https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1027-Specialization-in-Sword-Talismans/12938030/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1029-Passion-to-Endure-the-Long-Years/12938032/
Chapter 1028: The Illusory Mirror
Chapter 1028: The Illusory Mirror
"But Lu Shizhi?"
Lu Xuan was examining the scores of his fellow sect members on the talisman paper when a middle-aged man in a Daoist robe with profound eyes quietly approached him.
"Lu Xuan greets True Monarch Longhai," Lu Xuan hastily greeted the man with respect.
The middle-aged man before him was none other than Ji Changhai, a talisman master of the Heavenly Scroll Sword Peak and the only Sword Sect cultivator to receive a top-grade score.
"There's no need for such formality, Shishu. Just call me Shishu," Ji Changhai said with a smile, not showing the slightest arrogance befitting a Primordial Spirit True Monarch.
"Seeing your exceptional proficiency in sword talismans today, I can't help but want to nurture such talent."
"With your innate talent in the Talisman Dao, it would be a waste to remain in the True Sword Peak.
Are you willing to come to my Heavenly Scroll Sword Peak to delve deeper into the Talisman Dao? The Swordmaster and I will impart all our knowledge, ensuring your rapid progress and making you the most renowned talisman master in the Sword Sect."
Ji Changhai's words were filled with temptation.
"Ji Changhai, you're quite bold to poach someone right in front of me. Don't you have any regard for Ye?" Lu Xuan was contemplating how to politely decline when Ye Lingkong, a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator from the True Sword Peak, blocked Ji Changhai's path, his expression furious.
"I just don't want to see such a promising talent go to waste in the True Sword Peak."
"A Primordial Spirit True Monarch only achieving a middle-grade score, outperformed by an inner sect disciple—such a thing would never happen in the Heavenly Scroll Sword Peak."
Ji Changhai spoke calmly.
"You..."
Ye Lingkong was left speechless by this statement.
"The True Sword Peak can fulfill all of Lu Shizhi's needs. What can your Heavenly Scroll Sword Peak offer?"
"Lu Shizhi was personally brought back from the Cloud Void Region by the Swordmaster. If you want to take him away, go and ask the True Swordmaster."
He played his trump card, speaking coldly. If the True Swordmaster were to find out that Lu Xuan was being poached by fellow sect members, he wouldn't be able to bear the Swordmaster's wrath.
Therefore, he would never allow any other Nascent Soul Realm cultivator from other peaks to interfere with Lu Xuan.
Just as Ji Changhai was about to respond, Lu Xuan spoke up, "Thank you, True Monarch Longhai, for your high regard for me."
"However, I was brought back to the Sword Sect by the True Swordmaster from the Cloud Void Region, and everyone on the True Sword Peak has taken good care of me over the years. I've grown accustomed to living here and have no intention of leaving."
He politely declined.
For him, as long as there were light orb rewards, it didn't matter much which Sword Peak he resided in.
If he joined the Heavenly Scroll Sword Peak, his true talent in the Talisman Dao might be exposed. It was better to stay in the True Sword Peak and enjoy some freedom.
Seeing Lu Xuan's firm stance, Ji Changhai didn't say more. He left behind a communication talisman and departed.
"Lu Shizhi, let's go back together," Ye Lingkong said slowly.
Lu Xuan's resolute rejection, coupled with his excellent performance in the talisman competition, earning him a middle-grade A score, left Ye Lingkong extremely satisfied.
Among the remaining Sword Peak cultivators, Lu Xuan was the only one with a middle-grade score, while the others only managed a low-grade C at best.
Lu Xuan single-handedly raised the True Sword Peak's score, and they wouldn't let such a valuable talent be poached by other peaks.
A sense of urgency rose within Ye Lingkong, and he felt the need to keep Lu Xuan by his side at all times.
"Very well, I'll do as you say, Shishu Ye," Lu Xuan replied, bowing his head. He had wanted to witness the competitions among the numerous inner sect disciples, but since Ye Lingkong had made the suggestion, he had no choice but to comply.
Two days later, the Spirit Plant Competition officially began.
"Among the various cultivation arts you've mastered, you excel most in spirit plants. Just stay calm and do your best," the True Swordmaster personally escorted Lu Xuan to the Sword Palace, disregarding the other spirit plant masters.
"Understood, Senior Uncle. I'll deliver good news." Lu Xuan calmly replied, exuding confidence.
Inside the grand hall, Lu Xuan stood alongside Shang Xiuyuan, Yu Qiushui, and others.
For this Spirit Plant Competition, there were over three hundred participants from the nine Sword Peaks, with True Sword Peak having the least number at twenty-three.
"Lu Senior Brother, we're counting on you for this Spirit Plant Competition," Shang Xiuyuan said with a smile, and those around him nodded in agreement.
After Lu Xuan joined True Sword Peak, many had interacted with him and were well aware of his extraordinary proficiency in spirit plants, so they confidently placed their hopes on him.
"Let's all do our best," Lu Xuan said with a smile, looking around.
In the hall, there were over three hundred bronze ancient mirrors, each resembling a bronze gateway, seemingly connected to some illusory, mysterious entity.
"Lu Senior Brother, this is a high-rank magical treasure of our Sword Sect, known as the Illusory Mirror, and these are the multiple illusory realms derived from it," Shang Xiuyuan explained.
"In a moment, each Spirit Plant Master will enter one of these illusory realms. Based on my previous three competition experiences, a Nascent Soul Realm Elder of the Sword Palace will manifest a divided consciousness to test your knowledge."
"The content of the competition will be based on the information you submitted earlier. The more varieties and higher the rank of the spirit plants you cultivate, the higher your score will be if you pass the test."
Shang Xiuyuan leaned in and whispered.
"Thank you for the explanation, Junior Brother," Lu Xuan expressed his gratitude softly.
Soon, all the Spirit Plant Masters arrived in the hall.
A lady in palace attire gracefully flew up into the air.
"Please enter the illusory realms, disciples of the Sword Sect," she announced.
One by one, the participants approached the bronze ancient mirrors, their expressions varying from confident and relaxed to nervous and tense, or even calm and composed.
Lu Xuan gently pushed open the ancient mirror before him.
In an instant, his vision blurred, and he entered a strange space.
The space was filled with chaos, except for a medicinal garden in the center where vibrant spirit plants thrived.
"Hmm?"
"Bewitching Immortal Peach, Jade Scale Fruit, Second Rank Sword Grass... Aren't these the spirit plants I cultivated in the past? How did the Illusory Mirror replicate them?" Lu Xuan was astonished.
The medicinal garden contained over a hundred varieties of spirit plants he had once grown, including some high-rank spirit plants, but none of the malevolent spirit plants were replicated.
As Lu Xuan carefully examined the garden, six illusory figures silently appeared in the grand hall.
"I have to divide my divine thought again for the Illusory Mirror. Thankfully, the artifact spirit can provide significant assistance; otherwise, dividing so many divine thoughts would be a strain on my divine soul," a tall figure whispered.
"I hope the illusory realm they enter will be simple, making it easier on my divine soul."
"Senior Brother, that's not right. As an Elder of the Sword Sect, you should be hoping for our Spirit Plant Masters to excel," another figure said.
"Haha, I'd love to see a powerful one, creating an intricate and grand medicinal garden, but they just don't have the skills for it," the tall figure replied.
As they spoke, the six figures flickered and transformed into divine thoughts, entering the bronze ancient mirrors.
The number of divine thoughts divided was closely related to the illusory realms generated by the mirrors. The size and difficulty of the realms were directly proportional to the information initially submitted by the Spirit Plant Masters.
"What's going on with this illusory realm? It's drawing in so much of my divine thought!"
One of the bronze ancient mirrors exerted a suction force several times stronger than the others, pulling in multiple divine thoughts.
(End of Chapter)
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