The Heavens: From Film and Mythology to Conquering Myriad Realms

Lu Yao, riding on the back of the giant eagle, was deep in thought.

His request for information about the Sword Sect indicates that he intends to join the sect.

The Sword Sect suffered heavy losses in the battle between Wuming and Pojun, making it the perfect opportunity for them to strike.

At that time, Jian Hui and all the Sword Sect elders watching the battle will be frozen, leaving only the Sword Emperor. Lu Yao can then seize the secret manual and succeed in one fell swoop.

There are two ways for the Sword Sect to accept disciples. One way is to accept disciples like Wuming, who grow up under the Sword Sect's tutelage from a young age.

Another option is to recruit skilled swordsmen as outer disciples of the Sword Sect.

As one of the top sword sects in China, the Sword Sect is a sacred place in the eyes of countless swordsmen, so many sword geniuses from the outer sect come here to study.

Lu Yao planned to join the outer sect of the Sword Sect first. When the duel between Wuming and Pojun was about to spread throughout the sect, he could then seize the opportunity to make his move.

However, the news that a group of experts were frozen in the original work was not spread, which clearly shows that the Sword Sect deliberately blocked the news.

After all, there are many experts attending the ceremony, including leaders of various forces. Once the news gets out, it will be a disaster for the Sword Sect.

Thinking about this, Lu Yao became even more interested in the Myriad Swords Return to One theory.

What kind of secret manual could make Jian Hui, the head of the Sword Sect, risk the destruction of his entire sect just to have his son obtain the "Ten Thousand Swords Return to One" manual?

More than ten days later, Lu Yao finally arrived at the location of the Sword Sect—the far north ice plains.

The far north ice sheet is a harsh environment with howling winds and few traces of animal life.

When Lu Yao reached the edge of the far north ice plains, the giant eagle could not withstand the cold and was taken back into his original space.

It took Lu Yao two days to arrive at Sword City, the city ruled by the Sword Sect.

The extreme northern ice plains have a harsh environment, but many members of the Sword Sect cultivate here, which is how this city built on ice and snow came to be.

After Lu Yao entered Sword City, the cold wind subsided considerably, and the temperature rose significantly.

This sword city is built between two snow-capped mountains, so the environment is not so harsh.

"As expected of a city ruled by the Sword Sect."

Looking at everything in the city, Lu Yao couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Inside the city, people came and went, and there were inns, restaurants and other buildings, as if it were a completely different world from the icy and snowy landscape outside the city.

Just then, a teenage boy wearing a tattered cotton-padded coat and with a disheveled face approached Lu Yao.

"Sir, this must be your first time visiting Sword City. Where would you like to go? I can show you the way."

The boy looked at Lu Yao with longing, his tone full of respect.

Lu Yao glanced at the city wall behind the boy, where there were several children dressed similarly to him. They were all watching the people entering the city and would occasionally go up to ask them questions.

These children were clearly working as guides at the city gate to earn money. They were not yet fully developed and could not do any heavy work, so they could only try their luck here to supplement their family income.

"Take me to the best inn."

Lu Yao glanced at the boy and said calmly.

Lu Yao's voice wasn't loud, but the little boy could still hear it clearly.

"Yes, sir! Please follow me."

The little boy responded excitedly and quickly went ahead to lead the way.

The children standing by the city wall all looked on with envy at the boy who was leading the way for Lu Yao.

"Since life is so difficult for you here, why don't you leave?"

Looking at the boy walking ahead, Lu Yao suddenly asked.

The boy leading the way paused slightly and turned around.

“You may not know this, but my parents both live in Sword City, and I grew up here. I think it’s a good place.”

"Moreover, the environment outside the city is harsh, and there are ice bears and ice wolves roaming the ice plains. Without the protection of an expert like you, it would be difficult to leave."

The boy respectfully began to explain to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao understood that the Sword Sect had been rooted in the far north ice plains for a long time, so Sword City was not entirely populated by martial arts masters. Over time, ordinary people would naturally start living here.

Lu Yao didn't say anything more after asking that question.

Soon Lu Yao was taken to a luxurious restaurant.

"Why are so many people here in Sword City?"

As Lu Yao traveled, he discovered that many of the people there were new swordsmen in Sword City, and many inns were full.

"You don't know, sir? I thought you came here for this reason too."

The boy was taken aback and looked at Lu Yao with some confusion.

"explain."

Lu Yao tossed five taels of silver to the boy and said casually.

It's not that Lu Yao is stingy; he has as much money as he wants.

However, this boy is young and has no martial arts skills, so giving him too much would be more of a curse than a blessing.

"Thank you, sir!"

Looking at the silver in his hand, the boy was overjoyed. Five taels of silver was nothing to Lu Yao, but it was enough for him to cover a month's expenses.

Five taels of silver are worth much more outside of Sword City, but because Sword City is located in the far north ice plains, prices are much higher.

"My lord, you may not know this, but in two months, it will be the Sword Sect's once-every-five-years disciple recruitment ceremony, which is why there are so many outsiders in Sword City."

The boy carefully placed the silver into his worn-out cotton-padded jacket and happily said to Lu Yao.

"A disciple-acceptance ceremony?"

Lu Yao's heart skipped a beat; what a coincidence!

Lu Yao knew the Sword Sect's apprenticeship period, but he didn't expect to arrive at such a convenient time.

After the boy left, Lu Yao went into the restaurant.

"Manager, please bring me a superior room."

Lu Yao took out ten taels of silver and said calmly.

Upon hearing the sound, the restaurant owner turned around and looked at Lu Yao.

"Hehehe, sir, you've come at the right time. There's just one superior room left, but ten taels of silver isn't enough."

The shopkeeper looked at the silver on the table and said to Lu Yao with a smile.

Normally, the cost of a room in a restaurant wouldn't be this high, but since the Sword Sect's disciple recruitment ceremony is about to begin, the restaurant is taking this opportunity to raise prices.

"I'll take this superior room. How much is it?"

Lu Yao frowned, not expecting the rooms in this restaurant to be so expensive.

"Twenty taels a day."

The restaurant owner held up two fingers and stated the price of the room.

"This is one hundred taels."

With a wave of his hand, Lu Yao conjured one hundred taels of silver on the table.

"Alright, sir, please wait a moment."

The restaurant owner immediately beamed and was about to accept the silver from the table.

Just then, a voice interrupted the restaurant owner's action of collecting money.

"Wait! I want this superior room!"

A man dressed in brocade robes and wearing a brown scarf around his neck walked into the restaurant.

Beside him was a stunningly beautiful young woman holding a sword, her expression serene.

"I'll give you two hundred taels of silver to have this superior room."

The man in brocade robes threw out two hundred taels of silver and looked arrogantly at the restaurant manager, not even glancing at Lu Yao.

"Sir, all the upstairs rooms are sold out, but we still have middle-class rooms available. Would you be interested?"

The restaurant owner's smile faded, and he looked at the man in brocade robes and said calmly.