After challenging Su Chan of the Nine Abysses to a sword duel, Lin Qingnu suddenly found a scene from before he came to True Martial Heaven for the Sword Champion Assembly surfacing uncontrollably in his mind-
Inside a dark, damp dungeon.
Pinned fast to the dungeon wall by a row of steel spikes six or seven feet long, running from his right palm all the way to his left palm, Lin Qingnu glared stubbornly at the three white-haired, youthful-faced elders of the Taihao Sect before him and said:
"I'm not Lin Qinggu, nor am I this Lin Qingnu you speak of. I am myself!"
After the three white-haired, youthful-faced elders of the Taihao Sect exchanged glances, the tallest suddenly raised his eyes to Lin Qingnu and said coldly:
"Then prove it to us."
Lin Qingnu stared fixedly at the tall elder and said:
"How do you want me to prove it?"
The tall elder held a Token out before Lin Qingnu, then said with a hint of mockery in his eyes:
"Kill the strongest Sword Inquiry Cultivator at the Sword Champion Assembly, or claim the title of True Martial Sword Champion."
Another Taihao Sect elder, who wore a long beard, also looked coldly at Lin Qingnu and said:
"If you cannot, then return obediently to the Taihao Sect, behave yourself as a puppet, and quietly await Sect Master Qinggu's return."
After hesitating a moment, Lin Qingnu suddenly looked toward a man and a woman who were likewise nailed to the Stone Prison's wall before continuing:
"If I claim the championship, grant those two their freedom as well."
Hearing this, the long-bearded elder snorted and said with great displeasure:
"You are merely one of three puppet bodies formed from the Three Corpses severed by the sect master. What right have you