Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 143 - 115: Ascending the Nine Levels, Acquiring the Immortal Sword_2

Chapter 143: Chapter 115: Ascending the Nine Levels, Acquiring the Immortal Sword_2

Xiao Yunyi’s sword erupted, and thousands of sword lights, like a tsunami, forcefully pushed back the attacks of the three adversaries.

Jun Yan and Chi Yu Zi’s faces were filled with astonishment; the opponent’s strength had somewhat exceeded their expectations, seemingly stronger than before his descent into madness, and possessed an indescribable aura.

"Is this the True Sword Dao?"

"Only half."

Xiao Yunyi, his white robe fluttering in the wind, pointed his sword at the three and said, "But it’s enough to match the three of you."

Boom!

The Grotto Heaven trembled slightly. The four of them fought with all their might, and Xiao Yunyi alone overpowered the trio, displaying the grandeur of the once foremost contemporary.

Yet in Xiao Yunyi’s eyes, there was only a touch of lingering sadness, knowing no matter how he honed his swordsmanship, he would never reach the pinnacle again in this lifetime.

A strand of Sword Qi flew up from below, reaching within ten steps of Gu Wen, melting just like the scabbard below.

And with this release and retrieval of the True Sword Dao, it seemed to trigger a certain mechanism; the center black scabbard trembled slightly.

Clink!

The Sword Qi illuminated the Grotto Heaven in a frosty hue.

An abrupt change occurred; a hundred-meter crack opened in the dome above, with rosy light shining down, forming a spiraling staircase of layers of illusory sword shadows.

At the top of the staircase, embedded in white rock, was a sword with a blade as white as snow, a hilt like ice, and a single word inscribed on the sword guard: "Immortal."

In an instant, everyone present was captivated, including Gu Wen.

He widened his eyes, his breath nearly stopping; subtle Qi threads descended from the dome, intertwining with the True Sword Dao in his Qi Sea.

In a flash, Gu Wen felt a connection to the Immortal Sword, as if a mayfly glimpsing the sunny sky, and via that position, peeking into the universe.

If I wield the Immortal Sword, I can sever heaven and earth, sun and moon, stars, causality, immortality, Immortals.

Grip the sword, grip the sword, grip the sword!

The thought nearly filled all his mind; he could wield this Immortal Sword, but only with the True Sword Dao could he truly grasp it.

They were fighting over the scabbard for this reason, yet Gu Wen himself possessed the True Sword Dao; he didn’t need to fight for the scabbard.

Gu Wen stepped forward, one step, two steps, three steps... unable to control his body, as the benefits reached a millionfold, he couldn’t control his thoughts, either.

Suddenly, his hand was grabbed, a flicker of clarity flashing through his eyes, and Gu Wen regained control of his body, turning his head and saying, "I think I can wield this Immortal Sword."

"I can feel it," Yu Hua held onto Gu Wen without letting go, saying, "But if this sword is yours, it will fly down by itself. What you feel is that it allows one to wield it, but not just you alone. I hope you are clear on that."

"You are not the only one; the four below are just as prodigiously talented as you."

"..."

Gu Wen regained his clarity, but he didn’t plan to give up, saying, "We need this sword, with it all our problems could be solved."

At present, the Sanqing Taoist Sect was surrounded by great powers from all over the world, and who knows how many old monsters were secretly watching. These people must know how to deal with Yu Hua, or rather, how to drain her; otherwise, they wouldn’t have besieged the Sanqing Taoist Sect.

Because, if no one could deal with Yu Hua and she was truly invincible, an unstoppable resurrecting Immortal, their current actions would be a march toward death.

When the trend of the times is unstoppable, people would desperately vie for a spot on the ship of the new era, instead of futilely attempting to block it.

It was an unforeseen turn of events, and Gu Wen was prompted to change his plans because of it.

Yu Hua didn’t object, saying, "I can help you suppress everyone. Whether you can get the Immortal Sword depends on your luck."

"No need, if I need your help to get the Immortal Sword, even if you put the sword in my hand, I wouldn’t be able to hold it."

Gu Wen shook his head in refusal, but Yu Hua still didn’t let go, with a rare sternness in her eyes.

"Don’t be stubborn."

"This isn’t a contest of magic, but a retrieval of the sword; I can ascend to the ninth level without needing a scabbard."

"..."

Yu Hua remained silent for a moment. The battle below had intensified, and eventually, she let go of Gu Wen, with either anger or warning, saying:

"I am not omnipotent; if you get injured or die because of this, bear the consequences yourself."

"I won’t die; I haven’t yet witnessed the scenery beyond the heavens."

Gu Wen struggled free of his restraints and took two steps forward, his pace suddenly quickening, his demeanor showing no hint of cowardice, instead, a smile curved at the corners of his mouth.

He was excited, and he rejoiced; he was not unambitious, simply not yet fully fledged.

Yu Hua knew that the other was not a caged bird; he had always been growing wildly before meeting her, now revolving around her only because he was too weak.

"Perhaps in some time, I won’t be able to control him any longer."

Suddenly, just before stepping into the Sword Pond, Gu Wen turned back and asked, "Isn’t the Immortality Pill in the sword sheath?"

"Did you find out?"

"No, just because you didn’t seem so eager anymore."

"Because it’s just a root, the real Immortality Pill has long been gone from here."

Gu Wen stepped resolutely into the Sword Pond, and in an instant, four gazes from the pond converged on him.

"Gu Wen, get out!"

Chi Yu Zi reacted the most, her voice hoarse and tinged with rage, her last bit of sanity reduced to these words.

Because at this moment, anyone who steps into this place must die. Chi Yu Zi wouldn’t hold back; she had no ability to do so, and the others were not weaker than her.

Jun Yan and Jade Sword Buddha, having a weaker connection with Gu Wen, showed no reaction and didn’t worry about killing him.

Xiao Yunyi, unsurprised, said indifferently, "You’ve come."

Gu Wen unhesitantly said, "I’ve come to take the Immortal Sword; I need this sword."

"Ha ha ha ha, are you a Foundation Fourth Level coming here to die?" Jun Yan let out a somewhat mad voice, heavily laced with mockery, but Gu Wen didn’t take a madman seriously.

"What can you use to compete with me! I am Heavenly Corpse Demon Venerable, my cultivation is profound, already a Demon Lord in the Enlightenment Realm, you mere ant are no match!"

Jun Yan was clearly mentally unstable, already somewhat disowning his relatives. If it had been before, he wouldn’t have expressed his emotions so vividly, perhaps this was a side effect of the Heavenly Demon’s law.

Gu Wen’s eyes remained serene, taking steps deeper into the Sword Pond.

Jun Yan attacked immediately, Jade Sword Buddha’s Vajra Dharma form slashing down, Chi Yu Zi habitually scratched her head upon encountering a dilemma.

Xiao Yunyi just watched quietly, feeling a tremor in his Sword Dao and being the first to sense an aura surpassing all Sword Daos.

Whoom!

The void resonated with a hint of sword cry, Gu Wen’s right hand feigned a grip, and a slash emitted the Demon Sword Qi, causing Buddha Sword Dharma to crumble bit by bit.

"What?!"

Jun Yan’s eyes widened, or rather, the eyes of the Heavenly Corpse that had climbed onto his back widened, a face full of disbelief.

"True Sword Dao? Impossible! This is impossible! Old man, have you ranted enough? Is that all that tiny mind of yours plans on saying?"

Gu Wen’s breathing slightly quickened by three parts in an instant; he had spent over half of his mana just to fend off this monster’s one attack.

But one time was enough; he arrived before the illusory sword steps, not going for the sword sheath located at the center.

Thus, the others refrained from further attacks.

Clack!

A crisp sound echoed throughout Heavenly Spring Mountain, Gu Wen stepped onto the first step and then walked up without looking back.

The prodigies within the Sword Pond had their expressions solidify, only able to watch as he ascended step by step to the ninth level.

He didn’t even need to compete; it was as if his ascent to the ninth level of Heavenly Spring Mountain was a given, while they still bloodily fought over a sword sheath.

As Gu Wen had said, he was here to take the sword.