Xiao Jiuli stood amid the clouds, his plain white robe fluttering gently in the wind.
Hearing this, he threw back his head and laughed, his voice echoing throughout the Sword Pavilion. "What a fine 'bringing your disciple to broaden his horizons'! Luo Zhixian, your way of testing swords has not changed in decades. Do you think my sword guardians have made no progress all these years?"
Luo Zhixian looked up toward the clouds, his sleeves utterly still in the biting wind. "Your Sword Domain is still useful."
His words were calm, yet countless swordsmen below exchanged glances.
There was clearly something beneath Luo Zhixian's words.
Xiao Jiuli understood. Lowering his gaze, he glanced at Chen Qing, who held a spear.
"Enough. Since you have already 'tested' it, come in."
As his words fell, he turned and stepped through the air, drifting toward the highest level of the Sword Pavilion.
At the same time, the sword guardians from the ninety-first through the ninety-ninth floors, who had been poised to strike, sheathed their swords in unison. They stepped aside to clear a path and bowed to Luo Zhixian and Chen Qing.
The Sword Pavilion had its rules: when the Sword Lord personally extended an invitation, the gatekeepers ceased their challenge.
Seeing this, Chen Qing understood. His master's bringing him through the pavilion had not only been to temper his spear technique, but also an invisible calling card.
His result of ninety floors was enough to make Sword Lord Xiao Jiuli take this junior seriously.
"Come."
Luo Zhixian's calm voice came from ahead. He had already stepped onto the stone stairs of the ninety-first floor.
"Yes!"
Chen Qing composed himself and followed, spear in hand.
On the plaza below, several thousand spectators looked up at the three figures disappearing into the clouds one