On this day, Sword Without Dust arrived at the Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
His aura was even more refined, and his Cultivation had advanced considerably.
He came with several Sword Cultivator companions he knew, and as he gazed at the majestic aura and soaring Sword Intent of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, his eyes were filled with anticipation and Battle Intent.
"I heard that not only might the Sword Lineage's Head appear at this assembly, but several great Sword Dao experts will also give lectures.
Such an Opportunity is rare in a thousand years!" one companion exclaimed excitedly.
Sword Without Dust nodded, his gaze sharp: "That's precisely why I'm here.
Let's see what kind of demeanor the Prodigies of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace's Sword Dao Meridian possess!"
However, Sword Without Dust then separated from the others, stating he had something to attend to.
"Brother Han, where are you?" Sword Without Dust sent a flying message to Han Xuanji.
A moment later, the jade talisman glowed faintly, and Han Xuanji's calm reply came: "Purple Firmament Peak, Myriad Phenomena Garden."
Sword Without Dust was a bit puzzled when he saw Han Xuanji's location.
This didn't seem to be the area where the Sword Lineage was located, did it?
With doubts in his heart, he followed the guidance, controlling his sword light, soaring over countless floating immortal mountains, and finally landed before the "Myriad Phenomena Garden."
The aura here was vast yet peculiar.
"This is quite a good place," Sword Without Dust thought, nodding to himself.
This was far better than where he lived.
As expected of a Disciple of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
He vaguely sensed that Han Xuanji's status in the Lingxu Heavenly Palace seemed much higher than he had imagined.
When he saw Han Xuanji, dressed in a refreshing green robe, leisurely sipping tea in a pavilion in the garden, he finally realized that this person, whom he had known since the Lower Realm and whose Sword Dao talent he deeply admired, had actually joined the Dan Meridian!
"Brother Han, you... you actually joined the Dan Meridian?" Sword Without Dust could not hide the shock on his face, almost thinking he had misheard.
In his opinion, with Han Xuanji's terrifying Sword Dao Cultivation and Comprehension Ability, joining the Sword Lineage was a matter of course, and he might even have been directly taken as a personal Disciple by a great expert.
Han Xuanji smiled slightly, raising his hand to pour him a cup of fragrant tea brimming with Spiritual Qi, his tone still as calm: "What, do you perhaps look down on the Dao of Dan Cultivation?"
"This... of course not." Sword Without Dust took the teacup, shaking his head subconsciously.
How could he not know the revered status of the Dan Dao?
In the outside world, the status of a Dan Dao expert was not comparable to that of a "barbaric" Sword Cultivator.
"The Dan Dao is naturally a great Dao to the Heavens, it's just... I always feel it's a bit of a waste of Brother Han's unparalleled talent in the Sword Dao," Sword Without Dust muttered softly, feeling a inexplicable sense of "pearls cast before swine."
Seeing Han Xuanji choose another path, he felt an indescribable sense of loss in his heart.
It was as if a rising star destined to shine in the Nine Heavens had suddenly dimmed.
And Han Xuanji, seeing that the other party's Cultivation had already reached Earth Immortal layer six, also nodded silently.
Sword Without Dust had suppressed his Cultivation to descend to the Lower Realm, thus accumulating a lot and progressing rapidly.
But after descending, he must have also received the favor of the Heavenly Dao, with both his Aptitude and Luck increasing significantly.
It seemed that eliminating demons in the Lower Realm was also a great Opportunity.
"My joining the Dan Meridian doesn't mean I can't Cultivate the Sword Dao anymore," Han Xuanji said, seeing his expression, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"That's true," Sword Without Dust said, hearing this, and also started to laugh.
He secretly cursed himself for not having thought of that point.
As the two chatted, they occasionally mentioned matters of the Taixu Spirit Realm.
And when Sword Without Dust learned that Han Xuanji was a true Legacy of the Dan Meridian, he was even more shocked.
He hadn't expected Han Xuanji's Dan Dao Cultivation to be so profound.
Sword Without Dust couldn't help but lament: "Now that a great era has begun, with countless Prodigies, has Brother Han never thought of contending for this Luck?"
"A great era?" Han Xuanji's heart stirred.
The term "great era" also sounded somewhat familiar; there was such a saying when he was in the Lower Realm.
Like a golden age for Mortals, where everyone lives in peace and prosperity, a golden age for Cultivators means Prodigies are as numerous as clouds, and Opportunities are everywhere.
"However, even a great era won't change anything," Han Xuanji thought to himself.
For him, the most stable situation was naturally to sign in and Cultivate peacefully under the protection of a Holy Land.
What did it matter to him if the outside world was in chaos?
He neither contended nor snatched, so naturally, he would have no disasters or calamities.
Sword Without Dust saw that Han Xuanji did not respond and fell silent for a moment.
He had known in the Lower Realm that Han Xuanji's nature was always low-key and disliked disputes, but he hadn't expected him to be so thoroughly "cautious."
"In the Lower Realm, one might achieve Perfection through diligent Cultivation alone, but in the Upper Realm, to achieve the Dao, one must undergo trials and contend for Luck to achieve the Great Dao," Sword Without Dust said very seriously.
Han Xuanji smiled: "Then we'll talk about it when I need Luck."
He felt that the System should be able to solve this problem, and there was really no need to run around, causing trouble and thus increasing hardships.
Who said one must necessarily experience hardships to grow?
Instead of fighting against Heaven and against people, it was better to Cultivate in peace and not fight against anyone.
Sword Without Dust opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him further, but in the end, it only turned into a helpless sigh: "Everyone has their own aspirations.
Brother Han's Dao, perhaps, is also a great wisdom."
However, the regret in his heart for the Sword Dao's lost talent ultimately remained unsettled.
After chatting for a while longer, Sword Without Dust rose to bid farewell.
He still needed to report to the Sword Lineage to prepare for the Trial Sword Assembly, which would begin tomorrow.
As he was leaving, he seemed to remember something and said to Han Xuanji: "Tomorrow will not only have competitions, but also various Opportunities.
If Brother Han has leisure, why not come and observe?
Even if you don't participate, seeing the demeanor of various heroes and ancient famous swords is also good."
Han Xuanji's eyes flickered, and he nodded: "If I have time, I will certainly go to observe."
After seeing Sword Without Dust off, the Myriad Phenomena Garden returned to silence.
...
The next day, the Trial Sword Assembly began, and the various areas where the Sword Lineage was located were packed with people.
Deep within Myriad Sword Peak, there was a well-known place called Myriad Sword Platform.
This platform was not artificially constructed, but a huge, peculiar stone that had existed since the Primordial Era, completely dark, covered with countless sword marks of varying depths.
Legend has it that this place was once where ancient Sword Immortals debated and competed with swords.
Countless powerful Sword Cultivators left their lifelong Sword Intent and Legacy here.
Some people's cherished swords, after their owners fell or departed, were buried within this stone, enduring endless ages, merging with the peculiar stone itself, waiting for a fated person.
Over time, this "Myriad Sword Platform" was formed.
How could there be less than ten thousand immortal swords and demonic blades stuck in the platform?
Some were resplendent and brilliant, with Sword Qi soaring to the heavens; some were ancient and unadorned, their divine power hidden; and some had even completely turned to stone.
Whenever there was a grand event in the Sword Lineage, this Myriad Sword Platform would be opened, allowing Disciples and even external Prodigies to attempt to draw a sword.
If one could cause a famous sword to resonate and draw it out, it meant gaining the ancient sword's recognition, and one could obtain its Legacy and divine weapon.
During the Trial Sword Assembly, this sword-drawing event was naturally one of the main attractions.
On this day, the area around Myriad Sword Platform was packed with people.
Countless gazes eagerly stared at the ancient stone platform, filled with various swords, and whispers rose and fell.
"These are the many Prodigies of the Sword Lineage!"
"People from Qingxuan Sword Palace and Lingxiao Sword Palace have also come."
"Are Cultivators from other Meridians also trying their Luck?"
"I wonder who will take the lead today?
Will those legendary ancient swords choose their masters?"