Chapter 454 – One Step to the Summit!
Empire Sword Mountain was originally an exceptionally tranquil place. However, for the sake of testing the disciples, Yun Wumian had captured a number of foreign races and placed them in the mountain as "obstacles."
Finding Spirit Clan members was not difficult, but locating exactly one hundred True Immortal Fifth Realm cultivators was a bit troublesome. To simplify the process, Yun Wumian had directly seized an entire Spirit Clan settlement and used his Immortal Domain to suppress their cultivation at True Immortal Fifth Realm, saving himself a great deal of effort.
And now, the Spirit Clan elder, who was originally at Seventh-Level Immortal Sovereign Realm, was sitting at a chessboard across from a mere disciple of Sword Abyss—a sight that Yun Wumian found rather unexpected.
At the same time, Gu Yan had finally stepped into Empire Sword Mountain.
He did not linger. Following the guidance of his instincts, he flew straight toward the central zone.
As he approached, he saw numerous Spirit Clan figures emerging from the lush forest, their stances filled with sharp, aggressive intent as they coldly fixed their eyes on him.
Gu Yan's expression remained indifferent. He simply reached out and drew the sword assigned to him as a Heaven Hall disciple.
—Clack!
A crisp sound rang out as a black stone fell onto the chessboard.
"Capture."
Li Hao spoke lightly.
With this move, he struck unexpectedly, breaking open the elder's formation and taking a key position.
If the elder wanted to reinforce the gap, he would need to waste an extra move—but Li Hao would never allow such an opportunity.
"Oh?"
The Spirit Clan elder raised his brows, glancing at Li Hao before focusing back on the board.
As the two continued their battle, Li Hao's offense deepened, gradually threatening to completely dismantle the elder's formation.
"A formidable young talent indeed..."
The elder sighed in admiration.
Li Hao smiled and placed another piece.
—Splurt!
Blood splattered.
Gu Yan retrieved his sword and calmly stepped toward the transmission array leading to the next level.
Behind him, nearly a hundred Spirit Clan members lay gravely wounded, sprawled across the battlefield—some with tattered robes, some with broken limbs.
Gu Yan, on the other hand, had only a slight smudge of dirt on his sleeve.
Stepping into the transmission array, he entered the Second Trial—where fifty True Immortal Sixth Realm demonic beasts awaited.
The term "demonic beast" covered a wide variety of creatures, from bull demons and dragon fiends to feline specters and more.
Each of them had unique abilities, meaning combat in this level would test a fighter's adaptability and versatility to the extreme.
By this point, few disciples remained in the trial, meaning each challenger had to face even more demons on their own.
Yet, Gu Yan did not seek shortcuts. He raised his sword once more and continued straight toward the central zone.
—Snap!
A black stone struck the eye of the formation, seizing control of the board.
The Spirit Clan elder, who played white, now had almost no chance to recover.
Even so, he refused to surrender, still pressing forward with every move.
Nearby, the middle-aged Spirit Clan member folded his arms and sighed as he watched the match unfold.
As the battle on the chessboard grew increasingly intense, Li Hao's pace slowed slightly, but the advantage he had built up ultimately secured his victory.
With the final decisive move, Li Hao let out a slow breath.
The Spirit Clan elder, withdrawing his gaze from the board, smiled faintly.
"To achieve such a level of mastery at your age is truly remarkable."
The elder spoke in praise.
Li Hao remained humble, responding with a polite nod:
"You flatter me, senior. Your chess mastery is profound—far beyond my reach."
The elder chuckled, neither declining nor affirming, and said:
"I have simply lived too long. Even if one does not wish to learn, time forces understanding upon them."
As he spoke, his gaze returned to the chessboard.
"Now, it's my turn."
Li Hao nodded in agreement.
The elder picked up a black stone, held it briefly between his fingers, and then—unexpectedly placed it in an entirely different region of the board.
—Boom!
A violent clash erupted.
Gu Yan's body was sent flying backward.
He had reached the Third Trial.
Here, twenty True Immortal Seventh Realm demons awaited challengers.
At this moment, twelve of them had already formed an encirclement around him.
Unlike the previous trials, these demons were not merely True Immortal Seventh Realm cultivators—their cultivation had been forcibly suppressed to this level, making them even more terrifying than usual.
"A Sword Abyss prodigy?"
One of the demons sneered.
"Hmph. While we may not be able to kill you, breaking your Dao Heart will be satisfying enough. Our race is no one's tool! Do you think we will simply allow you humans to use us at will?!"
One of the demon race members spoke, a towering violet python looming behind him as his Heaven and Earth Manifestation. Its scales shimmered as though forged from molten lava, radiating an intimidating presence.
"Suppress him!"
The other demon race cultivators roared in agreement.
Unlike the Spirit Clan, they weren't so easy to deal with. Dragged here against their will, they had nowhere to vent their rage except on these disciples.
As the aura of their immortal energy surged, revealing their terrifying power, Gu Yan's expression grew solemn. He wiped away the streak of blood at the corner of his mouth, and deep within his pupils, a black, flame-like sword shape ignited.
Sword Dao Essence—Sever!
A pitch-black sword light slashed out in an instant, carrying the might of Third-Level Sword Dao Essence. The first demon that lunged at him was cleaved apart, its massive body torn asunder.
The young man held his sword, his figure moving like a black dragon awakening from slumber, swiftly tearing through the battlefield.
"Hmm?"
Li Hao's expression shifted upon seeing the Spirit Clan elder's move.
That placement...
"Young ones can be impressive, but ultimately lack experience..."
The Spirit Clan elder chuckled. Although Li Hao had managed to break through his earlier formation, this seemingly insignificant move had now reversed the situation, forming a counter-encirclement!
A trap within a trap.
Only now did Li Hao fully comprehend—the elder's every step had secretly laid the foundation for another strategy.
Now, his position, which had previously pierced through the opponent's formation, had instead become ensnared.
A dagger with no way to maneuver was as good as a dead blade.
Luckily, however, the hilt was still free, allowing him some chance to turn the tide.
Seeing Li Hao struggling, the elder smiled, methodically shrinking his available space on the board.
Li Hao furrowed his brows, deep in thought—every move now felt more grueling than the last.
Nearby, the middle-aged Spirit Clan member remained composed, already seeing through Li Hao's desperate struggle.
With his master's superior chess skills and the clever setup of the formation, Li Hao had almost no way out.
Boom!
Two blood-red claws came crashing down from above, carrying an overwhelming force. Immortal energy pulsed alongside an intrinsic Dao resonance, completely overpowering Gu Yan's sword aura, slamming him down into a mountain peak below.
The mountain shattered upon impact, sending debris flying in all directions.
But in the very next moment—Gu Yan shot back up, streaking through the sky like a meteor!
Nearby, two other massive demon beasts revealed their true forms, lunging after him to finish the job.
However—a figure suddenly appeared in midair, blocking the two demons.
The figure's gaze lowered onto the battered young man.
Even with his Ancient Immortal Bloodline unleashed, Gu Yan had still fallen in battle.
Yet, for someone at True Immortal Third Realm to carve his way through three trials and fight in the Fourth Trial for so long—this was already a monstrous achievement.
"Child, it's time to go back."
The elder floating in the void reached out, pulling Gu Yan from the rubble, transmitting energy to help him regain consciousness.
His voice was calm but firm.
Though severely wounded, Gu Yan remained aware of what had just transpired. His eyes flashed with a flicker of defiance—but in the end, he remained silent, only his gaze growing sharper.
From the twelve Seventh-Level True Immortal demons of the Third Trial, he had fought his way through.
But in the Fourth Trial, he had finally reached his limit.
Without further resistance, he clasped his hands toward the elder and turned to leave Empire Sword Mountain.
"You lost."
As the final piece landed, the Spirit Clan elder spoke calmly.
Li Hao looked at the clear-cut result on the chessboard, silent for a moment before nodding.
"Thank you, Senior, for your guidance."
"No need to call it guidance."
The elder smiled lightly.
"Watch us play two more rounds. See if you can figure out where you lost."
He was clearly fond of the boy, though he wouldn't teach him the way of the sword—in chess, however, he was happy to give some pointers.
Li Hao nodded, rising from his seat to observe from the side.
Nearby, A'Ling watched Li Hao closely.
Although he had ignored her earlier, she found herself unable to dislike him.
Perhaps it was because of his refined features and clear, genuine eyes.
Or maybe it was the way he focused entirely on the chessboard, with a pure and unwavering passion—like a child marveling at the world.
In a hushed tone, she sent him a voice transmission:
"Don't feel bad. To last this long against Grandpa's chess skills—you're already amazing."
Li Hao turned his gaze toward her, as if seeing her properly for the first time.
His eyes lit up slightly at her graceful features.
Then, he smiled faintly and nodded.
At the Fourth Trial of Empire Sword Mountain, a figure dressed in elegant robes, her regal beauty standing out even amidst the battlefield, was locked in a desperate struggle.
Yue Xi.
Faced with three True Immortal Eighth Realm demon beasts, she could no longer hold her ground.
She had used every technique at her disposal, every secret art and trump card—but it still wasn't enough.
Finally, she had no choice but to call for aid.
The moment a Grand Elder arrived, he swept her up and teleported her out of Empire Sword Mountain.
And just like that—her trial ended.
Her heart burned with unwillingness.
She had given everything.
She had brought out every hidden card she had.
Yet in the end—she still lost.
Just three True Immortal Eighth Realm demon beasts were enough to completely overwhelm her.
After being teleported out of Empire Sword Mountain, Yue Xi landed on a distant hilltop—where she saw Fourth Senior Brother Xu Jianming already there.
For some reason, seeing him there gave her a small sense of comfort. She descended, standing beside him.
"Senior Brother, you didn't climb higher?" she asked.
Xu Jianming had just finished regulating his breath and tending to his injuries. Seeing this proud yet unwilling-to-lose junior sister, he shook his head helplessly and chuckled.
"I can't compare to those guys. The Ancient Demon Clan truly has few equals in the same realm."
Yue Xi's expression shifted. "You fought against the Ancient Demons?"
Xu Jianming, after all, was at True Immortal Seventh Realm. She immediately asked, "Were you at the Fifth Trial? Or the Sixth?"
"Sixth," he replied with a sigh.
A trace of admiration flickered in Yue Xi's eyes—just one step away from the Seventh Trial.
She encouraged, "There are still two years left. Don't give up, Senior Brother."
"Of course." Xu Jianming nodded.
At that moment, he caught sight of a figure flying toward them in the sky and smiled. "Little Junior Brother is here too."
Yue Xi froze for a moment, then turned to look.
A black-robed figure—Gu Yan—was descending.
But at this moment, his robes were stained with blood, tattered from battle. Clearly, he had endured fierce combat.
Yue Xi stared at him for a long moment, but did not speak first.
Xu Jianming, however, was more casual. "Little Junior Brother, which trial did you reach?"
Gu Yan glanced at him. Perhaps because he had just suffered a setback, his usual cold demeanor had slightly softened.
"Fourth."
Xu Jianming raised a brow, then turned to Yue Xi. "You both reached the Fourth Trial?"
Laughing, he added, "Not bad! Too bad this round was too short. Otherwise, with more time, the two of you might've really had a chance to reach the top."
Gu Yan turned to Xu Jianming and asked, "Senior Brother, which trial did you reach?"
"Sixth."
Gu Yan's gaze flickered slightly but he said nothing.
Meanwhile, Yue Xi suddenly asked, "How many demon beasts did you encounter in the Fourth Trial?"
"Six."
Gu Yan's response made Yue Xi's face change slightly.
She had encountered only three and had already been defeated.
Her fingers inside her sleeve tightened slightly, but she remained silent.
Gu Yan, too, did not ask any further. Since he faced six, then at most, she had faced four.
However, his goal had never been to compare himself with her.
"Third Senior Sister and Fifth Junior Sister haven't come out yet… oh, and Old Seventh too."
Xu Jianming gazed at Empire Sword Mountain and remarked, "First Senior Brother must have already reached the top. Since I made it to the Sixth Trial, Second Senior Brother should have too. But I wonder if Senior Sister made it past the Seventh."
Wei Hongye was at True Immortal Eighth Realm, and to fight against the True Immortal Ninth Realm Ancestral Dragon… it was uncertain whether she could win.
Only then did Yue Xi remember Li Hao.
The one who had joined the sect with her—and he still hadn't come out?
Her expression subtly shifted, her eyes fixated on Empire Sword Mountain. Her hand clenched even tighter.
A short while later, two figures emerged from the sky.
Wei Hongye and Murong Qingwu.
They had exited together, landing beside the waiting trio.
Seeing that Lu Wuchen and Ji Qingxuan weren't present, they expected as much. But noticing that one more person was missing, both women looked puzzled.
"Hmm?"
Wei Hongye's brows furrowed.
Xu Jianming saw them arrive and sighed. "Senior Sister, you didn't pass?"
Wei Hongye shook her head.
"That Ancestral Dragon was indeed formidable. Originally, Little Five and I planned to work together, but Elder Zhou Qingyun said we had to fight one-on-one. We both lost."
Murong Qingwu sighed lightly beside her.
Xu Jianming glanced at Murong Qingwu, then teased with a smile, "Fifth Junior Sister truly is a falling sword star. You joined later than me, yet you're already ahead of me now."
Murong Qingwu smirked. "Who told you not to work harder?"
Then, she turned to Yue Xi and Gu Yan, asking about their results.
Gu Yan had not expected this seemingly cheerful girl to reach the Seventh Trial, and his expression shifted subtly.
He thought of their earlier sparring agreement, and his gaze grew sharper.
Without another word, he walked away to sit cross-legged, focusing on comprehending his battle insights.
Wei Hongye suddenly realized that one person was still missing.
"Wait… someone's not here… Old Seventh? He hasn't come out yet?"
Xu Jianming scratched his head, looking puzzled. "He didn't get into trouble inside, did he?"
Murong Qingwu shook her head. "I didn't see him at the Seventh Trial. He must still be below, maybe caught in some challenge."
She didn't dwell on it much. She had little impression of this junior brother but was far more interested in Yue Xi from the Catastrophe Clan and Gu Yan, the Innate Sword Immortal Physique.
Wei Hongye nodded, not thinking much of it either. "Well, let's not waste time. We only have two years—let's all work harder."
The group did not continue chatting and instead focused on their cultivation.
Empire Sword Mountain gradually returned to peace.
Though some disciples were still challenging the trials, their numbers had greatly decreased—most had already reached their limits and realized that there were no shortcuts to the top.
Even if some had grouped together in the earlier trials to advance more easily, in the end, each individual still had to face their own battles alone.
At the mountaintop, nine figures stood silently.
"Senior Brother."
Lu Wuchen finally reached the summit, his eyes falling upon Ji Qingxuan, who was already sitting in front of the tea table outside the thatched hut, leisurely drinking tea.
Ji Qingxuan nodded slightly.
At this moment, the Sword Abyss Master, Yun Wumian, was sitting alone on a cliffside, overlooking the boundless world below. No one dared to approach and disturb him, so all the disciples gathered near the tea table instead.
"Not bad. Was it easy?"
Ji Qingxuan patted Lu Wuchen's shoulder, grinning.
Lu Wuchen, though known for being a man of few words, rarely showed any emotion. Yet this time, he revealed a somewhat sheepish smile.
"That Ancestral Dragon was troublesome… Its dragon body was too powerful. My sword could barely break through its defenses."
"The Ancestral Dragon Clan is born with the 'Ancestral Dragon Physique.' Being overpowering is normal—it's a bloodline that ranks just below the 'Ten Supreme Immortal Physiques'."
Ji Qingxuan nodded, his gaze shifting to the outer regions of Empire Sword Mountain.
"That little junior brother of ours, the 'Innate Sword Immortal Physique,' also made it to the Fourth Trial. His progress is remarkable. If he seizes this opportunity and wins a slot to comprehend the Empire Sword, he can shorten the gap between us significantly."
Lu Wuchen paused. His gaze followed Ji Qingxuan's, falling upon a black-robed youth meditating on a distant hilltop.
His expression became complicated.
For the first time… he felt pressured by someone younger.
Turning back to Ji Qingxuan, he couldn't detect a hint of jealousy in his senior brother's face.
Instead, he saw admiration and appreciation.
Respect surged within his heart.
"Senior Brother, how was the battle at the border? How's the situation there?" Lu Wuchen asked.
Ji Qingxuan's expression darkened slightly.
"The Ancient Demon Clan is ferocious. In recent years, the techniques developed by the various sects have mainly focused on strengthening the soul, giving us some resistance against them. However, in the same realm, we are still at a disadvantage in direct combat."
Lu Wuchen fell silent before muttering, "Once I step into the Immortal Lord Realm, I want to go train there."
Ji Qingxuan glanced at him, then smiled faintly.
"Don't rush. For now, let me take on that burden. The human race doesn't need more soldiers—it needs a true leader, someone who can elevate us and lead our race's resurgence."
His gaze fell once more upon the distant Empire Sword Mountain.
"Perhaps… our hope lies among them."
Lu Wuchen was momentarily stunned.
At that moment, his senior brother's presence felt infinitely vast, as if he were standing atop the entire world.
He silently nodded, no longer speaking.
Days passed.
As Xu Jianming finished his meditation and scanned his surroundings, he suddenly realized something strange.
Li Hao… was still missing.
A sense of unease crept into his heart. He quickly took out his Sword Talisman.
Within the sect, fellow disciples' talismans could resonate and locate each other.
Previously, Li Hao had given his talisman to Xi Yan, allowing her to move freely through sect areas. However, once she had familiarized herself with the sect, she had returned the talisman to Li Hao.
At this moment, the talisman's response came from Empire Sword Mountain.
But when Xu Jianming pinpointed the location, his expression froze in confusion.
The talisman's position… hadn't moved from the First Trial.
"Wait… he's still in the First Trial?"
Xu Jianming stood in stunned silence.
Half a month passed.
Yue Xi awoke from her cultivation and launched another challenge at Empire Sword Mountain.
Other disciples followed suit.
During their first entry, most had simply tested their limits. Now, however, they treated Empire Sword Mountain as a training ground—a place to sharpen their swordsmanship.
After all, the presence of elders ensured their safety, making it a rare and ideal battlefield.
Moreover, Empire Sword Mountain was rich in immortal energy, making it an excellent place for cultivation.
However, the difficulty this time had increased drastically.
There were fewer disciples advancing together—each individual now had to face more enemies alone.
Yet Yue Xi, filled with pride and determination, did not see this as a drawback.
Instead, she even felt annoyed that other disciples had taken away her chance to fight more monsters herself.
This time, she fought her way to the Fourth Trial.
Facing five True Immortal Eighth Realm monsters, she battled bitterly for an extended period and barely managed to win.
Half a year later, Wei Hongye, Gu Yan, and Murong Qingwu launched new challenges.
Wei Hongye and Murong Qingwu were once again defeated at the Seventh Trial, failing to overcome the Ancestral Dragon.
However, Gu Yan suddenly leaped forward—surpassing expectations!
He broke into the Fifth Trial.
And then—he defeated all three True Immortal Sixth Realm Ancient Demons!
Continuing forward, he pushed into the Sixth Trial, where he was finally defeated.
His rapid progress left the others shocked.
At the same time, many began to realize something strange—Gu Yan's Primordial Spirit might have already surpassed the extreme boundary and developed the legendary 'Primordial Spirit Meridians.'
Otherwise, he could never have defeated the Ancient Demons so easily.
Over the past six months, more disciples from other elders had attempted the trials.
Two more disciples had reached the Seventh Trial, successfully making it to the summit and earning the right to comprehend the Empire Sword.
Meanwhile… back at the First Trial…
At the edge of a secluded cliff far from the central region, Li Hao continued his match with the elder of the Ling Clan.
Over the course of their duels, Li Hao occasionally managed to secure a victory.
The elder's chess skills were on par with Old Wang's, but their styles were vastly different. More importantly, the elder showed no leniency on the board. Every victory Li Hao achieved was by sheer luck, capitalizing on the rare lapses in the elder's focus.
"Kid, aren't you going to challenge the trials?"
As another game concluded, the elder looked at Li Hao and chuckled.
Over the past half-year of their matches and conversations, they had grown somewhat familiar with each other. The elder found this unique disciple of the Sword Abyss rather amusing—while everyone else was desperately fighting their way forward, this one was idly drifting with the current.
"There's still time. No rush, no rush."
Li Hao grinned.
It wasn't often he found an opponent who surpassed him in chess—how could he miss out on such a rare opportunity?
This was a rare chance to train. Finding an opponent of this caliber was nearly impossible on normal days.
The elder shook his head in exasperation but did not push further. The Ling Clan had been captured and forced into this place. Naturally, they harbored no goodwill toward the Sword Abyss. Though he didn't particularly dislike this youth, neither did he feel any special affection toward him.
Li Hao gathered the chess pieces and ceded his seat to the middle-aged Ling Clan member, then sat to the side, reviewing the reasons for his previous loss.
Over the past half-year, he had significantly improved his chess skills. If he could attain the legendary Twelve-Dan Chess Heart, that would be even better.
Another half-year passed.
It had been a full year since the Empire Sword Challenge began, and the once-bustling Empire Sword Mountain had grown quiet. Most disciples were now focused on their comprehension of the sword.
Only after making progress in their cultivation would they return to Empire Sword Mountain for live combat practice.
At the Seventh Trial, Li Tie Mu and the elder woman had come to accompany Zhou Qingyun, watching over the disciples facing the Ancestral Dragon.
Their role was crucial. Only they had the strength to intervene in time and rescue disciples from the Ancestral Dragon's clutches.
"Your disciple will reach this stage soon. That Innate Sword Immortal Physique is truly terrifying."
Zhou Qingyun couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
All three of them turned their gaze toward the black-robed youth meditating on a distant hilltop below.
"In just one year, he can already go toe-to-toe with True Immortal Eighth Realm Ancient Demons. He's even cultivated the 'Zhan Huang Jue' to the third level. If not for his True Immortal Fourth Realm cultivation limiting his immortal energy, he could already fight against True Immortal Ninth Realm cultivators."
The elder woman's tone carried a trace of admiration. The Zhan Huang Jue was one of the top-tier sword techniques within the Sword Abyss Pavilion, and it had chosen him. More impressively, he had mastered it.
"True Immortal Fourth Realm, yet he already has the aura of an invincible genius within his realm. The Ancient Immortal Bloodline is truly on par with the Imperial Clan Bloodlines—its reputation is well deserved."
Zhou Qingyun remarked.
Li Tie Mu wore a smile, but there was an unmistakable trace of concern in his eyes.
Time was too short.
For true geniuses, the biggest obstacle wasn't resources—it was time!
Resources could be provided by major sects, and he had secretly given Gu Yan fifty thousand immortal stones, helping him break through to the True Immortal Fourth Realm within a year.
Currently, Gu Yan lacked neither immortal stones nor elixirs, and with the abundant immortal energy here, he still had time to break into the True Immortal Fifth Realm within the year!
Such an advancement speed was terrifying. If he could double his immortal energy, he might truly stand a chance against the Ancestral Dragon.
However… it was still uncertain. No one could guarantee a victory.
Seeing Li Tie Mu's concerns, the elder woman shook her head.
"You're truly greedy. Hong Ye has already reached the summit, and Qingwu is close. Isn't that enough for you?"
Li Tie Mu forced a wry smile.
"But Hong Ye has already lived for nearly three thousand years. We can't expect her to lead the charge in the Southern Domain Battle. Even though her talent is exceptional, she alone isn't enough to elevate our sect's ranking."
"So you're pinning all your hopes on that Sword Immortal Physique kid?"
Zhou Qingyun nodded in understanding before suddenly smirking.
"Well, if we had a three-year window, he would almost certainly secure a slot."
Li Tie Mu sighed.
That was precisely what troubled him—time.
If only they had three years, he was confident Gu Yan would undoubtedly secure the Empire Sword Slot.
"But given his talent, even the Abyss Lord is watching him closely. If he doesn't make it in time, a special exemption wouldn't be out of the question. After all, privileges exist for a reason, and geniuses deserve them."
Zhou Qingyun said meaningfully.
Li Tie Mu nodded. He had already thought of this. If Gu Yan couldn't make it in time, he would shamelessly beg the Abyss Lord for an exception.
The elder woman's gaze shifted elsewhere.
"That girl from the Calamity Clan won't make it in time. She's still struggling at the Fifth Trial. Her Primordial Spirit isn't strong enough, and cultivating the Primordial Spirit isn't something that can be rushed."
Li Tie Mu nodded.
Yue Xi was another remarkable genius. Excluding Gu Yan, her talent was already terrifying. But this time, luck was not on her side.
"Speaking of which, where's that brat with the 'Nine Chimes Dao Heart'?"
"He's still in the First Trial."
The moment Li Hao was mentioned, Li Tie Mu couldn't help but let out a bitter chuckle.
While his focus was primarily on Gu Yan, he had also kept an eye on Li Hao and Yue Xi.
And Li Hao…
Hadn't left the First Trial in an entire year.
Instead of fighting, he had spent his time playing chess with the Ling Clan elders.
Li Tie Mu was at a loss for words.
On one hand, he admired Li Hao's ability to befriend the Ling Clan, something no other disciple had done.
On the other hand, Li Hao's laid-back attitude was beyond frustrating.
It wasn't a lack of drive—his Nine Chimes Dao Heart ensured that his mindset was flawless.
But if he were to force him to advance, it might disrupt his Dao Heart and do more harm than good.
"The First Trial?"
Both Zhou Qingyun and the elder woman were stunned.
They turned to stare at Li Tie Mu in disbelief.
"That kid doesn't seem to be aiming for the Empire Sword Slot. Maybe he realized from the start that he couldn't compete and just gave up early. I don't know whether to call him optimistic or just too laid-back."
Li Tie Mu sighed helplessly.
Zhou Qingyun and the elder woman exchanged glances, both at a loss for words.
Time continued to pass.
In the blink of an eye, nearly two years had gone by, and the trials of Empire Sword Mountain were nearing their conclusion.
In this final month, many disciples who had been in secluded meditation awakened and returned to the mountain, engaging in fierce battles to sharpen their combat skills before the opportunity was lost.
"Look! Senior Sister Qing has reached the summit!"
"She finally did it! Hahaha! Senior Sister Qing has been stuck at the Seventh Trial for a whole year, and she finally defeated the Ancestral Dragon!"
"I can't believe she managed to claim the slot in the very last month—amazing!"
On a distant mountain ridge, several disciples cheered loudly.
Murong Qingwu glanced over. She recognized Senior Sister Qing—True Immortal Eighth Realm. It wasn't surprising that she had made it to the summit.
Taking a deep breath, Murong Qingwu unsheathed her sword and soared toward Empire Sword Mountain.
Nearby, Yue Xi also suddenly stood up and followed suit.
Xu Jianming watched them, letting out a long sigh. He had been challenging the Ancestral Dragon as well, but after his last battle at the beginning of the month, he knew his chances were slim.
"Training alongside you guys is pure torture..."
Xu Jianming lamented.
In just under two years, Yue Xi had climbed to the Sixth Trial, and that little junior brother with the Innate Sword Immortal Physique was even more outrageous—he was already at the Seventh Trial, facing the Ancestral Dragon just like him.
In less than two years, his newly admitted junior brother had caught up to him. His feelings were complicated—a mixture of admiration, frustration, and disbelief.
With more disciples reaching the summit, many others felt renewed motivation and surged toward Empire Sword Mountain once more.
Yue Xi fought fiercely against a True Immortal Eighth Realm Ancient Demon. Her eyes burned with determination, every strike ruthless and without regard for self-defense.
"Seeking death?"
The Ancient Demon, enraged, launched a brutal counterattack, aiming to kill her before the Sword Abyss elders could intervene.
Yue Xi's sword swung wildly, her entire body radiating immortal energy. A silver-white mark appeared on her forehead—the Calamity Clan's ancestral mark.
There was only one month left, and she hadn't even seen the Ancestral Dragon yet. If she didn't secure an Empire Sword Slot this time, she would never get another chance.
Kill!
Yue Xi fought with everything she had.
As more disciples threw themselves into battle, another figure ascended to the peak of Empire Sword Mountain, causing a stir among the watching disciples.
"It's Senior Brother Sun! He's also defeated the Ancestral Dragon!"
"Glory to Qinghe Academy!"
"Wait… another one?"
At the mountain's summit, a breathtakingly beautiful figure emerged, her long hair slightly disheveled. She reached up, gently tucking a few strands behind her ear, before gazing back over the vast landscape.
"Qingwu."
A familiar voice rang out as Wei Hongye flew toward her.
Seeing Murong Qingwu had also reached the summit, her face lit up with joy.
"Senior Sister."
Murong Qingwu smiled in return.
Her ascent caused an uproar among the disciples outside the mountain. Many recognized her immediately.
On a distant hill, Gu Yan, dressed in black, opened his eyes and glanced toward the summit.
Thinking back to their previous duel, his gaze sharpened as he slowly stood up.
The Seventh Trial of Empire Sword Mountain
Once again, Gu Yan stood before the Ancestral Dragon.
Looking up at its towering figure, his eyes burned with unprecedented resolve.
Silver threads of immortal energy wove around his body as his Ancient Immortal Bloodline awakened.
His sword comprehension had already reached the Fourth Layer of Sword Dao Essence—a realm typically only accessible to Immortal Lords. Yet, he had mastered it while still in the True Immortal Third Realm.
Now, at True Immortal Fourth Realm (Peak), nearing his breakthrough to the Fifth Realm, he was ready for a rematch against the Ancestral Dragon.
"Boy, you are not my match."
The Ancestral Dragon's deep voice rumbled with impatience.
"Do not waste your strength."
Gu Yan's response was a brilliant slash of sword light.
Boom!
As an earth-shaking battle erupted, Li Tie Mu, Zhou Qingyun, and the elder woman appeared silently at the edge of the battlefield, watching intently.
Li Tie Mu's expression was grim, tinged with nervousness.
This battle was critical for Gu Yan. Only a few days remained before the trial ended. If he failed again, he would not have enough time to challenge it again.
As violent waves of sword energy surged, the Ancestral Dragon unleashed its divine might, letting out an ear-splitting roar, shattering the sword waves before clashing against the young warrior.
Under the overwhelming force of the Ancestral Dragon's power, the young swordsman was once again suppressed.
However, within the chaotic storm of sword energy, an ancient and boundless force suddenly awakened.
Under the immense pressure, the boy let out a roar that pierced through the skies. Accompanying his cry, a sword aura, ancient and primordial, burst forth. The Ancestral Dragon's powerful body was immediately slashed open, its massive scales scattering through the air.
Watching this scene, Li Tie Mu, Zhou Qingyun, and the elder woman all widened their eyes, their pupils shrinking in shock.
"The awakening of the Ancient Immortal Bloodline? Is this the true manifestation of the Sword Immortal Physique?"
They were stunned by the transformation of the youth. None of them had expected that he would force his bloodline to evolve under such dire circumstances, unleashing an even more terrifying power.
The momentum of the battle shifted instantly.
A few minutes later, a black-robed figure ascended to the summit of Empire Sword Mountain.
This scene immediately drew the attention of the disciples outside the mountain, causing a wave of shocked exclamations.
Many disciples had heard rumors about the black-clad youth—he was the one possessing the Innate Sword Immortal Physique.
But he had only just joined the sect, and his cultivation was merely at True Immortal Fourth Realm.
And yet, he had reached the peak?
"My god, am I seeing this right? That's Gu Yan?"
"It's him! A True Immortal Fourth Realm actually defeated the Ancestral Dragon? That's impossible!"
"This is absurd! I'm at True Immortal Eighth Realm and I couldn't even break the Ancestral Dragon's defenses—how did he do it?"
Even some disciples from the Heaven Academy were shaken, their expressions filled with disbelief.
At the summit of Empire Sword Mountain, Ji Qingxuan, Wei Hongye, and the others were momentarily stunned before their faces showed expressions of surprise.
"You made it too?"
Murong Qingwu gazed at her junior brother, astonishment flickering in her eyes before she studied him carefully.
Gu Yan's clothing was torn, clear evidence of a brutal battle, yet his expression remained calm. His immortal energy had taken on a refined, ancient quality. He only nodded slightly toward Ji Qingxuan before shifting his gaze, searching for the Abyss Master.
"What a monstrous talent."
Wei Hongye sighed, seeing how arrogant and high-spirited her junior brother appeared. Besides feeling helpless, she couldn't help but feel awed.
A newcomer had already caught up to them, despite their years of rigorous cultivation. It was simply absurd.
Sitting on a secluded cliff behind the thatched hut, Yun Wumian silently observed the youth.
For two years, he had kept an eye on this boy's every challenge, witnessing his terrifying rate of improvement.
Such intelligence and talent stirred even his heart, making him consider bending the rules if Gu Yan failed.
Yet, this boy had proved himself worthy.
Meanwhile, Yue Xi had fallen once again.
Her expression darkened. The vast gap in soul power made her struggle against the Ancient Demons. Each exchange left her completely suppressed.
As she returned to the mountain hills, she heard the disciples' excited shouts.
She froze.
She looked around but couldn't find the black-clad youth.
"He…"
Xu Jianming's expression was complicated as he responded, "Junior Brother has already reached the summit."
Boom.
Yue Xi's mind reeled, as if struck by lightning.
Reached the summit?
Her junior brother, who joined later than her, had already reached the top?
And she… she hadn't even passed the Sixth Trial.
Her fingers clenched so tightly that blood seeped from her palms, but she didn't even notice.
Her feet had barely settled before she turned around again—heading back toward Empire Sword Mountain.
Xu Jianming, however, wasn't paying attention to her anymore.
His own emotions were in turmoil.
Being overtaken by a newly admitted junior had left him feeling deeply frustrated.
As the Empire Sword Mountain Trials neared their end, the battles became even fiercer.
Yue Xi challenged the trials again and again, fighting desperately, but she was still suppressed by the Ancient Demons at the Sixth Trial.
In the blink of an eye, the final day arrived.
At the summit, Li Tie Mu's voice echoed across the mountain.
"Today is the final test."
His announcement resounded throughout Empire Sword Mountain, snapping all disciples out of their meditation.
They now had two choices.
Challenge the trials one last time—or stay and witness the last battles unfold.
Standing at the Sixth Trial, Yue Xi's blood surged, her heart pounding violently.
This was the last day.
If she missed this opportunity, the gap between her and that junior brother would permanently widen.
She would never catch up to him again—she wouldn't even be able to see his shadow.
This can't happen.
I won't accept this.
I have to win.
I must climb to the top.
A ferocious light flickered in Yue Xi's eyes, though she hadn't yet realized that something deep within her bloodline was beginning to stir.
The Calamity Clan was not called calamity without reason.
The source of their power was the ability to influence the very essence of the heavens.
Li Hao's sword energy erupted with a trace of Heaven's Path essence, carrying an ominous calamity-like aura. The Ancient Demon, who had been preparing a lethal strike, suddenly had his pupils constrict in alarm and instinctively dodged.
Her hair billowed as her tall figure became almost ethereal. Her sword strikes grew faster and faster, until finally, she slashed directly through the Ancient Demon's primordial soul!
At the first level of Empire Sword Mountain, Li Tie Mu's voice echoed down from the summit.
Immersed in his game of chess, Li Hao remained completely unbothered, as if he hadn't even heard it. It wasn't until a slight tug on his sleeve brought him back to reality that he turned his head in confusion.
"It's the last day. After this match, you should leave."
Beside him, the Ling Clan girl, A Ling, spoke softly.
Li Hao paused for a moment, finally realizing how much time had passed.
He turned toward the Ling Clan elder. The old man stroked his beard with a smile. "Boy, the path of chess is long. If fate allows, we shall meet again and play another match."
Li Hao came to his senses, feeling a touch of regret. He bowed and said, "Thank you, senior, for your company over these two years."
The Ling Clan elder was momentarily surprised, then let out a hearty laugh. "It is I who should thank you, for showing me that there are still such interesting people among the human race."
Li Hao smiled. Though he hadn't yet fully comprehended the Twelfth Realm of Chess Dao, his understanding of the game had deepened tremendously. His experience had been refined to perfection—now, he only needed that final moment of enlightenment to step into the Twelfth Realm of Chess Dao completely.
Half a moment later, the final game concluded.
Li Hao lost.
He stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Junior bids farewell."
"This is a token of the Ling Clan—a Ling Talisman. With it, if you ever find yourself in the Ling Clan's domain, you will be treated as one of our own. You may also seek minor assistance from the Ling Clan if needed."
The Ling Clan elder sliced open the void and retrieved a glowing talisman, gently handing it to Li Hao.
Li Hao was taken aback for a moment before reaching out to accept it. Then, after some thought, he reached into the chess box and picked up two chess pieces, channeling his own power into them using the abilities of the Heaven and Earth Atlas.
"I have left a mark on these pieces, senior. If fate allows, I can use this imprint to find you again in the future."
The Ling Clan elder was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.
From Li Hao's words, wasn't this just a tracking method? Who in their right mind would willingly carry such a thing? Yet, this youth presented it as a farewell gift, speaking with such sincerity.
"Very well, I shall accept it," the elder chuckled.
Li Hao nodded, bidding farewell once more.
Watching him leave, the Ling Clan elder suddenly called out, "Are you heading for the second level?"
"Yes, I'm going to take a look at the summit."
Li Hao smiled before disappearing into the void with his Spatial Dao.
Hearing his words, the three members of the Ling Clan, who had just been chuckling at the youth's peculiar ways, suddenly froze.
He's… going to the summit?
Meanwhile, having bid farewell to the Ling Clan elder and his companions, Li Hao used his mastery over Spatial Dao combined with his Abyssal Shift technique, moving directly toward the central region.
No disciples were in this area. The Ling Clan guards patrolled the core zone.
Li Hao's arrival was silent, weaving past the guards undetected. By the time they noticed anything, he had already stepped into the teleportation array, and all they caught was the fading shadow of his back.
With the teleportation complete, Li Hao arrived at the second level of Empire Sword Mountain.
The teleportation spots appeared to be randomized. He focused on the guiding force within him and rushed toward the central zone.
The moment he entered, a group of monstrous figures emerged.
"A human?"
"Kill him!"
Various creatures transformed into their true forms—colossal and grotesque—charging straight toward him.
Li Hao's robes fluttered, his long hair dancing in the wind. Without pausing, he simply raised two fingers together and slashed.
The space before him shattered like a fractured mirror.
As soon as the beasts neared the rupture, they sensed a terrifying force of spatial severance. Their movements halted abruptly, eyes filled with horror as they watched the young figure pass effortlessly through them.
His lone figure, untouchable, shrank into the distance within their pupils.
The third level.
The fourth level.
Until he reached the fifth level.
Upon arriving at the teleportation site, he immediately sensed the familiar aura of the Ancient Demons.
He scanned the area with intrigue while releasing his aura, then proceeded toward the next teleportation point.
Before long, as he neared the transmission node, three True Immortal Sixth Realm Ancient Demons materialized from the void.
"True Immortal Third Realm?"
Sensing his cultivation level, the three demons were visibly surprised. There were very few at this level who could reach here.
But when they noticed his Heaven Academy disciple robes, their eyes gleamed with ferocity. They knew that once this trial ended, their deaths were inevitable. Unlike other captured races, their kind would not be spared by the Abyss Master.
If they were doomed regardless, dragging someone down with them would be worth it.
The three Ancient Demons exchanged glances, their intent clear—they planned to kill this human instantly, not even giving him a chance to call for help.
Li Hao, however, gazed at the three Ancient Demons, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He licked his lips.
In a flash, space seemed to freeze. The mere presence of Spatial Dao's power caused the three Ancient Demons' bodies to stall momentarily. The next instant, Li Hao flicked his fingers, and sword energy burst forth, piercing through their bodies in an instant.
Li Hao understood Ancient Demons' bodily structure perfectly. His sword strike didn't just cut their physical forms—it annihilated their primordial souls as well.
In a mere breath, the three Ancient Demons perished without even having time to scream.
Back when Li Hao was at the Saint Realm, he could already kill True Immortal Ancient Demons. Now, as a True Immortal himself, wielding numerous immortal techniques, exterminating them was effortless.
With their deaths, Li Hao raised his hand and stored their corpses in his Heaven and Earth Space—these were excellent ingredients, after all.
Then, without stopping, he stepped into the sixth level…
Long after Li Hao had disappeared, another disciple cautiously arrived at the fifth level. He moved with extreme care toward the teleportation array but found no sign of Ancient Demons.
Shocked yet delighted, the disciple quickly slipped into the teleportation formation.
Upon reaching the sixth level, he noticed that the area had shrunk even further. The teleportation array leading to the seventh level was not far away, but even after careful observation, he found no Ancient Demons attacking him.
Meanwhile, at the seventh level of Empire Sword Mountain.
The Ancestral Dragon gazed at the approaching youth. Seeing his leisurely, unhurried demeanor, its dragon eyes narrowed slightly.
The young man had not concealed his aura—he was only at the True Immortal Third Realm. Among all those who had stood before the Ancestral Dragon, he had the lowest cultivation.
Yet, he wore the Heaven Academy's robes—clearly a prodigy.
"Hmph, I just got rid of a True Immortal Fourth Realm, and now another Third Realm appears. Do they really think anyone can pass here?!"
The Ancestral Dragon was growing irritated. It scanned its surroundings, noting that the three old men had just escorted the little girl away.
Now was the perfect moment.
No one was watching, and this brat had walked straight into its jaws—he was courting death!
"Die!"
Two years of imprisonment, being used as a mere stepping stone—the Ancestral Dragon had long been suppressing its rage.
Now, it erupted.
Its colossal dragon form unfurled, lunging toward Li Hao with overwhelming might.
Compared to the Ancestral Dragon's massive body, Li Hao seemed like nothing more than a speck of dust floating in the vast heavens.
The violent gales from the dragon's movement, coupled with its crushing dragon might, swept toward Li Hao.
Li Hao raised his head slightly, his expression filled with amusement as he examined the creature.
"So, this is an Ancestral Dragon?"
Whoosh!
As the enormous dragon claw descended from the clouds, intending to crush him, Li Hao finally unsheathed the True Treasure longsword issued to Heaven Academy disciples.
With a casual flick, he slashed.
It seemed like an effortless move.
But this was one of the Ten Great Immortal Arts—Azure Sky!
A single slash, Azure Sky!
At the same time, a faint imprint of the Nine-Flower Immortal Seal flickered on his forehead before quickly vanishing.
The dragon claw, along with the boundless dragon energy pressing down upon him, suddenly reversed! The very sky seemed to distort, the clouds scattering in an instant, shockwaves spreading for millions of miles, causing the entire world to fall into an eerie silence.
Only after the sword aura had swept past did the effects of the attack manifest.
A long, jagged sword wound split open across the Ancestral Dragon's body.
"Ancestral Dragon's physique… is nothing special."
A youthful, clear voice echoed, carrying a hint of mirth.
As the colossal dragon body plummeted to the ground, the figure of the unparalleled youth emerged from the cascading debris, calmly soaring toward the teleportation array leading to the mountaintop.
With a thunderous crash, the entire seventh level of Empire Sword Mountain trembled violently, dust billowing in the air, obscuring the Ancestral Dragon's massive, shocked eyes.
And the youth's silhouette vanished into the teleportation formation.
At the peak of Empire Sword Mountain.
Before the small thatched hut, all the disciples who had reached the summit were gathered, waiting in anticipation. Some paced back and forth, while others pretended to gaze out at the distant clouds, their excitement barely concealed.
The trial of Empire Sword Mountain was nearing its conclusion, meaning the distribution of Empire Sword comprehension slots would soon begin.
Among the crowd, Ji Qingxuan, Wei Hongye, and several others stood together, their expressions concerned.
There, Li Tiemu was cradling a tall young woman in his arms. Her stunning, delicate face was pale, her robes in tatters—Yue Xi.
"Is Little Junior Sister alright?"
Wei Hongye asked anxiously. From her master Li Laotou, she had learned that Yue Xi had actually forced her way through all seven levels of Empire Sword Mountain. The revelation had shocked her, and seeing Yue Xi in this unconscious state only made her more worried.
Li Tiemu shook his head slightly. He had witnessed his disciple's battle against the Ancestral Dragon—it was a near-desperate struggle.
Had it not been for her Awakening of the Catastrophe Clan's bloodline, which made the Ancestral Dragon wary and reluctant to suffer injuries, she likely would not have passed the seventh level.
"I'll have the Abyss Master take a look at her later."
Li Tiemu said solemnly.
At that moment, fluctuations rippled through the celestial pathway beyond the mountain peak.
Sensing the disturbance, everyone turned their gazes in unison.