The Heavenly Saber Novel - Chapter 019

Chapter 019 Inner Sect Examination
Weapons in this world could be divided into precious, true, spiritual, and dao weapons. In this era when spirit artifacts weren’t available and dao artifacts weren’t visible, a high-grade true artifact could already be considered extremely powerful. Some Xiantian experts would not be able to obtain a high-grade True Artifact suitable for themselves throughout their entire lives, so it could be seen that it was precious.

The news that Li Qing possessed a high-grade True Artifact caused a huge uproar.

Some people scoffed and thought that the news was fake. Perhaps it was indeed a true artifact, but it was just a low-grade one, and it was exaggerated.

However, some people believed that this was true. They were blocking Li Qing’s courtyard entrance, wanting to see the true appearance of the true artifact.

Some Xiantian experts even came forward, threatening to exchange for this high-grade True Artifact at the same price.

Many people were gloating over their misfortune and were being targeted by Xiantian experts. This was not a good thing. Perhaps one day, they would take advantage of them.

It was obvious that some people had deliberately released this information, secretly adding fuel to the fire in order to cause trouble for Li Qing.

Their scheme had indeed succeeded, causing great trouble for Li Qing. An outer sect disciple possessed a high-grade true artifact, just like a three-year-old child who had gone through the streets with gold, how could he not attract the envy of others?

Moreover, Li Qing was unable to explain to the crowd, because he did indeed have a treasured saber in his hand. Although it was not a high-grade true artifact, it would definitely be extraordinary. After all, he didn’t even know what grade Heavenly Saber was.

He had no choice but to close his door these few days and refuse any outsiders, ignoring the storms outside. Of course, it was impossible for the people outside to break into the sect and forcefully snatch the treasured saber. After all, they were still in the sect, so they didn’t dare to act recklessly if they had to follow the rules.

Li Qing was a person who could endure loneliness. He had been staying in the courtyard these past few days, cultivating diligently and refusing to go out. After a long time, the disturbance outside would naturally calm down.

Although these rumors were false, Li Qing thought that the Heavenly Saber was indeed extraordinary. To be on the safe side, he made a wooden sheath and inserted the Heavenly Saber into it to conceal it.

The appearance of the Heavenly Saber was truly too unique. It was not very good-looking, and it was even broken. However, it carried a Daoist charm and emitted a mysterious aura. If anyone saw it, they would probably cause trouble. With this wooden sheath, he could at least conceal it for a while.

“The origin of the Heavenly Saber is extraordinary. It seems that it is better to use it less in the future.” Li Qing thought.

…

After many days, the disturbance outside gradually calmed down. Those people no longer blocked the door. After all, a piece of information that was unknown was not worth their time.

Time passed quickly, and the day of the inner sect examination had arrived.

Early in the morning, the morning sun shone across the entire Flaming Sun Peak. Li Qing arrived at the martial field in front of the Flame Sun Hall-the inner sect examination was held here.

Many people had already gathered in the plaza, and it was bustling with people. In the middle, there was a tall platform with a row of chairs placed on it, which was used to preside over the compet.i.tion.

“Li Qing!” Someone shouted from behind, his voice coming from afar.

Li Qing turned around and saw that it was Zhang Xiaolong and Zhou Bo. They were also here to participate in the inner sect examination. However, their strength was only at the fifth level of the Houtian realm. They weren’t outstanding, so it was more difficult for them to pass.

“You guys are also here.” Li Qing smiled and went up to greet him. If it weren’t for the fact that the two of them were outside and attracting the attention of the elders, it wouldn’t have been so easy for them to pass the trial in the Commandment Hall that day. So I’m very grateful to the two of them.

“Let’s give it a try. We’re not sure. Unlike you, we’re sure. Don’t worry.” Zhang Xiaolong’s face was filled with envy.

“Ah–” Zhou Bo sighed, “Gou Fugui, don’t forget, brother.”

Li Qing smiled and nodded.

Zhang Xiaolong said, “It is said that there may be elders present. If you see a disciple you like, you will be accepted into the sect. It can be said that you will ascend to the heavens in a single step. I wonder if any elders will come to watch the battle this year. If so, then your chances are great.”

“Elders take in disciples. They may not take in strong ones. They only accept those that suit their hearts. No one can say for sure.” Although Li Qing was very confident in his heart, he was still not confident.

At this moment, three guardians climbed onto the high platform and descended from above. The leader shouted at the crowd below, “Silence!” The hundreds of people who were originally discussing quieted down at the same time, and no one dared to speak.

“The inner sect exam is officially starting now. All the disciples participating in the exam will come to the stage and gather.”

Li Qing and the others squeezed through the crowd and gathered in front of the platform. After a while, everyone was present, a total of 31 people.

The guardian said, “Remember, this is a stage competition. You can’t hurt your lives. Those who deliberately kill, die!” As a Xiantian expert, his perception was sharp and his observation was meticulous. He could tell at a glance if he was intentionally killing someone.

Then he pointed at the weapon rack in front of him and said, “For the sake of fairness, you are not allowed to use your own weapons. Go to the weapon rack in front of you and choose a standard weapon.”

Li Qing stepped forward and chose a long saber.

The next step was to draw the number plate. A deacon held a wooden box and asked everyone to draw a random number plate. Each number had a pair, and the person who drew the same number was his opponent. It was very fair.

Li Qing walked forward and casually took out the number plate. He took a look at it and saw that the number was “thirteenth”, indicating that he wanted to be the thirteenth on the stage.

There are a total of sixteen groups of competitions. As the number of people is 31, it is an odd number, so there must be one person in turn.

“How many numbers did you draw?” He asked.

“Number 16!” Zhou Bo said in surprise. This meant that he was going to be empty.

“Number one!” Zhang Xiaolong’s face turned green. He didn’t expect that he would be the first to play.

Li Qing was speechless. These two weirdos, the smallest and largest ones, were all drawn. It was truly amazing. Zhang Xiaolong’s face revealed a bitter expression, while Zhou Bo smiled, forming a sharp contrast.

After everyone finished drawing their number plates, the guardian took a step forward and said loudly, “The competition will begin. The two disciples who drew number one, come to the middle of the field.”

Zhang Xiaolong and another disciple walked into the arena and stood still from afar. Unfortunately, that disciple was actually at the Houtian sixth layer, stronger than Zhang Xiaolong. This is not good.

The two of them cupped their hands and signed up for each other’s names.

“Zhang Xiaolong!”

“Sun Tian!”

The battle began. Zhang Xiaolong took the lead in attacking. With a move of his sword, it seemed as if it had transformed into an illusion and stabbed forward at top speed.

“Whoosh!”

A streak of azure light pierced through the sky, and the tip of the sword had already arrived in front of the other party.

“So fast!” Sun Tian’s expression changed.

Zhang Xiaolong followed the path of a fast sword. The sword technique he practiced was called Shadowless Sword Technique. It was invisible and untraceable, and its speed was extremely fast. The slightest carelessness would result in him being struck.

However, Sun Tian was also extremely good. He could actually see the path of the fast sword clearly. The spear in his hand shook and stabbed out like a poisonous snake, accurately hitting Zhang Xiaolong’s sword. With a slight spin, he removed the sharp sword to the side.

“What a brilliant spear technique!” Zhang Xiaolong’s expression was solemn. The opponent easily blocked this attack. The situation was not good.

He began to dodge the attack and surround the enemy. He was like an assassin who stabbed out with a cold sword, extremely sinister.

The opponent was like a rock, not moving at all. He precisely blocked all attacks and stood firm.

He was very steady. Even if he was stronger, he still did not underestimate his opponent and rushed forward.

The two of them stalled for a while. Finally, Sun Tian found a flaw, opened his eyes, and suddenly launched an attack. First, a spear pierced out, shattering Zhang Xiaolong’s sword, and then a spear swept across his waist, sending him flying.

This entire set of movements was smooth and clean.

The outcome was decided, and Zhang Xiaolong lost.

Zhang Xiaolong fell to the ground and suffered some minor injuries. Zhou Bo stepped forward and helped him up. He patted his shoulder and said, “Very good. I can fight with people on the sixth level of the Houtian realm like this.”

“Yeah, I almost won.” Li Qing comforted.

…

Next, they carefully watched the following matches. Li Qing noticed that these people weren’t very strong in general. Most of them were at the Houtian fifth layer, and a few were at the Houtian sixth layer. As for the seventh layer, none of them were strong.

“Huh?” Li Qing noticed that there was a commotion in the crowd. He looked up and saw that there were actually three elders coming to watch the battle. There were three of them, namely Elder Liu, Elder Jie and Elder Chuan. Three of the Flaming Sun Peak’s Four Great Elders actually came down.

The three of them climbed onto the high platform and sat on their chairs without any politeness, leisurely watching the competition below.

Li Qing was also a little excited, “It would be great if he could win the favor of the elders and accept him as a disciple.”

Soon, another round of matches ended. Next, it was his turn to go on stage.

He walked to the center of the field and looked at his opponent. This was a Houtian fifth layer disciple.

“If you agree to let me win this match, I’m willing to give you a hundred spirit stones. How about it?” The person on the other side pleaded.

Li Qing shook his head and laughed, “Absolutely impossible. Cut the crap, let’s start a war.”

“If you think it’s too little, I can raise the price!” This person gritted his teeth and refused to give up.

Li Qing still shook his head. Just as he was about to refuse, the person opposite him actually moved first. While he was speaking, he suddenly rushed forward and slashed out with his saber.

Li Qing was somewhat shocked. He didn’t expect that the other party would actually launch a sneak attack.

This person’s speed was actually quite fast, and his saber technique was not bad either. His momentum was extremely heavy, and his saber light was like lightning. With a single slash, he was already in front of Li Qing.

But in Li Qing’s eyes, this was still not enough. Even if he was a beat slower, he could still deal with it easily.

Li Qing instantly took out his saber and attacked from behind, pointing at the back of the other party’s saber.

That person felt as if he had been struck by a huge boulder, unable to resist at all, so he released his saber.

Li Qing took a step forward and stretched out his palm. He placed a palm on the other party’s chest and sent him flying.

“His strength is too weak. Even if he relies on tricks, he won’t be able to win.” Li Qing secretly sighed in his heart.

He defeated his opponent in one move and won cleanly, causing the surrounding people to exclaim endlessly.

“This person is Li Qing, right? His strength is indeed not trivial.” Someone recognized him and began to discuss.

“Looks like he didn’t rely solely on the might of a true artifact. His own strength is not ordinary. I underestimated him.”

“Isn’t this nonsense? Back then, he defeated Chen Jun barehanded!”