Chapter 1972: 孔师?(上)

In the Elder Hall, all elders of the Sword Pavilion, from inner sect and above, sat gathered in the room, the atmosphere heavy.

"In the Sword Scripture Hall, the books, which had been meticulously organized, sensed a sword intent, bowed in homage, and then collapsed from their shelves," Elder Wei reported.

"The colossal sword left by the founding patriarch at the mountain gate completely disintegrated, causing the gate itself to collapse under the pressure," said the round-faced elder.

"Many disciples currently being tested in the Sword God Hall had their internal sword intent suppressed, and they sustained injuries," another elder reported, cupping his hands in salute.

"I trust you all have some understanding of what has transpired..." After everyone had finished reporting the incidents, Elder He, who was seated in the center, stood up and surveyed the room.

"Yes!"

Everyone nodded.

"Since the establishment of our Lingyun Sword Pavilion, only the founding patriarch has been able to comprehend the 'Sword Intent of the Gods.' The most gifted descendants since then could, at best, extend their sword intent ten li. Now, someone has comprehended our ancestor's sword intent, causing the colossal sword at the mountain gate to collapse under the pressure, and all sword scriptures to submit... Elders, what do you have to say about this?"

Elder He said.

"The emergence of such a genius is a great fortune for our Lingyun Sword Pavilion! Back then, our founding patriarch rose to prominence, gaining renown across the land with a single battle. He seized half a character from the Divine Temple, which led to the establishment of the Sword God Hall and the title 'Sword God'!"

An elder stood up, filled with excitement: "For thousands of years, our descendants have yearned to restore our former glory, but alas, we have yet to succeed. Now, someone has comprehended our ancestor's sword intent, which indicates... that the resurgence of our Sword Pavilion is only a matter of time!"

"Precisely. Among the six major sects, even the Star-Chasing Palace, which can communicate with divine spirits, dares not use the character 'God' within its name. Only our Sword Pavilion possesses the Sword God Hall! Now, someone else has comprehended the 'Sword Intent of the Gods.' If properly nurtured, our Sword Pavilion might be able to complete that half-character. Our Sword Pavilion could very likely become the 'Sword God Pavilion,' standing on par with the Divine Communication Hall!"

"For this half-character, countless descendants of our Sword Pavilion have bravely fought and exhausted their blood, yet they have never succeeded. Now... hope has appeared..."

Several elders rose simultaneously, each filled with excitement.

"Only by comprehending the Sword Intent of the Gods can we possibly seize the remaining half-character from the Divine Temple and allow our sect to be crowned with the character 'God'! This is the honor of all descendants of our Sword Pavilion!"

Elder He nodded, his fists involuntarily clenching.

The Forsaken Continent is a land abandoned by the divine. To gain divine recognition, there is only one way: to receive a character bestowed by the divine!

The Lingyun Sword Pavilion is the only one among the six major sects to have received a bestowed character, but it was only half a character, not worthy of being placed above the sect's name, only in a regular testing hall.

For over thirty years, he had stood before the mountain gate, regardless of season, solely to experience the essence of the ancestor and master this invincible sword intent.

Unfortunately, he had never grasped the key to it.

Now, someone had succeeded, and even if it wasn't him, it was the greatest fortune for the entire sect!

"Issue an order: immediately conduct a thorough investigation to determine who comprehended this sword intent! Once the person is identified, report it at once, without delay!"

His eyes flashed as Elder He instructed: "Furthermore, this matter is top secret. No one is permitted to divulge it. Any leakage will be considered treason against the sect and will be met with execution by the Sword Pavilion!"

"Yes!"

Their expressions turned grave.

Elder He nodded: "You may disperse now. Quietly investigate which disciple it is. Whoever discovers them first, I will report this to the Sect Leader, and he will personally bestow a reward upon them!"

"The Sect Leader's personal reward?"

Everyone's eyes immediately reddened with excitement.

The Sect Leader's strength was unfathomable. The magnitude of a personal reward from him was evident without needing to be stated.

Just as everyone was brimming with excitement, a voice rang out.

"Elder He, Outer Elder Lu Yun requests an audience!"

"Lu Yun?"

Elder He frowned.

The Lingyun Sword Pavilion had many elders, and outer elders held too low a status to typically qualify for an audience.

"What is it about?"

"He said... he discovered a sword arts genius and has specifically come to report it and assist in applying for an inner disciple slot!"

The voice replied.

"A sword arts genius?" Elder He's eyebrows shot up. "Let him in!"

The purpose of gathering everyone for the meeting was to find the super genius who had comprehended the 'Sword Intent of the Gods'. This sudden appearance, claiming to have found one, immediately filled him with excitement.

Soon, Elder Lu Yun arrived.

"What do you mean by a sword arts genius?"

Elder He looked over.

"It's like this: I'm responsible for recruiting outer disciples and servant disciples. When I passed through Star Radiance City..."

Elder Lu Yun recounted the entire story, including the individual named "Tianya" who swept aside everyone, and how Shan Xiaotian easily defeated Huo Jianghe, extending his sword intent to 499 meters.

"This is the jade token he left in the Sword God Hall..."

"Only at Ancient Sage First Realm, yet he can extend his sword intent almost one li?"

Elder He was startled.

Not only him, but all the elders in the hall widened their eyes, filled with disbelief.

The profundity of one's comprehension of sword intent is related to their talent and ability, but without immense power, one certainly cannot contain sword intent within their body... For a mere Ancient Sage First Realm individual to comprehend sword intent to almost one li...

...that's stronger than many core disciples. It's truly terrifying!

"Could it be him?"

The round-faced elder looked over.

"Ancient Sage First Realm, seventeen years old. He should not be able to comprehend the Sword Intent of the Gods. Even if he could, he wouldn't be able to withstand such immense power... However, I must admit, he is an exceptional genius!"

Elder He nodded.

Even at his own cultivation level, he might not be able to withstand the Sword Intent of the Gods. How could a seventeen-year-old youth at Ancient Sage First Realm possibly do so?

It's unlikely.

"Since he is a genius, our Sword Pavilion will not treat him unfairly. Shan Xiaotian shall immediately become an inner disciple and be granted the treatment of a core disciple. Once he reaches the Void Immortal Realm, he can be directly promoted without needing to pass any assessments!"

After a pause, Elder He continued: "Elder Lu Yun's discovery of such a talent for the sect is an invaluable contribution. He shall be granted one True Immortal Pill, and Elders Wu and Bai shall act as protectors to assist him in breaking through to the True Immortal Realm! If successful, he will immediately be promoted to inner elder!"

"Thank you, Elder He..."

Upon hearing such a generous reward, Elder Lu Yun could no longer contain himself and immediately knelt to the ground.

The True Immortal Pill was one of the sect's most precious elixirs; each one was incredibly rare and could not be bought with money.

A peak Void Immortal Realm expert who consumes one can increase their breakthrough chance by twenty percent. His cultivation had already reached its limit, and with this assistance, his chances of breaking through would undoubtedly increase significantly!

What's more... he would have two elders acting as protectors!

In short, his strength would soar, and becoming an inner elder would no longer pose any difficulty!

"Rewards for merit, punishments for wrongdoing. These are the rules of the Sword Pavilion; no need to be so polite! Once you become an inner elder, you will still be the one to contact and interact with Shan Xiaotian. Should anything else special occur, report it immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" Lu Yun, filled with excitement, retreated.

"Very well." Seeing him leave, Elder He surveyed the room again: "All right, you may all disperse. Remember what I just said: as soon as you find that genius, the reward will absolutely be even more substantial than what Elder Lu received!"

"Yes!"

Everyone simultaneously withdrew.

To the others, while Shan Xiaotian was indeed a genius, the Lingyun Sword Pavilion never lacked such individuals. Among the core disciples, there were many whose sword intent extended beyond one or even two li.

Although they were surprised, it didn't garner too much attention.

The elders dispersed one by one, and soon only Elder He and the round-faced elder remained in the room.

"Are you going to send a message to the Sect Leader?"

The round-faced elder looked over.

"This matter is of great importance; the Sect Leader must be informed as soon as possible..." Elder He nodded.

"The Sect Leader is currently discussing the centennial Sky-Reaching Bridge with the leaders of other sects! Sending a message at this time might be disruptive..."

The round-faced elder expressed some concern.

"It shouldn't be... For a matter like this, if we don't send word, other sects certainly will. It would be troublesome if others got ahead and the Sect Leader remained unaware!" Elder He nodded, saying no more. He took out a special jade token, gently tapped it, and a message immediately imprinted itself onto it, then vanished from sight as if burning away.

On a peak of unknown height, white clouds drifted, immortal cranes soared, and several figures sat in a circle beneath ancient pines.

Water flowed with a melodic sound, and fragrant aromas enveloped the surroundings. From a distance, it looked like a fairyland.

"I believe we can simply follow the previous arrangement. There's no need to stir things up again!"

A beautiful woman picked up her teacup and said indifferently.

"The old arrangement was indeed good and reasonable, but... it has never succeeded for so many years. If we continue to use it, I fear we will repeat the same mistakes!"

An elder said.

"If we don't follow the old ways, what good solutions do you have? Why not share them so we can hear them?"

The woman scoffed.

"Du Qingyuan, your Star-Chasing Palace is the only one among the six major sects that can communicate with the Divine Temple. You should be the most knowledgeable about it. The reason everyone is gathered here is to hear your opinion. Are you unwilling to speak, or do you intend to remain here, offering no way forward? If my calculations are correct, your lifespan should also be nearing its limit!"

A middle-aged man opposite her frowned.

"We can indeed communicate with the Divine Temple, but you should understand what kind of existence the Divine Temple is. Being able to communicate does not mean understanding... Furthermore, my lifespan is indeed nearing its limit, but... if you believe my Star-Chasing Palace must have a solution and wish to pick a fight, then let's have a battle! Whoever wins gets to speak!"

The woman, Du Qingyuan, raised an elegant eyebrow and looked over.

"Enough. We are gathered here to discuss matters, not to quarrel!"

The elder who had spoken earlier shook his head: "Sect Master Qin, please hold your tongue. Palace Master Du, you know that Sect Master Qin always speaks like this; don't be angry! If we continue to discuss this way, we'll surely get nowhere... I've already contacted Hall Master Kong of the Divine Communication Hall, and if nothing unexpected happens, he should arrive soon..."

Before he had finished speaking, a middle-aged man in a long robe, with a refined and scholarly appearance, suddenly appeared before everyone, a faint smile on his face.

"It seems Brother Han still understands me best..."