Two Realms High Martial Arts: Gathering the Heavens to Become a Great Luo Immortal

Chapter 209 The Twin Swords of Life and Death, Mysterious Maiden, Star-Picking Tower (4.4k)

Thirty li north of Beiyan County, there is a long-abandoned ancient tomb complex.

Here, withered vines, old trees, and crows at dusk, broken steles and crumbling tablets lie scattered about. In the deathly silence, even the sound of the wind seems particularly stagnant. Ordinary people regard this place as an ominous place and dare not approach it.

On a half-tilted tombstone, a gaunt figure sat cross-legged.

The man wore a faded gray cloth robe, his body so withered it seemed to be nothing but bones, his sunken eyes were tightly closed, and his face was covered with wrinkles, like the bark of an ancient tree, utterly lifeless.

What is most striking is that two sheathed longswords are laid horizontally on his crossed knees.

The sword sheath was pure black, exuding an extreme sense of "death".

The other sword sheath is pure white, representing absolute vitality.

The two energies of life and death flowed slowly around the withered old man, forming a delicate balance.

He blended perfectly into this desolate cemetery, as if he were the master of this land of death.

no doubt,

This is the old man from the Life and Death Sword Sect who was wiped out on the day the Li family was destroyed. He is a powerful expert at the second level of the Outer Realm, known as the Old Man of Withered Bones, Jing Wuming.

The cultivation technique he practiced was the "Heavenless Revolving Life and Death Sword Chapter," one of the three swords in the "Three Lives and Tribulations Sword Manual," one of the five great divine skills.

suddenly,

A completely black raven flew over and landed on the broken tombstone beside him. Its beak opened and closed, emitting a muffled human voice:

"Li Xijun, the Pride of Heaven—Entering Beiyan Pass—"

The moment the words fell.

Two eerie lights suddenly shone from Jing Wuming's deep-set eyes!

He opened his eyes, the energy of life and death swirling within them before vanishing in an instant.

"Buzz—"

As he opened his eyes, the black and white swords on his lap emitted a deep, resonant hum.

Around the black death sword, several tenacious weeds on the ground withered, turned black, and turned to ashes in an instant.

Beside the white sword, on the surface of the originally hard stone tablet, several patches of emerald green moss had sprouted, full of vitality.

Life and death alternate, the cycle never ends.

The wonder of the "Heavenly Wheel of Life and Death Sword Chapter," one of the five great divine skills, was fully displayed in the blink of an eye and the sound of a sword.

"Li Xijun," Jing Wuming's voice was dry and hoarse. "After disappearing for two months in the northern desert, he finally reappeared after reaching the top of the list of human beings." Various pieces of information about Li Xijun involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Especially the night I first met Li Xijun at the Li residence.

"Back then, the Blood-Clad Tower succeeded too easily."

1

His withered fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the scabbard on his lap.

"His rise to power was just too fast..."

"But the message I had Blood Robe Tower release that 'Li Xijun is the true prince' wasn't believed by many people..."

Jing Wuming slowly raised his head and looked towards the direction of Beiyan County City. His gaze seemed to penetrate space and see the black-clad youth who had just arrived in the city.

"No matter what."

1

"Whether he is Li Xijun or not—I will know with a single sword strike."

West of Beiyan County City

There is a place called "Lan Yue Ge" (Moon-Gazing Pavilion).

This is no ordinary brothel; it is a hidden world with countless luxurious courtyards and pavilions, exclusively for entertaining true dignitaries and martial arts masters.

In the deepest part of the valley, there is a secluded courtyard, planted with exotic flowers and rare herbs, with flowing water forming a stream, and mist and nitrogen and argon vapors, making it like a fairyland.

The small building in the courtyard is bright and clean.

A woman is playing the zither by the window.

She wore a plain white gauze dress with no extra accessories, and her long, jet-black hair was loosely tied up with a simple wooden hairpin.

Her appearance was not the kind of alluring beauty that could topple kingdoms, but rather a pure and unparalleled beauty. Her eyes and brows carried a sense of detachment and purity that seemed untouched by worldly affairs, as if a celestial maiden had mistakenly descended to the mortal realm. Her aura was clean and clear, untouched by any dust.

As the fingertips fall, the music flows like a clear spring over stones, ethereal and melodious, bringing peace to the mind and instantly dispelling all distracting thoughts.

The delicate flowers in the courtyard seemed to sway gently to the sound of the zither, sensing an even richer spiritual energy.

It seemed that she alone controlled the entire courtyard.

Those who possess such strength are undoubtedly experts at the Outer Realm.

This woman was none other than Mu Yue, an elder of the Hehuan Xuannv Sect.

suddenly,

A young female disciple dressed in a light pink dress appeared at the courtyard gate, standing silently, not daring to disturb her, her eyes filled with awe.

Until the end of the song,

Fairy Muyue asked, "What is it?"

Only then did the female disciple dare to step forward a few steps, bow respectfully, and nervously say:

"Elder Qi, we have just received confirmation that Li Xijun of Zhongxing Palace, who ranks first on the Human Ranking, entered the city this morning and is currently traveling on the main street with the young master of the Duan family and the Shaolin Kongzhu monk."

Fairy Muyue slowly raised her head, a slight smile playing on her lips.

That smile was like the thawing of an ice river, bringing spring back to the earth.

The light in the entire courtyard seemed to brighten, as if all the colors had suddenly converged on her alone.

The sounds of the babbling brook outside the window, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and even the faint noise of brothels in the distance all seemed to fade into the background.

In the vast silence of the world, only her faint smile became the sole focus.

Even the female disciple standing nearby had her eyes instantly become hazy and infatuated, gazing intently at her elder.

It was as if I had witnessed the most exquisite beauty in the world, and my mind was completely immersed in it, unable to extricate myself, and I even forgot the following report that I was supposed to give.

This is the supreme seductive skill of the Hehuan Xuannv Sect.

It is not a superficial, seductive allure, but rather a direct appeal to the core, a natural charm that evokes the most primal yearning of all living things for "perfection" and "purity".

The Fairy Muyue, now in the outdoor scene, can influence the surrounding environment with every smile, subtly captivating people's hearts.

However, she seemed completely unconcerned about her disciple's lapse in composure.

Those clear, autumn-water-like eyes revealed the gleam of someone who had discovered an interesting toy.

"Li Xijun."

She murmured to herself, her voice soft and melodious, yet carrying a knowing and playful air about her, "The little fellow who stirs up trouble has finally arrived at Beiyan Pass. I'd like to see what kind of style this year's number one on the Human Ranking is like."

"Elder, now the Lan Yue Pavilion is famous throughout Bei Yan Pass. Many heroes of the martial arts world and the most outstanding talents on the Human Ranking consider it an honor to enter the Lan Yue Pavilion and have a drink and stay overnight at the Zhai Xing Tower."

The young girl in the pale pink dress spoke up:

"Since Li Xijun entered Beiyan County City with Duan Gongzi, the 'Sword Master Duan,' it's highly likely that he will come to Lanyue Pavilion to ascend the tower."

"If the elder is willing, perhaps we can go to the Star-Picking Tower to see him today."

For this,

Fairy Muyue shook her head and continued playing the zither.

"No rush... Let's see how many swords he can use to reach the top first."

"Moreover... the city of Beiyan now boasts nearly thirty prominent figures on the list of famous figures."

"The eighth-ranked member of the imperial clan on the Human Ranking, the sixth-ranked Sword Sect member Fang Qinghua, and the fifth-ranked Divine Firmament Sect member Han Qiong, the Thunderclap Hand, are all in the city."

"Let these people test his quality first."

the other side,

"Brother Li, with Zhao Longcheng, a Grandmaster of the Earth Ranking and now the Imperial General of the North, guarding this Beiyan County, it is extremely safe. Ordinary Outer Realm experts dare not show their faces."

As Duan Heyu strolled arm-in-arm with Li Xijun, experiencing the local customs and culture of this northern prefecture, he spoke up:

"Today I'm hosting a banquet at Lan Yue Pavilion, the most bustling place in Bei Yan County!"

"Lan Yue Pavilion?"

Li Xijun, who could roughly guess what it was just from the name, became somewhat interested.

In this martial arts world, it's natural to visit certain places of pleasure and enjoy the music along the way.

"good,"

Duan Heyu nodded with a smile, a hint of pride in his expression, clearly taking pride in being the host here.

"This Lanyue Pavilion is now the number one den of extravagance in Beiyan County. Ordinary people can't even get in."

The monk Kongzhu, standing to the side, clasped his hands together and chimed in with an explanation, his tone surprisingly familiar:

"Amitabha. Benefactor Li, this Lan Yue Pavilion is indeed extraordinary. Its fine wines and delicacies are unparalleled in the Northern Territory, and it also has a courtesan of exceptional beauty and talent who performs, with remarkable attainments in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing and music."

However, the rules within the pavilion are strict; those who are not top-tier nobles or martial artists whose cultivation has reached the Opening Acupoint Realm are not permitted to receive guests.

He spoke with complete composure, as if he were introducing some ancient temple or scenic spot.

Upon hearing this, Li Xijun couldn't help but take another look at the monk, thinking to himself, "This monk is quite dishonest; it seems he's spent quite a bit of time drinking and carousing with Duan Heyu."

In fact,

Duan Heyu, along with the diabolo master and Xiao Yishan, the twelfth-ranked master of the Qiaobang (a type of folk art) in Jiangnan,

They met through a drinking contest, and the three of them drank for a whole day and night. They felt they had met kindred spirits and that's how they became sworn brothers.

The monk with the diabolo continued enthusiastically:

"Moreover, the most famous part of the pavilion is not the courtyards, but the central 'Star-Picking Tower'!"

"The building is nine stories high, named after the phrase 'reaching for the stars in the heavens,' and is the core of the entire Lan Yue Pavilion. The food and drinks inside are the best, the performances are the most exquisite, and the view is also the best, overlooking half of the city's night view."

"The Star-Picking Tower? That sounds interesting." Li Xijun raised an eyebrow, her interest growing even stronger.

"It's more than just somewhat interesting!"

Duan Heyu picked up the conversation, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"This Star-Picking Tower itself is a test. The nine-story pavilion is divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. Each level is guarded by powerful individuals hired by the pavilion; one must pass their tests to ascend to the next level. The higher one goes, the more luxurious and prestigious the treatment, and the more different the scenery. For ordinary wealthy and powerful people, being able to feast on the third floor of the lower level is already something to boast about. My junior brother Kongzhu and I tried our best, but only reached the sixth floor, which is considered quite good even among the middle level."

His words contained a hint of pride in his past achievements, as well as a longing for higher floors.

"There are such rules?"

Li Xijun's curiosity was now truly piqued.

The owner of Lan Yue Pavilion clearly understands marketing principles, using this method not only to screen customers,

Furthermore, it has become a symbol of status and strength, attracting countless martial artists to compete for its challenge.

"That's exactly right," Duan Heyu said with a smile. "How about it, Brother Li, are you interested in giving it a try? With your abilities, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the scenery of the upper three levels, or even the ninth level!"

Although his words were flattering, they also carried a hint of genuine expectation.

Being able to witness the top scorer on the leaderboard clear the challenge is an extremely interesting thing in itself.

Li Xijun nodded slightly, her interest growing stronger.

To hone one's swordsmanship, one must spar with masters; this challenge sounds like a good warm-up.

"Very well, then let's go to the Moon-Gazing Pavilion and the Star-Picking Tower and see what's so special about them that makes Brother Duan and Master Kongzhu so highly recommend them."

Upon hearing Li Xijun's agreement, Duan Heyu was overjoyed: "That's wonderful! Brother Li, please come with me!"

The monk Kongzhu also chanted a Buddhist prayer, and quickened his pace.

The three of them immediately stopped wandering around and, led by Duan and Yu, walked through the bustling streets and headed straight for the most luxurious and mysterious Lanyue Pavilion in Beiyan County.

The Zhaixing Tower stands majestically, with its flying eaves and brackets, displaying exquisite beauty.

In front of the building was a vast square paved with white jade, but at this moment it was crowded with people and noisy.

Dozens of confident martial artists lined up, their eyes fixed intently on the entrance to the building.

The guard there was not an ordinary bodyguard, but a cold-looking man dressed in dark blue tight-fitting clothes and holding a long spear made of wrought iron.

He didn't deliberately exude an aura; he simply stood there casually, his spear pointing diagonally at the ground, yet he seemed to be one with the earth, his aura as solid and imposing as a mountain.

What's even more remarkable is that his aura is perfectly harmonious and flawless, and his control over power has reached a state of subtle perfection. He has even faintly touched upon a certain spear technique concept of "immovable as a mountain, yet as fierce as fire"!

At that moment, a burly man wielding two axes launched a challenge.

He roared and charged forward, his double axes swirling in a fierce wind that seemed to split mountains and shatter rocks.

However, the cold-faced gunslinger merely flicked his wrist, and his iron spear, though delayed, struck first, its tip like a poisonous dragon emerging from its lair, precisely hitting the weakest point in the flow of power between the two axes.

"Clang! Clang!"

Two crisp sounds, almost simultaneously.

The burly man felt two incredibly concentrated forces pass through the axe blade, and his arms instantly became numb and sore. He couldn't even hold onto the heavy axe, and it flew out of his hands.

He was pushed back seven or eight steps by a gentle force, and fell to the ground with a thud, his face full of horror and disbelief.

A low murmur rippled through the crowd.

This gunslinger defeated his opponent without even moving a step, demonstrating a level of skill far exceeding that of ordinary awakened martial artists.

"Next." The cold-faced gunslinger sheathed his spear, his voice flat and emotionless, as if he had merely swatted away a fly.

The crowd in line stirred up agitation, with many looking hesitant and apprehensive, and for a moment no one dared to step forward.

Seeing this, he breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that things should be a bit quieter tonight.

In fact, he was originally the gatekeeper of the third gate of the Star-Picking Tower, responsible for determining whether someone could enter the middle three levels.

This is because recently, a large number of martial artists have flocked to Beiyan County, creating a mixed bag of characters.

To prevent just anyone from trying it out and disturbing the peace and elegance of the Star-Picking Pavilion,

That's why they specially sent such a skilled person as him to guard the gate temporarily.

Those who can truly defeat others almost possess the strength to reach the bottom of the rankings!

Only such people are qualified to enter the building and try.

Just as the atmosphere became slightly tense...

A voice, tinged with a hint of arrogance and excitement, rang out:

"Excuse me, everyone! Excuse me! Let my friend try it first!"

Duan Heyu and the monk Kongzhu stepped out from the crowd, politely asking those blocking their way to make way as they spoke.

Most of those waiting in line were proud and arrogant江湖客 (jianghu ke, a term referring to people from martial arts worlds or江湖义气, a code of honor among ...), and upon seeing this, some of them immediately began to grumble in dissatisfaction:

"Who is it? Someone with such influence? Needs someone to clear the way?"

"Exactly, didn't you see we were all queuing up obediently? Don't you know the rules?!"

"Hmph, let's see which deity this is—"

Faced with such a group of heroes of the martial world,

Duan Heyu, who had been in the martial arts world for some time, was not angry at all. Instead, he casually pointed behind him and laughed:

"If you heroes wish to see him, you'd better keep your eyes wide open. This is the immortal you are about to meet, number one on the Human Ranking, Young Master Li."

In an instant,

All the complaints, grumbling, and discussions abruptly ceased.

The once bustling Star-Picking Tower Square instantly fell silent.

Everyone's eyes followed Duan Heyu's finger.

A young man walked over, dressed in a black robe as dark as ink, with a tall and straight figure, handsome features, and a calm and composed expression.

In the last two months

This person's portrait had already spread throughout the land along with the official list of names printed by the imperial court!

Li Xijun, the number one prodigy!

He actually came!

And yet, it appeared alive and well right in front of everyone!