Free Web NovelAfter breakfast.
The carriages set off, greeted by the morning light.
In the distance.
The Sword Tower, shaped like a towering giant sword, reflected a myriad of lights under the sun, causing the surrounding mist to glow.
It stood in solitary grandeur, as if it were the only thing between heaven and earth.
Ying Bing stared blankly at the scenery outside the carriage curtain.
“This Sword Tower is a seamless whole; it truly is a masterpiece of nature’s craftsmanship.” freewёbnoνel.com
Li Mo’s voice suddenly came from beside her.
When she turned her head, the reflection in her eyes changed to him, causing her gaze to ripple gently.
“This Sword Tower is not a natural creation.”
“Oh?”
“This Sword Tower has existed in Yunzhou for a very long time. Legend has it that there was once a second-grade Disaster Beast, Qiongqi, that wreaked havoc on the common people. While it was rampant in Yunzhou, a giant sword formed from mountain rock suddenly descended from outside the heavens and suppressed it to death.”
“That sword is the current Sword Tower.”
Ying Bing said softly.
“This was done by human power?”
Li Mo gazed at the Sword Tower, as if he could comprehend the earth-shattering and ghost-wailing power of that single sword strike.
“How amazing.”
Jiang Chulong blinked, her small mouth slightly agape.
“You will definitely be able to do it in the future. Perhaps after seeing the Hengyun Sword Scar, you will comprehend that sword strike.”
Li Mo nodded with great certainty.
He had no doubt about the Phoenix Heavenly Empress and the Innate Sword Body as judged by his Tianming Divine Eye!
Can I... can I?
Jiang Chulong pursed her small lips, but seeing Li Dage’s gaze, she clenched her fists and cheered herself on.
“Hengyun Sword Dao...”
Ying Bing’s gaze rippled.
In her previous life, she had seen Jiang Chulong display it, sweeping through the Seventh Realm.
According to her plan, she should have achieved Sword Heart Clarity by now.
But now...
The carriage suddenly fell silent.
“Uh...”
In Li Mo’s eyes, the Ice Cube’s face actually showed two expressions.
This was likely due to the division of sunlight.
Half of her face was in the sunlight, brilliant and divine, while the other half was in shadow, complex and serene.
Although he didn't know the reason.
Her current state of mind was indeed troubled.
So much so that she even lost confidence in comprehending the Hengyun Sword Scar?
What to do...
Xiao Li the Genius racked his brain.
...
This morning was the last day of sword trials.
Many people had already lost their two opportunities to go on stage, but the heroes from Yunzhou who were present were still just as many, if not more, making it extraordinarily lively.
For example, on a certain Li Jianxian’s arena, that sign was still displayed.
And below the stage... people hadn't even arrived yet, but a long queue had already formed, like a concert ticket rush.
“Li Jianxian is here!”
Someone with sharp eyes shouted.
Then countless gazes turned back.
“...”
Being watched by countless eyes, Li Mo’s initial novelty wore off, and now he only felt immense pressure.
“Li Shaoxia, when will you become the number one swordsman in Yunzhou?”
“Even the Saintess of the Rain Listening Pavilion died under Li Jianxian’s sword!”
Everyone offered compliments.
What they didn’t know was...
At one point, Li Mo even considered throwing the match.
Who spread these rumors?
Isn't this just setting him up to fail!
He cupped his hands towards the crowd:
“The Saintess of the Rain Listening Pavilion did not die, nor did she cross swords with me.”
“I only achieved a small success by sheer luck.”
“Compared to me, Ying Bing and Jiang Chulong are more likely to achieve great things in the Dao of the Sword.”
Xiao Li was very sincere.
However, those below the stage thought he was just being falsely modest, and another wave of rainbow flattery ensued.
Li Mo sighed softly.
He activated his Tianming Divine Eye, sparring while observing everyone present. freewebnσvel.cøm
Suddenly, his gaze paused.
It was an unremarkable woman, standing on an arena not far away.
Just now, she had narrowly won and become the new arena master.
【Name: Yin Mianmian】
【Age: 23】
【Bone Root: Tianluo Demonic Cauldron Body.】
【Realm: Guan Shen Eight Apertures.】
【Destiny: Purple】
【Evaluation: Saintess of the Rain Listening Pavilion, sixth on the Qianlong Ranking, has killed several Prodigies on the Qianlong Ranking, is unknowingly used as a Cauldron by the Rain Listening Pavilion Master, and her hobby is watching men fight to the death.】
【Recent Encounter: Instructed numerous Rain Listening Pavilion assassins to mix in the crowd and promote the name of Li Mo Jianxian.】
Li Mo: “...”
Thank you very much.
The entire Sword City, and even Hengyun Sword City, were on high alert.
And she still dared to come?
After a moment of silence, Li Mo’s lips moved, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» but no sound came out.
Meanwhile, Bai Jinghong, on another arena, suddenly paused.
...
The morning passed.
Noon.
The sword trials finally came to an end.
On the high platform, the Elders looked at the ten figures on the arena, their eyes filled with intense emotion.
Because, the strongest Martial Arts Genius they had ever seen in their lives might be among them.
“In this sword trial, ten young heroes have already distinguished themselves.”
Elder Zeng put a picture album into his embrace, his figure descended into the arena, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
Then, he went through the motions of announcing the names of these ten people.
Li Mo, Ying Bing, and Jiang Chulong, naturally, needed no further mention.
The Hengyun Three Heroes, namely Bai Jinghong and his two companions, were also among these ten; they had maintained their positions when they ascended the arena for the second time.
Besides Huang Donglai and Zhong Zhenyue, there were also two new faces.
Suddenly.
Elder Zeng formed a sword seal, his face calm, his robes fluttering.
Wind and clouds surged.
Layers of clouds gathered across the sky, connecting the top of the Sword Tower with the mountain gate, forming floating cloud steps.
Each cloud step carried various Sword Intents from within the Sword Tower.
Each of these Sword Intents seemed to penetrate directly to the heart.
“This is...”
Li Mo leaned back strategically.
Why did this look familiar?
His worries had finally come true...
Then he heard Elder Zeng say:
“Ascending the steps can lead to the top of the Sword Tower.”
“The first method is to ascend the cloud steps formed from the Sword Tower’s Qi that I have drawn forth. This is also how our sect tests the state of mind of our Disciples.”
“The more one can gain the recognition of the Sword Intent within the Sword Tower, the better their talent. Generally, True Disciples are able to reach the summit.”
This was the test for Inner Sect Disciples of Hengyun Sword City to determine if they were qualified to become True Disciples.
Those who made it into the top ten of the Martial Arts Summit could usually ascend.
Li Mo: “...”
Isn't this just the Ascension Stone Steps, Sword Dao plus version?
“If we fall, will there be any danger?”
Huang Donglai asked.
“No, the Elders are here.”
“What if the Elders are distracted?”
“How could the Elders be distracted!”
“I just saw you secretly...”
“Hmm?”
Elder Zeng raised an eyebrow, and Huang Donglai muted himself.
They had come this far.
Naturally, no one would retreat.
Bai Jinghong and his two companions had all ascended the Sword Tower two years ago and had experience, so they took the lead.
“Li... Li... Li Dage...”
Jiang Chulong’s small face was pale, and she clutched Li Mo’s sleeve tightly.
“What’s wrong?”
Li Mo was puzzled; how could Xiao Jiang Princess not withstand the test?
But her small body was trembling slightly with fear at this moment.
“I... I’m afraid... afraid of heights.”
“...Then lean on me. If you can’t see, we won’t be afraid, but following me might be a bit slow.”
Li Mo laughed wryly.
He let Xiao Jiang Princess bury her face in his back, and the two of them stepped onto the cloud steps.
Sword Intent test?
He probably couldn’t go fast even if he wanted to.
As soon as he stepped onto the cloud steps, he felt immense pressure, but Jiang Chulong’s body relaxed slightly.
“By the way, where’s the Ice Cube?”
“She should have gone very far already...”
Li Mo looked up but did not find that figure.
Hmm?
He turned his head.
Ying Bing was still standing alone in place.
...
PS: One more chapter tonight.
