Lord of Ten Thousand Swords, Longtan Monster!

In the northern part of the Xianjing Continent, Xuanming Sword Sect.

Amidst the verdant peaks, countless palaces and pavilions stand scattered about.

The pure white clouds coiled around the Immortal Sect like a living dragon, and from time to time, cultivators would ride flying swords and break through the clouds, their figures carefree and unrestrained.

The Cosmic Birth Realm is the second barrier in the [Three Passes to Immortality].

Cultivators at this level are called Venerables and enjoy extremely high status within the Great Sheng Kingdom. In the Xianjing Continent, having such a powerful figure is equivalent to possessing a first-rate power's credentials.

Even the governor of the prefecture had to give him some face.

Without the unique and miraculous abilities of the Nine Luminaries Division of each continent, they might have been unable to suppress local forces, which further demonstrates the true value of the Cosmic Birth Venerable.

As a behemoth with a Venerable One presiding over it, the Xuanming Immortal Sect holds a very high position in the Xianjing Continent.

Moreover, instead of showing signs of decay and desolation, the area inside the gate presented a thriving and prosperous atmosphere.

The upcoming successor to the [Taiyuan Sword] is a powerful testament to this fact.

The existence that could cause the sword wall Rear Mountain to resonate and vibrate is so unique that even among the successive sword masters of the Xuanming Sword Sect, there is no other similar case.

He later became famous throughout the entire Xianjing Continent as the fastest sword master in history to break through to the Dao Evolution Realm.

Various academies have extended olive branches to him, and Sword Dao masters from other continents have also made a special trip to the Xuanming Sword Sect just to meet this legendary Lord of Ten Thousand Swords is said to be a god in the Xianjing Continent.

At this moment, in the main hall of Lingjue Peak.

The Sword Sect elder, who had just returned from the Jade Mountain region, stood respectfully inside the main hall, reporting in a deep voice to the two figures behind the screen:

"Old Ancestor, Sword Master, the results of the Jade Mountain Refinement are in."

Even as he spoke, a lingering sense of horror remained in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, the old man who had been gesturing at the chessboard finally raised his head. He ignored the Sword Sect elder outside the screen and instead looked directly at the beautiful figure opposite him, smiling as he asked:

"Sword Master Zhou, who do you think won?"

At the other end of the chessboard, a woman dressed in a moon-white swordsman's robe sat quietly.

Her appearance was stunning, but not alluring; rather, it was exquisitely cold and aloof, like an ice sculpture, devoid of any earthy charm.

Her skin was as white as snow, almost transparent, as if one could see the luster of cold jade flowing beneath her skin.

The legend of Innate Sword Bone does not seem to be fabricated out of thin air. That extremely sharp feeling can give even Martial Dao domain master a sense of dread, as if they were sitting on pins and needles.

Even the revered Old Ancestor of the Sword Sect didn't address her by her given name, but her identity was unmistakably obvious.

Zhou Qingyan, the new sword master of the Xuanming Sword Sect and the undisputed future supreme being of the Immortal Realm!

"... Gu Le, or Su Yongye." Zhou Qingyan raised her silvery-white eyes, deep and unfathomable like a cold pool.

Before her cherry lips parted, her clear, cold voice, like ice and jade striking each other, resounded throughout the palace, without revealing any emotion:

"Although Jade Mountain Refinement encompasses many areas, it ultimately rests on the foundation of cultivation."

"These two are of questionable talent, but their cultivation is decent. If there are no unforeseen circumstances during the refinement process, one of them will undoubtedly be the champion."

"You're quite cautious, even knowing to add an additional condition." The Sword Sect Old Ancestor shook his head with a chuckle, not denying his assessment.

Gu Le and Su Yongye are both renowned prodigies of the Nine Luminaries Division in the Xianjing Continent.

In her opinion, he could only be described as having poor aptitude but passable cultivation.

I really want that Prefect Cao to hear such an evaluation in person, so that I can see what Hong Wen looks like.

Unfortunately, the Xuanming Sword Sect was not yet fully powerful enough to openly challenge this governor.

But it doesn't matter.

The inability to openly challenge others does not mean that they are inferior in every other aspect.

This [Sword Master Ceremony] is a grand banquet for all directions, with representatives from most of the well-known forces in the Xianjing Continent attending. It is the perfect time to showcase the future potential of the Xuanming Sword Sect and the Nine Luminaries Division.

At that time, there will be no need for further explanation.

Just the sight of Zhou Qingyan and the lieutenant brought by Prefect Cao standing there, allowing everyone to compare them in their minds, would make even a fool understand the future situation and know how to choose sides.

Thinking of this, the Sword Sect Old Ancestor couldn't help but let out a soft hum.

He then looked at the Law Enforcement Elder was waiting outside the screen, and said calmly:

"Tell me, who is the winner?"

"Reporting to the Old Ancestor, it is Ye Li, the newly Retainer General Longtan Grand Commandery!" The Law Enforcement Elder could no longer contain himself and hurriedly reported, his tone filled with shock.

"Who?"

The Sword Sect Old Ancestor was momentarily taken aback; he had never even heard of this name before.

"Absolutely true!"

The Law Enforcement Elder spoke very quickly, as if he wanted to recount all the shock he had felt earlier to everyone:

"This person's methods are truly astonishing; he actually swallowed the Jade Mountain Refinement all its energy right before everyone's eyes!"

"..." The Sword Sect Old Ancestor's brows gradually furrowed, and his aura became visibly sharper. The chess pieces in front of him silently turned into dust.

If that's true, this person's aptitude is indeed frighteningly high.

Even Zhou Qinghan right in front of him, he wouldn't dare say he could definitely do it... Wait, hold on.

Even if this is true, it's not necessarily because of his own qualifications that he accomplished this.

This Jade Mountain Refinement has been controlled by the Nine Luminaries Division for many years, so Cao Ming himself must have done extensive research on it.

If there are corresponding Treasured Artifacts and elixirs to assist in this.

Given the resources of the Great Sheng Nine Luminaries Division, it might not be difficult for a Domain Lord to devour the Treasured Blood energy left behind by two Venerables...

The Sword Sect Old Ancestor's tense nerves finally relaxed somewhat. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke again, asking:

"What about the rest of the people who participated in the purification? Did they just watch him act so recklessly?"

"That's exactly the second thing I wanted to say!" The Law Enforcement Elder became increasingly agitated as he spoke, saying:

"Ye Li's actions directly angered the other subordinate generals participating in the cleansing. Three domain lords, including Gu Le, and five saints joined forces to attack him, but... in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, they were all wiped out! Gu Le was among them!!"

"Even Gu Le is included..."

As he spoke, the Sword Sect Old Ancestor's eyelids twitched slightly. He appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil.

Holy crap, where did this new monster come from?

No wonder that old fox Cao Ming dared to accept the Sword Sect's invitation; it turns out he had such a monstrous Retainer General hidden within the sect!

If Zhou Qinghan, the Sword Master, hadn't earned the recognition of everyone in the Sword Sect through sheer strength, he would have truly been outmaneuvered by this unassuming Prefect of the Xianjing Continent!

"Old Ancestor!"

Remembering Cao Ming's blatant rebuke earlier, the Law Enforcement Elder couldn't help but kneel down before the screen, his voice trembling with emotion:

"Our Xuanming Sword Sect's long-awaited Sword Master Ceremony is imminent! Revealing this person at this crucial juncture is clearly a show of force by the Immortal Sword Sect Nine Luminaries Division!!"

"Do you think I don't know?" The Sword Sect Old Ancestor's voice was chilling.

If it wasn't deliberate preparation, why has this person never been seen in the previous Nine Luminaries Division' Fate?!

If there was no intention to deliberately put the Sword Sect in a bad light, why would they allow this person to use such a ruthless method to win the championship?!

No wonder the Jade Mountain Refinement was so much later than in previous years!

I initially thought it was due to the diminished divine power brought about by the Venerable's Treasured Blood... but now it seems that it was clearly a deliberate decision to set the time three days before his Sword Sect's inauguration ceremony, in order to blunt the momentum that the Xuanming Sword Sect had accumulated over the years!

A brilliant plan! A brilliant strategy!

Cold Glint flashed in the eyes of the Sword Sect's Old Ancestor, his voice deep and resonant, and he chuckled softly, "Very... very good indeed!"

"I had even planned to give him some face at the time, but it seems my Sword Sect 'True Body preparations were too soft-hearted!"

He suddenly looked at Zhou Qingyan, whose expression remained calm, his voice unusually indifferent:

"Sword Master Zhou, then there's no need to worry about saving face anymore! This ceremony will proceed exactly as you previously instructed!!"

"During this period, True Body will not refuse anything!"