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With a solution at hand, Lin Shiming began to seriously cultivate the Sword Imbuement Technique.
And with the guidance of the Zi Xuan Hermit.
Another ten days passed, and his mastery of the Sword Imbuement Technique was so swift that he no longer needed the system prompts for cultivation.
He could now store the Supreme Grade magical sword, the Zilai Sword, within his Spirit Platform to nurture it.
This marvelous ability made him marvel at the profound foundation of Qingxuan Sect; such secret arts might easily turn into mere sheaths for swords, but the boost to one’s strength was terrifying.
Magical treasures are feared because they can be internalized and nurtured within the Purple Mansion, and even an ordinary magical treasure, after being nurtured by a cultivator with a Purple Mansion for three to four hundred years, might become infinitely powerful.
In a sense, the quality of a magical treasure only represents its lower limit.
Having successfully cultivated the Sword Imbuement Technique, the Zi Xuan Hermit waved Lin Shiming away.
As Lin Shiming departed, unknown to him, the Zi Xuan Hermit watched his retreating figure for a long time before turning his gaze back to the sandalwood burner.
He cast a Spirit Art.
The wisps of smoke from the sandalwood burner dreamily revealed Lin Shiming’s form within the smoke.
Within the smoke, Lin Shiming was practicing the Sword Imbuement Technique, full of flaws, his understanding of the Sword Dao utterly fragmented.
But under his guidance, Lin Shiming slowly improved, and now, Lin Shiming’s expression also became the object of his observation.
However, whether in terms of his swordsmanship or his expression, aside from being a bit tense and even secretly delighted at first, Lin Shiming performed extremely smoothly later on.
And as he continued to cultivate the Sword Imbuement Technique, his tension quickly turned to joy.
It was unlike what the hermit had speculated—he did not hold back at all.
As for his understanding of the Sword Dao, it was not reserved but always within a certain standard.
Very poor!
It was just unknown why there was an anomaly on the Ninth Leaf Dao Enlightenment Stage.
The Zi Xuan Hermit finally breathed a sigh of relief, waved his hand, and stored the remaining sandalwood in his Storage Bag like nothing had happened. Then, he took out a mirror.
The other ten disciples, after cultivating, continued to meditate and recuperate.
On the other hand, Lin Shiming, who had returned to his room, was still cultivating the Sword Imbuement Technique.
As for Lin Xianzhi, he had already thought of a proper way to handle things; cultivating the Sword Imbuement Technique would later enhance the strength of his Uncle Ancestor.
So naturally, there was no reason not to continue cultivating this sword technique.
It was just unfortunate that the Zi Xuan Hermit had them swear an oath on the Heavenly Dao, otherwise, passing it to the Lin Family disciples would also allow cultivators like Lin Shijie to substantially increase their strength.
Time flew by, and ten more days passed. Now, in front of the Qingxuan Sect’s mountain gate, countless cultivators gathered at the Ascending Immortal Ladder, in an imposing and awe-inspiring display.
The majesty of the Ascending Immortal Ladder was even greater; the entire ladder shone with Spirit Light, with strands of the sound of Great Dao revolving around it.
This allowed the cultivators ascending the ladder to not only condense their Spiritual Energy and True Yuan but also to cleanse their souls.
Above the Ascending Immortal Ladder, on one side of the Qingxuan Sect’s mountain gate, there lay a vast and open platform.
Lin Shiming and Lin Xianzhi were also standing among the Qingxuan Sect disciples participating in the Secret Realm.
At the front were the six Purple Mansion Elders led by the current head of the Qingxuan Sect, the Qing Zhu Hermit.
The total number of Foundation Establishment cultivators from Qingxuan Sect participating in the Secret Realm was over three hundred, with more than two hundred sect disciples and over a hundred recorded household disciples from various families.
As time went by, more and more cultivators arrived.
A Spirit Beast crane’s cry resounded through the sky, and a giant Purple Mansion Gold-Crown Spirit Crane appeared on the horizon, a Fourth Rank Purple Mansion Spirit Beast, indeed.
On the back of the Spirit Crane were the disciples of the Spirit Beast Sect, led by a figure Lin Shiming recognized – the Black Jiao Hermit.
The Spirit Beast Sect had brought only three Purple Mansion cultivators this time, but there were over two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators participating in the Secret Realm.
After the Spirit Beast Sect, came the Spirit Talisman Sect.
The Spirit Talisman Sect sailed in on a War Treasure Ship, the surface of which was covered with various Spirit Talismans.
The cultivators on the Spirit Boat, dressed in Spirit Talisman robes, arrived floating through the air, led by the Golden Light Hermit, who had stood together against the Heavenly Demon Sect.
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The arrival of the Spirit Beast Sect and the Spirit Talisman Sect was greeted by the Qing Zhu Hermit, who, as the sect leader, stepped forward with a warm smile.
But the anomalies were not over. A gigantic Heavenly Demon banner transformed into a flying magical treasure, bringing countless disciples of the Heavenly Demon Sect. The surging demonic fog resembled roiling black waves rolling in from afar, its imposing presence monumental, with numerous demonic figures brandishing their claws within the fog.
However, at that moment, the Ascending Immortal Ladder radiated golden light.
Under the illumination of the golden light, the demonic fog melted away like ice and snow, vanishing into nothingness.
It revealed the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the Shamo Hermit.
The Shamo Hermit was covered in demonic spirit patterns, looking sinister and enchanting.
"Qing Zhu, is this how you welcome an old friend?" asked the Shamo Hermit, somewhat scornfully.
"Qing Zhu has his own way of treating guests, doesn’t he? Or are the people of the Heavenly Demon Sect all so arrogant and rude?" Qing Zhu’s reply was extremely calm, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared at the Shamo Hermit.
Feeling uneasy under Qing Zhu’s gaze, the Shamo Hermit waved his hand and once again summoned a large amount of demonic fog to shroud the Heavenly Demon banner, choosing not to speak again.
After the Heavenly Demon Sect made its appearance, numerous cultivators flying on coffins as magical treasures arrived from a distance.
Leading them was a coffin made of redwood with golden inscriptions, which bore the Xue Shi Hermit, the person in charge from the Corpse Refining Sect this time.
"So skinny, Xue Shi, have your corpse refinements drained another one?"
Before the Qing Zhu Hermit could speak, a teasing voice came from the sky.
Next was a giant sword, tens of feet in length, bringing with it the disciples of the Wanjian Sect, cutting through the sky.
The disciples of the Wanjian Sect were even easier to recognize, with each carrying a large broadsword on their back.
"Old Sword Geezer, I’ve been keeping a coffin ready for you, just waiting for the day you’re free to occupy it!" retorted the gaunt Xue Shi Hermit, eyes rolling in their slightly sunken sockets, showing no courtesy whatsoever.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, as if swords were drawn and bows were pulled. The exploration of the secret realm had not yet begun, but these Purple Mansion cultivators were already looking askance at each other.
The Spirit Talisman Sect and the Spirit Beast Sect had a distaste for the Heavenly Demon Sect, while the Wanjian Sect eyed the Corpse Refining Sect with mutual enmity.
It was only natural for the four righteous sects to band together, unified in enmity against the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Corpse Refining Sect.
Had it not been for the latter’s launching of a war, forcibly claiming a territory in the Zhao Kingdom, and then insisting on participating in the secret realm exploration on the grounds of being fellow cultivators of the Zhao Kingdom.
This turned what should have been a division of the secret realm’s treasures among the three sects into a six-sect affair.
How could the Spirit Talisman Sect and the Spirit Beast Sect accept this?
Meanwhile, the Wanjian Sect had already taken the side of the three sects of the Zhao Kingdom, naturally unable to stay out of the matter concerning the secret realm!
"Do you all really want to make a mockery in front of your own masters and seniors?" the Qing Zhu Hermit shouted coldly.
On hearing this, the faces of the others immediately tightened as their gazes turned towards the Qing Zhu Hermit.
They all knew that the Golden Core True Persons were watching; it’s just that the old enemies had been at odds not just for a day or two.
Since they couldn’t fight to the death, meeting one another invariably meant a confrontation was unavoidable.
Especially with these demon cultivators from the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Corpse Refining Sect, one coveting the cultivators’ corpses, the other eyeing the cultivators’ divine souls!
This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.
It practically made all the righteous cultivators of the world want to eradicate them completely!
"This time the secret realm is the Qingxuan Secret Realm, which also leads to a small world. Our Qingxuan Sect has always believed that treasures should belong to the worthy, which is why we’ve invited all parties. It is not an invitation to a debate over the Dao!"
"As expected of the Qingxuan Sect, you do talk a good game!" Before the Qing Zhu Hermit could finish, the Shamo Hermit sneered.
Then, without waiting for the Qingxuan Hermit to speak, he glanced at the Xue Shi Hermit and shouted sternly:
"The secret realm is a treasure of the Zhao Kingdom, and it’s not just your sect that belongs here!"
"Since it is the Zhao Kingdom’s secret realm, even if your Qingxuan Sect doesn’t allow it, you still must!"
"Right, it must be allowed, otherwise, let’s all not enter. Let’s have a battle first; I’ve brought plenty of coffins!" Seeing this, the Xue Shi Hermit also had a glint in his eyes, staring down the several righteous Purple Mansion cultivators.
"Hmph, such bandit behavior, also worthy of being called subjects of Zhao Kingdom?" the Golden Light Hermit also expressed his extreme dissatisfaction.
"Whether it’s worthy or not, it’s not for you to decide. Since the Golden Core seniors have already agreed, both our Heavenly Demon Sect and Corpse Refining Sect can enter just the same!" The voice of the Shamo Hermit continued to emanate from within the demonic fog.
Neither the Black Jiao Hermit nor the Golden Light Hermit spoke again.
"You may participate, but there are three rules to abide by. Anyone who dares to damage even a single flower or a tree on Qingxuan Mountain will be executed on the spot!" the Qing Zhu Hermit spoke again!