After a night's rest, the Federation of Hope delegation looked fully refreshed.
Yesterday, they'd listened to their Foxian guide explain the origins of the Heaven-Mending Creation. Today, the same guide had arrived early, already waiting outside their lodgings.
"Esteemed guests, did you rest well last night?"
"Acceptable, I suppose. Barely adequate for my divine standards," Titania said with a nod.
The most luxurious room here was only barely suitable for a deity like herself.
"Someday this place will become a shrine, and pilgrims will gather to worship."
Titania was already imagining her portrait hanging prominently in the inn, granting every future guest the privilege of basking in her glory.
Fenille shot the Foxian guide an apologetic look.
After enduring Titania's endless commentary yesterday, the Foxian woman had built up some immunity to her grand declarations.
She calmly ignored Titania and went on to announce today's itinerary.
"Since you esteemed guests have come all the way to our Xianzhou, aside from attending the upcoming Heaven-Mending Creation ceremony, we have a few unique sights you won't find anywhere else in the galaxy."
"Allow me to guide you today."
At that, Fenille's brows unconsciously tightened.
"Miss, our Federation has already been here two days, yet we still haven't seen your General."
If Fenille remembered correctly, wasn't this General the one who'd personally invited the Federation here?
Yet after two full days of sightseeing, they still hadn't met the person who extended the invitation.
Could the Xianzhou be subtly pressuring the Federation?
Reading Fenille's troubled expression with ease, the Foxian woman offered a gentle smile. "Please don't worry. Our Xianzhou is certainly not isolating you. It's just that our General needs some time to prepare."
Prepare? How much preparation could a simple meeting possibly require—and for two or three days at that?
"Do you honored guests happen to know what title our Xianzhou General bears?"
The delegation exchanged awkward looks. Why was that suddenly relevant?
Still, Robin started carefully combing through her memories of the various Xianzhou.
"The Xianzhou Luofu is commanded by The Divine Foresight General; the Xianzhou Yaoqing is led by The Merlin's Claw…"
Robin abruptly realized she had no idea who commanded this Xianzhou—Cangyan.
This General rarely appeared in the universe.
Compared to the other renowned Seven Arbiter-Generals, this one was especially low-profile.
Seeing Robin's confusion, the Foxian guide smiled knowingly. "Our General is a little different from the others. Our General is known as the Fearless General."
"The Fearless General?!"
What kind of title was that? Did it mean that with this General present, no one would feel fear?
At the sound of that title, everyone from the Federation immediately recalled a vivid scene:
When they'd faced the Swarm together, Sora had stood unwavering before them.
In that moment, everyone had gathered behind him like wings, launching a strike that shook the galaxy.
Because of that, whenever Sora appeared before them, all fear in their hearts inexplicably vanished.
Perhaps that was exactly what "Fearless General" meant.
"So, when might we finally meet this Fearless General?"
Having recalled Sora's figure, Fenille's tone softened noticeably.
"When our General finishes her preparations, she'll receive you distinguished guests at once."
The Foxian woman turned slightly, her gaze flickering with unease.
That grand title was certainly useful.
She only hoped these honored guests wouldn't be too disappointed when they finally met the General in person…
...
Meanwhile, in the eerily silent General's Office, two people were having a conversation of their own.
"It's already been so long—haven't you sorted out your mood yet?"
A cluster of brilliant golden flames hovered in the air, illuminating the room.
At the main seat, a figure was sprawled lifelessly across the table, face-down.
"I was perfectly happy on my own. Why did you people have to drag me here to be General?"
Every time she said it, she regretted it all over again.
"Xi, you were personally appointed by General Futian. And that Yu Yi is the Sword Champion's disciple. By any logic, it should've been one of you two!"
Yet here they were: one had turned herself into a ball of fire and bullied her daily, while the other had run off to become a Galaxy Ranger the instant things settled down.
After the two of them left, the position should've fallen to that gambler.
But now even that gambler had quit gambling and was off doing who-knows-what in the Fangyuan Realm.
So in the end, the position of General—something everyone on other Xianzhou desperately coveted—had somehow landed in her lap.
How utterly absurd.
I should abdicate immediately! Someone more capable should take over!
"Because we all voted for you. There's no 'why' about it," the floating platinum-gold flame said bluntly, unmoved by the Fearless General's complaints.
"Uuu~" A kitten-like whimper expressed someone's profound heartbreak.
"General Feng…this time, it's not just that new Federation. Even the Generals of the other Xianzhou have quietly entered Cangyan."
To keep her from being blindsided by panic, the platinum-gold flame had no choice but to gently remind her.
But surprisingly, upon hearing that the other Generals had arrived, the usually timid Feng Liqi showed no reaction at all.
"Of course I know. They didn't even bother hiding their presence."
Each of them felt so familiar, yet none of them was the one she most wanted to see.
"You've been gone for so long. Where exactly did you disappear to…?"
She pulled out a pair of glasses, imitating a certain someone's move—a "technique that boosts courage," or so she called it.
Yelling "Jue!" she tried to put the glasses on.
And immediately poked herself in the eye, trembling and yelping in pain.
"Owwwww, it hurts~~~"
Today, as always, the Fearless General was working hard to live up to her title.
Floating beside her, the platinum-gold flame flickered lazily, seemingly uninterested in her struggles.
Though unreliable at times, Feng Liqi now carefully extended her senses, trying to locate the other Generals who had secretly arrived in the Cangyan.
Having spent centuries blessed by the HUNT, she was deeply attuned to its presence.
Soon enough, she detected the familiar auras of the visitors.
But when she pinpointed their exact location, she froze. That place was…
...
"Yanqing, you've long heard the legends about this sacred place of swordsmanship in the Cangyan. Now that you're here, how do you feel?"
Two figures stood atop a vast, empty platform, speaking quietly.
One was composed, a faint smile in his eyes. The other, slightly shorter, scanned the area with bright, restless curiosity.
Both were unmistakably distinguished.
One was Jing Yuan, Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou Luofu.
The other was Yanqing, his disciple—a rising star known as a genius swordsman.
Judging from their conversation, this location was anything but ordinary.
This immense, seemingly endless platform was said to be the Cangyan's sacred land of swordsmanship.
"Supposedly," because nothing here seemed remotely related to the sword.
Any visitor might be baffled by what they saw.
Yanqing, in particular, swept the area over and over, his gaze sharp as drawn steel, yet found nothing that resembled a legendary sanctuary.
"General, is this really the sacred land of swordsmanship? It just looks like an ordinary platform," he finally asked after finding nothing.
"You haven't looked closely enough," Jing Yuan chuckled. "In the Cangyan, the place called the 'Rooftop' is undeniably a sacred land for swordsmanship."
Wait—did he say "Rooftop"?!
Yanqing was startled by how mundanely named it was.
Wasn't that a bit too casual for a sacred place?
"Legend has it that centuries ago, two peerless swordsmen fought here, shaping the surroundings into what you see now."
Jing Yuan drew his glaive, Starfall Reverie, gesturing for Yanqing to do the same.
Though unsure why, Yanqing obediently took a sparring stance.
The moment they did, a subtle wind rose across the vast plateau.
Gentle at first, the wind quickly intensified with the tension between Jing Yuan and Yanqing, soon erupting into two violent storms of energy.
Centered around them, the storms surged outward, slicing through the air like invisible blades.
Eventually, the winds split cleanly in two: one reserved and hidden, the other shimmering with gold and shadowed radiance.
These two forces clashed again and again before finally merging into the bodies of Jing Yuan and Yanqing.
"Wh—what was that?!"
Yanqing was stunned; he'd never experienced anything like it.
Sword insights flooded into his mind.
He'd been stuck at a bottleneck for ages, yet now he'd broken straight through without effort.
Compelled by an unknown force, Yanqing raised his twin blades and instinctively crossed them before his eyes.
This transformation clearly came from the energy that had flowed into him.
Jing Yuan's eyes held a nostalgic look. Long ago, he'd experienced the exact same moment with his own master.
And back then, he was the one left speechless.
"This is why this place became sacred ground for swordsmanship. Legend says two extraordinary masters fought here long ago. Their clash was so intense it shaped this region. Now, whenever two people prepare to spar here, the insights of those ancient masters appear to guide them."
Yanqing's jaw dropped in astonishment.
He'd never imagined the sacred land would carry such an incredible legacy.
Just how powerful had those swordsmen been to create a domain like this?
Excitement rippled through him. He desperately wanted to see their power firsthand.
"General, who won in the end?!" Yanqing asked urgently, unable to contain his curiosity.
He had to know the outcome of such a duel.
"That," Jing Yuan chuckled, seeing his younger self in Yanqing, "is precisely why this place became known as the 'Rooftop.'"
"Forgive me, Master—I still don't understand. Could you explain it clearly?" Yanqing asked earnestly.
"Legend says the two peerless swordsmen fought countless rounds here, toppling mountains and flattening the land. The battle ended without a decisive winner," Jing Yuan said slowly.
"But the one who held a slight advantage is said to have left behind a few memorable words…"
"What words?" Yanqing pressed.
Jing Yuan answered calmly…
...
"Only a rooftop can unite two swordsmen's hearts. You old fool, don't name places if you don't understand the meaning!"
Sora's hand glowed softly as he tended to the Sword Champion of Cangcheng's wounds.
"Well, you won anyway—name it whatever you like. Rooftop it is," the Sword Champion sighed helplessly.
Blood seeped from his injuries, matting his fur and making him look rather pitiful.
But that was just on the surface. Inside, he felt exhilarated.
The fierce duel had awakened feelings he hadn't tasted in centuries.
He'd used everything he had, yet still lost.
But defeat had never felt so glorious.
The two casually named their battlefield through friendly bickering, utterly oblivious to the spectators who'd long retreated to a safe distance.
They'd had no choice—stay too close, and the aftermath alone would swallow them whole.
As for what happened to anything caught in the crossfire…
One look at the surroundings said everything.
Nearby mountains, once dozens of meters tall, now lay flattened.
Not a single tree or blade of grass remained. This place had become a forbidden zone for life.
Deep underground, pulses of dark and light energy still flickered, sealing the immense forces left behind.
Anyone practicing swordsmanship here in the future would undoubtedly benefit.
It had truly become paradise for swordsmen.
And precisely because of that, the two who'd fought here started arguing over the name.
It seemed they'd finally settled on it.
"Only a rooftop can unite two swordsmen's hearts…?" Yu Qi muttered.
How had he never heard of such a line before?
---
T/N: ima go back in time and change azure flame realm probably... i didn't know it was gonna be the name of their XIANZHOU!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
also hehe so the federation of hope is seeing the future xianzhou that he saved i see i see i see and Feng Liqi became the general... The Fearless General more like the Fearful General LMAOO