Chapter 950: Trial Once More

Upon finding the teleportation array on the fifth level and stepping into the sixth, Qin Sang grew noticeably more cautious.

The puppets on the sixth floor were the strongest of all, yet they no longer helped temper his swordsmanship. Qin Sang slew them in a sweep, and at last discovered the lonely, drifting teleportation array. In the darkness, silence reigned around the array.

Carefully, Qin Sang approached. He stepped onto it, light flared, and he emerged in the space of the seventh level, before the shattered mountain peak. Once he took in his surroundings, Qin Sang’s heart eased. Like the first six levels, this place was empty of people.

"Did those Spiritual Infant cultivators not come into the Sky Tower?" he muttered under his breath, then glanced at the Corpse Puppet Pouch. "Have you recalled anything?"

"No." Bai’s voice sounded from within the pouch.

Qin Sang was disappointed. If Bai could recall secrets of the Sky Tower, it might help him find the ancient teleportation array and cultivation arts. But Bai remembered nothing, and Qin Sang could not force him.

After scanning the area, Qin Sang pondered briefly, then his figure blurred and vanished. He had cast a concealment Dao Technique, slipping upward without a sound.

Along the way, he noticed strange fluctuations within a barrier, suspecting someone had disturbed it, but he chose not to investigate.

Before long, Qin Sang reached halfway up the mountain. Just as he was about to ascend further, his ears twitched. Hearing an odd sound, his expression shifted. He quickened his pace, darting past dozens of mountain fragments until he reached a massive shard where a valley lay.

After a glance around, he slipped into a pile of broken rocks and fixed his eyes on the valley. On the seventh level, there was no further teleportation array.

The Sky Tower’s interior was formed through wondrous barriers into mustard-seed spaces. Many speculated the seven levels were only part of the tower, yet no cultivator, despite countless attempts, had ever found an entrance to the eighth. Thus suspicion turned to anomalies, with the valley most prominent.

The black-threaded barrier within it was perilous. Even late-stage Spiritual Infant cultivators would not dare approach. No one knew what lay behind. Many believed the teleportation array was hidden there.

The last battle between the grand witch priest and the Devil Lord was said to have been over an ancient treasure, likely obtained in the valley. Now, to Qin Sang’s surprise, several figures hovered outside the valley, peering inward. From within the valley came surges of powerful energy.

"Are those Spiritual Infant cultivators breaking the black-threaded barrier?" Qin Sang guessed in secret. He glanced at the watchers outside and sneered. "Reckless fools, daring to scavenge in front of two races’ Spiritual Infant cultivators. They don’t know death when it stares at them."

He had no interest in joining them. Seeing the valley would yield no results soon, he veered aside and soon arrived at the entrance of the path of swords. No one paid heed to the ancient hall that had long since rotted and collapsed.

Qin Sang ordered the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to keep watch. Ensuring no one spied, he set up a concealing barrier, then summoned the ebony sword. With a surge of sword qi, he opened the entrance.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Whoosh!

He slipped into the path of swords. The ground was paved with bluestone bricks. Nothing had changed since his last visit.

That time, before leaving, he had copied the contents of Senior Qingzhu’s jade slip and then placed it back. Now, the jade slip still lay there undisturbed. The handwriting of Senior Qingzhu spoke of bitter regret.

"Fate is fickle... To think this was his final testament." Qin Sang gazed at the words, sorrow written on his face.

He had heard many legends of Senior Qingzhu, and regretted never meeting him. To finally reach the man’s dojo, only to learn he had been besieged and killed, left Qin Sang deeply unsettled.

Steeling himself, he walked toward the front of the path. His face grew solemn. Would the external incarnation, forged with his sword soul, be recognized by the path? Success or failure would be decided here.

Bang!

The incarnation emerged from the Heavenly Corpse Coffin and stood at Qin Sang’s side. Qin Sang collected all of its astras, knowing that they could not be used on the path of swords.

"When I enter, the Corpse Puppet Pouch may be sealed. Do not worry..." he explained the path of swords to Bai.

From within the pouch, Bai’s voice responded, "This path of swords, along with the puppets of the six levels, truly resembles the training grounds of a sect for its disciples. If the path’s barriers are as marvelous as you say, then that sect must have been extraordinary. It’s a pity I remember nothing..."

After a few more words, Qin Sang called for his incarnation, and together they stepped onto the path.

He had barely gone a single zhang when strange phenomena appeared. The corridor flared, a great mass of azure light forming above and descending without warning.

Qin Sang grew taut with nerves, ready at any moment to rescue his incarnation. He had spent vast effort nurturing a peak Core Formation incarnation and could not bear to see it destroyed here.

Swish!

The azure light carried crushing pressure. Just as it was about to fall on them, it seemed to sense something, and dispersed without sound.

The familiar scene played again. Beams of azure light shot into Qin Sang, sealing all his treasures except the ebony sword. To his delight, the incarnation still stood intact at his side.

"So this is why Senior Qingzhu left the

Seeded Devil Embryo

! This devilish art of incarnations was meant for later generations. Before reaching the Spiritual Infant Realm, one may still pass the path's trial. Otherwise, unless one like me cultivates both body and sword, or grasps sword force and forms a sword array, none could withstand the assault of two top sword masters." Overjoyed, Qin Sang let go of his last worry.

The bricks on either side lit up, and two familiar swordsmen emerged. They saluted Qin Sang before launching their attack.

In high spirits, Qin Sang returned the salute, then commanded his incarnation to fight. Though without astras, the incarnation’s cultivation was enough to suppress the swordsmen easily.

After a few exchanges, the swordsmen were driven into a corner. They sheathed their blades in surrender.

"You will guard me." Drawing a deep breath, Qin Sang instructed the incarnation, then summoned the ebony sword and strode forward.

Just like before, he would immerse himself in battle against the swordsmen, gaining insight, refining his swordsmanship, and elevating his Sword Dao. With the incarnation guarding him, should he falter, rescue would come swiftly. He could focus wholly, without fear.

Perhaps he would never return here again. He must not waste this rare opportunity. This trial would surely benefit him. Even if he could not grasp sword force, he could still strengthen his sword wheel.

Bang! Bang!

Two swordsmen appeared and were immediately pierced through by Qin Sang’s sword, vanishing back into the bricks.

His strength had soared. These early swordsmen no longer challenged him. He advanced swiftly, sweeping through the first half of the path with ease.

Soon, he arrived at the spot where he had halted last time. His easy smile faded. Suppressing part of his strength, he took another step forward.