Shen Yao

"The Azure Yuan Talisman Scripture said: 'Temper it with balance and rectitude, raise its origin to the highest, draw evergreen vitality from the east, and steady the inner foundation.'"

"The Qingyuan Sword Scripture said: 'The sword's highest form follows the meridians and organs, joins with the Heavenly Gate, raises Sword Qi from the dantian, and releases spiritual intent from the Purple Mansion.'"

"Question: In the Azure Yuan Talisman Scripture, what does 'raise its origin to the highest' mean? What does 'draw evergreen vitality from the east' mean?"

"Question: What does it mean for the sword's highest form to follow the meridians and organs? When the Heavenly Gate opens, how does Sword Qi travel?"

The two questions came one after the other, leaving Shen Yao momentarily bewildered.

Looking at the figure ahead, Shen Yao struggled to calm himself and stop his thoughts from running wild.

He was in Xuanqing Hall on Jinhua Mountain.

Xuanqing Hall stood on Jinhua Mountain's main peak and was the foremost hall beneath Qingyang Cloud Palace.

Though Dragon Horn Peak rose high on either side of Jinhua Mountain, with many halls built upon them, neither was the main peak.

The true main peak stood between them, beneath that clear azure sun. Cloud palaces and immortal halls rose upon it in overlapping tiers.

Qingyang Cloud Palace was the foremost immortal palace beneath Qingyang Heavenly Star. Xuanqing Hall was both its front hall and the only way to reach it at the summit.

Besides Shen Yao, many cultivators stood in Xuanqing Hall. All were fellow Daoists who had cultivated together beneath the sea of clouds halfway up the mountain.

Everyone standing there ranked among the finest of the three thousand cultivators.

They had come to face True Lord Yuchen Lingyuan's examination and compete for the chance to truly become