# Chapter 697: The Second Layer Realm
Because of their outstanding performance in the sword dao competition, they would all have the opportunity to enter the Sword Pavilion to cultivate for three months. However, compared to Zhang Ruochen and Qi Feiyu, their activities within the Sword Pavilion would be heavily restricted.
Of course, they had not reached the summit of the Third Heavy Mountain through their own strength; instead, they were led up the mountain by nine Half-Saints.
Xun Hualiu stood among the crowd, gazing at the Sword Pavilion atop the white sacred cliff with astonishment, saying, "I never thought that I, Xun Hualiu, would one day enter the Sword Pavilion to cultivate as a genius. Haha!"
"From now on, I, Mu Jiji, am also a big shot." Mu Jiji placed his hands on his hips, laughing so hard that his fat trembled all over.
Then, Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji knelt on the ground, extremely devout, and kowtowed in the direction of the Sword Pavilion, as if on a pilgrimage.
The surrounding cultivators did not look down on Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji. After all, in their hearts, the Sword Pavilion was indeed an incredibly sacred place. Being able to enter the Sword Pavilion to cultivate even once was a great honor. When they traveled the world in the future and spoke of it to other cultivators, it would surely earn them countless people's respect.
A stream of Saint Qi surged out from the Sword Pavilion, condensing into a man dressed in purple robes at the top of the white stone sacred cliff. An overwhelmingly powerful sword aura emanated from his body.
Below, the nine Half-Saints simultaneously bowed to the purple-robed man and said in unison, "Greetings, Sword Saint."
"Is he the legendary Zangyue Sword Saint?"
"We finally get to see the Sword Saint. If he could give me just one move of guidance, how much would my sword dao improve?"
In the eyes of the disciples of the Liangyi Sect, the Zangyue Sword Saint was a completely mythologized figure. Seeing him, even the Fish-Dragon Realm prodigies found it hard to control their excitement.
"Greetings, Sword Saint."
They all knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the Zangyue Sword Saint.
Just then, Qi Feiyu, Qi Hong, and Gai Tianjiao walked out of the Sword Pavilion, came to the square, and stood together with the nine Half-Saints.
"Rise."
The Zangyue Sword Saint's voice carried a thick Saint Qi, spreading throughout the entire Third Heavy Mountain.
He continued, "Since everyone has already arrived, Qi Hong, take them into the Sword Pavilion. For the next three months, you will be responsible for everything regarding them in the Sword Pavilion."
"Understood."
Qi Hong's gaze swept across the crowd. Not seeing Zhang Ruochen's figure, a slight curve formed at the corner of his mouth. He then bowed to the Zangyue Sword Saint and said, "Reporting to Master, one month ago, I assigned tasks to Lin Yue and Qi Feiyu according to your instructions."
"Now, the one-month deadline has arrived. Shouldn't we test their strength and then award the Sword Soul Ice Soul to the one who is stronger?"
The Zangyue Sword Saint nodded and said, "Indeed, there was such a matter. However, in just one short month, I'm afraid the two of them may not have been able to comprehend the first layer realm of Sword Two. In my opinion, it's better to wait another month."
Gai Tianjiao had already reported Qi Feiyu's situation to the Zangyue Sword Saint.
Therefore, the Zangyue Sword Saint was somewhat wary of Qi Feiyu and the Qi Clan. Even if he were to bestow the Sword Soul Ice Soul, he would prefer to give it to Lin Yue.
Seeing that Lin Yue had not appeared, the Zangyue Sword Saint intended to postpone it for another month.
Qi Feiyu stepped forward, walked to the center of the square, bowed to the Zangyue Sword Saint, and said, "Reporting to the Sword Saint, this junior has already cultivated Sword Two to the first layer realm."
The nine Half-Saints present were all moved, because more than half of them had not yet crossed the threshold of Sword Two.
For a Fish-Dragon Realm cultivator to achieve such a high level of sword dao was truly astonishing.
The other geniuses were naturally even more shocked, all whispering among themselves.
"Sister Qi's sword dao talent is too terrifying. Not only has she cultivated Sword One to Great Perfection, but she has also cultivated Sword Two to the first layer realm."
"Sister Qi is indeed a proud daughter of heaven with innate clarity. Her talent and cultivation can be considered second only to Senior Sister."
"Her talent in sword dao surpasses Senior Sister's."
...
With just one simple sentence, Qi Feiyu had indeed stunned quite a few people.
No matter how much everyone praised her, Qi Feiyu remained calm and composed, without a trace of pride or impatience. That kind of detached temperament made even the Half-Saint patriarchs present nod repeatedly, showing appreciative glances.
"How is that possible?"
Gai Tianjiao's eyes suddenly contracted, and two blazing rays of light surged from her pupils.
She would never believe that Qi Feiyu could achieve such a high accomplishment in just one short month. Unless Qi Feiyu had already reached that realm a long time ago but had been hiding it all along.
Qi Feiyu suddenly displaying such extraordinary sword dao talent was already quite abnormal. No one knew what she was planning.
If she were to obtain the Sword Soul Ice Soul, would it really be a good thing for the Liangyi Sect?
Qi Hong smiled and said, "Since Qi Feiyu has cultivated Sword Two to the first layer realm within a month, the Sword Soul Ice Soul should naturally be awarded to her."
Gai Tianjiao immediately stepped forward, looked at Qi Hong, and said, "Sixth Senior Brother, Junior Brother Lin Yue hasn't appeared yet. How can you be sure he is inferior to Sister Qi?"
Both Qi Hong and Gai Tianjiao were disciples of the Zangyue Sword Saint and also one of the sword bearers of the Sword Pavilion.
Qi Hong said, "Lin Yue's absence doesn't already mean he has conceded?"
"Perhaps he is in seclusion and forgot the time," Gai Tianjiao said.
A cold glint flashed in Qi Hong's eyes, but his face still appeared quite amiable as he said, "Maybe he has encountered some trouble in his cultivation? Everyone knows that Lin Yue's cultivation has been breaking through too quickly recently. His state of mind is bound to be unstable. Even if he has gone into demonic deviation, it's not impossible..."
Just then, an exclamation arose from the crowd: "Everyone, look quickly! Senior Brother Lin Yue is coming up the mountain!"
Hearing this news, Qi Hong's expression naturally darkened, and he immediately looked toward the mountain path.
Qi Feiyu also turned around. Although she hadn't expected Lin Yue to appear at this moment, her face remained calm and unruffled.
Gai Tianjiao showed a delighted expression, but when she saw Lin Yue, the smile on her face gradually faded, instead becoming quite solemn.
Not only Gai Tianjiao, but all the cultivators present were stunned when they saw Lin Yue's current appearance.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen had disheveled hair, his whole body covered in dust. His eyes were bloodshot, his complexion extremely pale, and he looked completely dazed, as if he might collapse at any moment.
"This is... Lin Yue..."
Han Qiu gently bit her lips, an expression of disbelief in her eyes.
In her heart, Lin Yue should have been a sword dao prodigy comparable to Zhang Ruochen. How had he become this ghostly, inhuman state?
Zhao Wuyan inhaled a cold breath and said, "What happened to him? Could it be, as Half-Saint Qi Hong said, that he cultivated too hastily and fell into demonic deviation instead?"
"Lin Yue's cultivation speed is indeed too fast. Perhaps he used some forbidden secret art and suffered backlash," said a suitor of Qi Feiyu, showing a gloating smile.
Can Dong frowned, somewhat regretfully, and said, "Judging by his condition, it's very likely that he has truly fallen into sword demonic deviation. A sword dao prodigy—has he really crippled himself like this?"
Zhang Ruochen's current appearance was indeed quite frightening. At first glance, he really did look like someone who had gone into demonic deviation.
Seeing him like this, some felt regret, while others were very pleased.
"Boss, what's wrong with you?"
"Boss, don't scare me."
Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji were very worried that Zhang Ruochen had truly fallen into demonic deviation, so they immediately rushed toward him.
The Zangyue Sword Saint was also carefully observing Lin Yue. Suddenly, as if he had discerned something, a hint of surprise appeared in his wise eyes. He thought to himself, "How is this possible? In just one month, could he have almost reached that realm?"
Seeing Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji rushing toward Lin Yue, the Zangyue Sword Saint immediately flicked his finger. A speck of light flew from his fingertip, transforming into a sword aura barrier that completely protected Lin Yue's body.
"Bang! Bang!"
Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji couldn't stop in time and collided with the sword aura barrier, their bodies flying backward, landing in a daze.
The Zangyue Sword Saint said, "Don't disturb him. He is comprehending the sword."
"Comprehending the sword?"
Qi Hong naturally didn't believe that Zhang Ruochen was truly comprehending the sword. He immediately looked toward the Zangyue Sword Saint and said, "Master, your disciple understands that you greatly admire Lin Yue's sword dao talent, but I feel his condition is truly not good. It would be better to let him recuperate in time. If we delay the timing, I'm afraid... the consequences would be unimaginable."
The Zangyue Sword Saint shot a sharp glance at Qi Hong and said, "What harm is there in waiting a little longer? If an accident really occurs, I will naturally take full responsibility."
Qi Hong was drenched in cold sweat. He closed his mouth and carefully retreated.
His eyes turned toward Lin Yue, and he felt some doubt in his heart. "Master is protecting him so much. Could he really be comprehending the sword, about to reach the first layer realm of Sword One?"
Qi Feiyu showed no sign of panic, still full of confidence. Even if Zhang Ruochen reached the first layer realm of Sword One, it wouldn't threaten her at all. Even within the same first layer realm, there were differences in superiority and inferiority.
Time passed quickly, and soon an hour had gone by.
Just as everyone was about to lose patience, Lin Yue, who was standing within the sword aura barrier, suddenly raised his head, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and a smile appeared on his face. "I finally understand. So Sword Two is actually this profound."
When he opened his eyes again, the bloodshot veins had completely disappeared.
Then, he took out two spirit crystals, held them in his hands, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began to recover the severely depleted true qi in his body.
Everyone waited another half hour before Zhang Ruochen stood up again.
Although he was still quite exhausted, his complexion had recovered somewhat. He bowed to the Zangyue Sword Saint and said, "Thank you, Sword Saint."
The Zangyue Sword Saint looked at Zhang Ruochen below him, then moved his form and appeared before Zhang Ruochen, making a "tsk tsk" sound. "Have you already reached the second layer realm of Sword Two, 'Yin-Yang Chaos'?"
"Nothing escapes the Sword Saint's eyes." Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly.
Even with the Zangyue Sword Saint's state of mind, hearing Zhang Ruochen admit it personally was quite shocking.
If this young man could truly cultivate to the second layer realm of Sword Two in just one month, then his comprehension and his talent in sword dao had reached an utterly monstrous level. Even the brilliant and talented Sword Emperor might not be more outstanding than him.
Was this a demon?
The conversation between Zhang Ruochen and the Zangyue Sword Saint was clearly heard by everyone present, and they all inhaled a cold breath.
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