Ancient Godly Monarch

AGM 400 - Sword Reverence City

Pill Emperor Hall, Moon Continent. In the 99 flights of steps upwards, with celestial qi pervading the air, the main palace in the Pill Emperor Hall was so tall that its tip reaches the heavens, and was revered by people in all the eight directions.

To many, Pill Emperor Hall was a sacred ground.

Majority of experts of the Pill Emperor Hall were alchemists and could save the lives of ordinary humans with the pills they concocted. Hence, most people felt that the Pill Emperor Hall to them, was one of the best transcendent power to have existed.

In that main hall right now, a fragrant incense permitted the air, appearing truly to be a place fit for immortals to reside. However right at the back of all the palaces and halls, there was a forbidden gate where no one was permitted to enter.

Over there, there were many powerful experts guarding the gate. Within that gate, the celestial qi pervading the air was magnified, transformed into a dense mist. This caused several of the Pill Emperor Hall’s disciples to sigh in desire. The legends has it that this place was the sacred place of the Pill Emperor Hall, purely for the current Saintess of the sect to use for her baptism. After the ritual, the celestial qi exuding from the Saintess would be more intense and her talent would be even stronger, causing countless to hold her in reverence.

However, the Pill Emperor Hall had an ironclad rule. Once one enters into the sacred ground of their sect. In this life, in all eternity, they would be the people of Pill Emperor Hall, unable to marry outside, living and dying in the sect.

At this moment, past the forbidden gate, a silhouette could be seen walking forward. This person was none other than Luo He from the Pill Emperor Hall.

Luo He slowly walked forwards, to the end of the celestial mist. In front of her, a cliff could be seen and on top of the cliff there was yet another figure - her senior brother, Zhan Chen’s master.

The Luo He now was a far cry from her usual self, she appeared extremely restrained and ill at ease, as she walked up the cliff before casting her gaze downwards at the depths of the valley. If others could see what Luo He saw now, they would definitely be terror stricken, spooked out of their mines.

The sacred Pill Emperor Hall was actually built upon a mountain range - a sea of corpses and skeletons.

This mountain range exuded an overwhelming stench of death that originated from the ancient bones buried for all eternity underneath.

Other than this terrifying scene, there were numerous stone platforms scattered around with several white-robed youthful females sitting cross legged upon it. What’s weird was that all of these white robe females had beauty that would stir the heavens, yet their expressions all seemed a little weird, sluggish.. and somewhat lifeless.

And right smack in the middle of these white-robed females, there was a set of skeletal remains that emitted a red glow akin to the fluctuations of life.

“Have you prepared a total of 81 essence gathering bodies for me?”

A voice of extreme evilness rasped, drifting out from that skeletal remains. Luo He’s heart involuntarily clenched, her countenance was filled with extreme discomfort as she cast a glance at her senior brother who was beside him.

“I will do my best.” Luo He respectfully replied.

“Hmph!”

That cold snort directly caused the pressure on Luo He’s heart to magnified as her countenance turned extremely pale.

“You better know your priorities.”

Luo He trembled intensely as she forced a bow, “I will do my best.”

“I will give you one more year of time.” The cold voice resounded as Luo He nodded her head before silently retreating. She silently thought in her heart, “Qingcheng ah Qingcheng, I initially wanted you to succeed me, and on account of your talent I shall give you one last chance. But if you continue being foolish, don’t blame me for being heartless.”

Today, it has already been a year since the conclusion of the Heavenly Fate Rankings.

…………

In the central region of Grand Xia, there was a city named Sword Reverence City.

Although this city wasn’t as luxurious as the nine continents, it’s still exceeding famous over this vast piece of region of about ten thousand miles. Because, other than the Yan Continent which specialised in swords, this city was another location where the sword fanatics gathered.

Hence, it was named as the Sword Reverence City.

Outside the city gates of Sword Reverence City, there was a path that led to the edge of a precipice. Over here, terrifying sword qi pervaded the air, the edge of the land here is extremely flat as though the whole place was birthed when a monstrous gigantic sword sundered the earth, cleaving it apart, the remnant forming the precipice.

Nine incomparably sharp swords was embedded at the edge of the precipice, with their bodies bent, accepting the worship and reverence of millions of people. Hence, the city at the side of this precipice, was named as the Sword Reverence City.

Today, there was an extremely popular topic on going in the city that was discussed by several others.

A few months ago, a young swordsman had appeared in the city. This swordsman was clad in white, with an ancient sword strapped behind his back, giving off an aura of sharpness that further enhanced his good looking features.

This young man came to the Sword Reverence City to gain enlightenment into the Mandate of Swords by finding people to spar against him everyday. To everyone’s shock, this young man actually comprehended the Mandate of Swords in a mere three days.

The first level of insights in the Mandate of Swords, was sharpness.

A sword that was sharp enough had nothing it can’t cut through, able to overcome all obstacles.

This young man comprehended the Mandates of Swords in three days, reaching the Advanced Boundary of the first level in ten, breaking through to the Transformation Boundary after one month and finally achieving the Perfect Boundary at three months.

His achievements were personally witnessed by many in the crowd, they couldn’t believe help but believed that in this world, there was truly a genius at that level.

Not only that, this young man’s perception was beyond extraordinary. For those that crossed blows with him, he actually managed to learn their sword arts and techniques right after the first pass and even used it against them. Such talent truly caused the spectators to all be stunned.

This person, from the beginning of the time he started on the path of comprehending the sword up till now as a sword master, he only used a total of three months of time. Not only that he had already defeated several powerful sword cultivators at the same realm as him - purely using only sword techniques. It was as though regardless of whoever he fought against, he would defeat them all the same.

Only when he had no more opponents in the Reverence Sword Precipice, did this young man proceeded and entered the city.

Right now in the Sword Reverence City, that young man was currently sparring against another young man around twenty-six to twenty-seven years of age. Both their sword arts were unfathomably consummate as sword qi devastated the surrounding area of their duel.

“Haha, Brother Qin’s sword arts are truly brilliant. I, Zong, is truly impressed.” The other young man took a step back and returned his sword to his sheath. He stared at the other party with respect in his eyes. Such a young age with such achievements could truly be termed as a demon-level genius when it came to the path of swords.

This talented young man was naturally Qin Wentian. After he exited the ancient kingdom, he didn’t linger behind in Ginkou and left directly, coming to the Sword Reverence City to cultivate in his sword techniques. He had to first comprehend the Mandate of Swords to the second level before condensing an Astral Nova to break through to the Heavenly Dipper Realm.

But of course, in truth although the aura Qin Wentian’s exuded was still at Yuanfu, from another perspective, with three of his Astral Novas, indicated that he’s combat prowess was already at the Heavenly Dipper level.

“Brother Zong’s sword arts are astounding as well, as expected as someone from a powerful sect.” Qin Wentian smiled.

Zong Qian’s eyes flashed with a bright glow as he smiled, “Seems like Brother Qin has already figured out I, Zong’s identity. Truth to be told, I’m Zong Qian from the Zong Clan of the Sword Reverence City.”

There were three major power in the city, respectively known as the Zong Clan, Li Clan and the Heavenly Sword Sect. Under their wings they had countless numbers of disciples coming to this city, joining them, enabling the sect and clans to prosper rather than decline throughout the years.

This three power were all extremely prestigious. Experts were as common as clouds within there.

Of all the three powers, the Zong Clan was the most low profile, the Li Clan was the most high-handed while the Heavenly Sword Sect’s renown and influence was the greatest. The choice of countless young cultivators when they came to this city would most definitely be the Heavenly Sword Sect. After all, the other two were clans instead.

“I’m Qin Wen.” Qin Wentian nodded his head.

“Not lying to Brother Qin, I feel a little puzzled by the rumors in the city. Is the matter where you took only three months to become a beginner to a swordmaster really true?” Zong Qian’s personality was straightforward, hence he asked directly. In fact, many people felt that Qin Wentian was actually already an expert in the sword pretending to be a beginner to gain recognition and fame.

“If I say yes, would Brother Zong believe me?” Qin Wentian laughed.

Zong Qian muttered irresolutely to himself for a moment before replying, “If it was before this, I wouldn’t believed. But now that I’ve met Brother Qin in person, if Brother Qin say its true, I would surely believe so.”

“Why?” Qin Wentian curiously asked.

“Us sword users cultivate our sword heart. Our personality wouldn’t deviate from the way we uses our sword. For those with strange and crafty sword techniques, their personality was as such as well. Brother Qin’s sword was sharp and true, overwhelming and tyrannical, pressing courageously forward even with a faint sense of a King within. From exchanging moves against you, how could I be unable to tell what sort of character you have?” Zong Qian laughed, causing Qin Wentian to be slightly stunned.

Zong Qian was truly from one of the three sword-wielding major powers, using one’s sword arts to evaluate his opponent’s character.

“Not only that, Brother Qin’s swordplay is extremely pure, your sword intent clear and sharp. It would truly be a waste if Brother Qin hadn’t chose to cultivate in the path of swords.”

“Brother Zong praises me too much.” Qin Wentian bitterly smiled.

“We hit off right from the start, i’m slightly older than you hence I should be your big brother. Today, let’s go back to my residence, we will exchange sword pointers while drinking beautiful wine.” Zong Qian spoke enthusiastically, clutching Qin Wentian by his arm causing Qin Wentian to start slightly. However his gaze when directed at Zong Qian, he discovered Zong Qian’s countenance was clean and filled only with pure intentions of forming a friendship, extremely sincere with no hints of hypocrisy.”

Just like what he had said earlier, the personality and character of sword cultivators could be inferred from the way they use their swords. Zong Qian’s sword was straightforward and swift, just like his character. Doing what he wants to do.

However at this moment, nearby, the whistling of sword qi could be heard gushing over. Lifting their heads, they saw three sharp swords speeding along in the air, instantly landing beside Qin Wentian. The newcomers was made up of two males and one female.

The two males was around thirty of age while the female had a beautiful countenance with limpid eyes, aged around twenty-five to twenty-six.

Upon seeing the appearance of these three, Zong Qian instantly relinquished his hold on Qin Wentian’s arms. But the three of them had long saw what happened when they were in the air. Their eyes were like torches, filled with sharpness as they stared at Qin Wentian.

“Are you that rumored undefeatable swordsman?” One of the males by the side had a blood dot in the centre of his brows giving people a tyrannical feeling. He stood on his sword, staring at Qin Wentian as he coldly inquired.

“It’s I, Qin.” Qin Wentian replied.

“I initially thought that you were alone and hence I wanted to spar against you. Who would have thought that you are actually someone from the Zong Clan.” The other male who had sword-angled eyebrows spoke, his words radiating enmity.”

“What did I tell you guys, it’s impossible for someone to use only three months to step into the Perfect Boundary of the first level. It’s obvious this entire thing is a set up, he’s originally a sword cultivator, and not what the rumors said, that he was a beginner.” The female’s thin lips mumbled, her harsh tone filled with unkindness.

Qin Wentian frowned slightly only to see Zong Qian icily retorting, “Li Nian, this is the first time Brother Qin came to our Sword Reverence City. He has no relations with my Zong Clan.”

“Oh, are you trying to hide your relationship now? It’s useless. Since he’s someone your Zong Clan invited, I guess you guys must have already made your preparations to fight against us. Since there’s such a good opportunity now, why don’t we exchange some pointers with each other?” The female icily stated. As the sound of her voice faded, the sword-angled brows male blasted out a palm strike at Qin Wentian. An instant later, a terrifying sword qi gushed out, flying right towards Qin Wentian.

Zong Qian stepped out in front of Qin Wentian, blocking the attack as he coldly replied, “The grudge between the Li and Zong Clan is for us alone to bear. Don’t drag a bystander in.”

“Since you guys did it, why are you so afraid to admit it? Since this expert is already hired by the Zong Clan, why are you so afraid to battle?” The countenance of the sword-angled eyebrows male got sharper and sharper, as he continued slamming his palms forth. The sword qi that’s gushing from him was now imbued with the will of his mandates.

Zong Qian similarly exploded forth with his aura. The current male he was fighting against wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill opponent and although Qin Wentian’s Mandate of Swords had reached the Perfection Boundary of the first level, it wasn’t enough to stand against someone like the sword-angled eyebrows male.

Not only that, when Zong Qian exchanged blows with Qin Wentian earlier, he couldn’t sense the will of any other Mandates from Qin Wentian, he strongly felt that Qin Wentian only comprehended the Mandate of Swords and thus was afraid that Qin Wentian would suffer a severe disadvantage when fighting against this male, inviting a calamity on himself!