Chapter 54: Lotus Sword Gathering (2)

Chapter 54: Lotus Sword Gathering (2)

The Lotus Sword Gathering happened every year, but it didn't draw much attention from cultivators outside the sect. Only those involved in the event attended, and it typically lasted from two to four days.

That didn't mean, however, that the participants took part light-heartedly. It was the opposite.

"It's a rare opportunity."

The Lotus Sword Gathering was closer to an examination than it was to a sparring competition. There were rewards for those who displayed exceptional talent at the event, like a small amount of spiritual medicine and fine swords, though it was nothing too extraordinary.

Of course, that was only part of the reward. The real reward that the participants wanted was something else entirely.

"Forget winning. I don't want to draw any attention. If I get noticed and recommended to join the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, I'll be in big trouble."

One of the Five High Elders, namely the Plum Blossom Sword Captain, always served as the examiner of the Lotus Sword Gathering, and there was a reason behind this—talents deemed suitable to become the next generation of Plum Blossom Swordsmen were selected through this event.

For Zhou Xuchuan, this made the event more than just a nuisance. It wasn't just the victor that was marked as a future member of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, but also anyone with exceptional skill.

Though Zhou Xuchuan once dreamed of joining the ranks of Plum Blossom Swordsmen, the most elite group in Mount Hua, he no longer had that dream. This was primarily because he would be haveimited freedom if he were to become one.

As the most powerful members of the sect, they were dispatched on various missions that ordinary members of the sect could not handle. Because of this, they had to constantly wait for orders within the sect, or be outside on a mission.

It wasn't a job that Zhou Xuchuan found fitting since he intended to roam around the entire martial world to prevent and change events in the future.

"Just moderately, yeah? Moderately."

*

The Lotus Sword Gathering officially began.

There was a training field in the middle, which was surrounded by the participants, that is, the members of the Lotus Pavilion.

Elevated seats were situated on one side of the training field. The audience seated there could see the entirety of the training field in one glance; as such, those seats naturally became the seat of honor.

"It's been three years..." You Riwen, the sect master of Mount Hua, muttered. A hint of joy was etched on his wrinkled face.

"Oho, it seems the competition will be fierce this time," said Xue Song, one of the Five High Elders, his eyes scanning the participants.

"The winner is already set in stone though," declared Shen Yulian, her face looking as frosty as ever. Her gaze was fixed on her grand disciple, Luo Xiaoyue.

"Do you really think so?" Ling Zhen countered with a creepy laugh, provoking Shen Yulian.

"Of course," Shen Yulian replied without batting an eyelid.

"Let's just wait and see." Ling Zhen gave a mysterious smile and turned around, his gaze settling on a familiar boy.

Zhou Xuchuan...

Shen Yulian frowned slightly. She was about to say something, but she held it back in.

That boy was once disdained for his unusually high amount of internal qi after he luckily got some spiritual medicine. Shen Yulian did not like the fact that he managed to enter the Lotus Pavilion through sheer luck without any talent or effort.

However, she had to change her opinion after hearing what happened with the Watertop Spearman and the Nine Water Gangs. Even she was surprised by his achievements.

Yet, perhaps due to the strong bad impression she had about him before, she still did not like him that much.

"It's as Elder Ling says," agreed one of the elders who looked especially well-built. He was Zhao Wuyang.

Zhao Wuyang looked at the training field, his eyes filled with expectation. He was also looking at a certain boy.

"My grand disciple, who doesn't even want to join the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, might rob her of that chance, so I'll apologize in advance."

There were two people in the Lotus Pavilion who had no interest in joining the Plum Blossom Swordsmen. One was Zhou Xuchuan, and the other was Zhao Wuyang's grand disciple.

The reason Fang Zhesan, Zhao Wuyang's grand disciple, had no interest in becoming one of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen was simple. He did not use a sword.

They used this kind of camouflaging ability against their natural enemies or predators by changing their skin color to be indistinguishable from the tree they were on.

The Violet Haze Divine Art worked similarly. Zhou Xuchuan believed that it was best to keep this fact hidden before he could bring out its true power.

If there was a difference between him and the chameleon, it was that the cultivator of the Violet Haze Divine Art was surrounded by the top of the food chain.

*

The Lotus Pavilion only had ten members, which meant the Lotus Sword Gathering had ten participants.

The first day consisted of five battles, and on the second day, they would draw lots to decide on a person to advance automatically.

Waaah!

The few people that came to observe cheered. They were mostly masters or fellow disciples studying under the same master as the participants.

One of the participants of the first round was the same age as Zhou Xuchuan, but had joined the Lotus Pavilion a year after him. Although the participant's master was not one of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, he was still a renowned third-generation member.

However, the boy's opponent was no pushover. In fact, she was even more impressive.

"Luo Xiaoyue!"

It was none other than Luo Xiaoyue, the grand disciple of the Iron Blood Plum Sword. Whether it was beauty, cultivation or talent, she did not lack anything. Not only that, her grand master was one of the Five High Elders. The boy fighting against her didn't look as impressive.

Zhou Xuchuan clicked his tongue in sympathy.

You just had to run into Junior Sister Luo in the first round.

A loss in the Lotus Sword Gathering wasn't a big deal, as long as you displayed your skills. But that was difficult against a much stronger opponent.

"Please take care of me," Luo Xiaoyue politely greeted.

"Both participants, get ready!" Wei Zhijie, the judge, stood up from his place. "Begin!"

There was no warning. This was done on purpose to filter out disciples overcome by greed. Each person was left to their own devices.

"Taah!"

The first one to lunge forward was the boy. He smoothly executed his sword arts.

"Oho."

Though incomplete, he was executing the Fourteen Sword Forms of the Plum Blossom. That kind of talent was good enough to earn him a round of applause. His attacks were well-executed, showing he hadn't attacked hastily out of nervousness.

Unfortunately, he ran into the wrong opponent. Luo Xiaoyue reacted to the oncoming sword attacks without blinking. Her movements were lightning-fast and powerful, evident by the boy's surprise when their swords clashed.

His full-powered strike was deflected effortlessly. He tried to recover, but it was too late. Luo Xiaoyue's sword sliced through the air, stopping right at his frail-looking neck.

"Oho!"

"Incredible!"

That decided the match. Naturally, it was Luo Xiaoyue's complete victory.

She managed to end the fight in just one clash. Zhou Xuchuan thought that she was amazing after all. She was up against another member of the Lotus Pavilion, one of the rare talents among the fourth generation, and emerged victorioust.

"Very clean, very accurate, and frighteningly sharp. She truly takes after you, Iron Blood Plum Sword," Xue Song remarked, impressed.

"Thank you," Shen Yulian replied matter-of-factly. Although her grand disciple was praised, she didn't feel that moved.

Next, the second round began.

"Oho, if it isn't Senior Brother Zhou." Fang Zhesan grinned widely as he climbed onto the stage.