I Thought So Too

The answer countless people had wanted to know was finally revealed.

The answer seemed unremarkable, but on closer consideration, countless implications lay hidden within it.

A long silence fell over the cliffs. People were too stunned to speak.

In the end, Qingrong Peak Master broke the silence, continuing her questions in a cool voice.

"He has already ascended. Who will teach you swordsmanship? The Unthought Sword went with him. What sword can you inherit?"

Some guests attending the ceremony noticed that when Qingrong Peak Master mentioned True Person Jingyang, she used no honorific, nor did she call him martial uncle, referring to him simply as "he." Yet, for some reason, neither the Sect Master of Green Mountain Sect nor Yuan Qijing said anything, as though this were perfectly normal to them.

Zhao Layue said, "According to Green Mountain's old precedents, as long as I can climb Divine End Peak and obtain the Unthought Sword, my sword inheritance will be considered successful."

As long as she successfully completed the Sword Inheritance, Green Mountain Ninth Peak's lineage could continue. As for how she would learn swordsmanship, she did not care about that now.

Yuan Qijing's cold voice rang out among the cliffs.

"Divine End Peak has sealed itself. Only by opening a new sword meridian through the Green Mountain Grand Array can a path be opened. Since you wish to continue Divine End Peak's sword lineage, the Green Mountain Grand Array naturally cannot help you. The climb is perilous beyond measure. Never mind an ordinary Mind Bearing disciple like you-even your martial uncles in the Wandering the Wilds Realm would face nine deaths and one chance of survival. Do you still insist?"

Zhao Layue said, "Since I wish to inherit Granduncle's sword, how could I fear death?"

Divine End Peak's sword was called Fusi, and its art was the Nine Deaths Sword Art.

It meant having no regrets even through nine deaths.

Yuan Qijing was silent for a while, then said, "Good, good, good."

He spoke those three words without the slightest emotion. There was no telling whether he was praising Zhao Layue's courage or simply had nothing else to say.

"So... you are the disciple Little Martial Uncle chose. To possess such spirit at so young an age-you truly deserve to be the one he favored. I shall grant your request."

The Green Mountain Sect Master's voice was filled with emotion and recollection, as well as a little gratification.

Yuan Qijing's voice remained indifferent. "If you fail and are fortunate enough to survive, you may not undergo the Sword Inheritance for three years. You will still only be allowed to cultivate on your own beside the stream. Do you understand?"

This punishment seemed ordinary, but was actually extremely severe.

For three years, she would have no access to truly profound Sword Arts, nor any guidance from an enlightened teacher. Even though Zhao Layue was an innate Dao Seed, cultivating would be very difficult, and at the very least much slower than for her fellow disciples who had successfully completed the Sword Inheritance. In cultivation, falling behind one step meant falling behind at every step. Who would willingly bear such grave consequences?

Many of the guests looked distressed, let alone the Green Mountain Sect disciples. Many wanted to plead on Zhao Layue's behalf.

But as the towering figure who held authority over the Green Mountain Sect's sword laws, Yuan Qijing's words were the most authoritative interpretation of its rules. Even the Sect Master could not lightly overturn them.

Guo Nanshan walked to the cliff's edge, bowed to the elders above, and asked, "Then could Junior Sister Zhao be allowed to join Twofold Forgetting Peak?"

People understood his intention and thought he truly deserved to be the Green Mountain Sect's foremost disciple-clever and quick-witted.

Qingrong Peak Master said, "I think that would be acceptable."

Yuan Qijing remained silent.

Everyone immediately relaxed considerably.

At Twofold Forgetting Peak, one could gain access to all the sword techniques of the various peaks.

As for Yuan Qijing saying Zhao Layue could not undergo the Sword Inheritance... Gu Qing had already secretly learned Shiyue Peak's Six Dragons Sword Arts during the Sword-Washing Stage. What was there to worry about?

Besides sects such as Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, Water-Moon Convent, and the Hanging Bell Sect, some people of rather special status had also come to Green Mountain to watch the ceremony—two Dukes from Chaoge City.

In the secular world, they were powerful figures of lofty standing, but in a place of immortal cultivation beyond the secular world like the Green Mountain Sect, they had to keep a low profile.

From the beginning until now, the two had remained silent, reserved smiles on their faces.

Yet, for some unknown reason, they suddenly rose to lavish praise on the Green Mountain Sect's decision and Zhao Layue's courage.

No one understood why the two Dukes had done this.

Logically, they should have considered the Green Mountain Sect's actions hypocritical. Even if they would not point it out to their faces, there was no reason to offer praise.

Zhao Layue walked back from the stream and sat on the bluestone.

Since the sword inheritance ceremony began, she had remained standing, never once sitting down.

Her expression showed nothing unusual, but Jing Jiu noticed a faint dampness at her temples. Presumably, her feelings were still somewhat stirred.

He asked, "Do you want to climb that mountain so badly?"

Zhao Layue said nothing.

Next, Twofold Forgetting Peak accepted Gu Qing, and the remaining disciples each found a place as well.

The Shiyue Peak elder presiding over the sword inheritance looked at Jing Jiu and asked, "Have you decided?"

Only then did many people remember that the White-Clad Youth who had stunned everyone had yet to make his choice.

Zhao Layue's choice had been so shocking that some had actually forgotten about this.

They had not expected another shock to follow.

"I have," Jing Jiu said. "I choose Divine End Peak too."

Deathly silence fell over the cliffs again, followed by an uproar.

Xue Yongge gaped, unable to speak.

Junior Sister Yushan cupped her face in both hands as she gazed at Jing Jiu, utterly entranced.

Zhao Layue paused in surprise and looked at his face, feeling that she understood this fellow less and less.

Jing Jiu had actually chosen Divine End Peak too?

Everyone was utterly shocked, wondering just what was going on today.

Dusk deepened. Divine End Peak faced the setting sun, its clouds and mist so thin they were almost nonexistent. The forests and scenery on the mountain were clearly visible, and everything looked perfectly normal. Several mountain paths led to the summit. The crossings over broken cliffs looked rather dangerous, but posed little difficulty to cultivators.

These were merely illusions.

After True Person Jingyang ascended, Divine End Peak had been sealed. Unless the Green Mountain Grand Array opened a new sword meridian, there was simply no way to open it, much less enter.

There was essentially no possibility that Zhao Layue would succeed in coming to Divine End Peak to undergo the Sword Inheritance.

The Shiyue Peak elder said, "As long as you can reach the summit and find the Unthought Sword, you will be recognized as having renewed True Person Jingyang's lineage."

Zhao Layue nodded.

Guo Nanshan said, "Junior Sister, retreat if you encounter trouble. Don't be reluctant to turn back."

Gu Han looked at her and said, "Why push yourself like this? In any case, be careful in everything."

Zhao Layue said to Guo Nanshan, "Thank you for what you said earlier, Senior Brother. But even if I fail, I probably won't go to Twofold Forgetting Peak. I'm sorry."

Guo Nanshan had spoken earlier to leave her a way out, and the Sect Master had approved as well. As for the danger... with the Sect Master and so many Green Mountain Sect experts watching in person, however formidable the restrictions left by Granduncle Jingyang might be, they believed Zhao Layue would not perish here like fading fragrance and shattered jade.

"Actually... you really might die."

Jing Jiu looked up at the silent green peak in the dusk as he spoke, appearing very earnest.

Divine End Peak was too quiet, its scenery too clear. Neither the strangely shaped cliffs nor the dense forests made any sound, as though they were all artificial.

Such silence often meant true danger.

"I have to go up and look. You, on the other hand..."

Zhao Layue glanced at him and said, "Since it's so dangerous, you really don't have to follow me."

Jing Jiu said, "You're overthinking it. I'm just curious about what's up there. Having someone clear the way ahead saves me some effort."

Zhao Layue was in no mood to consider whether he meant it. "Then stay close."

"Jing Jiu, be... be... careful."

Elder Mochi rubbed his hands together as he spoke, a little nervous.

Jing Jiu nodded, then looked beside him.

Liu S sui stood there, his small face covered in worry. When Jing Jiu looked over, he immediately put on a stern face, looking rather cute.

Jing Jiu turned and walked toward the peak with Zhao Layue.

(More tonight.)