“You’re not wrong.”
Qing Xiao smiled faintly and nodded.
Hearing this, Xu Taiping had more or less figured out the general situation regarding the Immortal Gourd Cave.
“By the way, Senior Brother, if I just explore inside and don’t compete to be the first to reach the top of Jade Gourd Peak, will the Nine Mansions hold it against me?”
Xu Taiping asked half-jokingly.
To be honest, his interest in exploring the Immortal Gourd Secret Realm far exceeded his desire to claim the Immortal Gourd.
“Of course not. Once you enter the Immortal Gourd Cave, no one can restrain you.”
Qing Xiao shook his head, then added thoughtfully, “However, if you can help the Nine Mansions secure a top ten position, their goodwill towards you will increase significantly. They might even consider making you a roaming envoy for the Nine Mansions.”
Xu Taiping wasn’t particularly interested in becoming a roaming envoy for the Nine Mansions.
Rather than running errands for the Nine Mansions for some benefits, he preferred to cultivate quietly in Qi Yue Pavilion.
“If possible, I suggest you still make a trip to Jade Gourd Peak.”
Qing Xiao said seriously to Xu Taiping.
“Why?”
“The paths leading to the top of Jade Gourd Peak are said to have been carved out by a powerful sword cultivator, each stroke of his sword leaving behind his sword intent. Anyone who reaches the peak will surely gain some insights. It’s rumored that this person comprehended the way of the sword on Jade Gourd Peak, and his swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds from then on.”
“Who was this person?”
“Suchan.”
Hearing this name, Xu Taiping felt a stir in his heart.
“I’ll do my best to try.”
He thought seriously for a moment, then nodded.
The allure of the name Suchan was indeed significant, but Xu Taiping didn’t want to change his plans because of it.
When he reached the Immortal Gourd Cave, he would still prioritize exploring the ruins and treasure hunting.
“Senior Brother, why does the Nine Mansions announce the disciples entering the Immortal Gourd Cave three years in advance? It’s so frustrating to wait.”
Zhao Linglong suddenly interjected.
She couldn’t wait to see Xu Taiping head to the Immortal Gourd Cave.
Already very interested in the competition for the Immortal Gourd, she was naturally even more excited with her Junior Brother participating this time.
“The entry tokens and teleportation scrolls for the Immortal Gourd Cave have to be personally crafted by the Jade Green Scholar for each disciple, so preparations must be made in advance.”
Qing Xiao explained.
“By the way, Taiping, before I came, I got a map of the Immortal Gourd Cave and a catalog of known spiritual treasures from Zi Yan. You can take a look in advance.”
As he spoke, he placed a map and a booklet on the table.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Xu Taiping thanked him with great surprise.
The map and manual that Senior Sister Zi Yan from the Sixth Peak had given him last time in the Ruins of the Cloud Dream Marsh had been a great help.
“Did you also buy this from the Nine Mansions?”
He suddenly asked Qing Xiao out of curiosity.
“Yes, originally it was prepared for Junior Sister Buyu by the Sixth Peak. It cost quite a bit of Gold Essence Coins to purchase from the Nine Mansions. When they heard it was for you, Peak Master Meng allowed it to be borrowed.”
Qing Xiao nodded.
“The current head of the Nine Mansions is quite the businessman. Just selling these maps and manuals each year earns them a fortune.”
Zhao Linglong teased.
Xu Taiping smiled, then picked up the map and slowly unfolded it.
“Huh? Isn’t this a fragment of the ancient battlefield of immortals and demons? It actually fell into Zhenwu Heaven.”
As soon as he opened the map, the voice of Fairy Lingyue, filled with surprise, echoed in his mind.
…
Meanwhile.
First Peak.
Jin Hezhi’s dojo.
“Senior Brother, why did you urgently call me here? Is there something important?”
Ye Xuan looked at his Senior Brother Jin Hezhi in surprise.
“Junior Brother, there’s something I want to give you.”
Jin Hezhi smiled and took out a long sword case from his ring.
“Senior Brother, I already have a sword and don’t plan to change it.”
Ye Xuan frowned.
Sword cultivators rarely change their swords casually.
“This sword is different.”
Jin Hezhi shook his head and then opened the sword case.
As soon as the case was opened, a murderous aura burst out like a ferocious beast, forcing Ye Xuan to take two steps back.
“Whose sword is this?”
Ye Xuan asked in shock.
“Suchan.”
Jin Hezhi grinned.
Hearing this name, Ye Xuan trembled, his pupils dilating.
“Not only is his sword here, but the sword techniques from his collected ‘Sword Manual’ are also in this case. It’s his true legacy.”
Jin Hezhi continued, his words filled with temptation.
Unconsciously, Ye Xuan’s hand reached out, wanting to take the sword case.
But just as he was about to touch it, he stopped and asked Jin Hezhi with confusion, “Such a precious item, are you really giving it to me?”
“It’s not that I want to give it to you; it’s that this item can only be given to you.”
Jin Hezhi shook his head.
“Why do you say that, Senior Brother?”
Ye Xuan was puzzled.
“To take out Suchan’s sword and the ‘Sword Manual’ from the case, you need a sword intent that shares the same origin as Suchan’s to break the seal.”
As he spoke, Jin Hezhi reached into the sword case, trying to take out the sword inside.
But before his hand could touch the sword, a sharp sword aura flew out from the case, cutting a gash on Jin Hezhi’s hand.
Seeing this, Ye Xuan frowned slightly.
“The sword intent that shares the same origin, could it be the one he comprehended on Jade Gourd Peak?”
He had also heard the story of Suchan comprehending the way of the sword on Jade Gourd Peak.
“If you can reach the top of Jade Gourd Peak and gain some insights during the climb, you’ll surely be able to take out this sword and obtain the ‘Sword Manual’.”
As he spoke, Jin Hezhi handed the sword case to Ye Xuan.
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
Ye Xuan didn’t refuse any longer and accepted it with excitement.
“Three years from now, I will definitely represent the First Peak and reach the top of Jade Gourd Peak to claim the Immortal Gourd Cave!”
He promised confidently.
“I believe in you.”
Jin Hezhi patted Ye Xuan’s shoulder, a sly smile appearing at the corner of his mouth as he thought to himself, “Suchan, you’ll surely be satisfied with the person I’ve chosen this time.”