Sword Qi to the Sky

Chapter 398, etc.?

Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao entered the formation at the same time. The top cultivators who had reached the top of the steps all looked ahead. This last barrier was formed by the cultivators of Baiyujing Academy using the formation, and many talented cultivators were blocked here.

Of course, this formation will ultimately not be able to stop these great sons of the sects and heirs of noble families. The only question is how much they will have to pay and how long it will take.

Now that Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao are testing their formation, they can have a good look at it.

After Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao entered the formation, they saw sword energy soaring into the sky. Their bodies seemed to have truly transformed into swords, moving forward as if to break through the formation's barrier and step into the Heavenly Gate.

“That’s interesting.” Ye Yunke smiled as he looked at the two of them and said, “They probably thought that it would be easier for the two of them to work together. However, apart from my brother, I have never heard of anyone else who can ignore the formation and move forward.”

"They are probably a bit lacking. Perhaps it would be more interesting if Jiang Tai'a from Lingxiao Pavilion came."

"As sword cultivators of Lingxiao Pavilion, we naturally want to give it a try," said the Prince of Puyang, looking towards the formation.

Within the formation, the students of Baiyujing were making different hand gestures while their bodies remained still. They were integrated with the formation, and when they made a move, ripples appeared within the formation. It was then observed that Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao's speed in their sword-transformed advance gradually slowed down.

"The sword is about to be forced to stop."

As everyone stared at the top of the stairs, they thought to themselves, "The sword cultivators can move through the air in their swords at incredible speeds." But when they saw that the two of them seemed to have slowed down countless times, they knew that the two were about to stop.

Sure enough, a moment later, a bright light flashed, and the two not only stopped, but even took a step back; they had been intercepted.

What kind of attack is this final checkpoint?

Everyone thought to themselves that outside the formation, they had no way of knowing what Shen Jing and the other person had encountered; only those who had experienced it firsthand would know what obstacles they had faced.

Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao stepped back one step and stood there, surrounded by sword intent.

"This Jade Capital Staircase is the Heavenly Ladder for geniuses to seek the Dao, a path to enlightenment. The Lingxiao Pavilion sword cultivators entered the formation with their swords to seek the Jade Capital, but clearly, they are still lacking in skill." A cultivator watching the battle in the air laughed loudly. A Lingxiao Pavilion sword cultivator looked up at him with a sharp expression.

But the old man was completely oblivious, still smiling; he was simply stating the truth.

Having lived in this capital city for many years, I have seen many remarkable figures.

Over the years, who among those who dared to come and ask questions of Baiyujing was not a proud son of the Great Li Heaven?

The great sage, the heir of a noble family, and a member of the royal family—how many of them can truly rise above their station without any obstacles? And this is just the beginning.

Asking the Way, stepping onto the Jade Capital's steps and entering the Heavenly Gate, one only gains the qualification to ask the Way.

Learning the Way and seeking the Way are different, and the ways to ascend to them are naturally different as well.

Since you're asking a question, you must demonstrate your abilities.

The Jade Palace in the heavens—how could just anyone possibly inquire about it?

This tiered system leaves three challenges for the geniuses who seek enlightenment in Baiyujing.

"Everyone thinks the Heavenly Gate Staircase is 'very high,' but it is merely the threshold to the Jade Capital. Even this threshold is enough to make the so-called geniuses of the world struggle to move forward," the old man continued, which slightly moved those around him.

The disciples of the major sects in the formation were also deeply moved.

Asking about the Jade Capital, the Jade Capital staircase indeed serves this purpose.

Within the formation, a magnificent sword intent surged. All that could be seen was Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao wielding their swords within the formation. The sword energy soared into the sky, even penetrating through the formation and piercing the heavens. Terrifying sword intent waves swept out and spread to other parts of the formation.

Li Fan was closest to them. In addition to the oppressive feeling of the formation, strands of sword intent surged onto him, as if to shatter him.

He glanced at Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao ahead. This sword was alright... but that was all.

As time passed, the sword energy within the formation had completely obscured the crowd's vision. The formation space seemed to have transformed into a sword cocoon, slowly moving forward.

After what seemed like an eternity, two beams of light finally pierced through the great formation, and Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao emerged from the formation, appearing below the Heavenly Gate, their gazes fixed on the figure ahead.

After a moment of silence, a murmur of discussion arose.

"As expected of the sword prodigy of Lingxiao Pavilion, he has finally reached the Heavenly Gate. Although this is only the Dao Inquiry stage, the difficulty is still there. Those who can pass it are already among the world's greatest talents," someone praised. "How long did it take?" Ye Yunke asked.

"It only takes about an incense stick's time to break through the third level of the array," said the Prince of Puyang.

"Your Majesty is truly remarkable," Ye Yunke praised with a smile, though it was unclear whether he meant it sincerely.

"Look at the people behind you, are there any faster ones?" he asked again.

"Perhaps." Prince Puyang looked at Li Fan and said, "That person is not weak either; perhaps there will be a pleasant surprise."

"Let's wait and see." Ye Yunke became somewhat interested.

By this time, several people had already reached the same spot as Li Fan. They looked at each other, all eager to try.

"You arrived first, you go ahead." Qi Zhanyun also arrived and said to Li Fan.

"I'm not in a hurry, please make yourselves at home," Li Fan said with a smile to the people who had arrived beside him.

"In that case, I'll go first." Lin Bai of the Qingya Holy Sect of Qingya Mountain showed no politeness and took the lead, stepping into the array.

The people of Lingxiao Pavilion have already ascended to the Heavenly Gate, so he naturally doesn't want to fall behind.

Before the Heavenly Gate, Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao bowed to An Zhiyao. Shen Jing looked at An Zhiyao and was amazed by her beauty. She seemed to be otherworldly and exuded an ethereal aura.

Legend has it that An Zhiyao of Baiyujing Academy is one of the most talented people in the academy, and his cultivation has reached the middle stage of the Dao Body. Even he is not as good as him. I wonder if Senior Brother Yue can compete with him.
“Now that you two have arrived here, you may enter the Heavenly Gate and proceed to the academy.” An Zhiyao stepped aside to let the two pass.

"Thank you, Fairy An," Yue Yunxiao replied, then walked forward. Shen Jing glanced back and saw Lin Bai enter the formation, then looked at Li Fan behind him.

He didn't immediately enter the formation? Was he trying to observe how others would break through it?
"Hmph." Shen Jing snorted coldly and looked down at Li Fan, saying, "I'll be waiting for you at Baiyujing Academy."

The sound traveled through the array to Li Fan's ears. He looked up and saw Shen Jing step into the Heavenly Gate.

Li Fan waited for him at Baiyujing Academy with a blank expression.
He was actually looking forward to it.

Lin Bai also encountered strong resistance when he entered the formation. He did not take any less time than Shen Jing and Yue Yunxiao. Although he eventually made it through, it took him longer.

Lin Bai did not turn around. After meeting An Zhiyao, he entered Baiyujing Academy.

Some people looked at Li Fan, only to see him smile and say, "If you all want to come in, don't be shy, I'm not in a hurry."

Hearing his words, more people joined the fray.

Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu, who were behind them, also arrived one after another.

The Jade Capital of Asking the Dao does not restrict cultivation level; its powerful formation is based on the cultivation level of the person seeking the Dao.

Although Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu's cultivation has not yet reached the Dao Body realm, their talents are by no means weak.

She is the most talented disciple of Lishan Sword Mountain and also the Holy Maiden of the Moon Palace. Apart from him, how many of the so-called chosen ones here can surpass Lu Yuan in terms of talent?

"Why wait for us to come here?" Lu Yuan whispered to Li Fan.

"No rush, let them enter the formation first, they can rest for a while," Li Fan said casually.

The people around Li Fan showed strange expressions when they saw the two women with him.

"Their talent is so high?" someone asked in surprise.

"Could it be that he's not entering the formation because he's not observing, but waiting for someone?" Someone thought this and couldn't help but look strange. He knew that the woman beside him would also arrive, so he was waiting for them.
This made everyone even more excited. Could it be that all three of them could successfully ask the question?

Previously, among the cultivators of Lingxiao Pavilion, only Shen Jing and his companion had crossed the Heavenly Gate; the rest of the cultivators had not even reached the third checkpoint.

(End of this chapter)