Outside the mountain gate of the Tongtian Sect.
A few disciples guarding the mountain were chatting.
A couple of days ago, they had also had the fortune to enter the sacred land and witness the glory of the sect's sacred sword.
They had also followed the crowd and shed a lot of blood to offer sacrifices to the sacred sword, hoping to resonate with it and become its master.
But the result was obvious. Their blood was shed in vain. The sacred sword remained like a stubborn rock, showing no reaction whatsoever.
"The sect's sacred sword is spoken of so mystically, but in the end, it's just a broken stone sword, less than a foot long. I suspect it would turn to dust with a gentle touch."
One disciple said, full of disappointment.
After all, the Tongtian Sect's sacred sword had incredibly alluring legends, being the very foundation of the entire sect, revered as a sacred artifact.
However, hearing is not seeing.
Upon seeing the actual object, they were greatly disappointed, and their faith instantly vanished.
Another disciple chimed in, "Could it be that the sacred sword is just a scam? That the founding ancestor created this to embellish himself and add a touch of legend to his own story."
The other disciples nodded in agreement, endorsing this speculation. After all, such clever tactics were common in the cultivation world.
The stone sword was simply too ordinary, without the slightest fluctuation of energy, and covered in cracks. It looked nothing like a sacred artifact.
Let alone any random spiritual weapon, even a wooden sword casually whittled by a child would be a hundred times better than that broken stone sword.
These disciples guarding the mountain were chatting animatedly, showing no reverence for their own sacred sword, demeaning it as worthless.
"Perhaps it's because you don't know how to wield a sword?"
Suddenly, a voice echoed softly, posing a question.
"Ha, we don't know how to wield a sword? Don't be ridiculous, we... wait, who are you? How dare you come to our Tongtian Sect and act so brazenly? You must be tired of living, kid."
The disciples guarding the mountain turned their heads and saw a youth with a handsome, jade-like face and a simple, honest expression. They were instantly filled with anger.
A reckless youngster dared to boast that they didn't know how to wield a sword. He was courting death.
Among the Sword Sects of the Nine Heavens, the Tongtian Sect's swordsmanship ranked among the top three. No one had ever dared to say that the Tongtian Sect's swordsmanship was subpar.
"Silence! Do not be disrespectful to Mr. Ji."
Mo Lun appeared and reprimanded the disciples guarding the mountain.
He had brought Ji Mo with him on his sword and overheard them discussing the sacred sword, so he had been listening in secret.
In fact, subconsciously, Mo Lun also felt that the disciples guarding the mountain had a point. After all, as one of the five most outstanding disciples of the Tongtian Sect, he had had ample contact with the sacred sword.
However, apart from the peculiar patterns on the sword's body, he hadn't found anything extraordinary about the stone sword. At most, it was a vessel to preserve those patterns.
"Mo Lun? You... you're not dead?"
Upon seeing Mo Lun appear, the disciples guarding the mountain were thrown into a panic.
After Mo Lun was captured, the sect not only refused to pay the ransom but also resorted to underhanded tactics to harm the kidnappers. Logically, Mo Lun should have been implicated and killed.
How was he alive and well now?
"Mo Lun? You're not even calling me Senior Brother?"
Hearing their address, Mo Lun's face instantly turned cold.
In the past, these people had been extremely respectful to him, calling him "Senior Brother" with such sweetness and fawning over him.
Now, they were addressing him by his name, and even expressing regret that he was still alive.
It turned out these scoundrels were actually hoping for his death.
The warmth of human relationships was chilling.
If even the gatekeepers were like this, it was likely that others were even worse.
Mo Lun's last shred of attachment to the sect completely vanished.
"Senior Brother Mo Lun, what are you saying? We were just too excited to see you alive. In fact, we have always been worried about your safety and wished for your safe return."
The disciples immediately changed their tune.
However, despite their sweet words, their expressions showed little respect.
After all, it was widely rumored that Mo Lun had been abandoned as a pawn, and the elders deliberately suppressed the other four talented disciples to support the second senior brother's ascension.
"Hmph..."
Mo Lun snorted heavily. Seeing through their true intentions, he commanded, "Hurry up and lead the way. Welcome Mr. Ji."
He had now completely sided with Ji Mo.
"Welcome this brat?"
The disciples looked at Ji Mo and burst into laughter, then dropped the pretense. "Mo Lun, have you gone mad? You can return to the sect if you wish, but this bastard is not qualified to enter. Our Tongtian Sect's mountain gate is not a place that any cat or dog can enter."
"Mo Lun, don't think you're still a core disciple sought after by thousands. The second senior brother has already been designated as the next sect leader. You and the second senior brother have always been at odds, so it's best for you to lie low from now on."
At this point, the disciples guarding the mountain spoke directly and frankly.
Once the second senior brother ascended, Mo Lun would surely be suppressed and hold a status worse than a dog, so there was no need to be polite to him.
Mo Lun was enraged, his eyes turning crimson.
Ji Mo, however, said calmly, "The Tongtian Sect is indeed remarkable, wealthy and powerful. This mountain gate is built so magnificently, it's truly not a place for a country bumpkin like me..."
"You're wise enough to know your place, little punk..."
The disciples sneered, thinking Ji Mo had backed down.
But the next second, the smiles on their faces froze, and their expressions were filled with disbelief.
Because Ji Mo continued, "Mo Lun, smash this mountain gate for me, and take me to see that stone sword. Anyone who dares to block our way, cut them down."
Did they really think he had no temper?
If they wouldn't let him in, he would simply fight his way in.
"As you command."
Mo Lun immediately unsheathed his immortal sword, and a violent sword aura swept out, with sharp sword energy crisscrossing, directly leveling the mountain gate.
Since Mr. Ji had spoken, there was no need for hesitation.
They treated me as a discarded pawn and tried to take my life. Today, I will show those old men who looked down on me who is the strongest among the younger generation.
Mo Lun let out a long roar, his eyes flashing with terrifying brilliance, and led Ji Mo to force his way into the Tongtian Sect.
"Mo Lun, you've gone mad! Do you intend to betray the sect?"
The disciples guarding the mountain shouted, rushing forward to stop them.
But they were sent flying back, collapsing in a pool of blood and twitching.
Even their combined efforts couldn't block a single sword from Mo Lun, which shocked them immensely.
If Mo Lun hadn't been sentimental, they would have likely been reduced to pieces.
The commotion at the mountain gate attracted attention from all sides.
"Mo Lun seems to have betrayed the sect, leading an outsider to forcibly enter the sacred land. All disciples, quickly go and stop him, and kill the traitor."
The Tongtian Sect disciples who rushed over, drawn by the commotion, surged forward like a tide.
They all believed Mo Lun had gone mad, daring to storm the sacred land alone, which was simply suicidal.
But in reality.
Mo Lun was unstoppable, with almost no one able to resist him.
He had personally witnessed Ji Mo deduce the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation and gained unimaginable benefits. Not only had his cultivation reached the Immortal God realm with one foot, but his comprehension of the sword dao had also reached an entirely new level.
Ordinary disciples could barely withstand a single sword strike from him.
Even the talented disciples who were once his equals could only hold on for three moves before being defeated.
This caused a great sensation. Could it be that Mo Lun was the most monstrous genius of the Tongtian Sect, even more formidable than the second senior brother chosen by the elders?
Did this mean the elders were blind and had chosen the wrong person?