Chapter 248: You Should Just Come In

The master of Heavenly Sword Peak was thrilled.

The matter of the predestined person was an absolute secret, even within Heavenly Sword Peak. Only the successive peak masters and Deity Transformation Heavenly Monarchs knew of it.

This was a matter personally instructed by the Sword Lord at the end of the ancient era... and engraved into the "Sword Classic," which Heavenly Sword Peak had passed down to this day.

The "Sword Classic" was the strongest sword dao inheritance in the Human Realm. Only the peak master and the Heavenly Monarchs were permitted to cultivate and comprehend it. Left behind by the Sword Lord, it was the true origin of the Human Realm's sword dao.

Every Sword Cultivator who practiced the "Sword Classic" gained the combat prowess to nearly sweep through their peers in the same realm, but they also had to obey the iron laws engraved within it.

One such iron law dictated that should the predestined person ever appear, everyone at Heavenly Sword Peak—including the Deity Transformation Stage Heavenly Monarchs—must obey their commands.

Over the hundred thousand years of the recent ancient era, every generation of peak masters and Heavenly Monarchs had been waiting for the predestined person mentioned in the "Sword Classic."

However, the conditions describing this predestined person were simply too unbelievable.

First, this predestined person had to possess a Nascent Soul Stage cultivation base.

Second, they had to be simultaneously skilled in the five great arts: alchemy, talismans, puppetry, array formations, and Divination. Furthermore, their mastery of all five arts had to reach the Fourth Tier High Grade.

To possess five Fourth Tier High Grade arts while only being a Nascent Soul true lord? With such harsh requirements, one could not find a single example even if they searched through the entire ancient era.

Not to mention, these five arts included the extremely niche and unpopular art of Divination.

The art of Divination was notorious for cutting one's lifespan short. No matter how talented a cultivator was, anyone who deeply studied and mastered this art could not possibly live long.

A normal Nascent Soul true lord, assuming they maximized their use of lifespan-extending items, could live to be 1,200 to 1,300 years old.

But a Divination Grandmaster? Living to a thousand years old would be considered incredibly lucky, meaning they hadn't suffered much backlash from heaven's secrets.

To master five Fourth Tier High Grade arts while not even being able to live past a thousand years—where could they possibly find someone who met such conditions?

The five Fourth Tier High Grade arts required of the predestined person were strictly specified. Under these circumstances, even if an absolute monster appeared who excelled in five different arts, they wouldn't necessarily be these exact five.

Tens of thousands of years ago, a Nascent Soul true lord who had seemingly mastered three Fourth Tier High Grade arts appeared in the Human Realm.

The Heavenly Sword Peak master of that generation used great methods, searching heaven and earth to personally find that true lord. It turned out the other party indeed possessed three Fourth Tier High Grade arts, but they were artifact forging, medicine, and poison.

This was far too different from the description of the predestined person recorded in the "Sword Classic."

The restriction on cultivation realm, coupled with the exact limitation on the five arts, led the successive peak masters and Heavenly Monarchs of Heavenly Sword Peak to almost believe that this so-called predestined person would never appear.

Over the past hundred thousand years, every cultivator suspected of mastering three or more Fourth Tier High Grade arts would be secretly observed by Heavenly Sword Peak, only for them to eventually confirm that the person had nothing to do with the predestined person.

In the last few centuries, True Monarch Golden Face had nearly flipped the Central Continent Territory upside down. Heavenly Sword Peak had paid attention to him as well, but they hadn't cared too much.

The intelligence on True Monarch Golden Face stated that he was a Fourth-Tier Upper-Grade Puppet grandmaster who possessed at least Rank 4 Middle Grade Divination... This did not meet the conditions for Heavenly Sword Peak's primary focus.

What Heavenly Sword Peak focused on were cultivators suspected of mastering three or more Fourth Tier High Grade arts. True Monarch Golden Face was merely strong in combat power; he fell outside Heavenly Sword Peak's scope of interest.

However, when it was revealed that True Monarch Golden Face's true identity was True Monarch Qingyuan of the Heavenly Talisman Sect...

The Heavenly Sword Peak master instantly realized that the four arts mastered by this first legendary Great Cultivator of the Human Realm's recent ancient era highly overlapped with the predestined person Heavenly Sword Peak had been waiting for.

In the hundred thousand years of the recent ancient era, this was the moment they had come closest to the predestined person Heavenly Sword Peak was waiting for.

'He is only missing a Fourth Tier High Grade attainment in array formations. Furthermore, it is impossible to confirm if True Monarch Golden Face's Divination has actually reached the Fourth Tier High Grade...'

The Heavenly Sword Peak master steadied his mind, forcing his excited thoughts to calm down.

Currently, the Fourth Tier High Grade arts displayed by True Monarch Golden Face and True Monarch Qingyuan included alchemy, talismans, and puppetry. His Divination was at least Rank 4 Middle Grade, but it couldn't be confirmed whether it had reached the Fourth Tier High Grade.

As for array formations, it wasn't certain if True Monarch Golden Face was proficient in it, let alone if he had comprehended it to the Fourth Tier High Grade.

'There's no need to awaken the Heavenly Monarch just yet. I will wait until I am certain,' the Heavenly Sword Peak master thought to himself, taking a deep breath.

Logically speaking, the appearance of the predestined person definitely warranted awakening the Heavenly Monarch.

But currently, True Monarch Golden Face wasn't definitively the predestined person Heavenly Sword Peak was waiting for; it was only highly probable.

...

The Heavenly Sword Peak master swept his gaze across the hall below, noticing that all the Sword Cultivator Great Cultivators were looking at him.

"Peak Master, are you alright?" the Sword Combat Grand Cultivator asked.

"I am fine."

The Heavenly Sword Peak master shook his head. Suddenly, his expression shifted.

Through the senses of Heavenly Sword Peak's grand array, he discovered that True Monarch Golden Face was currently approaching Heavenly Sword Peak.

"Everyone, go wait before the mountain gate. True Monarch Golden Face is coming."

With those words, the Heavenly Sword Peak master stood up and headed toward the mountain gate.

The Sword Combat Grand Cultivator and the others were slightly taken aback. They had their guesses as to why True Monarch Golden Face had visited Heavenly Monarch Qingcang, and why he was now coming to Heavenly Sword Peak.

However, the peak master's reaction seemed a bit abnormal.

Going to wait in advance? Heavenly Sword Peak was not the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

The Extreme Dao Pavilion's Heavenly Monarch Qingcang was willing to trade with True Monarch Golden Face because he couldn't guarantee that the Extreme Dao Pavilion would produce another Heavenly Monarch to oversee it after he passed away in meditation.

Yet Heavenly Sword Peak... possessed the foundational legacy left behind by the Sword Lord. Heavenly Sword Peak could have a Heavenly Monarch overseeing it in every generation. Therefore, True Monarch Golden Face's value to Heavenly Sword Peak wasn't as immense as one might imagine.

This was also why Heavenly Monarch Qingcang was so certain that Heavenly Sword Peak wouldn't protect you.

You couldn't pay the price required for Heavenly Sword Peak to step forward and offer protection.

Although the Sword Combat Grand Cultivator and the others were somewhat surprised, they naturally complied since the peak master had given the order.

...

"So that is Heavenly Sword Peak!"

You stood amidst the clouds, looking at the majestic, ten-million-zhang tall mountain peak in the distance.

Compared to other peaks, Heavenly Sword Peak didn't seem to be born of heaven and earth. Instead, it looked like a sword blade plunged into the earth, leaving only a section of the hilt exposed, with a terrifying sword intent flowing around it at all times.

Looking at Heavenly Sword Peak, you secretly used your Fourth Tier High Grade Divination to divine a way to break out of your current predicament.

However, because it involved Deity Transformation Heavenly Monarchs, the hexagram produced by the Fourth Tier High Grade Divination art was hazy, and the heavenly secrets were blurred.

You weren't surprised by this. As for consuming your lifespan to perform a deeper divination? That was a choice you would only consider when truly driven into a corner.

'The conditions proposed by Heavenly Monarch Qingcang of the Extreme Dao Pavilion were too harsh, and I refused to accept them. Even if that Heavenly Monarch from the Heavenly Sword Pavilion is willing to protect me, the conditions they ask for will only be harsher than Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's...'

You thought to yourself silently.

Having stayed in the Central Continent Territory for several centuries during your last two simulations, you naturally knew that Heavenly Sword Peak had a Heavenly Monarch overseeing it in almost every generation.

Under these circumstances, Heavenly Sword Peak actually had little interest in protecting you in exchange for your repayment after becoming a Heavenly Monarch. After all, they had their own Heavenly Monarchs.

Moreover, the Heavenly Monarchs of Heavenly Sword Peak had always represented the greatest combat power in the Human Realm's recent ancient era. In the fifth simulation, Heavenly Lord Powang fled in panic under the attack of Heavenly Sword Peak's Heavenly Monarch, barely managing to preserve his life, while even the Great Snow Mountain was completely erased.

Although part of the reason was that Heavenly Lord Powang had only just entered the Deity Transformation Stage, the formidable strength of Heavenly Sword Peak's Heavenly Monarch was beyond doubt.

No matter how you looked at it, Heavenly Sword Peak had no need to offend Heavenly Monarch Qingcang just to protect you.

It wasn't a certainty that you could step into the Deity Transformation Stage.

'Compared to Heavenly Sword Peak, the probability of that Heavenly Monarch in the Western Desert protecting me is much higher...'

You pondered inwardly. Of course, you also knew that this higher probability was only relative. With Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's influence, the Heavenly Monarch of the Western Desert would most likely reject you as well, or propose demands even more excessive than Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's.

'Do I really have to sacrifice a massive amount of lifespan to divine an escape route?'

You pondered in your heart. Even if you sacrificed a massive amount of lifespan, you might not necessarily find an escape route. The circle of Deity Transformation experts in the Human Realm was simply too small. Including Heavenly Monarch Shuiyue, who was about to pass away in meditation, there were only five in total.

'That Heavenly Monarch in the Deep Sea might not even be human, making it even more impossible for them to protect me...'

You suddenly felt a headache coming on. No matter how you looked at the current situation, it was incredibly troublesome. Pinning your hopes of breaking through to Deity Transformation on the next simulation had actually become the best option.

...

Inside the mountain gate of Heavenly Sword Peak.

The peak master and the group of Sword Cultivator Great Cultivators watched as you continued to stand in the clouds, showing no intention of visiting the Heavenly Sword Pavilion.

Heavenly Sword Peak was guarded and isolated by a Rank 5 grand array. Even you couldn't peer through the Rank 5 grand array to see the scene inside the mountain gate.

The Sword Combat Grand Cultivator and the others showed no change in expression. Whether you paid a visit to Heavenly Sword Peak's Heavenly Monarch or not had no impact on them, because there was a high probability that you wouldn't get to see him anyway.

Heavenly Sword Peak's Heavenly Monarch spent most of his time slumbering. Unless Heavenly Sword Peak or the Human Realm encountered a crisis, he would rarely awaken.

Compared to the calm-faced Sword Combat Grand Cultivator and the others, the Heavenly Sword Peak master was secretly growing anxious.

'Just come in already!'

The Heavenly Sword Peak master grew anxious as he watched you still standing in the clouds.

'Does he think there's no hope?'

Guessing your thoughts, the Heavenly Sword Peak master suddenly couldn't sit still anymore.

"Sword Combat, you've interacted with True Monarch Golden Face before. Go and invite him in," the Heavenly Sword Peak master said.

If he wanted to confirm whether you had truly mastered Fourth Tier High Grade array formations and Divination, asking you face-to-face was definitely the best approach.

"Invite True Monarch Golden Face in?"

The Sword Combat Grand Cultivator was stunned. He stared carefully at the Heavenly Sword Peak master for a moment, and only after confirming that he wasn't joking did he stand up and walk outside the mountain gate.

Above the clouds, you were contemplating whether it was necessary to visit Heavenly Sword Peak's Heavenly Monarch.

Just to save yourself from being humiliated again. At that moment, a figure walked out from Heavenly Sword Peak's mountain gate.

"Fellow Daoist Golden Face."

The Sword Combat Grand Cultivator was still quite respectful toward you. This had nothing to do with background; your sheer strength commanded it.

"The peak master invites you," the Sword Combat Grand Cultivator said directly.

"The peak master?"

You raised an eyebrow. The peak master of Heavenly Sword Peak wasn't a sect manager like those in other top-tier factions; he was an existence who truly controlled Heavenly Sword Peak's foundation.

Normally, the peak master of Heavenly Sword Peak was also the next Heavenly Monarch.

"Alright."

You pondered for a fraction of a second before nodding in agreement.

Since the Heavenly Sword Peak master took the initiative to let you in, he probably had the intention of protecting you.

You just didn't know what his demands would be. As long as they weren't as excessive as Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's, you were still inclined to agree. Soon after...

Under the guidance of the Sword Combat Grand Cultivator, you arrived at Heavenly Sword Peak's main sect hall.

Inside the hall, the Heavenly Sword Peak master had been waiting for quite some time.

Lined up on both sides were the various Sword Cultivator Great Cultivators of Heavenly Sword Peak.

'Sword dao foundation?'

Looking at the illusory sword-shaped mark between the Heavenly Sword Peak master's brows, you faintly felt a sense of threat.

"Fellow Daoist Golden Face."

The Heavenly Sword Peak master was very polite.

"I have come this time to seek the protection of your esteemed peak's Heavenly Monarch..." you said, getting straight to the point.

"There is no rush for that."

The Heavenly Sword Peak master waved his hand. "I have a few questions I wish to ask Fellow Daoist Golden Face." The Heavenly Sword Peak master stared at you with burning eyes.

"Please speak, peak master."

You faintly sensed that the Heavenly Sword Peak master's gaze was a bit strange, but you didn't pay it much mind and nodded.

"Has Fellow Daoist Golden Face's Divination art reached the Fourth Tier High Grade?" the Heavenly Sword Peak master asked, staring fixedly at you.

You fell silent for a moment. Your Fourth Tier High Grade Divination art had always been your trump card, the key to grasping the initiative.

However, over the past few centuries, you had taken action many times under the identity of True Monarch Golden Face. Long ago, Fourth Tier High Grade Divination Great Grandmasters had divined your background and deduced that your Divination art was at least at the Rank 4 Middle Grade.

But due to your intentional concealment, no one could confirm whether your Divination art had actually reached the Fourth Tier High Grade.

Yet now, the Heavenly Sword Peak master was taking the initiative to ask about this very matter.

You looked at the Heavenly Sword Peak master, thought for a moment, and then nodded. "Yes, I was lucky enough to break through not long ago."

'Fourth Tier High Grade Divination art!'

The Heavenly Sword Peak master's heart raced. Never before had there been a moment that made him feel so close to the predestined person Heavenly Sword Peak had been waiting for. Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Sword Cultivator Great Cultivators on both sides of the hall shifted slightly.

'Fourth Tier High Grade Divination art?'

'This True Monarch Golden Face is actually a Divination Great Grandmaster?'

As Great Cultivators, the Sword Cultivators present naturally knew just how difficult and obscure the art of Divination was. It even depended somewhat on fate; it wasn't something one could comprehend simply by wanting to.

Compared to other arts, the Divination art was basically useless in the early stages and cost a great deal of lifespan. Only major factions had the foundation to cultivate it.

"Mhm."

The Heavenly Sword Peak master steadied his mind, looked at the Sword Cultivator Great Cultivators on both sides, and said, "All of you, step down. I have important matters to discuss with Fellow Daoist Golden Face."

Since it concerned the predestined person Heavenly Sword Peak had waited a hundred thousand years for, he couldn't reveal it to anyone besides the peak master and the Heavenly Monarch.

"Yes."

Although the Sword Combat Grand Cultivator and the others were curious, they didn't ask further questions and exited the hall one by one.

For a time, only you and the Heavenly Sword Peak master remained in the spacious hall.

"Speaking of which, does Fellow Daoist Golden Face possess the four Fourth Tier High Grade arts of alchemy, talismans, puppetry, and Divination?" the Heavenly Sword Peak master asked probingly.

"Yes."

You stayed silent for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment.

"One last question."

The Heavenly Sword Peak master stared at you and enunciated every word clearly, "Fellow Daoist Golden Face... have you also mastered the Fourth Tier High Grade array formation art?"

As soon as those words were spoken...

You were startled in your heart, and you stared back at the Heavenly Sword Peak master.