Although the power of the ruler-like Magic Artifact had been diminished considerably by the "Golden Rainbow Sword," Zhou Chun managed to fend it off by casting the spell "Immovable as a Mountain."
Yan Qiyang's emotionless voice rang out once more as he commanded the ruler-like Magic Artifact, which had just been forcefully knocked back, to strike at Zhou Chun again.
However, this time, as the ruler shot forward, it conjured an illusion of a mountain range, seemingly endowed with the force of a mountain.
Seeing this, Zhou Chun's expression changed, and he quickly infused the "Golden Rainbow Sword" with mana, activating its Divine Skill "Golden Rainbow Thread."
The golden Flying Sword burst into light, and in an instant, it transformed into a thin line of golden light that sliced towards the ruler.
Yan Qiyang's expression changed as he could not help exclaiming in shock.
But as the golden long rainbow clashed with the ruler and knocked it away, revealing its true form, he quickly showed a relieved expression and shook his head, "It seems it was not the 'Sword into Silk,' but a similar Divine Skill for transforming a Flying Sword."
Before he had finished speaking, he took the initiative to withdraw the ruler, which had significantly lost its power.
Then he nodded slightly to Zhou Chun and said, "There's no need to continue testing. Taoist Friend Zhang's strength meets the requirements. You may be selected."
Zhou Chun breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
He had intentionally concealed his skills, not wanting to reveal the "Blackwater Profound Tortoise Shield" Magic Artifact. Under such circumstances, it wasn't easy to withstand three moves from Yan Qiyang, a late-stage cultivator from the Purple Mansion, without injury.
Now that the opponent was willing to let him pass, he naturally would not masochistically continue.
He immediately stowed his magic artifact and complimented Yan Qiyang with cupped hands, "Taoist Friend Yan possesses impressive strength. I admire you!"
"It's merely the advantage of having a higher Cultivation Realm. If Taoist Friend Zhang were at the same realm, your strength might very well surpass mine!"
Yan Qiyang waved his hand dismissively, not displaying any pride as he spoke.
He then half-jokingly looked at Zhou Chun and said, "Taoist Friend Zhang really startled me just now. I almost thought I had encountered a high-level Golden Core Stage Sword Cultivator who was masquerading with a disguised cultivation level!"
Zhou Chun obviously understood the implication.
The move "Golden Rainbow Thread" at first glance would easily be associated with the "Sword into Silk" swordsmanship Divine Skill, which could only be mastered by a Sword Cultivator at the Golden Core Stage.
But in reality, the two had absolutely nothing in common.
The Refinement Master who had created the "Golden Rainbow Sword" was probably a cultivator who harbored the dream of becoming a sword immortal but lacked such Divine Skills, thus producing such a knock-off.
Therefore, upon hearing Yan Qiyang's teasing words, Zhou Chun also felt somewhat embarrassed and coughed lightly twice in explanation, "Ahem, Taoist Friend Yan overstates it. That move was purely an inherent Divine Skill of the Flying Sword. I, for one, know absolutely no swordsmanship!"
"Hehehe, it's okay not to know swordsmanship. If used well, that move can still be surprising at times!"
Yan Qiyang chuckled as he spoke with a hint of meaning.
He then proceeded to speak about official matters without waiting for Zhou Chun to offer more pleasantries.
"Since Taoist Friend Zhang is here, the three people required for the escort mission are now complete. We depart seven days from now. Taoist Friend Zhang, please meet with Yan and the others at the western city entrance on the morning of the seventh day, and do not miss the time!"
"I understand. I will certainly arrive on time," Zhou Chun replied earnestly.
After that, Yan Qiyang seemed to have other matters to attend to and left without further conversation.
Zhou Chun also left the "Spellcasting Hall."
Several two-hour periods later, in a room at an inn within the city, Zhou Chun met with the fifty-eighth task employer and handed over the Serpent Lizard Beast's Poison Sac he had acquired in the Black Mist Marsh, receiving a reward of five thousand Spirit Coins.
He then sold some of the poisonous herbs he had collected to the same person, earning another two thousand Spirit Coins.
After completing the task, Zhou Chun spent the next seven days in the Cultivation Room until the time of his meeting with Yan Qiyang arrived, and he hurried to the western city entrance to meet with him.
What Zhou Chun did not expect was that, as he met up with Yan Qiyang, he happened to encounter an acquaintance whom he had not wished to see.