When he emerged from the quiet room, the time had passed noon.
Fang Ming Jing stepped outside.
It must be said that as the dwelling of the Holy Son of the Holy Land, the environment of Zhishi Peak was truly exceptional.
The courtyard was covered in a lush carpet of green.
Under the trees, along the pathway that led to the long pavilion, clusters of vibrant flowers bloomed on both sides, extending all the way to the flower garden at the end. It was a clever arrangement that ensured flowers would be in bloom no matter the season.
The weather was still quite warm at this time, so the variety of flowers in full bloom was filled with warm tones and bright colors.
I should go to the lake for a while…
He pondered this, but before he could leave, the maid Qing He rushed over.
“Sister Qing He?”
“Little Holy Son, the Holy Master just sent someone to find you. He said to come to his place once you finish your cultivation.”
“Another visit…?”
Fang Ming Jing muttered under his breath.
But he still nodded to indicate that he understood.
Without delay, he immediately set off down the mountain.
His cultivation at the Condensation True Realm granted him the ability to fly, so he descended the mountain effortlessly.
At the foot of the mountain, a black-robed elder had been waiting for some time.
“Elder Mu.”
“Hehe, this old servant greets the Little Holy Son.”
The elder chuckled and bowed slightly.
He always made sure to be courteous. However, having seen him so many times, Fang Ming Jing didn’t pay much attention.
“What does Master want me for?”
“Didn’t the Holy Son mention that he was interested in swords recently? Now that your cultivation has broken through to the Condensation True Realm, it’s time to choose a weapon.”
While speaking leisurely, Elder Mu led Fang Ming Jing forward.
The Chong Xiao Holy Land was vast.
If you were to rely solely on walking, it might take ten days or half a month to see the end.
But with the elder holding Fang Ming Jing’s hand, they strolled along as if taking a leisurely walk, and the scenery that unfolded before their eyes constantly changed.
“Greetings, Little Holy Son.”
“Elder Mu.”
“Holy Son.”
Disciples who encountered them along the way all bowed.
Elder Mu responded with a smile.
Although he was a respected elder of the Holy Land, he never acted with any arrogance. Even in everyday life, he only referred to himself as the Holy Master’s servant.
“Is it raining?”
A fine mist was hanging in the sky in the distance.
Fang Ming Jing furrowed his brows slightly.
“You don’t like rainy days, Holy Son?”
“Not today.”
“……”
The elder seemed to pause for a moment, then spoke with a hint of solemnity, “The changes of the four seasons are the natural order of Heaven and Earth, and cannot be altered at will.”
“I don’t care.”
“……”
With no choice, Elder Mu waved his hand, and his boundless spiritual energy directly dispersed the rain clouds.
At that moment, they were already within sight of the Holy Master’s residence.
The Holy Master of the Chong Xiao Holy Land, Jiang Jiu Ge.
It was said that before he ascended to the position of Holy Master a hundred years ago, he had suppressed a generation as the previous Holy Son. Now, a century had passed, and his cultivation had long since reached the Reincarnation Realm.
Elder Mu brought Fang Ming Jing to the edge of the residence and then retreated.
Left to enter the residence alone, Fang Ming Jing discovered that besides Holy Master Jiang Jiu Ge, there was another young man with a stoic expression.
Upon noticing Fang Ming Jing’s arrival, the young man furrowed his brows slightly, then bowed to Jiang Jiu Ge.
“Since Master still has important matters to attend to, I shall take my leave.”
“Go.”
Jiang Jiu Ge nodded slightly.
With his permission, the young man left the residence without hesitation, not even glancing at Fang Ming Jing as they passed.
Only after his figure faded from view did Jiang Jiu Ge walk over, “That’s your senior brother, Yu Yuan.”
He appeared to be a handsome young man.
He had a faint smile on his face, his voice was clear, and the aura that surrounded him was an inexplicable stillness.
If an ordinary person were to see him for the first time, they might just think he was a calm and gentle young man…
“……”
Fang Ming Jing remained silent, then heard Jiang Jiu Ge speak again, a hint of amusement in his voice, “Before you, everyone thought he would be the next Holy Son of our Holy Land. Most of the elders placed great hopes in him.”
“What about now?”
“What now?” He chuckled and patted Fang Ming Jing’s head, then turned back, “Follow me.”
He took a step forward.
The environment within the residence changed.
A massive interior, so vast that he couldn’t see the walls on the other side.
Empty except for the two of them, the immense space was completely silent, creating a sense of solemnity.
Jiang Jiu Ge raised his hand slightly.
Instantly, ripples spread across the calm void, and three blurry figures gradually solidified.
Zhen!
A whirlwind of spiritual energy erupted in the residence, a series of soft chimes resonated, and three swords gradually emerged – each with a distinct style, yet all radiating an ancient aura.
“Choose.”
Three swords.
Their lengths were similar, and their forging styles were all slender and light, but the auras they exuded were vastly different.
One possessed a sharp, piercing intent, its aura as if it could tear through anything; the second was majestic and dignified, radiating a powerful aura of the kingly way; and the last was subtle and reserved, lacking any outward brilliance.
Almost without hesitation, Fang Ming Jing extended his hand toward the first sword.
However, the moment he grasped the blade, boom! A sharp sword intent surged from its edge, and a violent torrent of spiritual energy surged out in a whirling vortex, resisting his grasp –
A weapon had a spirit. Although it was just a faint spark of sentience, it could still choose its master.
“……Unknowledgeable.”
Under Jiang Jiu Ge’s gaze, Fang Ming Jing mumbled, then simply let go, and the sword clattered to the ground.
He then moved past the second sword and reached out for the last one.
This time, it went smoothly.
“Decided?”
“Yeah, this one.”
He said, his hand resting on the hilt.
Just that simple action,
Shua!
A rare look of surprise crossed Jiang Jiu Ge’s face.
At that moment, the floor of the residence suddenly became covered in inexplicable cuts, and these hideous marks continued to spread outward –
Not sword intent.
Not sword pressure, nor spiritual energy…
Simply grasping the hilt.
Just that one action rendered the entire residence scarred and maimed without a sound, and…
Looking at the two swords that had completely lost their aura, Jiang Jiu Ge was speechless, yet filled with admiration.