Longzang

Chapter 394 Battle of the River of Oblivion
Wangchuan Tower is the most famous tower in Anxi County. It is nestled against the mountain and by the water, offering panoramic views and opportunities to admire the fish in the abyss. It is a place where the younger generation gathers to exchange poetry and martial arts, and elders of the clan often come here to listen to the rain, enjoy wine, and watch the changing world and the younger generation compete.

Nine is the ultimate number, hence the River of Oblivion has nine levels. Only young people who engage in poetry and swordplay have the chance to ascend to the ninth level. But not everyone can reach the ninth level; whether one can reach the top to discuss the Dao depends on the master's approval.

The elders often gather on the eighth floor, while the younger generation of prominent figures gather on the seventh floor.

To get to the seventh floor, you need to be qualified. Only seven people can be guests on the seventh floor. If a newcomer wants to go up to the seventh floor, they have to step on the previous person first.

Although Cui Tianlin was young, he was already a regular on the seventh floor. Ever since his Dao Foundation Immortal Sword returned to its rightful place, becoming one of the seven palace-guarding immortal swords of the Sword Palace, this window seat on the seventh floor had become his exclusive spot.

As night fell and the city lights began to illuminate the river, the twinkling lights reflected in the water like stars fallen from the heavens.

Cui Tianlin sat by the window, seemingly lost in thought.

A dozen or so young men and women sat at the table, all of whom had only been able to reach the seventh floor because of Cui Tianlin. If Cui Tianlin hadn't come, they wouldn't have been qualified to be on this floor. Among these people were many from families with better backgrounds than Cui Tianlin, and even ten years ago, many of them would have disdained to associate with him.

"Brother Lin, do you want to practice swordsmanship again?" a sweet-looking girl asked.

Cui Tianlin snapped back to reality and said, "Too much is as bad as too little. The first step in sword cultivation is cultivating the mind. Where the mind goes, that is the boundary of the sword. So you don't need to practice too much; just have the sword in your heart."

Immediately, someone cheered: "Brother Tianlin's words have truly awakened me from my dream! I now realize that my twenty years of sword cultivation have been completely misguided!"

Cui Tianlin was somewhat helpless, but still nodded politely. Whenever he tried to share his insights on swordsmanship with these people, he would always receive ambiguous responses. At such times, he could only repeatedly ponder Chun Tingyue's sword intent in his mind.

After everyone had shared their insights on swordsmanship, someone suddenly said, "A flying boat entered the city today, and someone saw Cui Yu return."

Another girl said indignantly, "That guy really doesn't know what's good for him. If it weren't for Brother Lin's magnanimity, we would have challenged him to a duel on the ninth floor long ago, to teach him a lesson. Honestly, Brother Lin has always wanted to give him the most important position. If you ask me, he should be taught a good lesson!"

"Brother Tianlin, why don't we take advantage of his return and challenge him to a duel? We've been wanting to see Chun Tingyue in person for a long time!"

The crowd erupted in another round of cheers.

Cui Tianlin suddenly seemed a little disheartened and said, "Forget it, there's no need to force him if he doesn't want to join."

Suddenly, a commotion arose downstairs, and everyone sitting on the seventh floor turned to look at the stairwell. The waiter downstairs said urgently, "The seventh floor is full, please don't make things difficult for me!"

Then came Cui Yu's voice: "And what about my seat? Who took it?"

"Young Master, you know perfectly well that if someone doesn't come for six months, their seat will be given to someone else. That's always been the rule!"

"How come I heard that some people haven't come for a year, but their seats are still there?"

"This one……"

Everyone was looking at Cui Tianlin. A year ago, Cui Tianlin went into seclusion in the Sword Palace to stabilize the Spring Court Moon and had indeed not returned.

Footsteps echoed on the stairs, steady and peaceful, as if even if the sky were to collapse before them, their steps would not falter.

Cui Yu went up to the seventh floor.

The waiter behind him was almost in tears, pleading, "It's not easy for me to make a living, young master..."

Cui Yu's gaze swept across the room, and a young man at one of the tables instinctively shrank back. This was Cui Yu's usual seat, which the boy had later taken. If Cui Yu wanted to take it back and challenge him again, the boy knew he was no match for Cui Yu.

Unexpectedly, Cui Yu didn't even glance at him, and directly asked Cui Tianlin, "Do you dare to fight?"

Cui Tianlin was clearly somewhat surprised, but he was not afraid of Cui Yu and said, "What is there to be afraid of?"

Cui Yu sneered: "Very well, then let's fight on the ninth floor! But your physical body is only average, so should we add some restrictions to this battle?"

Cui Tianlin said, "No need. When we fight the enemy in the future, do you think they will agree to any restrictions? When we fight, we should use all our skills."

Cui Yu let out another cold laugh: "I already warned you. I'll ask you one more time, do you want some restrictions added?"

Cui Tianlin couldn't help but feel angry, and said in a deep voice, "No need! Brother Yu, use whatever means you have."

"very good!"

Cui Tianlin's gaze passed over Cui Yu and landed on the tall young man behind him. This young man was almost invisible; Cui Tianlin only noticed his presence now.

The young men and women were very excited and rushed up to the ninth floor. The clan elders who had gathered on the eighth floor also went up to the ninth floor to watch the battle. In the blink of an eye, the news spread, and more and more people came. Everyone knew that this battle would determine who would lead the younger generation of the Cui family. This was perhaps the most important battle in Wangchuan Tower in ten years.

The ninth floor is exceptionally high, with the roof a full ten feet above the ground, supported by eight large pillars.

Cui Tianlin entered first, slowly drawing his magic sword. He ran his finger across the blade, instantly causing it to shimmer like rippling water. Cui Yu entered with two attendants, each carrying a large box.

Cui Yu opened the box and took out a peculiar magical artifact, which had three tubes and was quite heavy. An attendant set up a tripod and helped Cui Yu mount the artifact. Cui Yu then pulled out a ribbon covered with flying swords from another box, attached one end to the artifact, and then signaled that he could begin.

As usual, an elder explained the rules of the competition, which were nothing more than not using lethal force and not intentionally causing death. Then he struck the bronze chime, and the decisive battle began.

Cui Tianlin stood with his sword in hand and said, "Brother Yu is older than me, so please make the first move. I'll give you a three-hit handicap."

The young men and women watching nearby immediately showered him with praise, saying that Cui Tianlin was not only highly talented but also so humble and polite. They believed that if no extraordinary genius emerged in the next few decades, he would be the only choice to lead the entire Cui family.

Cui Yu ignored these words, but his ashen face betrayed his true feelings. He stared at Cui Tianlin and said, "It's not too late for you to admit defeat now."

Cui Tianlin smiled slightly and said, "There is no precedent for Sword Palace disciples to admit defeat."

Cui Yu sneered: "It seems you know nothing about my methods. Very well, I'll show you today!"

Cui Yudao urged his power, and the strange magic weapon suddenly made a clicking sound, the flying sword actually got stuck inside! The whole hall burst into laughter.

Cui Yu was also stunned, not expecting the magic weapon to malfunction at this time. He urged it several times, but the flying sword remained stuck in the gun barrel. The laughter around him grew louder and louder, and an elder said, "Strange tricks and gimmicks are ultimately not presentable."

This sentence has a double meaning, and it also insults Cui Yu in the process.

Helpless, Cui Yu reached out and flipped a switch on the magical artifact, then pulled the trigger. With a soft hum, the three barrels began to spin rapidly. He hadn't originally intended to use this mode.

Bang bang bang! The three flying swords shot out almost together, but were easily blocked by Cui Tianlin.

The onlookers were quite surprised, recognizing that each of the three sword strikes was equivalent to a strike from a Foundation Establishment cultivator, indicating considerable power. The magic weapon in Cui Yu's hand was likely quite extraordinary.

Cui Tianlin calmly said, "The three sword strikes have been completed; I am about to attack."

You can't win!

Cui Yu unleashed his Dao power with all his might, and the roar instantly engulfed the ninth floor, with countless flying swords converging into a torrent! Cui Tianlin's protective Dao technique only managed to hold out for three breaths before shattering, and he was sent flying backward like a broken doll falling into the river below.

Chun Tingyue slipped from his hand, twirled a few times, and then stuck into the floor. The sword light gradually dimmed.

After a moment of silence, a gasp rang out as someone leaped out to retrieve Cui Tianlin.

No one expected Cui Tianlin to be defeated so decisively, but the magic weapon in Cui Yu's hand was truly terrifying. In just a short moment, it had already unleashed hundreds of flying swords. Not to mention that Cui Tianlin was only at the Dao Foundation stage, even a Dharma Aspect stage cultivator would not be able to withstand it.

At this moment, the elder who had just spoken out against the strange and cunning techniques was now furious and shouted, "You dare to cheat! This battle is over!"

The elder walked towards Cui Yu, reached out and grabbed the strange magical artifact, saying, "This harmful thing cannot be allowed to live!"

Suddenly, a person appeared in front of him—it was Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "This thing is very expensive. If you break it even a little, you probably won't be able to afford to pay for it even if you sell everything you own."

The old man looked Wei Yuan up and down, then suddenly said, "You are Wei Yuan?"

"Exactly."

A buzz of discussion immediately arose around them. The discussion was not about Wei Yuan surviving the Great Curse of Cause and Effect, but about Wei Yuan's words to Xu Jiafang.

The old man narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "I heard you say that the Xu family's Dharma images are all trash. Then do you also think that my Cui family's Dharma images are all trash?"

Wei Yuan laughed heartily, his voice echoing across the land: "Old man, your tricks of sowing discord are so crude! You're already so old, why do you still seem so dim-witted? You should spend less time reading storybooks and more time reading history books."

The old man's face turned ashen with rage, his body radiating magical power as he unabashedly unleashed his late-stage Dharma Aspect cultivation.

A middle-aged man appeared behind Cui Yu without his noticing. He frowned slightly and was about to step forward, but Cui Yu stopped him and gently shook his head. The middle-aged man was somewhat surprised, so he simply observed the situation.

Wei Yuan glanced at the warrior wielding a large spear that appeared above the old man's head and instantly realized that this Dharma image was actually based on the spear, with the spear-wielding warrior merely serving as an auxiliary and embellishment. It was not even in the same league as Shangguan Qianmo's sword-wielding fairy.

Like the Dao Foundation, Dharma Forms also have varying levels, and the differences are even more pronounced. Generally speaking, the more spiritual power a Dharma Form possesses, the higher its rank. Therefore, a sword-wielding fairy is a level higher in rank than a simple immortal sword.

Although the old man in front of me was a late-stage cultivator, his Dharma body was still a long spear, and his spirituality was quite ordinary.

Having seen the old man's Dharma image, Wei Yuan knew what to expect and said, "I have always admired the Cui family, and Brother Yu and I are sworn brothers. I admire many Dharma image masters in the Cui family. But I must say that your Dharma image is indeed a bit rubbish. If you were removed, the overall reputation of the Cui family's Dharma images would rise by a level."

(End of this chapter)