After leaving the Zuiwan Residence, Xu Xian strode against the wind. Using his nascent soul power, he transformed into a streak of light and headed straight for Zhujian Peak.
In just a moment, he arrived at the foot of the mountain where the Sky Gate was located.
After landing, he felt exceptionally good, thinking to himself, 'The power of the nascent soul is truly terrifying!'
Core formation and nascent soul—though only one stage apart—represented a difference as vast as the clouds and the mud. Xu Xian could feel that his current self was frighteningly strong.
It was no wonder.
In the Central Plains, those at the nascent soul stage dared to establish their own sects, calling themselves "this Venerable One" or "Perfected Man," styling themselves as immortals of the mountains.
With a flick of his sleeves, Xu Xian walked with great strides, high-spirited as he climbed the long stone steps toward the summit.
As he moved, he didn't forget to try and feel the connection between himself and the Sword Mound. He also took the time to use his divine sense to have a kind and friendly exchange with the little book spirit.
They spoke of the Sword Mound's anomaly and his breakthrough in cultivation.
On the way here, though the youth had been a mere streak of light crossing the sky, his nascent soul divine sense was no longer what it used to be. He had naturally heard the disciples in the mountains discussing the strange movement in the Sword Mound.
They said they had seen a crimson sword intent surging toward the sky under the clear autumn sun, sweeping away the clouds and dispersing the cold currents. It was an aura of extreme heat.
Shuer explained slowly, "In ancient times, a freak was born into the Vermilion Bird tribe. On the day this bird hatched, the land for a thousand miles turned barren, and stars fell from the sky. It was born pitch black, surrounded by innate baleful qi."
"The Vermilion Bird tribe are fire-type holy beasts who believe in the light. Their feathers are like the morning glow, they are accompanied by gentle winds, and they have seven-colored crests on their heads."
"Because she was pitch black, she was seen as an ill omen by the tribe as soon as she was born. In her youth, she was expelled and abandoned in the Great Desolation."
"Later, she rose from the darkness and was reborn in the wilderness. She cultivated to seek the Dao, devouring the ten great exotic fires, shedding her black feathers, and gaining sudden enlightenment of the supreme divine ability, Nirvana. From then on, she became immortal and indestructible."
"The first Zhuque was born..."
"Because she had been abandoned by her tribe since childhood, Zhuque harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Vermilion Bird tribe. On the day she attained the Dao, she intended to slaughter the entire tribe."
"Alone, she charged into the South Flame Fire Domain!"
"The Vermilion Bird tribe fought back with their entire race, exhausting all their hidden foundations!"
"But Zhuque naturally suppressed the Vermilion Bird tribe. Every time she was slain, she would undergo Nirvana in the flames, her strength reaching a new level!"
"The Vermilion Bird tribe was no match for her!"
"They invited an ancient titan to suppress Zhuque!"
"Knowing that Zhuque was immortal and her soul would not enter reincarnation, the titan used heaven and earth as a furnace and the stars as an embryo to forge a sword, sealing and suppressing Zhuque's divine soul within it."
"That sword is the Heaven-Burning Sparrow!"
After finishing the story, the little one added mischievously, "It's the 'Sparrow' of 'Zhuque,' not the 'sparrow' of a common bird!"
Xu Xian felt enlightened after hearing this. "So that's how it is!"
The scene he saw when he held the sword—that great battle, that forging of the blade—must have been the story the little book spirit just told.
Shuer murmured, "So, for such a peerless divine sword born in ancient times to reappear in this current era within a small place like Fanzhou, it's normal for there to be some commotion. If it weren't for the Sword Mound suppressing it, I'm afraid its sword aura could split the heavens..."
Xu Xian raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
"And if I remember correctly, it seems the Heaven-Burning Sparrow is the relatively weakest among the Twelve Divine Swords. The second one will likely be the same," Shuer said.
Xu Xian smiled. "It doesn't matter!"
Shuer's eyes darted around as she suggested, "Master, should we keep a low profile and disguise ourselves? Now that you've entered the nascent soul stage and your Sword Tower is newly formed, I can use its power to hide your true strength. Even an ordinary tribulation transcendence cultivator wouldn't be able to see through it without some effort."
Xu Xian let out an 'oh' and asked with interest, "You want me to play the pig to eat the tiger?"
"Yes, yes!"
"Is there a need?" Xu Xian said flatly.
Shuer warned cautiously, "The tree that stands taller than the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. You aren't even eighteen yet, and you broke through to nascent soul in two years. I'm afraid..."
Xu Xian waved his hand and laughed. "Ah, it doesn't matter. I achieved what I have today through my own hard work. I didn't steal or rob; there's no need to be sneaky. Let's be open and aboveboard."
His voice paused, his tone becoming heavier and more steady as he continued, "Moreover, as the Grand-Uncle of the Wendao Sword Sect, I should set an example for the juniors. This Grand-Uncle must lead by example and tell them that cultivation is as easy as moving your hand, haha!"
Looking at the arrogant Xu Xian, Shuer wrinkled her nose. "Master, you're getting conceited!"
"Haha, you're still young, you don't understand!"
Shuer pouted. What happened to being steady? What happened to keeping a low profile?
Then again, whatever!
Who else could her master be? He was a youth, after all!
This was how he should be.
Showing his sharp edge, fearing nothing.
As for Xu Xian, he naturally had his own considerations. There was absolutely no need to be secretive. Playing the pig to eat the tiger depended on the situation.
The Wendao Sword Sect was, after all, his own territory. He was the Little Grand-Uncle, and the disciples respected him deeply. Why should he hide his cultivation level?
It was better to tell the whole sect openly.
'I am just this awesome!'
'Go out and brag about it as much as you want.'
'The Little Grand-Uncle of the Wendao Sword Sect, a nascent soul at eighteen, understood the sword stele in four years, and reached the fifth stage in two.'
'Unprecedented in the past, and likely never to be surpassed in the future.'
He would treat it as an advertisement for the sect. Only then would this journey of cultivation be worthwhile!
During their conversation, they had unknowingly reached the summit. From a distance, Xu Xian saw a young man in green robes standing before the towering Sky Gate.
Amidst the green mountains and clear waters, under the ever-changing clouds, the back of that figure in green robes with long hair was upright and steadfast, yet possessed a hidden softness. He was exceptionally striking.
At first glance, it was like seeing a poet painted into a landscape ink wash.
The Fifth Senior Brother!
Among all the fellow disciples currently in the sect, he was the only one personally taken in by the Sword Ancestor. He was also the only one who had met their master and received his true legacy.
In the Wendao Sword Sect, he was the undisputed strongest.
Of course, he was also the oldest in the entire sect. It was said he was ten thousand years old.
What was his name? Xu Xian really didn't know. He had never heard anyone mention his name, and there were very few rumors about him. Everyone just called him 'Ancestor.'
In any case, he was very powerful.
Xu Xian's arrival didn't seem to disturb him; he continued to look up at the Sky Gate. Even as Xu Xian walked up behind him, he didn't turn around.
He was so serious that Xu Xian felt embarrassed to disturb the peace. He followed his example and looked up at the gate.
'Hmm... there doesn't seem to be anything there?'
"Do you see anything?" the young man in green robes suddenly asked softly.
Xu Xian shook his head. "No!"
The young man still didn't look aside, saying in a low voice, "You arrived a bit late. If you had come a moment earlier, you would have seen five-colored rays of light flickering, like the divine heavens descending upon the palace!"
Xu Xian frowned slightly and feigned regret. "That is quite a pity."
"No matter. It should appear again."
"Hmm?"
The young man said warmly, "I will wait with you!"
Xu Xian: "Uh..."
He thought to himself, 'I never said I wanted to see it, did I?'
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