The grand palace was the most austere place within the Sword Pavilion! This expansive sword palace boasted an extravagant square outside, radiating an impressive aura.
However, what left a profound impression on Yun Xiao was the azure and gold signboard at the palace gate, emblazoned with four large characters: **"Imperishable Noble Spirit!"**
Yun Xiao contemplated the phrase, feeling a surge of inspiration. To be honest, this majestic sword palace, coupled with the green mountains and the ethereal sounds of immortals, represented the dream of his youth—a place of cultivation!
And now, he was here, standing before the overwhelming palace with Cai Maomao at his side. The morning sun filled the air with a sense of pride and vigor, as they joined more than a dozen people waiting at the entrance.
"So many people?" Yun Xiao was taken aback.
Cai Maomao smiled awkwardly. "Not too many! In our Sword Pavilion, these are all the people we have."
Seven Jianfeng, each with over a thousand sword cultivators! In comparison, the Blue Soul's main nerve seemed rather bleak.
"We've arrived! This is Sword Pavilion's new disciple, Yun Xiao, Junior Brother Yun!" Cai Maomao announced warmly as he approached.
His utmost respect was reserved for an old man dressed in grey. With a white beard and hair, exuding an air of noble character and high prestige, Cai Maomao affectionately called him "Grandpa Qin."
Grandpa Qin greeted them with a smile, his eyes clouded, suggesting he might be blind.
Beside Grandpa Qin stood three elders—two men and one woman—all middle-aged sword cultivators. Their surnames were Zheng and Zhou.
Cai Maomao pointed at a simple yet beautiful woman dressed in a green sword robe. "Junior Brother Yun, this is Senior Sister Qin Tongqin, Grandpa Qin's granddaughter. She'll be my companion in the future... if she remains single!"
"Who are you calling 'companion'? You're so full of yourself!" Qin Tong playfully punched Cai Maomao.
Their familiar banter made everyone smile.
"Junior Brother Yun, with looks like yours, you resemble a celestial being!" exclaimed Luo He, a disciple of the Sword Pavilion, beaming at Yun Xiao.
"That's not an exaggeration... it's just the senior brother is being whimsical," Yun Xiao responded with a smile, feeling somewhat bashful.
Several female disciples exchanged whispers, sizing him up with a hint of admiration.
"He's really handsome."
"I never expected a man could look so ethereal."
"If anyone could become an immortal, it would have to be someone with such extraordinary looks!"
There was no denying it! Yun Xiao, glancing at himself in the mirror, felt his appearance as a Creator Immortal was indeed remarkable.
As fate would have it, why should one not make new acquaintances on the immortal path? After chatting for a while, Yun Xiao began to integrate into their group.
"You're all superficial! My Junior Brother Yun is not just good-looking; he's exceptionally talented as well!" Cai Maomao patted Yun Xiao on the shoulder, boasting.
"?" Grandpa Qin, still smiling, asked, "Yun Xiao, what rank did you achieve for your Sword Soul on the Ascending to Heaven Road?"
"In response to Grandpa Qin, I shattered the sword stone," Yun Xiao replied.
The crowd fell silent, taken aback.
"I see! Yun Xiao is the unparalleled talent who measured Sword Soul and shattered the stone, just like Jiang Yue of the First Jianfeng!" Elder Zhou remarked, his eyes reflecting a hint of awe.
"Throughout Blue Soul's history, you're the first extraordinary individual to present a Sword Soul that shattered stone..." Although this matter had been discussed the night before, bringing it up again still stirred excitement among them.
"Such nonsense! My Junior Brother Yun was first on the Ascending to Heaven Road, stepping on Jiang Yue to claim the 500-year monster bone reward!" Cai Maomao pouted, feeling proud.
"Really?" The Sword Pavilion disciples were genuinely surprised; many had not heard of this.
Last night's events regarding Jiang Yue had stirred the Blue Soul, but no one had mentioned who had truly been the first on the Ascending to Heaven Road.
Grandpa Qin chuckled. "It seems Yun Xiao has some real skill!"
"Absolutely!" Qin Tong agreed, nodding in approval.
"Whoever dares to call Junior Brother Yun a vase, I'll take it up with them!" Cai Maomao declared with a fierce determination.
"Junior Brother Yun, defeating someone like Jiang Yue, a true 'ultra Kaiyang' talent, in your lifetime is something to be proud of!" said a young girl in purple, named Zhou Zi, with a hint of admiration.
Grandpa Qin added, "Yun Xiao, do you want everyone to see your Sword Soul?"
A sword cultivator's strength often lay in their Sword Soul, and the more exceptional it was, the more respect they earned.
"Okay!" Yun Xiao extended his palm.
A three chi azure Sword Soul began to swirl gently in his hands, the astral Qi rippling around it.
"Blue Lotus Sword Soul?"
Its outline was indeed quite ordinary! Given the quality of his Sword Soul, Yun Xiao felt that the Sword Pavilion members would likely be disappointed...
"Good! Really good!"
To his surprise, they praised him enthusiastically.
"Yun Xiao, you've just crossed the threshold and already possess nine Sword Gang, which is higher than the three elders!"
"It seems that besides the 500-year monster bone, you've also completed the task of slaying monsters, eliminating evil spirits!" Grandpa Qin, despite his blindness, sensed the strength emanating from the astral Qi and seemed to grasp the essence of it all.
"Yes, it's definitely nine Sword Gang!"
"The strength of this astral Qi is remarkable..."
"My Sword Soul quality is higher than Junior Brother Yun's, but I only possess three Sword Gang. His Sword Soul's lethality far surpasses mine!" Qin Tong exclaimed in surprise.
"Indeed!" Grandpa Qin nodded in satisfaction and said sincerely to Yun Xiao, "Child, the quality of your Sword Soul isn't everything. Who said that a lower-quality Sword Soul can't dominate? The quality may reach the sky, but the Sword Gang is the true path for us mortals! Do not be discouraged!"
"I understand," Yun Xiao replied, nodding earnestly.
"Truly! Nine Sword Gang is not something to fear from a Kaiyang-level Sword Soul…" Elder Zheng, the only female elder in the Sword Pavilion, sighed in emotion.
"Good! Very good! My Sword Pavilion has many talented sword cultivators!" Grandpa Qin expressed his happiness.
He produced an azure-black disciple token of the Sword Pavilion and handed it to Yun Xiao, speaking in a solemn tone, "Yun Xiao, carve your name on this sword sign. From now on, the Sword Pavilion will be your support. I and others will guide you on your immortal path, and the other disciples will be your brothers and sisters! Our lineage shares weal and woe together!"
"Yes!" Yun Xiao accepted the sword sign with both hands.
"Entering Blue Soul is a lifelong commitment!" Grandpa Qin's voice was hoarse, these eight characters carrying the weight of his lifetime story.
The sword sign was azure at the front, inscribed with the words "Sword Pavilion." Yun Xiao carefully carved his name, 'Yun Xiao,' into the black backing of the sign!
From this moment on, he was both Sword Pavilion and Yun Xiao!
The surrounding young disciples broke into smiles.
"Finally, after three years, the Sword Pavilion has gained a new disciple!"
"My Junior Brother Yun is destined to be the most graceful in Blue Soul, without a doubt!" Cai Maomao exclaimed excitedly.
"Just lead the way for this trivial matter!" Qin Tong rolled her eyes.
"Haha…"
Grandpa Qin smiled, then addressed the three elders, "Shall we begin the introductions for visitors requesting an audience with the esteemed officials?"
"I'll go first." Elder Zhou stepped forward, his eyes sparkling with determination.
Clenching his teeth, he pulled out a jade bottle from his robe.
"Our Sword Pavilion has been struggling for three years. Old Zhou presents this 'Longquan Pill' as a gift. I hope your life and sword accompany you, soaring through the clouds and living freely!" He handed the jade bottle to Yun Xiao.
"Longquan Pill!" Many disciples looked on with envy.
"Elder Zhou…" Yun Xiao stared at the jade bottle, feeling deeply moved.
"What's wrong? Can't you accept it?" Elder Zhou asked.
"It's not that; I just can't accept such a gift!" Yun Xiao replied.
While the Longquan Pill may be inferior to the Divine Sea Pill, it was still a precious compound that could encourage the Longquan supernatural powers. For an ordinary elder, giving such a gift was a significant sacrifice.
"No need! As a young immortal cultivator, you must take the first steps without fussing too much," Elder Zhou said, patting him on the shoulder.
"What's this? Do you look down on our women in the pursuit of cultivation?" Elder Zheng interjected, holding a jade bottle as well and raising an eyebrow, "If you dare not accept the Longquan Pill, do you think little of women?"
Yun Xiao: "…"
Finally, Elder Wang, a hefty figure, smiled as he handed Yun Xiao a Longquan Pill and sighed, "Sir, you're truly handsome!"
"Your melodies are high; don't be stingy," Grandpa Qin said, tossing another larger jade bottle toward Yun Xiao, "Then, three."
In total, that made six Longquan Pills!
They landed heavily in Yun Xiao's hands. He looked at the elders, suddenly speechless.
"Child, you are the first Sword Pavilion disciple in three years. This is a cause for celebration; there's no need to feel burdened."
"Our ascetics see our inheritance decline, and it weighs on our hearts. Do you understand?" Grandpa Qin said sincerely.
"But they…"
Yun Xiao turned to look at his fellow apprentices and seniors. He knew they likely hadn't received as much concern from the elders.
But he could see the envy in their eyes.
"Junior Brother Yun," Qin Tong said, looking at everyone. "You are like a younger brother to us. We are your Senior Brothers and Sisters, wishing for your bright future..."
"Right."
"Accept it!"
"If you don't want it, give me two," Cai Maomao said, with envy gleaming in his eyes.
"Get lost!" Qin Tong playfully covered his mouth.
"Wū wū… you're killing me!" Cai Maomao shouted.
Laughter erupted in front of the overwhelming palace.
Yun Xiao looked at their pure expressions and the ambition of the elders.
He suddenly felt that being accepted into the Sword Pavilion's Seven Jianfeng was indeed a stroke of luck!
"Cultivating the path is not brutal; it is only the people who are brutal!"
"But people are all different."
Yun Xiao gently accepted the six Longquan Pills! His heart felt a profound sense of fulfillment amidst this beautiful scenery.
"Three, as Yun Xiao embarks on his immortal path, I bestow this upon you," Grandpa Qin said to the three elders.
"My flying sword may guide you in flying sword techniques," Elder Zheng offered with a gentle smile.
"I'm good with the sword and can teach you the palm sword technique, which is effective in close combat," Elder Zhou added.
"As for the technique of governing sword flying, let my old self teach you!" Elder Wang said gruffly with a smile.
Yun Xiao looked at his bulk and thought of the governing sword flying technique...
"!"
Though it wasn't polite, he thought of a phrase: governing sword flying pig…
"However, I, even with a Sword Soul, have not practiced flying sword techniques. Whether it's the palm sword or governing sword, both the flying sword's lethal attacks and the sword's close combat techniques are crucial!"
These are what Blue Soul could offer him.
The antique copper coffin of Chiyue and Lanxing only recorded the peak laws of the boundary, not these foundational techniques.
In other words, these three elders were like immortal mentors to him!
"Yun Xiao, first thank Grandpa Qin, then thank the three elders," he felt a burning passion within.
"When can you start practicing the sword?" Elder Zhou asked directly.
"I can start right away!" Yun Xiao replied.
"Elder Zhou, Junior Brother Yun will be living with me for the time being," Cai Maomao said proudly.
"Okay, you'll bring him to our place every morning to practice the 'palm sword technique,'" Elder Zhou instructed.
"In the afternoon, we'll practice the governing sword technique," Elder Wang added.
"In the evening, when the weather is hazy, it'll be perfect for the flying sword techniques, so you'll bring Yun Xiao to see me," Elder Zheng said.
They were all very eager to take responsibility and guide Yun Xiao in his cultivation journey.
At the overwhelming palace, Yun Xiao gazed once more at the signboard bearing the words "Imperishable Noble Spirit."
He had heard that the Sword Pavilion was the pride of Blue Soul!
Today, Yun Xiao felt it deeply.
Imperishable noble spirit!
With mountain birds soaring, white clouds swirling, dark green fog enveloping, clear springs flowing, and swords poised in every direction... he loved it here!
However, at that moment, some people disrupted the serene atmosphere.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A group of sword cultivators, governing their swords, approached rapidly!
The atmosphere grew tense in the overwhelming palace as the group of sword cultivators from the "Eight Sword Meetings" confronted the Sword Pavillion. Their arrival was loud and disruptive, causing birds to scatter and branches to snap under their reckless approach.
"They are the people from the 'Eight Sword Meetings'..." Zhou Zi remarked, recognizing the threat as she watched the figures swagger into their midst.
Elder Zheng's expression darkened, and Grandpa Qin, always stoic, was no less disturbed. "So, they've finally decided to make their move,"he said, voice steady but laced with underlying tension.
"They're here to push us out," Elder Zheng continued, rage bubbling just beneath the surface. "They want to force Sword Pavillion to expel Blue Soul."
The group, led by a middle-aged man in a striking red sword robe, exuded arrogance. His long beard flowed like flames, and his gaze bore a fierce intensity that unsettled the onlookers. "That must be the Third Sword Revere, Wu Wu," Cai Maomao whispered to Yun Xiao, her disdain evident.
"Wu Wu? Who is he?"Yun Xiao inquired quietly, trying to grasp the hierarchy among the sword cultivators.
"He's one of the leaders of the Eight Sword Meetings. They think they're above everyone else," Cai Maomao replied, bitterness in her tone.
As the confrontation escalated, the Third Sword Revere stepped forward with an insidious smile, addressing Grandpa Qin mockingly."Well, Qin blind man, you're looking as spry as ever," he said, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
"And you've not changed at all, still as shameless as ever," Grandpa Qin shot back, his composure unshaken even in the face of contempt.
"Today's visit is merely a formality," Wu Wu declared, his voice dripping with mockery. "We are here to collect names for the Sword Pavillion's combat disciples. It's routine for the 'Seven Swords to Aspire to Seize.'"
"Seven swords?" Yun Xiao whispered to Cai Maomao, confusion knitting his brow.
"Yes," she replied, her eyes darting among the elders. "They are counting us out because we haven't met their standards, and if we don't have enough qualified disciples, they'll use it as an excuse to eliminate us."
The Third Sword Revere continued, "Ah, but it appears that Sword Pavillion is falling short this year. You're missing a disciple who meets the age requirement—Zhao Xuanran, I believe? His words hung heavy in the air, the implication clear.
"What are you talking about?" Grandpa Qin's tone shifted to one of indignation. "We still have plenty of eligible disciples!"
"Oh, but according to our Blue Soul laws, if a sect cannot maintain enough active participants, they are dismissed," Wu Yu, an elder from the Eight Sword Meetings, added, smirking at the turmoil his words caused. "Without your 'Tang' this year, you're out."
The implication of his words caused a ripple of anxiety among the Sword Pavillion members. Yun Xiao felt the gravity of the situation sinking in.
"You think you can just bully us into submission?" Elder Zhou challenged, stepping forward, her face a mask of anger.
"It's not bullying; it's just the way things are," the Third Sword Revere replied with feigned innocence. "We're just enforcing the rules."
The tension in the air was palpable as the Sword Pavillion elders exchanged glances, each one weighing their options.
"Let's not forget," Elder Zheng spoke up, voice steady, "that Sword Pavillion has faced challenges before. We won't back down now."
Wu Wu laughed derisively. "Well, I hope you're prepared for the consequences then."
Yun Xiao, feeling the weight of the situation, stood beside his fellow disciples. He could sense their anger, frustration, and determination. "This isn't just about us," he thought."It's about protecting our home."
As the confrontation unfolded, the air crackled with anticipation. The Sword Pavillion would have to fight not just for their reputation, but for their very existence against the threatening shadow of the Eight Sword Meetings.