Chapter 598 - Inquiring About Experience (1/2)

Edited by: Molly

Lin Xuanzhi’s comprehension of 《Teal Lotus Nine Styles》 had already reached the seventh level right now.

Ever since Xuan Wushe learned about Lin Xuanzhi’s identity, he quickly accepted the fact that he actually had one more son, and that his son was already grown up. Xuan Wushe could be considered extremely action-oriented. Originally, he was determined to welcome Lin Xuanzhi back to the East Land to have Lin Xuanzhi by his side and make up for the debts of so many previous years. After being rejected by both Lin Zhan and Lin Xuanzhi, he then tried every means to give Lin Xuanzhi presents — he sent over countless exceptional magic treasures, top-grade medicinal pills, and martial arts secret manuals.

In addition, what Xuan Wushe wrote about the most in his letters was his various insights when practicing 《Teal Lotus Nine Styles》, which was extremely valuable to Lin Xuanzhi. Xuan Wushe’s experience held great reference value during Lin Xuanzhi’s cultivation. With such communication and Lin Xuanzhi’s daily concentration on cultivation, he cultivated《Teal Lotus Nine Styles》to the seventh level in just one year.

Lin Xuanzhi calculated the time. Every September was the time when the golden osmanthus flowers were fragrant, and it was also the month when disciples had their first major exam.

The new disciples had been working hard here for a year and a half. According to the sect’s rules, the disciples could now accept all kinds of commissions from the sect. However, if they wanted to enter the evil spirit array or travel abroad, they must successfully pass the first exam. Otherwise, the academy would uphold the attitude of taking responsibility for the sect’s disciples and have them continue concentrating on cultivation.

“When is this year’s major exam scheduled?” Lin Xuanzhi asked.

“The tenth day of September,” Yan Tianhen answered. “I didn’t pick the Alchemy Division’s assessment, but the Dao Division’s swordsmanship assessment instead.”

Lin Xuanzhi raised an eyebrow slightly. “How is the cultivation of your《Decline and Prosperity》? You should know that the assessment is not to compete with the disciples of the same year, but to compete with the disciples of the previous generation. If you lose too badly, you will be deeply hit.”

Yan Tianhen was very confident and winked at Lin Xuanzhi. “Dage, don’t tell me you don’t know how my cultivation is? We’ve already dual cultivated so many times, and I think Dage is deeply aware of the benefits and feeling.”

Lin Xuanzhi couldn’t help laughing. “You little rascal.”

Yan Tianhen blinked at him. “It’s not like we haven’t done worse things.”

Lin Xuanzhi, “…”

Ah Hen was truly more and more open. However, with Yan Tianhen accompanying him day and night in the past year, Lin Xuanzhi also felt the ice on his heart gradually melting, and he estimated that it wouldn’t be long before he could completely regain his former self.

Lin Xuanzhi calculated the time. “Since you have entered the sword path, you can’t always use this wooden blade. Why don’t I find a time and take you to Hidden Sword Pavilion to find a suitable sword for you?”

Thick excitement flashed through Yan Tianhen’s eyes, and he said joyfully, “I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. Dage, you finally acknowledged my swordsmanship and feel that I’m qualified to look for my companion sword!”

Lin Xuanzhi was just afraid that Yan Tianhen’s swordsmanship and cultivation weren’t good enough yet, so when he climbed Hidden Sword Peak looking for a sword, he would be unable to move a single step due to the arduous conditions. Now that Lin Xuanzhi personally witnessed Yan Tianhen’s growth, he was confident that Yan Tianhen could reach the peak smoothly.

Yan Tianhen clenched his fist and vowed, “Dage, I will definitely pick out the most powerful sword. I won’t let you down.”

Lin Xuanzhi said with a smile, “Then I look forward to that.”

They didn’t delay; the next day, Yan Tianhen prepared to climb Hidden Sword Pavilion.

It was called Hidden Sword Pavilion, but in reality, the pavilion was a peak.

Hidden Sword Peak was located north of Myriad Dao Academy’s North Courtyard and was tens of thousands of meters high. It was vertical — straight up and down — with jagged rocks, and it was surrounded by the natural barrier of Hidden Sword Peak, so people could only use both hands to climb and couldn’t fly on their swords.

Legend has it that an ancient Sword Venerable died here in order to protect the peace of the Nine Lands and stop the war between various gods. His sword bone transformed into a high mountain, and his sword spirit fell into the swords refined by the craftsmen family, thus giving those swords a soul.

The day the Sword Venerable fell, these swords who now had sword spirits all gave a mournful wail, as though they were crying bitterly. After the war between the ancient gods ended, these swords all flew to the mountain that the Sword Venerable transformed into and willingly sealed themselves there for tens of thousands of years, collecting dust and weeds.

If they met someone they were destined for, these swords would leave with them. If they didn’t meet anyone like that, the swords would continue to guard the Sword Venerable here while waiting for the arrival of their destined person.

Every disciple in Myriad Dao Academy had one chance to climb Hidden Sword Peak to find a sword, but if they couldn’t find the right sword, they would have to pay a high amount of contribution points if they wanted to climb again. That price was absolutely unaffordable for ordinary disciples.

Therefore, many disciples chose to search for their swords only when they were about to leave the sect. Three to five people in every generation of disciples would be able to find their sword, and even that was considered a high number. The vast majority of them could only gaze at the ocean and lament their own inadequacy.

Speaking of treasured swords, Yan Huanyu was one of the most popular people in these years. He got his own sword in the fifth year after entering the academy, and he was the first person in his generation to get a sword from Hidden Sword Peak. Yan Tianhen originally asked Sword Saint Tianshu about what he needed to pay attention to while on the peak.

Sword Saint Tianshu said very unreliably, “Back in those days, I casually and easily went up, as though a cloud carried me up. It didn’t feel difficult at all, and I didn’t need to exert any effort. Later, I thought about it — it was probably because this Sword Saint is so heroic and domineering that he awed and intimidated those treasure swords. Not only did they not dare to move, but they also took the initiative to crouch down and greet…Hey, where are you going? I haven’t finished yet!”

Yan Tianhen deeply felt that Sword Saint Tianshu was unreliable, so he turned his head and walked away without wasting time, wondering who else to ask for experience.

He was afraid that Lin Xuanzhi wouldn’t work. Lin Xuanzhi brought his own companion sword Zhige. He did climb Hidden Sword Peak, but the swords on it seemed to be really afraid of him. It was said that every time he went up, these swords, which were originally stabbed into the cliffside, would tremble nonstop.