269: Sword Tomb, Secret Method (two in one)

Lin Shiming scanned the area. Although everyone was looking at the sword shadows in the sky, he still noticed that the reactions of their ten people were the most intense.

However, to his disappointment, he did not find the Daoist Zifu's supervisor.

Among these eleven people, at least two were supervisors. Chen Daoyuan, needless to say, his burning gaze just now was definitely an act; he was absolutely a person of profound cunning.

And at least one more person was a hidden supervisor. If anyone dared not to enter the arena, a backstab would likely await them!

However, he did not know whether there was one or several remaining, or who they were.

These people behaved too normally.

Based on their Cultivation Technique, it was impossible to identify them. Besides him, all the others primarily Cultivated Five Elements sword arts corresponding to their respective attributes.

Anyone could be, and no one could be!

Since he couldn't guess, Lin Shiming simply stopped guessing and instead focused on the Sword Tomb before him.

Xie An, however, proactively walked over to the two. Looking at Lin Shiming and the other, his eyes held some worry, yet were full of longing as he gazed at the Sword Tomb.

"How were your gains on this journey?" Senior Brother Xie transmitted.

"We encountered Demonic Cultivators and were chased all the way!" Lin Shiming shook his head, not elaborating.

From Senior Brother Xie's expression, he probably hadn't found any Spirit Pills capable of helping him Breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm, so he could only place his hopes on the Sword Tomb. As long as he obtained a Spirit Communication Sword, Daoist Zi Xuan would ensure his Purple Mansion.

"This time it was indeed more dangerous than before!" Senior Brother Xie also sighed.

He also didn't elaborate, but the anger in his eyes was self-evident. He likely encountered Demonic Cultivators trying to seize treasures on this trip as well.

However, in Lin Shiming's view, the Spirit Beast Sect, Spirit Talisman Sect, and Ten Thousand Swords Sect might not be any better than the Demonic Sects. In this Small World, only those who survive and leave will know who is the hunter and who is the hunted.

Seemingly noticing Lin Shiming's confusion about the Sword Tomb, Senior Brother Xie began to introduce it, much like he would the World Tower.

"This Sword Tomb is the burial ground where successive Sword Cultivators of the Tai Bai Sword Sect dissolved their bodies, and also the Legacy ground for their treasured swords!"

"Legend has it that there are as many as one hundred and eight thousand Magic Swords within, with three-tenths being top-grade Third-Order Magic Swords. Furthermore, there are eighty-one Fourth-Order Magic Treasure Flying Swords, nine Fifth-Order Magic Treasure Flying Swords, and three Sixth-Order Magic Treasure Flying Swords."

"Even if someone takes one, the Tai Bai Sword Sect will replenish it, always maintaining this number!"

"Moreover, here, one must gain the recognition of a Spirit Sword; otherwise, even the most outstanding successor of the Tai Bai Sword Palace cannot take a single sword!"

As Senior Brother Xie spoke, a hint of envy appeared in his eyes.

This was the true foundation of a Nascent Soul Sect. A Sword Tomb for its Disciples even contained Sixth-Order Magic Treasure Flying Swords.

At the same time, it didn't judge based on origin, but solely on the level of talent!

One must know that beside these Magic Treasure Flying Swords, there were also many Legacies of past Sword Cultivators. Although they didn't contain the Cultivation Technique of the Tai Bai Sword Sect, the insights of Sword Cultivators alone were extraordinarily precious.

There were even rumors that the Tai Bai Sword Sect's Sword Genesis Myriad Laws secret technique was meticulously recorded within the Sword Tomb.

And the Realm of Sword Cultivators, the first stage is Sword Light Manifestation, the second is Sword Qi Coagulation, and the third is Sword Genesis Myriad Laws.

Reaching this Realm, one could be called a generation's Sword Immortal.

All things can be broken, and all mortals are inviolable!

Even the Cultivators of the Qingxuan Sect's Tianjian Peak were so eager, not to mention the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, which considered itself the orthodox Dao of the sword. Each of them looked as if they wanted to embed their eyeballs into the Sword Tomb.

"Among these, Fifth-Order Magic Treasures or Sixth-Order Magic Treasures that have developed sentience can be called Spirit Communication Swords. However, because these Spirit Communication Swords are born here, their strength often cannot match their inherent grade. A Fifth-Order Magic Treasure's sentience often corresponds to a Fourth-Order Purple Mansion existence!"

"And these sentient swords cannot attack Cultivators; this is a rule of the Sword Tomb!" Senior Brother Xie stated with certainty.

As he spoke, his eyes grew even more resolute. His spirit platform was already glowing brightly!

He felt a summons!

"As expected of a great Sect!" Lin Shiming also exclaimed. This Sect was truly terrifying!

These Sword Cultivators, indeed, each relied on their talent for Legacy. Even if the Sword Cultivator was no longer present, his treasured sword was still seeking a master for his Legacy.

Those with mediocre talent were not deemed worthy of the Legacy!

Even if the treasured sword was covered in dust!

Of course, Lin Shiming also knew that such Spirit Communication Swords naturally wouldn't look favorably upon ordinary Cultivators, which is why Daoist Zi Xuan chose the Sword Nurturing Art.

The Sword Nurturing Art transforms the spirit platform into an existence capable of nurturing Flying Swords, essentially a living scabbard.

At that time, those Spirit Communication Swords could occupy it at will.

Thinking of this, Lin Shiming felt a bit of silent sympathy for Senior Brother Xie.

Senior Brother Xie's feeling was correct; he would definitely obtain a Spirit Communication Sword. It was just unknown whether he would still be himself at that time.

Of course, his silent sympathy was limited to that. Although Senior Brother Xie had an unusual relationship with them, in reality, benefits outweighed friendship!

He couldn't possibly reveal this secret, or even expose his Grotto-heaven World, for Senior Brother Xie's sake.

Moreover, as one of Daoist Zi Xuan's Personal Disciples, there was a good chance he was the hidden supervisor.

"Senior Brother Xie, why aren't these Cultivators going up the mountain to retrieve swords now?" Lin Shiming asked, a little puzzled.

If Chen Daoyuan and the others were waiting for them, then the people from the other Sects, and other factions of the Qingxuan Sect, couldn't all be indifferent.

And one should know that nearly two hundred people had already gathered behind the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard.

"Wait!" Senior Brother Xie looked at the magnificent and transcendent sword shadows in the sky, which were now dazzling and rising.

"When the sword shadows disappear, the mist of the Sword Tomb will reveal a Sword-Seeking Path. At that time, that will be our Opportunity!"

"Everyone who enters the Sword-Seeking Path will experience something different, and when they emerge again, it means they have found a sword in the Sword Mountain!"

After Senior Brother Xie finished speaking, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his face was filled with incomparable confidence.

In this Sword Tomb, who could compare to Cultivators like them who had at least comprehended Sword Light Manifestation, not to mention they also possessed the secret art of the Sword Nurturing Art?

Hearing this, Lin Shiming also nodded and did not continue to ask.

Instead, he found a small hill and began to observe the Cultivators from other Sects.

The entire Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard only contained Cultivators from the Four Sects, which seemed too unusual to him.

Even if few people from the Heavenly Demon Sect and Corpse Refinement Sect Cultivated as Sword Cultivators, they wouldn't truly allow the Four Righteous Path Sects to gain treasured swords and Magic Treasures here.

Especially the Three Sects of Zhao Country, which were led by the Qingxuan Sect.

At this moment, he wanted to inquire about the Four Sects, but he realized that he knew too few Cultivators from the Four Sects. Even Lin Xianzhi, who had Cultivated for many years, only knew many Cultivators from the Qingxuan Sect's Tianjian Peak, which was already considered a good connection.

As for asking the other Disciples of Daoist Zi Xuan, he thought for a while and then gave up. If Senior Brother Xie was like this, the others were probably also excited at this moment.

To cooperate, he even had to pretend to be like everyone else, looking at the sword shadows in the sky, waiting.

In reality, a portion of his attention was already on the leaders of the other Sects' Cultivators.

The leader on the Qingxuan Sect's side was a Senior Brother Zhao from Shenji Peak, Zhao Wuji. Rumor has it that not only did he possess a Heavenly Spiritual Root, but he was also at the Peak Foundation Establishment Realm, and a Personal Disciple of Immortal Master Divine Machine.

The status of an Immortal Master Golden Core's Disciple was self-evident!

Even someone as strong as Chen Daoyuan treated the latter with utmost respect.

Besides Senior Brother Zhao, there was also a Senior Brother in white whom none of the Qingxuan Sect's Cultivators had ever seen, but he was extremely close to Zhao Wuji, and his strength and Cultivation were certainly among the Peak Third-Order group.

The leading Cultivator of the Spirit Beast Sect was a hawk-nosed Cultivator named Huang Yu. He sat upon a golden Roc, and his Cultivation was also extremely high, holding the most prestige among the Spirit Beast Sect's Cultivators.

Lin Shiming had actually met this person in Nine Leaf City.

The Cultivator from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect was a square-faced middle-aged man named Wan Changqing. His most striking feature was the three swords behind him. The three swords varied in size; the smallest was just over a foot long, while the largest was a full five feet long!

It was almost as long as his body.

The leading Cultivator of the Spirit Talisman Sect was a young girl, dressed in a Heavenly Talisman Robe, with a red mole on her forehead.

Her name was Ying Hongyue, and she was also a Disciple of a Golden Core Cultivator from the Spirit Talisman Sect.

Lin Shiming constantly observed the surrounding Cultivators. Although not all Cultivators who entered the Small World were here, this group represented the majority.

For him, he was unwilling to antagonize any Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and even had to avoid slightly more powerful Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators.

He didn't believe it was wise to stand out or offend anyone while being monitored.

Moreover, his presence was merely a formality.

As Lin Shiming continuously memorized the characteristics of the various Cultivators, he secretly decided to only display the strength of a Peak Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Disciple.

The sword shadows in the sky also reached their zenith.

Streaks of sword light illuminated eternity, and scenes of sword shadows were grand and magnificent.

Finally, at a certain moment, they reached their Peak.

As if all their power had been drained, the sword shadows instantly retreated towards the Sword Mountain.

Like a rising tide, it slowly receded.

And at this moment, the group of Cultivators immediately began to rub their fists and palms, preparing to enter the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard to seek an unparalleled treasured sword!

On the Sword Mountain, the twilight was heavy, and under the cover of black mist, there was very little light.

As the sword light in the sky slowly descended and gradually retracted into dozens of swords, each sword in these Sword Tombs floated in the air, either standing, lying, unsheathing, or sheathing!

The next moment.

A buzzing sound was heard!

All the swords began to tremble, emitting clear sword cries.

These Spirit Swords seemed to come alive, beginning to unsheathe.

"Another thirty years..." A hoarse sigh resounded.

"Yongye, this time, will you lower the difficulty?" An inquiry arose nearby.

"Probably, but it won't be much lower..." A voice echoed.

"Why lower the difficulty? How can commoners approach us sentient beings?"

"Yan Yang, it's precisely because everyone shares your mindset that only we have remained here for thousands of years!"

"That's you. If there's no one to inherit the Legacy, can't we forge a true path of Sword Immortals? You know there are Spirit Races in the Spirit Realm!"

"Alright, stop arguing. Haven't you noticed? This time, Senior Grass has also ascended and shone!"

As soon as these words were spoken, dozens of swords in the Void Realm immediately began to tremble even more violently.

Even streaks of sword light appeared in the Void Realm.

As if confirming something, the sound of sword cries immediately resumed the next moment.

Countless sword lights were seen evolving and condensing.

Sword Light Manifestation and Sword Qi Coagulation, which were extremely rare in Zhao Country, were easily displayed by these Spirit Swords.

For thousands of years, these swords had not been at peace.

"Have the people from Tai Bai Sword Palace returned?" After a long time, another question arose.

"No, it should be that someone has obtained the method for Spirit Communication Swords to Breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm!"

As soon as these words were spoken, many swords fell silent.

The Sword Scabbard method was originally the Tai Bai Sword Sect's oldest method, intended to take away the Spirit Communication Swords from the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard.

It involved nurturing a sword with one's body and using the spirit platform as lamp oil.

Then bestowing it upon a junior. However, over the years, due to the decline of the Tai Bai Sword Sect, these Spirit Communication Swords had forgotten.

The Sword Scabbard was undoubtedly their Opportunity, but similarly, after leaving, they still had the possibility of being subjected to the Pill Condensation secret technique.

"I must try!" Another voice resounded.

"If they can withstand one of my swords, what does it matter if they take me to condense a pill?"

And at this moment, the voice that had sighed for thirty years resounded again.

"Haven't you noticed that this time, Senior Grass also ascended and shone?"

As soon as these words were spoken, many swords in the Void Realm immediately looked in one direction.

Only then did they recall that during the previous illumination, Senior Grass, who had always been aloof and guarded the divine mountain, also began to ascend and shine.

It almost covered half of the Small World Secret Realm.

And such capability was not something that Spirit Communication Swords of their Fifth-Order Magic Treasure could display... Outside the Sword Mountain, the sword shadows disappeared.

The entire Sword Tomb began to return to tranquility, revealing its black mountain body.

The black mist began to churn and gather, becoming denser in some places and thinner in others.

And because of this, a climbing path several tens of feet long was revealed.

Everyone watched the changes in the Sword Tomb, but no one moved first. The mist had not yet stopped, so everyone could only look towards the Sword Tomb, hoping to see a peerless sword even from outside the mountain.

Those who could stay here, while having an obsession with treasure hunting, also had a good understanding of their own limits.

In contrast, the people of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, carrying heavy swords, seemed to take it for granted that they would walk in front.

"Everyone, climb the mountain with me and seek a sword!" Chen Daoyuan walked at the very front of Lin Shiming and the others. He looked back into their eyes, then led the way.

The eleven people also instantly walked forward.

They would not fall behind the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

As everyone prepared, the passage finally formed, revealing a black staircase filled with Spirit Swords.

It was somewhat similar to the Qingxuan Sect's Ascension Ladder.

The one walking at the very front was Huang Yu. He took a big step onto the staircase, and then, miraculously, everyone outside could no longer see Huang Yu's figure.

Clearly, the latter had already entered the Sword Tomb and ascended the Sword Mountain.

As Huang Yu entered, more and more Cultivators from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect ascended. And at this moment, what Lin Shiming didn't expect was that, sure enough, Senior Brother Xie walked at the very back. Also walking at the very back was Ye Changyuan from the Ye family.

Lin Shiming was truly somewhat surprised, but after a moment's thought, he found it normal.

At the same time, his understanding of Daoist Zi Xuan's arrangements became clearer.

On the surface, he was also closer to Lin Xianzhi. As a junior, he would always act this way when encountering a Secret Realm, so Lin Shiming also acted generously.

Because ascending the stairs would separate them, he had to bring Lin Xianzhi into his Grotto-heaven World immediately.