Chapter Sixty-One: Silver Threads, Jade Sword, and Bai Muyun

Liu Changqing did not recognize Wei Yunhu and, holding his jade flute at an angle, scoffed, "I don't care who you are. I won't turn down a challenger. Save your breath—let's get this over with so I can move on."

Wei Yunhu showed no sign of anger. He let his smile fade, gave a low shout, and summoned a great saber. The weapon was nine and a half feet long, gleaming with a cold light, its surface etched with soaring dragons so lifelike one could almost hear their roars.

Liu Changqing, proud as he was, could not help but admire the blade in his heart: What a treasure—surely a celestial artifact. It's surprising that this man managed to obtain it.

Cries of astonishment rose from those nearby: "The Flaming Dragon Mooncatcher Saber!"

"It really is the Flaming Dragon Mooncatcher Saber! Who would have thought we'd have the fortune to see it today?"

The crowd was abuzz with excitement. Wei Yunhu, though the head of his sect, owed his fame to this legendary weapon. Years ago, as an ordinary disciple, he had obtained this celestial blade through great fortune, making it one of the eight most renowned artifacts in the Wu Prefecture.

With the saber, Wei Yunhu had risen swiftly, defeating many famed masters and elevating the Star-Moon Sect from obscurity to the ranks of the second-tier sects. His close friendship with Qing Mengchen had forged an unbreakable alliance between their sects, making their combined power formidable. Though not the most powerful among sect leaders, Wei Yunhu was younger and more promising than most, widely considered a rising star in Wu Prefecture's cultivation world.

Now, with his saber in hand and a solemn expression, Wei Yunhu's presence brought a collective sigh of relief from the crowd: At last, someone would put this arrogant Liu Changqing in his place. Otherwise, it would seem Wu Prefecture had no worthy opponents.

Wei Yunhu gazed at his challenger for a moment, then said, "Pardon my offense," and charged forward, dragging his saber with astonishing speed.

His attack was swift, the falling blade carrying the force of ten thousand pounds. Liu Changqing no longer underestimated him; he raised his jade flute to meet the assault.

The two clashed in midair, trading hundreds of blows in the blink of an eye. Those of lesser cultivation below could barely follow the blur of movement, but the seasoned experts among the crowd were astounded. Both combatants possessed extraordinary skills and power; in all of Wu Prefecture, only a handful could hope to match them.

The head of the Yin family, Yin Yizheng, watched with growing dread. He knew the strength of his own elders, and though overconfidence had played a part, defeat in a single move was an undeniable fact. Clearly, the heritage of these sects was profound—a reminder of why they pursued the Way with such devotion, disdaining the mundane ambitions of families like his.

The duel intensified, wild spiritual energy swirling like a tempest. Those of weaker cultivation below began to falter, unable to withstand the onslaught.

For Yang Cheng, it was his first time witnessing such a fierce battle between Golden Core masters. He was shaken to the core; the power on display surpassed anything he thought possible for mere mortals. Though the Merchant Pavilion where he stood was at the edge of the crowd, he could feel the wind from the battle stinging his face like blades.

City Lord Tong Meng clapped his hands, and his eleven highest-ranking generals immediately channeled their spiritual power to form a barrier, shielding the crowd from the chaotic energy.

After a brief but intense clash, Wei Yunhu was increasingly on the defensive. At last, Liu Changqing let out a low shout, "Take this!"

The crowd gasped as Wei Yunhu's burly figure was struck down, crashing into the plaza below in a shower of shattered stone and swirling dust.

Qing Mengchen, alarmed, flew into the chaos to check on him. The Star-Moon Sect disciples surged forward, glaring fiercely at Liu Changqing, ready to risk their lives should anything happen to their leader.

As the dust settled, Wei Yunhu stood up, patted the dirt from his robes, and laughed heartily, "Ha! Splendid—truly exhilarating!"

He strode forward, seeing his disciples downcast and the onlookers sighing in disappointment, and laughed again, "I lost this match. The 'Rainy Night Demon' lives up to his reputation—my utmost respect."

Wei Yunhu turned and clasped fists to Liu Changqing, "Though defeated today, I see now that there is always a higher mountain, and I have gained new insight into the Way. My thanks to you, Brother Liu."

Many in the crowd, seeing the sect leader admit defeat so gracefully and without shame, could not help but admire his magnanimity.

Even the arrogant Liu Changqing found himself warming to the man, returning the salute with a respectful nod.

Liu Changqing looked around and asked, "Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?"

The crowd was silent. At best, his jade flute was a high-grade spiritual treasure, yet even Wei Yunhu, armed with the celestial Flaming Dragon Mooncatcher Saber, had been defeated. Anyone else would only embarrass themselves.

Qing Mengchen, itching for a fight, hesitated. He lacked his friend's open-heartedness. Many from the Scarlet Phoenix Sect were present; if he were to lose before such an audience, word would surely reach her. He cared little for others' opinions, but he could not bear to become a laughingstock in her eyes.

As everyone weighed their options in indecision, a voice rang out, "The White Family Patriarch has arrived!" breaking the tense silence.

To the east, the crowd parted, allowing several of the White family's powerful members to escort a single figure toward the plaza.

At the center walked a man with a cascade of silver hair, falling like three thousand threads of shimmering silk. His skin was flawless as polished jade, his eyes deep and dark, exuding an almost otherworldly aura. He moved with unhurried steps and striking grace, like a flawless pearl or precious gem, radiating light of its own.

Wherever he passed, the girls of the noble families and disciples of the sects gasped in adoration, while countless male cultivators looked on with awe and envy.

At last, he appeared—some women wept openly at the sight.

Many young ladies, overwhelmed with excitement, itched to break through the crowd for a closer look at Bai Muyun.

Bai Muyun, moving with the leisure of one strolling through his own garden, seemed oblivious to the commotion around him, his expression serene as he advanced.

Yan Xuzi of the Infinite Sect remarked in surprise, "Has the White Patriarch reached such a profound state? I can't sense the slightest trace of spiritual energy from him. Even our own grand master could not achieve such a feat."

"Indeed," another expert exclaimed, "Could it be that he has already grasped the Way and returned to true simplicity? None of us can even sense him as a cultivator anymore."

"Truly a peerless genius! To reach such heights at his age is beyond our wildest dreams," sighed a female elder of the Illusory Sound Sect.

City Lord Tong Meng's face grew dark. Was his own ambition to be halted by this man? The stronger Bai Muyun became, the more distant Tong Meng's goals appeared.

Bai Muyun's progress across the square seemed endlessly slow, the steps of an ordinary man. Yet no one found it strange. With such extraordinary presence, it was only fitting that he linger a while longer in the mortal world.

The atmosphere in the plaza grew feverish. While the champions had their own secret thoughts, most martial artists and ordinary folk cared little for such things—Bai Muyun was their idol. His brilliance dazzled the whole of Wu Prefecture City. Countless warriors dreamt of seeing him with their own eyes; countless women longed for his favor.

Some cast contemptuous glances at Liu Changqing, where once they had looked up to him. It seemed to them the outcome of the coming contest was already beyond doubt.

At this moment, if looks could kill, Liu Changqing would have suffered a thousand deaths. He shrugged. Though he had faced countless challenges, never had he encountered a scene quite like this, and for the first time, he felt a touch of discomfort.