C19 The Sword Pavilion Competition

Two days flew by, and with great anticipation, the Sword Pavilion's Rite of Induction was set to commence.

The venue for the competition was the grand drill ground located in the western outskirts of the Imperial City. This expansive drill ground, usually heavily guarded and off-limits to the general public, opened its gates for the triennial Rite of Induction, allowing spectators to witness its imposing presence.

At the heart of the drill ground stood the largest sparring platform in the dynasty, surrounded by various viewing areas for the crowd to cheer on the competitors. Not far from the platform, VIP seating was arranged for the royals to watch and rest in comfort.

In previous years, Qin Xuan had been among the princes enjoying the lively conversations and the attentive service of the maidservants, basking in the joy of the occasion. He would mock the foolhardy men who gambled with their lives in the brutal competition.

Yet, this year, it was his turn to compete. As he gazed upon the long queue before him, he sighed in resignation. How fortunes turn—this year, it seemed he was the one touched by madness.

"Your Highness..." Squirt whispered from behind, gesturing towards the end of another line, "The Grayhands have also arrived."

Qin Xuan's eyebrows arched slightly. The striking man leading the group must be Yu Qing, the senior fellow apprentice of the Grayhands. His refined and dashing demeanor was so impressive that even Qin Xuan felt compelled to admire him.

In contrast, Yu Lin, radiating malice, paled in comparison. Noticing Qin Xuan's attention, Yu Lin abruptly turned, his brooding and imperious eyes sending a shiver down Qin Xuan's spine.

"Heh, you actually had the nerve to show up! I was starting to think the fourteenth prince would hide away like a turtle in its shell!"

"Hmm? Squirt, do you hear that? Sounds like a stray dog barking, desperate like a dog without a home," Qin Xuan quipped, his eyebrows lifted in a taunting gaze at Yu Lin. With the Divine Weapon at his side, he was confident that today, he would be the victor.

"Grandpa, what are you doing? Provoking him like this, are you not afraid of dying too slowly?" Squirt, standing nearby with a pale face filled with worry, was trembling slightly. He couldn't understand why Qin Xuan was acting so uncharacteristically domineering today.

Not far off, Yu Lin's face darkened upon hearing Qin Xuan's words. His eyes fixed on Qin Xuan, his hand slowly reached for the Meteor Sword at his waist. His only desire was to tear the presumptuous Qin Xuan to shreds.

"Yu Lin, hold yourself back! All the factions here are watching us, the Grayhands. Any grievances should be settled in the arena," Yu Qing, the senior fellow apprentice, said with a slight frown, placing his hand on Yu Lin's to stop him from drawing his sword. He was aware that the gathering included many prominent figures and that they couldn't afford to give them any fodder for gossip.

With a "shing" sound, Yu Lin sheathed his blade, shooting a fierce glance at Qin Xuan before turning and walking away without another word. Despite his arrogance, Yu Lin held a deep respect for his senior fellow apprentice Yu Qing.

Once all the competitors had taken their seats, a bearded man over eight feet tall leaped into the center of the arena. His agility was astonishing, belying his large stature. This man was Jing Wuheng, the leader of the Sword Pavilion and a high-ranking official from Atrela. His cultivation technique was exceptionally rare, enabling him to move with the lightness of a swallow and conceal his presence with ease.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual Sword Pavilion Rite of Induction. You represent the finest of the young generation from various sects, and joining the Sword Pavilion is a great honor. In today's contest, the victor takes all, with each participant responsible for their own fate. I hereby declare the Sword Pavilion Assembly officially open!" Jing Wuheng announced, his gaze casually drifting towards the area where the princes were seated.

The audience erupted into applause and cheers, and the rhythmic beating of war drums filled the air.

The first match featured Qingluo from the Order of the Sacred Blade against Wu Wanquan of Qingmen Mountain. Qingluo, a princess of Trelune, had reached the first level of the Innate Mirror. She had joined the Order of the Sacred Blade during her travels. Trelune was renowned for its dominion over beasts. Wu Wanquan, the youngest disciple of Qingmen Mountain, also at the first level of Innate, was only eleven years old. Skilled with the long whip, his exceptional talent had earned him widespread recognition.

In the center of the arena, the two competitors bowed to each other before swiftly retreating to a distance of two meters apart. Qingluo stood elegantly, the Wavesong Whip-Sword gripped in her right hand, her left hand resting behind her. Her white garments fluttered as if stirred by an unseen breeze, giving her the ethereal appearance of a celestial being. Wu Wanquan, on the other hand, removed the nine-section whip from his waist and cracked it through the air, producing sharp snaps that echoed like cannon fire or rolling thunder.

"Senior sister, forgive me!" Wu Wanquan's eyes were wide with determination as he channeled energy from his elixir field. With a powerful circular swing, the nine-section whip lashed out towards Qingluo like a venomous snake poised to strike. Qingluo, with the agility of a dancer, lightly touched the ground and soared into the air. Her Whip-Sword vibrated with spectral energy, entwining the nine-section whip. With a rapid twist of her wrist and a resounding snap, she sent the whip soaring skyward.

The crowd erupted with cheers and applause. "Brilliant!" "Well done!" they shouted. "Truly deserving of the Grayhands name—her reputation is no exaggeration." "She may look delicate, but her martial prowess is impressive!" "It's only the first exchange, and Wu Wanquan of Qingmen Mountain is a rare talent, seen once in a decade. The outcome is still anyone's guess!" The spectators buzzed with excitement, their voices a cacophony of speculation and admiration.

Onstage, Qingluo and Wu Wanquan engaged in a fierce bout of back-and-forth combat. With each move, the tension escalated. Qingluo, seizing an opening, lightly tapped the void and brandished her Whip-Sword, charging towards Wu Wanquan's face with a fierce cry. Wu Wanquan's face blanched as he whipped the nine-section whip with all his might.

Qingluo hadn't anticipated such a formidable challenge right from the start. Her opponent's weapon had the advantage of range, making close combat difficult. By contrast, her Whip-Sword seemed at a disadvantage. She realized she had no choice but to resort to a certain technique. After deflecting the long whip with a flick of her sword, Qingluo landed awkwardly, quickly gathering her thoughts.

Wu Wanquan, sensing his upper hand, pressed his attack, ready to unleash his finishing move. "Ten Thousand Snakes Emerge!" The nine-section whip came to life, splitting into nine parts like a brood of giant serpents, each one lunging at Qingluo. A strike from even a single section could be deadly, let alone all nine.

Thunderous roars echoed as the stage was engulfed in smoke. The giant python appeared to have devoured the entire arena. Such innate talent was rare indeed. For most, it would take over a decade of cultivation to achieve this level of power, yet Wu Wanquan was merely an eleven-year-old child. His potential was truly boundless.

As the crowd held their breath for Qingluo, the sky was filled with the sound of flapping wings. A massive green bird soared majestically above.

"It's over!" Tian Qing's heart, heavy as stone, finally lightened, and a subtle smile graced her striking features. She chided herself for ever doubting her junior sister.

In the nick of time, Qingluo called forth her guardian beast, the Skyfire Bird. This bird, her childhood companion, had always been there to protect her in times of peril. Wu Wanquan's formidable power had pushed Qingluo to summon the Skyfire Bird.

Standing atop the Skyfire Bird with her hands clasped behind her back, Qingluo's posture was disheveled, yet her demeanor remained defiant. "Skyfire Bird, let all birds flock to the phoenix!" The Skyfire Bird beat its wings and dove towards Wu Wanquan on the ground.

"Skyfire Bird, let all beasts bow down!" In that moment, Wu Wanquan braced for the onslaught, his whip lashing out in defense. But his nine-section whip emitted a pitiful hiss, as if it were both fearful and reluctant, as though it had lost its spirit.

A resounding explosion shook the arena as the Skyfire Bird's shockwave blasted a deep crater into the ground. Wu Wanquan was hurled from the arena, spewing blood – his injuries were severe.

"Victory to Qingluo of the Order of the Sacred Blade!" Jing Wuheng stroked his beard and nodded in approval, clearly impressed by Qingluo's prowess. The entire venue erupted into cheers. This was the power of the new generation – the future was undoubtedly theirs to claim.