CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 91 NANZHOU HUNDRED FLOWERS RANKINGS, A MIGHTY RECRUITMENT TOOL (5300 CHARACTERS)_3

In that case, even a spot in the top five of the Golden Core Ranking might not be out of reach. This was also the tremendous advantage disciples from Cave Heaven Immortal Sects held over those from Blessed Land level Sects, smaller sects, and rogue cultivators. After all, even when cultivated to the Major or Grand Completion Realm, the techniques taught by ordinary rogue cultivators were vastly inferior in power to Li Zuoyue’s ’Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture’ at the Minor Completion Realm. How could they possibly compete?

Of course, the more powerful a technique, the more profound and abstruse it tends to be. As an exclusive skill of the Sword Sect, over ninety-nine percent of the disciples couldn’t even grasp the basics of the ’Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture.’ The fact that Li Zuoyue could cultivate it to the Minor Completion Realm during his Golden Core Stage was already a stunning achievement, largely thanks to his innate Sword Bone. To master it to the Major Completion Realm before reaching the Nascent Soul Stage and undergoing the Soul Metamorphosis and Sublimation was by no means an easy feat.

***

Looking at the rankings on the list, Li Zuoyue curled his lip. "Only seventeenth? What’s there to be surprised about?" he said dismissively. "That record of twelve swords flying simultaneously was from last year; it’s long outdated. I’m not boasting, but when I go all out now, I can wield eighteen Flying Swords to attack my enemies. Ordinary third or fourth-level Nascent Soul Stage cultivators are like helpless chickens and dogs before my blade, utterly unable to withstand a single blow."

[DING!]

[Boasting detected. Congratulations to the Host for gaining Mana +99.]

Seeing the proud look on Li Zuoyue’s face, Wang Xiu showed genuine admiration. "Senior Brother is truly worthy of being the strongest prodigy of the Sword Sect. A heaven-sent martial genius, unparalleled in this world."

At this, Li Zuoyue’s chest swelled with pride.

Li Longhao scratched his head and asked curiously, "If that’s the case, cousin, why don’t you challenge the top ten of the Golden Core Ranking and win glory for our Sect? Why not go challenge them right now? We can cheer you on!"

Li Zuoyue was left speechless.

Seeing his cousin’s face practically screaming the word ’anticipation,’ Li Zuoyue couldn’t help but feel a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Thanks a whole bunch! I say I can wield eighteen swords, and you actually believe me?

At full capacity, Li Zuoyue could control sixteen Flying Swords at most. If he were to really challenge the Golden Core Ranking, moving up two or three places wouldn’t be difficult. But if he were to directly challenge the top ten, he would most likely be beaten so badly he wouldn’t recognize his own mother. After all, the higher one climbed the Golden Core Ranking, the more monstrous those cultivators were! Wielding eighteen swords simultaneously only gave him a "chance" to break into the top ten; with sixteen, he’d just be serving himself up on a platter for a thorough humiliation.

Sensing the increasingly awkward atmosphere, Wang Xiu stepped in with a smile. "As the saying goes: lie low for three years to burst forth in glory, stay grounded for three years to soar to the heavens. Senior Brother Zuoyue possesses supreme talent in the Sword Dao, and naturally, he has the supreme pride to match. The top ten of the Golden Core Ranking is nothing but empty fame. I’m sure Senior Brother doesn’t care about such things; his only concern is honing his own Sword Dao."

"The cultivation of the Sword Dao requires one to endure loneliness, to refine the heart of the sword in solitude," Wang Xiu continued. "My guess is that the reason Senior Brother doesn’t challenge the top ten is because he fears that entering their ranks would bring endless challenges and disturbances from other prodigies, affecting his own cultivation!

"Besides, what’s so special about being in the top ten of the Golden Core Ranking? With Senior Brother Zuoyue’s supreme talent in the Sword Dao, it won’t be long before he cultivates the ’Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture’ to the Major Completion Realm, or even the Grand Completion Realm. When that time comes, with twenty-four swords flying in unison and merging into one, you could seize the top spot on the Golden Core Ranking in a single, dominant move. Wouldn’t that bring even greater glory to our Sword Sect?"

Having said that, Wang Xiu looked at Li Zuoyue with a face full of adoration. "Senior Brother, that’s what you’re thinking, right?"

Li Zuoyue felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple.

The top spot? Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t even dare to dream of it! It’s important to know that the ’Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture’ is profound and obscure, secretly aligned with the infinite changes of the twenty-four solar terms. The more one comprehends it, the vaster and deeper it becomes. Even for me, born with a Sword Bone, comprehending it is an arduous task. To wield twenty-four swords at once during the Golden Core Stage? Unthinkable. I don’t even dare to think about it. As for the abilities of the Grand Completion Realm, like the ’Twenty-Four Swords Combined Ultimate Kill,’ ’One Sword Engendering Three Thousand Seasonal Changes,’ and the ’Sword Formation Harnessing the Power of the Seasonal Celestial Phenomena’... those mysteries are even more unfathomable. I estimate that even if my Cultivation Level breaks through to the Emergence Stage, it would be practically impossible for me to fully grasp them. I’m afraid only by breaking through to the Saint Manifestation Stage and using the power of Faith Fire to comprehend the Dao would there be a slim chance of reaching such a realm. At least, as far as I know, none of the current Elders in the Sword Sect have reached that state.

However, faced with Wang Xiu’s adoring, fanboy-like expression, how could Li Zuoyue bring himself to explain all that?

Wouldn’t that be a slap in my own face? If I lose my prestige now, how disappointed would Junior Brother Wang Xiu be? That’s the thing about boasting. Once you let out a good one, you often need to tell ten more just to cover for it. Still, compared to that gullible simpleton Li Longhao, going along with Wang Xiu’s flattery feels far more satisfying. Fine, let’s keep it up! After all, I’m just talking about the Li Zuoyue who has mastered the ’Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture’ to the Major and Grand Completion Realms. A Li Zuoyue who doesn’t exist. What does that have to do with the Li Zuoyue who’s only at the Minor Completion Realm?

At this thought, Li Zuoyue’s face flushed slightly as he coughed. "Ahem, well... that’s only natural! My goal has never been merely the top ten of the Golden Core Ranking, but the top spot... or at least the top three. Once I cultivate the ’Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture’ to the Major Completion Realm... with twenty-four swords flying at once, who in the same realm could possibly oppose me?"

[DING!]

[Rampant boasting detected, triggering a critical boast and reaching the System’s satisfaction peak. Congratulations to the Host for gaining Mana +288 and Mana Quality +288.]

[Congratulations to the Host for receiving: the Complete Experience Card for the "Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture"!]

***

Listening to the voice ringing in his mind and feeling the warm current of Mana pouring into his body, Wang Xiu’s eyes narrowed slightly, a look of blissful intoxication on his face. He felt utterly ecstatic.

As expected of the true First Senior Brother of the Sword Sect, an unparalleled genius born with the Sword Bone. His skill in the Dao of boasting is in no way inferior to Senior Jiang’s. First, he coughed up the Heaven and Earth Longevity Demon Slaying Slash, and now he’s given up his signature ’Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture.’ What incredible righteousness! Senior Brother Zuoyue, your righteousness truly reaches the heavens! It’s a shame we didn’t meet sooner! It’s truly a shame!

***

Just as the six of them were seated, the food and wine had been served, and their conversation was in full swing, a melodious zither tune suddenly arose within the Phoenix Perch Building. It was elegant and graceful, its notes seeming to linger long after they were played. In an instant, every customer in the building closed their eyes slightly, a look of pure enjoyment on their faces.

"It’s Miss Feiyin!" Li Zuoyue’s face lit up with joy. "Junior Brother Wang, you’re really in luck! To come to the Phoenix Perch Building for the first time and hear Miss Feiyin playing her signature piece—the ’Light Clouds Drifting Melody’!"