Jiang Yue felt a surge of pride and disbelief as the sword reverent acknowledged her potential. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, transforming her overwhelming emotions into a heady mix of joy and determination.
"From this day, you are my 13th disciple," the sword reverent announced, his voice ringing with authority. "As your master, I will lead you to ascend cloud Ruxiao!" His hand gently caressed her head, and the warmth of his blessing enveloped her, filling her with a sense of purpose.
"Thank you, Sword Reverent!" she exclaimed, her heart racing as she knelt before him, offering her gratitude. She struck her head against the ground three times, feeling the ancient energy of the moment solidify her resolve. "I will strive to honor your teachings and become a worthy disciple."
"Good!" The sword reverent beamed with satisfaction, clearly pleased with her reaction. Behind him, the young sword cultivators exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of admiration and envy.
"Jiang Yue has seen fellow apprentices and Senior Sisters," she said, raising her head to meet their gazes. In her mind, they were all formidable figures, each possessing talents that surpassed her own. She felt a tingle of inspiration course through her veins. Someday, she would be like them—soaring through the skies of sword cultivation, leaving the mundane behind.
With a flourish, the sword reverent presented her with a small blue jade bottle that seemed to pulsate with energy. As he held it, the sound of crashing waves emanated from within, as if the ocean itself was contained in that fragile vessel. "This is the 'Divine Sea Pill,' a token of your entry into my teachings."
The moment the words left his lips, a wave of astonishment swept through the gathered elders. Yu Elder's eyes widened, and he struggled to find his voice. "Divine Sea Pill! Sword Reverent, you truly are remarkable! To bestow such a treasure... it is beyond generous!"
Whispers of disbelief rippled through the crowd. "This is not just a gift," one elder murmured. "This pill can elevate a disciple directly into the Divine Sea Realm!"
Jiang Yue's heart raced at the implications. The 'Divine Sea Pill'—a coveted artifact that could catapult her cultivation beyond her wildest dreams. The thought of stepping into the Divine Sea Realm filled her with an insatiable hunger for growth. "Thank you, reverent master! I will not waste this opportunity," she vowed, the gravity of her ambitions swirling around her like a tempest.
The elders continued to murmur among themselves, their voices a mix of excitement and disbelief. "A single Divine Sea Pill is worth ten times the value of a monster bone from 500 years past," one exclaimed, shaking his head in amazement. "This is truly unprecedented!"
"Thanks to this pill, I will expand my Longquan and step into the Divine Sea Realm without delay!" Jiang Yue felt as if all the struggles and disappointments of her past had been washed away. This gift was a turning point, a new beginning.
As the attention shifted back to her, she noticed Yun Xiao standing slightly apart, a furrow creasing his brow. A pang of uncertainty tugged at her heart; she couldn't help but wonder about his thoughts. Did he share in her joy, or was he feeling overshadowed by her newfound recognition?
Her gaze shifted toward the sword revered, who continued speaking, his tone gentle yet firm. "Yue, your Sword Soul has caught my attention." He gestured for her to reveal it.
Jiang Yue felt her heart leap as she summoned her Ice Moon Sword Soul, allowing it to manifest in shimmering cold light. It was beautiful and powerful, and she was proud to showcase it.
The sword reverent studied her Sword Soul with an appraising eye. "This Ice Moon Sword Soul exceeds the limits of the receiving sword stone and is worthy of reverence. However…" He paused, a flicker of curiosity darting across his sharp features, "there is still something unusual here. Tell me, Yao Qingqian—what do you make of this?"
Yao Qingqian stepped forward, a mixture of reverence and confusion on her face. "Sword Reverent, Jiang Yue's Ice Moon Sword Soul is extraordinary. But the fact that it could cause the receiving sword stone to detonate raises questions. It suggests that its power may be beyond even our understanding."
The sword reverent nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Indeed. While her talent is remarkable, we must investigate this phenomenon further. What lies beneath her surface?"
Jiang Yue's heart sank slightly at the mention of the detonation. She hadn't considered the implications of her Sword Soul's power causing such chaos. Doubt began to creep in—would her potential be seen as a threat rather than a gift?
The sword reverent's expression softened, sensing her apprehension. "Fear not, Jiang Yue. Every sword cultivator faces trials, and it is our duty to hone our abilities responsibly. Your journey has only just begun. Embrace it, and let us uncover the depths of your strength together."
Reassured by his words, Jiang Yue straightened her posture, determination rekindling within her. "Thank you, Sword Reverent. I will prove myself worthy of this opportunity."
As she spoke, she caught Yun Xiao's eye, and for a fleeting moment, they shared a silent understanding. Both were on their paths, albeit different ones, and they would need to support one another as they navigated the challenges ahead.
"Let us prepare for what is to come," the sword reverent declared, his voice echoing through the gathering. "For today marks the beginning of your ascension, Jiang Yue. Your potential is vast, and we shall harness it for the good of Blue Soul."
With that, the sword reverent turned away, leaving a ripple of anticipation among the gathered disciples. They would soon embark on a journey filled with trials, tribulations, and ultimately, triumphs, as they each sought to carve their names into the annals of sword cultivation.
Jiang Yue stood taller, her heart racing with newfound determination, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her and to prove herself worthy of the honor bestowed upon her.
The excitement in the air was palpable as the implications of Jiang Yue's Ice Moon Sword Soul began to unfold. The sword reverent's revelation that it might surpass the Kaiyang level stunned Yao Qingqian into silence, leaving her grappling with the extraordinary potential of her fellow disciple.
"Yuheng level?" she finally managed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "But in all of Blue Soul's history, there has never been a Yuheng-level Sword Soul!" She glanced nervously at the other elders, searching for confirmation of this monumental claim.
"Not just Yuheng—there's even a possibility it could reach Tianquan," the sword reverent added, his eyes glinting with excitement. The mere mention of the legendary rank sent a thrill through the crowd.
Yao Qingqian's mouth dropped open in shock. "But… how can this be? Our Blue Soul has never recorded a Sword Soul that could break through the diode receiving sword stone! If it were to reach Tianquan…" She trailed off, her mind racing with the ramifications of such a discovery.
"Indeed," the sword reverent replied, contemplating the implications. "With the Blue Soul receiving sword stone destroyed, I will apply for a four-pole receiving sword stone from the Ten Thousand Swords Sea. Regardless of whether it's Yuheng or Tianquan, the four-pole will reveal the truth." He reached out and gently patted Jiang Yue's head, a gesture of encouragement that made her feel valued and cherished.
"How long will it take?" Yao Qingqian asked impatiently, her excitement bubbling over.
"Three days," the sword reverent replied casually. "It'll coincide with the 'Seven Swords Aspire to Seize' event. It should all align perfectly."
At the mention of this legendary gathering, Yao Qingqian's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "So on that day, the entire Blue Soul will witness your rise, Jiang Yue! The first transcendent talent beyond the Kaiyang level!" She could hardly contain herself, the thrill of possibility surging through her.
The sword reverent chuckled, a warm sound that echoed through the room. "You do love to build suspense, Yao Qingqian. But yes, Jiang Yue's achievements will reflect upon me as her master."
Jiang Yue's heart soared. The thought of the entire Blue Soul witnessing her ascent filled her with exhilaration. "Three days until everyone sees me rise?" she thought. The enormity of the moment settled in her chest like a warm fire.
"Does the entire Blue Soul get to witness my rise?" she murmured to herself, awash with dreams of glory and accomplishment. The 'Seven Swords Aspire to Seize' was a grand event, one that would echo through history.
Meanwhile, Yun Xiao stood at the edge of the group, his expression darkening as he pieced everything together. "So, the sword reverent's actions led to Jiang Yue's elevation? That's why she was chosen," he muttered under his breath, a sense of defeat creeping in. "But why does no one look at my Sword Soul?"
Yu Elder, still recovering from the shock of Jiang Yue's Sword Soul, turned his attention to Yun Xiao. "Show me your Sword Soul," he demanded, his tone urgent.
With some hesitation, Yun Xiao presented his Heaven-Burying Sword Soul. "Be careful; it can be dangerous," he warned, a hint of pride seeping through his concern.
As Yu Elder examined it, his expression shifted from curiosity to disappointment. "It's just a Blue Lotus Sword Soul," he said, shrugging. "A low-grade Yaoguang-level Sword Soul. In my seventh Jianfeng, there are easily a hundred sword cultivators with that same Sword Soul."
Yun Xiao felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. "Blue Lotus Sword Soul? Eighty percent of those at my level? So ordinary," he muttered, the weight of reality pressing down on him.
"Seven Swords Aspire to Seize is in three days!" Yu Elder remarked, ignoring Yun Xiao's plight as he continued to ponder Jiang Yue's exceptional talent. "When the time comes, we will measure with the four-pole stone again. Regardless of her level—be it Yuheng or even Tianquan—her name will go down in Blue Soul history."
Yun Xiao's brow furrowed as he thought aloud. "So the four-pole stone can measure our Sword Souls? But I don't think I'll be included," he mused, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice. "Regardless, I won't be compared to Jiang Yue. She'll only rise higher."
"Worry about your own path, not hers," Lanxing chimed in, her voice low. "Remember, she's received a Divine Sea pill because of you. That makes a difference."
Yun Xiao chuckled, a hint of derision in his tone. "A black-boned chicken can eat a hundred Baifengwan, but it's still a chicken."
He leaned back, thoughts swirling in his mind. "No matter how high she flies, my sword can always bring her down."
With that resolve, he steeled himself, preparing for the upcoming event. While Jiang Yue basked in the glow of her newfound status, Yun Xiao would find a way to carve his own path, separate from hers, even if the odds seemed stacked against him.