Chapter 152: The True Heir
Chapter 152: The True Heir
Ahh!
The Windsnow Sword was unsheathed.
Brandishing his sword, Fang Xing cleaved through the air, and thunderous roars echoed through the void.
"Sword Qi Thunderclap, even more refined now."
"If before it was just me forcefully executing the technique with my Foundation Establishment cultivation, this time I've truly mastered it...smooth and effortless."
"Even though I'm only at the Qi Refining stage now, I can still use the Sword Qi Thunderclap technique in actual combat. The average early Foundation Establishment cultivator's spirit power shield wouldn't be able to withstand the might of my sword!"
"No wonder the disciples of the Celestial Sword Sect like to climb mountains in their free time, honing their sword qi..."
A slight smile curved Fang Xing's lips as he took a step forward.
Boom!
He stood firmly on the two-hundredth step, and within his sea of consciousness, it was as if a figure was dancing with a sword!
The Sword Qi Thunderclap reverberated like charging bulls fighting!
"He...he's an outer sect disciple, and he's reached two hundred steps!"
At the foot of the mountain, a Celestial Sword Sect disciple widened his eyes in shock. "This...this is enough to enter the inner sect!"
The young mortal boy who had been kneeling looked up, his eyes filled with admiration as he gazed at Fang Xing's retreating back.
"No...he...he's still climbing!"
Many Celestial Sword Sect disciples paused in their tracks, staring transfixed at the youthful figure ascending the stairs.
"Both are disciples, but to be a true heir, one need not be in the inner sect..."
A smile played at the corners of Fang Xing's mouth as he continued climbing step by step.
"Although...True Heir Swordsman...sounds a bit unpleasant."
As he continued to climb, he also felt the pressure mounting.
Although the heavenly-grade golden spirit root's talent was a perfect match for a sword cultivator, he was not one himself.
At the moment, he was completely relying on his talent and high cultivation...forcing his way through!
Of course, being able to withstand this pressure had its benefits.
When Fang Xing reached the three-hundredth step, he suddenly felt that his understanding of condensing sword qi into a sword beam had deepened.
"Condense Sword Beam!"
"It's a pity that I lack a good sword."
He gazed at the flying sword in his hand, and the Windsnow Sword let out a mournful cry.
...
Deep within the Group Sword Peak, on a majestic and perilous peak.
Duanjian Zhenren, Kong Fengge, had long and narrow eyes, and his cheeks were gaunt, giving him a perpetually woeful appearance.
According to mortal physiognomists, his face would bring about a life of poverty and hardship, which seemed at odds with his status as the leader of a hegemonic sect ruling over Qi Country, a late Core Formation cultivator.
At that moment, a sword rang out from within the Sword Hall.
A flying sword flew in through the window and landed in Duanjian Zhenren's hand.
"Oh? An outer sect disciple has reached two hundred steps on the Sword Heart Peak?"
Duanjian Zhenren was not particularly impressed by this feat.
In his youth, he had been a True Heir Swordsman himself, undefeated in a hundred duels, his robes stained red with the blood of his foes.
"He's still climbing, and he's already at three hundred and fifty steps?"
"Could it be that today, our sect will produce another true heir?"
A frown creased Duanjian Zhenren's brow. "Fang Xing...he only joined the outer sect a few days ago?"
He snapped his fingers, and a sword light flew out, transforming into a flying sword that whistled through the air.
This was the Celestial Sword Sect's 'Flying Sword Message.'
Before long, Xue Zhishi, carrying the purple jade fishing rod, entered the Sword Hall. "Paying respects to the Sect Master!"
"No need for formalities...today, our sect will gain another true heir. You may observe the ceremony."
Duanjian Zhenren smiled faintly.
"This boy's background is fairly straightforward, and he has passed the test of the Heart-Examining Talisman...but to achieve this in just a few days, isn't he being a bit too high-profile?" Xue Zhishi hesitated.
"It is precisely because he is high-profile that it is not a covert operation."
Duanjian Zhenren waved away his concerns. "Moreover...with his talent and aptitude, no sect would be willing to use him for covert operations. Even if we take a step back and assume he was, once he becomes a sword cultivator of our sect, he would no longer be a covert agent. If he can defeat me with the sword in his hand, what's wrong with making him the true heir? Which other sect can offer such conditions?"
Xue Zhishi fell silent.
This was the way of the Celestial Sword Sect's sword cultivators!
Arrogant and confident!
...
Sword Heart Peak.
"There must be some treasure at the peak..."
Fang Xing reached the three-hundred-and-ninety-ninth step, his legs feeling a bit unsteady.
"This is...sword intent? Although it's just a wisp...the sword intent of a sword cultivator is indeed different from the martial will of a martial artist..."
To be precise, the sword intent of a sword cultivator was already a third-stage technique!
Even a mere wisp was something that an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't withstand.
But Fang Xing was different!
His will was directly linked to his true self.
A mere wisp of sword intent couldn't force him off the Sword Heart Peak.
"With this step..."
Under the gaze of countless eyes, Fang Xing let out a soft laugh and took a step forward.
The four-hundredth step was beneath his feet!
"Disciple Gong Zhen, paying respects to the True Heir Swordsman!"
At the foot of the mountain, the disciple performed an ancient sword salute.
Ahh!
Sword cries rang out one after another as the disciples still on the Sword Heart Peak sent out their own sword cries, their voices piercing the clouds. "Greetings to the True Heir Swordsman!"
'As expected...it still sounds unpleasant.'
Fang Xing's lips twitched slightly as he saw a purple light descending upon the foot of the mountain, revealing Xue Zhishi. "Ai...you little brat, you really leave me at a loss for words..."
His expression was exceedingly complex, and he straightened his clothes before performing a proper salute. "I pay my respects to the Swordsman!"
As a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator, his status was supposed to be one level higher than that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
However, within the Celestial Sword Sect, the status of a True Heir Swordsman was astonishingly high, almost on par with that of a Golden Core elder.
"Xue Zhishi is only a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator of the outer sect, so he must pay his respects first."
"Xue Zhishi, what is this about?" Fang Xing asked, puzzled.
"The Sect Master has issued a decree, inviting you to the Sword Hall!" Xue Zhishi said solemnly. "From now on, your name will be listed in the sect's records, and your status will be vastly different."
In his opinion, it was clear that Fang Xing already possessed the strength of a true disciple, and his enrollment in the outer sect was merely a means to obtain the identity of a Celestial Sword Sect disciple, allowing him to challenge the Sword Heart Peak. Throughout history, there had been true disciples who chose to take this path instead of participating in the duels at the Dueling Sword Platform.
Xue Zhishi controlled a purple light, carrying Fang Xing as they swiftly traversed the peaks and arrived at the peak of the Celestial Sword Peak.
"Paying respects to the Sect Master!"
Upon seeing Duanjian Zhenren's dilapidated appearance, Fang Xing understood the origin of his title and bowed once more.
"Zheng Guo Fangxing..." Kong Fengge held a pen in one hand and the sect's disciple roster in the other, his expression solemn. "Today, we induct you as a true disciple of our sect. May you live up to the expectations, uphold your cultivation, and let your sword echo through the nine heavens!"
He carefully entered Fang Xing's name into the true disciple records, thus concluding the initiation ceremony.
'As expected of sword cultivators, their rituals are painfully simple...'
Fang Xing was a bit taken aback and then asked, "May I ask about the treatment of true disciples in our sect?"
"You can ask Little Xue about that. He will make the necessary arrangements," Duanjian Zhenren waved his hand dismissively, looking impatient. "As for your future travels, let me make this clear... If you are killed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, whether it's a fair duel, poison, or an ambush... the sect will not intervene. It's solely because your sword is too weak!"
"However, if a Core Formation cultivator or higher bullies you, the sect will definitely stand up for you, even if we have to invoke the aid of the Grand Elder to wipe out their entire clan!"
'I like this bold statement...'
Fang Xing nodded inwardly and suddenly asked, "Then... what about pseudo-Core Formation cultivators?"
"Pseudo-Core Formation is not considered Core Formation!" Duanjian Zhenren answered bluntly, not minding Xue Zhishi's presence.
Xue Zhishi's expression remained calm, as if he was unperturbed by the slight, gracefully accepting this insult.
'In other words, if a true disciple of the Celestial Sword Sect is killed by a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator, the sect won't intervene...'
'That's indeed a lot of pressure...'
Fang Xing was left speechless. He took the new token representing his status as a true disciple and bowed once more before leaving the Sword Hall.
"Congratulations on becoming a true disciple... According to the rules of the Celestial Sword Sect, every true disciple is granted a mountain peak to establish their cave abode, with access to a third-grade superior spiritual vein," Xue Zhishi said with a smile as soon as they exited the hall.
"Oh?" Fang Xing asked, already knowing what he was going to ask.
"As for the true disciple's cultivation technique, you can go directly to the Scripture Pavilion," Xue Zhishi replied.
"I see." Fang Xing didn't elaborate further and made his way back to the Scripture Pavilion.
The white-haired sword cultivator guarding the pavilion glanced at his true disciple token and couldn't help but smile. "I was truly shortsighted... Congratulations, Sword Brother. From an outer sect disciple in the morning to a true disciple by evening!"
"How many floors can true disciples access?" Fang Xing asked curiously.
"There are no restrictions on the seventh floor and below," the white-haired sword cultivator replied solemnly.
"Good!" Fang Xing nodded and proceeded directly to the sixth floor of the Scripture Pavilion.
There were even fewer books on this floor, with only one bookshelf. Above the bookshelf was a layer of array light that could only be activated using the true disciple token.
"The Golden Origin Sword Manual can be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul stage... Indeed, my previous choice was not bad."
Fang Xing scanned the titles and found several top-tier sword cultivation techniques.
After becoming a true disciple, most of the Celestial Sword Sect's inheritance was open to him, allowing him to take whatever he wanted.
"The Starry River Sword Scripture? Not bad..."
"The Grand River Sword Manual? I'll take this as well..."
Compared to these top-tier manuals, the Golden Origin Sword Manual seemed somewhat mediocre.
Since there was no restriction on the number of manuals true disciples could take, Fang Xing copied several jade slips before returning to his quasi-third-grade spirit energy cave abode in the outer sect.
After all, he hadn't decided on his true disciple peak yet, let alone started construction...
At this moment, the entire outer sect was in an uproar because of his remarkable achievement.
Fang Xing had anticipated this outcome and chose to seclude himself, refusing visitors.
With his current status, no one in the outer sect could forcibly intrude, not even those outer sect elders who had achieved the Nascent Soul stage!
"Hmm?"
After resting for a while, Fang Xing examined the sound transmission tokens within the array and discovered a storage bag among them.
He waved his hand to dispel the restriction and retrieved the bag, only to find that it belonged to the yellow-robed steward.
Not only had the steward returned the spiritual stones Fang Xing had offered as a bribe, but he had also added several times the original amount...
"This old Huang is too courteous..."
Fang Xing shook his head and reactivated the array, beginning his meditation.
...
The night deepened.
Sword Heart Peak.
All the Celestial Sword Sect disciples who had been there during the day had long since left.
Only a handful of mortals remained, kneeling before the mountain, seemingly determined to move the immortals with their perseverance.
At some point, a figure appeared at the foot of the Sword Heart Peak.
"Two hundred steps for the Qi Refining stage, and four hundred steps for the Foundation Establishment stage to become a true disciple..."
"But I seem to be just a mortal... Won't this trigger a bonus reward?"
Fang Xing's main body looked up at the peak of the Sword Heart Peak, a slight smile curving his lips.
(End of Chapter)
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