I Practice Farming While the Rest Cultivates-Chapter 1195 - 1192 Far-reaching Impact

“However, since those in the Nascent Soul Realm command far greater resources than those in Core Formation, the Sword Palace Elders have accordingly raised their scoring standards.”

“After Junior Brother Lu improved the Sixth Grade Life-taking Prison Suppressing Sword Grass, our Huan Zhen Sword Peak has no ranking pressure this time, and you can choose not to participate.”

“Alright.”

Lu Xuan nodded lightly.

Although he was fully confident of continuing to secure top marks in Spirit Plants, Spirit Brew, and Talisman Making, since Sword Peak was not under any ranking pressure, there was no need to bully the juniors in Core Formation.

“I can’t help it, although I don’t have to participate personally, I can still decide the ranking for Sword Peak.”

He thought to himself with satisfaction.

The emergence of the Life-taking Prison Suppressing Sword Grass had a profound impact, significantly elevating his status within the Sword Sect.

After Yuan Rong took his leave, he thought for a moment and summoned his three disciples to the Cave Abode.

“Greetings, Master!”

The three disciples bowed in unison.

“For this Sword Peak competition, are the three of you willing to participate?”

“Master, I plan to participate and exchange skills with the formidable Sword ‘Cultivators’ from the other peaks.”

Li Haotian, devoted to the Sword Dao in his life, although still in the Early Core Formation stage, was no weaker than his fellow disciples. The gift of the Thundering Sword Gall from Lu Xuan further enhanced his prowess, and knowing about the Sword Peak competition, he was eager to try.

“Good.”

Lu Xuan smiled and nodded.

His eldest disciple had abundant combat experience and should be able to obtain a good score.

“I’ll give you a Class 5 White Bone Killing Sword Grass. Its quality is better than what other Sword ‘Cultivators’ in the Sect have cultivated. See if you can fully master it during the competition.”

Lu Xuan took out a purely murderous pale white Sword Grass and handed it to Li Haotian.

“It’s important to participate, no need to focus on the ranking.”

He advised softly.

“Thank you, Master!”

Li Haotian took the pale white Sword Grass, bowing deeply, his voice filled with endless gratitude.

“Master, can both Sister Chen and I, being in the Foundation Establishment Realm, also participate in the Sword Peak competition?”

Mu Yuanping pondered for a moment, asking tentatively.

“The two of you aren’t adept at combat but could choose one or two cultivation techniques to see if you can pass the initial screening at Sword Peak.”

Lu Xuan chuckled.

To participate in the competition, one must first secure eligibility from Sword Peak.

Among them, Mu Yuanping, under his careful guidance over the years, had rapidly improved his Spirit Plants skills and should be able to get a good score.

As for Chen Qingshuang, when she was an Outer Sect Disciple, she had extensive experience in Talisman Making. After joining Lu Xuan’s Sect, she occasionally organized small exchange meetings for Talisman Making, where she was responsible for arranging the content discussed.

Whenever there were doubts, she could also receive personal guidance from Lu Xuan, achieving a strong proficiency in several fourth-grade Sword Talisms, including Roaring Sea and Great Sun.

More importantly, he was their master; it was impossible for them not to pass the initial screening at Huan Zhen Sword Peak.

“I’ll be in the Cave Abode these three months, decide the categories you want to participate in, and I’ll give you a thorough review.”

Lu Xuan’s face revealed a smile with an unclear meaning.

“Yes, Master!”

The three disciples were still basking in their joy, completely unaware of what Lu Xuan meant by makeup classes.

In the following three months, Lu Xuan, finding himself idle, frequently summoned the three over, assigning them various highly intensive and targeted tasks, which caused their skills in Sword Dao, talisman making, and Spirit Brew to rapidly improve.

Soon, the day for the Sword Peak Competition had officially arrived.

The first event was the demonstration of strength by disciples from all major Sword Peaks.

Each Sword Peak sent its most outstanding disciples in the Early, Mid, and Late Core Formation stages, ten from each stage, to compete against others of the same realm.

Li Haotian smoothly secured his qualification and within three days, he returned to his cave abode to report his results to Lu Xuan.

“Disciple is ashamed to face Master, I did not make it to the final top ten among my peers in the Early Core Formation stage.”

A hint of shame appeared on his indifferent face.

“Nine Sword Peaks, with ninety outstanding disciples in the Early Core Formation stage competing. Your ranking in the twenties is quite commendable.”

Lu Xuan consoled him.

This ranking placed him third among the ten competitors from Huanzhen Sword Peak. Considering Li Haotian’s talents, achieving this ranking was no small feat.

“Strive to enter the top ten in the next Sword Peak Competition.”

Lu Xuan encouraged him.

“Yes! I will definitely not let down Master’s trust!”

Li Haotian declared resolutely.

Soon, the evaluations for Mu Yuanping and Chen Qingshuang were also released.

Mu Yuanping achieved a rank of Second Class Lower in the Spirit Plant skills competition, while Chen Qingshuang obtained a Third Class Middle in talisman making.

When the two returned to meet with Lu Xuan, both felt somewhat embarrassed and believed they had lost face for their master.

Lu Xuan reassured them one by one.

He was quite satisfied with their performances.

After all, the Sword Sect was a colossal entity in the Cultivation World, and the talents from all the major Sword Peaks were as plentiful as fish crossing the river. Both disciples achieving such commendable results in the Foundation Establishment Realm was already impressive.

Deep within the Sword Palace.

Jian Huanzhen was the first to arrive, choosing a conspicuous spot to sit leisurely, quietly savoring the True Sword Elixir as he awaited the arrival of the other eight Sword Masters.

“Brother Huanzhen is arriving earlier and earlier; having confidence really makes a difference.”

An elder clad in coarse linen clothes, waving a paper fan, slowly walked in.

In his memory, during several previous Sword Peak Competitions, Jian Huanzhen was always the last to arrive and hurried off right after announcing the rankings, never as enthusiastic as these last couple of times, almost as if he wished to live within the Sword Palace.

“I really envy Huanzhen, who knows what kind of luck he stumbled upon to find such a blessed disciple like Junior Brother Lu.”

“This Sword Peak Competition, Huanzhen Sword Peak is set to climb higher.”

As more Sword Masters continued arriving, they each spoke their thoughts.

Everyone disliked Jian Huanzhen’s smug demeanor yet also wished to replace him, lamenting not having attended that particular Assembly of a Thousand Spirits to have recruited Lu Xuan into their own Sword Peak.

After all nine had arrived, a Sword Boy closely followed, appearing before them all.

“I am here to announce the rankings of this Sword Peak Competition.”

“First place, Chongxu Sword Peak.”

The crowd maintained their normal expressions; Chongxu Sword Peak had monopolized the first place for many years now, posing no threat to the rest of the eight Sword Peaks.

“Second place, Hundred Artisans Sword Peak.”

…

“Fifth place, Huanzhen Sword Peak.”

“Expected…”

Several people looked at Jian Huanzhen, whose face bore an even greater smile, each feeling different sentiments.

“Gentlemen, thank you for your generosity.”

Jian Huanzhen bowed in a circle, laughing heartily.