When it comes to understanding the Sword Trial Stele, there are truly few in the entire Sword Sect who surpass Xu Muxue.
Before she took up the position of Sect Leader, the trials of this Stele were almost mere child’s play.
At least, that was how Xu Muxue saw it.
So she made a grand change.
What she inscribed was the Sword Intent of the Spirit Severing Stage.
When she first carved that sword, the Nascent Soul Stage Sword Intents on the Stele howled like ghosts and wolves, with some even being directly shattered by the impact.
After that, the difficulty of the Sword Trial increased by more than one whole tier overnight. Nobody knows how many disciples who should have entered the Inner Sect were reassigned to the Outer Sect, or how many who should have entered the Outer Sect were relegated to menial tasks.
To this, Xu Muxue responded with a playful, “Hehe meow.”
Indeed, the Sword Sect only accepts true geniuses!
The fortune she left behind casually back then seems to be something no one has been able to decipher. If that’s the case, then today, she’ll just take it back.
Experience Pack +1
When the golden-red sword light surged forth completely, Xu Muxue’s left hand changed her sword finger, while her right hand held her sword horizontally. The countless sword lights in the sky instantly converged, eventually forming a sword shadow identical in shape to her Qingyue Sword.
That golden-red sword shadow slowly descended, ultimately merging into the Qingyue Sword. The dull, grayish texture on the sword instantly vanished, replaced by a layer of crystal-clear, gentle radiance.
“Alright, stop squealing and yowling like that. After all, it’s a divine sword spirit; have some restraint…” Xu Muxue lightly flicked the sword’s blade.
With the entire Sword Intent Domain compressed within the Qingyue Sword, Xu Muxue’s figure reappeared once more. The onlookers, still recovering from their shock, exchanged glances at the suddenly silent scene.
“This… this is it?”
Xu Muxue, however, had already lifted the corner of her lips slightly.
The real show was yet to come.
Her jade-like fingers caressed the sword’s blade, and where her fingertips passed, golden-red runes lit up on the Qingyue Sword.
Beside her, Shen Qinghan watched in astonishment. Even she did not know the Qingyue Sword could be used this way.
“Swift as Yi shooting down the nine suns, mighty as emperors riding dragons soaring through the sky,” Xu Muxue whispered softly.
When the runes blazed to their peak, an ancient, primordial aura emanated from the sword.
The Sword Trial Stele across from Xu Muxue seemed to sense a formidable enemy; hundreds of sword intents left by past Sect Leaders surged out wildly.
Faced with this overwhelming sword intent, Xu Muxue didn’t even glance at it. Gently raising her hand, she slashed out a single sword.
Heaven and earth shattered.
When everyone finally recovered from the dazzling sword light, all they saw was the Sword Trial Stele that had stood for millions of years, reduced to scattered fragments.
And Xu Muxue, sheathed her sword, placed her hands behind her head leisurely, and turned to leave with ease.
“Coming down like thunder to collect its wrath, retreating like rivers and seas crystallizing clear light.”
***
In a small courtyard atop Zuo Wang Peak, Shen Qinghan repeatedly drew and sheathed her sword, staring at the divine light on the blade with an expression that clearly said, “I must be drawing my sword wrong.”
“Little Junior Sister, are you really sure you want to participate in the Sword Trial Tournament?”
“What’s wrong? Isn’t this fine?”
Xu Muxue looked at her incredulously.
“I’m afraid you’ll accidentally get cut down by your opponent.”
“Isn’t that perfect? I’ll just put on a little show to serve as a deterrent without fighting. After all, these disciples of the Sword Sect are like my juniors; there’s some familial feeling there…”
“You, huh,” Shen Qinghan tapped Xu Muxue’s nose, speaking helplessly.
“You little fox, you really scared me. Just a mere Fifth Disciple, yet you’re even stronger than the First Senior Sister.”
Xu Muxue waved her hand dismissively.
“It’s nothing, nothing. This isn’t some glorious thing, and besides, my actual strength is only Qi Refining Third Layer. You’re still way ahead of me.”
“Why isn’t it glorious?”
“Silly girl, what glory is there when the Master is stronger than the disciple…” Xu Muxue took a slow sip of tea and said casually.
“…Master?”
“Pfft!”
Xu Muxue sprayed out a mouthful of tea.
Damn, she let it slip in a moment of carelessness.
“I…”
“Come to think of it, you sure know a lot about the Sword Sect’s structure. You’ve never even been here, yet you know about the Sword Trial Stele’s existence. Besides Xu Mu, I haven’t seen anyone else who can wield the Qingyue Sword…”
“Even if Xu Mu taught you all that… how come you can use his Soul-shocking Sword Intent? That’s something none of the four sisters can comprehend—it belongs only to Xu Mu.”
Shen Qinghan’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned closer.
“You…”
“I actually inherited the Master’s legacy!”
Xu Muxue blurted out in a panic.
Shen Qinghan was stunned.
“Legacy? What legacy?”
“You know, like when someone passes their lifelong cultivation all at once into their disciple!”
Xu Muxue gestured wildly, sweating.
“There should be that kind of legacy… right?”
“There is, but with Master’s late Nascent Soul Stage cultivation, how could you only be Qi Refining Third Layer after receiving the legacy?”
Shen Qinghan eyed her skeptically.
“Well… that’s because, um, Master thought I was too young and didn’t want to force my growth. So he sealed the spiritual energy inheritance deep inside me, and it’ll unlock slowly as I grow older…”
Shen Qinghan scrutinized her for a long time before slowly nodding, “That actually sounds plausible.”
“Phew…”
Xu Muxue let out a long breath.
A pure-hearted big disciple is easy to fool.
“Then let me probe the legacy sealed inside you.”
“Burp!”
Xu Muxue almost choked.
There’s no sealed legacy inside me. If there was, I wouldn’t be a harmless little Qi Refining Third Layer cutie.
Seeing Shen Qinghan’s hand reach out, Xu Muxue’s eyes spun like a mosquito coil.
What do I do, what do I do?!
Just then, a clear voice rang out from outside the courtyard gate:
“Elder Shen, this junior, Song Yu, requests an audience.”
“Aha!”
Xu Muxue’s eyes lit up instantly like she’d spotted a savior. She formed a seal and, with a whoosh, transformed into a pure white little fox, dashing toward Song Yu at the gate, climbing up her ankle, and finally curling up into a ball atop her head.
Riding her newly acquired mount, the little fox glared fiercely at Shen Qinghan with obsidian-like eyes, wagging her tiny tongue mockingly.
Shen Qinghan was both amused and exasperated but had no choice. She could only welcome Song Yu inside first.
“Daoist Song, what brings you to Zuo Wang Peak?”
Shen Qinghan invited her to sit, speaking calmly.
“I’m terrified, please just call me by my full name, Elder,” Song Yu quickly tried to bow in thanks but couldn’t lower her head with a little furry white ball sitting on top.
When she first entered the courtyard, she hadn’t caught sight of Xu Muxue’s figure, only a fluffy white creature climbing onto her head. Given the many cats and dogs in the courtyard, she had initially thought it was a big fat cat.
Afraid of losing composure and knowing how fond Shen Qinghan was of the animals, she dared not make a move. Even as her neck felt the pressure, she pretended not to notice, bravely acting as Xu Muxue’s mount.
“Elder Shen, I have come this time regarding the Sword Trial Tournament,” Song Yu’s fair throat moved nervously before she mustered the courage to speak.
“May I ask where the Fox Immortal Lady of Zuo Wang Peak is now? May I speak with her?”
Shen Qinghan stood and walked step by step toward Song Yu. The pressure grew heavier and heavier. When Shen Qinghan reached her, she stretched out both hands.
Song Yu instinctively closed her eyes.
Then she felt her head lighten.
Opening her eyes, she saw Shen Qinghan holding a plump, indignant white-furred little fox kicking its legs. Her mouth formed a surprised ‘o’.
“That’s her. Go talk to her.”
A faintly pained smile tugged at Shen Qinghan’s beautiful face as she tossed Xu Muxue into Song Yu’s arms.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.