Chapter 685: A Glimmer of Hope
Zhang Ruochen looked at Gai Tianjiao and asked curiously, “As far as I know, since ancient times, the Sword Pavilion has been located at the headquarters of the Taiji Dao. Why would it be moved to the Liangyi Sect?”
The Taiji Dao was one of the Three Paths, and its headquarters was situated in Tiantai Prefecture in the Central Domain.
The Sword Pavilion was not merely a tower; within it lay the inheritance of countless sword cultivators from the Taiji Dao throughout the ages. It also housed the most complete collection of sword techniques and manuals in the world, numbering who knows how many tens of thousands of volumes.
It could be said that the significance of the Sword Pavilion represented the sword inheritance of the Taiji Dao.
And the sword inheritance of the Taiji Dao was the foremost in the Kunlun Realm.
Zhang Ruochen simply could not fathom why the headquarters of the Taiji Dao would willingly let the Sword Pavilion slip away.
Gai Tianjiao said, “Because someone wanted to support the Liangyi Sect and weaken the Taiji Dao.”
Gai Tianjiao spoke casually, but Zhang Ruochen immediately understood.
The only person in the entire Kunlun Realm who could influence both the Liangyi Sect and the Taiji Dao was Her Majesty the Empress of the First Central Empire.
Just imagine: if the Taiji Dao and its three branch sects—the Liangyi Sect, the Sixiang Sect, and the Bagua Sect—were united in spirit, what a terrifying force that would be!
How could Chi Yao possibly allow such a force to exist?
Eight hundred years ago, the Taiji Dao was the most powerful force in the entire Kunlun Realm, its influence and strength even surpassing that of the Sacred Bright Central Empire and the Qingchi Central Empire.
Five hundred years ago, the imperial army breached the headquarters of the Taiji Dao, dealing a devastating blow to the once-mighty sect. Countless saints fell in that battle.
Even so, relying on its profound foundation and long-standing heritage, the Taiji Dao rapidly recovered and grew strong again within just a few decades.
Therefore, after Empress Chi Yao ascended the throne, she first supported the Confucian Path to counterbalance the Taiji Dao.
Subsequently, she employed various means to vigorously support the three branch sects—the Liangyi Sect, the Sixiang Sect, and the Bagua Sect—creating discord between the headquarters and its branches.
Driven by the imperial court, the three branches and the Taiji Dao headquarters had completely split apart, never again regaining the glory of the Taiji Dao’s golden age.
At least now, Empress Chi Yao was the ruler of the Kunlun Realm. Even the Dao Master of the Taiji Dao had to obey her commands and dared not defy her lightly.
It had to be said that Empress Chi Yao’s methods were quite formidable. In just a few hundred years, she had brought the oldest and most massive force in the Kunlun Realm to its knees.
The summit of the Third Heavy Mountain was equipped with formations that could withstand the “force” of the Ancient God Mountain.
Gai Tianjiao’s identity was quite special. She and Zhang Ruochen arrived outside the formation, and a faint halo of light appeared on the ground, forming a door.
Zhang Ruochen and Gai Tianjiao stepped through the light door, entering the area covered by the formation, and arrived at the edge of a white stone plaza.
The white stone plaza was enormous, three thousand meters in both length and width, spacious enough to hold tens of thousands of people without feeling crowded.
The ground was paved with slabs of granite a foot thick, and formation inscriptions could be seen flowing across the stone surfaces.
Zhang Ruochen exerted all his strength and stomped on the ground. The force from his foot was instantly neutralized by the formation, turning into rippling waves that spread into the earth and dissipated without a trace.
Gai Tianjiao glanced at Zhang Ruochen and laughed, “Empress Chi Yao has decreed that among the Taiji Dao headquarters, the Liangyi Sect, the Sixiang Sect, and the Bagua Sect, whichever sect wins first place in the Sword Discussion Assembly will hold the Sword Pavilion for a hundred years.”
Zhang Ruochen was slightly moved, not expecting Chi Yao to resort to such a cunning tactic. He said, “It is said that the Sword Pavilion contains the most complete collection of sword technique manuals in the world. Whoever obtains the Sword Pavilion can elevate their sect’s strength to an astonishing height within a hundred years.”
“However, to obtain the Sword Pavilion, the three major sects and the headquarters will inevitably have to engage in fierce conflict.”
Gai Tianjiao said, “In the past few hundred years, four Sword Discussion Assemblies have been held here. The Liangyi Sect has produced sword prodigies time and again, repeatedly defeating the contenders from the headquarters, the Sixiang Sect, and the Bagua Sect, ensuring that the Sword Pavilion has remained with the sect and never been lost.”
“It is precisely because of possessing the Sword Pavilion that, after several hundred years of development, the Liangyi Sect’s strength can now rival that of the headquarters.”
“However, some variables have emerged in this Sword Discussion Assembly.”
Zhang Ruochen quickly asked, “What variables?”
Gai Tianjiao said, “According to intelligence gathered by the Liangyi Sect, the Taiji Dao headquarters, the Sixiang Sect, and the Bagua Sect have all produced sword prodigies. Not only have they cultivated Sword One to the Tenth Layer Great Perfection, but they have also reached a certain level in Sword Two.”
“Apart from the Taiji Dao headquarters and the three branches, other sects and forces have also produced young sword masters who have made a name for themselves. For example, Xue Wuye, the young master of Wanxiang City, and Suihan of the Confucian Path’s Qin Sect.”
“In previous Sword Discussion Assemblies, such a situation was almost impossible. As you should know, in the Fish-Dragon Realm, cultivators’ understanding of the Heavenly and Saintly Dao remains at a relatively low level. Cultivating Sword One to the Great Perfection is an extremely difficult task. It is only in the past few decades that talents have emerged in abundance, giving rise to many sword prodigies.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled faintly and said, “In the past five hundred years, the Liangyi Sect has always held the leading position in the sword path, excelling throughout the entire Kunlun Realm. There is no need to fear challenges from other forces. I believe the Liangyi Sect is well prepared.”
Gai Tianjiao shook her head and said, “Originally, the Liangyi Sect did train three sword prodigies specifically for the Sword Discussion Assembly. But… these three individuals are now likely unable to shoulder the arduous task of defending the Sword Pavilion.”
“Why?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
“The first one betrayed the Liangyi Sect. To be precise, he was never a member of the Liangyi Sect at all. He was a spy sent by the Sixiang Sect, deliberately gaining the Liangyi Sect’s trust and using the Sword Pavilion’s resources. At just thirty-six years old, he cultivated Sword One to the Tenth Layer Great Perfection.”
Gai Tianjiao’s face bore a strong sense of anger and killing intent. “By the time the sect became aware of it, he had already fled back to the Sixiang Sect. It is said that this person has now reached a certain level in Sword Two.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “The Sixiang Sect is quite cunning, using the Liangyi Sect’s resources to train a disciple and then using him to compete with the Liangyi Sect for the Sword Pavilion.”
“If I ever encounter him again, I will personally kill him.” Gai Tianjiao snorted coldly.
Zhang Ruochen then asked, “What about the second person?”
Gai Tianjiao clasped her hands behind her back, gazing into the distance, and said, “The second person, you actually know her too. It’s Qi Feiyu. To cultivate her, the Liangyi Sect, before she was even born, joined forces with the Qi family at great cost to implant a Sword Intent Heart into her body. Thus, from the moment she was born, she was in the state of Sword Heart Illumination.”
“With such an innate advantage, coupled with the vigorous cultivation of the Qi family and the Liangyi Sect, her sword path cultivation should have advanced rapidly.”
“Unexpectedly, even now, she has not cultivated Sword One to the Tenth Layer Great Perfection. If she were to represent the Liangyi Sect in the Sword Discussion Assembly, wouldn’t it make the world laugh at our sect for lacking talent?”
Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly. Based on his understanding of Qi Feiyu, this woman’s talent was not low. If she truly had the full support of the Liangyi Sect and the Qi family, she should not have achieved only this much.
Qi Feiyu did not seem like a mediocrity.
Of course, Qi Feiyu was not mediocre either. Having reached the Eighth Change of the Fish-Dragon Realm at a young age and cultivating Sword One to the Eighth Layer, she was already outstanding.
Perhaps it was because everyone’s expectations of her were too high that such a gap had formed.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Isn’t there also the exceptionally talented Gai Tianjiao? She is called the greatest prodigy of the Liangyi Sect in a hundred thousand years. If she were to step forward, she should be able to turn the tide and protect the Sword Pavilion.”
Gai Tianjiao waved her hand with a smile and said, “She won’t work. Although she has cultivated Sword One to the Tenth Layer Great Perfection, that is already her limit. Compared to that traitor, she still has some gaps. How can she defeat all the sword masters of the world? Gai Tianjiao’s talent does not lie in the sword path. If it were a contest of fists and palms, even an ordinary Half-Saint would likely be driven back by her.”
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Gai Tianjiao and smiled, “Even if those three are all inadequate, isn’t there still you?”
“Me?”
Gai Tianjiao immediately showed an ambiguous expression.
Zhang Ruochen said, “If I am not mistaken, you have already cultivated Sword One to the Tenth Layer Great Perfection, haven’t you?”
Gai Tianjiao immediately turned and walked toward the altar at the center of the plaza, as if trying to hide her expression, and said, “My sword path has great flaws. Participating in the Sword Discussion Assembly would only lead to utter defeat.”
“This year’s Sword Discussion Assembly is truly precarious for the Liangyi Sect. Only you might be a glimmer of hope.”
“Me?”
Zhang Ruochen laughed and said, “Aren’t you overestimating me?”
“Whether I am overestimating you or not, you are now the most remarkable sword prodigy among the younger generation of the Liangyi Sect. Although you have appeared too late, if the Liangyi Sect devotes all its resources to cultivating you, with your comprehension, you will surely make tremendous progress in the coming months.”
Gai Tianjiao stopped, turned around, and fixed her gaze on Zhang Ruochen. “As a disciple of the Liangyi Sect, don’t you want to do something for the sect?”
Zhang Ruochen did not reject the Sword Discussion Assembly outright. Moreover, he had indeed gained many benefits from the Liangyi Sect. If he could truly do something for the sect, he would naturally not refuse.
Perhaps it was because Ming Emperor had once been a disciple of the Liangyi Sect.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen still felt a certain sense of belonging to the Liangyi Sect.
Zhang Ruochen did not immediately agree and said, “Let’s decide after the sword path competition is over.”
Gai Tianjiao said disdainfully, “Since you have already made it into the top ten of the Eighth Change of the Fish-Dragon Realm, there is no need to participate in the ranking matches of the sword path competition. Focus all your efforts on cultivating the sword path. What use is the so-called ranking match? Even if you win first place, aside from gaining some fame, what else is it good for?”
“If you truly want to become famous throughout the world, what could be more influential than making a name for yourself in the Sword Discussion Assembly? Think back to the past—didn’t the Sword Emperor rise to fame in the Sword Discussion Assembly? Don’t you want to become the second Sword Emperor?”
Zhang Ruochen said, “What you say does have some merit.”
“If you make your decision, I can take you to see Zangyue Sword Saint right now. In the coming months, Zangyue Sword Saint and the Nine Sword Bearers will devote all their efforts to cultivating you, and you can use the resources of the entire Liangyi Sect as you wish.” Gai Tianjiao said.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze fixed on the massive altar at the center of the plaza, a thoughtful expression on his face. He said, “In other words, as long as I agree, I can stay at the summit of the Third Heavy Mountain of the Ancient God Mountain for the next few months, freely enter and exit the Sword Pavilion, and browse all the sword technique manuals within?”
“Naturally.”
Gai Tianjiao added, “You can even peruse the *Wordless Sword Manual*. You need to think carefully—such treatment is not available at any time.”