Chapter 328: Sword Forest Cultivation Treasure Ground

The commotion outside the sect gate quickly drew the attention of the Myriad Swords Sect. Soon after, the Myriad Swords Sect Master arrived in person. With a face full of apology, he explained, "Everyone, I am truly sorry, deeply sorry. It's not that our sect deliberately concealed anything; it's just that this hidden danger poses no significant threat. With the beast tide imminent, elite disciples from various sects are eager to enhance their strength. Our Myriad Swords Sect opened the Sword Grove by order of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, also wishing to contribute to the greater good. Therefore, we invited members of the True Thunder Sect to eliminate the hidden danger, without halting the Sword Grove's operation. If any of you are truly concerned, you may turn back now. Our sect will provide provisions and transport for your journey."

After such an explanation, the anger in everyone's hearts subsided. Upon reflection, the Myriad Swords Sect's Sword Grove had always been exclusive to its own disciples. If not for the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's decree, how could external sect disciples have a share? They were more thankful to the Myriad Swords Sect than anything; there was no reason to blame the sect for an unintentional oversight.

Seeing that he had dispelled everyone's doubts, the Myriad Swords Sect Master cupped his hands and said, "Since that is settled, please follow me." The elders and disciples of the eight sects felt a surge of excitement. Hadn't they traveled thousands of miles to make progress in the Sword Grove?

Jiang Fan's eyes showed anticipation. He had already refined his Foundation Establishment eighth level to its peak. He only needed an opportune moment to break through to the Foundation Establishment ninth level. At that level, Core Formation would no longer be an impossibly distant realm.

Led by the Myriad Swords Sect Master, they arrived at the Myriad Swords Sect's back mountain. Jiang Fan looked around and couldn't help but be secretly astonished. A vast back mountain, several miles in circumference, was devoid of any vegetation. Instead, it was filled with long swords stretching as far as the eye could see. They were densely packed, numbering in the tens of thousands! Some were rusted and decaying, others were as new as ever. Some were several *zhang* long, like tree trunks, while others were several *chi* wide and thick, shaped like colossal rulers. They constantly emitted wisps of sword qi, which moved back and forth among the countless swords, producing sharp, clanging sounds. Jiang Fan secretly clicked his tongue in amazement. It was more of a Sword Tomb than a Sword Grove.

The Myriad Swords Sect Master pointed to the Sword Grove and said, "This is our sect's Sword Grove. The swords here are either those left behind by our sect's disciples, elders, sect masters, or grand elders after their deaths, or they are spoils of war from slaying enemies. They have accumulated over thousands of years to this day." As the oldest sect among the Nine Sects, only it could create such a magnificent Sword Grove. The Myriad Swords Sect Master continued, "Within these shattered swords lies the remnant spiritual energy of their former masters. Over time, this energy disperses and redistributes as spiritual energy, permeating various parts of the Sword Grove. Disciples from all sects, you may find a place with abundant spiritual energy to meditate. The period for this will be three days. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, you may begin entering."

The disciples from various sects rubbed their palms together in anticipation. They all understood the implied meaning. The distribution of spiritual energy in the Sword Grove was very uneven. Spiritual energy near powerful ancient swords would naturally be more concentrated. Whoever found such a place first would undoubtedly gain an advantage and have a greater chance of breaking through. The more astute ones had already taken out movement talismans. A few exceptionally wealthy individuals had even pulled out movement artifacts, all just to get ahead of others.

"Which way should we run later?" Xu Yining's eyes were filled with excitement; she was eager to try. She really wanted to test the movement technique she had just mastered. Jiang Fan looked at the endless Sword Grove covering the mountains and fields, feeling a bit troubled. Participating in the Sword Grove didn't guarantee a breakthrough in one's current realm. If luck was bad, one might even come for nothing. Just as he was contemplating, he thought of the little Qilin and patted its backside through his robe: "Don't you have a strong sense for natural spiritual treasures? Which direction has stronger energy?"

The little Qilin, constantly searching for natural spiritual treasures to eat, possessed a sense for spiritual energy that humans could not. The little Qilin grumbled unhappily. It quietly extended a small paw from within the pouch. It pointed towards the northwest: "That's the strongest place; there seem to be several good spots with spiritual energy." After a pause, it then pointed towards the northeast: "There's also some there. However, it feels a bit ominous there."

Ominous? Does it mean the hidden danger?

At this moment, Nie Yunxi came over and whispered, "Junior Sister Xu, Junior Brother, look." She subtly gestured towards the Myriad Swords Sect Master's back. There, Ling Guihai, with a swollen face, had somehow brought five elite disciples of the Myriad Swords Sect to stand behind their Sect Master. Nie Yunxi said, "When it comes to understanding the Sword Grove, who can surpass the Myriad Swords Sect's own disciples? Where they go must be the place with the most abundant spiritual energy in the Sword Grove. Let's follow them later. Even if we can't get the best spot, it won't be bad."

The logic was sound. But... Jiang Fan glanced around, speechless to find that disciples from various sects were, more or less, observing the Myriad Swords Sect disciples. Clearly, those who could become elite disciples were exceptionally intelligent individuals. The method Nie Yunxi had realized, other sects had also figured out. He shook his head slightly and said, "Senior Sister Nie, inform the Azure Cloud Sect disciples. Stick close to me later." Nie Yunxi hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The time for one incense stick to burn quickly passed. The Myriad Swords Sect Master checked the time and said, "Since everyone is ready, then... begin!"

Swish, swish, swish—

Ling Guihai reacted the quickest, immediately activating the talisman on his body. The five Myriad Swords Sect disciples also coordinated seamlessly, activating their talismans. They shot out, taking the lead. Disciples from other sects also moved into action, each displaying their unique movement techniques to dash forward. And, quite cleverly, they all chose to follow Ling Guihai closely!

Nie Yunxi's heart tightened; she was about to activate her movement talisman but hadn't yet received a signal from Jiang Fan to move. "Junior Brother, if we don't catch up, it'll be too late."

Jiang Fan looked at the direction Ling Guihai was heading, directly east, and couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. Wasn't the best place in the northwest? Why was he going east? Immediately, he understood and couldn't help but chuckle derisively: "This Ling Guihai, he anticipated everyone else's anticipation." He probably figured that his actions would be closely watched by all the other sects, worried that the best spots would be swarmed and taken by external sect disciples. So, he deliberately chose a direction with little spiritual energy to lead everyone astray. Once he found an opportunity, he would quietly make his way to the northwest. Since that was the case, he wouldn't be polite; he would go to the northwest first to pick a spot.

"Follow me." Jiang Fan moved, pushing off with his toes, and leaped out using his movement technique. His direction was precisely northwest. Nie Yunxi was startled: "Junior Brother, where are you going? We need to quickly follow Ling Guihai!"