Hearing that Lu Qiuran had a solution, Su Yin quickly turned to her and said, "Senior, please speak!"
Lu Qiuran smiled. "Challenging the Sword Qi Pavilion!"
"Challenging the Sword Qi Pavilion?" Su Yin was stunned. Given his current strength, he did not even have the ability to challenge the Herb Mountain. Wouldn't he be courting death if he were to face the even more formidable Sword Qi Pavilion?
Knowing that Zhang Xuan was mistaken, Lu Qiuran explained, "It's not the kind of challenge that you think of. It's a kind of test …"
Soon, Su Yin came to a realization.
The challenge that Lu Qiuran was talking about was similar to the challenge of the Forbidden Mountain on the Dry Origin Continent.
Sword Sage represented the pinnacle of fighting prowess in the Celestial World. Was there any cultivator who did not want to obtain it? However, the profoundness of swordsmanship was far more complex than that of the Pill Sage and Zither Sage. How could it be that easy to comprehend it?
Furthermore, the slightest carelessness could cause one's cultivation to go berserk.
In order to better test and guide the cultivators to improve instead of being greedy, the Sages rebuilt the Sword Qi Pavilion and set up many checkpoints.
With every checkpoint cleared, one would be able to learn more profound swordsmanship and comprehend more profound Sword Intent.
At the very end, not only would one be qualified to see the sword marks left behind by the Sword Sage, but one would also be able to comprehend the Sword Intent harnessed within the Sword Sage's remains.
Of course, this was only a legend. So far, no one had succeeded in clearing the Sword Qi Pavilion.
"If that's true, I can give it a try!" Su Yin nodded in realization.
Even though his understanding of swordsmanship was still at the level of chopping firewood, he had received ten years of guidance from the Sword Sage. If he were to attempt the Sword Qi Pavilion, it would not be too shabby.
Lu Qiuran said, "It'll be much safer this way, but there's a problem as well. That is … I'll need a suitable identity to clear the Sword Qi Pavilion. Otherwise, I'm afraid that I'll be investigated before I even enter …"
"That's easy. You can disguise yourself as a cultivator who has cleared the Sword Qi Pavilion before. As long as you conceal yourself well, it'll be easy for you to sneak in …" Su Yin chuckled.
Stereotypes and prejudices were everywhere. Newcomers might be scrutinized in detail, but those who had been here many times in the past might just be ignored after a single glance.
This was an inherent impression in the minds of others. there was no doubt that there was nothing wrong with this person!
"Yes!"
Lu Qiuran looked at her Junior Brother with praise and said, "How about this? I'll bring you to a Sword Cultivator who once passed the test. You can familiarize yourself with him and see if you can disguise yourself!"
He had thought that the other party might be too young and inexperienced, but from the looks of it, the other party was even more experienced than him. He really could not help but wonder how the thirty-six Ancient Sages had taught him.
Without saying anything more, the two of them used the Cloud Piercing Shuttle to tear open space and quickly flew towards the Sword Qi Pavilion.
Ten minutes later, a sword-shaped tower appeared in their line of sight.
Without entering the tower, Lu Qiu turned around and walked to the side. Not long after, rows of thatched cottages appeared in their line of sight. There were at least a hundred of them.
They were about the same size as tents, about seven to eight square meters. They looked very simple and crude.
Su Yin was full of doubts.
Knowing what Zhang Xuan was thinking, Lu Qiuran explained, "This is the Sword Hut. It's said that the Sword Saint lived in a place like this back then, and that's how he managed to comprehend the Sword Intent. The sword cultivators who came to challenge the Sword Saint Pavilion to temper their wills and comprehend the Sword Intent would build a similar hut. It's said that the Sword Hut allows one to better harmonize with nature and comprehend the Sword Intent …"
"Er …" Su Yin's mouth was agape. After a long time, he shook his head helplessly.
He had been with Li Qiaofu's remnant will for many years, and he knew its temperament. Not only did it look similar to a farmer, but its personality was also similar. Living in a thatched hut was just a habit. There was nothing special about it.
It was just like how a certain literary genius in his previous life would write a sentence out of habit. There was no special meaning behind it, but in the eyes of many experts, it was written intentionally to express the feelings of loneliness, the darkness of society, and the distortion of human nature …
Distortion your head!
Even the literary genius himself would be dumbfounded by such an analysis. He could not help but praise, "What are these idiots thinking …"
This was the feeling that these thatched cottages gave him. Only in these cottages could one comprehend the Way of the Sword. Why? Living in a tiled house and a palace was not a waste of swordsmanship?
However, it was not without reason. The thatched cottages were simple and narrow, and they were more compatible with nature. It was true that cultivating in them would make it easier for one to comprehend the environment around them, and their state of mind would change.
It was just like how some ascetic monks would torture themselves in order to temper their wills. They would not eat or eat less, and they would cultivate diligently to achieve spiritual satisfaction.
"By the way, Senior Sister, I see that you and the Liefeng Saint have known each other for a long time …"
Seeing that they were still some distance away from the thatched cottage, Su Yin asked curiously through telepathy.
Lu Qiuran did not hide anything. "We've known each other for more than ten thousand years. Back then, the Liefeng Saint was just a nobody. It was me and Senior Brother who saved his life when we were training outside …"
After a while, Su Yin understood.
The story was very cliché and had been overwritten by previous web writers.
The saved Liefeng Saint submitted to Lv Kang out of gratitude for saving his life. Later on, he betrayed the Medicine Sage, and it was he who contacted the Cangqiong Saint. Because of this, he received great benefits. Coupled with his talent and opportunities, he succeeded in one fell swoop and possessed his current strength.
Of course, what was even more cliché was that the Liefeng Saint had a crush on Senior Sister and even tried to pursue her. Unfortunately, Senior Sister saw through his nature and rejected him directly.
What happened after that was easy to understand. Love turned to hate, and he did not hesitate to kill because he could not have her …
Come to think of it, the Liefeng Saint was really shameless.
As they chatted, the two of them flashed into one of the thatched cottages. Su Yin immediately saw a young man sitting on the thatched cottage in the middle of the room.
He looked to be in his twenties and his clothes were a little shabby. He held a long sword in his arms and sat upright on the ground. His body vaguely exuded a sharp sword intent.
"Doctor Lu …"
Seeing her enter, the young man hurriedly got up with a respectful attitude.
Lu Qiuran nodded and said, "This is my Junior Brother. He has loved swordsmanship since he was young and wants to challenge the Sword Qi Pavilion to see what level he has reached. However, as you know, the Sword Qi Pavilion is controlled by a few Sages, and I don't want to show myself. Moreover, it's too troublesome to register now and be reviewed … Can I borrow your token? "
After that, she telepathically said to Su Yin, "This is Li Mogang. He once went berserk while practicing swordsmanship and was saved by me … I didn't tell him my real identity and only said that my surname is Lu. Don't say anything wrong later."
"Alright!"
Su Yin nodded.
"If not for Doctor Lu's help, I would have died long ago. Putting aside such a small matter, even if you want me to commit suicide, I won't hesitate at all!"
Li Mogang nodded grimly. With a flick of his wrist, he took out a token and passed it over. "This is the token that allows you to enter the Sword Qi Pavilion. As long as you hold it, you'll be able to clear the examination. However, there are images of those who have cleared the examination. You and I look completely different from one another, so it'll be easy for you to be recognized if you walk in directly …"
This token did not represent one's identity. It was similar to the certificate of one's rank in his previous life. Only with this token could one proceed to the next step of the examination.
"You don't have to worry about my appearance," Su Yin replied with a smile.
Even Wu Yuechou was able to alter her appearance with a brush. Given that he had inherited the heritage of the Painter Saint, it was naturally easier for him to do so.
"Un!"
Knowing that every cultivator had their own means, Li Mogang sat down on the floor and hugged his sword tightly. It was as if there was nothing else in his eyes other than his sword.
Seeing how stubborn Li Mogang was in his cultivation, Su Yin asked curiously, "Brother Li, it seems like you've been immersed in swordsmanship for quite some time now. May I know … which level have you reached?"
Even though he had never crossed blows with the other party before, he could sense that the other party's comprehension of swordsmanship was extremely profound. In fact, even some Sages did not possess such sharp intent.
If he could find out how many levels the other party had cleared, he would be able to grasp the criteria of the Sword Qi Pavilion's examination.
"The Sword Qi Pavilion has a total of nine levels, which are also known as the Nine Stages. My comprehension of swordsmanship has only just begun, so I only managed to clear the third level before coming to a halt!"
Li Mogang replied.
Even though he spoke as though he had only just begun, there was a haughty look on his face.
Clearly, it was not that easy to comprehend swordsmanship.
Yet, Li Mogang had only managed to clear a third of the Sword Qi Pavilion. Su Yin was astonished. "May I know which level is the furthest the Sword Hut has managed to clear?"
It seemed like the Sword Qi Pavilion was much more difficult than he had thought.
"Those who are able to remain in the Sword Hut are all juniors under the age of fifty, and the furthest they managed to clear was only the fifth level!"
Li Mogang shook his head as he recalled something. "However, there are many powerful swordsmanship practitioners in the outside world as well. Take the Firmament Saint's direct disciple, Xue Qianqiu for example. He isn't much older than me, but he managed to clear the seventh level single-handedly!"
"Xue Qianqiu? Seventh level?" Su Yin widened his eyes in shock.
Old Xue … Wasn't that the fellow whom he had stripped so many times that he dared not spar with?
How could his swordsmanship be so formidable?
"Indeed. His comprehension of swordsmanship has reached an extremely profound level. I'm far from being a match for him!"
Li Mogang said in awe.
Su Yin nodded. Then, he asked a few more questions regarding the Sword Qi Pavilion, and the latter replied truthfully.
"Alright, it's getting late. I'll give it a try!"
Su Yin knew that he had a good grasp of the situation, so there was no need for him to waste any more time. Thus, he flexed his muscles and began to resemble Li Mogang. At the same time, he took out a brush and began drawing on his face.
As soon as the tip of the brush came into contact with his skin, Zhang Xuan's heart skipped a beat.
This time, he had to retrieve the saint remains. If he did so, he would bring Li Mogang an unimaginable calamity. Since that was the case, why not use Xue Qianqiu's appearance instead?
In any case, they were all enemies. It wouldn't hurt to shift the blame to them!
But more importantly …
That fellow was the direct disciple of the Firmament Saint. If he could obtain the saint remains, he would be in a much safer position.
With such thoughts in mind, Zhang Xuan smiled as he began drawing. In the blink of an eye, his appearance changed to resemble Xue Qianqiu's. Even his disposition was imitated to perfection, making it impossible for others to tell the difference.
"This …"
Li Mogang widened his eyes in disbelief. He didn't think that Zhang Xuan would be able to achieve such an effect with just a casual drawing. Even Lu Qiuran was dumbfounded by the sight before her.
Having roamed the Immortal World for more than ten thousand years, she had seen plenty of people who were skilled in disguise. Even she often did the same. However, this was the first time she had seen someone who could alter their soul aura to such an extent.
Ignoring their astonishment, Su Yin didn't say anything else. He instructed his Senior Martial Sister to stand guard here, and then he walked out of the thatched cottage silently.
Even though Lu Qiuran trusted Li Mogang deeply, he couldn't afford to make the slightest mistake at this moment.
Zhang Xuan's silhouette didn't attract anyone's attention. It didn't take long for him to arrive at a location not too far away from the Sword Qi Pavilion. Only then did he reveal himself and walk over boldly.
The Sword Qi Pavilion was constructed out of some unknown material. It resembled a massive sword that was stabbed into the ground, and its surroundings were sealed off by a series of powerful seals.
"A seal left behind by a Sage …"
Su Yin's eyebrows shot up.
This seal was similar to the one used to seal the Pill Sage's remains back then. It wasn't a seal, but its effects were comparable to one. If one were to barge in, the Sage would immediately notice it.
The attic was surrounded by guards in armor.
Every single one of them had reached Golden Immortal realm pinnacle. With so many of them working together, even a Dao Integration expert would have a hard time getting close to the pavilion, let alone a Great Firmament Golden Immortal.
Zhang Xuan took out his token and held it in his hand.
Weng!
There was a flash of light, and an opening immediately appeared in the seal. Su Yin walked toward the entrance of the Sword Qi Pavilion.
The two guards guarding the entrance didn't pay much attention to Zhang Xuan at first, but when they saw Zhang Xuan's appearance, their faces warped in shock, and they bowed deeply. "Paying respects to Young Master Xue!"
"Un!"
Su Yin heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that the other party was intimidated by his identity and didn't bother inspecting the room carefully. He raised his foot and walked in through the door. However, before he could even reach the door, he immediately felt surges of sword qi pressing down on him, causing his skin to ache.
With a grim expression, Su Yin retracted his consciousness, and the feeling he had when he was chopping firewood slowly surfaced in his mind.
This was an ability that he had learned in the Forbidden Grounds. As long as he didn't use this occupation, there wouldn't be any traces of this ability on him.
After entering the Celestial World, even if he had taken out the True Dragon Sword, he wouldn't have been able to sense any Sword Intent or Sword Qi from him.
According to Li Qiaofu, this was called the Sheath Sheath. No matter how sharp a sword was, once it was sheathed, it wouldn't attract anyone's attention. Only when it was used to kill would it cause one's heart to turn cold.
Only by reaching this point could one be considered a beginner.
Otherwise, if one couldn't even control the Sword Qi in one's body, how could one be called a Sword Saint?
Now that he was at the entrance of the Sword Qi Pavilion, there was no need for him to do so anymore. The feeling he had when he was chopping firewood flowed through his entire body, fusing together with his acupoints and skin. Following which, a powerful and brilliant Sword Intent formed in his body. It was as if he had turned into a sharp sword.
When it collided with the Sword Qi in the entrance, it sounded like rain hitting a banana leaf.
Deng deng deng deng!
Sensing this sword Qi, the guards outside the door took a few steps back in unison. Each of them was filled with shock.
"It seems like Young Master Xue's comprehension of swordsmanship has improved significantly. I wonder if he'll be able to reach the eighth level …"
"Given his age, he might just become the next Sword Saint …"
Looking at the young man once more, their eyes were filled with envy and admiration.
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