Chapter 60 - 38: Daoist Magical Treasure, White Rainbow Sword

Chapter 60: Chapter 38: Daoist Magical Treasure, White Rainbow Sword

"However, for the vast majority of Cultivators, the Shifeng Spirit Charm still saves a significant amount of time spent honing Sword Techniques."

Li Yinsheng was somewhat surprised. "Doesn’t that mean Cangfeng Temple actually has two Spirit Veins under its name?"

He had thought that all Daoist Temples under a Dharma Vein only possessed a single Spirit Vein, although the one at Washing Sword Mountain couldn’t be considered a normal Spirit Vein.

"No, I only said that Washing Sword Mountain is adjacent to Cangfeng Temple; I never said it belonged to them," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said, shaking her head. "Washing Sword Mountain and its Spirit Vein both belong to the Zhengyang Dharma Vein. The Dharma Vein simply tasked the neighboring Cangfeng Temple with managing them on its behalf."

"Oh, that makes sense..." Li Yinsheng nodded, but a new question surfaced. "But what exactly is the Dharma Vein having Cangfeng Temple manage? Isn’t Washing Sword Mountain usually just a barren hill?"

"Manage what, you ask?" Junior Martial Uncle Jiang chuckled softly. "Yin Sheng, how many Sword Cultivators do you think would covet an opportunity like this, one that can help a Cultivator rapidly cultivate their Sword Technique?"

"I’d assume all of them want it," Li Yinsheng replied.

"Exactly," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang agreed. "But the quantity of the Shifeng Spirit Charm is quite limited. The more people that ascend Washing Sword Mountain to practice their swordsmanship, the worse the effects become.

"Therefore, every time the Shifeng Spirit Charm appears, the number of slots available to practice on the mountain is restricted. The exact number of slots depends on just how much of the Shifeng Spirit Charm has manifested."

Li Yinsheng looked thoughtful. "So, Cangfeng Temple gets to decide who is qualified to ascend Washing Sword Mountain and cultivate?"

"The one who truly has the authority to decide is, of course, the Dharma Vein," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said, shaking her head. "It’s just that...

"To ensure the allocation of slots convinces all Cultivators, the method of distribution is a tournament. All Cultivators who wish to enter Washing Sword Mountain to practice must compete in their Sword Techniques. Only the victors can obtain a slot.

"Furthermore, the Shifeng Spirit Charm’s assistance diminishes for Sword Techniques that have already been cultivated to a profound level. ℯℯ𝑙.

"Thus, the tournament also imposes an age restriction, only permitting Sword Cultivators under the age of thirty to participate. And the younger the Sword Cultivator, the more preferential treatment they receive.

"This is because those who possess talent but haven’t yet had the time to hone their Sword Techniques to a profound level are the most worthy of being nurtured."

Li Yinsheng understood. "But given the Dharma Vein’s usual style, they probably wouldn’t host the tournament themselves, right?

"They would likely entrust Cangfeng Temple with organizing this competition to select the candidates."

"Smart," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said with a smile. "This is the ’Shifeng Conference’ held once every nine years. And the next one is scheduled for the transition between spring and summer next year."

"Next year?" Li Yinsheng frowned slightly. "These slots must be incredibly difficult to fight for, aren’t they?"

For a special Spirit Charm capable of helping one rapidly cultivate their Sword Technique, it was obvious how fiercely competitive the selection tournament would be. The Sword Cultivators from the various Daoist Temples would likely fight tooth and nail for it.

Moreover, he didn’t know if anyone from the Dharma Vein itself would participate. If they did, it would be an overwhelming mismatch.

Although younger Sword Cultivators received preferential treatment, how long could his junior martial sister possibly practice between now and next year? How could she compete with the others?

"Although this Shifeng Conference is meant to select young Sword Cultivators with potential, it also tests one’s Cultivation," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said. "Sword Cultivators are also Cultivators. Between Sword Techniques and Cultivation, both are of equal importance.

"With your Cultivation and age, wouldn’t securing a slot be as easy as turning over your hand?"

Pausing for a moment, she added, "However, you still have to practice the Yin Yang Light-Splitting Sword. No matter what, this is a tournament for Sword Cultivators. Even if your Cultivation is supremely high, you must still rely on a Sword Technique to secure a legitimate victory.

"If you step onto the arena and can’t unleash a single Sword Technique—or if you force it out but it’s too crude to even look at—you won’t be declared the winner."

Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said earnestly, "At the very least, you have to make it look acceptable on the surface."

"This..." Li Yinsheng frowned.

The Shifeng Spirit Charm was... excellent, but by the transition of spring and summer next year, relying on normal sword practice, his junior martial sister would most likely be unable to compete, right?

The following tournament would be another nine years after that. By then, the Cultivation Aspiration would have expired three times over.

"Martial Uncle, are there any other methods?" Li Yinsheng asked. "For instance, something that can be used right now?"

He only had three years. He couldn’t afford to waste them.

"Other methods?"

Junior Martial Uncle Jiang pondered for a long while before finally shaking her head. "The only viable option right now is the Shifeng Conference I just mentioned."

"Is there truly no other way?" Li Yinsheng sighed.

"It’s a pity," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said, shaking her head with a bitter smile. "If my Cultivation hadn’t been crippled—or... if it hadn’t been crippled quite so severely—my White Rainbow Sword could have given you a hand."

"White Rainbow Sword?" Li Yinsheng’s eyes lit up. "Why do you say that, Martial Uncle? Is this White Rainbow Sword some kind of Magical Artifact?"

"Bai Hong is no Magical Artifact; it is my Lifebound Treasure. A Magical Treasure is an existence that stands above a Magical Artifact, and only a Daoist can wield one," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang explained. "Furthermore, some True Cultivators will also possess their own Lifebound Treasure."

"Some?" Li Yinsheng was taken aback.

"Yes. Magical Treasures are incredibly precious and hard to come by. Not all Daoists possess one," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said. "Moreover, a Lifebound Treasure is even more valuable than an ordinary Magical Treasure."

"Then how could your Lifebound Treasure help me, Martial Uncle?" Li Yinsheng asked in confusion.

"One of the differences between a Magical Treasure and a Magical Artifact is that a Magical Treasure possesses a trace of Spirituality," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said. "Although this bit of Spirituality is far from true sentience, it is enough to cooperate with its master when casting Magic.

"Correspondingly, if a Magical Treasure is used for a long time, its Spirituality will be saturated by its master’s influence.

"And the Spirituality of a Lifebound Treasure is considerably stronger than that of an ordinary Magical Treasure." She gently stroked her hair. "The White Rainbow Sword accompanied me on my travels for many years. It is the Magical Treasure I am most proud of.

"Of all the Magic I have cast with it, the Yin Yang Light-Splitting Sword was the most frequent. Consequently, its Spirituality is extremely familiar with the Yin Yang Light-Splitting Sword.

"If I were still able to control the White Rainbow Sword, you could use it to practice the Yin Yang Light-Splitting Sword."