"Medicine King Valley of Seacrest?"
After speaking, Zack Zhao didn't dare lift his head.
Dominic Ding, the Southriver Sword Sect Master seated at the head, frowned immediately when he heard Zack's words: "Medicine King Valley has always minded its own business and never interfered with the Miracle Hand Sect in Jinnan. Why are they suddenly trying to merge now?"
"I haven't been able to find out the reason for this. As soon as I got the news, I rushed back to the Sword Sect, worried that Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin might show up at our door any day now."
Every time Zack Zhao mentioned Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin, he couldn't help but tremble all over.
"If he dares to come, all the better! I'll split him in two with my sword!"
The Chief Sword Master of the Southriver Sword Sect glared furiously, clenching his fists. His aura surged, like a raging beast on the verge of losing control.
The sword at his side seemed to sense his fury. Its scabbard struck the floor, and in an instant, all the nearby tables and chairs shattered to pieces.
Such a display of sharpness was obvious to all.
"That Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin is very likely eyeing our sect's Five Swords. He already went to the Moore family for the Ancient Sword Dustleave, so he must have a particular fondness for swords like these. And our sect's Broken Red-Dust Sword is even more renowned than the Moore family's ancient sword—there's no reason he wouldn't come for it."
Suddenly, one of the elders who had stayed silent spoke up.
Inside the hall, aside from the Sect Master, the Chief Sword Master, Zack Zhao, and Drake Yu, the other four present were sect elders, each wielding an Insight Sword.
These four elders looked totally relaxed, not the least bit tense.
"If he comes, let him come! The four of us have never gotten a chance to use our Red Lotus Sword Formation inside the sect. If he shows up, it'll be the perfect chance for us to practice our swordplay." One elder chuckled.
"I'm just afraid he won't dare," another elder shook his head.
"In our Sword Sect, besides the Red Lotus Sword Formation, we've got the Sect Master holding down the fort. And if worst comes to worst, remember the old rumor from a hundred years ago—our founding ancestor is still a legend around here." The last elder gave a cold laugh. "People only know our founder established the sect and then ascended as an immortal, but few realize that deep inside the sect, his bones are still guarding that..."
"Enough!"
The last elder hadn't even finished his sentence.
Dominic Ding, seated at the head, frowned, his voice low.
As soon as he spoke, all four elders instantly shut their mouths.
Sword Master Wang led the way, shaking his head slightly.
Even with his sword master's cultivation, coming to the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground put immense pressure on him.
The pain you're feeling comes from the sword qi leaking out from all the spiritual weapons buried beneath the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground. Ordinary people can't endure this sword qi and never make it to the mound. Only those with a natural affinity for the sword will feel less pain.
Sword Master Wang explained quietly, his tone bored.
Brother Zack Zhao—what was he like when he entered the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground?
Selina Zhu was breathing heavily, pain in her body, but she could still push through.
As she spoke, more and more people began to give up and turn back.
He walked right through, showing no pain at all—a true prodigy. The moment he stepped into the mound, a Southriver Sword flew out to greet him—Southriver saluted him.
Sword Master Wang smiled as he spoke.
Southriver saluted him!
Those words made Selina Zhu and the others' eyes light up with excitement.
No wonder he's called a genius.
Harvey He clenched his fists. "If only I could be like that one day."
That's right. Zack Zhao now uses the Misty Rain Sword instead of the Southriver Sword. That's real skill! No one his age can match him." Selina Zhu spoke with real affection for Zack.
She'd already set her heart on Zack Zhao as her brother-in-law, hoping he'd marry her sister Yvonne Zhu.
He entered the Sword Burial Ground, and Southriver saluted him.
What about Drake Yu?
Evan, quietly walking at the back, asked curiously, his voice steady and completely unshaken by the sword qi.
As soon as he spoke, Sword Master Wang turned around and gave Evan a long look, surprise in his eyes.
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Sword Master Wang’s gaze lingered on Evan, as if seeing something unusual.
He hesitated, then answered, "Drake Yu’s talent is extraordinary, but when he entered the mound, he could barely endure the sword qi. He gritted his teeth and forced his way through, but his face was pale as a ghost."
The others fell silent. Compared to Zack Zhao, Drake Yu’s experience was far less glorious.
Evan smiled faintly, not commenting.
Sword Master Wang glanced at Evan again, his heart faintly unsettled.
The group continued forward, the sword qi growing sharper with every step.
Some candidates collapsed, clutching their chests, unable to go on.
Selina Zhu’s eyes shone with determination as she pressed forward, refusing to quit.
Harvey He gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face.
Evan walked as if nothing at all was happening, completely unaffected.
Sword Master Wang finally stopped. "We’ve arrived. This is the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground."
A vast mound lay ahead, covered in ancient grass and scattered sword hilts.
The sword qi here was so intense, it felt like a storm cutting through their bodies.
Some candidates immediately knelt, unable to stand.
Sword Master Wang announced, "From here, you must cross the mound on your own. Only those who reach the other side are qualified to enter the sect."
Selina Zhu took a deep breath and stepped forward.
Harvey He followed, his face twisted in pain but full of resolve.
Evan strode forward, completely unfazed, drawing curious glances from everyone.
The trial of the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground had begun.