Supreme Emptiness

Chapter 2206: Chapter 2250: Crystal of Comprehension

Before the ancient war, Jian Lanjiang had instructed his clansmen to entrust the arena to Jiang Fan. It was truly a tremendous gift. A surge of gratitude flashed through Jiang Fan’s heart. ”Thank you, Elder Jian.”

At this moment, Liu Qingxian, who was beside him, suddenly let out a soft moan. Jiang Fan hurriedly looked over and found that the golden Little Sword Seal on her forehead was glowing continuously, like a burning brand. Then, the Little Sword Seal suddenly flew out, hovering above the arena. At the same time, identical Little Swords flew out from several other directions in succession. They were the Seals of the other eight candidates!

The nine Little Swords, containing the Sword Saint’s will, merged together, condensing into a dazzling ball of golden light. The golden light then expanded, transforming into a faint phantom of a one-armed old man! Long Xu Sage and the other peak experts of the Martial Vault all changed their expressions and bowed solemnly.

”Greetings to the Sword Saint!”

The tide-like crowd of experts also bowed excitedly in greeting.

”Greetings to the Sword Saint!!!”

The one before them was a Saint of the Martial Vault! Even if he had passed away countless eras ago and only a shred of his lingering will remained, he was still a Saint!

The phantom of the Sword Saint looked around. His dry and ancient eyes swept over the living beings of the world, and over the mountains and rivers of the Martial Vault. Within his sharp gaze, there was tenderness, attachment, and reluctance to leave. He spoke in a hoarse but gentle voice, as if afraid to shatter this magnificent world.

”The mountains and rivers remain unharmed. Very good.”

Hearing this, waves of emotion surged in everyone’s hearts, and sorrow spread within them. This was the old Saint’s last time looking at his homeland. After the trial ended, this phantom would completely dissipate into the world.

Jiang Fan also felt an inexplicable sense of desolation. Even someone as strong as a Saint would eventually reach the end of their road. Standing before death, no matter how magnificent the mountains and rivers were or how peaceful the homeland was, one could no longer stay. He figured the Saint must be deeply reluctant to leave at this moment.

The Sword Saint shed his sharp aura. Like an old man basking in the sun at a village entrance, deep wrinkles formed on his face as he smiled. ”Candidates, come on up.”

SWISH SWISH SWISH—

Hearing this, the other eight candidates used Instantaneous Movement to appear on the arena from various directions. There were men and women, youths, middle-aged people, and elders. Their identities and ages were all different. The only similarity was that they all possessed extraordinary Talent in the Sword Dao and were qualified to inherit a Saint’s legacy. Once successfully inherited, the successor would walk the heavens as the Sword Saint’s heir. They would also shoulder the historical mission entrusted by the Sword Saint.

Liu Qingxian looked over, a trace of nervousness revealing in her eyes. Because those eight candidates all had cultivation bases starting at the Sage realm! Only she was merely at the Heavenly Human Two Declines. At this moment, she felt a squeeze on her palm. Looking down, it was Jiang Fan who had grabbed her hand.

”Do you want me to escort you up?” Jiang Fan asked.

Liu Qingxian’s anxious heart instantly settled down. With Jiang Fan standing behind her, what did she have to fear? Shaking her head, her gaze turned firm. ”Let me walk the rest of the way myself!”

Jiang Fan nodded and released her hand. Liu Qingxian leaped forward and used Instantaneous Movement to land on the arena.

The other eight candidates looked over. Their gazes fell upon Liu Qingxian with varying expressions, but faintly, they all carried a hint of contempt. How could someone at the Heavenly Human Two Declines compete with them for the legacy?

”Are you the final candidate, Liu Qingxian?” Among the eight, a fair-skinned, beautiful young woman stared at her with a hint of hostility.

Liu Qingxian was neither haughty nor humble as she replied, ”Exactly!”

The young woman scoffed, ”Is your Tao Guardian Fuyun Great Sage of Divine Strategy City?”

Liu Qingxian frowned slightly but still said, ”That’s right!”

The young woman’s eyes turned cold as she pointed to a saber pattern on her chest. ”Heavenly Blade City, Yan Rushi! Tao Guardian, No Regrets Great Sage!”

Hearing this, Liu Qingxian was completely confused. But below, Fuyun Great Sage and Jiang Fan slightly changed their expressions. No Regrets Great Sage? Wasn’t that the Great Sage from Heavenly Blade City whom Jiang Fan had killed using the Tai Chu Prison Sky Gourd? No Regrets Great Sage had died right before Fuyun Great Sage’s trade fair, and more importantly, he had died within Divine Strategy City. Even if they couldn’t say anything openly, how could Heavenly Blade City not blame Divine Strategy City and Fuyun Great Sage in their hearts? When Yan Rushi met her fellow candidate Liu Qingxian, how could she possibly show her a good attitude?

Jiang Fan asked in a low voice, ”During the upcoming trial, the two of them won’t need to fight each other, right?”

Fuyun Great Sage replied, ”No. They will each face a phantom to test their Sword Dao. That will be it.”

Jiang Fan was relieved. If it was only a test of the Sword Dao, there was no need to worry about her safety.

At this time, the young woman’s gaze turned sharp as she declared, ”Remember my name! The moment I inherit the Sword Saint’s legacy will be the moment I kill you!”

Liu Qingxian raised her eyebrows and retorted, ”Wait until you actually inherit it to say that!” Although she didn’t understand where the other party’s hostility came from, she was completely unafraid.

The One-armed Sword Saint glanced at Liu Qingxian and nodded slightly. As a Sword Saint’s heir, if she retreated when facing the strong, how could she ever unleash the towering grandeur of a sword?

”There is only one rule for the trial. Whoever has the highest ultimate Sword Dao is the most suitable to inherit my mantle. Let us begin!”

He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

The Heavenly Announcing Arena emitted streams of dark light, simultaneously condensing into ancient combat phantoms originating from the Daqian Divine Kingdom era in front of the nine candidates. The nine candidates immediately closed their eyes, engaging them in a clash of consciousness. This function was very similar to the Jian Family’s arena. The difference was that as the clashes continued, transparent crystals of varying sizes successively emerged above the heads of the nine candidates.

Jiang Fan revealed a look of confusion. ”What is that?”

Fuyun Great Sage explained, ”The physical manifestation of their Sword Dao.”

Jiang Fan suddenly understood. This must be the Sword Saint’s doing. Since they were comparing who had obtained deeper comprehension, there naturally needed to be a metric. Only by materializing their comprehension could there be a definitive comparison. He swept his gaze across and was surprised to find that Yan Rushi’s crystal was actually the largest. It was fully the size of a grown man’s fist! Meanwhile, the crystals of Liu Qingxian and a few others had yet to manifest.

He wondered, ”Qingxian possesses all my comprehension of the Three Swords Mad Sword Dao. Her crystal shouldn’t be small, right?” Jiang Fan pondered in his heart, a trace of apprehension showing on his face.

Jian Wuchou was also closely watching the comprehension progress of the people on the arena. Looking at Liu Qingxian, whose crystal was late to appear, he smiled mockingly and said, ”If she had studied under me for half a month and received my Sword Dao comprehension, she might have had a chance at first place. It’s a pity she’s blind and chose some wretched old man!”

Jiang Fan cast him a glance but said nothing. Instead, he silently watched the space above Liu Qingxian’s head.

Ten breaths later.

After crystals had appeared above all the other candidates, a change finally occurred above Liu Qingxian. An apple-sized crystal of comprehension impressively manifested! Although it wasn’t as large as Yan Rushi’s, it was enough to rank third among all the candidates!

Jian Wuchou was taken aback. ”How is that possible? Where did she get such powerful Sword Dao?” He knew quite a few of the candidates. Their Sword Dao had been refined over decades, or even centuries, making even him feel inferior. Yet, Liu Qingxian’s Sword Dao was actually above theirs? How could this be possible? Who imparted such profound Sword Dao to her?