Chapter 122: Why Should I Wait for Your Schemes? I’ll Just Flip the Table

Apart from Cao Xuan, the seed disciples of various sects in Central State—Meng Weizhi, Qiu Qianliu, Yun Fanyou, Xiao Xuan’er, and Qing Zhu—exchanged glances.

These five were actually the hottest contenders this time, but with Cao Xuan’s emergence, the expressions of everyone grew dark and ambiguous.

Their strength far surpassed the other four competitors. According to their earlier assumptions, the top ten would likely be these five plus four outstanding outer disciples—peak Foundation Establishment cultivators and one late Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Once they entered the top five, the others could fight if they wished or merely make token gestures if they didn’t.

But now, it seemed someone was ready to fight to the death.

Setting aside the six great sanctuaries, as long as they could advance to the Golden Core stage within Qingyunxiadong and become one of the thirty Golden Core cultivators, they could confidently accompany Elder Xian Xiangqiu to the Xuanhua Dao Sect.

This was akin to soaring straight to the heavens—there was simply no reason to hesitate.

So even if Cao Xuan was a sword cultivator, they would still fight desperately.

Yet, if they could avoid Cao Xuan and secure a steady top five finish, wouldn’t that be ideal?

Thus, even though Qiu Qianliu felt he was just one insight away from comprehending the Dao of the Blade and longed to spar with Cao Xuan, the sword cultivator who had grasped the Dao of the Sword, he would not dare challenge Cao Xuan at this moment.

Even if he reached the top five, he had to restrain himself.

Because, being one step away from fully mastering the blade’s intent, he understood a profound truth: whether sword cultivator or blade cultivator, once they strike, they show no mercy.

Just looking at the ten cultivators writhing in pain on the arena floor made it clear—those who recover quickly would still need half a year before they could train again. During this time, the assault of sword intent would relentlessly invade their minds; the idea of calming one’s spirit to cultivate was out of the question.

Those with poor innate talent or mediocre state of mind might not be able to train for ten years.

Therefore, even if Qiu Qianliu believed he could recover quickly after losing, it would still take half a year.

That meant missing the opportunity Qingyunxiadong offered to refine the Golden Core, and inevitably, losing the chance to join the Xuanhua Dao Sect.

At this moment, the Ancient Elder Qingmu said calmly, “From ten to five, you may now select your opponents.”

Just as everyone remained silent, still unsettled by Cao Xuan’s presence, a shadowy young man, Yun Fanyou, spoke coldly, “Senior Brother Qiu’s blade technique should be nearing completion, right?”

“Why not challenge him, or are you afraid?”

His words were sharp; whether sword or blade cultivator, the most crucial thing during a breakthrough was to charge forward without hesitation.

In Qiu Qianliu’s mind, those two words echoed repeatedly: “Afraid? Afraid! Afraid...”

He clenched the scabbard tightly, his face darkening.

“Qianliu!”

Suddenly, a Golden Core cultivator on the stand shouted sharply, snapping him back to reality.

“Senior Brother!” Qiu Qianliu turned his head, meeting his brother’s stern gaze.

He understood the meaning clearly: not to act rashly.

As an elder of the Qingyun Sect and leader of their branch, Qiu Qianliu, though at the peak of Foundation Establishment and having comprehended the perfected blade stance, needed no supervision.

Yet, the elder had still sent a Golden Core disciple here to supervise, just in case.

Blade cultivators and sword cultivators alike were battle maniacs; even the sect leader feared Qiu Qianliu’s combat spirit might become overwhelming, causing him to lose himself in battle and fall into a trap.

It had to be said that Yun Fanyou’s timing was perfect. At this moment, Cao Xuan had already become the cultivator with the greatest killing power in everyone’s eyes.

Facing Cao Xuan meant certain severe injury, no matter what skills one possessed.

In other words, challenging Cao Xuan brought only harm, no benefit; no one wanted to provoke him.

But Qiu Qianliu, having comprehended the perfected blade stance, had a chance to hold his own against Cao Xuan.

If Cao Xuan only had the sword intent he had shown so far and no other tricks, then as a direct heir and prodigy of Central State’s Qingyun Sect’s Swordsmith Peak, aided by some hidden cards, Qiu Qianliu was not without a chance to defeat Cao Xuan.

Though heavy injury was almost certain—even if he was only a disciple of a lower sect—once a sword cultivator, one must never underestimate their killing power.

Others might not win, but Qiu Qianliu had a chance, and an opportunity to comprehend the Dao of the Blade from it. Would he accept?

If yes, he would be playing into their hands.

If no, he would be a coward—afraid.

Would he not then fear that his blade stance would be flawed, that he might fail to grasp the Dao of the Blade?

If no one pointed this out, Qiu Qianliu’s cautious avoidance would be understandable, but now that Yun Fanyou had laid it bare, Qiu Qianliu was cornered.

Anyone with insight could see Qiu Qianliu’s hands trembling as he struggled within himself.

Yun Fanyou smiled darkly and then turned to appraise the remaining four peak Foundation Establishment cultivators without sect affiliations.

“Hm, these two are easier to bully. Then I’ll choose...”

Before he finished, Cao Xuan’s voice suddenly rang out.

“I choose him!”

In the competition from ten to five, the first to pick an opponent secured their choice unless two selected the same person simultaneously. In that case, the one chosen could decide which challenger to face.

The rules were simple and convenient.

If Meng Weizhi and Qiu Qianliu both chose Cao Xuan, Cao Xuan could turn defense into offense by choosing his opponent from them.

But now, Cao Xuan spoke first, so no one dared to compete with him.

“Boom!”

With a tremendous sound, two floating arenas collided, merging into one massive platform.

On one side stood Cao Xuan, surrounded by swirling sword intent; on the other stood a bewildered Yun Fanyou, pointing at himself.

“Wait, dude, you’re challenging me?”

“Shouldn’t an invincible sword cultivator like you be waiting for others to challenge you?”

Regardless of Yun Fanyou’s expression, Cao Xuan chuckled.

“You two are speaking so loudly. Do you think I’m hard of hearing?”

Inwardly, Cao Xuan thought, “That black-robed short knife youth didn’t seem threatening, but what if there’s a hidden trap?”

“This guy here dares to incite others to challenge me; obviously, he has ill intentions—maybe he’s waiting for mutual destruction.”

“Anyway, who else to fight? I’ll fight the loudest one.”

Qiu Qianliu’s expression was complex, as was that of the Golden Core senior brother below.

They naturally saw through Yun Fanyou’s sinister intentions; their junior brother was likely in a dilemma.

Yet at this moment, a glimmer of hope appeared. Emerging from his inner turmoil, Qiu Qianliu now showed a look of satisfaction and even laughed.

“Haha, that’s what you get for running your mouth. How’s that, confused now?”

“To the senior brother opposite, I am Qiu Qianliu of the Swordsmith Peak branch of Central State’s Qingyun Sect. After this Qingyun assembly, let’s find an opportunity to spar!”

Thanks to Cao Xuan’s intervention, his mood improved.

All that mattered was reaching the top five; if necessary, he could admit defeat directly to Cao Xuan then.

Because of the difference in mindset, admitting defeat could also be seen as gathering strength.

Too much rigidity breaks easily. Sword and blade cultivators were not one-track minds. Having been cornered by Yun Fanyou, Qiu Qianliu was now compelled to compete for the blade and sword in earnest.

But Cao Xuan’s deft handling had resolved the situation smoothly, and Qiu Qianliu naturally did not wish to fight recklessly now.

Nothing was more important than entering Qingyunxiadong, breaking through to the Golden Core, and journeying with Elder Xian to the Xuanhua Sanctuary!