The moment the golden sword shadow struck the statue.
An equally golden radiance immediately rippled across the statue's surface like flowing water.
An unimaginably immense aura engulfed the entire sword domain.
Everyone felt as if they were being crushed by a colossal mountain.
This aura was ancient and vast, like a flood from ten thousand years ago, traversing time and space to drown the present world.
Several Grand Unity Golden Immortals were present, yet they were rendered immobile by this aura!
"This is... the aura of an Immortal King!"
Wu Tian was inwardly shocked.
In the Thunder God Immortal Realm, he had felt a similar aura from the Thunder God.
So vast, so profound, as expansive as the universe itself.
Facing such an aura, even he, in his current state, felt utterly insignificant.
Without a doubt, if this aura possessed even a trace of offensive intent,
Then not a single person present would survive!
As everyone was stunned by this aura, a rather majestic voice echoed through heaven and earth:
"Unknowingly, another thousand years have passed?"
"Little fellow, I remember you."
"You left the Sword Tomb back then, and now you've grown to this extent. This seat is quite pleased."
Before the Sword God, Ling Jianxiao lost all semblance of his sect leader demeanor.
He appeared more like a restrained youth.
He quickly sheathed his long sword and respectfully addressed the statue:
"Lord Sword God, it has been a thousand years. I wonder if you are well?"
The voice replied with a hint of a smile, "I am but a fallen being. How can I be well or unwell?"
"Were it not for my lingering obsession, I would have long since vanished from this world."
Upon hearing the conversation between Ling Jianxiao and the Sword God, everyone present was greatly astonished.
What did that mean? Did it imply... the Sword God still existed within the statue?
Wu Tian, however, adapted to this situation quickly.
After all, he had already witnessed the Thunder God and Fairy Lei.
Such powerful beings were not so easily extinguished.
It seemed that the so-called Sword Tomb still contained the Sword God's consciousness.
The Sword God continued, "Enough. There's no need for idle chatter."
"Little fellow, who is the candidate for the next sect leader? Let me see."
Ling Jianxiao promptly pushed Li Xingyun forward by two steps and said:
"Lord Sword God, his name is Li Xingyun, and he is the one who has obtained the succession right for the next sect leader."
Li Xingyun's expression was extremely stiff.
Despite his usual carefree demeanor, he felt incredibly nervous facing the Sword God.
For a moment, he didn't even know how to stand properly.
The Sword God exclaimed in surprise, "He is merely a Lower Grade Immortal?"
"Has the Heavenly Sword God Sect truly declined to such an extent after a millennium?"
Ling Jianxiao quickly interjected, "Lord Sword God, you misunderstand!"
"This tournament can be said to be the highest quality one in the sect's history."
"Li Xingyun only obtained this qualification after successively defeating Middle Grade Immortals, High Grade Immortals, and Lower Grade True Immortals."
"Oh?" This situation clearly surprised the Sword God.
His voice gained a touch more interest, saying, "A Lower Grade Immortal can achieve such a feat? How interesting."
Li Xingyun felt immensely embarrassed.
Did he really possess such capabilities? He had only reached this point thanks to Wu Tian and Chen Shen's forfeits.
He became uneasy.
If the Sword God discovered this, would his qualification be revoked?
However, the Sword God clearly had no such intention.
He smiled and said, "In that case, I shall take him into the Sword Tomb."
"For such a talented individual, I am eager to see him with my own eyes."
As he spoke, the Sword God's voice shifted again, asking:
"Wait a moment, I seem to sense the aura of an acquaintance."
"Little fellow over there, please step forward."
Everyone was stunned, not understanding what the Sword God meant.
At this moment, an aura swept through like a fierce wind, repelling many people.
And within that circle, only Wu Tian remained unharmed.
Seeing this, everyone suddenly understood.
Could the person the Sword God was referring to be Wu Tian?
This situation left Wu Tian somewhat bewildered.
However, he still stepped forward and cupped his fists towards the statue, saying, "Lord Sword God, may I ask what business you have with me?"
The Sword God fell silent. During this process, Wu Tian could clearly feel.
It was as if a pair of eyes were scrutinizing him across heaven and earth.
Then, the Sword God chuckled and said, "Twenty-something years old and already a Fifth Revolution Golden Immortal. Little fellow, you are truly extraordinary."
Wu Tian humbly replied, "This junior is merely fortunate."
"If it were solely up to this junior, I could not have reached this point."
The Sword God smiled, "There's no need to be modest with me. You are the heir of the Thunder God, and your status should be equal to mine."
"I wonder if the Thunder God Scepter is in your possession?"
The others were dumbfounded.
Even the people from the Eight Great God Sects showed expressions of profound shock.
Heir to the Thunder God?
What did that mean?
Seeing that the Sword God had seen through him at a glance, Wu Tian felt a sense of helplessness.
However, he did not conceal it any longer. He directly extended his hand towards the sky, and a bolt of lightning immediately descended into his palm.
The Thunder God Scepter appeared before everyone's eyes. In an instant, its majestic aura actually pushed back the Sword God's aura!
And those experienced old monsters, who rarely changed their expressions even when the sky fell.
At this moment, their usually calm countenances finally underwent a dramatic shift.
With their knowledge, how could they not recognize the aura of a divine artifact?
Without a doubt, the item in Wu Tian's hand was indeed the legendary Thunder God Scepter!
"It is indeed in your hands."
The Sword God exclaimed, "If that is the case, then you must also be the current Sect Master of the Sacred Thunder Sect?"
Wu Tian nodded and said, "Lord Sword God, you are correct. The Sacred Thunder Sect is indeed under my command."
"What?!"
Hearing Wu Tian's admission, even greater shock immediately filled everyone's hearts.
Especially Li Xingyun, Su Qiannai, and Shen Fengyao, who had previously clashed with Wu Tian, were petrified, feeling as if the entire world had become absurd.
Although Wu Tian had already given them sufficient shocks before.
No one had expected Wu Tian's identity to have become so formidable.
Fifth Revolution Golden Immortal... Heir to the Thunder God... Wielding the Thunder God Scepter... Current Sect Master of the Sacred Thunder Sect...
These honors were all concentrated on a young man in his twenties.
Such an achievement was simply too monstrous, wasn't it?