Chapter 924: Chapter 42: The Summit of Tiangang Mountain_3
Liao Yi smiled slightly and said, "Isn’t it because we have guests arriving? I was afraid they couldn’t find their way here, so I brought them back."
The four youths glanced at Ah Dai and the others, their interests piqued by their different attires, but as the Tian Gang Sword Sect always maintained strict discipline, they didn’t dare to indulge too much. They only looked on with curiosity in their eyes, constantly sizing up the group, especially the stunningly beautiful Xuan Yue, who was the center of their attention.
Liao Yi coughed and said, "Fellow disciples, please continue to guard here; I’m going to take our guests up first."
"Yes, elder brother, honored guests, please," the four youths stepped aside. Liao Yi finally led Ah Dai and the others to the top of Tian Gang Mountain. As Liao Yi had described, the peak was flat and open. In the center of the summit, there was a huge courtyard with walls three stories high, which blocked the view into the interior. Xuan Yue jumped down from Ah Dai’s back, looking around excitedly. Although she had not slept well, the warmth and security Ah Dai provided had given her a good rest.
"So that is the Tian Gang Sword Sect? With such a big reputation on the mainland, I thought there would be a huge palace," said Ah Dai.
Xuan Yue giggled and said, "Yan Shi, are you sure you’re not mistaken? This Tian Gang Mountain is over six thousand meters above sea level; imagine the size of the project to build a palace here! It would probably take a hundred years to complete."
Liao Yi nodded and replied, "The lady is correct. Even this courtyard took nearly ten years to complete entirely by our own Tian Gang Sword Sect members. If we had hired ordinary people, it might have taken even longer. This courtyard is mostly built with the hard granite found in the mountains. It was already built when I joined the sect. My teacher told me that they used to practice swordsmanship by chipping granite. I’m not clear about the exact size of the courtyard, but inside there is an arena that can accommodate hundreds of people to practice swordsmanship simultaneously. There are hundreds of rooms of various sizes, and all of our disciples who do not need to go out for training live here, usually two or three to a room. Now, there are still quite a few empty rooms."
Ah Dai said, "What a grand construction! Elder brother Liao Yi, please take us to see it quickly."
Yan Li rubbed his stomach and said, "It would be best to get something to eat and drink first; I can hardly take it anymore."
As they neared the Tian Gang Sword Sect, the clear sounds of clashing weapons and shouts reached them. Ah Dai started, and said to Liao Yi, "Is someone attacking your Sword Sect? Let’s hurry and take a look."
Liao Yi smiled and replied, "I’ve never heard of anyone daring to attack the Tian Gang Sword Sect. Even the Assassin’s Guild probably doesn’t have the guts. This is everyone doing their morning practice, practicing their swordsmanship." He was not exaggerating; though the number of disciples in the Tian Gang Sword Sect was not particularly large, their individual combat abilities were very strong—especially the second generation of disciples, who, in a one-on-one situation, would typically require at least three or more Assassins from the Yuan Killing Group to have a chance to win.
"Such carelessness cannot be tolerated. Young Liao, you really should temper your arrogance," a deep and kind voice sounded, and suddenly, a figure appeared before them. Dressed in white, with grizzled hair, he seemed to be over sixty. Standing tall and straight with a benevolent smile on his face, he observed Ah Dai and the others.
Liao Yi hurriedly knelt to pay his respects and said, "Greetings, Fourth Ancestor Master." The newcomer was Lu Wen, the fourth disciple of the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang.
Lu Wen laughed and scolded, "Get up, you rascal." With a casual wave, a faint white light flashed, and Liao Yi was gently lifted to his feet. The energy was powerful yet gentle, impressing Ah Dai and the others. "Who are these people, and why have you brought them up the mountain?"
Liao Yi pointed at Ah Dai and answered respectfully, "Fourth Ancestor Master, this young brother here is Ah Dai, whom the Great Ancestor Master wished to meet."
Lu Wen was surprised, then suddenly moved like lightning in front of Ah Dai, reaching out with a palm toward his chest. The white light surged, and a powerful energy burst forth. Lu Wen’s attack was incredibly fast; Yan Shi and Yan Li had no chance to interfere. Even if they had reacted in time, they wouldn’t have been able to break through the powerful battle energy emanating from Lu Wen. Ah Dai felt a great force surrounding him; like a bird in a cage, he could not dodge. His chest was pressed by powerful energy, making it difficult to breathe. He put his hands in front of his chest and instantly transformed his True Qi into battle energy, releasing it with a burst.
"Boom—" Ah Dai was sent flying. During the collision of their battle energies, he distinctly felt that Lu Wen’s energy was extremely soft, like a giant cushion that, while containing immense strength, wouldn’t harm a person. He had been bounced back by this cushion-like energy.
Seeing Ah Dai attacked, Yan Li became furious, pulling out his Battle Axe and shouting, "What are you doing?"
Lu Wen ignored Yan Li and smiled at Ah Dai, saying, "Good, indeed the fifth level of vitality-infused battle energy; I really wonder how my ninth brother managed to teach this. Child, your master is Owen, isn’t he?"
Ah Dai felt the amiable old man before him meant no harm and murmured, "Uncle Owen is not my master; however, he did teach me a lot of skills."
Lu Wen smiled and said, "Since Owen has passed on the Life Vitality Decision to you, you are already a disciple of our Tian Gang Sword Sect. Liao Yi, go, ring the Heaven Profound Bell nine times and summon all your ancestor masters here."
