Chapter 594 - 385: Grand Fengshan Ceremony

Chapter 594: Chapter 385: Grand Fengshan Ceremony

"Hmm?"

Zhang Yunhu was startled and immediately retreated. At the same time, he reached forward into the empty air with his right hand. A crimson object, looking as if it were red-hot, rapidly grew out of his palm.

"A Spirit Treasure?"

Wang Jue knew that the Spirit Body Realm was the very first Realm of Cultivation. Supposedly, Cultivators at this stage underwent Spirit Refining and Body Tempering, gaining control over Spiritual Power. With the aid of Spiritual Power, they could use Spirit Communication to refine various objects, transforming them into Spirit Treasures. These Spirit Treasures often possessed wondrous might, far stronger than mortal weapons.

Therefore, Wang Jue was quite nervous at this moment. Taking advantage of the fact that Zhang Yunhu hadn’t fully drawn out his Spirit Treasure, he quickened his pace and closed the distance, adopting a highly offensive stance. The Longsword in his hand moved with a series of swooshes—SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH. Thrusting, slashing, lifting, and chopping, he danced with the sword, creating flashes of light with every fierce strike.

Greatly taken aback, Zhang Yunhu retreated repeatedly. For a moment, he was chased in circles, looking rather bedraggled.

But a mere five breaths later, the object in his hand fully manifested. It was actually a staff about two meters long, with sparks crackling and popping off it—CRACKLE POP. Zhang Yunhu swung his right hand, unleashing a massive flash of fire that startled Wang Jue into immediately retreating over ten feet away!

"Wang Jue, to think you’ve practiced such good Swordsmanship. But it’s useless! This is my Spirit Treasure, the Crimson Fire Staff. I advise you to—"

With his Spirit Treasure in hand, Zhang Yunhu’s confidence surged. But before he could finish his sentence, Wang Jue lunged forward once more.

Leaning forward, his body was as swift as a leopard, and his sword moved like a roaming dragon.

Zhang Yunhu spun the Crimson Fire Staff like a windmill, but even that couldn’t stop Wang Jue from closing in. Finding an opening, Wang Jue slipped past him and, with a backhanded flick of his sword, delivered a light thrust into Yun Hu’s back.

Stung by the pain, Zhang Yunhu hurriedly turned around and swung his Crimson Fire Staff, sending hundreds, even thousands, of sparks flying.

However, Wang Jue’s Body Technique was nimble and swift. He had already circled behind him again, wielding his sword with unhindered freedom.

"Argh, fight me head-on!"

Yun Hu shouted. As he turned around again, he felt streams of cold wind rushing straight at his face. He couldn’t help but take a step back. The next moment, he saw the Iron Sword in Wang Jue’s hand erupt like a blooming firework. In an instant, the flashing sword light filled his vision, nearly blinding him.

"What a fast sword! Ah, oh no—ouch!"

Zhang Yunhu only had time to let out an exclamation of shock. Flailing his limbs in a panic, he was completely unable to parry those sword shadows.

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his right wrist, followed by a loud CLANG. The Crimson Fire Staff actually slipped from his grasp. Zhang Yunhu lost his balance and landed hard on his rear.

"Hu Zi, you lost!"

Wang Jue said indifferently. He was thrilled inwardly. Everything was just about as he had imagined. A mere Junior Cultivator in the mid-stage of the Spirit Body Realm was no match for a second-rate Jianghu master like himself.

The square of Fire Willow Village was dead silent, but it soon erupted into an uproar.

"Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Ma San actually defeated Young Master Yun Hu!"

"This Ma San’s sword is so fast!"

"Young Master Yun Hu is a genius with twelve blooming flowers and top-tier Spirit Cultivator aptitude! How could Ma San possibly be his match?"

"What Ma San? That is my son, Wang Jue! Haha, my son has practiced Swordsmanship since childhood. He rises with the rooster to train and never stops, rain or shine. Although that brat Yun Hu went up Cyan Wood Mountain to learn spiritual arts and spells, how could he be a match for my son!"

"Bullshit! When did your eldest son ever practice Swordsmanship?"

"My son trains in seclusion at home every day! It’s just that none of you know about it..."

The crowd burst into lively discussions.

Wang Jue proudly sheathed his sword, quietly listening to his old father, Wang Yin, brag.

Zhang Yunhu scrambled up from the ground and wiped his face with his sleeve. Glaring at Wang Jue, he said, "Wait a minute, I haven’t lost yet! I have my Spirit Treasure to protect me; your sword can’t cut me! Again, let’s go again!"

He was clearly unconvinced of his defeat.

Wang Jue ignored him. He walked up to Wang Qingyu and asked, "Aunt Qingyu, what do you think?"

Wang Qingyu frowned and said, "Swordsmanship is but a minor path. However, having such skill at the age of sixteen is considered extraordinary. Very well, I will give this Cyan Wood Token to you. With this Token, you may go up Cyan Wood Mountain on your own and become a disciple. But your Spirit Root is of inferior grade, so you are destined to achieve little on the path of Cultivation. As for your future, you are on your own."

After saying this, Wang Qingyu handed Wang Jue a cyan wooden Token about half the size of a palm.

"Thank you, Aunt Qingyu!"

Wang Jue accepted it gleefully and immediately began to inspect it closely.

Zhang Yunhu stepped forward in a huff, wanting to say something more. But Wang Qingyu cast a glance at him, and he didn’t dare utter another word. With his face flushed red, he hung his head and retreated behind her, though not without shooting Wang Jue a vicious glare.

A moment later, Wang Qingyu and the other two departed, leaving Wang Jue as the absolute center of the villagers’ gossip.

Entering Cyan Wood Mountain meant stepping into an Immortal Sect. This was something Mortals could only dream of.

"Haha, my son can go up the mountain too! Haha, my son can go up the mountain too..."

Wang Yin was overjoyed, his face completely covered in smiles. He wished he could announce to the whole world that Wang Jue had obtained a Cyan Wood Mountain Token.

Wang Jue, on the other hand, avoided the crowd and minimized his contact with others to save himself the trouble of over-explaining.

The next day.

Before the sky even brightened, Wang Jue dressed in new clothes, slung his fast sword onto his back, and quietly headed along the main road toward Cyan Wood Mountain.

"Wang Jue, Wang Jue..."

Wang Yin chased after him all the way to the village entrance, panting heavily. He carried a bundle on his back, his forehead beaded with sweat.

Wang Jue turned around, looked at his father, and waved his hand. "Old Wang, go back! I know the way up the mountain; there’s no need to see me off!"

"You little rascal!" Wang Yin caught up and said, "Cyan Wood Mountain isn’t like home. You have to learn how to take care of yourself there. Never push yourself too hard, keep a low profile, and whatever you do, avoid being overly competitive..."

Wang Jue waved a hand to interrupt him and smiled. "I know, I know!"

"What do you know!" Wang Yin let out a heavy sigh. "You child, you carry too much on your mind. You were different from others even when you were little. Sigh, I don’t even know what else to say to you. Just take this bundle!"

As he spoke, Wang Yin forcefully shoved the bundle from his back into Wang Jue’s arms.

"What is this? It’s quite heavy!" Feeling the weight of the bundle in his arms, Wang Jue opened it for a look. Inside was filled entirely with pieces of broken silver, along with a small wooden box.

Upon opening the small wooden box, Wang Jue saw a green jade toad about the size of a thumb.

Though this green jade toad was small, it was incredibly lifelike. It seemed naturally formed rather than carved. Its body bore patterns resembling tiger stripes, and as it lay there, it looked like a tailless, chubby tiger.

Wang Yin said, "This jade toad is our family’s heirloom Treasure, called the Green Tiger Toad. Before my old man died, he told me that this is a fine item, easily worth one thousand taels of silver. I don’t know if you’ll need money after you reach Cyan Wood Mountain, but it never hurts to bring extra silver along. Our family is poor, and I couldn’t scrape together much silver for you. Take this Green Tiger Toad with you. If you ever need money, just sell it so you won’t be caught in a bind."

Wang Jue knew that Wang Yin had undoubtedly given him every last bit of the family’s savings. He originally wanted to refuse, but seeing Wang Yin’s earnest expression, he smiled and nodded. "Alright!"

"And another thing, also..."

Wang Yin rambled on, giving endless instructions.

Wang Jue knew his old man’s temperament. He slung the bundle onto his back and sprinted away as if fleeing for his life. After running several hundred meters in one breath, he looked back. Wang Yin was still standing at the village entrance, waving at him.

"Old Wang, take care..."

Wang Jue sighed, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

From afar, he cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Wang Yin. When he stood back up, he no longer had any lingering worries.

Half a day later.

Wang Jue arrived at the foot of Cyan Wood Mountain.

Here lay a large square, roughly the size of a football field. The ground was paved with smooth, even stone slabs, with numerous buildings situated in the rear. However, the most eye-catching feature was a towering gatehouse. The gatehouse was over thirty feet tall, seemingly built from white jade. Above it hung a plaque bearing the words "Cyan Wood." Below it, flanking the left and right, sat two ten-foot-tall copper lion statues. Guards stood stationed next to the statues, and behind them lay the staircase ascending the mountain.

The staircase was incredibly wide; visually, it could easily accommodate thirty or forty people walking side by side without any issue.

"I’m finally here!"

Wang Jue sighed in admiration. He quickly approached the mountain gate, and after handing over his Token, he was situated in a small room off to the side to drink tea.

About half an hour later, a plump, middle-aged man dressed in cyan garments approached Wang Jue. After thoroughly questioning him, the man led Wang Jue up the stairs. They walked for roughly twenty minutes before he brought him to a small courtyard nestled in a bamboo forest.