Capítulo 404: Sharp Contrast
Chen Wentian followed Peng Yuefeng and descended to just above the treetops. Together, they floated towards the main tower at a leisurely pace, attracting attention from across the entire sect. The Tower of Swords disciples pointed at them excitedly and gossiped about the appearance of an immortal visitor.
The two Spirit Lord Realm swordmasters were a striking pair. They were both of a similar age by coincidence but that's where the similarities ended. One had a thin, frail build and carried a heavy sword way too big for him. The other was severely overweight but had the thinnest of blades hanging from his waist belt. They were a sharp contrast to each other, a spectacular example of the wide and varying possibilities within the Dao of the sword.
Chen Wentian had no particular preference for the style of his sword. He was not a true sword cultivator and he merely picked one a random from his armory. The one hanging from his waist was one of a handful of swords at the peak of the Spirit Initiate Realm. It was not as impressive as a Spirit Lord Realm sword such as the Desolate Sword or even his own Purple Jade Sword. But he still had to carry one while pretending to be a swordmaster.
"Quite a lively morning," He commented as they passed by multiple courtyards filled with gawking disciples, "Your sect seems to have even more members than Glacier Palace or Divine Blazing Mountain. I count at least fifty thousand around this mountaintop."
Peng Yuefeng chuckled, "Sharp spiritual sense! You are correct. Tower of Swords is one of the largest sects in the subcontinent if we consider just Spirit Lord sects. The path of the sword has always been popular. There would be something wrong with me if the sect wasn't as thriving."
"Impressive. If all of them can wield the sword of demon blight, they will be an unstoppable force against these upstart demons. We will be able to rid this land of demon plagues for many generations." Chen Wentian said.
"Perhaps..." Peng Yuefeng said, "Tell me, why do you dislike demons so much that you are willing to go to such lengths to fight against them?"
Chen Wentian dived into a lengthy explanation into his made-up background. He described growing up in a frontier province, how he suffered through constant demon uprisings and beast hordes. He explained how his family was wiped out by demons and how the local cultivations sects sat around and did nothing to help. It was a wonderfully inspiring tale that was totally devoid of any details that could be used to track down its validity.
And while he recounted his sob story, Peng Yuefeng nodded along thoughtfully and stroked his goatee.
They eventually landed in the middle of a stone arena beneath the massive main sword tower. The raised fighting platform was paved with gray slabs and surrounded on all sides by stands tall enough to hide the rest of the sect from view and could seat at least a few thousand spectators.
"Lin Huzhong," Peng Yuefeng turned to Chen Wentian, "I will be honest with you. The Six Meridians Demons Blight sword style intrigues me but it isn't something I can give to my disciples just like that. As a fellow sword master, you know that the path of the sword is littered with dangers and obstacles. One's sword heart must be steady and brave. They cannot be distracted and swayed down the wrong path. I have faith that your intentions are noble but before I accept your gift, I must verify its quality."
"I wholeheartedly agree," Chen Wentian replied.
"Good, I am glad you are as generous as much as you are broadminded!"
Peng Yuefeng raised his hand and sent out a ray of spiritual energy towards the main tower. His message was answered a short moment later as five disciples marched into view and up to the fighting platform. Each one wore the same drab gray robes as their master and carried a variety of swords.
Among them was Peng Xiling who had made a name for himself in the Monster Fighting Competition. The other four were unknown but their cultivations were formidable. They were all walking the immortal path, well on their way towards breaking off the restraints of mortal life.
Chen Wentian studied each of these disciples with a keen eye, gauging their talent and comparing them to his own disciples. This was his ulterior motive for visiting the Tower of Swords. With Glacier Palace and Divine Blazing Mountain under his control, this sect was the only competitor that remained in close proximity to his Ten Thousand Flower Valley. There were a handful of other immortal sects but they were weak and insignificant.
The Tower of Swords remained a direct competitor so he had to know who he was dealing with. He wasn't interested in taking over this place or anything, just like he hadn't been interested in taking over the other two sects either. He simply liked being in control of the situation and gaining insight into potential opponents or enemies.
Peng Yuefeng's friendliness towards Lin Huzhong was a fortunate development and would save Chen Wentian a lot of effort. Having a good relationship with the sect master of the Tower of Swords was good insurance for any future conflict.
"Master!"
"Master!"
The five disciples stopped in front of Peng Yuefeng and bowed deeply. They kept their head down and waist bent for several awkward seconds until Peng Yuefeng let them rise. The amount of respect shown was tremendous and the level of indifference from their master was also startling.
This was far different from how Chen Wentian treated his disciples who barely had time to bow before he smothered them with hugs. To Peng Yuefeng, his disciples were merely that, insignificant mortals who perhaps had a chance of carrying on his legacy. To Chen Wentian, his disciples were also lovers and he cherished each one of them deeply.
"Lin Huzhong, these are five of my most talented junior core disciples, ones with the deepest understanding of the way of the sword and the greatest potential for following in my footsteps. I will let them test out your sword style to see if it is effective and easy to learn as you claim." Peng Yuefeng said.
"Sure."
Chen Wentian produced five booklets from his spatial bag and handed them over.
Peng Yuefeng then turned to his disciples and conversed in a low voice. He explained the reason for Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong's visit and their task of learning the Six Meridians Demon Blight sword style. He also took the opportunity to have a competition between his disciples with the one to learn this new sword style the quickest receiving some coveted rewards.
While this was going on, Chen Wentian noticed that one of the sword disciples, Peng Xiling, was shooting weird looks in his direction whenever possible. It was as if this person was trying to pierce through his disguise bit by bit to unearth the truth beneath. It gave Chen Wentian the unnerving feeling that they knew something he didn't… which was impossible.
What he didn't know was that his intuition was correct. Peng Xiling, or more accurately Peng Lingxi masquerading as a man, already knew something about him that nobody else had been able to discover, not even her master. This was because she knew something about Chen Wentian that nobody else did.
Peng Lingxi continued to stare at Immortal Desolate Sword Lin Huzhong even though she knew it was rude and dangerous. She simply couldn't help herself. It was not because she was attracted to his face which was round like a dinner plate. It was because this strange immortal, when facing off against her master, had displayed a fantastical sword style, one that she had instantly recognized.
Its aura was the same as that day in Dugu's Cavern, bearing the same majesty as a divine being descending from the sky. Its power was even greater now, like the weight of the world was behind his sword energy. It filled her with nostalgia and the unbearable desire to meet the man behind the sword.
She never forgot that day. She never forgot that moment when a handsome young swordsman showed her what a sword was truly capable of. Chen Wentian had pierced her soul and stolen her sword heart and she had been chasing after his shadow all of these years.
When she sensed that same sword energy once again, she immediately thought that Chen Wentian had come to the Tower of Swords. She was sorely disappointed when the guest wasn't Immortal Blue Dragon at all but a fat and weird-looking uncle. She had no idea where this Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong came from and how he could wield the same sword art as Chen Wentian.
As she continued to study him, his beady little eyes, multiple chins, and a neck as thick as his head, she felt a sense of familiarity. She wondered if Chen Wentian and Lin Huzhong had the same master. It seemed impossible but she wondered if they were related.
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