Chapter Ninety-Seven: Perceiving Yin to Understand Yang

This round of the draw determined the four cardinal directions: East, West, South, and North. Cheng Xinzhan drew South, while a man in white drew North.

As the mirror images merged, the two exchanged formal bows.

"Cheng Xinzhan of Mount Sanqing, greetings, fellow Daoist."
"Yu Qingsi of Mount Tianzhu, greetings, fellow Daoist."

Mount Tianzhu? Cheng Xinzhan recalled hearing Zhou Qingyun mention it while he was scouting for earth veins in the Huangshan Mountains. It was known as the most famous place for reclusive cultivation in Qingzhou and even south of the Great River, where the immortal Zuo Ci once built a thatched hut.

Yu Qingsi possessed a humble and gentle temperament, with a face that invited trust. The sword in his hand was long, its hilt wrapped in white cord, the blade snow-white and coated in frost. Its sword qi was biting and cold, standing in stark contrast to its master’s demeanor.

"Fellow Daoist, please."

Yu Qingsi was also a Dharma-sword practitioner of the Nurturing Qi school. He opened with a crescent-shaped blade of frost qi. As the attack streaked through the void, the moisture in the air condensed into ice beads that rattled as they fell.

Seeing the cold energy closing in and recalling that Earth overcomes Water, Cheng Xinzhan countered with a thick, yellowish sword qi infused with earth-elemental mana. However, as the two energies collided, the heavy earth-elemental qi was instantly frozen solid and shattered by the frost.

The frost sword qi whipped past, narrowly missing Cheng Xinzhan. The icy wind that followed coated his sleeves in white frost. Cheng Xinzhan realized he had been mistaken; this man was not practicing water techniques, but rather using water as a medium to cultivate the Way of Taiyin (Great Yin).

He tested his opponent with water and wood techniques, but both were broken by the frost qi, further confirming his hypothesis. He then employed the energy of Xin Metal to counter, sensing the difference between perceiving Yin through Metal and through Water. At this point, the Metal and Water elements were merely outward appearances; the core was a competition of the Way of Taiyin.

He quickly grasped the distinction. When he used Metal to perceive Yin, he was using Yin energy to nourish the incorruptible, immortal nature of Metal, enhancing its sharpness—the focus remained on the Metal, not the Yin. But Yu Qingsi, using Water to perceive Yin, was taking it a step further: a sublimation, a return to the source. By utilizing the cold and shifting nature of Water to deduce the essence of Taiyin, his true focus was on the Yin, not the Water.

Yu Qingsi’s sword qi contained a trace of the divine intent of Taiyin; the extreme cold nearly overshadowed the Five Elements. Cheng Xinzhan’s attempts with Earth, Water, Wood, and Metal were all repelled. Yu Qingsi’s sword qi followed the principles of Taiyin’s transformation, mimicking the nature of water—becoming mist, liquid, or solid ice. It was unpredictable: at times vast and grand like a great river, intimidating to confront; at others, subtle as frost and dew, impossible to guard against; and suddenly, as heavy as a snowstorm, leaving one with nowhere to hide.

It was the first time the audience had seen Daoist Cheng in such a sorry state. Cheng Xinzhan finally understood: Yin and Yang were omnipresent, manifesting not only in spells but in swordsmanship as well. He dodged and parried, struggling until he could no longer discern any other Taiyin intent. He felt a pang of regret—what of the vitality of water, its softness, its nourishment, or even its evaporation? How would those look when traced back to the Way of Taiyin and applied to the sword? Had this man not realized those aspects?

Cheng Xinzhan, now covered in frost, concluded that his opponent had no more tricks up his sleeve. He struck back with a single sword stroke. A scorching, blazing fire sword qi accompanied a blinding white light that filled the mirror's display, making it impossible to tell where the sword qi was hidden. Or rather, the light itself was the sword qi.

Since his opponent could use Water to perceive Yin for his Dharma-sword, Cheng Xinzhan—perceiving Yang through his understanding of Yin—could naturally use Fire to manifest Yang while wielding his sword, "Gaozhen."

Yu Qingsi knew Cheng Xinzhan had been holding back—he had yet to use his lightning or fire arts—but he never expected Cheng Xinzhan’s fire technique to be the pure Fire of Yang. His Yin-frost sword qi dissolved the moment it met Cheng Xinzhan’s Yang-fire. His own techniques, which rained down like snow, were impossible to evade, but Cheng Xinzhan’s fire light illuminated everything, leaving no corner to hide.

"I have lost," Yu Qingsi said.

Cheng Xinzhan withdrew his sword. The white light in the mirror vanished, and the spectators finally saw the scene again. They were baffled: had Daoist Cheng not been suppressed the entire time? Why had Yu Qingsi suddenly surrendered?

"Brother Shanshou, did you have such talent for the sword in your teens?" Qian Boya asked atop the Huanzhu Tower.

Li Shanshou shook his head. "In my teens? In terms of depth, I dare not say I surpassed him; in terms of breadth, I was far behind."

Qian Boya marveled, "Each generation produces its own talents, leading the way for centuries. It seems the character of the next hundred years is already visible."

Li Shanshou smiled. "Indeed. It is precisely because of such young people that this vast universe is so magnificent."

Finally, the two mirrors merged, and the thirty-six grotto-heavens returned to a single view. The man standing opposite Cheng Xinzhan looked familiar. He was from the Lushan Sword Sect, dressed in blue robes, holding a sword in each hand.

They exchanged bows.
"Cheng Xinzhan of Mount Sanqing, greetings, fellow Daoist."
"Lan Yuqing of Mount Lushan, greetings, fellow Daoist."

Lan Yuqing smiled. "Our sects are neighbors and interact often, yet I do not know when Mount Sanqing produced someone like you."

Cheng Xinzhan replied, "My sect is home to countless brilliant talents; how could I possibly be known to you?"

"You are too modest. Mount Sanqing is a great sect, but if everyone there were like you, Yuzhang would not need to look to other families," Lan Yuqing laughed.

Cheng Xinzhan smiled, offering no more false modesty.

"Fellow Daoist, please draw your sword," Lan Yuqing said.
Cheng Xinzhan nodded and began with a probing strike of Xin Metal sword qi.
"Fellow Daoist, please do not hold back against me," Lan Yuqing said, stepping forward with his swords. He intended to fight in close quarters.

Facing the incoming Xin Metal sword qi, Lan Yuqing crossed his blades, creating an "X" shape that surged forward, cutting through Cheng Xinzhan’s attack with a single twist. Cheng Xinzhan’s eyes lit up; it wasn't just a simple addition of force.

He stopped holding back and unleashed the Yang-fire sword qi he had just mastered. It was inescapable and possessed a vast range. Lan Yuqing had little choice; this was a sword duel, not a display of magic, and using defensive artifacts would be inappropriate. He could not dodge, but unwilling to concede, he unleashed several waves of sword qi to weaken the fire before taking the blow head-on. His robes and face were left with many small cuts.

However, his "X"-shaped sword qi had also reached Cheng Xinzhan, shearing through the air like a tide. Cheng Xinzhan danced with his sword, causing the mountain stones on the ground to rise and transform into an earth dragon to intercept the incoming attack. The dragon was shredded, so he summoned a wood dragon. Only after both were destroyed was the opponent’s sword qi finally dissipated.

By now, Lan Yuqing, having weathered the Yang-fire, had closed the distance. He kept about two or three yards away, maintaining a steady barrage of attacks. At first, Cheng Xinzhan was puzzled, but he soon understood. Within this distance, Lan Yuqing maintained absolute control over his blades, preventing them from being shattered or stolen. Within this distance, the sword qi became a threat almost immediately after leaving the blade, leaving Cheng Xinzhan very little room to dodge. Within this distance, Lan Yuqing could exert precise control over every strike.

Cheng Xinzhan realized this and smiled—it didn't matter; these advantages were his as well. The close-quarters engagement did not last long before Lan Yuqing watched, helpless, as Cheng Xinzhan, who had been struggling, began to move with ease, using the very techniques Lan Yuqing had just demonstrated.

Cheng Xinzhan cycled through his Five Elements and Wind-Lightning sword qi, his movements fluid, quickly forcing Lan Yuqing onto the defensive. Lan Yuqing’s expression turned grim. Suddenly, he changed tactics, swinging his two swords—one vertically and one horizontally—to form a cross-shaped sword qi.

*Again.*

Cheng Xinzhan watched closely. It was similar to the "X" strike, but the Dharma-essence was different. It felt like a talisman technique, yet it lacked the complexity—no talisman head, no deity name, no talisman foot, and no accompanying incantation. Was it an array?

Cheng Xinzhan grew thoughtful. Arrays and talismans were worlds apart, yet they shared common ground. The former had a much lower barrier to entry. This cross-shaped strike seemed to be a simple array. It was an interesting approach, much simpler than his own method of drawing talismans with a sword.

He did not realize the frustration Lan Yuqing felt. When he heard the master of Huanzhu Tower was holding a sword duel, he had been ecstatic, believing his self-created "Sword Qi Array" would make him famous under the gaze of thousands. He never imagined that in the very first round, the opponent from Sanqing would display the technique of "Sword as Talisman." When everyone saw that massive lightning talisman, they were stunned—including Lan Yuqing. From that moment, he knew his array technique would never attract attention; even if it did, people would think he was just mimicking the other.

As he feared, it only drew the interest of one person: his opponent.

Just as he had done with Yu Qingsi, Cheng Xinzhan had fought with a measured, lukewarm approach until he was certain Lan Yuqing had nothing new to show. He suddenly stepped forward, his feet wreathed in lightning and fire, covering the distance in two strides. He placed his sword "Gaozhen" at Lan Yuqing’s throat, its edge humming with power.

"Fellow Daoist," he said, "you came so close to me that you forgot I am also a physical sword practitioner."

Lan Yuqing froze. *Right.* How could he have forgotten? Yet, after watching this man’s five performances in the sword arena, who wouldn't forget he was a physical combatant? Only he, the fool, had walked straight into a trap.

He offered a bitter smile. "I have lost."

He vanished from the mirror. Now, only one person remained in the mirror, watched by the entire city and tower.

***

In the Haishi Restaurant, Xiao Shiniang watched the thirty-six mirrors merge into one. Her cheeks were flushed as if from wine, but her eyes were bright and blinking.

"Hoo—"

The woman, who had been holding her breath in tension, let out a long sigh, like a drowning person surfacing for air.

"Qingyu! Qingyu!" she shouted.
"I'm here! Qingyu is here, Mistress."
"Send the most expensive wine in the restaurant to honor Daoist Cheng!"

Xiao Shiniang breathed rapidly, her chest heaving. She had not dared to hope—she had not dared to hope that Daoist Cheng would win first place repeatedly.

But Qingyu was calmer. "Mistress, the third round hasn't even happened yet. If we send the best wine now and Daoist Cheng enters the arena again and wins, we won't have anything left to honor him with!"

Xiao Shiniang’s eyes widened. "You certainly have a vivid imagination!"

She burst into a laugh. "That's true. What if he does? What else do we have to offer?"

Qingyu, being a capable manager, answered immediately, "Mistress, the 'Toad Palace Plucking the Laurel' at three hundred and ninety taels a pot would be perfect and appropriate for the occasion."

"Good, see to it."

Xiao Shiniang’s gaze never left the mirror.

***

In another restaurant in Peacock City, a private room held a massive table piled high with empty bowls and plates. There was no wine, no beauties, only the remnants of various meats.

A single, gaunt man sat there, rubbing his shriveled stomach with a frown, watching the person in the mirror. He mimicked the incantations the man had used during the duel, especially the final words:

"Fall!"
"Quake!"
"Rise!"

As he repeated them, his eyes suddenly widened. He slammed the table and stood up.

"It’s not right!"
"It’s him!"

***

Li Shanshou waved his hand, and Cheng Xinzhan flew out of the mirror. The grotto-heaven scene dissipated, leaving only the moonlight. Li Shanshou looked at the young man standing beside him, an irrepressible smile on his face.

"You are excellent!"

The Sword Immortal gestured toward the horizon, and the "Yangming Cloud Hall Essence," which had been suspended in the void, drifted toward the top of Huanzhu Tower, drawing every eye. The Sword Immortal produced a lead bottle, placed the essence inside, and handed it to the young man.

The young man bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Senior."

He accepted the bottle, still finding it hard to believe. The precious Spirit Essence, worth a thousand pieces of gold, was now his?

"As for your Dharma-sword," the Sword Immortal patted the boy's shoulder, "I truly have nothing to teach you. If you continue to walk this path steadily, you will naturally reach my height, perhaps even exceed it."

Qian Boya glanced at his friend; he had never heard him praise a junior so highly. Cheng Xinzhan humbly declined the praise.

"However, I will say one thing," the Sword Immortal said, half-jokingly. "If my eyes do not deceive me, you are specializing in the Five Elements, perhaps even Wind, Lightning, and Yin-Yang. Your Dharma-sword is of much higher quality than your physical sword, but since you have chosen to specialize in the Five Elements and Wind-Lightning, there is no need to rely on only one Dharma-sword. That will only drag down your natural talent. Even if you want one sword for each element, given Mount Sanqing’s resources, you could easily gather them. Such a fine seed should not be so frugal."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded with a smile. He had sensed it, too—"Gaozhen" was perfect for lightning techniques, but slightly lacking when using the Five Elements. No matter, there was plenty of time.

Beside them, the Lord of Peacock City looked at Cheng Xinzhan with a strange, flickering light in his eyes. He handed the young man a token. "Little friend, this is a token of the City Lord's Mansion. If there is ever anything Peacock City can do for you, you may come directly to the mansion with this."

Cheng Xinzhan was surprised and hesitated.

"Consider it a gesture of goodwill," the City Lord pressed the token into his hand.

Although he was a loose immortal, he was an immortal nonetheless. Given such a gesture, Cheng Xinzhan dared not refuse. He accepted it with repeated thanks.

"There is one more round. Will you participate?" the Huanzhu Tower master asked with a smile.

The young man nodded, smiling back. "I will."