Resumo do episódio 7 de Sword Dynasty
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The Sword Sacrifice Trial commenced with a modified format, merging Baiyang Cave and Qingteng Sword School disciples for the first time. The rules stipulated a three-day challenge within the Sword Sacrifice Valley. Each participant held a token, and encounters led to battles where the victor claimed the opponent's token, eliminating the loser. A smoke signal at midday marked the daily deadline to reach a designated area before sunset, with the ultimate winner being the one who collected the most tokens.
The grand prize for the victor was a Green Jade Amber. Baiyang Cave Leader Xue Wangxu, now a seventh-realm practitioner, attended the trial as an observer, with Qingteng Dean Di Qingmei welcoming him. Nangong Caishu expressed concern to Ding Ning, pointing out the trial's disadvantageous nature for him, a newcomer to the second realm, especially with three participants already in the third realm's medium grade. The prolonged battles would quickly deplete his stamina.
However, Ding Ning confidently stated that for every rule, there was a way to adapt. Xie Rou warned him to be careful, while Xie Changsheng cheered him on loudly, affirming his belief in Ding Ning. Before the trial, Nangong Caishu had also given Ding Ning a Huangting Golden Elixir, capable of helping him breakthrough to the late stage of the middle grade of the second realm.
Participants began their descent into the valley by choosing a vine, with a twenty-breath interval between each. Ding Ning expertly navigated the treacherous vines, showcasing his mastery of the Scripture of Wildfire Sword. Observing from above, Xie Rou was astonished, remarking that Ding Ning must be a genius like those from the Minshan Sword Sect to achieve such proficiency in a short time.
Xie Changsheng proudly boasted about his brother-in-law's prowess, while a skeptical instructor named Duanmu dismissed it, suggesting Ding Ning's true test would come against other practitioners, not mere vines. Ding Ning soon encountered his fellow disciple, Shen Bai, who wielded the Dark Fire sword from the Secret Fire Sword Forging Workshop in Liuquan Prefecture. Shen Bai declared his intention to be the first to eliminate Ding Ning. Unexpectedly, Ding Ning turned and fled, drawing confusion and ridicule from observers.
However, Ding Ning's strategy became clear when Shen Bai, in pursuit, became entangled in vines. Ding Ning, despite the danger, bravely rescued Shen Bai, who, now convinced of Ding Ning's skill and character, humbly surrendered his token. Di Qingmei, however, criticized Ding Ning's victory as opportunistic, preferring sheer strength over "small tricks." Li Daoji voiced concerns about Ding Ning's limited cultivation and delicate physique, worried about his endurance in a prolonged trial.
Xie Changsheng, ever the loyal supporter, lamented Ding Ning's "broken sword" and offered to fund a better one from his family. A smoke signal was released at midday, signaling the urgent need for participants to reach the designated area before sunset. The cold autumn wind made sweat-soaked clothes an energy drain. As Ding Ning pushed towards his destination, his yang hyperactivity flared up, forcing him to stop and meditate to regulate his internal energy.
This sudden setback worried Xie Changsheng, and Duanmu noted Ding Ning had taken a wrong path and might not make it in time. Meanwhile, Zhangsun Qianxue, using the alias Gongsun, traveled to the Minshan Sword Sect. With Jing Liuli's introduction, she gained an audience with Sect Leader Baili Suxue. She revealed her true purpose: to secure the Life-sustaining Magic Art for Ding Ning, Liang Jingmeng's only disciple.
She explained Ding Ning's critical condition due to yang hyperactivity and his unwavering resolve to assassinate King Heng, a mission that would likely cost him his life before he reached thirty, possibly even sooner due to his intense cultivation. Pleading for their past brotherhood, she implored Baili Suxue to lend the art to Ding Ning. Baili Suxue, however, coldly refused.
He recounted his past disappointment with Liang Jingmeng and the rule he established after Liang Jingmeng's death, prohibiting Bashan disciples from ever entering Minshan again. He asserted that his rules were inviolable, even by powerful figures like Ye Zhen and Yuan Wu, and reiterated that the Life-sustaining Magic Art was reserved solely for the Minshan Swordsmanship Tournament champion. Disappointed, Zhangsun Qianxue was left with no recourse. Back in the valley, third-realm practitioners Sun Xing and He Zhaoxi met.
Instead of immediately fighting, He Zhaoxi, while eating, proposed an alliance, explaining his desire to conserve energy for future breakthroughs, particularly in the fifth realm, and to swiftly "hunt" other participants. He used the analogy that "two lions together hunt faster than only one." Sun Xing, also disliking being observed "like a monkey," agreed to the temporary alliance.
Observing their agreement, Xue Wangxu remarked that while their confidence and pride might allow them to reach the final stages, becoming the champion would be difficult, as their greatest opponents were ultimately themselves. Later, Jiang Li encountered Sun Xing and defeated him in a fair fight, giving him some medicinal fruit afterwards. Sun Xing mockingly called Jiang Li's gesture "petty kindness." In another part of the valley, Nangong Caishu faced He Zhaoxi.
Confident in his superior cultivation and current peak condition, He Zhaoxi allowed her three free attacks. However, he easily countered her moves and quickly defeated her, leaving her severely wounded and depleted of vitality. Upon seeing Nangong Caishu defeated, Ding Ning rushed to her side, despite her urging him to flee. He Zhaoxi dismissed Ding Ning as too weak, but Ding Ning retorted that he wouldn't know if he could win without fighting.
He explained his presence as an opportunity to "take advantage" of their weakened states, noting Nangong Caishu's severe bleeding needed immediate attention. He Zhaoxi accepted the challenge. As their intense battle unfolded, Ding Ning, nearing exhaustion, risked his life and utilized the Huangting Golden Elixir given to him by Nangong Caishu, ultimately prevailing over He Zhaoxi.
Watching this, Xue Wangxu acknowledged Ding Ning's strategic use of the elixir, but worried that over-reliance on such potent remedies could detrimentally affect his internal energy and lead to adverse long-term consequences. He Zhaoxi conceded his defeat, just as Sun Xing suddenly appeared, intending to challenge Ding Ning in his weakened state. Nangong Caishu immediately accused Sun Xing of ungentlemanly conduct for attempting to "take advantage of others' difficulties."
Sun Xing countered, stating that "a gentleman knows how to take advantage of everything; a man good at fighting makes the best use of the circumstances," and that only a fool would attack a prime enemy. He admitted he admired Ding Ning's temperament but their differing initial stances meant they always disliked each other. He then challenged Ding Ning to a fight.
Jiang Li intervened, urging Sun Xing to reconsider, reminding him of their shared origins and the importance of camaraderie among disciples, especially after the merger of their schools. He warned against arrogance and jealousy, calling them detrimental to cultivation. Sun Xing, seeing Jiang Li's protection of Ding Ning, walked away in a huff. Ding Ning then returned He Zhaoxi's token to Nangong Caishu, asserting that it was rightfully hers, as he had won by "taking advantage." Jiang Li reminded Ding Ning and Nangong Caishu that, according to the rules, they could not travel together, and wished them both good luck in the remainder of the trial.
