Ancient Sword Tomb Chapter Thirty-Seven: Enemy?

On the Tianqing Continent, myriad sects and noble families appeared to coexist peacefully, none willing to be the first to shatter the fragile chains of tranquility. Secret rivalries were commonplace, but always pursued for the expansion of their own interests. The true purpose behind the Sacred Trial was none other than to obtain the Sword Saint’s legacy and the right to guard the ancient Sword Tomb. Yet, the honor would inevitably fall to one of the three great sanctuaries or the dozen mighty factions across the continent.

Thus, participation in the first round of individual matches was little more than a formality—a demonstration that one's sect or family still persisted. Even without the matter of venue changes, most powers had already departed from Tianfeng City.

“Nameless youth! You shall take the lead in today’s championship duel—how about it?”

As Qing Xingyue finished speaking, Luo Chen rose and strode to Qing Xingyue’s side, glanced at Qing Xinyue, and without hesitation nodded in agreement. Even if Qing Xingyue had chosen someone else, Luo Chen planned to volunteer. After all, the chance to uncover clues about his own origins could not be missed.

“Grandmaster! Isn’t this improper? The Nameless friend is not a disciple of Tianqing Academy…”

Baili Qingmei’s objection was brushed aside by Qing Xingyue’s raised hand. Luo Chen, meeting the strange gazes of those present, remained indifferent to whether he was considered a Tianqing Academy disciple. Qing Xingyue knew the truth, yet Luo Chen always sensed Qing Xingyue was concealing something from him.

Since emerging from Thunder Abyss, Qing Xingyue was the first to discover his true identity. Not only did Qing Xingyue refrain from telling others, but he also helped Luo Chen mask his aura. Luo Chen felt that Qing Xingyue was pleased by his appearance, though there was some doubt, as if he hoped Luo Chen would seek his origins.

“My arrangements have their reasons. As for whether he is a disciple of Tianqing Academy, that is my decision. Whoever claims otherwise may come and speak to me directly.”

While speaking, Qing Xingyue tossed a token to Luo Chen. Upon seeing the inscription “Tianqing,” Luo Chen understood it signified his status as a representative disciple. Baili Luohua, Baili Qingmei, and others looked on in surprise—never had their Grandmaster acted so forcefully.

Perhaps it was because the person mentioned by the Emperor Tianyu could not attend the trial, prompting Qing Xingyue to seek outside help to secure victory. Yet the Nameless youth’s cultivation was not high—only at the eighth level of Earth Spirit. Would it not be wiser for the half-step Sky Spirit Qing Xuan Yu to compete? A multitude of doubts filled their hearts, but only Qing Xingyue, Qing Xuan Yu, and Luo Chen knew the answers.

Amidst these doubts, the hour approached noon. At the end of the steps leading to the main hall of the Heavenly Sword Palace, the master appeared, restoring silence to the scene. With a casual wave, a chair appeared behind him; he surveyed the assembly of sects and powers around the square.

As the palace master sat, a man soared in on a sword, landing on the square. His sword vanished; he glanced up at the master seated above. With a nod, the man announced in a ringing voice:

“The Ancient Sword Tomb Secret Realm will open tomorrow afternoon! All disciples of sects and noble families present, whose cultivation is below mid-stage Sky Spirit, may enter the secret realm!”

His words sparked an instant uproar among the gathered sects and families. Luo Chen, too, was surprised—anyone below Sky Spirit could enter? Wasn’t there a second round of team matches? Luo Chen, puzzled, prepared to ask Qing Xingyue, but before he could, a man nearby stood up first.

“Jian Feichen, are you serious? If so, does that mean my Yunsha Pavilion can enter the secret realm without passing the second round of team matches?”

After the Yunsha Pavilion man spoke, Jian Feichen in the center of the square smiled slightly and replied,

“Chief Qiugu, not exactly. The second round of team matches will take place inside the secret realm.”

Jian Feichen’s words plunged the assembly into dead silence. Their faces showed not just confusion, but also shock and fear. Such an arrangement was unprecedented and unheard of.

Since it was an ancient secret realm, it was bound to be something that had emerged and endured through the ages. The older the secret realm, the greater its dangers. Of those who entered the Ancient Sword Tomb, half never returned, and of those who did, nearly half were gravely injured. This was one reason so many mid-tier powers refused to participate further.

Jian Feichen’s announcement left everyone unsure how to proceed. In previous trials, the top hundred individual victors received generous rewards. Even if one did poorly in the individual round, participation in the team match and completion of its tasks guaranteed ample rewards for all disciples. This was why the sects and families gathered here to compete in the team match.

“Steward Feichen, may I ask what you mean exactly?”

A woman’s voice sounded, drawing Luo Chen’s gaze. The speaker, from Hundred Flowers Palace, appeared to be a mentor or elder.

“Elder Hua Ye, it’s quite simple. Thousands of Blood-Devouring Dragon Ants have appeared in the Ancient Sword Tomb Secret Realm. The team task is to hunt these ants, and the rankings will be determined by the number of spirit cores collected.”

“Hey! Jian Feichen, have you all at Heavenly Sword Palace gone mad? Hunt Blood-Devouring Dragon Ants? Whoever wants to go can go, but I won’t send my Yunsha Pavilion disciples to their deaths.”

Qiugu spoke, his face anxious and angry. After glancing at the other sects and families, he turned to leave. Luo Chen, observing, was curious about these Blood-Devouring Dragon Ants. Just their name implied they could devour dragons. Judging by the hesitant and conflicted expressions around him, these ants were not to be underestimated. Yet Qing Xingyue looked eager.

“Chief Qiugu, wait! Let me finish explaining the rewards before you leave.”

Jian Feichen smiled, and Qiugu paused, now intrigued by the rewards, as were all those present. Qiugu sat again, giving Jian Feichen a peculiar look—his eyes seemed to say that if the reward didn’t match the risk, Yunsha Pavilion would still withdraw.

“After discussion between the Heavenly Sword Palace master and the Saintess of Sky Pool, the top five teams in this year’s competition may each select five disciples to enter the sacred Sky Pool.”

Jian Feichen’s words shattered the silence, sparking excited discussion among the sects and families. Luo Chen merely smiled. From Qing Xingyue, he had learned that Sky Pool was the heart of the Sky Pool Sanctuary, perched atop the peak among the clouds—a hundred-meter lake perpetually enshrouded by snow and ice.

The existence of Sky Pool remained shrouded in mystery; its age was unknown, its depth a secret. The chill a thousand meters beneath its surface could freeze even practitioners at the Void Cave stage. After the first Saintess founded Sky Pool Sanctuary, she set an array at that depth. The slight cold that permeated from the array could cleanse and temper the meridians of lower-stage cultivators, and combined with the dense spiritual energy, it could rapidly advance one's cultivation.

“Luo Chen, remember: entering Sky Pool is unnecessary. But once in the secret realm, you must absorb and refine all the spirit cores you acquire. As for why, you will understand later.”

Hearing Qing Xingyue’s transmission, Luo Chen looked at him in confusion. Qing Xingyue merely smiled. Since the team match was judged by the number of spirit cores hunted, if Luo Chen absorbed all of them, wouldn’t that mean forfeiting the team competition? Luo Chen could not fathom why Qing Xingyue had secretly instructed him so. No matter—he would proceed step by step; once in the secret realm, all would become clear.

“If no one objects to the team match, we will proceed to the championship duel of the individual round.”

With Jian Feichen’s announcement, the crowd exchanged glances. Soon, they seemed to accept the arrangements. No sect or family spoke up. After waiting a moment, Jian Feichen continued:

“Will Dongfang Haoran of Sky Pool Sanctuary, Nameless of Tianqing Academy, and Sikong Yijian of Withered Wood Cliff please ascend the stage!”

“Sikong Yijian! How can it be?”

In an instant, Baili Qingmei and others turned to Qing Xingyue, their expressions filled with astonishment and disbelief. Before anyone could speak, a cry arose behind them.

“Sister Yu, let me go! I want to kill him, I want to avenge my brother!”

At the moment that name was spoken, Luo Chen’s fists clenched tightly. Hearing the surprise of Baili Qingmei and others, and then the anguished cries of Luo Xiaoya behind him, Luo Chen did not know whether to laugh or cry. That name! No, that person—the first he had ever wanted to kill—had once again appeared before him so easily.

Yet, Luo Chen’s once turbulent heart became suddenly calm. Watching the black-cloaked figure descending from a distant pavilion, his face unseen, Luo Chen realized the man had concealed his aura just as he had.

Still, Luo Chen considered whether he might be mistaken. If both had hidden their auras, why not choose a different name? Could it really be mere coincidence?

“Nameless youth, what are you waiting for?”

Qing Xingyue’s voice snapped Luo Chen back to awareness. Everyone awaited his ascent. Luo Chen glanced back at Luo Xiaoya, sobbing in Qing Xuan Yu’s embrace. Qing Xuan Yu nodded slightly, and Luo Chen leapt from the viewing pavilion, landing before Jian Feichen.