009. I Can See the Quality of Swords!

"The roster is all here." Tang Quan's eyes lit up. "So many? The disciples this year are exceptionally gifted!" Elder Chen laughed heartily. "These disciples are diligent. Take those dozens of female disciples in Room Six, for example. They trained late into the night, and in the end, five became official disciples, with one even achieving Foundation Establishment directly."

"Whenever I see the dark circles under their eyes, I feel the Heavenly Dao favors the Grand Palace of the Void. Another step up is within reach!" Tang Quan laughed as well. "Indeed, these junior brothers and sisters are outstanding seedlings. I'll take my leave now."

...

Well-fed and satisfied, Lu Wu, whose physical strength now measured at minus six, darted about energetically.

In these five days, Lu Wu had evolved four times, mimicking the butterfly, mantis, spider, and green leaf grass. Adding the previous ones—mosquito, fly, bee, and longhorn beetle—he now possessed eight soul totems, able to transform soul power into vital energy, equaling the strength of eight people.

His physical strength alone had reached that of a hundred mantises. The next stage would be to mark his strength with some non-insect creature.

Such rapid growth made Lu Wu feel quite elated.

"Hey, have you heard? The Sword Tomb is about to open again."

"Really? Last time it opened, I obtained the Azure Flame Sword, and my strength soared. I wonder what sword embryos the juniors will acquire this time."

Lu Wu raised his brow—if he had any.

"The Sword Tomb is opening?"

Soon, Lu Wu flew to the Sixth Grass Hut and found Zi Yu.

Zi Yu was even more excited than Lu Wu. "Senior, you've finally come!"

"I'm about to enter the Sword Tomb. Could you help me choose a sword?"

Before Lu Wu could respond, the voice of the female Saint echoed in his ear: "Promise her."

Lu Wu hesitated for a moment, though the sound of his pondering was also transmitted.

"This... this... fine, I'll help you this time!"

Lu Wu continued, "But the matter of the Sword Tomb is of great importance. You must not speak of it to anyone. All consequences are yours to bear."

Zi Yu was overjoyed. "Yes, Senior!"

Lu Wu sighed. "The sword you acquire from the Sword Tomb will determine your future path of cultivation. If not for this, I would not have helped you."

"Since I'm helping, on the day you enter the Sword Tomb, you must wear my external incarnation in a hidden place on your body."

Zi Yu had asked for help, so Lu Wu naturally followed suit, letting her bring him into the Sword Tomb.

Zi Yu nodded. "Understood, Senior."

...

The rear mountain of the Grand Palace of the Void was shrouded in darkness, never touched by sunlight.

Clouds obscured the sky, casting gloom over the land.

A dragon-shaped tower ship hovered across the horizon, slowly descending near the broken bridge at the Sword Tomb's perimeter.

"Disciples, disembark!"

Li Daoyun, the Palace Master, hands clasped behind his back, flew down from the dragon-shaped ship. "The Sword Sect of the Void is our palace's most sacred ground."

"Within, lie sword embryos forged by generations of disciples and elders."

"Today you may take one sword embryo, but in the future, you must return one, or even two, or three."

The new disciples felt this was a losing bargain.

Only the elders knew—returning two or three meant you were lucky enough to be qualified.

Li Daoyun continued, "When you reach the Crimson Blood Realm, you must forge a sword embryo and return it to the outer Sword Tomb."

"When you become an elder of the palace, you must forge a second sword embryo and place it in the Sword Peak."

"When you become Palace Master, you must forge a third sword embryo and seal it in the Summit of the Void."

He smiled. "Of course, if a disciple becomes a master craftsman, they must deliver a sword embryo to the mountain every year."

The disciples were enlightened.

Returning one meant you had no prospects—the sect neither lost nor gained from you.

Returning two meant you had become an important member of the palace.

Returning three meant you had become the palace's master.

As for master craftsmen—most new disciples had no idea what that meant.

Li Daoyun declared, "All outer disciples may enter the outer mountain and take a sword of fate."

"The four disciples who achieved Foundation Establishment during the five-day trial, along with new inner disciples who are heirs within the sect, may enter the Summit of the Void to seek fortune."

"Of course, fortune is elusive. If you find nothing in the summit, you may proceed to the Sword Peak for a sword embryo."

Over a thousand outer disciples looked with envy at the four new Foundation Establishment disciples and the inner disciples.

"Why do they get to enter the summit without passing the trial?"

"You know nothing. They're the children of the palace's own disciples, inheriting cultivation talent, and grew up here. It's not the same as us."

"But now we've joined the palace. My son will surely be an inner disciple."

For countless generations, the palace had prospered relying on this system.

Li Daoyun announced, "I, Li Daoyun, Palace Master of this generation, petition the Lord of the Void!"

"Four new disciples, twelve heirs of the inner disciples, sixteen in total, to enter the palace's inner gate. I request sixteen talismans, so they may enter the summit and receive the inheritance!"

Before the outer mountain gate, a portal of light appeared.

Li Daoyun, hands clasped behind his back, said, "The sixteen new inner disciples will be transported to the summit by entering. The rest, upon entering the portal, will step directly into the outer mountain."

"Form ranks and enter."

Hidden in Zi Yu's collar, Lu Wu suddenly thought of a problem.

If he reached the summit, would he occupy a quota?

"Zi Yu?"

"Disciple present!"

"Enter."

Zi Yu walked toward the portal of light.

The elders chatted amongst themselves.

"This Zi Yu is exceptionally talented—achieved Foundation Establishment overnight. She's a bit careless, though. I heard she practiced the wrong mudra for three days straight and was lucky not to suffer backlash."

"Her talent is strong. Let's see what sword she'll acquire."

"This year, four new disciples—more than usual—with twelve heirs of inner disciples. Sixteen disciples ascending to the summit! The Grand Palace of the Void will flourish!"

One by one, the disciples entered.

The last was Tian Bugui, grandson of Elder Tian Heng.

Tian Bugui glanced at his grandfather, waved. "Grandpa, I'll retrieve the Sword of the Void!"

Tian Heng grinned ear to ear. "You little rascal, always boasting. Get in there!"

"If you can retrieve a sword embryo crafted by a Palace Master himself, I'll thank the heavens!"

Tian Bugui, still young, stuck out his tongue and walked toward the portal.

Once inside, silence fell.

For Tian Bugui was not transported; he simply walked into the outer mountain.

Li Daoyun was surprised. "Hmm?"

Tian Heng's true essence surged wildly. "What happened?!"

Li Daoyun was perplexed. "Strange, did I miscount?"

"Bring the roster."

"It's correct, sixteen exactly!"

Tian Bugui, entering the outer mountain, tried to turn back, wondering if, as his grandfather said, entering the summit would make the outer mountain vanish behind him.

Turning, he saw his grandfather rushing to the gate.

Tian Bugui was stunned. "Grandpa tricked me?"

Li Daoyun called, "Tian Bugui, come out."

But behind the portal, his voice could not be heard. Tian Bugui thought the Palace Master was urging him to hurry, so he anxiously headed forward.

Tian Heng grew frantic. "Don't go! Come back!"

Li Daoyun sighed. "No need to worry, Elder Tian. When Tian Bugui returns, I will personally forge a sword embryo for him."

"Though it lacks the summit's tempering and may be weaker, it will still surpass those from the outer mountain—at least not inferior to those from the Sword Peak."

Meanwhile, at the summit, Lu Wu slipped from Zi Yu's collar.

On the summit, his compound eyes could not see clearly—swords stood densely, thrust into the stone peaks all around.

And in his ears, the clash of metal rang endlessly!