Myriad Rivers to the Sea

Chapter 945: The Sword Gathering

The priests of the Heavenly Sword Sect led the Li Clan delegation away from the black stone plaza and they walked up a massive flight of stairs carved directly into the mountain. The air grew thinner and colder the higher they climbed. Li Yu walked quietly near the back of the group but he kept his eyes moving and observed everything around him.They eventually reached the main gathering hall. It was a colossal structure built from dark granite and supported by thick iron pillars. The interior was lit by floating orbs of white light.

Several other groups were already present inside the hall. The Heavenly Sword Sect disciples stood in rigid lines along the walls. They did not speak or move, they simply watched the new arrivals with cold and calculating eyes.

A sudden commotion at the entrance broke the heavy silence.

A large group of cultivators strolled into the hall. They did not march in formation and they did not wear matching robes. Some wore heavy leather armor scarred by beast claws. Others wore simple linen garments or highly decorated silks. They laughed loudly and talked over one another. Their weapons were just as varied as their clothes. Li Yu saw massive broadswords and thin rapiers alongside jagged blades that barely looked like swords at all.

This was the Freeblade Alliance.

They were another faction around the same level as the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan in the Myriad Realms. The differences between the three were incredibly stark and clear just from their physical appearances.

The Heavenly Sword Sect viewed the sword path as a strict and dogmatic religion. The Freeblade Alliance was the exact opposite. They focused entirely on being fluid and adaptable. They rejected all rigid forms and believed the sword was a tool for survival above all else. The Li Clan sat somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. The Li Clan viewed the sword as an elegant art that required balance and flowing techniques.

The Freeblade Alliance originally started as a mercenary group. It was a gathering of vagrant sword cultivators who had no real home. They banded together for survival and settled in a chaotic neutral territory.

Over time, they grew into a massive faction over the centuries but they still maintained their mercenary roots. They did not care about noble bloodlines, anyone and everyone had a chance there, one of their biggest selling points for those joining. Their leaders were chosen entirely by merit, power and democratic votes from the members. One of the few things they agreed upon was that the sword was the greatest weapon in existence.

A tall man with a relaxed smile led the Freeblade group for the younger generation. He wore a simple grey tunic and carried a rusted blade over his shoulder. This was Lead Envoy Ren. He was the currently voted representative of their younger generation. He radiated a terrifying aura that marked him as an expert at the Origin Awakening realm, one realm above the Tribulation Realm.

"Heir Mei." Ren called out with a lazy wave as he walked right up to the Li Clan delegation. "It is good to see you again. You guys look entirely too clean as usual."

"Envoy Ren." Li Mei replied smoothly. She offered a polite but incredibly brief nod. "Your alliance is as boisterous as ever. I see you still refuse to enforce a dress code."

"Comfort breeds adaptability." Ren laughed loudly. He did not seem offended by her cold tone at all, it was clear they had met before. "We are here to swing swords and drink wine. Uniforms just get in the way."

Li Yu watched the interaction with interest. Ren was at the Origin Awakening realm just like Li Mei. The leading disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect who stood nearby also projected an aura at the Origin Awakening realm. They were the peak of what would be considered the current younger generation.

Li Yu looked past the top three powers and noticed several smaller delegations gathered near the center of the hall. The Myriad Realms were vast and many smaller organizations survived under the shadow of the great three. Three smaller sword factions, at least compared to the Li Clan, Heavenly Sword Sect and Freeblade Alliance, had also been invited to this event. They were monsters in their own right compared to others.

The first was the Violet Gale Clan. They wore pale green robes and carried sleek weapons designed to cut through the air. They were led by Young Master Feng Mian. He was a stern looking young man who possessed a cultivation at the Tribulation realm. The Violet Gale Clan focused more on high speed and wind aspected sword arts.

The second group was the Blazing Edge Empire. Their delegation wore heavy red and gold armor. They carried thick broadswords that radiated intense heat. They were led by Crown Princess Yan Fei. She was a fiery woman who also stood at the Tribulation realm. Her empire focused on explosive and devastating fire aspected sword techniques.

The third group was the Frostmoon Empire. They wore pale blue silks and projected a chilling aura. They carried thin and elegant rapiers. They were led by Crown Princess Yuehan. She possessed a quiet and calm demeanor and she was at the Tribulation realm as well. Her empire focused on flowing and continuous ice aspected defensive arts.

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Li Yu scanned the rest of the gathered disciples in the room. The cultivation on display was quite diverse.

The majority of the attendees from all the factions ranged between the King realm and the Paragon realm. A few highly talented individuals stood at the Karma Severing Realm. It was a staggering gathering of talent but the ages varied quite a lot too. From thousands of years to hundreds to the youngest being Li Yu himself, at under 30 years old if measured from the time they were actually born.

A loud gong echoed through the massive hall. The deep sound vibrated through the stone floor and forced everyone to fall silent. Even the boisterous members of the Freeblade Alliance stopped talking and turned their attention to the front of the room.

An elderly priest of the Heavenly Sword Sect stepped onto a raised platform before them. He wore white robes and carried a heavy iron staff. He did not project his cultivation but the ambient sword Qi in the room naturally gathered around him even though he wasn’t holding a sword.

"Welcome to the Holy Domain." The priest intoned but his voice was completely devoid of emotion. "We gather here today to honor the path of the blade. We seek to share our knowledge and refine our intent with those we consider worthy to walk this path with us. The conference will last for exactly fifteen days. I will now outline the schedule so you know what to expect."

The priest tapped his staff against the stone.

"The mornings will be dedicated to the demonstration of sword techniques." The priest announced. "We will take volunteers from any faction who wish to show off their skills to the assembly so we can all learn. We have techniques planned from our own Heavenly Sword Sect disciples if there are no volunteers. This is a time for observation."

The Freeblade Alliance members muttered among themselves as this information was revealed. They clearly liked the idea of showing off.

"After each demonstration there will be a dedicated time for open critique." The priest continued. "Others may offer advice or point out flaws for the benefit of everyone watching. We expect all attendees to share their thoughts and ideas on the sword openly. We grow stronger through correction."

Li Yu raised an eyebrow at this and was surprised. An open critique session in a room full of rival factions sounded like a recipe for disaster. However, he could also see the benefits that came from it. You had some of the greatest minds from the younger generation here and getting feedback was extremely beneficial.

"Following the morning sessions we will break for lunch." The priest said. "You will be given time to eat and mingle. You may explore the designated safe areas of our temple grounds or do whatever else you may like."

The priest looked out over the crowd and his cold eyes lingered on the Freeblade Alliance for a fraction of a second.

"The afternoons will feature formal lectures on the sword path." The priest went on. "These will be led by the senior elders. Elders from other factions may sign up on specific days to give lectures of their own. We will provide our own elders to speak if there are no volunteers so do not feel pressure to do so. The Dao is vast and many perspectives hold value."

Li Yu felt a surge of excitement when this was announced. This was exactly what he needed. He lacked a fundamental understanding of orthodox sword techniques. Listening to the elders lecture on the Dao of the Sword would be incredibly beneficial even if he did not follow the sword path directly.

"After the lectures we will have dinner." The priest stated. "This will be another period to mingle and discuss the teachings of the day. The evenings will conclude with light spars. We will open the designated arenas for anyone who wishes to test themselves against others. These spars are strictly for learning. Lethal force is forbidden but everyone must understand that swords do not have eyes. Injuries can happen so think carefully before you enter the arena. We will have elders in the arena and outside, watching to prevent any fetal injuries."

Several members of the Blazing Edge Empire grinned. The Freeblade Alliance disciples openly cheered at the mention of sparring. The Heavenly Sword Sect disciples remained completely still and expressionless.

"This schedule will repeat daily." The priest concluded. "However, I must note two exceptions. On the seventh day and the fifteenth day there will be a special event. The nature of these events will not be revealed until the appointed time. Prepare yourselves accordingly."

The priest bowed deeply to the gathered crowd.

"You may use the rest of this evening to settle into your assigned quarters." The priest said. "The conference will officially start tomorrow morning at first light. May the holy edge guide you all."

The gong sounded once more as the priest turned and walked away into the shadows of the temple. The silence in the hall immediately shattered.

The Freeblade Alliance resumed their loud conversations and began walking toward the exit. The minor empires grouped up with their respective leaders and discussed strategy. The Li Clan elders gathered their disciples and began directing them toward the guest pavilions.

Li Yu followed his clan members out of the massive hall. The guest quarters were located in a separate stone building overlooking a deep gorge. The rooms were simple and austere but surprisingly comfortable. They lacked the really warm comforts of the Li Clan estate but they were perfectly clean and functional.

Li Yu unpacked his few belongings and sat on the edge of the hard stone bed and he thought about the next fifteen days. He was not going to volunteer for the morning demonstrations. He did not use sword techniques so no one would want to see his techniques.

His Celestial Star Sword Formation was something he could show off but he hadn’t learned it well enough. He was still missing a 5th sword so he had put off practicing or studying it.

He also decided to stay completely out of the evening spars. He would stick to his father's advice and he would keep a low profile. The sun dipped below the jagged mountain peaks as the sky turned a deep shade of purple and black.

The Heavenly Sword Sect grew quiet as the disciples prepared for the start of the massive event. Li Yu closed his eyes and began to circulate his Qi, using every chance he got to cultivate now. Thoughts drifted to Muten, who he had seen do the same. He could understand a bit more on why Muten was doing so now.