The Broad-minded Swordswoman

It had been three days since the wondrous treasure first manifested in Tianliu City.

Yet, throughout these three days, not a single soul had dared to attempt claiming it.

Even a significant portion of Tianliu City now lay cloaked in shadow, deprived of sunlight.

This was due to the ever-increasing number of cultivators congregating above the city, their myriad suspended immortal swords forming a dense cloud.

“Brother, look over there. Even those from the Great Evolution Sect have arrived.”

“Hmph, have you only just noticed? Take a look further north, towards where the fewest people are.”

“This… even those bald monks from the Great Zen Temple are here! Those shameless baldies, teaming up again!”

“Wow! It’s those enchantresses from the Hundred Charms Palace. Hmph, dressed so revealingly, utterly shameless…”

Though the young cultivator cursed vehemently, his eyes remained fixed on them, unable to tear away.

As if sensing she was being discussed, a disciple from the Hundred Charms Palace began to dance gracefully in mid-air, manipulating her flying sword and occasionally casting alluring glances.

Nearby cultivators collectively bent over, their expressions a mixture of bliss and discomfort.

Within the sword cloud, Foundation Establishment cultivators, clad in white robes with red sashes, continuously weaved through the throng. Their feet occasionally shimmered with various colors, identifying them as members of the Hundred Herbs Alliance.

The Hundred Herbs Alliance was formed by countless alchemist sects across the continent. Its member sects were spread far and wide, and its reputation was quite commendable.

Eight hundred years prior, as countless cultivators bravely marched to their deaths, a group of passionate alchemists also yearned to join the battlefield.

However, upon reaching the front lines, they discovered their combat prowess was akin to that of infants compared to cultivators specialized in battle.

Consequently, several highly respected high-grade alchemists rallied all alchemist sects across the continent to form an alliance, thus giving birth to the Hundred Herbs Alliance.

They dedicated themselves to supplying various elixirs to cultivators on the front lines. Back then, just as today, Foundation Establishment cultivators were responsible for delivering these elixirs one by one.

“Grain Abstinence Pills! Freshly made Grain Abstinence Pills! Produced by the Hundred Herbs Alliance, guaranteed to be top-tier quality, fairly priced, and honest dealing!”

Ever since Elder Xu of the Spirit Sword Sect failed to claim the treasure a few days ago, the Hundred Herbs Alliance had expedited the refinement of Grain Abstinence Pills.

The reason was simple: if even a Mahayana stage cultivator couldn’t claim this treasure in a short time, there was no telling how long it would take others.

Yet, one must always have dreams, for what if they came true?

Every cultivator harbored this thought, and naturally, no one was willing to easily depart from the sword cloud. What if they succumbed to hunger, left for a short while, only for someone else to claim the treasure?

Thus, everyone’s thoughts aligned.

They would stake it out.

And so, Grain Abstinence Pills, typically only used by cultivators during secluded cultivation or when breaking through bottlenecks, became invaluable.

A single pill could ward off hunger for dozens of days.

“Hey! Little brother from the Hundred Herbs Alliance, give me a portion!” a sturdy cultivator called out. His physique was robust, and even the flying sword beneath his feet was twice the size of an ordinary one, clearly indicating he practiced some body-refining technique.

“Alrighty then~”

“Heh, the Hundred Herbs Alliance certainly doesn’t hold back. You newly Foundation Established youngsters can’t fly on swords, yet you’ve all been issued a single-use flying talisman treasure. Truly worthy of the Hundred Herbs Alliance, immensely wealthy.”

“Hehe, you flatter me, you flatter me.”

The young man from the Hundred Herbs Alliance smiled, producing a pill bottle.

The sturdy cultivator, however, waved his hand and whispered, “Do you have any Marching Pills?”

Marching Pills were an upgraded version of Grain Abstinence Pills, developed by an alchemy grandmaster during the Great Tribulation. They were easier to refine but came with some side effects.

Few people needed this pill nowadays, but the Hundred Herbs Alliance had never ceased improving it. Now, eight hundred years later, the side effects had been significantly reduced.

“Ah? Although that stuff is five times more effective than Grain Abstinence Pills, it’s highly addictive. It’s best not to take it.”

“Hehe, little brother, you’re kind-hearted. However, Marching Pills can temporarily boost the speed of gathering spiritual energy. Using it here today is quite suitable, don’t worry, I’ll only take one.”

The young man’s eyes darted. “So that’s it. I wouldn’t have thought someone as big as you would have such a meticulous mind!”

As the two were completing their transaction, the entire sword cloud suddenly erupted in clamor.

“Look quickly! There’s a little girl beside the treasure!”

“Good heavens! Whose child is this? Unattended in such danger! Can anyone go and bring her back?”

“Are you kidding? You go! Elder Xu of the Spirit Sword Sect was injured by the treasure earlier. Their disciples say the old man hasn’t even woken up yet…”

The little girl was Miaomiao. Her flying speed was incredibly swift, while Luo Bingyan’s flying technique had always been a weakness. Miaomiao had already shaken off Luo Bingyan half a day after leaving the island.

By now, Miaomiao had long since let down the bun Luo Bingyan had styled for her. The large bow at the back of her head was also untied, which she used as a makeshift hair tie to casually bind her long hair.

Her hair, however, was exceptionally long. As Miaomiao stood suspended in the air, her unbound hair cascaded more than half a meter past her heels.

Miaomiao stared intently at the treasure before her. No one had ever dared to approach it as closely as she had, and now, at last, she could discern its true form.

In Miaomiao’s vision, she clearly saw five distinct colored light clusters emanating from a small, distorted space.

These five light clusters slowly revolved around a cluster of white flames.

Since the Great Tribulation, Miaomiao had remained secluded in the Saint Water Palace. Although she was quite knowledgeable, she truly didn’t know what these light clusters and flames were. Instead, it was the invisible sword qi enveloping them that captivated her more.

After only a brief moment of gazing, Miaomiao couldn’t resist extending a hand, intending to grasp that sword qi.

This sight caused countless observing cultivators nearby to gasp sharply.

“Little sister, absolutely do not touch it! It’s extremely dangerous!”

The one who stopped Miaomiao was none other than the sturdy cultivator who had secretly purchased the Marching Pills earlier.

The cultivator’s face was etched with tension, and he furtively glanced at the treasure from time to time, appearing greatly wary.

Miaomiao had been in a profound, ethereal state moments ago, sensing that the sword qi was constantly enticing her to touch it.

Having experienced countless battles, Miaomiao could easily discern that there was not a hint of murderous intent within this sword qi.

Unfortunately, that mysterious state was interrupted by the boorish brute, leaving Miaomiao feeling a touch displeased. Yet, her face remained as expressionless as ever.

“Little sister, don’t be scared. Uncle isn’t a bad person. Look, Uncle has a piece of candy here; I’ll give it to you if you come with me.” As he spoke, the sturdy cultivator offered a slight smile.

Miaomiao turned her head, briefly glanced at the sturdy man, then turned away, no longer looking at him.

This was quite awkward.

The sturdy man looked around, noticing many cultivators already pointing and whispering about him. He didn’t need to listen to know they weren’t saying anything good.

Just as he was about to continue persuading the young girl, he suddenly noticed that the space before her was remarkably imposing. He unconsciously swallowed, and a remark slipped from his lips: “How truly magnificent…”

Even as he marveled, the hairs on the sturdy man’s body stood on end simultaneously, as if soldiers snapping to attention.

In the very next instant, he felt as if his body had been struck by a massive boulder, an unbearable agony. This force then surged instantly through his limbs and bones.

Then, his vision went black, a sensation like a powerful gust of wind swept over him, and after that, he lost all consciousness.

The cultivators within the surrounding sword cloud hadn’t clearly witnessed what had transpired. Seeing the sturdy cultivator plummet straight down like a kite with a snapped string, they merely assumed the invisible sword qi had acted up again.

All the cultivators were startled, retreating in unison, which immediately caused the sword circle to expand further.

Everyone knew the terror of that sword qi. While treasures were indeed precious, life was far more valuable. Who knew if that sword qi was still lurking nearby?