Dragon Tamer

Under the guidance of Wen Mengru, Wanfeng, and Bai Qin’an, several Swordswomen, everybody began to climb the mountain.

The last time Zhu Minglang had been here was at night; he hadn’t seen the situation of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect. Now, ascending the mountain in broad daylight, he discovered that each wide, long step was actually carved with a painting.

In these paintings, a simplified figure of a woman, wearing a veil hat and holding a sword at her side, was depicted with Flying Swords swirling around her.

Each level featured a different move, and it was clear that some of the swordsmanship and stances of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect were embodied in these climbing stair pictures.

Wu Feng, Yun Zhonghe, Shao Ying, and Hao Ye, a wandering Sword Master who had rushed over early that morning, ascended the mountain while gazing at these simplified sword diagrams.

Soon, the mountain path diverged, and the evolutionary derivatives of those stair sword scores also branched out in different directions. Walking up the path felt like someone was demonstrating various sword techniques right in front of them.

The members of the Yaoshan Sword Sect were completely captivated. They even started to have disagreements on the path to take during their ascent.

Yun Zhonghe wanted to follow the staircase up the mountain that depicted the flow of water sword technique, while Shao Ying had become somewhat infatuated with the raging rain sword and was willing to walk alone on that path.

“Everybody, each mountain path will eventually lead to the Miao Mountain Sword Pavilion, but some steps might contain misleading moves that could trap those who have just entered the Miao Mountain Sword Sect.” Bai Qin’an spoke up.

“Are the difficulties starting already?” Zhu Minglang smiled.

“Mr. Zhu can also follow us up the mountain if these sword scores are of no help to you,” said Bai Qin’an.

Wu Feng, Shao Ying, Yun Zhonghe, and Hao Ye, the four Sword Masters from the Yaoshan Sword Sect, all showed great interest.

The sword scores engraved in the mountain stairs represented the simplicity of the ultimate way. Beginner Sword Masters could gain improvements from observing them, and those who were adept in sword techniques could also perceive a newer level of Sword Territory.

The Miao Mountain Sword Sect rarely had visitors, so although the sword scores were openly presented on the mountain path, not many had the chance to observe them!

“The Miao Mountain Sword Sect indeed has a profound heritage. By turning the climbing route into a path of the Sword Dao, it must be the life’s work of countless predecessors. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since it’s a test, I’m willing to give it a try,” Wu Feng said.

“In that case, we will wait for everyone at the Sword Pavilion. There should also be some nobles from Miao Kingdom coming to witness the swordsmanship and valor of the Yaoshan Sword Sect,” Bai Qin’an said.

After speaking, Bai Qin’an, Wen Mengru, Wanfeng, and the others responsible for leading the way went up towards the higher parts of the mountain.

They moved swiftly, seemingly already memorizing their sword-moving steps in their hearts. They weren’t at all confused or stopped by the constantly changing and complex techniques of the stairway engravings.

Even those who were not Sword Cultivators could become immersed in the path of the sword scores. As an artist, Nan Lingsha seemed to have noticed something odd about them.

“The sword diagrams have a bewildering effect,” Nan Lingsha reminded Zhu Minglang.

“Does it mean that if one can’t comprehend the underlying Sword Intent, they might keep going around in circles on this mountain road?” Zhu Minglang asked.

“Yes, it tests a person’s insight, like an exquisitely profound lantern riddle. It gives you some hints and then derivates the answer. Even those who do not practice swordsmanship can understand it, but to grasp the Sword Territory within is quite difficult. Even an Old Sword Master who has been studying these sword scores for ten years might get stuck in a dead end, with severe cases leading to deviation,” Nan Lingsha explained.

Her tranquil eyes rippled as if she found these puzzling sword scores intriguing. With every step she climbed, she would lightly trace with her fingers as if recording this method of arrangement.

“What if I close my eyes and walk up?” Zhu Minglang said.

“Then naturally you can climb the mountain, but as the Swordswoman said, can you resist the profound temptations hidden within? If solved, it can enhance the realm of any being from the Divine and Mortal realms,” Nan Lingsha said.

On ordinary days, Nan Lingsha, who was usually undistracted and spoke so little that her words could be counted, rarely talked this much.

“I won’t conceal it from Miss Lingsha, I, Zhu Minglang, may not be exceptional in many respects, but in terms of perception, I’m definitely the best. These broken sword scores can’t stump me,” Zhu Minglang revealed a confident smile.

Nan Lingsha looked at Zhu Minglang, her beautiful eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny, but of course, she mostly felt that Zhu Minglang was talking nonsense.

“You don’t believe me?” Zhu Minglang asked, raising his eyebrows.

“You’re not as good as me,” Nan Lingsha said.

“Then let’s have a competition, who can climb the mountain first?” Zhu Minglang said with a hint of provocation.

The painter’s little auntie actually held immense pride in her heart. Since she set foot on the Supreme Court Courtyard Continent, she hadn’t considered any of the God and Mortal figures to be worthy adversaries.

A person’s perception has nothing to do with their realm or strength. It’s about how they break through and transcend when faced with bottlenecks in their realm.

“I’ll wait for you at the Sword Pavilion,” Nan Lingsha said, before choosing a winding path for herself, observing the sword scores while heading towards the higher reaches of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect.

Hmph!

Do you really think you’ve already won?

Zhu Minglang also chose a path leading up the mountain.

The sword scores look simple, just some very common moves—thrust, stab, chop, sweep, slash, block…

But if you connect the diagrams on each level of steps and execute them completely, the power is extraordinary.

Zhu Minglang had been practicing the sword since he was young. He remembered everything at a glance. They were just various derivations of swordsmanship, nothing unusual.

Following the path, Zhu Minglang realized that there was no one else behind or ahead of him.

In front was a long, quiet stretch of mountain steps, and behind was a somewhat perilous mountain road. Just as Nan Lingsha had said before, these sword score diagrams were filled with a confusing spell. If you stared at them, you would become immersed in them. Everything around seemed to disappear completely, leaving only a woman clad in the sword scores, practicing her swordplay ahead of you…

Each time the sword technique changed, it seemed to reveal a new path. With every step taken upwards, careful thought was needed, as this determined whether you would be trapped on this mountain path.

Zhu Minglang walked on while secretly marveling. It turned out that even someone at his sword realm could be locked on this mountain path. It seemed there were indeed mysteries he hadn’t yet comprehended.

“This is interesting. If my sword realm can be improved through this, then it’s helpful,” Zhu Minglang gradually became immersed in those sword scores.

The Sword Awakening, and how much power it could exert, partly depended on how much strength the Sword Spirit Dragon’s Inscription could awaken, and partly on one’s own sword realm…

Walking, walking, thinking, thinking, Zhu Minglang’s pace changed from slow to fast, as if he had caught the key to those sword scores and everything became clear.

Gradually, Zhu Minglang went from a brisk walk to a jog.

Before long, the jog turned into a sprint.

In the end, Zhu Minglang started racing along the mountain trail!