Those three thousand-zhang-tall curtain walls of heavenly flame enclosed everything within a hundred-li radius!
Such a terrifying spectacle forced countless onlookers to re-evaluate the strength and foundation of the Great Xia Sword Sect.
They also came to realize just how terrifying the strength of Li Guanqi and his companions truly was.
That was the blaze of a heavenly flame!
A heavenly flame that myriad top alchemists dreamt of, something they would trade their entire fortunes to possess.
Yet here, it was casually laid down as a sealing barrier, as if it were nothing more than ordinary beast flame or earth flame.
Sun Miao, however, remained completely oblivious to all of this. At that moment, dripping with sweat, he was racking his brains over the question Cao Yan had just posed.
Cao Yan, on the other hand, had remained calm and unruffled from start to finish.
No matter how tricky the question, he answered with effortless fluency, possessing his own profound insights into the alchemical Dao.
Perhaps some of these insights seemed a bit shallow or immature to Sun Miao, yet the old man was deeply appreciative that Cao Yan could possess such original thoughts.
The two of them had debated the Dao for a full day and night, yet not a single Great Xia Sword Sect disciple below had left.
Everyone sat cross-legged below, either listening with rapt attention or lost in deep contemplation.
The old man raised a hand to extinguish the flame within the cauldron, rose, bowed, and said, "A debate between gentlemen brings immense benefit.
"This old man... concedes defeat."
Smiling, Cao Yan lifted the hem of his robe, rose slowly, and reached out to support the old man.
With a solemn and earnest expression, he said, "This junior dares not claim victory. In this debate, I too have benefited immensely.
"Though this junior hails from an alchemy clan, I hold great admiration for Senior's practical experience.
"I hope we can exchange pointers often in the future. I will certainly prepare fine wine and good food, and sweep the couch to welcome you."
Hearing this, Sun Miao broke into hearty laughter. The young man before him possessed an exceptional upbringing, and his speech and conduct were the epitome of a true gentleman.
Warm as fine jade, a peerless gentleman—he truly lived up to the praise!
Cupping his fists, the old man chuckled. "Splendid! In the future, I will set aside a private refinement chamber for you here on Pill Peak. Come whenever you please!
"Let us go. There has been quite a commotion outside these past couple of days; we should go see as well."
After exchanging polite courtesies, the two stood side by side and flew off through the air.
***
Lu Kangnian quickly disseminated the news regarding the upcoming lectures. Some sect elders had proposed charging exorbitant amounts of spirit stones to turn a massive profit.
Yet Li Guanqi had rejected the idea outright. The Great Xia Sword Sect was not strapped for funds in the least.
Moreover, fertile water should not flow into an outsider's field. He wanted everyone to know:
If you were not a disciple of the Great Xia Sword Sect, you could not enter—even if you were a fellow Void Refining powerhouse.
Whatever sect or palace they hailed from, they could all scram!
He wanted every disciple of the Great Xia Sword Sect to hold their heads high out in the world, building an unshakeable sense of sect pride!
Lu Kangnian slammed his desk and said in a deep voice, "Exactly! This is our own sect's affair. Why should outsiders join in the excitement?
"The Great Xia Sword Sect doesn't need that petty fortune!"
Just then, an inner court consecrated elder walked in. After bowing respectfully, he reported in a low voice, "Sect Master, outside... the Two Sects and Five Palaces of Qingyun have all stated they are willing to offer a hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones in exchange for three auditing spots...
"Several major sects and great clans from other continents have also agreed to that price..."
Before the consecrated elder could even finish, Lu Kangnian waved a broad hand, shutting down the matter completely.
"Tell every clan and sect out there that the Great Xia Sword Sect's auditor spots... are not for sale! Not for any amount of spirit stones!"
Just as the words left his mouth, Lu Kangnian paused slightly. He drew out a jade slip and channeled a wisp of spiritual power into it.
His eyes flickered, and turning to Li Guanqi in the seat below, he sent a voice transmission.
Li Guanqi nodded with a smile. Only then did Lu Kangnian speak to the consecrated elder. "Go and respectfully usher the people from Zhenyue Mountain inside!
"Remember to show Shen Ye, the Mountain Master of Zhenyue Mountain, the utmost face."
Li Guanqi smiled faintly. He found nothing amiss with the Sect Master's decision.
Back then, when the Great Xia Sword Sect was targeted by multiple powers like the Qixian Sect and Qinglong Island, out of all the sects across the Northern Region, only Zhenyue Mountain had maintained close ties with the Great Xia Sword Sect.
During the battle against Ziyang Palace, the Mountain Master of Zhenyue Mountain had even led his entire sect to rush to their aid!
Adding flowers to brocade was nothing special; delivering charcoal in the snow proved true heart.
This time, the Great Xia Sword Sect was going to display their present strength and confidence for all to see!
And they would thoroughly slap the faces of those snobbish sects that had looked down on them in the past.
Leaving the remaining arrangements entirely in Lu Kangnian's hands, Li Guanqi rose and bowed toward the figure on the dais.
"Sect Master, you won't need me for the rest of this. I shall head back first."
"Haha, good. Go on."
Li Guanqi then left the main hall with Meng Wanshu, taking her to see the places where he had once trained.
Beside the hundred-zhang waterfall, many disciples still sat cross-legged below, cultivating bitterly.
Throughout the Three Thousand Peaks, numerous disciples were still bare-chested, scaling the cliffs barehanded with massive boulders strapped to their backs.
Even when sharp rocks grazed their chests, they paid no heed; though drenched in sweat, their gazes remained resolute!
For the sect had always taught them: if you want anything in this world, you must fight for it with your life!
Moreover, this training ground among the peaks held far too many legends.
***
At the summit of Yuhu Peak.
Meng Wanshu dipped her feet into the water, and the pool instantly turned into a sheet of frost.
Looking toward the sunset's afterglow in the distance as the breeze brushed her face, the mist-wreathed peaks and rivers unfolded before her eyes.
"Incredible..."
"Hmm? What is incredible?"
"Such an incredible sect. The atmosphere within is so united, and the only thought in everyone's hearts is diligent cultivation.
"Every single person possesses a fierce sense of honor for the sect."
The more she spoke, the more extraordinary she found it.
Turning to Li Guanqi, she said with a solemn face, "Do you know? The stronger a sect is, the more problems it usually harbors.
"There are also sects that rise to prominence merely because a few disciples grew powerful—I've seen far too many cases like that.
"Yet... without exception, those sects all met decline in the end!"
Li Guanqi nodded quietly, pursing his lips without saying much.
Resting her hands on the edge of the frigid pool, she sighed softly, "Yet a sect like the Great Xia Sword Sect is something I've never seen before.
"From top to bottom, no matter what rank someone holds, their character is upright, with none of them growing arrogant or self-important."
Li Guanqi smiled upon hearing that, speaking softly with immense pride, "That is why it's the sect I, Li Guanqi, love!"
The corners of his lips curved upward as he recalled the words his grandfather had spoken when he first descended the mountain back then.
*So that's what he meant...*
***
Ye Feng and Xiao Chen had both received Li Guanqi's message as well. As for Cao Yan, after returning to his courtyard, he entered a meditative state with a smile on his face.
Sitting and debating the Dao with Sun Miao had brought him immense benefit as well, and he needed to properly digest it all.
He had not refused what Li Guanqi proposed; after strolling around for a day, he found the Great Xia Sword Sect to be... truly wonderful.
*Clang! Clang! ...*
Sunlight poured over the cloud-topped peaks as the bell tolled nine times!
A white jade square spanning a thousand zhang hovered outside Tianjian Peak!
Wearing an ornate sect robe, Li Guanqi slowly opened his eyes and sent a soft voice transmission.
"Let's go. It will be hard work for the next few days."
Xiao Chen preened and flicked his hair back, declaring with supreme narcissism, "Let this little brother speak more today. Just watch me... see if I don't charm Sister Qing head over heels!"
Ye Feng's face remained dark the entire time, his left knuckles whitening slightly as he gripped his scabbard.
Chapter 576