CHAPTER 213: CHAPTER 209: SEVEN QUESTIONS

Beside Tian Chenzi stood a disciple named Ke Junlin, the most outstanding Sword Dao disciple of the Xuantian Sect.

He had accompanied Tian Chenzi to Yun Meng Swamp, where they capitalized on the chaos of the swamp’s upheaval to hunt a Great Demon, fortifying Ke Junlin’s foundation and making him stronger.

Hearing that Li Mountain disciples were present, Tian Chenzi and Ke Junlin paid a visit to Bai Lu Academy. However, Li Fan’s words alone had forced them to retreat, as they worried that several Great Sword Cultivators from Li Mountain had already arrived in Yun Meng City.

At that time, Tian Chenzi hadn’t paid much attention to Li Fan. *A disciple from Li Mountain, no matter how gifted, what difference could it make?*

But now, realizing Li Fan was Zuo Canglan’s disciple, he could no longer overlook this young man.

Then, was it Zuo Canglan who had personally brought Li Fan out of Yun Meng Swamp?

Was his sword still capable?

"Li Mountain has already declined. Is Zuo Canglan’s disciple truly worthy of such regard?" Ke Junlin asked. His talent in Sword Dao was unparalleled, but his reputation was confined to the Western Regions, and he had not yet made a name for himself in Chi Xiao City.

Unlike Li Fan, who arrogantly proclaimed he would claim the fate of the world’s Sword Dao, Ke Junlin intended to use his sword to ensure Chi Xiao City would recognize him.

*Should even a disciple of fallen Li Mountain garner this level of attention?*

"Just remember this: A foundation forged over a millennium cannot be underestimated, even if it has declined. The Da Li Court has yet to bring down Li Mountain. Zuo Canglan once had the potential to achieve the title of Sword Tao Saint," Tian Chenzi responded.

Ke Junlin nodded, yet a fiery determination still surged within him—a Sword Cultivator’s pride, a fearlessness that refused to back down. *Even if they were Li Mountain disciples, so what? He had dedicated himself to Sword Dao for years and would not lose to any peer Sword Cultivator in the world.*

*Without such pride, how could he contend for the fate of the world’s Sword Dao?*

The verbal sparring between Cang Yunxuan and Li Fan was but a minor skirmish. Today’s grand stage did not belong to Cang Yunxuan or even Li Fan; among the arriving Sword Cultivators, who knew how many extraordinary figures would emerge?

At that moment, a figure slowly stepped forward into the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo. Dressed in simple, clean cloth, his temples were tinged with gray. Though he appeared to be in his fifties and emanated no visible aura, at a glance, he seemed merely an ordinary old man.

But the roaring crowd of Sword Cultivators outside bore not a single trace of disrespect in their eyes.

The elder was nameless—nothing more than a humble sword servant to the Xuanyuan Sword. No one knew how long he had served the Xuanyuan Sword, but ever since the great blade had presided over Chi Xiao City, the elder had always been there.

Years ago, a Seven Realms Sword Cultivator came to challenge the Xuanyuan Sword. Displeased with the challenger’s insufficient cultivation level, Xuanyuan Sword had directed this sword servant to convey a message: the challenger should train for a few more years before returning. Yet the arrogant Seven Realms Sword Cultivator disrespected the nameless elder with scornful words.

What followed was a duel in which the sword servant, acting in his humble capacity, defeated the Seven Realms Sword Cultivator.

After that battle, the challenger departed with a Broken Sword.

Years later, that same Seven Realms Sword Cultivator would ascend to the Sword Saint List.

However, he never returned to the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo to challenge the sword again.

*The impact of that battle likely lingered even now.*

From that time onward, no Sword Cultivator dared to approach the Xuanyuan Sword lightly.

This nameless, humble-clad Sword Cultivator had once defeated a contender for the Sword Saint List, even though, back then, his opponent had not yet made that prestigious ranking.

The sword servant of Xuanyuan Sword had reached the Seven Realms—a height every Sword Cultivator in the world dreamed of. Many longed to offer their service and enter the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo, dismissing concerns over status or glory.

The nameless elder rose, treading upon his sword, ascending into the sky. His gaze swept across the crowd before he said, "Follow me into the dojo."

With those words, he turned and soared toward the dojo’s entrance.

"Enter the dojo."

Behind him, waves of Sword Cultivators surged forward en masse, their Sword Aura piercing the heavens like a tidal wave.

Leading the way, the elder guided the group to a vast plaza that seemed to mark the perimeter of the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo. Yet, all present could feel the oppressive Sword Intent hanging in the air.

Before the crowd, seven swords floated horizontally in the sky, aligned in a straight row. They formed a Sword Domain, and before these seven swords, a massive Sword Formation Map was revealed.

It was from this that the imposing Sword Intent emanated.

The nameless elder stepped forward, stopping atop a high pavilion. Below the pavilion was an entrance sealed by the seven swords.

"Here lie seven swords, each a Divine Weapon representing one of the Seven Inquiries of the Sword Dao: Sword Seed, Sword Intent, Swordsmanship, Sword Gall, Sword Bone, Sword Heart, and Sword Soul."

Looking toward the crowd, the elder spoke again, "Beneath these seven swords is the entrance to the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo. If you can conquer even one of the Seven Inquiries, you may enter into the dojo and proceed to the Secret Realm, where opportunities within the Sword Dao await."

"Years ago, my master obtained this Secret Realm and wished to share it with the world’s Sword Cultivators. However, he did not permit mediocrity to step within. Hence, these seven swords were stationed here, allowing one challenge per year. Foundation Establishment Realm Sword Cultivators are all welcome to try. Each year, new challengers come; those who have tried before may not attempt again."

The elder’s booming voice echoed, and the crowd listened, filled with deep respect.

The senior of Xuanyuan Sword had every right to keep the Secret Realm for himself but instead chose to share it with the world. Once a year, any qualified Sword Cultivator with talent had the chance to attempt entry.

The reason for limiting this trial to cultivators of the Foundation Establishment Realm was tied to the nature of the Secret Realm itself.

"For foreign Sword Cultivators, as long as you overcome one Inquisition, you may enter the dojo. For the Sword Dao forces within Chi Xiao City, if one representative passes an inquiry, they may bring one other person with them. Two inquiries mean two may enter, and full mastery of all seven will grant entrance for seven." The elder elaborated further, and the crowd understood well: this was a gesture of favor toward the Sword Dao forces within Chi Xiao City.

"Now, you may enter the Sword Domain. Challenge your opponents in war to seek your inquiry. If both combatants display enough excellence, even the defeated will earn questioning rights to gain entry."

"The Seven Inquiries of the Sword: Sword Seed, Sword Intent, Swordsmanship, Sword Gall, Sword Bone, Sword Heart, and Sword Soul. Those who excel in even one will resonate with one of these seven Divine Swords."

"Begin."

Li Fan’s gaze focused on the seven swords and the Seven Inquiries before him.

*Could these seven Divine Swords truly be so wondrous?*

*To question the sword through combat—it was only during battle that one could perceive the Sword Intent, comprehend the Swordsmanship, and perhaps glimpse the Sword Soul.*

*Sword Bone represented the foundational root of the Sword Dao, something easier to feel. But Sword Gall and Sword Heart—how could one perceive those?*

*Through combat?*

He was to represent the Lu Family of Chi Xiao City in battle. If he succeeded in passing one inquiry, he could bring one other person into the dojo. If he conquered all seven, he could bring seven members of the Lu Family.

"Buzz..."

The crowd suddenly saw a figure shoot forward, landing in the Sword Domain. At the sight of this figure, numerous expressions grew solemn.

It was Ying Ze, first on the Green Cloud List.

Without the slightest hesitation, he had chosen to take the first step forward.

Among those present, it was clear Ying Ze was not the strongest contender, even though he currently ranked first on the Green Cloud List.

Yet, it was worth remembering that past members of the Green Cloud List who had aged out of eligibility while still at the Peak of Foundation Establishment Realm—those who had spent years honing their skills—still surpassed Ying Ze in strength. Reportedly, at least one person among them, once ranked second only to Cang Yunxuan, could defeat him with certainty.

Even so, Ying Ze remained fearless. He had held the number-one spot on the Green Cloud List for a full year, unshaken. Though many extraordinary figures from beyond Chi Xiao City were present today, what did it matter?

*How many of them could truly contest him?*

The moment Ying Ze entered the Sword Domain, a brilliant golden light erupted from the center of his forehead. A dazzling divine radiance burst forth, and within his brow lay a golden sword emitting a faint sword-cry. Even before his Sword Seed fully emerged, its power was already intimidating.

From among the seven Divine Swords floating above, one began to hum, a faint sword glow descending onto Ying Ze.

Before anyone else could begin, one of the Seven Inquiries had already been marked.

In the next moment, a majestic surge of Sword Aura erupted from Ying Ze’s body, enveloping him wholly in golden Sword Light, its sharp essence piercing the sky.

Among the seven swords, a second Divine Sword began to hum, marking yet another inquiry.

"Ying Ze, boldly questioning the sword."

The crowd looked on with admiration. *This was to be expected. If the first-ranked person on the Green Cloud List could not achieve such results, most here would have no chance.*

They recalled how, before entering the dojo, Cang Yunxuan had achieved the remarkable feat of five swords resonating with him while still merely at the Peak of Foundation Establishment Realm.

As Cang Yunxuan had once been ranked first on the Green Cloud List, Ying Ze, holding that title now, was similarly expected to achieve resonance with five swords.

In the past, a few had managed to resonate with six swords.

But to this day, only one had ever achieved resonance with all seven.

*Could someone do it this time?*

Even after attaining a second inquiry, Ying Ze could already enter the dojo. Yet he showed no intention of stopping. Someone with his talent could hardly pass up such a rare opportunity.

While he claimed allegiance to the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena, Ying Ze had not come to represent them in this challenge. Those fitting to join that venerable dojo’s ranks relied solely on their own strength to gain admittance.

"You proclaim yourself the one to monopolize seven parts of the world’s Sword Dao fate. Now here, at Xuanyuan Dojo, with seven swords standing before us, you have a chance to prove your boast." Ying Ze looked up at the swords, not at the crowd, but everyone present knew to whom he spoke.

Li Fan had arrogantly claimed before that he sought to claim seven parts of the world’s Sword Dao fate. Just moments ago, he had clashed verbally with Cang Yunxuan.

And now, Ying Ze had stepped forward first, clearly provoking Li Fan to battle.

Could this man, who declared he would claim seven parts of the Sword Dao’s fate, truly defeat the first person on the Green Cloud List?

All eyes turned to Li Fan. *Because of his boldness, he had drawn Ying Ze as his competitor.* Though his talent was extraordinary, he remained at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, famed for defeating Han Zhong, the seventh-ranked on the Green Cloud List, by surpassing his realm in combat.

But to defeat Ying Ze? *That was nearly impossible.*

Ying Ze stood at the Peak of Foundation Establishment, a level where even cultivators at the Early Stage of Condensed Core Realm might struggle to contend with him.

Ying Ze provoking Li Fan in such an important setting was somewhat unbecoming. His stature and rank vastly exceeded Li Fan’s as a relative newcomer.

Certainly, dueling Li Fan appeared slightly unfair.

Yet given the events leading up to this moment, no one thought it out of place.

After all, even a loss here wouldn’t prevent entry into the Secret Realm.