The Academy of Literature Rings with Thunder, the Ink Pool Pierces the Peach Tree

Since the founding of the Academy of Literature by that emperor who commanded the might of ten thousand miles like a tiger, it has been inextricably linked with the rise and fall of every imperial dynasty.

The Sacred Mountain stood in aloof independence. In truth, both the Academy of Literature and the Temple of Martial Arts wished to emulate the Sacred Mountain. However, as the ties between the imperial court and the Academy of Literature grew ever deeper, such emulation naturally became impossible.

The Academy of Literature, originally a force focused on Spirit Refinement cultivators, gradually transformed into a gathering place for scholars across the land.

It gathered scholars from all over the world, and all sorts of ideas erupted within its walls. Gradually, Confucianism became the most prominent. Grand scholars in the imperial court, masters at the Academy of Literature, and so forth, even nurtured a Vast Righteous Power distinct from Blood Essence and the mind-spirit.

Compared to the purity of the Temple of Martial Arts, the Academy of Literature was actually much more complex. The three masters represented three factions with three different ideological viewpoints, clashing like undercurrents within the Academy.

Spring rain pattered down, sprinkling the white walls and black tiles of the Academy of Literature's architecture, like a beautiful ink-wash landscape painting, carrying a distinct flavor of the Jiangnan water towns.

Beyond the Academy of Literature's white jade archway, through the deep, secluded path, following the tender blossoms scattered by the rain, one could see a thatched hut hidden among a few banana trees.

A hut built in the human realm, yet free from the clamor of carts and horses.

Beneath the thatched hut, a spring breeze blew gently, wafting the rising heat from the charcoal stove.

Under the eaves of the thatched hut, the raindrops gathered by the spring shower flowed like a curtain, falling to the ground. Together with the sound of rain hitting the banana leaves nearby, it was like the harmonious melody of string and wind instruments, each note reaching the ear.

Two aged figures were playing chess, with a few black and white pieces scattered on the board, engaged in a game of wits.

The old man from the Grand Temple, holding the black pieces, narrowed his eyes and stared at the chessboard.

Opposite him was the elderly man in scholarly robes, whom he had met that day in the pavilion on the mountainside – Wang Banshan, one of the three masters of the Academy of Literature.

The Third Master, playing white, placed a piece and captured one of Zhao Huangting's black pieces.

"You think so highly of that young painter, even gifting him Green Mountain. Why do you have the leisure to seek out an old man like me for a game of chess?"

The Third Master smiled as he looked at his old friend.

"There's not much to see, the suspense is minimal. Whoever holds Green Mountain is naturally outstanding."

Zhao Huangting took a sip of the finest West Lake Longjing, his long eyebrows raised. He reached out to retrieve the black piece he had just placed, but the Third Master swatted his hand.

"Oh? You think so highly of this painter? The opening of the Sixth Mountain Lord's mountain is a competition for the Mountain Guardian, and the contenders are no ordinary individuals. Ye Chong of the Ye Manor, Zhong Shun Chao of the Zhong family, and I even heard that Luo Qingchen put aside his pride and went as well."

The Third Master smiled, placing another piece, capturing a large cluster of black pieces from his opponent's clumsy play.

Zhao Huangting's face darkened. He gulped down a large mouthful of Longjing, his long eyebrows trembling with anger. What was wrong with regretting a move in chess?!

"Luo Qingchen? That little fellow made of Tofu-like Dao Heart? With Six Mountain Lord's temperament, he wouldn't be favored. As for the Zhong family and the Ye family, if Ye Wenxi, that girl from the Ye family, were willing to compete, it would be a sure thing. However, Ye Wenxi's talent is comparable to that great general of the Ye family who oversees the Canglang River. Her ambition is not low, so she naturally wouldn't be willing to stoop to being a Mountain Guardian. Her goal would definitely be to contend for the Minor Saint Ranking, converse with the Sacred Master, and open the Seventh Mountain."

Zhao Huangting stopped playing chess and drank his tea by himself.

After all, if the game continued, he would definitely lose. And as long as he didn't place a piece, he wouldn't lose.

The Third Master, of course, saw through Zhao Huangting's rogue tactic and smiled, not exposing him.

"It seems that young painter will definitely enter the Sixth Mountain. For the Lin family, that is also good news," the Third Master sighed. "The Lin family are all loyal and righteous, but unfortunately, it is precisely because of their loyalty and righteousness that they are now in such an awkward predicament. The imperial family is the most heartless. The Noble in the Heavenly Profound Palace wants to clearly see the outcome of the struggle for the direct dragon lineage. The influence of the Lin, Zhong, and Ye families is too great."

"Don't mention that fellow. It's bothersome and vexing to hear, and he disgraces our old Zhao family."

Zhao Huangting chewed on the Longjing tea leaves with his tongue, the rich aroma of tea bursting in his mouth. He glanced at the Third Master with a hint of annoyance.

The Third Master smiled. Despite the noble status of the Noble in the Heavenly Profound Palace, they spoke without any reservations.

"You made one mistake. Young friend An may not necessarily enter the Sixth Mountain," Zhao Huangting changed the subject.

The Third Master stroked his beard and chuckled, seemingly unsurprised. "I'm eager to hear more."

"Setting aside the Hua family's Jade Guanyin for now, just based on my understanding of young friend An, he might not choose to become a Mountain Guardian."

Zhao Huangting re-brewed the hot tea, blowing away the steam from the cup, he said calmly.

"In fact, if he truly accepted the qualification of a Mountain Guardian, I would be disappointed. A Mountain Guardian guards the mountain, and although their status is noble, they are, in a sense, servants of the Mountain Lord. After all, falling short can easily break one's spirit, and he might not be able to bear the burden of Green Mountain."

The Third Master narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.

"Although young friend An only began his studies recently, eighteen years old is indeed late for enlightenment. He missed the golden period of building a solid cultivation foundation in his childhood, but young friend An's talent is truly excellent, especially in the way of the sword, where he is exceptionally gifted."

"Therefore, I would prefer young friend An to obtain a Minor Saint Token and take the most difficult path, to get a chance to converse with the Sacred Master. Perhaps he might even have a chance to enter the long-vacant Seventh Mountain and become the Seventh Mountain Lord?"

"I have high expectations for him, after all... Green Mountain was tarnished in my hands. I wish for him to release the sword qi contained within Green Mountain, and perhaps have the opportunity to 'chop' that number one emperor in the world, the Yuan Meng Emperor."

Zhao Huangting smiled, gazing at the vast spring rain, his eyes hazy.

"My intentions are all hidden within the Green Mountain sword qi. With the entanglement of the sword qi, the Sixth Mountain Lord should also know my intentions. If that young man wishes to become a Mountain Guardian, then let it be so. If not, by expending a favor from this old man, the Sixth Mountain Lord will naturally bestow a Minor Saint Token. However, with Hua Jiebing of the Hua family going, she will definitely be aiming for that Minor Saint Token, so I can save this favor."

"However, once the Minor Saint Token is obtained, one must enter the Minor Saint Ranking. Whether one can stand out is the true test."

As his words fell.

The spring rain suddenly intensified, the falling raindrops becoming more resonant, pattering loudly.

A clap of thunder sounded from behind the clouds, and heavy rain poured down, with sword qi within the rain.

The Third Master and Zhao Huangting turned their heads to look into the distance together, faintly seeing a Green Mountain emerge through the misty downpour.

"There, the Jade Guanyin has drawn her sword."

An Le looked at Madam Hua beside him, whose imposing aura was as deep as an abyss, with some surprise.

The immense spirit felt as if it distorted the very essence of light between heaven and earth. Vaguely, it was like observing a Bodhisattva seated alone on a lotus, with a single finger plucking a flower, unleashing a torrent of sword energy across the sky!

Madam Hua, in the name of his protector An Le, requested a Minor Saint Token…

An Le had previously heard Madam Hua mention that the Minor Saint Token was the second condition for meeting the Sacred Master!

So, the Minor Saint Token had to be obtained from the Mountain Lord?

In the Half Mountain Pavilion.

The middle-aged man in green clothes gazed at Hua Jiebing, who was conjuring sword energy with a single plucked flower, his face returning to a cold expression.

"You wish to obtain the Minor Saint Token for him?"

The man in green placed his hand on the sword case. The sword within trembled.

Madam Hua's delicate face was filled with solemnity. She nodded slightly, her immense spirit coalescing into a blurry phantom image of Guanyin.

"The Inherited Heart Sword of Ganye Temple is indeed impressive."

"Save some strength to face the trouble the Lin family will bring. There's no need to contend with me. Someone used a favor to secure a Minor Saint Token for him," the man in green said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Madam Hua's solemn expression faltered. Then, as if realizing something, she looked at the Bamboo Breaking Sword at An Le's waist.

Had that senior gone to such lengths for An Le?

But then again, having already gifted the Bamboo Sword, it seemed out of character for that senior, who dared to draw his sword against the Yuan Meng Emperor, to have An Le compete for the role of Mountain Guardian.

Once Madam Hua understood, she smiled faintly and bowed gracefully to the Sixth Mountain Lord, "Then I shall trouble the Mountain Lord."

The Sixth Mountain Lord's mouth twitched stiffly. "Favors, the more you can reduce them, the better."

Madam Hua chuckled, covering her mouth. What he said was reasonable.

She could already imagine the elder senior's frustrated and exasperated expression at this moment.

An Le, holding the Ink-Colored Azure Blade, met the gazes of both Madam Hua and the Sixth Mountain Lord, causing him to adopt a serious demeanor.

The Sixth Mountain Lord flicked his finger, and the Ink-Colored Azure Blade in An Le's hand immediately shot out, hovering beside the Sixth Mountain Lord.

"This sword, named Ink Pool, comes from my case. It has a connection with you, and the Minor Saint Token will be bestowed within it."

After speaking, the Mountain Lord traced the sword's body with his finger, embedding a brilliant golden light within.

He then tapped his finger again, and the Ink Pool flew out, landing three hundred steps below the pavilion, stuck in the trunk of a peach tree by the roadside.

"You ascend the mountain to retrieve the sword. If you succeed, you will receive the Minor Saint Token. If not, you will become my Mountain Guardian, and you should forget about opening the mountain. What do you say?"

The Mountain Lord looked at An Le and asked.

Madam Hua frowned. "Mountain Lord, An Le's cultivation is a bit low to ascend the Sixth Mountain…"

"I am only asking him to climb three hundred steps, not to the summit. Furthermore, the steps of my Sixth Mountain test one's perception of the sword, so it is not excessive."

The Mountain Lord interrupted Madam Hua.

Madam Hua said no more, leaving the choice to An Le. This was actually an opportunity for An Le. Obtaining the Minor Saint Token personally held a much greater significance than her obtaining it for him.

Moreover, ascending the Sixth Mountain… was also an opportunity that countless cultivators dreamed of.

An Le looked towards the peak of Green Mountain, at the Ink-Colored Azure Blade stuck in the peach tree.

Under the trembling of his [Innate Swordsman] Dao Fruit, the sword seemed to call out to him from afar, filled with longing, hope, and pleading.

An Le took a deep breath and said without hesitation, "I am willing to ascend the mountain and retrieve the sword."

Both the Sixth Mountain Lord and Madam Hua nodded in agreement.

Then, the Mountain Lord waved his sleeve, and An Le's figure was enveloped in sword light. Like fleeting shadows, he was transported to the foot of the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, the misty rain began anew.

The cultivators were still in shock from the scene of the young man charging towards the heavens with his sword. Suddenly, they saw a streak of sword light flash by, and the white-clothed youth had returned to the foot of the mountain.

Everyone was stunned and confused.

Luo Qingchen, Zhong Shun Chao, and Ye Chong, who had just descended from the mountain, were also taken aback when they saw An Le.

Didn't he get accepted as a Mountain Guardian?

Why did he come back down?

An Le, however, ignored the stares of the crowd. His expression was more solemn than ever. He let out a soft breath and stepped forward, beginning his ascent.

The moment he set foot on the mountain path, the sword energy of the entire Green Mountain seemed to awaken. The clang of swords echoed like ancient bells, creating an invisible pressure out of thin air.

Luo Qingchen and the other two finally understood what had happened. Their gazes towards An Le changed.

"This person has given up becoming a Mountain Guardian and is actually foolishly trying to obtain the Minor Saint Token, gambling for a chance to speak with the Sacred Master?!"

Zhong Shun Chao and Ye Chong exchanged glances, their eyes filled with extreme surprise, even showing admiration.

Luo Qingchen, however, felt betrayed. The identity of Mountain Guardian, which he valued so much, was offered to the other person, yet they were unwilling to accept it.

For a moment, Luo Qingchen felt the dust that had settled on his Dao Heart because of the young man…

Spread and expand like ink stains.