Chapter 15: Sword Spirit, Qingling

Just as they were fighting fiercely, Ye Lin was leisurely waiting beside the Sword Nurturing Pool for the Azure Cloud Sword to finish being nurtured.

On the battlefield, Yun Ruyan launched the first attack, and the Disciples of the Heavenly Martial Sect moved up to meet them, but the gap in strength was ultimately too large, and they were defeated after only a few rounds.

Conversely, Wu Xiaofeng and Liu Qinghe did not end things so quickly; they merely held the upper hand in the battle.

But with the arrival of Yun Ruyan's support, the opponents were all defeated.

Wu Xiaofeng looked at Xiao Jun. "There is no need to struggle anymore. Hand over the sword. You wouldn't want to be injured and then have us take the sword by force, would you? I believe you are clear-headed enough to understand that."

Xiao Jun, with an ugly expression, prepared to hand over the long sword. He stood up, threw the long sword to Wu Xiaofeng, and without another word, prepared to leave.

The other Sects were the same; after all, they had lost, so why stay here and lose Face?

Just as everyone was preparing to leave, several Formation Flags flew through the air, instantly scattering and embedding themselves around the group.

Immediately, a Grand Array enveloped them. Wu Xiaofeng looked at the situation before him and felt that something was amiss.

The Disciples of the Spirit Sea Sect appeared outside the Grand Array. Lu Hai watched as most of the capable competitors from the various Sects were trapped inside.

"It is truly a case of the snipe and the clam fighting, and the fisherman reaping the benefit. Did you think we from the Spirit Sea Sect withdrew from the contention without a word for no reason?"

"We were just waiting for this Opportunity to trap you all here. Originally, it would have been difficult if you had all remained at peace, but it is different now. Most of you are injured, or have exhausted too much mana."

"Furthermore, this Grand Array was set up by several older generation Qi Refining ninth-layer Disciples who specialize in Formations."

"Even if you were all in peak condition, it would take some effort. Moreover, given your current state, it is basically impossible to break through this Grand Array."

"This Grand Array will only disappear when the Dragon Spirit Secret Realm is about to end. After all, we dare not keep you trapped in the Secret Realm; otherwise, we wouldn't be able to leave either."

Xiao Jun looked at Lu Hai and the others. "What? Do you want this long sword too?"

Lu Hai said with a look of disdain: "I am not here for this long sword. As long as you are trapped here, the treasures of this Dragon Spirit Secret Realm will be scavenged by our Spirit Sea Sect."

"Without you, can the other Disciples compete with us? Now, the Dragon Spirit Secret Realm belongs to our Spirit Sea Sect."

The Spirit Sea Sect Disciples outside the Secret Realm cheered one after another.

"It has to be Senior Brother Lu. Now our Spirit Sea Sect is going to prosper; what else is there for the other Sects to compete for?"

The Disciples from the other Sects booed.

"You are truly shameless, trapping our Senior Brothers and then arguing."

Seeing this, Liang Wenjing shouted: "Enough, what is there to argue about? The world of cultivation is like this; it is full of variables. If you end up with such a consequence, you can only blame yourself for being inferior in skill."

"It is also a good lesson for them. If they had been trapped by the Grand Array of the Demon Race, it would not be as simple as just being trapped inside."

The other Elders felt the same way. Although they were somewhat unhappy, such is reality.

After all, they had been cultivating for so long. Having climbed to their height, they understood that nothing comes without a price; they understood this logic.

Since Liang Wenjing had spoken, they couldn't say anything else.

Su Yu watched the people trapped by the Grand Array and realized that he should study Formations when he returned to the Sect; otherwise, it would be bad if he were trapped one day.

This incident served as a timely reminder for him.

Han Shi, who was beside him, was very anxious. "This is not good."

Wang Yuyan felt the same. "It is fortunate that Young Master Ye did not appear in there."

Han Shi also realized this. "Yes, I hope he can obtain some benefits. After all, we haven't seen him appear until now."

Su Yu laughed. "I reckon this kid has encountered something good; otherwise, he wouldn't have failed to show his Face until now."

Returning to the battlefield, the people inside the Grand Array were now full of anger.

"Do you dare to let us out? Don't play such petty tricks."

"What do you think? I advise you not to waste your energy. Rest well so that you can leave the Secret Realm later." He then laughed loudly and left with the people of the Spirit Sea Sect.

Wu Xiaofeng, inside the Grand Array, looked helpless. He had actually fallen into the trap of the Spirit Sea Sect; it was truly unexpected.

Yun Ruyan pointed at the Grand Array above. "Since we are all trapped, there is nothing more to say. Instead of sitting and waiting for death, it is better to find a way to break this Grand Array."

"Stop resting. We are all grasshoppers on the same rope now. There is no need to dwell on previous struggles. Let us join forces and try to see if we can break this Grand Array."

Seeing this, everyone stood up one after another, preparing to circulate their spiritual power.

Wu Xiaofeng stood up. "Alright, everyone, let's use our full strength to attack one spot of the Grand Array and see if we can break it."

Subsequently, everyone exerted their full strength, attacking one spot of the Grand Array together with Yun Ruyan and the others.

Clearly, after one round of attacks, it had no effect; it only caused ripples to splash on the Grand Array. After trying several more times, it still had no effect.

They stopped attacking, and subsequently, each Sect sent out a call for help to the Disciples in their own Sect who had accomplishments in Formations.

After all, they had no other way now and could only let the Disciples of the Spirit Sea Sect scavenge resources rampantly.

At this moment, in the cave, Ye Lin's Azure Cloud Sword had finally finished being nurtured. The Azure Cloud Sword floated into the air, and the sword body emitted a brilliant light.

The once unremarkable long sword was now shimmering with flowing light, and the cold gleam was piercing to the eyes.

At this moment, Ye Lin could also feel his connection with the Azure Cloud Sword more clearly.

Just at this moment, a human-shaped light shadow appeared before Ye Lin, and Ye Lin was startled.

But he immediately realized that this must be the sword spirit of the Azure Cloud Sword. He hadn't expected that this nurturing would actually awaken the sword spirit of the Azure Cloud Sword. This was an unexpected delight.

Ye Lin looked at the sword spirit in the appearance of a child before him; this was not quite what he had imagined.

The sword spirit spoke at this moment. "I didn't expect that a greenhorn like you would obtain the Azure Cloud Sword, and if I am not mistaken, this is the Dragon Spirit Secret Realm, right?"

"I didn't expect this Secret Realm to still exist to this day, and that you found a good place like the Sword Nurturing Pool. If it weren't for this Sword Nurturing Pool, I don't know how long it would have taken for me to appear."

"I was just lucky. Are all sword spirits like this?"

"Of course not. Sword spirits can transform into various forms. I have just transformed into a form that you happen to understand."

"Moreover, I have only just recovered a little and can only maintain a young form; I cannot appear all the time."

Ye Lin nodded and said: "Then how should I address you?"

"Just call me Qingling. Of course, you can also call me Brother Ling; perhaps I might guide you."

"A real man knows when to yield and when to stand tall; how can I just call you brother casually? Brother Ling, your judgment of people is truly accurate. Please guide me in the future. If there is anything I don't understand, I will still need to ask for your advice."

Qingling was caught off guard for a moment.

"Seeing that you are giving me so much Face, I will tell you about another Opportunity. Do you see the grass beside this pool? It is not simple; it is called sword nurturing grass!"