Chapter 18

In the grand hall, it was silent.

Xu Haosheng, standing there, seemed to be thinking of something, his gaze somewhat distant.

The disciples below all lowered their heads, hiding their shock.

Yang Shao was unsure if his gamble was right.

"Good!" Xu Haosheng suddenly shouted.

His eyes were full of determination, and he patted Yang Shao's shoulder, laughing heartily, "From now on, you will be my third indoor disciple!"

Indoor disciple!

All the white-robed disciples in the grand hall widened their eyes.

There were dozens of disciples in the Three Ponds Pavilion, but only two were indoor disciples.

Even Su Chengyun, one of the seventy-two outer sect experts, was not an indoor disciple of the Three Ponds Pavilion.

The two indoor disciples of the Three Ponds Pavilion were all elite members of the sect!

Now, the Master wanted to take Yang Shao as the third indoor disciple!

Without hesitation, Yang Shao knelt on one knee and bowed deeply, shouting, "Disciple Yang Shao, pays respects to Master."

Like a father, like a teacher.

This is what it means to be an indoor disciple.

An indoor disciple is the inheritor of the lineage.

The resources they receive are worlds apart from those of the outer sect.

"Yang Shao, if you can master the third level of the Green Wave Sword Technique within three years, I will vouch for you to become a True Disciple," Xu Haosheng said solemnly, his hands folded.

True Disciple!

Among the tens of thousands of outer sect members and three thousand inner sect members of the Nine Profound Sword Sect, how many True Disciples were there?

Including those who had cultivated for countless years, were there even a hundred?

Which True Disciple in the sect was not renowned and held a significant position?

After today, a leap to the heavens!

"Pay respects to Senior Brother Yang." The disciples of the Three Ponds Pavilion bowed to Yang Shao.

An indoor disciple ranks above the inner sect.

And a True Disciple is a peerless existence in the entire sect!

With the Master valuing Yang Shao so highly, how could the disciples not show respect?

Yang Shao smiled and gently raised his hand, "All of you, please rise."

In the future, in the Three Ponds Pavilion, his status would be even higher than Su Chengyun.

Except for the two indoor disciples, everyone else would be his junior.

All of this came from the explanations and demonstrations of that senior in the Demonstration Tower.

Thinking of Han Muye's demonstration in the Demonstration Tower, Yang Shao felt a surge of excitement.

Mastering the third level of the Green Wave Sword Technique, becoming the most valued disciple of his Master, and becoming a True Disciple with significant influence in the sect.

Yang Shao could almost see the golden path before him!

The Demonstration Tower, from now on, he would live in the Demonstration Tower!

——————

Not sure if it was because of the Iron Ox Strength or the completion of the Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source, Han Muye woke up in the morning feeling refreshed.

Practicing a few rounds of sword techniques in the small courtyard, he felt his understanding of sword techniques had improved significantly.

"Han kid, when we welcome the sword, stand behind me." Huang Lao Liu, dressed in black, stood straighter, though his eyes were still aged.

When they were ready, a bell rang from a distance.

The bell rang three times.

"Three rings for a Ground Realm fall, six rings for a Heaven Realm fall."

Huang Lao Liu shook his head and muttered, "In the past two years, the three rings have sounded at least seven times..."

His words made Han Muye slightly startled.

Seven times the three rings, that means at least seven Ground Realm experts have fallen.

Ground Realm experts are the pillars of the sect, and are considered experts in any sect.

Ground Realm experts have long lifespans and rarely die.

Unless in battle.

Is this cultivation world not peaceful?

"Didn't they say the Nine Profound Sword Sect has no Heaven Realm experts? Why six rings?" Han Muye asked, standing behind Huang Lao Liu at the Sword Pavilion entrance.

"No Heaven Realm, but there are experts comparable to Heaven Realm. The old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion is—"

Huang Lao Liu stopped mid-sentence.

Han Muye turned around and saw the old ancestor in a white robe stepping down.

If the old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion falls, would it be six rings?

Han Muye wondered.

When will we hear six rings?

The old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion did not look at them, but walked straight to the steps of the Sword Pavilion.

Before the Sword Pavilion, a group of black-robed sword cultivators walked solemnly.

These people carried long swords, wore black robes, and moved as if their steps weighed a thousand pounds.

At the front of the black-robed sword cultivators, an old man with a white beard held a narrow wooden box, his expression solemn.

Han Muye recognized him; he was Ling Che, an executor of the Battle Sword Hall, a Ground Realm Spirit Awakening expert.

Ling Che stopped at the steps of the Sword Pavilion and held the sword.

"Executor Ling Che of the Nine Profound Sword Sect's Battle Sword Hall, returning the personal sword of Senior Brother Zhou Yan."

Ling Che stepped forward and shouted loudly.

Behind him, two rows of black-robed sword cultivators bowed and clasped their fists.

"Senior Brother Zhou Yan has been in the Nine Profound Sword Sect for three hundred years, achieving great accomplishments and fighting a hundred battles for the sect in the Battle Sword Hall."

"Today, Senior Brother Zhou Yan has fallen. The Battle Sword Hall respectfully returns Senior Brother Zhou Yan's sword to the Sword Pavilion, his name will live on forever—"

Ling Che shouted loudly, holding the wooden box and presenting it to the old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion.

All the black-robed sword cultivators behind him shouted in unison, "Respectfully send off Senior Brother Zhou Yan—"

The old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion lifted his hand to open the wooden box, then reached in and took out a green sheathed long sword.

"Buzz—"

The long sword resonated, as if unwilling, or filled with endless resentment.

A cold and solemn aura instantly spread within a three-meter radius.

Han Muye felt a chill and unconsciously activated the Iron Ox Strength to block the cold.

"Senior Brother, rest assured. The Battle Sword Hall will avenge you and take the head of Qin Yuanhe from the Tai Ling Sword Sect to honor you."

Tai Ling Sword Sect?

One of the nine sects in the Western Border, ranked fourth among the four major sword sects.

A Ground Realm expert of the Nine Profound Sword Sect died at the hands of a Tai Ling Sword Sect expert?

This is no small matter!

If the two major sword sects of the Western Border were to fight, the entire Western Border would be drawn in.

Han Muye leaned forward to look at the long sword in the old ancestor's hand.

"Welcome the sword of Executor Zhou to the Sword Pavilion."

The old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion lifted the sword and passed it back.

Huang Lao Liu stepped forward and bowed, lifting his hand.

"Let him do it."

The old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion still held the sword, speaking calmly.

Huang Lao Liu was startled.

"Old Ancestor, Han Muye has just arrived—"

Huang Lao Liu's words were cut off as the old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on Han Muye.

"Buzz—"

All the Iron Ox Strength in Han Muye's body was instantly activated, his muscles and bones feeling as if struck by a heavy hammer, making his vision blur.

The fourteen sword intents stored in the virtual space in his chest trembled, as if about to burst out.

One glance, and all the sword intents were stirred. How powerful is this old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion?

But this power seemed different from Ling Che's Spirit Awakening stage, all coming from the pull of the sword intent.

Taking a deep breath, Han Muye stepped forward, nodded to Huang Lao Liu, who was giving him a meaningful look, and then bowed, saying, "Disciple welcomes the sword."

The old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion placed the sword in Han Muye's hands, "Place it on the second floor."

Han Muye nodded, held the sword with both hands, and turned to walk upstairs.

"Huang Zhenxiong, you've been a sword observer for seven years. Haven't you seen enough?"

"Being a sword observer, life and death are determined by fate."

The old ancestor's voice came from behind, calm and indifferent.

Huang Zhenxiong, so that's Huang Lao Liu's real name, quite a powerful name.

Holding the sword, Han Muye's face was expressionless.

The old ancestor's words were for him.

Since his sword qi has already entered his heart and chest, and his life is short, giving him the task of welcoming the sword is a way to make the best use of his abilities.

This cannot be blamed on the old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion for being heartless.

Being a sword observer means being prepared to die from the erosion of sword qi.

But, what if the reality is different?

Stepping onto the second floor of the Sword Pavilion, a smile appeared on Han Muye's lips.

His hand gently touched the hilt of the sword he was holding.

"Buzz—"

A sword cry, and scenes appeared in his mind!

The sword of a Ground Realm expert!