Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"Elder Han, within the alliance, especially among sword cultivators, are there any promising talents? Cultivation level is not a limit, but they must have a resilient character, excellent comprehension, and most importantly, a sense of belonging to our alliance."

After a moment's thought, Han Lin replied, "Among my Qingyun Sect members, Junior Nephew Jin Hao has the best talent in swordsmanship. He has now reached the Foundation Establishment stage and is only one step away from the Golden Core stage. He has also mastered the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique."

"In addition, among the newly admitted disciples of the academy, there are also a few sword dao talents, such as the rogue cultivator 'Shui Wuhen', who has an exceptionally high level of comprehension."

"Within the alliance, the leader of the 'Swift Wind Sword Sect,' Feng Buge, though only at the early Golden Core stage, has a unique and unconventional sword style. Then there's the leader of the 'Flowing Cloud Sword Sect,' Lin, whose swordsmanship is light and agile..."

"That's enough." Shen Mo waved his hand. "Gather all these people together, regardless of their background, as long as they are trustworthy. Starting today, open the 'Sword Intent Forest' secret realm. Jin Hao will lead the gathering of the sect's sword elders to provide them with special training."

"I've provided them with an open supply of pills, spirit stones, and contribution points. Tell them that in three months, the Heavenly Sword Ceremony will be their time to make a name for themselves. I want them to demonstrate the might of the Azure Cloud Alliance and the splendor of the Flowing Cloud Sword Dao on that 'Sword Testing Platform'!"

Han Lin's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands, saying, "Sect Leader, this plan is brilliant! Use their spear to attack their shield! On the territory of the Heavenly Sword Sect, what could be more effective in striking a blow to their arrogance and demonstrating the strength of our alliance than defeating their pride with swordsmanship?"

Shen Mo shook his head: "It's not just that. What I want is not a simple victory or defeat. I want all sword cultivators in the world to see that the path of the sword is not limited to the Heavenly Sword Sect. The Flowing Cloud Sword Path embraces all rivers and seas, teaches without discrimination, and can also lead to the Great Dao."

"We must also show those sword cultivators who are attached to or have their hearts set on the Heavenly Sword Sect that by joining our Azure Cloud Alliance, their swords will also have a place to be wielded and a path to follow."

His gaze was distant, as if piercing through the palace walls and seeing the "Heavenly Sword Ceremony" that was destined to be anything but peaceful three months later.

"He wanted to use the grand ceremony to consolidate his power, so I went along with it, using his platform to perform my own act. Let's see which side the people of the Southern Region will ultimately side with."

Shen Mo's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable power: "Pass down the order: the entire alliance, outwardly relaxed but inwardly vigilant. Those who deserve compensation should receive it, those who deserve rewards should receive them, and those who need to cultivate should cultivate. If the Heavenly Sword Sect wants to hold a sword competition, we will accompany them to the end."

"But our foundation lies not in a momentary victory or defeat, but in the land beneath our feet and in the hearts of the people around us."

Han Lin and Su Xiao exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement and determination in each other's eyes. The heart of the sect leader was indeed as deep as the ocean.

When Jian Wuji emerged from seclusion, his presence was awe-inspiring, but in the eyes of the sect leader, he seemed to have become a pawn that could be used.

"Also," Shen Mo added, as if remembering something, "send an invitation to Venerable Xuan Yang of the Lieyang Sect. Say that Sect Master Jian Wuji of the Tianjian Sect is coming out of seclusion and holding a grand ceremony. Our Qingyun Alliance wishes to attend the ceremony and cordially invites Venerable Xuan Yang to accompany us and share in the grand event."

"Let's see if this old friend would like to go alone, or... come with us."

Han Lin was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized, and his face showed admiration: "Sect Leader is brilliant! This is to drag the Blazing Sun Sect into the mess and force them to make a statement!"

Shen Mo smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. He sat back down at his desk, picked up the secret report about Jian Wuji's emergence from seclusion, and his gaze fell once again on the description of "indifferent eyes, with an eerie depth," his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table.

Jian Wuji, I hope you've truly only made progress in "swordsmanship." Otherwise... the waters of this Southern Region are probably more murky and colder than you imagine.

Three months have passed. You are currently reading Chapter 365, "Attending the Ceremony," and the latest chapters are available here. In the cultivation world, it's but a fleeting moment, yet for the turbulent Southern Region, it feels exceptionally long.

On the main peak of Qingyun Mountain, the wounds from the beast tide are slowly healing under the nourishment of elixirs and spiritual energy, but a trace of blood and gunpowder still lingers in the air, reminding people of that thrilling battle.

However, in the Tianjian Mountains, thousands of miles to the south, the scene is completely different.

Heavenly Sword Sect, Sword Debate Peak.

The once aloof and solitary Sword Debate Peak is now bustling with activity, and the light of swords soars into the sky. To host this "Heavenly Sword Ceremony," the Heavenly Sword Sect has completely transformed this mountain, which symbolizes the sect's highest holy ground for swordsmanship.

From the foot of the mountain to the summit, there are 9,999 steps of "Sword Ascent Steps" paved with white jade, with ancient sword fragments of various shapes inserted on both sides, and a chilling sword aura soaring straight to the heavens.

At the summit plaza, arranged in the style of "ten thousand swords paying homage," there are eighty-one sword-debating platforms. The one in the center is the most magnificent, cast entirely from "cold star iron," which gleams with a cold and deep blue luster under the sunlight. This is the main sword-debating platform.

Before dawn, all sorts of colorful lights converged from all directions like shooting stars. The prominent sword-cultivating sects and families of the Southern Region, as well as many well-known independent swordsmen, all came with joy upon receiving the sword invitation.

Some came to admire Jian Wuji's demeanor after his seclusion and mastery of the art, some for the unparalleled opportunity to comprehend the "Ten Thousand Swords Cave," and others, sensing the changing winds in the Southern Region, came to observe the prevailing trends.

For a time, sword energy crisscrossed the area around Sword Debate Peak, and robes fluttered in the wind.

Acquaintances exchanged pleasantries and chattered amongst themselves; strangers secretly sized each other up, comparing the sharpness of their sword intent. The air was filled with a sharp sword aura, a faint smell of blood (from some sword cultivators who had been too heavy-handed with killing), and a hidden restlessness and anticipation.

"Look! That's Ye Gucheng, the 'Lone Goose Sword'! Legend has it that he defeated all eighteen sword masters of the North with three sword strikes, and I didn't expect him to come too!"

"Tsk tsk, even 'Blood-Clad Sword' Li Kuangsheng has arrived! This guy is a killing star; there's bound to be bloodshed on the dueling arena later!"

"Look over there! Fairy Ling Shuang, the 'Ice Soul Sword' of the Xuanbing Pavilion, has arrived! It's said she's reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, and her swordsmanship is profound!"

"Where are the Qingyun Alliance members? They're nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they're too afraid to come?"

"Hmph, what a coward! That brat Shen Mo is just lucky, he got in by the alliance's power. In terms of swordsmanship, he's not even worthy of carrying the shoes of Sect Master Jian Wuji!"

Shh! Quiet! Watch your words!

Amidst the murmurs, the Qingyun Alliance's delegation finally arrived.

Without any earth-shattering fanfare, three streamlined "Flowing Cloud Boats," radiating a pale blue aura, slowly sailed in from the northern horizon and silently landed at the designated berth below Sword Debate Peak. The boat doors opened, and a group of people filed out.

The leader was Shen Mo. He was not wearing the magnificent robes of the Alliance Leader today, but only a simple moon-white long robe, with a jade belt around his waist and his hair tied up with a green jade hairpin. He walked with ease and his expression was calm, as if he had just come to attend an ordinary gathering.

Beside him stood Han Lin, dressed in a purple Taoist robe with a gaunt face, and Su Xiao, dressed in black with a cold aura.

Following them were Jin Hao, Mu Qingqing, Zhao Qingyan, Li Xiaocao, and other core disciples of the Qingyun Sect, as well as several sword cultivators with considerable prestige within the alliance, such as Feng Butong, the leader of the Gale Sword Sect, and Lin, the leader of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.

Everyone exuded composure and calmness, a stark contrast to the noisy sword energy around them.

Their appearance instantly drew everyone's attention. The murmurs fell silent as countless gazes, some scrutinizing, some curious, some hostile, and some complex, were cast upon them.