Chapter 2006: Faceless Sword Emperor

"It’s been a while, Senior Bai." Yuan greeted him with a warm smile.

"Indeed, it has been a while. Last I heard from you, you were still in the Sixth Heaven. Where are you right now?" Senior Bai asked.

"I’m currently in the Seventh Heaven, and I’ve been staying at Kelan’s sect for the last several months," he said.

"What?" Senior Bai frowned after hearing this. "You’ve been at Kelan’s place for several months already? How come I didn’t hear anything about this from him?"

"Oh, he went into seclusion shortly after I showed up."

Senior Bai rubbed his eyes and sighed, "That meathead... he should’ve at least notified me about your return before he went into seclusion."

Yuan chuckled before asking, "How have you been?"

"Same as usual, but I’ve been spending more time at my sect," he said.

"Your sect... that would be the Gates of Heaven, correct?" Yuan recalled participating in a trial that required him to fight a disciple from this sect.

"Yes, that’s correct. Whenever you have the time, you should visit. There’s one within the Seventh Heaven, as well."

"As well? There’s more than one Gates of Heaven?" Chu Liuxiang asked.

Senior Bai nodded and explained, "I have three sects, one in the Fifth Heaven, the Seventh Heaven, and the Ninth Heaven. Of course, they all share the same name and are essentially the same sect."

"What is the purpose of having three sects?" Bai Lianhua asked out of curiosity.

"It’s quite pointless to have multiple sects if you place them all in the same realm. However, if you spread them apart, you’ll be able to gain many more disciples. Also, it gives those in the lower heavens another method of ascending."

"I see..." Bai Lianhua muttered, as she’d been contemplating branching out her faction recently.

Senior Bai turned to look at Yuan and continued, "The next Sword Emperor Qualifications will be happening soon, and it’ll take place within the Gates of Heaven. You use the sword, right? You might learn a thing or two if you go."

"Sword Emperor Qualifications? What is that?" Li Jinxi asked, her curiosity piqued.

Senior Bai then explained, "In the world of swordmasters, the highest attainable title is the Sword Emperor, much like how blacksmiths have the title God of Creation, and alchemists have the God of Alchemy. The Sword Emperor is, in essence, the God of Swords. However, there can be multiple Sword Emperors."

"The Sword Emperor Qualification is exactly what it sounds like—an event where swordmasters compete for the chance to earn the title of Sword Emperor."

"Sword Emperor..." Yuan muttered.

Li Jinxi glanced over at Yuan. In Jin Xi’s memories, Tian Xin also acquired the title of Sword Emperor. In fact, he was the strongest Sword Emperor in history.

"How does one join this event?" Yuan suddenly asked.

Senior Bai smiled and said, "Are you looking to join? Unfortunately, even with your talents, it’d be impossible for you to join in your current state. Only those who have achieved Supreme Sword Aura may join, after all."

"Supreme Sword Aura, huh? Indeed, I can’t use that right now. However, if I have enough time..." Yuan showed a confident smile. "When is the event happening?"

"It’s going to happen in seven years."

"Seven years?" Yuan raised his eyebrows. "I thought you said it’d be soon. That’s quite far away."

"Seven years is nothing for Immortals like me."

"I guess that’s true. Anyway, seven years should be more than enough for me to master Supreme Sword Aura," Yuan said casually.

Senior Bai stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Most cultivators spent their entire lives unable to even grasp Enhanced Sword Aura, let alone Supreme Sword Aura. And the participants in the Sword Emperor Qualification? Nearly all of them would be God Ascension realm experts who had lived for tens of thousands of years.

"Well, if you’re truly serious about mastering Supreme Sword Aura," Senior Bai said thoughtfully, "then you should visit the Holy Sword Temple. It’s a unique place that exists beyond the bounds of the Nine Heavens, and nearly every Sword Emperor throughout history has gone there to learn their Supreme Sword Aura. In fact, the strongest Sword Emperor in history, the Faceless Sword Emperor, also trained there."

"Faceless Sword Emperor..." Yuan raised his eyebrows at this title.

Senior Bai mistook Yuan’s reaction as intrigue and explained, "The Faceless Sword Emperor earned his title because he always wore a mask and almost nobody knew his true identity. He had other titles such as the Undefeated Sword Emperor and the Mystical Sword Emperor. He’s one of the most revered figures in the world of swordmasters."

Li Jinxi couldn’t help but smile after hearing this. The Faceless Sword Emperor was, without doubt, Tian Xin.

Senior Bai continued, "No one knows where the Faceless Sword Emperor came from—only that from the very beginning of his recorded history, he lived as an undefeated prodigy. However, just as mysterious as his rise was his disappearance. After attaining the title of Sword Emperor, he vanished without a trace, almost as if he had never existed at all."

He lifted his head to look at the clear blue sky and sighed, "To tell you the truth, I’ve encountered him once. However, he was just passing by, and I was only a snooty little brat back then. Though I was a mortal, I could tell how formidable he was at a glance. He was a true monster—one that might rival even you, Yuan."

Yuan smiled and said, "Alright, I’ve decided. I’ll visit the Holy Sword Temple next."

Of course, it wasn’t solely because he wanted to participate in the Sword Emperor Qualifications. If he wanted to fight and kill God Ascension realm cultivators, he’d need to learn Supreme Sword Aura eventually.

"I should’ve mentioned this first, but not just anyone can enter the Holy Sword Temple. You’ll need a referral and then pass a test before you can train there," Senior Bai suddenly said.