Chapter 1909: Asking the Dao

"Wow!" Like babies crying, as soon as the Daoist chant finished, everyone in the Five Regions simultaneously let out a cry, their first outburst after ten months of suffocation.

"It's unsealed!" "I'm not frozen anymore; I almost choked to death just now." "Haha, I can talk too... I also possess the potential of a Sword Immortal!"

Clearly, those whose speech was unsealed only after they had emerged from the Cold Tide Era anomaly were not even remotely close to being ancient sword cultivators.

However, this mention of "Sword Immortal potential" indeed served as a significant reminder.

"Why was Gu Qingyi the first to speak? Is he the Sword Ancestor's illegitimate son?" "And Xiao Wanfeng, Lei Shuangxing, those two were right behind him. Even Gu Qing'er was ranked after them, but our Gu Qing'er is one of the Seven Sword Immortals! Why?" "Clearly, Gu Qing'er's abilities are lacking; his Sword Immortal title isn't very prestigious. I could do what he does."

"No, in my opinion, the Sword Ancestor's method of selecting successors must have its own distinct rationale."

"Hmm? Why is he selecting successors? Where do Ba Zun'an and Hua Changdeng stand then?"

"Damn! Where's my Wuyue Sword Immortal? Is no one going to speak up for him?"

From beginning to end, Gou Wuyue seemed like an outsider. He barely moved throughout the entire scene, and the images of the various Dao masters paid him little attention.

Hua and Ba, on the other hand... Any discerning person could see they had been unsealed much earlier. However, neither of them spoke, choosing instead to let Gu Qing'er and Gu Qing'san have the spotlight.

The Gu family's second and third sons, who had chanted along with everyone, were now flushed crimson, finally having their moment in the spotlight.

After the Daoist chant concluded and they had enjoyed a considerable amount of "reverent" gazes from the crowd, the two younger brothers belatedly nudged their Senior Brother's side. "Senior Brother, why were you the first to speak?"

"Senior Brother, we chanted along for the entire duration. Do you think the Sword Ancestor will offer a reward? Or at least Master Wen... he should get one, right?"

"Senior Brother, I believe the Sword Ancestor has taken a liking to you."

"Senior Brother! Hua and Ba are capable, Wen and Gou are capable, so why not Gu? In my opinion, it would be better to replace... Ouch!"

The third brother was too outspoken. Before he could finish his sentence, Gu Qingyi almost slapped him on the forehead: "Don't speak carelessly! I'll deal with you two later."

Both junior brothers tried to brush off their recent verbal missteps, but Gu Qingyi fortunately had neither the time nor the inclination to dwell on them. After ordering them to be silent, he handed the stage back to Hua and Ba, and also to the solitary silhouette of the Sword Ancestor, Gu Louying, who had emerged from the Gate of Profundity and was now moving towards the center of the Sword Sea. "Solitary Wood..."

Someone whispered silently. Most of the Sword Scripture's introduction had now been forgotten, yet the name could still be recalled. This was likely due to Grandpa Shou's extensive "enlightenment" that encompassed the Five Regions half a year prior. The Sword Ancestor's true name, much like his solitary form in the void, stood alone yet commanded an imposing, towering presence.

Once the Daoist chant concluded, the scripture in his hand rolled into a bundle and was gently held in his palm. No one could clearly discern his features, yet his lively and natural demeanor seemed authentic. Even if it wasn't the Sword Ancestor's true form, this figure should at least contain a trace of an Ancestral God's will, shouldn't it?

The Sword Ancestor looked down from above, seemingly surveying Lingyu and the Five Regions with a sweeping gaze. Then, an ethereal voice emanated from the heavens: "Who has summoned me?"

In an instant, all eyes in the hall fixed upon Ba Zun'an. The Sword Ancestor, imbued with spirit, followed their gaze, seemingly appraising him.

At the heart of the Sword Sea, ten thousand swords paid homage. The central position had been yielded, and Ba Zun'an naturally moved to the side. The Sword Ancestor observed him, and he, in turn, observed the Sword Ancestor.

Unlike the younger cultivators of Lingyu Mountain, perhaps due to his close proximity or perhaps having reached a certain cultivation height, Ba Zun'an could clearly discern the Sword Ancestor's features. The figure was neither blurry nor indistinct. He was entirely sculpted from silver sword qi, which also contained the aura of sword intent—his appearance was clearly linked to the power Ba Zun'an had transmitted through the Gate of Profundity.

But upon clearly seeing that face... "The Sword Ancestor, he resembles me?"

Ba Zun'an couldn't help but feel bewildered; it was as if he were staring into a mirror. The Sword Ancestor, Gu Louying, looked exactly like him!

"The Sword Ancestor has already entered reincarnation. Am I one of his reincarnated forms?"

This thought had just formed when Ba Zun'an quickly dismissed it. His path originated from the ancient sword Dao, but like Hua Changdeng and Gou Wuyue, he had transcended its confines. While he wasn't entirely unrelated to the Sword Ancestor, their connection was now minimal.

"No, the Sword Ancestor is formless..." "Formlessness reflects myriad forms, so no matter who gazes upon him, he will resemble them..."

This was an optimistic interpretation. However, Ba Zun'an knew the Sword Ancestor's ultimate fate: he had entered reincarnation, causing a catastrophe for the world. Moreover, before entering reincarnation, the Sword Ancestor had a physical form; he was a tangible person!

As fate would have it, while others struggled to remember the Sword Scripture, Ba Zun'an, when he accompanied Wen Ting into the Buried Sword Tomb, memorized the entire text after a single reading. In the "Introduction to the Sword Scripture," there was a line describing "form," which was highly relevant to the Sword Ancestor's era: "Those who draw near the Dao make no progress, while those far from the Dao advance a hundred zhang with each step... All lacking living forms reveal perversity, and all possessing living forms lose their essence..."

Wen Ting's later commentary on that line explained that during the Cold Tide Era, right and wrong were inverted, good and evil corrupted, and some even lost their facial features and limbs. Conversely, inherently formless entities like mist and frost gained sharp teeth and claws, which, while superficially aiding "Dao cultivation," were fundamentally for "attack." Moreover, more abstract concepts such as human thoughts and the spiritual will of all things materialized into tangible forms like "wraiths," "demons," and "monsters."

After the Cold Tide Era, the world was profoundly affected by the "Holy Ancestor's" transformation into the "Demon Ancestor"; what was mentioned above were merely the most basic aspects. Even more severe effects arose from the subsequent transformation of the "Art Ancestor" into "Sinister Yin," which was also somewhat related.

At that time, the Sword Ancestor clearly endured such influences, which is why he was able to be deified and revered as an Ancestor.

Ba Zun'an pondered... If the current "Sword Ancestor resembles me" aligns with the theory that "the Sword Ancestor is formless, reflecting myriad forms," then all is well. However, if it corresponds to the line, "All lacking living forms reveal perversity, and all possessing living forms lose their essence," then the situation's nature changes entirely. What appears to be the Sword Ancestor could very well be the Demon Ancestor!

"Did you see clearly?" Just then, a very familiar voice echoed in his mind. It was Xu Xiaoshou's.

Ba Zun'an's heart stirred, but he didn't respond. Soon, the slightly bored voice returned: "Let me tell you some bad news: something has likely happened at the Sword Tower, possibly related to the Demon Ancestor's spirit. So the Sword Ancestor before you might not be entirely right." Ba Zun'an felt a sense of relief. Indeed, events were progressing in the worst possible direction, just as he had anticipated.

The Sword Ancestor's gaze remained fixed on him, silent. Ba Zun'an temporarily set aside his thoughts and returned to the Ancestor's question: "Who has summoned me?" "Me?"

Ba Zun'an, however, was in no rush to answer this question. He waited for a long time, meticulously examining the Sword Ancestor's entire form. Only after confirming there were no abnormalities, and once the cultivators of the Five Regions had grown anxious, did he smile and point to the ten thousand swords in the Sword Sea, saying, "We, the ancient sword cultivators."

Lingyu Mountain was astonished, and the ancient sword cultivators of the Five Regions were even more deeply moved. Of course, the Gate of Profundity had been opened by Ba Zun'an; without his guidance, the Sword Ancestor would not have appeared. Yet, this answer, in its demeanor, was no less grand than Grandpa Shou's declaration, "Pouring it all into rivers and seas, offering drink to all under heaven." It, at the very least, made everyone feel incredibly comfortable.

"Yes, I invited him." "Hahaha, I did my best to get the Sword Ancestor here. It cost me a Rank-Ten Spirit Sword worth three thousand Spirit Crystals." "Uh, then you were completely swindled by the Whirlwind Dragon-Slaying Bully, brother!"

While the Five Regions' broadcast screens each offered their own forms of amusement, the Sword Ancestor was clearly out of touch with the current era and oblivious to these matters. He looked at Ba Zun'an and inquired, "What do you seek?"

Then your intellect isn't very high, or your memory is poor... Others might find this question perfectly normal, but Ba Zun'an still recalled the original words from the "Introduction to the Sword Scripture": "Twenty-one renowned swords are decreed, merging with the true essence of creation." "Later generations who study swords and wood will attain profound insight and perceive their true selves." The Sword Ancestor's legacy could be understood from these two lines. Meeting him was naturally not for trivial pleasantries, but for the "true essence of creation" hidden within the twenty-one renowned swords.

"After reincarnation, were even his residual will and memories affected?" "The spirit of the Post-Heaven Ancestor on Void Island, regardless, at least remembered its mission to find a successor, and certainly wouldn't forget where the legacy was or when to retrieve it..."

Ba Zun'an increasingly felt that Xu Xiaoshou was a truly capable strategist. Without his incisive reminder, he feared he wouldn't have been able to grasp this crucial hidden aspect for some time.

"Clear my mind..." This thought surfaced in his mind, and Ba Zun'an found it slightly amusing. It was like, even amidst a difficult overarching situation, he experienced the casualness of the Holy Temple's Ten-Member Council operating without needing to engage their full intellect.

Ba Zun'an extended a hand and began the introductions: "Brother Hua, Hua Changdeng. This friend of mine shares the same confusion as I do: we began with ancient sword Dao and find ourselves confined by it. I promised him I would gather the twenty-one renowned swords and summon the Sword Ancestor, asking you, senior, to guide us."

He paused, then looked at Hua Changdeng, continuing their previous unresolved discussion on Dao, and began to pose a series of questions: "This path to deification and becoming an Ancestor, encompassing the Nine Great Sword Arts, Eighteen Sword Flows, and Three Thousand Sword Daos—is it truly viable, or is it not?"

"For the first and second realms, is it better to cultivate everything, thus opening an unparalleled gate, or to cultivate selectively, discarding the inferior and specializing in one?"

After another pause, Ba Zun'an added a further question: "Just now, I heard the Sword Ancestor chant the scripture, mentioning 'free ascension, carefree existence beyond the world, seeking higher Dao righteousness, and continuing past brilliance.' Has the Sword Ancestor found this Dao that transcends even the Ancestral Gods' Dao? If so, could you please elucidate the more subtle landscapes beyond the Gate of Profundity for us younger generations? If not, could the Sword Ancestor offer a warning or two? High mountains are perilous; any aid would be greatly appreciated."

A barrage of critical questions! Those unfamiliar with the ancient sword Dao might not comprehend them. However, Ba Zun'an, acting as a proxy, had articulated almost all the most intricate and intractable problems encountered by practitioners of ancient sword Dao, regardless of their cultivation level.

"Excellent questions!" Gou Wuyue held his breath, concentrating. He followed the path of Mo Jian art, pushing relentlessly forward with the Sword of Wanton Desire, losing himself entirely—a path outsiders perceived as misguided or obsessive. For this answer, he yearned to travel back to the era of ancient sword cultivators, to knock on the Sword Ancestor's door and attain enlightenment.

He had never had this opportunity before. He couldn't even dream of the Sword Ancestor. Now that the Sword Ancestor had been invited forth, what intricate problem or intractable issue couldn't be resolved by discussing it directly with the founder of the sword Dao?

"Mmm..." The Sword Ancestor had not yet spoken when cherry blossom petals drifted from the nine heavens, carrying a few peach blossoms on the wind and snow. The cultivators of Lingyu Mountain remained oblivious. Even Gu Qingyi, Xiao Wanfeng, Lei Shuangxing, and the others appeared entirely unaware of them.

Gou Wuyue turned his head to look. Hua Changdeng glanced sideways, alert. Ba Zun'an's expression subtly changed.

"Cluck cluck." Below Lingyu Mountain, the black chicken in Yu Zhiwen's arms struggled. Yu Zhiwen smoothed her hair by her temples and lowered her head: "Big what Saint?" "Cluck cluck!" "What Yang? Central?" "Cluck cluck!" "...You're the clumsy one, you're a clumsy chicken, a big fat clumsy chicken."

Realizing that even then, Yu Zhiwen, Liu Fuyu, and others couldn't find anyone, the black chicken lazily drooped its head, shifted into a more comfortable position, and nestled back into the warm, soft swaddling clothes to doze off.

On the Five Regions' broadcast screens, numerous comments suddenly flashed: "A-Lai!" "Sword Immortal A-Lai!"

Because around Lingyu Mountain, yet another ancient sword cultivator appeared. It was Hua Lai, the most elusive of the six new-generation Seven Sword Immortals.

Hua Lai, dressed in vibrant, flamboyant attire, appeared and devoutly bowed to the Sword Ancestor in the sky. He raised his hands high, bowed deeply at the waist, and then knelt, kowtowing—performing the utmost gesture of reverence!

It should be noted that the Four Sons of Buried Sword Tomb, reputed to be the Sword Ancestor's direct disciples, had merely clasped their hands and bowed previously. In this current era, where could one find true "direct disciples"? Surely, no one warranted such a grand gesture? Yet, ultimately, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible to show such reverence for receiving the Sword Ancestor's grace. The Five Regions could only sigh in admiration: "Sword Immortal Lai is truly a good Sword Immortal, so grateful and incredibly polite..."

Hua Lai's bow merely caused a ripple of surprise across the Five Regions. However, those truly perceptive in the area paid Hua Lai no mind, their full attention fixed on the sudden appearance of yet another uninvited guest high above.

It was a tall figure in white robes, with peach blossoms embroidered on his slightly open collar. A wineskin and a peachwood sword were tucked at his waist, lending him an imposing and dashing demeanor. As he gazed at the figure in the Sword Sea, his eyes trembled, and two streams of hot tears flowed down his cheeks. He opened his mouth to speak, but then lost...

The Sword Ancestor seemed to sense something. He turned and glanced, momentarily losing himself in thought, even setting aside Ba Zun'an's question. He mumbled something inaudible.

The white-robed man trembled, raised his hands high, and, just like Hua Lai, seemed about to perform a full kowtow. The Sword Ancestor was equally moved, gazing deeply at him in prolonged silence.

"This is..." Hua, Ba, and Gou were all dumbfounded. After pondering for a long time, no one could remember who this person was. Yet, it was clear at a glance that this white-robed man's mastery of the sword Dao was certainly not inferior to any other ancient sword cultivator present.

Just as several individuals were still contemplating and the white-robed man was about to kneel, an untimely roar erupted nearby: "Brother Weiyang!" "Senior Weiyang!" "Save me, quickly save me!"

Weiyang... Everyone in the Five Regions heard Grandpa Shou's voice. Indeed, he was still trapped within the Three Talents Sword Formation, confined by the world created by the two ghostly hands, one above and one below.

"What Weiyang?" "Who is Grandpa Shou talking to? Is anyone there?" Hua, Ba, and Gou, however, were deeply shaken by the voice. This was... The Great Sword Saint, Hua Weiyang!

When various realms of the ancient sword Dao transcended the Dao, some had indeed entered the Flower World and received either admonition or warning. However, no one truly knew what Hua Weiyang, the Sword God's eldest disciple from ancient times, looked like. So how did Xu Xiaoshou know?

"Shut up." Hua Weiyang had almost completed his bow. Upon hearing the disturbance, he turned his head and cursed; he had no patience for Xu Xiaoshou.

Having fought in the Flower World, they both knew each other's true natures. Hua Weiyang understood this person's temperament. This time, his master's will had been respectfully summoned by the twenty-one renowned swords, and Hua Weiyang's failure to appear immediately to pay his respects was already a lapse in courtesy. A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring; the grace of imparting Dao is beyond repayment. Yet, while he was attempting to perform the reverence, this fellow was still chattering. Hua Weiyang wished he could just cleave him with a sword.

"Save me, save me first!" "Hua Weiyang, listen to me, save me first, it'll cause absolutely no harm." The fellow continued to shriek. Hua Weiyang drew the peachwood sword from his waist and struck with a single slash.

What the Five Regions witnessed were only peach blossoms sweeping across the sky, causing the ghostly hands that had confined Grandpa Shou to crack and dissipate. As for the boundless world itself, warmth was reborn within it, and it dissolved piece by piece as the peach blossoms bloomed. "Like warm clouds, like soft water."

At the mere sight of this sword technique, Hua Changdeng's expression shifted. This demonstrated a complete mastery of the ancient sword Dao, to the extent that one couldn't even discern which sword art or flow had been employed. It dismantled his sword formation as effortlessly as wind passing without a trace. Though it was only a minor Three Talents formation... Even Ba Zun'an might not have resolved it with such relaxed grace!

"Well, well, thank you for saving my life." To everyone's astonishment, Grandpa Shou, now free, instantly appeared beside what seemed to be "empty air" and patted its shoulder: "I shall repay your life-saving kindness. My repayment is this: if you intend to bow to this 'Sword Ancestor,' my advice would be... you might as well bow to me, hehe."

Lingyu Mountain began to stir. Peach blossoms filled the sky, forming a towering killing array that sought to ensnare and eliminate Grandpa Shou on the spot. "Hey, hey, hey, Hua Weiyang!" Grandpa Shou, once again caught in the formation, his expression changed drastically, yet his aura remained unwavering. He angrily questioned the "empty air": "Wipe your eyes and take a good look! Is this really your master? Do you just bow to anyone who looks similar? Are your eyes caked with gunk?"