Chapter 241: Sword Master of the Dao, Will You Spar with Me?

Li Ya returned once again, bringing a variety of gifts for Gu An—cultivation herbs and overseas artifacts. Before Gu An could exchange pleasantries, Li Ya jumped through the window and left, leaving Gu An in stunned silence.

Yang Jian remarked how fascinating this senior uncle was.

Though Li Ya appeared unreliable, his actions and words left a favorable impression on Yang Jian.

Especially since Li Ya had promised to protect him at all costs, Yang Jian had wholeheartedly accepted this eccentric senior uncle.

After staying in Xuan Valley for a short while, Gu An took Yang Jian and the Blood Prison Saint to the outer sect city. As the Heavenly Ranking Tournament approached, cultivators frequently flew across the sky. It wasn't just Tai Xuan Sect disciples; cultivators from overseas were also arriving.

Regardless of the tournament's outcome, Tai Xuan Sect was set to reap enormous benefits. Gu An was curious to see how much of the profit would go to the Sword Master of the Dao.

Days passed.

Five days later, despite the sweltering heat, the area around the southern city gate was packed. Countless cultivators gathered, forming a vast sea of people, their heads bobbing in a spectacular sight.

Their gazes were fixed on a formation platform floating high in the sky. Surrounded by seventy-two enormous banners, the platform spanned over a hundred miles in diameter. A faint golden glow radiated from its base, creating a golden surface that seemed to block out the sun when viewed from below.

This formation, known as the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array, was purchased by Tai Xuan Sect from the Star Sea Sect. Designed for duels between powerful cultivators, it was incredibly expensive to maintain, requiring a massive amount of spiritual energy. It was said that Tai Xuan Sect had already funneled the spiritual veins beneath its headquarters into the array.

Every city and medicine valley in Tai Xuan Sect had projection formations reflecting the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array. These formations weren't particularly costly, allowing even Xuan Valley to be equipped with one so all the disciples could watch the tournament.

In the Third Medicine Valley, over nine hundred disciples gathered around the pavilions. Some sat cross-legged on the ground, while others perched on stools, gazing at the light screen in the sky, eagerly waiting for the tournament to begin.

Though the battles hadn't started yet, the disciples were already buzzing with excitement.

Gu An sat at a stone table, enjoying some snacks. Around him sat Yang Jian, An Xin, Xiao Chuan, and You Yingying, all engaged in a lively discussion about the tournament.

The names of various renowned cultivators filled the conversation. Over the past decade, many powerful oceanic cultivators had made their mark in the Three Dynasties, leaving the question of who was truly the strongest shrouded in uncertainty.

These oceanic cultivators, though temporarily residing in the Three Dynasties, had left behind numerous opportunities, advancing the development of the cultivation world and earning widespread respect.

You Yingying mentioned an oceanic cultivator named Huangyi Immortal Lord. Claiming to be a reincarnated immortal, he was known for his vast divine powers. The Star Sea Sect had once tried to recruit him, but he declined. His mysterious movements and habit of mentoring less talented beings had earned him admiration.

She believed Huangyi Immortal Lord had a strong chance of claiming the Heavenly Ranking's top spot.

Xiao Chuan grumbled, "Why are these oceanic cultivators interfering in our tournament? Isn't this just bullying?"

You Yingying replied, "Though the Three Dynasties may seem weak, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm isn't. If cultivators from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm participate, it's only natural for other powerful cultivators to want to make a name for themselves by defeating them. Of course, there might be hidden agendas at play. This tournament is unlike any other, with an overwhelming number of participants."

An Xin nodded. "They say over five hundred people have registered, half of whom are from overseas. The Three Dynasties' cultivators make up only about a third of the participants. Other than Li Ya, the weakest cultivation level is Profound Heart Realm. Many withdrew after seeing the lineup, leading to the current situation."

Yang Jian remained silent, his gaze fixed on the projections in the sky, his eyes filled with longing.

The title of "World's Number One" was truly captivating.

Gu An didn't join the conversation. He understood the level of the tournament better than anyone else. Currently, Tai Xuan Sect hosted five Loose Immortals, seventeen Nirvana Realm cultivators, and over a hundred Mahayana Realm cultivators.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the sects of the Three Dynasties stood little chance of winning the top spot in the tournament—or even securing a place in the top twenty. The sole hope lay with Li Ya, who possessed the resources of the Mysterious Divine City.

Moreover, Gu An sensed a Wandering Immortal aura concealed in the mountains outside Tai Xuan Sect, its purpose unclear.

This tournament was no longer just a contest among the cultivation forces of the Three Dynasties.

Gu An remained unbothered. If Tai Xuan Sect faced annihilation, he would intervene. If not, he would let events play out naturally. If they lacked the skills to compete, they had to accept the consequences.

By noon, the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array began to transform. The seventy-two banners quivered, releasing beams of golden light that quickly coalesced into a vast palace. Grand and transparent, the palace allowed the spectators to see everything within.

"Today marks the beginning of the first Heavenly Ranking Tournament of Tai Xuan Sect. I am Lü Baitian, Sect Master of Tai Xuan Sect, and I hereby announce the rules: only victory matters—no lives shall be taken…"

Lü Baitian's voice echoed across Tai Xuan Sect through the light screens, silencing the entire sect.

Gu An turned to An Xin and asked her to bring more snacks. She quickly obliged.

After Lü Baitian explained the rules, he began announcing the first match.

"Today's first battle will be between a representative of Cang Tian Sect…"

Before he could finish, an overwhelming pressure descended on Tai Xuan Sect, cutting him off.

"Hold on!"

A deep, aged voice resonated across the heavens, startling countless cultivators.

Someone dared interrupt the Heavenly Ranking Tournament?

Yang Jian and the others beside Gu An grew tense.

"Before the Heavenly Ranking Tournament begins, may I ask the Sword Master of the Dao for a spar? I am Bi Luo, Island Master of Jinghai Biluo Island. You may address me as True Person Bi Luo."

The aged voice's words stirred an uproar across Tai Xuan Sect.

Someone dared to challenge the Sword Master of the Dao!

You Yingying frowned and said, "True Person Bi Luo? Why is he meddling in this? Has he aligned himself with someone?"

Xiao Chuan couldn't help but ask, "What cultivation level is True Person Bi Luo at? Is he also an immortal?"

"Yes, he's an immortal, but I don't know his exact cultivation level. He's far beyond my reach, and all I know is from hearsay," You Yingying replied.

At the same time, a figure appeared within the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array. Countless cultivators lifted their heads, watching his figure through the projection formations across Tai Xuan Sect.

Clad in a green robe, the figure stood tall, holding a long staff. White hair coiled beneath a jade crown, and his aged, stern face exuded an overwhelming presence. At the tip of his staff burned a green flame, within which a dragon and a serpent seemed to intertwine, radiating an air of mystery.

It was True Person Bi Luo!

An aura that transcended all living beings emanated from him, and those who saw him couldn't help but feel an instinctive reverence. It was as if mortals were gazing at the vast heavens, compelled to awe by the sheer magnitude of his presence.

On the Heaven Mending Platform in the outer sect city, the top leaders of Tai Xuan Sect had gathered. Lü Baitian, Ji Hantian, and Xuanquan Ancestor were among them.

Zuo Yijian stood next to the Heaven-Sundering Axe, his brows tightly furrowed as he regarded True Person Bi Luo with hostility.

At such a grand event, someone had stepped forward to challenge the Sword Master of the Dao. The motive seemed anything but pure.

However, Zuo Yijian was not worried. In fact, he was somewhat eager.

The Sword Master of the Dao had not made an appearance in years. While his legend remained, overseas cultivators were unlikely to know the full extent of his strength.

Lü Baitian gazed at the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array, his brow furrowed as he let out a cold snort. "As expected, someone's causing trouble. I wonder which faction invited him."

If the Sword Master of the Dao were to lose or refuse to fight, Tai Xuan Sect's authority over the Heavenly Ranking Tournament would be greatly diminished, potentially leading to the tournament's collapse and the sect's downfall.

Gu Zong looked at Lü Baitian and said softly, "Sect Master, this individual's name isn't on the registration list."

Lü Baitian nodded and said calmly, "Let's wait and see. It's time for the overseas cultivators to witness his unparalleled power."

The other senior leaders of Tai Xuan Sect also displayed expressions of anticipation.

The Sword Master of the Dao was not only an invincible presence in the hearts of the sect's disciples but also in the minds of its senior cultivators.

Quelling internal strife in the outer sect, slaying demon ancestors, exterminating immortals, and banishing evil spirits—these feats were not mere boasts. They were built upon countless battles witnessed by the sect's disciples.

In the Third Medicine Valley, the discussions among the disciples made it clear to Gu An that he had no choice but to act.

"Fine," Gu An muttered to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's been a while since I've wielded my sword."

Leaning against the stone table, he swirled his wine cup with one hand, his expression relaxed yet laced with subtle anticipation.

Yang Jian, who had been observing his master closely, noticed the subtle changes in his demeanor and felt a jolt of realization.

Could the Sword Master of the Dao actually be his master?

Over the years, Yang Jian had learned about the legendary feats of the Sword Master of the Dao and had often speculated about the possibility. Could a single sect truly conceal two figures whose power far surpassed all other disciples?

"Sword Master of the Dao, are you too afraid to show yourself? Or do you simply look down on someone from a remote island like me?"

True Person Bi Luo's voice boomed again, filled with mocking disdain. It reverberated through the heavens, shaking the hearts of everyone who heard it.

The mocking tone enraged Tai Xuan Sect's disciples. Their fury overcame the instinctive reverence they felt, and they began eagerly anticipating the Sword Master of the Dao's intervention to teach this arrogant interloper a lesson.

Boom—

Suddenly, the skies above began to shift. The clouds churned violently, and the once-white expanse turned pitch black. Daylight faded into darkness as countless cultivators lifted their heads to witness the phenomenon.

Within the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array, True Person Bi Luo also looked up at the roiling thunderclouds. With a cold snort, he struck the ground with his staff. Boundless magical energy erupted, forming two massive green dragons that coiled within the battle array's hall. Each dragon spanned over a hundred miles, their immense forms causing all living creatures to tremble in silence.

The two green dragons slowly raised their heads and let out thunderous roars that reverberated across the heavens.

"Rumor has it that the Sword Master of the Dao's swordsmanship is unmatched in the world. Today, let us see if it can shatter my formation!"

True Person Bi Luo's voice boomed again. With a flick of his sleeve, several treasures flew from his hands, landing between the two green dragons. Fire and wind surged, wrapping around the dragons' massive forms as they grew even larger. Their heads burst through the battle array's roof, stretching into the sky above.

The Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array had yet to close, allowing his power to extend beyond its confines.

At that moment, the thunderclouds above suddenly parted, revealing a vast starry sea. The shimmering expanse of stars illuminated the darkened heavens, creating a breathtaking and otherworldly scene.

Every living being gazed upward, their eyes reflecting the celestial beauty, awestruck by the grand display.