In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Ye Ling rode the wind and arrived in the airspace above the discussion hall.
Traveling through the air was indeed much faster than walking, but it also consumed a significant amount of her Xiantian spiritual energy.
The moment she landed, Nalan Yanli, who had been waiting in front of the hall doors, quickly walked up to greet her.
“You got here quickly. I thought Peak Master Ji would keep you for half the day.”
Nalan Yanli smiled. “Peak Master Ji is completely set on dragging you into the Artifact-Refining Peak to learn forging. There’s no telling how long he would have droned on.”
Ye Ling smiled faintly. “Right now, I only want to focus on studying the sword path. I have no plans to learn other things for the time being.”
Nalan Yanli curled her lip. “I knew it. You’re a total sword fanatic.”
Ye Ling did not reply and walked straight into the discussion hall, with Nalan Yanli following close behind.
Leng Zhiwei sat upright in the central host seat, with several of the main lineage sword Peak Masters lined up on both sides, though they were not all present.
The Peak Master of the Artifact-Refining Peak and several of the auxiliary peak masters had not come; only the Peak Master of the Spirit Medicine Peak was present.
Upon seeing Ye Ling enter, a warm smile appeared on Leng Zhiwei’s face.
“Ling’er, come here.”
She raised her hand and gestured toward an empty seat beside her, inviting Ye Ling to sit.
Nalan Yanli did not have a dedicated seat and could only stand to the side.
She was already used to this, but she still muttered a few complaints under her breath.
Only then did Leng Zhiwei turn her gaze toward her. “Alright, there is nothing else for you here. You may dismiss yourself.”
Nalan Yanli grumbled inwardly. So I’m basically just a tool for running errands and delivering messages?
However, she knew very well that she was indeed not qualified to participate in the discussion. Without further argument, she nodded, turned around, and left the hall.
Once Nalan Yanli’s figure had completely vanished outside the doors, Leng Zhiwei turned her gaze back to Ye Ling, her tone gentle.
“Now that you have broken through to the Xiantian Realm, all the preferential treatment we promised when you entered the sect will be fully realized starting today.”
Liu Qinghan, the Peak Master of the First Sword Peak, immediately nodded.
“Lass Ye, you can come to my First Sword Peak at any time. All the sword Dao manuals and high-grade sword techniques within the peak are yours to browse at will.”
Lu Chongshan, the Peak Master of the Third Sword Peak, instantly retorted, “How can she go to your place first? In terms of sword Dao heritage, she should logically come to my Third Sword Peak first.”
Wen Ningshuang, the Peak Master of the Spirit Medicine Peak, hurriedly waved her hand. “Alright, alright, you two stop arguing. As for which lineage she should go to for her cultivation, we should let Ye Ling make her own decision.”
Only then did the two sword Peak Masters stop, but their eyes remained fixed on Ye Ling, waiting for her response.
Ye Ling calmly cupped her hands. “This junior has limited understanding of the heritage sword techniques of each peak. I would like to understand them one by one before making a decision.”
Leng Zhiwei stepped in to smooth things over at the right time. “You two should first introduce the ultimate sword techniques of your respective main peaks so that Lass Ye can get an idea.”
Liu Qinghan spoke solemnly, “My First Sword Peak cultivates the sword path of slaughter. We do not seek defensive stances or use feints; we only seek to defeat the enemy with a single strike.
“Our peak’s ultimate heritage is the Profound-grade peak-tier Seven Kills Sword Technique, which is also the top-tier offensive sword heritage in the sect.
“The core of this sword technique is just one word: kill.
“Every form is born to break armor, break momentum, and break spirit. Once the sword is drawn, it carries a chilling killing intent, specifically targeting the opponent’s flaws, meridians, and vital points.
“The seven forms are linked and progress step-by-step. Upon reaching Mastery, one can condense the Seven Kills Killing Domain, suppressing the opponent’s spiritual energy flow, locking their movement, and disrupting their mind.
“Within the same realm, it is unmatched in slaughter, and fighting above one's level is common.”
Lu Chongshan immediately shook his head in disagreement. “Mere offensive power is difficult to sustain if the foundation is unstable. Being blindly aggressive makes it extremely easy to breed heart demons, which will only shackle one's grand Dao.”
He looked at Ye Ling, his expression calm and steady. “The ultimate heritage of my Third Sword Peak is the Thick Earth Sword Technique, which is also a Profound-grade peak-tier sword technique.
“It draws upon the steady and heavy essence of the earth. Its sword path is solid and stable, balanced in both offense and defense, with no obvious weaknesses.
“It does not seek quick kills or fierce attacks, but instead emphasizes gathering strength to withstand pressure and using stillness to control motion. When defending, it is like a mountain with layers of barriers, making it difficult for opponents of the same rank to break through.
“When attacking, it accumulates energy to release a powerful strike, and the sword force is heavy and solid. Every strike is steady, precise, and heavy.
“This sword technique has an exceptionally high tolerance for errors. It is not rash or extreme. After practicing it, one’s sword foundation will be solid, and one’s state of mind will be clear, without being consumed by killing intent.”
Zhao Lin, the Peak Master of the Second Sword Peak, chimed in, “My Second Sword Peak primarily cultivates the agile sword path, and our ultimate heritage is the Flowing Cloud Wind-Chasing Sword Technique, which is also a Profound-grade peak-tier sword technique.
“It pursues speed, agility, and change. The sword path is like wind and clouds, elegant and unpredictable. The movement technique and sword forms are integrated, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.
“Strikes are extremely fast, and retreats are completely silent. It excels at kiting, repositioning, using skill to overcome force, and speed to control strength.
“Our peak also has a matching Profound-grade peak-tier Wind-Chasing Movement Technique, which is naturally compatible with the sword technique. The faster the movement technique, the more bizarre the variations of the sword forms. Almost no one of the same rank can lock onto one’s figure.”
Chu Yuling, the Peak Master of the Fourth Sword Peak, said in a deep voice, “My Fourth Sword Peak cultivates the hidden killing sword path, and our peak's ultimate sword technique is the Shadow Kill Extinction Sword, which is also a Profound-grade peak-tier sword technique.
“It follows the path of extreme assassination. The strikes are silent and invisible, without any sword light or killing intent, focusing primarily on stealth, ambush, and instant kills.
“It does not engage in frontal confrontations with the opponent, but specifically targets a split-second opening. Once the sword is drawn, it will surely lock onto the enemy's vital points.
“Its explosive power is exceptionally terrifying. The opponent often loses before they can even react. It is the top assassination sword Dao in the sect.”
Jiang Zhufeng, the Peak Master of the Fifth Sword Peak, followed up in a slow, gentle voice, “My Fifth Sword Peak cultivates the righteous and continuous sword path, and our ultimate heritage is the Blue Billows Returning to One Sword, which is also a Profound-grade peak-tier technique.
“It focuses on being upright and peaceful, accommodating all laws. It is most suitable for polishing one’s sword Dao foundation and integrating various sword forces.
“The sword forms are honorable and upright, with a balance of offense and defense. The Dao heart remains clear. In the later stages, it can accommodate the sword paths of various schools, absorbing everything like a river flowing into the sea. The higher the limit, the more it represents the supreme righteous path of the sword.”
Finally, Qin Pozhen, the Peak Master of the Sixth Sword Peak, spoke up in a leisurely manner.
“My Sixth Sword Peak cultivates the momentum-breaking sword path, and our peak's ultimate heritage is the Ten Thousand Forces Void-Breaking Sword, which is also a Profound-grade peak-tier sword technique.
“Its core consists of only four words: breaking situations, severing momentum.
“It specifically counters all kinds of sword force, spell force, and defensive force. One sword breaks ten thousand forces, shattering the sword foundation, disrupting the Dao rhythm, and tearing apart the opponent’s defense and control.
“It grows stronger against strong opponents. The stronger the opponent, the more terrifying the power of breaking the situation. It is suitable for sword cultivators who walk the path of breaking through adversity.”
Six lineages of the sword Dao, six completely different paths.
The six Peak Masters each held their own strengths, and their eyes fell upon Ye Ling, filled with anticipation for her choice.
After carefully listening to the six sword Peak Masters finish introducing their respective heritage techniques, Ye Ling lowered her eyes, weighing and contemplating them deeply in her heart.
She silently compared the various sword paths to see if they suited her own path.
The First Sword Peak's Seven Kills Sword Technique was too fierce and overbearing. Its path was too aggressive, completely incompatible with the delicate and agile sword path she had been practicing for a long time, so she excluded it immediately.
The Second Sword Peak's Flowing Cloud Wind-Chasing Sword Technique was elegant and full of variations, and it was even paired with a matching Profound-grade peak-tier Wind-Chasing Movement Technique. Its agile and elegant path perfectly matched her usual combat habits, which suited her heart well.
The Third Sword Peak's Thick Earth Sword Technique focused on solid defense and steady protection. However, she had already mastered the True Dragon Unfettered Art, and her physical defense was unmatched by anyone of the same rank. There was no need for her to specialize in defensive sword Dao, so she did not need to consider it.
The Fourth Sword Peak's Shadow Kill Extinction Sword followed the path of sinister assassination, and its style of action was completely contrary to her own, so she discarded it directly.
The Fifth Sword Peak's Blue Billows Returning to One Sword was upright, peaceful, and capable of accommodating all laws. It could encompass various sword forces, making it perfect for solidifying her own sword Dao foundation. It was also an ideal choice.
The Sixth Sword Peak's Ten Thousand Forces Void-Breaking Sword specifically targeted breaking momentum and shattering foundations. Although its power was decent, it was not the direction she currently needed to polish.
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