Humanity's Great Sage

Chapter 923, I’m a Sword Cultivator

Translator: Jon

Translation Checker: Silavin

Their bodies kept sinking as if they had fallen into a bottomless abyss. The view around them was surreal. Only the warm figure in Lu Ye’s embrace helped him retain a sense of clarity.

A long time later, they finally stopped falling. When they came to their senses, they heard an old voice speaking. “Artifacts are the tools of cultivators. There are strong and weak cultivators just as there are good and bad Artifacts…”

Lu Ye felt dizzy. As he lifted his gaze, he saw a white-haired old man seated in front of him and giving him some guidance.

He had no idea what was going on. When he turned his head, he was met with a concerned gaze. The person was none other than Nian Yuexian. As they exchanged glances, they confirmed that both of them were safe. Only then did they set their minds at ease.

Ying Wuji was there as well. He was seated beside them and scanning his surroundings with a doubtful expression. The three of them were now in front of a hut.

The old man was seated properly while the three of them sat on their knees, looking respectful. When they heard the sounds of breaking through the air, they looked up at the source of the sounds and saw many rays of light hurtling across the sky.

“Those are the flying swords!” Ying Wuji had acute eyesight, so he instantly saw the true forms of those rays of light.

As soon as he finished speaking, the rays of light charged towards a nearby peak and jabbed into the mountain wall with loud noises. Only their hilts were left outside.

The old man stopped talking and looked at the mountain wall that was full of flying swords with a conflicted expression. He then said slowly, “Sword Mountain is the foundation of the Sword and Tool Sect. The three of you are now part of our Sect. When you can make flying swords that are good enough to be displayed on Sword Mountain one day, you’ll graduate.”

His words contained a lot of information. At the very least, Lu Ye had figured out some things. This place was the Sword and Tool Sect, the peak full of flying swords was Sword Mountain, and they were now acknowledging this old man to be their Master.

Judging from the old man’s words, the Sword and Tool Sect was probably a place where artificers were nurtured. If they wanted to leave the Sect, they had to make flying swords that were good enough to be displayed on Sword Mountain.

[It’s a Hidden Realm!] Lu Ye realised that the swirl on the stone platform was connected to a Hidden Realm.

The Spirit Creek Battlefield and the Cloud River Battlefield were not the only places where Hidden Realms existed. The best Hidden Realms with the greatest opportunities were all in Jiu Zhou. Even Divine Ocean Realm Masters could gain massive benefits from some of these Hidden Realms.

It was apparent that this Hidden Realm was different from the ones Lu Ye had experienced on the Spirit Creek Battlefield and the Cloud River Battlefield. At the very least, Nian Yuexian had entered the place as well.

In other words, this was a Hidden Realm where even Divine Ocean Realm Masters could obtain some benefits. Such a Hidden Realm was rare. If Lu Ye and Ying Wuji, both Real Lake Realm Masters, could come across some opportunities here, they would enjoy the benefits for life.

Ying Wuji realised that as well, so he was thrilled. This time, he was forced to come to the Great Line of Desolate Plain along with Lu Ye and Nian Yuexian. He initially thought he was merely a tour guide for them, but much to his surprise, he came across such a good chance.

While he was elated, he was also cautious. He wasn’t a fool, so he understood that opportunities also carried some risks with them. Since even a Divine Ocean Realm Master could enter this Hidden Realm, there must be great danger.

While the two of them were in their thoughts, Nian Yuexian rose to her feet and frowned. “Do you want me to be part of your Sect?”

Since she had to join the Sect, it meant that she had to acknowledge the old man to be her Master. She wasn’t only a Divine Ocean Realm Master but also one of the most powerful cultivators in Jiu Zhou. No one in the world had the right to be her Master.

Moreover, she had always been an independent cultivator. She had never been part of a Sect ever since she started cultivating. Considering her current cultivation, she naturally wouldn’t acknowledge anyone to be her Master, not even in a Hidden Realm.

“Are you unwilling to do that?” The old man ignored her icy expression and looked impassively at her.

“Well, it depends on whether you’re powerful enough to be my Master.” As soon as Nian Yuexian finished speaking, she pushed her sword towards the old man. She was holding the 60-centimetre sword she had pulled out from the stone platform.

Such a weapon was suitable for a Ghost Cultivator, not a Sword Cultivator. Given her mastery of the Way of Ghost, coupled with the sharp weapon, she would be able to destroy any Divine Ocean Realm Master in Jiu Zhou if the assassination attempt was successful. Although it was a sneak attack, it was still mighty.

Lu Ye and Ying Wuji hurriedly leapt away, worried that some blood would splatter onto them.

They had no doubt that Nian Yuexian was powerful. Anyway, they accidentally fell into this Hidden Realm, and they now had to acknowledge this old man to be their Master. Naturally, they were unwilling to do that. If Nian Yuexian could solve the problem for them, it would certainly be good news.

But the next second, their pupils dilated. Nian Yuexian’s gaze was filled with shock as well.

While seated, the old man lifted his hand and stuck out two fingers to clench Nian Yuexian’s sword. He squinted as an icy glint flashed across his eyes. He then said dispassionately, “I’m the one who made the Willow Catkin, so I understand its power better than you do.”

Regardless of how hard Nian Yuexian tried, she was unable to retract the sword from the old man’s fingers. Emotions were undulating in her heart as she realised she had underestimated the old man’s power. [How is it possible that such a powerful cultivator exists in this world?]

“You’re not sedate enough. You’re haughty just because you’re fairly powerful. I don’t think you should be part of my Sect. Run along!” The moment the old man finished speaking, he opened his mouth and shot out a Sword Light.

Nian Yuexian was flabbergasted because she had never seen a Sword Light as powerful as this before. Even though the old man appeared nonchalant, the attack was stronger than what she could achieve by fully activating her power.

As soon as the old man launched the attack, he released the sword. Nian Yuexian seized the chance to retreat and held out the sword in front of her.

Following a clang, she grunted and was sent flying away. She was soon out of sight, and it was a wonder where she was.

Only then did the old man go on to say, “Since the Willow Catkin is in your hands now, you’re probably fated to have it. I hope you’ll put it to good use.”

He didn’t have the intention of retrieving the sword.

Lu Ye and Ying Wuji stood there and watched the inconceivable sight in shock. They wouldn’t dare move a muscle.

It was when the old man turned to look at them that they hurriedly went over and sat down in front of the old man. Ying Wuji said loudly, “Greetings, Master! I’m your disciple, Ying Wuji.”

Nian Yuexian and Wan Zhanggang were some of the strongest cultivators in Jiu Zhou, but when Ying Wuji saw the old man’s horrifying move, he realised there was an even stronger cultivator here.

Therefore, it wasn’t embarrassing for him to acknowledge such a powerful cultivator to be his Master. He had always been a flexible person. Since he had acknowledged Lu Ye to be the Eldest Senior Brother before, he was naturally fine to have another Master.

The old man replied with a smile, “Well, it’s still too early for you to call me your Master. I’m only accepting the two of you to be part of my Sect. Our Sect is strict when it comes to accepting disciples. Whether you’ll be allowed to stay in the end depends on your performance.”

While seated, Ying Wuji felt slightly dejected. He thought he finally had the support of a powerful cultivator, but much to his chagrin, the other party wasn’t taking him on as a disciple yet.

“The disciples of the Sword and Tool Sect are the most outstanding artificers as well as the best Sword Cultivators. We make our own flying swords. You two have to keep that in mind.”

“Yes,” Lu Ye and Ying Wuji replied obediently.

“I’m Kong Kong, the 163rd Sect Master of the Sword and Tool Sect. Since you’re part of our Sect now, you have to remember these rules…”

He went on to tell them a long list of rules. Since Lu Ye and Ying Wuji were successful cultivators, it wasn’t hard for them to remember these rules.

As Kong Kong spoke, he suddenly frowned and looked at Lu Ye’s waist. With displeasure, he asked, “Do you use a saber?”

Lu Ye became solemn and soon realised what the problem was. In Jiu Zhou, sword users usually looked down on saber users, and vice versa. It was the same case in the Sword and Tool Sect.

He quickly kept the Inviolable Saber and fished out a sword before attaching it to his waist. Then, he replied calmly, “That was just my loot. I’m a Sword Cultivator.”

Ying Wuji almost couldn’t contain his laughter, but when he saw Lu Ye’s penetrating gaze, he hurriedly kept his mouth shut.

Only then did Kong Kong put on a milder expression. “Remember, saber users are all boorish people. Swords are the king of all weapons.”

“Yes,” Lu Ye replied respectfully. It wasn’t like he could refute the old man as the latter was tremendously more powerful.

“Since it’s your first day here, go and get some rest. I’ll teach you how to make Artifacts tomorrow. When you can finally make some decent flying swords, I’ll teach you the Way of Swords.”

Lu Ye and Ying Wuji saluted the old man and left the place. When they turned their heads a moment later, Kong Kong, the Sect Master of the Sword and Tool Sect, was no longer in sight. It was a wonder where he was, and only the hut was left there. The two of them exchanged glances, feeling terrified.

“You’ll look around this place,” Lu Ye told Ying Wuji before he went in the direction Nian Yuexian was sent flying away earlier.

The hut was located in a valley, and one of the mountains was Sword Mountain. With so many flying swords jabbed into the wall, it was a magnificent sight.

That was Ying Wuji’s intention as well. They had to look around their surroundings since it was their first time here. They had to figure out what kind of world this was and what challenges awaited them.

After they parted ways, Lu Ye went to look for Nian Yuexian. The woman was soon found as she didn’t go away. She merely stood at the entrance of the valley.

She had changed into clean clothes. Since she was exhausted and injured, her face looked pale.

Seeing that she was fine, Lu Ye was relieved. He stepped forward and called out, “Madam.”

Nian Yuexian hummed and nodded. “Did the old gentleman make things difficult for you?”

She initially had no regard for Kong Kong, but after the exchange of moves, she realised that the old man was significantly more powerful than she was. In other words, Kong Kong was probably above the Divine Ocean Realm.

Naturally, Nian Yuexian was interested in finding out more about it. That was because the Divine Ocean Realm Masters in Jiu Zhou had been looking for the road beyond their current Realm over the years.

They had a feeling that the Divine Ocean Realm wasn’t the end of their cultivation journey. However, they had no idea as to how to achieve a breakthrough.

Now that Kong Kong was around, Nian Yuexian naturally wanted to ask him about it. Unfortunately, she had offended the old man, so she couldn’t possibly ask him any questions now.