Pure Yang Mountain's Sword Debate Immortal Assembly wasn't aimed at Dao Ancestors, but rather at gathering numerous Sword Immortals from across the land. The invitation extended to all, from Profound Immortals to Immortal Sovereigns.
Moreover, only slightly over 3,700 immortals were invited.
The outside world speculated that Pure Yang Dao Ancestor was widely collecting Sword Dao insights, harboring some special intention.
This assembly naturally consisted of three stages. The first, where Dao Ancestors demonstrated their sword techniques, had already concluded. The second stage, "Each Expresses Their Sword," began when the Polar Star Sword Venerable stepped forward. The final stage would be the "Sword Dao Contest."
As the Polar Star Sword Venerable advanced, it signaled the start of the second stage.
As a veteran Immortal Sovereign of the Lingxiao Immortal Court, the Polar Star Sword Venerable had attained his Immortal Sovereign status during the Sixth Epoch, over 200,000 years ago. After achieving this status, he devoted himself entirely to the study of the Sword Dao, delving ever deeper into its mysteries.
What made the Polar Star Sword Venerable unique was his extreme reclusiveness. He rarely ventured beyond the Lingxiao Immortal Court, and historical records show he had never engaged in combat, focusing solely on his research into the Sword Dao.
Of course, one who could attain Immortal Sovereign status was no ordinary being. Even though he rarely acted, no one dared to underestimate him in the slightest.
The Polar Star Sword Venerable stepped forward and, with a wave of his hand, produced an ancient scroll. He gently shook the scroll, and in an instant, a Sword Diagram materialized around him, radiating a dazzling nine-colored light.
"Seventy thousand years ago, I discovered this sword formation within the Chaos. After years of study, I have gained some insights and invite you all to examine it today."
With these words, the Polar Star Sword Venerable waved his hand again, causing the surrounding sword formation to expand, enveloping the entire plaza.
Countless Spirit Swords emerged from the illusory formation, soaring upward and trembling violently. The interwoven Spirit Swords manifested myriad phenomena.
In the short span of an incense stick's burn, Han Yi glimpsed fragments of every Sword Dao. Some were clear and distinct, while others remained hazy. Surprisingly, some even surpassed the manifestation of the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor's earlier sword.
This Sword Diagram is immensely powerful, but it's incomplete, Han Yi thought.
As the sword formation reached its climax, the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor, seated cross-legged above, gently pointed downward. The light from his finger pierced through the myriad Sword Shadows like a sword.
In an instant, the previously hazy Sword Shadows lit up one by one, like a chain reaction, emitting an aura far surpassing that of the original Sword Diagram.
Then, all the Sword Shadows abruptly retracted into the Sword Diagram, which instantly closed, transforming into an ancient-looking manual that returned to the Polar Star Sword Venerable's hands.
At the same time, the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor's face radiated delight as he said, "Excellent! Though this isn't the Sword Dao of the Ancient Realm, the principles are transferable and provide great inspiration for my path."
The Polar Star Sword Venerable stored away the ancient manual, his face beaming with joy. The Dao Ancestor's intervention had partially corrected the flaws in his manual. Once he returned to the Lingxiao Immortal Court, he could study it thoroughly and gain tremendous insights.
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor!" the Polar Star Sword Venerable bowed deeply, then slowly returned to his original position.
Next,
Immortal Sovereigns and Immortal Monarchs stepped forward one after another to demonstrate their swordsmanship. Each had a unique understanding of the Sword Dao, resulting in vastly different Sword Intent and sword momentum.
Yet every demonstration proved immensely beneficial for Han Yi. His comprehension of the Sword Dao surged wildly, and the Proficiency Panel for the Sword Control Immortal Art gradually approached the peak of the Fifth-Rank.
A moment later...
Only when it was the turn of the peak Golden Immortals, the Sword Immortals, did Han Yi's insights gradually diminish. Though his cultivation realm remained that of a Profound Immortal, his mastery of the Sword Dao was not significantly inferior to theirs.
Several hours later, when it was the turn of the dozen or so Profound Immortals to step forward, the first to advance was Donghuang Buer, whom Han Yi had been observing earlier.
Donghuang Buer carried no sword, but as she reached the center of the arena, she flipped her hand, and a short sword materialized.
A clear, melodious voice rang out:
"Not long ago, while observing the phenomenon of the Heavenly Venerable, I comprehended a sword form without a name. I invite you all to witness it."
As her voice faded, she gently swept the short sword forward.
Instantly, the space before her, as if a sheet of paper, was sliced open, and countless golden rays poured forth from the fissure.
These rays, brimming with spirituality, rapidly coalesced into unique Demon Swords.
The Demon Swords soared, weaving through heaven and earth.
Within mere breaths, all the Demon Swords dissipated, transforming back into golden light and streaming back into the rift Donghuang Buer had created. The fissure then sealed itself, leaving not a trace of Sword Intent to escape.
It was like witnessing a wondrous, demonic illusion of the Immortal Realm.
Han Yi could clearly see that the golden light that had just appeared bore a striking resemblance to the overwhelming golden radiance that accompanied Eastern Emperor Taiyi's ascension to divinity.
After Eastern Emperor Buer bowed and withdrew, the other Profound Immortal Realm Sword Immortals stepped forward one by one.
Han Yi neither rushed to be first nor deliberately waited until last; he simply moved forward naturally.
In the center of the arena, he demonstrated the entire Great Freedom Cosmic Light Sword Canon. After the seventh form, Thunder Sword Realm, his sword momentum shifted. A sudden flash of inspiration led to an eighth form.
As he unleashed this final strike, the previous seven forms fused into a single, boundless, and purest force of destruction, erupting with a deafening roar.
Following Overturning Sea, Dawn-Breaking, Heavenburning, Netherworld, Eternal Night, Light-Slaying, and Thunder Sword Realm, the eighth form of the Great Freedom Cosmic Light Sword Canon was revealed:
Total Annihilation.
Han Yi sheathed his sword, bowed respectfully, and withdrew.
The Heavenly Demons, who had been watching him with predatory intent, now frowned deeply. The destructive power contained within his final form was so terrifying that a direct hit could have led to their demise.
The Profound Immortals were even more shaken. Even the residual energy from his sword demonstration left them feeling a chill run down their spines.
Only Eastern Emperor Buer's gaze remained calm, though her eyes lingered on Han Yi for a noticeably longer time, her attention to him clearly heightened.
Feeling the gazes of the immortals upon him, Han Yi returned to his original position. His expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was elated.
Under the watchful eyes of the immortals, he dared not summon the Proficiency Panel, but he inwardly surmised that his Sword Control Immortal Art had likely reached the Sixth-Tier.
The explosive insight gained from mastering Sixth-Tier Sword Control Immortal Art, combined with the frenzied absorption of insights from the Sword Debate Immortal Assembly, had finally allowed him to perfect the eighth form of the Sword Canon.
Meanwhile, high above, the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor's gaze fell upon the Green Ripple Sword in Han Yi's hand, his eyes flickering slightly.
"Indeed, it's that sword."
His gaze shifted to Han Yi himself. The left eye radiated Sword Intent, swirling with an Innate Sword Formation that flowed endlessly.
But in that fleeting kshana, the left eye suddenly closed. When it reopened, its divine light had dimmed, and the Innate Sword Formation deep within seemed to have stilled.
"Ferocious."
"Sui Zhu Hanyi."
"In that case, let us sow a good karmic seed."
The Pure Yang Dao Ancestor retrieved a golden ring and tossed it downward.
Han Yi, who had just returned to his position and hadn't yet recovered from his excitement, instinctively reached out to catch the golden ring, his heart jolting.
The moment Han Yi caught the golden ring, the Green Ripple Sword in his hand transmitted a thought to him.
"It's the aura of a Sub-Sword," he realized. Naturally, the Green Ripple Sword, now a Sixth-Rank Immortal Sword, was no longer the uncontrollable blade it once was.
The thought carried a surge of excitement, but it was clearly restrained.
Han Yi accepted the Green Ripple Sword's thought, and understanding dawned on him. The Dao Ancestor above him had cultivated the path of the Sword Immortal to enlightenment—a singular achievement even in the Great Luo Immortal Realm.
For a Dao Ancestor of the Sword Dao to bestow a Sub-Sword of the Green Ripple Sword was hardly surprising.
Han Yi immediately bowed deeply. "Thank you for your gracious reward, Dao Ancestor!"
He then stored the golden ring in his Cosmic Immortal Ring.
Though the ring contained the Green Ripple Sword Division, this was not the time or place to fuse it. He would wait until the Sword Debate Immortal Assembly concluded before seeking a secluded location to complete the fusion.
On the square, other immortals watched Han Yi, their Immortal Light flickering, their thoughts swirling.
The golden ring Han Yi had received was the first reward bestowed by the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor, and, barring any surprises, it would likely be the only reward offered during this Sword Debate Immortal Assembly.
What divine quality does Han Yi possess to garner the favor of the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor?
That sword form he just demonstrated was impressive, but it remained within the realm of Golden Immortals. It didn't even reach the might of an Immortal Monarch. How could the Dao Ancestor possibly take notice?
This was the question lingering in the minds of the immortals gathered in the square.
As for the Heavenly Demons who had harbored thoughts of eliminating Han Yi, the Dao Ancestor's reward only deepened their apprehension. Most had already abandoned their plans to hunt him down.
Eliminating a mere Profound Immortal was trivial, but provoking the Dao Ancestor—even with an exceedingly small chance of it happening—was a risk they couldn't afford to take.
Next, the remaining Profound Immortals stepped forward one by one, each demonstrating unique sword forms and moves. Some were unconventional and imaginative, lacking raw power but compensated by ingenious conception, offering fresh perspectives and insights.
With this, the "Each Expresses Their Sword" segment concluded.
Since the sword is the king of all weapons, a competition was inevitable. Thus, the third segment, the "Sword Dao Contest," commenced immediately.
Before the Sword Dao Contest began, the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor, seated high above the square, waved his hand lightly. A hazy Sword Light materialized in the center of the square, slicing through space to isolate a central area. The space transformed into a unique, semi-open grotto-heaven-like domain.
As soon as the Sword Dao Grotto-Heaven was formed, a middle-aged Golden Immortal stepped forward and declared in a clear voice:
"Chu Wuxin, do you dare to fight?"
A white-haired Sword Immortal smiled faintly and walked toward the newly created Sword Dao Grotto-Heaven. "Du Lang, three hundred years ago you couldn't withstand a hundred of my strikes. Today, it remains the same."
At the edge of the square, Han Yi recognized both names well. Du Lang was an Immortal from the Sui Zhu Immortal Court, a Golden Immortal who had served under the now-fallen Yi Long Immortal Monarch. He ranked twenty-ninth on the Golden Immortal Ranking.
Chu Wuxin, on the other hand, was a Golden Immortal from the Yellow Court Immortal Court, and among the Golden Immortals of the former Great Luo Immortal Court, he was considered one of the strongest.
Legend had it that during their Transformation God Stage, the two had been close friends. However, during a treasure-seeking expedition, a bitter grudge arose between them, turning their friendship into enmity.
Tens of thousands of years had passed, and though they had both ascended to the Golden Immortal realm, their resentment remained as fierce as ever.
Chu Wuxin entered the Sword Realm Grotto-Heaven. Without a word, Du Lang struck first, his Sword Intent surging like a sea of mist, sweeping forward to overwhelm him.
But with a flick of his sword, Chu Wuxin conjured a dense shield of countless Sword Shadows, deflecting every murderous glint of Sword Light.
After a fierce clash, Du Lang lost by a half-move.
Of course, within the Sword Dao Grotto-Heaven, protected by the power of the Dao Ancestor, Chu Wuxin couldn't truly kill him, even in defeat. Their sword eyes clashed with lethal intent, sending ripples through the Void. Han Yi, observing the battle from the periphery, was thoroughly engrossed.
This was a full-powered duel between two Peak Golden Immortal Sword Immortals, safeguarded by the Dao Ancestor's power, unfolding mere inches away—a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.
After Chu Wuxin and Du Lang retreated, numerous immortals entered the Sword Dao Grotto-Heaven. Some engaged in friendly sparring matches, while others openly invited all present immortals to offer guidance.
Han Yi initially had no intention of joining the fray. However, when a Golden Immortal from the Demon Race challenged him specifically, he had no choice but to step forward.
This Heavenly Demon hailed from the Demonic Ape Clan.
What slightly surprised Han Yi was that upon entering the Sword Dao Grotto-Heaven, the Demonic Ape Heavenly Demon didn't display hostility. Instead, he clasped his hands in a respectful salute.
"Fellow Daoist Han, please enlighten me."
Han Yi's heart stirred. The Demonic Ape must have attacked because he sensed Han Yi's presence. If he didn't act now, he wouldn't be able to report back to the Great Sage Demonic Ape in the Demon Ape Demon Territory.
Since the opponent showed no hostility, Han Yi naturally couldn't ignore him. He returned the courtesy and slowly drew his sword.
He unleashed the eight forms of the Sword Canon, his movements powered by immense Immortal Power, shedding boundless Sword Light. But relying solely on the Sword Canon proved insufficient against this peak-level Demonic Ape Heavenly Demon.
Within moments, Han Yi was forced back by a single strike, his aura slightly shaken. Seizing the momentum, he retreated from the Sword Dao Grotto-Heaven, clasped his hands, and returned to his seat without a word.
Within the Grotto-Heaven, the peak Golden Immortal from the Demonic Ape Clan also retreated, his expression impassive.
On the surface, he had won, but the danger Han Yi had posed grew stronger. When they closed in earlier, he had sensed a fatal crisis and realized Han Yi possessed far more than the sword forms he had displayed.
This exchange, like all the others, was clearly not a full-strength battle. Both seemed tacitly aware they were merely completing a mission.
After they stepped down, other Immortals took the stage. By the end, most of the over three thousand Immortals had participated. Some clashed briefly before parting, while others engaged in prolonged battles. The Immortal Dao Competition lasted three hours before finally concluding.
Throughout the event, the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor occasionally offered guidance, but such instances were rare, mostly reserved for Immortal Sovereigns, Immortal Monarchs, and Golden Immortals—only a select few received his attention.
After the three sessions of the Sword Debate Immortal Assembly, the immortals didn't immediately disperse. Instead, they accepted the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor's invitation to inscribe a sword move on the mountainside near the assembly square.
Han Yi didn't leave the Total Annihilation move, as its destructive power was too great to be left behind.
Instead, he inscribed the seventh move, Thunder Sword Realm.
By harmonizing the principles of the Sword Dao and Thunder Dao, he found a spot on the mountain wall and left a sword mark.
The mark was pitch-black, as if the mountain had been struck by lightning. Under the scrutiny of an Immortal Eye, faint, flickering arcs of lightning could be discerned within the mark.
Below the mark, Han Yi also inscribed the character "Yi."
None of the other immortals refused the Dao Ancestor's invitation, each inscribing their own sword move.
Some Immortal Monarchs even left their entire inheritance on the mountain wall in the form of sword moves.
Later, Han Yi flew away from Pure Yang Mountain.
Just as he left the mountain's vicinity, he suddenly sensed something and turned back. He saw the summit of Pure Yang Mountain, where sword light gathered like a sea.
Sword Intent continuously converged, as if nurturing something. From his vantage point, he could see that some of this sword light was being drawn from the mountain wall where he had just inscribed the Thunder Sword Realm.
Suddenly, a voice, ancient and familiar, which had been silent for centuries, echoed in Han Yi's mind:
"No wonder the aura felt somewhat familiar."
"So this is the Pure Yang Dao Ancestor, nurturing a Chaos Sword Embryo."
Han Yi was puzzled. "A Chaos Sword Embryo?"