Sword Exchange Pavilion

A small question mark slowly appeared on Chu Liang’s forehead. He couldn’t help but say, “Master, among all the peaks, Jade Sword Peak is the most powerful, with nearly a hundred disciples. Even several renowned Golden Core cultivators are among them. Their chances of winning the chief disciple seat are indeed the greatest. As for me… I only just broke through to the Mind Manifestation Realm a few days ago.”

The chief disciple is always the face of each generation of Mount Shu; such figures naturally compete fiercely. But the Head of All Peaks is the most respected and powerful among the thirty-six peak masters. When the four great Elders are ineligible to become Sect Master, the Head of All Peaks is the first in line as the next Sect Master.

As for the Phoenix Empress…

She was infamous throughout Mount Shu as a troublemaker, known across the martial world for her drinking, her fighting prowess, and her explosive temper. She had forced her way to the position of peak master with her formidable cultivation, but the Sect Master of Mount Shu had never dared assign her any disciples, fearing she might lead them astray.

In the end, it was only when she ventured down the mountain to right wrongs that she picked up Chu Liang, who happened to have spiritual potential. So she took him in as her disciple, and no one could argue otherwise. It seemed she tried it and found mentoring wasn’t much fun, and so never took a second student.

Now, she suddenly wanted her one and only disciple to vie for chief disciple, even aiming for the head seat… Even Chu Liang himself was a little astonished.

How could she even dare to think of this?

Then the Phoenix Empress walked over and patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t feel too much pressure. There should be at least half a year before the selection. Just prepare well… If you really do win the chief disciple title, I won’t treat you unfairly. Whatever you want, just ask…”

Hearing this, Chu Liang glanced at the Phoenix Empress’s chest.

“Hey!” Her gaze suddenly turned dangerous as she pointed at him. “What are you thinking?”

“Master, don’t misunderstand,” Chu Liang said. “I meant, since you’ve already wagered the Phoenix Spirit Blood Jade—such a treasure—I will of course do my utmost. But… this matter is indeed difficult. If I fail, I hope you won’t blame me.”

“Oh, you were looking at the jade,” the Phoenix Empress said, touching the jade pendant on her chest and grinning. Then she continued, “In any case, just treat it as a task. If you become chief disciple and I become Head of All Peaks, we’ll have a huge influx of resources… Then, master and disciple, we’ll split it seventy-thirty—won’t that be perfect…”

Imagining such a delightful future, she couldn’t help but let out a trembling laugh.

“Kekekeke…”

…

Chu Liang walked out of the loft, calmed his mood, and prepared to head to his next destination.

Mount Shu’s main peak, the Sky-reaching Peak.

Among the thirty-six peaks of Mount Shu, Sky-reaching Peak housed the Boundless Palace, where the Sect Master lived. It was also the equivalent of the sect’s capital, with all the important halls gathered there.

Chu Liang formed a hand seal. His bracelet turned into a flying sword, which whistled before him. He stepped onto it, and in an instant, the sword light had left Silver Sword Peak behind.

Sword-riding flight!

The wind roared in his ears, and below him was a boundless sea of white clouds. The thirty-six peaks rose from the clouds, some towering, some steep and strange, like ingredients tumbling in a hotpot broth.

Streams of light darted between the mountains—disciples of Mount Shu hurrying about. Here, those who couldn’t fly could hardly move an inch. Occasionally, a few spiritual birds or immortal beasts would screech past, and the disciples riding sword-light would quickly make way. Anyone who could afford such beasts as mounts was either a peak master, elder, or someone with a formidable background—not worth getting into trouble with.

Within Mount Shu, disciples needed to complete sect tasks to earn the resources required for daily life and cultivation. The place to receive these tasks was the “Sword Exchange Pavilion.”

In the cultivation world, gold and jewels meant little to most cultivators. The currency circulating in the martial world was usually spirit stones for forging and refining, pills for cultivation, and talismans of various uses—these general equivalents.

Spirit stones were the hardest currency.

So, within Mount Shu, spirit stones forged into coinage served as the sect’s currency. In the earliest days, the production was quite crude—just grinding spirit stones into round shapes and splitting them in half, called “Bun Coins” because of their shape.

But Bun Coins were too simple, and soon disciples began forging inferior copies, causing problems. So the sect improved the process, carving spirit stones into intricate butterfly shapes, called “Butterfly Coins.”

However, Butterfly Coins were too complex to mass-produce, and as the sect grew, supply lagged behind demand. Finally, the then Sect Master of Mount Shu devised a solution: shape the stones into simple little swords and infuse them with a wisp of special sword energy—simple to make and impossible to counterfeit.

For thousands of years since, Mount Shu had used these “Sword Coins,” which is also where the name “Sword Exchange Pavilion” comes from.

…

Sword Exchange Pavilion, second floor.

The grand Sword Exchange Pavilion had only three floors, but the space was vast and the ceilings high, making it appear especially imposing. Most affairs were handled by steward disciples, but every day, several steward elders were present upstairs to handle the more difficult matters.

Chu Liang arrived at one elder’s private room.

“Elder Shen, sorry to trouble you again,” he greeted with a smile as he entered.

“Ah, little Chu,” answered the old man inside, robed in wide sleeves, plump, somewhat bald, yet exuding a transcendent air and a kindly smile. “No trouble at all. You’re back so soon—looks like the last mission went smoothly?”

“Thanks to your guidance, it went well. I’m here to report in,” Chu Liang replied.

“No rush—let’s have a game first.” Elder Shen waved his sleeve, and a board appeared on the table before him, with two pots of black and white stones.

“Last time I was lucky enough to win a round, looks like you’re still not satisfied,” Chu Liang sat down cheerfully.

“Naturally. I’ve been pondering ever since and have already found a way to break your strategy,” Elder Shen said as he placed the first stone.

“As before—if you lose, you’ll have to share some inside information,” Chu Liang said, all innocence.

Half an hour later.

The sun had climbed a little higher.

The smiling youth folded his hands into his sleeves, watching the old man across from him, who was staring at the board in deep thought. “Elder Shen, it’s a deadlock.”

“Sigh…” Elder Shen scratched his shiny scalp, glanced a few more times, then finally looked up and shook his head. “You rascal… Always so harmless on the surface, but on the board, every move is a killing strike, every stone a blade—truly decisive and ruthless…”

“Oh, it was just luck. There were several moments when I nearly lost it,” Chu Liang replied.

“Ah, I’m old now… Can’t match you young folks for sharpness.” Elder Shen leaned back, patting his belly. “You’re here to report, but you also want a new mission, right?”

“Yes. But there are hundreds or even thousands of tasks at the Mind Manifestation level—I don’t know how to choose,” Chu Liang said.

“Let me think… You like demon-hunting missions, and you want one of the better ones…” Elder Shen mused, then raised a hand. A lot-drawing tube behind him shot out a single stick, which landed in his palm. “Take a look at this one.”

Chu Liang took the lot, and saw a line of small characters on it.

“Demon-hunting at Magistrate Ming’s estate, Xingzhou City.”