Chatter broke out at the tunnel entrance.
The students could no longer contain their excitement.
Most of them knew nothing about the changes prior to Chao Xiaojian's announcement. Their mentors did not mention anything. Regardless, the tunnel was no stranger to most sword disciples.
The students present were talented cultivators from various academies. Their goal was to be recruited into the sects after the Imperial Examination. Many present were aiming for the Sword Guild.
Thus, they were familiar with the workings of the Sword Guild and the tunnel test.
It was a triennial test that outer sect disciples went through in order to join the inner sect. The test was known for its difficulty.
They could not believe the tunnel test—which participation was limited to the Sword Guild disciples—was being used for the competition's individual event.
Everyone had their sights set on the floating sword at the end of the tunnel. According to Vice Leader Chao, anyone who held the sword could claim it for their own.
Every student present had the chance to own the sword!
The prospect excited them!
The Tang Dynasty's First Sword, Sect Leader Xuanyuan Taihua's personal sword!
Whoever wields the sword might earn the right to become Sect Leader Taihua's disciple!
What a tempting idea!
At that moment, realization dawned on most students. 'No wonder the Drunken Blade Lord's grandson, Lu Ze, and Donglu's God of Blades's disciple, Lin Yun, entered the Gathering of Swords this year…
'They're aiming for the Blooming Lotus Sword!'
Fang Lang was surprised too. He wondered, 'Is this the 'great opportunity' Mentor Wen hinted at? The sword is impressive but unfortunately, it is not something an ordinary person can obtain.'
According to their textbooks, the tunnel existed for centuries. Numerous batches of Sword Guild disciples had taken the test, yet the sword remained unbudged from its place!
The disciples were like a flowing river against the steel blade but never making a dent.
An idea popped into his mind. Fang Lang wondered, 'Will I be able to retrieve the sword?'
He shrugged away the idea a moment later, shaking his head. 'I'm getting ahead of myself.'
The fact that Chao Xiaojian dared to rile them up with the promise of ownership meant he was confident no one could touch the sword.
Fang Lang kept his expectations low.
Chao Xiaojian left soon after. The responsibility of hosting the event was delegated to an elderly sword master who had a scar on his face. He had a cold and unsmiling expression—an intense aura surrounded him.
In his hand was a steel blade that gave off a stench of blood. He swung the blade at the ground, causing a large crack across the floor.
"The test will be conducted in batches of a hundred participants. Stand behind this line when it's not your turn. Participants from the same academies will be split up.
"Additionally, Vice Leader Chao has mentioned anyone who can walk past the 800-meter mark will earn additional 20 points," the old sword master announced in a hoarse voice.
The Sword Guild had made this arrangement with the imperial courts.
Upon hearing the announcement, the students were overjoyed.
The first batch of participants quickly lined up before the tunnel entrance. Under the old sword master's command, they set foot into the tunnel.
Fang Lang was in the fifth batch. He took a few steps back and observed silently.
Jiang Linglong stood beside him. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on the sword at the end of the tunnel.
Fang Lang turned toward her and asked, "Was this your motive for representing Luojiang Academy in the Gathering of Swords?"
Jiang Linglong was caught off guard by his question, but nodded soon after.
Initially, she had no intentions of replying to him, but the odd sense of familiarity got the best of her. She explained, "This sword… it holds a special place in the heart of a person very dear to me. That's why I hope to obtain it."
Fang Lang gave her a knowing nod.
Meanwhile, the first batch of participants stepped into the tunnel. All sorts of emotions were on display—nervousness, eagerness and more.
Some students who were eager to show off took off running.
Every time someone stepped into the tunnel, the floating sword at the end of the tunnel trembled faintly.
It sent out invisible pulses of energy.
Like an open floodgate, waves of energy poured out into the tunnel!
Every sword present trembled in sync, shaking as if they wanted to be unsheathed.
Whoosh!
The students running in the tunnel were bombarded by the waves of energy. In a blink of an eye, they lost control of their bodies and were flung out of the tunnel.
Many participants had blood dripping out their nose and mouth, traumatized.
"That's the sword intent."
Jiang Linglong's red lips parted demurely under her veil as she spoke, explaining the phenomenon to Fang Lang.
Fang Lang took a deep breath. 'Sword intent?'
"When going through the tunnel, you can't rush in. Every step you take must be full of confidence and determination. Otherwise… your will power will be shattered by the sword intent in an instant."
Jiang Linglong shared her knowledge with Fang Lang.
Fang Lang nodded and paid attention.
The few students who had rushed into the tunnel were swiftly ejected. They had traveled less than ten meters in.
The old sword master with the scar on his face snickered. With a wave of his hand, he instructed the nearby Sword Guild disciples to take the injured participants away for treatment.
The remaining students continued their journey into the tunnel. They tottered and trudged. Evidently, the test was not as simple as they had imagined.
As time passed, participants exited the tunnel one after another—dejection and grief on their pale faces.
The average distance the first batch achieved was between 100 to 200 meters.
Among the first batch, a student from Donglu Academy had the best result but it was only 400 meters.
The outer sect disciples of the Sword Guild had to walk 800 meters to earn their place in the inner sect.
The best participant from the first batch could only achieve half of the requirement.
"Second batch, get ready."
The old, scar-faced sword master instructed. He was not surprised by the disappointing results.
The students in the second batch quickly gathered behind the line on the ground. Within this batch, Fang Lang noticed a familiar face—his next door neighbor, Song Qingyun of Beijiang Academy.
Under the sword master's order, the students entered the tunnel. Learning from the mistakes of the first batch, they entered the tunnel with steady steps. This time, no one was instantly disqualified.
Nonetheless, the results of the second group were not stellar. Song Qingyun only managed to travel 500 meters into the tunnel.
The cruel reality of the test finally dawned upon the students. The students who were initially excited for the event were quickly discouraged.
Third batch!
Fang Lang recognized another student among the group—Lin Yun of Donglu Academy!
Lin Yun carried his metal blade on his back. His icy-cold eyes scanned the crowd and paused on Fang Lang for a second. Then, he strode into the tunnel.
As the disciple of Donglu's God of Blades, Lin Yun's performance was unsurprisingly much better than the other students'.
Like an unsheathed blade, he cut through all the obstacles in front of him and traveled through the tunnel at great speed!
400 meters, 500 meters, 600 meters!
Lin Yun broke the record with ease.
Lin Yun did not stop and his forward momentum carried on. The students gasped and cheered as they watched. When Lin Yun reached the 800-meter mark, his pace began to slow.
The moment he slowed down, it seemed as if all his energy left his body. It became impossible to continue forward.
Finally, after reaching the 879-meter markl, Lin Yun retreated with a ghastly pale face.
His result of 879 meters impressed even the old scarred sword master.
As the sweat-drenched Lin Yun stepped out of the tunnel, he turned to Fang Lang and lifted his chin challengingly.
It was the fourth batch's turn. Jiang Linglong left Fang Lang's side.
Fang Lang froze as a sudden realization hit him. His expression showed a hint of disappointment.
'I don't get to walk the tunnel with Jiang Linglong. I lost a chance to have a meaningful interaction with her…'
Fang Lang was curious to find out Old Jiang's limit.
Thanks to Fang Lang, Jiang Linglong did not get the chance to show off her true strength during the team competition. Fang Lang was very excited to witness her power.
The old scarred sword master glanced at Jiang Linglong, who still had her veil over her face. She stood out among the crowd of students.
At his command, the fourth batch of students stepped into the tunnel.
It was the first time Jiang Linglong drew the White Frost Blade. Jiang Linglong sliced through the sword intent radiating from at the end of the tunnel. Her blade sang as it clashed with the energy pulses.
The sword intent was deflected by her blade, flowing around her like ripples of water.
Jiang Linglong advanced effortlessly.
After 100 meters, she touched the tip of her blade to the ground.
Every 100 meters, Jiang Linglong touched the tip of her blade to tunnel floor—slicing apart the sword intent—then continued forward.
One after the other, the students around her stagered and retreated. Meanwhile, Jiang Linglong continued forward effortlessly, like a lone ship wading across the ocean.
Compared to Lin Yun, Jiang Linglong sauntered through the tunnel with much less effort. Even when fighting against the sword intent, her movements were still as elegant as poetry.
However, when she reached the 800-meter mark, Jiang LingLong suddenly found it difficult to tap her blade against the ground.
Ding!
A crisp sound reverberated through the tunnel as her White Frost Blade touched the tunnel floor.
The sword intent was once again deflected.
Jiang Linglong made progress with small and gentle steps.
900 meters, 910 meter, 920 meters…
At the last 100 meters, Jiang Linglong had to use her White Frost Blade every ten meters.
With every swing, Jiang Linglong's green silk robe fluttered and her body shook violently.
She was reaching her limit.
The sword intent pressed on her White Frost Blade, making it arch dangerously!
A shrill sound was heard!
Her sword snapped back into shape.
Jiang Linglong's body trembled. She stumbled back several steps. A hint of red slowly spread across her pure white veil.
920 meters.
That was Old Jiang's final result.
Her result had stunned everyone. Even the Sword Guild disciples could not hide their astonishment.
However, Jiang Linglong's eyes were dark—the shining stars in her eyes had extinguished.
In the end, she could not reach the Blooming Lotus Sword.
Jiang Linglong exited the tunnel with a heavy heart.
"Fifth batch, get ready!"
Just as Fang Lang was about to console her, the old sword master shouted for the fifth batch.
Fang Lang had no choice but to proceed toward the line made at the tunnel entrance.
Liu Bubai stood behind Fang Lang. He rubbed his hand across his fancy sword. Liu Bubai was in the sixth batch. The boy stared at Fang Lang, pouting.
For some reason, an odd feeling overcame Liu Bubai.
'Have I developed some special intuition for winning without contributing?
'But…
'This is an individual event… How can anyone carry me to victory?'
Comments