A Name on the Tower Stele

The ring resembled green jade, its azure light flowing as a crisp medicinal fragrance faintly wafted from it.

A gourd was engraved upon its surface, covered in tiny seal-script patterns. Under the sunlight, it gave off a faint golden gleam, profoundly mystical.

Shen Yun approached the stone platform, and the medicinal fragrance grew even richer.

Picking up the ring, he found it light as nothing. A cool sensation immediately spread through his whole body, and his injuries recovered considerably in an instant.

"Medicine Immortal Valley... what faction is that?"

Looking at the three ancient scripts on the Green Vine Ring, Shen Yun was puzzled. Why would the Sword Sect possess a token from another sect?

He made a round of the gorge but found nothing else. He had thought the seventh floor would hold an even greater challenge, but it had turned out to be thunderous noise and tiny raindrops.

"Looks like this ring is the reward for reaching the top."

Shen Yun did not trouble himself further. The green jade ring suddenly shone, and the scene before his eyes flickered, revealing a devastated landscape.

Countless Spirit Veins had been severed, jade palaces and towers lay in ruins, and an ancient ring turned into an Azure Dragon and flew into the nine heavens. Then an ancient, vicissitudinous voice drifted over.

"When dragons have no leader, all under heaven is at peace... Nothing in this world is eternally indestructible. The era of Medicine Immortal Valley has come to an end..."

"This Green Gourd Ring is the key to communicating with the Destiny Spirit Treasure. If you truly are the fated one, I hope you can carry forward the Medicine Immortal's legacy..."

As the voice faded, the scene before him scattered like clouds and smoke.

Shen Yun slowly came back to his senses, his right hand rubbing the ring as countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

From the sound of it, Medicine Immortal Valley has already been destroyed. The ancient ring in that vision must have been the Destiny Spirit Treasure.

The Green Gourd Ring can not only heal injuries, but also communicate with the Destiny Spirit Treasure. I gained quite a lot from climbing the tower this time.

Many questions remained in his heart, such as why Medicine Immortal Valley's belongings were in the Sword Sect, and what exactly a Destiny Spirit Treasure was.

"No matter what, a Destiny Spirit Treasure must be a world-shaking divine artifact."

Shen Yun took a deep breath. Its name alone made clear that it was extraordinary. If he could obtain it, it would be an unimaginable great fortune.

After he took away the Green Gourd Ring, the stone platform gradually sank into the earth, while verdant branches swayed in the breeze.

A rainbow-colored beam descended, and Shen Yun was teleported out of the Seven Xuan Tower.

The moment he landed, he saw countless gazes fixed upon him. Reverence, jealousy, burning desire... all kinds of looks gathered upon him. Even with his composure, his heart gave an involuntary jolt.

"What is going on?"

Shen Yun was somewhat baffled. Wherever he went, those gazes followed like shadows.

Everyone wanted to know what kind of sacred being he was, but he was obscured by hazy pure light. It was like looking at flowers through mist—impossible to see clearly.

The Law Enforcement Elder stepped forward and announced loudly, "Congratulations, young friend, on Ascending the Seven Xuan Tower and creating new history. Please leave your name on the Tower Stele."

Following his words, Shen Yun looked toward the stone stele atop the nine-tiered jade stairs.

The Tower Stele was a full three zhang tall, its black surface smooth as a mirror and reflecting clear figures.

The enormous stone body was divided into three sections, recording nearly a hundred names. Their strokes were like silver hooks and iron lines, grand and majestic. Sword Sect Disciples knew these names almost by heart.

The lowest section held the most names, occupying nearly ninety percent of the stele. They were all Heavenly Prides who had reached the fifth floor, with Jue Wushen's name standing at the very end.

In the middle section, only a handful of names remained. They all belonged to peerless figures from the Sword Sect's history. Shen Yun saw the three large characters: Jian Wushuang.

At the very top was only one name, standing alone upon the highest peak—a single, simple character: 'One.'

One stroke shook heaven and earth, like an immortal god above the nine heavens looking down upon all living beings.

Even today, the Sword Sect no longer knew who 'One' truly was. They could only imagine his invincible splendor.

After pondering for a moment, Shen Yun left behind the character 'Origin' on the Tower Stele.

'Origin' also carried the meaning of first, but what he had in mind was the meaning of beginning.

This life had only passed its starting point. Shen Yun wished only to advance step by step toward the summit and behold the loftiest scenery. The character Origin was his hope for the future.

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Even after Fang Tianyi led Shen Yun away, the crowd continued to stare blankly at the character 'Origin' at the very top of the Tower Stele.

"Tianlan Prefecture, the wind is rising..."

The Law Enforcement Elder smoothed the corner of his robe that had been lifted by the wind, his eyes filled with anticipation...

The Lone Swan Sword Sect possessed Tianlan's finest blessed land. Not only were immortal herbs everywhere and Spirit Veins countless, but it also had the legendary spirit-energy grotto-heaven.

To the east of the Sword Sect lay a secret realm of immortal mountains. Spirit Cranes danced in the air, immortal deer trod upon the green earth, and at the center of the valley, there was a Spirit Spring whose trickling stream nourished all things.

Amid these green mountains and clear waters, several mysterious cave residences could vaguely be seen, wreathed in spirit energy and glimmering with faint immortal light.

As the newborn dawn shone down, purple haze filled the grotto-heaven, displaying its mysticism to the fullest.

This was the Purple Cloud Grotto-Heaven, where only Inner Disciples and elders could cultivate.

Inside a cave residence beside the mountain stream, a young man of extraordinary bearing awoke from meditation.

Gold-element spirit energy, substantial as matter, rose and fell around his tall, slender frame. The young man wore a blue robe, his thick black hair draped over his shoulders, revealing a sharply defined face. He was truly a fine young master amid a turbid world.

Most remarkable were his golden vertical pupils. The gleam in his eyes was sharp as a Heavenly Blade, making others dare not look directly at him.

This man was the Shangguan Family's Kirin Son, Shangguan Dongjun, said to possess a Heavenly Spirit Root.

"Senior Brother Shangguan, someone from your clan has come to visit."

At that moment, a voice came from outside the cave residence. A Dharma Protection Hall disciple stood waiting at the entrance with a gray-robed old woman.

"Come in."

As his words fell, Granny Aramaki entered the residence leaning on a Skull Cane.

After the Law Enforcement Hall disciple withdrew, she said in a hoarse voice, "There has been a change in plans. From now on, the Shangguan Family must do everything possible to befriend that Mister Fang."

Shangguan Dongjun lifted his eyelids and said unhurriedly, "What has happened recently?"

The bark-like skin of Granny Aramaki's aged face shifted as she said in a deep voice, "That Mister Fang has an astonishing background. Even the Sword Sect must treat him with courtesy. The Shangguan Family cannot afford to provoke him."

When word of yesterday's events spread, the Shangguan Family broke out in a cold sweat. They wanted the treasures of Tianwei Mountain, but that did not mean they wanted to seek death.

The Shangguan Family could dominate one region because those steering it were naturally not fools. Once they saw the situation clearly, they immediately changed their plans.

It was not that they were ignorant and poorly informed. Many Sword Sect elders had never even heard of Mister Fang's deeds. All they could say was that the weather was unpredictable.

After Granny Aramaki recounted yesterday's events, Shangguan Dongjun frowned. "Ascending the Seven Xuan Tower? What secluded Heavenly Pride did this come from?"

He knew full well how difficult the Seven Xuan Tower was. The outside world had speculated that he possessed the aptitude of a Heavenly Spirit Root, and that was no baseless rumor.

He possessed a Gold-element Heavenly Spirit Root, so there was no need to speak of his talent. Yet even after exhausting every method at his disposal, he had only reached the fourth floor. After fighting the Deep Sea Tiger Shark head-on for two quarters of an hour, he had suffered a regretful defeat.

Within the Sword Sect, his talent was absolutely far ahead of the rest, and he had an excellent chance of advancing to become a true disciple.

Yet compared to Shen Yun, they were as far apart as heaven and earth, like a countryside nouveau riche encountering imperial nobility—completely incomparable.

Shangguan Dongjun lightly tapped his fingers, his expression neither pleased nor displeased. The bad news had not affected him in the slightest, and he carried the air of one who planned within the tent and won a thousand miles away.

Granny Aramaki secretly nodded. Only such an outstanding man, possessing both wisdom and courage, was worthy of becoming the Shangguan Family's helmsman.

"A great figure like Mister Fang is certainly beyond the Shen Family's reach, so their ties cannot run too deep."

Shangguan Dongjun appeared to hold wisdom in his grasp as he slowly said, "The Shen Family must perish. Only then can the Shangguan Family move into Tianwei Mountain. When the time comes, if we build a good relationship with Mister Fang, we can also get a share of the spoils."

Granny Aramaki nodded repeatedly and praised, "You and the Patriarch have arrived at the same conclusion without prior consultation. We absolutely cannot allow anyone from the Shen Family to rise within the Sword Sect."

Shangguan Dongjun nodded. "Soon, the Sword Sect will send envoys to various places to select outstanding talents. One of those going to Canglang Mountain is one of my people."

The Sword Sect's examinations were like the imperial examinations, opening broad paths to select talented people from across the land.

Advance selection was equivalent to Internal Recruitment. Those selected could directly skip the examinations and become Outer Sect disciples.

It sounded extremely unfair and easily manipulated behind closed doors. However, the tribute paid by the major families was not given for nothing, and everyone had long understood this without putting it into words.

Granny Aramaki gave a sinister smile. "Without an Internal Recruitment slot, even if they pass the entrance examination, they will basically have to begin as Miscellaneous Servant Disciples. At that point, won't they be at our mercy?"

Shangguan Dongjun said calmly, "Rest assured. With me stationed in the Sword Sect, no one from the Shen Family can possibly climb up."