“Xia Xia?”
“Eek! P-Peak Master! I-I’m sorry!”
Upon seeing Nan Xi’s face, the girl instantly turned into a startled little animal.
She scrambled out of Nan Xi’s arms in a flurry and squeezed past him on the stairs, running down to the floor below.
Nan Xi remained where he was, a look of complete bewilderment on his face.
‘What just happened?’
“You… You are… Peak Master!”
On the third floor of the Sword Repository, an Elder came rushing over at the sound of the commotion. After recognizing Nan Xi, he bowed repeatedly in apology.
“Please forgive us for startling you, Peak Master. That is a new servant in the Sword Repository. It is all our fault for not making the proper arrangements beforehand and allowing her to disturb you. We hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us.”
“It is fine…”
Nan Xi’s brow furrowed slightly, his gaze still fixed in the direction where Xia Xia had disappeared.
“Never mind her. Let us proceed with today’s work.”
“Yes, yes. Master Nan Xi, please come this way.”
The Elder of the Sword Repository exchanged a glance with Elder Song Er and quickly led Nan Xi to the third floor.
After that brief interlude, everything seemed to return to its proper course.
Compared to the first two floors, the third floor of the Sword Repository was slightly smaller in area.
However, because there were fewer swords stored there, it felt much more spacious by comparison.
In the center of the room, nine high platforms were lined up in sequence.
A Spirit Sword floated above each platform. Even a distant glance was enough to feel their extraordinary nature.
The pressure radiating from those platforms alone was not something an ordinary person could approach.
However…
Nan Xi’s gaze swept over the Spirit Swords one by one, his eyes deep and calm.
“Master Nan Xi, is there something wrong?” Perhaps seeing Nan Xi lost in thought, Elder Song Er took a step forward and asked in a flattering tone.
“It is nothing. Please continue.”
Nan Xi was truly getting tired of him. ‘Why does he feel the need to ask for my opinion on every little thing?’
Fortunately, after receiving Nan Xi’s permission, Elder Song Er did not linger. With a light cough, he turned back to the disciples.
On the other side, nine newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples had gathered on the third floor, standing in a line.
The number happened to match the Nine Swords of Tianquan.
He just wondered how many people would actually be able to take one of the Nine Swords of Tianquan with them today.
“Wang Quan, let us start with you.”
Elder Song Er turned his gaze toward the Inner Sect Disciple at the front of the line.
The disciple named Wang Quan stepped forward, cupping his hands in respect toward Nan Xi and Elder Song Er before standing in front of the Nine Swords of Tianquan.
‘That is quite a grand-sounding name.’
Nan Xi glanced at the disciple.
As expected, since he was the first to step up for the challenge, he naturally chose to challenge the highest quality sword among the Nine Swords of Tianquan — the Heaven-grade Spirit Sword.
Hummm—
As soon as Wang Quan stood before the platform, an invisible pressure instantly descended upon him.
The power was so intense that even the onlookers in the distance were affected.
Will he succeed!?
The watching disciples could not help but break into a cold sweat for Wang Quan.
He was ranked first among this year’s Inner Sect Disciples. If even Wang Quan failed…
Cough—
Of course, nothing was certain. In a trial like this, one could never be sure. Perhaps their eyes would meet with a Spirit Sword when it was their turn.
Under everyone’s expectant gaze, Wang Quan finally made a move.
Unfortunately, it was not the great success everyone had anticipated.
With a muffled groan, Wang Quan was sent flying backward from the platform.
As he zoomed past the crowd, Nan Xi reached out and grabbed him by the back of his collar, preventing him from flying right out the window.
“Thank… thank you, Peak Master!” Wang Quan quickly scrambled to his feet and bowed to Nan Xi.
“Don’t mind me. Carry on,” Nan Xi said, curling his lip.
He was wondering if he should change his name to “AAA Professional Flight Service.” This was the second “flight” he had caught today.
“Yes, yes. Wang Quan, do not be discouraged. There are still many Spirit Swords worth choosing from.”
Elder Song Er chuckled from the side, comforting Wang Quan with a kind and gentle expression.
Bolstered by their encouragement, Wang Quan’s confidence surged. He stood before the next platform.
Half a minute later—
“Argh!”
“Do not be discouraged. There are still more chances.”
“Argh!”
“It is alright. Keep it up.”
“Argh!”
…
In the span of just ten minutes, Nan Xi had already heard “Argh!” nine times.
This poor Inner Sect Disciple had been sent flying nine times in a row, each time further than the last.
By the end, Elder Song Er could only rub his hands together and offer his regrets to the young Wang Quan.
“It is alright. There are still Spirit Swords on the lower floors for you to choose from.”
“Alright, next disciple, please come forward and try.”
Elder Song Er called the next disciple to begin his sword-selection ceremony.
Then…
Predictably, a new cycle of “Argh!” began.
…
Amidst the hypnotic rhythm of repeated screams, Nan Xi yawned.
If it were not for his image, he would have lain down right there for a nap.
By his count, about one hour had passed.
Unfortunately, during that time, not a single disciple had passed the trial of the Nine Swords of Tianquan to take one home.
So, what was Nan Xi even doing here?
He had not even had the chance to say the line, “Child, as of today, this sword belongs to you.”
He stole a glance at the Elders and disciples.
No one seemed to notice him.
Nan Xi quietly moved his feet and began to stroll toward the stairs. He decided to head downstairs for a walk.
Luckily, the Elders and disciples remained completely immersed in the ceremony, allowing Nan Xi to successfully reach the second floor.
Compared to the third floor, the second floor of the Sword Repository was much more crowded.
Numerous Earth-grade Spirit Swords were displayed in neatly arranged cabinets, seemingly waiting for someone to arrive.
Nan Xi was a sword cultivator.
His perception of Spirit Swords was naturally much stronger than that of an average cultivator.
To be honest, compared to the nine swords on the third floor that could only be admired from afar, these swords — which he could observe up close and even try out — were much more comfortable.
As he passed an Earth-grade Spirit Sword, he reached out and picked it up from the display case, examining it carefully.
Even though he had snapped at the Sword Casting Elders of the Sword Furnace a few days ago, asking what use they were, Nan Xi had to admit their craftsmanship was excellent now that he was actually holding one of their swords.
Especially as his fingertips brushed over the cloud patterns on the blade, the sharp sensation did not lie to him.
‘A good sword.’
“Can the Peak Master use a sword too?”
A crisp, pleasant voice rang out beside him.
Nan Xi instinctively looked down and once again met a pair of emerald-green eyes.
“Xia Xia? Why are you still here?”
“Hehe! My job today is to clean the Sword Repository.”
Unlike her timidness when other Elders were present, Xia Xia was clearly much more lively when alone with Nan Xi.
“I accidentally wandered onto the third floor earlier. I was kicked out as soon as I got up there, and then I bumped into you, Peak Master.”
“I am really, really sorry >
Xia Xia pressed her hands together and apologized earnestly to Nan Xi.
“It is fine. You are not hurt, are you?” Nan Xi nodded slightly, signaling for her to relax.
“I am not hurt! I already went to the first floor and got a scolding from the Elders. Luckily, they did not make things difficult for me after that~”
Xia Xia let out a silly laugh.
“You really are thick-skinned, are you not?”
Nan Xi let out a short laugh and placed the Spirit Sword back into the display case.
However…
The gaze of the silly girl in front of him seemed to follow the sword in his hand as it moved.