Mortal: Junior Sister Song Yu

"The Ancient Sword Sect is located in the northern part of Xi Kingdom and is the number one sword cultivator sect in Xi Kingdom."

On the cloud boat, Elder Feng's voice carried a hint of solemnity as he introduced the destination of their journey to his disciples.

Li Xiao stood at the bow of the boat, letting the strong winds whip his robes around, gazing at the surging sea of ​​clouds below, while recalling the records about the Ancient Sword Sect from the original novel.

The Ancient Sword Sect has only a few hundred disciples, but all of them are sword cultivators. Their reputation for being warlike and sharp is known throughout the entire Xi Kingdom.

The sect was built against the mountain, and its mountain gate was a towering stone sword, thousands of feet high, piercing the clouds with unparalleled grandeur.

Its leader, Jin Wuhuan, is a cultivator at the peak of the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. He possesses the "Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Origin" divine power, which is said to be able to draw upon the swords of heaven and earth, making it extremely powerful.

"Elder Feng, I've heard... I've heard that a remarkable figure has emerged in this generation of the Ancient Sword Sect?" A disciple, unable to contain his curiosity and nervousness, asked in a low voice.

As soon as he said this, the surroundings fell silent, and everyone pricked up their ears.

Elder Feng's expression grew increasingly solemn, and he slowly nodded: "Indeed. The Ancient Sword Sect has produced a peerless genius this generation, named Bai Haozhi. Born with a sword physique and heavenly spiritual root aptitude, he has already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment at the young age of thirty-three. His swordsmanship is unfathomable, and he is hailed as 'the number one swordsman in the Xi Kingdom for a hundred years'!"

"Hiss—" A collective gasp of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

At the late stage of Foundation Establishment at the age of thirty-three, what terrifying talent!

"Bai Haozhi..."

Song Yu's telepathic message rang in Li Xiao's ear with a hint of wariness, "Senior brother, is that the person who tried to recruit us into the team in the Yunmeng Secret Realm, but you refused?"

"Yes, that's him."

Li Xiao replied telepathically, his gaze deep, "This person appears gentle and refined, like a spring breeze, but in reality, he is cunning and extremely shrewd. We must be very careful at this conference."

Song Yu nodded slightly, and his Tongming Lingxi began to operate quietly, like an invisible net covering the entire cloud boat.

She could clearly "hear" that almost all of her fellow disciples were filled with awe and fear of the name "Bai Haozhi," and some even had an uncontrollable fire of jealousy burning in their hearts, but it was extinguished by the huge gap in strength and left only ashes.

Three days later, the cloud boat finally arrived at the northern mountain range.

Even from hundreds of miles away, an invisible yet sharp aura rushed towards us, as if the entire sky had turned into a drawn sword!

The disciples with weaker cultivation even felt a stinging sensation on their skin and had difficulty breathing.

"Such powerful sword intent!" Li Xiao exclaimed in amazement. The golden flame sword energy within his body was actually stirred by this aura, emitting a humming sound that yearned for battle.

Looking out, an indescribable towering peak pierces the sky like a divine sword, its body straight and sheer, with clouds only able to linger around its waist. The solitary summit seems to connect to another world.

This is the core of the Ancient Sword Sect—Sword Tomb Peak!

The cloud boat slowly landed on an enormous plaza.

The plaza is paved with a single piece of blue stone, every inch of which is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the light of the sky and the shadows of the clouds. This is not the result of human polishing, but rather the result of being washed and refined by endless sword energy over thousands of years!

At the end of the square stands a magnificent mountain gate, dozens of feet high, formed by two giant, crossed stone swords. The three ancient seal characters "Ancient Sword Gate" are engraved on the swords in a flowing, dragon-like style. Every stroke and line seems to contain a sword intent that opens up the world, making people tremble with fear when they look at it.

"Fellow Daoists of Luoyun Sect, you have come from afar, thank you for your hard work."

An elderly man with a flowing white beard, an air of otherworldly grace, and carrying an ancient longsword on his back stepped forward. He was none other than Elder Dong, the elder of the Ancient Sword Sect who was presiding over the Sword Trial Tournament.

"Elder Dong, you're too kind," Elder Feng returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

Elder Dong's gaze swept over the disciples of Luoyun Sect with lightning speed, finally lingering a moment longer on Li Xiao and Song Yu, revealing a hint of approval: "This must be your sect's rising star, Song Yu, right? Indeed, he lives up to his name, possessing a natural and refined charm."

Li Xiao felt a chill run down his spine; Song Yu's name had already spread so far.

"Junior Song Yu greets Elder Dong." Song Yu bowed respectfully.

"Excellent, excellent," Elder Dong stroked his beard and smiled. "With a prodigy like you participating, this sword-testing tournament is sure to be spectacular."

He led the group through the sword gate.

Behind the door is a stone staircase that stretches for thousands of feet, leading to the heavens. On both sides of the staircase are bottomless cliffs, and the cliffs are densely covered with all kinds of broken swords and broken blades!

Each sword is rusted and weathered, yet it exudes an indomitable and ancient sword spirit.

"This place is called 'Ten Thousand Swords Cliff'. These are the swords left behind by the sword cultivators of our sect after they passed away."

Elder Dong explained, "Although it has lost all its spiritual essence, the sword master's will is imprinted here, eternally unyielding. Our sect's disciples have been here for many years to comprehend the sword intent of our predecessors and hone their skills."

Li Xiao scanned the area with his divine sense and discovered that several broken swords buried deep in the rock wall still retained a faint trace of spiritual energy!

He tried to gently touch it with his divine sense, and a violent and fierce sword intent instantly countered, like steel needles piercing his brain, causing a sharp pain in his divine sense!

"Do not test them lightly!"

Elder Dong's voice carried a warning, "These sword intents are imbued with the obsessions of their masters. Outsiders who rashly come into contact with them will at best suffer damage to their spiritual consciousness, and at worst, have their Dao heart destroyed!"

At the end of the stone steps stood a magnificent white jade palace that was breathtaking.

The main hall's dome is hundreds of feet high, and the whole structure resembles a sword about to be released from a bow. The plaque in front of the hall bears the three characters "Sword Heart Hall," with the characters as sharp as swords, so sharp that it seems that looking at it for too long would hurt your eyes.

"The Three Sects Sword Trial Tournament will be held in the martial arts arena in front of the Sword Heart Hall."

Elder Dong pointed to the spacious platform ahead and said, "Everyone, please go to the guesthouse to rest and recharge your energy for today. The conference will officially begin tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM)!"

The next day, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

The martial arts square in front of the Sword Heart Hall was bustling with noise.

Ten enormous arenas, forged from basalt, rose from the ground. Each arena surface shimmered with visible array light, clearly incredibly sturdy enough to withstand a full-force attack from a Core Formation cultivator.

Disciples from the three sects gathered together.

Thirty members from Luoyun Sect, thirty members from Baiqiao Academy renowned for its mechanical puppetry, and thirty members from the host Gujian Sect, totaling ninety top elites of the younger generation from Xi Kingdom.

Li Xiao stood in the Luoyun Sect's ranks, his divine sense subtly sweeping over the other two sects.

The disciples of Baiqiao Academy mostly carry various mechanical parts, and their magical energy is mixed, mostly possessing both fire and earth attributes.

The disciples of the Ancient Sword Sect were all dressed in white and carried swords. Each of them had sharp eyes like knives and exuded a pure and fierce sword aura.

"Senior brother, I can sense Bai Haozhi."

Song Yu's voice transmission arrived quietly: "He is at the very front of the Ancient Sword Sect's team, his aura is as deep and restrained as an abyss, but... to me, he feels like a peerless, deadly sword hidden in its sheath, extremely dangerous."

Following her gaze, Li Xiao saw a young man in white standing prominently at the center of the crowd.

He held an ancient sword with a green sheath, his eyebrows were sharp and his eyes were bright, his appearance was handsome and refined, and his temperament was extraordinary, as if he were not a person of this world.

Seemingly noticing Li Xiao's gaze, Bai Haozhi also turned his head to look. After meeting Li Xiao's gaze, he slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a gentle smile, and nodded in greeting from afar.

"This person is unfathomably cunning."

Li Xiao transmitted his opinion telepathically, "Did the 'Clear and Bright Insight' sense his malice?"

"That's strange."

Song Yu frowned slightly. "I can sense that he has a very strong purpose for us, but this purpose is not purely murderous or hostile. It's more like... a hunter's curiosity about his prey. He wants to dissect us and explore the secrets within us."

"Then let him investigate."

Li Xiao's lips curled into a cold smile. "I'm afraid his teeth aren't good enough."

Just then, Elder Dong leaped onto the central main arena, his booming voice echoing throughout the arena: "The Three Sects Sword Trial Tournament, held once every sixty years, officially begins today! The rules are as follows: First round, one-on-one elimination matches, opponents will be drawn by lot, and the winners will advance! Second round, the battle for the top ten, a defending title system, the last one standing wins! Third round, the ranking match for the top three, free challenges are allowed, and the winner will take their place!"

He raised his voice and added, "This gathering is to be conducted with restraint, and killing is strictly prohibited! But swords have no eyes; if there are any injuries, let fate decide! Gentlemen, do you understand?"

"Understood!" The ninety disciples responded in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

"Alright! Let's begin the draw!"

With a wave of Elder Dong's sleeve, ninety jade tokens engraved with numbers shot into the sky, transforming into a stream of light.

Li Xiao and Song Yu acted simultaneously, each using their magical powers to capture one.

On Li Xiao's jade slip was a flamboyant "Seven".

On Song Yu's jade slip is a delicate "叄".

On the high platform, the disciple in charge of calling out names immediately shouted loudly:

"Seventh Arena: Li Xiao of the Falling Cloud Sect versus Du Heng of the Ancient Sword Sect!"

"Arena No. 3, Song Yu of the Luoyun Sect versus Chang Xing of the Baiqiao Academy!"

Li Xiao and Song Yu exchanged a glance, seeing the confidence in each other's eyes, and then each took a step towards the designated arena.

Elder Dong glanced at the two figures as they walked away, then announced loudly, "To save time, all ten arenas will be used simultaneously! Everyone, step onto the stage!"

On stage number seven, Li Xiao's opponent, Du Heng, had been waiting for a long time.

This person is an elite inner disciple of the Ancient Sword Sect, with a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation level, and an arrogant expression.

Seeing Li Xiao step onto the stage, carrying a sword, he immediately curled his lips into an undisguised contempt: "The Luoyun Sect actually sent a swordsman to participate in the Sword Trial? What a ridiculous farce! His swordsmanship is crude and unrestrained, nothing more than the tricks of a mortal in the face of the exquisite swordsmanship of my Ancient Sword Sect. I advise you to admit defeat and step down now to avoid making a fool of yourself!"

Li Xiao remained calm, as if he hadn't heard his clamor. He pointed his Tang sword diagonally at the ground and uttered only one word: "Please."

"Hmph, you ungrateful fool!"

Du Heng flew into a rage, pointed his fingers into a sword, and the magic sword behind him shot into the sky with a "clang"!

The sword was named "Azure Frost," a top-grade offensive magic weapon with a flowing azure light and a chilling aura.

As Du Heng drew his sword technique, the Azure Frost Sword instantly split into nine identical sword shadows in the air, surrounding Li Xiao according to the nine palaces. The sword energy intertwined to form a net, sealing off all escape routes.

"This is the ultimate technique of my Ancient Sword Sect, the Nine Palaces Linked Sword Formation!"

"Swordsman from the Falling Cloud Sect, try taking one of my moves!" Du Heng's face was full of a sneer of certain victory.

Before the words were finished, nine sword shadows simultaneously slashed down, their sword energy surging and crackling, accompanied by a sharp sound of air being torn apart. Their power was enough to make any late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator change color!

The audience below held their breath, and the disciples of Luoyun Sect were especially worried for Li Xiao.

However, faced with this overwhelming attack, Li Xiao's assessment was only four words: "Fancy and superficial."

He didn't even move an inch; he simply slowly raised the Tang sword in his hand.

The golden-red light on the blade was completely concealed, as if it had become an ordinary piece of iron.

The next moment, he flicked his wrist and slashed out with his sword.

"Golden Flame Blade Aura, Golden Flame Slash - Formation Breaking Style!"

There was no earth-shattering display, no dazzling blade light, only a thin, hair-like golden-red ray of light, silently tracing a perfect straight line through the air.

Wherever the light passed, space seemed to be cut open by an invisible force, revealing a dark crack.

The nine sharp and unparalleled sword shadows melted and collapsed instantly upon contact with the golden-red light, just like ice and snow under the scorching sun, without making a sound!

Sword formation, break!

The Azure Frost Sword let out a mournful cry as the beam of light struck its spine precisely. With a clang, it was sent flying far away and embedded upside down in the stone slab at the edge of the arena. A clear crack was clearly visible on the sword.

"Pfft!" Du Heng was struck as if by a heavy blow, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his face filled with horror and disbelief.

He hurriedly tried to recall the Azure Frost Sword, but found that the mental connection with the magic sword had become extremely weak, and the spirit within the sword had been severely damaged, leaving it half-crippled!

"What...what kind of swordsmanship is that?!" His voice trembled violently with fear.

"I can beat your swordsmanship."

Li Xiao slowly sheathed his sword, his movements fluid and effortless, as if he had only done something trivial. "Shall we continue?"

Du Heng's face turned pale, then red. Looking at the cracks on his beloved magic sword, his heart ached terribly. Then, seeing Li Xiao's unwavering gaze, his last shred of fighting spirit crumbled. He gritted his teeth and growled, "I...I surrender!"

After saying that, he jumped off the stage in a disheveled state, his back view filled with humiliation and defeat.

Elder Dong, standing on the high platform, witnessed the entire scene, his eyes gleaming with unprecedented brilliance: "Such concentrated and domineering magical power! Such pure and terrifying sword intent! Elder Feng, if this child can grow up smoothly, he will surely become a grandmaster of the sword in the future! Your Luoyun Sect is truly fortunate, having first the Heavenly Spirit Root Song Yu, and now such a sword prodigy!"

Elder Feng stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his face full of pride: "Senior Brother Dong, you flatter me. How can these two youngsters compare to your esteemed sect's nephew Bai Haozhi? I saw him win three matches in a row, all with a single sword strike!"

"Haha, that kid..."

……

On the other side, on the third arena, Song Yu's battle turned into a different kind of "bitter struggle".

Her opponent, Chang Xing, was an elite cultivator in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage at Baiqiao Academy. His greatest skill was not his own combat abilities, but rather his mechanical puppetry.

At the outset, he did not personally take action, but instead released three bronze-armored golems that were over ten feet tall.

Each puppet exuded spiritual energy comparable to the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and moved swiftly and coordinated perfectly.

"Junior Sister Song, these 'bronze men' of mine don't know anything about cherishing women. If you're no match for them, it's best to admit defeat as soon as possible, so as not to hurt your beautiful face." Chang Xing stood at the edge of the arena and said with a lighthearted laugh.

Song Yu's expression was as cold and aloof as the moon, his Azure Wave Sword held horizontally before his chest. He spoke succinctly: "Senior brother, please!"

Chang Xing snorted coldly and activated his divine sense.

The three bronze-armored puppets flashed red light in their eyes and pounced simultaneously in a triangular formation, moving with ghostly speed. Their sharp claws, gleaming with a metallic sheen, glowed with an eerie green light, clearly coated with potent poison.

However, in Song Yu's "penetrating spiritual perception", every movement of these three puppets, every attack trajectory, and even the flow of spiritual energy when their joints moved were crystal clear, as if in slow motion.

She lightly touched the ground with her toes, and her delicate body floated back three feet like a weightless willow catkin. The seemingly casual movement, however, was a precise evasion of the three puppets' most fatal combined claw attack.

"what?"

Chang Xing's flippant expression softened slightly. "Good luck?"

He activated the puppets again, this time with an even more intense and ferocious attack. The claws of the three puppets wove a net of death from all directions, sealing off all of Song Yu's space to dodge.

But amidst the terrifying siege that outsiders witnessed, Song Yu's figure moved like a butterfly flitting among flowers, gracefully weaving through countless claws, his robes fluttering, not a single petal clinging to him.

Every step she took, every turn of her body, every glance back landed precisely on the only opening in the attack, filled with an indescribable rhythmic beauty.

"That's interesting."

Chang Xing completely abandoned his contempt and slammed his storage bag down, causing an even larger and more ferocious puppet to crash to the ground!

This puppet was two zhang tall, made entirely of precious mithril, and held a giant mountain-splitting axe. The spiritual pressure it emitted had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment!

"Silver-armored war puppet! Crush her!"

Chang Xing activated his essence blood, and the battle puppet's eyes shone brightly red. The giant axe in his hand swept out with a whooshing sound that tore through the air. The violent axe wind even scratched deep cracks into the hard arena floor!

Faced with this attack that posed a significant threat to him, Song Yu finally took it seriously.

She quickly formed hand seals, her inner magical power surging. The Azure Wave Sword, which hovered in front of her, emitted a clear and melodious sword cry, instantly splitting into thirteen sword shadows, forming an exquisite Azure Wave Sword Formation that trapped the giant silver-armored war puppet within.

"A mere trick, I'll crush it with force!"

Chang Xing frantically urged his battle puppet forward, unleashing thirteen consecutive blows with his giant axe, each strike precisely hitting the weakest point in the sword formation!

The sword formation trembled violently, its light flickering, and it looked like it was about to collapse.

However, at that moment, a slight smile of triumph appeared on Song Yu's lips.

This is the moment she's been waiting for!

With a flick of her jade-like fingers, thirteen pale blue talismans flew out like butterflies and accurately affixed to the thirteen array points of the sword formation.

"burst!"

The talisman exploded with a bang, but the expected explosion did not occur. Instead, it instantly released a huge amount of dense water vapor.

In an instant, the entire arena was shrouded in a thick fog so dense that one could not see their own hand in front of their face.

Chang Xing's spiritual sense was instantly blocked, and he could only vaguely perceive Song Yu's approximate location.

His heart tightened, and he hurriedly urged his battle puppet to attack in the direction he sensed, but he only struck empty air.

"Oh no! We've fallen into their trap!" He instantly realized something was wrong.

But it was too late.

Song Yu's clear, ethereal voice seemed to come from all directions simultaneously: "Fellow Daoist Chang, your puppet's spirit stones are almost exhausted, aren't they?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Xing's expression changed drastically!

All of his puppets require spirit stones to operate.

In order to capture Song Yu as soon as possible, he had the puppet undergo an extremely intense battle that consumed spirit stones at a rapid pace!

He secretly used his divine sense to investigate and found that the core spirit stones of the three bronze-armored puppets had indeed become dull and had less than 10% of their spiritual power left!

"How...how did you know?!"

He blurted out in shock.

Under the perception of clear and intuitive understanding, the flow of spiritual energy in all things has nowhere to hide.

Song Yu could clearly "see" at what rate the energy of the spirit stones inside each puppet was decaying, and accurately calculate its limit.

"Give up."

Song Yu's voice rang out again, carrying an undeniable indifference, "If you keep fighting, your beloved puppets will be completely ruined."

Chang Xing gritted his teeth, his expression shifting constantly. Finally, like a deflated balloon, he said dejectedly, "...I admit defeat."

He waved his hand to put away all the puppets, took a deep look at the faintly visible figure in the thick fog, and said with lingering fear, "I am completely convinced of Junior Sister Song's strong spiritual sense."