Shaking his head with a wry smile, Cangxuan knew Qi Yan was undoubtedly responsible for Xiao Chen’s injuries.
His second disciple’s temper was indeed too fiery; nowadays, everyone in the entire East Sword Pavilion paled at the mere mention of her name.
Even the Core Disciples were unwilling to cross this Mother Yecha.
He didn’t call her out on it.
After another wry smile, Cangxuan had the two of them sit before him, his expression turning serious as he spoke.
“There’s a matter I need you two to handle.
A Spirit Vein has been discovered in the Sword Demon Mountain Range.
According to preliminary surveys, its reserves are vast.
However, because the Sword Demon Mountain Range is located on the border between our East Sword Pavilion and the Blood Demon Hall, we have a disagreement with them over its ownership…”
Cangxuan spoke slowly.
Upon hearing him, both Xiao Chen and Qi Yan’s expressions grew serious.
A Spirit Vein was essential to any sect.
The Spirit Stones mined from it were not only the common currency among Martial Artists but also a necessity for cultivation.
An untapped Spirit Vein was more than enough to make a power as great as the East Sword Pavilion go to war.
‘East Sword Pavilion and the Blood Demon Hall,’ Xiao Chen mused.
He didn’t know much about the Blood Demon Hall, but fortunately, Qi Yan was beside him to explain.
According to her, the Blood Demon Hall was also a great power in the Dongyang Domain, with a sphere of influence that covered nine great empires and an overall strength comparable to the East Sword Pavilion.
After getting a basic understanding of the situation with the Blood Demon Hall, Xiao Chen looked to Cangxuan and asked, “Master, does this mean the East Sword Pavilion and the Blood Demon Hall are going to war?”
It was indeed possible to go to war over a Spirit Vein.
If the two behemoths—the East Sword Pavilion and the Blood Demon Hall—erupted into an all-out war, it was no exaggeration to say the entire Dongyang Domain would instantly be engulfed in the flames of war.
Even the other major powers might get involved.
Hearing Xiao Chen’s anxious question, Cangxuan shook his head.
“It hasn’t reached that point.
After all, the implications of an all-out war are too great, and it could easily spiral out of control.
Therefore, after negotiations between our leadership and the Blood Demon Hall’s, we’ve decided to determine the Spirit Vein’s ownership through a tournament…”
An all-out war wouldn’t be started lightly.
So, after mutual negotiations, it was ultimately decided that each side would send three disciples to compete.
The winner would be determined by the best of two out of three matches, and the victorious side would gain full ownership of the Spirit Vein.
Of course, there were requirements for the three disciples being sent: one each from the Earth Mirror, Xuanyuan, and Yellow Extreme Realms.
In other words, a disciple from each Great Realm would compete to ensure fairness.
“One from the Earth Mirror Realm, one from the Xuanyuan Realm, and one from the Yellow Extreme Realm?” Xiao Chen repeated softly.
“That’s right,” Cangxuan replied.
“This time, your Eldest Senior Brother will represent the East Sword Pavilion’s Earth Mirror disciples.
As for the remaining two spots, I plan to send you two.
It just so happens that one of you is in the Xuanyuan Realm and the other is in the Yellow Extreme Realm.”
‘He’s planning to send all three of us?
Eldest Senior Brother and I are one thing; after all, one’s a Core Disciple and the other is an Inner Sect Disciple, and we’re both top performers.
But Xiao Chen… although he’s in the Yellow Extreme Realm, he’s only just starting out.
To have him represent the East Sword Pavilion’s Yellow Extreme Realm disciples… this is…’
“Master, Junior Brother is only just beginning his cultivation.
Sending him… isn’t that a bit…?” Even Qi Yan felt it was a bad idea.
After all, Xiao Chen’s cultivation was too low—though, of course, that was because he had been training for such a short time.
In the face of Qi Yan’s doubt, Cangxuan simply smiled faintly.
“It’s fine.
There is still a year until the appointed time, so Chen’Er has time.
Besides, other than Chen’Er, I don’t believe anyone else in the Outer Courtyard can contend with the Blood Demon Hall’s Celestial Blade…”
“Celestial Blade?
Master, are you referring to Celestial Blade, the number one person in the Blood Demon Hall’s Outer Sect?” Qi Yan’s expression changed slightly as she asked.
Compared to the Blood Demon Hall, the East Sword Pavilion’s Outer Sect was at a complete disadvantage.
The root of this disparity was Celestial Blade himself.
As the top disciple of the Blood Demon Hall’s Outer Sect, Celestial Blade was only nineteen, but his life had been the stuff of legends since he was a child.
He was somewhat similar to Xiao Chen, having also displayed the potential of a true dragon from a young age.
After joining the Blood Demon Hall, he advanced with unstoppable momentum, reaching the Great Perfection of the Yellow Extreme Realm at the age of nineteen.
He had also defeated every opponent in the Blood Demon Hall’s Outer Sect to become their undisputed number one disciple.
It was rumored that Celestial Blade had even comprehended Blade Qi and had already reached the Small Success Realm with it.
He had also once crossed an entire Great Realm to slay a Martial Artist who had just entered the Xuanyuan Realm.
It was no exaggeration to say that if Celestial Blade represented the Blood Demon Hall for the Yellow Extreme Realm match, there was truly no one in the East Sword Pavilion who could stand against him.
If Wang Hu were to face Celestial Blade, he likely wouldn’t last even ten moves.
She fell silent.
After a long moment, Qi Yan finally spoke up, “But Master, even so, Junior Brother is no match for Celestial Blade.
He’s only at Small Success in the Yellow Extreme Realm.
I wouldn’t even be confident in him winning if they were at the same level, let alone challenging him from a lower one.
How is that any different from suicide?”
‘Defeating Celestial Blade from a lower realm is just too difficult.
After all, he’s a Celestial Pride who can also fight opponents in higher realms—an entire Great Realm higher, at that.’
Faced with Qi Yan’s doubt, Cangxuan chuckled.
“That’s why I said there’s still time.
The Spirit Vein needs further surveying, so the disciples’ competition won’t begin for another year.
During this year, I plan for you to take Chen’Er out to gain experience.
With your guidance, I’m confident he will grow rapidly.
You must remember, Celestial Blade is also only nineteen.
What he can accomplish, Chen’Er can naturally do as well.
Moreover, if Chen’Er can survive under your tutelage for one year, I believe he will undergo a fundamental transformation.”
Hearing Cangxuan’s words, an excited smile crept onto Qi Yan’s face.
‘What is Master implying?
That I can torment my dear junior brother as much as I please?’
She was already getting excited.
Indeed, if Xiao Chen could survive for a year under her training without dying, even she believed he would undergo a complete transformation.
She stared at Xiao Chen as if sizing up her prey.
Meeting her gaze, Xiao Chen shivered involuntarily.
‘Is this some kind of joke?’
‘I only spent a few moments with Qi Yan and I already felt like I was at death’s door.
A whole year?
That’s insane!
And this time, Master himself gave the order, so Qi Yan will be completely unrestrained.
With her personality, who knows what kind of twisted games she’ll play with me.
Can I really survive her for a whole year?’
With a bitter look on his face and without a shred of hesitation, Xiao Chen turned directly to Cangxuan.
“Master, I think I should just cultivate by myself.
Second Senior Sister is a busy person; she shouldn’t have to waste her time on me…”