Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 690 - 342: Miaomiao’s Dilemma_2

Chapter 690: Chapter 342: Miaomiao’s Dilemma_2

The opponent, so young yet already a master, while they were still struggling in vain—truly a crushing blow.

Jiang Shouzhong nodded and entered the Barrier Gate.

Once inside, the scenery before him abruptly transformed. The surrounding walls were painted white, and with the luminous pearls embedded in the four corners, the room was brightly lit.

On one recessed wall, an engraving of the Sword Manual Heart Method was visible.

But only a small portion was revealed.

To view the full sword manual, one had to step closer.

In the center of the stone chamber stood a gaunt middle-aged man, rigidly upright.

The man remained motionless, his brown skin almost devoid of flesh, exuding no signs of life—only the rusty longsword clasped in his hand.

If that thing made a cut, there’s no telling if you wouldn’t end up with tetanus.

As Jiang Shouzhong entered, a talisman automatically attached itself to him. Meanwhile, the Sword Corpse Slave moved slightly, mechanically stepping off the rune-engraved floor tiles.

Normally, the Sword Corpse Slave would launch an attack next.

But after leaving the talisman-enchanted tiles, this figure—who had shattered the cultivation dreams of countless disciples—simply stood still.

As if a hunter had lost sight of its prey.

As expected!

Seeing this, Jiang Shouzhong grinned.

The death qi on him really was the ultimate hack.

Jiang Shouzhong walked up to the Sword Corpse Slave.

The latter showed no reaction, seemingly unable to detect the living person standing right in front of him.

"You’ve worked hard."

Jiang Shouzhong patted the figure’s shoulder, then walked to the recessed wall behind the Sword Corpse Slave and leisurely began admiring the complete Sword Manual.

The sword manual for this trial chamber was named "Autumn Heart Swordsmanship."

It could be considered a decent technique in the Jianghu.

But to Jiang Shouzhong, who was used to feasting on sea cucumber banquets, such martial arts failed to spark any interest. He casually glanced at it before turning around and walking out of the Barrier Gate.

Seeing Jiang Shouzhong emerge from the stone door, the waiting crowd outside was stunned.

Even Qu Hongling was surprised and asked, "So fast?"

Jiang Shouzhong shrugged and chuckled, "Pretty mediocre, honestly. I didn’t even need to make a move; it didn’t dare attack me. Let’s go, onto the fourth floor for the next trial."

Hearing Jiang Shouzhong’s words, the people present were left speechless.

What do you mean "didn’t dare attack"?

No matter how strong you are, do you really need to brag that hard?

Do you think the Sword Corpse Slave is just a decoration?

But then again, for someone genuinely powerful, they do have the right to show off.

The two proceeded to the fourth layer.

Here, too, disciples were waiting in line for their trial.

However, compared to the third layer, there were far fewer—with just a dozen or so.

Qu Hongling continued to leverage her unique charm as a pretty young woman, successfully convincing the two at the front of the queue to give up their spots with only a few words. With a delighted air, she pulled Jiang Shouzhong to wait at the Barrier Gate.

The subsequent events unfolded almost identically.

First, Qu Hongling went in to probe the trial, and then Jiang Shouzhong entered for his turn.

The Sword Corpse Slave for this layer was an elderly man with white hair, formerly a renowned swordsman in the Jianghu. However, due to his violent temperament, he had ultimately been turned into a Sword Corpse by Zhenxuan Mountain.

The old man showed no reaction upon encountering Jiang Shouzhong.

Even when Jiang Shouzhong took the sword right out of his hand, the figure simply stood there, blankly staring.

Jiang Shouzhong briefly examined the sword manual, scoffing, "Couldn’t give this thing away even if you threw it in the trash," before casually putting the sword back into the Sword Corpse Slave’s hand and swaggering out of the Barrier Gate.

Next.

Onward.

...

Third-floor hall.

A crowd gathered three-deep around the entrance, eagerly watching the inner chamber of the trial.

Meanwhile, Tower Guarding Disciples were reporting on the situation inside.

Upon hearing that Jiang Shouzhong had completed the trials for the third and fourth layers at such astonishing speed, everyone couldn’t help but marvel.

Though they were aware that the Sword Corpse Slaves for these layers were no match for him, the sheer pace of his progress still left many quietly in awe, their emotions a swirl of mixed feelings.

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, Sword Leader Yun Wuqing entered the tower.

He first asked about Fang Ziheng’s progress, then turned to the Tower Guarding Disciples and inquired, "Which layer has Jiang Mo reached?"

"He’s just entered the fifth layer," the disciple replied truthfully.

Yun Wuqing’s lips curved into a smirk. Looking at the betting table beside him, he remarked with a smile:

"Good. Let’s hope this kid lives up to expectations and gives the Zhenxuan Mountain sword cultivators spoiled by arrogance a proper lesson—that there’s always someone stronger beyond the horizon."

Saying so, Yun Wuqing placed his bet: "I wager he’ll reach the eighth layer."

At this, the crowd erupted in astonishment.

The eighth layer?

That was at the Saintly Ascension level!

Some disciples, feeling indignant, wanted to voice their disagreement but ultimately lacked the courage, merely harboring resentment in their hearts, convinced that their elder was overestimating the outsider.

Yun Wuqing murmured, "After all, being the Sword Demon’s sole direct disciple, he should deliver some surprises."

Just as his words fell, a Tower Guarding Disciple rushed out to shout, "Jiang Mo has already completed the fifth layer trial!"

The crowd froze.

This level of speed—what the hell!

...

Jiang Shouzhong and Qu Hongling arrived at the sixth layer.

Only five people waited in line here.

Including Fang Ziheng, who was currently inside the trial chamber, it totaled six in all.

When Jiang Shouzhong and Qu Hongling appeared, most of the disciples in line merely glanced at them before shutting their eyes again, adopting an aloof and unapproachable demeanor.

At this caliber of skill, beauty tactics no longer held sway.

Especially for sword cultivators, who needed a mind untainted by distractions to cultivate the purest sword heart—strengthening their resolve even further.

No woman in the heart, the sword naturally divine.

Thus, Qu Hongling refrained from attempting anything, obediently waiting alongside Jiang Shouzhong.

After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Fang Ziheng emerged from the Barrier Stone Gate.

The man’s hair was a bit messy, his clothes bore several tears, and blood seeped from his arm—an overall pitiful state.

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