Chapter 185 The Grand Feast Begins, Li Xian Amazes Everyone! (4K, Please Subscribe)
[Proficiency +2]
[Proficiency +3]
Hanyue Residence.
Li Xianping cleared his mind of distractions and refined his martial arts. His longsword danced in the air, its blazing light surging, graceful and natural. The Yin-Yang Immortal Couple Sword Technique was a combined sword move; when Li Xian practiced it alone, it lacked the essence of "Yin and Yang," resulting in a deficiency.
But it coincides with the "immortal" spirit in swordsmanship. The sword intent is ethereal, elegant and otherworldly, as graceful as a swimming dragon.
[The Fallen Sun and Bloodstained Sword - Level 1]
[Proficiency: 26389/50000 Perfect]
[The Fallen Sun and Bloodstained Sword - Level Two]
[Proficiency: 3526/24000 (Mastery)]
...
Drinking daily the essence of nature helps one digest the best of heaven and earth.
[Eating Essence]
[Proficiency: 54/100]
Having undergone five transformations through consuming essence, Li Xian's body was flawless. Wiping away the rouge from between his brows, the red mole gleamed with a red light.
Dancing with a sword in the snow, he displayed a unique and heroic spirit. Despite enduring ridicule, Li Xian remained calm and composed, completely unconcerned and having already forgotten the incident.
"The world is vast, my sword is boundless."
Li Xian suddenly felt inspired. He disregarded the limitations of sword techniques, dancing wildly as if it were pure fun. However, since the first level of the "Setting Sun and Dying Blood Sword" was already [perfected], his proficiency continued to accumulate over time as he danced freely.
"I wonder where Madam has gone?"
Li Xian boiled water to make tea and sat in the courtyard to admire the snow. As night deepened, he returned to bed to rest.
The next day.
Li Xiaofan had left the city last night, and the two brothers had a brief reunion before parting again. Li Xian originally intended to focus on martial arts practice, rising early to train for an hour. His skills with the Sunset Blood Sword and Thunder Finger had just reached a high level, and he was unlikely to break through to higher realms in the short term. However, he then thought that while he could practice martial arts every day, opportunities in the city were rare. So he tidied himself up, changed out of his sweaty clothes, and went out for a stroll and some fun.
In the city, communication was mostly done through letters and word of mouth.
Li Xian's reputation was infamous, and rumors circulated yesterday that the wicked commander had entered the city and injured the prodigy Wan Run, demonstrating his formidable strength. This sparked another round of heated discussion. However, no one noticed Li Xian passing right in front of them.
The city has 360 tall buildings.
The city boasts mountains, lakes, and rivers. Towering buildings rise from the mountains, and lakes and rivers converge. The morning mist is breathtaking.
The martial arts school gates, shops, and extraordinary people, events, and objects are countless.
Passing by a "Red Dream Pavilion," the girls inside tossed down their handkerchiefs, their voices fluttering and laughing: "Good sir, come up and sit down!" "What a handsome young man, we don't want your money, just come up and sit down."
Li Xian went to the bookstore and bought a map of the prefectural city and several odd and unusual books. He had already finished reading "Zhang Hanbing" which he had bought last time and found it extremely interesting.
Qingning County is small and has few books. The bookstores in the prefectural city have a wide variety of books, but the prices are a bit high.
After several days of sightseeing, the banquet at the top of the tower drew ever closer. Snowflakes drifted in the air, but the first snow of the season had yet to fall.
"The banquet is approaching, and Madam has yet to appear. Does she intend for me to face it alone?"
Li Xian hesitated. He would never have come to the prefectural city if his wife hadn't spoken. But upon arriving, his wife was nowhere to be seen. Then he thought, "No… my wife is always testing me. Perhaps her absence is another test?"
Since we're here, let's make the best of it. I won't overthink it; I'll just take it easy. Before I knew it, it was October 24th. The air was frosty, and the banquet at the multi-story building was just around the corner.
The banquet was held at the "Tianrenlou" (Heaven and Man Pavilion), which stands in the middle of a large lake. The lake is wide, flat, and clear.
However, this lake is called "Chi" (池).
Every year when the first snow falls, a grand banquet is held here to entertain the city's elite.
The Celestial Tower is entirely black, about seven stories high, and has a very strange structure. Each floor hosts a grand banquet for the most talented individuals to exchange martial arts techniques.
It may not be a real fight to determine the victor. But when young heroes meet and beautiful women gather, their passion and fervor are naturally high, and neither side is willing to suffer a loss or lose face. Conversations often escalate into heated debates, and ultimately, real combat becomes inevitable.
In front of the building.
Inside the lake.
The families of Fucheng—Cao, Chu, Lin, Yuwen…—arrived early. All were clan elders, and they traveled by wooden boat, circling the tower. Reaching the center of the lake, they looked down at the bottom; the green water flowed gently, its ripples spreading.
Deep at the bottom of the lake, there stands a cauldron. The lake water reflects the cauldron like a mirror during the day, but only at night, those with exceptional eyesight can barely make out the cauldron by staring at the bottom of the lake for a long time.
The cauldron had been submerged in the lake for many years, its body now covered in moss. Crabs and shrimp made their nests there, and snakes and fish swam by.
Cao Shuang, the sixth elder of the Cao family clan, said, "This momentum is about to be established; that thing is about to emerge."
Lin Bei, one of the seven elders of the Lin family, said, "Originally, it wouldn't happen this year, but it would happen next year. However, Ou Yezi passed through this place and presented the Jiangshui sword, which will inevitably intensify the banquet. It seems that it will have to happen this year."
A middle-aged man from the Yuwen family, named Yuwen Chang, said, "Do you think that although Ou Yezi is a master forger with a far-reaching reputation, he wouldn't give away precious swords so carelessly? Is his action an attempt to get a share of the profits?"
Upon hearing this, everyone frowned. They remained silent, their displeasure evident.
After a long pause, Cao Shuang said, "Hmph, if that's really the case, he's dreaming too much. At the very least, this kind of thing takes fifteen years to appear. Sometimes, with the decline of talent, it might not appear for thirty or forty years. He just happened to pass by, took out a treasure, and thought he could easily get a share? There's no such thing as a free lunch."
The next day.
The first snow falls on the earth, and the black building stands in the pond.
The major clans of the prefecture had already set up banquet tables and arranged seating in advance in the building.
The Tianren Tower is about seven stories high, and the seating arrangement is quite particular. The seventh floor is the "Kui" position, with only one person seated there. The food includes: Miaohua Zhenlian Soup, Fish Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, and Gentleman in the Pond, three famous dishes from the prefectural city.
The ingredients used in the dishes were all rare and precious. They were extremely rare, possessed extraordinary medicinal properties, and had an exceptionally delicious flavor. Even the highest-ranking members of various clans rarely enjoyed such a feast.
The sixth tier is the emperor's seat, with four seats and slightly inferior dishes. The fifth tier is the minister's seat, with six seats and even less desirable dishes. The order decreases in quality until the first tier, which has twenty-one seats and the worst dishes. Even the worst dishes are still beyond the reach of ordinary people.
There are a total of seventy-five seats from top to bottom.
Although it was a banquet, it was actually a hidden ranking, inciting competition among the participants. Those of lower rank could scramble for seats, and the method of scrambling was simple: either through verbal or physical combat.
The Celestial Pavilion is located in the middle of the pond.
The lake is vast, but its surface is calm. Every year, the first snow falls without wind or ripples. Therefore, whenever a martial arts master discusses his skills in the building, his voice carries to all sides of the lake, and can be heard by ordinary people, families of various surnames, and martial arts school leaders.
Restaurants have sprung up around the pond, and the guests inside have even better seats, with direct views of the banquet.
It is indeed a grand event in the prefectural city!
That morning.
The area around the pond was already crowded with pedestrians. High-rise buildings stood on all sides of the pond, and wealthy businessmen and members of prominent families in the private rooms had already taken their seats.
It was quite lively.
Gu Nianjun had no interest in the matter, but Zhou Shijie, the top-ranked student on the Heroes' List and also a student of the academy, had won the Luck Award. He was to attend a banquet on the upper floor and had extended a warm invitation several days ago. Gu Nianjun naturally declined, but Zhou Shijie persisted. Since she had nothing else to do today, she came as invited.
The 'Dragon Gate Tower' beside the pond.
Zhou Shijie was young and handsome, tall, and dressed in luxurious brocade. He said, "Nianjun, I have already booked a private room for you at Longmen Tower. I am so happy that you could come."
Gu Nianjun alighted from the carriage and nodded slightly. Just as she was about to ascend the Dragon Gate Tower, she suddenly caught sight of a figure. Her previously listless expression instantly turned serious.
Zhou Shijie stared intently, then froze in astonishment. A white horse and a black carriage had stopped on the road, and a woman in white alighted. Her beauty was indescribable, her expression gentle. He stared at her, mesmerized, for a moment.
The woman glanced up and swept her gaze over, lingering on Gu Nianjun for a moment before heading towards the Dragon Gate Tower. Her beauty and bearing were beyond words.
Gu Nianjun said solemnly, "Why is she here too?"
“Nianjun, do you know her? Who is she?” Zhou Shijie asked.
"Let's go upstairs!" Gu Nianjun was already interested and didn't answer Zhou Shijie, only muttering, "If she comes, I hope there won't be any bloodshed at this banquet."
"I miss you, I miss you!" Zhou Shijie hurriedly chased after him, secretly using his lightness skill, but no matter how hard he tried, he was always half a step away.
Many onlookers took their seats one after another.
Lin Aoshan, as the "great-grandmother of the Lin family," was excluded from the list of heroes due to her seniority within the clan. However, she was quite interested in this banquet and thus booked a private room at a restaurant by the pond.
"Please sit down," Lin Aoshan said with a smile.
In the side room, the many elderly members of the Lin family, with their white temples, withered faces, and dim eyesight, finally sat down one after another.
Lin Aoshan stroked her chin, recalling the reputation of Li Xianfu City. It would be very interesting if she also attended the banquet. She glanced around and saw that the lakeside was already overcrowded, with nowhere to stand on the shore. Many people had been pushed into the lake and ended up soaked.
Suddenly, a loud laugh was heard, the sound echoing all around.
Ou Yezi used his lightness skill to leap and dart through the air, astonishing everyone. He actually jumped from the lakeside and flew directly to the roof of the "Celestial Pavilion," standing on the roof tiles.
He had a square face, a thick beard, and a rugged appearance. The crowd was astonished, but he laughed several times. Then he drew a long sword from his waist, tore off the cloth covering it, revealing its sharp blade.
The sword was three feet long, with two sharp edges, and its cold light shone brightly.
Ou Yezi said, "This is the Submerged Sword, forged from the finest iron, its sharpness unmatched. The sword possesses extraordinary power; behold!" He grasped the hilt and leaped into the lake. His feet touched the water without falling in.
He plunged his longsword into the lake and gently stirred it. With a splash, huge waves surged on the surface. He stood on the water, treading on the surface, and danced with his sword in the lake. The lake water seemed to respond to his will, rippling freely.
He laughed heartily. He lightly touched the water with his toes and leaped back onto the roof of the Celestial Tower. He tapped the blade of his sword, producing a sharp sound. Ripples spread across the lake.
This sword is mysterious and truly an eye-opener.
Ou Yezi continued, "This sword was forged in the cold river and poured with the water from the river's heart. Hence, it possesses the power to 'play with water'."
"However, I am not skilled with a sword, and it is a sin that this precious item has been left to gather dust. Today, I will give this sword to the heroes and talents of the city, so that it can be put to good use and put my mind at ease."
He planted the sword under the eaves. With a leap, his light-footed footwork was astonishing. He strode through the air, leaping over the pond and landing on the roof of the "Dragon Gate Tower".
He sat cross-legged on the rooftop, opened the gourd at his waist, took a sip, but showed no intention of leaving.
Passersby and members of various clans all looked on. The Cao, Lin, Chu, and Yuwen families looked grim but were helpless, letting out a cold snort.
Gu Nianjun said, "Someone is here."
The crowd grew noisy again. A small boat drifted across the lake; the first prodigy from the prefectural city had arrived for the banquet.
"It's Luo Bu'er, ranked thirty-fourth on the list of prodigies!" the crowd exclaimed.
Narobuchi, dressed in a green robe, stood with his hands behind his back, looking quite dashing. At this moment, the lake was calm and there was no wind, yet he did not need to row; he could make the boat sail towards the Celestial Pavilion at his will.
"Luo Bu'er, may I borrow your boat?"
Li Ruhou, ranked thirty-sixth on the list of talents, leaped into the water, his feet touching the surface, and sped away. This was an extremely profound martial art; with each touch of the water, his body sank a little deeper. At this rate, he would surely sink to the bottom of the lake by the time he reached the center. And once a martial artist of this level falls into the water, his body is enveloped in water, making it difficult to use his previous lightness skill again.
Seeing that he was about to embarrass himself, he stepped onto Luo Bu'er's boat to ease the situation. In an instant, he had already overtaken Luo Bu'er. He had meticulously planned this moment of crossing the lake.
As expected, everyone was amazed and praised him repeatedly.
Luo Bu'er, realizing she had been used as a stepping stone, looked extremely displeased and glared fiercely at Li Ruhu.
Even before the banquet began, all the talented individuals displayed their extraordinary abilities and crossed Mirror Lake. No one wanted to be outdone.
Cao Xiuxiu, the pride of the Cao family, was beautiful and charming, with bright eyes and white teeth. She could cross Mirror Lake by riding on a black water turtle without having to use her lightness skill.
Princess Chu Mei of the Chu family displayed even more astonishing martial arts skills. She stepped directly onto the lake, and frost formed where she landed. Her steps were composed, her expression proud, and every move she made captivated everyone's attention.
Ou Yezi looked on curiously, and after a moment he understood how it was done. Chu Mei's actions were astonishing, but the secret lay entirely in her boots. These boots were "Ice Silkworm Boots," which instantly freeze water upon contact. Combined with Chu Mei's mastery of powerful leg techniques, and the boots, she was able to leave ice on the water.
But that alone is not enough to leisurely stroll on the lake. It also requires profound lightness skills; both external aids and internal strength are indispensable.
This scene was already incredibly captivating. Ji Hongyan, a renowned beauty in the city, chuckled softly and went to the banquet. She rode on auspicious clouds and flew straight past.
There's always someone better. Others exclaimed that she was a fairy descended from heaven, but those on the list of talents, who were further down the list and couldn't see the key to her abilities, suddenly changed their expressions, realizing they were no match.
Lin Aoshan said, "This woman's lightness skill may not be very good, but her throwing skills must be extremely powerful!"
It turned out that Ji Hongyan had previously fired two flying shuttles, which were embedded in the Celestial Tower. The shuttles were tied with silk threads, making them difficult for others to see. She used her lightness skill, aided by the silk threads, to create the illusion of flying. The auspicious clouds beneath her feet were a manifestation of her extraordinary lightness skill.
In the future, martial arts will advance further. The auspicious clouds will become tangible; perhaps one can truly ride the clouds and fly.
Seeing that the situation was ripe, Zhou Shijie descended from the Dragon Gate Tower and began his journey to the banquet. As the number one on the list of talents, he had to outshine everyone else, otherwise the other geniuses would surely steal the seat.
He walked to the shore with his hands behind his back and stomped hard. The lake water surged up in large waves, rushing forward with great force. He leaped into the water, stepping on the crest of the wave, his hands behind his back, exuding an air of elegance.
The waves carried it to the front of the building.
This revelation is quite unusual. The stomp he just made stirred up huge waves in the lake, a technique known as "Wave-Treading Skill." The fact that he could use it so casually indicates that he has at least reached a high level, or even perfection. As he rode the wave, he displayed remarkable lightness skill.
And there's a deeper meaning: you all show off your unique skills, but I am the real troublemaker.
Among the many experts present, Lin, Cao, Chu, and Ou Yezi all nodded secretly.
Zhou Shijie, brimming with pride, landed with a flick of his sleeve and hands behind his back. All the prodigies looked on, taking him as their leader. The spectators focused their attention on him, hailing him as the champion. Secretly pleased, he decisively declared, "Now that everyone is here, let's begin!"
"No, there's still one person missing." Li Ruhu had been keeping track of the number of people.
Zhou Shijie frowned: "Who's missing?"
The group exchanged silent glances, their names flashing through their minds, and one name seemed to be on the tip of their tongue: the wicked Li Xian!
Just then, a small boat entered the lake.
Li Xian glided across the lake in a light boat, without deliberately showing off his skills or intending to display his power. His thoughts drifted freely as he arrived.
The lady's whereabouts were unpredictable, and Li Xian waited anxiously for a long time, but she did not return, so he went to the meeting alone. This prefectural city was full of powerful forces, truly a "dragon's den and tiger's lair".
"Since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it. Even if it's a den of dragons and tigers, I, Li Xian, am here!"
With a broad-minded thought, Li Xian stood proudly on the boat.
When he first entered the lake, no one noticed him. It wasn't until he had traveled halfway across that the proud scholars of Tianren Tower, the onlookers at Longmen Tower, and the pedestrians along the lake shore noticed him.
Legend has it that Li Xian has an unusual appearance, extremely ugly. Now, he appears before everyone's eyes, and indeed he has an unusual appearance, with a red mole between his eyebrows.
He was incomparably handsome and possessed an otherworldly air.
"This is... the wicked Li Xian?"
Similar exclamations could be heard inside the Tianren Tower, in the Longmen Tower, and along the lake shore.
P.S.: Requesting monthly votes. Last month I didn't reach 1,000 votes, but I'd like to try harder this month.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
