The arrival of the Azure Cloud Sect had shaken the entire Lan Mao City.
Everywhere...
People were discussing the name Mo Chenyu, the future Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sect.
Many young cultivators looked toward the Azure Cloud camp with admiration.
For them...
Being accepted into one of the Four Great Sects was a lifelong dream.
However...
Before the excitement could settle...
Another astonishing phenomenon appeared.
Clang—!
A clear sword cry suddenly echoed across the heavens.
The sound was neither loud nor deafening.
Yet...
It carried an indescribable sharpness.
Many cultivators subconsciously felt a chill run across their backs.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the sky.
The next moment...
Dozens of silver rays tore through the clouds.
Unlike the Azure Cloud Sect...
There wasn't a single spirit airship.
Instead...
Each cultivator stood proudly upon a flying sword.
They crossed the heavens with incredible speed.
From a distance...
They resembled countless shooting stars descending from the sky.
Every flying sword emitted a different Sword Intent.
Some burned with scarlet flames.
Some crackled with violet lightning.
Others radiated icy frost that froze the surrounding air.
The entire sky seemed to be covered by countless streams of sword light.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect!"
"They've arrived!"
Someone shouted excitedly.
Instantly...
The streets became even more crowded.
Many young sword cultivators rushed forward with excitement shining in their eyes.
Within the cultivation world...
The Heavenly Sword Sect represented the highest dream of every swordsman.
They believed...
A sword cultivator should rely only upon his sword.
Luxury...
Comfort...
Status...
Everything else was secondary.
Only the Sword Dao mattered.
Soon...
More than two hundred flying swords slowly descended outside Lan Mao City.
Whoosh!
One after another...
The disciples landed gracefully upon the ground.
Not a single person made an unnecessary movement.
No one whispered.
No one looked around curiously.
Each disciple quietly stood in formation.
Like sharp swords waiting to be unsheathed.
The discipline alone left countless spectators speechless.
Walking at the front...
Was a handsome young man dressed in spotless white robes.
His long black hair gently danced in the wind.
An ancient silver sword rested quietly at his waist.
His expression remained calm.
His eyes were cold...
Like an endless sea of swords.
Although he appeared to be only twenty-one years old...
His presence alone was enough to make many young geniuses lower their heads.
Someone recognized him immediately.
"That's him..."
"Li Tianjian!"
"The Young Sword Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
"The future Sect Master!"
"I heard he comprehended Half-Step Sword Intent before reaching the Spirit Core Realm."
"He is one of the most terrifying sword geniuses of this generation."
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Yet...
Li Tianjian remained completely indifferent.
Praise...
Rumors...
Fame...
None of it interested him.
His gaze quietly fell upon the Ancient Golden Gate suspended above the heavens.
For the first time...
A faint ripple appeared within his calm eyes.
"So..."
"Even the Ancient Era has begun to awaken..."
he murmured softly.
Beside him...
Walked an elderly man carrying nothing except an old sword.
Unlike the young disciples...
He didn't release any pressure.
Yet...
Every step he took made the surrounding spiritual energy tremble.
He was...
Sword Elder Jian Wuchen.
One of the Heavenly Sword Sect's Great Elders.
At that moment...
Jiang Family Grand Elder personally stepped forward.
"Hahaha!"
"Elder Jian."
"Young Master Li."
"Welcome to Lan Mao City."
Jian Wuchen cupped his fists politely.
"Grand Elder Jiang."
"The appearance of an Ancient Domain concerns the future of the cultivation world."
"Our Heavenly Sword Sect naturally could not remain absent."
Grand Elder Jiang nodded with a smile.
"It seems every great force has reached the same conclusion."
Jian Wuchen looked toward the Golden Gate.
"For six days..."
"It has remained motionless."
"Have your experts discovered anything?"
Grand Elder Jiang sighed helplessly.
"Nothing."
"Formation Masters..."
"Artifact Refiners..."
"Ancient Historians..."
"They've all tried."
"But no one has found a single clue."
Hearing this...
Jian Wuchen narrowed his eyes slightly.
"It seems..."
"The opportunity has not yet arrived."
Soon...
The Jiang Family disciples escorted the Heavenly Sword Sect toward the area reserved for them.
Unlike the Azure Cloud Sect...
Which built elegant temporary palaces...
The Heavenly Sword Sect chose an entirely different method.
Li Tianjian slowly raised his right hand.
Without saying a single word...
Every disciple unsheathed his sword simultaneously.
Clang!
The sound of hundreds of swords echoed throughout the city.
The next moment...
Hundreds of flying swords shot toward the ground.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Within moments...
The swords formed a massive Sword Formation surrounding their camp.
Only after the formation was completed...
Did the disciples quietly erect several simple white tents inside.
No luxurious buildings.
No extravagant decorations.
Only swords...
Discipline...
And absolute silence.
Seeing this...
Many cultivators secretly admired them.
"So this is the Heavenly Sword Sect..."
"As expected..."
"They cultivate the sword even in the way they live."
Not far away...
Mo Chenyu quietly watched the newly arrived Sword Sect.
At almost the same moment...
Li Tianjian also glanced toward the Azure Cloud Sect.
Their eyes met briefly.
Neither spoke.
Neither smiled.
Yet...
The invisible pressure between the two future sect masters caused many nearby cultivators to unconsciously hold their breath.
Two peerless geniuses...
Had crossed paths for the first time.
Meanwhile...
High above Lan Mao City...
The Ancient Golden Gate continued radiating its endless golden light.
The dragon carved upon the gate remained motionless.
Its ruby-red eyes silently overlooked everyone below.
As if...
It was patiently observing every young genius who had gathered beneath it...
Waiting...