World's No. 1 Swordsman
Chapter 147: Provoking War

Chapter 147: Provoking War

That night, Wang Sheng and his master discussed matters late into the night. Finally, they settled on a general plan for dealing with the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect.

It was almost ironic. Their sect only had three people—one at the Golden Core Realm, one at the Illusory Core Realm, and one at the Seed Formation Realm. Nevertheless, they were plotting against an international corrupt cultivator organization that had over a hundred members.

What was more ridiculous was that after an entire night of planning, aside from the Illusory Core Realm Kun Daoist, who had been completely out of it the whole time, the two Daoist priests actually felt that their plan was quite reliable. No one could rival their confidence.

To look down on the enemy strategically but take them seriously tactically—this was the profound wisdom of a great leader, one who was filled with educational significance. Naturally, Qing Yanzi's sect still gave this major corrupt Daoist sect the respect it deserved.

Just before dawn, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan returned to the venue to prepare. Mu Wanxuan went to oversee the breakfast service and to taste-test the food. Meanwhile, Wang Sheng had to attend a meeting with the eighteen Daoist masters on the Referee Committee to discuss the day's ranking matches.

During breakfast, at Wang Sheng's request, his senior sister brought over his sword case. When she did, he noticed that she now had Ice Crystal strapped to her waist, which brought him some comfort.

In front of the assembled Daoist masters, Wang Sheng opened the sword case and drew out Spiritless. He lightly brushed his hand along its surface.

Though the sword had no spirit, its edge was incomparably sharp, and its amplification of true essence was no weaker than Ice Crystal. Though the scientists who had created it had failed to stick to their budget, they had perfectly achieved their original design goal.

It was not an instrument for cultivating or comprehending the Dao of the Sword; it was a weapon of slaughter—a killing tool.

Gripping its hilt, a question rose in Wang Sheng's heart.

Why do I draw this sword?

His answer was clearer and more resolute than ever before.

I draw it to protect my senior sister, eradicate corruption, and defend the Dao!

From the side, Fei Lianzi frowned. "Fei Yu, why are you using that sword again?"

Wang Sheng just smiled in response. He returned Spiritless into its case and slung it onto his back. He then flicked his tied-up hair and looked at the eighteen referees.

"A corrupt Daoist sect is on the move. It seems it has set its sights on the celestial tablet that the authorities put on display," he remarked. "The officials brought out the celestial tablet to allow the righteous sects to study it together. If corrupt cultivators end up ruining this, it will be a complete disgrace."

Fei Lianzi's frown deepened. "That doesn't mean you have to go fight. We have so many experts attending this event. Why would a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator like you try to join in?"

Though it sounded like a scolding, it was coming from a position of concern.

"That's right, Fei Yu. You shouldn't pressure yourself too much," another Daoist master said with a smile. "Eradicating corruption and upholding the Dao are not just one person's responsibility; they cannot be done by one alone. As long as there are impure hearts, corrupt cultivators will persist. Every sect with Daoist heritage has ancestral teachings. We must not let these corrupt cultivators harm the people."

Smiling, Wang Sheng nodded. The fighting spirit within him surged inexplicably. He still had a ways to go before reaching the Illusory Core Realm, and he could not rush his breakthrough. Nevertheless, he felt confident that he could already fight an Illusory Core Realm expert.

Later in the evening, he had agreed with his senior sister to create a combined offensive technique.

They had no time to get a copy of the Book of Silent Sword Signals or practice the Dual-Sword Unity Technique. Nevertheless, at the crucial moment when his senior sister made her move, he had to be able to keep up with her pace in controlling the field.

Combined with the Yin-Yang Grand Formation and Ice Crystal, just how much power could Spiritless, his celestial-grade sword, the Sword-Controlling Art of the Shu Mountains, and the Reversed Seven-Star Sword Formation unleash? Wang Sheng couldn't help but look forward to it.

"Fei Yu, would you like to preside over a few matches today?" Gao Shixing asked.

Wang Sheng nodded. As the captain of the Referee Committee, it would be improper for him to be off sipping tea and coffee all day.

Just then, he recalled something. "Has the ranking match list been released yet? I was so busy with the corrupt cultivators yesterday that I completely forgot to check."

The Daoist masters didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed the young man before them truly had not taken the Immortal Dao Conference seriously. In contrast, every sect was taking the event seriously, perhaps even to the point of being overly competitive.

Fei Lianzi promptly sent Wang Sheng a copy of the digital list. Since there had been a few draws yesterday, a total of 110 people had qualified for the ranking matches.

Wang Sheng skimmed through the list and saw quite a few familiar names. Liu Yunzhi, Shi Qianzhang, Hao Ling, some YouChat friends whom he had never spoken to before, and a few disciples of the Wudang Mountains... Considering his steadily improving swordsmanship over the past two years, Zhou Yinglong would have made it into the ranking matches as well had he been able to participate.

Wang Sheng sighed and turned to glance at the shade outside the temporary tent, momentarily lost in thought. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled light on the ground. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, causing the spots of light to shift around.

How long could such tranquility last?

If, as his master had said, the celestial tablet had truly provoked the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect, then the entire cultivation world could be dragged into chaos once the Immortal Dao Conference ended. However, his master was right. If they let the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect continue to develop, it could truly become a threat to the peace of the Hua Republic.

When yin and yang fall into disorder, heaven and earth will no longer remain clear. In the chaos soon to engulf the cultivation world, who would step forward and sweep away the murkiness? Who would perish under the open sky, becoming a lost soul with no place to reincarnate?

He sighed softly. Before he knew it, the time had come to head to the venue.

The eighteen Daoist masters stepped out of the meeting room one after another. Fei Lianzi called out to Wang Sheng, pulling him from his thoughts.

He hoisted the sword case onto his back, picked up his longsword and gradually calmed his mind. He exuded a sharp aura as he stepped into the warm sunlight.

***

The cultivation realms of the participating cultivators on the first day's preliminary rounds were all over the place, and the matches themselves lacked much excitement. However, apart from a few lucky late-stage Spirit Convergence Realm cultivators, only those at the Seed Formation Realm had made it into the ranking matches. Among them, a few could be pawns that the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect had planted.

Before the referees entered the arena, Mou Yue hurried over and quietly gave him a few names to keep a close eye on and block from entering the top eight. Although they weren't confirmed members of the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect yet, they had already been established as corrupt cultivators. The investigation unit had to arrest them as soon as they were eliminated to ensure that the tournament would proceed smoothly.

Finally, the moment had come for him, the black-whistle referee, to truly shine.

Mou Yue didn't just talk to Wang Sheng. She gave similar instructions to six or seven other referees to guarantee that each of the four arenas had a black whistle.

They would only target corrupt cultivators and would not interfere with matches between righteous cultivators. The Daoist masters whom Mou Yue had entrusted with the task were all reasonable people and easy to work with, easing Wang Sheng's burden considerably.

The hostess once again warmed up the crowd. It seemed that today, a few female disciples from the Longhu Mountains would perform with flutes, strings, and songs. Celestial-like melodies filled the air, turning the atmosphere quite pleasant.

Tomorrow was the grand finals. Wang Sheng hoped that they wouldn't go so far as to bring out comic cross-talk routines. Then again, knowing his master, anything was possible.

Today, the hostess had the opportunity to go over the script in advance with Qing Yanzi. Learning that he would once again deliver an important speech, she waited until the performers who played the zithers and pipas had exited the stage before inviting Qing Yanzi to come forward and say a few words.

"Everyone, after yesterday's matches..."

As Qing Yanzi began his speech, Wang Sheng couldn't help but take a few steps forward. He stood near the entrance of the venue and fixed his eyes on his master, who was at the main podium.

"You all come from sects bearing distinct Daoist heritages. No matter the outcome of your matches, it would not bring shame upon your own heritage. Cultivators have to always remember that techniques exist only to safeguard one's Dao. It is your own Dao that is the true foundation of your lifelong cultivation. Since I happen to be in good spirits today, I'll share a few more thoughts with you all..."

The crowd erupted into laughter. From their perspective, it seemed that Qing Yanzi was not always strict. Today, he came across as quite approachable.

Unlike them, Wang Sheng's brow remained faintly furrowed. Likely, only he, his senior sister, and a few high-ranking officials from the Hua Republic knew the true reason why Qing Yanzi had chosen to give a lengthy speech today.

After chatting idly for a few minutes, Qing Yanzi shifted the topic, and laughter echoed throughout the venue.

"Honestly, I feel that restricting access to the Supreme Immortal Sutra on the celestial tablet to only the top eight finalists is rather narrow-minded on the part of the officials. The strength displayed today does not necessarily represent one's strength in the future.

"Besides, cultivators should not be refereed this way. Every Dao is its own path, and there is no true ranking between them. I walk my path in freedom and ease. What needs do I have for fame granted by others?"

The cultivators looked at Qing Yanzi with visible surprise. Could the rules really be about to change? Would the celestial tablet be opened for public viewing?

Qing Yanzi smiled and sighed, leaving them hanging. "Unfortunately, the celestial tablet is not my personal possession. It was retrieved with great effort by the government from the moon. Since the rules have been set, we must abide by them."

Many cultivators rolled their eyes, though Qing Yanzi naturally couldn't see it.

At that moment, the Celestial Master asked, "Qing Yanzi, my Daoist friend, may I ask what kind of immortal sutra is written on the celestial tablet?"

"I have yet to fully comprehend it, but I did have the fortune to glimpse it once. I am willing to share the first few lines, which do not involve any actual cultivation methods, to all you fellow Daoists here today."

Here it comes, Wang Sheng thought.

In an archaic tone, Qing Yanzi slowly recited, "As one qi shifts yin and yang, the dual polarity gives birth to all things. Though heaven and earth hold the sun and the moon, the Dao belongs to the primal chaos..."

Confidently, he revealed the eighty-character general preface of the Yin-Yang Secret Scroll!

Among the hundred or so cultivators preparing to enter the arena, the eyes of several young ones seated in different corners suddenly widened, revealing expressions of disbelief and shock. However, the look on their faces vanished just as quickly, making it seem as though nothing had happened.