The next day, in the reception hall of the Boundless Sword Sect.
Qin Ran sat in the guest seat, with Li Shiyin standing behind him holding the Qingxing Sword. Sun Yicheng sat in the opposite guest seat, with two personal disciples standing behind him.
Both men wore smiles with unclear intentions.
Yes, Sun Yicheng - Elder Sun of Zhican Valley, the elder responsible for selling medicinal pills to outsiders.
The Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect had kept Qin Ran waiting for half a month, just waiting for him - waiting for someone from Zhican Valley to arrive.
After all, the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley were allies, like one family.
"Elder Sun, it's been a while," Qin Ran smiled at Sun Yicheng.
"Elder Qin..." Sun Yicheng, cunning as an old fox, replied, "Who would have thought we'd meet at the Boundless Sword Sect? What a fateful encounter."
"I'm honored!" Qin Ran said earnestly, "Elder Sun, given this fated meeting, you must give me a five percent discount next time I come to Zhican Valley for pills."
"Of course!" Sun Yicheng waved his hand grandly, "No problem at all. Elder Qin, given our relationship, a ten or twenty percent discount is nothing!"
Next time? After this visit to the Boundless Sword Sect, they both knew that the relationship between the three sects would likely deteriorate rapidly. Whether there would be a next time was uncertain.
"Thank you in advance, Elder Sun..."
A man sat in the main seat - dressed in dark martial clothes with his hair tied back at his waist. Among his jet-black hair were a few white strands. With his sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, he cut an imposing middle-aged figure.
Without introduction, this was clearly Jian Wuming, the Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect.
After Qin Ran and Sun Yicheng finished their pleasantries, Jian Wuming spoke:
"I heard from the sect elders that Brother Qin is the Head Seat of Dan Peak, one of the four peaks of the Dao Sword Sect. Given your position, you must have important matters to discuss after waiting here for half a month. Please speak."
Qin Ran rose and gave a formal bow to Jian Wuming, replying: "Indeed, I have urgent business. It concerns the survival of our sects. It's a matter of life and death for the three major sects of the Hengduan Mountains."
He glanced at Sun Yicheng, hinting, "It may concern Zhican Valley as well."
Jian Wuming's sword-like eyebrows slanted sharply upward, his whole person emanating sharpness. Hearing this, he leaned forward, narrowing his eyes, and a sharp sword intent shot toward Qin Ran.
"Head Seat, what matter could affect the life and death of the three major sects?" he asked.
He was using his presence to pressure Qin Ran, trying to overwhelm his momentum.
But as his sword intent approached, Li Shiyin raised her eyes from her master to look at Jian Wuming. The Qingxing Sword in her arms trembled, and her protective sword intent enveloped Qin Ran.
The incoming sword intent dispersed on either side of Qin Ran, not affecting him in the slightest.
Jian Wuming looked at Li Shiyin, his narrowed eyes opening wide in surprise.
"Who is this sword fairy? Head Seat hasn't introduced us."
"Do you know why?" Li Shiyin said, "Arrogance requires capital. None of your disciples have the capital to be arrogant."
"Good!" Jian Wuming was so angry that veins bulged at his temples, and sword energy rose from his blade, "I'll give you one chance!"
"Sect Leader, wait!"
Just as the atmosphere was escalating and they were about to fight, a voice suddenly interrupted.
Jian Wuming coldly looked over - it was that alchemist Head Seat Qin.
He gave a dismissive glance and turned back to Li Shiyin.
Qin Ran showed no sign of anger, speaking in a measured tone: "I taught Shiyin her sword dao. She is actually a new generation disciple of the Dao Sword Sect. Sect Leader, are you sure you want to compete with an ordinary disciple?"
Hearing this, Jian Wuming realized that Li Shiyin was only of the disciple generation. Given his status and position, fighting her would definitely be disadvantageous, and his momentum slightly weakened.
"Or are you saying that there truly isn't a single disciple in the Boundless Sword Sect who can match Shiyin?" Qin Ran asked further.
"Ridiculous!" Jian Wuming turned sharply to look at him, snorting coldly, "My sword sect has countless prodigies, and those proficient in sword dao are everywhere. Defeat her? As easy as turning over my palm!"
"Good!" Qin Ran nodded and smiled, "In that case, why doesn't the Sect Leader find a disciple to defeat her?
"Shiyin has just formed her Golden Core. Sect Leader can choose any Golden Core realm disciple to spar with her, early or late stage doesn't matter. How about it?"
"Early or late stage doesn't matter?" Jian Wuming had some sword integrity and was about to refuse, not wanting to take unfair advantage, but after looking at Li Shiyin's sword energy and feeling that it would be difficult for an early Golden Core stage to overcome this sword energy, he agreed, "Fine!"
He had sword integrity, but not much.
"Why wait for another day when we can do it today!" Qin Ran said.
Jian Wuming withdrew his sword and said: "Today it is!"
"Sect Leader, why resort to sword duels?" Sun Yicheng spoke up timely, "I think we can skip the competition? We should prioritize harmony."
As an observer, he could see clearly that Jian Wuming had been led by the nose by Qin Ran the whole time. The competition wasn't Jian Wuming's idea, but Qin Ran's.
Although he didn't know why Qin Ran wanted to compete with the Boundless Sword Sect, he knew one principle: whatever the enemy wants to do should be prevented.
However, he probably didn't realize his own position - in Jian Wuming's eyes, he was probably just another alchemist too.
So Jian Wuming just glanced at him without speaking.
"How about this..." Qin Ran, seeing this, was inwardly amused and pressed his advantage, saying, "I brought four disciples with me to the sword sect, why don't we have four matches? Since we've come all the way to the sword sect, our two sects should indeed have some exchange and interaction."
"Four matches?" Jian Wuming pondered briefly, his eyes revealing a clear-minded perception that saw through everything. "Three matches! I know you deliberately brought Lu Junxing and Gu Yueming's direct disciples here for a friendly competition. I'll give you a chance.
"It works out perfectly - one match each at Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul realms. You've come to my Sword Sect, do you think I'd be afraid of you?"
Qin Ran bowed respectfully and said with a smile, "The Sect Master speaks wisely."