The First Sword of the Universe

Chapter 529: The Beginning.
When Ding Chunqiu, the Old Monster of the Stars, arrived at Zhongnan Mountain, his team caused a great sensation.

Several drunken gangsters were instantly turned into puddles by the corpse-dissolving liquid, leaving the countless onlookers present terrified and their hands and feet ice-cold.

In many people's minds, if those people had been killed by swords or weapons, or by fists or limbs, they could still maintain the mentality of bystanders, sighing at their corpses and lamenting their bad luck.

But dying from an invisible poison is hard to accept.

Or rather, it's something my mind can hardly bear.

Because killing with unseen, intangible forces is more unpredictable, eerie, and terrifying than killing with visible, tangible forces.

People tend to feel fear and apprehension towards things that are unpredictable.

Therefore, the Starry Night Old Monster and his Starry Night Sect, who used poison to kill people, were feared and dreaded.

The Xingxiu faction's group swaggered through the market without stopping, instead setting up camp in a nearby mountain valley.

The disciples went into the nearby mountains and forests, cut down trees, moved stones, and quickly built house after house in the mountain valley.

For martial arts practitioners, as long as they are willing to put in the hard work, they can easily build a house for the night in a very short time.

The only difference lies in whether those houses are exquisite or sturdy.

The houses built by the disciples of the Xingxiu Sect were all kinds of twists and turns.

However, the house built for their master, the Starry Sky Old Monster Ding Chunqiu, was incredibly sturdy and exquisitely luxurious.

To make his travels easier, Ding Chunqiu specifically took on several apprentices skilled in carpentry and craftsmanship.

He then packed the blankets, tableware, wine jugs, paintings, ornaments, tables, chairs, and benches he needed for his trip into huge wooden boxes, which were then carried by some of his strong and powerful disciples.

This way.

Wherever he went, he could live in exquisite and comfortable houses, use tableware made of gold and silver, and enjoy a life of luxury that ordinary people could not imagine.

Ding Chunqiu occupied that mountain valley, and within a radius of several miles, no one dared to approach.

Just as the martial arts world was buzzing with discussion about the arrival of the Starry Constellation Old Monster.

Not a few days.

Another distinguished person has graced us with their presence.

As the melodious chanting of Buddhist hymns filled the air, the rich aroma of sandalwood and other spices wafted through the air.

A large group of Tibetan monks in yellow robes came in.

In the center of the group.

Sixteen imposing Tibetan monks, with dignified and solemn faces, with half of their muscular chests exposed, were carrying a carriage on their high, prominent shoulders.

This carriage was different from the one ridden by Ding Chunqiu, the Old Monster of the Star Constellation. It was painted with golden lacquer and had Buddhist scriptures written in Sanskrit on it. Cherry blossoms were falling from all four sides.

The entire piece exudes an air of sacredness and extravagant nobility.

Through the gaps in the falling cherry blossoms, one can see a Tibetan monk dressed in a blue robe sitting inside.

His face was like a full moon, his ears like drooping pearls, and his eyes were lowered, yet his compassionate and peaceful demeanor was undeniable.

I wonder where this monk from the Western Regions came from, acting so ostentatiously.

Those with good connections recognized the Tibetan monk's face in the carriage and immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"This person is Kumārajīva, the national preceptor of the Tibetan Kingdom."

"It is said that this person is a master of Buddhism, unparalleled in the Western Regions, and also possesses unparalleled martial arts skills, making him famous throughout the world."

"So it's him. I've heard of him before; I never imagined he would travel such a long distance to the Central Plains of my Great Song Dynasty to participate in this Ascension Ceremony."

"Hey, you don't know, Master Kumārajīva once appeared in Suzhou City, but he didn't stay for long before disappearing."

"I also know that news. I heard that he was defeated and, disheartened, returned to Tibet."

"I see. But this Ascension Ceremony is quite prestigious, no wonder he's come to the Central Plains again."

The surrounding martial arts practitioners dared only to talk in hushed tones, not daring to make a loud noise.

They also knew that the Tibetan national preceptor, Kumārajīva, was someone they, as lowly figures in the martial arts world, could not afford to offend.

After the Xingxiu Sect's killing spree a few days ago to establish their authority, no fool dared to stand in the way of the important figures.

Therefore, Kumārajīva and his party encountered no interception and passed through the market in a grand procession, setting up camp at the foot of a nearby mountain.

The Xingxiu Sect's encampment was not located in the same market as that of Kumārajīva's group, thus avoiding the possibility of direct conflict.

In the following two or three months, more and more martial arts sects and Jianghu figures came to Zhongnan Mountain.

Whether they were from the Song Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty, the Western Xia Dynasty, the Western Regions, or even martial artists from overseas countries.

at the same time.

The various factions and political parties under the jurisdiction of the Lingjiu Palace of Tianshan have also selected many experts and skilled fighters to come to Zhongnan Mountain to await orders at any time.

Zhongnan Mountain.

It became more lively and prosperous day by day, and the number of people from the martial arts world also increased day by day.

Among these people, some had personal grudges and refused to submit to the jurisdiction of the sect alliance, wanting to seek revenge and kill each other.

There are also some people who drink all day long and inevitably act in a dissolute manner. Because they are full of energy, they are eager to fight over the slightest friction or collision.

Seeing this situation, the leaders of the various sect alliances knew that forcibly suppressing it was not a solution.

Therefore, arenas were set up in the middle of the main streets of various markets, so that martial arts practitioners with personal grudges could settle their scores on the stage.

At the same time, it also provides a platform for those martial arts practitioners who have plenty of energy but nowhere to vent it to go up on stage and fight with others; to determine a winner and a ranking, and to wear down their blood and temper.

As a result, the scene of martial arts competitions in the arena was more bustling than all the businesses in the dozen or so markets combined.

Almost day and night, people would go up on stage to compete.

If it weren't for the many renowned martial arts masters judging and protecting them, many martial arts practitioners would probably fall on the arena every day.

Even so, every day there are still people who die tragically because the battles are too dangerous, or because the renowned martial arts masters who are in charge of judging and protecting them are unable to stop them in time.

Those who go up to the arena to fight every day are either greenhorns, inexperienced youngsters, or people who want to make a name for themselves by relying on their martial arts skills.

Truly accomplished martial arts masters and leaders of various sects and gangs would never step into the arena to compete with others.

Firstly, it's because their high status makes them unsuitable to go on stage and fight with others, as it would lower their status unnecessarily.

Secondly, they all know how to cherish their current reputation, and unless absolutely necessary, they will never go on stage to fight with others.

Even if we win, we won't gain anything.

If you lose, there will be a whole host of negative consequences.

Those martial artists who have risen to the rank of renowned figures in the martial arts world have experienced countless trials and tribulations and witnessed numerous conspiracies and schemes. Their martial spirit has been tempered and refined, and even the most angular edges have become more rounded.

With the establishment of the martial arts arena, the lives of martial arts practitioners who gathered in Zhongnan Mountain became increasingly colorful.

People who are intelligent and cautious are, after all, only a minority.

The vast majority of martial arts practitioners are impulsive and extroverted, so there is a constant stream of people jumping into the ring to fight.

As the number of martial arts practitioners increases, some rising stars in the martial arts world will inevitably emerge and make a name for themselves on the stage.

As the martial arts practitioners of Zhongnan Mountain became increasingly engrossed in the fierce competition and battles in the arena, time quietly slipped away amidst their daily shouts and excited cheers.

Before we knew it, the Double Ninth Festival, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, had quietly arrived.

This day.

The sky was clear and cloudless.

The rising sun casts its bright rays upon the earth and mountains, illuminating the night in Zhongnan Mountain.

The fighting arenas in the dozen or so markets at the foot of the mountain have been sealed off.

The martial arts tournament, which had been a lively affair for two or three months, has now come to an end.

Even if some people get carried away with excitement these days, others will remind them.

Early in the morning, all the martial arts practitioners in the market began to gather in Zhongnan Mountain.

Many people arrived in Zhongnan Mountain ten to fifteen days in advance, eagerly awaiting the convening of this ascension ceremony.

only.

The news of this ascension ceremony spread abruptly throughout the martial arts world, without specifying which mountain in Zhongnan Mountain it would take place on.
Therefore, everyone gathered only on the outskirts of Zhongnan Mountain, waiting for the top masters who came to attend the meeting to arrive before deciding which direction to move in.

The sun was high in the sky.

As the group of martial arts practitioners grew increasingly anxious, someone suddenly shouted loudly.

"Look, a deity has descended to earth!"

Everyone was startled by the shout and looked up at the horizon.

Then a figure appeared, riding on surging white clouds, leaving a long trail in the air, rapidly approaching Zhongnan Mountain.

This scene immediately drew gasps of surprise from many people.

"My goodness, riding on auspicious clouds, soaring through the air—truly a celestial being descended to earth!"

"There can't be any gods in this world. Even if there were, they couldn't possibly appear before us mortals."

"Are you saying the auspicious clouds beneath that person's feet were fake? Or are you saying that all of us were mistaken?"

"No, no, no, I'm not saying everyone saw it wrong. I just want to say that the auspicious cloud the newcomer is standing on should be a kind of martial arts technique, a martial arts technique that allows him to fly by controlling his qi."

"Flying using Qi? So the person who came is a legendary top expert of the Heavenly Realm???"

"Could he be one of the organizers of the Ascension Ceremony?"

"Is it really him? He is indeed extraordinary and remarkable; however, how come he looks so young?"

"Yes, the legendary experts of the Heavenly Realm are all old immortals with white hair and beards. This person looks only twenty or thirty years old. How could there be such a young expert of the Heavenly Realm?"

"Incredible! Absolutely unbelievable! Compared to this peerless expert, I've wasted my entire life, barely even reaching the Earth Realm. I'll never even dream of touching the Heaven Mirror in this lifetime."

"Incomparable, utterly incomparable. This person must be an unparalleled genius, one in ten thousand, to have become a top expert in the Heavenly Realm at such a young age."

"The ancients were right; the world is vast and full of hidden talents. I pride myself on being a knowledgeable person, yet I cannot recognize this master's name or nickname."

"Don't even mention you, none of us know this top expert, nor do we know which sacred mountain he's secluded in to cultivate in seclusion."

As everyone was discussing this, the white cloud that had flown from the horizon arrived above them.

Xu Xingchen, dressed in a blue robe, was tall and slender with a fair and jade-like face, gentle and bright eyes, and black hair that danced lightly behind her.

It gives people a sense of peace mixed with a distant and ethereal feeling.

It's something you can only dream of, but never reach!

Xu Xingchen stopped the white cloud beneath his feet and glanced down at the densely packed martial arts practitioners below.

A serene smile appeared on his face, and his leisurely voice echoed among the mountains, reaching the ears of everyone within a radius of several miles.

"My name is Xu Xingchen. I have come to Zhongnan Mountain today to hold the Ascension Ceremony. I am delighted to have so many fellow martial artists here to witness the event."

"However, when I'm fighting with some friends in the mountains later, I hope you all won't get too close."

"We can fly by controlling the air, so the earth, mountains, trees, and rivers will not become obstacles for us."

"The area we can move around in is very wide, affecting both the sky and the ground."

"If you all stand too close, you could easily lose your lives."

Therefore, don't say you weren't warned.

After hearing Xu Xingchen's words, the group of martial arts practitioners below were both excited and nervous.

Some people were silent.

Some people loudly inquired about Xu Xingchen's background.

Some people even tried to get close to him, saying they wanted to visit him.

Xu Xingchen ignored all of these voices.

They rode directly on the white clouds beneath their feet, flying towards the mountains.

They didn't venture too deep into the Zhongnan Mountains, but stopped atop a majestic peak.

This mountain is tall and majestic, with ever-changing scenery.

Rivers, trees, flowers, birds, fish, insects, cliffs, waterfalls, and springs.
Various scenic spots are scattered throughout the mountains and valleys, offering everything imaginable.

This mountain was the highest peak within a radius of several dozen miles, and it was also the site where Wang Chongyang later established the Quanzhen School.

However, Wang Chongyang's whereabouts are still unknown, and the Quanzhen Sect he founded has not even left a trace.

Xu Xingchen chose this place to hold the Ascension Ceremony on a whim, wanting to leave behind some legends of immortals for the Quanzhen Sect in the future.

The group of martial arts practitioners who followed Xu Xingchen's route into Zhongnan Mountain saw his figure stop in the distance and knew that the Ascension Conference was being held.

Some simple-minded, reckless, or fearless individuals are still rushing forward, trying to get closer to witness the epic battle between the top masters of the Heavenly Realm.

Most cautious people stayed on nearby hilltops where they could see the mountain peak in the distance.

Those who practice martial arts all have sharp ears and eyes; even from several miles away, they can clearly see the great battle that will take place on that mountain.

This ascension ceremony, while anticipated, should not have blinded them to greed or led them to make any inappropriate arrangements.

(End of this chapter)