Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 361 - 361 360 Open and Secret Struggles

361: Chapter 360: Open and Secret Struggles 361: Chapter 360: Open and Secret Struggles Cutting the raw stone was a technical task.

The stone was hard and the distribution of jade inside was uneven, necessitating precision in cutting; it couldn’t simply be chopped carelessly nor could the stone be cut too obsessively, resulting in a ragged surface.

In the Tongxuan Realm, Magic Power Perception allowed them to faintly glimpse the inside of the raw stone, though it was very blurry.

They had to judge while cutting; this required the cutter to possess strong segmentation abilities, making precise, clean cuts, and leaving a surface as smooth as a mirror.

This was a kind of pleasure, the joy found in competition.

There were also elements of discord, such as the Cultivators of the Red Falcon Conquest Team placing their own stones just a few yards away from theirs, evidently aiming to compete under everyone’s notice.

The interactions between Cultivators had their norms, including a certain safety distance.

In a venue like this, the Gambling Stone Field provided ample space— hundreds of yards between groups posed no problem, allowing travel group members to entertain themselves without needing to cluster together.

The placement now was a provocation, though no one spoke a word, everyone understood the implication.

The reason was simple: since everyone was competing in vision at the stoning field, it was inevitable that these kinds of bumps and grinds occurred when multiple parties eyed the same valuable stone.

What was being compared now were judgments, and even more so, wealth.

In this regard, while the Conquest Team was numerous, compared to the women of the Consumer Group, they were not on the same level at all, and were overwhelmingly defeated in the competition, utterly outclassed.

Even a clay figure retains some soil properties, let alone Cultivators; where they fall, there they must rise again.

If wealth could not compete, then they would compete in vision, to see whose chosen raw stone would cut open to reveal jade of higher quality, more correct hue, and greater quantity.

Competition was pervasive in the Cultivation World, including rivalries over pride, which represented a kind of self-confidence.

Old Cai and another guide gathered to chat, not bothering to intervene because they knew such competition was benign and wasn’t due to any deep grudge or hatred.

They were veterans of the industry, having encountered too many similar disputes, and they understood the intricate connections between the Sects behind these people.

Advising them otherwise would only make them more determined; not intervening was just for a good laugh.

After all, they were Cultivators of status, who would not seriously compete with strange creatures like the Kun repairs to the death?

It was likely more about becoming acquainted for the benefit of future connections.

The two sides started to challenge each other: you cut one, I saw one.

In a short time, jade burst forth, resplendently displaying a battle of brilliance.

As more raw stones were cut open, the difference in quality between the two sides began to show,

The quality of the stones from the Albatross Group was notably superior because they were more willing to spend Spirit Stones; however, the cutting technique of the Red Falcon Group was superior because they were more skilled in combat.

The hustle and bustle was just as the two guides had predicted, there was no hint of turning into enemies.

On Jinxiu Continent, the relationships between different Daoist Sects were intricately interconnected, with ongoing ties like broken lotus fibers—in the nature of two traveling group entities, a conflict was just impossible; there was a bit of each other in everyone, entangled beyond separation.

To call them a ragtag bunch might be a bit harsh, but to say they lacked cohesion was certain; a temporary coalition of different Daoist affiliations, unfamiliar with each other, hoping for their concerted effort…

Hou Niao watched with interest from the side, not for the quality of the jade but for the stone-cutting techniques of these people.

The raw stone was hard, and to cut it smoothly and mirror-like, even he had to be careful and exert more effort.

As a person who lived by the sword, if it was difficult for him, it undoubtedly posed a greater challenge for those who primarily used techniques from various Daoist lineages.

Thus, stone cutting, a seemingly simple task, actually involved the display of ultimate skills and no one dared to take it lightly.

From the cutting, one could generally observe these people’s level of control over their magic power, the foundation of their Daoist affiliation, and the depth of their cultivation; by comparing themselves, they could get a rough idea of where they stood.

Although he had killed many people over the years, he seldom competed in techniques, and much of his understanding of other Daoist sects came from the Soul Realm.

Thus, he greatly cherished such occasions and watched the scene with relish.

Unexpectedly, two women walked towards him gracefully; the taller one performed a Daoist salute and said,

“Daoist friend, I am Zixia of the Qi Sect.

I would like to ask you for a favor; may I?”

Hou Niao responded with a smile, “Please speak, we’re all part of the same team and should help each other.”

The Qi Sect, like the Wu Sect, was a major Daoist faction, only not located in the southwest region but in the southeast, where Daoism flourished.

It was a characteristic of the Jinxiu Continent to refer to each other by the names of their countries, yet they were secretive about their actual foundations and what exactly they were wary of.

For example, the proper name for the Quanzhen Sect was the Shan Sect, but most sword cultivators simply referred to it as Quanzhen.

This woman did not speak clearly but rather abruptly asked for help, which revealed a sense of condescension typical of someone from a major sect.

However, Hou Niao did not care about this; dealing with these aristocratic female cultivators, used to commanding others, would only bring trouble upon himself.

Zixia, the fairy, nodded in satisfaction.

“You are a sword cultivator?

Then your Flying Sword Skill must be excellent, and slicing stones as if nothing is difficult.

Our sisters lack such firm methods in stone cutting and would like to ask you to help us surpass those frivolous ones from the Red Falcon.”

Hou Niao tried to speak gently, “Just so the fairy knows, I recently advanced to the Tongxuan Realm, and cannot fully apply the power of the flying sword, as there are many restrictions; I don’t mind exerting the effort, but what if my dull sword ruins your important event by damaging the raw stone?

How about this, let me cut with a held sword instead?

I can be more confident with that?”

The Flying Sword is a weapon for killing, not a spectacle for display.

In this respect, sword cultivators often have their own convictions; how could they possibly stoop to splitting stones for others in public?

He did not consider himself to be making excuses.

In his view, holding a backup longsword was no weaker than using a flying sword; this was a feature of his swordsmanship.

Yet someone was dissatisfied.

The fairy beside him frowned,

“Do you not wish to, or are you unable to?

I’ve heard that sword cultivators value their flying swords more than their lives,”

Hou Niao, unfazed, retorted, “Would you be willing to lend me your most beloved gold hairpin to use for cleaning my ears?”

The two fairies were visibly displeased and without further words, swept away in their robes;

Hou Niao shrugged indifferently, not one to indulge such attitudes, no matter who it was speaking!

Having hit a snag with him, the other fairies no longer approached.

In their view, this was the annoying part about cultivators from the Demon Sect, never understanding of romantic sentiment.

But his unwillingness to help didn’t mean other male cultivators felt the same; ultimately, the stone was just an inanimate object, and cultivators always found a way to handle it.

… The Immortal Visitor from the Jade Hall should smile quietly, not knowing the sentiments learned as a youth.