Chapter 476: Testing the Sword!

Half a day later, outside the immortal palace.

Xi Lian, who had transformed into a young girl, rested her chin on her hands with a rather gloomy expression.

"Auspicious clouds? How could there be auspicious clouds?"

Beside her sat Shi Qianzhang, Liu Yunzhi, Gao Shixing, Fei Lianzi, and Zhang Zikuang, an old acquaintance from the Special Warfare Unit. They had all gathered to celebrate Wang Sheng and Xi Lian's ascension to immortality.

Zhang Zikuang brought out a few cans of preserved food, while Fei Lianzi took out two jars of old wine. Sitting cross-legged on the steps, they began a small feast in honor of the two.

To ascend was a turning point in the long road of cultivation. It was certainly worth celebrating.

Becoming an immortal, also called attaining the Dao, meant one's Dao had finally taken shape. From that point forward, they'd be taking each step along with their Dao.

Wang Sheng clearly felt himself growing stronger after his ascension, but he had yet to test just how far he had come. When he gripped the hilt of Spiritless earlier, an impulse to unleash its power welled up inside him, but he forced it down.

Now that he had become an immortal, he dared not act recklessly in the Small Immortal Realm. Damaging any of the relics that the Heavenly Court had left behind would have dire consequences.

The thought evidenced that he felt a bit inflated with pride, though.

Mu Wanxuan sat beside him, immersed in her study of the Great Dao of Yin and Yang. Her presence was filled with a deep and mysterious charm. Wang Sheng, on the other hand, was still adjusting to his newfound power. He couldn't even keep his immortal aura from spilling into the air around him.

After several rounds of drinking, Wang Sheng finally gave in to his restlessness. He telepathically asked Yaoyun if there was a place in the Small Immortal Realm specifically meant for "martial practice."

Currently, Spiritless and Flying Haze were in his Qiankun Ring. Each was wrapped in a cocoon of multi-colored light, undergoing some sort of refinement.

Compared to the faint immortal light around Flying Haze, Spiritless's glow was far more brilliant. Its blade had grown slightly thinner and gained a crystalline sheen. Moreover, the fine crack that had once marked it had vanished.

Though seemingly taken aback by his question, Yaoyun still answered, "Of course, there is. There are walled square grounds at the borders of each region. Immortals used to go there to spar."

Wang Sheng's spirit immediately lifted. After informing the others, he pulled his senior sister, called for Xi Lian to come along, and headed to the place Yaoyun had mentioned.

He remembered seeing buildings like it in the past, but he never bothered to enter any of them. Back then, he had focused entirely on cultivation; he had neither rivals nor reason to test his strength.

Upon reaching their destination, they were met with towering walls, each one seventy meters tall and built of massive, perfectly cut stones. Wang Sheng tried to fly over, but a barrier of light blocked his way. Hence, they circled around until they finally found a narrow entrance.

Once inside, he realized that the place wasn't just meant for simple sparring. It was built for combat training.

As Wang Sheng stepped through the gate, a wave of chaotic and directionless pressure weighed down on him, likely the lingering auras of Immortals who had once fought here. Just as he was about to walk further in, light gathered on the inner wall and formed the shape of an armored general.

He bowed and, in an ancient language, said, "Lord Sword Master, those who have not yet ascended may observe, but they're not allowed to enter."

Wang Sheng glanced behind him. Since everyone with him was a cultivator, they easily understood the spirit's archaic words. They all nodded in understanding.

Considering the way that the spirit addressed him, the spirit was clearly aware that Yaoyun now served as Wang Sheng's sword spirit.

The palace spirits probably have their own grapevine...

Wang Sheng and Xi Lian entered without obstruction. A wall of light stopped Mu Wanxuan, Fei Lianzi, and the others, forcing them to watch from the shadows of the high walls.

The vast arena was nearly three thousand

zhang

across, and it had a blood-red "Soldier" written across its center. Protective arrays formed barriers of light all around.

The general followed them inside, awaiting Wang Sheng's command.

Wang Sheng turned to Xi Lian. "Big Sister, shall we spar?"

Xi Lian shook her head rapidly. She then smiled teasingly and winked at him. "I'd rather spar in some other way. I'll keep you company however you want me to."

Wang Sheng chuckled. "You should act that way with Daoist Master Qinglin. I'm sure it'll work."

Xi Lian's smile faded into a sigh. "I'm not so sure about that."

"What are you afraid of? We're both immortals now."

"I'm afraid of both finding his corpse and finding him alive," she murmured, then bit her lip. "I've been freed from my devilish nature, yet I still don't know how to face him. Honestly, I envy Jingyun and her devotion to your master. Being able to stay by Daoist Master Qinglin's side would fulfill my wish, even as his junior sister or niece."

Wang Sheng nodded seriously. "After this, I'll check the Realm of Exiled Immortals' exit and seal it temporarily. We'll decide how to explore the world outside afterward. I understand how you feel, but we can't be hasty about this, Big Sister. Every step we take affects not just us, but the blue planet we'll be leaving behind."

"

Mm,

I know," Xi Lian said softly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You make the plans. I'll follow your lead."

Wang Sheng smiled. "You're our big sister. I wouldn't dare give you orders. Think of it as a friendly suggestion."

He walked to the center of the trial grounds, his long hair and robe fluttering with the faint breeze. His hairband danced between the strands, as though symbolizing unrestrained freedom.

Unbeknownst to him, the heavenly general behind him had been raising his hand repeatedly, hesitating to speak. Finally, he said, "Lord Sword Master, that area is meant for Golden Immortals. Since you've only just ascended, it's safer to start from this corner. Otherwise, you could trigger the restriction arrays to attack you..."

With his hands behind his back, Wang Sheng calmly turned and walked toward the corner. Xi Lian blinked, then burst out laughing.

As an old saying went, only by knowing oneself and one's enemy could one be undefeated. Wang Sheng had to have a full grasp of his power, combat ability, and the destructive force of his sword techniques. Only then could he judge whether to fight or flee when faced with unknown foes.

That was why they had to test their limits.

Since Spiritless and Flying Haze were still in the process of refinement, he drew one of his Light Edge Swords. He had prepared ten of them some time ago. Though one had been destroyed during his tribulation, the rest were still in good condition.

Sword in hand, he closed his eyes, steadied his breath, and began channeling his immortal power. Right after, his Dao Body radiated gold-tinged Pure Yang Immortal Power. Powerful waves surged outward, growing stronger and more intense with every passing moment.

He twirled the sword as he imbued it with his immortal power. Seemingly pushed to its very limit, its blade then quivered with a soft hum. A brilliant white light burst forth, forming a sword radiance more than thirty meters long.

However, he only managed to unleash thirty percent of his immortal power. Wang Sheng frowned slightly, lost in thought.

At that moment, the nearby spirit asked, "Lord Sword Master, do you wish to borrow the weapons stored here?"

"Oh?" Wang Sheng nodded. "If it's not too much trouble."

Smiling calmly, the spirit formed a hand sign. A wall in the distance split open, and a weapon rack floated toward the corner. Dozens of weapons rested on it, each emitting a faint immortal light.

Wang Sheng picked up a celestial sword of rather fine quality. It was only slightly inferior to Spiritless.

He channeled fifty percent of his immortal power into it, making the blade gleam and streams of immortal light flow across its surface. A three-inch sword radiance then flared forth. Sharp and focused, it was far more refined than the thirty-meter one from before.

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

With his full strength, Wang Sheng swung it through the air. A brilliant crescent-shaped arc of sword radiance shot forward and struck the barrier on the wall, causing a violent fluctuation of primal qi.

The barrier flickered once. Right after, a strange immortal power swept the disturbance away as if nothing had happened.

"Lord Sword Master, do you wish to activate the Trial Immortal Stone?" the general spirit asked.

Wang Sheng tilted his head. "What's that?"

"A treasure that tests the combat strength of heavenly soldiers and generals. When struck with full force, it gauges one's true power. A Star Sovereign forged it long ago."

Wang Sheng paused for a moment. "Bring it out, then. Is there anything else I can use? Aside from measuring my strength, I'd like to know the highest realm I can face under normal conditions."

"We can use an array to summon an illusory opponent at your level."

"Let's start with the Trial Immortal Stone."

He adjusted his stance as the spirit quickly chanted immortal incantations. Soon, a ten-meter-tall stele rose before him.

Wang Sheng drew a deep breath and gathered his full strength. Instead of using a technique, he just unleashed a plain sword strike. The stele absorbed the sword radiance like a sponge, then began to glow dark blue.

"That attack's power was at the peak of the Ascended Immortal Realm," the spirit reported. The term he used was likely based on an average standard or fixed measurement.

With his Pure Yang Immortal Mantra and the support of his four great sword intents, it would have been shameful if he failed to reach at least that level.

"Let me try," Xi Lian said excitedly. She dashed to the weapon rack, picked up a dagger, and stood beside Wang Sheng. Pouring all her strength into the weapon, she struck the stele.

It absorbed the attack, then flickered light blue.

"The attack was at the early stage of the Ascended Immortal Realm," the general spirit announced.

Xi Lian's forehead furrowed in frustration. Buddhist light swirled around her, and lotus petals floated through the air. She had clearly lost her temper. With a sharp cry, she chanted an incantation and fired a spell.

A moment later, the stele glowed blue.

The spirit monotonously reported, "Your power is at the middle stage of the Ascended Immortal Realm, Immortal."

"

Pui!

" Xi Lian rolled her eyes, walked over to Wang Sheng, and kicked his heel.

Wang Sheng gritted his teeth into a crooked grin.

She was about to scold him when she suddenly blinked. "Go on, give it another go. I want to see how your Ziwei Sword scores."

He smiled bitterly. "This is starting to feel like an exam."

As he stepped forward with his sword, Xi Lian leaped back lightly, putting plenty of distance between them to avoid getting caught in the blast.

Wang Sheng steadied his breath. Instead of using Heavenly Ziwei Sword immediately, he started with the Reversed Seven-Star Sword Formation. Immortal light wrapped around him as he landed hit after hit on the stele, causing it to flash between dark blue and pale green, which represented Primordial Immortal Realm power.

His sword strikes were already equal to the fully charged attack of an ordinary Primordial Immortal who was using pure enchanted power. Such a comparison naturally had little real meaning. In actual combat, cultivators had techniques, artifacts, and hidden trump cards to rely on.

Gradually, the stele's glow deepened to a darker green. Wang Sheng's focus sharpened as he attacked it relentlessly. Soon, he thrust forward, causing a piercing sword cry to echo through the air. His sword radiance shone even brighter as the shade of the monolith darkened.

He stepped back for a moment, caught his breath, then resumed.

Switching to the Seven-Star Sword Formation, seven sword phantasms appeared around him. Their glow flickered, as though alive. Within the formation, he seemingly split into seven, each one unleashing a different sword technique in seamless succession.

Right after, a single gleam of sword radiance flashed, and the seven sword phantasms converged into one. Wang Sheng's seven "clones" then unleashed a final barrage. They slashed, cleaved, pierced, flicked, swept, churned, and shocked, forming a dazzling surge of sword radiance that the stele fully absorbed.

The stele trembled softly and glowed a pale yellow.

The spirit was momentarily stunned. "That attack's power was equivalent to that of an early-stage True Immortal."

Wang Sheng exhaled slowly. The spirit, which should've been expressionless, now stared wide-eyed at Wang Sheng. It was as though he had seen a ghost.

Gazing at the stele, Wang Sheng twirled his sword casually.

The Heavenly Ziwei Sword Art, which Ziwei had created, was undoubtedly formidable. Though still at the Ascended Immortal Realm, it allowed him to draw out his full power and attack with the strength of a True Immortal. If used wisely, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he could even hold his ground against a Primordial Immortal.

Before the stunned spirit, Wang Sheng began testing his second sword intent. Electricity wrapped around the blade of his sword, lightning clouds gathered above him, and arcs of blue lightning filled the space within a hundred

zhang

.

Xi Lian had already retreated to the entrance, leaving the scene of her defeat. She transformed into a mischievous four-year-old or five-year-old child and clung to Mu Wanxuan's skirt, crying pitifully.

Meanwhile, Wang Sheng infused his Heavenly Tribulation Sword Intent into his sword and channeled the Pure Yang Mantra. A storm roared wildly around him, creating a sight so stirring that even the onlookers were moved to tears.

If only Mu Wanxuan's phone had not run out of power, she could have finally used the "cheering squad" stickers that she had saved for her junior brother all these years.