Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Vision of Green Mountain’s Future—The Young Scholar Tops the Imperial Examination List in Spring [Please Support with Full Subscriptions and Monthly Votes]

The green mountains seemed eager to converse with the extraordinary youth, while countless horses galloped forth in an unending surge.

Li You’an and the six mountain masters gazed intently at the white-clad youth seated before the sheer cliff, gripping the bamboo sword named Green Mountain. From the boy emanated an unmistakable aura, extraordinary and vibrant, swelling continuously like a rising tide.

Coiled beside him was a greatly enlarged, invincible white python, its form hinting at the transformation into a dragon—a profound abyssal dragon poised to reveal its fangs to the mortal world.

More astonishingly, at the very moment the youth grasped his sword, an inexplicable force stirred within the hearts of the onlookers, as if their spirits were affected by an unseen power.

Within the boy burned the image of a towering mountain piercing the clouds and rending the heavens, resembling a peerless, razor-sharp blade.

With their profound spiritual refinement, such visions should have been impervious to them, yet they found themselves irresistibly drawn to this extraordinary spectacle.

The Sixth Mountain Master’s eyes suddenly flared with fervor as he fixated on Green Mountain—the sword he had long coveted yet never possessed.

Though it was merely a worn bamboo sword, in his eyes, it was the finest blade in all the world, incomparable even to the fairy swords of the Sword Lake Palace in Shu.

“There lies a secret within Green Mountain, but alas, Green Mountain does not favor me,” he sighed, shaking his head.

Though deeply intrigued by the bamboo sword Green Mountain, he knew that a sword with a soul could not be claimed by one it did not belong to. Even if he had it in hand, he could not unravel its mysteries. Thus, there was no need to force the matter.

The other mountain masters also showed keen interest.

The First Mountain Master, reclining upon a crane’s back, exuding an ethereal aura, calculated with his fingers and his eyes glimmered with a strange light.

“This youth has sealed the future sword qi left by the Sage Master within his bamboo sword. To wield the future sword qi in such a manner is truly… ingenious.”

“But it is also because this sword possesses a special nature. Ordinary swords cannot bear the future sword qi; even a top-grade sword would struggle.”

“And this blade has yet to be sharpened. Though a bamboo sword is blunt, it can still be honed… Once sharpened, it will surely unleash even more dazzling power.”

The First Mountain Master chuckled softly.

“Indeed, it’s still unsharpened.”

“In this world, only the Sword Lake in the Sword Lake Palace of Shu might have the power to hone Green Mountain’s edge. But the Sword Lake is the sacred ground of the Sword Lake Palace, a place nearly impossible to enter.”

“Zhao Huangting once went to Shu with great ambition to sharpen the blade there. Though he defeated three grand sword attendants of the Sword Lake Palace, he was ultimately blocked by the palace master, revered as the Sword Saint of Shu, and had to withdraw. He failed to sharpen Green Mountain.”

The Sixth Mountain Master lamented.

“After the Great Zhao’s southern migration, Zhao Huangting never returned to Shu, nor attempted again to hone Green Mountain.”

The First Mountain Master raised an eyebrow.

“The Sword Lake Palace of Shu is a sword-making family with nearly ten thousand years of heritage, filled with stubborn old souls. Gaining access to the sacred Sword Lake is no easy feat.”

They chatted for a while as the aura around the youth gradually concentrated.

Li You’an’s gaze sharpened with a fierce light. His mind was filled with the future visions he had glimpsed earlier on the cliff.

Only he and An Le had witnessed this future; even the six mountain masters remained unaware.

Hence, Li You’an looked at An Le with great expectation. The wielder of the future sword qi might possess the power to alter the course of fate.

Though the future he saw was bleak, it now held the promise of change.

“The Sage Master left behind three streams of sword qi—past, present, and future. I have comprehended the past and present, but the future remains elusive. Now that the future sword qi is also in someone’s hands, all three streams left by the Sage Master have found their bearers.”

Li You’an spoke softly, “Perhaps it is time to converse with the Sage Master again.”

The First Mountain Master smiled.

“Indeed. The future sword qi had remained unclaimed all these years. No one had reached the level to converse with the Master.”

“Now that the future sword qi has a bearer, it is time for the next person to speak with the Master.”

“Who will it be? Could it be this young one?”

All eyes, including those of the mountain masters and Li You’an, turned toward An Le.

Yet it was too early to say.

Until the very last moment, none could be certain who would truly converse with the Sage Master.

“If he cannot achieve the top rank in the upcoming palace examination, he will have to wait until the next spring imperial exam. But for his invincible force, there may be no next chance. So, it’s truly uncertain.”

The First Mountain Master remarked.

This dialogue with the Sage Master would be a grand occasion, likely coinciding with the opening of the Seventh Mountain Gate and the appointment of the Seventh Mountain Master.

The reopening of the Sacred Mountain’s gates would be a momentous event for the entire world.

Even the Yuanmeng Empire would be involved.

Now occupying the central lands and drawing upon the world’s dragon veins, the Yuanmeng Empire thrived, producing countless prodigies under the emperor, who was revered as the greatest cultivator in the realm. Many Yuanmeng prodigies aspired to emulate him and soared to great heights.

Once the Seventh Mountain Gate opened, the Yuanmeng prodigies would undoubtedly watch it keenly.

Not even the six mountain masters knew if the Seventh Mountain Master would hail from Yuanmeng.

The Sacred Mountain was not the Sacred Mountain of Great Zhao but that of Central Lands. Among the six mountain masters, not all were from Great Zhao. The First Mountain Master, for example, was a descendant of the fallen previous dynasty, with no ties to Great Zhao.

The mountain breeze blew softly through the deepening night, stars scattered across the sky.

After sitting quietly before the cliff for a long time, An Le finally opened his eyes and rose slowly.

The cold mountain night wind brushed past, ancient trees’ leaves rustling gently. An Le’s white robe fluttered as he held Green Mountain, now a common bamboo sword, but his eyes still shone with excitement.

Empowered by the future sword qi within Green Mountain and bolstered by the vast sword qi, his presence was strikingly unique and detached from the world.

The future sword qi sealed within Green Mountain would enable An Le to slowly comprehend it and eventually master the future sword qi, unleashing divine sword power and world-shaking might.

He instinctively looked toward Li You’an, startled to find six figures standing silently in the once-empty Fusong Mountain, including the familiar Sixth Mountain Master.

“Greetings, Mountain Masters, and esteemed elders.”

An Le bowed respectfully to the six.

Though he did not recognize them all, their formidable presence was unmistakable—aside from the elder riding the crane and the Sixth Mountain Master, the others had manifested as spiritual projections, their powerful souls causing An Le to tremble.

“These are the six mountain masters of the Sacred Mountain,” Li You’an said, suppressing the worries about the future he had seen. Now that An Le wielded the future sword qi, hope was present, and worry need not show.

Six mountain masters?

An Le’s eyes narrowed in awe. The mountain masters were legendary, all disciples of the Sage Master.

He had previously met the Sixth Mountain Master on the Sixth Mountain but never imagined seeing them all together today.

An Le bowed again, showing due respect.

“To wield the Master’s future sword qi shows you possess great talent and a strong affinity with the Master. Work hard, and perhaps you will become our junior disciple.”

A graceful female figure appeared among the spirits, smiling gently. Due to her spiritual form, her voice carried an echo of serene mountain valleys.

Another robed spirit spoke as well.

“The three sword qies left by the Master—past, present, and future—possess unimaginable power. While You’an has comprehended the past and present, he truly masters only the present sword qi, using his Thousand-Degree Blade to rampage across the Canglang River battlefield.”

“Even the fierce Heavenly Wolves under the Yuanmeng Emperor find it hard to catch You’an.”

“Therefore, though you have only just grasped the future sword qi, you have the opportunity to learn from You’an about the past and present sword qies. Should you truly master all three, you will roam the world with unparalleled ease and glory.”

The mountain masters chuckled, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

Li You’an smiled faintly.

“If the chance arises, I will teach him. But since An Le has just obtained the future sword qi, there is no rush for the past and present. Once he truly comprehends and can wield the future sword qi, it won’t be too late to learn.”

“Otherwise, it would be like biting off more than one can chew.”

An Le nodded seriously, understanding this truth well.

After a brief, casual exchange, the mountain masters departed, their spiritual forms dissipating like the wind. The First Mountain Master rode his crane away, and the Sixth Mountain Master soared off on his sword.

Fusong Mountain returned to its peaceful stillness.

Yet An Le was unaware that the stir he had caused had already swept across the world.

Strong powers from the Yuanmeng Empire, the Western Liang Kingdom, and the Dali Kingdom sensed his presence. Jianghu sects like the True Martial Sect, the Celestial Master Mansion, and the Three Buddha Temples also had powerful figures vying for attention.

None, however, knew that the one wielding the future sword qi was such a youth.

Most assumed it was the legendary top scholar of Great Zhao, Li You’an, who held the future sword qi.

After the mountain masters left, Li You’an did not linger on Fusong Mountain with An Le. The mountain had fulfilled its purpose and would not become the Seventh Mountain. Henceforth, only Li You’an might visit it occasionally; otherwise, it would be forgotten.

Together, they flew away from the unremarkable mountain and returned to the bustling, dreamlike capital of Lin’an.

...

At the Prime Minister Qin’s residence, a solemn mourning enveloped the luxurious estate.

White and black silks hung everywhere. Monks from the Lanke Temple were invited to chant sutras and perform rites to ease the departed souls.

The water pavilion, a favorite resting place of Qin Qianqiu, was draped in mourning cloth.

An aged figure sat quietly in the pavilion, gazing absentmindedly at the fish swimming in the small pond.

After a long silence, a handsome man in black funeral robes approached and stood beside the elder.

Qin Lishi glanced at the silent Qin Hua’an, showing little emotion.

“Your brother is dead,” he said hoarsely.

“I know you never liked Qianqiu; your relationship was strained. But he shared my blood, just as you do.”

He tossed some fish food into the pond, stirring the swimming fish like blooming spring flowers.

“I have watched your talent closely. Qianqiu’s aptitude was far inferior to yours, so I never expected much from him. I only hoped he could live well. But he would not waste time. Knowing his talent was less than yours, he strove harder.”

“He joined the Great Prince’s retinue, seeking favor to gain fame and power matching your own.”

Qin Lishi spoke softly, revealing words he had never shared with Qin Hua’an before.

For his gifted son, Qin Lishi had always been strict and demanding.

“Your eldest brother had great talent but died young. Your younger brother had less talent but is now dead as well.”

“Now, Qin Lishi has only you left.”

He sighed deeply.

Qin Hua’an was at a loss for words.

He had little feeling for Qin Qianqiu; born of a servant, he was not favored, barely acknowledged in Lin’an despite his dazzling talent.

Qin Lishi turned his gaze to him and, for once, smiled gently.

“Don’t be like your brother. An Le is in Lin’an, protected by many. If you try to kill him once and fail, you’ll only alert him.”

“To kill him, you must find the perfect opportunity and crush him utterly.”

“That day will come soon. His support is temporary; he himself is too weak.”

“Moreover, the one he killed, Fa Kong, was a disciple of the Lotus Blossom Temple’s sea-passing saint monk. The Buddhist sect is fiercely protective… An Le’s fate is thus sealed.”

“So, don’t act rashly.”

Qin Lishi’s rare tenderness left Qin Hua’an somewhat overwhelmed.

In all these years, it was only the second time his father had shown such gentleness—the first when he discovered Qin Hua’an’s astonishing talent.

“This youth has entered the palace preliminary exam. You were recommended to participate as well. Both of you are on the Minor Saint List, aiming to shine in the palace preliminaries and compete for the chance to converse with the Sage Master.”

“I want you to crush him utterly in the preliminaries. Break him down! Inflict heavy damage to weaken him. I want you to ensure he cannot enter the top three.”

Qin Lishi’s tone grew stern.

His words weighed heavily on Qin Hua’an.

To completely defeat An Le in the preliminaries, to deal him a crushing blow—only then would An Le be barred from the emperor’s pardon. Then, Great Zhao’s laws would weigh down upon him.

Only then could Qin Lishi avenge his deceased son.

The demand was not excessive nor beyond Qin Hua’an’s willingness.

Despite their poor relationship, blood bound him to Qin Qianqiu; avenging his half-brother was his duty.

“Father, rest assured. I will give my all in the palace preliminaries. An Le... I will utterly defeat him.”

“The invincible force... he cannot gather it before me.”

Qin Hua’an spoke calmly but confidently.

Ranking third on the Minor Saint List, only two Great Zhao princes surpassed him. Zhao Xianyou needed no introduction—an immortal among mortals. The second prince, Zhao Pei, was hailed as the reincarnation of Zhao Zu, unmatched in talent.

He was content to stand behind them.

Qin Hua’an’s talent was exceptional, all earned by his own merit without Qin family resources.

His place on the Minor Saint List was won by his own skill.

Now, at the peak of the Fifth Realm in body forging and spirit refining, and with his grasp of secret techniques passed down by the Sage Master, he believed the top rank in this spring imperial exam belonged to him alone.

Qin Lishi could sense his son’s confidence. He had never worried much about Qin Hua’an because his son’s deeds were always near perfection.

Qin Hua’an watched the colorful koi fish in the pond, their brilliance sparking light in his eyes.

He was now his father’s only son.

His father’s gaze was fixed upon him.

He would become the top scholar. He would converse with the Sage Master.

He would be his father’s true pride.

...

Night had fallen deep over Lin’an City.

Li You’an parted ways, and An Le returned directly to the small courtyard in Temple Alley.

He planted the Ink Pool within the hollow of the long-lost old locust tree, then sat cross-legged beneath it, drawing the bamboo sword Green Mountain to his side.

Bathed in the starlight piercing the evening clouds, his spirit surged and flowed into Green Mountain.

As his spirit sank, An Le beheld the majestic Green Mountain once more.

Standing at its base, he saw a mighty sword qi ascending in translucent waves, coiling like a dragon wrapped around the mountain.

The sword qi was unprecedentedly powerful. Before Green Mountain and the sword qi, An Le felt minuscule.

Gazing upon the mountain and the dragon-like sword qi, his spirit trembled slightly.

The delicate strands of sword qi were like waves carried by the winds atop a towering peak, assaulting his spirit as a baptism, a forging.

He contemplated the future sword qi, knowing that though he had extracted it from the cliff and sealed it within Green Mountain, true mastery would be a long journey.

Yet his heart burned with eagerness, youthful ambition, and the invincible force he had gathered—all pushing him forward without hesitation.

His spirit soared, determined to conquer the dragon coiled around Green Mountain.

He stared fixedly at the mountain and sword qi, watching intently.

Suddenly, he felt as if caught in a vivid vision.

An Le shivered. The method he cultivated, the Spirit Refining Technique taught by Lady Hua, was the “Sword Waterfall Diagram.” Each time he visualized it, he gained something.

But visualizing the Sword Waterfall was far less potent compared to envisioning Green Mountain and the future sword qi.

He could use these visions to temper his spirit even more powerfully.

Viewing Green Mountain and the future sword qi as a meditative image was far stronger than the Sword Waterfall.

After all, the Sword Waterfall was but an illusion on paper, whereas the future sword qi and Green Mountain were right before his eyes.

He concentrated deeply, his spirit growing ever stronger.

After a night of meditation, his spirit withdrew from the bamboo sword. Within his Dantian, the sword qi rang clearly, and the embryonic spirit sword seemed to carry new meaning.

His recently condensed spirit was now much grander, its form solid and lifelike, revealing the vastness of his spiritual power.

Dawn’s light shone over the courtyard.

An Le rose, grasped Green Mountain, and began sword practice, performing the Three Sword Melody.

After a session of swordplay, he returned the sword to the hollow in the old locust tree and began practicing the Ancient Demon Five Beasts technique.

At the Long Embankment of West Lake, he had slain Fa Kong, a disciple of the sea-passing monks—his first Fifth Realm cultivator kill.

Though only Fifth Realm in body forging and Fourth in spirit refining, An Le had felt some pressure from his opponent.

Fortunately, he prevailed, slaying Fa Kong and strengthening his invincible force, fortifying his spirit further.

His body forging advanced to the peak of the Fourth Realm under the feedback of the Fearless Heart Dao Fruit, awakening profound martial insight.

His inner alchemy burned like the sun in his dantian, blood and qi swirling mysteriously around it.

Within, echoes of ancient demon beasts—the roaring tiger, the raging bear, and the howling ape—resounded endlessly.

His martial insight was born from the manifestations of the Ancient Demon Five Beasts.

Now, whenever he struck, divine strength surged forth, qi and blood roared, and the demon beast visions coalesced into insight, allowing him to shape his qi and blood into forms for ranged attacks.

This greatly enhanced the lethality of his body forging arts.

Combined with the Five Kill Melodies of music, An Le felt his combat prowess rise significantly. Should he encounter Fa Kong again, he could now easily overwhelm him.

In high spirits, An Le returned indoors, changed into clean clothes, donned Green Mountain and the Ink Pool, and took a book to study while leaving the courtyard.

He walked along Temple Alley, attracting various gazes—some awestruck, some fearful, some envious—among the literati and scholars, until he reached the West Lake.

Fa Kong’s body had long been taken by the Black Bureau, and West Lake had returned to its usual calm and beauty.

On the lake, a small boat drifted quietly.

Upon it, the fairy Yun Rou played her zither. Seeing An Le, her eyes softened, and she smiled gently beneath her veil.

An Le, clad in snow-white robes with wide sleeves flowing in the breeze, lightly stepped upon the water to board the boat.

He listened quietly to Yun Rou’s music, honing the rhythm of his Five Kill Melodies while reading and preparing for the palace preliminaries.

The waters of West Lake rippled gently.

Time passed peacefully.

Yet this tranquil scene stirred murmurs among the crowd on the Long Embankment. Though many envied or feared him, none dared speak loudly, lest they disturb the scholar quietly reading on the boat.

The An family was renowned not only for artistry but also for ruthless killing.

Recently, An Le had slain a fierce monk, disregarding the power of the Prime Minister Qin to take down the Qin family’s young lord.

His fearsome reputation spread throughout Lin’an.

He was a man none dared offend lightly.

After listening to a few melodies, An Le bid farewell to Yun Rou and left West Lake, heading to Quiet Street and then to the Lin residence to continue his usual work.

There, he was led by Miss Xi Xiang to the Tianbo Pavilion.

Upon arrival, after exchanging a few words with Lady Hua, who read lazily on a couch in a black silk gown, the boisterous voice of Lin Zhuifeng echoed through the estate like a trumpet.

“Here it is! Two days after the release of the second-tier list, the spring imperial exam’s top list has finally come out!”

“Amazing! Amazing!”

“Mr. An made it!”

...

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