If the other party is young and arrogant, not knowing what’s good for them, then suppress them openly and honestly. There’s no need for underhanded tricks, which would only tarnish the reputation of the General’s Mansion and the Duke’s Mansion."
As the Grand General overseeing the vast territory of one prefecture and six commanderies, and with the Hidden Pavilion at his disposal, it’s as easy as flipping his hand to investigate anyone’s background.
However, the information presented by the Hidden Pavilion was too vague — fishing for a living, exceptional in water skills, apprenticed at Tongwen Hall, learned under Ninghai Zen... Can a mere Four Cultivation Grandmasters nurture a swordsmanship prodigy who can wield Divine Soldiers?
Ridiculous!
The more detailed the reports gathered from all sides, the more laughable Zhao Pijiang found it.
It’s one thing for a prodigious genius to emerge from a remote and barren land without reason.
Tongwen Hall basically has no inheritance or Cultivation Technique regarding Sword Dao, let alone that obvious Divine Soldier from the Meridian Sword Sect.
Therefore, Zhao Pijiang preferred to attribute Bai Qi’s extraordinary abilities to the secret schemes of Yan Xin, the Divine Power Giant.
"Perhaps, there’s also the shadow of the Three Yang Sect."
He separated a thread of divine intent from his body, causing a slight depletion in his Qi Blood, necessitating further isolation to gather Circulation of Primordial Qi and replenish his Cultivation Technique.
This Grand General, who held sway over Celestial Water Prefecture, gazed into the distance, thinking:
"That Fallen Immortal Mansion draws the attention of so many, truly a brewing storm."
...
...
Meridian Sword Sect, within the Mountain Gate.
An old man with a crane-like posture, wearing a white robe like snow, sat cross-legged between two towering and steep peaks, each a hundred feet tall.
Below, the tumultuous clouds and mist gathered and dispersed unpredictably. One could vaguely see a heavy chain, as thick as a water barrel, swirling and swaying.
The sword-bearing elder remained steadfast, sitting in a posture of five hearts facing the sky, meditative and breathing as still as a stabilizing force, unshakable.
The inherently cold-natured Mu Zhaoyang watched from afar, admiration flickering in her eyes:
"Martial Uncle Mo has long surpassed the Divine Passage Barrier. By right, he needn’t practice breathing techniques, yet he has persisted here for ten years, daily gathering the Great Sun Purple Qi, a true testament to diligence."
She wore a Golden Ears Longsword at her waist, her white dress flowing gracefully like an immortal, equally captivating.
"I heard that when Martial Uncle Mo first joined, due to inadequate aptitude, he failed the inner sect examination for seven consecutive years and was left to the outer sect’s Miscellaneous Tasks. Later, I don’t know who he listened to, but was told that swallowing the purple qi at sunrise could potentially change his constitution and enhance his talents."
Standing behind Mu Zhaoyang was a young nobleman in brocade robes, speaking softly:
"So, Martial Uncle Mo never missed a day, breathing in the purple qi. Eventually, in the ninth year, he emerged successfully in the inner sect examination, soaring ahead directly into true inheritance.
This old tale still circulates today, inspiring the younger disciples who lack talent.
However, few can match Martial Uncle Mo’s unwavering resolve, enduring the harsh winds and patiently waiting for sunrise to cultivate, year after year, without wavering."
These two soaring peaks, each a hundred feet tall, would require considerable effort for a regular Martial Artist to climb.
Mo Tian Sheng of the Dragon Sword, at that time still an outer sect Miscellaneous Tasks worker, had to finish his tasks, carry food, and climb overnight to reach the peak before sunrise, repeatedly and without fail.
Not to mention anything else, just this perseverance commands admiration.
"Junior Brother Zhao sure knows the details like the back of his hand, remembers clearly."
Mu Zhaoyang’s tone was calm, even with the young noble by her side, a born aristocrat from a Duke family, showing no trace of disturbance.
"To be honest, Senior Sister, I’ve been fascinated by the Sword Sect since childhood, thus know quite a bit. But I’ve asked my family elders, and the idea of swallowing the purple qi to change one’s constitution is actually a false Daoist theory, there’s no such saying."
Junior Brother Zhao, clad in brocade robes and jade belts, smiled like a spring breeze. Admiration for the talented is common, and someone as exceptionally gifted as Mu Zhaoyang, directly appointed to true inheritance, cannot be compared to the delicate daughters of aristocratic families.
In cultivation, there’s a saying of Daoist companions, signifying mutual support and companionship.
From the first glance at Senior Sister Mu, Zhao Junior Brother aspired to form such a bond, even planning their future abode and children’s names.
"Martial Uncle Mo once said, ’Cultivation values focus and perseverance. Whether the morning’s purple qi can change one’s constitution may not be important.
It simply pointed Martial Uncle Mo to an upward path. Climbing day and night, eventually, he saw the light breaking through the clouds.’"
Mu Zhaoyang spoke to herself, not directly addressing Junior Brother Zhao, more like contemplating and pondering.
This leader of the younger generation of the Sword Sect waited half a stick of incense, until the Great Sun completely emerged from the sea of clouds, when the white-robed, white-haired, immortal-like Martial Uncle Mo finished his cultivation.
As this Divine Power Giant opened his eyes, the winds and clouds changed instantly, as if mighty dragons were singing, clashing and flowing between the two peaks.
Mu Zhaoyang, having just stepped into the Fourth Qi Cultivation Barrier, knew this was the leakage of Qi, the resonance with heaven and earth, causing such phenomena.
"What brings Zhaoyang here today to visit this old fool?"
Mo Tian Sheng, the most renowned in the Sword Sect, did not possess much of the grandeur or edge of a Divine Power Giant or top Sword Cultivator.
On the contrary, his round face, rosy complexion, made him resemble a wealthy elder, exuding an approachable vibe.
Completely inconsistent with the domineering name of "Dragon Sword"!
"Master sent another communication, specifically for Martial Uncle to review."
Mu Zhaoyang handed over a small golden sword.
"Your master talks unpredictably, claiming to have encountered a Daoist sprout in Yihai Prefecture, wanting me to take him under my wing... Does he think Sword Sect Daoists are like cabbages, to be picked up easily?"