Chapter 63: Azure Dragon Sword Formation

Myriad Sword Sect.

Falling Blossom Valley, Purple Qi Hall.

Before the hall lay a broad plaza paved with blue stone.

Tables for the banquet were arranged in neat rows.

The Myriad Sword Sect and the Eastern Spirit Sect sat on opposite sides, each led by three Golden Core Masters. Behind them, two rows of disciples were seated—Foundation Establishment disciples in front, Qi Refining disciples behind.

As a Qi Refining disciple with a special invitation, Jiang Min naturally found herself seated at the farthest end of the back row.

She came from humble beginnings, unaccustomed to grand occasions such as this. Attending such a formal banquet for the first time, she was at a loss for what to do. All she could manage was to imitate the other disciples: sitting upright and composed before the long table.

In front of her, several plates of fragrant fruit were arranged, alongside a jug of some fine wine—its delicate aroma enticing. Yet, seeing that no one else had touched the food or drink, Jiang Min, though tempted, dared not indulge.

All she could do was turn her head slightly to look toward the Golden Core Masters at the head of the gathering.

At that moment—

Both sides were making their introductions.

First, as the host, the Myriad Sword Sect.

At the seat of honor, a refined middle-aged Golden Core Master nodded to the members of the Eastern Spirit Sect and spoke in a gentle tone, “I am addressed as Master Wenyu, of the Heart-Refining Peak of the Myriad Sword Sect. This is Master Lingsu of the Sunrise Peak, and Master Xuanyue of the Sword-Nurturing Peak.”

Then, gesturing to the two Foundation Establishment disciples seated most prominently, he continued, “These two are the outstanding sword cultivators of our sect’s Foundation Establishment stage—Lin Guanyu and Luo Qingfeng. Both have attained the realm of Sword Intent.”

A subtle pride colored Master Wenyu’s words, his expression lifting slightly. For a Golden Core Master to personally introduce someone, they must possess some unique or remarkable quality.

Seated in the back row, Jiang Min was curious and glanced toward the two young Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Nearest the three Golden Core Masters sat a young woman in dark robes, composed and upright. Her features were youthful, clear, and unadorned. When Master Wenyu introduced her, she bowed politely, yet her face remained expressionless; her cold, indifferent eyes exuded a chill devoid of warmth.

This was Lin Guanyu, as Master Wenyu had named her.

Beside Lin Guanyu sat a tall young man, also in dark robes. His brows were sharp, his gaze bright and steadfast, his features resolute, and his demeanor upright and calm. This was the other sword cultivator, Luo Qingfeng.

Having introduced the two, Master Wenyu did not continue with the rest of the disciples, but instead looked toward Master Qingyou and said warmly, “Fellow Daoist Qingyou, may I trouble you to introduce the outstanding members of your sect? Just from their spirit and bearing, I find them all quite admirable.”

Master Wenyu’s words were courteous, and Master Qingyou responded in kind: “You flatter us, Fellow Daoist Wenyu. I have brought them here precisely to learn from your esteemed sect; these juniors still have much to master.”

She began by introducing two Golden Core Masters, named Zifeng and Qiyun, then several sword cultivator disciples seated near the front.

Jiang Min noticed that, behind Master Qingyou, two special seats had been set aside, occupied by a pair.

Both wore the purple robes of inner disciples—one a solemn, upright youth, the other a little girl of about five or six years, who sat properly but whose large, bright eyes darted about with curiosity.

Though Master Qingyou did not introduce these two, Master Wenyu took the initiative to inquire, “And these two juniors are—?”

Master Qingyou smiled lightly, “These siblings are the descendants of True Lord Qianyan—Yu Qinghe and Yu Qingqiu. They have accompanied us merely to observe and learn.”

“Oh? Descendants of True Lord Qianyan?”

At this, Master Wenyu’s expression grew more respectful.

True Lord Qianyan was the foremost sword cultivator among the Nascent Soul elders of the Eastern Spirit Sect. He had created the Qianyan Sword Style—an art as boundless and transformative as rivers merging into the sea, renowned even within the Myriad Sword Sect.

Master Qingyou, leading the delegation, was the senior disciple of True Lord Qianyan herself. Bringing along two younger kin was perfectly natural in the world of cultivation, and would only cause the Myriad Sword Sect to treat their guests with even greater regard.

With the introductions complete, the banquet finally began.

First, the Myriad Sword Sect put on a display for the Eastern Spirit Sect: their Thousand Swords Sword Intent Array.

Master Qingyou showed little interest—each time they came to discuss the Way of the Sword, the Myriad Sword Sect would showcase their Thousand Swords Array, each participant having attained Sword Intent. She had seen it countless times and grown weary of it. After all, their Eastern Spirit Sect did not specialize in swordsmanship and could hardly muster such numbers.

Still, while Master Qingyou felt indifferent, for the disciples visiting for the first time, the spectacle of the Thousand Swords Array was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

A thousand sword cultivators in black robes arranged themselves in a formation as intricate as a star-strewn sky, each corresponding to the others at a distance.

Then, as one, the sword cultivators released their Sword Intent. A thousand streams of intent emerged from different “stars,” merging into an ocean of Sword Intent.

A deep, resonant hum filled the air—not from wanton sword energy, but from the countless fine sounds of wind being rent, converging into a bone-deep vibration that sent shivers down the spine. Where the ocean of Sword Intent swept, even the air seemed to twist and shatter.

This display left the visiting disciples of the Eastern Spirit Sect thoroughly awed.

Jiang Min was no exception.

“So different sword cultivators can combine their Sword Intent into a formation. Though the disciples within are only Foundation Establishment cultivators, once the formation is complete, even a Golden Core master might find it difficult to contend with.”

Jiang Min had never seen Golden Core cultivators do battle and was not well-versed in their capabilities. She only knew that Golden Core Masters could ride the wind and summon storms, but as to their true power, she had no experience.

Still, even without full understanding, she heard Master Qingyou offering formal praise, “This sword array of your sect—even a Golden Core cultivator entering it would likely find it hard to withstand... Hmm?”

As she spoke, Master Qingyou’s gaze fell upon the Sword Intent Array.

Within the surging sea of Sword Intent, the hum grew ever more intense. The formless, intangible Sword Intent began to coalesce, gradually shaping itself into a massive dragon of pure Sword Intent, a hundred feet long. The dragon threw back its head and roared—a true dragon’s cry echoing through the air.

A deep, thunderous roar.

A fleeting hint of gravity crossed Master Qingyou’s violet eyes. In previous years, the Myriad Sword Sect’s sword array had never been able to manifest the true spirits of the Four Symbols.

An array capable of condensing such a true spirit—this Sword Intent Array could likely contend even with a Nascent Soul cultivator.

“What is this?” Master Qingyou turned to Master Wenyu in inquiry.

Master Wenyu chuckled, “Fellow Daoist Qingyou, this formation is called the Azure Dragon Sword Array. Over the past thousand years, our sect has studied and refined it from fragments of an ancient formation, constantly improving it. In previous years, due to various flaws, we did not display it. But now, having perfected the Azure Dragon Sword Array, we thought to present it here, hoping for your guidance, as well as that of Fellow Daoists Zifeng and Qiyun.”

The three Golden Core Masters from the Eastern Spirit Sect could not help but be amused.

“To seek your guidance?” they thought. “This is pure bragging.”

After all, the so-called ancient formation fragments were most likely relics from the ancient battlefield!

If not for the fact that the Eastern Spirit Sect also possessed its own treasured foundation, they would have had every reason to be envious.