Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 45 The Sword Draws the Azure Dragon, the Champion

The following day, the area below the Qianzi Terrace was packed with people, the atmosphere was incredibly lively, and the shouts were deafening.

On the stage, two figures flashed continuously, displaying various Taoist techniques and sword skills, dazzling the Qingyun disciples and leaving them overwhelmed.

If yesterday's earth-shattering battle allowed the Qingyun disciples to witness the immense power and might of Taoist immortal techniques, and the boundless might of heaven and earth, then today's seemingly evenly matched contest showcases the unparalleled mystery and unpredictable nature of Qingyun's Taoist methods.

"Frost gathers in the heavens, ice seals ten thousand miles, heavenly ice falls to earth, by imperial decree!"

From the Frost Sword in Qi Hao's hand, streams of icy aura surged forth, forming a massive, ice-blue sword array behind him. Countless icy energies gathered behind him, transforming into ice crystals.

Seeing Qi Hao's hand forming a sword incantation, another gasp of surprise erupted from the audience.

The Heavenly Ice Falling to Earth True Technique is one of the most powerful true techniques among the four great true techniques of the Azure Cloud Sect, and it is also the most powerful true technique among ice-type Daoist arts.

Its attributes are similar to the Frost Sword forged from ten thousand years of ice in Qi Hao's hand, making its power even more formidable.

The disciples of Dragon Head Peak cheered when they saw Qi Hao display such a sword technique. Even the Cangsong Daoist sitting below the stage had a smile on his face.

However, when his gaze fell upon Zhang Xiaofan, who held his sword upright in front of him, Daoist Cangsong couldn't help but sigh softly, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

Daoist Cangsong knew that Zhang Xiaofan would definitely be the champion of this Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament.

In terms of cultivation, Zhang Xiaofan was no less than Qi Hao, and having mastered the true technique of slaying ghosts and gods, his strength surpassed Qi Hao's. His injuries from yesterday had almost fully healed, so Qi Hao had no chance of winning.

His own plans had been completely ruined by the person in front of him, yet Cangsong Daoren couldn't bring himself to hate Zhang Xiaofan.

Perhaps this is fate, or perhaps Senior Brother Wan also felt that he had done something wrong, which is why he sent this boy to ruin his plans.

Daoist Cangsong couldn't help but sigh, but soon his resolve hardened again, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Even if his other plans failed, he had to avenge his senior brother Wan.

"Master, what's wrong with you?"

Standing behind him, Lin Jingyu, carrying the Dragon-Slaying Sword he had picked up yesterday, was originally watching the fight on the stage with a happy expression. However, he inadvertently noticed the complicated expression on Cangsong Daoren's face and couldn't help but ask softly.

Seeing that Daoist Cangsong's gaze had fallen on Zhang Xiaofan, Lin Jingyu quickly spoke up.

“Master, it is because I have not worked hard enough that my cultivation is inferior to Xiaofan’s. Please do not be angry with me. I am willing to accept the punishment.”

"Alright, I'm not angry. You don't need to be so nervous. Besides, you're already very outstanding, even more outstanding than your senior brother. I was the one who misjudged you back then."

Cangsong Daoren sighed softly, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Tian Buyi, who was laughing so hard his eyes were almost closed, and felt a surge of anger.

But then, as if remembering something, Daoist Cangsong turned to look at Lin Jingyu, a glint of light flashing in his eyes before dimming again, and said softly.

"Watch the competition. Your old friend is indeed a genius. It's normal that most people can't match him."

Lin Jingyu felt much more at ease upon hearing this and quickly looked up at the stage.

Zhang Xiaofan held the Ink Snow Sword and stood on the Seven Stars. Suddenly, the sky darkened, and seven beams of starlight fell from the heavens and disappeared into the Ink Snow Sword.

"The sword moves through the nine heavens, the seven constellations are arrayed, the sword draws the azure dragon, swiftly!"

As Zhang Xiaofan chanted the incantation, he saw seven starlight beams on the Mo Xue Sword connect end to end, transforming into the image of a blue dragon.

"Yan!"

The next moment, a dragon's roar rang out, and then the azure dragon flew out from the Ink Snow Sword, transforming into a huge azure dragon phantom.

"This is the True Technique of Sword Guiding Azure Dragon!"

Immediately, a disciple who had been practicing for a longer time uttered the name of this true technique.

The Sword Leading Azure Dragon True Technique is not only one of the strongest True Techniques under the Four Great True Techniques, along with the Heavenly Ice Falling to Earth True Technique.

It is also known as one of the most difficult true techniques to cultivate in the Qingyun Sect, and its difficulty is comparable to the Divine Sword Thunder Control True Technique, one of the four great true techniques.

At the same time, the Sword Leading Azure Dragon True Technique is also known as the most mysterious sword technique of the Qingyun Sect, without exception.

The Sword Draws the Azure Dragon, a divine sword that draws upon the power of the seven constellations of the Azure Dragon. Legend has it that it possesses the power to discern destiny. Of course, the records are not as mystical as they seem, but the person who performs this sword technique can use it to discern the opponent's weaknesses and thus defeat them.

It is said that this sword manual is related to the founder of the school, Qingyunzi, and was created by combining Qingyunzi's understanding of physiognomy and Taoist magic.

Starlight seemed to flash in Zhang Xiaofan's eyes, with a faint, magical aura of the Azure Dragon constellation flowing within them. The next moment, Zhang Xiaofan, wielding the Ink Snow Sword, thrust it straight at Qi Hao.

Seeing this, Qi Hao changed his hand seals, and endless ice flew out from behind him, covering the sky and blasting towards Zhang Xiaofan.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!"

The chunks of ice that struck the illusory image of the Azure Dragon produced crisp, clear sounds, as if they had struck real dragon scales.

Zhang Xiaofan's eyes narrowed, and then he suddenly accelerated. After a dragon's roar, he transformed into a sword shadow and headed straight for Qi Hao, facing Tian Bing.

Wherever the azure dragon passed, the endless ice nearly melted away, turning into droplets of water that sprinkled onto the arena.

"clang!"

With a clear sword cry, the shadow of the azure dragon and the sky full of mysterious ice all vanished, leaving only two disciples holding swords on the stage.

At this moment, Qi Hao held the Frost Sword horizontally in front of him with both hands, while Zhang Xiaofan's Ink Snow Sword precisely pierced the spine of the blade.

Zhang Xiaofan raised his hand to sheathe his sword, smiled, cupped his hands in a salute to Qi Hao, and said...

"Senior Brother Qi, you flatter me!"

“Junior Brother Zhang’s swordsmanship is superb, and his cultivation and Daoist arts are also above mine. I am completely convinced!” Although Qi Hao felt quite regretful for failing to complete his master’s order, he still generously admitted defeat with great composure.

"In that case, I hereby declare that the ultimate winner of this Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is Zhang Xiaofan of Dazhu Peak!"

Dao Xuan Zhenren, with a smile on his face, shouted loudly.

As soon as Dao Xuan Zhenren finished speaking, a deafening cheer erupted in Yunhai Square, with the loudest cheers coming from the group of disciples standing near Xiaozhu Peak, including Tian Ling'er.

Upon hearing the sound, Master Shuiyue looked over, and her face instantly darkened. Lu Xueqi, standing behind her, noticed Master Shuiyue's expression and immediately tried to suppress her smile.

As for Tian Buyi, he was grinning from ear to ear. He stood up and took the initiative to greet the other leaders of the various factions politely, saying things like "please be polite" and "it was lucky."

"Alright, now that this year's Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament has ended, all disciples may return to their peaks on their own. The top four from this year's tournament, please follow me into the Jade Purity Hall."

Seeing that the cheers had gradually subsided, Dao Xuan Zhenren spoke loudly, and then turned and walked into the Yuqing Hall.

After Dao Xuan Zhenren left, the other branch leaders and elders each gave their disciples a few words of advice before entering the Yuqing Hall.

……

Inside the Yuqing Hall.

Zhang Xiaofan took a simple, ancient mirror from Dao Xuan Zhenren, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Dao Xuan Zhenren. Dao Xuan Zhenren waved his hand and then spoke to Zhang Xiaofan and the other three.

"I have summoned the four of you here for a reason. I need you to go down the mountain and gain some experience."

After recounting the events of the Ten Thousand Bats Cave to Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, and Zeng Shushu, Dao Xuan Zhenren spoke again.

"This matter is of great importance. All four of you are elites of Qingyun Sect and future chief elders, which is why I have entrusted this matter to you. However, the demonic sect is treacherous and vicious. After you leave the mountain, remember to be careful and prioritize your own safety. Do you understand?"

Dao Xuan Zhenren earnestly instructed Zhang Xiaofan and the other three, saying that losing even one of them would be a great loss for the Qingyun Sect.

Even if nothing was accomplished on this trip down the mountain, as long as Zhang Xiaofan, Lu Xueqi, and the others returned safely, Dao Xuan Zhenren considered the mission complete.

"Yes!"

Zhang Xiaofan and the other three responded in unison, their expressions becoming more serious. Dao Xuan Zhenren nodded with relief upon hearing this and looked at Zhang Xiaofan, saying...

"You are the champion of this grand test, and you should be in charge of this trip down the mountain. However, you have only been a disciple for a short time, so you should listen to your senior brothers and sisters and not act rashly."

"Yes, Master Uncle, I will remember!"

Zhang Xiaofan responded in a deep voice. Dao Xuan Zhenren nodded, his gaze slowly sweeping over the others, and then spoke softly again, his tone seemingly carrying a different meaning.

"In addition to our Qingyun Sect, Fenxiang Valley and Tianyin Temple have also sent outstanding disciples to explore Kongsang Mountain. You must not be impolite, and of course, you must not diminish the spirit of our Qingyun Sect."

"Yes, Master!"

Lu Xueqi and the others responded in unison, but Zhang Xiaofan frowned. After the three of them responded, he asked with some confusion.

"Master Uncle, I have a question. It is the duty of the righteous path to eliminate demons and protect the righteous, but Fenxiang Valley has been closed for many years. Why would it suddenly send a disciple to the Central Plains?"

Dao Xuan Zhenren was taken aback upon hearing this. After frowning and pondering for a while, he slowly shook his head and said.

"Perhaps it is because Master Yun is a man of great righteousness that he sent an outstanding disciple from his sect to assist me after receiving my message. In any case, we should be cautious in everything we do."

As he spoke, Dao Xuan Zhenren gave Zhang Xiaofan a rather approving look. Although it was not good to doubt fellow practitioners of the righteous path, caution was certainly necessary when young disciples went down the mountain.

"Alright, you should all go back and rest. Stay at the Tongtian Peak villa for the time being to get to know each other. Once the disciples from the other two sects have departed, you can all go down the mountain together."

Dao Xuan Zhenren waved his hand as he spoke, and Zhang Xiaofan and the others bowed and then withdrew.

Inside the hall, after Zhang Xiaofan, Lu Xueqi, and the others left the Jade Purity Hall, Master Shuiyue suddenly spoke to Dao Xuan Zhenren.

"Sect Leader, Junior Sister wishes to visit the Ancestral Temple to pay respects and pray for the protection of the Ancestral Spirit. I hope you will grant my request."

Dao Xuan Zhenren's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this; he simply nodded slightly and spoke softly.

“I understand Junior Sister Shuiyue’s worries. However, Junior Nephew Lu’s Taoist skills are quite remarkable, and he has several fellow disciples to look after him, so there is no need to worry too much.”

Master Shuiyue frowned slightly, wondering if her junior sister had guessed wrong, but she still responded with a cool and aloof expression.

"Thank you, Master Brother."

"Sect Leader, Buyi and I would also like to go to the Ancestral Temple to pay our respects and also pray for Ling'er's marriage."

Seeing this, Su Ru also spoke up. Tian Buyi, who was standing to the side, glanced at Master Shuiyue, snorted, but did not refute her.

Upon seeing this, Daoist Cangsong's eyes flashed with suspicion. He looked at Tian Buyi and Master Shuiyue with great curiosity. These two, who had always been at odds, were actually going to the Ancestral Temple to worship together? Wasn't he afraid they would fight?

However, the next moment, Daoist Cangsong thought of Tian Buyi and Master Shuiyue's disciples, and couldn't help but chuckle and say.

"Junior Brother Tian, ​​Junior Sister Shuiyue, if you have the time, you might as well teach your disciples more Taoist techniques on ordinary days. Senior Brother Sect Leader, I'll be heading back now."

After saying this, Daoist Cangsong bowed to Daoist Zhenren and then withdrew.

Zeng Shuchang, who was on good terms with Tian Buyi, laughed and egged them on.

“In that case, I will go with Junior Brother Tian and pray for my unfilial son.”

(End of this chapter)