Sword’s Keen

Sword's Keen...

Beneath the looming precipice, just beyond the swordplay hubbub, Qin Wentian sat in serene contemplation, enveloped in his own realm.

One of his missions for venturing into the Sword Reverence City had already been ticked off. Now, he aimed to delve deeper into the Mandate of Swords, squeezing out an Astral Nova, thereby ascending to the Heavenly Dipper realm, with a grand total of four Yuanfu.

The night lay still as a dozing cat, with starlight casting an eerie glow over the vicinity. Abruptly, a furrow etched across Qin Wentian's brow. He extended his senses and sensed a potent sword cultivator, roughly thirty years old, positioned nearby. This individual was under the watchful eye of Heavenly Sword Sect members, using the very same spot to augment his understanding of the Mandate of Swords.

The demon sword's aura was incredibly overbearing, yet how one grasped its essence hinged on multiple variables, diverging for each cultivator.

The adversary's perception resembled swords firing off laser beams right at Qin Wentian. His demeanor remained unflinching as he remained cross-legged. As these sword beams drilled into his sea of consciousness, his eyes snapped open, revealing a newfound enlightenment. It was as though he had unearthed a profound revelation.

"It seems like I owe you a debt of gratitude," Qin Wentian mumbled. He then emerged from his cave, floating into the skies with his eyes closed.

With a mere thought, the ancient sword fastened to his back drifted into his grasp.

Slicing the sword through the air, a sword beam emanated from it. However, this sword beam exuded no semblance of strength or ferocity. It appeared as though this slash wasn't part of any known sword art or technique.

Nevertheless, Qin Wentian continued his swordplay, paying no heed to traditional sword forms. He didn't adhere to any rules or principles; the sword itself was the principle. Each sword exuded a unique rhythm, offering a mesmerizing sensation. Yet, it was just that – a captivating sensation. There was no inkling of power behind it.

Over at the swordplay area, several figures dashed towards Qin Wentian. Observing his odd swordplay, comical expressions crept onto their faces.

"His sword technique seems clumsier than a newborn foal's first steps. What a farce! I bet any of our sect's sword techniques could easily outmatch it," a tall, slender woman remarked with disdain in her voice.

"It appears he's nothing more than an ordinary sword cultivator. He's completely oblivious to the vastness of the heavens. At his level, coming here to comprehend the sword is a futile endeavor, and he's even disrupted Senior Brother Jian Feng's cultivation," one of the group sneered with a cold chuckle.

The mention of 'Jian Feng' earlier had ignited a look of reverence on the female's face. Their Senior Brother Jian Feng was one of the Heavenly Sword Sect's famed Three Sword Sons, excelling in both talent and power.

"Just a while ago, Senior Brother Jian Feng sensed a disturbance while meditating on the sword, so he dispatched us to investigate," one of the group explained.

Qin Wentian finally ceased his movements and opened his eyes, casting a glance at this group of people. He was brimming with delight, and a mischievous grin curved his lips. His handsome features radiated a touch of majesty beneath the starlit sky, making him particularly eye-catching, especially to the opposite sex.

The female's expression shifted when she looked at Qin Wentian. However, she then snorted derisively, "Nice looks, but utterly useless in a fight. What good are they?"

Qin Wentian had a bemused expression on his face upon hearing the female's words. He turned his gaze toward her, and as their eyes met, the female felt as though a jolt of electricity had surged into her brain, causing an inexplicable shiver. She then declared, "This place isn't suitable for you. You should leave."

"I'm quite a distance away from the boundaries your Heavenly Sword Sect has set," Qin Wentian replied coolly.

"How dare you talk back?" The girl coldly huffed. The Heavenly Sword Sect in the Sword Reverence City held a lofty status, and no one dared to show disrespect. Its disciples were considered superior, and even as they strolled through the city, they were held in high regard.

"Your clumsy sword techniques are an affront to our eyes, sullying our senses," the female proclaimed with an air of arrogance. Since this was their Senior Brother Jian Feng's command, she was determined to carry it out. If this cultivator insisted on being stubborn, she didn't mind teaching him a lesson.

"Are my sword techniques truly so inelegant, polluting your vision?" Qin Wentian smiled wryly and added, "It's not that my sword techniques lack finesse; it's just that some people have eyes but are blind, unable to discern their profundity."

With that, Qin Wentian turned and gracefully departed from the area.

"You…" The female pointed a quivering finger at Qin Wentian's retreating figure, struggling to find words. Though she had been stationed here as a guardian to protect the sword range from intruders, she was at least an eighth-level Yuanfu cultivator, her Mandate of Swords already at the Transformation Boundary of the first level. Yet, Qin Wentian's mockery had left her incensed, claiming she had eyes but couldn't see. How could she tolerate it?

"Arrogant."

"Ignorant."

"Junior Sister, just let him be," someone advised from the sidelines.

"How amusing! This guy is so inept with a sword, yet he's daring to act so boldly," another person chimed in. The young woman continued to glare at Qin Wentian's retreating figure, clenching her teeth before turning away. The group then flew back to their original location.

Her gaze shifted towards a random cavern where Jian Feng was currently immersed in cultivation.

Jian Feng boasted the greatest sword talent within the entire Heavenly Sword Sect and was the chosen Sword Son. Although he might not be the strongest at present, no one doubted his future accomplishments. There was a high probability he would ascend to the leadership of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

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

Upon his return to the Zong Clan, his presence stirred up a storm of discussion once more.

During the days he had 'vanished,' most of the discussions had centered around him.

Zong Peng had already spread the news that after the showdown at the sword range, he would strip Qin Wentian of his Sword Son title.

And now, Qin Wentian had reappeared.

Qin Wentian could feel the weight of others' eyes on him, but he paid them no mind. Right now, he sought to find Clan Lord Zong Yi for some Yuan Meteor Stones.

As he passed by a training field, a voice rang out, "Qin Wen!"

Turning his gaze, Qin Wentian saw Zong Qian. "Zong Qian, can you take me to Clan Lord Zong?"

"Of course," Zong Qian nodded, flying up. Those below wore sly smiles, and Zong Hong added, "Qin Wentian, when do you plan to hide away again?"

Qin Wentian glanced at Zong Hong, shaking his head. "Zong Hong, your focus should be on honing your sword skills and deepening your understanding of the second level of the Mandate of Swords rather than trying to provoke me."

Seeing Qin Wentian's tone resembling that of an elder lecturing a naive junior, Zong Hong's expression turned icy as he retorted, "Grasping the second level insight isn't an overnight feat. Moreover, do you even have the right to lecture me? You evaded the challenge when I challenged you before, and now you return after vanishing for days in who-knows-where. Are you seeking shelter from our Clan Lord?"

The others kept their eyes trained on Qin Wentian. Several wore mocking expressions. Qin Wentian sighed and continued walking.

"A coward like him isn't worthy of being a Sword Son in our Zong Clan. How about you hand over the Sword Son's Sword to me?" Zong Hong's tone grew increasingly arrogant, with clear provocation. The bystanders regarded Qin Wentian with scorn.

"You guys, wait for me here," Qin Wentian said softly before departing with Zong Qian. His sudden departure left Zong Hong momentarily stunned before he regained his composure, a cold smile on his face. "Fine, I'll wait for you here."

Excitement rippled through the crowd, and the news quickly spread. Other younger clan members soon gathered, some looking down on Qin Wentian, feeling he was unworthy of the Sword Son title, while others simply wanted to see the prowess of the Sword Son chosen by their Clan Lord.

Qin Wentian and Zong Qian eventually met up with Zong Yi, who greeted them with a smile.

"Uncle Zong," Qin Wentian greeted him. Zong Yi nodded and inquired, "I heard you weren't in the Zong Clan for the past few days. Why are you visiting your Uncle Zong today?"

"I won't hide anything from you, Uncle Zong. I'm in need of several Yuan Meteor Stones. The ones I had have been exhausted, and I was wondering if I could borrow some from you," Qin Wentian said with a wry smile. He was the Azure Emperor's successor, yet here he was, asking for resources from the Zong Clan. Qin Wentian felt a tinge of shame; this wasn't his usual behavior.

"Don't worry about it. If you need them, just let me know. Don't even mention the word 'borrow,'" Zong Yi replied, flicking his sleeves. Suddenly, a massive quantity of Yuan Meteor Stones appeared before Qin Wentian. Some even hailed from the 4th Heavenly Layer, radiating such formidable energy that Zong Qian couldn't help but look shocked.

The clan lord was treating Qin Wentian exceptionally well.

"Not enough," Qin Wentian said with an even more bitter smile. The Astral Nova he was condensing was unlike most, meaning his energy consumption was astronomical in comparison.

Zong Yi paused, glanced at Qin Wentian, and seemed to understand something. He smiled and said, "Very well."

With a wave of his hand, a mountain of Yuan Meteor Stones piled up, forming a stack taller than a person. The sight left Zong Qian gasping in awe.

Qin Wentian swept his sleeves, collecting all the stones into his interspatial ring. He then turned his gaze to Zong Yi. "Uncle Zong, I intend to participate in the battle at the sword range."

Zong Yi nodded. "With you there, I have no worries. It's about time the rights to that sword range belong to our Zong Clan."

"I'll take my leave now," Qin Wentian said, bidding farewell as he departed with Zong Qian. When he met Qin Wentian's gaze, Zong Qian found himself at a loss for words. What exactly did Qin Wentian discuss with the clan lord earlier? The clan lord's attitude towards Qin Wentian seemed more complex than that of an elder towards a junior.

Returning to the training field, Qin Wentian hovered in the air, his gaze piercing Zong Hong. The aura around Qin Wentian had transformed, and no one dared to look down on him.

"For those who still doubt why I was chosen as the Sword Son, step forward now," Qin Wentian said calmly. Some members of the Zong Clan scoffed, standing alongside Zong Hong. These individuals had all been nominees for the position of this generation's Sword Son before Qin Wentian arrived.

"Come at me together," Qin Wentian's voice rang out, his long hair fluttering in the wind. Zong Hong and the others exchanged glances, their sharpness radiating towards Qin Wentian. If he wanted this, they would make sure to defeat him utterly.

The unsheathing of swords filled the air as cold light glinted from the blades, covering the entire sky. For a moment, silence engulfed the space.

"Feel this," Qin Wentian took a step forward, and in an instant, the ancient sword strapped to his back moved slightly from its sheath, not fully unsheathed. A single note resonated from the sword, instantly nullifying the sharpness emanating from the group.

"BZZZ!" Qin Wentian advanced another step, causing the ancient sword on his back to slide out another half inch.

The sharp sword rang out once more, and the reflected cold light appeared like blood. A horrifying note reverberated through the air, causing Zong Hong and the others to feel a chill as fresh blood trickled down their cheeks.

In an instant, their faces twisted in terror as they gazed at Qin Wentian in the air. An unimaginably cold and razor-sharp sword intent enveloped the entire area, exuding a regal air akin to the king of swords.

"Do any of you even deserve to cultivate the sword?" Qin Wentian's voice resonated, and with each word, he took another step forward. A faint, eerie keening sound echoed, accompanied by the eerie sensation of slicing through the void. Zong Hong and the others collapsed, tumbling to the ground with visible cuts on their clothes and throats. If the sword intent had penetrated a fraction deeper into their throats, they would have met their demise without question.

Silence blanketed the training field. The astonished eyes of everyone present remained locked on the figure hovering in the air.

Qin Wentian glanced down imperiously, a cold sneer in his eyes before he snorted, flicked his sleeves, and walked away. In an instant, the oppressive sword intent dissipated into nothingness.