Chapter 72: Cloud Platform Sword Tour

"A book?" Ning Changjiu asked, slightly puzzled.

Yan Zhou nodded. "The second half of the Heaven's Mandate Sword Scripture. It's one of the most crucial inheritances of the Sect Master. I lost it years ago."

Ning Changjiu said, "Such an important matter shouldn't be discussed with an outer disciple like me."

Yan Zhou said calmly, "It can't be found anyway, so what difference does it make who I tell?"

Ning Changjiu thought for a moment. Indeed. He then asked, "Why can't that scroll be found? Could it have grown legs and run away on its own?"

Yan Zhou opened his eyes, looking at the very high ceiling of the scripture pavilion. "The content recorded in the second half of the Heaven's Mandate Sword Scripture is completely different from the first half. It's a truly divine ancient book, inherently spiritual. Once it escapes, it's difficult to retrieve. Han Chi has spent sixty years searching for this book; otherwise, he would have broken through to the Purple Court realm by now."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Han Chi? The Sect Master of the Heavenly Mandate Sword Sect?"

Yan Zhou nodded. "Yes, True Person Han Chi, my junior brother. He has also become disheartened and has gone out into the world to seek other opportunities. Before he left, I performed a divination, and it predicted more ill fortune than good."

Ning Changjiu sighed. "It's a pity for the Sect Master."

Yan Zhou glanced at him and smiled. "Han Chi is, in any case, a great cultivator at the peak of the Purple Court realm. You, young man, can barely even step through the door of cultivation, and you have the leisure to pity others?"

Ning Changjiu was silent for a moment, then said, "You are right, Senior."

On the Cloud Terrace Sword Field, Lu Jiajia stood with her sword. The cold wind swept and danced around her robes, and the thin winter sunlight made her snow-like skin appear almost translucent.

Dozens of disciples stood neatly below the Cloud Terrace. At their feet were dozens of crisscrossing lines, not drawn but precisely carved out with a longsword in a single stroke, used to measure their footwork and positions during sword practice.

Ning Xiaoling looked up, gazing at the extremely beautiful woman with a silver crown and jade hairpin. She unconsciously recalled the sword light she had witnessed in front of the imperial palace that day, her thoughts drifting.

"'Reaching Immortality,' what is an immortal? An immortal is one who moves to the mountains and achieves eternal life..."

"'Long Life,' to extend heavenly years and increase human longevity. Time, indeed, is irreversible. Even climbing an inch of a cliff with a waterfall signifies a struggle against heaven and earth..."

"The Purple Court in heaven, the Purple Mansion in the human body. When heaven and man unite, and the divine self resonates, that is the Dao..."

Cold mist drifted across the cliff platform. Lu Jiajia's voice, clear and cold, cut through the fog and clouds, each word chillingly resonant, like the crisp ringing of a longsword.

"Sister Jiajia speaks so well, even if I don't understand it... but the demeanor of an immortal couldn't be more profound than this."

She only felt a little regret that her senior brother couldn't cultivate with her.

After Lu Jiajia finished speaking, she looked around and asked, "Do you have any other questions?"

"Master." A disciple stepped forward half a pace and performed a sword salute.

Lu Jiajia asked, "What is your question?"

The disciple looked around; many already knew what he was going to say and cast approving glances. He took a deep breath and sincerely said, "Master! Your disciple earnestly pleads that you focus on your cultivation from now on. Teaching us sword arts, these minor matters, shouldn't trouble you daily. All of us disciples feel ashamed..."

Lu Jiajia sighed softly. "You are the future of the Heavenly Cavern lineage. How can I not be attentive?"

The disciple persisted, saying, "Master, you are the future of Heavenly Cavern Peak! In recent years, the other peaks have been too overbearing. If you cannot enter the Purple Court realm, how can you contend with them at the succession ceremony? Your disciple boldly asks you to dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to cultivation. Although we benefit greatly from your direct teachings, we ultimately feel guilty."

Lu Jiajia smiled, a rare sight, and said softly, "It makes me very happy that you think this way."

"Then, Master..."

"I will consider this matter. When the time is right, I will naturally enter secluded cultivation. But for now, there are still many things I haven't figured out or done," Lu Jiajia said softly. "There's no need to mention this again."

It wasn't that she hadn't considered letting others serve as instructors. Although Heavenly Cavern Peak currently had no cultivators in the Purple Court realm, there were a few uncles and elders in the mid and upper stages of the Long Life realm. However, her master had entrusted her with the Peak Master position just before his death, which they greatly disapproved of. While Lu Jiajia treated them respectfully, she would not tolerate their repeated provocations and challenges.

Over a year ago, one of her martial uncles, along with three elders, attempted to force her out of her position. Lu Jiajia, reaching her limit, boldly drew her sword and severely wounded the martial uncle. The three high-ranking elders were even expelled from the peak. Since then, her conflict with the elder generation has been almost irreconcilable.

Of course, these weren't the real reasons.

She had originally intended to let Yazhu teach in her place, but... she had fallen half a realm, and her two shattered spiritual apertures had not yet healed, so secluded cultivation would be of little use. Furthermore, she now had Ning Xiaoling among her disciples.

Thinking of this, her gaze shifted slightly, falling upon the young girl. She asked, "Xiaoling, how have you felt these past two weeks? Can you understand?"

Startled by being questioned publicly, Ning Xiaoling instinctively straightened up a little. She said, "Master, Xiaoling can generally understand."

Lu Jiajia nodded. "Good, Xiaoling, stay behind later. I want to personally test the results of your cultivation over the past two weeks."

Ning Xiaoling felt many eyes on her. She lowered her head slightly and nervously said, "Yes, Master."

Lu Jiajia said, "Remember to cultivate diligently. In another two weeks, you will participate in the sword field's 'Roaming Sword' exercise along with your senior brothers and sisters."

The 'Roaming Sword' exercise in the sword field was a weekly trial. Lu Jiajia would lead with her sword, roaming in the sky above, with the other disciples following suit. It was like people in the mortal world practicing long-distance running. The 'Roaming Sword' exercise tested one's control over spiritual energy and proficiency in sword manipulation.

As soon as she said this, a strange mix of emotions arose in the hearts of the disciples in the sword field.

All of them had only started participating in the 'Roaming Sword' exercise after half a year of entering the sect. This girl, Ning Xiaoling, hadn't even entered the Profound realm before joining, yet she would be able to participate in the 'Roaming Sword' exercise with everyone in just a month? How was that possible?

However, since their Master had said it, no one dared to refute, though doubts lingered in their hearts.

Ning Xiaoling also felt somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected favor and quickly said, "Understood, Master."

Lu Jiajia looked at her and said, "I hope that when the Four Peaks Sword Conference takes place, you will have the chance to go with Nancheng."

"Nancheng?" Ning Xiaoling softly repeated the name.

Nancheng, the senior disciple of this generation at Heavenly Cavern Peak, was rumored to have reached the upper stage of Reaching Immortality at nineteen. His talent, even compared to Lu Jiajia's, might only be slightly inferior. He was a genius of Heavenly Cavern Peak, the only one who had the hope of defeating the senior disciple of Shou Xiao Peak.

Senior Brother Nancheng had already entered secluded cultivation in the inner peak half a year ago and had not yet emerged. Nevertheless, he was already a legendary figure of Heavenly Cavern Peak; even if he remained in seclusion, tales of him still circulated within the sect.

Now, their Master was actually comparing this newly initiated young girl to Senior Brother Nancheng?

Some felt surprised and shocked, while more were skeptical, even thinking that their Master had misjudged this time.

Innate spiritual roots are indeed rare, but they are by no means exceptionally uncommon within the Heavenly Sect. This young girl is already fourteen and has yet to enter the Profound realm, nor has she spent years solidifying her foundation in the outer peaks down the mountain. How could she achieve great heights starting from nothing?

The girl named Lerou had initially been quite curious about Ning Xiaoling, but upon hearing Lu Jiajia's words, her curiosity transformed into hostility.

Before Ning Xiaoling arrived, Lerou was a well-known figure in the sect, the cream of this generation's female disciples, often honored as the senior sister. Now, seeing this newcomer, whose background was unknown, seemingly about to steal her thunder, she felt a definite discomfort.

"Hmph, I'd like to see if you can make that sword in your hand fly into the sky in a month..."

Lu Jiajia looked at the other disciples and said, "Today's Roaming Sword exercise, I will increase the speed. Whether you can keep up or not, you must focus on stable energy control. Do not be greedy for speed, understood?"

Everyone responded in unison.

Lu Jiajia turned her back, walked a few steps forward, and commanded, "Draw your swords!"

That command was like a thunderclap exploding on the Cloud Terrace. The mist lingering over the Cloud Terrace Sword Field instantly dispersed, clearing the air. Lu Jiajia's longsword flew out like a beam of white light, piercing through the winter mist and soaring straight into the sky.

Above the sword field, all the disciples looked solemn. They drew their swords from their scabbards and tossed them upwards. At the same time, they extended two fingers on both hands, one hand bent at their side, the other with fingers pressed above the elbow bend. The disciples closed their eyes, using spiritual energy as a thread and their consciousness to control their swords. The swords shot into the sky like streaks of white light, a scene reminiscent of a flock of wild geese migrating in autumn, with a lead goose followed closely by the others.

Ning Xiaoling looked up at this scene, her grip on her sword tightening. She took a deep breath and pressed her hand to her chest, but she still couldn't suppress the faint sword hum resonating within her heart.

She looked around; her senior brothers and sisters were all closing their eyes and concentrating on controlling their swords. Of course, no one was looking at her.

Listening to the cicada-like hum of the sword in her heart, waves seemed to surge in her spiritual sea, causing her mind to waver.

Ning Xiaoling silently made up her mind.

She softly drew her sword, held her breath, and concentrated, then tossed it upwards. With spiritual energy enveloping the sword body, it flew higher.

Imitating the others, she formed a sword-chant gesture, stood still, closed her eyes, and spread out her sea of consciousness to sense the trajectory of Lu Jiajia's sword intent. Her spiritual energy-controlled sword followed closely.

Lu Jiajia sensed a sudden additional surge of sword qi. Guessing what it was, she was slightly surprised but didn't make any overt movements.

Led by the Immortal Sword Minglan, the longswords circled the entire mountain beneath the sword field, piercing through clouds and fog, soaring away, and whistling back.

Half an hour later, Lu Jiajia opened her eyes.

With a clear clang, the Immortal Sword Minglan hovered above the sword field.

Behind it, the trajectory dragged out by its sword intent still left a long, white rainbow arc in the air.

Throughout the entire Roaming Sword exercise, more and more swords were outdistanced by Minglan, left behind. Only four swords managed to keep up until the very end.

The disciples opened their eyes one after another. Most were drenched in sweat and looked exhausted. A few higher-ranked disciples appeared composed and confident, while those with slightly lower cultivation levels took much longer to open their eyes.

When Lerou opened her eyes, with her sword hovering above the sword field, she quietly glanced around. Only five senior brothers in the field had already opened their eyes.

Her talent and aptitude were among the best in this lineage, though her spiritual energy strength was only average. Today, she seemed to have been slightly stimulated by her Master's words, and her ranking in this 'Roaming Sword' exercise was two places higher than usual.

Once all the swords had returned to their positions, Lu Jiajia flicked her finger, sending those longswords that couldn't keep up back into their owners' scabbards with stream-like precision. Only four swords remained.

"Weiran, your spiritual energy has improved again; you are now truly proficient. Within three years, you should be able to enter the upper stage of Reaching Immortality."

Xu Weiran was exactly eighteen this year. Although he couldn't compare to the astonishing talent of Senior Brother Nancheng, he was definitely one of the outstanding disciples of this generation. Hearing his Master mention a three-year timeframe, he was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you, Master."

Lu Jiajia nodded gently. With a slight turn of her jade-like finger, the longsword transformed into light and returned to its scabbard.

"Yunze, although your sword kept up with the speed, its inner strength is lacking. If you were in combat, it might be directly knocked down. However, this is also due to my strict demands; achieving this speed is already something to be proud of." Lu Jiajia flicked her finger again, and another sword returned to its scabbard.

Yunze acknowledged and thanked her.

Ning Xiaoling secretly glanced at him and snorted inwardly, *How dare he call my senior brother a pig? I thought he was so powerful, but it seems he's not that great. Just wait, I'll find a chance to teach you a lesson later.*

Lu Jiajia continued, "Hongyuan, you must be the most diligent cultivator among the disciples. If you can maintain this determination, you should earn a spot in the spring's Sword Trial Assembly to represent the Heavenly Cavern lineage at the Four Peaks Sword Conference."

The tall and handsome man named Hongyuan, upon hearing this, his eyes burned with passion, feeling that his efforts of these past days had not been in vain.

The longsword returned to its scabbard.

"This last sword..." Lu Jiajia's finger moved slightly, bringing the sword before her. Its light made her beautiful eyes bright, and her already frost-like, snow-white skin now appeared as cold and refined as sculpted ice jade.

Although somewhat disbelieving, Lu Jiajia still looked towards Ning Xiaoling.

Seeing their Master remain silent for so long, the others belatedly realized what was happening and followed her gaze.

Suddenly, there were a few gasps of surprise in the sword field.

A few sharp-eyed disciples had already noticed that the sword sheath at Ning Xiaoling's waist was empty.

Most others, however, were still somewhat confused, not knowing what was happening.

"What's wrong?" Lerou tugged at the person next to her, asking as she stood on tiptoe to look in that direction.

Low, chaotic murmurs arose.

Ning Xiaoling's thin lips parted slightly. After a soft exhale, her chin lifted slightly. She took a step forward, performed a spirited sword salute, and said:

"Master, it's my sword."