Upon exiting the colossal library, Yu Ci turned to Meng Wei and asked, "Sister Meng, what exactly is the Hanzhang Fahui?"

"Hanzhang Fahui? You must be referring to the Minor Incantation Ceremony that Old Master Zhu mentioned," Meng Wei, having just understood the crux of the matter, explained with a smile.

The term "Hanzhang" is derived from the phrase "Hanzhang Ke Zhen" found in the I Ching's Kun hexagram, originally signifying the possession of literary grace and virtue without ostentation, and a reserved manner of conduct. In this context, it refers to a type of gathering or ceremony where flaunting one's Cultivation Level or Magical Instrument is not the main objective, nor is debate encouraged. Instead, it is a mild-mannered gathering, where elites from various sects congregate, at least ostensibly in harmonious camaraderie. The primary purpose is to expand one's network and exchange insights.

Meng Wei's use of the prefix "Minor" denotes the varying levels of the Hanzhang Fahui.

The highest level of Hanzhang Fahui is held in the Cultivation World, especially by orthodox sects like the Lichen Sect, where exceptional disciples gather. During the event, elite Cultivators from all corners of the world assemble in droves, often in the tens of thousands. When they disperse, the radiance of their swords and magical instruments obscures the sky, creating a spectacular sight in this realm.

However, such a Hanzhang Fahui is held only once every forty to fifty years. The last one took place six years ago. If Yu Ci truly wishes to participate, he would have to wait at least thirty more years.

Since Old Master Zhu mentioned this year, he must be referring to the "Minor Incantation Ceremony." This is a regional concept, in contrast to the highest level "Grand Incantation Ceremony." Although the purpose remains the same, the attendees are only from the Broken Realm Mountain and Sky Rift Valley, or the central and western part of the Cultivation World.

"Here, aside from the Lichen Sect, there's only the Sunset Valley, right?"

Yu Ci, who had a general understanding of the cultivation ecology around the Broken Realm Mountain Range, stated. Undeniably, the Lichen Sect was the ruler of this region. The only entity that could be compared to it was the Sunset Valley, located across the Sky Rift Valley. These two major sects, divided by the Sky Rift Valley, developed independently but maintained a good relationship, especially in suppressing the Demons within the Sky Rift Valley, where they have long held a consistent stance. Thus, a Hanzhang Fahui led by these two sects would not be difficult to achieve harmony.

However, this does not mean that just anyone can participate in the Hanzhang Fahui.

"Can Outer Disciples also attend?"

Meng Wei replied candidly, "There's no precedent for that."

"Why is that so?"

"Because Old Master Zhu has the privilege to recommend disciples he favors."

The one who answered him was not Meng Wei, but Li You, who had popped out of nowhere.

Upon seeing Li You, Meng Wei frowned. Although she had tacitly allowed Li You to spread rumors, it didn't mean she didn't mind his insolence. Li You, however, was carefree and merry. Ever since he had entered the Golden Elixir Stage, his mood had been in a state of constant excitement, and his exuberant personality had grown even more intense.

He first greeted Meng Wei with a beaming smile, then turned to Yu Ci, laughing heartily: "Junior Brother Yu, you are indeed remarkable. I heard that Zhao Fu went to Chessboard Peak to pick you up, so I hurried all the way here, not expecting to hear such good news."

He then turned to Meng Wei, giving her a thumbs up: "Sister Meng, I truly admire you now. How did you come up with this idea?"

Meng Wei gave a slight smile, not allowing him to divert the topic. She still addressed Yu Ci: "The Hanzhang Conference is indeed a good place to go, but even if Old Master Zhu recommends you, there will still be a hurdle inside."

"Insufficient qualifications?"

"Not famous enough?"

Yu Ci and Li You spoke in unison. Although their words were different, their meanings were the same.

Upon hearing this, Li You patted his shoulder and laughed: "It's good that Junior Brother Yu can think of this. It's indeed a problem of reputation and qualifications. However, there's a good opportunity now."

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Yu Ci thought for a moment and tentatively asked: "Sword Garden?"

"Exactly!"

Li You was both surprised and delighted, clapping his hands and exclaiming: "So, Junior Brother Yu, you had a plan all along. Why did I bother to think so much?"

"Uh, I just heard about it from someone else."

Yu Ci quickly waved his hand. He still didn't understand what the Sword Garden was, let alone have any plans about it. He then recounted his encounter with Ge Hui and Nie Zong on the road. Although he had no intention of pleading for them to Meng Wei, he was curious about her reaction.

Meng Wei's pretty face showed no sign of joy or anger. She merely shook her head slightly: "They are thinking too much. Dong Ji did indeed violate the Sect Discipline, but how could the Sect let them miss out on the opportunity of the Sword Garden? They might be temporarily pardoned until the matter of the Sword Garden is over, and then they can return to face their punishment."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ci blinked in curiosity. What kind of grand event was this Sword Garden that even meticulous Senior Sister Meng Wei was willing to turn a blind eye, lest they miss the opportunity offered to their sect?

Just as he was about to inquire further, Meng Wei's fine eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if she had remembered something. "Today is my turn to plant. It's getting late, I need to return to Measuring Sky Peak. Junior Brother Yu, whether it's the Inclusion Chapter Meeting or the Sword Garden, these are rare opportunities. They should not be missed, but also not rushed. Why don't you and Senior Brother Li You come to my place tonight? We can discuss in detail and prepare."

Yu Ci naturally agreed and thanked Meng Wei for introducing him to Old Master Zhu amidst her busy schedule. He then watched as the female cultivator mounted another azure sky bird and soared towards the sky.

At that moment, Li You patted Yu Ci's shoulder, "Let's go, brother. Let's go and discuss a plan. Actually, I have an idea."

He brought Yu Ci along on his flying sword and returned. It must be said that traveling in Sect's Mountain Gate was most comfortable when they were flying high. Yu Ci had walked for more than half an hour, but Li You traveled through the clouds and reached the Countless Method Sanctuary in less than a quarter of an hour.

The Countless Method Sanctuary, known as the "Monastery", was actually a cluster of five mountains, two large and three small, standing in the void, shrouded in clouds and mist. Due to its shape, it was also known as the "Parallel Fingers Mountain". The Four-Level Monastery of Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding were distributed among the four mountains, leaving only the highest "Touching Sky Peak" uninhabited.

Of course, Touching Sky Peak was not idle. It was arranged with dozens of "battlefields" of various sizes for the disciples of the Empirical Department to hone their skills. The Empirical Department followed the path of proving the Dao with strength. Cultivation level and realm were closely related to actual combat, hence the internal and external competitive atmosphere was particularly important. From the sky, Yu Ci and Li You could see on the Touching Sky Peak, sword lights and weapon glows crisscrossing, either scattered or forming rainbows, accompanied by the sound of rushing air explosions, it was a dazzling and magnificent sight.

Li You, suspended mid-air, halted the radiance of his sword and pointed towards the Touching Sky Peak, proclaiming, "Junior Brother Yu, your qualifications and fame lie right there."

Yu Ci, having foreseen this idea, chuckled lightly. Far from feeling fear, he was eager to try. He had long harbored this intention, but being new to foreign lands, he had to maintain decorum for a few days. Today, however...

"Li You, lad, dare you fight me?"

From another side of the cloud, a roar suddenly erupted. The sound wave stirred the cloud, sweeping like a hurricane, causing a slight numbness to the skin.

Yu Ci turned his head and saw a dark, gloomy light tearing through the clouds, rushing from ten miles away in a blink of an eye. It revealed a burly man standing nine feet tall. His messy hair was casually tied into a bun, his chin scraped to a steel blue, and his eyes, like burning coals, were a dark red, slowly rolling within his sockets, difficult to gaze upon.

This burly man seemed to radiate intense heat from head to toe. His words and deeds were straightforward, capable of stirring one's fighting spirit in just a few words.

Such an opponent was worth a fight!

Yu Ci thought Li You would readily agree, but to his surprise, Li You grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "The Sword Garden is imminent, Old Hong, why are you joining in the excitement? These few months, I only compete with those who practice the sword, and there must be a stake!"

"Sword Garden? You still want to enter this time?"

When Li You refused, Old Hong was not annoyed. He scratched his head, making his messy hair even worse, and grinned, "Last time you let someone chop you until you were bruised and battered, almost losing your life in there. This time, with the Mechanism of the Cauldron, you want to take revenge? Heh, they may not necessarily come."

Li You spat out a sound, but his face showed no annoyance. "You don't need to provoke me. What's the point of living if a swordsman doesn't stroll around the Sword Garden? Don't talk nonsense. If you don't have a Sword Fete Card, get lost."

"What if you have a Sword Fete Card?"

A cold snicker echoed in the high sky. Along with the voice, a bone-chilling Sword Energy pierced through the clouds and fog, freezing all the water vapor along the way into a clear icicle, pointing straight at Li You's nose.

Li You was stunned, then burst into hearty laughter. "Your token, Wang Jiu, is quite interesting!"

As his words fell, he softly warned, "Be careful," then exerted his strength, throwing Yu Ci towards the burly man named Hong, "Old Hong, arrange a show for Junior Brother Yu, I'll be back soon!"

Before the word "back" could fully escape his lips, Li You's figure had already disappeared. The icicle before his eyes shattered with a bang, then vaporized into nothingness.

*********