Ten Thousand Paths Tower, the Curtain Falls and What Comes After

True Martial Mountain.

The disciples all stared in amazement at the towering Inheritance Sword Tower before them. It had just been unearthed from the Sword-Questioning Pavilion, and the soil still carried a fresh smell. In order to avoid embarrassment, the two Celestial Person Realm elders of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion had traveled under the cover of night, avoiding many cities along the way.

The 333-foot-tall Inheritance Sword Tower is quite impressive, with the charm and sharpness of Sword Dao occasionally emanating from it, filling sword practitioners with longing.

Over a thousand years, the essence of Sword Dao has been passed down by top swordsmen.

It would be even more perfect if you ignored the blank, dark faces of the two elders of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion.

Ning Qi gazed at the sword tower, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

This is a good resource for his advancement, the only pity is that it only Sword Dao.

But it's not a big problem.

He can draw inferences from one instance to another and use Sword Dao to drive the development of other paths.

"Elders, you've worked hard," Luo Wentian said with a smile.

The elders of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion looked even darker, their hearts filled with bitterness, and they said with wooden faces:

"Sect Leader Luo, Tang Qiu and his men are on their way to deliver the rest of the items. This time, it was our Sword-Questioning Pavilion that made a mistake, but we have already received the punishment we deserve. We beg Sect Leader Luo to be lenient and let our Sword-Questioning Pavilion off the hook."

Why be so humble and submissive?

It's all so that the Sword-Questioning Pavilion can continue its Inheritance.

Luo Wentian nodded slightly:

"Naturally, the Sword-Questioning Pavilion can remain untouched for two hundred years."

He showed no mercy.

If you do something wrong, you will naturally have to pay the price.

However, this is the limit. The True Martial Sect cannot possibly slaughter the entire Sword-Questioning Pavilion. Putting aside whether it is possible to do so, whether the Great Flame Dynasty would allow it, such an approach is not in line with the True Martial Sect's style.

Since the Sword-Questioning Pavilion coveted the Heavenly Ascension Steps and the True Martial Sword Stele, let's fight fire with fire and take over the Sword-Questioning Pavilion's Inheritance Sword Tower.

Moreover, if they were to be completely wiped out, the True Martial Sect would be targeted by some martial arts sects, which would not be a good thing. At that time, many people would not abide by the rules of tacit agreement when dealing with the True Martial Sect, since so far, the Sword-Questioning Pavilion has not actually harmed anyone from the True Martial Sect.

The Sword-Questioning Pavilion has stood for a thousand years in the Great Flame Dynasty and has many allied sects.

If they go too far, they will also stand up to support them.

The two elders of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion wore bitter expressions, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"The Sword-Questioning Pavilion will keep its promise."

They glanced back at the towering Inheritance Sword Tower one last time, their hearts bleeding. Finally, they gritted their teeth and stepped into the air to leave. They didn't want to stay a moment longer in the True Martial Sect, this place of sorrow. A single wrong decision had destroyed a thousand years of effort by the Sword-Questioning Pavilion. No one could understand their pain.

Ning Qi simply watched quietly.

Let alone two hundred years, even twenty years from now, who knows how much the True Martial Sect will have changed? Perhaps when the Sword-Questioning Pavilion reappears, they will find that the world has changed drastically.

However, as the two Celestial Person Realm departed, a wisp of aura silently wrapped around them, transforming into a mark that was not easily detected.

What if these two really do something rash?

Ning Qi also has a backup plan.

With his current strength, ordinary Celestial Person Realm are nothing more than a matter of waving his hand.

However, it's highly unlikely that either of them would dare to do that, as it would bring true doom to the Sword-Questioning Pavilion. There is still hope for them; they won't be driven to the brink of despair. The most terrifying thing is having nothing to lose, but keeping the Sword-Questioning Pavilion is like having "shoes" binding them.

I looked away.

Ning Qi re-examined the Inheritance Sword Tower before him. There were too many people around now; it wasn't the right time to go in.

Luo Wentian laughed:

"Everyone, please disperse. It will be open to you once the situation at the Sword Tower is clarified."

He still needed to discuss with Ning Qi and Daoist Longshan how to deal with the sword tower.

All the disciples had high expectations.

After all, it is a sacred place of Sword Dao a history of thousands of years, which is novel to them.

late at night.

unmanned.

Ning Qi entered the Sword Tower silently.

The tower is wide and tall.

Three hundred and thirty-three feet, there are three hundred and thirty-three floors.

Each floor has a small room. When Ning Qi stepped into one of them, he saw Meditation Cushions in the room and various patterns, words or sword marks on the walls. They seemed messy, but if you looked closely, you could find the True Intention of Sword Dao hidden in them.

The higher you go in the Sword Tower, the more profound the True Intention of Sword Dao becomes.

Later on, Sword Dao left by swordsmen at the Celestial Person Realm appeared, and the number of these techniques was not small, exceeding the number of two palms.

Some were left behind by the strongest figures in the Sword-Questioning Pavilion throughout history, while others were invited by them to become Celestial Person Realm swordsmen.

Although the Inheritance Sword Tower is never open to the public, there are exceptions. Some people who have done favors for the Sword-Questioning Pavilion are allowed to enter, while others use it for trading. However, unlike the True Martial Sword Stele, it is not completely open to the public.

Ning Qi pondered the various Sword Dao within, his mind sparking with inspiration, and he felt he had gained a great deal.

He roughly understood how the sword tower worked.

Over the course of a thousand years, the intertwined Sword Dao concepts have formed an invisible Sword Intent seal, which can only be reached by achieving a certain level in Sword Dao.

"Whenever Sword Dao is about to pass away, he will enter the Sword Tower and climb upwards Sword-Questioning Pavilion 'question the sword' with the sages across time and space, until he reaches the limit of his own Sword Dao and can no longer go forward. At this level, he will leave behind all the essence of his Sword Dao for future generations to study and comprehend."

Ning Qi sighed slightly.

He could vaguely see the swordsmen of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion laughing as they faced death, ultimately leaving their unique marks within the Sword Tower.

The higher the level you ultimately reach, the greater the glory.

"The person who left behind this sword tower was indeed extraordinary."

Ning Qi was comprehending the most powerful Sword Intent of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion, the River Sword Intent, which was left by the founder of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion, a brilliant swordsman. It was even more powerful than the Heart Inquiry Sword. Gu Changhe's Heart Inquiry Sword Intent was also at this level, but to show his respect for the founder, he deliberately engraved his Sword Intent below.

"The River Sword Intent, the Heart-Questioning Sword Intent, the Mountain-Moving Sword Intent, the Falling Star Sword Intent... each has its own formidable power."

"Especially this River Sword Intent, which begins with rivers but has a very high purpose, flowing endlessly for thousands of years and miles, with the intention of transcending time and space. This founder of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion was indeed extraordinary. No wonder he came up with the idea of leaving behind this Inheritance Sword Tower. It's just a pity that his descendants were incompetent..."

Ning Qi closed his eyes and pondered.

The accumulated knowledge and experience of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion over the past millennium has become the resources for his growth.

His Sword Intent encompasses everything, drawing upon the essence of numerous Sword Intent to grow stronger.

From bottom to top.

As Ning Qi strolled leisurely, he had already comprehended the wisdom left behind by many swordsmen throughout their lives. His comprehension was already extraordinary, and coupled with his unparalleled Sword Dao and profound understanding, he could digest the knowledge at an astonishing speed, gaining insights in the blink of an eye.

He only ever paused to learn from existing methods when creating new ones; he never encountered any so-called difficult problems.

If the True Martial Sword Stele is a slow and steady stream, then this Sword Tower event is an unprecedented "feast."

A few days later.

After digesting the "feast," Ning Qi let out a heartfelt sigh of relief.

A look of satisfaction crossed his face.

This time, he gained a lot. His Sword Intent improved significantly, and he gained some different insights into the way of the Sword Dao, which further raised the upper limit of his strength.

If we had to make a comparison, it would perhaps be equivalent to the gains made over several years since the True Martial Sword Stele was opened to the public.

certainly.

After slaying Wenxin Sword, Heavenly Sword Real Person's reputation will be further enhanced, and more swordsmen will come to him. At that time, the True Martial Sword Stele will receive more Sword Dao feedback at the same time.

A "feast" can't be had every day; the steady, long-term approach, like the True Martial Sword Stele, is the true way to go.

"Not only the True Martial Sword Stele, but this Inheritance Sword Tower can also be opened to the public."

Ning Qi had already figured out how to deal with the Sword Tower.

In his opinion, it was a waste for the Sword Inquiry Sword-Questioning Pavilion to be so stingy with its knowledge; otherwise, how could it have accumulated so much Sword Dao essence over a thousand years? However, he could understand that not everyone had the absolute confidence that Ning Qi possessed.

Moreover, people always have a possessive and selfish desire to own what they have.

Ning Qi's mind raced.

An unparalleled Sword Intent suddenly rose within the sword tower. In an instant, all the Sword Intent surged, and the uncontrolled Sword Intent intertwined, seemingly forming an invisible net that would shatter Ning Qi's Sword Intent.

Unfortunately, it was useless.

Upon encountering Ning Qi's Sword Intent, this net of sword Sword Intent melted away instantly, like spring snow meeting the sun.

Ning Qi is cleaning up the Sword Tower.

After digesting all the remaining information, he had a thorough understanding of the situation inside the Sword Tower. He knew that some of the Sword Intent were repetitive, superficial, or even chaotic, and that not all the Sword Dao in the Sword-Questioning Pavilion were necessarily powerful.

At this moment, Ning Qi's Sword Intent swept across, instantly erasing many of the traces.

The entire sword tower became much cleaner.

After pondering for a moment.

Ning Qi manifested various intents one after another, such as fist intent, knife intent, and spear intent. Although not as powerful as Sword Intent, none could rival them. These intents left traces in the sword tower before disappearing.

Obtaining the Sword Tower from the Sword-Questioning Pavilion was an opportunity for Ning Qi to try his luck.

As Heavenly Sword Real Person, he can only erect the True Martial Sword Stele. If he were to erect a Martial Stele that encompasses all paths, it would likely cause great chaos and even attract the attention of the Great Flame Martial Saint.

Before he possessed absolute power, Ning Qi was still extremely wary of the Martial Saint.

He always remembered what the Prince of Zhenbei had said: there was no longer any Martial Saint Technique in the world. If it was truly erased by human hands, then it would be best not to show too much abnormality.

"But the sword tower before us is already in place; it wasn't erected by the Heavenly Sword Real Person."

"Afterwards, the Inheritance Sword Tower can be opened to the public, but unlike the True Martial Sword Stele, it cannot be freely comprehended. A condition can be set: martial artists who enter the Sword Tower and comprehend the Sword Intent of a certain level must leave behind martial arts or ultimate techniques of the corresponding level in exchange for one."

"In this way, over time, the Sword Tower's Inheritance will no longer be limited to the Sword Dao."

"At that time, in this process, the many artistic conceptions and martial arts techniques I left behind will gradually be revealed. The wonder lies in the fact that no one will know which powerful figure left them. The Inheritance Sword Tower will gradually become a true Inheritance Martial Tower, with all kinds of powerful figures entering it to help me grow!"

"In that case, it's no longer appropriate to call it the Inheritance Sword Tower. From now on, let's call it the Tower of Myriad Paths."

"In a way, this is a deeper attempt based on the True Martial Sword Stele, and it has more benefits for the True Martial Sect. After all, the True Martial Sword Stele can only allow disciples to comprehend my Sword Intent, while the Myriad Paths Tower can allow them to also obtain the ultimate skills of those who enter the tower."

Thinking this, a smile appeared on Ning Qi's face.

This is a good thing for both the True Martial Sect and him.

It is also extremely beneficial to the entire Great Flame World.

Perhaps at first some people will be too proud to share their skills, but if you don't share, someone else will. As those people become stronger and you fall behind, you'll have no choice but to share.

He told Luo Wentian and Daoist Longshan about it, and the two were naturally overjoyed and had no objections whatsoever.

Even that night.

Daoist Longshan personally moved the sword tower to the other side of the Mountain Gate, so that it would complement the True Martial Sword Stele.

They even changed the name on the tower to "Tall of Ten Thousand Paths".

A few more days passed.

Tang Qiu led a group of experts from the Sword-Questioning Pavilion to deliver all the other compensations previously agreed upon, including treasures and books, which were sent to the True Martial Sect in cartloads.

Seeing their family's Inheritance sword tower standing outside the True Martial Mountain, now renamed the Myriad Paths Tower, their hearts bled. It felt like watching their wife being handed over to the enemy by their own hands, forced to wear the enemy's favorite clothes—their eyes turned red with rage.

But all they felt was a deep sense of powerlessness.

"Sect Leader Tang, you have been living in seclusion for two hundred years. If the Sword-Questioning Pavilion cannot keep its promise, I'm afraid many fellow practitioners in the martial world will not stand on your side," Luo Wentian said calmly, with a hint of threat in his words.

He was just telling the truth.

Tang Qiu's face was full of bitterness:

"Understood. After returning to our sect, we will announce a two-hundred-year closure of the mountain."

Luo Wentian nodded slightly:

Goodbye.

He looked at the desolate figures of Tang Qiu and the others without the slightest pity.

It's all his own fault.

If Gu Changhe had won, the True Martial Sect's outcome would likely not have been much better, as much of their wealth, including the Questioning Platform and the True Martial Sword Stele, would have been taken away.

I didn't dwell on it too much.

Luo Wentian and Ning Qi exchanged a smile and began to tally up the compensation sent by the Sword-Questioning Pavilion this time, which was much more than what Wuxiang Sect had sent before.

After all, it is a sacred place of Sword Dao with Inheritance thousands of years. This harvest is enough to greatly enhance the foundation of the True Martial Sect!

The numerous classic texts among them need no further explanation.

The treasures that were sent also brought a smile to Ning Qi's face. He could spend some of his spare time refining them into pills, which would further accelerate the improvement of the True Martial Sect disciples' strength.

After creating the Heavenly Thunder Technique, Ning Qi's Dao of Alchemy skills improved further. Moreover, the pills refined by Heavenly Thunder had no side effects; one only needed to pay attention to the dosage.

It is foreseeable.

Once the True Martial Sect has fully digested its gains from this experience, it will truly possess the grandeur of a sacred Daoist site.

The True Martial Sect is becoming increasingly vibrant and energetic.

Ning Qi was in a good mood.

He thought that this scare tactic should be quite effective, deterring the Demon Sect and the Southern Frontier's probing. He just needed a little more time, and then neither of them would be a threat.

The outcome of the battle between Heavenly Sword Real Person and Wenxin Jian is still being spread, and many people are paying attention to the aftermath.

Several days later.

Two more pieces of news spread throughout the world, causing a stir.

Firstly, the Sword-Questioning Pavilion has been closed for two hundred years.

Secondly, the True Martial Sect reopened its Mountain Gate and announced that it would open the True Martial Sword Stele and the Myriad Paths Tower.

This not only made the martial arts world even more lively, but also marked the complete end of the previous conflict between the Sword-Questioning Pavilion and the True Martial Sect.

After learning the fate of the Sword-Questioning Pavilion Pavilion's two-hundred-year closure.

Many people sighed.

Some people secretly regret that if the True Martial Sect had gone a little further, they could have openly watched the Sword-Questioning Pavilion perish, and then attacked the True Martial Sect from a moral high ground, thus getting a piece of the pie at once.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.

But then...

All eyes, however, were on the True Martial Sect.

The reopening of the True Martial Sword Stele naturally aroused excitement and anticipation among many swordsmen. The True Martial Sword Stele was already famous enough, but after it summoned Heavenly Thunder to kill the Wenxin Sword, its fame only grew. Everyone realized that they had underestimated the True Martial Sword Stele.

However, some people inevitably have doubts.

"The Tower of Myriad Paths? What is that?"

Those with inside information, after making inquiries from various sources, were stunned, and then excitedly spread the news.

"What? The Tower of Myriad Paths is the same as the Sword-Questioning Pavilion's Inheritance sword tower?"

"The True Martial Sect has such great courage! They're actually willing to bring out such a Inheritance heirloom? Compared to the Sword-Questioning Pavilion, the difference in their abilities is immediately apparent..."

"Furthermore, any martial artist who meets the requirements can enter the Tower of Myriad Paths, but it requires a one-for-one exchange; to comprehend one path, one must leave behind the other. However, it seems that most of what's inside the so-called Tower of Myriad Paths is still about Sword Dao insights..."

Discussions and murmurs arose throughout the land.

Some people feel that the Tower of Ten Thousand Paths is a misnomer, saying that although it claims to have ten thousand paths, it is probably still mainly about Sword Dao.

Some people also believe that the Tower of Ten Thousand Paths is a conspiracy, a one-for-one exchange, and that the True Martial Sect may be trying to seize someone else's martial arts.

But most people were amazed by the True Martial Sect's boldness.

The opening of the True Martial Sword Stele had already garnered much goodwill, and the reopening of the Myriad Paths Tower now only enhances that.

Everyone knows that.

The True Martial Sect's rise to power by stepping on the Sword-Questioning Pavilion has likely greatly increased its resources, and it's unknown how many treasures it has acquired, making others envious.

But now.

By sharing the Myriad Paths Tower, the True Martial Sect effectively silenced public opinion, preventing people from being envious of the True Martial Sect's other gains.

That's human nature.

Some long- Inheritance martial arts sects secretly lamented that the rise of the True Martial Sect was unstoppable.

Not only does it possess unparalleled powerhouses as its foundation, but it also has a long-term vision, making it difficult for it not to rise to prominence.

Some people felt regret and remorse.

I missed an opportunity to soar because I didn't participate in the True Martial Sect's assessment before.

Upon hearing this news, the Prince of Zhenbei shook his head and chuckled.

He realized that his reminder was somewhat unnecessary; the True Martial Sect clearly knew what to do and was sensible.

"However... this time, Heavenly Sword Real Person will likely truly come into the sights of those powerful figures standing at the pinnacle of the Great Flame. I just wonder if any of them will even glance at him."

He gazed into the distance.

That's the direction of the imperial city of Yanzhou.