In Donglu County. Here stood the Hua Rice Shop, the largest and most venerable establishment of its kind in Donglu County.

The Hua family had run this very shop for generations, and though the substantial profits attracted envious eyes eager to cause trouble, every challenger who dared cross the Hua family met an unceremoniously fatal end. This Hua Rice Shop was, in fact, one of Mount Hua Sect’s clandestine outposts in this region.

The Five Great Immortal Sects governed the Great Jin Kingdom, scattering numerous hidden stations throughout the land. At this moment, the back courtyard of the Hua Rice Shop hosted members from both Mount Hua’s Northern Peak and Southern Peak.

The Northern Peak contingent, naturally, was led by the Ninth Generation Flying Sky Sword, Chu Fei, accompanied by eight core disciples of the Tenth Generation, totaling nine individuals. The group from the Southern Peak was not entirely unfamiliar; they were led by the Ninth Generation Soaring Goose Sword, Gu Fei, along with their seven core Tenth Generation disciples, making a total of seven.

The two factions harbored no profound animosity, though the Sword Sect disciples were invariably arrogant and somewhat conceited—a tolerable flaw. The real friction lay between the Northern Peak’s Chu Fei and the Southern Peak’s Gu Fei.

Both seniors shared the character Fei (fly/soar) in their epithets and their given names, and their techniques—the Flying Sky Sword Art and the Soaring Goose Sword Art, respectively—both leaned towards lightness and agility. It was well known they had clashed several times over these similarities, and their usual rapport was decidedly poor.

Unexpectedly, the North dispatched Chu Fei. And the South sent Gu Fei.

This promised significant entertainment. Of course, despite the anticipation of drama, as Ninth Generation senior Sword Immortals, they had to maintain a semblance of seniority in front of more than ten junior disciples; an outright brawl was out of the question.

“Oh, isn’t this Junior Brother Chu Fei?” “Isn’t this Junior Brother Gu Fei?” Both addressed the other as ‘Junior Brother,’ unwilling to concede even an inch on matters of seniority. “I hadn’t expected they would send Junior Brother Chu Fei for this mission.” “Indeed.

Nor did I expect to be tasked alongside Junior Brother Gu Fei.” The two adversaries engaged in thinly veiled pleasantries. “By the way, Junior Brother Chu Fei, I heard your peak produced a Tenth Generation disciple with astonishing sword skill, Lu Yuan, who defeated my disciple Gu Mi in just seven moves,” Gu Fei remarked.

“Not at all, not at all. Lu Yuan’s sword skill is merely adequate.

He was simply fortunate to secure a lucky victory over Nephew Gu Mi by a single move—pure luck, pure luck,” Chu Fei responded smoothly. ...

Chu Fei and Gu Fei, the senior Sword Immortals, exchanged these superficial pleasantries, feigning brief conversation. The eight core disciples of the North and the seven from the South had little substantial to discuss amongst themselves, though they did inquire about Lu Yuan’s identity.

The Southern Peak disciples were highly interested in the one who defeated Gu Mi in seven moves. After all, Gu Mi’s sword work was competent, and the duel took place in a downpour—a scenario that should have significantly favored him with timing and terrain.

Yet, he still lost. This implied that the Northern Peak’s Lu Yuan possessed sword mastery worthy of serious attention from the Southern disciples.

Although they habitually looked down upon the Northern Peak’s style, Lu Yuan, this individual, warranted their careful observation. Soon after, the manager of the Hua Rice Shop presented a banquet.

Twelve dishes graced the table: West Lake Vinegar Fish, Yellow Croaker in White Sauce, Mapo Tofu, Five-Spice Cured Beef, Garlic Roasted Spare Ribs, Sliced Pork with Garlic Paste, Chili Fried Eggs, Tiger Skin Green Peppers… plus two refreshing soups. Truly a feast.

Naturally, most cultivators held little interest in fine dining, especially on the eve of confronting demons. Most merely picked at a few bites politely.

However, there was an exception. That exception was, naturally, Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan paid no mind to formalities. He had two great loves in life: food and wine.

To forgo such a spread would be a waste. While others sampled lightly, Lu Yuan ate heartily, unconcerned with appearances, particularly the Five-Spice Cured Beef.

His own county of Dongye was not far from Donglu, and he had heard tales of this delicacy since childhood but never tasted it. Now, finally, he had the chance.

The beef was exquisite, tender to the point of melting upon entry. Judging with the discernment of a professional gourmand, this must have been veal from an animal less than a year old; otherwise, it wouldn't possess such tenderness.

Otherwise, the beef would never be this tender. Ah, and this West Lake Vinegar Fish was prepared quite well too.

Pity the wine was lacking; they hadn't brought out the better vintages. Lu Yuan dined unapologetically, to the stunned silence of the surrounding cultivators.

Ye Fang and Ye Yuan felt a pang of envy; they too longed to feast, but maintaining an image in front of others was paramount—achieving the same carefree abandon as their Sixth Senior Brother seemed impossibly difficult. Gu Mi, too, was slack-jawed.

He had truly been defeated by such a glutton? It felt utterly impossible.

He trained diligently every day, only to be beaten after just six moves, losing on the seventh. How could he bear such shame?

How could he? Of course, had Gu Mi known that Lu Yuan’s daily sword practice time was laughably brief, his despair would likely have deepened, perhaps leading to tears.

With so many eyes upon him, Lu Yuan remained unbothered and continued his hearty consumption. —————— Mount Hua, Northern Peak.

A sudden, continuous peal of thunder erupted. Boom!

Another bolt cracked overhead. This sharp thunderclap illuminated the scene below, and equally illuminated the study of Grandmaster Yuanyuan, casting light upon the sweeping, calligraphic characters—"Harmony"—hanging on the wall.

Grandmaster Yuanyuan was in the act of writing, while standing beside him was Ye Yangrong, the Harmonious Sword, one of Mount Hua’s Six Sword Immortals. Grandmaster Yuanyuan held his brush aloft.

Amidst the booming thunder, he inscribed a series of vigorous, serpentine characters onto the pristine white paper. Ye Yangrong peered over and saw the inscription read: "When thunder strikes, the snake transforms into a dragon." Grandmaster Yuanyuan paused his writing.

“Our eight core disciples of the Northern Peak have little experience dealing with subterranean demons. However, these underground fiends are the true adversaries of our Five Great Immortal Sects; this challenge must be faced regardless.

This trial they encounter now—whether they emerge as dragons or remain mere worms when the thunder strikes—is entirely up to them.” Ye Yangrong smiled, his plump face creasing with folds of fat that made him resemble a merchant. “I think there’s more to it than that, Peak Master.

Donglu County is the boundary between our Northern and Southern Peaks. The South will certainly send their own contingent, likely an Elder leading some core disciples, just as we have.

And the Southern Peak, being one half of the Sword Sect, is known for its combative nature. I suspect your true intention, Peak Master, is to see which side’s core disciples prove superior when our Northern and Southern disciples cross paths.” Grandmaster Yuanyuan clasped his hands behind his back.

“The Grand Competition of the Five Peaks isn't far off. Our Tenth Generation on the North tends to be weaker; let them see the core disciples from other peaks and motivate them to strive harder in the future.” “The Way of Harmony teaches them that when a formidable external enemy arises, internal harmony naturally follows.” Grandmaster Yuanyuan chuckled, gesturing toward the 'Harmony' characters displayed on the wall.

(I find that with classical Xianxia, one truly cannot rush the pacing; speeding up destroys the intended atmosphere. It seems I must slow down.)