After breakfast,
The caravan set off under the morning glow.
In the distance,
The Sword Building, resembling a colossal sword piercing the heavens, refracted myriad beams of light under the sunlight, causing the misty clouds to shimmer brilliantly.
It stood solitary, as if the sole presence between heaven and earth.
Ying Bing was lost in thought, gazing at the scenery outside the carriage.
“This Sword Building is a monolithic structure, truly a masterpiece of nature.”
Suddenly, Li Mo’s voice reached her ears.
She turned around, and the reflected image in her eyes changed to him, causing a gentle ripple in her gaze.
“This Sword Building is not a natural formation.”
“Oh?”
“This Sword Building has existed in Yunzhou for a long time. It’s rumored that once there was a Rank 2 Disaster Beast, Qiongqi, which wreaked havoc on the world. When it rampaged through Yunzhou, suddenly, a giant sword condensed from mountains and rocks descended from the heavens, subduing it to d*ath.”
“That sword became today’s Sword Building.”
Ying Bing said softly.
“Is this man-made?”
Li Mo gazed far into the distance at the Sword Building, as if he could appreciate the earth-shattering awe of that one strike.
“Very impressive.”
Jiang Chulong blinked, her little mouth slightly open.
“You’ll definitely be able to do it in the future, and who knows, after seeing the Horizontal Cloud Sword Marks, you might even comprehend that strike.”
Li Mo nodded very confidently.
He had no doubt whatsoever about the verdict of the Heavenly Mandate Divine Eye regarding the Phoenix Sky Empress and the innate Sword Constitution!
Me… can I do it?
Jiang Chulong, her lips tightly pressed, when she saw Brother Li’s eyes, clenched her fists to boost her own morale.
“Horizontal Cloud Sword Path…”
Ying Bing’s eyes flickered.
Last time, she witnessed Jiang Chulong unleashing the seventh level breakthrough.
According to her plan, she should have achieved a pristine sword spirit by now.
But now…
It suddenly became quiet inside the carriage.
“Hum…”
On one side of Ice Chunk’s face, Li Mo could see two different expressions.
Probably because the sunlight was divided.
Half her face basked in the sunlight, radiant and divine, while the other half was in the shadow, complex and serene.
Though the reason was unknown,
Her state of mind seemed to have indeed encountered problems.
To the point that she lost confidence in contemplating the Horizontal Cloud Sword Marks?
What should be done…
Young Hero Li started to rack his brains.
…
Today’s morning was the last day for the trial of swords.
Many people had actually already exhausted two chances to ascend the arena, yet the heroes of Yunzhou gathered here were not fewer, creating a vibrant scene.
For example, a certain Little Lord Sword Immortal’s arena still had that sign placed there.
And below the stage… Even before the person arrived, there was already a long queue, just like a concert ticket-grabbing scene.
“Lord Sword Immortal Li has arrived!”
An acute eye shouted somewhere.
Then countless gazes turned around.
“…”
Under the numerous stares, Li Mo’s initial excitement soon gave way to immense pressure.
“Lord Young Swordsman Li, when will you become the First Swordsman of Yunzhou?”
“Even the Saintess of Misty Rain Tower, died under Lord Sword Immortal Li’s sword!”
Everyone praised him profusely.
What they didn’t know was…
At some point, Li Mo even considered staging a fake defeat.
Who on earth spread these rumors?
Isn’t this pure over-praising leading to his downfall?
He made a gesture to everyone:
“The Saintess of Misty Rain Tower is not dead and has not battled with me.”
“The little achievements came purely out of luck.”
“Comparing to me, it’s more likely for Ying Bing and Jiang Chulong to shine brightly in the sword path.”
Young Master Li was very sincere.
However, the people under the stage believed he was modest, and a barrage of flattery followed.
Li Mo sighed.
He activated the Heavenly Mandate Divine Eye, observing everyone present while pondering.
Suddenly, his gaze paused.
There was an unremarkable-looking woman not far on the arena.
Moments ago, she narrowly won and became the new champion of the arena.
[Name: Yin Mianmian]
[Age: 23]
[Bone: Tianluo Demon Seductress Constitution.]
[Realm: Eight Apertures of Guan Shen.]
Warm Prompt: There are functions at the top right for ‘switching between simplified and traditional characters’, ‘adjusting font size’, ‘reading background color’, etc.
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[Heavenly Mandate: Purple]
[Appraisal: Saintess of Misty Rain Tower, ranked sixth on the Qianlong List, having killed several Qianlong List geniuses, used unknowingly by the Misty Rain Tower master as a cauldron, her interest is watching men fight to the d*ath.]
[Recent Event: Ordered numerous Misty Rain Tower assassins to mingle in the crowd, hyping up the name of Sword Immortal Li Mo.]
Li Mo: “…”
I thank you.
The entire Yunzhou city, and even Hengyun Sword City, has been placed under strict security.
Yet, she dared to come?
After a brief silence, Li Mo’s lips moved but no sound came out.
And a startled figure on another arena suddenly froze.
…
As noon approached,
The sword trials finally neared its end.
Upon the grand stage, the elders watched the ten figures on the arena, their eyes filled with intense emotions.
Because, among them might be the strongest martial dao geniuses they had seen in many years.
“The top ten young heroes have emerged from this sword trial.”
Elder Zeng tucked a booklet into his bosom, his shadow falling into the scene. His gaze scanned everyone present.
Then, he walked around and announced the ten names.
Li Mo, Ying Bing, Jiang Chulong were naturally included.
The Triple Heroes of Hengyun were also among these ten, having retained their positions during their first appearance on the arena.
Apart from Huang Donglai and Zhong Zhenyue, there were two unfamiliar faces.
Suddenly,
Elder Zeng performed a sword seal, his expression calm, his flowing robes fluttering in the breeze.
The winds rose and clouds gathered.
Heavenly clouds formed, connecting the rooftop of the Sword Building with the mountain gate, creating floating cloud steps.
Each cloud step carried various sword intents from within the Sword Building.
Each type of sword intent seemed to penetrate the depths of one’s heart.
“What is this…?”
Li Mo leaned back in shock.
Why does it feel so familiar?
The worrying event eventually occurred…
Afterward, Elder Zeng announced:
“Ascending step by step, one can reach the top of the Sword Building.”
“The first method is to ascend the cloud steps I’ve activated from the Sword Building, it is also how we test our disciples’ states of mind.”
“The more the sword intent of the Sword Building acknowledges you, the better your talent—ordinary genuine transmission disciples generally can reach the summit.”
This was the test for the inner disciples of Hengyun Sword City to see if they were qualified to become genuine transmission disciples.
Those who managed to rank in the top ten of the Martial Arts Summit usually would be able to ascend.
Li Mo: “…”
Isn’t this just the Ascension Stone Stairs Plus Edition?
“If someone falls, will there be any danger?”
Huang Donglai asked.
“No, the elders will ensure safety.”
“What if the elders get distracted?”
“The elders can’t possibly get distracted!”
“I just saw you sneaking around…”
“Hmm?”
Elder Zeng raised his eyebrows, and Huang Donglai muted himself.
Having reached this point,
naturally, no one would retreat.
The Triple Heroes of Hengyun had climbed the Sword Building two years ago and had experience, so they took the lead.
“Li… Li… Brother Li…”
Little Jiang’s face turned pale, clutching onto Li Mo’s sleeve.
“What’s wrong?”
Li Mo was confused. How could someone like Little Jiang not withstand the test?
But now her petite body trembled with fear.
“I… I’m afraid… afraid of heights.”
“…”
“Then rely on me, if you can’t see, you won’t be afraid. You might follow me a bit slowly.”
Li Mo chuckled wryly.
Letting Little Jiang hide her face against his back, both ascended the cloud steps.
Sword intent test?
He guessed it would be hard to move quickly.
The moment they stepped on the cloud steps, immense pressure enveloped them. However, Jiang Chulong’s body slightly relaxed.
“Right, where’s Ice Lump?”
“She should be far ahead already…”
Li Mo looked up but couldn’t spot her figure.
Hmm?
He turned around.
Ying Bing was still standing there alone.
…
PS: There will be another chapter later.
