Chapter 613: Chapter 341: Fists Against the Sword Sect, Overpowering the Madam, Disciplining the Wife, and the Emergence of the Great Self!

Wen Caishang observed Li Xian’s Setting Sun Bloodsword and acknowledged its brilliance, sighing, "This child’s talent in Sword Dao is truly frightening. I’ve taught him Swordsmanship for just a year or two, seldom offering guidance along the way. Yet he has reached the Peak. My Frost Moon Yin and Yang Sword, which I’ve practiced longer, is merely at ’Perfection’. To reach the Peak requires either a stroke of inspiration or an extraordinary encounter of enlightenment."

"He achieved it effortlessly, naturally surpassing me as he progressed. This talent, it makes me both love and hate him."

She lay back for a light nap, occasionally hearing the sword wind blowing. Waking in the middle of the night, she noticed the candle was half burnt and transmitted a message, "Come back to rest." Shortly, the door was pushed open, with a snow blanket covering the bedding, ready for sleep.

The next morning, Li Xian was again practicing sword in the courtyard, tirelessly and diligently, his Skill Level steadily accumulating.

[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +1]

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...

[Setting Sun Bloodsword · First Layer]

[Skill Level: 1253/0 Great Self]

[Setting Sun Bloodsword · Second Layer]

[Skill Level: 1533/0 Great Self]

...

...

Immersed in sword practice, with a casual swing, a warm breeze gently blew by, melting the snow around. Wen Caishang saw his diligent practice and at times considered using the Combined Sword Technique, but realizing Li Xian’s growing audacity, thought it inappropriate to indulge him at this time. Strict training was still needed.

By noon, she prepared meals, bringing the food tray with dishes, and called Li Xian to rest for a moment and eat. Li Xian obediently stopped his sword practice and came over.

Wen Caishang opened the meal box, with eight exquisite dishes and a bowl of fresh soup inside. In terms of meals, she did not mistreat Li Xian. After executing two Heartache Swords, she served Li Xian vegetables and meat.

Once he was full, he returned to the courtyard to practice sword. Thus went three days, each day the same. Rising early to practice sword, Wen Caishang brought meals, executed Heartache Swords in return, he ate and then returned to practice at night in his room again.

Wen Caishang noted the initial success, with Li Xian becoming increasingly obedient, she quietly thought, "This tactic seems feasible. Back at Yihetang Manor, he was my close servant and listened well. Now I wish to discipline you, and I’ll ensure you follow suit."

On the fourth day, the day of the duel came. Xiaotuan prepared the carriage, waiting by the side gate. Wen Caishang and Li Xian left together, Wen Caishang said, "Xiaotuan, you stay and manage the relocation and wealth matters."

Xiaotuan replied, "Okay." She bowed to Wen Caishang, dared not look at Li Xian, and ran back inside. Li Xian brought the Red Jade Horse Stool, Wen Caishang stepped onto the carriage, leaving a footprint on the stool. Li Xian gently brushed off the footprint, hiding the stool under the carriage, climbed onto the front, and drove the horse out of the city.

The duel site was set outside the city, in the west among the Snow Hidden Mountain range. The area was desolate, vast, and densely vegetated. The duel outcome between the parties would remain unknown to outsiders.

The Five Mountains Sword Alliance assumed that even if the five teamed up, they were uncertain of dealing with Wen Caishang. Teaming up, even in victory, was not honorable. Complete defeat would be a lifelong disgrace. Hence, they chose a remote location.

Wen Caishang closed her eyes to rest, her hair was done up today, fixed with a silver hairpin, with two strands of hair hanging elegantly by her forehead, dignified and not to be desecrated. The carriage jostled along the muddy road, but she ignored it, practicing the Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique.

Slacking today would mean regression in this skill.

Suddenly, they encountered a snow block on the road, impeding passage. Li Xian employed the Xunfeng Breath, combined with the Iron Lung’s effect, called and blew fiercely, sending a cyclone to scatter the snow.

The carriage raced forward, after passing, the snowflakes settled back, forming a blanket again. As if this secluded path had never been trodden upon. Riding tens of miles, they reached the foot of Snow Hidden Mountain.

A sword mark remained on the ground, pointing into the woods’ depth. Li Xian tethered the horse, helped Wen Caishang from the carriage, and followed the sword mark. Passing through several overlapping green forests, they found a frozen lake.

The lake’s surface was thickly iced, mirror smooth, and extremely vast. Hu Yueyue, Xiao Wanjian, Duan Yixin, Wang Zongzheng, and Hou Yuande sat quietly on the lake. The five sat cross-legged, swords across their knees, having meditated through the night; snow had settled on their shoulders, head, and sword, frost clung to their hair and brows.

The five sat at the lake’s five corners, forming a faint encircling stance. Wen Caishang and Li Xian arrived as agreed, the five opened their eyes simultaneously, cupped hands, and greeted, "Madam Wen, Brother Li!"

Wen Caishang nodded slightly, looked at Li Xian, implying, "This battle is yours. If you can’t defeat them, I’ll step in. But should you suffer a major defeat, being arrogant and haughty, all previous words will be counted."

Li Xian cupped his hands in turn, exchanging polite words, and the duel began. The five elders shook their bodies, sending snow either flying or melting away. Their gazes sharpened like swords, piercing directly at Li Xian’s eyes.

Li Xian’s unique eyes feared not mere sharpness. Holding Wen Caishang, his Cyan Sword unsheathed, he directly resisted the elders’ formidable aura. This battle was no child’s play, concerning reputation and esteem... Since the elders joined forces, they aimed to go all out.

As Li Xian stepped on the lake, a gale blew. Within the wind were 7,300 swords, gradually becoming formless and traceless, yet deadly. Xiao Wanjian struck first. Wen Caishang observed Li Xian’s response. Li Xian’s Heavy Pupil Eye Power was terrifying, clearly seeing the traces and directions of the 7,300 swords. He used the Yin Yang Immortal Lovers Sword’s "Transform Yin into Yang" to defend.

The Yin Yang Immortal Lovers Sword was a Combined Sword Technique, Wen Caishang naturally complied with his intention, skillfully coordinated. Her Soft Sword danced, disturbing the 7,300 swords, causing their formation to fall into chaos.