After spending most of the day, Yan Chuan picked and chose, experiencing some failures and dissatisfaction, and finally selected surprise weapons of the third and fourth-Rank each.

Among them—

The 'Third-Rank Five Elements Ring' is a set of mother-child rings, consisting of one mother ring embodying all five elements and five child rings each with their respective attribute. Once enhanced to the Third-Rank peak, it can sense 'Third-Rank Five Elements Mixed' and 'Third-Rank Five Elements Balance' types of Gold Talisman Stones and raw stones. 'Third-Rank Five Elements Mixed' isn't worth much, around 0.1 Primordial Pill each, but 'Third-Rank Five Elements Balance' is worth at least 4 Primordial Pills, extremely valuable.

After two exchanges, the first seat of Immortal Stones was secured by the 'Third-Rank Five Elements Ring.' Yan Chuan used it exclusively to sweep through Third-Rank raw stones that contained 'Five Elements Balance' Gold Talisman Stones. As for 'Five Elements Mixed,' although each block could profit several hundred jin and dozens or hundreds were not to be underestimated by many Divine Generals, Yan Chuan dismissed them. He neither had the time nor energy to decipher hundreds or thousands of Third-Rank raw stones just to earn a few dozen Primordial Pills, which was disproportionate.

The 'Third-Rank Five Elements Balance' was better; each provided at least three to four Primordial Pills of profit, deciphering ten pieces could net thirty to forty; it was time-efficient and didn't require much effort.

This was the most cost-effective.

Additionally.

The 'Fourth-Rank Wind and Thunder Sword' senses the 'Wind Attribute' and 'Thunder Attribute' mutated Gold Talisman Stones among Fourth-Rank Gold Talisman Stones, as well as single 'Gold Attribute' and 'Wood Attribute' Gold Talisman Stones, and dual 'Gold and Wood' attribute Gold Talisman Stones.

A Fourth-Rank dual attribute Gold Talisman Stone is worth about 5 Primordial Pills.

A Fourth-Rank single attribute Gold Talisman Stone is worth about 10 Primordial Pills.

A Fourth-Rank mutated attribute Gold Talisman Stone is worth about 20 Primordial Pills.

Once Yan Chuan enhanced the 'Third-Rank Five Elements Ring' and 'Fourth-Rank Wind and Thunder Sword,' from June 22nd to June 25th, nearly four days, he morphed into various personae to sweep all the raw stone markets of the Golden Talisman City. Benefitting from the Level-Four 'Treasure Rock,' he could sense the materials without contact. In just four days, Yan Chuan amassed 25 pieces of third-Rank raw stones and 97 pieces of fourth-Rank raw stones, spending 38.65 Primordial Pills in total. And the value of these raw stones was—

"1060 Primordial Pills!"

Yan Chuan!

He got rich quick!

...

Sweeping through a city, making a fortune for oneself.

Yan Chuan got so rich, he felt like he was floating when he walked.

In a remote place, he transformed into the old guise of 'Lion Roar' Yuan Shicai from the Guangling Ten Elders and boldly walked out of Golden Talisman City.

This trip was perfect.

"Old Wang!"

"Make a run for it!"

"To Five Blessings City!"

Not long after leaving the city, Yan Chuan dove into the dense mountains and forests, releasing Wang Zhengyi's 'Monkey King Avatar.' He sent the Monkey King Avatar toward Five Blessings City while he instead traversed through the 'Soul Channel,' instantly crossing the void back to Tan Valley Realm.

The sky was getting light.

A new day had begun.

It was now June 26th, the last day of the second Cang Mountain Sword Discussion.

...

Hai Character, Wan Yiming!

Xu Character, Guo Xi!

You Character, Guli!

Shen Character, Yu Shengyan!

Wei Character, Lu Wanwan!

Wu Character, Shi Qingke!

Si Character, Jing Bao!

Chen Character, Wang Ge!

Mao Character, Fu Yunzhan!

Yin Character, Ma Hongniang!

Chou Character, Yu Jinpeng!

Zi Character, Peng Fannian!

...

On the last day of the Sword Discussion, the Arena Masters changed significantly—

Wan Yiming, Guli, Yu Shengyan, Lu Wanwan, Yu Jinpeng!

The ratio of new stars in the second session to veterans in the first session reached five to seven, almost equal.

After the tests of 'Evil Qi' in weeks five and seven, and the most alluring 'Mist Rain Stele' during week seven which once prompted Chen Ze to prove his Dao on the spot, the situation changed dramatically. All the Sword Discussion Heavenly Pride were exhausted.

Yet on the last day, the competition remained fierce.

All twelve arenas were engaged in fierce contests, particularly the Arena Master 'Instantly Create Mountains' Shi Qingke on the Wu Character arena, who was evenly matched with challenger 'Nine-Clawed Dragon King' Yu En. Both were fighting desperately for the final spot among the Twelve Strong, drawing the attention of nearly everyone above and below.

"One was the first to try to break through to the Innate state in the first Sword Discussion, a veteran Heavenly Pride, practicing the 'Erlang Sword.' His swordsmanship is based on the Eight Diagram, intended to sweep in all directions, focusing on reception, entanglement, advancement, draw, cut, and hold."

Look at Shi Qingke!

With a sharp sword in hand, his demeanor was grand, merging form and spirit, combining movement and stillness, yin and yang. He balanced offense and defense, his swordsmanship dense and changes subtle.

Far more sophisticated than the first session, it had already earned the title of Absolute, even exceeding that.

"The other is a newcomer to this Sword Discussion, majoring in claw skills - Eagle Claw, Tiger Claw, Dragon Claw, …, Cloth Touching Pulse, severing tendons and dislocating bones, Acupoint closure, skilled in grappling, relentless and ever-changing, with truly astonishing talent."

Look at Yu En!

His claw techniques were rich, grasping, pinching, flipping up and down, chaining quickly.

Though he only emerged in the second session, Yu En was not inferior, not even to those like Zhuge Zhen and Chi Gao, who studied under Yan Chuan for a year.

Shi Qingke is strong!

Yu En is also strong!

Both are strong, but—

"Who's commenting?!"

...

This damn familiar feeling!

On Chess Stone Peak, below and above the arena, whether the Heavenly Pride engaged in battle or the surrounding spectators and those far away, didn't react immediately at first, only realizing in shock after a long while—

That wasn't the voice in their heads!

Someone was indeed commenting, their voice penetrating minds!

"Who is it?"

Many guessed, thrilled, excited, anxious, curious; they all raised their heads in unison, only to see someone standing on the clouds in the sky, parting the mists.

In white clothes!

Refined and graceful!

It was—

"The 'Innate Master' Yan Chuan!"

...

Finally, he appears after much anticipation!

At the conclusion of the second Sword Discussion, Yan Chuan, who countless people had been eagerly waiting for, finally arrived. As soon as he came, he provided commentary —

"Handle matters with calmness and strike later; still as a sick cat, relax your upper body, stabilize your lower body, and root your feet; remember offense and defense in your heart without showing on the surface. When you move, be like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, brave and swift; use techniques to borrow strength and exert force, four ounces move a thousand pounds, softness overcomes hardness, achieving the effect of defeating the enemy."

"Shi Qingke's 'Erlang Sword' is even better than last year. It seems he has put in a lot of effort in this year of failure to reach the Innate state. Look at him, his swordsmanship is cohesive, varied, with reality within illusion and illusion within reality, with both hardness and softness, and his hands, eyes, body, steps, and sword are closely coordinated, moving swiftly and changeably."

"How did he practice it?"

"With more killing intent!"

"This is clearly a superior swordsmanship honed from the battlefield, every move proven in real combat."

"Yu En is skilled in grappling but can't even hold Shi Qingke!"

He's back!

They're all back!

The familiar voice, familiar commentary, and familiar Yan Chuan finally returned on the last day of the second Sword Discussion.

The crowd was pleasantly surprised.

Including the two protagonists being narrated by Yan Chuan on the stage —

Yu En!

Shi Qingke!

The two even momentarily diverted their attention to notice Yan Chuan's arrival.

"Yan Chuan!"

Yu En took a moment to glance up at the sky. It was his first time seeing Yan Chuan, and he was in the air, friendly yet with an indescribable dignity. His voice resonated, spreading across the entire Chess Stone Peak without the iconic 'White Horn Trumpet'.

Amazing!

Amazing!

Just the skills demonstrated were enough to amaze, not to mention his familiarity with Shi Qingke's 'Erlang Sword'. Even though he was sure it was their first meeting, Yan Chuan's understanding of his 'Nine-Clawed Dragon Skill' was profound, every word resonating with him, sparking numerous inspirations, allowing his 'Nine-Clawed Dragon Skill' to have breakthroughs in a short time.

"Innate Master!"

"Absolute Master!"

"Is he really that incredible!?"

Yu En had always heard of Yan Chuan, heard people brag about him, but he didn't fully believe it, thinking it was mostly coincidence and exaggeration. He didn't believe Yan Chuan's guidance was truly that effective.

Seeing is believing!

Upon witnessing today, Yu En was convinced, sincerely convinced!

Not just Yu En.

Shi Qingke as well.

"Yan Chuan!"

Shi Qingke took a moment to glance up, his gaze complex.

He was somewhat more familiar with Yan Chuan.

During last year's Sword Discussion, Yan Chuan pointed out many things about his 'Erlang Sword', and in his battle with Ma Hongniang's 'White Bone Banner', Yan Chuan's guidance was crucial. Otherwise, he would have failed to reach the Innate state even earlier and wouldn't have lasted that long.

After failing to prove the Dao, Shi Qingke was ashamed but grew stronger. Although he didn't achieve much in the first Sword Discussion, in the past year, he ventured and fought in the Mountain and Sea Realm, joining the military, spending ten months on the battlefield, experiencing countless battles, surviving near-death situations multiple times.

One year later.

Returned again.

Shi Qingke's swordsmanship was acclaimed, finally showing his might at Cang Mountain.

And today.

Just remain standing for the last ten hours, and he would secure a place among the Twelve Strong.

On this day, the first formidable opponent was Yu En, and the first variable was Yan Chuan!

...

"The fist is like a meteor, the eye like electricity, the waist like a snake's movement, and the foot as fast as a drill, moving like the wind, standing like a nail!"

"Shi Qingke honed his 'Erlang Sword' on the battlefield. Although dangerous, the benefits are significant. His swordsmanship is different from a year ago, almost two entirely different styles."

"Battlefield fighting is all about speed, precision, and ferocity!"

"Shi Qingke's sword, whether in major moves or minor changes, is very quick, agile, decisive, and calm, not wasting an ounce of strength. When executing quick sword drawing and sheathing, dodging, charging, stomping, or kicking, he can suddenly stop and remain steady."

"Shi Qingke!"

"His swordsmanship has achieved Great Success! But what's truly valuable is the spirit honed in a year of killing on the battlefield, in the sea of blood and corpses!"

"With this spirit!"

"On the last day of the Sword Discussion, Shi Qingke, if you don't prove the Dao now, when will you?"

...

Shi Qingke returned from the battlefield to Cang Mountain, to another Sword Discussion. His spirit was different, originally aiming to prove the Dao. But in the previous forty-six days, whenever he wanted to take that step, images of past failure flashed in his mind, reminding him of his decline in cultivation and the arduous effort needed for recovery and progress.

Failure once could be accepted.

But what if he fails again this time?

Mockery!

Ridicule!

These are secondary.

What about himself?

Will he have the spirit to try for the Innate state a third time in his life?

Consider defeat before victory!

This is suitable and excellent in military confrontations and national battles.

But in matters of achieving the Innate state, victory or defeat? That's not the consideration. Once considered, hesitating and timid, success will forever be unattainable.

To achieve the Innate state!

One must have a firm resolution and unwavering courage!

And for Shi Qingke, at such a 'Plum Blossom Opens Second Degree' Peak State, the hardest barrier to surpass is his own fear.

Yet at this moment —

"On the last day of the Sword Discussion!"

"Shi Qingke!"

"If not proving the Dao now, when!"

...