Chapter 83: Chapter 77 Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Sword Array
"Greetings, Cyan Bull Senior!"
Both Taoist Longshan and Carefree Monarch, as well as True Man Baihe, slightly bent forward to show respect.
Taoist Longshan said with a smile:
"Today, with the presence of Cyan Bull Senior, my Celestial Being Grand Ceremony can truly be considered complete."
Only Ancestor Wang felt somewhat awkward because his age was indeed greater than Cyan Bull Blade Master. Addressing him as ’Senior’ seemed a bit odd, yet doing nothing would appear too casual. He could only muster a cheerful smile.
However, Ancestor Wang felt more joy than awkwardness within his heart.
He never imagined that Taoist Longshan could invite a powerful figure on the Celestial Being List to stand forth, making his attendance truly worthwhile. The corners of his mouth slightly lifted, and his smile carried more genuine delight.
Everyone present held an expression of awe in their gazes.
A powerful figure from the Celestial Being List.
Virtually considered to be at the pinnacle of Great Yan, in an era where Martial Saints rarely emerged, those thirty-six figures were the strongest.
Even though Cyan Bull Blade Master was only ranked thirty-third, Taoist Longshan and the four Celestial Human Realm experts combined would be effortlessly suppressed.
Ning Qi slowly withdrew his gaze to avoid being detected by Cyan Bull Blade Master.
He could feel the subtle pressure, especially from the formidable Bladeless Blade behind the elder, causing him some amazement at the remarkable Blade Intent nurtured within.
"Master once said that the Celestial Human Realm is quite unique. Some only cultivate one realm, some two, and others cultivate all three realms simultaneously, and the sequence of cultivation differs. Hence, their combat capabilities are not as straightforward as those in the Gang Essence Realm."
"Determining who is stronger among Celestial Human Realm experts requires actual combat unless their paths are similar. For most, it’s evaluated based on past achievements, thus giving rise to the Celestial Being List."
"The Celestial Being List is issued by the Great Yan Royal Family. Those who make it onto the list are the top-tier experts of the Celestial Human Realm, enjoying utmost prestige."
Undoubtedly.
Cyan Bull Blade Master is currently the most powerful person Ning Qi has encountered.
Cyan Bull Blade Master gestured with a cheerful smile:
"All are in the Celestial Human Realm, so the title of Senior or not doesn’t matter. If you don’t mind, just call me Brother."
He gazed at Taoist Longshan with appreciation in his eyes:
"Longshan lad, years ago I believed your entry into the Celestial Human Realm was inevitable, but I didn’t anticipate it being ahead of what I imagined. It’s only a matter of time before you surpass me."
Such admiration startled the Celestial Beings present.
Clearly, the two shared an exceptional relationship.
Taoist Longshan laughed heartily:
"Cyan Bull Brother, you overpraise me. Catching up to you is unpredictable in terms of time."
He was somewhat emboldened. Years ago during his travels, he was rescued by Cyan Bull Blade Master in a crisis and received some guidance. Now, as these years have passed, he himself has stepped into the Celestial Human Realm; the sense of achievement is beyond words.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated!"
With everyone now arrived, a total of five Celestial Beings occupied the central platform, instantly elevating the excitement within the Tao Field.
Taoist Longshan stood at the center, Cyan Bull Blade Master to his left, True Man Baihe to his right, with the others seated on the sides.
Excited glances were exchanged as conversations began.
No one anticipated so many Celestial Realm experts would descend upon today’s Celestial Being Grand Ceremony, nor have a powerful figure from the Celestial Being List present.
This news quickly spread throughout True Martial City, prompting Martial Artists unable to ascend the mountain to clench their fists in regret for missing today’s grand spectacle. Some even proclaimed it was worth coming despite not witnessing the Celestial Beings, as sharing the same realm was an honor to recount in days to come.
Ancestor Wang’s gaze displayed slight envy and jealousy.
Recalling his own Celestial Being Grand Ceremony three hundred years ago, there had been barely one Celestial Realm friend in attendance, with numerous promises made thereafter. Compared to Taoist Longshan’s current grandeur, it paled in comparison.
However, remembering the purpose of his visit, his mood relaxed considerably.
Time slipped by gradually.
Everyone at True Martial Dojo felt the change and quieted down.
Luo Wentian’s invigorating voice rang out:
"The auspicious hour has arrived, the Celestial Being Grand Ceremony officially begins!"
In an instant.
There were nine thunderous drumbeats heard throughout, stirring the crowd’s blood to unknown fervor.
Following this came the rise and fall of ceremonial music, originating from afar, immersing the senses.
Fine wine and gourmet dishes adorned the tables.
True Martial disciples dressed in ceremonial robes and holding ceremonial swords poured in; thirty-six from the Inner Sect, seventy-two from the Outer Sect, precisely matching the numbers of Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends.
"We offer our tributes to the Sect Leader!"
The True Martial disciples were spirited and the Sword Dance suddenly commenced, resembling the rising sun.
Despite lacking a murderous aura, the Sword Dance exhibited disciplined form, with the cooperation yielding intricate transformations. When employed in battle, it surely wouldn’t be ordinary; this was both a Sword Dance and a compelling Sword Array.
Everyone’s eyes gleamed brightly, despite them being only Body Tempering Realm and Inner Essence Realm Martial Artists, the exhibition truly embodied the True Martial Sect’s foundation.
Those with keen insight easily recognized these disciples possessed excellent foundations, capable of standing out as talented disciples within ordinary sects, yet True Martial Sect had so many.
In an instant.
Many people’s perceptions shifted; originally believing True Martial Sect only produced an extraordinary talent like Taoist Longshan, now they saw that Taoist Longshan’s training of disciples was equally formidable.
Representatives of some long-standing forces looked grim; with the foundation True Martial Sect displayed, within a few decades, they would surely gain a firm foothold as a top dominion.
Ancestor Wang felt slightly bitter.
His greatest concern in recent years had been the lack of promising youth within the Wang Clan. How could a family’s talents compare to gathering talents from the world? Seeing the abundance of genius True Martial disciples today made him reconsider whether to introduce external fresh blood.
Yet, families differed from sects, for if too much external blood was integrated, if they gained power one day, would the Wang Clan still be the Wang Clan?
Cyan Bull Blade Master simply smiled and enjoyed the fine wine.
Meanwhile, True Man Baihe observed the Sword Dance of the True Martial disciples intently. As a practitioner of Taoism, he was particularly sensitive to the numerology of Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends, and as he watched closely, his astonishment deepened.
This Sword Array was not simple.
He couldn’t help but ask:
"Taoist Friend Longshan, might I inquire about this Sword Array...?"
His words drew the attention of several Celestial Beings.
Taoist Longshan said with a smile:
"This Sword Array, when unified, forms the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Sword Array. Divided, it becomes the Heavenly Gang Sword Array and the Earth Evil Demon Sword Array, enabling collective strength against adversaries, employing weak to overpower the strong; it’s just a strategic advantage. I hope Taoist Friend Baihe is amused."
Their exchange immediately garnered interest from the crowd; even Cyan Bull Blade Master squinted thoughtfully for a moment before bursting into laughter:
"Longshan lad, you’re being too modest. This Sword Array isn’t as simple as you claim. A fine example of using weak to overpower the strong. If half of this Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Sword Array comprised Inner Essence Realm individuals, coupled with a few powerful hands, wouldn’t it be enough to challenge Gang Essence Realm Martial Artists?"
Carefree Monarch laughed as well:
"Such a remarkably brilliant creation garners admiration! Worthy of a grand toast!"
The Celestial Beings all discerned its subtleties, expressing amazement.
The gap between Inner Essence Realm and Gang Essence Realm was equally vast, yet this Sword Array wielded remarkable power, beyond ordinary.
Ancestor Wang casually asked:
"I hadn’t heard of True Martial Sect possessing such a Sword Array before, not even throughout Qing State. Otherwise, it should have already become renowned."