Sect Guide

The sea of clouds slid past the mountain peaks.

The Spiritual Power within her body still seemed to retain the searing heat from the hundred steps of radiant light when climbing the Dao Seeking Ladder.

The words "Qi Refining Great Perfection" burned in her mind.

She could almost hear the hushed whispers of those disciples from the Artifact Refining Pavilion again, their voices buzzing like flies.

"She has to cultivate the Sword Refining Art!"

"Don't worry, leave it to me..."

In her mind, the immortal sword named "Selfless" flashed by, its blade reflecting her own desperate profile.

She couldn't panic.

She absolutely couldn't let them know she'd heard.

Otherwise, the consequences...

Su Ling'er lowered her eyelids, hiding all emotion in her gaze, finally settling on a bewildered and lost expression, as if exhausted.

She had already been teleported to the foot of the Dao Seeking Ladder.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Steady footsteps approached, and Lin Qingfeng walked up to her.

His tall frame cast her completely in shadow.

Against the light, the Senior Disciple Brother's face was indistinct. Though he wore a kind smile, it carried a chilling coldness that made her shiver.

"Junior Disciple Sister, congratulations."

"To reach the hundredth step shows your Dao heart is extraordinary. Truly commendable."

Su Ling'er looked up, responding stiffly, "Yes... Thank you, Senior Disciple Brother."

Lin Qingfeng suddenly asked:

"What did you see on the Dao Seeking Ladder just now?"

"What troubled your Inner Demon? I can help you ponder it."

Su Ling'er's heart leaped.

"It... it was just the disciple facing those past obsessions and some terrifying illusions alone."

Seeing that his Junior Disciple Sister was unwilling to say more, Lin Qingfeng didn't press the topic.

After all, Inner Demons... those who understand, understand...

"To glimpse the hundred-step illusion and not be trapped by it shows your Dao heart is clear; to sever past obsessions shows your will is bright. With such astonishing willpower, wouldn't it be a waste if it didn't match a supreme cultivation art?!"

She looked up, her face showing a hint of confusion and hesitation at the right moment:

"What does Senior Disciple Brother mean..."

Lin Qingfeng pondered. Considering Junior Disciple Sister's previous resistance to the Sword Refining Art, he didn't state it directly.

He'd take her to the Sword Mound to complete the task first; besides, a good show was waiting for his Junior Disciple Sister!

"Before that, I need to take you somewhere."

"Within the sect, there is a place called the 'Sword Mound,' the resting place of past sword cultivators, and the location of our Gui Xi Sect's sword dao inheritance."

Lin Qingfeng clasped his hands behind his back, once again embodying the master imparting the Dao.

"Although your roots are poor, and you have a Pseudo Spiritual Root, your Dao heart is firm, and your will is truly commendable."

"Follow me, and let's go feel where the path of a sword cultivator truly leads."

He didn't give her the right to refuse, and the atmosphere he created made it impossible for her to even think of refusing. It was a compassion that said, "I am planning for your future," a resolve that said, "This is your only way out."

In this situation, what else could Su Ling'er say?

She could only go with the flow and nod at her Senior Disciple Brother:

"Yes, Senior Disciple Brother."

Act, keep acting.

If the Sword Refining Art truly reached the point where she had to cultivate it...

Then...

Then...

Then, she'd just take it one step at a time!

The Sword Mound.

As Su Ling'er followed Lin Qingfeng into this area, she was completely stunned by the surrounding scenery.

Even the Qing Xu Temple didn't possess such a foundation; she had only heard of such things in storybooks.

There was no blood or resentment here as she had imagined.

Countless broken swords, ancient swords, and rusted swords were embedded among the gray rocks. It was an ancient sword forest forged from countless sword hilts.

Silence reigned all around. Ten thousand swords stood in silent reverence, yet an invisible sword intent seemed to permeate the air.

It was solemn, and even carried a pilgrimage-like weight.

Could it be... this was a sacred place of the Gui Xi Sect?

A place these Mo would treat with seriousness?

Su Ling'er's mind raced.

The Dao Seeking Ladder tested the heart, allowing one to see their own path and solidify their Dao.

Then this Sword Mound...

Was it to let her choose a suitable weapon?

Was she finally able to stop using that wooden sword?

Or perhaps.

This place didn't bury any sword cultivators at all.

But countless sacrifices like her, forced to practice the Sword Refining Art, refined into humanoid flying swords, and ultimately discarded?

Beneath each sword, was there an unwilling soul buried?

As this thought arose, a chill spread from the depths of her heart as she looked at the sword forest again.

"This place is the final resting place of swords."

Lin Qingfeng's voice echoed from beside her.

He stood with his hands behind his back before the sword forest, his gaze sweeping across the myriad of broken weapons, but in reality, he was looking at the information panel for the sect's Sword Mound territory, visible only to players.

"Three hundred meters to the left is the 'Fearless Zone'."

"The swords here are all veteran soldiers, their masters were brave warriors who charged into battle during their lives. Their sword intent only attacks and never defends, forging ahead fearlessly."

He spoke as he began to walk.

Su Ling'er's mind couldn't help but make connections.

So-called 'Fearless' was just using disciples as cannon fodder, wasn't it?

Refining the most rebellious disciples into flying swords, imprisoning their souls, and calling it 'forging ahead fearlessly'!

"Five hundred meters ahead is the 'Unedged Zone'."

"The swords here are masterpieces of subtle skill, their masters were all protectors of the sect, seeking not to kill but to guard. Their sword intent is heavy and unmoving like a mountain."

Su Ling'er made more connections.

These were disciples with tough hides refined into shield swords, specifically for blocking attacks, right?

Truly 'unmoving like a mountain,' discarded after use, saving even the spirit stones for repairs. As expected of a demonic sect!

Lin Qingfeng's steps finally stopped in the most desolate area.

Most of the swords here were as smooth as new but exuded a dead aura.

"Those who can enter this place are all sword-wielding geniuses of the highest caliber."

"Unfortunately, they were trapped by love, their Dao hearts clouded, and they ultimately died with their swords broken."

"Since ancient times, unrequited love leaves only regret, and this regret lasts for eternity."

Su Ling'er understood!

She understood again and again and again!

The Fearless Zone was for cannon fodder.

The Unedged Zone was for tanks.

And this Unedged Zone buried those geniuses who discovered the sect's truth and wanted to resist, only to be ruthlessly eliminated in the end!

First, lure them with benefits, then refine them with torture!

Finally, even their will to resist was packaged as being trapped by love, and used to warn future generations at the Sword Mound!

As Su Ling'er's imagination fleshed out the terrifying truth of this demonic sect further, Lin Qingfeng led her through the last area.

Just as he was about to deliver some concluding remarks to elevate the sect's image, a game notification sound suddenly rang in his ears:

[Reception Quest: Sect Guide (Completed)]

[Quest Evaluation: A (Although the process was full of twists and turns, and the target NPC's mental state was extremely unstable, they have developed some interest in the sect. Mission accomplished!)]

[Quest Rewards: Sect Contribution Points +500, Spirit Stones +750, Cultivation +5000, Sword Control Art upgraded to Master Level, Sword Mound Ancient Sword 'Unassigned' recognizes owner x1]

Lin Qingfeng could no longer care about his master image at this moment. Seeing the generous rewards he had received, he directly clicked [Claim].

The next moment.

BOOM--!!!