Chapter 5: The Senior's Cave

"I didn't gather you all here to have you argue!" Hai Wuya's cold voice echoed throughout the hall, and everyone in the Hai family trembled, not daring to make a sound, for fear of angering Hai Wuya.

Seeing everyone fall silent, Hai Wuya scanned the room, cleared his throat, and then said, "Actually, I called you all here to announce something important."

"Important?" Both Hai Tian and Xiaoyu, among others, felt a hint of doubt.

Hai Wuya had no intention of being mysterious and continued, "I, along with my second and third brothers, and the three elders, are about to leave. During our absence, the entire Hai family will be managed by the steward. You must not slack off and must focus on your cultivation."

"Yes!" Everyone was shocked; all the experts of the Hai family were leaving.

"Father, if you all leave, what if the Saru family and the Li family launch a surprise attack?" Hai Yun suddenly said.

The Saru family and the Li family were the other two major families in Blackstone City, with strength comparable to the Hai family. For many years, the three families appeared peaceful on the surface, but the hidden struggles had never ceased.

Hearing Hai Yun's question, Hai Wuya smiled. "Yun'er, don't worry. The high-ranking members of the Saru family and the Li family will also be leaving with us. You have nothing to worry about. By the way, you will be going with us."

"Is that true? That's great." Hai Yun jumped up excitedly. Although he didn't know the purpose of this trip, being able to go with Hai Wuya and the others was enough to show his status in the Hai family.

Excited, Hai Yun also shot a few provocative glances at Hai Tian and Xiaoyu, looking smug. Everyone envied Hai Yun, wishing they were in his place.

"Hmph! Big Brother Tian, this guy is too arrogant. Just because he can go with Uncle and the others, what's there to be so proud about?" Xiaoyu whispered, clearly unhappy.

Hai Tian, however, was indifferent. In his own words, comparing himself to Hai Yun would lower his own status. What he was truly curious about was why the high-ranking members of the three major families in Blackstone City were all leaving at this time.

Seeing everything arranged, Hai Wuya, sitting at the head of the table, nodded to the three elders, and immediately dismissed everyone to continue their previous activities. However, he kept Hai Yun and Hai Tian behind.

"Xiaoyu, go back first. I'll be there soon." Seeing Xiaoyu's reluctant expression, Hai Tian instructed.

Xiaoyu finally nodded silently, glaring at the smug Hai Yun before leaving.

Soon, everyone in the hall had left, leaving only Hai Tian and the others.

"Tian'er, this time we might be gone for a long while. You must focus on your cultivation. Remember, do not cultivate the 'Nine Heavens Divine Sword Technique.' It will not bring you great strength." Hai Wuya's eyes were full of concern, making Hai Yun, who stood nearby, feel very jealous.

An elder suddenly opened his eyes and exclaimed, "What? Hai Tian chose the 'Nine Heavens Divine Sword Technique'?"

"Yes, I don't know why this kid chose this cultivation technique. But I have already advised him to choose a high-level yellow-grade technique." Hai Wuya's face showed a hint of bitterness.

Looking at the elder, Hai Tian asked curiously, "Elder, when did the seniors of the Hai family form their sword spirits while cultivating the 'Nine Heavens Divine Sword Technique'?"

"Form a sword spirit? They never reached the rank of one-star swordsman, so how could they form a sword spirit? Tian'er, why do you ask this?" The one who answered was not the elder who spoke earlier, but another kind-looking old man. Hai Tian knew this was the Great Elder of the Hai family, the strongest in the family, even stronger than his father.

The Great Elder's words made Hai Tian's heart skip a beat. Those seniors had never formed a sword spirit, yet he had already done so. What was going on?

He examined himself internally and found the translucent small sword still hanging above his dantian. The vortex of milky white sword spirit energy in his dantian was rapidly spinning, drawing in wisps of white energy. Everything seemed normal, except that he currently only had one segment of sword power.

He had just started cultivating and was already different from those who had cultivated the 'Nine Heavens Divine Sword Technique' in the past. Could he still become a formal swordsman?

Hai Tian was filled with doubt, but he was unwilling to give up. Even though it was incomplete, it was still a heaven-grade technique.

"Those seniors never reached the rank of one-star swordsman and then switched to other techniques. Unfortunately, their talent seemed to be wasted on the 'Nine Heavens Divine Sword Technique,' and they didn't make much progress afterward." The elder who spoke first sighed, showing deep regret.

"Right, Tian'er, why do you ask this?" Hai Wuya, noticing Hai Tian's strange behavior, asked immediately.

"Nothing, I was just curious." Hai Tian shook his head; he didn't want Hai Wuya to know he had already started cultivating the heaven-grade technique.

"Hmph! With his strength, he won't be able to form a sword spirit even in three years!" Hai Yun, who had only reached six segments of sword power after three years, sneered, not believing Hai Tian's talent could be better than his.

Hai Tian completely ignored Hai Yun. In his previous life, he had only spent one and a half years to advance from one segment of sword power to one-star swordsman. With his past experience, he wouldn't spend more than three years. Ridiculous!

He then turned his gaze to Hai Wuya. "Father, what exactly are you going to do this time? Why are the high-ranking members of the other two families also leaving?"

"Hehe, there's no harm in telling you. A disciple of the Saru family discovered a cave in the Seventh Rank Mountain Range near Blackstone City. This cave has many defensive mechanisms and might be the legacy of a senior expert. The Saru family immediately organized a team to investigate, but they suffered heavy losses and still couldn't enter the core of the cave. They then invited the experts of the other two families to join them, and the treasures inside will be taken by whoever can get them." Hai Wuya chuckled, explaining their purpose.

Hai Tian understood. Legacy caves left by senior experts were countless on the Soul Sword Continent. He himself had left a legacy cave, but it was protected by a restriction that only those above the rank of Sword Saint could break. Otherwise, he would have long retrieved his belongings.

"Is that so? But if you all leave, what if it's a trap by the Saru family?" Hai Tian pondered for a moment and raised a question. He didn't want his home to be destroyed.

"You're right. Your concern shows you have a good head. We originally suspected the same, but the Saru family showed us something that dispelled our doubts." Hai Wuya nodded approvingly, clearly satisfied with Hai Tian's insight.

Beside him, Hai Yun, seeing Hai Wuya's continued kindness to Hai Tian, felt even more jealous and suddenly interjected, "Father, what did they show you?"

The Great Elder stroked his white beard and smiled. "A high-level yellow-grade sword weapon!"

"A high-level yellow-grade sword weapon!" Hai Tian raised his eyebrows in surprise. Hai Wuya and the others were satisfied with Hai Yun's reaction, as they had all been similar.

On the Soul Sword Continent, the weapons used by swordsmen were called sword weapons, mostly long swords, and these were also graded.

Like sword spirits, they were divided into heaven, earth, mystic, and yellow grades, each with low, mid, and high levels. Now Hai Tian understood why the Hai family was so moved. Sword weapons were extremely rare on the Soul Sword Continent.

Ordinary swordsmen might not even have a sword weapon, and even a sword master having a low-level yellow-grade sword weapon would be quite good. Hai Tian himself had only used a low-level earth-grade sword weapon in the past.

A cave that stored a high-level yellow-grade sword weapon in its outer area meant something significant to everyone.

"Father, can you take me with you?" Hai Tian was also tempted. There might be mystic-grade or even higher sword weapons in the core of the cave.

His soul had entered Hai Tian's body, but the low-level earth-grade sword weapon he had used was gone. On the Soul Sword Continent, where the strong preyed on the weak, having a good sword weapon could greatly enhance one's combat power.

"Impossible. You haven't started cultivating yet, and that place is extremely dangerous. We can barely protect ourselves, let alone protect you." Without hesitation, Hai Wuya rejected Hai Tian's request. "The main reason for taking Yun'er is to let him see the outside world. When you and Yun'er are of similar strength in the future, we will take you out as well."

"Right! Hai Tian, you stay home and guard the place. Don't cause too much trouble for the old steward." Hai Yun was very pleased, feeling a rare sense of satisfaction, making Hai Tian feel embarrassed.

If not for Hai Wuya and the elders, he would have laughed out loud!

Completely ignoring Hai Yun's taunts, Hai Tian lowered his head. He was unwilling to give up, as the cave might hide other treasures.

"Tian'er, your brother is right. Focus on your cultivation for now. There will be many opportunities in the future." Hai Wuya, noticing the disappointment in Hai Tian's eyes, quickly comforted him.

"Yes, Father. I will take my leave now." Realizing there was no chance, Hai Tian didn't linger and immediately left.

But his eyes flashed with a stubborn light: "You won't take me? I'll go by myself!"

"Who am I? I am the Sword God Wutian!"

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