9: Oh no, I've gotten too into character.

The Seven Emperor Sword Sect was shrouded in ethereal mist.

Its magnificent jade palaces and grand buildings shone brilliantly. As one of the nine great sects of Donglin Prefecture, a transcendent existence, its mountain gate was wide open today.

At the foot of the mountain gate, a vast crowd knelt.

Today was a momentous day for the Seven Emperor Sword Sect's disciple recruitment. It was rumored that the Seven Emperor Sword Sect possessed seven Heavenly Grade Top-tier Spirit Weapons, each only a step away from becoming a Sacred Artifact.

Although they were only seven Heavenly Grade Top-tier Spirit Weapons, after two millennia of nurturing by the Seven Emperor Sword Sect, they had already given birth to Weapon Spirits and would enter the ranks of Half-Saint Weapons within three hundred years.

These sword-cultivating fanatics spent their lives cultivating the sword, rarely taking an interest in other matters.

Therefore, the Seven Emperor Sword Sect was revered as the holy land for sword cultivators in Donglin Prefecture, drawing countless sword cultivators who yearned to join.

The Seven Emperor Sword Sect's disciple acceptance ceremony was also relatively simple: spirit swords possessed spirits, and anyone who could trigger a spirit sword's Ming (humming) today could enter the Seven Emperor Sword Sect.

Triggering one sword's humming meant becoming a Utility Disciple.

Triggering two swords' humming meant becoming an Outer Sect Disciple.

Triggering four swords' humming meant becoming an Inner Sect Disciple.

Triggering six swords' humming meant becoming a True Disciple.

Triggering all seven swords to hum in unison meant being established as a Holy Son!

In the two-thousand-year history of the Seven Emperor Sword Sect, only three people had ever managed to trigger all seven swords to hum in unison, and each one was a peak existence of their generation.

"The test begins now. Step forward one by one!"

The voice of a Seven Emperor Sword Sect Elder resonated throughout the mountain gate, drawing everyone's attention.

Young cultivators stepped forward one by one. They were all sword dao geniuses from various parts of Donglin Prefecture, hoping to join the Seven Emperor Sword Sect and become one of its members.

The first young cultivator walked up, stood before the seven spirit swords, and tried to trigger their humming.

However, only one sword emitted a faint glow, failing to produce a hum.

"Next!" The Elder's calm voice rang out, causing the young cultivator to retreat somewhat dejectedly.

Then, the second, third, fourth... young cultivators stepped forward one by one, attempting to trigger the spirit swords' humming.

Some succeeded, triggering one or two swords to hum;

Others failed, with no reaction at all.

Whispers spread through the crowd: "The number of people who can trigger a sword's humming this time is truly too small. I'm afraid the number of disciples recruited this time will struggle to exceed ten thousand."

"That's the Seven Emperor Sword Sect! To join it, one naturally needs sufficient strength and talent."

"It's a pity this old man is too old, otherwise I would also go up and try."

Time passed minute by minute, and more and more people were eliminated.

Finally, a young man holding a stone sword stepped forward.

The young man wore rough cloth clothes, his eyes were slightly lowered, and his entire being exuded an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

As he stepped forward, a Seven Emperor Sword Sect Elder responsible for guarding the spirit swords looked at the stone sword he held, seeing nothing special about it.

Buzz!

The young man stood in front of the seven spirit swords, and immediately a ray of light emanated from the sword bodies, illuminating the entire mountain gate.

Then, the second, third, fourth... seven rays of light lit up in succession, each representing the humming of a spirit sword.

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!

The Seven Emperor Swords hummed in unison, as if welcoming a Sword Dao Sovereign's arrival!

Everyone was stunned. They looked at the ordinary young man before them, unable to believe that he could trigger the humming of all seven spirit swords.

Immediately, the Seven Emperor Sword Sect was shaken!

"Seven Emperor Swords hum, a Holy Son is established!"

A majestic voice resounded through the heavens and earth, echoing above the Seven Emperor Sword Sect.

"This is the aura of the Nascent Soul Realm. This is one of the Seven Emperor Sword Sect's Grand Elders."

"It's a Holy Son! Haha, our Seven Emperor Sword Sect finally has another Holy Son."

News of the Seven Emperor Sword Sect Holy Son's investiture spread, shaking the entire Donglin Prefecture.

However, within a month, other major sects, such as the Shenluo Sect, Ten Thousand Demon Gate, and Star Arrival Sect, also established new Holy Sons and Holy Maidens.

Prodigies emerged one after another, shaking the entire cultivation world of Donglin Prefecture.

Some lamented that a magnificent trend was probably brewing... The city streets were bustling with pedestrians, and the shouts of small vendors intertwined with the rumble of carriage wheels.

Among the diverse crowds, there were cultivators in uniform Daoist robes, rogue cultivators dressed as they pleased, and even more ordinary people who were unremarkable.

An inconspicuous carriage slowly entered Songyan City, driven by a young man whose eyes were filled with exhaustion.

But it must be said that an Outstanding Grade Prodigy did have some standards; after watching Qin Dong's battle that day, Zhang Yizhi actually broke through a minor realm consecutively, reaching the fourth level of the Qi Condensation Realm.

"Hiss, prodigies are truly unreasonable. If I didn't have the system, how could I compete with them?"

Inside the carriage, Qin Dong glanced at Zhang Yizhi, who was looking for a parking spot.

Qin Zixuan, on the other hand, appeared much more normal. She had diligently cultivated these days, never relaxing even in the constantly bumpy environment.

Finally, after absorbing ten spirit stones gifted by the City Lord of Huangxuan City, she steadily raised her cultivation to the fourth level of the Qi Condensation Realm, which was already considered very diligent.

Qin Dong looked at a mask in his system space. This was a Yellow Grade Mid-tier Magical Artifact he had exchanged for one hundred spirit stones in the system shop after repeatedly comparing cost-effectiveness.

Crying Mask.

A Yellow Grade Mid-tier Magical Artifact. Wearing this Magical Artifact can change one's appearance, physique, and even aura fluctuations.

Unless a detection-type Magical Artifact of the same grade is used, or a cultivator two realms higher observes closely, no one will be able to see through it.

To be human is to live a magnificent life; when in doubt, show off first.

If you have power but don't flaunt it, what's the point of having power?

Might as well go back to Huangxuan City and honestly farm. You say offending people?

Sorry, I, Zhang Yizhi, am not afraid at all.

"Brother Qin, Sister Zixuan, we can get off now."

"You say, 'Prince, please disembark.'"

"Ah?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yizhi, as if possessed, repeated the phrase, and then Qin Dong and Qin Zixuan successively stepped out of the carriage.

The night was like a curtain, interwoven with countless stars. Constellations linked across the sky, forming patterns of infinite mystery.

The night in Songyan City was brightly lit, illuminating everyone's faces—some joyful, some hurried, some indifferent—exuding a strong sense of everyday life.

If not for the clothing of the people here, there was a moment when Qin Dong almost thought he had returned to Blue Star.

"Sister Zixuan, where are we going now?"

Just as Qin Dong asked, he suddenly heard two rumbling sounds.

"Young Master... I'm hungry too."

Qin Zixuan's small face was slightly flushed, while Zhang Yizhi, having grown familiar with the two, no longer showed the shyness he had at their first meeting and spoke directly.

"Let's go to the best restaurant and eat the best food. After all, I've been driving for so long, Brother Qin wouldn't not treat us, right?"

"You're right, we haven't really relaxed properly."

Qin Dong nodded. He had indeed put this 'tool-man' through a lot.

Not only did he make the other party a free laborer, but he also made him take the blame. Both emotionally and logically, he should treat them to a good meal.

"Hahaha, Brother Qin is generous!"

At this moment, Zhang Yizhi's mind was only thinking about eating a hearty meal later to vent the frustration of being forced by Qin Dong to be a coachman.

The three quickly followed the crowd to a grand restaurant. The building was magnificent, inlaid with jade all over, and appeared even more luxurious under the moonlight.

"Sorry, you cannot enter."

Qin Dong and Qin Zixuan turned around, looking at Zhang Yizhi, who was being blocked by the Attendant at the entrance.

"Why?"

Zhang Yizhi asked with a frown, but he didn't show much emotion.

"My Dengyun Tower has a rule: those who are not properly dressed will not be served."

The Attendant looked troubled. To be honest, he didn't want to cause trouble, but he had to follow their building master's rules.

"So, what counts as being properly dressed?"

"At the very least, this guest needs to change out of his short shirt and straw sandals."

At this, Zhang Yizhi looked down and secretly cursed, 'Darn it!'

He saw his short shirt and straw sandals, realizing he was still dressed as a coachman.

Damn it, I accidentally got completely into character.