"Kid, not bad, only eighty-three sword cuts in half an hour against me. Your progress is quite evident."
As Wo Long knelt heavily on the ground, his legs giving way from excessive blood loss, the old Daoist priest smiled with satisfaction. "It seems my tutelage during this period has not been in vain. Your strength has undergone a qualitative leap."
Hearing the old Daoist priest's words, a hint of relief appeared on Wo Long's face. It wasn't that he had a problem with his mind; it was that being cut only eighty-three times in half an hour was indeed tremendous progress.
Moreover, this was the result of Wo Long's diligent practice and day-and-night cultivation during this period. In the past, in half an hour, the old man could have landed thousands of sword cuts on him.
"Old man, I am now a martial cultivator at the Heavenly Realm mid-stage. Coupled with this Ming Hong Saber you gave me, does this mean I can basically walk sideways, except for you and senior brother?"
Wo Long had only spent a short month or two on the mountain, but during this brief period, he had endured unimaginable trials and torment.
Of course, the pain and torment were effective. This very morning, Wo Long had broken through to the Heavenly Realm mid-stage, making him a top-tier powerhouse in the entire world.
"You think a mere Heavenly Realm mid-stage martial cultivation allows you to walk sideways? Kid, you're dreaming."
Upon hearing Wo Long's words, the old Daoist priest openly mocked him. "There are many powerful individuals in this world whose abilities far exceed your imagination. Do not think that reaching the Heavenly Realm means you can disregard everyone. Such arrogance will eventually cost you your life."
"However, with Heavenly Realm mid-stage martial cultivation and the Ming Hong Saber in your hand, you should at least be able to escape even if you encounter an old monster."
"Heh..."
Hearing this, Wo Long's face lit up with a smile, and he said, "Old man, you always like to exaggerate. The Heavenly Realm is already the peak of the martial artist pyramid. With my unity of man and saber at the Heavenly Realm peak, I don't believe anyone other than you and senior brother can do anything to me."
"My feat of slaying the Grandmaster Sea Dragon King a while back is now widely known on the dark web. Many people want to challenge me. I was a bit apprehensive before, but now I've decided to find a few tough opponents to fight and let them know my might."
"I believe that soon, I will replace the Sea Dragon King and become a true Grandmaster. Then, I will have it all: wealth, beauty, and fame."
"You lack these things?"
The old Daoist priest sneered, "Your family's wealth spans the globe. If you return home, you'll immediately become the richest person in this world. Aren't wealth, beauty, and even fame and fortune within your easy reach?"
"It's different, entirely different."
Wo Long replied, "Family matters are family matters. I haven't done anything for the family all these years, nor do I want anything from them. What I want, I will obtain through my sharp mind and the Ming Hong Saber in my hand."
"Very well, you do have some ambition. It wasn't in vain that your grandfather knelt for three days at the foot of Prisoner Dragon Mountain to beg me to take you in."
The old Daoist priest looked at Wo Long and smiled. "Over the years, I've taught you and your senior brother many things, but there are also many things I haven't taught you. Because these are things you must experience and learn for yourselves. From now on, you can descend the mountain."
"Bang—"
Upon hearing the old Daoist priest's words, Wo Long kowtowed heavily three times and asked, "Is there anything you need me to relay to senior brother?"
"Nothing to relay, but there is something you need to take to him."
As the old Daoist priest finished speaking, he suddenly raised his hand and palm-struck a mountain peak three hundred meters away. Instantly, a large boulder on the peak shattered.
When the dust settled, Wo Long saw nine flying knives stuck in the distance.
These nine flying knives were not made of profound iron or manganese steel, but a special kind of blood jade. Thus, under the sunlight, they emitted a dazzling red glow.
Even from three hundred meters away, Wo Long could feel the immense power and terrifying killing intent contained within the flying knives, making him feel chillingly cold.
"Old man, what kind of flying knives are these? Why do they make even a Heavenly Realm expert like me feel uneasy and tremble?"
Wo Long's expression was grim as he looked at the old Daoist priest.
"These are the flying knives I used to sweep across the land many years ago. They have drunk the blood of countless strong individuals. However, after I became invincible, I sheathed them. Now, they have been sealed for who knows how many years."
The old Daoist priest gently raised his hand. The next moment, the nine flying knives three hundred meters away began to vibrate violently, as if alive and incredibly excited. Then, they transformed into nine dazzling red lights that flew towards the old Daoist priest and eventually formed a circle, dancing around his hand.
"Immortal Slaying, Evil Punishing, Demon Sealing, Soul Suppressing, Spirit Extinguishing, Doom Bringing, Life Taking, Reverse Life, Eternal Life..."
Wo Long carefully examined the nine flying knives and discovered that each one not only had its own name but also exuded a completely different aura.
As Wo Long watched in shock, the old Daoist priest took out a saber bag, inserted the nine flying knives into it, and then produced a book with faded bark cover, handing it and the saber bag to Wo Long.
"These nine flying knives require the cultivation of three internal energy techniques: 'Ice Cold Strength,' 'Yi Jin Jing,' and 'Eternal Life Art' from a young age to control. You have a congenital pure yang physique, so you cannot cultivate 'Ice Cold Strength.' You cannot use these nine flying knives, otherwise, the backlash of the blade energy will result in a swift death at best, and lifelong disability at worst."
The old Daoist priest looked at Wo Long and said calmly, "This book contains the methods for controlling the nine flying knives, as well as the means to merge the three internal energies into one. Only your senior brother in this world can control these nine flying knives, so do not be curious, understand?"
"Old man, look at what you're saying, as if I would secretly use these nine flying knives."
After taking the items, Wo Long smiled at the old Daoist priest. "Don't worry, old man. I promise to deliver them to senior brother and will not peek."
"Good. Then you can heal your wounds yourself and go find your senior brother."
The old Daoist priest sighed. "I have calculated that he is about to face a mortal peril, and these nine flying knives will be the key to him surviving it. Judge the gravity of the situation yourself."
"Mortal peril?"
Wo Long was incredulous. "With senior brother's strength, are there still people in this world who can threaten his life?"
However, Wo Long also knew that the old man was like a half-immortal, and his words would not be false.
Therefore, after securing the items, Wo Long went to a cold pool behind the Daoist temple. After cleaning his wounds, he applied the specially made medicinal powder to heal himself. Two hours later, not only were Wo Long's wounds healed, but not even a scar was left.
After changing into clean clothes, Wo Long rushed down the mountain.
"Senior brother, wait for me, I'm coming."