Chapter 382 - 220: [Floating Light and Shadow Sword: (???/???)]

Chapter 382: Chapter 220: [Floating Light and Shadow Sword: (???/???)]

It had started to cool down on Cloud Mountain.

The crisp air of early autumn spread across Ruyun Peak. Although Cloud Mountain had never been particularly hot, the atmosphere of fall was gradually making itself known.

Red leaves had already appeared on some of the slopes. While it wasn’t yet the breathtaking sight of autumn blanketing the entire mountain, the crimson foliage was still strikingly conspicuous, a reminder of the season’s arrival.

Xie Yuan found the early autumn air pleasant. Autumn was a quiet season, but not a desolate one; it calmed the soul.

Perfect for cultivation.

Xie Yuan had spent a peaceful summer on the mountain and had planned to hide away on Ruyun Peak through the autumn days and winter winds as well, living the life of a secluded cultivator on an immortal peak.

But it seemed the mortal world was not yet ready to let him go.

That morning on Ruyun Peak, after Xie Yuan finished his sword practice with Instructor Lv, the disciples were breaking off into small groups to chat.

As he reviewed the practice session in his mind and packed up his things, ready to return to his courtyard for the next stage of his cultivation, he faintly overheard a few familiar names being discussed.

"Did you hear? The Small Hidden Dragon Meet in Jinling sent our Sect a special invitation this time!"

"I know, everyone’s talking about it. I heard the representatives have already been chosen."

"In past years, they just gave us a token invitation, right? Basically asking if we wanted to come or not, up to us. This year seems different..."

"Of course it is! During last year’s sword debate, our Sect Leader put on a magnificent display of power and completely won over the other Sects! The leaders of many of those so-called ’great powers’ can’t even hold a candle to him!"

"And Senior Brother Qin! He shot into the top ten of the Hidden Dragon List, putting the head disciples of so many Major Sects to shame. Now those Martial Artists from the prosperous southeast will finally have to take us seriously!"

"True. But to think it’s already been almost a year..."

Xie Yuan listened and nodded slightly.

During that sword debate with the Sword Storage Pavilion, it seemed like the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect hadn’t gained much of an advantage. They were fighting on their home turf and had even lost more matches.

But in the two most crucial duels, the Sword Sect’s performance had stunned many outsiders.

Li Xingtuo fought Wei Dong to a draw, and Qin Zhenyang lost to He Jin by only half a move. The results were completely unexpected. The outside world had never imagined that the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s core strength had reached a level nearly on par with the Sword Storage Pavilion.

Furthermore, considering the Sword Storage Pavilion’s attitude and the rankings provided by the Spring Rain Building, the situation was quite nuanced. After careful consideration, outsiders had no choice but to re-evaluate the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s true power.

As a result, the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s reputation had skyrocketed over the past year. Although it had always been a Major Sect dominating the western part of the Great Li, its prestige had grown daily, and it was gradually earning the title of a world-renowned Major Sect.

A man is known by his name, a tree by its shadow. And in the Martial Dao, sometimes the fight is all about one’s name.

With the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s name now resounding, its status naturally rose like a tide lifting all boats. This was evident in every aspect of its interactions with the outside world over the past year. Whether it was the respectful becoming more respectful, or the cautious becoming more cautious, it all spoke to the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s current standing.

Even a top expert from the Western Regions, the Ming King of the Great Vajra Temple, had to yield repeatedly when he encountered Li Xingtuo in the West Desert. He failed to gain any advantage in a dispute over some ancient ruins, and when news of this spread, it further solidified the power of both Li Xingtuo and the Sword Sect he led.

And so, this showcase for young prodigies, hosted by the great families of Jiangnan, had also sent a grand invitation to the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect this year.

Once your status is high enough, it’s no longer about you needing to attend an event to prove your worth; it’s about the event needing your presence to prove its own.

Of course, the Small Hidden Dragon Meet had been running for many years. Endorsed by several great families, this grand gathering of young Martial Artists had practically earned the reputation of a "Lesser East Sea Sword Debate," so its prestige was undeniable.

The great families of Jiangnan organized the Small Hidden Dragon Meet with the aim of giving their young, up-and-coming members—those who had yet to step onto the main stage—a chance to make a name for themselves and spar with their peers. It started as a small, internal exchange between a few great families and Sects, but it grew larger and larger, eventually encompassing all of Jiangnan and even influencing the entire Great Li empire.

Any Martial Artist under thirty, at or above the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm but not yet on the Hidden Dragon List, was eligible to participate. The competition was divided into two tiers: the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm and the Second Transformation Realm.

The Third Transformation Realm, naturally, was not included. A cultivator at the Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm was already considered a major figure, a Martial Arts Master capable of founding their own sect in many places. Anyone who reached the Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm before the age of thirty was guaranteed a spot on the Hidden Dragon List.

As a grand event jointly hosted by great families and Major Sects, the rewards for placing high were naturally generous. The top winner even had the chance to cultivate for a time in a secret realm or ancient ruins.

But the rewards were secondary. For many young Martial Artists, this was the stage where they first made a name for themselves. It was not uncommon for participants to ascend directly onto the Hidden Dragon List from the Small Hidden Dragon Meet, earning the title of a "Hidden Dragon."

To train in obscurity for a decade, only to become famous overnight after a single appearance on stage—this was the long-cherished dream of countless Martial Artists.

Therefore, the Small Hidden Dragon Meet drew immense attention. The competition was fierce, with experts as numerous as the clouds. Every year, those who ranked at the top were all heroes of their generation.

Xie Yuan was just wondering who had been chosen to go when he heard the disciples continue their discussion:

"Did you guys hear? Huang Zifeng from Bamboo Sword Peak is being sent to compete in the First Transformation Realm, and for the Second Transformation Realm, it’s Senior Sister Ning Zi."

"Senior Sister Ning? She’s leaving the mountain? Her name first started to spread after the duel between the two sects last year. Looks like she’s going to officially represent the Sword Sect at this grand event to make a name for the Sect—and for herself!"

"Sigh... Senior Sister Ning is so beautiful. Don’t you think a trip to Jinling will just attract a whole new batch of suitors for her? Sigh..."

"What are you sighing for? It’s not like you’d ever have a chance! But I hear the women in Jiangnan are gentle as water, petite and graceful. Maybe that’s the type they prefer over there. Someone like Senior Sister Ning..."