Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

As Xie Yuan watched the two Sect Leaders trade compliments, he saw Situ Qin, who was not far away, glance back at him and say with a seemingly casual smile:

"Those two old foxes are already playing mind games."

"After all, the Sect’s reputation is on the line. The two Sect Leaders may be polite on the surface, but they’re both secretly competing."

Li Tai chimed in from the side. With so many experts present, Li Tai had naturally accompanied them, sitting beside Situ Qin with Aunt Hong on her other side.

The corners of Xie Yuan’s mouth lifted slightly. ’Situ Qin is playing the part of a competent commentator, and she’s doing it for my benefit.’

But anyone could see that while Li Xingtuo’s instructing his disciples and displaying his magnanimity might have been his true nature, it was also a way to show off the bearing of a Major Sect.

And while Wei Dong might not have intended to, he was unwilling to be outdone. He immediately gestured with his sword from a distance, a single move transforming into ten variations for his different disciples. His mastery of the Sword Dao had reached the peak of perfection, a truly breathtaking sight.

When the first day of the competition ended, the sect disciples and outside guests were all abuzz with discussion. Xie Yuan had the other attendants take care of the other guest courtyards while he personally escorted Situ Qin back to the Flower Valley courtyard.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, the urge to chat that Situ Qin had been suppressing for so long was finally unleashed in a torrent:

"Master Xie! See? The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s foundation is indeed much weaker than the Sword Storage Pavilion’s. They said it was just the External Training disciples warming up the stage, but in reality, it was a contest of the sects’ ability to recruit and teach disciples—a contest of potential and depth. The gap between them was obvious today."

Xie Yuan sighed and said:

"You see things so clearly, Miss Qin. I originally thought that a competition between External Training disciples wouldn’t reveal much for a Major Sect, and that there wouldn’t be a huge gap. Only now do I realize that the talent of the disciples from those top sects, and the quality of their instruction, have truly created a gap with the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect. The latter also reflects a sect’s core strength, and in that, the Sword Storage Pavilion is also superior to the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect."

Situ Qin beamed.

"Right? The top sects are in a league of their own, and then there’s everyone else. The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect might be famous, but it’s still a ways off from being truly at the top."

"Your insight is brilliant, Miss Qin! In your opinion, what are the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s chances of winning tomorrow’s competition?"

Xie Yuan cupped his hands.

Situ Qin took a sip of tea and shook her head.

"My opinion? I’d say they have no chance of winning.

"There will be three matches for the three transformations. In the First Transformation bracket, Yao Tianchuan is an outstanding disciple even among all the top-tier sects. The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect has no one like him.

"For the Second Transformation, the Hidden Dragon List says it all. When someone on the list fights someone who isn’t, the chance of an upset is extremely low.

"As for the duel between the top disciples of the Third Transformation, I suspect it will be incredibly fierce—a real clash of titans. But in the end, Qin Zhenyang’s strength is ultimately inferior, so he will be defeated."

Xie Yuan nodded in agreement, though with a sense of regret. Although he hoped the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect would win, the difference in strength was plain to see—even greater than the gap in External Training.

The two chatted for a while before going their separate ways. Xie Yuan had to get back to work, while Situ Qin had been invited to a meal by Xue Yanwen and his father, Prince Cloud Mountain.

Although she was reluctant, they were related by blood, and since they were all on Cloud Mountain, it was proper for them to meet and catch up.

Xie Yuan busied himself in several guest courtyards, only returning to the main attendants’ courtyard to rest after dark. Although the other attendants were all tense and exhausted from the long day, they weren’t resting. Instead, they were chattering nonstop, discussing the day’s competition.

But despite their excitement, it was clear they were all dejected by the day’s results, casting a cloud of gloom over the courtyard. It was truly embarrassing to have another sect show up at their door and beat them so soundly.

And when they thought about tomorrow’s matches, although anyone who dared to say something that damaged morale was immediately shouted down, everyone knew in their hearts that those pessimistic words weren’t wrong, which only made their moods heavier.

The atmosphere in the little attendants’ courtyard was a microcosm of all of Cloud Mountain. The anticipation and excitement before the grand event had been met with a harsh blow, and the disciples of Cloud Mountain were starting to feel pessimistic about this sword tournament.

「The second day of the tournament.」

The members of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect and the Sword Storage Pavilion entered the venue early. The other guests also eagerly took their seats, looking forward to the second day’s battles of the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm.

Across the entire martial world of the Great Li, the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm represented the core fighting strength.

No matter where you went, a warrior in the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm could be called a true expert. This realm was also not so far removed from the masses, which was why it garnered the most widespread attention. Although those on the Hidden Dragon List were far weaker than Grandmasters, it didn’t stop their names from becoming even more well-known than many Grandmasters’ titles for this very reason.

The atmosphere among the Sword Sect’s disciples was no longer as fervent as the day before, but they still roused their spirits. They might lose the match, but they wouldn’t lose their pride. Over on the Sword Storage Pavilion’s side, the disciples, who already held their heads high, now had an even more imposing aura.

A disciple from each sect took the stage.

Representing the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect was Xing Zhi, the Direct Disciple of the First Seat of Bamboo Sword Peak.

He had quite a reputation within the sect, having taken first place in multiple competitions among disciples of the same realm. The elders had high hopes for him, and his strength was exceptional.

From the Sword Storage Pavilion, a very young man with a solemn expression leaped onto the stage. Unsurprisingly, it was Yao Tianchuan.

"Xing Zhi of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect."

Xing Zhi cupped his hands with great caution and earnestness. Facing such a famous opponent, it was impossible to be too vigilant.

"Yao Tianchuan, of the Sword Storage Pavilion and the Yao family of Jinling."

Yao Tianchuan cupped his hands, his face devoid of expression. His self-introduction was somewhat unconventional, but considering he was from the Yao family, no one found it particularly surprising. The elders of the Sword Storage Pavilion also tacitly approved.

After exchanging courtesies, they both drew their swords, waiting only for the referee’s command to strike!

Xing Zhi flourished his Long Sword, creating a flurry of sword-light blossoms. A hazy white glow flickered, and for an instant, his figure became indistinct.