Chapter 1212 - 260: Showdown at Emperor Sword Mountain (Part 3)

The disciples present with the strength of True Immortal Realm Perfection are few and far between.

"This is really..."

Xu Jianming couldn’t help but be amazed.

Wei Hongye’s expression was solemn.

The carefree smile Murong Qingwu had earlier vanished, as she gazed intently at Emperor Sword Mountain inside that passage.

Yue Xi’s face, however, was somewhat pale; this opportunity, she feared, was slipping away.

Seemingly sensing the silence and heavy blow on the square, Li Tie Mu chuckled lightly, trying to make his tone more relaxed, and said:

"Although the test is difficult, there’s no need to be disheartened. Remember that those who become disciples at our Sword Abyss are outstanding at their level. Exceeding one or two realms to defeat enemies is not unattainable for you, and this challenge seeks to elevate the best among the best!"

"Although it’s tough, it’s not entirely hopeless. Recently, I heard that in the Heavenly Palace a disciple at the True Immortal Realm Third Level defeated one at the True Immortal Realm Ninth Layer. It’s very difficult to become famous in the entire Southern Domain without such strength. What do you all think?"

The crowd exchanged puzzled looks; it sounded feasible, but achieving it felt as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

"Moreover, this challenge selection period lasts for two years!"

"This means you have two years to progress, to improve!"

Li Tie Mu said, casting his gaze towards Li Hao, but Li Hao felt that his gaze was directed at the figure behind him.

Upon hearing this, Yue Xi’s once pale face regained its luster.

Two years!

This is a massive challenge, but it’s not without opportunity!

Only, it’s incredibly difficult... yet to defy the heavens and rewrite destiny, to reach the peak, to vindicate the Calamity Clan, no matter how hard, she will fight upwards!

"The only rule for this challenge is a prohibition against using other weapons and consuming Immortal Pill in the test; you can only rely on the weapons provided by the sect."

Zhou Qingyun said.

This also cuts off certain shortcuts through weapon use.

After all, some disciples have great power backing them, even receiving help from Immortal Soldiers.

At that point, the trial would be mere child’s play for them, merely summoning their Immortal Soldiers to pass the levels.

Upon hearing this, some figures among the crowd had slightly altered expressions, showing a hint of unwillingness.

"You can all proceed now, each trial has elders overseeing it. If danger arises, just call for help in time."

The old woman waved her staff to guide them and said: "But if there’s no time to call for help, one must accept fate, for opportunity always accompanies risk, a lesson taught long ago."

All the disciples were solemn-faced, looking at Emperor Sword Mountain. The previous despair and setback seemed to slowly reignite; after all, it’s a chance to comprehend the Emperor Sword, truly giving up would mean losing the chance to climb the peak forever!

Cultivators all have the desire to reach the pinnacle.

"I’m going ahead, waiting for you at the mountaintop."

Up ahead, Ji Qingxuan turned and looked over Lu Wuchen and the others. His ability to defeat the Ancient Demon Commander made this trial seem trivial to him.

"I heard you just joined the sect recently, your cultivation is still limited, don’t push yourselves. After all, this test is extremely dangerous."

Seeing Yue Xi and Li Hao among others, Ji Qingxuan advised calmly.

Seeing no response from the trio, Ji Qingxuan knew a simple sentence couldn’t quench their desire and immediately turned to leave.

As he walked into that passage, Zhou Qingyun and the old woman’s respective chief disciples bid farewell to their own fellow disciples and rapidly followed Ji Qingxuan inside Emperor Sword Mountain.

"Let’s go."

Lu Wuchen, a man of few words, said briefly and followed suit.

Wei Hongye glanced at Yue Xi and said: "Don’t push yourself."

Though she hadn’t been with this little junior sister for long, she understood her nature and thus specially advised.

Yue Xi nodded slightly, but her eyes were fixed on Emperor Sword Mountain.

Wei Hongye shook her head lightly, knowing her words had not penetrated.

Personality determines destiny, and when destiny has no effect, it’s like personality having no effect. She said no more and set off.

"Let’s go, don’t push yourself too hard."

Xu Jianming called out to Li Hao.

Li Hao smiled and flew away with him.

In the square, many disciples of the Earth Institute waited for all the Heavenly Institute disciples to enter before gradually flying in.

"This trial is a bit difficult, I wonder how many people can pass."

The old woman sighed lightly as she watched the numerous disciples fly into the passage.

Li Tie Mu’s eyes were rarely so solemn and deep as he said, "If it’s not difficult, how can we select the most monstrous talents and compete with other sects? If we can’t even stand out in Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, how can we speak of gaining fame in the entire Southern Domain, elevating the sect’s ranking, and restoring its former glory!"

"Mountains and rivers change, the sun and moon alternate, someone will always replace another, just like we once replaced the other Tianyi Sects and buried them in the annals of time."

Zhou Qingyun, understanding the nature of his old comrade, sighed and patted him on the shoulder, "Don’t be too obstinate."

Li Tie Mu’s face changed slightly as he shook off his hand, turning to stare at him, "What do you mean? Do you not wish to strive forward? Are you going to watch other sects step all over us? Even if Qingxuan returned triumphantly, the disciples we sent to Zhen Abyss and Sound Abyss all perished at the border. Why did this fall upon us? It’s because we’re not the Tianyi Sect, we don’t even have the right to say no!"

Zhou Qingyun fell silent for a moment and said, "I’m not saying we shouldn’t compete, it’s just..."

He paused, seemingly unsure of how to express himself, and finally shook his head with a sigh.

The old woman, seeing their ideological divergence again, interjected, "Old Li, you really did a good deed this time by recruiting an Ancient Immortal Lineage, who is also born with the Sword Immortal body. It’s just a shame that he’s been in the sect for such a short time, and this time he may unfortunately miss it."

"Not necessarily."

Li Tie Mu shook his head, his gaze towards the Emperor Sword Mountain, where the figures of many disciples were already rushing towards the First Layer.

"Two years... for him, perhaps it won’t be a missed opportunity. You haven’t seen the terror of the Sword Immortal body; his mastery of the Sword Dao origin, I suspect, has already reached the Fourth Layer!"

"The Fourth Layer?!"

Hearing Li Tie Mu’s words, Zhou Qingyun and the old woman both changed their expressions, looking at him in shock.

"That’s right, even the top sword technique of the Sword Abyss Tower, he only practiced it a few times before easily mastering it, and now he has cultivated it to perfection..."

As Li Tie Mu spoke, a gleam continuously radiated from the depths of his eyes. Only he knew how monstrous and terrifying the little guy he recruited was!

"This..."

Zhou Qingyun and the old woman were stunned, not knowing what to say.

"How did you come across such a monster?"

After a while, Zhou Qingyun couldn’t help but ask.

Li Tie Mu rolled his eyes at him, "Do you think I roam around without reason? There’s still time before the Southern Domain war; give that little guy some time. With him and Qingxuan, our Sword Abyss will surely show other sects some brilliance!"

Zhou Qingyun and the old woman exchanged a glance upon hearing this, both with wry smiles, eyes full of envy.

"I really don’t know what kind of luck you have. Having Ji Qingxuan is one thing, but now there’s a Sword Immortal body too. I heard you previously recruited two monstrous talents with Eternal Dao Heart, rare geniuses as well."

Zhou Qingyun said with a wry smile.

Hearing his words, Li Tie Mu also smiled, thinking of Yue Xi and Li Hao, feeling that his recent luck was indeed overwhelming.

"It’s a pity for those two; the time is too short. If they had five more years, they might have been able to compete."

"Having Ji Qingxuan and that Sword Immortal body isn’t enough for you? You want four spots for one family? Oh, and you didn’t even count Lu Wuchen. That silent guy might not talk much, but he’s not a pushover!"

"Don’t forget Wei Hongye. If he puts in some effort this time, he might make it too."

Zhou Qingyun, the more he spoke, the more jealous he became, wishing he could strangle Old Man Li to make him spit out a couple of disciples.

Listening to their words, Li Tie Mu couldn’t help but smile, hastily pretending to be humble:

"Let’s not talk about them; your little guys aren’t bad either, that Zhou Minyu, and that Gongsun..."

The old woman, hearing his boastful tone, couldn’t help but roll her eyes slightly, too lazy to listen further, and said:

"Look, they’re about to start. The Abyss Master is already seated at the mountaintop. If any little one catches the Abyss Master’s eye, they might get personal guidance from him."