Cohabitation with Sword Spirit

Chapter 503 - 4: Sect Leader of the Saint Sect

If you were to conduct a survey within Xiangzhou to find out who people think is the most famous person, the answers would definitely be varied.

Those living in Cyan Cloud City might answer Li Fengyun, Li Tianya, or perhaps an illustrious ancestor of the Li Family, whereas the people of Golden Jade City would undoubtedly answer Zhao Chenlu. The residents of Shen City would have many who support Shen Ruoshi... But overall, in recent years, it’s undeniable that City Lord Golden Jade has been most popular, and if an actual survey was conducted, the winner would likely be Zhao Chenlu.

However, if you gave these voters a tiny hint, then everyone would suddenly exclaim in realization.

Ah, we actually forgot about him.

That person is the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect.

A person known by everyone in the world, yet often overlooked by them.

An old saying goes, "The supreme leader is one whose existence is unknown to those below." It means the best leader doesn’t let those below be aware of his presence. From this perspective, the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect is undoubtedly a very successful leader.

The Sect Leader’s name is known by all, but if you delve into specifics about his surname, name, or age, few can explain clearly. He’s virtually the nameless leader known by everyone.

In fact, for the past two thousand years, each Sect Leader of the Saint Sect has been similarly low-key. Most of the sect’s work is handled by dispatched envoys, and occasions requiring the Sect Leader’s attendance are few. In recent generations, Sect Leaders have become even more reclusive, seldom appearing in public, intentionally downplaying their existence.

The Saint Sect is the Saint Sect of the world, its influence is ever-present, everywhere, yet the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect is not the leader of the world, he doesn’t need to maintain his presence constantly.

Even when face to face, gazing directly into his eyes, people still cannot sense the presence of this world’s foremost person, as if merely a common old man practicing the art of longevity.

Wang Jiu carefully observed every detail, not missing a single one. Earlier in Sword World, when Demon-Pointing Sword slightly trembled, he instantly raised his guard to the utmost. Yet in the gaze of peace and restraint, there was not a trace of evil.

Is it really just an illusion?

Wang Jiu truly did not believe that the battle-proven Demon-Pointing Sword would make a misjudgment, yet neither did he believe that any Demon Race could elude his eyes.

This contradiction plunged the Celestial Divine Sword into prolonged silence.

Zhao Chenlu perceptively noticed Wang Jiu’s peculiarity and smoothly continued, saying, "See? We hold no interest in you at all, requesting help is futile."

Yet the Sect Leader spoke, "Towards me, of course, you have no interest, but do you similarly lack interest towards Golden Cloud Peak?"

Upon hearing Golden Jade Peak, Wang Jiu showed no reaction, but Zhao Chenlu’s complexion unconsciously changed.

"You unwrapped that mystery?"

"No, otherwise I wouldn’t have agreed to you coming at this time," Sect Leader said, "In recent years the Saint Sect’s budget is tight and has no extra funds to host such esteemed guests as you... But we have opened the first gate of Huiyan Pass and seen the Sword Seal inscribed on Yanqi Cliff, thereby learning of the Celestial Divine Sword legend."

Mentioning the Celestial Divine Sword, without needing the Sect Leader to elaborate, Shen Ziyu and his junior disciple Zhang Qing promptly vanished from sight, and as the Saint Sect Leader finished speaking, the surrounding scenery abruptly changed.

The group was supposed to be proceeding on the road to Heaven-Reaching City, but the next moment the blue sky and green grass transformed into an elegant and simple white hall, with a long table filled with all kinds of delicacies.

Without raising any hint of action, the Sect Leader displayed the profound mystic divine techniques of this world’s foremost expert. This Shifting Form and Position technique may not be particularly difficult, but possessing such effortless skill makes it unparalleled in the world.

"Let’s talk while we eat."

The Sect Leader spoke and unceremoniously sat at the main seat, raised his wine cup—without any toasts or small talk—and drank it all.

Seeing this, Zhao Chenlu shrugged helplessly, then gently said to Wang Jiu, "Dear, let’s hear what he has to say first."

Wang Jiu naturally agreed, considering not only the issue of Golden Cloud Peak but also solely the tremor of Demon-Pointing Sword, he would keep a close watch on this foremost person.

Given the nature of the Celestial Divine Sword, anything related to the Demon Race must not be overlooked, now restrained with only two reasons for not acting. Firstly, the disparity in strength between both sides is too vast, facing an opponent whose capability is above Zhao Chenlu, with limits unknown, the most the Celestial Divine Sword can do is self-preservation, incapable of harming the opponent. Secondly, aside from the tremor of Demon-Pointing Sword, Wang Jiu completely cannot find any trace of the Demon Race from the opponent, rather discerning a hint of a kindred spirit—Guardian’s aura.

The creation of the Celestial Divine Sword was to annihilate the Demon Race and protect human civilization on Jiuzhou Continent, so it is both an insurmountable weapon and an unbreakable shield. Now, in the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect, he read that same Guardian aura.

It’s a distinctive fragrance that can only be possessed by one who connects with heaven and earth, gaining recognition from the entire world, Wang Jiu confidently ascertain he won’t misjudge it, thus growing intrigued.

To stir the Demon-Pointing Sword, yet gain recognition from Xiangzhou, is it a problem with Xiangzhou Continent, or is there something extremely mysterious about the Saint Sect Leader’s lineage?

"Then, let me get straight to the point."

After sitting down, the Saint Sect Leader said, "Last month, we organized an exploration team to enter the number one Primordial Ruin, which you have referred to as the Golden Cloud Peak, and successfully found a breakthrough in area 33."

While speaking, the Sect Leader raised his hand and projected a three-dimensional map above the dining table, showing a brilliant, multicolored sphere floating slowly, with its surface densely marked with various signs.

The Celestial Divine Sword had exceptional eyesight, so even though the sphere was not large and the surface markings were very fine, they could see everything clearly.

In 1432, the Thunder Team failed for the 7th time here, the fallen cultivators being Lu Leiming, Lu Canghai, Li Qishen...

In 1559, the Fengchuan Team failed for the 1st time here, the fallen cultivator being Zhao Fengchuan

In 1890, the Celestial Melody Team failed for the 3rd time here, the fallen cultivators being Zhou Tianyun, Guo Lingfeng

The densely packed markings on the sphere’s surface were like poignant epitaphs, symbolizing the countless sacrifices of explorers over two thousand years.

Facing Wang Jiu, there was a bright red area marked with a black "33," with a line of fine print below.

In 2018, the Sang Yue Team failed for the 1st time here, the fallen cultivator being Sang Yue...

Zhao Chenlu also saw this line of text and widened his eyes in surprise, "Sang Yue is gone!? Wait, Sang Jing too? The head and deputy head of the Cyan Lotus Sword Academy are completely wiped out!"

The Saint Sect Leader nodded silently.

"Who designed this route? Area 33 shouldn’t be so high-risk, right?" Zhao Chenlu questioned, "After the Celestial Melody Team’s tragedy in 1890, you set the rule not to exchange lives for results. For the next 100 years, there were few casualties among exploration team members, so why was this time so catastrophic?"

Pausing, Zhao Chenlu continued, "Was there any compelling reason? Did you find a groundbreaking treasure in Zone 33? Or is this meal meant to pass on Dean Sang’s legacy to us? If that’s the case, count me out."

The Sect Leader waved his hand, "Don’t rush, no one’s asking you to enter the number one ruin. In fact, I’ve sealed the entrance, and no one is allowed to enter for the next fifty years. What I’d like to ask of you and this Mr. Sword Spirit is something else."

As he spoke, the Sect Leader took an ancient book from his arms and placed it on the dining table.

The "Cyan Lotus Sword Manual"

Zhao Chenlu was momentarily stunned, then gestured to retrieve the book with True Essence and stored it in his arms.

"Thanks."

The Sect Leader was taken aback, then smiled bitterly, "It’s not a gift for you!"

"Too late to take it back," Zhao Chenlu smirked maliciously before taking the book out again and spreading it open on the table, "There must be something missing, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t dare show it to me like this."

The Sect Leader sighed, "You truly do not trust me... but you’re right. The most crucial Cyan Lotus Chapter in this Sword Manual is missing."

Zhao Chenlu asked, "Did Sang Yue and the others merge the Cyan Lotus Chapter!? Are they out of their minds! Running into the Primordial Ruins to fuse the Original Sword Manual’s Cyan Lotus Chapter, are they deliberately trying to break the Cyan Lotus Sword Academy’s legacy!?"

"To unleash the full potential of the Cyan Lotus Divine Sword’s Sword Intent, it’s best to pair it with the Original Sword Manual, which has been passed down through the Sword Academy for two thousand years." the Sect Leader explained. "During this exploration of Zone 33, they were captivated by the Sword Seal on the cliff, inadvertently harmonizing the Cyan Lotus Sword with the swordsmanship on the cliff, beyond their control."

"...I see."

To most cultivators, the Saint Sect Leader’s words would be unbelievable. Although the head and deputy head of Cyan Lotus Academy were not as renowned as Zhao Chenlu, they were truly peerless experts with extraordinary Immortal Dao cultivation. For two Sea Overturning Realm Sword Cultivators to be captivated by an ancient Sword Seal on a cliff, beyond their control?

However, for Zhao Chenlu, upon considering who left the Sword Seal on the cliff, everything made sense.

"So, are you planning to have us help complete the Sword Manual?"

The Sect Leader said, "Exactly, the Cyan Lotus Sword Manual is a Primordial Relic. Although the Original Sword Manual has evolved over two thousand years of transmission, it differs greatly from its initial version, yet the core Sword Intent of the opening Cyan Lotus Chapter has never changed. However, with today’s level of Immortal Dao civilization, it cannot be analyzed and restored. Before your arrival, I had already gathered the sect’s Sword Dao experts to study it several times, and while we could barely deduce some substitutes, none could perfectly recreate the true Cyan Lotus Chapter’s Divine Techniques. At this time, I thought of this Sword Spirit senior, who has been dormant for ten thousand years. With senior’s abilities, restoring the Sword Manual shouldn’t be too difficult, right?"

Wang Jiu looked at the Cyan Lotus Sword Manual in Zhao Chenlu’s hands, contemplating.

"Indeed, it’s not difficult, but there are conditions."