However, Nangong Jianchen and Shangguan WanâEr wished to freely enter and exit the South Peak, and besides needing the Sword Saintâs permission, they also required an identity token for recognition by the Defense Array; otherwise, the two wouldnât even be able to pass through the array, let alone enter or exit the South Peak.
"This brat, who exactly is the master of the South Peak?" Dugu Nan outwardly displayed anger, yet a hint of affection lingered at the corner of his eyes. Despite speaking harshly, he waved his hand, and three identity tokens gently descended.
At the foot of the South Peak, Nangong Jianchen and the others looked at the floating identity tokens, all momentarily stunned.
These three identity tokens were different from Ye Xiaofanâs; they bore no inscriptions, merely blank tokens that did not symbolize status or rank, but could be recognized by the grand array, allowing them free access to the South Peak.
The three exchanged glances, eyes full of gratitude toward Ye Xiaofan, and then each received the tokens. They then bowed deeply toward the summit of the South Peak: "Thank you, Sword Saint Elder."
Ye Xiaofan, seeing his master agree, also smiled knowingly, then boldly led Nangong Jianchen and the others into the South Peak amidst the focus of the crowd.
Countless disciples of the Divine Sword Sect watched this scene with faces full of envy and resentment, secretly regretting not befriending Ye Shidi earlier. Being able to enter the South Peak meant having the chance to get close to the Sword Saint, and even if one couldnât become his successor, occasional guidance was still a most coveted fortune.
As Ye Xiaofan and his group ascended the peak, Jian Zhuâs challenge came to an end.
However, Ye Xiaofanâs sword strike quickly spread throughout the sword cultivator circles of the Divine Sword Sect, and even those new disciples and veterans who werenât particularly interested in Sword Dao began to grow familiar with his name.
The Divine Sword Sect was truly vast, expansive enough to encompass Nine Mountains and Fourteen Divine Peaks, along with countless Spirit Peaks. If not for a monumental event, it was hard to stir the entire sect.
At half-mountain peak of the South Peak.
"It seems that Ye brother has an unusual rapport with the Sword Saint Elder, to be granted not one, but three entry tokens to the Defense Array," Nangong Jianchen murmured, looking heartfeltly at the blank token in his hand.
Shangguan WanâEr was similarly taken aback, surprised that the Sword Saint would leave blank tokens simply because Ye Xiaofan called him master, and even more surprised that Ye Xiaofan would ask for these tokens on their behalf.
Mo Shiyi just stared blankly at the token in his hand. With this token, he could freely enter and exit the South Peak, and it presented him with bragging rights in the Divine Sword Sect.
The Sword Saintâs token was not just an entry tool; it also conferred invisible protection. Elders of the Divine Sword Sect would give him due respect because of it.
More importantly, Mo Shiyi could trouble-free and confidently compete fairly with those message vendors in the Divine Sword Sect, his actions significantly facilitated by having this token.
"Ye Shidi, Iâve decided; whenever you need information in the future, Iâll offer you a thirty percent discount," Mo Shiyi declared cheerfully, realizing that he had benefited from the light cast by this token acquisition.
Ye Xiaofan and the others couldnât help but smile wryly; this senior was indeed aptly named a money-grubber.
"Brother Eleven, why earn so many Spirit Stones?" Shangguan WanâEr inquired, noting that although cultivators needed Spirit Stones for support in their training, Mo Shiyi seemed driven by an insatiable ambition to possess every Spirit Stone under heaven.
Mo Shiyiâs eyes flashed a faint hint of something indiscernible, but he quickly resumed his money-loving demeanor: "Who would dislike having more Spirit Stones? The more you earn, the more useful theyâll become someday, yes, theyâll all come in handy one day."
Following these words, Mo Shiyi muttered under his breath, as if harboring some secret concern, quietly repeating âtheyâll all come in handy one day.â
Ye Xiaofan and the others didnât notice the gleam in Mo Shiyiâs eyes, and instead shook their heads helplessly, thinking this senior was excessively fond of wealth.
The four chatted casually and soon reached the summit of the South Peak.
Originally, Nangong Jianchen felt a bit nervous, excited by the possibility of approaching the Sword Saint.
Indeed, the Sword Saint was the pinnacle of Sword Dao and, although Nangong hadnât become the Sword Saintâs successor, he possessed an extraordinary talent in Sword Dao, and a little guidance from Dugu Nan would certainly boost his accomplishments tremendously.
Unfortunately, upon their arrival at the South Peak, Dugu Nan and Qi Yun were long gone.
Time silently passed, and Nangong Jianchen, Shangguan WanâEr, and Mo Shiyi did not linger on the South Peak for long; after exchanging recent information, they quickly returned to their respective peaks.
Yet to Ye Xiaofanâs chagrin, soon after Nangong Jianchen and the others departed, Dugu Nan appeared beside him, clearly intending to avoid the three or to prevent any interactions.
"Fanâer, these three friends of yours are all quite remarkable," Dugu Nan noted, observing the trioâs descent with piercing eyes.
Ye Xiaofan turned at the sound, visibly shocked, for these evaluations from the Sword Saint implied that Nangong Jianchen and the others were indeed extraordinary.
Reflecting upon it, Ye Xiaofan found it unsurprising.
For instance, he still didnât know the Soul Level of Nangong Jianchen and Shangguan WanâEr.
Mo Shiyi, too, it had already been disclosed by Nangong Jianchen that this Brother Eleven was indeed complex, being outside the South Peak yet remarkably aware of everything that transpired there.
With Dugu Nanâs assessment of the trio, the answer has become clear.
Despite Dugu Nanâs brief evaluation, he merely noted that if these three could foster deep friendships in the future, mutual assistance might ensue. If close camaraderie wasnât possible, it was better not to treat them as enemies and, if they must be adversaries, to ensure their complete defeat.
Ye Xiaofan, hearing Dugu Nanâs advice, was taken aback. He relayed Mo Shiyiâs insight into the South Peakâs happenings to Dugu Nan, who showed little concern and remained unresponsive.
Time wore on.
In the blink of an eye, three days swiftly passed.
On this day, Ye Xiaofan stood alone atop the South Peak, gazing down upon the entire Divine Sword Sect.
And his gaze eventually rested on the sectâs largest âLibrary Pavilion.â
There resided the historical tomes and various general knowledge books compiled over endless years of the sectâs existenceâtruly a comprehensive collection.
"Itâs time to take a look."
Ye Xiaofan lingered upon the magnificently radiant pavilion, hoping it might hold the secrets to his Martial Soul.
Subsequently, Ye Xiaofan spent nearly every day in the Library Pavilion. Despite its vastness, there werenât many disciples, as it was merely a library, not the Scripture Pavilion, containing only historical records and no cultivation or martial techniques.
Fortunately, with so many coming and going, though he had achieved some notoriety among the sword cultivator community, it wasnât enough to stir a celebrity effect.
Over several days, Ye Xiaofan scoured the Divine Sword Sectâs Library Pavilionâs Martial Soul recording area but failed to locate information relevant to his own Martial Soul.
Until the seventh day.
That day, finally in the farthest corner of the Martial Soul record area, he found a dust-laden tome.
The tome contained records of countless Martial Souls, all terrifying in nature, seemingly lying there in silence for countless years, untouched by readers.
Within this ravishingly ancient book, Ye Xiaofan at last found some information pertinent to his Martial Soul.
Yet upon reading it, he stood frozen, clueless to the book slipping from his hands.