Four Swords: Zhu, Lu, Xian, Jue

“Alright, Liu Li, come down.”

Su Mu noticed the hateful gazes of the surrounding Sword Pavilion disciples. He habitually patted Liu Li’s head, only to realize that his action seemed to make things even more awkward.

However, Liu Li also realized her inappropriate behavior and immediately released Su Mu, her face flushed, but she still stood close beside Su Mu.

As for Luo Li, after noticing the staring gazes of the surrounding disciples, she not only did not restrain herself but glared back fiercely. And those Sword Pavilion disciples seemed to be somewhat afraid of Luo Li, turning their heads away one after another.

“Luo Li, Liu Li, you must not be disrespectful in front of guests.”

Seeing their behavior, a trace of helplessness flashed in Li Tai Bai’s eyes, and he coughed twice. Luo Li and Liu Li then noticed the presence of Li Tai Bai and the others, and immediately went before Li Tai Bai, respectfully saluting.

“Disciples greet Honored Master, greetings Martial Senior Uncle Du.”

“Mm.”

Li Tai Bai nodded slightly and said, “You two haven’t seen each other in a long time. Luo Li, you lead the two young friends to tour the sect.”

With that, Li Tai Bai glanced at Du Chen Shi. After receiving his permission, he looked at Zhang Zhi Wei beside him and said, “Fellow Daoist Zhang, why not come to my Long Han Peak for a rest?”

“Excellent.”

Zhang Zhi Wei glanced at the gourd on Li Tai Bai’s waist, immediately understanding his meaning. The two smiled at each other and quickly departed.

“Let’s go too.”

Luo Li and Liu Li exchanged glances, then both released sword light, each carrying Su Mu and Bai Ze, following closely behind Li Tai Bai.

Seeing the group leave one after another, Zhong Mian and several others had peculiar expressions, while Yang Xin wore a thoughtful look, wondering what he was thinking.

“Cough, cough, Martial Nephew Song, please take the guests to rest first.”

What was originally a simple guest reception had taken an unexpected turn due to Li Tai Bai’s master and disciples. Du Chen Shi was also a bit helpless, signaling Song Qing Di to take Yang Xin and the others to rest first.

However, Song Qing Di seemed to be deep in thought and did not respond. It wasn’t until Du Chen Shi called him several times that he finally snapped out of it, cupping his hands apologetically to Yang Xin and saying, “My apologies, everyone, please follow me.”

With that, Song Qing Di led the way towards the mountain. Yang Xin and the others didn’t mind and quickly caught up, not thinking much of it. However, Jia Yi’s gaze towards Song Qing Di was somewhat peculiar.

This fellow, did he just harbor killing intent towards Su Mu and Bai Ze?

Wielding the A Bi Sword, a sword of slaughter and punishment, Jia Yi was exceptionally sensitive to killing intent. Although Song Qing Di’s killing intent was fleeting and well-concealed, Jia Yi still detected it.

Glancing at the two pairs of men and women quickly departing, Jia Yi seemed to realize something. His gaze towards Song Qing Di became more wary. He led the Black Python-Dragon, abandoned by its master, and followed everyone forward.

***

Above Long Han Peak.

Looking at the ink-black sword light beneath his feet, Su Mu glanced at Liu Li, who was flying on her sword ahead, and felt a strange sense of emotion.

Although it was just a fleeting glance, the moment Liu Li appeared, Su Mu noticed that she was already at the sixth layer of the Qi Condensation Realm and could step into the Spirit Refining Realm at any time.

In nearly three years, the frail little girl from back then had grown to such an extent. This cultivation speed would shame countless heavenly prodigies.

However, the aura on Liu Li’s body seemed somewhat different from the Qinglian Sword Pavilion disciples he had seen before; instead, it was somewhat similar to the black longsword in her hand.

Not just Liu Li, the aura on Luo Li’s body also seemed to be the same, different from other Sword Pavilion disciples, and similarly akin to the aura of that purple longsword.

Moreover, these two swords seemed to have quite a reputation. Su Mu merely looked at them a few times and felt a surge of killing intent rush straight into his soul, as if wanting to annihilate him.

“Liu Li, was this sword crafted for you by True Immortal Tai Bai?”

Hearing Su Mu’s inquiry, Liu Li immediately shook her head, saying, “Brother Su, are you talking about this Lu Xian Sword? It flew to me on the Tongtian Ladder, and the cultivation method I practice was also transmitted to me by it.”

“Lu Xian Sword?”

Su Mu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, unable to resist taking another look. Meanwhile, a glint of light flashed in Bai Ze’s eyes beside him, and he asked Luo Li, “Luo Li, did you obtain your sword in the same way?”

Seeing Bai Ze’s surprise, Luo Li nodded slightly and said, “Yes, back then, Honored Master brought us to join the sect, and according to the rules, we had to go through the Tongtian Ladder. As a result, this Lu Xian Sword and Jue Xian Sword appeared from nowhere and chose their masters themselves.”

With that, Luo Li said proudly, “Let me tell you a secret, my Jue Xian and Liu Li’s Lu Xian are two of the four ancient swords for this Sword Offering Ceremony, so you can only compete for the remaining two swords ~”

Indeed, it was like this!

Zhu, Lu, Xian, Jue, these four swords of slaughter and punishment, two of them had already found their masters, and they were Luo Li and Liu Li. What a chaotic state history had fallen into!

Su Mu glanced at Bai Ze, whose face was filled with shock, knowing that he must have some understanding of this Sword Offering Ceremony. A glint of light couldn’t help but appear in Su Mu’s eyes.

The Qinglian Sword Pavilion is holding such a large-scale Sword Offering Ceremony this time; the Twenty-Eight Constellations should not miss it. It seems he needs to be careful and wary from now on.

“Oh right, Brother Su, Honored Master said you’ve already reached Void Refinement, is that true?”

Just as Su Mu and Bai Ze were lost in their own thoughts, Liu Li suddenly spoke, sounding a little uncertain.

“That’s right, but it was merely a fortuitous encounter.”

Although the Ming Dian did not publicize Su Mu’s sudden entry into Void Refinement, thanks to the Jingtu Sect, the news quickly spread throughout the Northern Region. Coupled with the publicity from forces like the Guling Pavilion, which spanned the Three Great Imperial Dynasties, almost the entire cultivation world knew about this fortunate individual, Su Mu.

“Then congratulations, Brother Su! Good deeds are indeed rewarded ~”

Hearing Su Mu’s confirmation, Liu Li immediately offered her congratulations to Su Mu, but for some reason, her expression held a hint of regret.

She had thought it might be her turn to protect Brother Su, but it seemed she still couldn’t catch up?

At this moment, the Lu Xian Sword in Liu Li’s hand trembled slightly. Liu Li quickly snapped out of her lost state, her eyes filled with determination.

As long as I have the Lu Xian Sword, I will quickly catch up to Brother Su and will no longer be a burden!

Seeing Liu Li’s demeanor, Luo Li naturally knew what she was thinking. She then looked at Su Mu, who was unaware behind her, and sighed helplessly.

“Luo Li, why are you sighing? Is something bothering you?”

Hearing Luo Li sigh, Bai Ze immediately sobered up and asked with some concern.

“Why am I sighing? Look at Su Mu; he started cultivating later than you and is already at Void Refinement, yet you are still in the Qi Condensation Realm. Aren’t you ashamed?”

Seeing Bai Ze’s worried expression, Luo Li felt a warmth in her heart, but she didn’t show it outwardly. She punched Bai Ze hard and said, “Of the four ancient swords of the Qinglian Sword Pavilion, only Zhu Xian and Xian Xian remain. You must participate in the Sword Offering Ceremony then and at least win one, so you don’t have to rely on me to protect you later.”

Although Luo Li and Liu Li joined the sect at the same time, Luo Li already had a foundation, so she was now in the Spirit Refining Realm, which was slightly higher than Bai Ze’s external strength.

“Alright, alright, I’ll try my best.”

Hearing Luo Li’s scolding, Bai Ze agreed with a smile, while Liu Li beside them also spoke, “Brother Su, why don’t you also give it a try? Honored Master said that everyone can participate in this Sword Offering Ceremony.”

“Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

Su Mu nodded slightly, not objecting.

To be able to turn someone with no cultivation into a sixth-layer Qi Condensation Realm cultivator in three years, he was indeed a bit interested.

Zhu, Lu, Xian, Jue, these four ancient swords truly have quite a reputation…