Chapter 66: Chapter 65: The Final Challenge

“This sword is extraordinary…” Su Yu finally remembered, and the more he thought about it, the more shocked he became. “According to my Master, hundreds of years ago, when Elder Yan founded the Sword Sect, she wielded this very Green Frost Sword as she roamed the universe. She nurtured this sword with immense affection, treating it as her Lifebound Magical Treasure, and vanquished countless powerful enemies with it!”

“Later, for some unknown reason, the sword was apparently damaged. So, Elder Yan discarded it, tossing it into these Sword Ruins, never to look at it again…”

“Throughout the history of our Sword Sect, countless individuals with peerless Sword Dao Talent have attempted to draw this Divine Sword once used by Elder Yan, but alas, none ever succeeded…”

“Wang… Wang Mu, you’re truly incredible!”

Su Yu grew more astonished with each word.

The others gasped in astonishment as they listened.

However, Wang Mu felt a chill creep into his heart. He finally remembered the Green Frost Sword.

Shit!

This was the very sword my game protagonist personally forged and gifted to Yan Qingwu.

Moreover, it was given as a Token of Love after they had entrusted their lives to each other!

In the game, one had to gift an item to Yan Qingwu to max out her affection and unlock a unique CG.

That’s how this sword came to be.

“Nurtured as a Lifebound Magical Treasure, then discarded for hundreds of years without a second thought, left to become scrap…”

“This signifies a complete severing of ties, an absolute break!”

Wang Mu mused that Yan Qingwu must harbor a deep-seated hatred for Dongfang Mu, the man who had deceived her affections.

A chill permeated Wang Mu’s heart as he processed this.

And now I’ve actually pulled out this sword?

Isn’t this courting death?

Fuck!

I knew it felt somewhat familiar.

Damn!

Just then, the space trembled.

Everyone instinctively felt a potent aura press down upon the land. For a moment, the entire Sword Ruins fell into utter silence.

Su Yu’s body jolted, and he quickly bowed deeply towards the area behind Wang Mu, exclaiming, “Elder Yan! Why have you come?”

The others followed Su Yu’s example, hurriedly bowing with lowered heads.

This Wang Mu is too formidable; he even alarmed such a legendary figure of the Huangtian Continent…

Wang Mu, somewhat stiffly, turned around to face the peerless figure floating in mid-air.

The crimson tear-shaped mole at the corner of her right eyebrow was like a dagger, seemingly poised to plunge into Wang Mu’s heart.

“Elder Yan…”

At this critical juncture, Wang Mu composed himself, bowed, and addressed her.

“Why did you attempt to draw this sword?” Yan Qingwu narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on Wang Mu below, her face devoid of expression.

Her composure was as tranquil as an Ancient Well, making it impossible to discern her thoughts.

But Wang Mu had a deep premonition that a single wrong word could spell his doom.

“I feel my Sword Dao Talent is meager…” Wang Mu stated frankly. “So, I wanted to find an Ancient Sword in the outer areas. After looking around, I noticed this sword was the most ancient and also extremely damaged. I figured I should be able to pull it out.”

Modest!

So incredibly modest!

The others were left speechless by Wang Mu’s words.

But speaking so candidly, isn’t he afraid of incurring Elder Yan’s wrath?

After all, that was her Lifebound Divine Sword from long ago!

Su Yu’s heart leaped into his throat.

Brother Wang truly speaks his mind!

“Is that truly the case?” Yan Qingwu stared at Wang Mu.

Her gaze seemed to pierce through his body, seeing into his very soul.

For an instant, Wang Mu felt as if he had been completely seen through.

“That is indeed what I thought,” Wang Mu reiterated honestly. “However, now that I know the sword’s origin, I feel unworthy of its stature.”

With that, he proffered the Green Frost Sword. “Elder Yan, please take it back.”

Yan Qingwu, however, made no move to take it, instead asking, “What are your thoughts on this sword?”

Wang Mu’s expression firmed. After a moment of silence, he replied, “Although this sword has long been shattered, its residual sword light remains chillingly sharp. When I drew it, I felt as if I had experienced countless battles, my body and soul enduring immense pressure at every moment. Therefore, this is certainly no mere broken sword.”

“It is a peerless Divine Sword, merely veiled in dust for the time being.”

Hearing this, Su Yu heaved a sigh of relief. Brother Wang really knows how to talk.

Upon hearing his words, Yan Qingwu’s expression remained unchanged, but her voice turned somewhat icy. “It’s nothing but a worthless sword, yet you manage to describe it so grandiloquently. As for your Sword Dao Talent, it does indeed seem quite average.”

Her slightly cold voice made everyone’s scalp tingle. They were completely puzzled as to why this peerless Sword Immortal would speak of her once-cherished sword in such a manner.

“To a peerless individual such as yourself, Elder Yan, it is naturally a worthless sword…” Wang Mu said with a solemn expression. “But to us, it is a peerless Divine Sword, albeit covered in dust.”

“Hmph.” Elder Yan merely snorted without speaking.

Seeing this, Wang Mu inwardly sighed in relief. He had read the situation correctly!

Indeed, though Yan Qingwu might have changed considerably, her core nature seems to have remained…

She still has that same demeanor.

Meanwhile, Su Yu listened in a daze, completely unable to fathom Elder Yan’s current mood.

Yan Qingwu spoke indifferently, “Since you drew it, you may keep it. This sword has long lost much of its Spiritual nature and most of its power. That you could draw it signifies a fated connection between you and the sword.”

“Fate is causality. In this world, what surpasses Talent is this Sword Dao causality.”

“Therefore, you shall keep this sword.”

No, please don’t!

Take it back, quickly!

Wang Mu screamed internally.

This sword in my hands is like a ticking time bomb!

What on earth is happening!

“Brother Wang, quickly thank Elder Yan for bestowing the sword!” Su Yu whispered urgently.

Wang Mu’s lips twitched, and he forced himself to express his gratitude.

Yan Qingwu nodded slightly. “May you juniors cherish the swords you have drawn.”

After speaking, she turned, paused for a moment, then added, “Furthermore, if you dare to damage this sword in the slightest, you shall be destroyed along with it.”

These words were directed at Wang Mu.

Wang Mu nodded, sensing a subtle undertone in her words.

“Even though our ties are severed, this sword was once beloved by her… Her feelings are for the sword, not the person. Ultimately, she still harbors some affection for it.”

Yet Wang Mu had already resolved to avoid using the sword if at all possible.

This thing feels like it could expose me at any moment.

If I’m exposed, given our severed ties, Yan Qingwu would likely materialize like a phantom and instantly take my head, just as she did in the illusion.

The space vibrated, and Yan Qingwu vanished from sight.

No one had seen her clearly; with their heads bowed, they had only glimpsed a departing figure and felt the incomparable Sword Dao Divine Intent.

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

After Yan Qingwu departed, Su Yu said with a laugh, “To obtain Elder Yan’s personal sword is to gain her approval. Regarding this trial, even I find it difficult to judge now. That Green Frost Sword has such a profound history… In terms of grade, it was once one of the ultimate weapons of Sword Dao in this world, far surpassing ordinary magic treasures.”

“Let’s just go by its current grade,” Wang Mu coughed. “Didn’t Elder Yan say it herself? My talent is actually average; I’m merely fated to have this sword. It’s nothing remarkable…”

After some thought, Su Yu still ranked Wang Mu first on the list.

Even if not for Wang Mu’s sake, he had to consider Elder Yan’s reputation.

Besides, within these Sword Ruins, no other sword possessed a greater origin than this one.

Even if the Green Frost Sword, in its current state, might only be an ordinary weapon with a hint of spiritual nature…

「The Void Abode.」

After returning to her abode, Yan Qingwu resumed her meditation, her thoughts troubled and her heart slightly uneasy.

Eventually, she let out a soft sigh.

“Only one trial remains. I faintly sensed his Hundred Refinement Body Technique just now… he may have already completed the Bone Marrow Transplant and reached the eightieth layer.”

“To achieve such a state in less than three years, solely through personal effort…”

“Whether by fortune or talent, such a feat is rarely seen in this world…”

“For the Sword Sect to have such a junior, the legacy can indeed be passed on…”

“When that time comes, it will also be time for me to leave the Sword Sect…”

Suddenly, Yan Qingwu’s form stirred, her brows knitting slightly as if she had sensed something.

“Strange, why is her aura present at Gu Yun Mountain?”

“Why would she come to our Sword Sect’s Holy Land?”

「At the same time.」

「Anle Village.」

“Are you looking for young Wang Mu? He left for Gu Yun Mountain this morning. By now, he might have already passed the Sword Sect’s trials and joined them. Young lady, why are you looking for him?”

The village chief regarded the mysterious woman before him with a puzzled expression.

Could it be that young Wang Mu has been involved with other women outside the village?

“Trials? Sword Sect?” The woman appeared momentarily stunned, then understanding dawned on her. She narrowed her eyes and chuckled softly. “Thank you, elder. I’m a friend of his from the same village… Since he has joined the Sword Sect…”

“I understand.”

With that, the woman turned and walked towards the banks of Yunlai Creek.

“Great Immortal, Great Immortal! Did you find him?”

Little Jiao Huo popped her head out. “He’s usually fishing here! If not, he’s definitely in the village!”

“No,” the woman shook her head. “He went to the Sword Sect. Interesting… very interesting.”

“Huh?” Little Jiao Huo’s mouth formed an ’O’ of surprise. “But that’s the Immortal Sect on Gu Yun Mountain! Great Immortal, are you planning to…”

“Of course, I’m going to the Sword Sect to find him.” The woman gently patted Little Jiao Huo’s head. “He was transformed from a flounder to be my fated life partner. How could I not find him?”

“Right, right!” Little Jiao Huo pondered for a moment, then added, “But I feel he’s a tiny bit unworthy of you, Great Immortal…”

The woman let out a charming laugh, and her veiled countenance seemed to brighten the world around them.

“We’ll have to find him to know for sure,” the woman said with a faint smile. “The Sword Sect’s assessment typically has three trials… According to tradition, at this time, he should be at the final one.”

“And it’s the most interesting one…”

“What is this final trial?” Little Jiao Huo asked.

“There is a Holy Land within the Sword Sect,” the woman began slowly. “Known as the Ancient Saint’s Secret Treasure. This place is quite special—a perilous land, a place of great danger, but also a treasure trove!”

“Only by obtaining a sword within this Ancient Saint’s Secret Treasure, defeating a series of Fierce Beasts, and finally conquering a past version of oneself, can one pass. This is the most difficult part.”

“It embodies the Sword Sect’s adage: To defeat others, one must first defeat oneself.”

“Furthermore, within it lies a very unique treasure…”

At this, the woman’s eyes narrowed. “This treasure is coveted by many… Now that the Yan Sword Immortal’s Crossing Tribulation has failed, and the sect has thrown open its gates to recruit disciples, revealing the location of the Ancient Saint’s Secret Treasure, I fear many of the Sword Sect’s enemies will seize this opportunity to emerge.”

“It has been a while since I last visited the Ancient Saint’s Secret Treasure. I might as well take this chance to go and have a look!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep