Time slipped by quietly, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.
A sword hum echoed, and Li Xuan’s figure appeared.
Li Xuan stroked his sword, a slight smile curving his lips. These past weeks of practice had once again brought about a qualitative leap in his understanding of the sword dao.
Now, Li Xuan’s strength had directly broken through to the Hua Yuan realm. To achieve such a breakthrough in such a short period was greatly indebted to Jian Nan Cang’s guidance.
“Since you’ve broken through, come over,” Jian Nan Cang’s voice suddenly boomed.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan moved, instantly streaking towards the source of the sound.
“Greetings, Master.” In the Sword Sect’s grand hall, Jian Nan Cang sat upon the throne. To his left and right, three figures were positioned respectively. Li Xuan bowed respectfully, then rose and looked at them.
“The matter of recruiting disciples has concluded. Including you, there are eight. They will be here shortly, and you can participate in the master-apprenticeship ceremony with them.”
Jian Nan Cang nodded slightly and continued, “These individuals are the Vice Sect Master and elders of our Sword Sect.”
Soon, under Jian Nan Cang’s introduction, Li Xuan bowed and became acquainted with them.
Besides Sect Master Jian Nan Cang, the Sword Sect had two Vice Sect Masters: Jian Kai Cheng and Jian Hong Da. Both possessed strength that reached the Half-step Year Immortal realm.
There were six elders: the Grand Elder Gong Hua Cang, and the elders Cheng He Yun, Qian Zheng Zhi, Ma Yuan Zheng, Lin Hong Yang, and Jing Zi Mo.
The strength of these six elders all reached the peak of the Year Walker realm.
After learning about the Sword Sect’s high-ranking officials, Li Xuan was deeply astonished. Their collective strength was such that any one of them could likely obliterate the Qing Xiao Continent. And this was merely the top power of one of the five islands on this Immortal Realm Continent.
A few minutes later, figures entered in succession. After stopping at Li Xuan’s location, they all bowed respectfully towards the seat of honor.
“Our Sword Sect has always emphasized respecting teachers and valuing the way. Though we do not dwell on the past or disputes, the principle of etiquette must not be abandoned. Today, we have gathered you all here, firstly to announce your status, and secondly to introduce you to the esteemed ancestors of our Sword Sect.”
Gong Hua Cang stood up and looked at Li Xuan and the others. After a slight pause, he spoke again, “Our Sword Sect was founded over thirty thousand years ago. During this time, many exceptionally talented seniors have emerged. We hope that you will all cultivate diligently to uphold the name of our Sword Sect.”
“We shall remember your words!” Li Xuan and the others responded in unison, bowing respectfully.
“Let’s go.” Gong Hua Cang nodded slightly at their response, then moved to the entrance of the grand hall. Li Xuan and the others, though somewhat puzzled, followed Gong Hua Cang.
Soon, under Gong Hua Cang’s guidance, Li Xuan and his group arrived outside the Sword Sect’s Ancestral Hall.
“This is the ancestral hall of all the past high-ranking officials and fallen seniors of our Sword Sect. Without them, the Sword Sect would not possess its current transcendent status. You shall offer your respects here,” Gong Hua Cang said with reverence.
Li Xuan and the others’ expressions turned solemn, and they respectfully bowed towards the ancestral hall.
In the next moment, Gong Hua Cang led Li Xuan and his group to the Sword Sect’s mountain gate.
On the mountain gate plaza, a statue stood over ten zhang tall. Resembling a sharp sword, it exuded an ineffable sword intent.
“This is the founding ancestor of our Sword Sect, Jian Wu Shuang,” Gong Hua Cang introduced, bowing towards the statue himself before looking at Li Xuan and the others.
Before Gong Hua Cang could signal, Li Xuan and the others bowed towards the statue.
Gong Hua Cang nodded with satisfaction. The Sword Sect’s might, besides its unity, naturally required a strong sense of belonging. While this gesture might seem somewhat forced, it was a necessary ritual.
Gong Hua Cang believed that these nine disciples, newly joined to the Sword Sect, would undoubtedly become pillars of the sect in the future. With this thought, Gong Hua Cang’s gaze lingered more on Li Xuan.
“Alright, you’ve learned most of what you need to know. Next, I will take you to see the Sword Sect’s Three Great Rankings. I hope that in the coming three years, you will all find yourselves on one of them.”
Gong Hua Cang quickly withdrew his gaze, then waved his hand, causing them to vanish instantly.
Within the Sword Sect mountain range, three peaks stood in a triangular formation.
Li Xuan glanced at a giant pillar in the square atop the peaks, his eyes narrowing slightly. The pillar was covered with dense markings, which upon closer inspection, turned out to be names.
“This is the New Disciple Ranking. All disciples who join our Sword Sect can attempt trials here within three years. Upon successful completion, they may leave their unique mark on this pillar. Of course, the more outstanding their performance, the higher their position will be.”
Gong Hua Cang finished speaking and looked upwards. The gazes of Li Xuan and the others followed.
Above them, the name Jian Shi San shone with a powerful, brilliant light.
“May I ask, Grand Elder, you mentioned three rankings. Besides this New Disciple Ranking, what are the other two?” a young man asked curiously.
Gong Hua Cang smiled and replied, “The other two rankings are the Elite Ranking and the Heavenly Pride Ranking. With your current strength, you likely do not yet qualify to attempt trials for them.”
Everyone looked at the other two distant peaks with some surprise, then turned their gaze back to the pillar before them.
Since they couldn’t attempt the Elite Ranking and the Heavenly Pride Ranking for now, the New Disciple Ranking was undoubtedly their only option.
Sensing the rising fighting spirit of the disciples, Gong Hua Cang nodded slightly.
Just then, Gong Hua Cang suddenly spoke.
“Li Xuan, would you like to attempt a trial first?”