Shenxuan Sect Main Peak, Hall of Heavenly Extremities.
Within the hall, with its gilded dome, twelve jade pillars were adorned with coiling Dragon reliefs. Large Spirit Stones were embedded in the Dragons' eyes, making the hall shine brightly.
Sect Master Xuan Weizi of Shenxuan Sect sat on a cloud-patterned high platform, his wide sleeves hanging down, his fingertips lightly tapping, his gaze sweeping over the Peak Masters and Elders of each Peak.
"Sword Qi spanning a thousand miles, three Soul Transformation Demonic Cultivators instantly perishing – such a method truly belongs to a Sword Dao Venerable."
Xuan Weizi's voice was as deep as an ancient bell:
"The Heavenly Demon Sect has repeatedly encroached upon my Shenxuan Sect. This Sword Venerable has rendered great service, but how is it that I cannot even get a glimpse of this Sword Venerable?"
The Tiangong Peak Master took out a fragment of a Flying Sword and mused:
"This Flying Sword indeed came from Tiangong Peak, but many Flying Swords produced by Tiangong Peak have also circulated outside, so we cannot determine his identity."
"However, this person's Sword moves and style do indeed resemble the Legacy of the Shenxuan Sect."
Seeing many gazes turn towards him, Tongtian Peak Master Lü Tianxing immediately cried out in injustice:
"Sect Master, are you suspecting that I am hiding something?
This person's Sword Dao attainment is definitely not beneath mine. His Sword Art is exquisite and has already transcended the confines of any specific Heaven Rank Sword Art.
If I had someone under my tutelage who reached this Realm and possessed such ability, I, an old man, should have long since abdicated!"
Then, he changed his tone:
"Moreover, the Flying Immortal Sword Art was never an exclusive Legacy of my Tongtian Peak."
Immediately, the people from Lingxiu Peak and Benlei Peak became displeased:
"Those in our Peak who know the Flying Immortal Sword Art are few and far between. As for Cultivating it to such a profound Realm, besides the Sword Cultivators of Tongtian Peak, who else could it be..."
"Damn it, why would I lie to you? If I had such a Disciple, would I hide him?"
"Enough."
Xuan Weizi raised his hand to quiet the restless crowd, saying in an annoyed tone:
"You've all Cultivated for so many years, yet you're still so impatient. I called you here not to accuse you."
"If I had such a Disciple, I wouldn't possibly hand him over to the Heavenly Demon Sect."
In the dead silence of the hall, the usually taciturn Xuanji Peak Master suddenly sighed softly: "Sect Master, have you ever considered... perhaps it truly is an outsider?"
A spiritual light floated out from her sleeve, revealing a blurry figure.
"Three hundred years ago, that True Disciple who betrayed the Sect was Cultivating the Flying Immortal Sword Art."
"Impossible..."
Xuan Weizi said indifferently:
"Because this person has already joined the Heavenly Demon Sect."
At this moment, the Tianji Peak Master, without lifting his eyelids, muttered: "The divination shows that this person is destined for the Ziwei star, of immeasurable nobility, clearly he is..."
Mid-sentence, he suddenly grunted, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth,
"Cannot be spoken, cannot be spoken."
"What exactly did you find out?"
Lü Tianxing asked with a curious expression.
The Tianji Peak Master ignored him, instead lowering his head and muttering:
"That's not right, how can he be so young? Did I miscalculate?"
The Lingxiu Peak Master beside him, hearing this, had a change in expression, seemingly lost in thought.
"Alas."
The Dragon's Breath Incense burned out silently, and Xuan Weizi rose, saying:
"Issue an order to all factions to confer upon this Sword Venerable the title of Sword-Wielding Elder of our Sect. Regardless, he is not an enemy of the Shenxuan Sect after all, and I will reserve this Elder position for him."
...Soon.
The Shenxuan Sect publicly announced that this Sword Cultivator was an Elder of the Shenxuan Sect, who had been comprehending the Sword Dao for many years and had now emerged from seclusion to uphold the Righteous Path with his Sword.
Under the extensive propaganda of the Shenxuan Sect, many Disciples within the Sect greatly admired this mysterious Sword Cultivator and gave him a title: Demon-Slaying Sword Master.
Even the valley where the Demonic Cultivators were slain was named Demon-Slaying Valley, attracting many Sword Cultivators to pay homage, attempting to comprehend something from the lingering Sword marks.
Han Xuanji was puzzled when he learned of this.
He was clearly a Utility Disciple, so how did he become an Elder?
Moreover, as someone who preferred to keep a low profile, how did he end up looking like a battle maniac?
However, seeing this, Han Xuanji also felt relieved.
It was clear that the Sect had no leads, let alone the Heavenly Demon Sect.
He guessed that the Sect probably wanted him to come out and verify his identity.
"There's no need to verify my identity."
Han Xuanji thought silently.
He didn't lack resources, and besides giving him a title, what else could the Sect offer?
He might even be ordered to go out and fight desperately with Demonic Cultivators, and the Heavenly Demon Sect would certainly try every means to target him.
He'd be foolish to expose himself.
Staying low and signing in, wasn't that more appealing?
In the evening.
Han Xuanji returned to the Utility Disciple courtyard.
Li Shanhai suddenly called Han Xuanji over.
Twenty years had passed, and his face looked much older, with noticeably more wrinkles.
Although Cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm had a much longer lifespan than Mortals, they couldn't achieve eternal youth; they merely slowed down aging.
"Xuanji, how long have you been on Lingxiu Peak?"
Li Shanhai suddenly asked.
"How long?"
Han Xuanji pondered for a moment and said, "Twenty years, I suppose."
"Twenty years, has it been..."
Li Shanhai's face was full of emotion, and he sighed:
"I didn't expect to have been the steward of this Utility Disciple courtyard for so long."
Han Xuanji listened to Li Shanhai speak, somewhat puzzled as to why he was suddenly so melancholic.
"Over these many years, have you felt any dissatisfaction or boredom?"
Li Shanhai asked.
"Dissatisfaction... boredom?"
Han Xuanji was taken aback.
He really hadn't.
"No."
Han Xuanji answered honestly.
"Neither arrogant nor impatient, good."
Li Shanhai stared at Han Xuanji, a smile involuntarily appearing on his face:
"I didn't expect my state of mind to be inferior to yours."
From his teens to his thirties, it was the most spirited time of a person's life. For others, as Cultivators doing Utility Disciple tasks every day, how could they not feel dissatisfaction and unwillingness in their hearts?
Especially in this great Immortal Dao Sect, where various Geniuses emerged, others gained fame and prestige, while he could only remain obscure.
This kind of disparity could easily lead one to overthink things.
"I don't understand states of mind or anything, but this Disciple is already content."
Han Xuanji immediately said.
How could he not be content?
Achieving Soul Transformation in twenty years.
"Content, indeed..."
Li Shanhai murmured to himself.
The two then chatted idly, and Han Xuanji realized something.
Li Shanhai was probably planning to attempt a Breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm.
Although Cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm cleansed their Mortal essence and had a considerable lifespan, it was far from being called "immortality."
If they didn't Cultivate longevity Cultivation Techniques or consume Medicinal Pills, their normal lifespan was only a little over two hundred years, but often, Cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm didn't live that long.
Everyone had some hidden ailments, not only from battles but sometimes from Cultivation as well.
For example, those Demonic Path Cultivators, who Cultivated quick-success Demonic Techniques and frequently used explosive Spells, had even shorter lifespans.
Therefore, to attempt a Breakthrough to Golden Core, it was best to do so during the Peak of one's vitality, around one hundred and fifty years of age. Otherwise, attempting Golden Core Realm in old age, with one's essence, Qi, and spirit not at their Peak, would easily lead to failure.
Li Shanhai had clearly reached this critical juncture; if he didn't think about a Breakthrough soon, it would be very difficult to succeed later.
However, Han Xuanji could tell that Li Shanhai also lacked the confidence to succeed.
Perhaps this was the sorrow of low-level Cultivators.
Han Xuanji thought that if he didn't have the Sign-in System, he would probably be even worse off than Li Shanhai