Chapter 334 : Heavenly Sword Manor, the Nine Divine Swords
Chapter 334: Heavenly Sword Manor, the Nine Divine Swords
Li Qingqiu walked toward the direction of the aura of the Supreme Sword. Zhang Ping, Bai Ning’er, and Yun Cai followed closely behind. As they advanced, they looked around from side to side, observing the scenery of this place, their hearts filled with shock.
Just how prosperous the former Supreme Sword Sect had been, to actually establish such a world within a palace.
Yun Cai was still alright—she could tell that this space was not truly as vast as it appeared, but rather manifested through restrictions.
Zhang Ping and Bai Ning’er, however, were utterly astonished, as if they had arrived in a paradise beyond the mortal world.
After walking out of the cave tunnel, they leaped over a river and headed toward the forest ahead.
The forest here was dense, the Spiritual Energy abundant. The flowers and plants were vivid and bright, and one could even see the presence of birds and insects.
In Li Qingqiu’s eyes, these living things were all formed from Spiritual Energy and did not truly exist, so he was not attracted by the scenery along the way, nor did his steps slow down.
Passing through the forest, they began to climb the mountain. Fortunately, the mountains here were not particularly towering.
The reason Li Qingqiu did not directly fly over was because he did not want to damage the restrictions here. He felt that the restrictions in this place were too perfect and could be preserved for the Clear Sky Sect to study.
“Eh?”
Bai Ning’er suddenly exclaimed in surprise. Li Qingqiu turned his head to look at him and saw him walk toward a large tree, reaching out to scrape at its bark.
Li Qingqiu focused his gaze and saw that embedded within the trunk was a small stone, emitting a faint trace of Spiritual Energy. Compared to the surroundings, this Spiritual Energy was extremely weak and not worth mentioning, which was why it had not drawn his attention earlier.
But as Bai Ning’er approached, Li Qingqiu realized that the small stone was not simple—it seemed to conceal some hidden mystery within.
Yun Cai also stared at Bai Ning’er with a strange look. She had not noticed anything unusual about the tree just now either.
How had Bai Ning’er discovered it?
No wonder the Sect Master had brought him along for this mission.
Zhang Ping, on the other hand, was not surprised, only somewhat curious about what Bai Ning’er had found.
Bai Ning’er pried out the small stone. The moment he did, his entire body seemed to be struck by lightning, suddenly freezing in place.
Seeing this, Zhang Ping instinctively stepped forward, wanting to touch him.
“He is receiving an inheritance. There is no need to disturb him.”
Li Qingqiu spoke. Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping was momentarily stunned, then looked at Bai Ning’er with a complicated expression.
Yun Cai was also surprised—he had encountered a fortuitous opportunity just like that?
“He won’t wake up anytime soon. Stay here and guard him. There is no danger in this place. I will retrieve the sword and return to find you.”
Li Qingqiu said. After speaking, he continued forward.
Without Yun Cai and the others, Li Qingqiu quickened his pace, swiftly crossing over the mountain peaks.
Yun Cai looked at Zhang Ping and asked, “Are you very familiar with him?”
Zhang Ping nodded and said, “We’ve gone through training together.”
“He’s always this lucky?”
“In fact, he’s even more outrageous than you think…”
“What do you mean?”
Facing Yun Cai’s confusion, Zhang Ping began to recount his past experiences training alongside Bai Ning’er.
Meanwhile—
Li Qingqiu crossed over one mountain after another and finally arrived before the Supreme Sword.
The Supreme Sword was located halfway up a mountain, embedded in the soil. Behind it stood a grave, overgrown with weeds. Between them stood a tombstone, its inscription obscured by vines.
As Li Qingqiu arrived before the Supreme Sword, his gaze fell upon it. The blade was covered in dust, yet its sharpness could not be concealed. The blade was broader than that of ordinary swords, exuding a kingly dominance. The guard extended outward like two dragon claws, while the hilt resembled embedded dragon scales.
At this moment, a soul body flew out from the tombstone—it was none other than the Sword Champion.
The Sword Champion looked at Li Qingqiu, his expression complex, and said, “You have finally come. I did not expect that in just a few years, you would have already broken through to the Heaven-Connecting Radiance Realm.”
He could sense that compared to the time of the trial, Li Qingqiu had undergone a transformation akin to rebirth.
Li Qingqiu looked at him and asked, “You call yourself the Sword Champion, but you have another identity, don’t you?”
The Sword Champion looked at the Supreme Sword before him and said, “I have no other identity. Guarding the divine sword is my duty.”
After hearing this, Li Qingqiu fell into silence.
From the old man’s tone, it was clear that he intended to entrust something. Li Qingqiu could not simply draw the sword directly.
The Sword Champion shifted his gaze to Li Qingqiu and said, “There are nine divine swords in this world. The Supreme Sword ranks third. I hope that in your hands, it will display its true power.”
“Nine divine swords? Wasn’t the Supreme Sword forged by your sect?” Li Qingqiu asked in surprise.
The Sword Champion replied, “It was indeed forged by us, but its sword embryo and sword heart were bestowed by the Famous Sword Heavenly Manor. The Famous Sword Heavenly Manor forged nine divine swords and gifted them to the great sects of the world, waiting for those fated to wield them. Each divine sword contains unimaginable power. Once you obtain the Supreme Sword, you will become entangled in this karma. You will contend against the masters of the other divine swords—this is a destiny you cannot escape.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qingqiu suddenly did not want the Supreme Sword anymore.
The Sword Champion saw through his thoughts and said, “You need not worry too much. This destiny will not come too soon. Moreover, the power of the Supreme Sword can allow your sect to go further.”
“You know I have a sect?”
“Though I remain here and cannot leave, I can observe the situation across the Nine Provinces. Your sect is quite good. It may accomplish what the Supreme Sword Sect could not—bringing this land to an even greater height.”
As he spoke of this, the Sword Champion revealed a look of emotion.
Li Qingqiu asked, “If I take the Supreme Sword, is there anything you require me to do for you or for the Supreme Sword Sect?”
The Sword Champion shook his head. “The Supreme Sword Sect could no longer withstand the Land of Demons and Devils. Its fate has come to an end—there is no possibility of revival. Leaving behind the Supreme Sword was merely to fulfill a promise to the Famous Sword Heavenly Manor. After today, my soul will dissipate. From this day forth, there will no longer be a Supreme Sword Sect in this world. This Supreme Sword Palace may as well be bestowed upon you.”
As he spoke, he raised his right hand and waved gently. A golden token broke through the soil and flew toward Li Qingqiu.
The words “Supreme Sword” were engraved upon it.
Li Qingqiu took the Supreme Sword Token. It felt cold in his hand. Through his All-Law Spiritual Eyes, he saw that within the token lay extremely complex restrictions, like countless fine nets interwoven together—exceedingly intricate.
The Sword Champion looked at Li Qingqiu and said, “The Land of Demons and Devils advances south every thousand years. This is a calamity your Clear Sky Sect cannot avoid. Behind this disaster may lie a great conspiracy—it is far from as simple as it appears. Our Supreme Sword Sect could not overcome it, and neither could the sects of the past. I hope you can change this destiny.”
As his words fell, the Sword Champion’s soul shattered and dissipated with the wind.
Li Qingqiu could sense that his remnant soul had completely vanished—it was no illusion.
He did not dwell on the Sword Champion’s words, but instead raised his hand and grasped the hilt of the Supreme Sword.
In an instant, Li Qingqiu felt the vast sword intent contained within the Supreme Sword. This sword intent erupted the moment he made contact.
Boom——
Sword energy spread in all directions, shaking the mountains, stirring the forest, and even causing the sky to change color.
Far away in the forest, Yun Cai and Zhang Ping instinctively turned their heads. A powerful gust of wind rushed toward them, whipping their robes.
“This is…”
Zhang Ping’s eyes widened, his expression stunned.
Yun Cai, meanwhile, opened her All-Law Spiritual Eyes. From afar, she saw Li Qingqiu’s figure—and the Supreme Sword.
The Supreme Sword seemed like an entrance to another world, with endless sword energy pouring out from it. She had never seen such vast sword energy—nearly inexhaustible, and incomparably scorching.
So this was the sword the Sect Master sought?
Yun Cai was secretly shocked. She felt that all the magic implements she had seen before were inferior to this sword.
The Sect Master’s Vital Energy and Blood Essence were already terrifyingly strong—and now with such a sword…
Yun Cai could not imagine how powerful he would become.
Under her gaze, Li Qingqiu pulled the Supreme Sword out. Even more majestic sword energy surged forth, shooting into the sky. The sword seemed extremely excited, welcoming its master in this way.
Holding the Supreme Sword, Li Qingqiu felt a powerful sword intent surrounding him, attempting to merge with his own and bind itself to him.
He did not resist and began to accept the Supreme Sword’s intent.
As the Supreme Sword’s intent entered his body, Li Qingqiu saw numerous scenes.
He saw the forging of the Supreme Sword, saw past sword masters, and even saw someone throwing themselves into the furnace that contained the Supreme Sword.
Countless scenes flooded into his mind, forcefully making him understand the history of the Supreme Sword.
At the same time, the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth poured into his body, aiding the growth of his cultivation.
Yun Cai watched this scene, her eyes filled with admiration.
To be able to so easily make such a powerful sword acknowledge him proved that Li Qingqiu’s strength far exceeded her imagination.
Though she was competitive, she hoped Li Qingqiu would always be stronger than her.
Time passed rapidly.
A full hour passed before Li Qingqiu finally completed the fusion of sword intent.
When he opened his eyes, he found that the Supreme Sword had shed its dust. The sword’s light reflected upon his face, and he revealed a fascinated expression.
What a handsome sword!
It looked even more spirited than the Supreme Sword in the trial illusion.
Li Qingqiu immediately fell in love with the Supreme Sword—of course, what he loved most was the domineering sword energy it contained.
Even without using Vital Energy, a simple swing of the sword could unleash power capable of splitting mountains and severing rivers.
Holding the Supreme Sword, Li Qingqiu bowed toward the tombstone before turning and leaving.
With this divine sword obtained, he could return.
Later, he would find time to take control of the Supreme Sword Underground Palace.
The Supreme Sword Underground Palace was vast and surely contained many resources. He had even seen palace chambers storing spell manuals, and those restrictions were also worth studying.
The value of this underground palace exceeded even a fortuitous opportunity. However, there were too many mechanisms, making it unsuitable for disciples to explore for now. Still, before leaving, Li Qingqiu could take some items back.
He carried the Supreme Sword and walked toward Zhang Ping and the others.
At this moment, Bai Ning’er was still receiving the inheritance.
When Li Qingqiu arrived at the forest where they were, Yun Cai and Zhang Ping both fixed their gaze on the Supreme Sword in his hand.
The moment their eyes landed upon it, the sword’s light reflected into their eyes, forcing them to close them instinctively.
Li Qingqiu originally intended to place the Supreme Sword into his Storage Pouch, but it refused to enter, wishing to remain on his person.
Taking advantage of the waiting time, Li Qingqiu planted the Supreme Sword into the ground, then took out ropes and leather from his Storage Pouch, binding it onto his back.
The Supreme Sword had its own will—it disdained the Storage Pouch and even disdained a sword sheath.
It seemed that in the future, he would have to craft a custom carrying method for it.