After relentless forging,
Finally, amidst the storm, the once silvery-white Snowfall Sword transformed into a blade as clear as a pool of water.
Ling Xiao named it the “Rainfall Sword.”
After its transformation, the sword’s attributes changed, and its functions shifted as well.
“Rainfall Sword, a rare-grade treasure weapon, rain attribute, doubles the power of rain-attribute true essence, increases corrosion damage by twenty percent during use, which persists unless healed, possesses the special skill ‘Rotting Sword Rain,’ capable of large-scale enemy damage with a powerful corrosion effect, the stronger the sword’s master, the greater the corrosion effect, limited to the Mortal Realm.”
The process of forging the Rainfall Sword was far from easy. Ling Xiao had planned to complete it in one day, but it took two days to finish.
Still, it was a success, filling him with anticipation.
He had originally intended to learn the secret technique scroll “Purple Lightning Shocks the World” from Yuan Zun, but that had to be put on hold.
The Moon Advent Festival had arrived, and the battle for the Tower Climbing Ceremony slots was set to begin today.
Aside from the ten seeded contestants, forty slots were to be decided among numerous disciples.
These ten seeded contestants were mostly disciples of inner sect elders, their cultivation levels generally above Mortal Realm Seventh Layer.
Among them were even two core disciples, including Shen Tianlin.
Of course, there was also Li Zonghao, recently demoted from the core disciples.
Though no longer among the top ten core disciples, he remained the strongest below them, still one of the seeded contestants.
Leaving his cave dwelling, Ling Xiao glanced at the sky. It was early morning, so his timing was spot on.
He quickly headed to the inner sect plaza.
After all, the disciples vying for the forty slots included most inner sect disciples and all outer sect disciples, everyone hoping to try their luck.
Since there was no risk of death, the regular venue wouldn’t suffice, only the inner sect plaza was large enough.
Ling Xiao hadn’t yet arrived, but the plaza was already packed, adorned with moon-shaped lanterns, couplets, and banners along the way.
This signified the arrival of the Moon Advent Festival.
The Yuehua Treasure Tower stood there, still mysterious and awe-inspiring.
What lay within the tower, whose top couldn’t be seen?
This had always puzzled Ling Xiao, and this was a rare opportunity he wouldn’t miss.
Soon, Ling Xiao reached the plaza, joining Zhao Zhi, Dai Yuling, and Shangguan Lei.
He noticed the Yuehua Treasure Tower’s pale blue moonlight had grown more pronounced, as if draped in a mysterious veil.
The Moon Advent Festival came once a year.
The Tower Climbing Ceremony was also held annually.
Yet each martial artist had only three chances.
For those present, every opportunity was precious.
One less chance meant one less opportunity to leap from carp to dragon.
“Senior Brother Ling, among us outer disciples, you’re the strongest. Fight to bring glory to us outer disciples, we’ll cheer you on!”
Though many outer disciples had signed up, most were likely to be eliminated in the first round, with little chance of securing a slot.
The only one with a real shot was the unfathomable Ling Xiao.
“Don’t worry, with Senior Brother Ling’s strength, it’s practically guaranteed!” Zhao Zhi said confidently.
Nearby, Zhao Ci frowned at these words.
She had always looked down on Ling Xiao, finding him too arrogant and ruthless.
Especially after Ling Xiao killed fellow disciples, her saintly heart was thoroughly enraged.
Since then, she hadn’t spoken to him.
But she held herself aloof, and Ling Xiao couldn’t be bothered with her.
With Ling Xiao’s help, Dai Yuling had already reached Mortal Realm Third Layer.
Zhao Zhi was at the peak of Mortal Realm Second Layer.
Shangguan Lei, already strong, was now at the peak of Mortal Realm Fourth Layer.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ci was still only at the late stage of Mortal Realm First Layer, her cultivation progressing at a snail’s pace.
Zhao Zhi had privately tried to advise his sister.
But, alas, she’d been spoiled since childhood, always believing things should go her way.
Zhao Zhi had given up on managing her.
As they chatted, the plaza grew increasingly crowded.
Even core disciples not competing for slots showed up.
Their reason was simple: those who won slots could become their future rivals, so it was wise to observe.
Aside from those who couldn’t return or were on secret missions guarding the sect, nearly all Yuehua Sect disciples had gathered at the inner sect plaza.
After all, this was one of the sect’s grandest ceremonies.
“Let’s go greet Senior Sister Lan,” Ling Xiao said to Dai Yuling.
“She’s not my senior sister, she’s my master,” Dai Yuling said with a wry smile, though her steps didn’t slow.
Shangguan Lei greeted Ling Xiao before standing behind Meng Yuan, as he was still nominally Meng Yuan’s man.
As for Zhao Zhi, he stayed put.
He wanted to be Ling Xiao’s friend, not a follower, and wouldn’t trail behind him, besides, a prince had his pride.
Plus, he wasn’t close to Lan Yuer, and going over might make him unwelcome.
“Tch, look at that Ling Xiao, so chummy with Lan Yuer, ranked second among the top ten core disciples.”
“No way around it, he’s the talk of the town.”
“Yeah, I heard even Her Highness Lady Moon said she’d take him as a disciple.”
“Pfft, don’t talk nonsense, how’s that possible?”
“Exactly, Lady Moon was just joking. You really think Ling Xiao’s strength could take first in the Tower Climbing Ceremony?”
“Fair point.”
“Poor Ling Xiao, completely played.”
Who knows how those gossipers would feel if they knew about Ling Xiao’s intimate time with Lady Moon in the Thousand Ghost Forest?
Ling Xiao didn’t care about their chatter.
From the Ling Clan to the Hidden Dragon Camp and now here, plenty had gossiped about him, but they were just passersby.
Yet he had become a rising star in the Yuehua Sect.
He even had the qualifications to challenge core disciples.
That was real progress!
“Heh, Senior Sister Lan, what a coincidence. I’m also joining the Tower Climbing Ceremony. If I run into this little brother, should I give him a warm welcome?” said a seductive woman among the top ten core disciples, named Tantai Lingzi, ranked sixth, even above Meng Yuan.
If she targeted Ling Xiao, he’d indeed be in trouble.
“You dare harm him, I’ll kill you!” Lan Yuer said coldly.
“Senior Sister, no need to get so worked up, she can’t hurt me!”
