Volume One: Youths Meet in Times of Adversity Chapter Sixty-Eight: Shattered Mirror, Enter the Sword Immortal

Lu Ming knew in his heart that the Sword Sect of Green Mountain had their own matters to attend to. Yet, he did not wish to learn everything about Tianmen Town through Li Yu, even if Li Yu willingly offered all the information himself. To him, he refused to entangle the bond and affection between him and Li Yu in that mire of filth.

As the two conversed about Li Yu’s past, they soon arrived at the temple called Another View.

Lu Ming gazed at the three large characters hanging above the entrance, recalling the residence of the Hall Sovereign in the Imperial Extremity Hall, named One Evolution Temple. He could not help but speculate: could there be some connection between the two?

There are no coincidences without reason in the world; all so-called coincidences are preordained arrangements.

Stepping into Another View, Lu Ming, whose cultivation was but a step away from entering the Way, could clearly sense that this seemingly ordinary courtyard was anything but ordinary.

A single door, a single wall, somehow perfectly separated the aura of the Way inside from that outside.

The aura of the Way was the most mysterious, intangible, and ethereal of existences. In Lu Ming’s experience, he had never seen a place where the aura of the Way could be so flawlessly cut off—even the sword aura within the Sword Tomb of Green Mountain could not achieve such separation.

Upon entering the courtyard, the aura sensed his near-complete cultivation, and began to swirl around him, as if joyfully inviting him to cross the threshold into the Way.

Lu Ming’s astonishment and awe deepened. Since disembarking, he had sensed five decrees above Tianmen Town, hidden in the sky, suppressing the Way of all present. He had not expected that within this small courtyard, the five decrees would fail to suppress the aura of the Way, which remained as vibrant as ever.

The deeper he ventured, the more profound his sense became.

When he reached the main hall, Lu Ming felt his cultivation slipping from his control. His expression changed, his steps halted, and he quickly sat down to suppress his cultivation.

Originally, Lu Ming was only a hair’s breadth from entering the Way. But his thoughts lingered on Li Yu of Tianmen Town, prompting him to repeatedly suppress his advancement. If he were to break through, he feared he would miss the opportunity afforded by his visit.

Now, his complexion darkened. The aura here was richer than elsewhere, and with his worries put to rest after seeing Li Yu, his state of mind cleared. When he tried to suppress his cultivation again, he found it impossible.

His energy climbed inexorably; Li Yu, recognizing the signs of a breakthrough, wished to help but did not know how.

As they grappled with their dilemmas, a Daoist’s voice came from the inner hall: “Embrace the heart of Heaven, break through peacefully. When the time is ripe, let it flow, why force suppression?”

The Daoist’s words were like a calming balm, easing Li Yu’s worries and steadying Lu Ming’s resolve.

Lu Ming had not planned to break through in Tianmen Town—he did not wish to draw undue attention, nor was he confident that his breakthrough would not be sabotaged.

Yet, the Daoist’s advice, coupled with Li Yu’s presence, finally gave him the courage to take that step and become another Sword Immortal of Green Mountain.

No longer suppressing his cultivation, the balance of aura in Another View shattered. Above the temple, a surge of energy pierced the clouds, exploding in dazzling brilliance. The light drew the gaze of all in Tianmen Town, filling them with suspicion and wonder.

This anomaly was quickly noticed by the city lord and the others. They were enjoying conversation on their way to the banquet when the sudden disturbance seized their attention.

Each person’s thoughts differed, yet all converged on curiosity and scrutiny toward whoever was breaking through in that direction.

Tianmen Town, with its five decrees, was a place devoid of the Way. Even if someone had cultivated to the ninth realm, a step from breaking through, the laws of the Way here should prevent advancement. So how had someone accomplished it?

Among the demon clan, the Azure Lion, hearing Liuguang’s words, at first dismissed them as mere blind trust in the Daoist. Yet, as he prepared to retort, he sensed a wave of the Way emanating from outside.

All three were Dao demons and instantly understood that the fluctuation meant someone had broken through. But in Tianmen Town, a land without the Way, who could have achieved such a feat?

Upon careful sensing, they realized the energy came from the direction of Another View. The Azure Lion was left speechless; it was certainly not the Daoist breaking through, but for him to help others do so was remarkable.

The Azure Lion and White Tiger had never comprehended the Daoist’s true strength. Now, they were given an immediate glimpse. Both were shaken, wondering, “Has he truly reached that legendary realm?”

Among the Spirit Taming clan, the elders felt little beyond curiosity as to how someone could break through with five decrees suppressing Tianmen Town. The five young men, however, were far more expressive. Li Xiyan wore a bold, combative pride; anyone who could break through here was worthy to be his rival.

The other four, especially Li Xiqing, felt shock but also deep jealousy and resentment. Why could others ignore the decrees and break through, while the Spirit Taming clan was subject to rejection? The thought only deepened their hatred for Tianmen Town’s inhabitants.

The elders of Green Mountain, upon sensing the sword aura behind the anomaly, recognized it as Lu Ming’s familiar energy, and felt joy and excitement. He thought, “No wonder he’s Sword Nine Heavens’ disciple. To break through under these conditions—I thought he would have to wait until returning home, but he managed it sooner than expected.”

But then, he wondered, surely Lu Ming would have suppressed his cultivation; why had he broken through here? Had something happened?

While the Green Mountain elder was lost in joy and apprehension, other sect members, aware that the anomaly stemmed from Another View and knowing who resided there, exchanged silent glances and pondered, “What is that Daoist up to now? Wasn’t the last disturbance enough? Now someone is breaking through at his place—does he truly disregard us all?”

The Sword Elder of Green Mountain watched the growing brilliance, realizing the breakthrough was at its most critical moment. Fearing Lu Ming might encounter danger, he excused himself to the city lord, “Lord Zhang, I must attend to something urgent. I’ll have to miss tonight’s banquet. I hope you understand.”

Zhang Helun, connecting the dots with the earlier disturbance, asked curiously, “Is the one breaking through related to Green Mountain?”

He knew only a Daoist could cause such upheaval, and with only a single young disciple by his side—whose cultivation did not match the sword aura—he wondered who was breaking through.

The Sword Elder smiled apologetically, “It should be Sword Nine Heavens’ disciple. He’s breaking through here, disturbing the festivities; I must apologize on his behalf.”

Zhang Helun replied, “Ah, Sword Nine Heavens’ disciple. No wonder he has the strength to break through. This is a good thing—go ahead, and when he’s stable, bring him so we may meet Green Mountain’s newest Sword Immortal.”

The city lord’s words startled everyone. They suddenly realized: today, Green Mountain had gained another Sword Immortal. The power of a Sword Immortal was legendary—one person could stand against thousands.

And he was Sword Nine Heavens’ disciple. Most might not know the name, but the influential figures did. Sword Nine Heavens was a towering peak of Green Mountain, a figure that awed the entire cultivation world. His deeds and killing power were legendary among the older generation.

Anyone worthy of being his disciple surely possessed extraordinary talent and strength among today’s youth. Now, with his breakthrough, it meant he had found his path as a sword wielder; from today, he would be known as a Sword Immortal.

The Sword Elder departed amid complicated glances, and it was impossible to claim some did not wish to intervene. When they learned the breakthrough was sword cultivation, some considered interfering, but the notion faded instantly—learning it was the Daoist’s domain or a Green Mountain disciple, they relinquished any ambition, leaving only long sighs and helplessness.

The Sword Elder arrived soon at Another View and immediately sensed its peculiarities.

Besides Lu Ming’s own aura, many other types of the Way radiated here. He finally understood how Lu Ming managed to break through in Tianmen Town. The aura here was exceptional and intense, unaffected by the decrees or the absence of the Way in Tianmen Town.

Clearly, Lu Ming had relied on this aura to break through.

He approached the gate, and like Lu Ming, was struck by the three characters. The names One Evolution Temple and Another View seemed different, yet were closely related.

What is “One”? It is the source, the Way that creates all things, and also means one who escapes the fate outside Heaven.

One is evolution, one is again—signifying transformation and rebirth. And both names rest upon the character for “Yu,” meaning surplus or remainder.

He thought, the resident here must be the Daoist Lu Ming spoke of.

Furthermore, the Imperial Extremity Hall’s sovereign must have close ties to the Daoist.

Knowing it was not yet time to enter, the Sword Elder stood outside to guard Lu Ming, preventing any ignorant souls from disturbing his breakthrough.

Inside, Li Yu sensed Lu Ming’s aura growing ever stronger. Soon, as it reached a critical point, it underwent a fundamental transformation.

With his ability to discern Yin and Yang, Li Yu saw the dual energies on Lu Ming merge into a radiant sword. The sword shone like a mirror, reflecting all things, its brilliance impossible to conceal. Scenes from Lu Ming’s life flashed across the blade—people and events passing like a parade—until they coalesced into a beam of sword light that pierced the sky.

A chorus of Dao resonances echoed from the void, as a rainbow of light poured down, bathing Another View in the blessing and baptism of the Way.

When the rainbow faded, all returned to ordinary.

Lu Ming opened his eyes; in his gaze flashed a light that seemed to see through the human heart.

Li Yu beamed with heartfelt joy and congratulated him, “Congratulations, Brother Lu. You are now truly a Sword Immortal.”