Chapter 153: Famous Swords

"The Seven-Star Dragon Sparrow!" Cang Bailang's eyes instantly burned with blazing desire.

Suspended high in the air, a sharp sword had its body adorned with seven golden stars. Its blade resembled frost and snow, shaped like a dragon with a sparrow-like tail. About nine feet long, it radiated a compelling, chilling light.

"Indeed. This sword was used by Ouyazi, the thirty-first sect master of our school, and stands as a sword of integrity and nobility. Back then, to shield a friend and keep a strict secret, Ouyazi took his own life by the dark river using this very blade." The old man's tone carried the vicissitudes and weight of history. His gaze pierced through the treasured sword as if beholding the past.

Cang Bailang let out a loud cry, "Splendid! Integrity and nobility suit my ideals precisely. What more could I ask for upon obtaining this sword!"

He stretched his body, preparing to take the sword into his hands with a face full of joy. His junior fellow apprentices hurriedly crowded around, offering continuous congratulations.

The gray-robed old man glanced at him and nodded impassively.

"Hmm? Could this be the legendary Golden Gall?" Feng Yiyuan pointed at a fist-sized brown treasured artifact suspended in the air and exclaimed.

"Keen eyes! This artifact was the famed weapon of Chi Zailong, our sixth-generation grandmaster. When the Golden Gall comes forth, human hearts shatter; it conquers in every battle and is invincible. It is a sword of absolute valor!" The old man recited leisurely from the side, a flash of anticipation crossing his eyes.

"Since that is so, I shall take this Golden Gall." Smiling, Feng Yiyuan leaped into the air. The moment he grasped the brown Golden Gall, he plunged downward as if struck by lightning. The Golden Gall vibrated with a humming sound, slipped from his grasp, and flew straight back to its original spot.

Everyone was dumbfounded. The gray-robed elder shook his head and sighed, "A person chooses a famed sword, but the sword also chooses its person. The fact that you cannot win its acknowledgment means your courage is insufficient, making you unworthy to wield this sword. Try another one and sense the sword's soul and intent with your heart."

A bitter smile appeared on Feng Yiyuan's face. Making a fool of himself in front of all his fellow apprentices was truly humiliating.

"Senior, what kind of sword is this?" Above their heads, a cluster of brilliant light bloomed, as crisp and clear as a lotus rising from the water. The chilling edge of the sword pierced like thorns, the patterns carved on its hilt were graceful and luxurious, and dozens of gems sparkled with magnificent splendor. Yu Xi watched almost in a trance.

"The sword is named Starry Skies. It could not be more suitable for a woman." The gray-robed elder said only this, seeming not to hold the sword in high regard.

Chen Yu Xi was slightly startled and was about to take the sword when Yao Nianhe vied for it, "Senior Sister, won't you give this sword to me?"

"You like it? Very well, go ahead and take it." Yu Xi looked at the little junior sister with pampering affection and smiled faintly.

Yao Nianhe let out a soft sound of acknowledgment, soared into the air, and successfully retrieved Starry Skies, her heart filled with joy.

As the senior apprentices successively chose suitable treasured swords, a few more smiles appeared on the face of the gray-robed elder, yet deep within his heart, a trace of lingering expectation remained. For so many years, not a single person entering the Sword Vault had been able to acquire that most peculiar and rare treasure, and he could not help but feel a sense of regret for that person.

Destiny—everything was a matter of destiny.

"Wow, Senior Sister, come look at these two swords. They look like a pair." Yao Nianhe cheered and beckoned to Yu Xi.

Now only four people remained who had not chosen a magical artifact: Lin Feng, Yu Xi, Fang Xiaotian, and Feng Yiyuan.

Two swords, one golden and one silver, crossed paths like lovers whispering to each other. If one listened closely, a faint resonance could even be heard.

"Little girl, these are no good swords. This pair is named Asura Hell, once wielded by Wei Guanliang, a supreme master of the demonic path. He slaughtered people and razed cities as if mowing grass. Fortunately, the baleful aura and resentful souls have been cleansed away, leaving only the endless intent of a slaughtering sword."

"Ah! So it's a malevolent demonic sword. I thought they were a couple's swords." Yao Nianhe stuck out her tongue, and Yu Xi cast a reproachful, sideways glance at her.

"The Asura Blood Blade!" Fang Xiaotian suddenly cried out in shock.

Right, it was the Asura Blood Blade, the supreme killing tool of the Carefree Demonic Monarch Yao Sansi, which had actually gathered here together with numerous famed swords. Fang Xiaotian still remembered how back then on Tianmen Peak, the old demon's single strike had nearly cost him his life. Had the sect master not intervened, this blade probably would have created countless more murderous sins.

"This is a demonic blade that arrived only recently. Its obsession is exceptionally stubborn, yet it cost me quite a bit of effort to successfully resolve it. Now it is no longer surrounded by baleful aura, so you may also choose it, but remember that the blade possesses a demonic nature and you must not be weighed down by it." The old man spoke slowly, seeming somewhat fatigued.

"I was harmed by it back then, and my Dragon Spring Sword was also destroyed at its hands. Today, I shall take this malevolent blade!" Fang Xiaotian's thoughts raced like lightning. With a cold snort, he grabbed with a large hand, tightly grasping the dark blue saber. Suddenly, his expression changed and his teeth clenched, yet he did not release his right hand. Instead, he gripped the hilt with both hands and fell to the ground with a loud shout.

The Asura Blood Blade trembled unceasingly. The muscles on Fang Xiaotian's arms bulged, clearly showing he had exerted all his strength to desperately restrain this demonic blade.

Everyone held their breath, jointly focusing on this incredible sight. The gray-robed elder also revealed a look of astonishment and nodded slightly.

Finally, after a contest of strength between man and blade, Fang Xiaotian let out a long breath, having subdued this treasured weapon. The others cheered one after another, and the senior martial brother patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"Senior Sister, why haven't you chosen yet?" Seeing Yu Xi still gazing around, Yao Nianhe could not help asking.

"You're the only one who talks too much." Yu Xi smiled.

"Ah, I know. Are you waiting for him?" Yao Nianhe quietly pointed toward Lin Feng on the other side.

"Go on, what are you talking about? How annoying!" Yu Xi feigned annoyance, yet her gaze glanced toward Lin Feng.

"Heh heh, did I hit the mark? I'll go ask him." Yao Nianhe blinked and ran off.

"Hey!" Yu Xi wanted to call out, but it was already too late.

Yao Nianhe ran up behind Lin Feng and suddenly shouted, "Hey! What are you looking for?"

Lin Feng was concentrating on the bizarre treasures floating above his head and was startled by the girl. Turning around, he let out a breath of relief and said, "I'm not looking for anything. I'm admiring these spiritual artifacts and sensing their joys and sorrows."

"Huh? You're such a strange person. Do swords have joys and sorrows?" Yao Nianhe asked incomprehensibly.

"Swords have a sword soul and sword intent. Especially with supreme spiritual artifacts like these, they can only achieve the reputation of a fine sword after undergoing countless slaughters and forging. They contain the boundless sword intent of all their past masters, so of course they have joys and sorrows," Lin Feng explained with a smile.

"Is that so? You know quite a bit. No wonder Senior Sister likes you so much." Yao Nianhe said with a mischievous smile.

"Uh..." Lin Feng involuntarily looked toward Yu Xi in the distance. Coincidentally, she had also cast her gaze over. Their eyes met—one's heart felt shy and sweet, while the other wore an awkward expression.

"Senior, does this sword have any background?" Feng Yiyuan pointed at the largest sword and inquired. Having learned a lesson from his previous failure, he had become timid and dared not make a move rashly.

"Hmm, this sword was used by Hao Cong, our sect's sole external martial arts master. Hao Cong attained sagehood through his physical body, and this sword is named Julu, forged by the Beichen family. It weighs thirty-three thousand catties. Do not underestimate it; you cultivators will find it somewhat strenuous to wield this sword."

Over thirty thousand catties! To think there was such a heavy sword. Everyone re-examined this "Julu" sword, sighing with emotion one after another.

Feng Yiyuan sighed, took a couple of steps, and his eyes lit up again: "Could this be Xuanjian?"

The old man nodded slightly without explaining, seeming somewhat impatient.

The Xuanjian sword was pitch black all over, devoid of any killing intent. Seven feet long, it was conventional and proper.

Feng Yiyuan gazed at it for a while longer and ultimately chose the Xuanjian sword, feeling about eighty percent satisfied.

Only Lin Feng and Yu Xi remained without swords. The gray-robed elder glanced at the two of them a few times and then closed his eyes in meditation.

"The swords are all good swords, possessing killing intent, arrogance, martial might, elegance, destructiveness, and decisiveness. Why is there none of the kind I desire?" After coming out of the Sword Soul Tomb, Lin Feng's state of mind had undergone a massive change, guiding him to search for that unknown divine weapon.

Having integrated the Buddhist relics of the wise monk Zhiyuan and experienced several life-and-death battles, his comprehension of the sword dao was deeper than anyone present. Despite being the latest entrant and holding the lowest seniority, Lin Feng's progress was advancing by leaps and bounds.

"Hmm? What is this? A broken sword?" Suddenly, he saw a fractured remnant blade quietly floating in an inconspicuous spot. This remnant blade presented a dark golden color, about five inches wide and two feet long. The hilt was thick and broad, carved with the sun, moon, and stars. The blade body bore bizarre patterns, but because only a small portion remained, their meaning could not be discerned.

Lin Feng's eyes fixed upon this broken sword, not moving away for a long time. Suddenly, his body moved, and with a flowing posture, he flew into mid-air, standing respectfully in the void. He cupped his hands in a posture of obeisance and then grasped the remnant blade.

Everyone was baffled by his strange actions. The gray-robed elder suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze like lightning!

"Good! Good! Excellent! You are excellent, young man!" He uttered four "goods" in a row before standing up, a satisfied smile blooming on his face. "Why did you choose it?"

"Senior, what is the background of this sword? This remnant blade contains dozens of auras—killing intent, courage, wisdom, benevolence... It is definitely not an ordinary spiritual artifact, yet it is precisely what I need." Lin Feng stroked the sword, his gaze profound.

The gray-robed elder laughed heartily, swept his gaze across everyone, and then said in a ringing voice, "Eight thousand years ago, our sect's grandmaster, True Person Qianye, forged this sword in front of the Xuanzang Pavilion on Longxiang Peak, initially calling it 'Flawless'. Later, the fourth-generation sect master Feng Qianfang wielded this sword in a fierce battle with the primeval demon ancestor Teng Pu, slaying Teng Pu. Flawless split into two halves; this part is called 'Life-夺-Dragon', while the other half was lost in the primeval wilderness and could not be found. 'Life-奪-Dragon' passed through the hands of the first four sect masters, and from the fifth generation until now, it has remained here with no one choosing it. It is not that our sect lacks anyone with the discerning eye and wisdom for swords; rather, this sword is exceptionally proud, choosing its master and possessing the sword intents of four sect masters—it can truly be called the pinnacle of swords! Now the divine sword has re-emerged, which is the great fortune of our Hundred Flowers Sect! Great fortune indeed!"

The senior martial brothers wore varied expressions—some envious, some emotional—yet all stared at that "Life-夺-Dragon", wishing to discern what made this sword extraordinary.

Yu Xi looked at Lin Feng with a joyful expression, happy for him as well. Cang Bailang laughed heartily, gave a thumbs-up, and said nothing.

"Senior Sister, hurry up. You're the only one who hasn't chosen." Yao Nianhe reminded Yu Xi in a low voice beside her.

"All right, all right, I'll choose." Yu Xi smiled gently. In truth, she had already set her sights on a treasured sword, but she was waiting for the others, especially wanting to see which one Lin Feng would pick.

Yu Xi soared into the air and snatched a silver sword that blazed with tongues of flame. The runes on this sword body were like rolling waves, and at a glance, one could tell it was no ordinary item.

"Oh? Suanni Fire Dance Sword! Not bad, not bad." The gray-robed elder's eyes lit up. Pointing with his hand, he introduced it, "This sword was used by Ye Congrong, the ninth sect master of our sect. Originating from overseas, it is said to be a divine weapon fallen from the heavens, sealing the soul of a Suanni within. You must use it well."

"Thank you, Senior, for your guidance." Yu Xi was overcome with joy.

"Very good then. It seems the decisions of Mian Tianlun and Jun Wuji were not wrong. You may leave the sword vault now." The elder cast one final, lingering look at Lin Feng and smiled.

"Senior, might I ask your esteemed name?" Lin Feng cupped his fists and bowed.

The old man was slightly startled, then waved his hand and said, "Esteemed name is hardly appropriate; this old man is Xuanyuan Wangchen."

"What!" Everyone cried out in shock.