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Chapter 68: Violet and Azure Twin Swords
The heavens and earth remained vast and boundless, and the sea of clouds stretched out endlessly beneath the gaze of Jade Sword Peak.
On Jade Sword Peak, a tall and elderly man in a cyan robe and white undershirt stood alone at the summit. With an aged yet imposing appearance, his gray hair and long beard fluttered in the wind, and his garments rustled with each breeze. His eyes gleamed brightly, resembling a lone star in the dark night.
This was Wang Xuanling, the grand peak master.
Since ancient times, the Mount Shu Sect had five peaks that were known to follow the Dao of Sword. In the early years of their establishment, these five peaks, which bore the word "sword" in their names, drew in the most courageous and diligent sword cultivators. They had always been known as the elite force of Mount Shu, advocating exploration and progress.
During the years when the Mount Shu Sect held a dominant role in the world as a righteous authority, those five peaks served as the vanguard against demons and devils, fearlessly charging into battles. Their actions allowed the sect to bask in immense glory.
However, the Mount Shu Sect’s influence and power eventually waned, and it became inferior to other sects. The once formidable five peaks, renowned for following the Dao of Sword, gradually faded into obscurity. The peaks that had been more reserved in comparison then became the major forces of the Mount Shu Sect.
Over the past five hundred years, the strength and dominance of the five peaks known to follow the Dao of Sword had been all but forgotten. This situation had forced them to become more reserved. Simultaneously, the number of belligerent experts gradually decreased.
For instance, both Gold Sword Peak and Silver Sword Peak had no one to pass on their cultivation legacies, so their lineages came to an end at one point. Their lineages were now being continued, but they no longer embodied the same spirit as the original five peaks renowned for following the Dao of Sword.
However, ever since Wang Xuanling became the grand peak master, these formidable five peaks seemed to have returned to the stage. He was considered extremely powerful within and beyond the sect. It was to the extent that the mention of Mount Shu would cause many evil beings and devils to think about the grand peak master, who employed formidable and decisive methods, rather than the leader of Mount Shu.
The grand peak master's name, Wang Xuanling, was like a banner—a banner of war!
To the younger generation of disciples, he represented the person who adhered to the traditional education of Mount Shu, nurturing disciples as though he was raising curse insects[1]. He would recruit many disciples and enforce fierce competition among them.
With over a hundred disciples, Wang Xuanling had led Jade Sword Peak and made it the most prominent group within the Mount Shu Sect. All the disciples in this peak had grown up competing with each other and fighting for their own resources.
However, since the emergence of the King of Cursed Insects a few years ago, such competition had gradually diminished.
After a while... the mist in the sea of clouds began to churn, suddenly boiling as if a fire had been lit. Rolling thunder echoed throughout the mountains, and a soaring sword qi broke through the clouds.
Swish—
The sword qi was like a dragon, descending on the ground. It revealed the tall and elegant figure of a young man. With eyebrows and eyes resembling the sharpness of a sword and a dignified, noble appearance, he exuded a strong sense of determination.
As soon as the young man landed, he immediately knelt and cupped his hands in salute to Wang Xuanling.
He greeted, "Esteemed Teacher, I, your disciple, pay my respects to you!"
"Rise," Wang Xuanling said. He turned his gaze towards the young man and asked softly, "Is it done?"
"Yes. I couldn't have disappointed you," the young man calmly responded as he stood up.
"Haha, well done." Wang Xuanling praised it with a laugh. "As expected of my most promising disciple. Even when I was your age, I was not as good as you."
This young man was none other than his most beloved disciple, Xu Ziyang.
Wang Xuanling beamed with joy, but Xu Ziyang remained indifferent, saying, "All thanks to your teachings. I dare not talk about surpassing my esteemed teacher recklessly."
"A disciple can ascend and be more powerful than his teacher..." Wang Xuanling shook his head. "If you can't surpass me, how can you talk about surpassing the predecessors, the geniuses of the Mount Shu Sect from past generations? And how can you accomplish the great cause they did not complete?"
"I, your disciple, understand!" Xu Ziyang said and bowed deeply again.
Wang Xuanling stated, "In my lifetime, I have two great wishes. One is for the Mount Shu Sect to recover the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda so that the Mount Shu Sect may become the leading force among the immortal sects.
"The other is to find the Great Dao and reach the realm of controlling the Heavenly Origin...or that my knowledge may transcend to understand the mysteries of the world."
Wang Xuanling sighed as he remarked, "It's just a pity that my lack of talent and dullness hinder me from making progress. This kind of aspiration might have to be entrusted to you in the future."
Hearing this, Xu Ziyang's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Upon seeing this, Wang Xuanling said, "Say whatever you want to say."
Xu Ziyang stopped hesitating and spoke directly. "I want to say that even without recovering the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, the Mount Shu Sect can become the leading force among the immortal sects."
Wang Xuanling turned his gaze to him. "Oh?"
"I will be even stronger than the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda!" Xu Ziyang declared in a resolute manner.
The meaning of his words was very clear. He would reach the Transcendent Realm and become a cultivator of the ninth realm. He would become an existence that surpassed all godly weapons of the world.
Wang Xuanling stared at Xu Ziyang. From his perspective, Xu Ziyang was like an unsheathed sword. Suddenly, he went into a daze.
A hundred years ago, he too faced this sea of clouds and bowed before his teacher. He had also made such bold claims during his younger days.
Through generations, Jade Sword Peak had continued its legacy for a thousand years. The learning of the divine arts and techniques was secondary; the most important legacy to pass on was this sword-like will.
"Hahaha! Well done." Wang Xuanling nodded lightly. "All geniuses of the world should aim higher than the sky. I hope you can continue showing such sharpness. Be courageous and diligent in your lifetime and wipe out all diabolical influences!"
Xu Ziyang nodded. "I, your disciple, will keep this in mind!"
With a sweep of his sleeves, Wang Xuanling turned around gently and said, "Since your closed-door cultivation ended today, there is something I must tell you."
Xu Ziyang raised his eyes and listened attentively.
Wang Xuanling continued, "I heard that the demon god will soon return. Also, the Violet and Azure Twin Swords appeared yesterday."
Xu Ziyang raised his brows. "The Violet and Azure Twin Swords?"
The Violet and Azure Twin Swords held the seventeenth rank in the Catalog of the Mortal World's Ten Thousand Treasures. Since the disappearance of the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, these swords had stood as the Mount Shu Sect's most formidable weapons, serving the crucial role of protecting the mountain.
Unlike other enchanted tools, the Violet and Azure Twin Swords housed sword spirits and possessed a will of their own. During the thousands of years of peace at the Mount Shu Sect, they had remained concealed in a special peak known as the Sword Sheath Peak.
These swords would only appear when they sense imminent danger threatening the Mount Shu Sect.
Therefore, the emergence of the Violet and Azure Twin Swords indicated the peril looming upon Mount Shu.
With the news of the demon god's impending return, it wasn't challenging to deduce that significant events were on the horizon.
"Traditionally, upon the emergence of the Violet and Azure Twin Swords, two young disciples of the Mount Shu Sect are chosen to accept ownership of these swords. It is no different this time," Wang Xuanling explained. "Our leader has decided to select the two disciples who performed the best at the Mount Shu Summit to accept ownership of the Violet and Azure Twin Swords."
Xu Ziyang's eyes gleamed as he understood his teacher's intention.
"I will try my very best!" Xu Ziyang declared confidently.
"Now that you have successfully made a breakthrough, I am sure you will be fine," Wang Xuanling said with a faint smile. "Among this generation of disciples, the outstanding ones would be you and Jiang Yuebai of Azure Falling Peak. Besides you two, no others deserve the Violet Azure Twin Swords.
Xu Ziyang did not comment on this. Although he was confident, it was not his style to prematurely declare victory.
Wang Xuanling continued, "You will showcase your full strength at the Mount Shu Summit. When you become the Head Disciple and are recognized as the master of one of the Violet and Azure Twin Swords, I will send a proposal of marriage to Azure Falling Peak."
"Hmm?" Xu Ziyang's expression tightened. "Esteemed Teacher, why are you saying this?"
"With your talent and character, you deserve the most outstanding woman in the world. On Mount Shu, the most suitable match for you is Jiang Yuebai. If not her, then who else?" Wang Xuanling asserted with conviction. "You've reached the age for marriage; it's time for you to find a wife."
The grand peak master was known for his swift and decisive way of doing things. Even when it came to matters of the heart, he remained straightforward and decisive.
It's time for you to find a wife.
I think you two are a good match.
I will help propose a marriage later.
His reasoning was so smooth and natural that it flowed like drifting clouds and flowing water.
Even as Xu Ziyang was listening, he felt momentarily confused.
He paused momentarily before swiftly responding, "I, your disciple, am wholly committed to the revival of the Mount Shu Sect and the pursuit of the Great Dao. I have no interest in matters of romance."
"Hmph! That was what I thought as well!" Wang Xuanling snorted. "I had always been so focused on revitalizing the Mount Shu Sect and pursuing the Great Dao. I had no interest in romance. And now that I am old... Do you know how much I regret that?"
"..." Xu Ziyang remained silent for a moment.
Indeed, he had always regarded his teacher as his role model, which was why he had such aspirations. Now that his teacher had said this, he couldn't help but feel conflicted.
"Moreover, the reason I'm telling you this is not just for the sake of romance," Wang Xuanling changed the subject. "The Violet and Azure Twin Swords have not been seen for many years, so there is a little secret unknown to outsiders.
"According to legend, the sword spirits contained within the Violet and Azure Twin Swords were lovers. Therefore, the swordmasters that were chosen throughout history have always been lovers. If wielded by individuals who are not in love, the combined power of the twin swords will be greatly diminished. If the two individuals are deeply in love, the combined might of the twin swords rivals that of top-tier enchanted tools."
He stared at Xu Ziyang as he explained, "This is why I want to propose a marriage for you. It is really for the sake of the Mount Shu Sect! Now that you know the reasoning, will you... still refuse?"
"Erm..." Xu Ziyang showed a complex expression. After a moment of hesitation, he could only bow his head and announce, "As a disciple, reviving the glory of Mount Shu is an obligation that I cannot refuse!"
1. Curse insects are raised by having them kill each other and the one that survived would become the curse insect. ☜
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