Master Zong hovered in mid-air, with Master Hai and Master Shi beside him, ready for any loss of control the sword embryo might exhibit; this was only the second sword-giving ceremony of the Sword Sect, still a learning experience for them.
So sword embryos had already begun swirling above certain cultivators’ heads, a preliminary sign of connection through divine intent. To the relief of the three masters, the number of sword embryos revolving above the Sword Sect disciples was significantly greater than those on cultivators from the outer path. This was good, for if the sword embryos all chose outsiders, it wouldn’t just be a matter of embarrassnt but a problem with the Sword Sect’s heritage.
Aside from the overall control, the masters’ main focus was on four individuals. Master Shi still had so dissatisfaction,
"Junior Brother Zong, you’re still too aggressive. If it were up to , I wouldn’t dare accept any of these four guys."
Master Hai, habitually taking the opposite perspective, said, "In tis of chaos, one must be unruly. Don’t worry about those restrictions; it’s talent that we need. That is the future of the Sword Sect and the essence of Dushan’s enduring heritage. Truth be told, true talents are still too few. If I were in charge, I’d personally go to poach talents from others."
Master Shi shook his head and smiled wryly. Though his nature leaned conservative, he was satisfied with the Sword Sect’s progress over the years. The increase in power was visible and proven through battle. This was change enough to be deed successful.
Among the four, Tie Guan Daoist from Anchor Chain Star was the most attuned to the sword, with three sword embryos swirling around his head almost as soon as the sword group went silent, each unwilling to yield.
"Still quite the prized catch! After all, the tens of thousands of years of heritage at Anchor Chain Star indeed hold so substance," Master Hai remarked.
Master Zong smiled, "Three sword embryos contending? This may not be a blessing, as it truly tests the cultivator’s heart..."
The next to have a sword embryo appear above her head was Xiyaogu, with an erald-green sword embryo almost glued to her head, staying completely still,
Master Shi was quite surprised, "Such a close fit, it could actually be absorbed into her body already. What is she waiting for?"
Master Hai nodded approvingly, "She is engaging in deep communication with the sword embryo. Yes, to maintain such a mindset on the verge of success is impressive. She’s a promising talent, which is why I say, Old Shi, real talent is found in danger and midst fortuity."
The four directed their attention and another person had a phenonon as well. Above Monk Cao Xie’s head flew a broadsword, slightly curved and resembling a knife. Could it be? Most intriguingly, the broadsword embryo faintly emitted a Buddha Light...
Master Hai was sowhat speechless, "Is this... a戒刀? Who threw this in? Such disrespect! And Junior Brother Zong, didn’t you take a careful look when retrieving the sword embryos? Seems this might lead to a Buddha Sword Cultivator; is there even such a thing in the Universe Sword Vein? Would sword light divide into hundreds of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas?"
Master Zong was sowhat embarrassed, "With more than a hundred thousand sword embryos mixed together, of course, I picked the most lively and spiritual ones. Who’s willing to check each one? Unless, of course, Senior Brother Hai, you want to do it next ti..."
Master Hai chuckled, "? If it were up to , I’d choose only these odd sword embryos!"
Master Shi was at a loss for words. These two made everything seem like a joke, but he himself was curious what kind of practice this monk would develop if he truly joined the Sword Sect. Exciting!
Among the four, Yan Baiyi was the only one without a swirling sword embryo above his head for the mont, seemingly having not found a match yet. This allowed the three masters to sigh in relief; the potential for cultivation in this young man was top-notch, and as elders, who wouldn’t want to accept such a disciple into their sect?
But his special status was a difficult obstacle. Over the years, exchanges among Daoist personnel were frequent, though largely among disciples of lesser importance. Never had a pri disciple of any sect transferred their allegiance. They didn’t want Yan Baiyi to be the precedent, placing the Sword Sect in the spotlight.
So this outco was favorable, with no sword embryo, they all had an exit strategy.
Master Shi remained concerned, "You didn’t inform that guy about this, did you?"
The other two masters clearly understood his implication. "This guy" was Yan Baiyi, and "that guy" was Hierarch Hou, both were individuals who never put others at ease.
Master Zong smiled wryly, "How could we dare let him know? That guy loves to lead by example. I suspect if he knew his friend was trying to join, he’d leave him here regardless of whether a sword embryo was secured. That’s sothing he’d absolutely do."
Amidst the complaints of the three seasoned masters, a result was finally achieved on the Heavenly Sword Platform, with a Sword Sect Golden Core completing the first acquisition, granting the Sword Sect so pride. Following closely were successive acquisitions. Drawing from past experience, the performance of Sword Sect disciples was evidently more proficient this ti around.
Decades to centuries of sword cultivation indeed provided an enormous advantage; yet, the performance of the outer cult cultivators was also comndable. Unlike the precipitated Dushan Grand Ceremony, these cultivators ca for the sword embryos with varying levels of insight into the Sword Dao, unlikely to make fools of themselves.
All three masters had realized this. Master Zong was gratified, "This ti, our Sword Sect has scored significant gains!"
Master Shi smiled, "Conservative estimates suggest at least a hundred and fifty will succeed, hmm, maybe even over two hundred!"
Master Hai rejoiced, "Two hundred a year, two thousand in ten years, and fifty years later..."
Master Zong had to remind him, "Senior Brother, you think too much. This ti was just an exception, a burst... By your calculation, wouldn’t ten thousand sword cultivators sweep the continent?"
Under the trio’s watchful eyes, the number of cultivators successfully winning the recognition of sword embryos quickly surpassed a hundred, with many more promising to succeed. Those they were particularly monitoring also had outcos.
Xiyaogu was the first to succeed, followed by Monk Cao Xie, then Tie Guan Daoist eventually chose the most suitable sword embryo from the three. Only Yan Baiyi still struggled, with a broken sword embryo keeping a tentative distance, his progress sowhat slow.
A sword embryo isn’t willing to wait indefinitely and will soon denature, marking the end of the sword-giving ceremony.
He could feel the aloofness of the broken sword embryo. He was similar in nature; it was a battle of egos between two divine senses, not about conquering each other but mutual understanding and respect.
Such communication was extraordinarily difficult; he had completely opened his heart, holding nothing back, certain that if the sword had a soul, it would comprehend his resolve.
Ti was nearly up, with the swords growing restless, his window was closing, and his divine sense struggled unwillingly,
"This is my rebirth, and also yours..."
The three-inch broken sword swayed as it lded into his Purple Mansion, simultaneously an imagination rose within his consciousness,
... Found a broken sword head, knowing not the cause of its break. Grasped the tail of a green snake, a few inches from a jade peak. Suspected it to have cut a whale or not stabbed a dragon serpent. Fallen in dirt, unattended. I have a humble disposition, favoring firmness over suppleness. Never underestimate a straight broken sword, for it surpasses the crooked whole hook.
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