I became an immortal in the mountains

Chapter 696 The Four Swords Return, the Dao Palace Opens!
In a short while, they arrived before the mist.

Upon entering, a bright and clear view unfolded before my eyes.

Three miles away, on a huge floating island, a towering sword-like peak pierces the clouds.

The palaces stretch across the mountains, with a Taoist palace standing at the highest point.

A narrow path winds its way up the cliff face to the mountaintop.

This is also the center of the celestial star array.

Four illusory swords, each hundreds of feet long, hovered around the mountain peaks, as if protecting the entire mountain range.

Gu Yuanqing could sense that if he flew straight up the mountain and broke into the sword formation, he would be annihilated by the sword formation formed from the power of the entire cave.

Gu Yuanqing's gaze fell on the path, slightly surprised.

There were two people climbing upwards, one after the other, about ten miles apart. Their pace varied, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, and they would occasionally stop for a moment before continuing their ascent.

It was obvious that there were also many trials on this mountain, and the entire mountain was shrouded in a magic array and swirling clouds, making it difficult for even Gu Yuanqing's Void-Piercing Heavenly Eye to see the faces of the two people clearly.

"Looks like I'm a step too late!"

Gu Yuanqing wasn't too surprised. Although he sped up later, he still wasted a lot of time in the Demon Subduing Sword Domain, allowing his opponent to gain the upper hand.

However, he was no longer in a hurry. At this moment, he had learned about the information of this cave from the Demon-Subduing Sword Stele. To enter the Qingping Dao Palace and truly control this world, he needed to gather all four swords.

He rode his sword light down to the foot of the mountain, and looking back, he saw the Heavenly Demon Sword Master break through the mist behind him.

However, the Heavenly Demon Sword Master did not step forward. Instead, he stopped in mid-air and said with a forced smile, "Fellow Daoist, since you have come this far, you should know how to enter the Qingping Dao Palace. Even if we have a grudge, let's talk about it after the seal of the Dao Palace is broken. What do you think?"

Gu Yuanqing said calmly, "If I kill you and obtain the Heavenly Demon Sword, I can naturally break the seal as well."

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master said, "Is that so? Even if I offer the Heavenly Demon Sword to you, would you dare to cultivate it? The Heavenly Demon Sword was forged based on the body of a heretical Heavenly Demon at the Undying Chaos level. Without the first volume of the Heavenly Dao Scripture, cultivating this sword path would only lead to the demon entering the body and courting death."

Even if you, fellow Daoist, can overcome this trial, it will take countless years to master the Heavenly Demon Sword Dao. Rather than that, it would be better to break the seal and then rely on our own methods. If we miss today, I'm afraid we may never be able to gather all four swords again!

Gu Yuanqing nodded and said, "That's true!"

"Therefore, fellow Daoist, please proceed. I may let you go first!" The Heavenly Demon Sword Master smiled.

"But... I'm a little annoyed with you. If you can survive this attack, then I'll agree to your proposal!" As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yuanqing suddenly pointed a finger.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master's expression changed, and the Heavenly Demon Sword moved instantly. However, before he could unleash his sword moves, his entire body was killed by the power of the myriad collapses.

But Gu Yuanqing did not feel joy after killing the enemy; instead, he shifted his gaze to another place.

Then another Heavenly Demon Sword Master stepped forward, smiling slightly. "Formless Calamity Finger? I wonder if the Myriad Manifestations Sect knew that you had actually cultivated its unique divine ability, would they attack you? Moreover, why are you in such a hurry to attack me? The path of cultivation is not a matter of personal feelings; the path of cultivation is the most important thing, isn't it?"

"The Myriad Transformations Heavenly Demon Sword Dao, that's interesting!"

Gu Yuanqing did not make another move and turned to head towards the mountain gate.

Before the mountain gate stands a sword-shaped stele with three large characters inscribed on it: Sharpening Sword Peak!

On the stone wall behind the monument, there are several large characters written in a flamboyant style: "The sword is not a weapon of killing, but a measure of order, measuring the peace and tranquility of this place!"
Gu Yuanqing glanced at it twice before stepping onto the stone steps and walking up the path.

This path is no ordinary one; it is a path of refining the mind, body, and sword.

A sword intent swept in, like a sharp sword hanging overhead, making one feel that it might fall at any moment.

This is the guiding force of Qi, tempering one's character and will to fight with swords.

At the same time, pressure came from all directions. This force acted on the body as if it were in the deep sea, and there were also wisps of sword energy trying to invade the body.

Initially, both the sword intent and the pressure were very small, only at the Divine Platform level.

But with each step you take up a step, the force of your fall increases.

After ascending several miles, the pressure on Gu Yuanqing had reached the Yin-Yang level.

However, he remained extremely relaxed. Although he was only an avatar here, he had as many as thirty-six Dao Law Marks on his body, and his strength was comparable to that of an ordinary Undying Chaos.

Gu Yuanqing did not use his powerful cultivation to resist, but instead used the Demon Subduing Sword Dao to hone this Dao to perfection with the help of external forces.

Although the cultivation of an avatar is not as advanced as that of the main body, the insights and achievements gained can still be brought back to the main body.

After traveling about ten miles, a hexagonal pavilion appeared ahead.

The pavilion looked ordinary, except that there were six wind chimes hanging on the eaves, with a small sword hanging from the middle of each chime.

As Gu Yuanqing stepped inside, a clear and melodious tinkling sound rang out, and he felt as if the world had changed.

Four figures wielding sharp swords, their swords becoming one with their bodies, the sword light rising from four directions, all possessing strength at the Yin-Yang Longevity level.

Gu Yuanqing calmly raised his finger and made a sweeping motion in the air, killing all four figures who vanished as scattered points of light.

The scenery before my eyes vanished, and I was now inside a pavilion, where everything seemed ordinary.

After traveling another ten miles, another pavilion appears. Upon entering it, the illusion reappears, and four cultivators at the Yin-Yang Breaking Void Realm attack.

Gu Yuanqing still managed to break through with a single sword strike.

Ten miles further on, the attacking cultivators had reached the Yin-Yang Circulation stage, but they were still no match for Gu Yuanqing's sword strike.

Gu Yuanqing remained calm and composed, continuing for another ten miles.

The Illusionary Sword Cultivators still numbered four, but their strength had already reached the half-step Chaotic Heaven realm.

This time, Gu Yuanqing used two swords.

By this time, Gu Yuanqing had reached the halfway point of the mountain. Looking up, he saw a person less than five miles away.

Looking further down, the Heavenly Demon Sword Master had also climbed the steps, more than ten miles behind him.

Even though they were so close, they could not see each other's faces clearly or sense each other's presence; they could only vaguely make out a figure.

Gu Yuanqing took another step forward.

At his speed, he should be able to catch up with the person in front of him in no time.

But when Gu Yuanqing traveled another ten miles, the illusion reappeared, and he unleashed five sword strikes before finally defeating the Shattered Heaven Realm sword cultivator.

When he emerged from the illusion, he looked back and saw that the cultivator who should have been in front of him had fallen behind him.

Seeing this scene, Gu Yuanqing couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

His mastery of array formations was quite high, and he was also proficient in the Dao of Space. Yet, even under such circumstances, he unknowingly passed by his opponent without noticing at all.

Such mastery of formations far surpasses his own abilities; it is truly breathtaking.

Gu Yuanqing didn't look at it much and continued walking.

After traveling another ten miles, the pavilion illusion was already the culmination of the Shattered Heaven technique.

This time, Gu Yuanqing used the Demon-Subduing Sword Formation, just like the Heavenly Sword Elder in the Sword Stele, pointing out with a single finger. All the variations of the Demon-Subduing Sword Formation were contained within this one finger.

The cultivator who had conjured up the illusion of the Shattering Heaven Grand Completion Realm vanished into thin air amidst the clashing sword energies.

As Gu Yuanqing continued forward, his pace slowed down, not only because of the increasing pressure, but also because the pressure was making his swordsmanship more refined.

This path is meant for trials and self-cultivation.

Such an opportunity has never existed before. Even during the trials at Mount Ling, the battle against the Undying Chaos was not as good as this.

At least, that's true in terms of swordsmanship training!
Sword will is also a form of spiritual will, and it is the most important part of stepping into the realm of the Undying.

Only with sufficient spiritual will can the imprint of the soul and the Dao be imprinted on every particle of the physical body.

How could he possibly miss such an opportunity?

Besides, Qingping Dao Palace is always there, so why rush?
He walked slowly, feeling every change in his soul under the pressure of the sword peak.

He could feel his sword intent becoming more and more refined, his spiritual will becoming more and more pure, and even every strand of his divine thought seemed to be more condensed. Within his divine thought, his physical body seemed to gradually begin to be imprinted with the will of the sword.

To some extent, it also symbolizes that his clone's realm is taking its first step from the Shattered Heaven Realm towards the Undying Chaos Realm.

His gaze grew increasingly sharp, abandoning all distracting thoughts and immersing his mind entirely in the way of the sword. Under such circumstances, his swordsmanship began to rise rapidly.

At this moment, he seemed to be gradually becoming a true sword cultivator!
In fact, taking a step forward became instinctive for him, and he no longer paid attention to where he was. Even the illusions that appeared in the pavilion could not interrupt his comprehension of the sword path.

Unbeknownst to him, he slew the last sword cultivator who had just entered the Chaotic Undying realm with a single sword strike.

All the pressure suddenly vanished.

Gu Yuanqing had already climbed the last step and arrived at a huge, flat plaza at the top of the mountain.

Ahead, three figures separated, each about a hundred feet apart.

It turned out that the other three had arrived here before Gu Yuanqing.

Only then did Gu Yuanqing clearly see the other two people besides the Heavenly Demon Sword Master.

A man dressed in a Taoist robe, with snow-white hair and beard, holding a whisk and carrying a long sword, looked like a Taoist immortal.

The other man wore a moon-white brocade robe and gently waved a gold-threaded folding fan, looking every bit the elegant young gentleman.

The pupils of these three people suddenly shrank when Gu Yuanqing stepped onto the mountain peak, because Gu Yuanqing's sword intent soared to the sky, making them dare not look directly at him, as if seeing him meant seeing a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.

With a thought, Gu Yuanqing's sword intent vanished. His gaze first fell on the Heavenly Demon Sword Master, then swept over the other two, and he smiled calmly, "I've kept you all waiting."

"No rush, no rush. We are all inheritors of the Heavenly Sword Elder, so we can be considered half fellow disciples. I am Qingxu, the Daoist priest, and I wield the Demon-Sealing Sword. I greet you, fellow Daoist!" The Daoist priest flicked his whisk and bowed with one hand, smiling.

The white-robed young man closed his folding fan and chuckled, "My name is Chi Jinyu. I was fortunate enough to obtain the Demon-Slaying Sword. It is truly a great honor in my life to be able to meet you all here in front of the Qingping Dao Palace today!"

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master stood at the edge, the Heavenly Demon Sword hovering above his head, and said with a slightly wicked smile, "I am Qiu Weifeng, the Heavenly Demon Sword Master."

"The master of Beiquan Mountain is surnamed Gu." Gu Yuanqing said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the three people. The three had different temperaments and appearances. If he had seen them separately, he would not have thought anything of it. But when the three of them were in front of him at the same time, he felt a strange feeling.

Qingxu Daoist said, "So it's Master Gu. I've heard so much about you."

The white-robed young master Chi Jinyu chuckled and said, "Since the four swords have arrived, let's get down to business first and open the Qingping Dao Palace. As for who can take charge of the palace, that will depend on their abilities. What do you all think?"

“I have no objection. Although good and evil cannot coexist, under the extraterrestrial demons, the two paths also cooperate. Qingping Dao Palace is the legacy of the Heavenly Sword Elder. Whoever obtains it will be an aid in sweeping away the extraterrestrial demons,” said the old man in the Daoist robe.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master smiled and said, "I have no objection. I wonder what Master Gu thinks?"

Gu Yuanqing said calmly, "Then let's go!"

"Then, fellow Daoists, please!" The old man in the Daoist robe extended his hand in invitation, his gaze falling on Gu Yuanqing.

Gu Yuanqing, however, remained standing still.

The old man in the Taoist robe looked at the young man in white.

Chi Jinyu waved his folding fan, but did not move forward.

The old man in the Taoist robe then turned his gaze to the Heavenly Demon Sword Master.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master stood with his arms crossed, a smile on his face, and remained motionless.

The old man in the Taoist robe laughed heartily: "Then I won't stand on ceremony and will take my leave first."

Then, with a flick of his whisk, he strode towards the Dao Palace.
The white-robed young man's gaze swept over Gu Yuanqing and the Heavenly Demon Sword Master, then he chuckled and turned to follow.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master glanced at Gu Yuanqing and then stepped forward.

Gu Yuanqing followed behind with a calm expression.

As we walked, we began to take in the view from the mountaintop.

Beyond the square lies the 999 blue stone steps that lead straight to the mountaintop. Despite tens of thousands of years having passed, the steps remain spotless.

The steps are flanked by exotic flowers and rare herbs, as well as mountain forests and trees.

Among the trees were various birds and beasts, none of which were ordinary, but these birds and beasts seemed unable to enter the square and steps.

In the distance, a series of palaces can be seen.

The four walked several dozen feet apart, each seemingly calm, but in reality, they were all secretly circulating their cultivation techniques, their Celestial Realm enveloping them, ready to make a move at any moment.

As Gu Yuanqing walked at the back, a smile flickered across his lips. Everything before him seemed to make sense, yet it was also strangely unsettling, leaving him no choice but to harbor suspicions.

However, he didn't rush to reveal the truth. Perhaps everyone was pretending not to know, just waiting for the final Dao Palace to open!
In the blink of an eye, the group had reached the summit.

Before them, on a blue stone foundation, stood a palace nine zhang tall.

The main hall is simple and ordinary, but if you look closely, you can sense the energy contained within it, just like a sword that has been sheathed.

The palace's energy is also connected to the celestial constellation array in the sky.

It was as if any touch would invite an attack from the entire cave-heaven formation.

"Fellow Daoists, let the four swords return to their rightful place!" The old man in the Daoist robe said calmly, standing at the foot of the steps of the main hall.

As he spoke, the Demon-Sealing Sword on his back floated up, its broad, heavy blade resembling a mountain.

The young man in white chuckled, opened his mouth, and spat out a sword aura that quickly transformed into a sword, straight and long, with a chilling aura—this was the Demon-Slaying Sword.

The Heavenly Demon Sword also flew out, a jet-black longsword that bewitched the mind.

With a thought, Gu Yuanqing summoned the Demon-Subduing Sword.

All four longswords soared into the sky, landing one of the four sword shadows within the Heavenly Star Array...

(End of this chapter)