Remould the Glory of Sword Art

Before the mountain gate of Golden Turtle Peak, the miscellaneous noises ceased.

All eyes were fixed on Qi Lie and Xie Zhen... The outcome of last night's investigation about the "Lotus Jade Token" had in fact become clear the moment Qi Lie left his residence.

Anyone who was not blind could see it.

The jade token that Xie Zhen deliberately wore at his waist today.

The Lotus Jade Token had not been taken away.

But all things needed to be handled with "propriety".

Today was the opening of Da Sui Sword Palace, and on the first day of the Sword Qi Ceremony, Xie Zhen had directly obtained this jade token; according to the rules, Golden Turtle Peak ought to provide an explanation.

"Today is the second day of the Sword Qi Ceremony,"

Qi Lie, with his hands clasped behind his back, stood before the mountain gate and spoke aloud, "Those who have yet to participate in the talent assessment, please do so as soon as possible... Additionally, the 'grouping results' for those who pass the assessment have come out."

Today's main events at Golden Turtle Peak are two "entry ceremonies".

One is the assessment of talent, and the other is the grouping competition.

The disciples from Xiao Chong Mountain will record the qualification results of every entrant, compile them into case files, and deliver them to the hands of the elders of the main peaks.

As for the grouping competition, it is far more direct. Today, Golden Turtle Peak will invite many "guests" to come and watch.

To watch is to select.

If someone sees an "unpolished jade" they like during the competition, they can negotiate in advance to facilitate taking them in as disciples after the grand competition concludes.

After the voice dispersed,

Qi Lie waved his hand, signaling the Law Enforcers to stay at the mountain gate to maintain order, then he turned around, ready to leave.

The silence of Golden Turtle Peak was broken in this moment.

Many were awaiting the investigation results regarding the Lotus Jade Token—

But what did this mean?

Qi Lie appeared in person but utterly failed to mention the Lotus Jade Token!

"That's right... there is one more thing."

Just then, Qi Lie's footsteps paused momentarily.

He stretched out his hand, beckoning gently, and said calmly, "Xie Zhen, since you are here today, come with me and sit atop Golden Turtle Peak."

Upon these words,

The hubbub of Golden Turtle Peak surged.

"Did I hear it wrong? Qi Lie called Xie Zhen his nephew?"

"... And he's inviting him up to Golden Turtle Peak, is that an invitation for Xie Zhen to watch the competition?"

"During the Sword Qi Ceremony, he really doesn't need to compete!?"

All through the night,

Everyone had been waiting for Golden Turtle Peak to provide an "official" and "strong" response.

But no one expected,

That Qi Lie would respond in such a manner... This response may not have been "official," but it was very "strong".

Everyone was waiting for an investigation result on the Lotus Jade Token?

One word, 'nephew',

That was the result!

"Many thanks to you, Uncle Qi,"

Xie Zhen gracefully stepped forward as the crowd parted, making way for him.

The two climbed up Golden Turtle Peak together under the watchful eyes of all.

...

...

Mists were ethereal, and the mountain steps deathly still.

Golden Turtle Peak was a place of Law Enforcement; apart from extremely important ceremonies like the Sword Qi Ceremony, it was rarely tread by others on normal days. This place didn't keep immortal cranes, hence, there were no birds chirping, making it extraordinarily quiet at this moment—like the whole world was left to just Xie and Qi.

Xie Xuanyi silently took in this stillness.

This path, he had walked with Qi Lie many times before.

But to walk it in the capacity of a nephew to an elder of his sect was a first.

Looking back,

Most of the cultivators gathered at the base of Golden Turtle Peak still hadn't regained their senses...

Perhaps the response given by Golden Turtle Peak was too much for many to accept?

Xie Xuanyi finally couldn't help but to speak out, "About the Lotus Jade Token matter... isn't Golden Turtle Peak's handling of it a bit too simplistic and crude?"

"Golden Turtle Peak doesn't need to explain anything to them,"

Qi Lie spoke calmly, "About the Lotus Jade Token matter... inviting you to today's Sword Qi Ceremony stage, and not beneath it, that alone is sufficient."

Indeed,

The stance of Golden Turtle Peak was known by all since last night.

Now, most of the 'onlookers' just wanted to know why Xie Zhen was entitled to the Lotus Jade Token.

"... You really are something else,"

Xie Xuanyi remarked with subtle emotion.

In the early years of his training at the Sword Palace, he had noticed.

Perhaps due to becoming a disciple of the Law Enforcement Elder, Qi Lie, true to his name, was straightforward and did not beat around the bush.

In some sense, Qi Lie was much like himself.

If it were him handling the matter of the "Lotus Jade Token," he would likely do the same as Qi Lie.

"You learned from your master,"

Qi Lie shook his head, speaking calmly, "If he were to deal with this, he would have made the same choice... this matter is not worth mentioning."

Many were curious.

What exactly did Xie Zhen and Qi Lie talk about at the Xie residence last night after sending the Law Enforcers away?

In fact, it was quite simple.

Xie Xuanyi had countless ways to prove he was Xie Xuanyi's disciple.

Golden Turtle Peak was investigating whether the token was legitimate.

Just proving one's identity was enough... then the token, as well as the residence, could all be kept.

"However, there is something I need to make clear to you,"

Qi Lie went on to say, "Once today's matter is concluded, you can carry the Lotus Jade Token and move about the various peaks, but if you wish to contend for the Xuanshui Cave Heaven, then after the Sword Qi Ceremony, the identity of 'Xuanyi's disciple' must no longer be hidden."

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle,"

Xie Xuanyi responded with a smile, speaking lightly, "Actually, I never intended to keep hiding it... but in recent days, there's always someone with ill intentions, so I don't mind waiting a bit longer."

Wait a moment.

Give that Prince Jiangning a chance to bump into me on his own initiative.

...

...

Many people eagerly anticipated the Sword Qi competition at Golden Turtle Peak.

Noble families and heroes from all quarters came to witness the grand event of Sword Qi, all for the sake of this "Great Competition"!

The founding of Da Sui Sword Palace attracted many Loose Cultivators to pay their respects and also drew numerous sects to observe and learn.

Jing Qingming of Silver Moon Sect, severely injured last night, had come in pursuit of "Xuanshui Cave Heaven."

Baihua Valley, having experienced the upheaval in Qing State, did not participate in any battles; Ye Qinglian brought her disciples purely to observe the sword cultivators of the younger generation spar.

The few who were guests at True Hidden Peak the other day all took their seats in front of the arena...

Though Xie Xuanyi was specially invited as a Lotus Peak disciple, he ranked low in terms of seniority and sat in the most secluded corner, which he actually enjoyed.

But ever since returning to the Sword Palace, the word "peaceful" was almost incompatible with him.

As soon as he took his seat, he heard a familiar call.

"... Mister Xiao Xie!"

The disciples of Baihua Valley were seated not far away in another corner.

As the Young Valley Master, Ye Qinglian naturally sat in the front row. However, her disciples did not have that privilege and could only sit in the back.

Yuan Yi waved from afar, her face beaming with warmth.

Xie Xuanyi nodded and smiled in response.

"Mister Xiao Xie, I heard there was some trouble last night in front of Lotus Peak. Please take good care of yourself..."

Before Yuan Yi could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a senior sister beside her.

"Yi'er, have you forgotten the teachings of our master?"

With that said,

Yuan Yi instantly sat down with a troubled expression and carefully sent a message via voice transmission: "Mister Xiao Xie, I'm sorry, our master doesn't allow us to talk much in public... not even voice transmission."

This time, Baihua Valley came to Da Sui Sword Palace as "guests."

The uproar from last night had naturally been the talk of the crowd and reached Yuan Yi's ears.

When she heard that a group of people had come to challenge Xie Zhen, her heart leapt to her throat, wishing she could sprout wings and fly straight to Lotus Peak... but in the end, her senior sister locked her in the guest room, and she had to quietly cultivate through the night.

The conflict in front of Lotus Peak last night was a dispute among those who came to pay their respects.

In any case, Baihua Valley had no reason to get involved.

Later, when she heard that Xie Zhen alone had defeated all the visitors, Yuan Yi breathed a sigh of relief and found herself somewhat amused.

What was she worried about?

That was Mister Xiao Xie, the fierce man who slaughtered the evil cultivators of South Border in the Beihai Ling!

Let alone those nameless Loose Cultivators in the wild.

In Yuan Yi's heart, even that highly touted Princely Heir did not compare to one of Xie Zhen's fingers!

"Thank you, Miss Yuan, for your concern."

Xie Xuanyi spoke softly: "The trouble of last night has passed, I am unscathed... Today's great competition of Sword Qi, a rare occasion in years, why don't we watch it together? If we can comprehend even a trace of Sword Intent, it would be a fruitful experience, making this trip worthwhile."

"...Okay."

Yuan Yi blushed to her ears and nodded slightly.

With Mister Xiao Xie inviting her to watch the swordplay, she took a deep breath, straightened her back, and focused all her attention on the arena.

Atop Golden Turtle Peak, there were a total of sixteen arenas.

The rules of the sword fights were simple: determine opponents by drawing lots, then step onto the stage to spar, with the loser eliminated and the winner advancing.

There was no need to worry about facing a too powerful opponent early on and being eliminated having an effect.

This so-called Sword Qi competition was mainly for the peaks to take on disciples —

The Peak Masters, along with the Guest Elders of the main peak, had actually reviewed the records of the contestants beforehand. As long as one stepped onto the stage and drew their sword, they would have completed the so-called "Sword Qi competition."

Against a stronger opponent, delivering one's best sword strike, even if defeated, did not matter.

If there were impressive performances, naturally, someone would take notice.

Outside the arena, nearly a thousand seats were arranged for spectators, which soon filled with streaks of flowing light. The top of Golden Turtle Peak became unusually lively.

Xie Xuanyi naturally did not have the leisure to watch the swordplay.

On the stage,

there were spirited young swordspeople, most in the Foundation Establishment Realm, with those in the Qi-controlling Realm being rare.

Not to mention Grotto Heaven.

Such a "sword competition" was meaningless to Xie Xuanyi.

He wouldn't gain any enlightenment of Sword Intent, nor did he plan to take on any disciples in the arena.

His presence at Golden Turtle Peak today was merely to cooperate with Qi Lie, to go through the motions.

Once the "Great Competition" ended in a few days, it would be time to reveal his identity.

As the surrounding people took their seats, the arena competition officially began.

Xie Xuanyi prepared to close his eyes and get through this lengthy and boring "spectator" moment by meditating.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out next to his ear.

"Are you the kid known as Xie Zhen?"

The voice was deep and solid, yet carried a hint of mirth.

Xie Xuanyi looked up, only to find his vision darkened.

His line of sight was completely obstructed.

A tall and burly middle-aged man, dressed in simple homespun, sat down beside him in a carefree manner.

The man wore a hat, obscuring his face.

He extended his hand and patted Xie Xuanyi on the shoulder, praising with a smile, "Good bone structure, you are seventeen?"

Pat pat!

The man's palms appeared gentle, but the pat caused Xie Xuanyi's bones to resonate, almost setting off thunder within his energy channels.

"???"

Xie Xuanyi's Heart Lake trembled.

He took a deep breath, looked up, and locked eyes with the man for an instant.

In that gaze,

Xie Xuanyi felt as if he was looking into an endless deep sea... The man's Divine Soul, vital energy, and Primordial Energy, all his realms were concealed beneath this deep sea.

Ever since awakening for the Second Life, besides Lu Yuzhen, he had never seen such an "entity."

"Senior,"

Xie Xuanyi steadied his breath and said respectfully, "Does the senior have any advice for me?"