Chapter 446: Chapter 3 Watching the “Tide”_3
The “tide” these cultivators came to watch was, in fact, the Sword Tide.
Among the sword cultivation sects around the world, the Eastern Domain Sword Sect is the only Taoist Sect, undoubtedly the foremost authority in Sword Dao, followed by this Western Domain Sword Cleansing Pool.
But who among those in the second position would be content with such a ranking?
The Sword Cleansing Pool had long coveted to advance to the status of a Taoist Sect, and perhaps even to replace the Sword Sect’s position.
For many years, the Sword Cleansing Pool had been devising various plans to enhance the reputation of their sect externally and to strengthen it internally.
The Sword Tide of the Fengling River was an event the Sword Cleansing Pool had stirred up to spread their fame.
Every ten years, on the day when the tides of the Fengling River were at their highest, the Sword Cleansing Pool would send out disciples to face the challenges of sword cultivators from all over the world amidst the river’s tides.
There was no intent to harm or to seek wealth, but rather a session of guidance, showcasing the profound strength of the sect’s disciples as unrivaled in their respective stages, thereby enhancing their own reputation.
This was elegantly termed “Sword Cleansing.”
Swordsmanship is an art of actual combat, and whether it is engaging in a fight with a master or observing one, it helps a sword cultivator improve their own skills.
Therefore, each time the disciples of the Sword Cleansing Pool performed Sword Cleansing in the Fengling River, whether they were the challengers or the onlookers, they would swarm to the event like the incoming tide.
Which is why the event was also referred to by the more enthusiastic as “Tide Watching.”
In a building along the riverside, the Tide Watching Tower.
The young Miss Li Baoping had already reserved a private room in the tower, located at the top floor with a direct view over the Fengling River.
The vast and endlessly flowing river was fully visible, right before one’s eyes.
Lu Qingshan was fortunate enough to benefit from the company of the Li siblings—otherwise, given the current lively scene, where else could there be such an excellent spot left for Tide Watching?
Most likely, he would have had to wait with bated breath upon a nearby hill.
The table was laden with an assortment of small dishes, but the Li siblings seemed to have little interest, their gazes fixed on the center of the vast Fengling River, as if waiting for something to arrive.
Lu Qingshan, on the other hand, ate with great enjoyment.
“It’s here!” Li Baoping suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
At the same moment, the densely packed crowd of Tide Watching spectators began to bustle with activity.
Lu Qingshan followed Li Baoping’s gaze.
He saw a cultivator in blue robes approaching on a flying sword, followed by over a dozen sword cultivators with varying levels of cultivation.
A dozen streams of Sword Control Radiance flying in at the same time presented a magnificent sight.
The figure in blue robes eventually came to a stop, hovering above the very center of the Fengling River.
“For this Fengling River Sword Cleansing, the Sword Cleansing Pool has dispatched a total of fourteen sword cultivators.
From the Golden Core Early Stage to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, they span seven minor stages, and at each stage, there are two cultivators standing guard.”
“Fellow sword cultivators, if you are interested, you are welcome to come up and provide guidance,” the blue-robed cultivator projected his Spiritual Power into his voice, and it instantly spread across both banks of the river.
“As for the last to challenge the tide…” the blue-robed cultivator paused, then continued, “that would be myself… I am ‘Jade Wave Sword’ Qian Liu, at the Nascent Soul Perfection stage, and I am also open to guidance from all of you.”
“The rules remain the same as before; each sword cultivator can only challenge those at the same or higher cultivation stage.
Anyone who is victorious shall receive Spirit Crystals as a reward—Golden Core cultivators will receive two, Nascent Soul cultivators will receive five, and if someone can defeat me… ten Spirit Crystals will be offered!”
With a wave of his hand, Qian Liu tossed out twenty Spirit Crystals, which suspended high above in the sky, glittering with Spiritual Light, “If you win against a higher stage, the Spirit Crystal reward will be doubled!”
As soon as Qian Liu finished speaking, the fourteen disciples of the Sword Cleansing Pool immediately spread out, each occupying their own domain above the Fengling River.
Meanwhile, the water in the Fengling River began to surge, with the sound of waves growing louder.
The great tide of the Fengling River was about to rise!