Chapter 78: Chapter 77: Let Him Enter Heavenly Sword Peak

Its core Cultivation Technique was the Upper Cloud God-Slaying Sword Technique, which possessed an extremely potent aura of slaughter.

In terms of combat power alone, it was undoubtedly first among the Seven Peaks!

Therefore, those whose Spirit Root attributes were mostly Gold Element, who were adept at combat, and possessed great strength, were most suited for this peak.

In the Sword Sect’s Seven Extremes Sword Test, held every few years, the champion was almost invariably a disciple from this Upper Cloud Peak.

It was said that in the Sword Sect’s nascent days, only the lineage of Upper Cloud Peak existed!

Within the Sword Sect, Upper Cloud Peak undoubtedly enjoyed the highest popularity.

And outside the Sword Sect, disciples of the Sword Sect’s Upper Cloud Peak could almost represent the upper limit of the Sect’s strength, regarded by the vast majority of cultivators as the purest lineage of Sword Cultivators.

The second was Yijian Peak, a lineage firmly holding the second rank in combat power. It was established within the Sword Sect five hundred years ago by a peerless divine figure and was known for using the sword to contend with heaven and earth, calculating causality within the Sword Dao. The so-called guardian of the sword, the Dao is formless, seeing beyond the sword, acting before opportunity arises, hearing the Dao and guarding emptiness, yet emptiness is not truly empty... In short, it was profoundly mysterious, the kind where a single sword strike could obliterate you, and even the wielder wouldn’t know why it was so overwhelmingly powerful. Wang Mu, in any case, was utterly baffled and could only smile in response.

The Yijian Peak lineage valued Comprehension and focused solely on it; as for other aspects, possessing a Spirit Root sufficient for Cultivation was enough.

This lineage was known for its extremely fluctuating combat power.

According to Cheng Tianyong, the Peak Leader of Yijian Peak—the white-haired man Wang Mu felt looked as young as himself—only the disciples of Yijian Peak could defeat those of Upper Cloud Peak in the Sword Sect.

The rest could not.

Yijian Peak’s main Cultivation Technique was the Great Void Sky Sword Technique, supplemented by Artifact Refining, with no particular requirements for Spirit Root attributes.

Unlike the disciples of Upper Cloud Peak, Yijian Peak’s disciples were proficient in various esoteric arts, calculating the heavens, the earth, and Yin Yang, comprehending the Five Elements and Yin Yang, and understanding the patterns of Qian and Kun...

"Child, I observe that your Comprehension is exceptionally high; you are very suitable for my lineage!"

The white-haired man patted Wang Mu’s shoulder. "Moreover, those in my lineage can divine past and future events, and the cycles of cause and effect. Let me put it this way: disciples of my lineage have excellent opportunities. They can even divine marriage prospects and find an outstanding partner for themselves on this vast path of Cultivation!"

"..." Wang Mu.

"Peak Master! I... I want to join Yijian Peak!" one disciple exclaimed.

"You cannot. Your Comprehension is insufficient." The white-haired man glanced at the disciple, assessing him from head to toe.

"Wh-why?" asked the disciple, puzzled. "How is my Comprehension insufficient?"

"The moment you asked that question, your Comprehension proved insufficient," the white-haired man stated.

"..." Wang Mu.

Damn. This Yijian Peak feels a bit like it’s run by charlatans.

"You see, he said nothing." The white-haired man pointed at Wang Mu. "The so-called essence of Comprehension can only be grasped intuitively; it cannot be conveyed through words."

At this, Wang Mu remained silent and went to inquire with the other Peak Masters.

The white-haired man said no more, merely giving Wang Mu an expectant look.

The Sword Peak ranked third in the Sword Sect was called Dan Sword Peak. As the name suggested, it was a lineage that supplemented its Sword Cultivation with Alchemy. However, because this lineage’s main Sword Technique was the Li Fire Burning Bright Sword Technique, its cultivators’ dispositions could easily be influenced by it. Therefore, this lineage emphasized cultivating one’s moral character and tempering one’s nature. Its disciples primarily had Fire and Wood Spirit Roots, and their training was supplemented with Alchemy.

"As is well known, in the Cultivation World, you may lack a Spirit Root, you may have low innate talent, you may lack Comprehension... but!"

The Peak Leader of Dan Sword Peak, a slightly plump elder named Wu Dayong, stroked his long beard and spoke leisurely to the disciples who had come to inquire, "you absolutely must not lack Elixirs."

"When your Spirit Root is inferior and you absorb Spiritual Energy slowly, you can ingest Elixirs to aid your Cultivation."

"When you encounter a bottleneck and cannot achieve a Breakthrough in your Realm, you can ingest Elixirs to force a Breakthrough."

"When your Life Span is depleted, and your Immortal Path seems bleak, you can ingest Elixirs to increase your Life Span."

"When your innate talent is insufficient, and your Cultivation is impeded, you can still take Elixirs to clear your meridians."

"So, do you all understand? With Elixirs, you have everything! If your Sword Dao Talent is poor, it doesn’t matter. My lineage’s Li Fire Burning Bright Sword Technique does not value Sword Dao Talent; it only values temperament! With a good temperament, you can progress a thousand miles in a day with this Sword Technique. If your Comprehension is too high, on the other hand, it’s detrimental, as you can easily deviate and become possessed by demonic forces."

"..." Wang Mu.

Impressive!

The many disciples listened, feeling utterly refreshed and inspired.

Some disciples, in fact, had lower Sword Dao Talent but had passed the Seeking Dao Rope test quickly and possessed good temperaments.

This lineage is absolutely perfect!This was especially true when the elder continued:

"Having no Spirit Root, or a poor Spirit Root, or slow Cultivation speed—none of it matters! My Dan Sword Lineage has the appropriate Elixirs to assist in Cultivation!"

The slightly plump elder spoke confidently, occasionally glancing at Wang Mu. "Child, I can see at a glance that you lack a Spirit Root. Your path of Cultivation will undoubtedly be fraught with hardships. But my lineage does not prioritize those things. Joining my lineage is definitely your best choice!"

Wang Mu was silent.

It did sound like that.

Indeed.

On the path of Cultivation, Elixirs are absolutely indispensable.

Having poor talent doesn’t matter. As long as I have enough resources, I’ll pop Elixirs and Ascend for all to see!

Hmm... Artifact Refining, Alchemy... I feel like trying both... After all, I have Action Points...

Wang Mu then went to inquire from the next Peak Master.

In sequence, it was the fourth, Fu Sword Peak. Its disciples mainly practiced the Soothing God Spirit Breath Sword Technique and were also responsible for crafting various Talismans. It was ranked fourth overall in strength. This peak, compared to the previous three, also had no requirements for innate talent or Spirit Roots, needing only Concentration and patience. This was because its Sword Technique, it was said in the Sword Sect, could be cultivated by anyone. However, it was extremely difficult to achieve Great Success with it, which was why its practitioners were generally not considered powerful—few ever reached that stage. Simultaneously, crafting and engraving Talismans also demanded immense patience.

This Soothing God Spirit Breath Sword Technique... it sounds a bit like a longevity sword art...Wang Mu thought.Talismans... I want to learn that too.

These first four Sword Peaks were considered the core of the Sword Sect. The first represented combat power, while the following three Sword Peaks each had their own supplementary practices and unique characteristics.

The fifth was called Hidden Sword Peak. Although its ranking was not high, and its strength within the Sword Sect was also not considered very formidable, Hidden Sword Peak was one that many disciples wished to join. This was because... this Sword Peak had a slightly higher number of female disciples. More importantly, its Peak Leader was the only female among the Seven Peaks.

"In Hidden Sword Peak, we primarily practice the Complete Heaven Illusion Hidden Sword Technique. This technique can conceal heavenly secrets. With a sword strike, the person vanishes, silently and invisibly eliminating the enemy’s Primordial Spirit—a truly Superior Sword Dao."

The beautiful woman chuckled. "In our lineage, we have no other requirements except for those regarding an individual’s soul and spirit. The trials you have undergone with the Seeking Dao Rope are trials of the soul, and the Puppets you encountered in the Holy Land were also trials for your spirit and soul."

"It’s just that in our lineage, due to its overwhelming power, disciples are susceptible to backlash. Only those with stronger souls can cultivate it."

In other words, it’s not that we aren’t strong; it’s just difficult to cultivate.

"Additionally, our lineage also practices the Transformation Skill, which can change the appearance of things, obscuring heavenly secrets..." the beautiful woman said leisurely.

Wang Mu listened.

This Hidden Sword Peak... why does it feel somewhat opposed to Yijian Peak?

"Can this change oneself?" a disciple asked.

"Of course, it can," the beautiful woman said indifferently. "Everyone in the Cultivation World says that the Charming Technique of the Fengyue Sect’s Demoness is peerless. In truth, our Hidden Sword Peak’s Zhou Tian Transformation Skill is far more profound and inscrutable; we merely disdain the trivial path of altering mere appearances."

Wang Mu nodded.

It seems the Sword Sect and Fengyue Sect are indeed rivals; they even take swipes at each other like this.

Thinking that this Lu Youlian was the Peak Leader of Hidden Sword Peak, Wang Mu felt a sense of understanding.

Women...

Even after achieving Cultivation, they can’t avoid wanting to compete.

"Child, during the third stage of the assessment, only you were unaffected by the charms of that Demoness Puppet..." the beautiful woman, Lu Youlian, looked at Wang Mu expectantly. "This shows that your soul is exceptionally strong and not easily susceptible to backlash, making you most suitable for cultivating our lineage!"

Five Peak Masters now. And every single one says I’m suitable for them...

Hmm... it must be because my six-dimensional stats are quite high... Three years of nurturing in the Newbie Village really weren’t for nothing!

Moreover, coming to the Sword Sect was the right decision. This Sect truly doesn’t have high requirements for Spirit Roots.

Wang Mu then went to ask about the sixth Sword Peak.

"My lineage is called Alcohol Sword Peak. You understand from the name, right? We primarily practice the Beidou Fine Wine Divine Sword Technique. We have no specific requirements; the more agile and free-spirited one is, the more attuned to spiritual subtleties, the better suited they are for Cultivation. As for other things like Sword Dao Talent, Spirit Root attribute, level of Comprehension, strength of soul, Concentration, patience, and so on—just having them is enough."

"As for supplementary practices... naturally, it’s wine-making and cultivating Spirit Plants," the rugged, stubbled middle-aged man said lazily to about a dozen curious disciples. "The strength of my lineage isn’t low; if you let us drink wine during battle, disciples from the leading Sword Peaks would, at best, only manage a fifty-fifty outcome against us."

"..." The disciples.

Finally, one that I’m a bit more familiar with,Wang Mu thought.

This Sword Peak probably has requirements for nimble movement techniques; having a natural talent in this area would be best. Because the Sword Technique demands agility and grace.

The supplementary practice of cultivating Spirit Plants, which is essentially farming... SSSS...Wang Mu was also quite tempted.

Six Peak Masters now.

Wang Mu sighed.Each Sword Peak has its own special characteristics, and I want to learn a bit from each of them...

Huh... is that the last one?

Wang Mu realized that this seemed to be the last one.

Aren’t there supposed to be Seven Peaks?

"That... the last Sword Peak is called Heavenly Sword Peak..."

Su Yu, who was nearby, seemed to notice Wang Mu’s confusion. He approached, a somewhat embarrassed expression on his face, and said, "For now, it’s just me. My Master and senior brothers... well, they all... um..."

"What happened?" Wang Mu asked.

"That... well, it’s just that..." Su Yu moved closer and lowered his voice. "They’ve all been charmed away by the Demoness of the Fengyue Sect..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Mu gasped.

That can actually happen?

The entire Sword Peak, along with its Peak Leader, charmed away?

"Because the lineage of Heavenly Sword Peak is quite special..." Su Yu sighed. "However, Junior Brother Wang, you don’t need to join our lineage. With your qualifications, the other Sword Peaks are all very good choices."

By this time, many disciples had already made their choices. Making a choice was relatively easy; through the assessment, most disciples had a clear understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses.

At this moment, the gazes of the other six Peak Masters were fixed on him, as if awaiting his decision.

Wang Mu felt a bit like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Just then, a streak of golden light flew in from outside.

Jian Wuqing, who was at the head, quickly bowed upon seeing this, and the other Peak Leaders followed suit.

"It’s a message from Elder Yan!"

The golden light transformed into a few words:

"Let him join Heavenly Sword Peak."

Seeing the words, Jian Wuqing and the other six Sword Peak Leaders all fell silent.

This was because Heavenly Sword Peak was a lineage founded later by Elder Yan. It had once been the strongest, but after Elder Yan focused on his own Cultivation, this lineage gradually fell into decline. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have reached the point where even its lineage head was charmed away by the Fengyue Sect—though it was true the Fengyue Sect had deliberately targeted them.

But the meaning of this message...

"Is Elder Yan coming in person?" Jian Wuqing and the others looked at each other, momentarily stunned.

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