Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 252: Chapter 248: The Desert and the Might of a Celestial Martial Realm King

In the discussion hall of the Star Sword Sect.

Wang Qingcang sat at the head of the hall. Below him were the various Elders and a dozen or so disciples.

”Xinghe, on this trip to the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, you must turn your previous failure into motivation. Strive to achieve a breakthrough there,” Wang Qingcang said slowly.

”Yes.” Jian Xinghe nodded, his gaze firm.

He hadn’t been dispirited during this time. On the contrary, he had been constantly thinking about how to defeat Ning Jiang again and avenge his defeat.

”You are all the most outstanding disciples of our Star Sword Sect. However, the mortality rate in the Profound Celestial Ancient Land is not low. It’s possible that some of you who go may not return. I trust you’ve all mentally prepared yourselves?”

Wang Qingcang’s gaze swept over the dozen or so faces. Every one of them was a top-tier expert.

During the Qing Province Convention, although the Star Sword Sect did not take first place, Jian Xinghe and the Twin Sword Sons took second and third place respectively. As a result, they still had the most slots.

”Yes,” everyone answered in unison.

Although the Profound Celestial Ancient Land was fraught with the danger of death, anyone who wished to grow into a true expert had to experience such things.

Danger was unavoidable. If one shied away and grew timid because of it, they would never amount to anything in their lifetime.

They didn’t want to be flowers raised in a greenhouse. How could they become powerful without going out and seeing some blood?

”Every time the Profound Celestial Ancient Land opens, there are always a few lucky ones who step into the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm. I hope some of you will be among them. Alright, you may depart.”

After Wang Qingcang finished his instructions, Vice Sect Leader Yang Mucheng and several Primordial Spirit Realm Elders led the group of disciples away from the Star Sword Sect.

「Floating Snow Hall」

Snowflakes filled the sky, a beautiful but desolate scene.

”Bingxue, on this journey to the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, you must be careful in all things. Do not risk your life for the sake of some opportunity,” the Hall Master of Floating Snow Hall solemnly warned.

Floating Snow Hall only had one ”young giant” in Liu Bingxue. If she were to fall in the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, it would be a devastating blow.

”Yes.”

”There’s one more thing to be aware of. Whenever a Secret Realm opens, the greatest danger is never the Secret Realm itself, but the other Martial Artists! The hearts of men are unfathomable. The thing you must guard against most is people!”

”I know.”

”Furthermore, if you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, you must know when to join forces with others and seek strong allies. My suggestion is that, at a critical moment, you can try to ally with the Yanyue Sect.”

”The Yanyue Sect? Not the Star Sword Sect? Isn’t the Star Sword Sect’s overall strength greater?” Liu Bingxue was taken aback, looking at her beautiful master in confusion.

”The Star Sword Sect is indeed strong, but that man, Ning Jiang, is even more unfathomable. I suspect that what he showed at the Qing Province Convention was not his full strength,” the Hall Master of Floating Snow Hall said seriously.

”Alright, I’ll remember that.” Liu Bingxue nodded. She too felt that Ning Jiang was unfathomable.

’If I really run into trouble I can’t handle, it would indeed be worth trying to team up with Ning Jiang.’

「War Elephant Sect」

”Kuangba, inside the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, be especially wary of some of the Sects from Lei Province. At all other times, you must be cautious and prudent. Do not act impulsively.”

”More importantly, you must understand the principle of knowing when to quit while you’re ahead. Although there are many opportunities within the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, you absolutely must not be greedy. The saying goes, ’an innocent man gets into trouble for carrying a treasure.’ If you obtain a rare treasure but lack the strength to protect it, you must abandon it immediately. Otherwise, you’ll become a public target. Not only will you be walking a dead end, but you will also endanger your fellow disciples.”

”We understand.” The expressions of Li Kuangba and the others turned grim.

”Also, if a great crisis arises where even your life is in danger, do your best to seek out the Yanyue Sect and ally with them.”

「Fire Cloud Sect」

”Yuwen, on this trip to the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, remember that your main goal is to improve your strength. Avoid conflict with the Yanyue Sect as much as possible. Also, the Star Sword Sect has a grudge against the Yanyue Sect just like we do. If things go south, you can ally with them.”

”Sect Leader, rest assured. I know my current strength is no match for that Ning Jiang. I won’t go looking for him rashly.”

Yuwen Chi was not a fool; he knew that sometimes, patience was necessary. He added, ”As long as I can find some opportunities there and make a breakthrough, I’ll have a chance to defeat him!”

”As long as you understand. Now, go.”

On the morning of the seventh day, the contingents from the Five Great Sects set out for the Profound Celestial Ancient Land at almost the same time.

In addition to these Five Great Sects, the smaller sects that had placed in the top ten also began their journeys.

...

WHOOSH—

The wind howled past their ears as the vast sea of clouds rapidly receded behind them.

The party from the Yanyue Sect rode on the backs of Iron-Winged Eagles, crossing mountains and rivers as they rushed toward the Profound Celestial Ancient Land.

The escort party this time included not only the few disciples entering the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, but also several great Elders and the Sect Leader, Yue Wenfu.

Yue Wenfu was also going there to show the other Sects that he had indeed recovered from his injuries, which would serve as an implicit deterrent.

Besides that, there was another piece of joyous news for the Yanyue Sect.

The previous night, Grand Elder Meng Nanfeng had successfully broken through into the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm.

He had already been just a step away from the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm.

His breakthrough this time was thanks to a Divinity-Entering Pill that Ning Jiang had refined for him. The ingredients for that Elixir had come from the Star Sword Sect.

When Ning Jiang left the Star Sword Sect, he had taken quite a bit of Spirit Medicine from their Medicinal Fields, which happened to be just right for refining the Divinity-Entering Pill.

Unfortunately, that one Elixir was not enough for Ning Jiang to break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm.

The Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill he cultivated required an immense amount of Energy for every breakthrough. Forget one Divinity-Entering Pill; even ten would likely not be enough for him.

Of course, once he did break through, he would be far beyond what an ordinary Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm expert could compare to.

”The desert where the Profound Celestial Ancient Land is located is about a five-day journey from here.”

The fierce wind whipped at everyone’s robes.

Qing Province was vast. This journey would take them across thousands of miles, a considerable distance.

And yet, within the entire Great Thousand Realms, Qing Province was just a small place. Only after becoming a Celestial Martial Realm King did a Martial Artist have the qualifications to explore the Great Thousand Realms and experience the world’s full splendor.

「Five days later.」

The group from the Yanyue Sect finally left Qing Province and set foot in the desert.

The first thing they felt upon entering was a scorching heat.

As far as the eye could see, the land was barren, the sand as smooth as a mirror.

WHOO— WHOO—

Violent gales kicked up, forming wave after wave of sandstorms that blurred the entire space.

SHHHLICK!

Within the storms, one could often see Wind Blades slicing through the air. These Wind Blades were like saber glints—unparalleled in their sharpness, wreaking havoc everywhere.

”Celestial Martial Realm Kings... they are truly awe-inspiring.”

Looking at the desert before him and the terrifying Wind Blades, Yue Wenfu couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

”Huh? Sect Leader, what do you mean by that?” a disciple asked, confused.

”He means that this desert, these Wind Blades, are the handiwork of a Celestial Martial Realm King.”

Ning Jiang answered coolly. ”Two Celestial Martial Realm Kings must have fought a great battle in this place, which is why it became like this.”

”What?” The few disciples who didn’t know were stunned, finding it hard to believe.

”Ning Xiaoyou is correct. This place is indeed the result of a clash between two Celestial Martial Realm Kings.”

Yue Wenfu said, ”Once a Martial Artist steps into the Celestial Martial Realm and comprehends Law Power, they gain the ability to reshape heaven and earth. For example, turning the land into a desert with a single move.”

Grand Elder Meng Nanfeng sighed in admiration. ”Celestial Martial Realm Kings reside high in the Nine Heavens. For them, three thousand years is but a spring, and another three thousand an autumn. A vast ten thousand years passes like a single season. In the presence of such figures, we are no different from ants. The reason the Seven Great Super Sects can rule the Six Eastern Provinces is precisely because they have Celestial Martial Realm Kings.”

”However, no new Celestial Martial Realm King has appeared in the Six Eastern Provinces for a hundred years now.”

”I heard the era is gradually changing. Advancement will only become more and more difficult in the future.”

”I have the same feeling. It seems the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth is also weakening year by year.”

The Elders exchanged their thoughts while the other disciples listened, their hearts soaring with longing and their eyes filled with anticipation.

’If a Celestial Martial Realm King is this formidable, then what peerless elegance must a Saint Martial Realm expert, or even a Venerable, possess?’

The blood in the disciples’ veins boiled with excitement. They yearned to reach such a Realm.

Ning Jiang remained silent, a faint smile on his face.

’This world-altering ability of a Celestial Martial Realm King is nothing special in my eyes.’

’Once you reach the Saint Martial Realm, you can shatter space and control Spatial Power, which is even more formidable.’

’And upon reaching the level of a Venerable, even Celestial Martial Realm Kings are mere ants.’

’How strong is a Venerable? A single drop of their blood can crush the void. A single strand of their hair can kill a Celestial Martial Realm King. A single glance can cause a million living beings to perish.’

’If figures of this level were to fight, it would be a great disaster, a cataclysm. If two Venerables were to go to war in the Six Eastern Provinces, the entire region would be annihilated.’

’That is why battles between Venerables take place Beyond the Heavens, not in the Great Thousand Realms.’

’That place... I will return...’

Ning Jiang raised his gaze to the sky, as if trying to see Beyond the Heavens. One day, he would return to his peak and reign supreme over the Great Thousand Realms.

”Let’s go in. If you encounter those Wind Blades, don’t panic. I won’t intervene. Consider it a bit of training for you,” said Yue Wenfu.

”Yes.” Tang Lin, Zi Yunfei, and the others nodded.

If they couldn’t even handle these Wind Blades, there would be no point in entering the Profound Celestial Ancient Land.

After preparing themselves, the group entered the desert.

Yellow sand filled the sky, and occasional Wind Blades shot toward them. Whenever this happened, the disciples would strike out and fight against them.

’Good heavens. The power of those last few Wind Blades was comparable to a full-strength attack from a young giant, wasn’t it? The three of us barely managed to block one of them, yet Ninth Elder destroyed the rest with a casual wave of his hand.’

Tang Lin, Zhi Yunfeng, and Xiang Yinghao exchanged a look, secretly astonished.

’Ning Jiang is becoming more and more unfathomable.’

As they advanced, using the Wind Blades to hone their skills, the disciples of the Yanyue Sect were full of enthusiasm.

After flying for about two hours, the group saw a white rainbow shoot up into the sky far in the distance, like a heavenly pillar.