Hearing Jiang Yan's words, everyone's interest was piqued.
Jiang Yan led the group as they walked, explaining.
“In the world of cultivation, not everyone can cultivate, but the world of cultivation is extremely dangerous. Ordinary mortals need protection.”
“Those who fail to cultivate can only live at the foot of the sect's mountain. Gradually, they will form villages, cities, and even countries.”
“Shushan, although it doesn't interfere with the mortal world, will not stand by and watch mortals suffer.”
“If demons attack, Shushan will also send disciples to suppress them.”
“Gradually, these villages and the like, will pay tribute to the sect, using the sect's name to seek protection in this treacherous world.”
“Cultivation sects may not need worldly possessions, but cultivators are not solitary individuals. Many cultivators have family members who cannot cultivate, making this a good place for them.”
“The gold and silver wealth offered as tribute, a small portion is distributed, while the majority is used to support the development of civilization for mortals.”
“This is a symbiotic relationship.”
“In the future, as Shushan disciples increase, there will inevitably be those whose family members cannot cultivate. This is a place to settle their families.”
“The abundant spiritual energy can also prolong life, it's a kind of benefit provided by the sect.”
The village wasn't large, at least not now.
By the time Jiang Yan finished speaking, they had already walked through the village.
Keqing sighed, murmuring:
“I wish my family could all cultivate. Otherwise, with longevity, there would be more pain.”
Ningguang didn't think so much about it; she didn't have any family.
Not far from the village, they saw a huge square.
Before anyone could ask, Jiang Yan explained:
“This is the area where Shushan recruits disciples during its opening ceremony. It is inscribed with the Red Dust Heart Examination Formation, as well as many other formations to test heart and aptitude.”
“In the future, recruitment of disciples will take place here.”
“In Shushan’s heyday, the Heart Refining Square opened once every hundred years, and Shushan recruited disciples every hundred years as well.”
“But now, there are no such regulations.”
Jiang Yan, like a tour guide, calmly explained to everyone.
“But… many mortals don't live for a hundred years, what happens if they miss it?”
Ganyu asked.
Jiang Yan smiled and shook his head.
“For cultivators, opportunity and luck are also important factors. If you miss it, it means you're not meant to be. Don't force it.”
“However, Shushan also has many seniors who frequently travel the world. If they truly find a suitable cultivation talent, they will make an exception.”
“Rest assured, you are all talented individuals. Even in the world of cultivation, you will be sought after if you are discovered.”
Jiang Yan didn't say more, leading everyone past the square.
Ningguang and the others felt somewhat melancholic.
The cruelty of cultivation was already evident.
For cultivators, a hundred years is a blink of an eye, not a significant time concept.
But for ordinary people, a hundred years…
How many people in the world live to a hundred years?
To miss it would be a lifelong regret.
Beyond the square, they finally saw the Seven Peaks of Shushan.
Or perhaps they had already seen them, but they were too majestic, and no one dared to think of them as mountains.
They were like seven pillars supporting the sky.
Looking up, more than half were above the clouds, their height completely obscured.
Surrounding the Seven Peaks were wondrous mountains and waters.
Endless, dense forests, with animals traversing them.
Occasionally, waterfalls seemed to cascade from the heavens.
Gorges so deep that their bottoms could not be seen.
And vast, mirror-like lakes.
Jiang Yan didn't give any introductions, allowing everyone to gaze freely.
In a few years, these wild beasts might transform into spirit beasts and demon beasts.
This entire celestial realm would become even more wondrous.
Everyone wasn't just admiring the scenery. Jiang Yan had mentioned that he was bringing them to familiarize themselves with the way up the mountain.
Right now, none of them could fly on swords, so if they were to ascend, they would have to climb.
Moreover, even if they could fly without using swords, they would need a token and know the way.
Otherwise, Jiang Yan had set up so many anti-flight formations in certain areas that they would be instantly grounded.
Following the path that Jiang Yan had specially left behind, they moved forward.
The path was quite clear, especially with the rows of wooden railings on both sides.
“Currently, the Seven Peaks of Shushan haven't activated their formations. From now on, unless you have a disciple's token, you will be repeatedly sent back to the starting point if you try to walk this way directly. Remember this.”
Jiang Yan reminded them, without waiting for a reaction, he led them across the final barrier.
It was a mystical barrier like a curtain of water, hazy and unclear. It was impossible to see what was inside.
But after successfully crossing, they were met with an endless expanse of a sword forest.
All kinds of swords, scattered and stuck in the ground, occasionally even glimpses of flowing light could be seen.
Those with sharp eyes could discern that they were exquisite flying swords.
These were all re-refined by Jiang Yan last night, taking advantage of the free time.
Although they were not forged with great effort, and limited by materials, at best they were only magical artifacts.
But for everyone else, they were already incredibly powerful weapons.
Besides, Jiang Yan would continue to create more weapons and place them here in the future.
Then, spiritual artifacts would also be a possibility.
“This is the Shushan Sword Forest.”
Jiang Yan smiled and waved his hand, countless flying swords flew like flowing lights, circling around him.
But unfortunately, the very spirited Rockbreaker's Fervor got angry, waving its wings left and right, chasing away the flying swords.
“But this is something I made last night in a rough way, not as good as the real Sword Forest.”
“In the past, the Shushan Sword Forest, wouldn't even allow magical artifacts to be stored. Spiritual artifacts were everywhere, and there were many treasure artifacts as well.”
“Even if you were lucky enough, you could awaken a dormant celestial artifact.”
“The Sword Forest is not just swords, but most Shushan disciples use swords, so there are the most swords. It is called the Sword Forest.”
“In the past, disciples who had achieved cultivation could come to the Sword Forest, awaken their own innate magic weapon.”
“It's the Shushan disciples' weapons arsenal.”
“But right now, I don't recommend exploring it, after all, you all haven't even… ”
Before he could finish, a purple and green sword tore through space, forcefully pushing aside the flying swords surrounding everyone.
After circling around Jiang Yan once, it hovered in front of Keqing.
It was enveloped in a bit of purple light, with faint flashes of electricity.
Sharp, causing Keqing to subconsciously take a step back.
But the purple and green sword followed Keqing.
It kept trembling, seemingly calling for Keqing to grasp it.
Keqing was stunned for a moment, realizing that the sword held no hostility toward her.
It seemed…
It was urging her to grab it?
Keqing was a bit unsure, after all, the sword seemed too strong.
It was far stronger than her own Primordial Jade Cutter.
Seeing that Keqing didn't make any move, the purple and green sword seemed a bit annoyed.
A sword energy erupted abruptly, sweeping towards Keqing.
“Keqing!!”
Ganyu was in a panic, Zhongli was about to intervene, but the sword energy was truly too fast.
In a blink of an eye, it slashed across Keqing's body.
Keqing froze, after a while, she gently touched her waist, expecting to find herself cut in two, but she seemed unharmed.
Just…
“Clang.”
A crisp sound of metal falling attracted everyone's attention.
Keqing looked down, suddenly feeling a chill down her spine.
Her Primordial Jade Cutter, which she had always been proud of and cherished, had been completely severed.
The purple and green sword domineeringly hovered in front of Keqing.
Jiang Yan chuckled wryly.
“What a domineering fellow…”
“Daoist Jiang Yan, what's going on?”
Zhongli looked at Keqing with concern and asked.
Jiang Yan sighed.
“It's a good thing, but Miss Keqing's Primordial Jade Cutter…”
Jiang Yan waved his hand, the purple and green sword immediately retracted its sharpness and fell into his hand.
Immediately, Rockbreaker's Fervor was unhappy, flying back and forth behind Jiang Yan, its domineering sword energy erupted, vaguely threatening the sword.
“Last night, I collected a piece of strange refined iron from the Dark Sea, and combined it with a broken, but still sharp, treasure sword, refining it into this.”
“It's also one of the strongest weapons in the Sword Forest.”
“A mid-level magic artifact, the Frostwind Sword.”
“As for why it broke your Primordial Jade Cutter…”
“Miss Keqing, I should congratulate you. This sword has taken a liking to your sword body. It wants to follow you.”