Eighty-Six Duels of the Sword: Showdown at the Pinnacle (Part Two)

As the words of Master Tianxin died away, all eyes in the arena turned to Yaxin Yi and Mutou, who instantly became the focus of everyone’s attention. This was a duel at the summit, and the cultivators present watched with rapt interest.

At that moment, the wind stirred from all directions, clouds roiled and rolled, and several tufts of mist floated to the platform atop Heaven-reaching Peak. Clad entirely in white, Yaxin Yi drifted up to the stage like a cloud herself. Enveloped in the ethereal mist, her garments fluttered, her skin glowed as pale as snow, and she resembled a celestial maiden descended from the highest heavens—her grace so refined and delicate that one could hardly resist the urge to draw her close and cherish her. Though her face was veiled from view, everyone sensed that she must possess a beauty beyond compare.

On the other side of the platform, Mutou straightened his robes, forcing down the tumult in his chest. Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, he lowered his eyes in meditation and ascended the stage with slow, measured steps.

Now, all those below the platform seemed to hold their breath; a hush fell over the arena, broken only by the howling of fierce winds sweeping over the peaks.

The two stood facing each other, motionless and silent for a long while.

However, the onlookers below could not contain themselves. Someone shouted, “Are you not going to begin?”

Another chimed in, “What, have the two of them fallen for each other at first sight?”

“Nonsense! The girl may have a fine figure, but who knows if she is truly beautiful with her face hidden?”

“You’re quite ignorant! Every female disciple of Watermoon Sect is renowned for her beauty—and besides, is there an unattractive woman in the world of cultivation?”

“True enough, but that man doesn’t seem even a tenth as handsome as me. Why would a sister from Watermoon favor him?”

His words provoked a round of mock retching from those nearby. “Please, I just finished breakfast!”

On the viewing platform, the three sect leaders exchanged glances, each with a peculiar look on their face. Finally, Master Tianxin coughed and reminded them, “Nephew and niece, it is time for you to begin.”

Mutou had not been on Heaven-reaching Peak these past two days, having sought seclusion in the mountains to clear his mind of this woman’s figure—he had no wish to succumb to love again. Yet the moment he saw her, his heart surged uncontrollably. Hearing Master Tianxin’s prompt, he forcibly steadied himself, bowed, and said, “Sister Yaxin, I ask for your guidance.”

Yaxin Yi replied, “Brother Mu, your cultivation has grown since two days ago. Congratulations indeed!”

Mutou smiled. “I have you to thank, Sister Yaxin, for dispelling the demons from my heart.”

Yaxin Yi fell silent, simply cradling her zither in her arms without playing a note.

Seeing her make no move, Mutou could not be the first to strike, so the two remained locked in stalemate upon the stage.

After a while, Yaxin Yi suddenly turned to Master Tianxin and said, “Uncle Tianxin, I am no match for Brother Mu. I willingly concede and forfeit.”

Her words left everyone on Heaven-reaching Peak stunned, and a moment later, the arena erupted in uproar! Even the heads of Taixu, Lingyun, and Watermoon Sects exchanged bewildered glances. At last, Master Tianxin said, “Niece Yaxin, how can you know you are no match for Nephew Mu when the contest has not even begun?”

Yaxin Yi replied serenely, “Our match was fought two days ago. Then, my zither’s melody could not defeat Brother Mu. Today, I am even less his equal.”

Master Tianxin scowled deeply and looked to the Watermoon Sect leader, Shui Wu Feng, whose face remained unreadable, betraying neither joy nor displeasure. Mutou tried to persuade her: “Sister Yaxin, we did not settle the outcome last time. I may not be your equal!”

Yaxin Yi answered, “You are too modest, brother. Last time, I already used my Sixfold Resonance and still could not sway you. To compete again today would only be to court defeat.”

As the two on stage exchanged words of humility, the crowd below wore countless expressions, their voices rising in a din. Most began to suspect there was affection between the two, unwilling as they seemed to cross swords. Even Master Tianxin cast suspicious glances their way, though only Master Zhengyi, Xiaoyaozi, and the disciples of Watermoon knew that two days prior, these two had not even been acquainted.

Seeing Yaxin Yi’s resolve to withdraw, Shui Wu Feng did not intervene, and Master Tianxin had no choice but to declare Mutou the victor by default, to face Bai Yijian for the championship the following day.

That evening, at the temporary lodgings of Taixu Sect—

“Senior Brother, I believe Mutou is not inferior in cultivation to Bai Yijian. However, Bai Yijian wields a superior flying sword, while Mutou has only the azure sword, which is two levels weaker. I fear…” Xiaoyaozi said anxiously to Master Zhengyi.

“I know this too, junior brother,” Zhengyi replied. “But even if we had a golden sword, it would require eighty-one days of nurturing before it could be used. Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.”

Xiaoyaozi groaned in frustration, “If only I had given Mutou my silver sword earlier, at least he would stand a fighting chance. But with just my old Azure Serenity, alas…”

Mutou tried to reassure him. “Master, there’s no need to worry. In cultivation, one’s own strength matters most.”

“You don’t understand,” Xiaoyaozi retorted. “A good flying sword is worth a century of cultivation. With Bai Yijian’s superior sword, you are already at a disadvantage before the battle begins.”

Master Zhengyi, however, was more sanguine. “Do not fret, junior brother. Mutou’s achievements already place him above his peers. Even if he loses tomorrow, all will know it is due to the sword, not his lack of skill, and our sect’s reputation will not suffer.”

Turning to Mutou, he added, “Apart from his superior sword, there is something else you must watch for: the Lingyun Sect’s techniques prize relentless aggression, always advancing, just like his sword—aptly named ‘Skybreaker’. Bai Yijian has yet to show his full swordplay in this tournament, so you have not seen his unstoppable assault. You must be careful not to be pressed down from the start, or defeat will be certain.”

Mutou nodded gravely.

Master Zhengyi continued, “I’ve noticed that you often hold back three-tenths of your strength, sustaining your momentum. Though you lack Bai Yijian’s headlong ferocity, you tend to gain strength as the fight drags on. If you can weather his initial onslaught and draw him into a protracted duel, you may yet emerge victorious.”

Xiaoyaozi protested, “But senior brother, he has a superior sword! How is Mutou to defend himself?”

Master Zhengyi smiled faintly, drew a jade box from his sleeve, and handed it to Mutou. “This is a treasure I used in my youth—the Immortal Mist Necklace. Its defensive power is formidable. Take it for your protection.”

Mutou opened the box to find a beautiful necklace lying within. Its material was neither gold nor silver, and its pendant was set with a stone that shimmered in five hues, from which wisps of colored mist rose like entwined dragons or serpents.

“Ding… You have obtained a cultivation artifact: Grade A item with powerful defensive traits; repels water, smoke, and poison, and is immune to attacks from items below Grade A.” The voice of the Plane Trading System sounded at just the right moment.

Xiaoyaozi was overjoyed. “Thank you, senior brother! Mutou, hurry and thank the master. This treasure was acquired by chance from the Immortal’s Cave, which opens only once a century—it is famous for its protection in the cultivation world.”

Mutou understood that Master Zhengyi feared he would be injured by Bai Yijian, and quickly bowed in gratitude. After all, a Grade A item was a rare treasure, and as a Grade B agent of the Plane System, he could not yet purchase such things himself.

The next day, the sun rose crimson above the sea of clouds. It was still early, and the mist on Heaven-reaching Peak had yet to disperse. Sunlight danced on the clouds, casting ten thousand rays of iridescence—a scene of breathtaking beauty.

Yet no panorama could compare to the two figures on the dueling platform. Bathed in light, their shadows stretched long behind them. The arena and stands were utterly silent; countless eyes fixed upon them, as if they alone were the axis of the world.

These were none other than Bai Yijian, the foremost disciple of the succeeding generation, and Chen Mu, the so-called fallen heir of Wuyafeng from Taixu Sect. All awaited their climactic showdown, to see who would claim the title of number one among the younger generation.

“The Heaven-reaching Peak Tournament was established by our ancestral founder to inspire excellence among disciples. As fellow cultivators, you must remember that contests should be measured and not go too far. You two stand at the pinnacle of your peers; be mindful not to let things get out of hand.” Master Tianxin spoke in a grave tone. Though he believed his disciple’s superior sword gave him an advantage, he knew that when two tigers fight, one is bound to be hurt—especially when both are so evenly matched. Once the battle began in earnest, who could guarantee restraint? Such warnings were mostly platitudes; as long as the victor did not strike a killing blow, all would be well.

“Brother Mu, prepare yourself!” Bai Yijian called out, and with a flash, a golden sword-light soared skyward. Dazzling brilliance radiated from him, an invisible, fierce aura flooding the arena. He gripped the hilt, flicked a finger along the blade, and with a sharp clang, the immortal sword rang out, its sound resounding to the four corners.

Mutou smiled calmly and summoned forth Azure Serenity. In an instant, blue light swept outward, the sword leaping like a dragon from the depths. All clouds within dozens of feet were forced back, dissipating in an eyeblink. Though his sword glowed only blue, its momentum was in no way inferior to Bai Yijian’s.

Two mighty swords revealed, their auras unmatched. The younger disciples below stared, wide-eyed, in awe.

“Bravo!” someone shouted, giving voice to the crowd’s feelings. In their hearts, they all envied the combatants, wishing they held such power themselves.

“Take this!” Bai Yijian cried, and his sword swept forth a torrent of golden light. Scorching waves roared through the air, crashing down like a tidal wave, engulfing the entire platform. Every cultivator within thirty feet felt the unbearable heat and had to retreat, while only the most advanced elders remained to watch how Mutou would respond to this earth-shaking blow.

With a low sound, Mutou’s Azure Serenity rang out, sending ten thousand streams of blue light soaring. Its ferocity was unmatched.

In that instant, the two immortal swords clashed with thunderous force, their radiance intermingling, shockwaves scattering in all directions. Amid the resounding blasts, the two combatants pressed their attacks relentlessly, swords trembling in the air, seeking openings like a storm, with the force of mountains and seas, as though they would tear apart every cloud atop Heaven-reaching Peak.