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Chapter 1226 - Chapter 1226 Chapter 1228 The Secret Realm

Chapter 1226: Chapter 1228: The Secret Realm Chapter 1226: Chapter 1228: The Secret Realm The Imperial Sword Sect’s Contribution Points system is related to the welfare of everyone within the sect; no one dares to tamper with it. Without merit, even Duan Xingliu, the Sect Leader, doesn’t dare to arbitrarily distribute Contribution Points.

However, when awarding Contribution Points for great achievements, there is a certain limit. Taking the example of Song Jian’s contribution of the planting method for Snake Vine Grass, which counts as a major accomplishment, normally, awarding one hundred and fifty thousand Contribution Points would suffice. But if Duan Xingliu wants to give more, the other peak masters can’t say much, after all, the great achievement that Song Jian has accomplished is indisputable.

However, even then there must be limits, at most two hundred thousand. Any more would cause dissatisfaction among the other peak masters and disciples.

“Master, the Thousand Swords Art I control can evolve into the Karmic Fire Red Lotus Sword Formation…” Song Jian asked, “But since this sword formation is an evolution of the Thousand Swords Art technique, I wonder if it’s feasible to use the Spirit Sword to evolve other formations?”

“Evolving other formations?” Duan Xingliu paused, then smiled, “The art of formations is vast and profound. Your idea, in theory, is feasible. Thousand Swords Art has another name as well; it is known as the Foundation of Formations. You’re not the first one to try to use the Thousand Swords Art to evolve other formations, and you certainly won’t be the last. Whether you can succeed depends on how much effort you can put in!”

“Has anyone in the sect ever evolved other formations using the Thousand Swords Art?” Song Jian’s heart leapt with joy as he asked hastily.

Duan Xingliu shook his head and said, “Thousand Swords Art has long been lost. I have only read about it in the sect’s annals. During the time of the Ancient Sword Sect, there were predecessors who, with a single long sword in hand, could evolve formations of all the heavens and myriad worlds. With the strength of a single person, they suppressed tens of thousands of demons effortlessly, which is truly awe-inspiring!”

“What a shame…” Song Jian shook his head, somewhat disappointed.

“There’s no need for regret!” Duan Xingliu waved his hand, “In one month, the Sword Array Record Secret Realm of the Imperial Sword Sect will open. With the merits you’ve accumulated, you will have enough to vie for a spot to enter. In the secret realm, perhaps you will gain insight into how to use the Thousand Swords Art to evolve a sword formation!”

“Sword Array Record Secret Realm?” Song Jian was stunned, his face immediately showing intense interest. He moved closer to Duan Xingliu and smiled, “Master, could you explain more about this secret realm to your disciple?”

“This secret realm, inherited from the Ancient Sword Sect, is designed for disciples to comprehend sword formations,” Duan Xingliu stroked his beard as he spoke, “The realm is filled with sword formations everywhere. A mountain, a rock, a blade of grass, a tree, any of these could be the construction of a sword formation. The most famous formations within the realm are the Demon Suppression Seal, the Ten Thousand Swords Slaughter, and the Four Saints Sword Array…”

Duan Xingliu’s explanation took a full three hours. Song Jian listened until his head swam, but he also gained some understanding of the Imperial Sword Sect’s Sword Array Record Secret Realm.

Originally, this secret realm was set up by the Ancient Sword Sect to train its disciples. There are many types of sword formations within, the number exceeding one hundred thousand. The formations that one first encounters upon entering the realm are of a lower grade. The deeper one goes into the realm, the higher the grade of the sword formations becomes. Although the three formations mentioned by Sect Leader Duan Xingliu are the most famous, in reality, they are only the highest-grade formations that the disciples entering have encountered. Beyond those three, there are even more powerful formations. It’s just that the disciples entering simply lack the power to go deeper.

The formations within the realm progress from simple to complex, with their power increasing in succession. As long as one is not too greedy, it is always possible to come out intact. However, every time the realm opens, there are always some overambitious disciples who fall into powerful formations and lose their lives. In the end, Duan Xingliu repeatedly warned Song Jian that he must judge his own strength when entering the realm. If he found himself unmatched, he should retreat in time. Returning the way he came, the surrounding sword formations would not launch an attack, ensuring at least the preservation of his life!

The month passed in the blink of an eye, and during this time, Song Jian had almost consulted all the formation-related books in the Imperial Sword Sect for research, garnering considerable gains. Even his skill in the Thousand Swords Art had improved. He had tried to arrange some simple formations using the Spirit Sword but failed every time; it seemed there was some crucial aspect he had not grasped. He could only hope for a stroke of luck once he entered the Sword Array Record Secret Realm.

That day arrived quickly. Song Jian was mulling over formations in his own courtyard. More than a dozen Spirit Swords, as if hesitating, flew rapidly around his body, up and down, without interfering with each other, appearing rather mystical.

Every so often, the number of Spirit Swords would increase by one. When the count reached fifty-six, it finally exceeded Song Jian’s control. One of the Spirit Swords began to quiver discordantly in flight and violently crashed into another next to it. The collision, as though triggering a switch, caused the remaining Spirit Swords to veer off their previous flight paths and collide with each other. A crisp clanging sound filled the small courtyard, and within moments, all of the Spirit Swords had vanished. Song Jian slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of fatigue passing through them.

Continual control of so many Spirit Swords demanded an immense toll on his mental faculties. If it were not for Song Jian’s Spirit Points already exceeding three thousand, he likely wouldn’t have been able to manage so many Spirit Swords.

Just then, a three-inch white jade small sword flew towards him and hovered in front of Song Jian. Duan Xingliu’s voice emitted from the small sword, “Song Jian, the Sword Array Record Secret Realm will open in one hour. Hurry to the Swordwood Forest at Main Peak!”

“Disciple obeys!” Song Jian cupped his hands towards the jade sword in salute, and the jade sword quivered, as if nodding, before it zipped back the way it had come with a “swoosh”.

Song Jian was already prepared, and after a brief tidy up, he dashed towards the Swordwood Forest behind the Main Peak.

The Swordwood Forest, situated behind the Main Peak, was planted with Swordwood trees, each standing as straight and tall as a sword piercing the skies, not a single one askew.

Swordwood is a prized forging material, commonly used for making the hilts of longswords, and more frequently, wooden swords. Swords crafted from Swordwood were hardly inferior to those forged from metal. Furthermore, when casting spells with a wooden sword, not only was there no loss in potency, but the spells would also carry a whiff of Sword Qi. Hence, many elders in the Imperial Sword Sect favored carrying a wooden sword made of Swordwood.

Seeing Song Jian arrive, Duan Xingliu gave him a slight nod, gesturing him to stand aside. By now, over ten disciples had gathered in front of the Swordwood Forest, almost all of them powerful individuals with third-tier Combat Power.

The entry to the Sword Array Record Secret Realm wasn’t particularly valuable; spending a certain amount of Contribution Points would suffice for access. After all, it opened yearly. However, within the Imperial Sword Sect, there weren’t many disciples interested in formations, so only a scant ten or so would participate each time.

After waiting for a short while longer, a few more people arrived and silently stood aside. Song Jian glanced over but didn’t see Xin Ling. It seemed she wasn’t interested in sword formations, or else, with her Contribution Points, she could have easily exchanged for an entry pass.

At that moment, an elder stepped forward and said, “All disciples are now present. The Sword Array Record Secret Realm is about to open. I must remind you once more: act according to your capabilities, aim to comprehend those formations that are safer for you. Safety first!”

The elder repeated the caution several times, and then a dazzling purple light suddenly burst forth in the middle of the Swordwood Forest.

“The Teleportation Gate is open. Disciples may enter now!” The elder turned around to glance at the assembled disciples, his face expressionless as he spoke.

After bowing to Sect Leader Duan Xingliu and the elder, Song Jian and the others swiftly ran towards the glowing spot in the center of the Swordwood Forest.

…

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