Chapter Nineteen: The Four Halls of the Farming Family

“Senior Brother, can you sense anything within that icy spring?”

Zhou Qing raised his brow. Indeed, although the Tiger Soul Sword was peerless and fiercely domineering, his perception detected a subtle yet formidable spiritual energy flowing within the icy spring.

“Hmm, within the icy spring?”

At this, Chisongzi turned his head slightly toward Zhou Qing. He had not sensed anything within the icy spring himself. Could it be that his junior brother had perceived something?

“Exactly. From my sensing, there seems to be another sharp weapon within the icy spring. Its power likely rivals that of the Tiger Soul Sword. It appears to be... the soul of a mighty eagle struggling fiercely. However, the sword’s energy is sealed by the icy spring and does not manifest outwardly.”

Zhou Qing nodded slowly, intensifying his spiritual senses and extending them hundreds of meters into the icy spring. Ignoring the Tiger Soul Sword’s overwhelming aura, he directly touched the icy water. Immediately, mournful cries echoed as if wailing to the heavens.

An enormous eagle appeared in his mind’s eye—immense in size but fallen here, forcibly forged into a sword and concealed within the icy spring.

“This... there is another sword inside the icy spring, formed from the eagle’s soul. Could it be that someone skilled in water refinement exists among the Nong family? Legend says that among swordsmiths, there are both fire and water forging methods.”

“The Tiger Soul Sword was forged by fire refinement, blending fiery ferocity into its overwhelming force to enhance its momentum. If the icy spring contains another sword, it must have been forged by combining water and fire methods, embedding the eagle’s sinews and bones into the blade and sealing its soul with the icy spring.”

“Otherwise, if it were forged solely by fire refinement, the sword would be excessively fierce. Interesting. No wonder four of the six Nong family hall leaders have arrived.”

Suddenly, Chisongzi seemed to understand. The tiger’s fierce spirit is wild and strengthened by fire refinement, becoming more formidable—but even a fierce tiger can be subdued.

However, the soaring eagle is impossible to subdue—while a fledgling might be tamed, a mature eagle soars through heaven and earth. Fallen here, its sinews, bones, and soul are sealed, its ferocity frozen and restrained, its power contained so as not to harm its wielder.

“Junior Brother, if that is so, the eagle sword within the icy spring is yours!”

With the three of them—transcendent spiritual cultivators—present, none among the many forces could compare. Thus, obtaining a sharp sword would be no great feat. Moreover, if all goes as expected, the Nong family will surely use the Tiger Soul Sword to divert attention.

Then, they can seize the eagle sword under cover of that distraction, securing both blades without worry.

“Agreed!”

Nearby, Mushanzi of the Human Sect smiled with relief at Zhou Qing. Since only he could sense the eagle sword’s presence, perhaps this was fate.

******

“Tian Meng, the Zhu family, Situ, you three take the Tiger Soul Sword away. I will stay and extract the Eagle Sword. Don’t get distracted—return straight to the Nong family!”

Under the Tiger Leap Gorge, the Nong family’s group had already gathered. Four of the six hall leaders were present: Tian Meng of the Mountain Hall, Zhu Jia of the Divine Farmer Hall, Situ Wanli of the Four Peaks Hall, and a hall leader of the Gonggong Hall wearing a silver-white mask.

The four halls’ leaders wore distinct attire, each bearing seven beads on their shoulders, marking their status. They stood together, eyes scanning the surroundings with grave expressions.

One was burly and heroic-looking, face noble as jade, clad in a pale blue robe with three floating clouds on his shoulder—leader of the Mountain Hall.

Another was short and petite, just over a meter tall, wearing a shifting colorful mask reflecting his mood, donning a brown robe emblazoned with the wheat ear symbol—leader of the Divine Farmer Hall.

A third was tall, continuously rolling three jade dice in his hands, his slightly sharp eyes alert as he surveyed the area, clad in a brown robe marked with a windmill emblem—assistant leader of the Four Peaks Hall.

The last wore a silver mask resembling ice and snow, a deep blue robe etched with mechanical patterns. His age was indiscernible, but his speech carried an ineffable aura. He eyed the other three and issued commands directly.

“Yes!”

Tian Meng and the other three exchanged glances and nodded without hesitation. Their internal energy rippled cautiously as they surveyed the area. News had spread faster than expected.

Great effort had been invested in forging these two swords, and they had waited here for years. Yet, a traitor within had leaked information, leading to the current predicament.

“The soul of that eagle is powerful. Though already forged, the best time to extract and refine it is at noon. The Tiger Soul Sword still needs a little more time. Instruct the Nong disciples not to scatter and to memorize the Earth Marsh Formation for defense. From my sensing, many experts of the Transcendent realm are present here.”

The group positioned themselves beside the giant stone by the icy spring under Tiger Leap Gorge. Nong disciples surrounded them. The four leaders whispered quietly, eyes vigilant as numerous experts from various schools had arrived.

Watching the Tiger Soul Sword being bathed by the icy spring nearby, the silver-masked blue-robed man’s voice carried a trace of sorrow. This time, he did not know how many Nong disciples would fall.

“Even the Mo family has come. For a hundred years, the Nong family had good relations with the Mo. I never imagined they would also come to compete. Such a betrayal of our past ties with the Mo’s great master!”

Among the four halls, Zhu Jia of the Divine Farmer Hall showed clear displeasure. Wearing a colorful mask with a hint of anger, though short in stature, his movements were agile. He glanced coldly at the Mo family nearby, who eyed them menacingly.

“Hall Leader Zhu is right. Not only the Mo family but also the Confucian scholars have come—a band of bookish robbers. They are truly despicable. The little sage village in the Sang Sea is nothing special either.”

Hearing Zhu Jia’s words, Situ Wanli of the Four Peaks Hall nodded in agreement, contemptuous of both the Mo and Confucian families, who constantly boasted of gentlemanly ways.

At these words, Tian Meng of the Mountain Hall also nodded. Though they had decent relations with these forces, the current situation was embarrassing. He snorted lightly and looked toward the silver-masked man.

“No need for more words. These people do not represent the Mo or Confucian families.”

The silver-masked man raised a hand, silencing the disputes among the three hall leaders beside him. With enemies outside and internal bickering, this was no good.

He then glanced at the Tiger Soul Sword beside the icy spring, which was gradually ceasing to be bathed. The sword’s fierce aura surged wildly, a renowned blade even without testing its edge.

“The Tiger Soul Sword is forged. You three move out immediately!”

Without hesitation, he ordered again. With three Nong family hall leaders and many disciples present, plus the Earth Marsh Formation for protection, the Tiger Soul Sword should be safe. As for the Eagle Sword, that would depend on fate.