Chapter 1490: Seeking the Dao is Harder Than Ascending to the Blue Sky, and Above the Blue Sky is as Deep as an Abyss

Tap, tap.

From outside the hall, a man and a woman entered.

The man was an elder, carrying a sword and treading lightly as if on a rainbow. His face wore a gentle, spring-like smile, and his aura was condensed around him—sometimes restrained and ready to burst forth, other times sharp and unyielding like a sword's edge.

"Gu Yu? Elder Gu?"

Bei Bei turned her gaze, her eyes widening in surprise.

This was an ancient sword cultivator from the era of You Tu and Mei Si Ren, whose mastery of the sword far surpassed her own.

He should have been part of the previous Qi Jian Xian, but during that selection, he was in seclusion, comprehending the sword. He ignored all challenge letters, leading to his immediate elimination from the initial rankings.

Later, Ba Zun An defeated various schools with his "sword observation" technique and rose as the "eighth sword immortal," elevating the value of the Qi Jian Xian titles even further.

Elder Gu fell behind an entire era, unknown and without presence, even evoking sympathy among ancient sword cultivators.

This time, his return to the initial Qi Jian Xian rankings was clearly meant to serve as a stabilizing force for the list.

Shuang Lao Yi Xiao Liu Fu Yu.

Among them, Shuang Lao referred to Gu Yu and Yang Xi Zhi.

In other words, Gu Yu was at the top of the Qi Jian Xian initial rankings, the "first sword immortal"!

He was on par with the previous generation's You Tu and Mei Si Ren.

You Tu, as the leader among the seven sword overlords, was the former hall master of Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

Mei Si Ren, on Xu Kong Island, could manifest a Taixu body and slash the half-saint Jiang Bu Yi's incarnation with his sword.

As a fellow practitioner who had grown through endless sword discussions, how could Gu Yu's strength be weak?

Was this elder senior also coming to fight Xu Xiao Shou?

This was just bullying!

"Uh…"

Bei Bei looked at Xuan Ji Hall Master in shock.

She truly didn't know how Elder Gu could be persuaded to humble himself and take the initiative against a junior—this might even draw mockery from his friend Mei Si Ren.

But Bei Bei didn't ask further. Instead, following her intuition as an ancient sword cultivator, she turned her eyes to the woman behind Elder Gu.

Bei Bei's pupils contracted as she confirmed that this woman might not be much weaker than Elder Gu!

"You are…"

The woman had a graceful figure, at least ten times more so than Bei Bei's, yet she wore only a simple sword robe. Her hair was casually tied back with a wooden pin.

Her appearance was exceptionally beautiful, naturally elegant without any makeup. With a touch of adornment, she would be an absolute beauty.

Yet, the woman in plain clothes seemed completely uninterested in dressing up, appearing utterly unadorned. The only highlight on her was something only ancient sword cultivators could appreciate…

"Good sword!"

Bei Bei's eyes lit up as she noticed the pure white long sword at the woman's waist.

Even sheathed, Bei Bei sensed a surging sword intent within, rich and profound, rivaling the Emperor Sword Du Zun.

But among the five great Chaos divine artifacts, was there a sword like this?

Besides those five swords and the most famous ones, what sword could match such intent?

It wasn't among the twenty-one famous swords either… Bei Bei was puzzled; she actually couldn't identify this sword, which was quite strange!

"Little girl, no need to doubt your eyesight, because I once questioned myself too, but later I figured it out…"

Gu Yu chuckled lightly, speaking on behalf of the ancient sword cultivator beside him. He knew this sword enthusiast might not respond herself.

And he could recognize it only because he had lived long and seen some ancient secret diagrams:

"The seventh of Jian Lou's twelve swords, Hu!"

In Sheng Huan Dian, as Gu Yu spoke, Dao Xuan Ji and Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti remained unmoved.

Bei Bei suddenly stood up, incredulous:

"The sword of the sword god Gu Lou Ying?!"

Her words made Dao Xuan Ji and Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti pause, their eyes gradually filling with surprise as they looked at the plain-clothed woman's sword.

The sword of the sword god?

Jian Lou's twelve swords, also known as the "original swords of Jian Lou," had been sought by Sheng Shen Dian Tang for an era without even a trace.

Ancient sword cultivators across Sheng Shen Continent, along with spirit refiners who loved swords, had searched for centuries but found nothing.

And now…

It had appeared on Gui Zhe Sheng Shan by itself!

Why was Feng family of the southern domain qualified for the Qi Jian Xian list, universally acknowledged without question?

Because their ancestor traced back to the sword god's era, producing the "divine sword Feng Wu Hen," who was second to one and above all others.

But in the internal historical records of Jian Ge on Gui Zhe Sheng Shan, it was built in response to Jian Lou, unwilling to be outdone.

So, what was Jian Lou?

The sword god Gu Lou Ying wasn't his original name; it was a name created by later generations to commemorate him after he was forgotten.

The name came from the only trace he left in this world—a painting by one of the ten ancestors.

The Ten Swords Suppressing the Tower painting depicted a night scene with a tower, and a silhouette under the moonlight on its peak, hence "Gu Lou Ying."

The tower in it referred to "Jian Lou"!

Jian Lou, transcendent and isolated, its location unknown, even more mysterious than Xu Kong Island.

The latter at least emerged every few hundred years, while the former existed only in legends, never in reality.

Outsiders might not know, but everyone in Sheng Huan Dian at that moment understood…

The nine great sword techniques, eighteen sword schools, and three thousand sword paths all originated from Jian Lou!

The Ten Swords Suppressing the Tower painting was passed down from a drunken guardian of Jian Lou!

The sword god's twelve swords were all locked in Jian Lou!

Legend had it that Shen Jian Feng Wu Hen imitated the sword god and left his inheritance in Jian Ge, which no blood descendant had inherited to this day.

So, though it seemed distant, perhaps in Jian Lou, the sword god's complete inheritance existed?

"Jian Lou, Liu Fu Yu."

This faint statement pulled everyone from their heated, obsessive, or unusual emotions.

They looked at the plain-clothed woman again, their expressions now changed.

Liu Fu Yu remained emotionless, like a mechanical puppet.

But after spending some time in Yu Jing City, she had picked up a bit of worldly vibe, at least knowing how to interact with people in the most basic way.

After glancing around, she looked at the person in the main seat, recognizing them as the highest authority, and said:

"Your people said that coming here, I could catch Xu Xiao Shou?"

Dao Xuan Ji suppressed her inner thoughts, though her eyes couldn't hide the ripples.

She had indeed sent someone to summon Liu Fu Yu, as the latter's arrival in the city was well-known.

Since she wanted to fight Xu Xiao Shou, more capable fighters were always better.

But summoning Liu Fu Yu was just a casual move.

It was so casual that even Dao Xuan Ji didn't know who exactly was sent or how they convinced her.

And she had no idea Liu Fu Yu's background was this terrifying—in fact, she had heard of "Jian Lou Liu Fu Yu," but who would dare think that "Jian Lou" meant that Jian Lou?

Ba Zun An could be found everywhere on the roads, with ten out of ten being fakes—even pregnant women dared to impersonate.

So, this sudden "Jian Lou" seemed perfectly normal!

Who would have thought it was the real Jian Lou guardian, bringing one of the sword god's former swords…

Unintentional actions yielding unexpected results!

Dao Xuan Ji felt like she was in a dream, finding it surreal.

Her first reaction was that Xu Xiao Shou didn't matter anymore; keeping this woman on Gui Zhe Sheng Shan was the priority.

But it seemed…

She was only interested in Xu Xiao Shou?

Why was everything connected to Xu Xiao Shou? Dao Xuan Ji frowned inwardly but quickly composed herself. "Sit."

Gu Yu and Liu Fu Yu took their seats one after another.

For the first time, the seats of Sheng Shen Dian Tang's ten-member council welcomed owners who didn't belong.

Dao Xuan Ji scanned the room and said calmly:

"Several of you are interested in Xu Xiao Shou, and he's also one of the Qi Jian Xian. Later, for the sake of reputation, he'll challenge you all sequentially."

"This hall proposes: better to act today than wait for another day."

"With the ghost beasts pressing on the city and threatening Yu Jing, if you all can challenge Xu Xiao Shou in the ancient sword cultivator way and defeat or capture him, it will be a great achievement."

"Gui Zhe Sheng Shan will welcome everyone to stay."

As she spoke, Dao Xuan Ji glanced at Liu Fu Yu's expression from the corner of her eye.

Unfortunately, the woman sat straight, her face showing no emotion—not even a micro-movement or micro-expression.

Her demeanor was perfectly balanced, neither open nor closed, neither resistant nor accepting, as if she had no interest in Gui Zhe Sheng Shan at all.

Pausing, Dao Xuan Ji turned to Gu Yu:

"The ten-member council has vacancies, including the three emperors and four divine envoys, with more than one spot open."

"If any of you can capture Xu Xiao Shou himself, exchanging the owner of this chair wouldn't be out of the question."

Gu Yu heard this and smiled slightly, shaking his head in refusal:

"The positions of the three emperors and four divine envoys are too significant and formal for someone like me, a minor figure. I couldn't reach that high or adapt to it."

"Xu Xiao Shou is no ordinary talent; his sword techniques were passed down from Ba Zun An and Si Ren. He's not easily defeated."

He looked up with a light sigh: "If I could succeed and defeat him, I wouldn't ask for anything else—just one Ban Sheng Wei Ge."

Achieving sainthood was too difficult!

For ordinary people, it was harder than ascending to the heavens!

Opportunities like Tian Kong Zhi Cheng were rare and unattainable.

Gu Yu knew that when he arrived later, the city gates were wide open, inviting spirit refiners from all over.

As an old hand, he sensed the trap immediately.

To save his life, Gu Yu gave up on Tian Kong Zhi Cheng and chose the normal path to seek a half-saint opportunity.

As for what the normal path was…

Gu Yu had a friend named Mei Si Ren.

He wandered the world, teaching swordsmanship to cultivate himself, with no fixed abode and never joining any faction—he was more like a true wanderer than Gu Yu.

Yet, he still obtained a Ban Sheng Wei Ge and dared to achieve sainthood on Xu Kong Island, all because he once held the title of Qi Jian Xian and was invited by Sheng Shen Dian Tang to teach swordsmanship at the five great saint emperor families!

With a rightful name, everything followed smoothly.

Mei Si Ren went from sword immortal to sword saint… all through time and normal accumulation!

Gu Yu was now stuck, with no way forward.

After gaining the new Qi Jian Xian title, he was tempted and wanted to advance further if possible.

Naturally, he had to come to Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

But at this critical juncture, with the hall in transition and people leaving, it was clearly unsafe.

Gu Yu wanted to follow Mei Si Ren's path, not Gou Wu Yue's.

He didn't want to join Sheng Shen Dian Tang and waste decades or centuries, only to lose an arm when leaving.

Of course, he knew he'd never get the same treatment as Mei Si Ren.

After all, the latter was passively invited, while Gu Yu was actively seeking entry.

If he accepted Dao Xuan Ji's gift, leaving would be hard, but that was a later issue.

If he didn't achieve sainthood now…

Gu Yu glanced back at the hall's exterior, where wind and snow raged coldly.

He had fallen far behind You Tu and Mei Si Ren…

Without striving, he'd remain mediocre forever.

Striving might bring success or failure, life or injury.

But at least he'd have no regrets in this life.

"Of course." Dao Xuan Ji nodded calmly. "A promise made in advance, and this hall will not go back on it."

At that time, Gu Yu had actually sought out Dao Qiong Cang first.

But Dao Qiong Cang was probably too busy, handling Sheng Shan affairs while also managing Tian Zu operations.

In any case, he didn't meet Gu Yu right away.

By the time Gu Yu sought a second audience, Sheng Shan had just changed leadership.

He ended up dealing with Dao Xuan Ji's people, and after being led to meet her and discussing the matter, he was included as a witness to her ascension as hall master.

His background had been thoroughly investigated, of course, and it was spotless.

And Gu Yu wasn't one of Dao Qiong Cang's people, which was crucial!

Dao Xuan Ji wanted to keep him badly.

A Ban Sheng Wei Ge was hardly enough to show her sincerity.

Looking at figures like You Tu and Mei Si Ren, ancient sword cultivators were rare, and those who became famous were never ordinary.

These swords were too useful!

Gui Zhe Sheng Shan had nurtured for so many years, and among their own, only Hua Chang Deng had emerged.

The others, including Rao Yao Yao, either died early or, like Bei Bei and Xi, were still far behind, not even matching the mid-generation Xiao Kong Dong.

If Gu Yu could join Sheng Shen Dian Tang…

"With Elder Gu here, Sheng Huan Dian would have another pillar!"

Dao Xuan Ji pointed and praised him lavishly in front of everyone.

Elder Gu closed his eyes and sighed inwardly; how could he not hear the underlying meaning?

He stood up and bowed, his sincerity mixed with a touch of apology:

"I am grateful for Xuan Ji Hall Master's favor, but I, Gu Yu, am used to wandering the world."

"Sheng Huan Dian is a grand and elegant hall, far above what I deserve, a dream I dare not reach."

"I feel honored to enter today and have no further ambitions. If I were to reside here long-term, I might break the hall's rules due to my habit of freedom."

He shook his head like a rattle. "I dare not, truly dare not; I am unworthy, and my virtue doesn't match the position."

Bei Bei swung her short legs on the chair, blinked, and timely glanced at Xuan Ji Hall Master.

These two were speaking in an interesting way.

"Rules?" Dao Xuan Ji spoke up, gesturing for Elder Gu to sit and not be formal:

"When Dao Qiong Cang was in charge, the rules were too strict."

"Under this hall's rule, Sheng Huan Dian has no rigid rules; everyone is equal!"

"If Elder Gu fears ending up like Gou Wu Yue, this hall guarantees it won't happen again."

"Elder Gu, if you stay on Sheng Shan, you can come and go freely, and you'll have one exemption right. Even if you commit a major offense, this hall can let you leave without holding it against you."

"Oral promises mean nothing; this is the oath proof!"

As Dao Xuan Ji spoke, she actually pulled out a Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi, intending to tear it on the spot.

It wasn't just interesting anymore.

It was very interesting, extremely so!

Bei Bei turned her head, about to pull out some sunflower seeds from her pocket, but thought better of it and looked at Elder Gu instead.

"Impossible!"

"Absolutely not!"

Gu Yu raised his hand, even using his sword intent to suppress the Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi in Dao Xuan Ji's hand:

"I have offended greatly!"

"But Xuan Ji Hall Master, you absolutely cannot break Sheng Shan's rules for me alone."

"That would make me a sinner of Sheng Shen Dian Tang. You're putting me in an unjust position!"

Si Ren, what should I do…

Did you face this back then?

Gu Yu stood up, straightened the chair, and said with full apology:

"Actually, when it comes to dealing with Xu Xiao Shou, I have no absolute confidence. For Xuan Ji Hall Master's recognition, I'll repay it another day."

He looked toward the hall's exterior, sighing that this path was impassable, and bowed to everyone around:

"I, Gu Yu, bid farewell. May we meet again if fate allows."

He's leaving?

How to handle this?

Bei Bei shifted her gaze to Xuan Ji Hall Master, her eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.

"Stay!"

Dao Xuan Ji reached out to keep him. "If Elder Gu leaves because this hall has been remiss, who else will dare enter Sheng Huan Dian? Please stay!"

Gu Yu paused and bowed back: "Xuan Ji Hall Master has already treated me with great kindness; where is the remissness… you say…"

His words stopped.

Because Dao Xuan Ji suddenly took out a crystal-like gem from her spatial ring, radiating a faint saintly glow, like the most magnificent treasure in the world, unparalleled.

"Ban Sheng Wei Ge…"

Bei Bei was stunned, her mouth agape.

It's come to offering a Ban Sheng Wei Ge? And Xu Xiao Shou hasn't even been fought yet!

Dao Xuan Ji held the crystal gem and walked over, personally placing it in Gu Yu's hands. Her expression was subtle as she said:

"It's this hall's excessive eagerness that forgot Elder Gu is used to freedom. I admit my mistake."

"You said you have no absolute confidence against Xu Xiao Shou. Now, with this Ban Sheng Wei Ge, do you have it?"

That was just my excuse!

How can people's intentions be so thorough? I haven't even joined Sheng Shen Dian Tang, and you're cutting off all my retreat?

But…

But!

Gu Yu stared at the long-dreamed-of item in his hands, his eyes dazed, completely lost, his breathing growing heavier.

Soon, his eyes twitched, and he snapped back, quickly trying to return the hot potato.

Bei Bei rested her chin on her hands on the table.

What now?

If it were me, I couldn't resist Xuan Ji Hall Master…

Soon, she saw Elder Gu flustered and trembling:

"I haven't accomplished anything; how can I accept this Wei Ge?"

"Not only does it go against the rules, but I, Gu Yu, would feel guilty and unable to sleep at night!"

He pushed the Ban Sheng Wei Ge back.

Dao Xuan Ji pushed it back: "Sheng Huan Dian has no rules; Gui Zhe Sheng Shan is Elder Gu's home."

"Rules are rules; Xuan Ji Hall Master, please don't put me in an unjust position again."

Gu Yu's face turned pale.

"It's just to boost your confidence a bit; Elder Gu defeating Xu Xiao Shou would be effortless. Giving this Wei Ge now or later makes no difference."

"That's not right; it's completely not right!"

Bei Bei nearly laughed out loud, covering her mouth as her shoulders trembled.

This was too clever.

Xuan Ji Hall Master really knows how to corner someone!

The two pushed back and forth, their words like verbal swords, but it was clear Gu Yu wasn't playing hard to get—he truly didn't dare take it.

In the end, he simply placed the Ban Sheng Wei Ge on the long table.

At the same time, the table in front of everyone vanished, as Dao Xuan Ji had moved it away beforehand.

"Oh."

Bei Bei face-planted with a thud, suddenly feeling a sword intent flash through the hall, and quickly looked up.

There, the Ban Sheng Wei Ge sat on the table, which had been relocated to a corner of Sheng Huan Dian.

Dao Xuan Ji silently watched Gu Yu.

Gu Yu could only sigh and bow, not daring to meet her eyes.

No one dared speak, to side with either Dao Xuan Ji or Gu Yu.

"Space-time leap."

Liu Fu Yu waved her hand—who knew if in surprise or casting a sword—and the table returned.

She reached out, took the Ban Sheng Wei Ge, and examined it closely.

"This is the object for achieving sainthood in this era…"

"Liu girl, are you interested in the Ban Sheng Wei Ge too?" Dao Xuan Ji turned promptly, but Liu Fu Yu had already set it down.

"I'm only interested in Xu Xiao Shou."

It was clear this girl had no desires; she treated the Ban Sheng Wei Ge like an ordinary stone, without any enthusiasm.

Dao Xuan Ji lost the desire to persuade further.

A sword enthusiast like her… she understood. Silently returning to her seat, Dao Xuan Ji added a touch of self-reproach to her tone:

"It was this hall's abruptness."

"Gui Zhe Sheng Shan will always welcome the wise. As I said, Elder Gu, come and go freely, but don't forget the challenge."

Hearing that she would let him go, Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief and bowed deeply, not daring to say more, quickly exiting Sheng Huan Dian.

"Liu girl…"

Dao Xuan Ji looked at Liu Fu Yu.

Liu Fu Yu responded with a soft "Hm," stood up, and walked out of Sheng Huan Dian.

"It seems… not very pleasant?"

Bei Bei pulled her table back, shrugged, and glanced at Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti.

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti affectionately patted Bei Bei's little head and looked back at Dao Xuan Ji:

"You said Xu Xiao Shou is 'observable and learnable.' Bei Bei and those two are ancient sword cultivators; isn't this just handing it over?"

Yes! Handing it over!

Bei Bei nodded vigorously; Jiu Ji adult was so perceptive.

But Xuan Ji Hall Master wasn't foolish; she must have her own reasoning. Bei Bei said nothing, just watched.

Only fools talk too much; better to learn.

Dao Xuan Ji was already confident, murmuring:

"First, digestion takes time."

"Bei Bei and Liu Fu Yu might still lack, but with Elder Gu's realm, Xu Xiao Shou absolutely can't digest it."

"You've all seen the Yun Lun Mountains' retrospective scene; Xu Xiao Shou's Ban Ruo Wu and Mei Si Ren's…"

Dao Xuan Ji paused, not waiting for the half-saint to respond, and said with slight disappointment: "The difference is like heaven and earth."

Indeed…

Bei Bei nodded in agreement.

If Xu Xiao Shou's second realm was just a glimpse, Si Ren's was pure mastery, one step from the peak.

"In other words, the second realm of ancient sword techniques is his limit." Dao Xuan Ji sneered. "If we want to feed him, let's overfeed him and make him burst!"

"What if he digests it all?" Bei Bei asked weakly; she feared this, as Xu Xiao Shou wasn't normal.

Dao Xuan Ji leaned back in her chair, looking a bit lazy. "So, as I said from the beginning, we need to start from other angles."

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti noticed that this sibling pair really had something in common!

"Go on." She urged, afraid Dao Xuan Ji might say something like "heaven's secrets can't be revealed."

Dao Xuan Ji didn't have the habit of suspense, but her habits weren't great either—at least, she didn't like to spell things out.

She looked outside and called:

"Jiang Na Yi!"

Dressed in blood-red, with a face swollen like a pig's head, Jiang Na Yi appeared.

"Go!"

Dao Xuan Ji waved her hand, and Jiang Na Yi nodded quickly, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly:

"Ran Ming!"

Divine light descended, and Jiang Na Yi vanished.

"This is…"

Bei Bei was baffled.

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti, however, understood. "You want to use him to call the person back from inside?"

Those who die in Ran Ming ruins don't truly die; they return to their pre-entry position, which helps with the Zhan Shen Guan trials.

And Sheng Shen Dian Tang had verified this under Dao Qiong Cang's arrangements from the start.

"Jiu Ji adult sees clearly." Dao Xuan Ji stroked the armrest of her chair, speaking to herself: "No need for others; you three just need to hold him back. Once Ai Cang Sheng returns, Xu Xiao Shou will surely be executed!"

With these resounding words, Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti finally understood that after her defeat, Dao Xuan Ji wasn't arrogant; she no longer underestimated Xu Xiao Shou.

She was treating him as a Shi Zun Zuo to fight!

She wanted to lure out the mature Shi Zun Zuo and carry out the extinction action that Dao Qiong Cang had mentioned for those with Shi Zun Zuo potential but not yet fully mature!

"This palace was shortsighted." Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti pondered, apologizing for her earlier doubts, and accepted Dao Xuan Ji's explanation.

After all, if even Shi Zun Zuo couldn't kill Xu Xiao Shou, no one could control him, and even the saint emperors would have to bow.

"Will it work? Xu Xiao Shou is good at running, and you're good at chasing, but you didn't catch him before." Bei Bei wasn't optimistic.

"He won't run." Dao Xuan Ji said calmly.

"Why?"

"Because his master is in our hands."

Bei Bei froze, suddenly feeling a chill.

Xuan Ji Hall Master and Dao Hall Master were siblings, but truly opposite in nature.

"What if, just what if…" Bei Bei used two "what ifs," still in Dao Hall Master's mindset, asking: "This also goes wrong, and Xu Xiao Shou escapes?"

Dao Xuan Ji fell silent.

Her vacant gaze made Bei Bei's heart race.

As Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti pulled the child behind her, Dao Xuan Ji finally withdrew her eyes indifferently.

"Bei Bei."

"Hm?"

"You don't know, do you? Ba Zun An's only defeat in life was to this hall's schemes… Can Xu Xiao Shou surpass that?"