A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 349 Sword Forging City

Gu Xu walked on the wide and clean road, looking at the tall city wall not far ahead. A group of warriors were patrolling on it, and several gatekeepers holding long swords were checking the identities of those entering.

Above the city gate were three ancient seal characters, “Sword Casting City,” which were simple, profound, and exuded a sharp edge.

"The number one sect in the Northern Martial World is indeed worthy of its reputation. The guards and patrolmen alone are no less than first-class masters. No wonder the Supreme Alliance, which has been annexing various sects in the south, should not have rashly come to attack Sword Forging City."

Gu Xu walked slowly toward the city gate. When it came time for inspection, the gatekeeper looked solemn. He couldn't see through the Taoist in front of him, and no matter what, he couldn't remember the man's face. He dared not be careless and was about to call his companions when suddenly there was a commotion at the city gate. A group of elites walked out of the gate. The leader was the Sword Master of Sword Forging City, with a handsome young man beside him and four sword envoys as attendants. He was tall and strong, with a resolute face and bright eyes. He wore a magnificent robe with fire patterns, a crown with the sun and moon on his head, and a crimson longsword hanging at his waist.

"City Lord!"

Upon seeing the Sword Master appear, the disciples of Sword Forging City knelt and bowed in greeting. The Sword Master walked steadily to the outside of the city gate, his eyes fixed on the Taoist opposite him. He waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to get up and step aside.

"This must be Daoist Gu Xu. I have heard of your great reputation."

Sword Master has always adhered to the principle that the strong are respected. This Taoist priest has only been in the martial world for a few months, but he has done several great things in succession. He broke into the Supreme Alliance alone, fought with Guan Yutian without being at a disadvantage, and left calmly. Then he discussed the Dao at the Sea Shark Palace, forcing Helian Ba ​​to close his mountain for five years.

Sword Master believed his martial arts were no weaker than Guan Yutian and Helian Ba, but reaching that level was now absolutely impossible. Both the northern and eastern sects had been attacked by them, and now it was finally his Sword Forging City's turn.

"I have long heard that the sword-forging and sword-training techniques of Sword Forging City are unparalleled in the martial arts world, and I yearn for it. I wonder if I could ask the Sword Master to enlighten me, so that I may fulfill my wish?"

After Gu Xu finished speaking, the Sword Master's expression turned solemn, while the handsome young man beside him and the four sword envoys changed color in shock. This Taoist was truly impolite.

Just as the four swordsmen were about to draw their swords against each other, the Sword Master spoke up and said, "I understand what you mean, Daoist. However, since you have come to Sword Forging City, why don't you stay here for a few days? As for the martial arts competition, I will arrange the time properly and will not disappoint you."

Although the Sword Master is obsessed with martial arts, he is still the lord of a city, and all matters, big and small, in the city depend on him. If an accident were to occur, the impact would be considerable.

"I have heard that the scenery of Sword Forging City is not as beautiful as that of Jiangnan, but it has a sense of solemnity and grandeur. Now that we are here, I will trouble the city lord."

Upon hearing Sword Master's words, Gu Xu nodded slightly. Since this was the last stop, it would be good to have more time to explore. Sword Master was also relieved to see this and turned to the young man beside him, saying, "Xiong'er, you take the Daoist Master to explore the city. Don't neglect him."

"Got it, Dad."

The young man named Jianxiong nodded in agreement to Jianzun. Then Jianzun gestured to Gu Xu, saying, "Daoist, wine and water have been prepared in the city, please."

Gu Xu nodded, and Sword Master immediately took the lead, with Gu Xu trailing behind by half a step. The rest of the group followed closely behind, and they marched into the city in a grand procession, leaving the gatekeeper disciples looking at each other in bewilderment. They were all wondering who this Taoist was, that the city lord would personally greet him. They knew that even if the envoy of the currently powerful Supreme Alliance came, he would only be greeted by the Dragon Sword Envoy, which was already a great honor.

Gu Xu followed the Sword Master through the bustling streets, heading north. There, he saw a tall, straight mountain peak that looked like an upside-down sword, with red clouds swirling around it and a beam of azure light shooting straight into the sky.

Seeing Gu Xu staring at the mountain peak, the Sword Master's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he explained, "Daoist, that is where my Sword Forging City forges swords. More than 30% of the weapons in the martial world are forged by Sword Forging City, including many top-grade ones. The most famous of these is the Fierce Blood Sword. No less than 300 of these swords are forged every year, but only one of the highest quality is made every five years. Even so, it is extremely difficult to obtain one."

Although the Sword Master's tone was calm, his sense of pride was impossible to ignore. Gu Xu simply nodded when he heard this. To be fair, the Sword Master was right. One of the major sources of revenue for Sword Forging City was weapon forging, and the Sword Family had been passed down for three hundred years. Their swordsmanship was unmatched. The Sword Master was indeed qualified to say such a thing.

Sword Master frowned as he looked at Gu Xu's indifferent expression, as if Gu Xu didn't care much about what he had just said. Just then, Gu Xu pointed to the soaring azure pillar of light and asked, "City Lord, that azure light soars into the sky and does not dissipate. There must be an unparalleled divine sword being forged. It has such a grand aura even before it has been born. I wonder what kind of divine weapon it is."

Upon hearing this, the Sword Master was startled, but then realized that the Taoist carrying a long sword must be a master swordsman. It was not surprising that he could see the signs of a divine weapon being created, but to see that it had not been successfully forged was quite an achievement.

"I never imagined that you, Daoist, were also a master swordsman. I was mistaken."

After a pause, the Sword Master said as he walked, "A famous person doesn't beat around the bush. To be honest, Daoist, a peerless divine sword is being forged in the city right now. This sword has been forged for a full fifty-five years, and it will be completely completed in another five years. Its blue light will turn purple, and its purple light will turn white. Once this sword is drawn, all soldiers will bow down. It is the sword that will dominate the world."

"This sword took sixty years to forge, and it required a great deal of effort. It's understandable that it has such capabilities. I wonder if this sword is famous?"

"Named by our ancestors, the Frost-Piercing Sword!"

"Ling Shuang Sword, what a fine name."

Sword Master led Gu Xu to a magnificent three-story hall. After passing through many high gates, they finally arrived at a solemn hall. The plaque above the hall was blank, with only a crimson longsword wrapped in flame patterns.

"Taoist Master, please."

Sword Master gestured, and the two entered the main hall one after the other. Sword Hero and the four sword envoys followed. The rest of the people stood on both sides of the hall, staring intently at the outside.

Upon entering the main hall, Gu Xu looked at the spacious hall. The furnishings inside were very simple, unlike ordinary reception halls. Apart from a dozen or so tables, the rest of the furnishings were all weapon racks, with various long and short weapons hanging on them, especially longswords.

"The furnishings here, Lord City, are quite unique and have caught my eye."

Gu Xu had also visited the Supreme Alliance, where the decorations were extremely luxurious, with brocade pavilions and jade terraces, rainbow palaces and magnificent pools, gold and jade shining brightly, glass reflecting colors, silk curtains, and crystal decorations.

Although the Sea Shark Palace cannot compare to the Supreme Alliance, the various rare treasures in the sea are less artificial and more natural. Corals of all colors can be seen everywhere, and fist-sized pearls and precious shells fill the halls, making the Sea Shark Palace look like a dragon palace.

The Sword Master sat on the throne at the head of the table, feeling pleased as he listened to Gu Xu's words of praise. He would have been indifferent to such praise from others, but to hear it from a powerful figure like Gu Xu was a very respectable thing.

"I am honored by your kindness, Daoist Master. I am also following the ancestral teachings of the Jian family and dare not indulge in pleasure. It is the right way to be prepared for danger in times of peace. Daoist Master, please have some tea."

Sword Master raised his teacup and offered a toast to Gu Xu from afar. Gu Xu, seeing this, also picked up his teacup and took a sip. He found the tea bitter, even less flavorful than ordinary tea. However, after savoring it carefully, he discovered a unique taste. His senses seemed to become more acute, and a warm current flowed into his dantian. Gu Xu's mind stirred slightly, and he drank the tea in one gulp, gesturing to Sword Master.

"Master, this tea is a treasured possession of the city. It originally had no name, but because it is bitter and hard to swallow, I named it Bitter Tea."

Sword Master watched as Gu Xu calmly drank the tea, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. Although this bitter tea was called tea, it was actually an extremely potent tonic. Even a master like him would need three days to digest it with his internal energy. But judging from Gu Xu's unharmed appearance, it seemed that the tea had no effect.

"This tea is truly extraordinary. If one could drink it often, it would greatly benefit one's cultivation. I feel somewhat guilty that the city lord has treated me so well."

Gu Xu had a faint smile on his face, but his tone was very calm.

Upon hearing this, the Sword Master chuckled. Just then, a disciple entered from outside and said to the Sword Master at the head of the table, "City Lord, the banquet has been set up in the pavilion in the middle of the lake."

Upon hearing this, the Sword Master hummed in agreement, and the disciple immediately withdrew. After the disciple left, the Sword Master stood up and walked down the steps, gesturing to Gu Xu, and said, "Daoist Master, please."

As they spoke, Sword Master took the lead, Gu Xu followed half a step behind, and Sword Xiong and the others followed behind. The group left the main hall, crossed the Hundred-Step Bridge, and arrived at a pavilion with upturned eaves. The pavilion was quite spacious, and there was still room for the seven of them to enter. Inside the pavilion was a round table, which was already filled with various delicacies. After taking their seats according to rank, Sword Master gave Sword Xiong a look, and the latter immediately stood up, took the wine pot, and first poured wine for Gu Xu, then poured wine for Sword Master.

"This cup is to thank the Daoist for his presence in my Sword Forging City, which has brought honor to my humble abode."

As he spoke, Sword Master immediately raised his head and swallowed the wine in his cup. Seeing this, Gu Xu also raised his cup in salute and then drank the wine. The wine was extremely cold after entering his stomach, but it quickly became hot. The two strange forces, one cold and one hot, clashed with each other in his body. Gu Xu remained calm and oblivious. The two strange forces were quickly dispersed by the true qi that should have been generated in his dantian, turning into nourishing substances that were integrated into his true qi and slowly sank into his dantian.

Gu Xu watched as the Sword Master at the head of the table turned pale and then red on his face for quite some time before his complexion finally returned to normal. As for Jian Xiong and the others, knowing the potency of the wine, they only took a tiny sip, but even that tiny amount forced them to exert all their strength to neutralize it.

"Master, your internal strength is truly admirable. This wine is also a family heirloom, made with various precious medicinal herbs. Its medicinal power is extremely strong. If someone with insufficient cultivation drinks it, they will surely explode and die. I believe that I can neutralize the medicinal power within three quarters of an hour, which is already a sign of my extraordinary skill. However, compared with you, Master, I am still far inferior. I am just showing off my limited skills. Please forgive me, Master."

Gu Xu was naturally displeased that the Sword Master had tested him twice in a row, but the fact that the other party accepted the offer so readily made him value him even more.

"Although this Sword Master is arrogant and conceited, he is flexible and adaptable. Whether you say he submits to force or he has his own plans, since neither the Supreme Alliance nor the Sea Shark Palace is the best choice, it is better to choose Sword Forging City."

After Gu Xu arrived in this world, the jade pendant in his sea of ​​consciousness transmitted a divine thought: only by integrating the martial arts power of this world into one place could he leave.

Gu Xu initially intended to help the Supreme Alliance, but Guan Yutian was cunning and treacherous, and after just one meeting, Gu Xu was convinced that he was not a good partner. As for Helian Ba, the master of the Sea Shark Palace, he was a mean-spirited, ungrateful, ambitious but incompetent man who could even scheme against his sworn brothers and seize the foundation of the Divine Fire Sect's Bai Ting. In the end, Helian Ba ​​seized the throne of the Supreme Alliance by chance, but he was unable to hold onto it and died tragically at the hands of Guan Yutian, gaining nothing in the end.

Although the Sword Master, the city lord of Sword Forging City, has his flaws, he is still much better than Guan Yutian's cunning and Helian Ba's hypocrisy. Moreover, he is quite shrewd and does not act rashly. Overall, he is a worthy partner, which is why Gu Xu put Sword Forging City last.

"The city lord has gone to great lengths to test me. Let's call off the banquet today. City lord, if you can satisfy me in the martial arts competition, I will grant you one request."

Gu Xu stood up and spoke calmly to the Sword Master. Upon hearing this, the latter's expression changed, and his heart was in turmoil. If such an expert could be kept in Sword Casting City, it would surely greatly increase the strength of Sword Casting City, and there would be no need to be too wary of the Supreme Alliance.

"Is what you say true, Daoist Master?"

“Of course it is true. I always keep my word. I have long heard that the city lord’s Dragon-Riding Slash is famous throughout the martial world. I will use my sword to compete with the city lord.”

Gu Xu knew that to deal with such an arrogant person, he needed to defeat him with the opponent's most prized martial arts. He himself had some experience in swordsmanship, and this time he could test his skills against the number one swordsman of the Demonic Sword Life and Death Chess Seed.

"Alright, in three days, I, Jian, will learn your skills from you at Tianjian Square."

Upon hearing that Gu Xu wanted to duel him with a sword, the Sword Master was immediately filled with fighting spirit. He knew that if Gu Xu used any other martial arts, he would definitely lose. However, he had been immersed in swordsmanship for decades and had already mastered the Dragon Riding Slash to the eighth level. Although he had not yet mastered the ninth level, it was not impossible for him to reach it in a short time with the help of external forces.

To fulfill Gu Xu's promise, Sword Master has decided to use the last two "Sword-Boosting Pills." After taking these pills, one can increase their strength by 30%, but will be unable to fight for a month afterward.

The gains and losses flashed through the Sword Master's mind, and he quickly made a decision.

"Very well, then this humble Taoist will be eager to witness the City Lord's splendor."

Gu Xu looked at Jian Xiong and the four sword envoys who were gradually waking up, raised his wine cup and toasted Jian Zun from afar, then drank the cup down. Jian Zun's face turned slightly bitter upon seeing this, but he could only drink with him. As soon as the wine entered his body, the fiery and icy energy surged through his entire body, and his face kept changing from red to white. Seeing Gu Xu drinking wine cup after cup across from him, Jian Xiong and the others all changed color.

A moment later, the Sword Master opened his eyes, slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, glanced at Gu Xu, and turned to Jian Xiong, saying, "Xiong'er, take the Daoist to the Orchid Garden to rest."

"Yes, Father." Jianxiong responded, looked at Gu Xu, stepped out of the pavilion, gestured to the outside, and said, "Daoist, please follow me."

Seeing this, Gu Xu nodded to the Sword Master, turned around and left the pavilion, following the Sword Hero.

Just after the two left, the Dragon Sword Envoy said to the Sword Master, "City Lord, what exactly is the meaning of this Taoist's visit to Sword Forging City?"

He intimidated the Supreme Alliance, provoked the Sea Shark Palace, and finally came to the Sword Casting City. He visited all three major forces in the martial arts world. If you said he had no purpose, the Dragon Sword Master would never believe it.

"This person's origins are a mystery, but judging from his methodical approach, he is certainly no ordinary person. Whether he is friend or foe, we'll see in the duel three days from now. Dragon Sword Envoy, raise the city's defenses to the highest level in three days without any mistakes, or the four of you will have to answer to me with your heads!"

"Yes, City Lord!"

The four Dragon Sword Masters all agreed.

Just as Gu Xu entered Sword Forging City, far to the northwest, on a precipitous mountain peak, eagles circled in the sky before finally landing on a magnificent architectural complex embedded in the mountain.

At this moment, in a palace at the highest point of this complex, a middle-aged man with a sinister face, wearing a skull crown, a robe with ghostly patterns, and holding a long, pale white claw, was reporting news to Ru Shen.

"Lord, that Taoist priest has already entered Sword Forging City. That is the territory of the Sword Master. We dare not enter without permission. We have left a few spies outside the city. We will send back a message as soon as we have any news."

Liao Rushen turned around upon hearing this and saw that the man had a sallow complexion, piercing eyes, wore cloth clothes, and held a feather fan, which he waved from time to time.

“You have done a good job. Sword Master is arrogant. If he finds out, the consequences will be dire. Have those spies keep a close eye on Sword Forging City. I need to know everything that Taoist does.”

"Lord of the Fortress, is that Taoist really as powerful as the rumors say, capable of defeating Guan Yutian and Helian Ba? You must know that these two are both top-notch experts."

"What do you know? This Taoist's appearance is suspicious, and his strength is extraordinary. If I hadn't been a guest at the Supreme Alliance at the time and witnessed him fighting Guan Yutian to a standstill, but others couldn't see it, Guan Yutian knew that this Taoist must have held back. If he really got serious, Guan Yutian might not be his match."

Liao Rushen waved his feather fan hastily, his face also showing a solemn expression. He disliked things that were out of his control. This time, he personally came down the mountain to devise a plan for the Supreme Alliance and clear away obstacles to unifying the martial arts world. However, after this experience, Guan Yutian felt that his own strength was insufficient, so he slowed down his pace of annexing various sects and went into seclusion to cultivate. He entrusted all matters to his personal disciple, Ren Qianxing.

Ren Qianxing hated this kind of person who plotted in secret the most, so he used his power in the Supreme Alliance to exclude him. Liao Rushen was also very proud. Since the Supreme Alliance could not tolerate him, there was no point in staying there. He decided to return to Cangying Fortress to find out the origin of that Taoist.

“This person will surely be an obstacle to my great undertaking.” A sharp glint flashed in Liao Rushen’s eyes.

Where is the Immortal of Wine now?

"At Fengchen Residence, but according to reports from scouts, the Wine Immortal seems to be heading to Yunmeng Marsh to find the Fire Toad to brew Overlord Wine."

"Well, since the Supreme Alliance won't work, we'll have to go with the Sea Shark Palace. Helian Ba ​​is ambitious but incompetent, and he's always coveted the Overlord Wine. This is a perfect opportunity to give him a great gift. Immediately send this news to Helian Ba's ears."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)