Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 250 Grand Ceremony of Sacrifice to the Gods
He handed the sword case and the flying sword to Xiao Ju.

Xiao Ju paused slightly, looking at the familiar sword box and then at the Lianli Flying Sword, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

Song Yan said gently, "After I established my Dao foundation, I found a new sword case. This item is no longer of use to me, so I will give it to you."

His gaze held a hint of reminiscence as he briefly recounted the story of the returning swallows and falling flowers to Xiao Ju.

"This sword box is named Wuyong. It was originally intended by Senior Yan Gui to hold the two swords of Qingmei and Zhuma."

"And this sword, Lianli, was forged by him by combining his childhood sweetheart with a broken green plum."

"The sword and the case are one, and should be placed together. I do not wish to separate them."

Song Yan gently placed the sword box and the Lianli Flying Sword in Xiao Ju's outstretched hands: "Now I present them to you together."

"I hope you will treat them well, inherit the legacy of your predecessors, cultivate diligently, and not let them be tarnished."

Xiao Ju's eyes flickered, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

"Thank you, Master."

She took a deep breath, caught it steadily with both hands, and bowed with her slender body: "Xiao Ju will obey Master's orders!"

Song Yan nodded, said no more, and stepped into the quiet room.

Xiao Ju stared blankly at his retreating figure for a while, then lowered her head and looked at the sword box and flying sword in her arms.

I hugged her a little tighter.

In a quiet room.

Song Yan sat cross-legged, his aura rapidly receding into the abyss.

Unmoored Boat detached from the sword body and appeared in front of Song Yan simply as his natal flying sword.

The black and white sword light emanated a sharp aura.

The main reason he was so eager to continue studying the Book of Great Illusion was because of the contents of the sword chapter.

There were many things he didn't understand before, and he could only explore and discover them on his own.

Now that there are systematic kendo texts, many of the obstacles in kendo training have become clear.

There was only one thing that Song Yan still couldn't understand.

Regarding sword intent.

I first came into contact with the Sword Sect's heritage, and then witnessed the power of the Sword Dao True Essence during the Silent Valley incident.

From that time on, Song Yan naturally assumed that the ethereal and elusive sword intent must be even more powerful than the true essence of swordsmanship.

However, the natal flying sword that Changping created together with his Dao heart after comprehending the sword intent is indeed powerful.

The sword techniques he later comprehended during the decisive battle of the Sword-Touching Tournament were also quite remarkable.

but……

He believed from the bottom of his heart that sword intent was not so simple, and that the application of a single sword posture always felt like something was missing.

The answer to this question can be found in the Taixu Sword Chapter.

However, this answer seems to be the same as having no answer at all.

It mentions that after comprehending the sword intent, a cultivator's sword moves will naturally possess some of the special characteristics of the sword intent.

For example, the simplest and most common example is that there are cultivators who have achieved sword intent by visualizing green bamboo, and their sword energy and sword momentum will naturally carry an indomitable will.

For example, there was a cultivator who visualized a sparrow to achieve sword intent, and was able to see through his opponent's weaknesses and flaws when fighting.

There have been cultivators who comprehended sword intent under extreme sorrow, and even without using killing moves, they could naturally cause their opponents to feel boundless pain.

These are all considered special effects of sword intent.

Regarding these unique characteristics, the Taixu Sword Chapter only states that everyone's swordsmanship is different.

The understanding and cultivation of sword intent cannot be written into classic texts, thus becoming fixed moves or formulas.

But that's the problem. People are saying that having sword intent automatically grants these special characteristics.

They all started showing signs of growth at the Qi Refining stage and grew together with their natal flying swords.

Song Yan, however, had never felt that his sword intent was anything special.

If the Book of Great Illusion is not wrong, then there is no doubt that the problem lies with myself.

Did I simply not notice it?

Probably not...

Now that they are all sword cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, they are fully aware of the changes that have occurred in their bodies.

Especially since it is related to one's own foundation in swordsmanship, there is no way one would be unaware of it.

If I had to say there was...

In fact, there are still some.

During the foundation-building process, the sword pellet mirage pearl was fused together. After repeated confirmation by Song Yan, it was confirmed that the sword pellet mirage pearl had indeed completely disappeared.

Song Yan discovered that when he used the sword control technique, it had a strange effect, like entering a dream.

The effect is not very stable and needs further consideration.

"Senior Elder in the straw raincoat must have some connection with the Sword Sect..."

Song Yan's thoughts wandered.

"Then let's assume that the mirage pearl contained a trace of the sword intent belonging to the old man in the straw raincoat, which was absorbed by the lotus flower in the Sword Palace during the Foundation Establishment stage..."

"Therefore, my sword intent carries the effect of this sword intent."

Could it be like that?

He muttered to himself.

However, even after searching through the entire Sword Chapter and even the Book of Void Transformation, Song Yan could not find any trace of this situation.

After a moment's thought, without any results, I set these mysteries aside for the time being.

He began to ponder this inexplicable sword intent.

In the following days, Song Yan immersed himself in comprehending the sword manual, and in his spare time, he would also exchange a few sparring sessions with Li Yi.

The two tacitly agreed to stop short of a point, without any talk of winning or losing.

After all, we are on their territory, and if we act recklessly, we might cause too much commotion and affect the holding of the grand event.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Song Yan has a lot to learn.

However, everything has its priorities and urgency. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators have limited mental and physical energy.

In terms of swordsmanship, the study of sword formations will naturally continue.

Since Song Yan established his foundation, he had been studying the Purple Qi Merging Void True Technique, but his progress had been quite slow.

Because what Song Yan wanted was not to enhance spiritual power, but sword energy and even sword light.

While these changes are far from being considered innovations in skill, they do require some ingenuity and thought.

Later, after joining the Sword Sect and obtaining the Tai Xu Hua Shu (Book of Transformation), his understanding of swordsmanship reached a new level, and his training progress gradually accelerated.

Besides that, there is a secret technique related to sword spirits, but I haven't had a chance to try it out, so I won't go into details for now.

After several days of quiet contemplation at Bailu Cliff, he gained much, and the re-cultivated Zixiao Dao Scripture made the sword energy in the Sword Mansion even more abundant and surging.

This morning.

Song Yan left the cave and headed towards Diequan Market in the Immortal Valley.

Firstly, I wanted to stroll around the market and experience the atmosphere of the event.

Secondly, I mainly want to purchase a few high-quality flying swords.

Both the Moon Ring Sword Formation and the Spirit Gathering Sword Formation require at least three flying swords to be used.

The Endless Treasury currently only contains three handles: Unmoored Boat, Sacrificial Qilin Lord, and Weeping Moon, which is rather meager and scarce.

Furthermore, the sword formations he had previously studied required a greater number of flying swords, so he took advantage of this opportune moment to explore them further.

In fact, Song Yan had done research on this before.

These flying swords, obtained from ancient sword cultivators, suffer minimal damage when used to execute sword techniques and formations; the damage is negligible.

However, the flying swords that I bought from the market or obtained from other cultivators' storage bags suffered extremely severe wear and tear.

Even simply by bearing sword energy and sword essence, one can clearly feel the changes. Song Yan himself speculated that perhaps it was because the flying sword he obtained from his predecessors had undergone countless years of nurturing with sword energy, making it accustomed to the sharpness of sword cultivation techniques.

Modern flying swords are mostly forged to accommodate gentler spiritual energy, making them naturally unsuitable for this purpose.

However, there's no way to do it right now; ancient swords like the Unmoored Boat can't be mass-produced.

Let's settle for second best and find a few high-quality flying swords in the market that are suitable for integrating into our own sword formation system.

Song Yan originally wanted Xiao Ju to focus on her cultivation in the cave, but the girl insisted on traveling with her master, so he didn't refuse her anymore.

They did not fly away, but simply strolled slowly through the market town in the valley.

Diequanfang is built along the mountain stream and is located in the lower part of Wanglingxiangu Valley. It is lined with pavilions, towers, shops and stalls.

The event was a grand occasion, and the crowds were bustling.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator's aura was restrained, and Song Yan, like a drop of ink dissolving in water, silently merged into the bustling crowd.

People come and go in the streets, including men, women, young and old, and cultivators.

There were monks who were officially attending the meeting, as well as people who came to observe the ceremony, but there was no patrol team that was usually seen in ordinary markets.

But thinking about it, I feel relieved.

This time, a Golden Core cultivator from the Spirit Talisman Sect is presiding over the grand gathering at Dragon Pool Mountain, so it's unlikely anyone will dare to cause trouble here.

"Wangxian Tower", "Dan Ding Residence", "Bai Bao Pavilion"...

The inscriptions on the plaques of most pavilions and halls give a vague idea of ​​what they are for.

Only the pavilion beside the cascading spring and clear pool was somewhat puzzling.

"Wangxian Tower?"

Song Yan paused slightly and looked up.

The building's construction doesn't resemble that of a celestial being; rather, it's closer to a mortal pavilion, with only two floors, yet it occupies the most central position in the entire Diequanfang.

There are inscriptions on both sides of the gate.

"Looking at the mountains and rivers, looking at the clouds and the sky..."

"May immortals fill the human world."

As if sensing something, he turned around and looked up.

Beyond the layers of flying eaves, they descended to a cluster of buildings in a distant mountain valley, higher in elevation and shrouded in the rich spiritual light of an array.

The pavilion, suspended halfway up the mountain, was mostly made of warm white jade. Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, it shone with a cool, ethereal light, appearing exceptionally otherworldly.

"Moon Pavilion..."

Song Yan realized that this celestial pavilion must be the place where the leaders of the nine lineages held their meetings, as Xiao Ju had mentioned before.

The bustling atmosphere at the bottom of the valley contrasts sharply with the solemnity there, as if they were two different worlds.

The mechanism, details, resource allocation, and even future changes in the cultivation world of Chu Kingdom may all be decided in just a few words in the pavilion.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, I increasingly realized how narrow-minded I was when I was cultivating Qi, which was something I couldn't avoid.

Just as Song Yan was lost in thought, a familiar voice called out in his ear: "Senior Brother Song!"

Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see Gu Qingqing vigorously waving her arms by the water at the edge of the Diequan Qingchi not far away.

The person accompanying her was not Yuwen Yao, but a female cultivator dressed in a moon-white long dress, with a slender figure and a quiet temperament.

Song Yan recognized the girl; she was Yang Yuerong, a close friend of Gu Qingqing.

Strangely, Yang Yuerong was not wearing the Taoist robe of the Dongyuan Sect.

Gu Qingqing pulled Yang Yuerong along and quickly came forward to meet them.

"My two junior sisters, what a coincidence." Song Yan smiled and nodded.

Xiao Ju stood obediently beside Song Yan, without saying a word.

"Senior Brother Song, you're also browsing the market? Oh, Yue Rong, let me tell you, Senior Brother Song seems like a completely different person after he established his foundation."

"He's still just as handsome, but he seems to have aged a lot..."

"?"

puff.

Yang Yuerong couldn't help but chuckle softly. She stepped forward, gave Song Yan a slight bow, and said with a faint smile, "Senior Brother Song, congratulations on achieving the Foundation Establishment Path."

Her voice was gentle, and standing next to Gu Qingqing, for some reason, she lacked the bright and lively spirit she had when they were classmates, and instead possessed a calm and serene demeanor.

A faint, lingering melancholy seemed to always linger in the depths of her gaze, but she skillfully concealed it between her lowered eyes.

Song Yan returned the greeting, his gaze lingering on Yang Yuerong for a moment.

"You're welcome and safe."

After just a few casual words, I learned something somewhat unexpected.

Yang Yuerong has actually left the Dongyuan Sect and is no longer a disciple of the sect.

When asked about this, Yang Yuerong forced a smile and said, "Yuerong is a native of Longtan Mountain and comes from the Yang family here."

A few years ago, due to some deeply rooted family traditions and rules, he had no choice but to leave Dongyuan Sect and has now returned to the Longtan Mountain family.

She now remains in Longtan Mountain as a member of the Yang family.

Her tone was filled with obvious regret and reluctance.

"Alas, this matter... is beyond my control."

"Senior Sister Gu is aware of the reasons behind this. Her return now is simply to abide by the clan rules and return to her ancestral home."

He spoke lightly, but in reality, his heart was overflowing with resentment and bitterness.

The recall of the family was merely to free up time and resources for those key members of the family who were being groomed.

This path of cultivation is one I may never be able to continue on in this lifetime.

Song Yan heard that deep sense of powerlessness.

Looking at Yang Yuerong's eyes, which she tried so hard to hide but could not erase the loneliness in them, he felt a slight stirring in his heart.

Countless cultivators in the cultivation world appear carefree and unrestrained, but in reality, many are burdened with deep entanglements.

Although sects are a form of protection, in the face of family bloodlines and rules that have been rooted for thousands of years, individual wishes are sometimes so insignificant.

Under the crushing influence of powerful forces, how are ordinary cultivators any different from mortals...?

Foundation Building is merely the starting point on this path of seeking immortality and enlightenment.

While sighing, Song Yan couldn't help but secretly remind himself not to slack off in his cultivation just because he had built a foundation for his Dao.

"Hehe, since we're in the family, everything will be arranged. Let's not talk about this anymore."

Yang Yuerong gently shook her head: "Senior Brother Song, speaking of which, did you come to the market to look for something?"

Following Yang Yuerong's words, Song Yan nodded: "Exactly."

"I want to buy a few suitable flying swords. However, after traveling around, I have not yet found a suitable one."

"Flying sword?" Yang Yuerong pondered for a moment. "There is a Thousand Forging Hall in the southwest corner of Diequanfang. I heard that the manager is from a branch of a family that has been forging weapons for generations."

"The shop has ancient swords that have been passed down through generations, or blades forged from top-grade spiritual materials. Senior brother, you might as well go and take a look over there."

As a local, she was obviously more familiar with the area.

A legendary ancient sword?

Song Yan immediately became interested.

"Okay, thank you."

Gu Qingqing remembered something else and looked at Song Yan with sparkling eyes.

"Senior Brother Song, Yue Rong was just saying that this Dragon Pool gathering is really coincident, as it happens to be the centennial celebration of the Yang family."

"What a rare and spectacular scene! Senior brother, let's go check it out together!"

Centenary Festival?

Upon hearing this, Song Yan let out a soft exclamation, and Xiao Ju behind him also raised her head slightly.

(End of this chapter)