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Chapter 75 - Time to Brave the Winds and Billows
writer:无罪      update:2022-07-21 15:26
  This chapter has been brought to you by me, and larkspur.

  Those realm seven and above were grandmasters that could rule an area. The great rebels had extraordinary presences. The majority of realm seven grandmasters in the world had never met Bai Shanshui and the legendary Fourth Mister Zhao, but most of them knew that they would not be a match for either of those people.

  This was not just due to the sword manual they cultivated. There was never the strongest sword manual, only stronger people.

  The Wei and the Zhao dynasties had had countless cultivation places. The reason that only Bai Shanshui of Cloud Water Palace and Fourth Mister Zhao of the Zhao Sword Furnace were publicly accepted as extraordinary was due to themselves as they contained a spirit that ordinary men could not imagine.

  Would the meeting of Bai Shanshui and Fourth Mister Zhao be an ordinary fight of realm sevens?

  Upon hearing Bai Shanshui’s slow words, Zhao Si stood with his hands behind his back. But the white clouds above the river had suddenly turned red, as though it was burning with fire.

  Bai Shanshui, impassively, reached out. The surging surface of river suddenly stopped flowing in front of him.

  The river water was cut off in half, not because it had been separated by a powerful force, but that a mountainous amount of primal energies of the universe had pulled the water to form a swirling blue pond in front of him.

  Water grass on the riverbed was exposed to the sunlight. The fish and prawns jumped in the dry sand in fright, ignorant of what had happened.

  Seeing half of the river’s water forming a blue pond, and the bottom of the river turning into a grass plain, Fourth Mister Zhao’s gaze showed admiration.

  "My generation likes to learn the sword, reside by the cold pool for a decade ……"

  He sang a line from the song Bai Shanshui had sang when rampaging through Changling. Looking at the blue pond that was giving off astounding sword essence, he praised. "It appears that you used this decade to form your lifebond sword."

  Bai Shanshui did not answer. A thick green flare seemed to rise inside the pond. A green longsword was pulled out of the blue pond.

  When this sword was pulled out, the whirlpool around him seemed to lose its soul, turning into ordinary water that returned to the dry riverbed.

  The fish and prawns sensed their world being once again filled by the water they relied on for survival. They did not feel joy at this, rather fled in terror from the region of water.

  The thick green color of the longsword was brighter and deeper than any jewel, but inside, it had black and white color like a white mountain and black water.

  Bai Shanshui held this sword and looked coolly at Zhao Si. He said, "My sword is in hand. Now you should let me see your sword."

  Zhao Si nodded. Then he looked up towards the boundless sky and said, "Then you will receive my sword."

  Bai Shanshui sensed something and also looked up towards the endless sky.

  No one was able to go above the sky. The higher the elevation, the thinner the primal energies of the universe were. At a height where the primal energies of the universe were so thin they were almost non-existent, there were many inexplicable crescents of light, chaotic star vital energies, the true fire of the sun, and extreme hot and cold.

  A small red sword was floating silently within, being cleansed by the extreme heat and cold. It followed a set track like a star, yet it was mentally connected to Zhao Si.

  His thoughts were so far that even his lifebond sword could fly in the endless sky like a star. Naturally, not many people could understand the path that Fourth Mister Zhao talked about.

  In a flash, the little sword seemed to wake up. It started to erupt with crimson flames before falling at a terrifying speed. The friction between the crimson red flames and primal energies of the universe created even stronger flames.

  In a fraction of time, the true fire layer outside the sword became pure and colorless. Under the power of the terrifying speed and the pressure of the surrounding primal energies of the universe, it turned into a crystal-like material that stuck close to the blade.

  The light around this sword turned deep red and was growing even stronger. When the sword passed through the fire clouds above the river, what appeared in Bai Shanshui’s gaze was an enormous deep red flaming ball with a tail ten miles long. This kind of fireball could be seen from many an elevated places across Changling.

  On a star-viewing platform in the Qin Dynasty, a historiographer saw this meteor in the sky, his demeanour underwent a change. "A falling star during day with red color is a demonic star!"

  A powerful gale blew across the river surface.

  Fourth Mister Zhao’s sword was still dozens of meters away from the surface, but the river water underneath Bai Shanshui’s feet was vaporizing in layers.

  Bai Shanshui’s gaze showed true shock.

  Seeing such a sword, he finally believed the rumors that the former grandmaster of the Zhao Sword Furnace had burned a lake with a sword during the Qin-Zhao War.

  This was a sword that contained a furnace of the world and the true fire of the stars. However, he did not think he would be defeated.

  This was a great river connected to the sea, and not a sealed off lake.

  He took a deep breath. He released a unique wave of primal energies of the universe quickly, that went into the river water at his feet. He seemed to become one with the entire Wei River.

  He swung his sword towards this sword that was like a demonic star.

  Vast blue waves rose from the river surface. Terrifying primal energies were summoned from afar. They did not move through the air, but through the deep water like a serpent sneaking through the water before merging with the green longsword in his hand.

  The white mountain and black water shone through the blade and seemed to form a unique world.

  Quickly, a dual colored sword energy transformed in front of him. First, it formed an enormous white snake coiled up, its large mouth open as though it was going to bite the falling fireball. After the white color was the black color that formed an enormous black turtle.

  The vitality of the white snake and black turtle resonated with the distant stars in the sky. The turtles were

  and

  , reflecting the legendary serpent-turtle that could both attack and defend.

  The moment the white snake opened its mouth, a cold green sword energy immediately extinguished half of the crimson fireball.

  Zhao Si’s eyes started to shine with heated light.

  The small sword at the center of the enormous red fireball suddenly cut countless paths in the sky. Immediately, heavy crystal-like light fell down and upon contact, it erased the cold green sword light.

  The white snake immediately caught the small sword in its mouth, but was unable to stop it. The snake began to shatter, starting with its head.

  Bai Shanshui gave a soft moan.

  Black fiendish energy rose like clouds. In a flash, the light of the water and the fire all disappeared, leaving behind only a thin mist spreading on the surface of the river. Bai Shanshui held the green longsword and was already in front of Fourth Mister Zhao.

  Bai Shanshui stabbed forward.

  The sword he was piercing towards Fourth Mister Zhao had no blinding light, but in this moment, all the waves on the river surface disappeared, and the entire river became silent.

  This was his most powerful strike. It contained the strongest of his spirits and also the natural law of flowing water.

  Fourth Mister Zhao let out a soft exclamation.

  But that was the only sound he made. The small sword flowing with a layer of crystal fire had fallen in front of him. He gripped this small sword simply and also stabbed towards Bai Shanshui.

  When Fourth Mister Zhao’s sword came into contact with Bai Shanshui’s green longsword, it released many flows of heat. Fourth Mister Zhao wore a cold expression, and his body seemed to be back in that smithy.

  Facing the water flow of an entire river, all of the fires in the smithy seemed about to puff out, when a scene from the past resurfaced in his mind.

  Under a torrent of rain, an old and unbridled man held a burning hot hammer and swung it repeatedly, causing sprays of sparks. In the next moment, he put the burning hot hammer and the sword block back into the water under the eaves.

  The red hot hammer and the sword block turned black and cold. At the same time, in front of Fourth Mister Zhao, with a sound, the heat from the small sword in his hand completely disappeared, becoming a black and cold metal that continued to advance.

  Bai Shanshui’s green longsword suddenly vibrated and he flew backwards. However,his feet did not leave the water surface. As his body floated up, an enormous wave suddenly swept up behind him.

  Fourth Mister Zhao did not move. The little red sword in his hand slowly returned to its red color, and slowly fell down.

  His robes were messy and his black hair fell back freely behind his head. Shockingly, he looked like a woman.

  But even more shockingly, as Bai Shanshui’s fox fur robe split open, his chest showed a swell.

  As he took several steps back, the fox fur robe fell apart. He had none of his usual masculine air. This was clearly a tall and beautiful woman.

  Fourth Mister Zhao’s expression did not change and he spoke to Bai Shanshui. "So the greatest rebel of the world is actually a woman."

  Bai Shanshui’s breathing was chaotic. As she showed her true appearance, her expression turned frosty, and she said, "Aren’t you the same?"

  Zhao Si glanced coolly at her and said, "The Zhao Lands have many widows. The men of the Zhao were pretty much all dead before the Zhao was destroyed. It is normal for the remainder to be women."

  Bai Shanshui took a deep breath. While she no longer used vital energy to control her body and had the figure of a woman, she still looked handsome and had an indescribable charisma.

  Her expression calmed. She looked coldly at Zhao Si and said, "It seems that I can only call you Fourth Miss Zhao."

  Zhao Si shot back. "Before joining the sect, I was Zhao Miao. What was Miss Bai called? Your name come from the white mountains and black water, and it is not your true name."

  Bai Shanshui’s eyes immediately showed some fury but she still gritted her teeth and said, "I was called Bai Lu."

  Zhao Si said calmly, "White dew as frost. A good name."

  Bai Shanshui sneered. "While you won by a whisker against me, it is impossible for you to keep me here. Do you think that you can humiliate me verbally?"

  Zhao Si shook her head and said calmly, "I am just surprised."

  Having spoken, she looked towards the distant Changling and slowly continued. "They all say that Changling is the place to raise true dragons. The strongest cultivators of the world come from Changling. Maybe this saying has some truth …… it seems that you have had some opportunities during your time in Changling. Otherwise, I think I would have not just won slightly against you."

  Bai Shanshui’s lips trembled. She knew Zhao Si spoke the truth.

  The river water surged, mirroring her mood. But on the surface of the river, another white figure appeared.

  Translator Ramblings: Both Bai Shanshui and Zhao Si have very feminine names. Miao means clever and wonderful, and the Chinese character for "woman" is written as part of the miao character.

  Volume 4 75 - The Sunlight of Summer

  When Gu Huai saw Shen Xuan attack him, he found that he had been mistaken from the beginning. From the start, Ding Ning had been able to defeat his sword moves, but it was not out of talent, but great understanding. The other seemed able to predict what sword move he would use next.

  This was not just being familiar with his sword moves, but being familiar with his personality, habits and everything else in order to be able to predict his sword moves. But because he had been too proud and confident, the faint feeling had not reached the top of his mind. Only now, when someone like Shen Xuan was taking a blow for Ding Ning without care for his life did he suddenly start to realize.

  Yet he still could not understand.

  “Why?” he looked at Ding Ning in disbelief and said blankly.

  The Sword Mountain Sword did not keep falling, embedded in the mountain slope, but the sword energies were still coming out and the slope still cracked.

  Cracking sounds also came from inside Gu Huai’s body. More wounds started to appear on the surface of his skin.

  These wounds came from battles long ago. The people who had created these wounds had all been peerless. The wounds had healed to the point that even Gu Huai could no longer sense them. Yet today, his body was near complete collapse, and these flesh and bones, slightly different from his body, were expelled first.

  Shen Xuan felt like he was immersed in the previous Fountain of Eternal Life. He sensed the vitality that had left him return to his body and the deepest parts of his body quickly close. He looked up, knowing he would not die, and saw Gu Huai’s wounds. He knew that Gu Huai was really going to die.

  Li Xixing’s attack missed and he felt a surge of discomfort. But seeing himself, Hu Jingjing and Ding Ning unharmed, he felt the air was extremely warm.

  Wu Lianzi was still sitting on the ground. Looking at this scene, inexplicably, as he felt admiration towards Ding Ning, he also felt that the latter was not happy at this moment.

  Gu Huai could no longer control his vital energy or stop his body from falling apart. For Zhan Moke at this moment, with a thought, he could erase Gu Huai from this mountain valley. But he was not in a hurry to kill Gu Huai and just looked thoughtfully at Gu Huai and Ding Ning.

  Ding Ning did not immediately answer Gu Huai’s question and started to walk towards him.

  More sounds of ice shattering came from inside Gu Huai’s body. Seeing Ding Ning walk over, inexplicably, he started to feel terror but he could not stop the other from coming close.

  Ding Ning walked until he was right in front and then looked at him gradually darkening eyes which were starting to fill with shattered ice. He said seriously, “I said you would be the first to die today.”


  Gu Huai felt great pain, but he was unable to be angry or answer because this had become reality.

  “When I sensed that I could use this thing to sever your connection with Zheng Xiu, you were fated to die today.” Ding Ning looked at him and said, “For Zheng Xiu, you are just a dog. Many people do not treat you like a dog, but you are willing to be a dog and help her kill the people who do not treat you like a dog,”


  “You are the heir to the Nine Death Silkworm!”


  Gu Huai looked at the still alive Shen Xuan. Many scenes flashed through his mind. He seemed to understand something. His voice seemed to carry cracks and was indistinct.

  Other than Shen Xuan and Zhan Moke, the three people present, including Li Xixing, felt like a hammer hit his heart and trembled all over.

  Ding Ning did not refute this and just calmly reached out with his hand.

  Gu Huai had originally used up all his strength and was going to die by falling apart. But like Shen Xuan, a fresh presence flowed into Gu Huai’s heart meridian to keep him as he was.

  “Answer one question of mine, and I will tell you a secret.” Ding Ning looked at Gu Huai whose entire face had twisted due to his strong emotions and said softly but with great sincerity.

  Gu Huai suddenly became nervous and said, “What?”


  Ding Ning said, “Where is the Great Punishment Sword?”


  Gu Huai’s eyes widened to their limits and even his lips started to crack. “I do not know where, not in my Spirit Void Sword Sect.”


  He sensed that Ding Ning did not leave him too much time, so while his emotions were in greater chaos, he still spoke immediately.

  Ding Ning frowned slightly. Strictly speaking, Gu Huai did not give the answer to his question. But at least eliminated one of his important assumptions and he had an answer in mind.

  So he took a half step and whispered by Gu Huai’s ear, “When the plums turn yellow, see me slash that person’s face.”


  This appeared to be a phrase unconnected to this time, and the phrase itself was also odd. Yet Gu Huai knew the meaning of the words.

  This was an old saying. Many years ago in a plum forest, when a drizzle was coming down, someone had said this to him when they were making tea and discussing the sword. At the time, the plums had been green and there was about two months until the plums turned yellow.

  There was a famous swordswoman in Changling. She was not good looking but she liked beauty and was proud. Because of her bad character, they ended up with grievances. But she had been much stronger than them back then. In his view, two months of cultivation was not enough to win against that swordswoman. But in the end, that person managed a breakthrough within two months and achieved what the phrase said.

  Only the two of them knew of this matter.

  Gu Huai could not understand his own emotions at this moment. He just felt endless cold, like countless snow flakes were embedded into his body. He saw a certain truth.

  “You are not …… you are —”


  He saw a certain truth, but he looked like he saw countless untruths. His body trembled violently as he spoke but Ding Ning did not give him the time to finish.

  His body completely shattered at this moment. His body became countless pieces, collapsing like glass and scattering.

  **

  Seeing Gu Huai turn to dust, everyone felt this was unreal. But the Sword Mountain Sword stuck in the slopes reminded everyone that this was reality.

  The master of Spirit Void Sword Sect, on his first time out of the sect after many years, was killed here.

  “What is, and what is not?” Zhan Moke took a deep breath and then asked Ding Ning with a faint smile on his lips.

  “What I am is not important.” Ding Ning looked up at him and said slowly, “What is important is who you are, the last of Tianliang.”


  Zhan Moke nodded. His movements were unusually slow. “Why do you say I am the last of Tianliang?”


  “If you are not of Tianliang, how could you have set up such a game?” Ding Ning’s gaze passed through the settling valley air on to his slightly old and pale face. “Since the Tianliang people treat this place as holy and will not allow anyone to even enter it, then if there are any other Tianliang people, would they have allowed you to set this up and let you enter?”


  Hearing Ding Ning’s words, Zhan Moke laughed, sad and emotional. “You are right, but I finally have entered here.”


  Volume 7 75

  Tantai Guanjian took a deep breath, and then looked up at the serpents into the sky.

  These soaring snakes were hard to deal with, especially when they created vast rains, winds and waves. The devious Jiaodong Commandery people usually controlled some small and hard to sense beasts. Because the energies of the beasts matched the winds and rain, they were like the hidden flying swords of some cultivators, dangerous and fatal.

  But he was not worried about the attacks of these beasts. He just needed to calm his turbulent emotions.

  Min Mountain Sword Sect had spent many years setting up the Nether abyss in the core of Min Mountain suitable for an infant Nether dragon. They had successfully hatched the dragon egg from the treasury of the former You Dynasty. This was an absolute secret that even Tantai Guanjian did not know about.

  But he knew, Qing Yaoyin had reached realm seven twenty years ago. He did not spend these twenty years on his sword but on studying medicines and beasts and how to change them.

  Even if that Nether dragon was hatched twenty years ago, these twenty years were very short for a Nether dragon. They were just like human babies. Since Baili Suxue was going to use the Nether dragon to enter the Changling imperial palace, then Qing Yaoyin must have methods to cause the Nether dragon to grow quickly after experimenting for so many years with other beasts in Min Mountain with spirit medicines.

  Qian Mu was young and very curious about things he did not know. He was not able to fight now, and so he ignored the terrifying soaring snakes coming from the sky. He stared unblinkingly at the cocoon in Qing Yaoyin’s hand.

  The medicine fluid from the pill bottle in Qing Yaoyin’s hand was a bright red, and sticky like it was a jade-like substance. But it had astounding penetration power. Without needing any help from Qing Yaoyin’s energies, it easily went into the cocoon.

  This was a very short process, but the winds, rain and the enormous bodies of the soaring snakes arrived from the sky.

  Qian Mu looked at the slow Qing Yaoyin and Tantai Guanjian who were unmoving with a hand on his sword. He could not help but think, no matter how fast the change in the cocoon, it could not be fast enough to deal with the present situation. Also, the change was unpredictable. Right now, no one was acting.

  But at this time, he sensed something abnormal, and his gaze unconsciously landed on Qing Yaoyin’s sleeve. But this change was faster than his eyes could move. With an urgent roar that rang through his mind. A golden flame flew out of Qing Yaoyin’s sleeve, passing through the winds and rain without any hindrance, and fell towards the head of the leading soaring snake.

  This dot of golden flame was like a raindrop compared to the size of the serpent head, but with a pop, the head and the body of the soaring snake shook like it was hit over the head with a hammer. Then, its forehead and its jaw exploded into blood mist at the same time!

  This soaring snake did not die immediately, its enormous body moving in the wind and rain like a mountain. The energies coming off its body formed countless enormous waves that exploded in the air. The wind and rain was in chaos, and the turbulent waves sprayed everywhere.

  Some water fell on Qian Mu and wet his black robe. His eyes were wide, but his pupils contracted. He could sense that the golden flame seemed to be alive. But he could not see what it was. “What is that?”


  “Six Winged Golden Cicada, one of the fastest and hardest insects in the world.”


  As Qing Yaoyin spoke, the golden flames had penetrated through the head of a second soaring snake.

  Blood bloomed in the air and increased the scent of blood. So much blood spilled of its fellows nearby finally caused the maddened soaring snakes to sense terror. They reacted directly, their bodies shrinking together, hiding their heads. Both their bodies and their energies formed a ball. There were balls of flesh in the winds and rain.

  Seeing the vicious serpents coiling up into balls, Qian Mu was amused, and could not help but laugh.

  At this time, everyone’s attention returned to Qing Yaoyin’s hand. There were clear cutting sounds coming from the cocoon in his hand. A small opening appeared in the cocoon made from cold silk. The being that came out devoured the cold silk. In the next moment, it gave off a terrifying energy.

  With a soft tremor, the golden flame reached Qing Yaoyin and stopped.

  This was a cicada the size of a thumb and seemed to be made from dark gold. Other than having six wings, it did not look any different from other cicadas. However, at this moment, everyone could sense its wariness and enmity towards the thing in the cocoon.

  This thing which had not yet come out of the cocoon clearly made it nervous. As to the coiled up soaring snakes in the sky, they were so terrified they were stiff. Their bloodthirsty presences had disappeared, and they did not even dare to exude their energies.

  The wind, rain and giant waves in the sky disappeared. They were frozen in the air, not knowing whether to land or flee. They did not even dare to flee. This was an innate terror, the terror towards something of higher existence.

  For a true Nether dragon, these serpents were just food.

  All the people present were looking at the opening cocoon in Qing Yaoyin’s hand. They knew that Qing Yaoyin’s guess had been right. Even if the thing coming out of the cocoon was not a true Nether dragon, it was just different in terms of appearance.

  “No problem,” Qing Yaoyin looked at the nervous cicada, nodded and said calmly.

  This cicada seemed able to understand his words, and quickly flew back into his sleeve.

  “I need your vital energy.” Qing Yaoyin looked up at Zhangsun Qianxue and took out a silver pill bottle. He nodded at her as he carefully dripped out the medicine fluid in the bottle.

  Zhangsun Qianxue understood from his gaze what to do. She forced some lifebond energy out of her body around the medicine fluid to enter the cocoon.

  The cocoon in Qing Yaoyin’s hand suddenly jumped. This was a joyful presence. In the next moment, with a pop, a wave of energy surged out, and the bulging cocoon collapsed like a piece of paper.

  This was the debut of a king that could make serpents submit. Everyone looked with anticipation, but in the next moment, everyone was stunned.

  Zhangsun Qianxue was silent for a breath, and could not help but say, “You are really ugly.”


  Volume 3 75 - All Questions

  Ye Haoran’s lips pressed together tightly, his face serious. His sword met the green jade sword coming down at him like a crowbar.

  This green jade sword that had emerged from the mountain path felt like a heavy mountain peak. It broke through the wind and roared violently.

  His sword met this long green jade sword.

  Gasps sounded behind him.

  That enormous twisted shadow that had formed around his sword was almost tangible at this time. It was a sky-blue serpent!

  The serpent seemed to be alive, and the scales were made from pieces of glaciers.

  This sword was the Cold Serpent Sword, one of the ten former legendary swords of Changling.

  The moment that his sword was about to meet the descending green jade sword, there was a soft snapping sound. The sword energy at the tip formed a circle that expanded rapidly outwards.

  The green jade sword seemed to not have any defenses and spun backwards many meters.

  Ye Haoran had used the Mountain Levering Sword Form. He used his sword to lever the green jade sword. However, he did not feel any joy, only a dangerous presence.

  Another shadow appeared silently in the light green mist around the mountain path.

  Woosh! That shadow suddenly tore through the mist and shot at him!

  Ye Haoran frowned deeply.

  A pure sword essence came out of his sword and then disappeared. Countless flows of primal energies of the universe that gave off a holy presence suddenly took form in front of him.

  At this moment, his action was extremely simple. He just held his sword across his chest.

  But no one could see his sword.

  The primal energies in front of him had formed a circular shield of light like a glowing crystal plate that he held.

  There was a terrifying roar as though thunder seemed to erupt in front of him.

  Ye Haoran did not move, but energies gusted out from under his feet as though the bottom of his shoes were about to burn.

  Gasps sounded.

  Only now did many people behind him clearly see that what had stabbed on the shield of light in front of him was another green jade sword.

  Ye Haoran looked at the green jade sword that had attacked him directly like a metal staff. The power of this sword was not enough to make him retreat. But by now he understood the connection between the second sword nucleus and the mountain path. He retreated silently.

  As he retreated, the faint mist on the mountain path disappeared. The two green jade swords were moved by a gentle force to drift back to their original spots. The green jade mountain path restored to normal without a trace.

  This scene, to the students who had just arrived, was even more astounding.

  “Perhaps I should try with you together?” Gu Xichun lifted his head and said calmly as he watched Ye Haoran return.

  Ye Haoran appeared to not like Gu Xichun from the start. He did not look directly at Gu Xichun but shook his head and said coldly, “One person or two will be the same.”


  Gu Xichun immediately frowned. His cold gaze once again landed on the mountain path in front of him. “So there can be countless swords on this mountain path?”


  Ye Haoran did not talk. His gaze landed on Zhang Yi and the others.

  Other than when he had been facing the two green jade swords, Zhang Yi and the others had focused only on the black sword nucleus.

  His gaze finally landed on Ding Ning who had his eyes calmly closed as he thought inside, Even Gu Xichun and I had conversed and tried ourselves to quickly confirm what this test is about? How were you able to completely understand just by looking at the sword nucleus and seeing the mountain path at a distance?

  When Ye Haoran was looking at Ding Ning, people were looking at him and Gu Xichun.

  The person who was looking at him was a handsome youth in white robes. He appeared older than Ding Ning but younger than Zhang Yi and the others.

  His robes were pure white but there were cold lights as though there was a layer of rost.

  Both times, when Ye Haoran had been on the mountain path and being attacked by the two green jade swords or now, his expression was always calm and his eyes contained great confidence.

  A delicate youth and an elegant young girl stood next to him.

  The delicate youth was slightly shorter than him, and wore pure black robes with the sleeves and collar a deep red. The elegant young girl wore graceful linen robes. Her long sword was also extremely plain, with an unadorned wood as the hilt, and pale yellow bamboo served as the scabbard.

  The handsome youth in white robes did not linger long on Ye Haoran and the others.

  This short observation didn’t even attract Ye Haoran’s attention.

  “So this is the legendary Thought Sword Path of the Min Mountain Sword Sect,” he said softly to his two companions. “One of the defensive mountain guarding sword formations of the Min Mountain Sword Sect. But no one has ever seen it concretely.”


  “Since it is a mountain guarding formation, it will not be as simple as just one or two swords. It should be thousands and tens of thousands of swords.”


  The elegant young girl looked back at him and said slowly in a quiet voice, “This should be perception of energies. As many swords would come for as many people that come forward. From the power of that sword, the Min Mountain Sword Sect must have done something to suppress the power of the sword formation. These swords today are only equal to a strike from a realm three cultivator. Or perhaps this sword formation has several levels, and they only released the swords of the weakest level.”


  “It should not be so simple.” The delicate youth in robes with red sleeves and collar said warmly, “Ye Haoran thought that the sword move of the first green jade sword was the Spring Thunder Mountain Sword, so he used the Mountain Levering Sword Move. But he hadn’t expected the first to be a weak fake thunder sword, and the next sword to be a truly powerful Mountain Charging sword move. The power of these two swords is not astounding, but they show the subtleties of the sword moves.”


  “So the mountain path of this second test should be made from countless refined sword moves.” The youth in white robes nodded and said, “The sword manuals engraved on the black sword nucleus should contain many sword moves to defeat them. The more you comprehend, the easier it is to pass this mountain path …… Otherwise, even if you force your way through relying on cultivation, I fear you would pay a great price.”


  At this time, not far from them, there were many other students discussing this second test.

  Hearing the opinion of others and discussing with each other was much easier than understanding on your own. But the scattered students did not seem to reach a definitive conclusion.

  The reason was simple. None of these groups was stronger than the three of them together.

  This handsome youth in white robes was Chen Liqiu, the most accomplished disciple of White Dew Institution, ranking fifty on the Book of Talents. The delicate youth next to him was Xu Lianhua. He came from the Xu Marquessate Establishment and ranked sixth on the Book of Talents. And the one dressed in plain linen robes was Xia Wan. She was the strongest of the youngest generation of Plain Mind Sword Study, and ranked twelfth.

  Ignoring cultivation, White Dew Institution was a subordinate sword school of Min Mountain Sword Sect. Xu Marquessate Establishment was the establishment of a true marquis. The Plain Mind Sword Study was one of Changling’s oldest cultivation places. The students from these places naturally knew more about Min Mountain Sword Sect than people from other cultivation places.

  “This may be due to the Holy One. Because of the Deer Mountain Conference and the celebration for the crown prince …… Min Mountain Sword Sect has taken out dozens of sword manuals. The students who reach here, even if they cannot pass, can benefit and comprehend the refined sword moves of the Min Mountain Sword Sect.” Xu Lianhua smiled slightly and said, “Gild the flower, celebrate all over.”


  “I still have two things I do not understand.” Xiao Wan looked at Ding Ning in the distance and said softly, “It is better to keep such a mountain protecting formation a secret. Why did they reveal it? Also …… if they do not want that White Goat Cave youth to win, why are all these tests primarily focused on perception and comprehension? This White Goat Cave youth reached Profound Understanding in half a day, and Energy Refinement in a month. He is strongest in perception and comprehension. This seems to be purposefully biased towards him.”


  “The army will adapt to the enemy. Sometimes, one should conceal but other times expose. Maybe, after the Deer Mountain Conference, the Holy One feels it is time to show some strength.”


  Xu Lianhua glanced at Ding Ning with sympathy flashing through his eyes. “The palace could use the excuse of the crown prince’s ceremony to have Min Mountain Sword Sect agree to holding the trials early. But the Min Mountain Sword Sect will not welcome anyone’s opinion on the trials as this is an internal matter for Min Mountain Sword Sect. The Min Mountain Sword Sect will now allow anyone to interfere in the matters of the sect, especially when you know what kind of personality the sect master has.”


  Thinking of the many things concerning the legendary master of the Min Mountain Sword Sect, Xia Wan and Chen Liqiu were all in agreement.

  “So?” Chen Liqiu looked at Xu Lianhua and said, “The first few test perception and comprehension. The later ones will not focus on these things?”


  Xu Lianhua nodded. “Of course. The tests of the Min Mountain Sword Trials will be different each year, but they would never be monotonous.”


  Xia Wan sighed.

  The Min Mountain Sword Trials would grow more difficult over time. When one’s strongest points appeared at the start, and they encountered their shortcomings in the future, it would be even more difficult to win.

  “Of course, fighting is essential.”


  Xu Lianhua paused, looked at Chen Liqiu and Xia Wan. He said, “Just from observing these events, this year’s Min Mountain Sword Trials would take more effort than in the past. So one’s endurance, strength, vital energy …… they are all problems.”


  Chen Liqiu frowned and said seriously, “So we cannot rush.”


  Xia Wan glanced at him and said, “It is not time to rush. Do not hurry.”