章 61: Mysterious foe
While the war was raging on back at the Valent Kingdom area, the Nirvana Sect had returned to their sect in order to resume their usual cultivation life. As for Clarissa, she worked harder than ever, doing her best to concoct the best elixirs and researched a diverse array of elixir formulas, brushing it off with the excuse that all this labour was for the sect.
Everyone felt sympathetic towards her, but if there was one thing they could do, it was to grow stronger. The need for strength was more than before, it wasn't just for themselves anymore, Arden entering a state of unconsciousness made them accept the cruel reality.
Cultivation started as a way to seek longevity, but from the moment someone abused this newfound strength, the world was gradually corrupted by his evil misdeeds. That person was just the average cultivator, but his influence was more than enough.
He opened up the new cultivation era, the era in which the strong rules over the weak. Those kings who resisted him, he would execute them in the most inhumane way he could perform.
In the end, only after he took countless lives, did someone finally put an end to his life, but it was too late, his actions had already influenced some people. Cultivation flourished and became a must for every person in this world, as for those who remained a mortal, them being given a village to live their life peacefully was the best treatment they would receive.
"Elder Clarissa, I know your pain as well, I may not have known Arith for a long time, but he was the first friend I've made in my life excluding our sect master. I see him as a comrade, an ally that I can rely on, as such, don't worry, the sect and me will always be rooting for him." Cidd encouraged with a sigh before leaving the alchemy room.
His footsteps were slow, but each step he took made Clarissa wrinkle her brows. Right when he was about to leave the alchemy room, he stopped in his tracks.
"Wait a moment."
Clarissa had called out to him in the end. Cidd turned around, staring into Clarissa who was staring back at him. But on her face, all he could see was anger.
"Look at the ground."
Clarissa said after a brief moment of silence, even though Cidd didn't want to listen to Clarissa, he gave in to her this time just because she was still suffering from having the person she loves on the brink of death.
On the ground, he could see scattered powder, though fine, they still maintained their solid form. It was also at this point of time that he realised the crux of the problem, he must have knocked down an open container which contained this powder, that explained the sandy feeling beneath his feet when walking.
"You're done for!"
Sova couldn't help but issue the death sentence to James who had overestimated himself. He might not be among the chosen three, but that was because of the sacred identity that was given since birth.
He was the son of the ninth Sword Master that hails from the Sword Court, the only reason he was here this time was because his father authorized him to, on the premise of one condition, he wasn't allowed to cause any commotion, nor was he allowed to expose his own identity.
He didn't want trouble either, but against James who was determined to see blood from his own body, he had no choice but to pull out his sword now that everyone around them had already advanced.
"Aren't you curious as to why I was defending the whole time?" Sova asked in a calm voice as he parried James far back this time, the simple longsword in his hand glowing the colour of nature.
"My sword, what I seek isn't ephemeral peace, what I seek, is eternal protection. Those weaker than me with a kind heart, I'll do my best to guard them with my sword, those stronger than me with a corrupted heart, I'll strive to take their lives one day before it's too late. Lend me your strength, sword of the forest."
"Are you mad or what? Do you think that chanting some weird spell is going to help you win against me?" James laughed as he swung his sword towards Sova again, only for it to be blocked by a gigantic hand, the colour of the forest, just like the sword in Sova's hand.
"I wanted to spare you, but time and time again, you refused to listen to my teachings." Sova said in a voice filled with killing intent, the hand which had caught James sword pushing his sword away before returning to the sword of the forest.
The next moment, a colossal sword appeared in the air from nowhere, floating behind its master, the sword was dancing around in joy, but when its master pointed towards that person with his finger, the sword was enraged as it pierced through the air and punctured James' chest.
"You're an interesting person, why don't we travel together for the rest of the journey?"
"What are you still doing here? Weren't you one of the few people who were at the front of the pack?" Sova couldn't help but open his eyes in shock when he saw a young boy in a black robe appearing from behind him silently.
"I had already left this area, but when I sensed that aura from the sword you summoned just now, I felt the urge to return to his place and here I am. I have no malicious intentions, it's just that instead of being a lone sword master, I would rather travel with a comrade."
"Very well, I'll take up this offer of yours." Sova pondered for a moment on the surface before making the decision, the two young sword masters giving each other a welcoming handshake before making their way deeper into the first floor.
These two youths would have their names be known to everyone in the near future, the speed of their growth defying all common sense and possible limits of the cultivation world. But at times where heroes are born, demons are born as well.
From the ground, a body could be seen standing back on his feet, a dark wisp of energy floating around his body, spiralling up from above the ground as it consumed him whole, only to vanish as though it had never appeared.
"To think that I would have to suffer death in such a cruel way to make this breakthrough, but it was worth the pain I guess. The next time we meet, I wonder if he's still my match. "The man mumbled to himself before vanishing from the scene.
"Speaking of it, do you have any clue as to how we can get to the second floor?" Ace asked on the way, his sword still dragging across the ground.
"The glass pillars have converged together, this can only mean one thing, we've passed the first stage of the test. For now, let's advance further and see if there's anything we can use to our advantage."
"Seems plausible." Ace answered honestly.
But before they took another step forward, they were sucked forward by a strong suction force, their body flying through the air unharmed as a mysterious barrier enveloped their body. The shield was oval in shape and was transparent.
They wanted to speak and ask each other what the hell was happening, but the speed was way too quick for them to even open their mouths, it was draining their strength to just stay conscious.
By the time they came to a stop, there was only one word to describe what they were feeling right now. Confusion. What just happened? Where are they now?
"Don't worry, I'm the guardian of the first floor, because the Sword Scholar has already found the second floor by himself, the two of you including that young man named Cody will be given the opportunity to ascend to the second floor immediately."
Ace remained silent, so did Sova. They didn't have to be intelligent for this, any person with the slightest common sense wouldn't be as foolish as to interrupt the guardian of the first floor that decided their fate."
"Don't be so serious about this, all you guys have to do is pass the same test as the Sword Scholar. Later on, all you have to do is tell me your ambitions. From there, I'll decide whether to let the two of you pass." The guardian of the first floor explained patiently.
週次パワーステータス
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