The Emperor’s Recruitment and a Challenge at the Lotus Pond

——The Imperial Palace——

“Your Majesty, Su Jianxian has left the palace.”

“Apparently, he’s looking to spar with the Sword Immortal who suddenly appeared.”

“…”

A man in official robes stood before a middle-aged man clad in yellow, who was currently engrossed in reviewing documents at a desk.

The news of the unknown Sword Immortal’s emergence swiftly reached the Imperial Palace.

While they were aware of a Sword Immortal’s existence, no rumors regarding their appearance had surfaced yet.

“Let him be.”

“Xuxia, if two Sword Immortals were to clash, who do you believe would emerge victorious?”

The man in yellow robes inquired.

“It would likely be Sword Immortal Su, considering he has been a Sword Immortal for a decade now.”

“The Sword Immortal spoken of among the common folk has never been heard of before; they are likely a newly ascended one.”

“Although both possess the cultivation of a Sword Immortal, there should be a discernible gap in their experience.”

Xuxia stated.

“Is there not also a Sword Immortal in the Imperial Palace who was never heard of before?”

The man in yellow robes remained with his head bowed, diligently reviewing the documents in his hands, never once looking up, appearing utterly uninterested in the matter.

“Your Majesty, do you suspect that individual also descended from the Upper Realm?”

Xuxia instantly recalled the three cultivators who had recently descended from the Upper Realm’s [Sword Pavilion] to treat the princess.

Among the three, one woman was a Sword Immortal!

Appearing just as suddenly, no information could be found about her either!

‘However, the Sword Immortal rumored among the common folk seems to be… a male Sword Immortal…’

“Later, find someone to investigate that Sword Immortal further.”

“He did not arrive at the Imperial Palace with the people from the Sword Pavilion, so he is likely not a disciple of theirs.”

“I wish to attempt to recruit him into the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! I shall go make the arrangements immediately.”

“You may withdraw.”

“This old servant bids farewell.”

With that, only the man in yellow robes remained in the room, silently continuing to review his documents.

Suddenly, the man in yellow robes spoke aloud to himself.

‘Ah, how I long to retire…’

––Within a certain courtyard of the Imperial Palace––

“Senior Sister, where did Sword Immortal Su, the one from the Imperial Palace, go?”

Sun Ning inquired, puzzled.

Lin Ziya, having just finished gathering information, remained silent for a moment before replying.

“It is rumored that Daoist Su is a fanatic of the sword, always eager to spar with any master swordsman he encounters.”

“It is said that last night, a bandit lair outside the Imperial City, which His Majesty had long been unable to conquer, was single-handedly breached by an unknown Sword Immortal…”

“Throughout half the night, the bandits’ wails echoed through the mountains for over half an hour; this incident has already spread throughout the entire Imperial City, including within the palace walls.”

“Daoist Su appears to be on his way to seek out the unknown Sword Immortal for a challenge.”

Zhou Meng asked, perplexed.

“I heard that this ‘Sword Immortal’ has been stuck at Foundation Establishment Stage One for ten years…”

“He clearly became a Sword Immortal ten years ago; with such aptitude, he shouldn’t have been unable to break through to Foundation Establishment Stage Two for a decade.”

“Is he seeking duels in order to achieve a breakthrough?”

Lin Ziya explained.

“Daoist Su’s wife is a mortal, frail in body and unable to practice martial arts, possessing a lifespan of less than a century.”

“To remain by his wife’s side, Daoist Su has already refused several invitations from the Upper Realm.”

Zhou Meng fell into contemplation upon hearing this.

At this moment, Sun Ning suddenly spoke.

“Senior Sister, do you think the Sword Immortal rumored among the common folk…”

“Could it possibly be that child we saw yesterday?”

Immediately, all three fell into silence.

In their minds, the three quickly conjured an image of a gang of bandits, utterly defenseless against an eight-year-old child, being beaten for over half an hour…

“Alright, let’s set this matter aside for now.”

“Last night, we acquired a clue from the underground information broker regarding a method to cure the princess’s strange illness.”

“Without further ado, let us depart swiftly to find the medicinal ingredients.”

“Yes, Senior Sister.”

The three wished to buy information from the underground intelligence broker but unfortunately had no mortal currency on them, nor was it convenient to borrow from those in the Imperial Palace.

Moreover, apart from their martial arts, the three possessed no other practical life skills.

Thus, yesterday, the three had resorted to street performances, breaking large stones on their chests to earn money…

Though Bai Qiuyuan found this rather perplexing, he wisely chose not to inquire further.

––Noon––

––A certain lotus pond in the Imperial City––

Bai Qiuyuan was leisurely touring the Imperial City’s renowned lotus pond.

It being winter noon, the ice covering the lake had begun to melt and fracture.

Yet, due to the ice’s considerable thickness, fragments still floated upon the water’s surface.

A faint mist was subtly visible above the water, lending the scene a rather artistic ambiance.

‘Though one cannot see lotus flowers in winter, such a landscape is quite pleasant!’

‘Perhaps I’ll build a lotus pond in the mountain stronghold someday!’

‘It would be even better if I could charge an entrance fee!’

Just as Bai Qiuyuan was lost in his musings, a man suddenly blocked his path.

Bai Qiuyuan looked up to see a robust, middle-aged man, clad in heroic red robes, his head bound with a red hairband, and a longsword with a red hilt at his waist; his demeanor appeared remarkably jovial.

Bai Qiuyuan asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.

“Uncle, do you need something?”

The man in red robes chuckled upon hearing this.

“Young man, I see you possess an extraordinary bone structure; you are a martial arts prodigy…”

“Ah! Wait! Don’t walk away!”

“I am no swindler! I am a Sword Immortal, Su Changling!”

Only upon hearing the words ‘Sword Immortal’ did Bai Qiuyuan turn to face the man, falling into contemplation, evidently harboring some suspicion.

After all, Bai Qiuyuan had only cultivated for a single day and had not yet learned how to perceive others’ cultivation levels.

Thus, he couldn’t immediately ascertain whether the person named Su Changling before him was speaking the truth or lying.

What Bai Qiuyuan didn’t know was…

Due to the cheat system’s inherent ability to conceal cultivation, as long as Bai Qiuyuan didn’t make a move, no one could detect his cultivation level!

Therefore, in Su Changling’s eyes, Bai Qiuyuan was merely a child who had yet to begin cultivating.

‘This child’s bone structure is truly rare!’

‘Absolutely gifted! I must take him as my disciple!’

Seeing Bai Qiuyuan gaze at him with suspicion, Su Changling promptly smiled, and the red longsword at his waist instantly flew from its scabbard on its own!

It hovered before Bai Qiuyuan!

The unique flying sword ability of a Sword Immortal!

Upon seeing this, Bai Qiuyuan asked, perplexed.

“Then, what do you need from me?”

“Cough, cough, young man, I truly see you possess extraordinary bone structure, a genius rarely seen in a century.”

“Would you be interested in learning swordsmanship from me? In less than ten years, I guarantee I can make you a Sword Immortal as well!”

Su Changling sheathed his sword, chuckling.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qiuyuan silently slipped his hand into his sleeve, opened his item inventory, and retrieved his Ink Severing Sword.

Su Changling: ???

“A fine sword!”

“Young man, have you studied the sword?”

“And how exactly did you manage to stash that sword in your sleeve…?”

The next second, the Ink Severing Sword floated before Su Changling.

Su Changling’s latter half of his sentence was immediately swallowed back as he stared blankly at Bai Qiuyuan, frozen in place.

Su Changling: ???

Su Changling immediately fell silent.

‘Am I… hallucinating?’

“You are the Sword Immortal who subdued the mountain stronghold yesterday?!”

“Good! Good! Good!”

Su Changling chuckled once he recovered his senses.

Then, he raised his hand and gripped his own sword!

Clang!

A flash of sword light streaked past, and a sword mark, approximately seven to eight centimeters wide, instantly appeared where Bai Qiuyuan had been standing!

Gazing at Bai Qiuyuan, who had evaded his sword qi in the air, Su Changling exclaimed excitedly.

“To be able to dodge my move, it truly seems you are a Sword Immortal!”

“I am Sword Immortal Su Changling, my sword’s name is [Crimson Vista], and I humbly request your guidance!!”

Having just evaded the attack, Bai Qiuyuan gently landed on a piece of floating ice on the surface.

Due to his Lightness Art, the ice fragment merely swayed a few times on the water before stabilizing.

Observing the battle-ready Su Changling, Bai Qiuyuan paused for a moment, then, as if realizing something, smiled and reached out to grasp the Ink Severing Sword hovering beside him, stating.

“Very well.”

Upon hearing this, Su Changling immediately leapt, instantly landing on the ice as well, his foot resting on another fragment, and chuckled.

“Then let us fight upon this water!”

Just as Su Changling was about to make his move, Bai Qiuyuan suddenly spoke, stopping him.

“Wait, how uninteresting would it be to just fight?”

“How about this: if you, Uncle, lose, could you do me a favor?”

“No problem! As long as it doesn’t violate my principles, any favor is acceptable!”

“However, are you truly so confident you can defeat me?!”

Su Changling chuckled.

“Then if you lose, how about you become my disciple?”

“Agreed.”

Bai Qiuyuan chuckled upon hearing this.

Then, Bai Qiuyuan adjusted his stance, his gaze sharp as he looked at Su Changling, and smiled.

“This is my first time clashing with someone of the same realm; my previous opponents were too weak, so I never used my full strength…”

“But against you, Uncle, I will not hold back. You must be careful.”

After speaking, Bai Qiuyuan then declared.

“I am Bai Qiuyuan, master of White Egret Villa, my sword’s name is [Ink Severing].”

“Splashing Ink Sword Art, Second Form: Ink Tiger.”

As Bai Qiuyuan finished speaking, he unleashed a wave of sword qi towards the water’s surface, splashing up a large expanse of water.

Su Changling: ?

The originally clear water splashes transformed into inky black in mid-air! They swiftly became as profoundly dark as true ink!

Immediately after, those ink splashes coalesced into an ink tiger! It appeared upon the water’s surface!

“ROAR!!!”

A tiger’s roar resounded! The water’s surface instantly churned with considerable waves!!

Su Changling: !!!

TL Note : “Su Jianxian” and “Su Changling” are the same people, the latter is his full name. “Jianxian” means “Sword Immortal,” which is a title, not a name.