Chapter 287: Sword Control, Ten Thousand Swords Resounding
Early June.
Among the towering mountains of the Southwest.
Chu Liang and his group of seven had been traveling in the mountains for over twenty days.
Early this morning, Su Qingchan turned her head and smiled lightly, “Young Hero Chu, look at that tall mountain in front.”
“Oh?”
Chu Liang followed the direction of her finger.
He saw a majestic mountain towering in front of him, its height unknown, but reaching thousands of meters, its slopes covered in white snow.
The morning sun shone on the white snow, making it glitter golden, adding a splendid golden radiance to the entire mountain.
“Beyond that tall mountain, you will see our sect.”
“I see.”
Chu Liang suddenly understood. No wonder the Sword Sect was hard to find; it was actually in such a remote place.
How many ordinary martial artists could come here?
The journey was full of hardships and dangers, with treacherous mountains and rivers, and the presence of demon beasts. Normal people wouldn’t last a few days before being devoured by demon beasts!
It was only because they were all powerful that they could make it feel like a leisurely trip.
After crossing the tall mountain, an even more massive mountain range appeared before them.
Looking from afar, the entire mountain range resembled a giant dragon prostrate on the ground. The highest peak towered into the clouds, shrouded in white mist, appearing and disappearing, seeming to connect with the sky.
Arriving here meant they had officially entered the territory of the Sword Sect.
“Young Hero Chu, please follow us.”
Several Sword Sect disciples led the way, heading upwards towards the summit of the most majestic mountain.
Soon, Chu Liang reached the summit. A grand and imposing Sword Sect gate appeared before him. Behind the gate was a long white jade staircase leading straight up into the clouds. Looking further up, everything was hidden in the mist.
A black boulder resembling a long sword stood at the entrance.
Chu Liang’s gaze was instinctively drawn to it.
The next moment, he felt a momentary trance.
“Buzzโ”
The black boulder trembled slightly, emitting a sound like the hum of a sword.
Su Qingchan smiled, “Congratulations, Young Hero Chu. You have passed the test of the Heart-Questioning Stone and may enter the Sword Sect.”
Chu Liang was surprised, “It’s over just like that?”
“Yes, this Heart-Questioning Stone was left behind by the ancestors of the Sword Sect. Its origin is unknown. It is said to be an innate object from the age of ancient deities. As long as it acknowledges you, you are definitely an upright and righteous person.”
“Upright and righteous?”
Chu Liang smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
Soon, Hong Wu and Xue Jiaojiao also passed the test and were allowed to enter the Sword Sect.
Even Chu Liang’s many beast servants passed the test and were allowed to follow.
The group ascended the steps.
Stepping on the white jade steps, surrounded by ethereal clouds, they felt as if they were walking in a fairyland.
At the end of the steps was a vast white jade plaza. Some people were practicing swordsmanship, others were meditating, and some were half-reclining, as if asleep.
Chu Liang followed Su Qingchan into the main hall of the plaza to pay respects to the Sword Sect elders inside.
Upon learning of Chu Liang’s true strength, the elders were all surprised.
As elders, they were also only at the Qi Sea Realm, albeit at its peak, while Chu Liang was at the initial stage.
In terms of actual strength, there wasn’t much difference.
“Young friend, are you interested in joining our Sword Sect?” asked the Ninth Elder. He had white hair and a beard, an immortal-like demeanor, and a gentle smile.
“I travel the world and do not wish to be tied down,” Chu Liang replied.
“No matter, you can just take on the honorary title of an external elder. There are no restrictions. Our Sword Sect doesn’t have many rules,” the Ninth Elder said with a smile.
Hearing this, Chu Liang thought for a moment and agreed.
There were no restrictions, and he would gain the title of a Sword Sect elder for free. It was no loss.
After this, Su Qingchan led Chu Liang on a tour of the Sword Sect, from the outer sect to the inner sect, from the Sword Pavilion to the Library. The two chatted and laughed, getting along well.
“Young Hero Chu, you will stay here from now on,” Su Qingchan said, finally leading Chu Liang to a small courtyard. Her own courtyard was next door. This area was one of the best locations in the entire sect.
Standing in the courtyard and looking out, the sea of clouds in front undulated and rolled, like a dream.
Every morning, this sea of clouds would be illuminated by the dawn, turning golden.
“Thank you, Miss Su.”
Chu Liang sincerely thanked her.
โโโ
After Su Qingchan left, he couldn’t wait to rush to the Library.
His purpose in coming to the Sword Sect was, of course, for the vast collection of internal martial arts techniques, Qi control methods, cultivation insights, and so on.
The Sword Sect had been established for a thousand years, and its collection of books was vast. Not to mention anything else, just the insights and experiences left behind by countless predecessors were an unimaginable wealth.
For the next two months, Chu Liang practically lived in the Library.
The Sword Sect disciples gradually learned that the sect had a new external elder who was obsessed with martial arts, about their age, but already at the Qi Sea Realm.
“Look at Elder Chu, and then look at yourselves!”
“All you know is to slack off. You complain about being tired after practicing swordsmanship a few times. How can you improve your swordsmanship like this?”
In the Sword Sect, Chu Liang became the exemplary “other people’s child,” often used as an example.
This made things difficult for many Sword Sect disciples.
In the two months since he joined the sect, the disciples had been scolded several times more often.
Chu Liang didn’t care, paying no attention to the outside world, immersing himself in the Library.
During these two months, he learned many famous internal martial arts techniques, such as Transforming Qi into a Barrier, Yin Wind Finger, and Light Smoke Divine Palm, and studied the insights of countless predecessors.
As a price for browsing these books, he paid more than ten high-rank treasure swords and over a hundred mid-rank treasure swords.
Naturally, the Sword Sect was quite pleased with this.
Just by letting him read their books, they received so many treasure swords. The Sword Sect was not at a loss.
Both sides felt they were not at a loss.
But Chu Liang had indeed been in the Library for too long, making the elders worry that he might be making mistakes in his cultivation.
One day, the Ninth Elder entered the Library. He was dressed in a white robe and said gently, “Chu Liang, cultivation should be balanced. Don’t rush it.”
Chu Liang nodded, “I understand, Elder, don’t worry.”
The Ninth Elder stroked his white beard and said, “I heard from Qingchan that you like Peach Blossom Wine. I just brewed a few jars. When will you come and try some?”
Chu Liang shook his head, “No rush, just wait a little longer. Once I’ve mastered this martial arts technique I’m reading, I’ll come and share a drink with you, Elder.”
“You’re reading the ใSword Control Techniqueใ!”
The Ninth Elder glanced at the cover and couldn’t help but smile wryly, “It’s the most difficult technique in our Sword Sect. Even I took five years to master it back then. Qingchan, the most talented of this generation, took two years.”
The implication was that no matter how talented Chu Liang was, he wouldn’t be able to master it in less than a year or so.
He couldn’t possibly stay in the Library forever, could he?
But Chu Liang said, “Please give me a few more days, Elder. I feel I’m close.”
The Ninth Elder sighed, “Very well, I’ll come back in a few days.”
He left a jar of Peach Blossom Wine and then turned to leave.
Soon, the upper echelons of the sect all knew that Chu Liang was studying the ใSword Control Techniqueใ.
Hearing that he thought he could master it in a few days, the elders all smiled.
“That kid is really bold. It took me seven years to master it. If he masters it in a few days, where will I put my old face?” the Grand Elder laughed.
“Hehe, don’t any of you go and urge him. Let this little guy suffer a bit,” the Second Elder said with a smile.
Everyone thought Chu Liang was overconfident.
Of course, with his talent, being confident was normal.
“It’s good for him to suffer a bit,” the Ninth Elder nodded slightly. If the path of martial arts was too smooth, without setbacks, it wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
Therefore, the sect often deliberately created setbacks for disciples who went down the mountain to gain experience.
Thus, no one disturbed Chu Liang.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early this morning, in the Library.
Chu Liang sat by the window, his eyes slightly closed, carefully comprehending.
After a moment, he opened his eyes, a hint of joy flashing in them.
“I’ve got it!”
Chu Liang immediately stood up and leaped out the window.
He transformed into a streak of sword light, dazzling and unrestrained, soaring straight into the sea of clouds among the mountains, roaming freely between heaven and earth!
On this day, ten thousand swords in the Sword Sect resonated in unison!
