Chapter Seventeen: The Summit
“A celestial weapon more powerful than any of yours.”
The youth’s calm words echoed atop the mountain. Wild winds surged, the spiritual aura of the treasures around him growing ever more chaotic. Gradually, the swirling mists receded, revealing ancient treasures suspended in midair.
At the highest point floated a sword, a jade ruyi scepter, and a jade pendant. These three treasures radiated immense light, and then, a middle-aged man leaned upon the sword, a lean Daoist held the ruyi, and a young woman wore the jade pendant.
The three gazed at Shen Yu with open hostility. Each of these primordial treasures was an artifact born of heaven and earth, proud and lofty by nature—how could they endure such humiliation from another?
Suddenly, the oppressive might of the treasures atop the peak increased severalfold, becoming almost tangible as it surged toward the unruffled youth.
Shen Yu did not release his own origin aura any further. He spoke with composure, “Forgive me, I’m not singling out the three of you.”
He explained, “What I meant is that all of your treasures together cannot compare to that celestial weapon.”
The youth’s explanation was utterly earnest.
Since Shen Yu had arrived at the Daoist Sect, he had never been well liked. Still, he was surprised to find that even the spiritual artifacts themselves disliked him.
In the sky, countless treasures exuded a terrifying pressure, gathering into a mass of white light that slowly pressed down upon the youth.
An ordinary disciple at the entry Dao Realm would have been obliterated already. Unfortunately for them, Shen Yu was no ordinary disciple. He shook his head lightly and sighed, “Tianxuan may be stingy, but his heart is far broader than yours.”
Boom!
Countless streams of spiritual power coalesced into a whirlwind, raging madly before charging straight at the youth.
Yet, halfway toward him, the vortex suddenly dissipated, dissolving into a gentle white mist.
A golden light descended from the sky, instantly shattering the whirlwind’s force.
“Liangtian.”
The three artifact spirits looked up in terror. In all the countless years atop the Treasure Division Cliff, this was the first time they witnessed the celestial weapon Liangtian actively shielding a person.
“So, you’re not here. Otherwise, you’d have shown yourself the moment I spoke ill of you,” Shen Yu mused, the familiar aura never manifesting. After a moment, he continued along the mountain path, heading deeper into the sea of clouds.
Sensing the will of Liangtian, the oppressive aura of the surrounding treasures had already faded away. The mountain summit fell into utter silence.
Shen Yu sighed softly—since it was not present, he should seek another first.
A beam of golden light shone down upon him.
He felt the artifact’s intent. Back when he had bestowed it upon that youth, it had displayed the very same fondness.
“Guard well what he has left behind,” he murmured.
The celestial weapon Liangtian emitted a clear, ringing sound.
The youth turned to gaze out over the endless ocean of clouds. “Who among you is willing to journey with me?” he called.
No reply came. The sea of clouds rose and fell, as if mocking him.
The middle-aged man leaning on the sword even let out a derisive snort, while the Daoist and the young woman looked on with amused expressions.
Jueque, Sanbao, Pure Heart.
These are the three most renowned primordial treasures of the Daoist Sect, once the personal possessions of three celestial powerhouses centuries ago.
Artifact spirits choose their masters with the utmost rigor, their standards exceptionally high.
Shen Yu watched, puzzled by their pride.
The wind rose, clouds surged.
The youth gazed over mountains and rivers, a profound aura of primordial energy radiating from him. With it, he seemed a sage of the heavenly way descending—golden lotuses blooming from the earth, sweet rain falling from above.
This was the second time Shen Yu had actively released his own original Dao intent. The first had been upon his arrival at the Daoist Sect, when he summoned a vast river of spiritual energy.
A brief silence fell.
Every treasure and celestial weapon on the Treasure Division Cliff trembled as they sensed this mighty Dao.
Pebbles and dust on the cliff stirred and rolled before tumbling into the abyss below.
Countless treasures began to circle Shen Yu, forming a silver halo around him.
The celestial weapon Liangtian released its will again—this time, not as oppression, but as submission.
Shen Yu closed his eyes, surveying the myriad auras, as if seeking something amidst them. After a moment, he opened his eyes and strode forward.
The three artifact spirits stood up, their previous arrogance gone, now looking at the approaching youth with hopeful anticipation.
Never had they doubted the youth’s choice. On Treasure Division Cliff, they were the strongest treasures.
Which would he choose?
The ancient sword Jueque, the Sanbao ruyi, or the Pure Heart jade pendant?
With a steady stride, Shen Yu walked past them all.
He walked farther on.
Atop the Treasure Division Cliff, the three artifact spirits who had waited in solitude for centuries exchanged glances, shocked.
Could there be a treasure or a celestial weapon spirit even mightier than they?
At the very top of the cliff stood several stone platforms of varying heights. At the farthest point was Shen Yu’s destination.
That platform bore a hint of green—a patch of moss, strikingly conspicuous amid the barren cliff.
Shen Yu stopped, gazing at the wooden sword propped against the stone platform.
The only treasure that did not shine with dazzling light.
The sword was three feet three inches long, its blade a deep purple, its hilt black, a crimson tassel hanging from its tip—utterly unremarkable at first glance.
Shen Yu knew this sword surpassed all others on the Treasure Division Cliff.
His spiritual sense told him the artifact spirit within was immensely powerful—and extremely proud.
Even after Shen Yu had released his boundless Dao intent, it refused to reveal itself.
Shen Yu felt this sword suited his temperament perfectly.
A proud man, and a proud sword.
Even the grand intent of the Dao meant nothing to it—how, then, could he win the wooden sword’s recognition?
Shen Yu frowned. It had been a long time since he’d faced a challenge requiring thought, leaving him at a loss.
He possessed an innate Dao body and the true intent of the Dao—qualities that made him the dream successor for countless ancient treasures and celestial weapons on the Treasure Division Cliff. Yet before this wooden sword, he was utterly helpless.
An hour passed.
The setting sun slipped behind the mountains.
Stars filled the sky.
Shen Yu sat cross-legged by the stone platform, conversing ceaselessly with the wooden sword. He spoke of events from three thousand years ago, recounted glorious duels with others. Yet, no matter how fascinating his stories, the wooden sword remained quietly leaning against the platform, giving no response.
Not a hint of disappointment crossed Shen Yu’s face; his expression remained steadfast.
He recalled years ago, when he was a young cultivator newly entered the Qi Refining Realm, meeting Tianxuan for the first time. The scene had been much like this.
He spoke to himself, Tianxuan gave no reply. But decades later, no one could have imagined that one man and one sword would reach the pinnacle of this world.
Thus, the youth was in no hurry.
As dusk fell, a light drizzle began, sparse at first. The Treasure Division Cliff lay barren and desolate, but Shen Yu let the rain soak his blue robe.
Another half hour passed, rain falling ever heavier. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the darkness.
The sudden flash illuminated Shen Yu beside the stone platform—and a shadow ten yards behind him.
A powerful, intimidating presence.
“So, you’ve finally revealed yourself.”
Shen Yu slowly turned, facing the shadow, sensing the murderous intent emanating from it. “The first time I went to the Hall of Evolving Law, I felt this killing intent. If I am not mistaken, you are from the Seventh Peak. Why do you want to kill me?”
The man in black replied coldly, “Young, gifted—therefore, you must die.”
“Fair enough. Sufficient reason.”
Shen Yu moved slightly, his true spirit energy surging from within, instantly shaking all the rainwater from his body.
“I’ve been watching you from the start.”
The black-clad man regarded Shen Yu’s demeanor, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. “An innate Dao body, yet even Yu Wenwen is not your equal.”
Shen Yu only gave a small “oh.”
“Some do not like you. And there are things that cannot allow someone like you to grow,” the man continued, as if wishing to speak more with this youth. A mere entry Dao Realm disciple could never escape his hands.
“From the day you joined, you’ve never truly cultivated—not even a single day. And yet, strangely, your progress has outstripped all others.”
“Besides me, many elders in the Daoist Sect have been watching you—though none as closely as I.”
“In the Twin Peaks contest, you first revealed your power. From the foot of the mountain to this very moment, you have made me witness too many inexplicable things.”
“This has forced me to act ahead of schedule.”
“Because—you are far too fast…”