AGM 404 – Sword’s Keen

Underneath the precipice, outside the region of the sword range, Qin Wentian continued to sit quietly while immersed in a world of his own.

One of his objectives for coming to the Sword Reverence City had already been accomplished. Next, he needed to concentrate and further deepen his insight into the Mandate of Swords, and afterward condense an Astral Nova, officially stepping into Heavenly Dipper with a total of four Yuanfu.

The night was as still as water, with the light from the stars illuminating the entire region. Qin Wentian abruptly frowned, and as he stretched out his perception, he could ‘see’ an extremely powerful sword cultivator about 30 years of age in the area. The cultivator was guarded by members of the Heavenly Sword Sect, who was also currently using this place to aid in his comprehension of the Mandate of Swords.

The sword intent from the demon sword was extremely domineering. However, the insights one gleaned from it ultimately depended on a variety of factors and would be different for every cultivator.

The perception of the other party was akin to a sword firing off sword beams straight at him. Qin Wentian’s countenance remained unchanged and he remained sitting in the cross-legged position. When those sword beams pierced into Qin Wentian’s sea of consciousness, his eyes abruptly opened as the light of enlightenment dawned within them. It was as though he had comprehended something.

“It seems like I have you to thank for this,” Qin Wentian murmured. After which, he walked out of the cave and soared into the skies with his eyes closed.

With an intention of his will, the ancient sword strapped to his back floated onto his hands.

Slicing the sword through the skies, a sword beam was slashed out from it. Yet, that sword beam contained no hints of power nor ferociousness. It felt as though that slash wasn’t a stance from any particular sword art or sword technique.

However, Qin Wentian continued swinging out sword slashes, paying no mind to standard sword stances. Neither did he conform to any sword rules nor sword laws. Yet the sword itself was the law. Each and every sword contained a unique sword rhythm, giving people a marvelous sensation. But it was merely that—a marvelous sensation. There was no feeling of might to it.

From afar, at the sword range, several silhouettes flew over in the direction of Qin Wentian. Upon seeing Qin Wentian foolishly waving his sword about, a comical expression involuntarily appeared on their faces.

“That sword technique seems clumsy beyond comparison? What a joke, I’m sure any sword technique from our sect would be able to defeat it.” A tall and lanky female stared at Qin Wentian as contempt filled her voice.

“Seems like he’s nothing but an ordinary sword cultivator. He truly doesn’t know how high the heavens are. At his level, coming here to comprehend the sword is naught but a waste of time, and he even disturbed senior brother Jian Feng’s cultivation.” Someone among the group coldly laughed.

The female earlier had an expression of worship when the name ‘Jian Feng’ had been mentioned. Their Senior Brother Jian Feng was one of the three Sword Sons from the Heavenly Sword Sect. Be it talent or power, he was extremely outstanding in both fields.

“Earlier, Senior Brother Jian Feng felt a disturbance when he was comprehending the sword; hence he sent us out to investigate.”

Qin Wentian finally halted his movements and opened his eyes, glancing at this group of people. He was currently feeling extremely joyful, and the corners of his lips were curled up in a smile. His handsome countenance was imbued with hints of regalness underneath the starlight and was extremely striking, especially to those of the opposite sex.

The expression on the female changed when she looked at Qin Wentian. However, she then coldly laughed, “A handsome appearance, yet totally useless in a fight. What use is that?”

Qin Wentian had a bizarre expression on his face when he heard the words of the female. He shifted his eyes over to her, and as their gazes met, the female felt as though a surge of electricity had entered her brain, causing her to shiver from an unknown emotion. She then stated, “This place isn’t somewhere you can stay, leave here quickly.”

“I’m pretty far away from the boundaries set by your Heavenly Sword Sect,” Qin Wentian coldly replied.

“How dare you talk back.” The girl coldly snorted, the Heavenly Sword Sect in the Sword Reverence City enjoyed a status far up in the heavens. Nobody dared to disrespect them, and the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect were superior to others. Even when they were out walking in the city, people would also hold them with reverence and respect.

“Your clumsy sword techniques are an eyesore, desecrating our eyes with filth.” The female stated with an overwhelming sense of arrogance. Since this was the command given to them by their Senior Brother Jian Feng, she naturally had to ensure it was carried out. If this cultivator was going to be this dense and recalcitrant, she wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson.

“My sword techniques are an eyesore, desecrating your eyes?”

Qin Wentian smiled wryly as he faintly added, “It’s not that my sword techniques are clumsy, it’s just that some people have eyes but are blind, unable to see through its profoundness.”

After speaking, Qin Wentian turned and walked away from the area.

“You…” That female pointed a trembling finger at Qin Wentian’s back, choking on her words. Although she’d been merely sent here as a guardian to protect the sword range from intruders, she was at the very least, someone at the eighth level of Yuanfu whose Mandate of Swords was already at the Transformation Boundary of the first level. Yet, she was now being mocked by Qin Wentian, saying that she had eyes but was blind. How could she stand for it?

“Arrogant.”

“Ignorant.”

“Junior Sister, just ignore him,” remarked someone at the side.

“How laughable, this fellow is so weak with swords yet he dares to be so brazen,” another person consoled. That female continued staring at the departing back of Qin Wentian, before gritting her teeth and turning away, as the whole lot of them flew back to the location they came from.

That female then shifted her eyes towards a cavern in a random direction where Jian Feng was currently cultivating in.

Jian Feng had the strongest sword talent in the entire Heavenly Sword Sect, and he was the only one selected to be the Sword Son. Although he currently wasn’t the strongest, no one doubted his future achievements. There was even a very high probability that he would end up as the leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Qin Wentian left the area, but he didn’t immediately depart from the precipice. He chose another location and cultivated there for three days before returning to the Sword Reverence City.

When Qin Wentian returned to the Zong Clan, his return caused many to notice which kicked up another storm of discussion about him.

During the few days when he’d ‘disappeared’, the majority of discussion topics were focused on him.

Currently, Zong Peng had already let out news that after the battle at the sword range, he would strip Qin Wentian of his Sword Son title.

And now, Qin Wentian had returned.

Qin Wentian could sense the others’ eyes on him, but he paid no heed to them. Right now, he wanted to find clan lord Zong Yi since he needed some Yuan Meteor Stones.

As Qin Wentian passed by a training field, several glanced at him as a voice sounded out, “Qin Wen!”

When he shifted his gaze over, his eyes landed on Zong Qian. “Zong Qian, can you bring me to the clan lord?”

“Sure.” Zong Qian nodded, flying up. Those below all had cold smiles on their faces, with Zong Hong interjecting, “Brother Qin, when are you going to turtle until?”

Qin Wentian glanced at Zong Hong, shaking his head. “Zong Hong, your purpose should be to improve your sword skills and comprehend your second level insight in the Mandate of Swords rather than trying to provoke me.”

Seeing how Qin Wentian’s tone sounded like an elder lecturing an ignorant junior, Zong Hong’s countenance turned chilly as he retorted, “Comprehending a second level insight isn’t something that can be done in a day. And what’s more, do you even have the qualifications to lecture me? You dodged the fight when I challenged you previously, and now you’re back after several days hiding in some god-knows-where location. Are you back to seek shelter from our clan lord?”

The others all had their eyes fixated on Qin Wentian. Several of them had mocking looks reflected on their faces. Upon seeing this, Qin Wentian sighed and continued walking forward.

“Such a coward isn’t fit to be a Sword Son of my Zong Clan. How about you hand over the Sword Son’s Sword to me?” Zong Hong’s tone grew increasingly arrogant, and the provocation within it was evident. The others standing around were all regarding Qin Wentian with derision.

“You guys. Wait for me here.”

Qin Wentian spoke faintly before leaving with Zong Qian. The sudden departure caught Zong Hong unawares, leaving him stunned for a moment before he recovered with an icy smile on his face, “Fine, I’ll wait for you here.”

Expressions of excitement could be seen on the others, this news was swiftly circulated, and other members of the younger generations in the Zong Clan soon gathered over. Some of them looked down on Qin Wentian and felt that he wasn’t worthy of the title Sword Son, others merely wanted to take a look at how powerful the Sword Son selected by their clan lord was.

Qin Wentian and Zong Qian eventually met up with Zong Yi, who had a smile on his face when he noticed their arrival.

“Uncle Zong,” Qin Wentian called out, Zong Yi nodded in response as he inquired, “I heard that you weren’t in the Zong Clan for the past days. Why are you free to come visit your Uncle Zong today?”

“Not withholding the truth from Uncle Zong, I need several Yuan Meteor Stones. The meteor stones on me have since run dry, and I wonder if it’s possible to borrow some from Uncle Zong.” Qin Wentian bitterly smiled. Although he was the successor of the Azure Emperor, he hadn’t accomplished anything in the Zong Clan and was already stretching his hands out asking for resources. Qin Wentian felt somewhat ashamed, this wasn’t his usual kind of behavior.

“Don’t worry about it, if you need them just let me know. Don’t even mention the word ‘borrow’.” Zong Yi flicked his sleeves, and momentarily, a huge amount of Yuan Meteor Stones appeared before Qin Wentian. There were even some from the 4th Heavenly Layer, exuding an energy so terrifying that Zong Qian had an expression of shock on his face.

The clan lord really treated Qin Wentian too well.

“Still not sufficient.” Qin Wentian smile grew even more bitter. The Astral Nova he was condensing was different from most others; hence his consumption of energy would be even more astronomical in comparison.

Zong Yi froze, he glanced at Qin Wentian before seeming to understand something. He then smiled, “Fine, fine.”

After speaking, he waved his arms, and a miniature mountain of Yuan Meteor Stones stacked up to form a pile taller than even a human. The sight of this caused Zong Qian to suck in a breath of cold air.

Qin Wentian flicked his sleeves, collecting all the stones into his interspatial ring. His gaze landed on Zong Yi as he stated, “Uncle Zong, I will participate in the battle at the sword range.”

Zong Yi nodded his head, “With your presence, I am free of worries. It’s about time the rights of that sword range fell to our Zong Clan.”

“I’ll be leaving first.” Qin Wentian bid farewell as Zong Qian left with him. Zong Qian was somewhat speechless when he met Qin Wentian’s gaze. This fellow, what did he talk about with the clan lord previously? The attitude the clan lord showered onto Qin Wentian didn’t seem as simple as that of an elder towards a junior.

Qin Wentian returned to the training field from earlier. He stood in the air gazing down at Zong Hong as his countenance suddenly turned sharp. The Qin Wentian right now had an entirely different aura compared to before, no one dared to gaze at him with contempt.

“Those who aren’t convinced of the reason I was selected as the Sword Son, you can all stand forward right now,” Qin Wentian stated detachedly. Quite a few of those from the Zong Clan let out cold snorts when they heard that. They stood together with Zong Hong; these people were all nominees for this generation’s Sword Son’s position before Qin Wentian’s arrival.

“Come at me together,” Qin Wentian’s voice drifted out as his long hair fluttered in the wind.

Zong Hong and the rest exchanged a look, both emanating forth a terrifying sharpness that gushed towards Qin Wentian. Since he wanted it so much, they would utterly waste Qin Wentian.

The cries of swords unsheathing echoed as cold light reflected from the metallic blades covering the entire skies. For a single moment, the entire space was silent.

“Feel this.” Qin Wentian took a step forwards, and instantly, the ancient sword strapped to his back propelled itself a distance out from its sheath, yet not fully unsheathed. A single note of sound from the sword sealed the entirety of the sharpness emitting from that group.

“BZZZ!” Qin Wentian took another step forward as the ancient sword behind his back propelled out by another half an inch.

The sword keen sounded out again, and the cold light reflected off of it resembled blood. A terrifying sound note wavered in the air, Zong Hong and the rest felt their faces go cold as fresh blood dripped from their cheeks.

An instant later, their faces were all filled with terror when they gazed at Qin Wentian in the air. An inconceivably cold and sharp sword intent enveloped the entire region, exuding a sense of majesty resembling the king of swords.

“Are you guys even worthy of cultivating the sword?”

As the sound of Qin Wentian’s voice faded, he took another step forward. A light keening resounded as sounds of laceration echoed in the void. Zong Hong and the rest all fainted, falling onto the ground, with visible laceration marks on their clothes and throats. If the sword intent had sliced half an inch deeper against their throats, they would have died without a doubt.

Silence reigned in the training field. The thunderstruck gazes of everyone there were fixated on the person standing in the air.

Qin Wentian looked down with imperiousness in his gaze before coldly snorting, flicking his sleeves and walking away. An instant later, that oppressive sword intent vanished into complete nothingness!

Annoucement:

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