Chapter 11: The End Is Near, Daoist Li’s Instruction

When the young man approached, Lin Ran felt that he looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before, but he couldn’t recall when and where.

Seeing that not only was Lin Ran not bowing, but he was even staring at the guest, Daoist Li broke out in cold sweat.

“Please forgive me. This kid is not usually impolite, but…”

The young man laughed heartily, revealing his two dimples. “It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s been many years since we last met. Lin Ran, you haven’t changed at all.”

Even the voice was familiar, but Lin Ran couldn’t quite find anything related to this man from his memory.

However, from the way he addressed him, Lin Ran thought that he probably knew him.

Seeing that the young man didn’t take offense, Daoist Li heaved a sigh of relief.

At this moment, Lin Ran said, “I’ve been staying in Mount Sword all year round and rarely interact with outsiders. Now that I see you, I can’t help but be awed by your extraordinary presence.”

The young man smiled even more brightly. “Hahaha, you’re still as glib-tongued as you used to be.”

For some reason, although there was no energy fluctuation coming from the young man, Lin Ran could feel that his aura was strong. He must be someone powerful but he just deliberately concealed his real strength.

This made Lin Ran even more curious about his identity, but it wasn’t his place to raise a question.

“Has there been any abnormality in Mount Sword in the past year?”

Daoist Li replied respectfully, “Everything is fine. You can rest assured.”

The young man immediately revealed a satisfied look. He looked at the mountaintop and said meaningfully, “The job of guarding the mountain is very important. Please, don’t let your guard down.”

Lin Ran nodded and followed his gaze. He wondered if this young man knew what was on the mountaintop.

The young man seemed to have something to say to Daoist Li. Lin Ran did not linger around and took his leave. Before he left, he vaguely heard the words “selected person” and “not much time”.

He had no clue as to the content of their conversation.

After that, life went on peacefully and unchanged. Lin Ran was not a noisy person and quickly forgot about this matter.

Time passed in the blink of an eye. The only thing that remained constant in the flow of time was the mountain range.

At this moment, Lin Ran was standing on the peak of the second peak, looking far into the yonder. He was calm and did not emit any sword energy. He looked no different from an ordinary person.

However, the calmer, the scarier. Lin Ran had almost reached the level that allowed him to disguise his identity perfectly. Only a Senior Grandmaster could somewhat discern it.

“Another year has gone by.”

Lin Ran couldn’t help but sigh. He didn’t know how much time had passed in Mount Sword and how long he had been cultivating. He felt like it was first day on the mountain, but he was no longer the champion of the Martial Arts Examination.

In this year, he signed in five more swords, obtaining the “Indestructible Medal Sword Intent”, “Ten Thousand Wood Sword Intent”, “Formless Water Sword Intent”, “Heavenly Fire Sword Intent”, and “Earth Sword Intent”.

With the power of the five elements combined with the Five Elements Sword Technique that Daoist Li had taught him previously, the power was almost tens of thousands of times stronger.

Although he was still at the ninth level of the Senior Martial Master Realm, Lin Ran had the confidence and strength to fight one in the realm of Grandmaster.

Now that he had gathered all the sword intent needed, he felt that it was time for breakthrough.

Lin Ran’s gaze landed on the top of the main peak. He wondered if he had the strength to explore that place again.

Over the past year, Lin Ran’s interest in the forbidden mountain top had only increased. Just as he was thinking, Daoist Li sent him a curt message.

“Emergency. Come immediately.”

After receiving the important guest last time, Daoist Li hadn’t looked for him, not even once. He did not even send Lin Ran a message. It was as if he had disappeared from the face of the earth.

Lin Ran had once tried to get in touch with him, but Daoist Li’s room was empty and he was nowhere to be found in Mount Sword.

He guessed that either Daoist Li had something to do and left the mountain, or he might be at the top of the mountain. This was because that was the only place where Lin Ran hadn’t set his foot.

In the dimly lit room, Daoist Li was lying on the bed, weak. After not seeing him for a year, Lin Ran found him to have aged greatly.

Hearing the movement in the room, Daoist Li coughed violently. He couldn’t see, but his eyes were fixed on Lin Ran. He said weakly, “You’re here.”

At this moment, he was like a candle flickering in the wind, in danger of being extinguished at any moment.

Lin Ran quickly said, “I’ll call the imperial physician over now.”

Daoist Li reached out his withered hand and grabbed Lin Ran’s wrist tightly. He shook his head and said,

“No need. I know my own body better than the physician.”

“You don’t have to waste your time. Besides, I’m old and can’t hold on much longer. If not for…”

He stopped in mid-sentence. After hesitating for a while, he continued, “In short, I called you over on my deathbed because I hope you can protect the country and the emperor, and it’s time to tell you something.”

Daoist Li’s expression was unprecedentedly solemn as he said in a deep voice, “You’ve already mastered the Five Elements Sword Technique. I’ll leave the matter of reinforcing the seal to you in the future.”

No wonder Daoist Li taught him the sword technique a year ago. Now that Lin Ran thought about it, Daoist Li probably knew that his time was running out.