"There is one more thing. I want every single one of you to concede immediately whenever the situation calls for it!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the murmuring among the crowd died down.
The old man swept his gentle gaze across everyone before explaining, "This is, after all, an arena competition, where holding back is not always possible.
"That is why many disciples die on stage at every Hundred Sects Tournament. Yet there is little anyone can say about it, and every participating sect tacitly accepts it."
At this point, the old man's expression grew solemn. "You are all the future hope of the Great Xia Sword Sect!
"Even if our Great Xia Sword Sect lacked resources, we elders could simply go out and hunt demonic beasts ourselves. There is no need to trade your lives for them!
"Do you understand?!"
Everyone drew a deep breath and answered in unison, "Understood!"
Hearing this, the old man nodded slightly, then steered the cloud boat to soar over the mountain range.
*Roar! Screech! Chirp!*
As the cloud boat swept past the mountains, the roars and shrieks of various demonic beasts rose ceaselessly from below.
Gradually, more cloud boats began to appear around them.
Some were even over a hundred zhang long!
Yet just as everyone was marveling at the sight, the roar of beasts suddenly tore through the air right above their heads!
When they looked up, they saw an immense cloud boat, completely golden and over a hundred and fifty zhang in length, abruptly emerge from the sky!
In front of this colossal five-deck cloud boat, six steed-like demonic beasts were harnessed to several sets of reins.
The six beasts were entirely azure, each radiating an extraordinarily formidable aura!
At the very top of the fifth deck, a youth clad in white stood at the stern with his hands clasped behind his back.
As the vessel swept past them, the youth looked down and caught sight of Li Guanqi looking up. He showed a faint flicker of surprise, followed by a glint of sharp interest in his eyes!
Lin Dong murmured in shock, "What kind of demonic beasts are those... They look magnificent!"
Ye Feng had clearly recognized the six beasts as well and said in a low voice, "Tier 3 demonic beasts—Azure Cloud Steeds!
"Which sect is this? What an extravagant display!
"To actually use Azure Cloud Steeds, which rival Core Formation cultivators, just to pull a cloud boat!"
Li Guanqi also slowly withdrew the gaze of his mind's eye, lost in thought.
Qin Xian watched the cloud boat streak overhead and said softly, "That is Xuanmen Palace, which stands alongside Ziyang Palace as part of the Three Sects and Six Palaces!
"Alright, let us pick up the pace as well."
*Whoosh!*
As Qin Xian poured his surging origin power into the vessel, the cloud boat's speed surged instantly.
After crossing the mountains, a rushing river spanning fully a thousand zhang wide came into view!
In the middle of the river stood a towering, majestic fortress pass!
As they drew nearer, the plaque on the gate tower finally became clear.
"Tianyu Pass!"
The massive Tianyu Pass was nestled between two towering mountains, constructed right over the river.
Behind it lay an immense city—Tianyu City.
By the time they reached Tianyu Pass, the surrounding mountain peaks were already densely packed with docked cloud boats.
However, most of the boats moored outside the pass belonged to onlookers who had come to watch the excitement.
With a brief sweep, Li Guanqi estimated there were at least three hundred cloud boats docked there.
In other words, at least ten thousand people had gathered in Tianyu City!
Once their cloud boat cleared inspection, it sailed straight across Tianyu Pass.
Down in the city below, many people looked up toward the sky, buzzing with discussion about their cloud boat.
Qin Xian said softly, "From this moment on, your every move, every word, and every action represent the Great Xia Sword Sect!
"So remember: be prudent in speech and action.
"However, if anyone blind enough comes looking for trouble, beat them back without mercy!"
Hearing the old man's words, the disciples all laughed and chimed in with agreement.
Before long, the cloud boat arrived behind Tianyu City.
From far away, Li Guanqi spotted three soaring peaks rising behind the sprawling city.
Someone had used great supernatural power to slice off their peaks, leaving flat platforms nearly three thousand zhang across!
Dense clusters of cloud boats were already moored beside the three mountains.
When the group stepped off the boat, attendants were already on hand to arrange lodgings for them inside Tianyu City.
After all, the location chosen for this Hundred Sects Tournament was rather remote, and many sects had yet to arrive.
An elderly man leading the attendants cupped his hands toward Qin Xian with a smile. "I never expected Old Brother Qin to lead the team in person this time."
Qin Xian froze slightly upon recognizing the man, then looked at the green-robed elder with some surprise. "Ge Qing? Didn't you always prefer being a lone wanderer?
"How come now..."
The elder chuckled. "When I was young, sure, I liked being on my own. But later I realized that out in the world, everything comes down to strength and backing.
"So this old man simply picked the best option available. Serving as an enshrinee under the Northern Region Heavenly King isn't bad at all."
A reminiscent look crossed Qin Xian's face as he murmured, "To think that the wild, untamed Ge Qing of our youth has actually sought out a backer.
"Hahaha, care to consider joining our Great Xia Sword Sect?"
The elder named Ge Qing hastily waved his hands with a chuckle. "Forget it, forget it. These old bones of mine can't be bothered with all that trouble.
"Are these the disciples for this tournament? Not bad, not bad."
The elder glanced over the group, offering a perfunctory compliment.
Qin Xian said nothing more, and the elder continued, "Alright, let me show you to your lodgings first. They're right inside Tianyu City.
"The tournament is scheduled for three days from now, so you'll have to wait two days."
Everyone rode their swords behind the elder toward their accommodations.
The inn stood seven stories high, yet they were assigned only to the second floor.
Once everything was settled, Qin Xian said gently, "There are still two days left. Feel free to look around during this time."
After finishing their meal, Li Guanqi and Ye Feng exchanged a look, preparing to slip out stealthily.
As luck would have it, they ran right into Zhong Lin the moment they stepped outside, leaving them with no choice but to bring him along.
Li Guanqi then said, "Let's just call Dongzi along too."
Yet no sooner had they found Lin Dong than the loudmouthed youth blurted in astonishment, "Are we going out to temper our hearts in the mortal realm?!"
The others quickly covered his mouth and hurried him outside.
Tianyu City at night was bustling with life. Perhaps due to the upcoming Hundred Sects Tournament, the streets teemed with pedestrians, and the calls of street vendors never ceased.
Only then did they realize how quickly time passed up on the mountain.
Today was already the New Year.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
The sound of firecrackers mingled with festive New Year greetings. The four of them stood in the street, momentarily dazed.
"Cold yields to heat and another year has passed; may all things go smoothly."
"Let's go, brothers!"
Li Guanqi smiled as he picked out a red padded jacket from a roadside stall that would fit Yu Sui'an. He said softly, "Tonight is the perfect time to temper our hearts in the mortal realm!"
With that, under the stunned gazes of Lin Dong and Zhong Lin, he led Ye Feng straight into Qingxiao Pavilion.
Chapter 118