The Situation

That afternoon, Yaoguang met with the refiners of the Artifact Refining Institute. When they first laid eyes on him, an uproar rippled through their ranks. Yet the moment he revealed his Origin Spirit form... Even though they could tell his Origin Spirit was still somewhat faint and insubstantial, every voice of dissent fell utterly silent. Who didn't know that in the current climate of the Nine Cauldrons Sect, spirit cultivators held the greatest sway? With this display alone, whenever Yaoguang requested funding from the higher-ups in the future, the difficulty would drop by several notches. Virtually anyone would show some deference to a future Origin Spirit Realm Great Cultivator. After securing the acknowledgment of all the refiners, Yaoguang directed them to focus their efforts on researching the aesthetic appeal of flying swords, while he immersed himself in the development of both the Zixiao series and the Xianying 60 series. A month later, the design of the Xianying 60 series was fully finalized. Compared to the original Xianying 50 series, the new Xianying 60 not only brought spiritual energy consumption down to 91, but also pushed its maximum flight speed up to 510 meters per second. Although its offensive capabilities had declined slightly, flying swords of the dharma artifact grade were mostly meant for practice anyway—much like small trainer aircraft. Who would actually take them onto a battlefield? Moreover, the stability coefficient of the Xianying 60 was significantly improved over its predecessor, drastically reducing the likelihood of running into danger under complex flight conditions. Paired with its solid protection, balance, and control systems, the sword was far easier to pilot, making it suitable for both young and old alike. Even sword cultivators at the fifth or sixth tier of qi refining could easily launch the blade straight into the azure skies. ... Inside Jiuxiao City, at the headquarters of the Xianying Flying Sword Institute. This was a sheer, vertical peak that pierced straight into the clouds like a gigantic sword. The peak had been created when Xianying's First Seat invited a great spell cultivator proficient in the Mountain Shifting Art to gather, solidify, and forge mountain rock thousands of li away, then engrave formations across it before relocating the entire mass to Jiuxiao City. Though transplanted from afar, the peak was now adorned with vibrant clusters of blossoms and lush foliage. Tasteful, antique architecture was nestled within the shaded groves, presenting a picture of seamless harmony between humanity and nature. To this day, the mountain had become one of Jiuxiao City's most famous landmarks. At this moment, on an open-air terrace spanning several thousand square meters atop the peak, high-tier artifact refiners, cultivators, and martial artists gathered together, raising their cups and toasting the commercial launch of the Xianying 60 series. As the external contributor who had played the greatest role in this achievement, Yaoguang had naturally received an invitation, allowing him a brief glimpse into the upper echelons of the Jiuxiao Domain. ... Accompanying Yaoguang were Distinguished Professor Qin Yadong and Yun Lai, the chief artifact refining grandmaster of the Xianying Artifact Refining Institute. Aware that Yaoguang was unfamiliar with local circles, Qin Yadong continuously pointed out the eminent figures in attendance. "That gentleman over there is the City Lord of Jiuxiao City. He was once one of our Nine Cauldrons Sect's finest true disciples, having forged a Dao Foundation. After transitioning to secular administration, he was appointed Vice City Lord, and three years ago, he was promoted to City Lord..." "Standing beside the City Lord is a presiding elder from the Main Sect. And not just any miscellaneous elder, mind you, but a Main Sect elder who sits on the Elder Council. Every official appointment in Jiuxiao City that involves the Nine Cauldrons Sect falls under his purview." "And that one is Zhao He, Hall Master of the branch sect's War Hall. He ranks among the top three great sword cultivators in the entire Jiuxiao Domain. His mastery of the Nine Mysteries Flowing Light Sword Art is sublime. They say that when he unleashes his full power, his flying sword can reach up to a hundred times the speed of sound." Qin Yadong introduced them one by one. When he mentioned that Zhao He's flying sword could reach a hundred times the speed of sound, Yaoguang could not help glancing in his direction. That single glance seemed to register with the War Hall Master. He smiled toward Yaoguang, quickly signaled to Qin Yi not far away, and walked straight over. "This must be First Seat Yaoguang, the greatest contributor to the optimization of the Xianying 60," Zhao He greeted warmly. "Due to patrol duties in the East Sea, I couldn't meet you right away, which was quite a regret of mine. Today, I finally have the pleasure of seeing you in person." "Hall Master Zhao," Yaoguang returned the greeting. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao He gestured toward a nearby corner. "Shall we speak over there?" Yaoguang was slightly puzzled, but seeing Qin Yi wink at him, he nodded in agreement. "Grandmaster Yun Lai, please join us as well." As they spoke, the group moved toward an area shimmering with soft light. This section was partitioned into booth-like enclosures. Furthermore, every line inscribed on the floor was part of a medium-sized sound-dampening formation. Any conversation within could not travel beyond the marked perimeter—an ideal setup for private discussions that preserved secrecy without raising suspicion. Once they were seated, Zhao He spoke with genuine admiration. "First Seat Yaoguang, your optimization of the Xianying 60 series has reached the pinnacle of contemporary standards. Even the Great Sun Sword Sect, or perhaps the Wuji Astral Palace and the Immortal Alliance, would hesitate to claim they could achieve such results with a rank-eight flying sword." "You flatter me. I can only manage such feats with dharma-artifact-grade swords. When it comes to mid- and high-grade spirit artifacts, I would be of little use." "First Seat Yaoguang is far too modest." Zhao He shook his head before continuing, "First Seat Yaoguang, you've likely heard about the Xuanming Sect seizing our Nine Cauldrons Sect's Posuo Island, haven't you?" Yaoguang nodded. "To respond to the crisis, we deployed twenty-four sword cultivators and sixteen spell cultivators to patrol the waters around Posuo Island, with over a hundred body cultivators stationed on Longquan Island to secure all flanks," Zhao He said, his tone growing somber. "Yet even so, the two sects nearly came to blows." Yaoguang understood that the sword cultivators, body cultivators, and spell cultivators singled out by Zhao He were, without exception, all Great Cultivators. Hundreds of Great Cultivators locked in a standoff—one could easily imagine how perilous the situation had been. "In the end, however, we chose restraint," Zhao He said in a deep voice. "The Xuanming Sect itself is nothing to fear, but within the East Sea Archipelago, cultivators from the Great Sun Sword Sect and the Great Yue Dynasty are also present. And above all..." He paused briefly. "Behind the Xuanming Sect lies the shadow of the Wuji Astral Palace." The Wuji Astral Palace?! At those words, not only did a lifelong grandmaster like Yun Lai pale, but even Yaoguang's expression shifted slightly. The Wuji Astral Palace! One of the most formidable powers in the modern Cangwu Great World. Sixteen years ago, the Wuji Astral Palace had obliterated the Liusha Sect—a power boasting six thousand Star Lords—with thunderous force, compelling the Northern Alliance led by the Myriad Beasts Sect to disband. Ever since, no single sect in the world had been capable of standing against them. It was also that very battle that had thoroughly jolted the Nine Cauldrons Sect awake, making them realize the critical importance of coordinating sword cultivators and spirit cultivators during assault operations. It had forced them to recognize that the world had entered an era of multifaceted, multi-discipline combined warfare. Without the strength to counter an enemy's sword cultivators, no matter how many body cultivators you had, they were nothing more than sitting ducks. They would be obliterated from hundreds or thousands of li away before they could even lay eyes on the enemy. One had to understand... The Liusha Sect and the Nine Cauldrons Sect had been remarkably similar. Both had operated under the belief that since they possessed vast numbers of body cultivators, they should prioritize cultivating more of them to expand their advantages. Excluding the Golden Core Ancestor who oversaw the grand scheme from outside the great world, the Nine Cauldrons Sect of sixteen years ago had been scarcely stronger than the Liusha Sect. If such a massive power could be wiped out by the Wuji Astral Palace in a single month, had it been the Nine Cauldrons Sect in their place... The outcome would have been no different. "Why would the Wuji Astral Palace turn its gaze toward the East Sea Archipelago? Aren't they currently busy carving up the Northern Alliance led by the Myriad Beasts Sect?" Yun Lai could not help asking. "They are likely positioning chess pieces," Zhao He said with a cold sneer. "Among the Ten Great Immortal Sects, the Northern Alliance led by the Myriad Beasts Sect has already collapsed. The Immortal Alliance, the Taiyin Sect, and the Fatian Pavilion have joined them in the feast of dividing the Northern Alliance's spoils, while the Golden Sacred Hall is a business partner of the Wuji Astral Palace. Of the remaining four immortal sects, the only one that still poses a threat is our Nine Cauldrons Sect." The other three—the Pill Sect, the Fiendgod Hall, and the Yang God Sect—had long since passed into history, their demise even more absolute than that of the Artifact Sect. "Is the Wuji Astral Palace aiming to unify the Cangwu Great World?" Yun Lai's mood sank. "Haven't they been striving toward that goal ever since the war ended?" Zhao He replied. The former Artifact Sect had also been a member of the Northern Alliance. However, following its destruction, the newly founded Nine Cauldrons Sect had chosen not to align with them. Yet the Wuji Astral Palace might not see it that way. In any case, placing a pawn like the Xuanming Sect to contest the Nine Cauldrons Sect cost them nothing. "And just because of the Wuji Astral Palace, we simply swallow the insult over Posuo Island?" Qin Yadong could not help asking from the side. "Of course not," Zhao He smiled. "If Great Cultivators engage in battle, the conflict will escalate, and the two sects could easily be pushed into an all-out war... We certainly do not fear the Xuanming Sect, but we must stay on guard against the wolves and tigers waiting in the wings—the Wuji Astral Palace, the Great Sun Sword Sect, the Astral Sea Sect, the Ancient Immortal Sect, and the Great Yue Dynasty. Therefore, our best course is to keep the intensity of combat within an acceptable threshold." "Control the intensity... You mean..." "Keep it confined to high-tier cultivators," Zhao He nodded. "The Xuanming Sect knows it is merely a pawn of the Wuji Astral Palace, so they wouldn't dare completely burn their bridges with us either. Otherwise... even if the Wuji Astral Palace might support them, before the Astral Palace finishes carving up the Northern Alliance and frees its hands, we would thoroughly wipe out the Xuanming Sect first." The others nodded in full agreement. The Nine Cauldrons Sect might be powerless against the Wuji Astral Palace, and they might stand at a disadvantage against a major sect like the Great Sun Sword Sect, but if they truly committed their strength, dealing with the Xuanming Sect would pose no real challenge. "The East Sea Archipelago consists primarily of vast ocean waters and scattered islands. Body cultivators can hardly display their strength there, and spell cultivators face considerable constraints as well. What's more... conflicts of this nature are all about efficiency: strike decisively and retreat thousands of li, with no room for hesitation or delay. Thus, sword cultivators—who possess the highest lethality and breakthrough capability—are the best suited for the task!" Zhao He explained. "Spirit cultivators to scout, sword cultivators to strike," Yun Lai remarked. The battle in which the Wuji Astral Palace dismantled the Liusha Sect within a month had taught the world the true power of coordinating spirit, sword, spell, and body cultivators. "However, our greatest challenge right now is the sheer scale of the East Sea Archipelago. It spans three hundred thousand li," Zhao He said with a sigh. "And this conflict is bound to drag on for a considerable time. Having sword cultivators patrol a territory of three hundred thousand li over prolonged periods consumes an astronomical number of spirit stones every year." He continued with a solemn expression, "While Posuo Island is sovereign territory of our sect and essentially priceless, the sect must weigh whether it is truly worthwhile to pour tens or even hundreds of thousands of spirit stones into this conflict." "Hall Master Zhao, what you mean is..." "We need a new type of flying sword!" Zhao He stated bluntly. "A spirit-artifact flying sword that combines high speed with low energy consumption!" He paused for a beat before adding, "Word from the Main Sect is that if anyone can design a flying sword that meets these requirements, the Main Sect will not only award a personal grant of no less than a thousand spirit stones, but will also guarantee an order of at least three thousand swords."