Immortal Soaring Blade

Because the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect had been keeping a low profile for the past few hundred years, only a few of the Spirit Sea Realm elders went. This caused them to become the laughing stock among the seven holy lands. However, the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect didn’t care enough to explain—they just did their own thing.

The more the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect acted like this, the more the other sects thought they had fallen. In truth, the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect’s power was still great, with many experts around. Many of them remained inside the sect and never went out, so the world didn’t even know them.

On the surface, the Seven Holy Lands Exchange’s purpose was to plan and prepare for the upcoming Battle Competition, but in reality, it was to show off the talent and strength of the new generation of disciples. From this, they could judge how strong the sect was. The worse the disciples were, the lower the status of the sect would become. That was why the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect had fallen in ranking among the seven holy lands. But was this decline real?

Now that they heard that Jian Wuxian and Elder Dawn Wind were both going, how could they not be shocked? A Mahayana Realm cultivator was considered an apex existence; some of the second-rate schools didn’t even have any cultivators at the Mahayana Realm.

After thousands of years, the cultivation world was not as prosperous as the past, where experts filled the sky. Even reaching the Dao Origin Realm was very difficult, much less the Mahayana Realm. No one had ascended in a very long time. This raised a question amongst everyone. Why had the number of cultivators at the top decreased over time?

Xue Qingfeng’s expression became very serious and his usual, cynical expression disappeared. He looked at Jian Wuxian and said, “Head Teacher, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for you to head to the Seven Holy Lands Exchange? Not to mention Elder Dawn Wind.”

Elder Dawn Wind didn’t interject, silently agreeing to Jian Wuxian’s words. The two of them must have come to an agreement already.

The higher-ups felt that it was very strange. They had been laying low for hundreds of years, why the sudden change?

“There is nothing inappropriate. This time is different from the past. We have been laying low for many years, it's time for things to be shaken up again. Not to mention, if I don’t go personally, we might not even keep our spot as a holy land. The Ten Thousand Dao Sect is hosting this time, and those guys are ambitious wolves. They will certainly try to take advantage of the situation. I want to let them know that even a dead camel is bigger than a horse. Even though my Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect has fallen a bit, our foundation is still very strong.”

Jian Wuxian’s words were calm, but they excited everyone. Xue Qingfeng thought about the situation in the last few hundred years and thought Jian Wuxian’s words were correct, so he nodded in agreement.

Seeing that there were no more objections, Jian Wuxian suddenly shouted, “Things are set. In one year, we will head to the Ten Thousand Dao Sect. The rest of the disciples will work hard and cultivate hard for the next two years. I hope all of you will be like dragons and bring glory to the sect during the Battle Competition.”

In an instant, all the disciples felt their blood boil, their eyes burning with passion. At their age, who didn’t want glory?

“Disciples, obey the Head Teacher’s command!”

A uniformed voice echoed. When Zhao Jiuge accepted the seal from Fu Hongling, he had become their leader. Their time had come—the next 200 years belonged to them.

Soon, they were going to represent the sect during the Battle Competition. They were excited and yearned for it in their hearts.

Hearing the roars from the new generation of disciples, the older generation of disciples, including Yan Wenfei and Fu Hongling, were moved. They seem to have returned to the past, when they experienced it all. Now they had withdrawn from this era, and the future of the sect now depended on the new generation! Thinking about this, their gazes dimmed.

Jian Wuxian waved his sleeve and said, “Zhao Jiuge and Jiulian stay, everyone else can leave.” Normally, all five people who were called should have remained, but the other three were all injured and no longer here.

After hearing the Head Teacher’s words, the disciples below didn’t seem to want to leave. They felt like they hadn't had enough and their gazes were somewhat complicated.

No matter how much they had looked down upon Zhao Jiuge, he had proved himself with his strength. No matter how unwilling some people were to accept it, the fact that Zhao Jiuge had become the Chief Head Disciple was reality.

These disciples didn’t have any ill intent. Now that it involved the honor of the sect, they all subconsciously grouped together. Now when they looked at the young man who would lead them during the Battle Competition in less than two years, their expressions became complicated but filled with admiration!

“I plead for Senior Brother Zhao to earn glory for our Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect in one month!”

All of the new disciples suddenly made an unexpected move. They clasped their hands and firmly looked at Zhao Jiuge. It seemed like they were doing this to show their approval of their new Chief Head Disciple.

Zhao Jiuge was shaken and moved. He moved his dried lips and finally spat out six words.

“I won’t let you all down”

Zhao Jiuge also clasped his hands. He was doing this to tell these disciples that this was his mission and obligation. He was going to lead everyone to fight for the glory of the sect.

At this moment, all the disciples were in agreement, even if they had disagreements in private. All of it for the honor of the sect.

Because they had accepted a lot of disciples 1,000 years ago, the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect was very powerful. After that, the several holy lands worked together to suppress the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect. During every Battle Competition, the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect was everyone’s enemy. The sect’s results during the recent Battle Competition were not good. During one Battle Competition, some of the top disciples even fell in battle.

That was why the leader of the Battle Competition was very important. Not only did that person need to have personal strength, that person also required the ability to lead the other disciples.

Even the older disciples were moved by Zhao Jiuge’s infectious words. After receiving Zhao Jiuge’s affirmative answer, all the disciples scattered to prepare for the Battle Competition.

The higher-ups watched all of this, and Jian Wuxian let out a sigh. “If possible, I don’t want every disciple to be like a dragon.”

“Oh? What does the Head Teacher mean?” Xue Qingfeng’s eyes were filled with doubt. He didn’t know why Jian Wuxian would say this.

After a moment of silence, Jian Wuxian looked into the distance. “Because that means there will be even more sacrifice. If possible, I actually hope these children can cultivate in peace. Even if their lifespans end and they can’t proceed further, there will be no regrets. There is no need for them to die in unnecessary battles.”

The sun was setting in the west, and the residual sunlight was like blood.

The higher-ups were shaken. Through the residual sunlight, they seemed to see the scene of the disciples dying for the sect.

Even the expressions of Jian Wuxian, Du Jun, and Zhang Xu became strange. Although the three were always in conflict with each other, it was all for the good of the sect. In conflict against external forces, they would work together.

As the Battle Competition approached, the three peaks of the sect had gathered together to make the final push.

A fragrance entered his nose and he saw a figure appear beside him. When Zhao Jiuge saw Jiulian appear beside him, he felt his head ache.

Fortunately, with the higher-ups and elders here, Jiulian didn’t make any moves or say anything. However, the look of admiration in her eyes became even more intense.

“The two of you, come up,” Xue Qingfeng said after seeing the two of them. Even Xue Qingfeng had a smile when facing the two disciples who would be the future of the sect.

The two of them walked up and stopped before the red fence. They silently waited for what was going to happen next.

Jian Wuxian patiently explained the situation for this trip. “The Ten Thousand Dao Sect is hosting the Seven Holy Lands Exchange this time. The Ten Thousand Dao Sect dislikes us the most. I believe that during this time, they will team up with the other holy lands to make things difficult for us. That’s why Elder Dawn Wind and I will go to deter them. As the top disciples of the sect, you will face pressure from the disciples, especially Zhao Jiuge, who is the Chief Head Disciple. You must resist the pressure and not lose out in terms of momentum. Although your Spirit Core Realm cultivation is not bad, the Chief Head Disciples of the other sects are all top geniuses. However, you don’t have to lose confidence. After all, the Battle Competition only begins in two years, and that’s where the real show begins. This time, you don’t have to fight, but don’t get oppressed by the others’ momentum.” 

Zhao Jiuge got the general understanding and was also looking forward to this trip even more. Most importantly, he would be able to see that long-awaited figure. He would also be able to see what cultivation the top disciples of the other sects were at.

Those vanity-loving elders, Du Jun, and Zhang Xu knew it was time to face reality. Although they didn’t like the young man before them, he was going to be the Chief Head Disciple that would represent the sect. Their expressions toward him softened a bit.

The higher-ups gave instructions and explained some matters. The other three that were seriously injured were naturally not here to hear this. They would do their best to recover in the next month.

Zhao Jiuge silently listened and remembered every single word of important information. Jiulain was the same. Although she didn't look like much, her strength couldn’t be underestimated—Zhao Jiuge was very clear of this.

Du Jun and Zhang Xu didn’t say much. Although their disciples were injured by Zhao Jiuge, they didn’t feel much hatred. Instead, they could only sigh and feel envious that Jian Wuxian had such good disciples. At the same time, they really admired Jian Wuxian’s vision.

Seeing that the situation was a bit messy, Elder Dawn Wind finally got a bit impatient and quickly said, “Okay, I originally prepared to have you all come to my place to cultivate. I wanted to take you all somewhere to help you improve your cultivation. However, it looks like it's too late now. After the Seven Holy Lands Exchange is over, those of you that should go out to train should go. When you return before the Battle Competition, I’ll take you all to train.”

Jiulian immediately revealed a look of joy. Elder Dawn Wind's cultivation was extraordinary, and the places he would take him would definitely be excellent for cultivation. The surrounding people were also shocked. They didn’t expect the three pillars, who had always been aloof, to begin meddling in affairs!

“If there is nothing else, we’ll take Jiuge first and we’ll see you in one month.” After Elder Dawn Wind finished speaking, he was ready to leave with Elder Waning Moon and Zhao Jiuge. Those final words were for Jian Wuxian.

Before everyone could react, there were a few flashes of light. The three pillars of the sect disappeared with Zhao Jiuge.