Chapter 57

Slowly ascending to the second floor of the Sword Pavilion, Han Muye held a sword in one hand and the mission scroll in the other, and loudly said, "Disciple Han Muye, seeking an audience with the Elder."

From the third floor, came a soft "Hmm."

Han Muye strode up to the third floor, and the Elder of the Sword Pavilion, who was sitting in meditation, raised his head to look at him.

"What is it?"

Han Muye bowed and handed over the long sword, saying, "Elder, this sword is somewhat sinister."

Upon hearing his words, the Elder of the Sword Pavilion's expression did not change. He raised his hand to take the long sword, did not draw it, but simply placed it horizontally on the wooden table in front of him, then looked at Han Muye.

"Tell me, how did you discover that this sword is sinister?"

Han Muye hurriedly recounted that this sword was originally Ji Yuan's sword, then taken by Su Yang, and later returned. He also mentioned the various strange occurrences, such as the sword being able to quietly enter the observer's private room.

"During the sword selection, Luo Tian and Su Yang both directly chose their swords."

Han Muye handed over the mission scroll, saying, "Also, this mission scroll is strange. The journey to the Demon Valley is eighty thousand miles. Without considering the round trip, with Luo Tian's cultivation, he would hardly have the strength to hunt the fox demon."

Since it can become a demon, it must have cultivated demonic energy, which means it is at least at the Qi Condensation stage.

Fox demons are exceptionally intelligent among demonic beasts; the Grand Elder of the Demon Valley was originally from the fox demon clan.

Luo Tian's cultivation is only at the Qi Condensation stage. To kill a fox demon in the chaotic Demon Valley and return from eighty thousand miles away within a month, this doesn't make sense.

The Elder of the Sword Pavilion nodded, and his gaze towards Han Muye showed a hint of appreciation.

"You have a keen mind."

"Also, by leaving this sword in the Sword Pavilion, your character is commendable."

The Elder of the Sword Pavilion raised his hand to grip the sword and said calmly, "There are some things you don't need to know too much about for now."

"If you can observe swords in the Sword Pavilion for ten years, I will tell you what you need to know."

He then gently stroked the sword, narrowed his eyes, and said softly, "You only need to know that the Sword Pavilion is not just a place to store swords."

Standing up, he placed the sword on the wooden rack behind him.

On that wooden rack, there was also a sheathed black sword.

"Practice the Sword Cultivation Technique well. Only with sufficient cultivation can you see through the illusions and understand more."

The Elder of the Sword Pavilion turned to look at Han Muye, his eyes filled with boundless depth.

...

When Han Muye went downstairs, Huang Lao Liu was already gone.

Sitting behind the long table, Han Muye pondered over the Elder's words.

This is the cultivation world, where all sorts of strange things can happen.

Perhaps the Elder knows the secret of this sword but chooses not to reveal it.

The strange nature of this sword is not a big deal in the eyes of the Sword Pavilion's Elder and the strong cultivators of the Sword Sect.

After all, this sword can only harm a few inner and outer disciples of the Sword Sect.

From the Elder's perspective, the Qin Yuanhe, who killed the Sword Battle Hall's executor Zhou Yan and injured thirteen disciples, is still at large. What is this sword's issue compared to that?

Moreover, this sword seems to be related to some secrets of the Sword Pavilion.

These secrets can only be known by those who have observed swords for ten years and become an Elder of the Sword Pavilion.

Han Muye shook his head.

How long has he been in the Sword Pavilion?

Fortunately, Huang Lao Liu has already observed swords for seven years. Once he completes ten years, he will be able to know all the secrets of the Sword Pavilion.

At that time, he can ask Huang Lao Liu, and he believes Huang Lao Liu will not hide anything.

Spreading his palm, Han Muye looked at a small bronze sword in his palm, less than three inches long.

This was given to him by the Elder of the Sword Pavilion.

He said that only formal disciples of the Sword Pavilion have this token.

In the Sword Sect, this token should not be shown to anyone except the Elders.

This sword felt normal, and it was difficult to infuse sword qi into it. Perhaps it is just an identity token.

Closing his eyes slowly, the sword intent in Han Muye's qi sea trembled slightly.

Only by feeling the rolling of the sword intent did he feel at peace.

Power.

Without sufficient power, one is just a negligible ant in the eyes of the strong.

Han Muye gritted his teeth lightly, allowing the sword qi to circulate around his body and condense into his bones.

He did not want to be like the low-ranking disciples, insignificant in the eyes of the Elders.

A faint sword qi spread around him, causing the swords on the first floor to vibrate slightly.

...

Huang Lao Liu returned to the Sword Pavilion just before it closed.

He carried a small bundle, looking somewhat furtive.

"Brother Han," Huang Lao Liu untied the small bundle, which contained fifteen clear spirit stones.

Not as brilliant as high-grade spirit stones, but much more potent in spiritual energy than low-grade ones.

Each mid-grade spirit stone is worth a hundred low-grade ones, so these fifteen stones are worth one thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Huang Lao Liu had been in the Sword Pavilion for seven years, and this was probably all he had.

"Tomorrow, help Ping Sister choose a good sword." Huang Lao Liu pushed the spirit stones towards Han Muye and lowered his voice, "If it's not enough, you can cover for me, and I'll pay you back later."

Han Muye smiled, took the bundle, and said, "Six Brother, did you really empty your pockets?"

"Of course. I even—," Huang Lao Liu paused, blushed, and waved his hand, "Never mind, it's for my wife. She has only been cultivating for less than ten years. A good sword will give her a better chance."

"Winning more matches at this gathering will earn her more fame and resources, which will greatly benefit her future cultivation."

He patted Han Muye's arm and sighed, "Brother, you don't know how excited I am."

Han Muye laughed and said, "Alright, if it's not enough, I'll cover the rest. Consider it a gift for my future nephew's coming-of-age ceremony."

After saying that, Han Muye turned and returned to his private room.

"What nephew, it's not even—," Huang Lao Liu's face turned red, and he couldn't help but smile foolishly.

——————

The next morning, Han Muye woke up very early.

It wasn't that he wanted to wake up early; it was Huang Lao Liu who brought breakfast and urged him to wake up.

Huang Lao Liu not only brought breakfast but also gave Han Muye two yellow talismans.

The Swift Travel Talisman, when attached to the legs, allows one to run as fast as flying.

This item is not very expensive, as cultivators at the fifth or sixth level of the Foundation Establishment stage can already cover ten feet in a single step, as fast as a galloping horse.

Those who need this talisman are mostly low-level Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After receiving the talismans and leaving the Sword Pavilion, Han Muye found Lu Qingping waiting by the mountain gate with a carriage.

The talismans were unnecessary.

"Senior Sister Lu, let me drive the carriage."

Han Muye greeted her.

Lu Qingping did not refuse, let go of the reins, and smiled, "Thank you, Junior Brother Han."

Han Muye got into the carriage and drove it down the mountain.

Huang Lao Liu had already explained the location of the market in great detail.

"Junior Brother Han, how long have you been in the Sword Pavilion?" Lu Qingping leaned against the door frame of the carriage and asked.

"Not long," Han Muye flicked the reins and said loudly, "Thanks to Six Brother's help."

Lu Qingping nodded and said softly, "Indeed, Zhen Xiong is very enthusiastic and easy to get along with."

Although Lu Qingping is an elite inner disciple of the Qingfeng Sect, she does not have an arrogant attitude.

Her tone when talking to Han Muye was gentle.

Most of their conversation was about Huang Lao Liu.

Lu Qingping sighed as she recalled the times when they sought admission to cultivation sects together.

"Zhen Xiong is a determined person."

"He didn't stay at the Qingfeng Sect as a miscellaneous disciple because he didn't want to fall behind others."

"When he left the Qingfeng Sect, he told me that he would one day become a Heaven Realm powerhouse."

"At that time, he didn't even know what a Heaven Realm powerhouse was."

"He only knew that a Heaven Realm cultivator could fly and tread on auspicious clouds."

Han Muye knew this.

Which young man doesn't want to appear in front of his beloved, clad in golden armor and treading on auspicious clouds, seeing her in a phoenix crown and a rosy smile?

Which young man doesn't have a beautiful dream that he doesn't want to wake up from?

Leaning against the door frame of the carriage, Lu Qingping looked up at the clouds in the sky and said softly, "Junior Brother Han, how much longer does Zhen Xiong have to live?"

Han Muye pulled the reins, and the carriage stopped on the road.