“According to Senior Brother’s words, does this competition include both Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment disciples together?” Han Li frowned slightly and suddenly asked.
“Indeed, the Sword Trial Assembly makes no distinction between Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment disciples—they compete together,” Senior Brother Wang nodded and replied.
“In that case, wouldn’t it be unfair to the Qi Refinement disciples?” Han Li was taken aback and seemed somewhat skeptical.
“The Sword Trial Assembly was originally intended to compare the cultivation of Foundation Establishment disciples from various sects. The inclusion of Qi Refinement disciples is merely incidental. However, to avoid dampening the enthusiasm of lower-ranked disciples, there is no prohibition against outer disciples or low-level participants. That said, since the assembly’s inception, while no Qi Refinement disciple has ever won the championship, it is not uncommon for them to defeat Foundation Establishment opponents and break into the top ten,” Senior Brother Wang smiled meaningfully at Han Li.
“Qi Refinement disciples breaking into the top ten? Could it be that their magical artifacts are exceptionally powerful?” Han Li immediately grasped the implication.
“Heh! Junior Brother is sharp-witted—you’ve already figured out the key point without me spelling it out. Among the three sects, which Core Formation elder doesn’t have descendants or relatives? Sometimes, to help their kin secure a good ranking, they naturally provide them with extraordinarily powerful magical artifacts. Thus, it’s hardly surprising when some Foundation Establishment cultivators, lacking suitable artifacts, lose to them,” Kuihuan shook his head and said.
Hearing this, Han Li’s expression grew even more doubtful.
“From what both Senior Brothers have said, does achieving a high ranking in the assembly bring additional benefits? Otherwise, why would these people go to such lengths to participate, if not just for the artifacts?” Han Li pondered for a moment before asking.
“Junior Brother is absolutely right. Even if you hadn’t asked, I was about to mention it. The true allure of the Sword Trial Assembly isn’t the material rewards, but the opportunity for the top ten to undergo the ‘Spirit Water Eye Cleansing.’ It is said that the first drop of sacred sap from the Holy Tree, combined with other rare materials, can concoct the legendary ‘Bright Sight Spirit Water.’ Applying this water to one’s eyes won’t enhance cultivation, but it grants the ability to see through fog and stone, bestowing unimaginable mystical powers. This is why they fight so desperately to enter the top ten. Without this benefit, even top-tier artifacts wouldn’t hold much appeal for disciples from prominent families or those with elder backing. After all, the ‘Soul Stabilizing Pill,’ though precious, is only one in number,” Senior Brother Wang slowly revealed the assembly’s greatest personal benefit.
“Bright Sight Spirit Water!” Han Li’s eyebrows rose as he murmured the name.
He had seen references to this spirit water in many ancient texts but never imagined the three sects of Yunmeng Mountain could actually brew it. This was entirely unexpected—and deeply tempting.
“However, even disregarding the rarity of the Holy Tree’s first sap, the other ingredients are all exceedingly rare. It’s said that several types of thousand-year spiritual herbs are used. Unfortunately, this eye-cleansing effect only works for Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators. Otherwise, the higher-ups would never be willing to offer it as a reward,” Kuihuan interjected enviously.
By now, Han Li had a general understanding of the Sword Trial Assembly. For more specific details, he intended to investigate personally. After all, since this involved both the Soul Stabilizing Pill and the Bright Sight Spirit Water, he certainly wouldn’t let it pass easily.
After a few more exchanges about the assembly, Senior Brother Wang and the others bid farewell and left.
Han Li watched as their figures shrank into distant specks, his expression turning solemn. Instead of returning to his cave abode immediately, he remained outside the herb garden, lost in thought.
“What’s the matter, Brother Han? Are you tempted? Is it the Soul Stabilizing Pill or the Bright Sight Spirit Water?” Suddenly, the soft voice of the white fox emerged from his sleeve.
“What if I want both?” Han Li lifted his head and replied bluntly, then flicked his sleeve, releasing the fox, which quickly resumed its original size.
“Hehe! Daoist Han, you’re quite greedy. But that’s fine—both the pill and the spirit water are incredibly useful. Missing this opportunity would make them nearly impossible to obtain later,” the fox said gracefully, tilting its slender neck.
“I don’t need you to tell me that. I know what I’m doing. For now, follow me back to the cave. Before considering the Sword Trial Assembly, let’s finish your matter first,” Han Li said coldly before turning toward his abode.
The fox’s eyes glinted with amusement as it silently followed.
Once inside the stone cave, Han Li immediately began the process of awakening the artifact spirit. The Emerald Swarm Sword, once imbued with a spirit, would undoubtedly grow more powerful—a thought that stirred a flicker of excitement in him.
Normally, the success rate of awakening an artifact spirit was abysmally low due to the fierce resistance of demonic beast souls. But since this silver wolf spirit, Silvermoon, was willingly entering his treasure, the difficulty was greatly reduced.
However, extracting her main soul from the jade ruyi was a tricky task. Fortunately, the fox seemed confident, insisting it could handle the matter itself.
Happy to delegate, Han Li followed its instructions, drawing an odd array in a quiet chamber and placing both the ruyi and the fox inside before leisurely stepping out.
The chamber was soundproofed, so Han Li had no idea what sounds or processes occurred as Silvermoon separated from the ruyi—nor did he care to spy. She knew full well the consequences of failing to extract her main soul.
Meanwhile, Han Li busied himself preparing the remaining steps for the spirit awakening.
Half a day later, with everything ready, he pushed open the stone door to the adjacent chamber. A quick scan revealed the scene inside.
In the center of the array, the jade ruyi and the fox remained, but the ruyi’s glow had dimmed. The fox, now damp and disheveled as if it had rolled in dirt, looked utterly exhausted.
Seeing Han Li enter, Silvermoon didn’t move or speak, as if even words were beyond her strength.
“Did it go smoothly?” Han Li asked gently, his expression softening.
“It was agonizing, but I endured. Have you prepared everything on your end? Without a vessel, I can’t remain in this fox body for long. I must merge with your treasure immediately, or my spirit will dissipate,” Silvermoon replied weakly but resolutely.
Nodding, Han Li carefully lifted the fox and carried it to the next chamber. The stone door closed behind them, sealing the room in silence.
…
Three days later, a red streak of light—a message talisman—pierced through the mist outside the herb garden and vanished.
Over an hour later, a flash of cyan light revealed Han Li’s figure emerging from the mist.
Gazing at the sky and stroking his chin, he summoned a flying sword and soared toward Tianquan Peak.
“Brother Han, judging by the message talisman, it seems all Tianquan Peak disciples are being summoned. Could it be about the Sword Trial Assembly?” Silvermoon’s crisp voice echoed in his mind.
“Unclear. But even someone as forgotten as me received a personal summons from the Peak Master. Whether it’s about the assembly or not, it must be something important,” Han Li replied calmly via divine sense.
“If Brother Han participates in this junior competition, even without revealing your true cultivation, winning would be effortless. But doing so might draw suspicion from high-level cultivators—perhaps even the Nascent Soul elders of the three sects. The risks could outweigh the gains,” Silvermoon cautioned softly.
“I’m aware. When did I say I’d definitely participate? Even if I do, I won’t aim for victory. Rest assured, until I form my Nascent Soul, I won’t let anyone take notice of me,” Han Li replied impassively.
“It seems I spoke out of turn. With Brother Han’s experience, such trivial matters hardly need my reminders,” Silvermoon chuckled, her voice carrying a hint of coquetry despite being purely auditory.
Han Li sighed inwardly.
Though she claimed to be of the Silvermoon Wolf lineage, he couldn’t help feeling she was even more fox-like than an actual fox.
Moreover, now that she was his artifact spirit, she seemed to sense he wouldn’t harm her. While inhabiting the fox body, she cultivated diligently, but as a sword spirit, she chattered incessantly, as if compensating for years of solitude in the jade ruyi.
It gave Han Li a headache. He’d once thought her more refined than a noble lady—would her temperament ever revert?
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