Late at night, Lin Zhao invited the four disciples of Shang Xuli to Jian Shan, where they could choose a flying sword they desired. Shang Xuli was extremely grateful for this. Although the best flying swords on Jian Shan were only of the Heavenly Grade Superior tier, the fact that they chose it themselves would create a sign of profound integration with the Great Dao; the best might not necessarily be the most suitable.
Thus, Lin Zhao and Lu Zhi waited with Shang Xuli at the foot of the mountain. After a long wait, Shang Hujun's four disciples descended, each with a top-tier sword embryo in hand, bowing to Lin Zhao one by one to express their thanks.
Just then, two figures approached from afar. One, in a green robe, carried a sword on his back. The other was a plump middle-aged man, with a three-sectioned spear strapped to his back. It was the brothers Xu Shuo and Lu Qi.
"Lin Zhao, you are indeed here."
Lu Qi smiled slightly and cupped his fist towards Shang Xuli, "Apologies for the intrusion, Lord Shang Hu."
"No trouble at all."
Shang Xuli nodded with a smile, then bid farewell to his disciples and returned to their arranged guest rooms in the Villa on the Mountain Peak.
Lu Qi glanced at Jian Shan from afar and frowned, "There's nothing else to discuss this trip. The construction of Bai Cheng has already begun, and the matters that Xu Shuo needs to oversee are diminishing. Therefore, I hope to borrow one of your sword mountains to help my junior brother nurture his sword intent, with the hope that he can break through to the Upper Five Realms during his stay at the Villa on the Mountain Peak."
"It is only right." Lin Zhao nodded. "Lu Zhi, after Brother Xu the Second begins his cultivation on Jian Shan, ensure the spiritual energy of Jian Shan is replenished. Do not be stingy with the Golden Mullet coins."
"Understood." Lu Zhi smiled and nodded.
From then on, Xu Shuo cultivated on Jian Shan, while Lu Qi was idle, wandering around the small town daily and becoming acquainted with all the locals.
...
Early morning.
Dongquan Sword Sect.
Suddenly, a streak of sword light shot into the sky, and the mountains and rivers trembled slightly. In an instant, Lu Guiyi, the Sect Master of Dongquan Sword Sect, finally broke through, adding an eleventh-realm Sword Immortal to the human race in the Northern Region!
"Senior Sister!"
Leng Yan had been unable to sleep all night. She had just seen the real-time notification on her phone and immediately logged in upon seeing her Senior Sister's breakthrough. She rushed before Lu Guiyi, who now appeared even more graceful and elegant, completely unlike the tenth-realm rogue cultivator she was before. She exuded a certain aura of a Sword Immortal from the mountains.
"Junior Sister!"
Lu Guiyi, her face beaming with joy, stepped forward and held Leng Yan's hand, laughing as they jumped. "I knew it, I just knew it... Nurturing my sword intent with the Panlong Wall indeed helped me break through my limitations. Although I lost a life-bound flying sword in refining the Panlong Wall, it's fine. My sword intent is much stronger than that of an eleventh-realm sword cultivator of the same level."
Leng Yan nodded with a smile, "That's good!"
From morning until noon, disciples from northern sects and rogue cultivators arrived at Dongquan Sword Sect one after another, bringing gifts to congratulate Sect Master Lu Guiyi on her breakthrough to become a genuine eleventh-realm cultivator. In reality, it was only after Lu Guiyi's breakthrough to the eleventh realm that the "Sword Sect" in Dongquan Sword Sect's name gained some credibility.
By the afternoon, Lin Zhao, accompanied by Huang Tingyu and Lu Zhi, arrived at Dongquan Sword Sect to offer congratulations. Their gifts were over a dozen Heavenly Grade flying swords chosen from Jian Shan, items desperately needed by the younger disciples of Dongquan Sword Sect.
In the evening, Lu Guiyi and Leng Yan hosted a lavish feast with many delicious dishes. After they had eaten their fill, Lin Zhao looked at Leng Yan and smiled, "Ah Yan, would you like to take a night stroll through Dongquan Sword Sect? We have nothing else to do anyway."
"Mhm, let's go."
Leng Yan, with a sword hanging at her waist, walked side-by-side with Lin Zhao, while Huang Tingyu and Lu Zhi followed at a discreet distance behind. The mountain breeze blew gently, and along the way, they saw female disciples of Dongquan Sword Sect practicing their swordsmanship at night. They all greeted Leng Yan as "Senior Sister Leng," and she accepted their greetings readily. After all, her seniority was high; she and her Senior Sister Lu had founded Dongquan Sword Sect themselves, making her position as Vice Sect Master legitimate.
"Ah Yan, what is that building over there?" Lin Zhao pointed to a building in the distance, adorned with lanterns.
"The Sword Concealment Tower."
Leng Yan smiled, "It has five floors, and each floor houses flying swords of corresponding grades. The higher you go, the better they are. For disciples of our sect to ascend to the fifth floor to select a sword, it requires tremendous effort."
"Is that so? Let's take a look?"
"Alright."
The group entered the Sword Concealment Tower. They saw rows of flying swords displayed on sword racks. Some were ancient and exuded a heavy aura, while others shimmered with flowing light, clearly indicating their quality. Lin Zhao glanced around. Dongquan Sword Sect was, after all, a newly established sword sect, and its heritage could not compare to the Villa on the Mountain Peak. However, this was the culmination of Leng Yan's efforts, so Lin Zhao regarded it with great importance.
Standing on the top floor of the Sword Concealment Tower, Lin Zhao looked eastward and saw another pavilion standing tall. He smiled and asked, "And what building is that?"
"The Scripture Concealment Tower."
Leng Yan's dimples appeared as she smiled. "When Senior Sister Lu and I roamed the Jianghu, we swept through many evil sects and eliminated numerous rogue cultivators. As a result, we obtained various peculiar sword manuals and scriptures. They are all arranged on the Scripture Concealment Tower according to their power. The old rule still applies: only disciples with sufficient talent and cultivation can enter the Scripture Concealment Tower. This creates an internal competitive mechanism, preventing our disciples from becoming complacent, which is unacceptable."
Lin Zhao nodded in agreement, "Let's go and take a look at the Scripture Concealment Tower."
"Okay~~~"
The four descended from the Sword Concealment Tower and headed straight for the Scripture Concealment Tower. Along the way, Lin Zhao observed clumps of trees in the wilderness and couldn't help but frown. He seemed to have discovered something, but was not entirely certain. He then communicated telepathically with Lu Zhi, "Lu Zhi, when we last visited Dongquan Sword Sect, were there trees like those on this mountain?"
"No."
Lu Zhi narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Sir, what you are seeing is the legendary Nanmu wood. Nanmu wood is difficult to cultivate, especially in an environment as cold as Dongquan Valley, which is completely unsuitable for its growth. Furthermore, we did not see any Nanmu wood when we were here last time, yet now there are so many that have grown."
Lin Zhao smiled faintly, "Guiyuan Sword Sect, Qing Nan?"
"Precisely!"
Lu Zhi chuckled, "If my assumption is correct, the twelfth-realm Sword Immortal Qing Nan has secretly infiltrated Dongquan Sword Sect. His intentions are likely quite simple: to eliminate Lu Guiyi while she is still weak and has not yet fully established herself after her recent breakthrough to the eleventh realm, and to seize Lu Guiyi's life-bound artifact, the Panlong Wall. That Panlong Wall is rich in spiritual energy and is a true treasure for Upper Five Realm spirits."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao smiled faintly and suddenly grasped Leng Yan's hand. "Ah Yan, I suddenly remembered some matters at the Villa on the Mountain Peak that require my attention. I won't be sightseeing at Dongquan Sword Sect anymore. Perhaps another time."
"Ah?"
Leng Yan pursed her red lips. "Alright. I was going to take you to see the hot springs where we sisters bathe."
"This..."
Lin Zhao scratched his head. "Next time, I'll see it next time!"
Leng Yan gave him a sideways glance. Did he really dare to look?
...
Immediately, Lin Zhao, accompanied by Lu Zhi and Huang Tingyu, bid farewell to Lu Guiyi and descended the mountain. On the way down, Lin Zhao took out Divine Speed Talismans from his怀 and gave twenty to each of Lu Zhi and Huang Tingyu. He communicated telepathically, "You two will each send a spiritual body with me back to Xueyu Tianchi. Your true bodies should remain near Lu Guiyi. Once Qing Nan makes a move, you must ensure Qing Nan's life is forfeit!"
"Understood!"
Huang Tingyu narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Rest assured, Lu Zhi is injured. She only needs to unleash her flying swords for offense. Leave the task of pinning down Qing Nan to me. Qing Nan must die tonight!"
"Mhm."
Lin Zhao smiled faintly and, with Huang Tingyu and a spiritual body of Lu Zhi, took to the sword and returned to Xueyu Tianchi. The true bodies of the two twelfth-realm Grand Sword Immortals remained at Dongquan Sword Sect, lurking near Lu Guiyi, waiting for Qing Nan's move.
Deep night.
As Lin Zhao returned to Xueyu Tianchi, he saw a sword light shoot into the sky from the direction of Dongquan Sword Sect. Evidently, Huang Tingyu and Lu Zhi had already made their move. By the time Lin Zhao returned to Dongquan Sword Sect at the fastest possible speed, he saw a figure in a green robe desperately fall into a mountain valley. Following closely, Huang Tingyu unleashed his Great Yellow Dog Dharma Form, striking over ten consecutive swords, causing sword Qi to surge throughout the entire valley.
Just as Qing Nan crushed a mid-grade treasure, preparing to shrink space and travel a thousand miles, Huang Tingyu suddenly ignited a Divine Speed Talisman. The next moment, a streak of lightning bloomed beside Qing Nan. Huang Tingyu's heavy punch sent him flying. Immediately after, strands of flying sword rain fell from the sky, piercing Qing Nan with a series of "噗噗噗" sounds. Not only Lu Zhi, but also Lu Guiyi, who had only recently entered the eleventh realm, wielded her flying sword and attacked in unison.
Poor Qing Nan, he tried to steal a chicken and ended up losing his rice. He failed to obtain the Panlong Wall and instead was directly chopped down to the eleventh realm. Then, Huang Tingyu brought down a sword from the air, instantly obliterating Qing Nan's soul and scattering his divine essence. His body floated out, transforming into a Jin Si Nanmu tree brimming with spiritual energy. This Jin Si Nanmu was his true form, a testament to its preciousness.
"Alright, alright."
Lin Zhao descended and collected the Jin Si Nanmu into his bag. "Lu Zhi, immediately summon Tang Guangjun, Chen Ben, Yu Wanning, Chu Yu, Mu Gua, and others to come here."
"Ah?"
Lu Zhi blinked. "Why are you calling them?"
"To raid Guiyuan Sword Sect!"
Lin Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled. "Guiyuan Sword Sect wanted to kill Lu Guiyi. This matter is not so easily dismissed. Hurry and gather your forces. I will invite Miss Lin Wanhua to provide support. We will strike Guiyuan Sword Sect together and wipe them out tonight. This will serve as a small warning to the sects of the Northern Four Clans."
"Understood!"
As Lu Zhi was telepathically summoning people, Lin Wanhua had already gracefully arrived and landed on the mountain path. She cupped her fist towards Lu Guiyi and smiled, "Lin Wanhua congratulates Sword Immortal Lu on entering the Upper Five Realms."
"I am ashamed, I am ashamed..."
Lu Guiyi was extremely flattered. Few people in the world dared to refer to themselves as Sword Immortals in front of Lin Wanhua, and hearing it from her lips made one feel somewhat apprehensive.
Soon after, Tang Guangjun, Chen Ben, Yu Wanning, Chu Yu, and Mu Gua arrived on the wind, all of them Upper Five Realm cultivators. Coupled with Huang Tingyu and Lu Zhi, the lineup presented by the Villa on the Mountain Peak was terrifying. Moreover, with Lin Wanhua providing support, this was undoubtedly a nightmare for Guiyuan Sword Sect.
In the night breeze, everyone ascended into the air and, enveloped by a wisp of Lin Wanhua's sword intent, silently charged towards the Guiyuan Sword Sect in the north.