Daoist Siji, Ten Nations Academy!

Within Qingzhou.

The sky was clear, with not a single cloud in sight.

There were three major sects standing tall within Qingzhou.

The Four Thunder Sword Sect, founded by Daoist Siji, was the foremost among them.

Following closely were the Baiyun Dao Sect and the Taiyue Sword Sect.

And at this very moment, within the Four Thunder Sword Sect.

A sword-testing tournament had just concluded.

The top ten prodigies, seven men and three women, stood proudly on the martial arts stage, chests puffed out, exuding youthful vigor.

Several elders, standing on flying swords, observed the crowd.

Just then, a resonant voice boomed out.

"Excellent! Very good. For this sect's sword-testing tournament, seven individuals have cultivated the Spring Thunder Sword Technique to the Great Accomplishment and Perfected Realm, and two have even cultivated it to the Peak of Attainment."

"Of course, one individual has even condensed the Spring Thunder Sword Intent. Good, very good, excellent."

The elder's voice, like a great bell, echoed in the ears of all the disciples.

Outside the martial arts stage, thousands of disciples watched the ten on the stage with envy.

Especially after the elder's praise, the smiles on the faces of these ten grew even wider.

But just then, the elder continued speaking.

However, this Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention is no ordinary event. With only two months remaining, you cannot afford to be complacent. To compete for a spot in the top ten of this grand convention, the Sect Master will personally guide your cultivation. Do you understand?

As the voice rang out.

In an instant, the thousands of disciples erupted in a clamor.

Even the ten on the martial arts stage were utterly astonished.

No one had expected that a mere Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention would warrant personal guidance from Daoist Siji?

Sect Master Siji was the creator of the Four Thunder Sword Technique and was hailed as Qingzhou's foremost Sword Dao expert. He had gained fame throughout Qingzhou hundreds of years ago. Although Daoist Siji held the position of Sect Master all these years, he was rarely seen.

Yet, to think he would now come to guide inner disciples?

Among all the sects in Qingzhou, disciples were typically divided into outer, inner, core, and true disciples.

No matter how outstanding an inner disciple was, it was impossible for someone of Daoist Siji's caliber to personally guide them!

In Qingzhou, Daoist Siji was like a figure of faith. The title of Qingzhou's foremost Sword Dao expert was not just for show.

At this moment, it wasn't just the outer disciples who were envious; even the major inner and core disciples couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

Envy was secondary; the primary emotion was disbelief.

Just then, the elder's voice sounded again.

"This Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention is extremely important. The Four Thunder Sword Sect's goal is not first place, but to secure a spot within the top ten."

"We have received confirmed intelligence that several Hidden Sects within Qingzhou have also sent disciples to participate in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention. Do you understand?"

As the elder's voice echoed.

The uproar grew even louder than before.

Hidden Sects.

These four words were like a mountain to these disciples.

Most disciples, even if they hadn't ventured beyond Qingzhou, understood what Hidden Sects represented.

Above Qingzhou was Jin State.

And above Jin State were the Ten Nations.

Legend had it that a period of turmoil occurred in the Ten Nations, leading to the downfall of some massive sects. Although these sects perished, a portion of their most core strength had gone into hiding in various small locations.

After many years, when the world had forgotten these sects, they became Hidden Sects.

Of course, there was another type of Hidden Sect, even more extraordinary; they were almost exclusively passed down through a single lineage, possessing supreme inheritances. Such Hidden Sects were simply not comparable to the Four Thunder Sword Sect.

No, comparing the Four Thunder Sword Sect to Hidden Sects was the greatest insult to the Hidden Sects.

In an instant, everyone understood why Daoist Siji would personally guide them.

It was clear that this Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention was filled with hidden talents, with even Hidden Sects participating, there must be a significant objective.

Thinking of this, everyone felt even more regretful.

If they had known this earlier, they would have fought tooth and nail to enter the top ten.

The disciples were filled with remorse.

They hadn't received any prior notice.

Although they could also participate in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention, the difference between receiving guidance from the Sect Master and not receiving it was worlds apart.

The elder glanced at the disciples' expressions and, without saying more, waved his hand.

"Alright, whether you made it into the top ten or not, you all need to train diligently. Don't become complacent or arrogant. The Way of the Sword is an incredibly long path, and diligence is key. Meeting adjourned."

After saying this, the elders all left, leaving the disciples behind.

Soon, in the main hall of the Four Thunder Sword Sect.

Dozens of elders sat quietly in the hall, their expressions solemn, not uttering a word.

The hall was very quiet, filled with a stern atmosphere.

Just then.

A figure appeared outside the hall.

It was an old man.

Everyone stood up and respectfully greeted the old man.

"We greet you, Sect Master!"

They all spoke in unison.

The old man waved his hand, then walked into the hall and took his seat in the main position.

"I have summoned you all here today because of a major matter."

He spoke slowly, piquing the curiosity of all the elders.

They wondered what had happened to draw Daoist Siji out of seclusion.

"May we ask, Sect Master, what exactly has happened?"

"Yes, Sect Master, what has happened?"

"Is it related to the Tai Xuan Sword Pagoda Token?"

Some of the elders, who knew a little more about the situation, couldn't help but ask.

However, Daoist Siji shook his head.

"If it were merely about the Tai Xuan Sword Pagoda Token, it wouldn't be such a monumental event," Daoist Siji said, then his expression turned serious. "Do you know of the Ten Nations Academy?"

Daoist Siji spoke slowly.

"The Ten Nations Academy?"

"Is the Ten Nations Academy reopening?"

At that moment, all the elders suddenly understood. They knew of the Ten Nations Academy, but they all looked curious, not understanding the connection between the Ten Nations Academy and the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention.

"Sect Master, the Ten Nations Academy is no trivial matter. What connection does it have to the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention? Could it be that winning first place in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention allows one to be admitted to the Ten Nations Academy?"

An elder couldn't help but ask, appearing very curious.

The Ten Nations Academy.

It was an extremely famous academy within the Ten Nations, and it only accepted the most outstanding talents from these nations – true prodigies.

It wasn't something comparable to just being first in Qingzhou.

It was said that any disciple from the Ten Nations Academy, if brought out, would be considered a national talent.

Among the Ten Nations, Jin State's national strength ranked among the lower ones.

And within Jin State, there were thirty-three prefectures. Qingzhou was only at a mid-to-upper level. This was largely thanks to Daoist Siji, who had worked hard to elevate Qingzhou's status.

Otherwise, Qingzhou would have been at the very bottom.

For cultivators in Qingzhou, the Ten Nations Academy was an almost unattainable existence.

Therefore, they were very curious about the connection between the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention and the Ten Nations Academy.

It couldn't be that winning first place in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention would grant entry to the Ten Nations Academy, could it?

If that were the case, Qingzhou would likely erupt in excitement.

The elders' gazes all turned towards Daoist Siji.

The latter did not keep them in suspense and spoke directly.