On this day, the Hidden Dragon Group's competition concluded.
Lu Fan sat beside Han Xuanji and lamented, "This time, my eyes have truly been opened. The world is indeed filled with experts, and Geniuses are as numerous as fish crossing a river. I could only barely make it into the top ten."
Han Xuanji saw his optimistic demeanor and didn't say much.
Although Lu Fan didn't stand until the end, he did break into the top ten.
His final opponent was a Peak Golden Core Realm existence, whose strength was already no weaker than a Nascent Soul Realm existence. The two had a bitter battle, and in the end, Lu Fan was exhausted. Though defeated, he was still glorious.
Lu Fan then began to recount his gains; every battle he won was not easy.
In fact, if not for the Demon Master in his mind reminding him multiple times, he might have lost much earlier.
Following that, Lu Fan began to describe his encounter with the legendary Heavenly Sword Sect's Sword Son, Nangong Wenjian.
"You don't know how strong Nangong Wenjian is. I personally witnessed his Sword Intent. That Sword Intent was as vast as the sea. I merely glanced at it from afar, like a fish seeing a True Dragon, or an ephemera observing the clear sky. Only then did I realize how great the gap between me and a true powerhouse is.
It is said that he has already approached the Realm of Sword Intent Transforming into a Domain. Even many Returning to Void Realm Sword Cultivators are not as good as him. From now on, he will be my goal. I will have an honorable fight with him in the future."
Lu Fan spoke earnestly.
Han Xuanji smiled and said, "I believe your future achievements will not be inferior to his."
"I hope so," Lu Fan sighed.
It wasn't until dark that Lu Fan departed.
In the evening, Han Xuanji once again arrived at the Tongtian Sword Hall and silently recited, "System, sign in."
A crisp notification sound rang out again.
"Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at the Tongtian Sword Hall. You have received a Medium Grade Immortal Artifact, the 'Reaching Heaven Sword'."
"Another Immortal Artifact?" Han Xuanji's expression brightened.
Legend had it that the Reaching Heaven Sword was the personal sword of Reaching Heaven Taoist, long lost. He hadn't expected to obtain it through signing in.
If the people of Tongtian Peak knew about this, Heaven knows how many issues would arise.
Thinking of this, Han Xuanji felt a twinge of guilt, as if he were a thief. He quickly left the Tongtian Sword Hall and returned to his own Immortal Cave, which he had arranged.
Feeling protected by numerous Formations, Han Xuanji couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
He always felt as if he had stolen someone else's treasure.
In reality, Han Xuanji understood that the System's sign-in rewards were not the original items themselves. It was more like the System used unimaginable means to replicate a complete Reaching Heaven Sword for him. From a certain conceptual standpoint, this was his Reaching Heaven Sword, not Tongtian Peak's Reaching Heaven Sword.
With a thought from Han Xuanji's Divine Thought, a profound black longsword appeared in his hand, shimmering with a faint light and containing unimaginable power within.
With previous experience, Han Xuanji was familiar with the process this time.
He once again obtained some information from the Immortal Sword.
Han Xuanji then learned that the Reaching Heaven Sword was not forged by Ancestral Master Tongtian, but rather was a Legacy the latter obtained from an ancient Secret Realm.
The original owner of the Reaching Heaven Sword was a powerful Peak Ascension Cultivator from the Taixu Spirit Realm. He was also an Old Ancestor of a supreme force. To forge this Immortal Sword, he expended countless Heaven and Earth treasures and even utilized the Luck of a Divine Dynasty.
The owner eventually Ascended, but he did not take this Immortal Sword with him, leaving it behind as a foundation.
Later, Reaching Heaven Taoist traveled the world and obtained this sword in a Secret Realm. Relying on the power of the Immortal Sword, Reaching Heaven Taoist naturally had a smooth journey, defeating countless enemies.
But even so, Reaching Heaven Taoist ultimately perished during the Ascension Tribulation.
"Succeeded by the Immortal Sword, failed by the Immortal Sword," Han Xuanji couldn't help but lament.
Ancestral Master Tongtian was still too reliant on the power of the Immortal Sword and underestimated the power of the Ascension Tribulation, ultimately perishing.
Fortunately, he was more cautious, not neglecting any aspect of his Physical Body, Primordial Spirit, Magic Treasure, or Sword Dao.
"I must be well-prepared for the Breakthrough to the Returning to Void Realm; I absolutely cannot rush it."
Han Xuanji silently made a plan in his mind.
Aside from these memories, the Reaching Heaven Sword also transmitted numerous Sword Dao insights.
It must be said that Reaching Heaven Taoist's Sword Dao Realm was extremely high, even slightly surpassing his current level. Although he was also stuck at the Realm of Sword Dao Transforming into a Domain, over countless years, he had found some information regarding Sword Intent Transforming into a World.
The most crucial point among them was cultivation.
According to Reaching Heaven Taoist's information, to advance further, one must become an Immortal; perhaps only then can one truly touch that Realm.
After understanding this, Han Xuanji wasn't surprised.
Cultivation was the foundation.
As the saying goes, "A Mortal comprehends the Dao and Ascends in a day."
He didn't believe it. In his opinion, such people were mostly Reincarnations of great powers, merely inheriting their cultivation.
The next day, Han Xuanji came to watch the Peerless Group's competition.
Compared to the Hidden Dragon Group's hidden talents, where no one knew who would ultimately prevail, the Peerless Group's competition, in the eyes of many, held no suspense.
Because Nangong Wenjian's strength was genuinely formidable; he was recognized by many Sword Cultivators as the foremost contemporary figure.
A voice slowly came from within the clouds: "Please welcome the Heavenly Sword Sect's Sword Son, Nangong Wenjian."
As the words fell, a man in white appeared on stage. He had a tall, upright figure and a handsome face, carrying a sword case on his back and standing with his hands behind him. His eyes were incredibly calm, as if nothing around him could affect him in the slightest.
Even without making a move, his Aura alone was enough to deter many.
Countless gazes converged on him simultaneously.
The Cultivators on the Sword-Viewing Platform also began discussing Nangong Wenjian's deeds.
Legend has it that this Peerless Genius comprehended sword momentum after observing swords for a day, alarming the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Subsequently, for a hundred years, he continuously challenged Sword Cultivators from various factions, and to this day, he has never been defeated.
He once even went to North Underworld State and, by himself, annihilated a branch of the Heavenly Demon Sect, demonstrating terrifying strength.
In a pavilion, many True Disciples and Elders of the Shenxuan Sect gathered.
Seeing Nangong Wenjian, they all looked troubled, unsure who to send to the stage.
"This child has a natural Sword Heart and Heaven-Grade Aptitude. In my era, he might have been a formidable opponent of mine," the Demon Master's voice echoed faintly.
"However, with my guidance, surpassing him will not be difficult for you."
Lu Fan rolled his eyes and thought to himself, "Then thank you, Senior."
The Peerless Group's competition was different; it adopted a challenge System, where one defended a platform.
But even so, no one was willing to go on stage.
No other reason than this: all the Sword Cultivators in Great Xia knew how formidable Nangong Wenjian was. Knowing they couldn't win, wasn't it foolish to go up and seek abuse?
At this moment, the Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect also began to converse.
"Senior Brother is truly formidable; he can suppress everything without even making a move."
"After all, there's no suspense anymore. Didn't they say the Shenxuan Sect would send Demon-Slaying Sword Master to fight? Is that true or false?"
"Is there really such a person as Demon-Slaying Sword Master?"
"Unclear."
Hearing many people start discussing Demon-Slaying Sword Master, Han Xuanji was momentarily amused and exasperated.
However, he was certain that Demon-Slaying Sword Master would not come.
He had no interest in becoming famous throughout the world.
Lurking until he was invincible before emerging was what suited him best.
Soon, a figure also appeared on the high platform.
"Tongtian Peak, Shangguan Feihong."
As a True Disciple of Tongtian Peak, Shangguan Feihong's strength was not weak, but he had always been suppressed by Nangong Wenjian, one could say he was utterly crushed.
When he stepped onto the stage this time, he had already prepared himself for defeat.