Chapter 179: Chapter 135: What, Do You Look Down on My Zhe Long Sword? Subduing the Hibernating Dragon Soul_2

As for the second place, the expressions of the crowd all became more serious.

Second place might only be one rank better, but the difference in meaning was like night and day—it was a competition of luck.

Everyone knew that this luck was hidden within one of these three swords: Xuanhuang, Li Hen, and Zhen Yue.

Elites from various sects, elders, Dao children, and true disciples, all craned their necks expectantly, waiting for the result.

Elder Jianyun gave a slight smile, not keen on playing coy, and said, "As for the sword ranking second, there is only one, and that is the Li Hen Sword!"

Upon hearing this, Li Qiankun of the Chunyang Sect couldn't help laughing; he was the one who had chosen the Li Hen Sword.

The crowd wasn't surprised that Li Hen could rank second; they were more focused on the person who chose the sword.

"Li Qiankun's luck is truly extraordinary!" Hao Yun glanced at him and said flatly.

"He is indeed impressive, yet you, Junior Brother, are not far behind—perhaps even superior," Wang Tianli said with a slight smile.

Hao Yun also smiled and then looked at Yang Ji, "Senior Brother, it seems that our hopes are dashed. The sword ranking first must be either Xuanhuang or Zhen Yue."

"Let's wait and see!" Wang Tianli saw Yang Ji remain calm and suddenly said this.

"As for the sword ranking first..." Elder Jianyun paused with a smile and slowly turned his gaze toward Yang Ji, "The sword ranking first is the Zhe Long Sword chosen by this young friend!"

"What? The Zhe Long Sword?" In an instant, everyone was astounded, taken completely by surprise.

"This..." Wang Tianli and Hao Yun exchanged a stunned look and then burst into hearty laughter, "Hahaha, the Junior Brother is indeed extraordinary; I knew his smile held a deeper meaning!"

"To think it's the Zhe Long Sword!" Fang Tianzhe, Li Qiankun, and others looked at the sword in Yang Ji's hands, appraising it anew with deep scrutiny.

"Junior Brother is remarkable indeed, in vain I consider myself a member of the Immortal Sword Sect—yet I failed to choose the premier sword!" Jian Xiaoyao said, shaking his head with a smile.

"How can it be the Zhe Long Sword? I've seen that sword; it's utterly ordinary, just a semi-Dao Device!" Hong Jie Tongzi's complexion changed, and his brow furrowed deeply.

"Hmph! What now? You look down on my sword?" Suddenly, the Zhe Long Sword in Yang Ji's hand let out a deep Dragon Roar.

Immediately following, the sword blazed with brilliance, flew from his grasp, and transformed into a True Dragon, zigzagging in the void, unleashing terrifying might. The space sounded like tearing paper, it fragmented and almost collapsed.

"Is this a medium-grade Dao Artifact?" Feeling such might, everyone was shocked.

Low-grade Dao Artifacts might be common in the hands of many, but medium-grade Dao Artifacts were rare—apart from those Dao children blessed with significant fortune, it was difficult for ordinary people to have even one or two.

"If this sword is a medium-grade Dao Artifact, then what about Xuanhuang and Zhen Yue?" someone asked.

"Young friend, why don't you answer this question?" Elder Jianyun's eyes sparkled as he turned to Yang Ji, clearly wanting to see if he was just lucky or truly skilled.

This rare opportunity to "show off" was critical to integrating into the circle of geniuses; one had to exhibit the strength of a genius.

Young Ji knew well when to be humble and when to flaunt, and he wouldn't miss an opportunity to make an impression.

This was an opportunity for genius to be recognized, and also his "business card" for making friends. In the future, people would nod to him not just because of Wang Tianli's connections but also in acknowledgment of his exceptional abilities.

Yang Ji stood proudly, smiling lightly, "Since the elder has asked me to speak, I shall humbly offer my insights. If there is anything incorrect, please do correct me."

"In fact, both the Xuanhuang Sword and the Zhen Yue Sword have many restrictions on their surfaces. The Xuanhuang Sword, though made of top-grade material, has defective formations and counts as only a semi-Dao Device."

"The Li Hen Sword, on the other hand, is genuinely solid—a top-tier low-grade Dao Artifact."

"As for the Zhen Yue Sword, the restrictions inscribed on the material give the impression that it was forged from heavy iron from the chasms, but it's actually just common hundred-refined steel. All its power and brilliance are illusory, spawned by layers of restrictions that mask its true nature—it's actually just a high-grade Spiritual Artifact."

"Regarding the Zhe Long Sword, the material is of the highest quality, forged from White Radiance Steel refined from White Radiance Ore. Its whole body is silver-white, lustrous as flowing water, with brown dragon-shaped patterns on its surface. Indeed, those brown dragon-shaped patterns are the Sword Spirit."

"This Sword Spirit is the Hibernating Dragon Soul. The Hibernating Dragon delights in deep slumber; once it falls asleep, it shows no signs of life, indistinguishable from an etching."

"Indeed, just as the young friend has said!" Elder Jianyun chuckled, a hint of concealed surprise flashing in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, the crowd was secretly astonished and immediately revised their opinion of Yang Ji, committing his name to memory. Sёarᴄh the nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The Dao Sect disciples also gave him a deep look, thinking to themselves it's no wonder, no wonder Wang Tianli would introduce a Nascent Soul Minor Cultivator to them—there really was something special about him.

If Wang Tianli knew what they were thinking, who knows what he would make of it—probably would just shake his head and laugh.

While everyone was astonished, the Hibernating Dragon Soul was also greatly surprised, thinking to itself, "So this young man actually recognized me? And here I thought he wasn't a superficial person."

"Hehe, young friend, congratulations on securing first place in the Sword Appraisal Conference. This Zhe Long Sword now belongs to you!" Elder Jianyun said with a laugh, beckoning with one hand, snatching the still-hovering Zhe Long Sword from the air, and handing it to Yang Ji.

"Thank you, Senior!" Yang Ji accepted the Zhe Long Sword and bowed respectfully in gratitude.

"Hmm!" Elder Jianyun nodded slightly, then turning to the others, he smiled and said, "The swords you have appraised can also all be taken with you."

"Thank you, Senior!" Everyone bowed respectfully in unison.

"Now that the rankings have been determined, the Sects that secured the top three places may have all their disciples who attended the conference follow me to Sword Peak. Whether or not you can find a named sword depends on your own fate and fortune!" Having said this, Elder Jianyun transformed into a streak of light, flying up into the sky, "Fellow Daoists, please follow me!"

"Junior Brother, let's go!" Wang Tianli and Hao Yun called out to Yang Ji from afar, smiling.

Yang Ji smiled and also turned into a streak of light, soaring into the sky to join them, following Elder Jianyun ahead.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother, on obtaining a mid-grade Dao Artifact; you really gave us quite the surprise this time!" Wang Tianli said with a laugh.

"Junior Brother, your fortune is truly extraordinary; I am ashamed to admit I am not your equal!" Hao Yun looked deeply at Yang Ji and laughed.

"You both flatter me too much!" Yang Ji replied with a modest smile.

"Hmph, a shallow person doesn't deserve to have me." Suddenly, the Zhe Long Sword in Yang Ji's hand let out a cold snort, and it began to vibrate intensely while fierce Sword Qi burst forth in all directions. In an instant, Yang Ji's palm was pierced and bloody.

Yang Ji, in pain, loosened his grip and the sword transformed into a gray-brown True Dragon that broke free from his palm, tore through the void, and disappeared without a trace. Stay connected via m-v l|e'-NovelFire.net

"Hmph! Thinking of escaping after becoming a sword of the Wuji Dao Sect?" Hao Yun sneered coldly, his palm reaching out and transforming into a vast talon that tore open space, swiftly fishing the fleeing Zhe Long Sword out of the void.

"Ah, this is the Dragon-Seizing Hand!" The Zhe Long Sword was tightly clutched by the great hand, terrified and unable to move, its Sword Light shining in all directions, attempting to pierce through Hao Yun's palm.

"Stubborn and unyielding! Junior Brother, the sword is unruly and doesn't know its place. Allow me to help you gain mastery over it." Hao Yun hummed coldly, his hand forming a seal, imprinting complex and profound Golden Runes into the Zhe Long Sword.

Then he pointed at Yang Ji's forehead, a rune entering his brow. After doing these things, he then flung the sword back to Yang Ji.

"Junior Brother, from now on, you can control this sword using the rune in your mind. If it disobeys, stimulating the rune will make it suffer excruciating pain! If you wish to destroy it, crush the rune in your mind, and the Hibernating Dragon Soul will dissipate into smoke and clouds."

Hao Yun was no ordinary figure; even in the Immortal Realm, he was a being of distinguished and extraordinary status. His words thus carried an overwhelming majesty, severely intimidating the Hibernating Dragon Soul.

"You..." The Hibernating Dragon Soul felt the authority of one who held the power of life and death, its backbone chilling, crying out in alarm, and then it sullenly quieted down within the sword, daring not to act rashly any longer.

The soul fell into a deep slumber as a form of protest.

A flicker of Spiritual Light flashed in Yang Ji's palm, and his wounds healed immediately. Looking at the Zhe Long Sword in his hand, he said slowly, "Indeed, every Dao Artifact has its temperament and is not easy to subdue. I have to thank you for this, Senior Brother."

"No trouble at all! It is an honor for it to follow Junior Brother. It thought to devour its master—it had to be disciplined. It's just a minor Hibernating Dragon Soul; even the Ten-Clawed Immortal Dragon wasn't as arrogant as this one. When Junior Brother grows stronger, the soul will naturally become submissive and dare not to cause any mischief!" Hao Yun spoke.

As everyone conversed, they had already flown hundreds of miles away.

Ahead, a mountain peak, straight as a sword, had already come into view.