However, he didn’t really have any grounds to refute this reason. The Seven Peaks competition occurs once every six years, and it’s quite normal for new disciples to want to take a look.

“Consider today your day off.”

Elder Sansan said this while lifting his hand towards the rusty sword on the cliffside.

With a “zing” sound, the rusty sword pulled itself out from the cliff and then “whooshed” back into Elder Sansan’s hand.

“However, the training that follows will be tougher with each passing day. If you wish to become a true swordsman, the first and foremost task is to control this sword as freely as your own arm.”

As he spoke, he held up the rusty sword and then suddenly flung his arm.

Following the explosive sound of a sword’s cry, the flying sword in Elder Sansan’s hand turned into a streak of light, shooting straight towards the cliff.

Just as it was about to pierce the cliff, Elder Sansan raised his arm and swept it fiercely in front of him.

In an instant, the rusty sword split into countless beams of light, which then converged into a colorful whirlwind, blasting over the top of the cliff.

“Boom!”

With a loud noise, the previously bare cliff was suddenly filled with dense text.

“With one sword, three thousand characters. When your sword control technique reaches this level, you can come and learn my Sword Nine technique.”

Elder Sansan crossed his arms and looked proudly at the cliff in front of him.

…

Qingxuan Sect’s main peak.

In front of the Five Ancestors’ Pool.

This is where the Qingxuan Sect pays homage to the five founding ancestors, with huge statues erected in the green waters of the pool. These five massive statues form a circle, and at the center of the circle is an extremely spacious Sword Testing Platform.

From a high vantage point, it looks as if the five ancestors are sitting around a giant stone table.

The layout of this Sword Testing Platform is similar to the Sword Control Platform on the First Peak, with a vast open space in the center and Cloudy Pavilions around the perimeter that serve as stands.

Although today’s match is the least important of the competition, the seats in the Cloudy Pavilions were filled with disciples from all Seven Peaks early on.

“The Seven Peaks competition, held once every six years, was originally established by the Five Ancestors to resolve disputes within the sect. It was said to be once every sixty years at first, but the Peak Masters later felt that was too long and changed it to every six years.”

“However, even though the timing has changed, the number of matches and the rules have not.”

“For example, according to the rules set by the Five Ancestors, there are seven matches in total in the Seven Peaks competition, which will last about a month. The fourth match you’re participating in, Taiping, is called ‘Water Dripping Through Stone’ and should take place in about half a month, if all goes as expected.”

Zhao Linglong, who had taken her seat early, was carefully explaining the origins of the Seven Peaks competition and some of the rules to Xu Taiping.

“I’ve heard about the general rules of these seven matches from Senior Brother Qingxiao. It seems that except for the final ‘Questioning Sword Qingxuan’, the rest don’t involve direct combat between disciples.”

Xu Taiping voiced his confusion to Zhao Linglong.

“That’s right.”

Zhao Linglong nodded and then explained to Xu Taiping:

“The Five Ancestors, in order to avoid casualties among the disciples, did not arrange many direct combat matches. Even in ‘Questioning Sword Qingxuan’, once one side admits defeat, no further killing is allowed.”

“This approach seems quite different from the Seven Peaks selection.”

Xu Taiping mused thoughtfully.

“The Five Ancestors were benevolent, unlike some who are stubborn and self-righteous, acting without regard for the life and death of their disciples.”

Zhao Linglong coldly huffed with a pointed tone.

Xu Taiping naturally knew whom Zhao Linglong was referring to as “some people.”

“Was Qingxuan different in the past?”

Xu Taiping was curious about what Qingxuan used to be like.

“I’ve heard from some Senior Brothers that during the time of the Five Ancestors, the Qingxuan Sect wasn’t located on Yunlu Mountain, but in a secret realm tens of times larger and with tens of times more spiritual energy than Yunlu Mountain. For some reason, they were forced to relocate to Yunlu.”

“It was from that time that Qingxuan Sect began to decline day by day, even losing some of its internal techniques and scriptures to other sects.”

“By the time of my father’s generation, Senior Brother Suchan emerged, a man with a sword who became the champion of the Nine Mansions. This originally gave Qingxuan hope for revival, but unexpectedly, Senior Brother Suchan fell into depravity and joined the demonic path. If it weren’t for my little uncle’s return from his martial dissolution to turn the tide, Qingxuan might no longer exist.”

Zhao Linglong spoke with a hint of melancholy.

“What are you two whispering about?”

Just then, a pretty face suddenly leaned in close to Zhao Linglong.

“Senior Sister Ziyan, why are you startling me!”

Zhao Linglong, who was startled, lightly punched the woman on the shoulder.

It was none other than Xu Ziyan, a disciple of the Sixth Peak, followed by Lin Buyu, whom they hadn’t seen for a long time.

“Senior Sister Ziyan, Junior Sister Buyu, please take a seat here.”

Xu Taiping made room for Xu Ziyan and Lin Buyu to sit down.

However, Lin Buyu didn’t take the seat between Zhao Linglong and Xu Ziyan, but instead went straight to the empty spot on Xu Taiping’s left and sat down.

The young girl always did as she pleased, and no one found it inappropriate, so they let her be.

“Taiping, you seem to have grown taller again.”

Xu Ziyan, sitting on Xu Taiping’s right, was surprised and gestured with her hand.

“Yes, I have indeed grown a bit taller recently.”

Xu Taiping nodded earnestly in response.

Perhaps it was due to practicing the Yan Emperor’s Furnace Body Refining Technique, but in just a month or two, he had visibly shot up in height, now standing as tall as Senior Brother Qingxiao.

Xu Ziyan was amused by Xu Taiping’s serious response.

“Junior Sister Buyu also seems to have grown quite a bit, almost as tall as me now.”

Zhao Linglong’s gaze fell on Lin Buyu, who was sitting to Xu Taiping’s left.

“Really?”

Lin Buyu looked up upon hearing this.

However, she didn’t look at Zhao Linglong but instead turned to Xu Taiping with an inquiring gaze.