Chapter 1566 - 169: Flying Sword Platform atop the Lianxin Rope (Part 2)

Chapter 1566: Chapter 169: Flying Sword Platform atop the Lianxin Rope (Part 2)

Zhang Yan’s heart stirred slightly, and he asked, "Daoist Xun, are you referring to the legendary Ban Shaoming, the Ban Daoist?"

Xun Huaiying sighed, "Indeed, Senior Brother Ban’s natural talent surpasses mine in every aspect. If not for unexpected events, he should have been the one to go for the swordfight."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan seemed deep in thought.

Xun Huaiying pointed afar, raising his voice slightly, "Daoist friend, please look over there. That is Cang Xu, Purple Star, and Qing Lai platforms, left by our Shaoqing Sect’s three Ascended True Masters."

Zhang Yan followed his direction, concentrating his sight, and saw three mountain-like platforms towering in the heavenly vault, majestic and imposing, standing proudly in the void. Moreover, three trails of sword light pierced the sky, bright and dazzling like the full moon, making the thousands of floating platforms below appear like mere dust and rubble.

The East Facing Platform is the Shaoqing Pavilion, located directly east of Guan Yang Mountain Platform. However, the Great Xuanmen Sect envoy invited here can only be from the Mingcang and Yuxiao sects.

Once Zhang Yan and his group settled in, Xun Huaiying said, "Daoist friend, you’ve come at a perfect time. In the coming days, our sect will open its mountain to recruit disciples. The sky is still early, so why don’t I take you to have a look?"

"Oh?"

Interest suddenly sparked in Zhang Yan. Among the Ten Sects of Xuanmen, apart from Mingcang, Hai Zhen, Shaoqing, and Lishan, most are controlled by noble families, and their disciple selection rules are largely similar.

Since Shaoqing raises sword cultivators, it particularly values innate talent, which makes it difficult for any family sect to maintain a long-standing foothold. Their method of selecting disciples differs greatly from all sects; now that he’s here, he might as well take a look, so he gladly said, "Then I’ll trouble you."

After a word of assurance to Miao Kun and others, he and Xun Huaiying flew away together. After a moment, they landed before a palace.

Xun Huaiying said, "Selecting disciples belongs to the Lower Sect, and one must go below the Extreme Sky. We needn’t go back and forth; here lies the Mystical Spring, through which we can observe matters within the Mountain Gate."

At this moment, a Deacon Daoist hurried out of the hall, bowed, and said, "How come the True Master is here?"

Xun Huaiying said, "I’ve brought the Mingcang Envoy to have a look at the Mountain Gate scenery. Please open the prohibition and allow us to view it."

The Daoist quickly agreed, waved his horsetail whisk, and opened the hall door wide, before bowing, "Please, True Master."

Once inside the hall, Zhang Yan looked up to see a mountain wall, covered in moss, about a hundred feet away. A clear spring flowed from above, forming a stream. But curiously, as the water reached the bottom, it created dozens of whirlpools, each displaying a scene, some of which seemed identical to places they just passed.

Xun Huaiying swept his sleeve, dispersing all the whirlpools, then a brilliant sword light flew out from the Gang Cloud, falling into the water, instantly illuminating it. Surprisingly, it stirred the river and spawned another whirlpool.

After a few breaths, a scene appeared within it.

Zhang Yan walked two steps to the stream, looked down, and saw a broad gorge beside a precipitous ridge, running north to south like a single thread, with thousands upon tens of thousands of people slowly climbing amidst it. Looking closer, most seemed to be youths of fifteen or sixteen, some even young children only seven or eight years old.

Xun Huaiying said, "Every October, the sect opens its doors to allow viewing. Any aspiring cultivator who can climb Dragon Fin alone, regardless of their age, shall become a disciple of the Lower Sect."

Zhang Yan knew Shaoqing’s selection of disciples couldn’t be so simple; this must be the first trial. Even at their tender age, if they can pass this alone,

Xun Huaiying waved his sleeve, changing the scene in the water to a cliff ahead, clouds swirling around like floating ice silk, all vegetation covered in frost, clearly showing the mountain soaring higher.

Compared to earlier, now there were merely dozens of people in front of the cliff.

Xun Huaiying said, "Passing the previous trial allows for learning a set of Breathing Technique; if successful, they can come to this Central Mountain the following year to test the Lianxin Rope."

Zhang Yan asked, "What is the ’Lianxin Rope’?"

Xun Huaiying pointed at the front of the cliff, "Daoist friend, please see."

Zhang Yan focused his gaze, seeing only drifting clouds with nothing else. A youth cautiously took a step into the void before the cliff, paused, and actually remained steady, took another step, swayed a bit, but still stood firm. At this moment, he stood without support, seemingly floating.

Xun Huaiying said coolly, "The Ancestor Master once cast a spell here, only those of firm resolve and patience can solidify the Qi Rope beneath their feet. Those walking upon it, if their will wavers even slightly, the rope will disperse, sending them plummeting into the abyss."

Looking at this challenge, merely reaching the opposite cliff requires nearly ten thousand steps; with even one misstep, any doubt or confusion about oneself leads to utter ruin.

These individuals, despite practicing the Breathing Technique, are still only mortals. The mountain’s cold and fierce winds impact them greatly; those who pass this trial must be rare examples of steadfast fearlessness.

Watching closely, the youth who ventured out before suddenly broke into a sweat, stood motionless, then began shaking violently.

Xun Huaiying said expressionlessly, "He has failed."

As soon as his voice fell, the youth slipped into the void, mouth agape, limbs flailing as if trying to grasp something, with a bewildered and terrified look on his face, falling until he disappeared into the endless cloud mist.

Zhang Yan asked, "Is anyone below to save him?"

Xun Huaiying shook his head, "If those who fall were saved, they’d certainly harbor a false sense of hope. Then, the purpose of the Lianxin Rope would be defeated."

Zhang Yan sighed lightly, realizing the difficulty in seeking the Dao for mortals. Shaoqing is a top-tier Great Xuanmen Sect, devoted to the Sword Dao, demanding extraordinarily strict mental fortitude. If his former self hadn’t gone to Mingcang but to Shaoqing instead, he too might be stuck here.

Xun Huaiying said blandly, "Those passing this trial may cross the cliff to seek opportunity. We bury ten sword balls in the mountain; anyone finding them within thirty days gains entry to the Upper Mountain and joins our Sect."

"Thirty days?"

Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow; this mountain is vast, stretching thousands of miles. With a mortal body, on foot, thirty days might not cover much ground. Searching for sword balls inside it is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Xun Huaiying said, "Thirty days max; the opposite cliff offers no food or shelter. A cold wave arises monthly; remaining inside spells certain death. By then, without finding a sword ball, one option remains."

He paused and said solemnly, "Retreat the same way via the Lianxin Rope, wait for the cold wave to pass, then attempt the opposite side again."

...

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