The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 223 - 222: Lin Bai’s Request (15th update)

Chapter 223: Chapter 222: Lin Bai’s Request (15th update)

Upon hearing Elder Zhang mentioning the Sword Tomb, Lin Bai was confused. He asked, "Elder Zhang, how come I’ve never heard of the Sword Tomb before?"

Elder Zhang laughed and said, "The Sword Tomb isn’t a big secret within the Spirit Sword Sect, but it is indeed one of the fundamental pillars of our sect."

"In the old days, when the Spirit Sword Sect was at its peak, we were highly honored by not only the Shenwu Kingdom but also several neighboring countries. At that time, the Sword Cultivators of our sect were too numerous to count, and talented individuals were as common as dragons."

"Unfortunately, we later fell into decline," Elder Zhang sighed.

As he got here, his face darkened a bit, and he continued, "The Sword Tomb is where the swords of the Spirit Sword Sect’s disciples are placed after they die either within the Sect or in battles outside. If no one is able to wield these swords, they are put in the Sword Tomb."

"So, every sword in the Sword Tomb was of high renown once. At some point in time, those swords went into battle with their owners."

"There are many swords in the Sword Tomb, and most of them possess spirituality. Unless one is a formidable cultivator, mastering them will prove challenging."

"The Spirit Swords in the Sword Tomb are all of at least third-grade, and there are also fourth-, fifth-, and even sixth-grade Spirit Weapons."

When he got here, Elder Zhang looked at Lin Bai and said, "You have to understand that in the seven hundred Lingdong States, fourth-grade spiritual tools are ordinary, fifth-grade spiritual tools are quite rare, and sixth-grade spiritual tools are considered extremely precious treasures. If you want to swap your current weapon in for anything third-grade or above, you can only get it from the Sword Tomb."

Upon hearing this, Lin Bai was overjoyed. Possessing a sixth-grade spirit weapon would alleviate his concern over weapons for a quite while.

And the power of a sixth-grade spirit weapon was significant. Specifically designed for experts in the Divine Elixir Realm, as long as he obtained such a weapon, Lin Bai wouldn’t need to replace his sword until he reaches the Divine Elixir Realm.

"Elder, how can I access the Sword Tomb?" Lin Bai asked curiously.

Elder Zhang chuckled, "Any disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect can enter the Sword Tomb. Whether you’re an inner disciple or an outer sect disciple, you’re eligible."

"In order to nurture outstanding talents, the Spirit Sword Sect has opened up the Sword Tomb for free. As long as you’re a disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect, you can enter the Sword Tomb with your disciple token."

"Once, there was an outer sect disciple who was approved by a fourth-grade Spirit Weapon within the Sword Tomb. After he came out, he was immediately promoted to an inner disciple and heavily nurtured."

"Therefore, the Sword Tomb is an excellent opportunity for many disciples to skyrocket."

"However, winning the recognition of a Spirit Sword isn’t easy at all. Many former owners of those swords in the Sword Tomb were experts who have comprehended the Martial Arts Will. Having constantly accompanied their former masters in battles, the spirituality of these swords has increased significantly. Ordinary warriors cannot control them at all," Elder Zhang said solemnly.

"So Elder Zhang, where exactly is the Sword Tomb?" Lin Bai inquired.

"Ah, it’s on that mountain over there."

Elder Zhang pointed to a peak that reached high into the cloud sky in the distance.

Upon gazing closely, Lin Bai noticed that no plants or creatures existed on the mountain. It was filled with sharp swords.

"So that’s the Sword Tomb?"

Lin Bai gazed excitedly at the mountain.

"In this case, I will take up your time no longer."

Lin Bai bade farewell to Elder Zhang and then left.

The Task Hall wasn’t too far from the Sword Alliance. Lin Bai decided to head there first.

Seeing Lin Bai’s arrival, Lijian Xing and others came forward to welcome him.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lin Bai said he came to visit the Second Elder.

Then, Lijian Xing led Lin Bai to find the Second Elder.

Inside the Great Hall.

Second Elder looked at Lin Bai curiously and asked, "Lin Bai, Jian Xing mentioned that you specifically came to see me. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Second Elder," Lin Bai answered respectfully.

Second Elder chuckled, "Ha, Lin Bai, you’re the kind of person who wouldn’t show up without good reason. So tell me, what brings you here? If it’s within my power, I won’t refuse."

Second Elder had already regarded Lin Bai as one of his own and someone under his protection.

That’s why, when Lin Bai was fighting at No Return Cliff, Second Elder took more than five hundred Sword Alliance Warriors to be ready to rescue Lin Bai, in case he fell.

Lin Bai had always remembered this kindness.

"Is Elder suggesting that I forgot my duties and didn’t visit Sword Alliance enough? So now I am being blamed," Lin Bai said with a wry smile.

"Ha ha ha, I definitely didn’t mean that. I know well that talents like you are mostly absorbed in their own cultivation, and your time is precious. I didn’t mean to blame you. I am not so petty," Second Elder replied with a light laugh.

"I’m grateful for Second Elder’s understanding. There indeed is something I would like your help with," Lin Bai said, seeming a bit subdued.

Second Elder chuckled, "I knew you must have a reason. What’s up?"

"Second Elder, it’s getting close to the year’s end. I’ve heard that every year-end, the Shenwu Kingdom royal family invites disciples from the Four Major Sects to attend the Year-end Tail Sacrifice. Is that right?" Lin Bai asked.

"Yes, that’s a tradition of the Shenwu Kingdom. Every year, at the Year-end Tail Sacrifice, the Four Major Sects each send disciples not older than twenty to the Imperial Capital, to the royal hunting garden hosted by the royal family," confirmed Second Elder.

"You mentioning it reminded me that calculating the dates, Shenwu Kingdom’s Year-end Tail Sacrifice should be starting soon. We should be receiving the invitation in the next few days."

"However, our Spirit Sword Sect probably won’t participate this year."

As the Second Elder spoke, a somber expression clouded his features.

"Why aren’t we participating?" Lin Bai’s eagerness leapt to the fore.

What?

Not participating?

Lin Bai had his eyes set on acquiring the Beacon Fire and City Flower from the Imperial Hunting Garden.

The Spirit Sword Sect isn’t participating?

With a light sigh, the Second Elder said, "Lin Bai, you might not know, the Spirit Sword Sect has been on a decline; the young disciples received by the Sect have poor fundamentals, and few would have breakthroughs into the Heaven Martial Realm before they reach twenty."

"Before, the Spirit Sword Sect sent over a dozen of the sect’s promising disciples to the Imperial Hunting Garden; they were all hopeful of breaking through the fifth layer of the Heaven Martial Realm. We hoped that the resources from the Imperial Hunting Garden would help improve their cultivation."

"But unfortunately, as soon as the disciples entered the Imperial Hunting Garden, they were killed in joint hands of the warriors of the Canghai Yuntai Palace, the Fire Palace, and the Edgeless Sect. Not a single one survived."

"The Elder who led the team last year to the Imperial Hunting Garden is still being punished and reflecting on his actions."

"Moreover, this scenario has been repeating for over a decade."

"Each time the Spirit Sword Sect sends disciples to participate in the Imperial Hunting Garden, they are almost entirely eliminated by the combined forces of the Canghai Yuntai Palace, the Fire Palace, and other organizations. Not a single one has survived."

The Second Elder spoke in a melancholy tone.

"Humph, the weak are meant to be bullied. That has been the unchanging rule of this world since time immemorial." Lin Bai laughed bitterly after hearing the tragic history of the Spirit Sword Sect in the Imperial Hunting Garden.

Ever since Jian Xuan, a century ago, betrayed and left the sect, stealing countless supreme sword skills, the Spirit Sword Sect was unable to recover.

The once peerless sect that dominated Shenwu Kingdom is now defeated, and naturally, the other sects are adding fuel to the fire.

Especially the Canghai Yuntai Palace. Back when the Spirit Sword Sect was thriving, the Canghai Yuntai Palace was barely surviving, like a dog at the feet of the Spirit Sword Sect.

Now that the Spirit Sword Sect has fallen, the Canghai Yuntai Palace reveals its petty nature, assassinating the Spirit Sword Sect’s talents in full force.

They aim to firmly suppress the Spirit Sword Sect."

The Canghai Yuntai Palace fears that if the Spirit Sword Sect were to regain their form, returning to their peak, wouldn’t they have to become dogs again?

"So, are you interested in the End of Year Tail Sacrifice?" The Second Elder curiously asked.

Lin Bai said earnestly, "Elder, I want to participate in the Imperial Hunting Garden."

"Obtaining an opportunity to participate is quite simple, as not many are willing to go to the Imperial Hunting Garden anymore. However, Lin Bai, as you should know, any warrior that currently goes to the Imperial Hunting Garden is likely walking into a death trap." The Second Elder said pensively.

"Moreover, your cultivation..."

"Lin Bai, It’s not that I am looking down on your current cultivation."

"The disciples we sent last year all had strength around the second layer of the Heaven Martial Realm, but they were all brutally murdered within the Imperial Hunting Garden by a coalition of the other forces in the Shenwu Kingdom."

"It was a massacre! Do you understand?"

"Even ones at the second layer of the Heaven Martial Realm couldn’t survive, and you are merely at the eighth level of Earth Martial Realm!"

"Moreover, you’re only eighteen years old this year. If you want to participate in the Year-end Tail Sacrifice, wouldn’t it be better to wait for a couple of years? By then, you’ll be twenty and your cultivation would have improved. If you still want to go to Imperial Hunting Garden, then I’ll send you."

Two years?

Upon hearing that, Lin Bai shook his head internally.

Two years later, he was unsure whether he’d still be within Shenwu Kingdom, let alone have the time to participate in the Shenwu Kingdom’s Year-end Festival.

Moreover, with the urgent need to condense the Spirit Vortex, Lin Bai couldn’t afford to waste so much time.

This time, participation in Shenwu Kingdom’s Year-end Festival was non-negotiable. And once he went, he had to obtain the Beacon Fire and City Flower.

"No! Elder, I have to go to this Imperial Hunting Garden." Lin Bai declared decisively.

"Are you aware of the dangers that lie ahead?" The Second Elder asked, a meaningful look in his eyes.

Lin Bai laughed, "Isn’t it just that I’ll be targeted by the warriors of the Canghai Yuntai Palace and the Fire Palace? Elder, rest assured, I can handle it."

Hearing Lin Bai’s firm words, the Second Elder’s gaze intensified. After a long period of contemplation, he finally said, "Alright. Lin Bai, I know you are a person with great ambitions on the path of Martial Arts. There must be something at the Year-end Festival that attracted you, else you would not insist on participating."

"Since you need something from there, I shall lend you my support."

"I will get you that opportunity."

The Second Elder agreed.

Lin Bai was overjoyed. "Thank you, Second Elder."

The Second Elder nodded. "You go and continue your cultivation. When all the Spirit Sword Sect disciples are ready to leave for the Imperial Capital, I will send someone to notify you. Then, you can join the Spirit Sword Sect convoy to the Imperial Capital."

"Thank you, Second Elder. I shall take my leave." Lin Bai responded respectfully.

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