57: Chapter 16 Bait First, Preparing for the Competition

"Huh? The evaluation results are out?"

Chen Xuan only then glanced at the Spirit Stones; there were actually two hundred of them!

That meant He Jia's share had been given to him.

Zi Ling clearly could have taken it for herself.

Besides, he had already inherited He Jia's Danhong Crane—a High Grade Bloodline Danhong Crane at that—which could be considered a huge bargain.

In his memories, how could this imperious, arrogant girl possibly do something that harmed herself to benefit others?

He couldn't help but rub his eyes, only to discover it wasn't an illusion.

"Miss Zi Ling, are we ranked first?" Chen Xuan asked.

Zi Ling stood side-by-side with Xiao Ye and nodded. "Yes. Although others also found Halberd-Light Worms this time, we still had the Azure Sea Little Green Dragon, so we were evaluated as first. Brother Xiao Ye was also praised by the Family."

Xiao Ye, who had long wanted to strike up a conversation with Chen Xuan, immediately cupped his hands. "Greetings, Brother Yun. This time, it was all thanks to Brother Yun's help. Last time in the Long Sea, it was also thanks to Brother Yun. Please, accept my bow."

Xiao Ye bowed respectfully.

Chen Xuan waved his hand. "It's just a small matter."

"Last time, I saw Brother Yun unleash Sword Light Differentiation. I have a few questions; I wonder if Brother Yun could answer them? A small gift, please don't take offense!"

After saying this, Xiao Ye handed over a Storage Pouch.

Chen Xuan didn't even look at it; he was in a good mood today, so he said, "Go ahead!"

He had experienced several Second Rank Daoist Magic sword techniques. Although it wasn't a complete Second Rank sword Legacy, it was still a high vantage point.

Ordinary questions naturally couldn't stump Chen Xuan.

"I wonder how Brother Yun views the first step of Sword Light Differentiation: the change of Yin and Yang?"

Sword Light Differentiation was based on the principle that the Dao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and Three gives birth to all things.

It was the evolution from a single wisp of sword light to ten thousand sword lights.

Chen Xuan naturally began, "The Dao is nature, and the sword Dao is the same. The change of Yin and Yang—Yang is the strength of Heaven, Yin is the earth's Kun..."

Xiao Ye listened, completely mesmerized. Although he didn't understand it at all, he vaguely felt that if he could grasp these principles, he would be able to reach the Realm of Sword Light Differentiation.

Listening to the two discuss the Dao, Zi Ling's eyes lit up. "So sweet..."

After the discussion ended, the three drank clear tea. Xiao Ye said, "Brother Yun, a total of three people from the Family are participating in this competition: you, me, and Xiao Muting."

Chen Xuan asked in confusion, "Where did Xiao Muting get a spot?"

Normally, since Xiao Muting's spot had been given to him, someone else from the Xiao Family should have taken his place.

"Hahaha." Xiao Ye laughed and shook his head. "To secure this extra spot for you, Xiao Muting, this Xiao Family Genius, promised the Family he would leave behind an heir."

"Huh?"

Traded with a child?

Chen Xuan couldn't help but blush.

These words were a bit ambiguous.

But he heard Xiao Ye explain, "Xiao Muting is the recognized Genius of our generation. He was already at Qi Refining Stage 9 several years ago. Do you know what kind of Aptitude that is!"

Chen Xuan was filled with respect. Xiao Muting was about his age, yet he was already at Qi Refining Stage 9.

Even in his past life, he had never heard of anyone in Fusheng Immortal City breaking through to Qi Refining Stage 9 at five, six, seven, or eight years old.

Perhaps it was the legendary Earthly Spiritual Root? Or even a Heavenly Spiritual Root?

Chen Xuan nodded.

"Brother Yun, don't spread this around. Although it's not a big secret, 'an innocent man is guilty of the crime of holding a jade.' You are Mu Ting's good friend, which is why I'm telling you."

Chen Xuan nodded; he naturally understood.

"Now you know what a great sacrifice he made by being willing to leave an heir for the Family, right?" Xiao Ye looked at Chen Xuan with a knowing smile.

Chen Xuan smiled knowingly—the tacit understanding between men: drinking together, sharing joy.

"Besides our Xiao Family, the Wang Family and the Chen Family are also participating in this tournament, three families in total."

"As for this fishing, it mainly depends on luck. We have harvested enough Halberd-Light Worms and Azure Sea Little Green Dragons for bait this time, so the three of us should be fine."

"It's just that every time we enter the Lightless Sea, our cultivation is suppressed slightly. The further in we go, the stronger the suppression. I don't know why it was chosen as the location."

"Also, the Liuyang Sword Sect always sends at least two Foundation Establishment Elders. There will be a martial demonstration segment before it starts, so you must seize the Opportunity."

In the Southern Region, families near an Immortal cultivation Sect are all subordinate to that Sect.

As for those that aren't, they've all gone down below.

The three major families are naturally vassals of the Liuyang Sword Sect, surviving to the east of the Liuyang Sword Sect, adjacent to the endless Long Sea.

To solidify their Family status, they send Immortal seedlings with Medium Grade Spiritual Root Aptitude or higher into the Sect every year, thereby stabilizing the Family.

Logically, with an Aptitude like Xiao Muting's, he should naturally enter the Liuyang Sword Sect to cultivate.

However, Chen Xuan thought to himself, that Sword-Nurturing Gourd might have been bestowed by some Golden Core Master.

This martial demonstration is not only to relieve good brother Xiao Muting's worries, but also a stepping stone for his own apprenticeship—casting a brick to attract jade!

Xiao Muting sent people to search for his parents, sacrificing the lives of his subordinates.

He also specifically looked after him; the patrol team naturally recognized Chen Xuan.

Now, it is time to settle the Karma with the Xiao Family.

Chen Xuan thought to himself.

When the time was about right, Zi Ling and Xiao Ye reluctantly said their goodbyes. Before leaving, Xiao Ye said again, "The current situation of the Xiao Family is not very good. Brother, if you want to leave, I can find a way to help you terminate your contract, which will be repaying the kindness of your instruction today."

Xiao Ye had originally been jealous and looked down on Chen Xuan, but today he was completely convinced.

"No need. The mere Wang Family—even if the main Family doesn't deal with them, I won't let them off," Chen Xuan said softly, but with a unique rhythm that made people curious about what else he would say.

How could he not avenge his parents?

The two didn't dwell on why Chen Xuan wouldn't let them off, because everyone living at Biling Lake had, more or less, formed a grudge with this Wang Family.

There were plenty of people whose parents, relatives, and friends had died at the hands of the Wangs.

"By the way, be careful of the Wang Family's Young Clan Chief, Wang Qiuxue. The sword dance segment is fraught with danger; if she suddenly makes a move, you must be careful." Xiao Ye had already reached the edge of the lake area managed by Chen Xuan, but he still gave a worried warning.

Chen Xuan insisted on not giving up, so he had to explain the risks clearly to him.

Don't become a ghost who died in vain.

Chen Xuan cupped his hands, signaling he understood.

Time flew by. Before he knew it, the day had arrived to settle Karma, sever mortal ties with the sword, and pursue the Dao into the azure underworld.

Chen Xuan watched the two leave.

The full moon hung high, truly beautiful.

At this moment, his state of mind was like a calm lake, his gaze clear, piercing through the shores of Biling Lake.

Celestial light scattered, golden brilliance filled the sky.

Chen Xuan opened his mouth, swallowed the Jade Spirit Qi, and drew in the moonlight to temper his Glazed Body.

Wisps of Spiritual Qi gathered, swirling in the sky, pouring into the ancestral aperture between his brows.

Chen Xuan was like a Daoist child, bathing in Spiritual Qi amidst the golden light.

The newborn mana nurtured by the Canglan Art circulated through his body. The next moment, it flew out of his body, refined the Yin power of the moon, and returned to his body. The Canglan surged, instantly breaking through the barrier of Qi Refining Stage 3.

Qi Refining, Stage 4!

Chen Xuan looked ahead calmly. Under the formidable mana of the mid-stage Qi Refining, his Heaven-Stealing Foundation could clearly pierce through a range of several miles.

All kinds of traces were revealed in minute detail; every swimming fish had nowhere to hide under these Dharma Eyes.

And the Divine Sense nurtured at the mid-stage of Qi Refining also grew significantly stronger at this moment.

Ordinary Cultivators can only nurture Divine Sense upon reaching the mid-stage of Qi Refining, but the Canglan Art had already nurtured Divine Sense at Qi Refining Stage 3, along with mana comparable to the mid-stage.

This is the Profound Rank marvelous technique!

Heading to the Lightless Sea this time, Chen Xuan was already full of confidence.