The Sword Cemetery of Nine Sword Mountain is located within a domain of thunder.
This place was originally a scenic area of mountains and clear waters, but it was the swords that brought forth the lightning and storms.
The swords buried here include those of renowned scholars, the personal swords of fallen masters, and blades that have claimed countless lives—all interred in this land.
After centuries of tempering, these swords have gradually developed souls, and the nature of these Sword Souls depends entirely on their memories.
That is, the memories of their former owners.
A sword, once sharpened, is bound to see blood.
Too much bloodlust has twisted their Sword Souls into brutality, summoning the thunder and lightning.
“Nine Sword Mountain is hailed as the number one Sword Sect in the world, so its cultivators naturally rely on a blade worthy of being called a Divine Weapon!”
“Your final trial is to survive for three days within the Sword Cemetery and obtain a Personal Sword of your own.”
“The Sword Cemetery is fraught with peril, and Nine Sword Mountain assumes no responsibility.”
“Does anyone have any questions?”
Generally, there were none.
But at that moment, a girl in red silently raised her hand: “I have a question.”
Seeing it was Chi Miao, the senior disciple reciting the lines felt a bit flustered, rubbing his temples to mentally prepare himself.
It wasn’t that he was overly cautious, but Chi Miao was truly unpredictable.
Her talent was absurdly high, and countless disciples and elders had been observing her, only to conclude that her thought processes seemed rather unusual.
She always managed to come up with responses that were both irritating and baffling.
Yet, you couldn’t really blame her… because you almost willingly endured the annoyance.
It was like being forced into a strange, masochistic pleasure.
After steeling himself, he smiled and said, “Please state your question.”
Chi Miao raised her hand: “If no sword chooses me in the end, can I resort to forced love?”
“Huh?” The senior disciple from Nine Sword Mountain was taken aback, and after a moment’s reflection, he still couldn’t quite believe it. “Forced… forced love? What do you mean by forced love?”
Chi Miao: “Forge a contract with it by force and take it out of the Sword Cemetery.”
Is that even allowed?
He had no idea!
The senior disciple immediately cast a pleading glance toward the elders in the sky.
The elders remained silent for a long while.
He Wanban stroked his beard and sent a voice transmission: “Throughout history, no one entering the Sword Cemetery has ever done such a thing. However, since the swords have developed souls, forcibly forming a contract may damage their spirits. We naturally do not wish to see such a scene, but if you insist, we will not stop you.”
Chi Miao pondered for a moment and nodded.
“I see.”
“…”
Why does it feel like your “I see” doesn’t mean you’ve taken it to heart, but rather that you’re still planning to try it?
Yan Ge: “I hope she isn’t foolish enough to forcibly take a sword from the Sword Cemetery.”
The master of Sword Talisman Mountain and elder of the talisman system, Qing Huan, chuckled with a silvery laugh: “Elder Yan, why worry? With her aptitude, it would be difficult for her not to be chosen by a sword in the Sword Cemetery. Where would she get the chance to forcibly take one?”
Yan Ge: “True.”
But they had vastly underestimated Chi Miao.
What normal thing could Chi Miao possibly do?
“Are there any other questions?”
“No.”
“Since there are no further questions, everyone may enter the Sword Cemetery.”
“In three minutes, we will close the entrance. Those who have not entered will be disqualified.”
As the words fell, countless people rushed into the entrance, and Jin Shengfei pulled Chi Miao in quickly as well.
After everyone had entered…
A man in a white and blue robe, with a face as fair as jade, descended on a flying sword.
He gazed at the empty entrance before him and sighed deeply. “It seems I’ve arrived a step too late.”
Yan Ge was puzzled. “WuHuo, what do you mean by ‘a step too late’?”
Ying WuHuo pressed his lips together and spoke. “The sect master sensed a violent thunderstorm within the Sword Cemetery, fearing that new disciples might face dangers they cannot handle.”
“It’s possible… they could be completely wiped out.”
Everyone’s expressions tightened.
No… it couldn’t be such a coincidence.
But recently, the Sword Cemetery had indeed been extremely chaotic, with frequent unexpected incidents.
For cultivators, thunder represents calamity—the most lethal force.
Even though the thunder within the Sword Cemetery isn’t particularly powerful, it could still easily strike down an unlucky Qi Refining Stage cultivator at random.
“Should we bring them out?”
Yan Ge closed his eyes. “We must bring them all out. The youngest son of the Jiangling Jin family, Chi Miao… a scion of a wealthy merchant clan, a peerless prodigy, and one promising newcomer after another—we cannot let them perish inside!”
Several elders rushed forward.
At that moment, the entrance inexplicably closed, shutting everyone out.
It wasn’t time yet—what was going on?!
“Try to open it?”
The elders formed hand seals at the entrance, attempting to open the Sword Cemetery’s gate.
A formation activated in their hands, channeling spiritual power to force it open.
Yet… there was no result.
Ying WuHuo said, “The Sword Cemetery’s formation was laid down by the founding ancestor when the sect was established. For various considerations, it was specially set to open for a three-day trial period each year. During these three days… the Sword Cemetery is immune to all beings at the Golden Core Stage or above.”
“Let me try.”
“But the Yin Energy within you…”
Ying WuHuo’s presence had allowed Nine Sword Mountain to gain significant prestige among the new generation. He was an absolute genius, remaining among the top tier even while plagued by Yin Energy.
In the past year, they had rarely allowed Ying WuHuo to appear in public.
If they couldn’t find a Yang Spiritual Root cultivator to dispel the Yin Energy from Ying WuHuo, he would have only one month left to live.
Having watched him grow up, they naturally couldn’t bear to lose him.
“Elders, there’s no need to worry. As the senior disciple of Nine Sword Mountain, it is my duty to step forward without hesitation when the sect needs me.”
“Moreover, WuHuo is not yet a cripple, nor does he wish to become one. I ask for your permission.”
The elders exchanged glances and finally nodded. “Since WuHuo has spoken, prioritize safety above all. With WuHuo inside, we can rest a little easier.”
Sure enough, even though the entrance’s closing time hadn’t passed, it reopened when Ying WuHuo prepared to enter.
After Ying WuHuo entered the Sword Cemetery, He Wanban spoke:
“Still no news of a Yang Spiritual Root…”
“Ask Yan Ge. Didn’t he take the initiative to investigate yesterday?”
Yan Ge: “Me? I… I didn’t ask.”
“Then what were you doing with Chi Miao yesterday?”
Yan Ge’s face flushed bright red. “None of your business! I have my reasons!”
He would never admit that he had disguised himself to go and act as a wealth distributing immortal for someone!
…
After Chi Miao and the others entered the Sword Cemetery, a thunderstorm entwined with tens of thousands of vengeful spirits raged in the sky above the land buried with countless swords.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared with extreme brutality.
They had been inside for a while, but no one dared to venture out, instead taking shelter under a massive tree hollow.
“The thunderstorm is so fierce, if it doesn’t stop, who would dare to go out?”
“Exactly, forget about being chosen by a sword, even just going out to touch one might get you struck dead by lightning!”
But at that very moment.
A young girl’s voice rang out.
“I have a way, do you trust me?”
Everyone turned to look.
The speaker was Chi Miao.