Chapter 1051 - 545: Daoist Monarch Grand Ceremony (Part 2)

Chapter 1051: Chapter 545: Daoist Monarch Grand Ceremony (Part 2)

Just when everyone thought the Xuantian Sword would formally recognize its master and choose Chen Qingxuan, an unexpected change occurred. The ancient Spirit Sword separated from his hand, its sword aura stretching for miles with a formidable sword intent, and contrary to expectations, it did not choose Chen Qingxuan but rotated slowly in the air, as if hesitating.

Chen Qingxuan’s expression slightly changed but quickly returned to calm, with a hint of doubt in his eyes. The Xuantian Sword, as the sect’s supreme treasure, had a master selection that was no small matter. Throughout the sect’s history, none of the Daoist Monarchs succeeded in gaining the Xuantian Sword’s acknowledgement. Not being chosen was a slight disappointment but something he did not overly concern himself with.

"Xuantian Sword, whom exactly are you waiting for?" Chen Qingxuan pondered silently in his heart, outwardly maintaining the dignity and authority befitting a Mahayana Daoist Monarch. He lightly waved his sleeve, allowing the suspended Xuantian Sword to gently land upon the altar. The sword’s body continued to emit a faint spirit light, seemingly whispering, yet also silent.

Suddenly, the Xuantian Sword took flight from the altar, not in haste to return to its sheath after completing the solemn and sacred ceremony of witnessing Dao, instead soaring through the radiant sunlight like a silver dragon, leisurely circling above the expansive square, leaving behind trails that dazzled and enraptured.

Everyone present, the sect’s ancestors, the members of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect, tens of thousands of disciples, sect elders, and several sword masters followed the freely soaring Xuantian Sword in the sky, hearts filled with uncertainty, discussions abounding. The Xuantian Sword’s unusual movements undoubtedly shattered everyone’s preconceived notions of its master selection process, changing the atmosphere of the advancement ceremony to one of extreme tension.

The Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s Daoist Monarch celebration meant presenting the Xuantian Sword, witnessing the moment it chooses its master. However, the Xuantian Sword’s choosiness and arrogance were long known within and outside the sect. It’s not just a sect’s dao sword but embodies the spirit of sword dao, with unusually stringent standards for selecting a master.

The Xuantian Sword has never valued the level of cultivation or the eminence of authority, merely seeking those who truly understand the essence of sword dao, who connect with the sword’s heart and merge with the sword intent—unparalleled swordsmen.

As the Xuantian Sword circled in the air, its sword intent grew increasingly fierce, able, it seemed, to discern hearts and judge the sword dao level and heart realm of everyone present. Sometimes it soared to the skies, its sword aura piercing the skyline, displaying endless majesty and power; at other times, it meandered gracefully, the sword light like threads, delicately probing every subtle emotional shift.

Everyone present, whether elders of the sect or young disciples, felt unprecedented pressure. They knew each of the Xuantian Sword’s rounds was testing their sword dao cultivation and cleansing their heart realm.

As everyone held their breath in expectation, hearts restless and uneasy, the Xuantian Sword abruptly stopped its circling, its tip pointing directly towards the heavens, as if making some decision.

Ultimately, the Xuantian Sword fixed itself in front of Li Mu, its tip slightly lowered, the sword’s body emitting profound, mysterious sword essence, akin to stars descending to earth, quietly appraising the person before it.

This sudden change caused the attendees to instinctively cast sideways glances, their astonishment evident as they looked at Li Mu—curiosity, puzzlement, and a nameless focus on this abnormal act by the Xuantian Sword.

"Ah?" Chen Qingxuan softly sighed, sensitively noticing the Xuantian Sword’s anomaly, and a ripple stirred in his heart—could this spiritual sword, bearing the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s thousand-year glory, truly be seeking a new master?

Chen Qingxuan’s gaze fell inadvertently on Li Mu, filled with complex emotions. Though a Mahayana Daoist Monarch, he failed to win the Xuantian Sword’s approval. Yet Elder Li seemed to resonate unusually with the Xuantian Sword.

The Xuantian Sword was not merely a weapon but a symbol of sect spirit—the crystallization of the will and cultivation of generations of sect masters, its choice never easily predicted.

Sword Master Feng and his four accompanying sword masters, along with numerous Elder Jian, all focused their gaze on Li Mu, incredibly shocked; never before had they seen the Xuantian Sword display such intense interest in someone without a Daoist Monarch’s cultivation at such a critical occasion.

Li Mu furrowed his brows deeply, utterly surprised by the Xuantian Sword’s response, relying on his innate divine technique—the Recognition of Ten Thousand Spirits—to perceive the Xuantian Sword’s current status, sensing a longing to seek a master.

However, the Xuantian Sword is the most significant legacy dao sword of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect, carrying ten thousand years of the sect’s glory and responsibility. Thus, when the Xuantian Sword’s focus shifted onto him, Li Mu felt unprecedented pressure, hurriedly employing the Concealing Breath Heart Method, fully retracting his aura, masking fluctuations in sword intent.

"What...what is happening?" Li Mu muttered quietly, but everyone present was of deep cultivation, naturally hearing his every word clearly—his tone filled with confusion and bewilderment, mingling with faint, undisguisable tension.

The square fell into a brief silence at this moment, the air thick with a nameless tension. All eyes moved between Li Mu and the Xuantian Sword, hearts teeming with various guesses, attempting to decipher more information from this anomaly.

Seeing this, Chen Qingxuan stepped forward, his gaze gentle as he looked at Li Mu and asked softly, "Elder Li, have you sensed anything? Felt the master-seeking intent of the Xuantian Sword?"

Chen Qingxuan’s voice was not loud, yet it rang clearly across the square, moving everyone deeply. Li Mu took a deep breath, looking at the Xuantian Sword suspended before him, feeling the attention from all directions.

Li Mu shook his head calmly and answered, "Nothing special sensed; only that the Xuantian Sword seems somewhat focused on me."

"Oh?" Chen Qingxuan reacted, a unique glint in his eyes as he gazed deeply at Li Mu, seemingly trying to see through Li Mu’s inner thoughts.

Just then, the Xuantian Sword’s body lightly trembled, the rolling profound light seemingly summoned by some call, gradually condensing into a dazzling flow of light, departing swiftly towards the Ancestral Hall as if teleporting, without looking back.

Watching the Xuantian Sword leave, the faces of those present displayed curious, surprised expressions, unexpected as the Xuantian Sword abandoned choosing a master and departed in a huff.

Was the Xuantian Sword rejected by Elder Li in its choice?

Witnessing this scene, the sword masters and elders of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. The Xuantian Sword’s unusual action left them shocked and puzzled, but in the end, it chose to return to the Ancestral Hall, a good thing for them, indicating they still had a chance to gain the Xuantian Sword’s acknowledgment. Simultaneously, they felt slight regret and disappointment since they had hoped the Xuantian Sword would soon select a new master to inherit the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s glory and responsibilities.

"It seems the Xuantian Sword had a little interlude," Chen Qingxuan smiled slightly, his tone carrying a few cues of relief and deeper meaning. He glanced at Li Mu knowingly, as though he had already seen through Li Mu’s subtle actions.

"However, Elder Li’s talent and sword nature is truly extraordinary," Chen Qingxuan shifted the conversation, speaking with more admiration, "You have a unique connection with the Xuantian Sword; it’s just that the time is not yet right."

Li Mu smiled modestly and replied, "Thank you, Daoist Monarch, for the compliment. I am well aware of my shallow cultivation and dare not have undue aspirations."

Chen Qingxuan surveyed the crowd, noticing their emotions had gradually stabilized, then continued, "Fellow disciples, the path of sword dao lies in the steadfastness of the heart and the loftiness of intention. Although the Xuantian Sword has not chosen a master, its appearance alone sufficiently proves the prosperity of sword dao in our Profound Celestial Sword Sect. Let us take this opportunity to dedicate ourselves to cultivation even more, collectively guarding the sect and inheriting sword dao."

"The path of sword dao is long and arduous, requiring perseverance, diligence, and enlightenment. Today, I am willing to share glimpses of my cultivation path and look forward to hearing your insights and questions, jointly exploring a higher realm of sword dao."

...

Thereafter, Daoist Monarch Chen began to slowly expound his philosophy of sword dao, from the intricacies of sword techniques to the comprehension of sword intent, from the unity of the sword and heart to the synchronization of sword dao with the laws of Heaven and Earth, each sentence rich in deep sword dao insights, benefiting everyone present immensely.