Little Immortal?
Chen Xia heard it clearly in the cabin, and could not help but sigh. How could there be a youth version of him nowadays, calling himself Little Immortal.
The discussion outside did not end, and continued:
"Little Immortal is the one who has risen to fame in recent two years. I heard he practices divine magic, and defeated several veteran masters in the Jianghu after just emerging. He even went to the Old Dragon Temple alone to ask the dao, and safely went down the mountain afterwards."
These events made Little Immortal quickly gain fame across the entire Jianghu, and some even ranked him among the candidates for the number one in the world.
"How was the origin of this Little Immortal, do you know?"
"I only heard that he came from a hidden sect, and now came out to revive his sect."
"I have two versions here. One said this Little Immortal came from the immortals, and is the soon-to-emerge spokesman of that old immortal."
"The second one said this Little Immortal came from overseas, practiced all kinds of divine magic, and is the culmination of overseas martial artists. Now he dares to come out in the Jianghu of Great Song."
These two statements were quite credible. After all, this Little Immortal did use divine powers.
But others were still puzzled and asked with a frown:
"Isn't the National Teacher said he would kill all overseas martial artists? How dare this Little Immortal still act openly in Great Song?"
"Hey, this statement is wrong." Someone next to him shook his head and replied:
"As previously said, the National Teacher has been missing for five years. No one knows where the National Teacher has gone. And this Little Immortal is quite powerful, so he naturally dares to come out."
In fact, it all comes down to Chen Xia not being here and missing for so long.
If the Chen Xia now was still in the imperial city of Great Song, then this Martial Arts Conference probably could not be held.
The small boat rowed very slowly.
So the few people on the boat talked more.
"Do you think this could be a conspiracy of the Great Song imperial family?"
"Why say that?"
"The National Teacher left the imperial city of Great Song only based on their one-sided words. Who knows whether the National Teacher really left or not. And the previous three top masters of Jianghu, Zuo Fei Yang, Jiu Qian Sui and the Old Monk, were all on good terms with the imperial family of Great Song."
"While the imperial family of Great Song did not get along well with the entire Jianghu before, and even said that chivalry causes chaos."
"This time, the rare participation of Great Song imperial family in organizing the Martial Arts Conference, and wanting to recruit outstanding martial artists into the imperial court, seems to have the idea of integrating the court and Jianghu."
When they talked to this point, they were all moved and started to analyze deeper.
"In this way, does the Great Song imperial family want the entire Jianghu to be their dogs?"
"It should be the case. And with the martial power of the Great Song imperial family alone, even with the addition of Zuo Fei Yang and Jiu Qian Sui, they probably cannot steadily control the entire Jianghu. So I guess the National Teacher may be hiding behind the scenes, and will make a move at the critical moment to suppress the entire Jianghu."
Speaking between them, they had already built up the conspiracy theory, and just thinking about it made their spines chill, not daring to delve deeper.
Someone hurriedly shook his head and said:
"Forget it, forget it. We shouldn't think too much about this. These Jianghu heroes are not worried and dare to participate in the Martial Arts Conference. What do we spectators have to be afraid of?"
"You're right." Someone else nodded in agreement.
The small boat was about to arrive, so they stopped talking and threw money on the boat one after another, shouting towards the cabin:
"Boatman, we've given the money, left the oars here, we're leaving."
A few people got off the boat one after another and walked towards the venue.
The small boat did not move at all, still moored on the shore.
There were many people crossing the river, but fewer returning.
Chen Xia enjoyed the tranquility, lying in the cabin spacing out, and after a good while, he slowly came out and sat on the boat, picking up the scattered coins, and casually counted them.
Not too much or too little, just 66 copper coins, a lucky number.
Chen Xia threaded the copper coins with a rope and hung them around his waist, not to use, mainly to hear the sound.
There were still boats shuttling back and forth around.
Chen Xia got off the ferry, walked with his hands behind his back, listening to the jingling sound of the copper coins, and slowly walked towards the inside.
After resting for so long, he should also take a walk.
He stretched and let out a breath, intending to go to a crowded and lively place to see.
And the most crowded place was the center of Tiantan Lake, where the Martial Arts Conference was about to be held.
The words of those few people just now were also interesting, all of which were related to Jianghu.
What is Jianghu?
If Chen Xia were to answer, there would be only one sentence.
Where he stood was Jianghu.
The highest point of Tiantan Lake.
The pavilion in the sky.
Song Wei stood at the window, facing the lake surrounded by mountains, it was really Tiantan.
"Have all the Jianghu people on the list arrived?" he asked.
Behind him, the white-haired Jiu Qian Sui nodded, chuckled and said, "Ninety percent have arrived. The remaining ten percent are paranoid and vigilant, maybe afraid of something, and haven't come yet."
Song Wei's gaze became empty as he looked out the window, and said indifferently:
"Only ten percent, no big deal. When the entire Jianghu is under my control, the remaining ten percent of Jianghu knights will naturally know how to choose..."
He paused, and smiled again:
"If they don't know yet, then they can only be taught by the iron cavalry of Great Song how to decide."
Jiu Qian Sui laughed and shook his head, "Why use such a big lineup of Great Song's iron cavalry? I can go knock on their doors myself once, that's enough."
Song Wei shook his head. "It's just a trivial matter, no need to bother you, Uncle Jiu."
From his words, it could be seen that Song Wei respected Jiu Qian Sui very much.
A flush of joy appeared on Jiu Qian Sui's face, enjoying this feeling of being respected by the emperor. Still, he modestly said:
"It is my honor to serve Your Majesty."
Song Wei nodded with a smile, turned his head, looked at Jiu Qian Sui eagerly, and said with a smile:
"Then I'll have to ask Uncle Jiu to do more in this Martial Arts Conference."
"Of course." Jiu Qian Sui chuckled and nodded, then suddenly asked again, "What did Zuo Fei Yang say? Does he agree?"
When it came to Zuo Fei Yang, Song Wei's expression sank a little, and he shook his head slightly.
"It's not easy to persuade Zuo Fei Yang. Even though I've already released opinions, he still doesn't want to give in. He wants the court and Jianghu to coexist peacefully. He will probably be your biggest opponent."
Hearing this, Jiu Qian Sui frowned and sneered disdainfully:
"His chivalrous heart is indeed deep, stubborn and foolish. He still wants the court and Jianghu to coexist peacefully, how ridiculous."
Song Wei rubbed his nose helplessly and replied:
"Zuo Fei Yang's temper is indeed too stubborn. I asked my sister to talk to him specifically, but they couldn't come to an agreement. My sister was also helpless, she only asked me to spare Zuo Fei Yang's life afterwards."
Song Wei hesitated, looked at Jiu Qian Sui, and asked uncertainly:
"Are you confident you can defeat Zuo Fei Yang?"
Jiu Qian Sui folded his sleeves, his complexion fluctuated, and finally stabilized on confidence. He stretched out a finger from his sleeve, held it horizontally in front of his face, and said sharply:
"Twenty years ago, Zuo Fei Yang was the first in Jianghu, and I was second. We did have a battle. I lost to him by half a move back then. But if it was a life-and-death battle, I'm confident I could have traded my life for his, instead of losing by half a move!"
"Now twenty years have passed, I've had more enlightenment, vaguely becoming a celestial being. I already have a lifespan close to two hundred years. No one in Jianghu can compare to me."
When Jiu Qian Sui said this, his expression was extremely arrogant. He pinched his outstretched finger into a fist and spoke domineeringly:
"I spent two hundred years cultivating the Immortal Dao to surpass Jianghu. If I fight Zuo Fei Yang again now, I will suppress him in one minute!"
Hearing this, Song Wei also became excited: "If Uncle Jiu has attained the Immortal Dao, then we will definitely win this Martial Arts Conference easily."
Jiu Qian Sui smiled and nodded, then asked: "What about the newly emerged Little Immortal? Have you investigated him?"
Song Wei replied: "I sent spies to investigate, but the spies did not come back. Based on others' speculation, it is very likely an overseas martial artist."
Jiu Qian Sui frowned, "Didn't expect overseas martial artists to dare to appear so openly just after the National Teacher disappeared for five years."
Song Wei was also helpless: "There has been no news of the National Teacher for so many years, the overseas martial artists probably haven't found out either, so they dare to appear in Great Song."
Jiu Qian Sui nodded and replied:
"These overseas martial artists rely on practicing immortal techniques and have always defied the National Teacher. Now they want to come out and provoke, it's quite normal."
Song Wei pinched his nose, somewhat troubled, and quickly shook his head, "Forget about those overseas Qi practitioners for now. After suppressing the entire martial world of Great Song, I'll slowly deal with them."
Thinking of this, Song Wei sighed again, "If the National Teacher was still around, suppressing the entire martial world of Great Song would probably be effortless with his reputation."
Jiu Qian Sui noncommittally replied, "Perhaps."
Was Chen Xia being the number one under heaven really a good thing?
Jiu Qian Sui didn't think so.
He hoped that both immortals in Great Song's territory would fall.
This was the most sensible world under heaven.
Otherwise, every time he looked up, he would feel like there were two people...
Looking down on him from on high!
On the third day.
The Martial Arts Tournament officially began.
Almost ninety percent of famous figures in the martial world participated, including legendary chivalrous heroes.
Even more spectators surrounded Tiantan, packed tightly without a gap, with people coming and going, shouts continuous.
"Look, it's Changfeng the Gallant! He was said to have gone into seclusion ten years ago. Didn't expect to see him today!"
"Who's on the high platform? White hair and beard, black robes, could it be... could it be the imperial top expert Jiu Qian Sui!"
"..."
Chen Xia mingled among the crowds, listening to the explanations of onlookers while curiously glancing over as well.
Sure enough, he didn't recognize anyone.
But these martial world heroes did look dignified and stern, dressed and styled magnificently, just outstanding pretentiousness.
Very good, very good.
Chen Xia nodded, thinking he should learn from them. After all, not everyone could pretend so naturally.
He found an empty spot and sat on a borrowed small stool, ready to watch the fights.
On the high platform, Jiu Qian Sui faced the crowds. He circulated his inner energy and shouted loudly.
"The Martial Arts Tournament officially begins. First match, Xiyang Changfeng versus Anshan Laoguai!"
The spectators' cheers grew even more enthusiastic.
The shadows of people in front of Chen Xia kept jumping, obstructing his view of the stage.
After thirty breaths, it ended.
An old guy won.
"This Anshan Laoguai is so formidable, with vast inner energy. He actually defeated Changfeng the Gallant in such a short time. Looks like he has a good chance of entering the top ten experts under heaven!"
"..."
People began analyzing already, but Chen Xia still hadn't seen anything.
But it didn't matter. He was just here for the lively atmosphere, so he yawned and smacked his lips a couple times.
"Hey buddy, you look sleepy. Why don't you let me have the stool and you can go sleep in the back?"
A young master from a prestigious family patted Chen Xia's shoulder and suggested.
Chen Xia shook his head. "No need. I can fall asleep quickly here, best hypnotic effect."
"I'll give you two taels of silver. Not for your spot, just for the stool." The young master said again.
Chen Xia glanced at him but still shook his head. "Without the stool, my nap would be half as effective."
"Are you here to sleep or watch the fights?" The young master frowned, a bit speechless.
"Just wanted a lively atmosphere." Chen Xia laughed lightly.
He was a cultivator, what was the point of watching these martial artists?
The young master was also helpless, just muttering softly, "Country bumpkin."
Chen Xia chuckled but didn't really care. He had an easygoing temperament and was quite lazy, so he rarely got angry unless someone went too overboard.
Plus, this young master was talking quite intimately. If his words had been more offensive, Chen Xia would have taught him a lesson about how trouble comes from loose lips.
The martial arts competitions continued.
Chen Xia had already tilted his head back and started daydreaming.
By the time the fights were almost over, Chen Xia woke up. The climax match was currently happening.
Zuo Fei Yang versus Jiu Qian Sui.
The top two experts.
The spectators' cheers reached an unprecedented frenzy, and their heated discussion grew more intense.
"Number one versus number two under heaven clashing. Who will win?!"
"Eight years ago at the frontier battle, Zuo Fei Yang's arm was severed by a barbarian warrior. Don't know if he's recovered now. If it greatly affected him, he probably can't beat Jiu Qian Sui."
"Twenty years ago their strength only differed by half a move. Twenty years later, Zuo Fei Yang is damaged while Jiu Qian Sui prospered steadily. The odds definitely favor Jiu Qian Sui."
"..."
Among the many opinions, Jiu Qian Sui had more support.
Only Chen Xia noticed another presence.
Behind the martial arts stage, many figures from the martial world stood.
A youth in white stood in front of the crowd, hands clasped behind his back, smiling faintly as he watched the battle before him.
A red dot between his brows.
Not like a beauty mark.
Quite sinister.
Chen Xia's brows furrowed. He felt this aura seemed familiar, and after some thought, he slowly looked up and finally recalled.
It was the aura of overseas Qi practitioners.
On stage, the fight officially began.
Zuo Fei Yang wielded his sword in one hand, the other hand hidden in his sleeve without moving.
Jiu Qian Sui stepped on the ground as inner energy erupted, moving close to the ground as he flew straight toward Zuo Fei Yang's sword edge. His hands covered in inner energy to meet the blade.
The first exchange.
With three fingers, Jiu Qian Sui pinched the sword tip, dispelling the sword energy and capturing the sword intent.
He gained the advantage.
Zuo Fei Yang's sword was suppressed. His other hand within his sleeve lashed out, swirling air as inner energy erupted forth.
Jiu Qian Sui still used three fingers, inner energy exploding to blast back Zuo Fei Yang thirty steps. His right hand grasped the sword blade.
Disarming barehandedly.
Zuo Fei Yang was now without his sword, his right arm trembling.
"That barbarian warrior from eight years ago really left you with an unhealable injury."
Jiu Qian Sui said this flatly.
Zuo Fei Yang smiled bitterly. "You advance as I retreat, I can no longer catch up."
But he still extended both hands, inhaled deeply, and announced clearly.
"Number one under heaven for twenty years. I only ask for one defeat."
"Very well!" Jiu Qian Sui's sharp voice rang out as he nodded.
He charged forward.
Not even a quarter hour passed.
Zuo Fei Yang's maimed arm was too severe.
After just two hundred moves, Jiu Qian Sui had gained the upper hand.
Zuo Fei Yang's expression dimmed as he tumbled off the stage, wiping the insignificant wounds on himself. In the end, he smiled bitterly.
Jiu Qian Sui revealed an extremely delighted smile. He was finally about to ascend to the position of number one expert under heaven.
But then he heard footsteps.
The youth in white walked onto the stage. The red dot between his brows bright and vivid. In his hand he held an exquisite pagoda, smiling as he asked,
"I wonder if Jiu Qian Sui has heard of the idiom 'when the snipe and clam grapple, the fisherman profits'?"
Jiu Qian Sui raised a brow.
This boded ill.
He stretched out both hands, inner energy swirling over them.
The youth in white continued smiling. "My family said that in all the world, Jiu Qian Sui is the closest existence to immortals. So I came looking for you. Also..."
The youth pointed at the sinister red dot between his brows.
"This red dot between my brows absorbed the blood, flesh and inner energy of over a dozen top experts in the martial world. As a result, they couldn't make it to this Martial Arts Tournament."
Jiu Qian Sui's pupils expanded. The inner energy on his hands actually disappeared!
The exquisite pagoda in the white-clothed youth's hand spun, releasing five-colored light that enveloped the entire stage. He laughed sinisterly,
"Using Great Song's martial world as my stepping stone to enter the immortal realm."
Jiu Qian Sui's inner energy was uncontrollably siphoned out of his body toward the spinning pagoda.
From his mouth came miserable wails of agony.
The youth in white sneered sinisterly.
The previously clear weather suddenly turned, clouding over. Within the dark clouds, thunder snakes coiled, baring fangs.
A rumble of thunder, very near.
The youth in white looked up.
A thunder pillar crashed down!
The pagoda in his hand released spiritual energy to block the thunderbolt, protecting him completely.
The drainage of Jiu Qian Sui's inner energy stopped. He quickly dragged his feeble body back, not daring to linger.
"Who is it?!" The youth in white's face darkened as he angrily roared.
"Didn't I say so already?"
A lazy voice sounded between heaven and earth.
"Overseas Qi practitioners, I'll kill every one I see."
The voice drew near.
It was an extremely dazzling pair of green eyes, followed by green robes.
Chen Xia was now standing on the stage, calmly saying words that sent chills down the white-clothed youth's spine.
"You court death."