The Great Pill of Heavy Gold was successfully refined, at which point he could challenge Sima Changbai of the Ninth Level of Longevity. This situation made Lu Yuan, whose nature was already quite indifferent, feel a rare sense of urgency. After drinking some wine and steadying his nerves, he finally calmed down.

Indeed, he shouldn't rush.

His own potential for growth was limitless, whereas Sima Changbai’s had significant constraints. Why should he worry? He would just keep drinking. He would just keep drinking.

While Lu Yuan was leisurely sipping his wine, others in the Immortal Realm of Chuyun were debating who exactly had completed the two most difficult tasks. Regardless of the outcome, they could not reach a conclusion, and it was fated to remain a mystery. After discussing it for several days with no result, they ceased the conversation.

After all, the Trial of Chuyun was approaching.

The Chuyun Sword Formation was a formation left by the Second Generation Ancestor, surrounded by countless legends. With the Trial of Chuyun imminent, everyone was speculating on who would last the longest within the sword formation. As for breaking the formation entirely, that was considered impossible; no one in the past four thousand years had ever succeeded, so how could anyone do it now?

Regarding who might endure the longest in the Chuyun Sword Formation, Chu Lang was undoubtedly among the top candidates. At this very moment, however, a major event unfolded.

One day, as Lu Yuan was comfortably enjoying his small cup of wine and watching the clouds drift across the sky, planning to practice his swordplay soon, Ye Xiao, who shared his courtyard, burst in: “Something huge has happened, something huge!”

It was clearly meant for Lu Yuan to hear. Lu Yuan smiled wryly. This Martial Uncle Ye Xiao, despite being called a ‘Martial Uncle,’ lacked composure; living together, they behaved more like peers. But this was fine; living with a deeply austere Martial Uncle would likely have been too uncomfortable.

“Martial Uncle Ye, what major event has occurred?” Lu Yuan asked.

“Something big has happened at Taihu Lake,” Ye Xiao said.

“Taihu Lake.” Lu Yuan paused. He had heard the name. Taihu Lake was actually quite a famous scenic spot.

There was a poet in the common folk who once wrote a poem about Taihu: “Heard the name of Taihu Lake, yet knew it not for ten years; today, I finally set sail upon its expanse, laughing heartily at past days. One league I travel past Xutang, all day reaching Zhenze. Thirty-six thousand qing, a thousand qing of pure, glassy color… May the wind be favorable, blowing me into the abode of Immortals. Gladly I offer up my scrolls, to serve the Lord of Mount Song forever.” This poem, capturing a first impression of Taihu, perfectly described the lake’s beauty.

However, with Lu Yuan’s disposition, it was unlikely he would have come to know Taihu Lake through poetry.

Lu Yuan knew the name Taihu Lake because of its cuisine.

Taihu Lake was famous for its ‘Three Whites’: the Taihu whitebait, the Taihu whitefish, and the Taihu white shrimp. These three fresh delicacies were said to be unsurpassed in the entire Jin State. Reportedly, the Taihu whitebait had fine, boneless flesh, lacking scales or bones. The Taihu whitefish was already renowned. As for the Taihu white shrimp, a poem declared, “Taihu white shrimp reigns supreme under heaven; even when cooked, their color remains pristine white.” Shrimp prepared as Drunken Shrimp using these Taihu shrimp were supposedly exquisitely delicious, incredibly tender, and utterly fresh.

Stop thinking about it; I’m already drooling.

Lu Yuan had long known of the reputation of the Taihu Three Whites and had always wanted to experience them, but his inherent laziness meant he had never passed by Taihu Lake during his two journeys through the Jin State, silently regretting it many times.

Now, it seemed something had happened at Taihu Lake. Lu Yuan waited for Ye Xiao to recount the details before truly understanding the situation.

Geographically, Taihu Lake was a fair distance from Mount Hua, though not excessively far, falling essentially within the region controlled by Mount Hua.

Taihu Lake had initially been merely a famous landmark, but recently, it underwent a dramatic transformation.

Sometime before, a massive shift in the natural order occurred within Taihu Lake. This was a small-scale cosmic event—a massive surge from antiquity erupted. In ancient times, many seals existed; suddenly, one burst open, allowing the primal energy of that ancient era to flood into the present. The result was the sudden appearance of Soul Stones in Taihu Lake.

That is to say, Taihu Lake had begun producing minor Soul Stones, major Soul Stones, and even Soul Crystals.

If it had only been minor and major Soul Stones, it wouldn't have caused such a stir, but the appearance of Soul Crystals changed everything. The situation immediately became volatile; the handful of local, minor cultivation sects engaged in fierce fighting, and the news inevitably leaked out.

This caused an uproar throughout the entire Jin State.

At that time, the Soul River in Qingcheng had already attracted immense attention.

Taihu Lake, naturally, could not compare to the Min River of the Soul River, but it was still significant. The existence of that Soul River had made everyone in Qingcheng immensely envied, wishing they could claim a portion. While Taihu Lake was not as grand as the Min River, no one would willingly forfeit such a prize.

To whom did Taihu Lake belong? The few small immortal sects couldn't control it, and since the area was largely within Mount Hua’s sphere of influence, and Mount Hua was powerful—the foremost immortal sect in Jin State—it naturally fell under Mount Hua’s jurisdiction.

If Mount Hua hadn't been so strong, many more parties would have tried to claim a piece.

Although ownership was settled with Mount Hua, Mount Hua comprised Five Peaks. By chance, this Taihu Lake fell precisely between the control areas of the North Peak and the East Peak. In the past, this would have been manageable; under Yan Cangtian’s suppression, the relationship between the East and North Peaks wasn't overtly hostile, and they could have negotiated splitting it fifty-fifty. However, with Chu Duan now serving as the Sect Master, the East Peak faction, always arrogant, had been exerting pressure on the North Peak and the Qi Sect, naturally seeking to claim the entire area for themselves, showing no regard for the North Peak.

Since the East Peak insisted on exclusive control, the North Peak certainly could not concede so easily.

Thus, the two peaks decided to settle the matter through a competition to claim Taihu Lake.

And in a competition, it was impossible for figures at the Outer Immortal level to engage. The Sword Immortal level represented the face of a peak lineage. For instance, the North Peak only had five Sword Immortals in total. If Sword Immortals were to fight, it would imply that the East and North Peaks had completely shed all pretense of civility, which they had not yet reached. Therefore, they agreed that only those figures who had not yet reached the Sword Immortal level from both peaks would engage in a grand contest. Whichever side won this clash would gain sole control of Taihu Lake.

After Ye Xiao finished his explanation, he declared excitedly, “Let them fight! Who’s afraid of whom? The Sword Sect has become increasingly conceited in recent years. They wouldn't even agree to a fifty-fifty split when we first suggested it. Do they truly think others fear them?” Over the years, the North Peak members had endured much frustration from the East Peak, and Ye Xiao himself had taken his share.

Lu Yuan happened to be bored, and a trip to Taihu Lake for Soul Stone resources might actually allow him to gain some benefits.

Although Sword Immortals were barred from fighting, major events still required their supervision. The North Peak sent Fang Ru to preside this time. Under Elder Yuanyuan of the North Peak, Fang Ru, the 'Gentleman Sword,' was undoubtedly the most renowned figure externally. As for the seven Eighth Generation cultivators at the Great Dao realm in the Chuyun Immortal Realm, they rarely appeared; outsiders often didn't even know they existed.

Around fifty people were ordered to go, all cultivators at the Fifth to Seventh Levels of Longevity from the North Peak. Lu Yuan was among them.

Before leaving, Fang Ru stated clearly: “This confrontation with the Sword Sect involves fifty people against fifty. The East Peak of the Sword Sect is stronger than us; they likely have close to a hundred cultivators at the Fifth to Seventh Levels of Longevity, while we only have fifty. Therefore, it was agreed that each side would send fifty participants. This setup is somewhat disadvantageous for us, but I believe all of you will create miracles and absolutely will not lose to the Sword Sect.”

“We cannot lose to the Sword Sect, no matter who else we lose to.”

“The Outer Sects have been quite smug these past few years.”

“Two years ago, in a certain mining vein I was overseeing, the Sword Sect members forcibly occupied it. I was even injured, and when the matter was reported to the sect, the Three Peaks Tribunal ruled in favor of the Sword Sect. It makes me want to curse just thinking about it.”

“Not long ago, I attended the dedication ceremony of a minor immortal sect. During that event, a Sword Sect Elder showed me absolutely no respect, relying solely on having one level more spiritual power than me. Now that my spiritual power has also increased by one level, I will surely retaliate!”

It was practically a rally of grievances, demonstrating the accumulated frustration over the years. Now that they finally had a chance to strike back, none of them would let it pass.

Fang Ru hardly needed to boost morale; everyone was filled with fighting spirit, eager to reclaim their honor from the Sword Sect.

In prosperous times for cultivators, contests between peers were never about life and death, only about face, interests, and resources.

Listening to these words, Lu Yuan simply shrugged. He was aware of the Sword Sect’s arrogance over the past few years. If there was one major issue during the Three Sect Rebellion, it was the Sword Sect’s overbearing nature and their current Sect Master, Chu Duan.

The group flew away on their swords, swiftly arriving at Taihu Lake.

Is this Taihu Lake?

What a magnificent Taihu Lake—twenty-four thousand qing in area, spanning five hundred li around. With such a vast territory yielding Soul Stones, it was no wonder they fought over it. Several famous scenic spots dotted the shores of Taihu Lake, but since the goal was seizing the lake area, the group quickly reached a small island in the center of Taihu Lake.

Fang Ru instructed: “This time, the regulation covers this five-hundred-li radius. You can fight freely on the water or underwater. Either way, fifty individuals per side, as long as no lives are taken. Everyone, familiarize yourselves with the environment first.”

The others began assessing the surroundings, preparing for the imminent battle. Lu Yuan also surveyed the environment—it was quite nice. He wondered what the fish and shrimp tasted like, then took a swig from his wine gourd.

At that moment, dozens of sword lights, some faint and some brilliant, pierced through the vault of heaven, slicing through the clouds above Taihu Lake. Clearly, the Sword Sect contingent had arrived.