Chapter Eighteen: The Sword of Tiger Soul

“Dong Jun, it’s time for us to leave!”

Another seven days and seven nights had passed. When Zhou Qing first broke through to the Perfected Innate stage, he had secluded himself for seven days and nights. Now, breaking into the Mysterious Spirit stage of Transformation Spirit had also taken seven days and nights. Over this long span, Zhou Qing’s cultivation had been thoroughly solidified.

However, those beside him—Zong Zong Xiaoyao and others—along with Zong Quan and his companions, were still deeply immersed in their cultivation. A faint, low, lingering voice echoed softly in his ears, carrying a subtle fragrance on the breath. Then, his spiritual senses stirred, as if two people had just departed his side.

An hour later, Zhou Qing’s cultivation was completely stabilized. He opened his eyes and once again sensed the surrounding empty heavens and earth, which felt entirely different—everything was so wondrous. Lightly pressing his foot down, he rode the wind with elegant agility, the breeze flowing as he willed, lingering in the air for a long time without descending.

A feeling stirred in his heart. He struck a palm toward the bushes surrounding the Mystical Platform on Mount Taiyi. In an instant, within a hundred meters, frost descended, freezing flowers, grass, and shrubs. With a single thought, water flowed gently, cleansing all things in the world.

“Thanks to you, senior brothers, for your protection!”

Returning to his original place, Zhou Qing bowed respectfully to Chi Songzi and Mu Shanzi. Today’s breakthrough was truly a great opportunity. The accumulation of temporal energy surged forth, pushing his cultivation forward without hindrance. Moreover, he seemed to have gained a faint understanding of the subtle uses of temporal energy.

At the same time, sensing the changes in the surrounding primal energy of the void, the people immersed in cultivation, including Zong Zong Xiaoyao, slowly awoke. Although they had not broken their shackles, this journey had brought considerable gains. Rising, they bowed in acknowledgement, regarding it as a fortunate opportunity.

“Hahaha, Xuanqing, now that you have broken into the Mysterious Spirit stage of Transformation Spirit, you are qualified to roam the world!”

Chi Songzi’s expression was lively. To have reached the Transformation Spirit stage at such a young age was remarkable. Even reaching the level of their master in the future would likely be no great difficulty. With this, the Daoist Sect would be free of worries for at least a hundred years.

“Without senior brothers, there would be no Xuanqing today!”

Since arriving in this world, the ones who had stayed by his side the longest were Chi Songzi, Zong Quan, and others. Now that his cultivation had reached the Transformation Spirit stage, he could freely descend the mountain to refine himself. For a moment, this brought a sense of strangeness.

“Hahaha, enough, junior brother Chi Songzi. Such joy should be shared with us all. It’s just a pity you came in such a hurry this time and lacked proper gifts; otherwise, I would congratulate you properly.”

“However, senior brother does not have one on him, but Mount Taiyi does indeed possess one. I remember on the way here, the peasant swordsmith forged a Tiger Spirit Sword—fierce and domineering. But for you, junior brother, with your flexible will, it should pose no obstacle.”

“Junior brother Chi Songzi, are you interested in visiting that place? If fate allows, you might obtain the Tiger Spirit Sword for protection!”

Mu Shanzi laughed heartily beside him. Having such a prodigy in the Daoist Sect was an honor for the entire tradition. Although the Daoist Sect was divided into the Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect in spirit, that was merely a difference of philosophy; all were inheritors of the Dao.

Now that such a figure had appeared in the Daoist Sect, the entire sect would enjoy peace of mind for a hundred years. Mu Shanzi glanced at Zhou Qing’s face with a continuous smile, intending to say something, but after looking at himself and then at the four disciples beside him, he shook his head.

Then, as if recalling something, he looked at Chi Songzi. Over the past seven days, he had also spoken to Chi Songzi about the Tiger Spirit Sword’s appearance.

“Of course, junior brother, we shall go see the excitement before returning!”

Chi Songzi nodded in agreement. The outcome of this sword contest was not the main point; the breakthrough of the junior brother was an unexpected joy. Only the sudden appearance of the Yin-Yang master, Donghuang Taiyi, midway remained a mystery.

“Very well!”

With some leisure, meeting the various families and schools was not bad. They declined no invitations and soon the nine of them descended from the Mystical Platform on Mount Taiyi, following the gathering places of recent days, running through the mountain forest.

******

The place where the primal energy of heaven and earth trembled was where Chi Songzi and the other nine hurried toward. After running through Mount Taiyi for the time it took two incense sticks to burn, they finally saw the masters from the various schools and families.

Numerous cultivators were in the Qi Refinement stage; many had reached the Perfected Innate level, and there seemed to be four or five at the Mysterious Spirit stage, though they concealed themselves well.

“The Tiger Leap Gorge, a place of extreme yin energy, yet a fine location for sword forging!”

The nine, clad in Daoist robes, stood on the branch of a large tree at a distance, gazing toward the center of the crowd. There lay a grand canyon shaped like a tiger leaping, a narrow line reaching to the sky. Below was a pool of icy spring water, and even in the bright daylight, faint clouds and mist swirled gently.

There, the peasant family’s six halls had already spread out all around, eyes vigilantly watching the surroundings. This was the fruit of their peasant swordsmith’s efforts—no one was to take it away. Yet, they did not expect the news to spread so quickly.

“Those are members of the Mohist School!”

Chi Songzi stood beside Zhou Qing, overlooking the crowd, and began to introduce them slowly. The peasant family’s people needed no introduction. Among the crowd, the ones dressed most plainly were the peasants.

As for the Mohists, they wore black and white mystical robes, with Mohist disciples arrayed around, including what seemed to be commanders.

“Those are Confucianists!”

Dressed in formal attire, distinguished gentlemen exuding a noble spirit, their unique aura accompanied by ritual. Holding long swords, they gathered in one spot. Zhou Qing nodded slightly, knowing the Confucian influence was strongest in Qilu but spread throughout the Seven States.

“Those are cultivators specializing in bodily cultivation. Judging by their clothing and appearance, they seem to come from Wei State. This is the territory of Qin State, yet they dare to come here—quite bold!”

Chi Songzi spoke again, pointing toward another area below. There stood towering, burly men, bare-armed with terrifying muscles, wielding huge axes, also observing something.

…

There were warriors from Zhao State!

Swordsmen from Chu State!

Even warriors from the far eastern land of Yan State!

Gathered here, all scheming for the Tiger Spirit Sword. Such a sharp blade would greatly enhance a warrior’s power, especially if it was a sentient divine weapon, which was beyond question.

“These people must be assassins. Their aura reeks of killing intent and bloodlust. Boldly appearing here openly, they must be spies of the Qin imperial court!”

Chi Songzi, having lived for decades, clearly understood the vicissitudes among the mundane world. He introduced the many forces below, then pointed specifically to a group of warriors clad in black tight outfits.

Their expressions were cold, chilling the surrounding air. Some wielded long swords in hand, others carried them on their backs, their eyes all converging sharply, staring directly at the swordsmiths beneath Tiger Leap Gorge.

“Senior brother, what do you think of the Tiger Spirit Sword?”

Though hundreds of meters away from the swordsmiths, for warriors at the Mysterious Spirit stage, this was no obstacle. Squinting slightly, he carefully sensed with spiritual perception. Within his awareness, it was as if a fierce, savage tiger roared and growled, tremendously mighty.

“Heh, though the sword is not yet forged, the sword qi already pervades. The tiger’s spirit is fused within—it will surely earn a place in the sword manual!”

Chi Songzi smiled gently. His gaze fell upon the icy spring beneath Tiger Leap Gorge, where wisps of faint red sword qi swirled—truly fierce, truly domineering, and unparalleled.