likely set out on journeys. He wanted to travel as well.
Hmm… First, he would go to North Watch Mountain to find Liang Feng.
He needed to check on how his Moon-Sustaining Ancient Lotus was growing, and he also intended to resume his study of alchemy.
And then…
Just as Song Yan was contemplating his future plans, he noticed many shop representatives closing in around him.
“Senior, we are from…”
Song Yan listened for a while. It was all about partnerships and the like.
He had no interest, and the others were not inclined to bind themselves for petty gains.
“My apologies.”
Song Yan waved his hand and was about to leave when he spotted Ju Luyi sitting at the edge of a “Seamless” banner, cradling a spiritual fruit in his arms.
Sensing Song Yan’s gaze, he stood and bowed respectfully.
The current Senior Song had already made a name throughout the entire sect.
Perhaps one day, far in the future, he would even gain renown across the Chu Kingdom.
Though she might never have the chance to sew his robes again.
Could she tell others that she had once crafted robes for Senior Song, to attract customers?
Little Ju’s thoughts drifted far into the heavens.
Yet a simple Qiankun pouch flew toward her, and she instinctively reached out and caught it.
“?”
“Little Ju!”
Song Yan had stopped at the exit just before departing.
He pointed at his tattered, ruined robes.
“I need two, exactly the same.”
“Er…” He paused in thought, then changed his mind. “Make them black instead.”
After all, he would be joining Bamo Peak.
He had already learned the rules from Li Yi in advance. The robes of Bamo Peak were black.
At this moment, all eyes converged upon Ju Luyi.
Whispers rippled through the crowd as everyone speculated about who this young girl was.
And how she came to know Song Yan.
Yet she did not shrink back or show any shyness. Instead, she nodded with radiant delight.
For the first time, her small chest cried out in elation…
He is a returning customer!
Her skill in sewing garments had finally been recognized. This moved her even more than earning spirit stones.
This was a craft she had learned from her mother. It proved that her mother’s skills were truly exceptional!
“I cannot let down a customer’s trust!”
Gazing at Song Yan’s departing figure, he was filled with determination.
…
On the mountain path descending the peak, the group chatted as they walked.
“Who was that girl?” Li Yi asked. “Your sister?”
Li Qingfeng and Gu Qingqing were also curious.
Song Yan shook his head. “No. She is a seamstress of exceptional skill.”
“And her attitude toward her customers is exemplary. I greatly admire her.”
He offered a small recommendation.
“So, would any of you like to have her sew your robes?”
Li Yi’s combat garments had long since been torn off and burned away.
He was now shirtless.
Hearing Song Yan’s question, he shook his head. “No, thank you.”
“Were it not for the sect’s Sword Testing matches, I rarely wear even combat garments. When fighting, I am accustomed to wearing armor.”
“I see.”
Song Yan had heard that Li Yi was once a young general—one who genuinely led troops in battle.
The name seemed familiar. Perhaps he had heard it at a teahouse storyteller’s stall in Stone Beam Town.
Having a cave dwelling on Sword Trial Peak was truly convenient.
Seizing the opportunity, Song Yan led the group to tour his cave.
It was not until the hour of Xu that everyone finally dispersed.
After seeing his friends off, Song Yan entered his cultivation chamber and sat cross-legged.
He swallowed another healing pill and slowly circulated the Qi Condensation Scroll, refining the pill’s medicinal power.
Most of his injuries had already been treated on the testing platform. What remained was slow recovery.
Having endured so many consecutive battles in a single day, he was utterly exhausted in body and spirit.
After an hour, he exhaled a long, turbid breath and slowly opened his eyes.
After this period of recuperation, his injuries no longer impeded normal cultivation.
He did not rush to resume his practice immediately. Instead, he recalled his battle with Li Yi.
“What exactly was that presence?”
It was as though he had always possessed it, yet had simply never used it before.
This presence had originated from his natal flying sword. More precisely, it had come from his sword intent.
Such an important thing—why did the Sword Planting Art make no mention of it at all?
Yet now, with this newly awakened “sword intent” as his vantage, he looked again at the Sword Planting Art and the Sword Technique Essentials.
The passages that had previously been baffling and obscure now became suddenly clear.
Even the sword formation, which had always left him entirely mystified, now presented a clear direction for study and practice.
With each breath drawn during his contemplation, his taut emotions relaxed completely.
His spiritual energy, sword qi, and physical strength were all utterly depleted, and an indescribable drowsiness washed over him.
He bathed and washed, undressed, and lay down, sinking into a deep sleep.