Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Ascend the Sword Platform, Draw the Divine Sword!

News spread like wildfire in the Northern Region’s cultivation circle that the Saintess of the Fuyiao Sword Sect, Li Xingyao, had cultivated the True Phoenix Undying Sword Technique to the fifth level.

All forces in the Northern Region were shaken.

Countless strong practitioners were left in disbelief.

Li Xingyao truly deserved to be called the most dazzling sword genius in the Northern Region. At such a young age, she had already brought the True Phoenix Undying Sword Technique to the fifth level.

Keep in mind, the Sect Master of Fuyiao Sword Sect had only managed to reach the sixth level.

Just how powerful is the fifth level of the True Phoenix Undying Sword Technique?

No one knew.

However, there were disciples of Fuyiao Sword Sect who had witnessed Li Xingyao split a small mountain with a single sword strike in the nearby hills.

That display of power was simply astonishing.

Countless sword cultivators in the Northern Region eagerly anticipated the battle between Xiao Yang and Li Xingyao at the Grand Competition.

Three months ago, during a challenge at Qingyang Mountain, Li Xingyao had been defeated by Xiao Yang.

This event had caused quite a stir in the peaceful Northern Region cultivation circle.

When the news broke, almost no one dared to believe it.

Yet, when it was confirmed, it sent shockwaves through the Northern Region’s cultivation community.

But now, Li Xingyao had cultivated the strongest sword technique of Fuyiao Sword Sect, the True Phoenix Undying Sword Technique, to the fifth level.

With that, the outcome of the Grand Competition was anyone’s guess.

Who would be stronger, Xiao Yang or Li Xingyao? The Grand Competition would reveal all.

As the news of Li Xingyao mastering the fifth level of the True Phoenix Undying Sword Technique reached the Qingyang Sword Sect, the three major figures there could hardly stay calm.

It wouldn’t be easy for Xiao Yang to defeat the greatly advanced Li Xingyao at the Grand Competition.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yang, who was training in the Qingyang Secret Realm, remained blissfully unaware.

He was locked in a duel with the sword intent of past sages within the Hidden Sword Cave, and after leaving the cave, he engaged in a fierce battle with the Old Guardian, the sect’s elder.

Xiao Yang’s combat power was rising rapidly.

He was making astonishing progress.

This left the Old Guardian of Qingyang Sword Sect utterly shocked.

As he suppressed his cultivation to the Heavenly Martial Realm, he begrudgingly realized he wasn’t even the match for Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang had a seemingly invincible presence at the same level!

On that day, Xiao Yang fought fiercely with the Old Guardian again.

In less than ten moves, the Old Guardian was sent flying by Xiao Yang’s sword.

Under pressure, the Old Guardian had to unleash his Divine Martial Realm power just to fend off Xiao Yang’s attack.

The two sword masters moved swiftly in the Secret Realm, their Sword Qi sweeping through the surroundings.

They seemed to transform into two legendary celestial swords colliding endlessly above.

The sound of clashing metal rang out incessantly.

“Stop!”

The Old Guardian finally called for a halt.

Two figures descended from the sky, landing at the foot of the Sword Platform.

“This kid is nothing short of a freak.”

The Old Guardian sighed.

He had never encountered such a talented genius in swordsmanship before.

Xiao Yang seemed to be born for the sword.

In the Old Guardian’s eyes, Xiao Yang was a sword prodigy.

“Why stop? Let’s keep going!”

Xiao Yang was clearly not done yet.

“Enough, enough. How about you try ascending the Sword Platform and drawing the Divine Sword?”

The Old Guardian suddenly suggested sternly.

“What?”

Xiao Yang instinctively looked up at the Sword Platform.

There, a highly important sword was embedded.

Why did Qin Fei, the young master of the Demon Sect, come to Qingyang Sword Sect as an undercover agent?

It was for the treasure of Qingyang Sword Sect, the Qingyang Sword.

“Are you asking me to… draw the sword?”

Xiao Yang glanced back, incredulous, at the venerable figure of the Old Guardian from Qingyang Sword Sect.

As the Holy Son, he understood exactly what drawing the sword represented.

The last person to ascend the Sword Platform and draw the Divine Sword was his master, Jiang Qitian.

Why could Master Jiang Qitian sit atop the Qingyang Sword Sect?

Because he had drawn the Qingyang Sword from the Sword Platform.

Xiao Yang actually had another master uncle.

Back in the day, this master uncle was even more qualified to take the position of Sect Leader.

However, misfortune befell him as he was away when Jiang Qitian ascended the Sword Platform and drew the Divine Sword.

By the time he returned, it was too late.

Jiang Qitian had already successfully ascended and drawn the Qingyang Sword.

Not only did he lose the position of Sect Leader, but his beloved junior sister also ended up marrying Jiang Qitian, who happened to be Xiao Yang’s master’s master.

For this master uncle, it felt like the sky had fallen.

He lost everything.

It was because this master uncle was supposed to be with Jiang Ting’s mother.

They were deeply in love.

But when Jiang Qitian drew the Qingyang Sword, everything changed.

Jiang Ting’s mother passed away shortly after giving birth to Jiang Ting, leaving him heartbroken.

The master uncle left Qingyang Sword Sect, vowing never to return while he lived.

How did Xiao Yang learn of this long-standing story?

Of course, it was from the Old Guardian before him, who had two main hobbies: practicing the sword and drinking.

Especially when drunk, he would ramble and sometimes share various tales from the sect’s past with Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang listened to these stories like fun anecdotes.

“What, are you scared?”

The Old Guardian raised his snowy eyebrows, sneering.

“The emotional blackmail doesn’t work on me.”

Xiao Yang replied casually.

“Just give it a try; there’s nothing to lose.”

The Old Guardian chuckled.

“You trying to trick me?”

Xiao Yang smirked.

The Sword Platform wasn’t something just anyone could step onto.

There were a total of eighty-one steps on the Sword Platform.

Climbing those eighty-one steps was no easy feat.

Xiao Yang clearly remembered failing in his previous life when he attempted to ascend the Sword Platform and draw the Divine Sword.

Meanwhile, Qin Fei had succeeded.

In that past life, with the help of his master, Jiang Qitian, Qin Fei ultimately stepped onto the Sword Platform and drew the Qingyang Sword.

“How could I possibly trick you? Just think about it: if you draw the Qingyang Sword, you’ll be the next Sect Leader of Qingyang Sword Sect, ruling over everything.”

“Don’t you want that?”

“High above, unparalleled—don’t you want to be in that position?”

The Old Guardian’s voice held an irresistible temptation.

If it were someone else, they might have already rushed to the Sword Platform.

Unfortunately, Xiao Yang possessed the experience of an entire millennium from his previous life; he wouldn’t be swayed by the Old Guardian’s words.

“I rely on myself for my supremacy, not on a sword!”

Xiao Yang stated matter-of-factly.

“Huh?”

The Old Guardian was taken aback; this kid was unfazed?

“However, I do want to see if I can draw that sword up there.”

Xiao Yang suddenly smiled at the Old Guardian, then boldly walked towards the Sword Platform.

“This kid…”

The Old Guardian was at a loss for words.

After saying so much, it felt pointless.

This kid had probably wanted to ascend the Sword Platform and draw the Divine Sword all along!

At this moment, Xiao Yang had already set foot on the first step of the Sword Platform.

In the next moment, an invisible pressure suddenly descended upon him.