Grand Elder, Pressing Down with Overwhelming Momentum

Since the True Martial Sect opened its Mountain Gate, many people have been paying close attention to this matter.

The Wuxiang Sect's admission of defeat will undoubtedly further enhance the True Martial Sect's prestige.

Sometimes, the rise of a sect is like this: it climbs up by stepping on one established, top-tier martial arts sect after another.

However, the lack of any action from the Sword-Questioning Pavilion is rather intriguing.

"Sword-Questioning Pavilion is a long-established holy land of Sword Dao, with numerous top swordsmen and several Celestial Person Swordsmen. In particular, its Supreme Elder, Wenxin Sword Gu Changhe, is ranked fourteenth on the Celestial Person Ranking! There's no reason for such strength to fear the True Martial Sect."

"The Formless Sect fears the sharpness of Heavenly Sword Real Person, but the Sword of Inquiry does not; his fourteenth place on the Celestial Person Ranking is earned through sheer hard-earned battle achievements!"

"Tsk tsk, I wonder how the Sword-Questioning Pavilion will ultimately respond? If they lack sincerity, I'm afraid the True Martial Sect won't let it go easily."

Some people keenly sensed the tension within.

The swordsmen, in particular, were quite excited.

At the Sword-Questioning Pavilion and the True Martial Sect.

On a deeper level, it can be seen as a confrontation between the Sword of Inquiry and the Heavenly Sword Real Person.

This is the internal strife among swordsmen.

Previously, Heavenly Sword Real Person had risen to a higher level by leveraging the reputation of Master Jinglei Daozun, but now, with two peerless swordsmen facing off, they would be happy to see who wins or loses.

This moment.

They actually hoped that the Sword-Questioning Pavilion could be more assertive.

All eyes were turned to the Sword-Questioning Pavilion.

Sword-Questioning Pavilion.

A sword tower, 333 feet tall, stands majestically in the sky, its imposing presence and the sharp Sword Intent it contains are astonishing.

This is the Inheritance Land of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion. When the outstanding swordsmen in the Sword-Questioning Pavilion are nearing their end, they will take the initiative to enter it and choose a level to sleep in peace, leaving behind their essence of Sword Dao. The stronger they are, the higher they can go.

The swordsmen of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion all take pride in this.

Over time, no one knows how much Sword Dao has been passed Inheritance inside. Sometimes, even exceptionally talented swordsmen are allowed to enter and absorb the Inheritance left by their predecessors.

And now.

A series of powerful figures waited respectfully outside the Sword Tower; they were all high-ranking members of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion.

Their expressions were solemn, their eyes fixed straight ahead, as if they were on a pilgrimage.

Suddenly.

A unique wave emanated, causing everyone's spirits to be shaken. The Sword Intent within their bodies was involuntarily drawn out, creating the sensation of ten thousand swords resounding together. All eyes turned fiery.

Then, an elderly man with white hair appeared silently.

They clearly came from the Sword Tower, yet no one could detect them.

The old man looked ordinary, without any powerful aura, and his gaze was indifferent. If one had to point out the only special feature, it would be his left Finger, where only his thumb and index finger remained, while the other three had been neatly severed.

We pay our respects to the Supreme Elder!

Everyone bowed respectfully.

Gu Changhe waved his hand slightly and said:

"Tang Qiu, why did you call me out?"

His gaze fell on the Sect Master of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion. Although his expression was calm, it carried an intimidating pressure.

Tang Qiu's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately said:

"There is something I need the Supreme Elder to decide!"

A moment later.

The main hall was completely silent.

Gu Changhe sat in the main seat, looking down at everyone, his voice revealing neither joy nor sorrow:

"Are you trying to tell me that you sent people to infiltrate another sect, got caught red-handed, and now they've come to your door demanding an explanation?"

Tang Qiu felt a chill run down her spine.

"Elder, this matter arose because of the True Martial Sword Stele, which is indeed miraculous..."

He was interrupted before he could finish speaking:

"Waste!"

Everyone fell silent, terrified.

Gu Changhe said coldly:

"My Sword-Questioning Pavilion Inheritance nearly a thousand years. The Inheritance Tower alone is enough to benefit our disciples immeasurably. Why would we need to covet other people's things? If you had focused more on the way of the Sword Dao, our Sword-Questioning Pavilion would have long since become the number one Sword Dao sanctuary in the world! We wouldn't be in this situation where we don't have a single swordsman on the Celestial Person Ranking except for myself!"

Tang Qiu's face looked bitter.

"The Supreme Elder's reprimand is correct. I immediately sent someone to reply and express my apologies..."

Gu Changhe's expression grew even colder:

"Tang Qiu, it seems you are indeed not suited to be the sect leader of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Tang Qiu was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale. He knelt on the ground in fear and trembling, not daring to utter a word.

Gu Changhe stood up and looked around at everyone:

"Is that what you all think too? A bunch of useless trash! You've all lost the spirit of a swordsman!"

Unbeknownst to them, a sharp edge had begun to emanate from him, making everyone feel suffocated.

"If you reply and back down this time, are you trying to disregard the thousand-year-old reputation of my Sword-Questioning Pavilion? A sect that has only been established for a few decades, and you're already this afraid of it?"

"Heavenly Sword Real Person, True Martial Sword Stele, you marvel at the strength of others, yet you forget your own origins."

Do you still remember the pride of a swordsman?

His gaze was sharp.

Each word struck a chord with the audience, leaving them drenched in sweat.

He was a swordsman who questioned the heart of the sword. At the age of thirty, he cut off three fingers of his left hand to question the heart of the sword. After that, his path was smooth and his Sword Dao advanced rapidly. Now, seeing the younger generation like this, he was somewhat disappointed.

Calling them useless is because it's a case of them sitting on a treasure trove without digging into it, instead of getting distracted by other things.

The main hall was silent.

Once Gu Changhe calmed down...

Tang Qiu asked cautiously:

"Then, in the opinion of the Supreme Elder, what should be done?"

He could tell that the Supreme Elder probably harbored some resentment. He had been peacefully in seclusion in the Inheritance Sword Tower when he was suddenly called out, so naturally he was unhappy.

Gu Changhe glanced at him sideways:

"The True Martial Sect says they're traitors, so they're traitors? Let them produce evidence."

"I Sword-Questioning Pavilion is so easy to bully. What can a Heavenly Sword Real Person do? He only suppressed a Thunderclap Saber Venerable. However, being able to erect this True Martial Sword Stele is indeed quite extraordinary. Perhaps he has some unique understanding of the Sword Dao. But my years of seclusion have not been entirely fruitless. Perhaps I can advance further on the Celestial Person Ranking!"

As he spoke, a hint of arrogance appeared in his eyes.

Everyone was overjoyed.

Congratulations, Supreme Elder!

Tang Qiu said with a smile:

"Then I will send someone to reply."

Gu Changhe nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the direction of Qingzhou, a fighting spirit rising within him.

Having been in seclusion for so many years without ever making a move, I'm itching to get my hands dirty. If that Heavenly Sword Real Person is not Qi Ingestion, then let him come at me.

A few days later.

True Martial Mountain.

Mingwu Pavilion.

Luo Wentian unfolded the letter, his face suppressing his anger.

Daoist Longshan and Ning Qi have both seen it.

Ning Qi's eyes flashed, but he remained calm.

Daoist Longshan snorted:

"It seems that the Sword-Questioning Pavilion thinks it's too big and powerful, and wants to deny everything to the death?"

The letter was simple and polite, expressing regret that so many spies had infiltrated the True Martial Sect's assessment, but Sword-Questioning Pavilion had never sent any spies and that their concern for the True Martial Sect was misplaced. The letter also Sword-Questioning Pavilion was ready to assist if needed.

His words were very perfunctory, but he made no mention of offering an apology.

There was an underlying sense of detached condescension in his words.

Compared to the Sword-Questioning Pavilion, the True Martial Sect is indeed just a fledgling.

"It seems that Gu Changhe, the Sword of Inquiry, ranked fourteenth on the Celestial Person Ranking, has given them a lot of confidence." Luo Wentian frowned.

I had already considered this point, but I didn't expect the Sword-Questioning Pavilion to be so domineering and shameless.

What should we do now?

His mind raced.

If we were to storm their door over this matter, even though our sect is renowned, it would seem somewhat impulsive and desperate, which wouldn't be ideal.

But if no counterattack is launched.

Instead, they were ridiculed.

There are already voices saying that the True Martial Sect only picks on the weak, ignoring the Demon Sect and the Southern Frontier, while ruthlessly exploiting the Wuxiang Sect and the Sword-Questioning Pavilion. If this matter ends so abruptly, it will be detrimental to the True Martial Sect.

Ning Qi was also considering it.

To resolve this, it must be resolved Perfection and smoothly.

The Demon Sect and Southern Frontier are only afraid to speak up because their headquarters are hard to find. If they find an opportunity, Ning Qi will strike just as swiftly.

But the Sword-Questioning Pavilion now might serve as a target for establishing authority.

These days, he was somewhat Heart Demon and the Southern Frontier joined forces, they might target the True Martial Sect members because they suspected the destruction of the Southern Frontier's Qingzhou stronghold. In that case, even with his extraordinary abilities, he would be unable to deal with it.

The best way is to make an example of someone to deter others and establish authority.

They displayed enough power to make the Demon Sect and the Southern Frontier wary.

Ideally, it should be easy enough.

This level of progress is not enough; we need to get the Sword-Questioning Pavilion to come to us on its own initiative.

If Sword-Questioning Pavilion had been willing to sincerely apologize, Ning Qi might have considered other methods. But now that Sword-Questioning Pavilion like a scoundrel, he won't hesitate to the Sword-Questioning Pavilion like a "chicken."

Ning Qi slowly opened his mouth and said:

"Perhaps... we can overwhelm them with overwhelming force."

Luo Wentian Daoist Longshan looked over.

Ning Qi continued:

"The True Martial Sword Stele has been standing for some time now. What would happen if it were suddenly closed to the public?"

Luo Wentian's eyes lit up; he reacted quickly:

"Many swordsmen have benefited from the kindness of our True Martial Sect during this period, and they have already tasted the sweetness of the True Martial Sword Stele. If it is suddenly closed, they will probably go crazy."

Daoist Longshan also smiled.

Luo Wentian continued:

"Little Nine, do you mean... we should use the True Martial Sword Stele to force the Sword-Questioning Pavilion to back down?"

He started to have thoughts, and ideas began to pop into his head.

"Great idea!"

"Didn't the Sword-Questioning Pavilion say we mistook someone for someone else? Then we can legitimately close the mountain and interrogate the spy carefully during this period to prevent the spy from being kidnapped. At that time, the True Martial Sword Stele will not be open to the public, and the swordsmen will definitely be anxious. But that alone is not enough. Those swordsmen will not shift their attention to the Sword-Questioning Pavilion."

"We'll need to do a careful operation then, subtly revealing part of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion's reply. That way, they'll know that we had to close the mountain because we needed to interrogate Sword-Questioning Pavilion spy, and the pressure will naturally fall on the Sword-Questioning Pavilion."

He spoke more and more fluently, and his eyes even shone.

"These swordsmen are quite powerful. There are some Celestial Person Realm swordsmen among them, and even one or two Celestial Person Ranking swordsmen have shown their faces. There are also many Yuan Pill Realm swordsmen. The Sword-Questioning Pavilion needs to be wary of such an uncontrollable force."

"But we need to handle this carefully. We can't let these swordsmen feel that we're using them as pawns, otherwise it might cause a backlash. However, that's unlikely. We just need to be careful in guiding them. Many swordsmen in the world have benefited from your True Martial Sword Stele, Little Nine, and they must know this. As long as we don't go too far, most of them will be willing to stand on our side."

"At that time, swordsmen from all over the world will gather in great numbers, and the Sword-Questioning Pavilion will have to respond accordingly!"

"Either you bow your head and submit, or you go to True Martial Mountain."

Luo Wentian's expression gradually became serious.

"Judging from the current style of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion, it's unlikely they'll bow down and submit. They'll most likely head to True Martial Mountain, or even that Sword Inquiry Sword himself..."

He paused, looking at Ning Qi.

Ning Qi simply smiled faintly and sipped his tea.

That's even better.

The three simple words immediately jolted Luo Wentian awake. He suddenly understood Ning Qi's meaning. Perhaps from the beginning, he never intended to make Sword-Questioning Pavilion submit, but rather to the Sword-Questioning Pavilion to come to True Martial Mountain.

An inconceivable thought arose in his mind, and he couldn't help but swallow it out:

"Little Nine, you didn't want to bother Sword-Questioning Pavilion, so you came up with this idea instead?"

Ning Qi chuckled:

"This isn't my idea; I just mentioned it. The specific details were all yours, Senior Brother."

Luo Wentian was taken aback, then gave a wry smile.

Well, I guess I'll have to take the blame for this myself!

However, his expression gradually became excited.

The reply from the Sword-Questioning Pavilion had enraged him all morning. He was determined to make this shameless sect pay the price. The True Martial Sect was never short of decisiveness and ruthlessness, especially now that they had been bullied so badly.

He left excitedly.

The details of this plan need to be refined.

Ning Qi also left with a smile.

It was just a minor incident; it was far more comfortable to read scriptures at the Dao-Seeking Courtyard.

Looking at his two disciples' retreating figures, Daoist Longshan shook his head and chuckled. However, he felt content, for having such excellent disciples in this life made his existence worthwhile.

The next day.

The site of the True Martial Sword Stele.

Luo Wentian personally went to the scene and kindly woke up the swordsmen who were comprehending the peerless Sword Intent. The swordsmen, who were initially somewhat angry, and some who were enjoying the moment as if watching a dancer descend to earth, only a thin veil separating them from their reverie, were startled upon seeing Luo Wentian and quickly rose to their feet to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Luo!"

Luo Wentian looked somewhat apologetic and sorrowful, and he returned the greeting with a cupped hand:

"Fellow practitioners, there is something I need to inform you all. Our True Martial Sect will be temporarily closing its gates starting today. You will have to leave now and wait until the sect reopens before we invite you to come again."

Someone immediately panicked.

They were almost at the point of enlightenment, but now that they've stopped at this crucial moment, they can't bear it anymore; they feel like they're going crazy.

"Sect Leader Luo, what has happened? Why so suddenly? Can we wait a few more days?" the swordsmen asked one after another.

Luo Wentian closed his eyes, then opened them again, his eyes filled with anguish.

"As you may all know, during the True Martial Sect's entrance examination, many spies infiltrated, plotting to seize our True Martial Inheritance. Some of these spies are still under interrogation, their identities unknown. We have received information that some people might take this opportunity to abduct them!"

"We have no choice but to resort to this desperate measure: sealing off the Mountain Gate. We hope you can all understand!"

"Once the identity of the traitor is revealed and evidence proving it is found, the Mountain Gate will reopen. You can all wait patiently in True Martial City. That day shouldn't be too far away. We will notify everyone as soon as we have any news."

The resentment and anger in Luo Wentian's eyes were clearly visible.

The swordsmen looked at each other in bewilderment.

They've already said all that, what else can we do? We can't just say that the True Martial Sect has stopped doing its proper work and continues to open the True Martial Sword Stele, can we? Who knows if any of these swordsmen who come to study it have spies or informants?

The fact that the True Martial Sect opened the True Martial Sword Stele for everyone to study is already enough to earn everyone's gratitude, so they can naturally understand why this happened.

But in everyone's hearts...

He felt a surge of resentment towards that unknown spy.

It was fine before it didn't affect them, but now that they can't continue to comprehend the sword monument, their anger is rising rapidly. Especially for some swordsmen who were about to gain some understanding but were abruptly stopped, they wish they could tear the spies to pieces.

"Sect Leader Luo, if you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask!" everyone said.

Luo Wentian cupped his hands in thanks and said:

"Thank you all, but it's best not to involve you in this matter. Let's go down the mountain and wait for news."

The swordsmen sighed and descended the mountain to leave.

I wonder when the True Martial Sect will be able to reopen its Mountain Gate.

They looked back every few steps, reluctant to leave.

After all the swordsmen disappeared from True Martial Mountain, the resentment on Luo Wentian's face vanished, replaced by a faint smile.

Ye Qinghe, standing nearby, had a strange expression on her face, but couldn't help giving a thumbs up:

"Senior Brother, I've noticed that your acting skills have become even more superb since you became the sect leader!"

She clicked her tongue twice.

Luo Wentian's face darkened.

"Qinghe, how can you talk about your senior brother like that?"

Ye Qinghe laughed exaggeratedly:

"I was just praising you! Non-Self hadn't already known about the plan, I'm afraid I would have been fooled by you, Senior Brother."

Luo Wentian couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

His gaze was fixed on the distance, somewhat profound.

Now, we just have to wait for things to develop.