Chapter 18: The Year Ends

The world of the Moonlit Landscape Painting.

Under the hazy moonlight, Ji Ning sat cross-legged by a riverbank, having long set up a simple illusion array around him.

"Shrieeeeek~~~" Strands of silken sword-light howled around him, crisscrossing with astonishing power.

Ji Ning had just comprehended the seventh stance of the Three-Foot Sword, 'One-Character Sword Slash,' reaching the realm of sword-light like silk, and had pledged his life with Yu Wei. He was at the peak of his ambition. His Dao-heart was utterly clear, his mind peaceful, without a trace of resentment or anger, his spirit empty and unstained by any dust.

Usually, a breakthrough in realm requires consolidation. With such a state of mind, Ji Ning's insights into the sword continuously surged within him.

"The heart must have longing, must have obsession."

"The stronger the obsession, the sharper the sword."

"What I seek..."

"Is great freedom, great ease!"

Ji Ning said silently.

What is great freedom and great ease? To protect those he loves, to be free from others' threats, to hold his fate in his own hands!

"This is my sword Dao."

"Those who obstruct my Dao, I shall slay them all!"

Ji Ning's gaze was like lightning.

Whoosh!

Sword-light crisscrossed, unmatched, its sword-intent blazing to a level Ji Ning had never reached before. Every sword immortal has a sword-heart; some are evil, some solitary, some unrestrained... but all advance along their own sword-heart. If they hesitate, waver, or become confused, their sword-intent weakens, loses purity, and the sword's power declines.

"The Three-Foot Sword of the Northern Traveler Immortal seeks exhilaration—a day of exhilaration is better than a hundred years of stifled living."

"My Three-Foot Sword seeks great freedom and great ease! Exhilaration is only part of it; great freedom and ease are more about transcendence—transcending the Three Realms, possessing invincible strength, and thus achieving great freedom and ease."

Ji Ning understood that he was different from the Northern Traveler Immortal.

The Northern Traveler Immortal was a loose immortal, destined to die from the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. Thus, his sword technique was like a frenzy born of knowing death—slay, slay, slay, slay all injustices, slay all who deserve death, seeking only exhilaration. No matter how great your backing, kill and be done.

But because he knew he would die, the Northern Traveler Immortal's Three-Foot Sword was too frenzied, going to an extreme, which actually reduced the power of his sword technique.

Ji Ning took the sword Dao mysteries of the 'Three-Foot Sword,' but his 'sword-intent' was his own, forming his personal Three-Foot Sword.

In fact, the Northern Traveler Immortal knew this too, so each generation of inheritors of his Three-Foot Sword formed their own version.

...

Ji Ning held the Northmoon Sword, enjoying the wonderful feeling of unity between man and sword as he walked through the world of the Moonlit Landscape Painting.

"Alone? Surround him."

Instantly, three figures swooped over. One cast a spell, and crows flew out, densely surrounding Ji Ning.

Ji Ning instead smiled.

Swish!

Ji Ning moved, lightning flickering over his body, his figure darting like a roc, ghostly fast. His sword-light danced like silk threads in the air, scattering the crows, which turned back into spike-shaped treasures. Then, with ghostly speed, he struck directly at the three.

"Who is this? Too fast."

"Careful."

"Ah."

Ji Ning did not use Star Picking Hand, Heaven Earth Transformation, or Three Heads Six Arms. He only used two divine abilities, 'Five Thunder Vajra' and 'Windwing Evasion,' which gave him enough speed and power. He wasn't overpowering them but honing his sword technique.

Sword-light flashed, beating the three until they were in disarray, forced to flee in panic, focusing only on survival.

"His speed is too fast, and his sword technique too powerful."

"And he's a Fiendgod Body Refiner. He hasn't even used Heaven Earth Transformation. I don't believe he doesn't know it."

...

Ji Ning walked on.

In the last month of the Moonlit Landscape Painting, he released his divine sense freely, seeking opponents, fighting again and again.

When facing weaker Qi Refiners, he didn't use Heaven Earth Transformation.

When facing stronger opponents, he had to rely on Heaven Earth Transformation.

When facing a group of strong opponents, he had to go all out, even using Star Picking Hand!

In short, Ji Ning was fast, his sword fierce, his strength great... He roamed alone, attacking whoever he met, no matter how many joined forces. He just killed his way through. After all, at this stage, only small teams remained. If it were the beginning of the Moonlit Landscape Painting, when hundreds joined forces, Ji Ning wouldn't dare be so arrogant.

But now...

Few people!

Yet they were all monstrous talents. Ji Ning could fully hone his sword technique, which was originally a killing art, improving faster through battle. He had also integrated the 'Way of Rain' and 'Way of Fire' into his sword Dao, making his sword technique both firm and soft, far stronger than when he killed Xiamang Qi and Flying Snow.

...

The imperial city square was filled with amazement. Only about two hundred people remained in the Moonlit Landscape Painting, each a monstrous genius. Yet among them, a few shone brightly.

One was Ji Ning!

"Ji Ning's sword technique has improved so fast, far stronger than when he entered the Moonlit Landscape Painting. Now, he should be among the strongest in the entire painting."

"I think Ji Ning can win first place in the Immortal Fortune Convention!"

"He has only cultivated for over thirty years. How can he be so strong?"

"Monster, truly a monster."

"This Ji Ning is a born sword immortal! In over thirty years, his sword technique has reached such a level. I've cultivated for thirty thousand years and can't match him. I've lived in vain!"

"In the entire Immortal Fortune Convention, in terms of sword technique, Ji Ning is number one!"

Discussions came from the three thousand six hundred commanderies and the Four Seas.

But without a doubt, among the over one hundred thousand participants, Ji Ning was the foremost sword immortal. Others who could match him, like Xiamang Zishan, Nine Deaths, Blackstone, and Slovenly, were not sword immortals. Sword immortals are the best at offense, so many believed Ji Ning would win first place.

...

In the main hall of Tianmang Palace.

Ancestor Xuanji watched with displeasure. Although his Shaoyin clan also had Shaoyin Xuan, whose fame rivaled Xiamang Zishan's, in the Moonlit Landscape Painting, Shaoyin Xuan was not as dazzling as Ji Ning.

"This Ji Ning..." Ancestor Xuanji gritted his teeth.

"The more monstrous his talent, the more he must be eliminated!"

"Hmph, let him be proud for now. Isn't he just a genius of the Immortal Fortune Convention? The convention is held once every three hundred years, countless times... How many have become Celestial Immortals?" Ancestor Xuanji thought secretly. "If he can't become a Celestial Immortal, he'll never be on the stage."

"This convention is valued by the Xia Emperor, and several other Pure Yang True Immortals are watching. But they are only watching. Pure Yang True Immortals hold such high status as experts of the Three Realms that they rarely take disciples. They probably won't take Ji Ning as a disciple. If no Pure Yang True Immortal takes him as a disciple... when the opportunity comes, I will eliminate him."

Ancestor Xuanji's killing intent was fierce.

He truly had feelings for Shaoyin Nong and desperately wanted to avenge him. Moreover, the hatred between the Shaoyin clan and Ji Ning had grown deep. They had already sent assassins. If Ji Ning's wings were to grow full, would he not seek revenge?

Seeing Ji Ning's monstrous talent at the convention, how could they let him grow?

He must be eliminated!

Of course... if a Pure Yang True Immortal took Ji Ning as a disciple, Ancestor Xuanji would have to swallow the bitter fruit.

"Pure Yang True Immortals usually have very few disciples and rarely take new ones." Ancestor Xuanji silently hoped that no Pure Yang True Immortal would interfere and take Ji Ning as a disciple. That would be truly disastrous.

...

Ji Ning sat cross-legged on a mountain peak.

Suddenly—

"The year is up. The eighty with the most talismans have passed the Moonlit Landscape Painting trial." The Xia Emperor's voice suddenly echoed in the minds of everyone in the painting.

Then, hum~~~

Beams of golden light enveloped Ji Ning, Xiamang Zishan, Nine Deaths, Slovenly, and seventy-eight others. Some sat cross-legged, some walked, some lay sleeping. Each was bathed in golden light, making it clear to the outside world who the eighty were.

Swish! Swish! Swish!!!

The eighty were teleported out of the Moonlit Landscape Painting.

"The remaining one hundred and fifty-nine must fight to the death. Only sixteen can survive in the painting." The Xia Emperor's voice echoed in the minds of the remaining one hundred and fifty-nine. Then they were teleported to a vast plain.

A sealing formation appeared on the plain, covering only a hundred miles.

All one hundred and fifty-nine were inside the formation.

They looked at each other.

"Fight." The Xia Emperor's voice sounded.

Immediately, the one hundred and fifty-nine in the sealing formation began a frenzied final battle. The space was too small—only a hundred miles, which they could cross in a single dash. With so many people, the battle was exceptionally brutal. Some had to voluntarily throw away their talismans to give up.

...

On the clouds outside the main hall of Tianmang Palace.

Ji Ning and the other eighty appeared on the clouds, looking at each other.

"Hm?" Ji Ning quickly saw familiar faces: Xiamang Zishan, Cangwu Jiu, Blackstone...

"Senior apprentice-brother." Ji Ning also saw Slovenly.

"Junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning." Slovenly smiled.

"All eighty of you, stand properly!" A tall-hatted attendant said coldly. "Soon, the other sixteen will be decided. Then all ninety-six of you will follow me to pay respects to the Emperor. Several Pure Yang True Immortals from the Three Realms are present. You must know the rules and must not offend the True Immortals."

The tall-hatted attendant had a pale, beardless face and a cold aura. The invisible ripples made Ji Ning and the others recognize... that this attendant was likely a Celestial Immortal.

This made Ji Ning and the others sigh in amazement.

Among the over one hundred thousand participants in the convention, not one was guaranteed to become a Celestial Immortal. Yet this attendant was one, instantly making Ji Ning and the others feel immense pressure.

...