65: Chapter 65 Aftermath

The day after the Martial Arts Tournament ended, Tianqi City exploded.

It wasn't an exaggeration; it really did explode. The streets, alleys, teahouses, restaurants, and even the old man selling roasted sweet potatoes at the city gate were discussing yesterday's events.

"Have you heard? That stall owner Chen Ergou sent Long Aotian flying with a single sword strike!"

"It wasn't just sent flying; that was a Level 26 Berserker! Going head-to-head against a Level 26 at Level 22, this kid is ruthless!"

"I saw it with my own eyes. That golden Sword Intent, like the moon, broke the Dragon God Temple's array with a 'whoosh.' It was so cool!"

"And that Senior Brother Liu Qing, the dignified outer sect senior brother of the Sword Pavilion, was actually a mole for the Shadow Pavilion, hiding for three years! This matter is even more shocking than the Martial Arts Tournament!"

I walked out of my place to buy breakfast with dark circles under my eyes, and I was recognized at least ten times along the way. One vendor even grabbed my sleeve and wouldn't let go: "Brother Chen Ergou! Can you give me an autograph? My daughter is your fan!"

Since when did I have fans?

I finally managed to buy two meat buns, and just as I took a bite, I saw a large crowd gathered ahead. I squeezed over to take a look—good heavens, there was a long line in front of my Stall System 3.0, stretching from one end of the street to the other, with at least seventy or eighty people.

Old Zhao was busy sweating profusely. Seeing me arrive, he looked like he had found a savior: "Oh, Chen Ergou! You finally came! This group has been lining up since before dawn, all urging me for goods!"

I glanced at the order list, and my eyes nearly popped out—the orders were already backed up for three days. Three days! Even if I didn't sleep or eat, I couldn't finish making so many things in three days.

"Old Zhao, raise the price." I said.

"Raise it by how much?"

"Double it."

Old Zhao was stunned for a moment, then chuckled: "You kid, you're ruthless."

There was no other way; supply didn't meet demand, and that's the logic of a market economy. Although I, Chen Ergou, am a stall owner, I am at least a stall owner with a head for economics.

However, to be honest, no matter how good the business was, I had no heart to manage it now. Because Elder Mo Wentian had sent word for me to go to the Sword Pavilion council chamber.

Could it be anything good? My heart was pounding.

Inside the council chamber, Mo Wentian sat in the main seat with a pot of tea in front of him, his expression calm. When I entered, he was using the lid to stir the tea leaves without even lifting his eyelids.

"Sit."

I sat down obediently.

Mo Wentian was silent for a long time before he spoke: "Senior Brother Liu Qing has confessed."

My heart tightened.

"He is indeed a person from the Shadow Pavilion," Mo Wentian's voice was very faint, as if he were talking about an insignificant matter, "He has been lurking in the Sword Pavilion for three years. In these three years, he has transmitted a large amount of confidential information about the Sword Pavilion to the outside, including the files of outer sect disciples, the defense deployment of the Sword Pavilion, and... parts of the inner sect cultivation techniques."

I gasped. Three years; this Senior Brother Liu Qing hid really deep.

"The Shadow Pavilion's goal is not just the Sword Pavilion," Mo Wentian put down his teacup, and his gaze finally fell on me, "They want to control all the major forces in Tianqi City. Dragon God Temple, Iron Blood Alliance, Wanbao Tower... there are Shadow Pavilion moles in all these forces. Senior Brother Liu Qing is just one of them."

"What about the leader of the Shadow Pavilion?" I asked, "Do you know who it is?"

Mo Wentian shook his head: "I don't know. Senior Brother Liu Qing said that he had never seen the true face of the leader either. All instructions from the Shadow Pavilion were passed through intermediaries, and the leader's identity is the highest level of secrecy."

I frowned. A leader who hadn't even shown his true face to his subordinates... how cautious must this person be? Or rather, how devious?

"However, these are not things you should worry about right now." Mo Wentian changed the subject, "I called you here to tell you another matter."

He looked at me, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny: "According to the rules of the Sword Pavilion, a meritorious hero of the Martial Arts Tournament can receive a special reward. I have decided to recommend you to participate in the Inner Sect Selection."

I was stunned.

Inner Sect Selection?

"It was originally scheduled for next month, but given your performance at the Martial Arts Tournament, I have decided to let you participate in advance." Mo Wentian's tone was unquestionable, "Three days from now, the Inner Sect Selection will officially begin."

"Three days from now?!" I almost jumped out of my chair, "Isn't that too rushed?"

"Rushed?" Mo Wentian snorted coldly, "What do you think the Inner Sect Selection is? Child's play?"

Fine, he was right. The Inner Sect Selection was certainly not child's play.

Mo Wentian briefly introduced the content of the selection to me. It sounded simple, but after listening, my back was drenched in sweat.

The Inner Sect Selection consists of three trials—

First Trial: Sword Intent Trial. In a special sword array, face the attacks of countless Sword Intents and persist for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. This trial tests the degree of comprehension of Sword Intent and the ability to perceive sword energy.

Second Trial: Mental Trial. Enter an illusion and face your inner fears and desires. This trial tests whether one's will is firm and whether one will be confused by the illusion.

Third Trial: Combat Trial. Engage in one-on-one combat with inner sect disciples. There is nothing to explain about this trial; it is simply a hard clash.

"If you pass all three trials, you can become an inner sect disciple of the Sword Pavilion," Mo Wentian said, "Inner sect disciples can learn more powerful sword techniques, use better cultivation resources, and receive a fixed monthly stipend of spirit stones. Of course—"

He paused and looked at me meaningfully: "Inner sect disciples must also shoulder more responsibilities. The matter with the Shadow Pavilion is far from over, and the Sword Pavilion needs more capable people."

I understood his subtext. Mo Wentian recommended me to participate in the Inner Sect Selection not only because of my contribution to the Martial Arts Tournament but also because he was preparing to confront the Shadow Pavilion.

"I understand," I stood up and said solemnly, "Thank you, Elder Mo."

Mo Wentian waved his hand, signaling that I could leave. When I reached the door, he suddenly stopped me again.

"Chen Ergou."

"Yes?"

"That token given to you by Sword Saint Xiao Wuchen..." He hesitated, then finally just sighed, "Forget it, be careful yourself."

My heart skipped a beat. Mo Wentian knew about that token? How much did he actually know?

But Mo Wentian didn't say anything more, just picked up his teacup and continued to drink his tea.

I left the council chamber with a head full of questions.

Returning to my place, I locked the door, sat cross-legged on the bed, and opened the system panel.

"Ding—System Prompt: Detected that the host is about to face a major challenge (Inner Sect Selection), temporarily opening a special item—Enlightenment Tea."

My eyes lit up.

Enlightenment Tea (Special Item) Quality: Rare Effect: After drinking, within 24 hours, Sword Intent comprehension speed increases by 300%, and all sword technique cultivation efficiency increases by 200%. Price: 5000 Gold Coins. Note: The tea is good, but don't be greedy.

5000 Gold Coins? I touched my pocket... well, the prize money from the Martial Arts Tournament plus the money I'd saved from selling at my stall recently was barely enough.

"Bought!"

A cup of tea emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance appeared in my hand. I picked it up and smelled it; a fresh and elegant aura penetrated my nasal cavity, and my whole person instantly felt refreshed, as if I had jumped into an ice spring in the dog days of summer.

I drank it in small sips, closed my eyes, and began to circulate my spirit energy.

The effect was immediate. I could clearly feel that the previously blurry Sword Intent was becoming incredibly clear in my mind, and every detail of the Sword Saints Three Styles seemed to be magnified tenfold. Those parts that I couldn't figure out before were now instantly understood.

"It really is good stuff," I sighed, "It's just too expensive."

Just as I was practicing, a knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me."

It was Ye Liuli's voice.

I hurriedly opened the door. Ye Liuli was standing outside, wearing a pale blue long dress, her hair let down, looking like a completely different person from the cold female guild leader in the Dawn Guild.

"Something up?" I asked.

She didn't speak, walked straight into the room, took something out of her bosom, and handed it to me.

"Take it."

I took it and looked—it was a silver-white bracer inlaid with several light blue gems, emitting a faint chill.

"Ice Heart Bracer (Blue Quality): Defense +200, comes with Ice Resistance +30%. After equipping, it can reduce ice-type damage by 30%."

I was stunned: "This thing isn't cheap, right? Where did you get it?"

"Bought it at the auction house," she said indifferently, "Don't ask how much it cost; even if you ask, I won't tell you."

"..."

I put on the bracer, and it fit perfectly. The cold touch spread from my wrist throughout my body, feeling indescribably comfortable.

"Thank you," I said.

Ye Liuli turned around, facing away from me. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke, her voice very soft, so soft that I almost didn't hear it:

"Don't die."

Just two words, but the weight was heavier than a thousand words.

I looked at her back, and the corners of my mouth curled up involuntarily: "Don't worry, your brother Chen Ergou has a hard life; even the King of Hell might not dare to take me."

She turned back and glared at me, but in those eyes, there was clearly a hint of imperceptible tenderness.

"The Inner Sect Selection is in three days," she returned to her usual cold tone, "Prepare well, don't embarrass the Dawn Guild."

"Got it, got it, stop nagging."

She turned and left. When she reached the door, her footsteps paused, but in the end, she didn't say anything and pushed the door open to leave.

I stood in place, looking down at the Ice Heart Bracer on my wrist, feeling warm inside.

I must become stronger.

Not for the sake of the Sword Pavilion, not for the sake of the Martial Arts Tournament, but to protect the people around me—Ye Liuli, Old Zhao, the brothers and sisters of the Dawn Guild, and those who took care of me when I was at my lowest.

I took a deep breath, sat cross-legged again, closed my eyes, and continued to practice.

The effect of the Enlightenment Tea was still ongoing, and the Sword Intent flowed slowly through my meridians, like a stream in spring, nourishing every meridian. I could feel that I was becoming stronger bit by bit.

Three days is neither long nor short. But for me, not a single second could be wasted.

...

Three days later.

Early in the morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, I arrived at the gate of the Sword Pavilion inner sect.

The inner sect gate was completely different from the outer sect—the outer sect gate was made of wood, and although it was imposing, it lacked something. The inner sect gate was cast from a solid piece of black iron, three zhang high, with dense sword patterns carved on the surface, emitting faint fluctuations of spirit energy.

Quite a few people were already standing on the square in front of the gate, all outer sect disciples who had come to participate in the Inner Sect Selection. I counted roughly, and there were about forty or fifty people.

Their gazes fell on me, some curious, some disdainful, some hostile.

"Is that Chen Ergou? The one who runs a stall?"

"I heard he passed the finals of the Martial Arts Tournament at Level 22 and even sent Long Aotian flying..."

"Just luck, how strong can a Level 22 be?"

I couldn't be bothered to pay attention to these idle gossips, found a corner to stand, and closed my eyes to rest.

"Clang—"

A long bell rang from inside the inner sect, and the gate slowly opened.

A middle-aged man stood inside the gate, his face serious, his voice loud: "The Inner Sect Selection, now begins. All participating disciples, enter the Sword Intent Hall in turn."

I opened my eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

The inner sect gate slowly closed behind me, making a dull "boom" sound.

The road ahead was still very long.