The Tianhe Sword Sect had a history of over three thousand years, making it a complete newcomer compared to the Major Sects whose legacies stretched back tens of thousands of years.
Among Nascent Soul Major Sects, it was one of the fastest-rising.
But because it had produced Nascent Soul True Monarchs for three consecutive generations—all of whom possessed extraordinary combat prowess for their realm—it had rapidly ascended to become a top-tier Major Sect in the Northern Domain.
After all, no matter how ancient a sect’s legacy was or if its traditions could be traced back to Ancient Times, it could never be treated as an equal by a Nascent Soul Level power if it lacked a top-tier Cultivator to watch over it.
In its few thousand years of existence, the Tianhe Sword Sect had amassed a collection of scriptures that was not much smaller than those of sects with ten-thousand-year histories.
For Tang Fei to say he had never witnessed, or even read of, a similar case in any scripture was an evaluation of historic proportions.
"I am unworthy of such praise, True Monarch..."
Bai Zichen suddenly understood. ’So that’s where the confidence of the Tianhe Sword Sect’s leadership comes from.’
He had activated the Ziwei Dazzling Thunder Sword Embryo in the Sword Tomb Secret Realm, and a trace of its Thunder Radiance aura still lingered on him. This was what caused the Supreme Profound White-Haired Sword and the Xing Yao Sword to react to him in a special way.
Like the Moon Xuan Sword, these two Flying Swords had also originated from the Sword Tomb Secret Realm, all part of an Upper Realm Sword Immortal’s collection.
’Back in Ancient Times, they were probably subordinates to the Ziwei Dazzling Thunder Sword Embryo.’
’In other words, if I wanted to, I could activate the Ziwei Dazzling Thunder Sword Embryo right here in this hall. There’s a good chance I could lure away both Tier Four Flying Swords.’
’The Supreme Profound White-Haired Sword has been refined by three generations of the Tianhe Sword Sect’s Nascent Soul True Monarchs; it might still feel some attachment to the Sect.’
’But the Xing Yao Sword would be lured away one hundred percent, without a shred of hesitation.’
He forced himself to suppress the tempting thought. If he actually did it, he probably wouldn’t make it out of White Head Hall alive.
If the Tianhe Sword Sect possessed a Tier Four Flying Sword that hadn’t come from the Sword Tomb Secret Realm, they would find that Bai Zichen’s so-called terrifying Sword Dao Talent—his ability to easily win over Tier Four Flying Swords—would be utterly ineffective.
That sword wouldn’t have given him the time of day.
"There’s no need to be humble. I don’t know why you are only at the Sword Qi Thunder Sound Realm, but the example of Xiangg Ji of the Life-Killing Sword Sect has taught me that one cannot judge a person’s Sword Dao Talent by their Sword Dao Realm..."
The sword scar on Tang Fei’s face twitched as he seemed to fall into a memory.
"Xiangg Ji didn’t even reach the realm of Refining Sword into Silk by the time he was at Core Formation Perfection... A century ago, I learned that he had been cultivating a Secret Technique from the Life-Killing Sword Sect. He used his own Sword Dao Realm as fuel, endless slaughter as its foundation, and his very arm as the material to forge a Life-Killing Demon Sword."
"Xiangg Ji spent centuries slaughtering countless living beings, devouring his own Sword Dao Realm time and time again, until he finally forged the Tier Four Life-Killing Demon Sword. Once that sword was complete, I lost to him three matches in a row. Since then, I’ve found it nearly impossible to find an opportunity to defeat him."
Tang Fei spoke of his defeats frankly, openly admitting that he was no match for his lifelong rival, Xiangg Ji, without any attempt to hide or evade the fact.
At the Nascent Soul True Monarch level, it was exceedingly difficult to kill an opponent in a one-on-one fight.
Even if outmatched, they could almost always find an opportunity to escape.
It could only be done with an ambush of several times their number, using a pre-arranged Array to seal off the surrounding space.
"To think such a bizarre Secret Technique exists!"
It was a real eye-opener for Bai Zichen. He had, of course, heard of the Life-Killing Sword Sect. It was a Super Sect, with clear records of having produced a Divinity Transformation Great Power within the last ten thousand years.
To kill to end killing; this slaughter is permissible.
One could only imagine the methods of a sect that possessed such a True Intent of slaughter. Most of its disciples were ruthless killers with countless lives on their hands.
The Sect walked a fine line between the Righteous and Demonic Daos, but its disciples often strayed from the path, becoming completely consumed by slaughter. This led the world to see the Life-Killing Sword Sect as nothing more than a blood-soaked, orthodox Demon Path Sect.
"People face trials and tribulations, and so do sects... The Tianhe Sword Sect appears to be at its peak now, but no one can guarantee what calamities we will face in the future. The Moon Xuan Sword has chosen its master; that is settled. I believe that once you reach the Nascent Soul Realm, your heaven-defying Sword Dao Talent will surely make you invincible among those at the same level."
Tang Fei took two steps forward, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
"After you reach the Nascent Soul Realm, you will aid our Sect three times. You must use your full strength, so long as it does not endanger your own life... If you cannot even take that step into the Nascent Soul Realm, then I will have misjudged you, and so will all those Living Spirit Flying Swords. And believe me, it will not be difficult for our Sect to retrieve the Moon Xuan Sword from your Qingfeng Sect."
"This junior will forever remember the grace of the Tianhe Sword Sect and you, Senior, for bestowing this sword upon me... Should the Sword Sect face peril, I will surely come to its aid."
Bai Zichen cupped his hands in a salute, accepting this karmic bond.
"You’d best work hard. Too many people want to see the Northern Domain fall into chaos. Even an Ancient Demon has been born into the world. These are truly troubled times..."
Tang Fei’s tone was bleak, as if he were stating an inevitable fact.
"Tell Ge Cang not to pursue the matter of Burial Immortal Valley for now... The truth of the situation is complex, not as simple as it appears. Both Jiulian and Ju Bo may have unknowingly become pawns in someone else’s game."
Bai Zichen’s heart clenched. ’What kind of power could be behind this, using two Nascent Soul Cultivators as pawns?’
’I had originally planned to try and investigate after reaching the Core Formation Realm.’
’From the looks of it, I’ll have to at least reach the Nascent Soul Realm before I can even be a player on the board.’
...
"We can finally go back. As wonderful as Beiyuan is, I still miss Black Mountain."
Qi Yue sighed, stepping out of their Cave Mansion and gazing up at the summit of Hidden Blade Peak.
"Of course Brother Qi wants to go back. You were freeloading in Junior Martial Uncle Ge’s Tier Three Top-Grade Spirit Land back at the Mountain Gate. Your Cultivation speed is way faster there than it is out here..."
Although the Tianhe Sword Sect treated Bai Zichen and his companion as honored guests, they were still just Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The Cave Mansion prepared for them only had a Tier Three Low Grade Spiritual Energy Concentration.
Higher-grade Spirit Lands were scarce within the Tianhe Sword Sect and were generally reserved for Core Formation True Men.
Master Ge Cang had sent them a message yesterday, telling them to meet at the foot of Sword Mountain today. Once he bid farewell to True Monarch Tang Fei and Yann Yuanzai, they would set out on the road back to Black Mountain.
Bai Zichen also felt a hint of anticipation about returning to the Sect.
On this trip, he had witnessed a major event like the one at Burial Immortal Valley, which brought together the top Cultivators from both Beiyuan and Liang Country. An Ancient Demon had even made an appearance.
Then there was True Monarch Tang Fei’s subsequent warning that the Northern Domain was about to enter an era of turmoil.
For the Northern Domain’s First Sword Cultivator to say such a thing, the coming turmoil he referred to was surely not some small-scale conflict like the struggle between the Righteous and Demonic Dao in Liang Country. It had to be a great calamity, one that could threaten the very legacy of Nascent Soul Major Sects.
All of these events gave him a sense of urgency to break through to the Core Formation Realm as soon as possible.
While inside another’s sect, he couldn’t freely use many of his abilities for fear of having his secrets exposed.
He would feel much more at ease back at his own Feiyue Lake.
At the foot of Sword Mountain, Bai Zichen gestured toward the distant Sword City, telling Qi Yue what he had seen and heard there.
Just then, three cultivators abruptly blocked their path, their expressions hostile.
"What can we do for you, fellow Daoists?"
Qi Yue noticed the small sword insignia on the trio’s cuffs and took a step forward to speak.
Thanks to the influence of True Monarch Tang Fei and the Sword Fool Yann Yuanzai, the matter of the Moon Xuan Sword had been settled.
After all, one was a Supreme Elder and the other a future Supreme Elder. When the two of them reached a consensus, no one within the Tianhe Sword Sect had any room to object.
But privately, many of the Core Formation True Men did not agree with this resolution.
Among the lower-ranking Sword Sect Disciples, the dissatisfaction was even more pronounced.
A tall, thin Cultivator spoke, not even glancing at Qi Yue. "Bai Zichen, the Grand Elder said your Sword Dao Talent is absolutely stunning, the greatest since the Near Ancient era. That’s why the Moon Xuan Sword was given to you... A few of us martial brothers were curious. We wanted to see for ourselves just what kind of talent could be called the best since the Near Ancient times."
"Don’t worry, we will only compete based on the Sword Dao. We won’t use our Cultivation to overwhelm you... We will all suppress our power to the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm."
All three were young Sword Sect Disciples at Foundation Establishment Perfection, just one step away from Core Formation.
Though they differed in appearance and demeanor, they all shared the exact same air of arrogance.
’Here to test my Sword Dao Realm?’
Bai Zichen’s gaze swept over the three of them. ’To dare step forward even after knowing the Moon Xuan Sword has acknowledged me as its master, they must be among the most outstanding of the Tianhe Sword Sect’s younger disciples.’
’They’re indignant, so they’ve come to prove themselves.’
He felt a little embarrassed, though. Master Yann Yuanzai’s praise was too exaggerated, calling his Sword Dao Talent the greatest since the Near Ancient era.
If that rumor spread, he’d become a thorn in the side of every Sword Cultivator in the world.
The Near Ancient era had ended with the fall of the Taibai Sword Sect, some fifteen thousand years ago.
Across the world’s Five Domains and the Outer Sea, who knew how many astonishingly talented Sword Cultivators had emerged in those fifteen thousand years? Some had even become Divinity Transformation Great Powers.
For Yann Yuanzai to declare that among all those people, Bai Zichen’s Sword Dao Talent was number one... even someone as unflappable as him found it hard to stomach.
"The greatest since the Near Ancient era? Of course, I’m unworthy of such a title... Take your sect’s True Monarch Tianhe, for example. His Supreme Profound Sword Scripture shook the world. He forged a new path all on his own. How could I possibly compare to that?"
Although the Supreme Profound Sword Scripture was comprehended from the Supreme Profound White-Haired Sword Tomb, the original inscription on the sword was only a few dozen characters long. The Tianhe Sword Monarch added his own understanding, expanding it into a complete Sword Scripture.
Calling it a completely new path was perhaps an exaggeration, but he had certainly brought novel innovations to the original one.
The three Sword Sect Disciples looked smug, thinking Bai Zichen was about to back down. But his tone shifted as he continued, "But against the likes of you? I have two words for you: utterly useless!"
The Moon Xuan Sword in his Dantian Qi Sea twitched. A sliver of silvery moonlight landed in Bai Zichen’s hand, flowing without pause as he waved his arm and slashed.
Innumerable strands of silk-like moonlight shot out in a dense web, flowing over everything like quicksilver.
The three Sword Sect Disciples frantically controlled their swords, each unleashing their own techniques. But before the silk-like moonlight, their defenses were like paper, instantly riddled with a thousand holes.
The moonlight flowed, seeping through every opening, omnipresent and unstoppable.
Whether it was their protective Sword Light or their Defensive Magical Treasures, nothing could hold for even a single breath before shattering completely.
"Go back and cultivate properly. Don’t bring shame to True Monarch Tianhe..."
Bai Zichen retracted the Moon Xuan Sword and strode away without a backward glance.
"Refining Sword into Silk!"
The tall, thin Sword Sect Disciple cried out, his eyes wide with terror.
The Daoist Robes on all three of them were now riddled with countless tiny holes, reduced to tattered rags.
If their robes were like this, what did that say for the flesh beneath?
If Bai Zichen had intended to kill, the three of them would now be corpses on the ground.