Chapter 18: The Five Elements and Swordsmanship

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Seeing the first few who charged ahead all fall to their knees, some even lying face down on the ground, those who hadn’t yet stepped forward changed their expressions dramatically. Their faces grew serious, clearly realizing this was no simple matter. This must be the final test.

With that thought, someone slowly took a step forward onto the first stair. As expected, a frown appeared on his face. “There’s an incredibly powerful pressure on this step,” he said, then began to ascend cautiously.

Upon hearing this warning, everyone suddenly understood. It seemed those who had rushed at the start hadn’t prepared themselves, which explained their miserable state.

Ye Xiao and Feng Buxing exchanged a glance before starting their climb. Sure enough, as soon as they stepped onto the first step, an oppressive aura descended upon them. Their legs felt heavy, and their eyes darkened with gravity.

This pressure was roughly equivalent to the strength of a Level 9 Profound Practitioner. However, as they steadily climbed higher, the pressure intensified. By the time they reached halfway up the mountain, the force had reached about the fifth level of the Governor Realm.

Under such intense pressure, the group of Profound Practitioners slowed considerably, with only a single Level 1 Governor Realm expert far ahead.

“Are you holding up okay?” Ye Xiao asked, looking at Feng Buxing, whose face was flushed red. Ye Xiao himself was now a Level 9 Profound Practitioner, and his physical body strength matched his cultivation level. Thus, the pressure equivalent to a Level 5 Governor Realm was not a great challenge for him. If not for his concern for Feng Buxing, he could have left long ago.

Feng Buxing shook his head, panting slightly. “I’m fine, but I don’t know if this pressure will keep increasing.”

Ye Xiao glanced toward the mountain peak. There were still about four or five hundred steps left, and even he wasn’t certain what awaited.

“Keep going. Don’t wait for me. I can manage on my own,” Feng Buxing said, waving him off and gritting his teeth to persist.

Ye Xiao smiled quietly but stayed by Feng Buxing’s side. Moreover, he sensed that though the pressure was overwhelmingly oppressive, his body was growing stronger. The residual power of the Water Elemental Law within him was being refined on its own—something he had not anticipated.

As they climbed step by step, Ye Xiao felt the pressure grow ever more intense. He also noticed that the once far-ahead Governor Realm expert had slowed his pace.

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“This pressure seems to vary by person,” Ye Xiao murmured in puzzlement. At this moment, the pressure he sensed had reached the seventh level of the Governor Realm. But at such intensity, the Level 1 Governor Realm expert should not have slowed so drastically.

Since earlier, Feng Buxing, although still struggling to move, had not shown any worsening pallor.

It seemed that as the climb progressed, the pressure ceiling adjusted according to one’s own realm. What Feng Buxing felt was likely still just the fifth level of the Governor Realm. As for that Level 1 Governor Realm expert, he was probably now experiencing pressure equivalent to at least the third level of the Spirit Realm.

Seven hundred steps. Eight hundred steps.

Ye Xiao’s complexion grew more flushed. The pressure on him was now at the ninth level of the Governor Realm, nearly touching the Spirit Realm.

It seemed his strong physical body was the reason the pressure he felt was so intense. Fortunately, after a few dozen more steps, Ye Xiao noticed the pressure on him no longer increased, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, after stepping beyond the thousandth step and completely leaving the mountain steps behind, a wave of relaxation washed over him. The oppressive pressure vanished entirely.

At this moment, more than half the group collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, including Feng Buxing.

When the last person reached the mountain peak, Qi Feng, who had disappeared for a long time, reappeared.

“Not bad, you all made it up. Since that’s the case, follow me,” he said with a smile, turning and walking toward the distance.

Everyone gritted their teeth, stood up, and followed.

Not far ahead, a massive palace stood quietly.

Upon entering, they found the palace surprisingly luxurious. At the very top, nine grand master chairs were arranged in a line. Eight of them were occupied, with only the far right chair empty.

“Weren’t there supposed to be nine? Why are there only eight here?” someone whispered, their eyes filled with reverence as they looked at the eight men above, each with a distinct appearance.

“Everyone, we’ve brought you here. Now it’s your time,” Qi Feng said cheerfully, then took a seat in a corner, sipping tea leisurely.

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The entire hall fell into profound silence as all eyes turned to the eight gentlemen.

They exchanged glances before the man in the center spoke: “Then I shall begin.”

The others nodded with smiles.

The man in the middle stood, taking two slow steps forward. His face was expressionless as he looked down upon the crowd and spoke calmly.

“I am Master Proud Sword. Thanks to the grace of the academy elders and masters, I am ranked first among the nine great masters.”

His confident voice echoed throughout the hall.

He scanned the crowd. “I have a great love for calligraphy and enjoy understanding the way of the sword through it. Therefore, the disciples I choose must have a foundation in swordsmanship!”

His gaze fell on several who carried longswords on their backs.

“You have passed two rounds of trials and ascended the Book Peak, which shows your talent in cultivation is sound. Next, I will test your aptitude for swordsmanship!”

With a wave of his hand, a beam of light shot upward, and a massive scroll slowly unfurled at the hall’s center.

On the scroll were two characters inscribed: Five Elements.

“This is a piece I wrote yesterday, inspired by a sudden feeling. You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn to comprehend a sword technique from these two characters!”

At these words, murmurs spread among the crowd.

Two characters? Comprehend a sword technique? And only one incense stick’s time? Isn’t that a bit excessive?

Sensing their unease, Proud Sword continued, “Rest assured, I don’t require you to create a perfect sword technique. It only needs to align with the essence of the Five Elements.”

Having spoken, he fell silent, then extended his hand again. A freshly lit incense stick appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Watching the curling smoke rise, they realized this was no joke.

All eyes turned to the two characters.

Ye Xiao studied them for a while before slowly closing his eyes.

“Five Elements, huh?”

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