Chapter 667: An Impolite Request
Soon, another third of the time had passed. Zhang Ruochen finished compiling the second sword manual's mental technique.
Sure enough, just as he had thought, specks of light flew out from the jade statue once again. They landed on his body and immediately burrowed inside, converging towards the Sword Heart in his Qi Sea.
He had taken another step closer to the high-level realm of Sword Heart Illumination.
During the final third of the time, Zhang Ruochen's speed in compiling the mental techniques noticeably increased. He managed to compile two mental techniques in a row.
"Whoosh!"
The jade statue emitted an unprecedented white radiance, surging forth countless white specks of light that completely enveloped Zhang Ruochen's body.
The Sword Heart absorbed the white specks of light, transforming into a silver sphere, like a liquid pellet, suspended at the center of his Qi Sea.
Finally, Zhang Ruochen had reached the high-level realm of Sword Heart Illumination. His Sword Heart had become like a "Silver Pill."
The jade statue seemed to come alive. It opened its mouth and spoke, its voice deep and resonant: "To have reached the high-level of Sword Heart Illumination at such a young age marks you as a true prodigy of the Sword Dao. If you are willing to endure hardship and work diligently, in time, you have great hope of becoming a Sword Saint. Consider this my small contribution to helping you, and also my contribution to the younger generation of the Liangyi Sect."
The old Daoist had died many years ago. This was merely an indestructible Sacred Soul attached to the jade statue.
"Thank you, Senior."
Zhang Ruochen stood up and bowed respectfully.
The jade statue said, "Your realm has indeed broken through, but you have failed the trial. Come back next time!"
Zhang Ruochen remained standing in place, showing no intention of leaving. He said, "Junior has already created a set of lower-grade Spiritual-level sword techniques based on the mental techniques on the statue. Why would I have failed the trial?"
"You actually created a sword technique? I understand now. You were multitasking. While compiling the mental techniques, you were simultaneously using your Sword Heart to conceive and practice the sword techniques in your Qi Sea. Since that's the case, demonstrate the sword technique you created. If you truly succeeded, I will deem you to have passed." The jade statue said.
Zhang Ruochen drew the Gushui Sword and began to demonstrate the sword technique.
...
Qi Feiyu was the first to walk out of the palace. She appeared calm and composed, standing on the narrow mountain path, neither descending nor ascending.
No one knew whether she had passed this trial.
Xu Changsheng was the second to walk out of the palace. His face was covered in sweat, and he seemed somewhat dazed, as if he had lost his soul.
He had compiled one mental technique but had failed to create a sword technique within the hour.
Thus, he had failed the trial.
Overall, Xu Changsheng was not lacking in comprehension, but he had always cultivated techniques and martial arts summarized by his predecessors, unable to create his own martial arts.
Such a person could still be considered excellent, but it would be very difficult for him to reach the pinnacle of the Saint Path.
Can Dong was the third to walk out of the palace. He had also failed the trial.
The main reason was that "comprehension" was Can Dong's weakness. While he surpassed ordinary people, he was still far from matching top-tier geniuses.
Seeing Can Dong fail, Xu Changsheng's mood finally improved a bit.
Can Dong's gaze turned to the second palace. He asked, "Did Lin Yue succeed in the trial?"
"An hour has passed. He should have failed." Qi Feiyu said.
Can Dong frowned. "At his age, being able to cultivate Sword One to the seventh level means he shouldn't have any weaknesses. Why would he fail?"
Xu Changsheng snorted coldly. "Unless one is a prodigy of the Sword Dao, it's impossible to pass this trial! Lin Yue only has his current Sword Dao cultivation because of lucky encounters. His own abilities might not be that strong..."
"Creak!"
Before Xu Changsheng could finish his words, the palace door opened, and Zhang Ruochen walked out.
On the cliff, Qi Feiyu, Can Dong, and Xu Changsheng all looked over at the same time, their eyes fixed on him.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the three of them with some surprise. "What? Did everyone pass? How about we all push through to the top of the second mountain? The second Sacred Spring should be of a higher grade than the first."
Xu Changsheng's expression turned extremely ugly.
Can Dong said frankly, "I failed the trial. I won't be going to the mountaintop this time. But you should work hard. I hope you can reach the top of the second mountain, or even the third mountain, as you said earlier."
Qi Feiyu's gaze fell on Zhang Ruochen. "I'll go with you!"
Her voice was exceptionally pleasant, ethereal and pure, without any impurities.
Being able to accompany a beauty on the journey up the mountain was, of course, an enviable thing.
But Zhang Ruochen didn't see it that way at all. He looked at Qi Feiyu as if he were looking at a venomous scorpion.
"Please!"
Zhang Ruochen's expression remained unchanged, appearing very gentlemanly as he extended his hand in a gesture of invitation.
Qi Feiyu turned her delicate body, her back to Can Dong and Xu Changsheng. A strange smile appeared in her beautiful, star-like eyes as she cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Ruochen.
Her elegant temperament, flawless face, and that strange smile gave Zhang Ruochen a chilling feeling.
Within the Liangyi Sect, Qi Feiyu had countless suitors. Countless talented young men were captivated by her otherworldly, ethereal aura.
But who knew about her hidden side?
Can Dong and Xu Changsheng watched Zhang Ruochen and Qi Feiyu disappear along the mountain path with envy and jealousy in their eyes.
Such a picturesque scene, yet it concealed deadly killing intent.
Once out of Can Dong and Xu Changsheng's sight, Zhang Ruochen immediately stopped and put a distance of ten zhang between himself and Qi Feiyu.
Qi Feiyu didn't turn around. Her gentle voice sounded again: "We could actually become allies. Continuing to fight each other will only lead to mutual destruction."
Zhang Ruochen didn't approach her. He smiled. "Can I trust you?"
"The reason I tried to kill you was that, at the time, I thought you were truly a talented individual with the potential to become a Sword Saint. By killing you and framing Xu Changsheng, the Liangyi Sect would lose two top-tier geniuses."
Qi Feiyu was exceptionally calm. Even when discussing murder, she remained so serene and beautiful.
She continued, "Since you're not a disciple of the Liangyi Sect, why would I still want to kill you?"
Zhang Ruochen circulated his True Qi to resist the mountain "force" of the second mountain. His steps were steady as he slowly advanced. "Reconciliation is not impossible, but I have one condition."
"What condition?"
Zhang Ruochen stopped. "Take off your clothes. I want to see your body."
Qi Feiyu also stopped. She turned her head to look at Zhang Ruochen, her expression calm. "Don't you think the condition you've proposed is a bit too impolite?"
"No, I don't."
Zhang Ruochen said, "The reason I'm saying this is already the utmost politeness I can offer. Otherwise, I would have already opened my Heavenly Eye to personally find the flaws on your body."
"What flaws?" Qi Feiyu asked.
Zhang Ruochen smiled but didn't answer her.
The Undying Blood Clan could control their own flesh and blood, transforming into another person's appearance, allowing them to easily hide within various major powers.
However, the Undying Blood Clan possessed a pair of Blood Wings. Even if they retracted their wings into their bodies and looked like normal people, the bones in their backs would certainly be different from ordinary people.
The flaw of the Undying Blood Clan lay precisely in their backs.
Qi Feiyu just smiled, completely ignoring Zhang Ruochen. She no longer spoke of reconciliation and headed straight towards the mountaintop.
"I've already given you a chance. Since you didn't cherish it, don't blame me for being rude."
Zhang Ruochen pressed his hands against his temples. The Heavenly Eye on his forehead manifested, emitting a beam of light that landed on Qi Feiyu.
But the light from the Heavenly Eye was blocked by a layer of white mist, making it impossible to see Qi Feiyu's true form.
A hint of mockery appeared on Qi Feiyu's face. "Since I dared to infiltrate the Liangyi Sect, I naturally have a way to hide my true form. Do you think your Heavenly Eye can see through me?"
Zhang Ruochen retracted his Heavenly Eye. "It doesn't matter. I can't see through you now, but that doesn't mean I won't be able to in the future. I believe that one day, I will make you reveal your true form."
After that, neither of them spoke again. They began to fully resist the mountain "force" of the second mountain, striving to climb to the summit.
The mountain "force" of the second mountain was several times stronger than that of the first, posing a tremendous test to a cultivator's willpower.
Even Zhang Ruochen found it somewhat strenuous, slowing his climbing pace.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Qi Feiyu's fair forehead, constantly rolling down her cheeks, soaking most of her Daoist robe.
Soon, Zhang Ruochen overtook her from behind.
Qi Feiyu looked up and glanced forward. A strange expression flickered in her beautiful eyes. She clearly hadn't expected Zhang Ruochen's willpower to be stronger than hers.
"If I use the mountain 'force,' there should be a certain chance of dealing with her."
After thinking about it, Zhang Ruochen shook his head.
Although his willpower was slightly stronger than Qi Feiyu's, resisting that mountain "force" was still quite taxing for him. If he were to divert his strength to fight, he might encounter danger.
Besides, Qi Feiyu was no pushover. Who knew if she had other trump cards?
Zhang Ruochen temporarily suppressed the thought. He gathered his strength and charged towards the mountaintop.
After spending two hours, he finally broke through the layers of clouds and took the final step, becoming the first to reach the top of the second mountain.
At that moment, the Saint-Transmitted Disciples at the foot of Ancient God Mountain also spotted the figure on the summit of the second mountain.
"Look, someone has reached the second mountain."
"Who is it? Is it Qi Feiyu, or Qin Yufan? That... who is that?"
...
Many Saint-Transmitted Disciples showed expressions of surprise because the figure on the summit of the second mountain looked quite unfamiliar.
"Could it be Lin Yue from the Changsheng Academy? It looks a lot like him."
"How is that possible? Lin Yue is just a newly promoted Saint-Transmitted Disciple. There's absolutely no way he could reach the second mountain."
Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji saw the figure on the summit of the second mountain and were stunned speechless for a moment.
(June 1st has arrived, our holiday once again. I wish everyone, and myself, a happy Children's Day. Oh yeah!) (To be continued.)