Chapter 207: The Fourth Stone Sword

Han Li stood before the Inverse Origin Stone Sword, took a light breath, murmured incantations, and urged his sword art with a gesture.

Streams of hazy azure spiritual light flew out like swords, vanishing into the first stone sword in a flash.

When the nearby scattered cultivator elders saw Han Li's ordinary technique, disappointment appeared on their faces, while the local elders led by Zhu Feng showed mocking expressions.

After all, in their view, such a clumsy method could at best control one stone sword.

Many lost interest in watching and directly averted their gaze.

The stone sword was enveloped in azure light; after a sword cry, it slowly rose into the air.

Black dark light continuously struck the stone sword, but the azure light around the blade was tenacious, flickering wildly yet showing no signs of shattering for the moment.

Seeing this, Han Li pointed out again.

Another stream of azure sword light shot from his fingertip and entered the second stone sword.

A surge of azure sword light enveloped the stone sword; amid a crisp sword cry, the second stone sword also slowly rose.

But this time the sword cry was much softer.

Many cast surprised glances at Han Li, their contempt diminishing, and those who had looked away turned back to watch.

Having consecutively raised two stone swords, Han Li's face was slightly pale, but he did not seem overly strained.

Could it be another three swords?

Qi Liang watched Han Li with a smile; no one present understood Han Li's sword path better than he did—three swords was absolutely no problem.

What concerned him now was whether Han Li could achieve four swords, thereby deflating the arrogance of the local elders.

Han Li adjusted his breath as if regulating his energy, then pointed out again.

A beam of azure light once again entered the third stone sword.

His hand seals changed, and he gave a low shout.

Another sword cry sounded, and the third stone sword also rose, though it was more sluggish than the first two, appearing somewhat strained.

"Three swords!" Exclamations of surprise arose around.

Xiong Shan also looked over with some surprise, as if showing a hint of interest.

He had personally tested Han Li's aptitude back then, finding it extremely poor; he never expected Han Li's sword path cultivation to be so strong.

The black light on the three stone swords resonated, violently impacting the azure light around the blades, which flickered intensely as if about to shatter at any moment.

Han Li's face suddenly turned pale, and bean-sized beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

His hands formed seals like spinning wheels, shooting out streams of azure light, most of which entered the three stone swords to stabilize them, while the remaining azure light began to enter the fourth stone sword.

Seeing this, Xiong Shan showed a trace of surprise.

"What! This man actually dares to challenge four swords!" The nearby crowd erupted in uproar.

Even Zhu Feng, who had not deigned to look at Han Li, now slightly furrowed his sword-like brows.

Qi Liang couldn't help stepping forward, staring intently at the fourth stone sword, his face full of tension as if he were the one controlling it.

Dazzling azure light appeared, enveloping the fourth stone sword.

A resounding sword cry rang out!

Everyone present held their breath, their gazes fixed on the stone sword.

The fourth stone sword trembled slightly, rolled on the ground, and wobbled upward a bit, but in the next moment, dazzling black light erupted from all four stone swords simultaneously, tearing all the azure light apart.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

All four stone swords fell back to their original positions.

Han Li grunted, and a trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing this, the crowd showed varied expressions—some pleased, some disappointed.

"Alas..." Qi Liang lowered his eyelids and let out a long sigh.

Zhu Feng remained expressionless, but his eyes relaxed.

Xiong Shan seemed somewhat regretful and nodded, saying, "I didn't expect you to have such talent in the sword path; you are not far from the realm of four swords."

"Thank you for the praise, Vice Dao Lord. I still have a long way to go," Han Li said humbly.

"You were originally a scattered cultivator; having such sword path cultivation is already commendable. You must work harder in the future and not waste this talent." Xiong Shan looked deeply at Han Li and, contrary to his usual manner, offered a few words of encouragement.

Han Li felt slightly strange about Xiong Shan's attitude but repeatedly acknowledged his words.

"Hmph!" Zhu Feng, standing nearby watching the two, showed a flicker of gloom in his eyes, which quickly disappeared.

Han Li soon withdrew, found an empty spot, sat cross-legged, took out a Core Formation stage pill originally intended for Meng Yungui and others, swallowed it, and began to regulate his breathing.

The scattered cultivator elders had wanted to come over and chat with him, but seeing this, they stopped.

The test continued.

So far, Xiong Shan had not singled out anyone, and everyone present understood that he would certainly watch until the end.

Those who had taken the test early couldn't help but regret it; if they had observed more tests, their results might have been different.

Those who had not yet taken the test were all in a mindset of observing others, and for a while after Han Li sat down, no one stepped forward.

"What, are you people planning to give up? Then the test ends here..." Xiong Shan's face darkened as he scolded.

"Vice Daoist Master Xiong, let me give it a try." Qi Liang's voice suddenly rang out.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward to the stone sword.

Han Li's body was faintly glowing with green light, as if he was still trying to recover, but his mind was racing with thoughts.

This Inverse Origin Stone Sword indeed had some tricks to it; the Swordless Sword Sect's use of it as a test was quite unique.

Based on his recent manipulation of the stone sword, he should at least achieve five swords, and could even challenge six, but unfortunately he couldn't actually try, which was a pity.

However...

He suddenly thought of something, and a faint, barely perceptible smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Boom!

The ground shook as three stone swords descended from the sky and crashed onto the ground.

Qi Liang's face was pale, but his eyes were full of joy.

Following Han Li's guidance, although he was far from reaching four swords, he performed quite well among the three swords, and even shook the fourth stone sword, so his selection should be assured.

Han Li nodded almost imperceptibly.

In fact, guiding Qi Liang this time was a way to repay the favor of him leading the way into the Candle Dragon Path back then.

"Three swords." Xiong Shan slowly nodded and said.

After a moment, the last person finally finished the test, but since Qi Liang, no one else had been able to activate three stone swords.

Han Li opened his eyes and stood up.

Among the over forty True Immortal realm inner sect elders who had taken the task and come to Heavenly Sword Peak, a total of thirteen had achieved control of three swords or more.

Among them, six were native elders, only one less than the rogue cultivator elders, and Zhu Feng had achieved the highest of four swords. However, Han Li and Qi Liang from the rogue cultivator side could barely shake or lift the fourth sword, so the two sides were roughly evenly matched.

But in various internal sect conflicts, the native elders, with advantages in resources and terrain, often dominated the rogue cultivator elders. The current result naturally displeased them.

Xiong Shan then slowly walked to the center of the square, turned, and swept his gaze over the crowd.

Those who had only achieved one or two swords, knowing they had no chance of selection, looked calm and relaxed. Zhu Feng was naturally a shoo-in. Only the twenty who had achieved three swords faced Xiong Shan's gaze, each looking tense and holding their breath.

"Zhu Feng, Li Feiyu, Qi Liang... Zhen Qi. You ten stay; the others can leave." After a long while, Xiong Shan said calmly.

Among the ten, there were five rogue cultivator elders and five native elders.

"Congratulations, Brother Li and Brother Qi. If not for you two, we would have been looked down upon by those people again!" The bearded man surnamed Nan cupped his hands and said.

This man's sword cultivation was not strong; he barely managed to control two stone swords, so naturally he wasn't selected. But he took it in stride and didn't feel upset.

"Just luck." Qi Liang smiled.

The other unselected rogue cultivator elders congratulated Han Li and the other five and then took their leave.

Soon, only Xiong Shan and the ten elders remained in the field.

Looking at the ten before him, Xiong Shan showed a satisfied expression and was about to speak.

At that moment, a black streak of light appeared on the distant horizon, rushing over like a black thunderbolt, accompanied by deafening thunderclaps, and in the blink of an eye, it was above everyone's heads.

The black streak of light crashed down like a thick black lightning bolt, causing the training ground to tremble slightly, revealing a large man in a purple robe and jade belt.

The man's features were not unpleasant, but his entire body was pitch black, as if smoked, and he was extremely tall, a full head taller than an ordinary person. His arms were as thick as an ordinary person's waist, his fists the size of a washbasin, and his muscles bulged like hard black iron, stretching his purple robe taut.

"Brother Mo, this is my cave dwelling, not your Immortal Origin Hall. Charging in like this, what do you take me for!" Xiong Shan snorted and said in a deep voice.

"Haha, Brother Xiong, don't be angry. Mo heard that Brother Xiong had gathered sword cultivators to activate the great formation, so I hurried over. Please forgive the intrusion." The purple-robed man laughed heartily, his voice piercing like metal and stone, making Han Li and the others' eardrums tighten.

Though it was an apology, the purple-robed man's tone and demeanor showed no sign of regret.

Xiong Shan snorted, seemingly not intending to pursue the matter.

"Speaking of which, Brother Xiong, when you were about to activate the sword formation, why didn't you inform me? According to our agreement, when you borrowed those items from me, you were supposed to let me observe while you refined your life-bound treasure. Surely you don't intend to break your promise?" The purple-robed man suddenly rolled his eyes and asked.

"Brother Mo is well aware of every move on Heavenly Sword Peak. Do I really need to notify you?" Xiong Shan said indifferently.

"Brother Xiong, you jest!" The purple-robed man laughed heartily upon hearing this.

"Brother Li, this man is Elder Mo Xie of the Immortal Origin Hall. He is gifted with extraordinary talent. It is said that ten thousand years ago, he participated in the vice daoist master election and failed. After that, he went into seclusion for nearly ten thousand years, and now his strength has greatly increased. It is said that he is only one step away from the peak of the True Immortal realm." Qi Liang's voice sounded in Han Li's ear.

Han Li's eyes flickered, and then he slowly nodded.

He had roughly guessed the identity of this purple-robed man, and it turned out to be Ye Feng's master, Elder Mo Xie.

"So these are the sword cultivators Brother Xiong has gathered. Tsk, they don't seem impressive. I hope they don't ruin Brother Xiong's important matter." Mo Xie glanced at Han Li and the others and said bluntly.

"That is none of your concern. Let's go, set out!" Xiong Shan snorted, the latter part directed at Han Li and the others.

With that, Xiong Shan turned into a golden light and shot off into the distance.

Han Li and the others rose into the air and followed.

Mo Xie laughed heartily again, not getting angry, and turned into a black lightning bolt to follow.

...

Not long after Xiong Shan and the others left, a group of white-robed attendants from Heavenly Sword Peak walked neatly onto the square. They were all at the Core Formation stage and began to carry away the Inverse Origin Stone Swords one by one.

These Inverse Origin Stone Swords were not only difficult to control but also extremely heavy. It took the combined strength of over ten Core Formation cultivators to barely lift one.

When they started to move the fourth stone sword, one of them suddenly shouted, drawing the attention of the others.

"What's all the fuss about, Brother Wang?"

"Look, under this sword... under..."