Arc 15: Heavenly Secret Realm | Chapter 292: Compet.i.tor
Each of these sword-shaped leaves contained a type of sword intent. If a sword cultivator could find one that resonated with their own path, they could absorb it, leaving a mark within their Zifu.
With the help of this mark, sword cultivators would then be able to easily touch the thin membrane that had always obstructed them—the light of sword intent.
Understanding this, Xu Ziqing observed that some sword cultivators who did not belong to the Wanjian Immortal Sect did not have the a.s.sistance of the invisible cage.
However, those who had achieved some level of cultivation usually had their wills honed through numerous trials and would not be deterred by such a small obstacle.
Thus, after seeing how the members of the Wanjian Immortal Sect acted, they quickly devised their own method—by directly placing the sword-shaped leaves onto their Zifu and using their spiritual sense to break them open. In an instant, the sword intent would pa.s.s through their foreheads and into their Zifu, recklessly colliding around inside!
By bypa.s.sing the hundred meridians that would normally lessen the impact, this method was far more dangerous than that used by the Wanjian Immortal Sect disciples. But since they were people who pursued the sword with all their hearts, how could they fear life and death?
Not long after, several sword cultivators whose Zifu were not strong enough to withstand the violent sword intent had their Zifu shatter in an instant, resulting in their deaths!
But even more sword cultivators managed to subdue the sword intent with sheer willpower within their Zifu and soon sat down cross-legged on the first layer of branches to meditate.
These sword cultivators were so stubborn that even when their heads were bleeding, they refused to stop.
This was the first time Xu Ziqing had truly seen people who were fearless in their pursuit of the Dao. While he sighed inwardly, he also couldn’t help but feel a certain level of respect.
—This had nothing to do with cultivation level or realm.
What he respected was their pure hearts.
After collecting countless sword-shaped leaves, Yun Lie leaped forward and continued climbing higher up the tree, leaving behind many who were meditating on the first layer of branches.
The sword-shaped leaves contained precious sword intent, so naturally, the leaves themselves were also incredibly valuable, and the more, the better. The sword cultivators who had already comprehended sword intent continued gathering them, but they did not neglect their surroundings. When Yun Lie made his move, some of them also had a change of heart. Soon, several people followed closely behind him and began climbing upwards.
Among those under Xuan Ze’s command, besides Yun Lie, the strongest was Xi Lin, and beneath Xi Lin, only one sword cultivator had reached the first level of sword intent.
Xi Lin’s eyes gleamed as he said, “Zuo Cheng, follow me. The rest of you, stay here and collect as many sword-shaped leaves as you can.”
None of them objected. Those who had not yet comprehended sword intent would likely face even more peril if they tried to climb higher.
Sword cultivators may be stubborn, but they were not reckless enough to throw their lives away when they knew the risks.
The sword cultivator named Zuo Cheng, who had reached the first level of sword intent, was also a silent and taciturn individual. As soon as Xi Lin gave the order, he acted immediately.
Both of them had the same goal at the moment: to ascend as quickly as possible, and then decide how to descend from the sword-shaped tree after a.s.sessing the situation and searching for the item Prince Tiancheng desired.
As for Yun Lie, he climbed swiftly, even faster than before.
The distance between the first and second layers of branches was only about a few dozen zhang, not too far. With his will firmly set, he was determined to survey all nine layers of the sword-shaped tree to understand why it weighed so heavily on his mind.
Xu Ziqing remained silent, not wishing to disturb his senior brother’s actions. He could also see that his senior brother seemed to be immersed in a unique state. Perhaps… he was getting closer and closer to returning to his true self.
With this thought, a hint of complexity flashed in Xu Ziqing’s eyes.
Yun Lie barely exerted much effort before leaping onto the second layer of branches.
On this second layer, the sword-shaped leaves were even sharper and thinner, cl.u.s.tered together like liquid silver, shining brilliantly.
However, Yun Lie did not stop, nor did he pause to experience them as he did on the first layer. Instead, with a wave of his robe sleeve, he swept up countless leaves. Then, without waiting for the people behind him, he turned and continued straight upwards.
On the third layer of branches, the sword-shaped leaves already resembled pure silver, exquisite and beautiful. Faintly, there seemed to be an invisible sword aura flowing around them. When it stirred the air, it was as if countless fine, invisible swords were dancing back and forth. If they attacked, they would surely be injured. But for Yun Lie, he only had to flash the light in his eyes, and sword intent would tear through the air currents for him, allowing him to freely gather the sword-shaped leaves on this layer.
Unknowingly, Yun Lie had become the fastest climber. Yet Xu Ziqing noticed that a few people were still closely following behind Yun Lie.
These people had considerable cultivation, each one radiating with divine light. Compared to the large group of sword cultivators below who were competing for the leaves, their cultivation levels were several times higher!
Xi Lin was among them, seemingly still at ease. At the same time, he remained highly vigilant.
Upon reaching the fourth layer of branches, another obstacle appeared ahead.
Xu Ziqing suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head and quickly used his Qingyun Needle to defend himself—it took place within his Zifu, and after half a moment, the pain finally subsided. Another attack came toward his Zifu, but before it reached him, Yun Lie had already dispelled it.
Xu Ziqing took a deep breath. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was the second-level attack of sword intent.
It was at the level of shaking or even destroying the soul!
He had once heard Yun Lie talk about the four levels of sword intent for sword cultivators, and now he had truly experienced the power of the second level. It was indeed… quite formidable.
By this point, Xu Ziqing had already realized that the nine layers of branches on this sword-shaped tree corresponded to the four levels of sword intent for sword cultivators.
The first three layers undoubtedly corresponded to the first level of sword intent. Now, upon reaching the fourth layer, one needed to have at least the strength of the second level of sword intent to proceed.
A sword cultivator at the peak of the first level could, with enough effort, use the trial before the fourth layer to break through their bottleneck and enter the lowest of the layers corresponding to the second level, thereby tempering themselves.
This was likely one of the reasons why the sword-shaped tree attracted so many sword cultivators.
It was easy to imagine that after the emergence of the sword-shaped tree in this Heavenly Secret Realm, many sword cultivators in the Qingyun Great World would soon comprehend sword intent, illuminating the sword path with endless brilliance.
In the next ten thousand years, those sword cultivators who had comprehended sword intent would undoubtedly stir up great waves!
Under the will of the heavens, the rise of sword cultivators was inevitable.
As Xu Ziqing thought of this, his body swayed slightly, for Yun Lie had just landed on the fourth layer of branches.
On this layer, the sword-shaped leaves were much paler in color compared to the three layers below. The silver-white hue had turned into a grayish-white, slowly blending with the color of the tree trunk.
Moreover, the sword-shaped leaves were now even larger than before.
They had already grown to the size of a human palm.
However, their numbers were far less dense than those below.
Yun Lie’s movements did not stop; with a wave of his hand, he swept up all the surrounding leaves, collecting them into his robe sleeve.
Xu Ziqing didn’t need to think much to realize that the sword intent within these sword-shaped leaves was undoubtedly far stronger than the first three layers.
Yun Lie continued upwards without pause, quickly sweeping through the fifth and sixth layers of branches. This time, he no longer left Xu Ziqing to deal with the trials on his own. Just as they arrived beneath the seventh layer, Yun Lie released sword intent from the third level, shredding the obstacles into dust! His momentum was unstoppable, but it created considerable pressure on those behind.
Not far below Yun Lie, about seven or eight people were swiftly approaching.
Among them, Xi Lin had a solemn expression, his mind focused, with three other individuals at his side. All four of them were at the third level of sword intent, unwilling to give an inch to one another.
Even further ahead of these four were three others, their sword intent soaring skyward. Above one’s head, a thunder dragon could be vaguely seen coiling; another was surrounded by a storm; and behind the third, there was a strange and indescribable aura. Though unclear, it could not be ignored. Undoubtedly, these three were at the fourth level of sword intent. Their cultivation in the way of the sword had already reached an indescribably high level.
These three were all t.i.tans of the sword path. Two of them were the Grand Elders of the Wanjian Immortal Sect, their cultivation already at the Nascent Soul stage—one was the Thunder Dragon Sword Sovereign, and the other was the Wind G.o.d Sword Sovereign. The third person was from the demonic path. Though his background was not as ancient as the other two, he was a rising star, and his sword intent and cultivation of the dantian were not inferior to the other two. Though they weren’t from the same sect, they had known each other for many years. Over the years, besides themselves, there had been no one else who had reached their level of sword intent.
The Thunder Dragon Sword Sovereign, a middle-aged man with a purplish face, was the first to speak. He cultivated a thunder sword intent, having trained for hundreds of years in the Thunder Marsh of the Great Wilderness, using the natural lightning of the world to refine his extremely dominant Thunder Sword. His personality was also the most domineering among the three. “Who is this boy? Judging by his cultivation, he doesn’t seem extraordinary, yet he’s ahead of us!”
The Wind G.o.d Sword Sovereign, with silver hair and a jade-like face, was extremely handsome. His expression was cold, but a hint of wildness lay hidden in his eyes. “Look at his bone structure—he doesn’t seem to be over a hundred years old. For him to have such sword mastery and yet not be part of our Wanjian Immortal Sect if he seizes the lead, where will our sect’s honor lie?”
After exchanging a few words, the demonic cultivator, a man of delicate appearance—though not particularly handsome—remained silent. However, anyone who looked at him would feel a sense of affection. His gaze seemed to carry an indescribable sentiment, perhaps a tinge of melancholy, and his eyebrows bore a subtle, alluring charm that made people want to care for him, to get close to him. However, the other two did not intend to let him remain aloof.
The Thunder Dragon Sword Sovereign spoke again, “Does the Pa.s.sionate Sword, the Pa.s.sionate Young Master, know who this person is?”
The Wind G.o.d Sword Sovereign added, “The two of us have been in seclusion for a long time. If not for the emergence of the sword-shaped tree, we wouldn’t have come out. Unlike you, Pa.s.sionate Young Master, who roams the gardens every day, enjoying yourself and gathering much knowledge.”
At this point, the Pa.s.sionate Young Master could no longer avoid answering. His expression still held a faint sorrow, and he revealed a warm smile that could make countless men and women fall for him. “Sword Sovereigns, if I’m not mistaken, this person resembles a recently ascended Zhenren from the Tianlong Rankings.”
The two Sword Sovereigns snorted at this. “Our Wanjian Immortal Sect has over ten people on that list. I haven’t heard of someone like this.”
The Pa.s.sionate Young Master sighed. “This person has been dormant for many years. When he finally made it onto the list, he immediately broke into the top five, overpowering countless sword cultivators. He is known as ‘Lu Jian1I wonder which term would be more fitting for his t.i.tle. 戮劍; Lu Jian; Kill Sword, Execution Sword?."”
The Thunder Dragon Sword Sovereign’s face darkened. “Those juniors are too careless! Such a talented sword pract.i.tioner, yet they haven’t paid more attention!”
The Wind G.o.d Sword Sovereign’s expression also showed displeasure, clearly sharing the same sentiment.
In truth, the juniors of the Wanjian Immortal Sect were being wrongly blamed.
Translator: Lynn
Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
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- 1I wonder which term would be more fitting for his t.i.tle. 戮劍; Lu Jian; Kill Sword, Execution Sword?