Chapter 869
Extraordinary Items
Just then, a majestic voice came from the high platform.
"Han Zixuan!"
Everyone looked up and saw Master Xuantian standing on the high platform, looking at Han Zixuan with a cold gaze.
"Master Han Zixuan's expression changed, and his voice trembled."
“I heard everything you said just now,” said Master Xuantian. “What face does a person have to stand in this world if they don’t keep their word? Since you made a promise, you should honor it.”
"Sect Leader, I..." Han Zixuan tried to explain.
"No need for further words," Master Xuantian interrupted him. "You either fulfill your promise now, or leave Xuantian Sect immediately and never come back."
Han Zixuan's face turned deathly pale.
Leaving the Xuantian Sect? Then his trip to the disciple-acceptance ceremony would have been for nothing! His father had gone to so much trouble to give him the opportunity to cultivate at the Xuantian Sect. If he were to slink back like this, his father would definitely break his legs!
He gritted his teeth, then knelt down in front of Zheng Yi with a thud.
"You're really something!" he said viciously, then kowtowed three times.
Each head banged loudly, creating a shallow crater in the ground.
After kowtowing, he suddenly stood up, glared at Zheng Yi with venomous eyes, then turned and ran away, disappearing into the crowd.
"That's great!" someone in the crowd cheered.
"The Han family has finally met its match!"
"Serves him right, who told him to be so arrogant!"
Zheng Yi watched Han Zixuan's departing figure, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He knew that today's events would make Han Zixuan hate him even more. But he didn't care. Although the Han family was powerful, he wasn't someone to be trifled with. If the Han family wanted to cause him trouble, he would fight them to the bitter end.
"Sir, you've really stole the show today!" Guo Mingxuan said excitedly. "First you pulled out the sword in the stone, then you made Han Zixuan kowtow in public. The Han family has completely lost face!"
"Don't be too happy yet," Zheng Yi said. "The Han family won't let this go. We need to be more careful in the future."
"Don't worry, sir. With you here, we have nothing to fear!" Guo Mingxuan said confidently.
Zheng Yi shook his head and said nothing more.
After the sword-drawing test ended, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Zheng Yi returned to his guest room, closed the door, took the Heaven-Breaking Sword from his waist, and examined it carefully.
This sword was indeed an unparalleled masterpiece. Its blade was as white as snow, its edge incredibly sharp, and the patterns on the hilt contained a mysterious power. He gently touched the blade and felt a warm energy emanating from it, resonating with the Heavenly Qi within his body.
"What exactly is the connection between this sword and the Heavenly Gang Technique?" he wondered to himself.
He closed his eyes, activated the Heavenly Gang Technique, and guided the Heavenly Gang Qi into the sword.
"Buzz—"
The Heaven-Piercing Sword emitted a soft sword cry, and the patterns on its blade began to glow faintly. That glow merged with the Heavenly Qi, forming an even more powerful force.
"As expected!" Zheng Yi was overjoyed.
He guessed correctly; the Heaven-Shattering Sword and the Heavenly Gang Technique were indeed related. Perhaps the founder of the Xuantian Sect, Ancestor Xuantian, was also a practitioner of the Heavenly Gang Technique. If that were the case, everything would make sense.
He continued his cultivation, constantly infusing the sword with the Qi of Heaven.
The light on the sword grew brighter and brighter, eventually forming a dazzling silver light. That silver light contained astonishing power, causing the entire room to tremble slightly.
"Good!" Zheng Yi nodded in satisfaction.
With this Heaven-Shattering Sword, his combat power increased by at least 30%. Although he wasn't a sword cultivator, with this sword, he could now fight with a sword.
He sheathed the Heaven-Shattering Sword, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes to rest.
Too much happened today; he needs time to process it all.
Pulling out the sword from the stone and making Han Zixuan kowtow in public—these events will have a significant impact on him. On the positive side, he will gain fame and recognition within the Xuan Tian Sect, and will be respected wherever he goes. On the negative side, he has offended the Han family, which may cause him trouble in the future.
"Whatever, we'll deal with whatever comes our way," he murmured, and gradually drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Zheng Yi had just gotten up when someone knocked on the door.
“Who?” he asked.
“Mr. Dark Night, I am a disciple of the Xuan Tian Sect. I have been ordered by the sect leader to request that you come to the inner sect hall.” A respectful voice came from outside the door.
"To the inner main hall?" Zheng Yi asked, somewhat puzzled. "Is there something you need?"
"The sect leader didn't say anything, he just asked me to invite you over, sir."
"Okay, I'll be right there."
After washing up and changing into clean clothes, Zheng Yi followed the disciple toward the inner sect hall.
The Inner Gate Hall is one of the most important buildings of the Xuantian Sect, located halfway up Xuantian Mountain. Constructed of white marble, the hall is magnificent and resplendent. Two rows of disciples in blue Daoist robes stand at the entrance, each with a solemn expression—clearly the elite of the elite.
The disciple led Zheng Yi into the main hall.
The main hall was spacious, with several rows of chairs on both sides, where more than a dozen elders sat. In the very center of the hall was a high platform, upon which sat the Mysterious Heavenly Immortal.
"Junior An Ye greets the Sect Leader and all the elders." Zheng Yi stepped forward and bowed.
“Mr. Dark Night, please have a seat.” Master Xuantian smiled slightly and pointed to a chair below.
Zheng Yi sat down in the chair, waiting for Master Xuantian to speak.
“Mr. Dark Night, I’ve invited you here today to discuss the Sky-Breaking Sword,” said True Man Xuantian.
"The Heaven-Shattering Sword?" Zheng Yi's heart skipped a beat. "Does the sect leader intend to take back the Heaven-Shattering Sword?"
“No, no.” Master Xuantian shook his head. “I already said yesterday that the Heaven-Breaking Sword belongs to you. I keep my word and will not go back on it.”
"What does the sect leader wish to discuss with this junior?"
"I wish to tell you some secrets about the Heaven-Shattering Sword," said Master Xuantian. "This sword is no ordinary sword; it contains a portion of the spiritual will of our sect's founder, Ancestor Xuantian."
“Spiritual will?” Zheng Yi was somewhat surprised.
“Yes,” Master Xuantian nodded. “Before his death, Ancestor Xuantian infused a portion of his spiritual will into the Heaven-Breaking Sword. He left a will stating that only someone destined for this sword could pull it out and inherit his spiritual will.” “Inherit his spiritual will?” Zheng Yi was even more surprised. “What does that mean?”
“I’m not entirely sure either,” said Master Xuantian. “But since Ancestor Xuantian arranged it this way, there must be a reason. Perhaps you will gradually come to understand the true value of this sword during your cultivation.”
Zheng Yi looked down at the Heaven-Piercing Sword at his waist, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.
He hadn't expected this sword to have such a history. The spiritual will of the Xuan Tian Ancestor—that was a legendary, unparalleled master. If he could inherit the spiritual will of the Xuan Tian Ancestor, how much would it help his cultivation?
"There's one more thing," Master Xuantian continued, "The cultivation technique practiced by Ancestor Xuantian is called the Heavenly Gang Technique."
"The Heavenly Gang Technique?" Zheng Yi suddenly raised his head, a look of shock flashing in his eyes.
"What, you know the Heavenly Gang Technique?" Master Xuantian noticed his reaction.
"This junior is currently cultivating the Heavenly Gang Technique," Zheng Yi said honestly.
"What?!" Master Xuantian and all the elders stood up, their faces showing shock.
"You're cultivating the Heavenly Gang Technique?" Master Xuantian asked incredulously. "How did you obtain the Heavenly Gang Technique?"
“I obtained it by chance,” Zheng Yi said. “I’m not at liberty to disclose the specifics.”
Master Xuantian was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“I understand now,” he said. “No wonder you were able to draw the Heaven-Piercing Sword. So you are also a practitioner of the Heavenly Gang Technique.”
"Does the sect leader mean that only those who cultivate the Heavenly Gang Technique can draw the Heaven-Breaking Sword?" Zheng Yi asked.
"Yes," Master Xuantian nodded. "The Heavenly Gang Technique is a unique creation of Ancestor Xuantian, and its power is astonishing. However, this technique is too domineering, and very few people can successfully cultivate it. Ancestor Xuantian only accepted three disciples in his lifetime, but none of them were able to fully comprehend the essence of the Heavenly Gang Technique."
"Our sect has been passed down for over a thousand years, yet no one has ever truly mastered the Heavenly Gang Technique. Therefore, the Heaven-Breaking Sword remains stuck in the boulder, and no one has been able to pull it out."
"I never expected that an outsider would draw the Heaven-Shattering Sword today." He looked at Zheng Yi, a complex light flashing in his eyes. "It seems this is fate."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yi felt a surge of emotion.
So that's how it is. No wonder the energy within the Heaven-Breaking Sword resonated with the Heavenly Gang Qi within him the moment he touched it. It turns out that the sword's owner, Ancestor Xuantian, was also a practitioner of the Heavenly Gang Technique.
“Mr. Dark Night, I have a favor to ask,” Master Xuantian suddenly said.
"Please speak, Sect Leader."
"You have cultivated the Heavenly Gang Technique and drawn the Heaven-Breaking Sword, making you a true successor of the Xuan Tian Ancestor," said True Man Xuan Tian. "I hope you will maintain close ties with our sect in the future and pass on the essence of the Heavenly Gang Technique to our disciples. Of course, I won't let you do it for nothing; our sect will reward you accordingly."
Zheng Yi pondered for a moment.
Master Xuantian's request was not unreasonable. He cultivated the Heavenly Gang Technique and had drawn the Heaven-Breaking Sword, thus having a deep connection with the Xuantian Sect. Establishing a good relationship with the Xuantian Sect would greatly benefit his future development.
“Very well, I agree,” he said.
"Excellent!" Master Xuantian's face lit up with joy. "With Master An Ye's help, there is hope for the inheritance of our sect's Heavenly Gang Technique!"
The two chatted for a while longer about the Heavenly Gang Technique and the Heaven-Breaking Sword before Zheng Yi took his leave.
Three days later, Guo Mingxuan successfully passed the third round of tests of character and officially became an inner disciple of the Xuantian Sect.
When the news reached their guest room, both Elders Guo Shouzhen and Guo Xiong were moved to tears. The Guo family had finally produced a disciple who had entered a major sect, and moreover, an inner disciple—a first in the Guo family's history.
"Mingxuan, well done!" Guo Shouzhen patted Guo Mingxuan on the shoulder, tears streaming down his face. "Third Uncle is so proud of you!"
"It's all thanks to you, sir." Guo Mingxuan looked at Zheng Yi, his face full of gratitude. "If it weren't for you standing up for me in the second round of assessments, I probably would have been eliminated long ago."
"You passed the test because of your own ability," Zheng Yi said. "I just helped you get a fair chance."
"You are too modest, sir." Guo Mingxuan bowed deeply. "I will never forget this kindness and virtue."
Zheng Yi waved his hand and said nothing more.
After seeing off the Guo family, Zheng Yi originally planned to leave Xuantian Sect and return to Hongyun City. However, Xuantian Zhenren sent someone to invite him, saying that he wanted him to stay for a few days to explain his cultivation experience of the Tiangang Technique to the sect's disciples.
Zheng Yi thought about it and felt that since he had promised Master Xuantian, he should keep his promise. So he decided to stay for a few days and leave after finishing his lectures.
That morning, the weather was clear and sunny.
Led by a disciple of the Xuantian Sect, Zheng Yi arrived at a training ground within the inner sect.
The training ground was quite large, covering several acres, with a smooth, flat surface paved with bluestone slabs. Rows of pine and cypress trees surrounded the ground, their verdant greenery separating it from the outside world. At the front of the training ground was a high platform, upon which sat a lecture table and a chair, clearly for the purpose of giving lectures.
At this moment, dozens of disciples had gathered on the training ground. These disciples were all elites of the Xuantian Sect's inner sect, ranging in age from eighteen or nineteen to over thirty. Each of them possessed a profound aura, clearly indicating that they were highly skilled practitioners.
Zheng Yi walked into the training ground, and everyone's eyes were on him.
He could sense that those gazes contained curiosity, scrutiny, and even some disdain.
"Is he the one who pulled out the Heaven-Shattering Sword?"
"He looks very young, how capable could he be?"
"I heard he's not a sword cultivator, so why did the sect leader send him to teach us?"
Whispers spread through the crowd, and although the voices were not loud, Zheng Yi could hear them clearly.
He ignored them, walked straight up to the platform, and sat down behind the lectern.
"Fellow senior brothers and sisters, my name is An Ye," he began. "By order of the sect leader, I am here today to explain my cultivation experience of the Heavenly Gang Technique."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone in the crowd sneered, "Mr. Dark Night, forgive my bluntness, but the Heavenly Gang Technique is the ultimate skill of our sect's founding patriarch. We disciples have practiced it for many years without even getting a grasp of it. What right do you, an outsider, have to lecture us?"
The speaker was a young man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, with a stern face and arrogant eyes. He had a long sword at his waist, with a red gem inlaid on the hilt, clearly an extraordinary weapon.
"What is your name, senior brother?" Zheng Yi asked.
"My name is Zhao Yuanqing, an inner disciple of the Xuantian Sect, ranked seventh," the man said proudly.
"Senior Brother Zhao, tell me, what makes me qualified to lecture you?" Zheng Yi said calmly. "It's because I've mastered the Heavenly Gang Technique, while you haven't even scratched the surface."
"You've mastered the Heavenly Gang Technique?" Zhao Yuanqing sneered. "What proof do you have?"
"Evidence?" Zheng Yi stood up and walked to the edge of the platform. "The Heaven-Piercing Sword is the evidence. If I hadn't cultivated the Heavenly Gang Technique, how could I have drawn the Heaven-Piercing Sword?" (End of Chapter)