I just wanted to show off… He Qishi was momentarily speechless. Suddenly, he felt that Meng Qi’s words made a lot of sense. Indeed, the reason he readily accepted the invitation and came here for “commentary” was to gain attention and spread his reputation, so that figures like Master Lu and Su Wuming would learn of it and seek him out voluntarily. This was better than searching for them based on vague divination results, not knowing whether they had already hidden their identities.
But saying it so straightforwardly felt somehow strange.
The desolate plain was silent. The Dharmakayas and disciples of the Five Great Sword Sects fell into silence, the atmosphere filled with indescribable awkwardness and oppression.
The power of a Celestial Immortal equaled that of stars. In the Mythical Age, powerful Star Officials and Star Deities were mostly at this level. Yet, while their strength was mighty and terrifying, their control couldn’t reach such a degree. Even though events from the Mythical Age are now unverifiable, at least in the present era, only one Celestial Immortal could demonstrate such precise control over minute structures: forming formations with a single sword stroke. That was Sheng Wangdaolin, who could achieve it by relying on the Luoshu Chart, not by his own strength alone.
Yet Su Meng, at the Human Immortal level, displayed the wondrous feat of forming a formation with a single sword stroke, his control surpassing even that of a Celestial Immortal. It was simply unbelievable!
How exactly did he accomplish this? Could it be that sword technique cultivation could surpass one’s spiritual cultivation level?
Could it be a legendary trait possessed by those rare individuals naturally gifted in the Mythical Age?
Amid these swirling thoughts, they all silently admitted one fact: regardless of how Su Meng managed it, the “Formation with a Single Sword Stroke” was real. The Inviting Moon Sword Sect’s Li Liang had personally experienced it.
And even with just this one feat, he could transcend his cultivation level to compete with Earth Immortals. If he also wielded a suitable Earth Immortal-grade divine weapon, he might even defeat them without much difficulty. Let alone the fact that the sword techniques he mastered appeared to be of an extraordinary grade. Against him, they had no chance of victory!
In such a situation, should they continue requesting “commentary,” or withdraw to preserve their dignity?
The Dharmakayas of the remaining three sects—Yaoguang, Tianhai, and Dahui—wavered internally but soon made a decision.
If they withdrew without acting, gossips would surely say that certain sword sects had been too frightened to challenge him, which would be even more humiliating than losing outright.
Fang Hanjing of the Tianhai Sword Sect stepped forward and called out from afar: “We humbly request Master Su to critique our sect’s sword techniques.”
His tone was no longer aggressive; rather, it genuinely sounded like a request for critique.
The Eight-Nine Mystical Art recovered astonishingly fast, and the Yin-Yang Seal could rapidly reverse adverse conditions. Thanks to the hesitation of the various sword sects, Meng Qi had already restored himself to peak condition. With a smile, he said, “Master Fang, please demonstrate your sword techniques.”
Fang Hanjing, the sect leader of Tianhai, performed a respectful starting gesture and summoned a deep-blue Dharmakaya. Underneath the deep blue, countless stars coalesced into acupoints, brimming with immense power. As the sword light slashed forth, they surged forward in waves.
In an instant, the heavens and earth seemed submerged beneath an illusory ocean, a grand Dao formed from the Milky Way, mighty and endless, wave after wave, renowned for its longevity and vastness, seemingly never-ending.
Meng Qi’s five-colored sword light surged forth. Before him, he drew a circle, forming a glowing ring, just as he had when facing the Demon Sword King, firmly binding Yin and Yang, manifesting the primordial chaos.
The Tianhai sword light surged in, vanishing without a trace inside the glowing ring, leaving no residue, only darkness.
Subsequent waves of sword light followed, all silently swallowed up. Fang Hanjing tried to change the direction of his blade, but the sword light could no longer escape the ring, dragging his Dharmakaya as if sinking into quicksand.
“Excellent sword technique,” Fang Hanjing admitted frankly.
After all, the opponent’s sword mastery was clearly superior. Continuing the fight would only result in another defeat. It was better to end things gracefully, concluding the match with a sincere request for critique.
“The Tianhai Sword Sect’s sword techniques imitate the Milky Way, yet differ from the Falling Star Sword Sect. They require the practitioner to refine Daoist power stars within each acupoint, making them renowned for their immense internal energy when opening acupoints. Once the sword techniques are unleashed, one strike follows another, one star connects to the next, forming waves that continuously strike, seemingly never-ending, making them extremely difficult to counter. However, other aspects of the techniques are somewhat mediocre,” Meng Qi commented objectively, seeing that Fang Hanjing had a good attitude.
Fang Hanjing sighed deeply: “Indeed, our sect’s ancestors have been trying to improve and create complementary sword techniques through the generations. We’ve achieved only minor success so far, not enough to disgrace Master Su’s eyes.”
After the Tianhai Sword Sect, it was Yaoguang’s turn. Chen Yueqi, elegant and poised, flew out from the hilltop wielding a transparent short sword, bowing respectfully: “We humbly request Master Su to critique.”
Having witnessed the previous three matches, she was already in awe of Meng Qi’s sword techniques. Even though she had harbored resentment before, she couldn’t help but admit that he was a sword master of unparalleled skill. Not considering his cultivation level, purely in terms of sword techniques and control, he might even surpass the Heaven and Earth Twin Swords!
Therefore, her attitude unconsciously carried a sense of respect—a swordsman’s respect for a master swordsman.
At this point, the atmosphere finally felt like a genuine exchange of sword techniques and critique.
Standing atop the hill, Meng Qi extended his left hand calmly and elegantly: “Lady Chen, please proceed.”
Chen Yueqi merged her form with the sword light, the short sword’s brilliance suddenly exploding outward like a blooming flower, scattering countless Yaoguang rays, transforming the area into a heavenly realm. The transparent short blade became elusive and mysterious.
Meng Qi laughed aloud, bent his left finger, and lightly flicked at the tip of the Yaoguang sword.
Dang! Several beams of five-colored sword light sprang forth, rapidly dividing and multiplying into thousands upon thousands of identical sword beams, none weakened by the division, all equally powerful.
These countless sword beams shot forth, spreading across the universe, reaching every corner, colliding with the Yaoguang rays.
Dang!
The sword beams and Yaoguang rays collided in pairs, like a rain of light, beautiful beyond words. Not a single unnecessary sword beam, nor a single unnecessary Yaoguang ray.
Amidst the dreamlike rain of light, the tip of the Yaoguang sword gently touched the transparent short blade.
It was as if the entire scene had transformed into a breathtaking painting.
Chen Yueqi’s eyes sparkled with realization. The previous sword strike bore many similarities to her Yaoguang sword technique but carried deeper meaning and greater mystery, making her feel as if she had suddenly gained profound insight, realizing that her past understanding had been flawed.
“Thank you, Master Su, for the critique,” Chen Yueqi bowed gratefully before Meng Qi could speak, her expression filled with joy and enlightenment.
No further words were needed—the previous sword strike had already been the finest critique!
Meng Qi smiled slightly and nodded: “Glad you understand.”
“Glad you understand…” For a moment, silence fell over the scene once more.
As Chen Yueqi flew back to the hilltop, Lin Yi of the Dahui Sword Sect stepped forward, her expression now showing more respect than resentment.
Surely, the Seven Supreme Sword Techniques listed by such a master swordsman must hold some truth.
She bowed, not like one addressing a Human Immortal, but more like a disciple before a venerable senior among the Celestial or Earth Immortals. Then, with a delicate motion, she pointed her sword at the empty space to Meng Qi’s left.
It appeared ordinary, but Meng Qi nodded slightly, showing a hint of appreciation.
This sword strike severed karma!
Could it be that the Dahui Sword Sect, long lost to history, still retained such a technique?
Although Dharmakayas were no longer as vulnerable to karma as they had been in the Outer Scenery stage, truly effective techniques for severing karma were still exceedingly rare.
Unfortunately for her, she faced Meng Qi. With a casual flick of his sword, he effortlessly deflected Lin Yi’s blade. The air seemed to ripple mysteriously for a moment before returning to calm, showing no unusual signs.
“Thank you, Master Su, for your guidance,” Lin Yi used the word “guidance” rather than “critique.”
“Very good,” Meng Qi praised.
Then, amid many puzzled gazes, Lin Yi flew back to the hilltop. Their brief exchange had seemed like a routine training session within a sect, even resembling the practice of Qi Accumulation stage disciples. It hardly resembled a duel between Dharmakayas. Only those at the Dharmakaya level could vaguely perceive the deeper implications.
Afterward, the Five Great Sword Sects remained silent for a long time before speaking in unison: “Thank you, Master Su, for your critique.”
Whether they were truly convinced or not, none could continue to argue that their sect’s sword techniques were supreme.
…
After leaving Luojia Mountain, they encountered Ren Qiushui coming toward them.
“Finished with the critiques?” Ren Qiushui asked with a smile.
She had no doubt that Meng Qi had critiqued the Five Great Sword Sects. This fellow not only possessed exceptional sword techniques but was also full of tricks and powerful methods. It wouldn’t be difficult for him to impress the sects without resorting to life-or-death combat.
Meng Qi smiled: “Yes, all five sects were convinced of my high moral standing and accepted my critique.”
Ren Qiushui smirked, glanced at He Qishi, and then slashed her sword, seemingly dividing the heavens and earth.
“My sect’s elders wish to ask Senior Su a question: Would you be willing to exchange the first chapters of the ‘Xian Sword Sutra of the Trapped Immortal,’ the ‘Xian Sword Sutra of the Slaughter Immortal,’ and the ‘Zhuxian Formation Diagram’ for the complete ‘Jue Xian Sword Sutra’ and ‘Zhu Xian Sword Sutra’?” Ren Qiushui asked directly.
Meng Qi secretly exhaled in relief. His bluff had worked on whoever was behind Ren Qiushui, prompting them to choose negotiation over force. However, it seemed that their lineage completely lacked the ‘Xian Sword Sutra of the Trapped Immortal’ and ‘Xian Sword Sutra of the Slaughter Immortal,’ likely indicating that they didn’t have the Multitreasure Heavenly Venerable overseeing them.
“When my senior obtained them, the true intent transmission remained only once, and what was passed down to me was merely the physical scripture. Would that be acceptable?” Meng Qi lied.
He had no choice but to lie. He couldn’t produce the true intent transmission of the sword sutras and formation diagrams at the moment—they wouldn’t appear until forty or fifty thousand years later in the Fairyland Cavern Heaven.
Ren Qiushui seemed to have anticipated this and replied without hesitation: “No problem.”
She paused and continued: “By the way, do you know where your senior discovered the Biyou Palace? It is the ancestral hall of my sect, and we would like to pay our respects.”
“He did not specify. He only said that when he went the second time, the Biyou Palace was no longer there,” Meng Qi replied calmly.
Of course, it was gone. It had been moved home.
However, the fact that the Biyou Palace had been discovered on Kunlun Mountain couldn’t be revealed to Ren Qiushui. If they retrieved it prematurely, what would happen to Senior Chonghe? What about himself?
Ren Qiushui’s expression changed slightly, but she quickly composed herself. She could tell Meng Qi was deliberately withholding information. Then she spoke: “Senior Su, please convey to your senior that if he has the time, our sect’s Grand Elder would like to meet him.”
Meng Qi’s heart tightened but he maintained his composure and smiled: “My senior is currently at a critical juncture and cannot emerge for the time being.”
Ren Qiushui fell silent for a moment, then smiled faintly: “In any case, please convey this message to your senior. Let’s proceed with the exchange of secret manuals.”
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