Patriarch

Chapter 43: Ancestor 'Seen Twice?'

"Stone-carving?"

"He is Ancestor Linyuan!"

Yu Xiu's heart gave a violent jolt as he recalled everything in an instant.

Back in the Earth-Fire Abyss, he had once seen the Abyss-Suppressing Sword.

That massive stone sword had been carved by Ancestor Linyuan, its internal sword intent vast as the sea, and he had even glimpsed a majestic figure upon it.

And now, he saw the Sword-Worshiping Stone within the Bronze Mirror, also a product of carving.

The Abyss-Suppressing Sword condensed sword intent, while the Sword-Worshiping Stone condensed sword techniques.

The one who carved them was none other than Ancestor Linyuan, which explained why this gentle, middle-aged man said he had seen Yu Xiu twice.

Once at the Abyss-Suppressing Sword, and now, the second time.

Since both were Ancestor Linyuan, Yu Xiu was not surprised; what startled him was how this Ancestor Linyuan could communicate with him.

Were the Sword-Worshiping Stone and the Abyss-Suppressing Sword carved a thousand years ago not merely remnants of the intent left behind by Ancestor Linyuan?

Could it be a true strand of his consciousness?

"Disciple Yu Xiu pays respects to the Sword-Worshiping Ancestor!" Yu Xiu bowed.

He saw Ancestor Linyuan not even lift his head. "Your realm is too low; you cannot yet create many profound sword techniques. Just watch carefully for now."

Yu Xiu understood that the Ancestor was correct.

It was true that his comprehension was high, but his realm and cultivation base were still stuck at the Five Viscera Realm, the first of the Four Great Passes.

Therefore, the highest-level sword technique he could currently create was limited to the Five Viscera Realm.

He could not possibly create a sword technique for the Five Elements Realm, the second of the Four Great Passes.

Because he had never entered the Five Elements Realm, he naturally could not know the power of the five elements mastered therein. Without understanding the power of the five elements, it was impossible to create a sword technique driven by that power.

The same applied to the second pass, the Five Elements Realm, and even more so to the subsequent third pass, the Five Spirits Realm, and the Divine Heart Realm.

However, he could record all of this first; once his realm improved, he would naturally be able to create more profound sword techniques based on the images in his memory.

"Many thanks, Ancestor." He bowed again, then focused his expression.

The charm of this sword strike contains the essence of alternating speed; it could be evolved into a 'Fast-Slow Sword' that harmonizes both.

This strike has a heavy charm; it could be evolved into a sword technique where momentum is primary and sword moves are secondary. No, one could even deduce a domineering sword technique from this.

The flashes of inspiration in his mind seemed endless; as soon as one appeared, another followed in its wake.

His consciousness operated at high speed, continuously recording these flashes of inspiration so that when he found the time, he could fully create one sword technique after another.

For the moment, however, he did not have that luxury.

The sword intent of Ancestor Linyuan as he carved was constantly changing. If he were to stop now to focus on creating a single technique, he would miss all the subsequent flashes of inspiration.

These were all points of comprehension and lifespan; how could he let them slip away?

Regrettably, good times do not last. A consciousness seemed to emanate from the world of the Bronze Mirror, bringing him to a sudden realization.

The time for this test was coming to an end.

The Sword-Worshiping Stone was fading, and Ancestor Linyuan, who was carving with a wooden sword, was likewise fading. Intuitively, Yu Xiu felt an urge to demonstrate a sword technique.

It is time for the test!

It was testing how many sword moves he had comprehended from the Sword-Worshiping Stone!

With a flash of inspiration, he picked the most inconspicuous one from the hundreds of flashes in his mind.

Because time was limited, he did not have enough time to create the most suitable technique from the extremely profound flashes. This most inconspicuous flash represented a lower difficulty, which was enough for him to create a complete set of sword techniques in a short time.

His sword moved as his heart willed, and he began to dance before the Sword-Worshiping Stone. He practiced faster and faster; as one strike was unleashed, two more were already taking shape in his mind, followed by the third, the fourth...

The tenth strike!

The fifty-sixth strike!

Every strike was swift, and each contained over a dozen hidden variations. No matter how an opponent responded, there were corresponding changes to counter them.

This sword technique shall be called the Inconstant Sword.

Changes are constant, and the essence lies in the word 'change.'

At the same time.

[Self-created Five Viscera Realm sword technique Inconstant Sword: Perfection (Sword Intent +1)]

Comprehension +30

Lifespan +30

His consciousness withdrew from the Bronze Mirror.

Following this, evaluation text appeared upon the surface of the Bronze Mirror.

Beneath the Sword-Worshiping Stone, comprehended fifty-six sword moves; a superior, complete sword technique within the Five Viscera Realm.

Comprehension (Grade A+)

"Under the Sword-Worshiping Stone, he comprehended a complete superior-grade sword technique of the Five Viscera Realm?!" The deacon of Wen Dao Peak felt his heart leap.

Incredible, truly incredible.

Even a genius like Zhu Wenjiu only received a Grade B+ evaluation, and the sword technique he comprehended was still at the Life Spring Realm level, and incomplete at that.

It could be said that if Yu Xiu comprehended a complete superior-grade sword technique of the Five Viscera Realm, his comprehension evaluation could not possibly be just Grade A+!

It should be... beyond Grade A+!

It was only because the highest evaluation this Bronze Mirror could give was Grade A+ that Yu Xiu only received that rating.

With such comprehension, he should join my Wen Dao Peak to create more cultivation methods and sword techniques, and to improve the methods and techniques of the Sword-in-Hand lineage!

"With such comprehension..." The eyelids of the deacon from Tianque Peak twitched violently, unable to calm down!

With such talent and such comprehension, should he not go to the Sect Master's lineage?

Never mind competing for a spot among the Ten True Seeds; even competing for the position of True Disciple or the position of Sect Master itself was not out of the question!

The remaining two deacons from Jinding Peak and Powang Peak were likewise turning their minds.

As for Zhang Yundu, Feng Zhiyuan, Zhu Wenjiu, and the others, they were already stunned, finding it all inconceivable.

Why, as disciples who had all entered three years ago, could Yu Xiu be so monstrous to this extent?

Yu Xiu, however, paid no mind to this, as the Bronze Mirror had already intercepted a wisp of his consciousness once more.

The third test had begun.

This test measured temperament, but Yu Xiu had already cultivated a Sword Heart, and it was a second-level Sword Heart.

A temperament test was completely useless against him.

Temperament (Excellent)

With this, the Bronze Mirror tests concluded.

Everything was a Grade A+ evaluation, and even his temperament was excellent—he had reached the ceiling.

Yu Xiu himself did not think much of it, completely unaware that the five deacons above had already begun to scheme against one another.

The deacon of Dragon-Slaying Peak clearly sensed that something was wrong and was just about to speak...

The deacon of Tianque Peak spoke a step ahead: "Personally, I believe that the matter of Junior Brother Yu Xiu slaying the Water Demon at Tantan Lake still has suspicious points. It must be investigated clearly before he can enter the Main Sect."

The deacon of Wen Dao Peak followed up immediately: "Indeed, promotion from the Inner Court to the Main Sect is not a trifling matter."

"He has not yet chosen a peak, nor has he entered the Main Sect, yet Dragon-Slaying Peak has already passed down the Dragon-Slaying Evil-Purging Sword. This truly violates the rules!" The deacon of Powang Peak threw out a heavy accusation.

"I suspect that the Dragon-Slaying Evil-Purging Sword itself may have issues. It would be best to let Junior Brother Yu come to my Jinding Peak to reflect for a period of time," the deacon of Jinding Peak said finally.

But the moment these words left his mouth, it poked a hornet's nest.

"What 'reflect at Jinding Peak'? If he is to enter anywhere, it should be my Tianque Peak."

"Tianque Peak is the Sect Master's lineage; I fear it would not be impartial. He should enter my Wen Dao Peak instead!"

"What is so good about Wen Dao Peak? He should enter my Powang Peak!"

The deacon of Dragon-Slaying Peak trembled with cold rage.

Is there no law left?

Is there no sect regulation left?

They are even snatching people right out of the bowl of my Dragon-Slaying Peak!

Shameless scoundrels; he was ashamed to be associated with them.