Chapter 924: The Seven Sword Immortals of the New Era? The Broken Sword in the Sword Burial Mound Sheds Tears

Xiao Kongdong sighed as he spoke, then fell silent without continuing.

Xiu Yuanke grew excited and said, "Teacher has been revived, and as his only student who has met him, you must have a way to contact him. Let's talk to him now—I truly want to learn Jian Nian with all sincerity!"

Xiao Kongdong shook his head slightly and said no more.

The child in the courtyard sneered, "Xiu Yuanke, stop being stubborn. Big Brother treats us so well—if he could teach Jian Nian, he would have done it for you ages ago. Why wait all these years? Even if he doesn't say it outright, he's demonstrated Jian Nian countless times, and if you haven't grasped it, that's just your own lack of talent."

Xiu Yuanke's face turned red as he snapped, "Adults are talking—keep your mouth shut, you little brat!"

"Hmph!" The child huffed in annoyance, turned away, and stopped wasting words on him.

Xiao Kongdong gazed at the familiar bickering between the two, then tilted his head back to look into the distance. In his ears, he seemed to hear Teacher Ba Zun An's voice again, and he murmured softly, "Time passes so quickly..."

This sudden remark left the old woman and the young man momentarily stunned, their eyes filled with a sense of melancholy.

"Yes, decades have flown by," the old woman sighed. "In the past, we all saw Teacher as a figure of faith, but now his voice echoes across the five domains... Well, perhaps not so obviously in the five domains, but Tian Shen of the Sword Gods is surely going to be in chaos."

"This is our opportunity, isn't it?" The young man paused his task of sweeping fallen leaves and looked at Xiao Kongdong with anticipation in his eyes. "Big Brother, when do you plan to challenge the Qi Jian Xian?"

At these words, everyone in the courtyard stopped what they were doing and looked at him with the same hopeful expressions.

Xiao Kongdong had founded Can Yue Xian Cheng, and his inheritance in the ancient sword cultivation path surpassed even that of the contemporary Qi Jian Xian.

This was his great achievement.

Yet, even with all that, it wasn't enough to earn full recognition from the world.

It had been several decades since this generation of Qi Jian Xian received their titles.

That was too long ago. Among the Qi Jian Xian, some had even achieved sainthood and shouldn't still hold onto the Jian Xian title.

However, this generation of Qi Jian Xian was extraordinarily strong, their reputations intimidating the world for so long that, to this day, no one except the eighth Jian Xian had dared to challenge their authority.

Since Teacher had said, "The era of the various saints is imminent," then it was time to take the lead. The first to respond to Teacher's call should undoubtedly be Xiao Kongdong!

Once Xiao Kongdong succeeded in his challenge, the era of ancient sword cultivation would surely shine brightly once more!

Faced with their hopeful gazes, Xiao Kongdong didn't respond directly. Instead, he smiled and said, "The Qi Jian Xian is just an empty title. What matters now is responding to Teacher's true call—he's in Tian Kong Zhi Cheng and needs our help."

The young man grew anxious. "But the Qi Jian Xian is also a major affair. It's the one thing Teacher never accomplished in his life, so it should fall to you to take it on."

The child nodded in agreement and urged, "Big Brother Xiao Kongdong, you always said the timing wasn't right, but in my view, you were qualified to claim the Qi Jian Xian title ten years ago. In the path of swordsmanship, you're even surpassing Teacher..."

Xiao Kongdong glanced sideways, and the child immediately swallowed the rest of his words.

"The true power of Teacher is beyond your imagination," Xiao Kongdong said seriously.

Seeing Big Brother belittle himself like this, the old woman took a deep breath, her eyes sharp as she said, "Big Brother masters the nine great sword techniques, just like Teacher in his youth; he's achieved great success in Jian Nian, like Teacher at the peak of his power; and he's even surpassed his master by creating a variant of the second-generation Che Shen Nian—the Jian Nian Hua Shen!"

"Big Brother, you're already incredibly strong! Hua Jian Xian might have achieved sainthood, so we won't challenge him, but people like Gou Wuyue and Rao Yao Yao are stuck in their ways. In the path of swordsmanship, they've been left far behind by you!" The old woman's words were firm and full of passion.

Xiu Yuanke nodded eagerly, like a chick pecking at grain. "Yes, yes! Big Brother, when can you teach me Jian Nian Hua Shen? I really want to learn it, with all sincerity!"

As he spoke, Xiu Yuanke's eyes burned with fervor.

Jian Nian Hua Shen was created by Big Brother through distilling the essence of Jian Nian, returning to simplicity, and reversing the process to fuse form, intent, and spirit into a second avatar.

This was nearly on par with a true half-saint avatar, far superior to the simplified 'half-saint avatar' used by someone like the Sheng Nu storyteller.

Because Big Brother's Jian Nian Hua Shen possessed real spirituality, complete combat ability, and independent logical thinking.

For instance, right now...

Everyone in the courtyard knew that the one standing before them and speaking wasn't Big Brother's true body, but his Jian Nian Hua Shen.

This was to handle the unpredictable inspections from Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

As for where Big Brother's true body was, outsiders didn't know, but those in the courtyard did—it was at the storm's epicenter: Dong Tian Wang Cheng!

Xiao Kongdong glanced at Xiu Yuanke helplessly and sighed. "If you can't master Jian Nian, how could you possibly master Jian Nian Hua Shen? They stem from the same root."

Xiu Yuanke said with a choked voice, "Then is there no other way for me to gain your power, Big Brother?"

"There is!" Xiao Kongdong raised a finger and smiled. "As I've told you before, master the nine great sword techniques to forge a path similar to Jian Nian. That way, you'll surpass me and reach heights on par with Teacher—or even, with a slim chance, exceed him!"

Xiu Yuanke: "..."

He wished he could, but mastering the nine great sword techniques wasn't that easy.

In all of Can Yue Xian Cheng, only you, Big Brother, have achieved it!

At that moment, the child standing by the chessboard took a deep breath and pouted. "Big Brother, you're changing the subject again. You're not addressing the challenge to the Qi Jian Xian directly, but you know this is what all the sword cultivators in Can Yue Xian Cheng are waiting for—it's what every ancient sword cultivator in the world anticipates."

Xiao Kongdong stepped up to the child, patted his head, and chuckled. "People like Gou Wuyue and Rao Yao Yao aren't as simple as you think. To earn the Qi Jian Xian title and a seat among the ten venerables, they're far stronger than you imagine. Even I don't have full confidence."

"You definitely do!" the child insisted stubbornly.

Xiao Kongdong shook his head. "Perhaps, but not now."

After a moment of thought, he walked forward with a gentle sigh. "It's just bad timing. I can only play the role of a transitional figure in history. If I force the wheel of history forward too soon, I might gain fame, but it would be a severe blow to the path of ancient sword cultivation."

"Why?" The child looked up, his eyes full of confusion.

Xiao Kongdong explained, "I could become one of the Qi Jian Xian, but if ancient sword cultivation gains too much attention in the Ling Lian era without the power to rival the mainstream, the foundation we've built could collapse prematurely."

The child was baffled, not fully understanding.

The young man beside him, however, seemed to grasp it and asked, "Is it because of... up there?"

He glanced up at the sky, where blue heavens and white clouds stretched, yet it felt like a barrier restricting everyone's upward gaze.

Xiao Kongdong didn't confirm or deny it. "Let's give those true talents of this era a little more time. Maybe you're one of them." He patted the child's head again.

"Oh..." The child still didn't quite get it.

The young man, though, was energized, his blood stirring as he said, "If you succeed in the challenge, Big Brother, I'll follow in your footsteps and strive to claim a Qi Jian Xian title myself. I won't let the path of ancient sword cultivation fade away completely in the Ling Lian era!"

Xiao Kongdong laughed.

He laughed for a long time, under the puzzled gazes of those in the courtyard and the young man's slightly flustered look, before finally stopping.

"That's exactly what ancient sword cultivators would think after my success," Xiao Kongdong said gravely. "But if that happens and we draw too much attention while still being too weak, we're bound to fail midway."

The young man's face flushed—this was basically saying his strength wasn't enough yet.

Only then did he realize what Big Brother had meant earlier.

So, not challenging the Qi Jian Xian wasn't because Big Brother lacked confidence, but because he worried that if he succeeded, too many ancient sword cultivators would follow suit. Yet, without enough time, preparation, or strength, they would fail.

And everyone knew what failure meant for ancient sword cultivators.

On a path that demands relentless advance and fearless progress, once you fail and can't accept it, nine out of ten would choose to die standing rather than live on in compromise.

If external forces pushed them to challenge beyond their readiness...

Overly rigid, and they would break easily...

Xiu Yuanke's eyes gleamed with insight—this was the true essence of Cang Jian Shu. Big Brother was guiding them indirectly once again.

Unfortunately, his own talent was lacking, always falling just short.

Jian Nian...

Jian Nian Hua Shen...

He probably wouldn't grasp them in this lifetime.

"Big Brother, you must have come out for a reason, right?" the old woman suddenly interjected. She knew Big Brother wouldn't venture out without cause, especially with Teacher's voice echoing across the five domains—Can Yue Xian Cheng should take action too.

"Mm." Xiao Kongdong nodded slightly, returning to the matter at hand.

He pulled a small axe from his ring and tossed it to Xiu Yuanke, instructing, "Go find me in Dong Tian Wang Cheng. Be careful not to reveal your identity."

Xiu Yuanke caught the axe, his expression pained. "Big Brother, I'm an ancient sword cultivator—why do I always have to do things like this? I feel it's because of all this 'disguising' that my sword path is progressing so slowly, even if it involves Huan Jian Shu."

"All paths lead to the same truth," Xiao Kongdong said with a smirk. "Whether it's a sword or an axe, if used well, they're equally effective."

"But..." Xiu Yuanke still hesitated.

Xiao Kongdong cut him off. "If you manage this trip and meet Teacher, you might just get what you wish for. He's a very approachable person."

"Hmm?" The prospect excited Xiu Yuanke, his breathing growing heavy. "I'll disguise myself! I'll pretend to be anyone! If needed, I can even impersonate Teacher!"

"Teacher's already out there—who needs you to impersonate him?" The child eyed the axe, his earlier dislike turning to envy.

The young man frowned slightly. "Big Brother, keeping this up might draw the hatred of Sheng Shen Dian Tang straight to Can Yue Xian Cheng. It was for cover before, but now that Teacher has emerged..."

Xiao Kongdong looked at him with a smile. "Precisely because Teacher has emerged, we need to shoulder more. He still needs help right now, and besides..."

He paused, gazing toward the east. "Can Yue Xian Cheng is just a small organization that's been around for over thirty years. Compared to those ancient forces, the hatred we attract is too insignificant and too little..."

Teacher's words could stir far more than just a minor Can Yue Xian Cheng!

In the eastern domain, at the farthest east where it meets the sea, stands Dong Shan.

Dong Shan has no peaks; legend says they were pierced away by a sword. Here lies a force passed down from ancient times, known as Zang Jian Zhong.

Spiritual swords, famous swords, ancient inscription tablets, lost swords...

All ownerless swords with any spirituality are drawn to Zang Jian Zhong in ways unknown, converging there to await the arrival of the destined one before emerging again.

The surrounding 100,000 li of Zang Jian Zhong, due to the massive gathering of spiritual swords, has formed an invisible sword qi barrier that repels all entry.

However, for sword cultivators, this barrier contains endless insights from ancient sword paths accumulated over eons.

They simply need to cultivate here.

Each step deeper into the sword qi barrier signifies a refinement in their sword cultivation.

The rule for entering Zang Jian Zhong is: "As long as you pass through the sword qi barrier, you can join." This inspires everyone.

Yet, among the current generation of young sword cultivators, only three have achieved this: the three Gu brothers.

Since Ba Zun An's voice echoed across the five domains, Zang Jian Zhong, which had been silent for years, saw its sword qi barrier tremble. All the sword cultivators on the outskirts began dancing with their swords in celebration.

At the same time, within Zang Jian Zhong, the "Xi Jian Chi," which had been still for decades, suddenly rippled slightly.

"Woo—"

At the center of Xi Jian Chi, a broken sword trembled gently, emitting a sobbing sound.

Its blade was covered in rust, long stripped of its original color, and even the hilt was overgrown with moss and weeds.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

From the darkness, a tall figure approached with steady steps.

He walked across the water's surface, passing over all the rusty swords in Xi Jian Chi, and came to a stop before the sobbing broken sword, slowly crouching down.

"He's back..." he said softly, as if carefully tending to fragile flowers, afraid his words might upset it.

"Buzz!!!"

The broken sword struggled violently, as if in anger, roaring, like a wronged child lamenting decades of solitude.

"You shouldn't resent him—he had no choice..." The man gently stroked the broken sword.

But seeing the sword's agitation intensify, he could only smile bitterly. "Alright, I won't defend him. He really does deserve blame..."

"Buzz!"

The broken sword trembled even more.

The man paused, sighing after a long moment.

"What can I say about you?"

"I told you long ago to let go and find a new master. Maybe then, you'd have earned a famous sword title by now. Why bind yourself here in loneliness?"

"If he hadn't spoken out, would you have waited a hundred years, a thousand years?"

"Maybe you'd never see him again!"

His last words carried a heavier tone, as if venting his own feelings about the person in question.

"Buzz buzz buzz..." The broken sword vibrated in response.

The man understood the sword's language and laughed. "I'm different from you. I'm not bound here—I can leave whenever I want."

"Clang!"

Xi Jian Chi suddenly rang with a sword cry as the broken sword struggled to rise from the pool.

Yet, despite the sound echoing, it only trembled intensely and couldn't move as intended.

The man stood up with a smile. "It's tough. Entering Xi Jian Chi is easy, but leaving is hard. Ba Zun An has missed his chance to enter Zang Jian Zhong—he'll never come here again. The one you're waiting for might return to the world, but he'll never take you home."

With that, the man turned and left.

"Clang clang clang—"

The harsh words drove the broken sword into a frenzy, sending ripples across Xi Jian Chi.

It wanted to leap out and strike him down, but the rules bound it, preventing escape.

"I told you, finding a new master isn't hard, right?"

The man flicked his sleeve and vanished into the darkness, sighing, "Now he's back, but you can't get out. Fate plays tricks on people... and on swords. How tragic, truly tragic..."

"Heh."

His final laugh was mocking!

Unable to bear the ridicule, the broken sword seemed to awaken like a demon god, bursting with endless bright white sword light that illuminated the darkness. It revealed the figure of a white-robed man, who had returned to his towering sword-hilt throne.

The ground was littered with shattered and fallen swords.

The white-robed man, seated on the "sword-hilt throne," remained unmoved.

He rested his elbow on the throne's armrest, supporting his chin with the back of his hand, tilting his head slightly to glance sidelong at the broken sword's turmoil in Xi Jian Chi. A smile played on his lips, his eyes full of mockery.

The broken sword, unwilling to suffer this humiliation, raged wildly. Its sword light pierced through Zang Jian Zhong's sword qi barrier, astonishing and delighting those outside, who sat in meditation to comprehend it.

But in the end, this was merely an anomaly.

The broken sword couldn't break free from Xi Jian Chi's restraints.

Darkness enveloped everything once more.

Xi Jian Chi fell silent, leaving only the broken sword's whimpers and the faint ripples spreading around it.

It was as if invisible tears were falling into the pool.

"Woo woo woo..."