Chapter Forty-One: Unintentional Provocation

The high-grade earth-tier spiritual weapon, Rainbow, in Jiang Yue’s hand left Jin Lan and Huang Tao deeply shaken.

The Rainbow Sword, a masterpiece among high-grade earth-tier spiritual weapons, stands at the pinnacle when heaven-tier artifacts are absent. It is so eminent that it is entirely worthy to serve as the sword of a powerful Earth Immortal like Master Liu Guang. Yet such a renowned spiritual sword appeared so casually in the hands of a mere girl—when did high-grade earth-tier spiritual weapons become so cheap? Or perhaps Master Liu Guang has become so generous as to equip his disciples at will with such treasures? Even if Liu Guang wishes it, would the rest of Pure Yang Temple consent? Even the Valley Master of Divine Weapons, Jin Sheng, would think twice before giving Jin Youming a high-grade earth-tier spiritual weapon. In terms of earth-tier artifacts, Pure Yang Temple and the other six mountain gates combined do not surpass Divine Weapons Valley alone.

Jin Lan did not believe that Liu Guang had passed the Rainbow Sword to Jiang Yue; he much preferred the idea that Jiang Yue had somehow stolen this famed sword. A disciple stealing their master’s sword might not happen elsewhere, but with Liu Guang and his disciples, anything is possible.

Huang Tao’s thoughts were even more tangled. At the first sight of the Rainbow Sword, she felt the world’s malice bearing down on her. How unfair—why should all good fortune fall to a single girl? Perhaps she could find a way to take the sword for herself; after all, the young girl did not look particularly clever. But upon hearing Jin Lan mention the sword’s origins, she dismissed such notions immediately. Who would dare take something belonging to Master Liu Guang?

She, too, came to a similar conclusion as Jin Lan: the Rainbow Sword must have fallen into the girl’s hands by some improper means, albeit with Liu Guang’s tacit approval.

Jiang Yue cared little for their opinions, continuing on her own, “But I don’t really fancy sword-flight. So I’ve decided to practice flying with a hammer. It looks much more imposing!”

As she spoke, she produced a short-handled hammer. “Look here, the Rainbow Sword is too long for me. This hammer is just the right size—and I can enlarge it at will, watch…”

With a resounding crash, the short-handled hammer expanded to adult size and landed heavily on the ground.

Jiang Yue declared, “I heard of an outer disciple who saved many people with a door board. Once I finish refining this hammer, I’ll be able to make it bigger too—then I can take hundreds up into the sky!”

She imagined a scene: fierce enemies blocking her way, their faces twisted with arrogant smiles as she stood alone—then she would clap her hands, and hundreds of fellow disciples would swarm out like angry bees, encircling the foe, who would tremble in fear.

Just thinking of such a delightful spectacle filled her with boundless pride.

Wang Li was unaware of her daydreams. If he knew, he would surely remind her: anyone daring to block your path is at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator—are you bringing hundreds of non-flying disciples merely for slaughter? Or he might tell her outright: there’s a profession called “driver” in this world, and it’s not a fitting occupation for a princess!

Wang Li merely found the girl’s fondness for a hammer odd. Why forsake a perfectly good flying sword? A young maiden using a hammer as transport seemed strangely out of place.

But to Jin Lan, the girl wasn’t merely eccentric—she was flaunting, showing off the bottomless indulgence of her master. Perhaps, she was even deliberately provoking them…

He refrained from curse words and instead said to Wang Li, “Steward Wang, time is precious. Let’s get to task assignment. The longer we delay, the worse it will be for us. The situation in the city is unclear; it’s best to be prepared.”

Wang Li nodded. “As arranged, your sect’s disciples and five squads will be stationed in the central district. The squads are not yet properly grouped; you can begin by helping construct the camp in the central area.”

“Excellent. We have several disciples who practice earth-element techniques. I’ll make arrangements now.”

Jin Lan called to his fellow disciples nearby and then turned away.

Huang Tao hurried to bid Wang Li goodbye and led the Five Elements Pavilion disciples after Jin Lan.

She hastened a few steps to catch up, asking in confusion, “Brother Jin Lan, why the sudden urgency?”

Jin Lan glanced at her, tinged with anger. “Why stay here? Should I let that girl keep mocking me?”

“Brother, you’re confusing me.”

“Do you know what that short-handled hammer is?”

“Please enlighten me.”

“That’s the Gold Element War Hammer, a pure attack earth-tier spiritual weapon. It belonged to a Grand Elder of Divine Weapons Valley, but was taken by Master Liu Guang, who promised to return it after a thousand years. Yet now he’s handed it to Jiang Yue—clearly, he never meant to give it back!”

Jin Lan fumed, “So be it if he doesn’t return it—we don’t lack a single earth-tier artifact in Divine Weapons Valley. But that wretched Jiang Yue, knowing full well the Gold Element War Hammer is a pure attack weapon, has to boast before us, claiming she’ll use it for flight. Isn’t that deliberately humiliating us?”

“Rather than suffer further indignity, I’d rather find something productive to do. When the selection is over, I’ll report this to the Valley Master. Pure Yang Temple must give Divine Weapons Valley an explanation!”

“So that’s how it is. In that case, Jiang Yue is indeed a bit much. Brother Jin Lan, don’t stoop to her level—lest you upset Steward Wang.”

Her words comforted Jin Lan, but inwardly, she scoffed at his threat to demand an explanation from Pure Yang Temple. If Divine Weapons Valley were truly capable, would they let their artifacts be snatched without protest?

It wasn’t that she looked down on Divine Weapons Valley—apart from their immense wealth and monopoly over spiritual weapon crafting, they were not much better than Five Elements Pavilion in other ways.

But she kept her insight to herself, letting Jin Lan save face. Her greater concern now was the matter of the “Heaven’s Selection.”

All they had was the scant information given before teleportation. The complete uncertainty left her feeling insecure.

She asked Jin Lan, “Brother, what do you make of this Heaven’s Selection?”

Jin Lan spread his hands. “Heaven knows. No rules, no instructions, no clear goal—this is the first selection of its kind I’ve seen. Have you discovered anything?”

Huang Tao shook her head, worry in her voice. “I dare not even think of the selection. Pure Yang Temple has numbers, Zhenxian City is teeming with experts—what chance do we have?”

“Indeed. Who knows what this Heaven’s Selection is really about.”

...

Wang Li gave the Foundation Establishment cultivators present half an hour to form teams. When time was up, twenty squad leaders stood before him.

Wang Li spoke sternly, “Now that you’ve chosen your leaders, act according to the arrangement.”

“Your squads are designated one through twenty. Squads one to four are responsible for the front district. Five to eight for the rear. Nine to twelve for the left, thirteen to sixteen for the right, and the rest will stay with me in the central district.”