Gravity Mountain
Upon rejecting the invitation of the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign, Qin Wentian couldn't help but notice the expressions of those around him. He realized the immense prestige associated with being the personal disciple of the Plum Mountain Sovereign. He shook his head and turned his attention to Lin Shuai.
"Senior Brother, I'll find a place to rest for now," Qin Wentian announced.
"Very well. After you and Junior Sister Qing'er have chosen a residence, meet me in the mountains," Lin Shuai replied with a smile. His mission had been accomplished, and he now intended to report back to his master. Qin Wentian was someone the ancestor had taken an interest in, so there was no reason for the ancestor not to meet him.
"Sure," Qin Wentian agreed without any objections, and they left the area.
Meanwhile, Li Hanyou stomped the ground in frustration, summoning several extraordinary young cultivators to her side. In that moment, she seemed like a bright moon surrounded by stars.
"How many sword strikes did that man comprehend?" she inquired.
"Junior Sister, after joining the sect, he comprehended a total of fourteen sword strikes in just five days," one of them answered. Upon hearing this, Li Hanyou's expression stiffened. Her pride waned slightly as she realized that she had only comprehended ten sword strikes in comparison to that man.
"Don't let it bother you, Junior Sister. Comprehension depends on innate perception, but it doesn't necessarily reflect one's overall aptitude," another person consoled her. Li Hanyou nodded, regaining her composure. She couldn't let herself underestimate her own abilities. However, she couldn't help but wonder about the man's combat prowess and talent, given his extraordinary comprehension.
Meanwhile, Qin Wentian and Qing'er set out to find a suitable cavern for their cultivation in the mountain under Sword Sovereign Ling Tian's guidance. They discovered two adjacent caverns with a rustic charm and a tranquil atmosphere.
Afterward, they ascended a winding path that led to a particular mountain. Along the way, fragrant flowers and waterfalls adorned the surroundings, creating a paradise-like atmosphere.
Accompanied by Lin Shuai, Qin Wentian ascended the mountain path, leaving Ye Lingshuang and the others at the mountain's base. They exchanged puzzled glances as they watched Lin Shuai bring Qin Wentian to meet the Sword Sovereign directly. What kind of background did Qin Wentian have to warrant such special treatment?
As they reached the exterior of a grand hall, a white-clad girl emerged. Although she wasn't a beauty, her features exuded an exquisite elegance and a hint of dignity. She appeared neat and tidy.
"This is Sixth Senior Sister, Cang Yue," Lin Shuai introduced.
"Senior Sister," Qin Wentian greeted respectfully. Cang Yue, being a young Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant, held a prestigious position in Grand Xia. It was a reminder of the vast world outside.
The white-robed female welcomed Qin Wentian and informed him that the Sword Sovereign was waiting for him. Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel bewildered by this news. The Sword Sovereign himself was waiting for him?
With a sense of curiosity mixed with anxiety, he followed the white-robed woman into the great hall. Inside, several members of the Battle Sword Sect were present, but his attention was immediately drawn to a man standing farther in the hall. This man gave off an aura of unparalleled sharpness, and even though he didn't release any of his power, it felt as though taking a step forward in his presence would be nearly impossible.
Respecting the customs, Qin Wentian paid his respects, addressing the man as the sect leader. He couldn't help but wonder if this imposing figure was indeed Sword Sovereign Ling Tian.
The sect leader acknowledged Qin Wentian's greeting with a nod. He mentioned that he had heard stories of Qin Wentian's achievements and requested to see Qin Wentian's Astral Souls and the will of Mandates he possessed. The Sword Sovereign's presence was intimidating, but Qin Wentian remained composed and unyielding, a testament to his extraordinary strength of character.
As requested, Qin Wentian unleashed his Astral Souls and will of Mandates. The brilliance emanating from his astral souls illuminated the entire great hall, their golden radiance blinding to the eyes. Sword Sovereign Ling Tian, despite his imposing presence, couldn't help but involuntarily release some of his aura when he witnessed Qin Wentian's astral souls. The pressure that followed was suffocating, but the sect leader quickly regained control.
After a moment, Sword Sovereign Ling Tian was finally able to speak. He requested that Qin Wentian stop, and the resplendent light in his eyes gradually faded. The sect leader was still trembling inwardly, deeply impressed by what he had just witnessed. As the leader of the Battle Sword Sect, he had encountered numerous geniuses, but this was the first time he had seen someone with a first astral soul from the 5th Heavenly Layer. Furthermore, Qin Wentian's combination of astral souls and will of Mandates was exceptional.
Sword Sovereign Ling Tian analyzed Qin Wentian's Mandates, recognizing the potential for immense attacking power with his combination of Force, Dreamsleep, Demon, and Sword Mandates. He acknowledged Qin Wentian's unique abilities, leaving the young cultivator silent and contemplative.
Lin Shuai and Cang Yue, who were also present, were equally stunned by the extent of their junior brother's abilities. The strength of Qin Wentian's astral sensory abilities was nothing short of astonishing, and it left them in awe.
Qin Wentian nodded in acknowledgment of the Sword Sovereign's assessment, his gaze unwavering and determined.
Sword Sovereign Ling Tian continued to offer guidance to Qin Wentian, emphasizing the importance of reaching the Perfection Boundary for his Mandates and further strengthening his physique to maximize the potential of his Mandate augmentations. Qin Wentian absorbed this valuable advice, although he was aware that increasing the strength of his physique would be a significant challenge given his current state.
The sect leader also highlighted the potency of fusing two Mandates, even at a basic level. Qin Wentian shared that he had experimented with this before, albeit in a simplified form, which had resulted in increased attack power. Sword Sovereign Ling Tian acknowledged his efforts and emphasized that different weapons were more suited to specific Mandates, depending on their inherent characteristics.
Grateful for the guidance, Qin Wentian expressed his thanks. The Sword Sovereign, despite his high status, was humble and willing to share his knowledge to ensure that Qin Wentian didn't veer down the wrong path.
Sword Sovereign Ling Tian also provided some personal insights and offered assistance but made it clear that ultimately, Qin Wentian had to walk his own path. He entrusted Qin Wentian to Senior Brother Lin Shuai and made arrangements for Qing`er's cultivation as well.
As they departed, Qin Wentian bowed to show his respect, leaving Sword Sovereign Ling Tian with a sense of satisfaction and admiration. The sect leader believed that his master's judgment in selecting Qin Wentian for their Battle Sword Sect had been spot on.
Lin Shuai couldn't help but express his admiration for Qin Wentian as they left the great hall. The combination of astral souls Qin Wentian possessed had truly left a strong impression.
Qin Wentian, while silently amused by the misunderstanding about Qing`er being his girlfriend, decided not to clarify the situation, as it didn't seem necessary.
Lin Shuai and Qin Wentian continued their journey, and back at the mountain waist, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. Qin Wentian's unique talents and potential had captured the attention of the Sword Sovereign and the entire Battle Sword Sect, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his cultivation journey.
Qin Wentian couldn't help but laugh in response to Lin Shuai's mysterious comments, leaving Ye Lingshuang intrigued. She pressed for more information, and Lin Shuai casually mentioned that their master had instructed him to take Qin Wentian to the Gravity Mountain.
The shock in Ye Lingshuang's reaction was palpable as she blurted out her exclamation, prompting an eye roll from Liu Yun. This curious turn of events filled Qin Wentian with anticipation for what awaited him at the Gravity Mountain.
Upon arriving at the ravine that housed the Gravity Mountain, the imposing black rocks and colossal ancient trees immediately caught Qin Wentian's attention. He questioned Lin Shuai about their location, and Lin Shuai began explaining the daunting tasks that awaited him.
Lin Shuai tasked Qin Wentian with moving the massive black rocks across the ravine and then back again. He also assigned the challenge of chopping down a hundred of the immense trees in the area. Qin Wentian, initially confident, accepted the challenge with a laugh.
However, as soon as he descended into the ravine, the crushing force of gravity took him by surprise. He was forcefully pinned to the ground, struggling to maintain his balance and feeling as if his internal organs were being pulverized.
With Lin Shuai's parting words and a complacent look from Ye Lingshuang, Qin Wentian realized the gravity in this place was beyond what he had imagined. Even the circulation of his astral energy was hindered by the intense gravitational force.
Taking a shaky step forward, the ground beneath him rumbled as he tried to come to terms with the crushing gravity. Looking at the colossal rocks and thick trees, Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the immense challenge that lay ahead.