The Sword Pavilion was built between a mountain and a lake.
The so-called "mountain lake" referred to a steep, towering mountain situated in the center of a vast lake. Those who wished to enter the Sword Pavilion had to first board a boat, cross the lake, and reach the island at its heart. Only then would they be considered at the foot of the Sword Pavilion's mountain.
From the mountain's base upwards, amidst the forests and wild grasses, various swords would be found embedded in the rock crevices.
These swords were treasures left behind by the powerful cultivators of different sects who had challenged the Sword Pavilion and failed in the past. Any single one of them, if placed outside, could cause a sensation. Yet, at the Sword Pavilion, there were countless such swords, so many good ones were simply left here at random.
However, their casual placement did not mean they could be easily taken. Those who attempted to claim a sword had to earn its recognition. Swords, being the kings of all weapons, possessed their own arrogance. Abandoned by their previous masters, their pride intensified. For a later generation to gain their acknowledgment was tenfold, even a hundredfold, more difficult than recognizing an ordinary spiritual artifact.
The great lake flowed, and large boats sailed.
On the lake before the Sword Pavilion, hundreds of large and small boats drifted slowly. People stood on them, dressed in various styles, clearly identifiable as martial artists from different regions.
Amidst these large vessels, numerous smaller fishing boats, or simple bamboo rafts, were interspersed. Apart from the fisherman steering the boat at the front, they could accommodate no more than five people.
"On this journey to the Sword Pavilion, I will definitely claim a precious sword, return home in glory, and become a renowned swordsman!"
On a reed boat, a young sword cultivator with a slightly sallow complexion and an ordinary appearance clenched his fist and spoke to his two friends, a man and a woman.
Beside the three of them stood two individuals whose faces were obscured by their conical hats, naturally Zuo Mingqiu and Yan Yu.
To save money, they could only choose this method, crossing the river on a reed.
"Brother Sun Tong has been in seclusion for several months and has broken through to the peak of the third stage. This time, when we go up to the Sword Pavilion, we are sure to return with a bounty!"
Another young man accompanying them said with a smile, cupping his fists. The woman with the thick eyebrows also blinked and happily added, "Brother Sun Tong is sure to successfully obtain a precious sword. I just wonder which of the nine newly forged renowned swords he will take. Could it be the top-ranked 'New Sun'?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Tong's expression stiffened slightly.
The Sword Pavilion had experienced its first snow, and the mountain had been sealed for three days. It was unsealed this morning, and the news of the nine newly forged renowned swords was released.
The sword ranked first was named New Sun. It was crafted using the most precious cosmic iron and pure yang spiritual ore. Its innate sword spirit could cultivate by borrowing the light of the sun. It possessed immense power, and its blade was engraved with Grand Dao talismans. Every strike would resonate with the laws of the Grand Dao. Not only this year, but even among the precious swords forged by the Sword Pavilion in the past decade, New Sun could rank within the top two.
Sun Tong was a wandering martial artist. From the moment he embarked on the path of cultivation, he felt he had never possessed a suitable sword. Although he was well-prepared today and full of enthusiasm, he dared not dream that New Sun would fall into his hands.
Along the way, he had seen many prodigies whose talent far surpassed his, all of whom coveted New Sun. Among them was even a prince!
Thinking of this, the light in Sun Tong's eyes gradually dimmed. He sighed and said,
"Although the sword New Sun is excellent, I have no chance. Seven of the top ten prodigies on the Xuan Ranking have arrived. Nalan Mucuo has also declared his intention to contend for New Sun. Where would it fall to me?"
"Nalan Mucuo has also come?!"
Upon hearing the name, the woman beside Sun Tong couldn't help but exclaim.
Meanwhile, Zuo Mingqiu's eyebrows twitched slightly, and Xu Mu asked with a look of confusion,
"Who is Nalan Mucuo, and what is the Xuan Ranking?"
Zuo Mingqiu looked up and transmitted his voice to Xu Mu, explaining,
"In the Great Zhou Dynasty, there are the Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Yellow rankings. These four rankings represent the strength of four generations. For example, the Heaven Ranking is the ranking of the oldest and strongest generation in the martial world. Those on the list are mostly sect leaders and grand elders of first-grade sects."
"The Earth Ranking is for those a bit younger, like those of the age of the Grand Master of the Bi Xu Sect, who would be placed on the Earth Ranking."
"As for the Xuan and Yellow rankings, they are for the younger generation. The Yellow Ranking can be disregarded, as it accounts for geniuses who have just begun their cultivation path, younger than you and me."
"As for the Xuan Ranking, it encompasses individuals approximately between the ages of twenty and thirty. And that Nalan Mucuo is the third-ranked genius on the Xuan Ranking, with a cultivation at the peak of the third stage and very strong combat power."
Xu Mu raised his eyebrows slightly upon hearing this.
The third on the Great Zhou's Xuan Ranking? Wouldn't that be equivalent to the third-ranked individual in the Alliance of Ten Thousand Races? Their strength would be similar.
Zuo Mingqiu noticed Xu Mu's expression and spoke again, "Actually, this Xuan Ranking hasn't been updated for almost half a year, so I'm not sure where Nalan Mucuo's current strength would rank."
"However, he is the only sword cultivator among the top ten on the Xuan Ranking who achieved his position as a wandering martial artist. He appeared on the Xuan Ranking suddenly last year, defeating the previous third-ranked person and gaining fame in one battle. Thus, his prestige in the martial world is very high. Many sword cultivators have even invited him to establish his own sect, but Nalan Mucuo has never responded."
"So that's how it is."
Xu Mu nodded, a hint of excitement stirring in his heart.
The Great Zhou Dynasty was one of the four major powers in the world, and a mortal enemy of the Great Xia Dynasty. The geniuses from this place would only be stronger, not weaker, than those from the Alliance of Hundred Races.
Moreover, he now only lacked any combat record against geniuses from the Great Zhou. Therefore, he felt a sense of yearning.
"I wonder if I'll have the chance to encounter him."
Xu Mu sighed.
Zuo Mingqiu smiled slightly and said, "Although Nalan Mucuo is strong, he is definitely not as strong as you or me. Because the truly strong individuals have already surpassed their ranks and are on the Earth Ranking. For example, Zhou Yuan, whom we mentioned, and the Divine Son of the Ancient God Sect, their combat power far exceeds the third stage, so they are not included in the Xuan Ranking's calculations."
"I see, then there's really nothing to fight about," Xu Mu said with some disappointment.
Their conversation, however, inadvertently reached Sun Tong and his two companions. At this moment, they were staring at Xu Mu and Zuo Mingqiu with gazes that seemed to regard them as idiots.
"Um... may I ask the names of you two esteemed lords?"
Sun Tong calmed his emotions and cautiously cupped his fists towards Xu Mu, asking. Although he didn't believe that prodigies capable of battling Nalan Mucuo would appear here, what if?
If he could get acquainted with such a prodigy, wouldn't his chances of obtaining the newly forged fourth-ranked renowned sword, Bai Yu, on this trip to the Sword Pavilion increase significantly?
Xu Mu and Zuo Mingqiu realized they had spoken out of turn. They exchanged a knowing smile, then waved their hands and quickly fell silent, ignoring Sun Tong's question.
This action, in Sun Tong's mind, stirred a considerable wave. In his opinion, if Xu Mu and Zuo Mingqiu had arrogantly announced their identities, he would have been convinced that they were boasting.
But their current silent reaction was precisely like that of descendants of certain great sects who, after inadvertently revealing their identities while traveling incognito, would act.
This filled Sun Tong with great surprise.
Therefore, he quickly pulled his two friends forward, cupped his fists towards Xu Mu, and said with a smile,
"My name is Sun Tong, a disciple of the Nanwu Sect of Great Zhou."
"It is a pleasure to meet you both. Please guide me generously in the future!"
Xu Mu sighed with some helplessness, then also cupped his fists and said,
"My name is Mu Xu."
Zuo Mingqiu cupped his fists and smiled:
"My surname is Zuo, and my given name is Qiu."
"We humbly ask the three of you for your guidance in the future."