Why do I have so many masters?

After all, as an outsider, it was truly inappropriate to discuss the affairs of one's elders openly in Qingfeng Edge, so everyone halted their speech. At that moment, the morning training had already ended, and one could see white-clad young ladies with swords everywhere, all brimming with an exceptional, spirited aura. Wang Anfeng suddenly understood.

Why his friends from Fufeng Academy were so persistently eager to come to this Qingfeng Edge.

Subconsciously, he turned to glance at Xue Qinshuang, only to see the young lady's eyes slightly widened, her brown pupils gleaming, seemingly filled with combat will.

Miss Xue was indeed still as ever.

The young man felt somewhat powerless for reasons unknown to him.

The sound of swishing garments arose as a figure descended from the sky—clad in a white vigorous attire with a Jade Hairpin in her hair, her features cold. In her right hand, she held a sheathed longsword—it was Gong Yu. She raised her eyes to look at Wang Anfeng and the others, nodding slightly:

"Good, you're all still here."

"Come, follow me."

............

Qingfeng Edge harbored a forbidden area.

Jianghu rumors claimed that one could find the most exquisite swordmanship techniques and various inheritances inside, yet many martial artists scoffed at these claims, refusing to believe them.

But the stronger folks of Jianghu knew that this was not merely a rumor, but a fact.

While it was referred to as a forbidden area, it was actually an incredibly high mountain.

The mountain was called Myriad Swords, yet there weren't myriad swords upon it, at most only about a hundred or so, possibly even fewer.

At the very summit, there was a wooden hut built, not inhabited by anyone; it only housed a longsword.

The sword lay across a table, emitting a sorrowful, piercing cry.

The sword was called Three Fools.

It was used by a Sword Saint a hundred years ago.

............

When Wang Anfeng and the others arrived at the peak, they almost couldn't believe that within this mountain range, there stood such a high mountain.

What was even more unbelievable was that before this moment, they had never noticed it.

Gong Yu led the four to the summit, and even though it was June, it felt quite cold on the mountain. A waterfall crashed down from this thousand-zhang tall peak with a thunderous roar.

Gong Yu turned around, her voice still clear amidst the booming thunder.

"The master once told me that he hoped you could all enter the forbidden area, and the Great Elder and Sect Leader have also granted permission."
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"You can stay here for three days."

The expressions of everyone changed, but Gong Yu continued to explain on her own:

"This mountain holds three types of opportunities."

"The first type is below, at the foot of the mountain where the Sutra Loft and Sword Pavilion are located. Containing hidden and rare cultivation techniques and scriptures from Jianghu, you may browse them yourself within these three days."

"The second type is in the middle. From the base to the top of this mountain, there are one hundred and thirty-one pavilions with one hundred and thirty-one Spirit Swords, each accompanied by a stele at its front, possessing its own mystical teachings. If you can gain the approval of even one sword, reaching Fourth Rank is possible, and there is no place in the vast world where you cannot go."

Her voice paused, not continuing further.

Baili Feng, who had been listening intently, asked instinctively:

"What about the third type, the highest opportunity?"

Gong Yu's eyes flickered slightly, shaking her head:

"It cannot be spoken of."

With a flick of her sleeve, as if Sword Qi burst forth from within her sleeve.

Atop the summit, an incense was lit, pointing skyward; the Sword Qi swept over the incense tip, swiftly causing curls of white smoke to rise.

"Daily, a disciple from the forbidden area will bring food here."

"Once this smoke burns out, I will come to fetch you."

As her voice faded, Gong Yu took a step and, with fluttering garments, she soared into the sky like an Immortal, vanishing in an instant, leaving the four young men and women standing confidently atop this forbidden peak.

Watching as Gong Yu's figure disappeared into the distance, Xue Qinshuang turned around, her eyes bright, and said to the others:

"Outside Qingfeng Edge lies Myriad Swords Peak, this must be the mountain beyond the mountains then."

"Opportunity is rare, let's meet again in three days."

After speaking, she clenched her fists in a salute, turned, and walked away, her demeanor seemingly quite excited—her footsteps even quickened, and eventually, she simply activated her Qinggong, moving along the mountain path straight downwards like a shooting star, disappearing from sight within moments.

The remaining three exchanged glances.

In the silence, Baili Feng scratched his head and said with a casual smile,

"Qinshuang is really impatient."

"As for me, I'll just head down to the Sword Pavilion below the mountain to see what cultivation techniques are there..."

Tuoba Yue was slightly startled and said subconsciously,

"Don't you want to check out those Sword Steles' inheritance?"

After all, acquiring the inheritance of a Spirit Sword almost certainly made one a Fourth Rank expert, even a Grandmaster was possible.

Facing Tuoba Yue's curious gaze, Baili Feng shook his head and simply said,

"Because I don't like it."

His expression was serene, clearly reflecting his true thoughts.

Tuoba Yue opened her mouth but couldn't find the words, her perception of the rough boy changed as thoughts stirred and she sighed silently,

I am not as pure as him.

Just then, she saw the Military Family boy casually lifting the crude Mo Blade behind him, swinging it effortlessly, creating a sharp whooshing sound, and with a broad grin, he said confidently,

"Besides, how can using a sword be as comfortable as using a blade?"

"My Mo Blade, weighing over a hundred pounds, slices a great swath with every chop."

"I, Baili Feng, would rather wield a huge blade slice than learn swordsmanship."

Tuoba Yue's expression became blank, her hand to her forehead, the slight peculiarity that had just begun to sprout in her heart was as if it had been cleaved into mush by the 'huge blade slice' in the boy's hand, leaving her with nothing but helplessness and self-doubt.

To think she believed that this muscle-brained Military Family would have aspirations and principles?

The young girl sighed softly.

Could stupidity be contagious?

Wang Anfeng helplessly watched Baili Feng deliberately show off, shook his head, then turned to Tuoba Yue and asked,

"Miss Tuoba, where do you plan to go?"

Tuoba Yue was slightly taken aback, a glint of hopeful longing shining in her eyes.

Having come from her hometown to Great Qin, she naturally desired to acquire skills, longing for the inheritance of a Spirit Sword, but that incident taught her the principle of 'knowing oneself.'

Her hometown was ravaged by war because of greed.

Countless cattle and sheep were led away by enemy raiders, her elder brother died in battle, her elder sister was married far away, and the people lived in hardship - all because of her father's insatiable greed. The flames of that night seemed to have burned for seven years, burning till now, giving her a fiery appearance and a timid, easily satisfied heart.

With a slight exhale, the young girl let her memories fade, lifted her head with a bright smile.

As if it didn't matter, she said offhandedly,

"I, too, plan to go to the Sword Pavilion to check out the cultivation texts."

Her voice paused, then she continued,

"After all, given Brother Xue's talent, he only went to the pavilions on and below this mountain. My talent is far inferior; rather than wasting this rare opportunity, I'd better keep my appetite small."

"If I can memorize one or two books from the esteemed Qingfeng Edge, it would not be in vain."

Wang Anfeng nodded slightly, noticing nothing amiss. He himself wasn't planning to check out those Spirit Sword inheritances on this trip, for in his eyes, the martial arts taught by Master and Master Ying were surely better than these inheritances, especially with the Sutra Loft open, containing all sorts of unheard secrets.

Thus, there must be some records about 'White Tiger Hall' and 'Jade Bead.'

Thinking this, the young man settled on a choice, though his thoughts were somewhat confused as he thought of Xue Qinshuang's radiant brown eyes, her innate nature, and Tuoba Yue's evaluation, he couldn't help but inwardly retort,

She isn't worried about failing to grasp the essence of a Spirit Sword.

Starting with the lower levels was probably because she feared that after seeing those formidable Sword Steles above, she wouldn't be in the mood to look at the lower levels.

Suddenly, he remembered what Li Bo had said: when eating, start with the less tasty dishes and work your way up slowly. Otherwise, starting with your favorite dish might overpower your taste buds, making it hard to enjoy the flavors of the other dishes.

In a sense, Miss Xue is also a gourmet.

A trace of melancholy crossed the young man's heart.

Somewhere below the first pavilion on the mountain.

Xue Qinshuang, dressed in white, her hands clasped behind her back, walked lightly and cheerfully, her eyes sparkling.

PS: First update presented