Chapter 186: Clouds Gather
The crowd could only see two blood-soaked figures facing each other.
Li Yi bared his teeth, revealing a mouthful of blood-stained white teeth.
He raised his right hand with difficulty. “Elder…”
Almost at the same moment, Song Yan also lifted his left arm, barely able to move.
Their hoarse voices merged together: “I concede.”
“…”
Song Yan was slightly stunned. He did not understand why Li Yi would concede.
This battle had clearly ended in his own defeat.
Though both appeared to be at their limits, unable to continue, Song Yan knew in his heart that he had truly reached his limit.
His right arm was severely injured, barely able to move.
Beneath the Suppression Sword Formation, his Dantian was empty. Not to mention Sword Dao true essence—he could not even condense a single sword shadow.
And the other party could still walk normally.
The difference was clear.
“Cough, cough…”
He coughed up a mouthful of blood, and the searing pain in his right arm made him unconsciously close one eye. “Hiss…”
“Senior Brother Li Yi, a loss is a loss… If we both concede at the same time, it would be counted as a draw, which is not very honorable for me.”
Unexpectedly, Li Yi shook his head. “Speaking of this battle alone, I did indeed win.”
“But Junior Brother Song Yan has only just reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining, yet you fought me to a near-standstill.”
“Then when our realms are equal, I will not be your match.”
“In that sense, I have lost.”
Li Yi looked at him and said, “I do not care for sect rankings. What I seek is to be unmatched among those of the same realm.”
Song Yan could not help but marvel inwardly.
This person had his own views and methods when it came to righteousness and justice.
He was truly ruthless to himself.
Snap.
At that moment, the presiding elder clapped his hands together and spoke. “You two, hear me a word.”
All eyes turned to this presiding elder.
“There is no need to argue or be modest. Whether it is a draw or Li Yi’s victory, the final result is the same.”
Under the puzzled gazes of both, the presiding elder pointed from afar toward the glowing spirit characters on the massive stone sword, which displayed the rankings of all finalists.
The two of them were now the last match of the final round. All scores had been recorded.
“Since you two have declared a draw, with identical scores in the finals, ranking will naturally be determined by the number of spirit patterns from the first stage—the selection phase.”
He looked the two blood-soaked figures up and down, his tone carrying a hint of jest. “Could it be that you two still have the energy for an extra match?”
Song Yan and Li Yi exchanged a glance, at a loss for words.
“If you two still have fighting spirit, this old man cannot sit still.” The presiding elder laughed heartily and swept away with his sleeve.
Immediately, his voice rang out across the entire Sword Discussion Stage.
“Number Nine Li Yi and Number Seventeen Song Yan have fought to a draw. By spirit pattern count, Li Yi takes the first position, Song Yan takes the second.”
Hush—
The moment the presiding elder’s announcement ended, the entire Sword Discussion Stage erupted.
“They actually fought to a draw!”
“It was Senior Brother Li Yi who won. It is merely mutual admiration between geniuses.”
“Because Song Yan is only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, he believes he would lose in a contest of equal realms, so he conceded on his own accord.”
In the spectator seats, the cultivators discussed animatedly. Some exclaimed in admiration, some were puzzled, and more wore expressions of shock.
“Senior Brother Li Yi… Why did you concede? I bet my entire fortune on you!?”
“Brother Ye, nine out of ten bets are lost.”
Gu Qingqing jumped up in excitement. “A draw! Oh my, Senior Brother Song Yan is truly amazing.”
At this moment, Sun Zhengfu had already left the finalists’ preparation area and joined Li Qingfeng and Gu Qingqing.
His final score placed him last, making him the one eliminated among the eleven.
But he felt no regret. Instead, his mind was 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 spectator section, Ju Luyi held a spirit fruit gifted by the Eastern Abyss Sect presiding disciples like a treasure.
She gazed at Song Yan on the stage, lost in a daze.
“Senior Song…”
“He is simply like an immortal…”
Soon, several presiding disciples hurried onto the stage and carefully helped the two blood-soaked figures down from the Sword Discussion Stage.
Neither was lightly injured, but the sect naturally had cultivators skilled in healing arts on standby.
Xiang Zhaoling brought Xiao He over, with Gu Qingqing, Li Pang, and Brother Sun following behind.
“Yan Yan, are you alright?”
Xiao He had taken human form, her expression worried as she gently lifted Song Yan’s arm.
“Hiss… gently, gently…” Song Yan sucked in a breath of cold air, the searing pain in his right arm causing cold sweat to bead on his forehead.
“Wah…”
Xiao He was so startled that her grip loosened, and her arm dropped again.
“Ow!”
Cen Qinghe, who was with the medical team, hurried over to clean Song Yan’s blood and treat his injuries.
On the other side, Yuwen Yao sauntered over with a wine jug, chuckling.
He poured a few mouthfuls of spirit wine into each of them, one left and one right.
“Serves you right for showing off.”
Li Yi coughed from choking, but still grinned. “It was exhilarating!”
Xiang Zhaoling crouched mysteriously beside Cen Qinghe, tilting her head to look at her. “Miss, he is in such pain. Shall I try my numbing Gu on him?”
“No!” Song Yan quickly refused. “A little pain is nothing.”
The group gathered together, chatting and laughing.
The time from the end of the final match until the announcement of the list and distribution of rewards was reserved for the elders to deliberate.
At the same time, this was also the opportunity for representatives of the Spirit Source Marsh shops.
Many were attempting to befriend the standout finalists of this Sword Testing.
Since Song Yan, Li Yi, and the others were receiving treatment, this area was off-limits to non-sect disciples.
This actually saved them from the pleasantries and refusals.
After a short while, the elders’ deliberations concluded.
The glowing spirit characters on the massive stone sword 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 nomination by the elders, the two accompanying disciples shall be…”
“Sun Zhengfu and Qin Zhan.”
Sun Zhengfu was the disciple eliminated from the eleven-person round-robin finals. No one was surprised by his inclusion.
Qin Zhan was one of the twenty-two who had performed remarkably well during the selection phase.
Song Yan and Li Qingfeng had encountered this person before. He was one of the Sword Trial Peak disciples at the Qingjiang Terrace during the selection phase.
Unfortunately, he had faced Han Yuan during the elimination phase and been pummeled off the Sword Testing Stage by a barrage of strikes.
His selection performance was good, and his finals showing was also commendable. No one objected.
“Surname Qin?”
Song Yan glanced briefly at that person in the crowd.
The surname “Qin” made him take note.
On the elders’ platform, Sword Trial Peak Master Luo Xiaming slowly rose to his feet. “This year’s Sword Testing Grand Assembly concludes here.”
“From tenth to seventh position, each disciple receives three hundred low-grade spirit stones and may choose one mid-grade magical artifact or equivalent item.”
“From sixth to fourth position, each disciple receives five hundred low-grade spirit stones and may choose three mid-grade magical artifacts or equivalent items.”
“Second and third position disciples each receive seven hundred low-grade spirit stones, one high-grade magical artifact of their choice, and one technique manual from the Inner Sect Library.”
“First position disciple receives one thousand low-grade spirit stones, one high-grade magical artifact of their choice, one technique manual from the Inner Sect Library, and…”
“One Foundation Establishment Pill.”
Foundation Establishment Pill?!
This reward caused an uproar throughout the hall.
If Song Yan said he was not tempted, he would be lying through his teeth.
This was a Foundation Establishment Pill!
For someone at the tenth layer of Qi Refining with decent aptitude, a single pill would elevate them beyond mortality forever.
The difference between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment was as vast as clouds and mud.
But alas, when one’s skill fell short, who could be blamed?
The gazes of the crowd burned toward Li Yi, making him somewhat embarrassed. He slapped the back of his head and burst into laughter.
“Disciples from first to third position may choose to join the Demon Subjugation Peak.”
Joining the Demon Subjugation Peak was not entirely a good thing, as it represented greater danger.
In this world, there were those of extraordinary talent who disliked conflict, preferring the leisurely life of clouds and cranes, at ease and content.
Therefore, this reward was offered as a choice.
“The remaining disciples who placed in the top twenty-two may collect their rewards at Harmony Peak with your disciple tokens.”
“This old man will say no more.”
“Thus, this sect’s Sword Testing concludes here.”
“Wishing you all a flourishing path of immortality.”
Daoist Lijun had already departed after Song Yan and Li Yi’s final match ended.
At this moment, the elders also withdrew one by one.
On the Sword Discussion Stage, discussions about the ten disciples were 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 Sword Discussion Stage and feel the gaze of all.
Song Yan and the others made their way along the western spectator passage, preparing to leave the Sword Discussion Stage.
Gu Qingqing asked as she walked, “Senior Brother Song Yan, what are you going to do next?”
“Haven’t decided yet. I’ll heal my injuries first.”
Though he said this, in truth he was already planning his travels.
After the sect’s Sword Testing concluded, many disciples would likely set out on journeys. He wanted to wander 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 saw many shop representatives surround him.
“A few seniors, we are…”
Song Yan listened for a while. They were all proposals for partnerships and such.
He had no interest, and the others would not bind themselves for petty gains.
“My apologies.”
Song Yan waved his hand and was about to leave.
Then he saw Ju Luyi sitting at the edge of a “Seamless” banner, cradling a spirit fruit in her arms.
Sensing Song Yan’s gaze, he stood respectfully and bowed.
The present Senior Song Yan had already made a name throughout the entire sect.
Perhaps one day, far in the future, he would even make a name throughout the Chu Kingdom.
Though she might never have the opportunity to sew his Daoist robes again.
But could she tell others that she had once sewn robes for Senior Song Yan, to attract customers?
Little Ju thought this, her mind already wandering far away.
But then a plain Qiankun pouch flew before her, and she instinctively reached out and caught it.
“?”
“Little Ju!”
Song Yan had paused at the exit, about to leave.
He pointed at his tattered, ruined Daoist robes.
“I need two sets, identical to these.”
“Uh…” After a moment’s thought, he changed his mind. “Make them black instead.”
After all, he would be joining the Demon Subjugation Peak.
He had already inquired about the rules from Li Yi beforehand. The Demon Subjugation Peak’s Daoist robes were black.
At this moment, all eyes converged on Little Ju.
Whispers erupted around her as everyone wondered who this young girl was.
Why was she acquainted with Song Yan?
But she did not shy away or retreat. Instead, she nodded with great delight.
For the first time, her small chest cried out with excitement…
“A return customer!”
Her skill in sewing garments had finally been recognized. This was even more touching than earning spirit stones.
This was what she had learned from her mother. It proved that her mother’s craft was truly excellent!
“I must not disappoint my customer’s expectations!”
Watching Song Yan’s departing figure, he was filled with determination.
…
On the mountain path descending the peak, the group chatted.
“Who is that young girl?” Li Yi asked. “Is she your sister?”
Li Qingfeng and Gu Qingqing were also curious.
But Song Yan shook his head. “No, she is a seamstress of exceptional skill.”
“Moreover, her attitude toward her customers is exemplary. I admire her greatly.”
A small recommendation.
“What do you think? Would you like to have her sew your Daoist robes?”
Li Yi had long since torn off his combat garb and burned it casually.
Now he was bare-chested.
Hearing Song Yan’s inquiry, he shook his head. “No need.”
“Unless it is a sect Sword Testing match, I rarely wear even combat garb. When fighting, I prefer armor.”
“I see.”
He had once been a young general, the kind who genuinely led troops in battle.
Song Yan felt the story sounded familiar, perhaps he had heard it at a storytelling teahouse in Stone Beam Town.
Having a cave dwelling on Sword Trial Peak was convenient.
Taking the opportunity, Song Yan brought these people to tour his cave dwelling.
It was not until the hour of Xu that the group finally dispersed one by one.
After seeing his friends off, Song Yan entered the 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 at the testing stage. What remained was slow recovery.
Having endured so many consecutive battles in a single day, he was truly exhausted in body and mind.
An hour later, he exhaled a long breath of turbid air and slowly opened his eyes.
After this period of recuperation, his current injuries no longer hindered normal cultivation.
He did not rush to continue cultivating immediately. Instead, he recalled his battle with Li Yi.
“That aura—what exactly was it?”
It was as though he had always possessed it, yet had never used it before.
This aura originated from his natal flying sword—more precisely, from his sword intent.
Such an important matter—why had the Sword Planting Art made no mention of it?
However, now that he viewed the Sword Planting Art and the various sword techniques in the Sword Manual from the perspective of possessing this “sword momentum,” the passages that had once been baffling and incomprehensible now became clear.
Even the sword formations, which had always left him bewildered, now had a direction for study and practice…
With each breath during his contemplation, his taut nerves relaxed completely.
Spiritual energy, sword qi, and physical strength were all depleted. An ineffable drowsiness washed over him.
He bathed and washed, undressed, and lay down, sinking into deep sleep.