"So you're saying that in this competition, both Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment disciples will be fighting together?" Han Li furrowed his brow and suddenly asked.
"That's right. The Sword Testing Conference doesn't actually draw any distinction between Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages — they're all put into the same competition." Senior Brother Wang nodded and confirmed.
"In that case, wouldn't that be somewhat unfair to the Qi Condensation disciples?" Han Li was momentarily taken aback, looking somewhat incredulous.
"The Sword Testing Conference was originally conceived to compare the cultivation of Foundation Establishment disciples across the various sects. The Qi Condensation stage is merely an add-on. However, to avoid dampening the enthusiasm of lower-level disciples, there's no rule barring outer disciples or low-rank cultivators from participating. Since the conference began, although Qi Condensation disciples have never been able to claim the championship, it's hardly uncommon for them to defeat Foundation Establishment opponents and break into the top ten." Senior Brother Wang smiled faintly, his words carrying a hidden meaning as he looked at Han Li.
"Qi Condensation disciples breaking into the top ten? Don't tell me their magic tools are that powerful?" Upon hearing this, Han Li immediately grasped the implication.
"Heh heh! Junior Brother's a sharp one — you figured out the key without me having to spell it out. Among the three sects, which Core Formation elder doesn't have descendants or nephews to look after? Sometimes, to help their kin achieve good rankings, they naturally produce magic tools of extraordinary power for them to use. So when Foundation Establishment cultivators without suitable magic tools run into these people, it's no surprise they end up losing." Kui Huan swayed his head knowingly as he spoke.
Hearing this, the look of doubt on Han Li's face only deepened.
"From what you two have said, there must be additional benefits to achieving a good ranking at the conference. Otherwise, why would these people go through all this trouble just for magic tools?" After a moment of contemplation, Han Li asked.
"Junior Brother speaks truly. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have brought it up myself. The truth is, what draws us most to the Sword Testing Conference isn't the material rewards offered upfront — it's the opportunity to wash our eyes with spirit water after entering the top ten. It's said that the first drop of pure essence from the Sacred Tree, combined with other precious ingredients, can be used to concoct the legendary Mingqing Spirit Water. If one uses this water to cleanse one's eyes, although it won't increase one's cultivation, it grants the ability to see through fog and stone from that day forward, bestowing all manner of extraordinary abilities. That is the real reason they fight tooth and nail to enter the top ten. Without this benefit, top-grade magic tools alone wouldn't hold much appeal for disciples from prominent families or those with elders looking after them in the sect. After all, while the Spirit Stabilizing Pill is precious, there's only one to be had." Senior Brother Wang slowly revealed the greatest personal benefit of the Sword Testing Conference.
"Mingqing Spirit Water!" Han Li's eyebrows shot up as he murmured under his breath.
He had come across the name of this spirit water in numerous texts before, but he never imagined that the three sects of Yunmeng Mountain would actually be able to brew it.
This truly exceeded his expectations, and it piqued his interest considerably.
"However, even setting aside the rarity of the Sacred Tree's first drop of pure essence, all the other ingredients used in the concoction are exceedingly rare as well. It's said that several varieties of thousand-year spirit herbs are required. It's just a shame that this wondrous eye-cleansing effect only works on low-level cultivators at the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages. Otherwise, the higher-ups would never be willing to offer it as a reward." Kui Huan chimed in again, his voice thick with envy.
By this point, Han Li had gained a general understanding of the Sword Testing Conference. As for the finer details, he planned to look into them himself.
After all, since this matter involved both the Spirit Stabilizing Pill and the Mingqing Spirit Water, he certainly wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
Afterward, Senior Brother Wang and the others exchanged a few more words with Han Li about the Sword Testing Conference before taking their leave.
Han Li watched as the group flew off on their magic tools, their figures shrinking to black dots in the distance. His expression gradually turned solemn. Rather than returning to his cave abode immediately, he stood outside the herb garden, head bowed in contemplation.
"What's this? Brother Han is interested! I wonder whether it's the Spirit Stabilizing Pill or that Mingqing Spirit Water that caught your eye." Suddenly, the soft voice of the White Fox drifted from within his sleeve.
"What, can't I want both?" Han Li raised his head and replied bluntly.
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, the little fox leaped out and quickly reverted to her original size.
"Hee hee! Fellow Daoist Han, you really are a greedy one. But that's actually a good thing. Both the Spirit Stabilizing Pill and that spirit water are genuinely very useful items. If you miss this chance, it'll be nearly impossible to get your hands on them." The White Fox lifted her slender neck elegantly and spoke.
"You don't need to tell me that. I know what I'm doing. Now come back to the cave abode with me. Before I give any thought to the Sword Testing Conference, I'll take care of your business first." Han Li's voice carried a cold edge.
With that, he turned and headed toward his cave abode.
The White Fox saw this, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes, and followed closely behind without another word.
The moment he entered the cave abode within the stone mountain, Han Li immediately set about awakening the tool spirit.
The Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords were about to gain a tool spirit, which would naturally increase their power considerably. This thought filled him with a faint thrill of excitement.
Normally, the success rate of awakening a spirit within a spirit treasure was pitifully low. But that was because the demon beast spirits fiercely resisted the process. Now, with this Silver Moon demon spirit — whose true form was that of a massive silver wolf — willingly choosing to inhabit Han Li's spirit treasure, there naturally wouldn't be much difficulty.
However, extracting the main soul from that jade ruyi would be a tricky matter. Fortunately, the White Fox seemed quite confident about the whole affair, readily claiming she could handle it herself.
Hearing this, Han Li was only too happy to leave it in her hands.