The Strongest Sect of All Times

The forest was ghastly and fearful after nightfall. 

Under the pitch-dark cover of night, there was some indistinct whistling of the wind, 

That was Mountain Cat and four gold-level assassins, thoroughly portraying the idea of ‘dark ghosts’.

At this time, even if Xiao Zuiji looked through his scope, he would be unable to catch them because his field of vision was greatly hampered by the dim light. 

The Drizzle Building assassins were ones who walked through the night and were very professional; this was also their advantage. But since they could not endure being assassinated themselves, they were unable to display their talents. 

Sha, sha, sha.

Mountain Cat at the four assassins separated, carefully searching the area. 

At this pace, they would only need 2 hours to find the cave where Jun Changxiao was hiding. 

Coo-coo—

At night, there was the occasional bird call. 

In such a gloomy environment, the sound was a little eery. 

Jun Changxiao sat cross-legged in the cave, cultivating the Tendon Altering Sutra while he pondered how to completely destroy Drizzle Pavilion. 

“Is there a grenade or something in the store,” he inquired.

The system said, [There is, but you need to refresh.]

Jun Changxiao muttered, “If I could refresh the list and purchase it, toss it into the mouse hole, wouldn’t that be fantastic?”

In his opinion, since it was an item from the system how could it be compared with a normal grenage? Let alone exploding the cavern, wouldn’t it have no problem blasting the entire mountain down?

The only valuable item from his previous refresh had been the sunglasses, the others not very useful, so a refresh was necessary. 

Turning on the user interface, he pulled down the tab, 

[Ding! Sect Contribution: 300/500.]

As the new items appeared, Jun Changxiao carefully looked through the list, but did not find a grenade. He did, however, chance upon a rare sword technique called the ‘Ice Sword Divine Art’. 

He clicked on the detailed introduction. 

[Item: Ice Sword Divine Art

Description: Three techniques created by a certain sword emperor of his generation, respectively the ‘First Word: Quick’, ‘Second Word: Force’, and ‘Third Word: Essence’. 

Function: Pinnacle comprehension the first move allows the user to create harsh and quick sword qi. Pinnacle comprehension of the second move allows the user to form sword force. Pinnacle comprehension of the third move allows the user to create a sword qi glare, which can sever a person’s head from thousands of li away. 

Advantages: Must be a Martial Apprentice to cultivate. As martial and sword cultivation increases, the might of the sword art will also increase. May be comprehended as a main sword technique. 

Disadvantages: Although it is easy to learn, it is difficult to comprehend. 

Price: 100 contribution points

Rank: Divine-Grade Advanced Sword Art.]

“Holy shit!”

Seeing the rank of the art, Jun Changxiao stopped cultivating and leapt his feet, exclaiming, “A divine-grade advanced sword art!!”

The system said, [Dog. Shit. Luck.]

He had refreshed the items in hopes of finding a grenade but had found a divine-grade advanced sword art instead — this was really some luck. 

Jun Changxiao calmed down and tapped his chin. “It’s a little expensive.”

The system said, [A divine-grade advanced martial skill’s probability of appearing is less than that of a sniper rifle. If you dislike it, you can just not buy it.]

Jun Changxiao was having a hard time understanding. “They are both 100 contribution points, so why does the divine-grade martial skill have a lower probability than the sniper rifle?”

The system answered, [The sniper rifle is just a modified item. It is only effective at low levels; one you meet a Martial King or above, there will be little to no effect.]

“Why won’t there be an effect?” Jun Changxiao asked, hoping to get to the bottom of things. 

The system explained, [Martial King or above experts have formed their spirit sense and can sense everything within a certain range, even a speck of dust. If you opened fire, they would definitely realize ahead of time.]

“I have automatic aiming, so what if they realize?” Jun Changxiao huffed, sounding uncaring. 

The system said, [Martial Kings do not just have spirit sense, but substantial spirit power. If they form a defensive wall of qi, it would be difficult for a rifle bullet to penetrate.]

“I can just use a high-grade crystal core then.”

[Firearms are just modified items. Is the host counting on using them as rocket launchers?]

“I understand, you mean to say that sniper rifles will have little effect in the higher realms, but a rocket launcher will work!”

The system: [……]

It seemed that the host and the system were not on the same page. 

[Let me say it this way. The system’s firearms are but modified items. If the host wants to unceasingly grow stronger in Gaowu World, he must depend on various martial skills, because their strength and potential is far greater than a firearm.]

“So it’s like that.”

Jun Changxiao complained, “If you explained it this way earlier I would have understood.”

The system retorted, [It’s my fault?]

“If it’s not your fault, are you saying it’s my fault?” Jun Changxiao said. 

The system could not bear it and spat, [Your grandaddy’s (fuck you).]

“Oh shit!” Jun Changxiao said, “The system can even explode with cuss words, who designed this terrible product?”

The system not only continued to curse, but even had a temper, saying the important things three times: [Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you!]

“If you were a person, this lord would definitely have punched you.”

[Come! I am part of your consciousness. If you have the courage, punch yourself in the head!]

“You really think I don’t dare?”

Outside, Xiao Zuiji heard a sound. He leaned over to look. Although the lighting in the cave was indistinct, he saw the sect head smacking himself on the forehead. Puzzled, he wondered, “Is that practicing?”

…

“Huff.”

Sitting cross-legged, Jun Changxiao shook his head before clicking to purchase. 

[Ding! Host has spent 100 contribution points, obtaining ‘Ice Sword Divine Art’ x1. The item has been transported to the storage ring.]

[Ding! Sect Contribution: 200/500.]

He knew that the system was telling himself that the martial skills of Gaowu were the most important. Let alone 100 points, even if he had to squander his whole fortune, he had to buy it. 

Moreover, the third form of the sword art could sever a person’s head from at a thousand li (500km) away. 

If he truly comprehended it, it would absolutely be comparable to an intercontinental ballistic missile!

Integrating with the storage ring, Jun Changxiao picked up the manual for the sword art, which was only a few pages thick. 

Opening to the first page, it stated: “After comprehending the sword for six thousand years, I shattered the void. Looking back on the road of this life, I had mixed emotions, which I recorded in this sword art. I leave this as a keepsake for the later generation, hoping that time will take it forward and raise the name of I, the Lonely Sword Emperor.”

Lonely Sword Emperor?

The first thing Jun Changxiao thought of was Dugu Qiubai! [1]

The system said, [Look carefully. The person is ‘gu-du (lonely)’ not ‘du-gu (loner)’.]

“Oh, right.”

Jun Changxiao tapped his chin. “This senior was such a mighty figure, so he must have been lonely or isolated, right?”

Whatever, cultivate it first!

Opening up to page two, the mnemonics and sword moves appeared. 

Jun Changxiao sat there, concentrating on reading the manual. From time to time he would rest his chin in his hands and knit his brows, other times he would lower his head to think looking quite constipated. 

“Aaah!”

Suddenly, he held his head and shouted, “It’s a little difficult to understand!”

The system poured cold water, saying, [This sort of divine-grade advanced sword art, without a divine-grade spirit root, without aptitude in the way of the sword, the probability that the host will successfully comprehend it is zero.]

“I don’t believe it!”

Jun Changxiao opened the user interface and looked through his previously purchased items, buying an Insight Talisman. 

[Ding! Host has spent 10 contribution points, obtaining basic Insight Talisman x1. The item has been transported to the storage ring.]

[Ding! Sect Contribution: 190/500.]

The system: [……]

Pah. 

Jun Changxiao crumpled the Insight Talisman, his whole person immediately entering a state of comprehension. He then flipped to page two of the manual once more, beginning to study. 

And what would you know, it didn’t work!

The system seemed to take pleasure in his misfortune, saying, [The Insight Talisman cannot be used to comprehend martial skills purchased from the system.]

“Fuck!”

Jun Changxiao just realized this too, dumbfoundedly saying, “Why didn’t you say that when I bought it?”

[You made me so mad I forgot], the system said. 

Jun Changxiao's small heart was immediately pained. After all, that had been 10 contribution points. 

But what had been bought was bought, so it didn't matter. But since he couldn’t use it to comprehend this sword art, it was such an enormous waste!

Because he could not comprehend the sword art with the talisman, Jun Changxiao was at a double loss. 

“Ah.”

There’s no other way, I can only continue to comprehend slowly. 

It was strange to say, but the sword art he originally could not understand at all, after staring at it for more than ten minutes, he understood a little more. The more he looked, the more he felt like he had suddenly seen the light. 

Shua!

Taking out the Cold Edge Sword, he removed his spirit power according to the mnemonics before pouring energy into the blade. He then lightly moved it, immediately forming a sword glow. 

“This… is a success?” Jun Changxiao was surprised. 

The system said, [The Ice Sword Divine Art is easy to learn at first, but hard to master. The host still has a long way to go before completion.]

Jun Changxiao was disinclined to respond, opening up to page three. 

At this moment, Xiao Zuiji came rushing over. He whispered, “I keep feeling like there’s someone outside!”

“Oh?”

Jun Changxiao walked outside, but discovered that it was just a field of darkness with nothing unusual. 

He stuck his hand out, “Hand over the gun.”

Shua!

Xiao Zuiji handed over the rifle. 

Jun Changxiao set up the gun and used the 8x scope, consuming 5 points to open the perspective function. 

Taking a small half-turn around, he caught five assassins some two kilometers away, 

There really had been people. 

Using the anti-glare sunglasses and the 8x scope’s functions, he found that one of them had peak Martial Apprentice strength. 

Jun Changxiao smiled coldly, “Another big fish has come out.”

[1] Dugu Qiubai is a fictional character mentioned in the works of Jin Yong (eg., Return of the Condor Heroes). He was nicknamed ‘Sword Devil’ because of his prowess and his name literally translates to ‘Loner Seeking Defeat’ — basically he was an invincible swordsman haunted by solitude because no one was his equal.