Remould the Glory of Sword Art

Upon the main hall of Golden Turtle Peak, melodic strings resonated, enveloped by the sound of celestial music.

The hall was bustling with activity, where several peak masters and guest elders in charge of disciple recruitment were engaged in warm conversations with the young talents who had qualified for the Xuanshui Cave Heaven.

Those who had the privilege of being seated here were, without a doubt, future core disciples of the main peak.

"Peak Master Huang, are you planning to sit here all day?"

Xie Xuanyi was seated inconspicuously in a corner of the main hall.

Huang Su, clad in a wide black robe, was sitting next to him... Due to Huang Su's presence, this inconspicuous spot had become extremely conspicuous.

This year marked a ten-year Sealing of the Mountain.

The most unexpected event was Huang Su's appointment as the new Peak Master of Lotus Peak.

Xie Xuanyi had already noticed that several gazes lingered on Huang Su, most of which carried awe and a hint of fear.

It must have been the chilling cold emanating from Huang Su that dissuaded many from engaging her in conversation.

"Lotus Peak can very well choose not to recruit any disciples."

Huang Su's face was expressionless, "As for this Sword Qi ceremony... I haven't taken much of an interest in many."

"Not many, so there are some?" Xie Xuanyi smiled.

"That little boy who follows you around all day, his sword moves over the past few days were quite interesting, he has potential."

After contemplating briefly, Huang Su added, "There's also Xu Nianning from the Xu Family of Banzhou, that little girl's talent is also quite decent."

Today's grand banquet was indeed a lively affair.

However, Xie Xuanyi had not seen Duan Zhao's figure.

This young boy's background was not ordinary, could it be that he was personally welcomed to the back mountain by the Law Enforcement?

But from Huang Su's words... it seemed she was not aware of Duan Zhao's true identity.

"Xu Nianning?"

Xie Xuanyi followed Huang Su's gaze to look towards the upper end of the banquet hall.

Since other "important figures" had been invited to this banquet, they were seated in the main hall according to their status. Although Prince Jiangning was annoying, his status was esteemed, and he had been placed near the top of the main hall. At this moment, the liveliest place in the entire hall was where Prince Jiangning was located... his performance during this opening of the Sword Palace had been fruitful, forming connections with many young talents.

Except for Jing Qingming from the now defunct Silver Moon Sect.

It was said that the young Cave Heavens likely to rise into the top ten, as tallied in the Fangyuan Workshop records, had all received overtures from Prince Jiangning.

No one would willingly make an enemy of Prince Jiangning.

The cancellation of this major competition turned out to be a "happy resolution for all," hence many sought to sit beside Prince Jiangning when arranging the seating at Golden Turtle Peak—

The main hall was a hub of fervent discussion, akin to a host of stars surrounding the moon.

The other side, however, appeared significantly quieter.

The Miss of the Xu Family from Banzhou, mentioned by Huang Su, was seated opposite Prince Jiangning in a serene high seat. She appeared to be only around eighteen or nineteen, silently drinking tea by herself, neither warm nor haughty, out of place with the boisterous atmosphere of the main hall.

"Nineteen years old, triple-layered Cave Heaven, her talent is indeed notable."

Xie Xuanyi recalled the dossier from Fangyuan Workshop, which contained scant information about this young girl, with only a few brief notes.

The reason was simple.

The Xu Family of Banzhou conducted themselves with discretion, in stark contrast to the Jiangning Xie Family.

Indeed, before the opening of Da Sui Sword Palace, hardly anyone knew that this daughter of the Xu family head possessed such a mastery of the Sword Dao. For her age, advancing to the Cave Heaven level was already a remarkable level of cultivation, especially reaching the third layer.

"Before Master went into seclusion, he said that under any circumstance, Lotus Peak could not continue to grow cold and silent..."

Huang Su rubbed her temple, expressing annoyance, "If I must recruit a disciple this year, then it would be her."

Xie Xuanyi noticed.

Xu Nianning had been drinking tea by herself, and when several guest elders approached her for conversation, they returned without success.

Xiao Chong Mountain and True Hidden Peak had both extended an olive branch to her…

But it appeared that Xu Nianning had rejected them.

Could it be that this young lady was waiting for Lotus Peak?

Yet from beginning to end, she had not cast a glance in Huang Su's direction, and it seemed she was not waiting for Huang Su to come and "recruit" her either.

At the entrance of the main hall, a beam of dazzling golden light gently descended.

Qi Lie stepped in with a young man following him.

"... Mr. Xie!"

Upon seeing Xie Xuanyi at the entrance of the main hall, the young man quickly waved and greeted.

Xie Xuanyi smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.

It seemed his guess had been correct; Duan Zhao had been taken to the back mountain of Golden Turtle Peak... After all, with someone as prestigious as the Island Master of Wangyou Island making a personal visit, it stood to reason that the Law Enforcement would take care of him.

Qi Lie's arrival with Duan Zhao had indeed attracted quite a bit of attention.

Qi Lie likewise noticed Xie Xuanyi in the lower seats of the hall.

However, his gaze lingered more on Huang Su.

Qi Lie frowned slightly.

A Divine Thought transmission flew forth.

"The grand banquet is about to begin... As a Peak Master, sitting here, what kind of image does that present? How will others view Lotus Peak?"

This grand banquet.

Because Prince Jiangning had widely invited heroes, the scene in the main hall of Golden Turtle Peak was captured by talismans and treasures and reflected in the banquet area below Da Sui Sword Palace for all to "watch."

Several main peaks were competing for disciples.

Yet the Peak Master of Lotus Peak remained uninterested, even hiding away... If word spread, many might perceive the "Peak Master of Lotus Peak" as being reclusive and discordant with Golden Turtle Peak.

Being at the forefront meant just that.

Every action could lead to countless interpretations, even misconceptions.

Not long ago, after the issue with the Lotus Jade Order, Qi Lie had suppressed those questioning voices with a firm stance. If Huang Su continued to appear too indifferent during this grand banquet, she would inevitably face criticism.

"Alright, alright, I'm going now."

Huang Su sighed lightly as she massaged her forehead.

Truth be told, back in those days on Lotus Peak, other than her elder brother Xuanyi, the person she feared most was Qi Lie.

Huang Su knew there were some troubles she couldn't avoid since she was the Lotus Peak Master. That's why she "hid" here, to have a moment of peace.

Now that the grand banquet was about to begin, she brushed off her sleeves and walked towards the head seat, directly towards where Xu Nianning was seated.

Xie Xuanyi narrowed his eyes.

Huang Su and Xu Nianning conversed briefly with Divine Thought. It was visible to the naked eye that Xu Nianning's expression was much more relaxed than those of the previous few Guest Elders.

However, Huang Su's expression did not look too good.

Was this a rejection?

On the other side.

Duan Zhao wanted to sneak to Xie Xuanyi's side but was mercilessly grabbed by the collar by Qi Lie and taken to the head seat... It seemed like the Island Master of Wangyou Island must have left some instructions. Qi Lie, bringing this foolish young man with him, clearly meant the Law Enforcement was prepared to forcibly intervene in Duan Zhao's mentorship ceremony.

With Qi Lie present, the other main peak Guest Elders naturally would not disturb the youth.

Everyone assumed that this young man had been chosen by the Golden Turtle Peak.

...

...

Thus, the grand banquet began.

The conversation before the banquet... Several main peaks had essentially confirmed the recruitment of the disciples beneath them. During these days of the Sword Qi competition, many young talents had been spotted by the Da Sui Sword Palace.

As for those not chosen, there was no need to be disheartened.

Many cultivators from various sects and noble families, who had personally watched the competition, were also "picking up what was left behind." Young cultivators not chosen by the Da Sui Sword Palace didn't necessarily lack talent; some were simply not in accord with the Sword Dao of the main peaks. These young cultivators would also receive invitations from the noble families and sects.

Regardless of the outcome.

Tonight's banquet marked a Perfect completion of the Sword Qi Ceremony.

Tomorrow would be the opening of Xuanshui Cave Heaven—

The young prodigies would step into the mystical Cave Heaven, which opens only once every sixty years, seeking fortunes of their own.

In the grand hall, guests clinked cups, and it wasn't long before some were intoxicated.

Ye Qinglian sat at the head seat, where tonight's seating arrangement was rather clever—her seat was adjacent to Jiang Qihu's. They drank a few cups together and discussed some unresolved issues from Qing State.

The banquet was at its liveliest moment.

In the grand hall, many had left their original seats to toast with others.

Ye Qinglian waved at her Baihua Valley disciples signaling that they could be more relaxed.

So, Yuan Yi and a few fellow disciples hurriedly came with cups in hand to Xie Xuanyi.

"Mr. Xie, when we last parted in Qing State, it was all too hasty," Yuan Yi said.

Yuan Yi held the cup with both hands, her face a bit flushed and her voice slightly trembling, "I wanted to toast you a cup on Yiping Peak, but unfortunately, there was no chance. Please do not blame me."

Xie Xuanyi remained impassive and quietly glanced at the head seat.

Ye Qinglian, who was deeply engaged in conversation with Jiang Qihu but seemed to be smiling, also looked over here.

"Miss Yuan is too polite," Xie Xuanyi said with a smile, raising his cup and drank it in one gulp.

Yuan Yi's fellow female disciples, who were behind her, were somewhat curious… They had seen this Master Xie Zhen once before at Yiping Peak.

Hearing about Beihai Ling,

Xie Zhen alone had saved the entire Baihua Valley and killed all the evil cultivators.

After Yuan Yi returned to her sect, she emphasized more than once that Xie Zhen was her benefactor and how extraordinarily different he was...

But now that they were taking a "closer look" from up close,

they really couldn't see what was so captivating about this young Master Xie.

Was he as good as Yuan Yi said?

Plain looking and ordinary in demeanor... Perhaps the only somewhat unique feature was those deep, dark eyes.

If you made eye contact with Xie Zhen,

you would realize that this young man's eyes were like a deep pool, hiding joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure within them, elusive to discern.

Beneath those eyes, it was as if all beings were harbored.

Suddenly,

The bustling noise of the Golden Turtle Peak grand hall suddenly fell silent in an instant—

All gazes were directed towards the head seat, where Prince Jiangning was located.

The lively grand hall suddenly became tranquil, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

That's because—

Prince Jiangning had stood up.

He wore a wide robe that, perhaps due to his thinness, fluttered in the breeze, only accentuating his gaunt figure without any aesthetic appeal.

But precisely because of this,

He exuded a disheveled and sharp aura.

Up to this point in the grand banquet, he, surrounded by stars like the moon, had consumed dozens of cups of liquor and declined the conversation of dozens of recruiters.

At this moment.

He stood up of his own accord, lifted his cup, and looked toward Huang Su, the Lotus Peak Master seated not far from him.

"Master Huang,"

Prince Jiangning spoke softly, "I hear the scenery atop Lotus Peak is very beautiful."

The entire grand hall abruptly fell into deep silence.

What was inevitable had to come.

From the moment Prince Jiangning started the banquet at the foot of the mountain, Xie Xuanyi knew that tonight's grand banquet was not so simple.

"...Indeed, it is beautiful,"

Huang Su poured herself a drink and did not even glance at Prince Jiangning, simply replying indifferently.

"I wonder who has the qualifications to be accepted under Lotus Peak?"

Princely Heir of Jiangning, with a slight smile, asked, "The first in the Sword Qi competition or the youngest ever to achieve Perfect Grotto Heaven… Are these qualifications sufficient?"