MTLNOVEL Chapter 23:
Chapter 23:
On the Sword Platform, Xiao Yang fully activated the Futian Sword Control Technique, determined to subdue the divine sword before him.
His tenth-level Sword Intent erupted once more, surging from his body.
The Azure Sun Sword, embedded in the platform, began to tremble uneasily.
A divine sword possesses a spirit, and this one seemed to feel fear.
The Futian Sword Control Technique—capable of subduing ten thousand swords.
When my sword is drawn, all others bow.
The Sword Intent emanating from Xiao Yang’s hands coiled around the blade of the Azure Sun Sword.
However, an opposing force emerged from the sword, blocking his Sword Intent from fully merging with it.
“Is this the imprint left by another Sword Dao master?”
Feeling the resistance from the sword, Xiao Yang paused in realization.
So that’s how it is.
To draw the Azure Sun Sword, one must first gain its recognition.
“I, Xiao Yang, need no sword’s approval!”
His gaze turned sharp and resolute.
In the next instant, the overwhelming Futian Sword Intent surged from his hands, breaking through the power within the Azure Sun Sword.
The Futian Sword Intent penetrated the blade, revealing a True Yang Imprint glowing on its surface.
The imprint radiated a powerful True Yang Sword Intent, clashing with Xiao Yang’s Futian Sword Intent.
“Ridiculous!”
Xiao Yang’s fury erupted. In his previous life, Qin Fei had drawn the sword, but it had been through trickery.
When Qin Fei drew the Azure Sun Sword under the gaze of countless onlookers, Xiao Yang distinctly remembered sensing an unusual Sword Intent emanating from Qin Fei.
Now, he understood—the Sword Intent on Qin Fei at that time was identical to the Azure Sun Sword’s own.
“Despicable!”
The truth dawned on Xiao Yang.
Qin Fei had succeeded in drawing the sword because he carried something that resonated with the Azure Sun Sword’s intent.
It was this object that earned Qin Fei the sword’s approval.
“I have a sword that can subdue the heavens. What is this small sword to me?”
Xiao Yang channeled the full power of the Futian Sword Control Technique.
Soon, the True Yang Sword Intent emanating from the Azure Sun Sword was completely suppressed.
The True Yang Imprint faded back into the blade.
The Azure Sun Sword, the ancestral weapon of the Azure Sun Sword Sect, had existed for countless ages.
The Sword Intent within the imprint had long since weakened, unable to withstand Xiao Yang’s tenth-level Futian Sword Intent.
Roar!
With a mighty shout, Xiao Yang began to pull the Azure Sun Sword free, inch by inch.
“Good…!”
Below the platform, the old man guarding the swords was beside himself with excitement.
Xiao Yang’s body radiated a storm of Sword Qi.
But just as the sword was about to be fully drawn, Xiao Yang stopped.
“Why should I draw it now?”
A thought struck Xiao Yang. Why not wait for Qin Fei to attempt drawing the sword and expose his secret to everyone? Let Qin Fei experience the humiliation, rejection, and public disgrace he had inflicted upon others.
In his previous life, the Azure Sun Sword Sect had hosted a grand sword-drawing ceremony for Qin Fei, inviting all the major factions in the Northern Territory.
The scene had been magnificent, attended by influential figures from across the region.
As Xiao Yang recalled that moment, he clenched his fists, anger surging to his core.
He had been so foolish in his past life.
He hadn’t realized that the sword-drawing ceremony was orchestrated by Jiang Qitian to showcase Qin Fei’s strength and establish his dominance.
Naively, he had competed with Qin Fei, thinking it was a fair contest to see who could draw the Azure Sun Sword.
In hindsight, it was terrifyingly clear—it had all been prearranged.
The so-called fair competition was nothing more than a facade for outsiders. The outcome had been decided long before.
He had been used as a stepping stone for Qin Fei, a laughingstock for everyone.
The memory of Qin Fei standing triumphantly on the platform, holding the Azure Sun Sword high, basking in admiration and glory, and looking down on him with disdain, flashed vividly in his mind.
“Master… Master, I never expected you to treat me this way.”
The thought left Xiao Yang cold.
The person he had revered turned out to be hypocritical and deceitful.
Who would have thought that the revered sect master of the Azure Sun Sword Sect, a man outwardly righteous, was so despicable in private?
And Xiao Yang, in his past life, had unknowingly been used as a pawn.
“In this life, I, Xiao Yang, will not let you have your way.”
With that resolve, Xiao Yang released the sword. The Azure Sun Sword dropped back into its slot on the platform.
“What…? You brat! You were so close! Why let go?”
Below the platform, the old man guarding the swords was furious.
Xiao Yang descended the steps of the platform one by one.
“You were so close to drawing it…”
The old man sighed deeply, more frustrated than if he himself had failed.
“Elder, perhaps you should open your eyes,” Xiao Yang said, shaking his head.
It seemed even the old man didn’t know the secret of the sword-drawing ceremony.
He, too, had been deceived by Jiang Qitian, spending countless lonely years guarding a sword in vain.
If Xiao Yang were forced to guard a sword for eternity, he might have gone mad as well.
The old man was pitiful in his own way.
But wait—if even the old man didn’t know the truth, then…
Xiao Yang’s expression changed.
This wasn’t just a simple deception.
It was an elaborate scheme spanning countless generations.
Why?
Why go to such lengths?
Even Xiao Yang, with his reborn perspective, was stunned.
The Azure Sun Sword Sect, an ancient sect with a legacy stretching across the ages, was built upon a lie.
This was a conspiracy of unimaginable proportions.
If drawing the sword wasn’t about personal strength, then what was its purpose?
“Why are you just standing there? Go back and try again!” the old man shouted, completely unaware of the scheme, still clinging to his duty.
“Forget it. I’ve been here for over three months. It’s time I went out to see the world,” Xiao Yang said calmly.
“You’re leaving? Who will keep me company?”
The old man grew anxious. He had been bored out of his mind, unable to leave the secret realm.
“How about I skip the grand competition and stay here to drink and spar with you?” Xiao Yang joked.
“This…”
The old man fell silent. The grand competition was too important to miss—it would determine the fate of the Azure Sun Sword Sect.
Xiao Yang was undoubtedly the dark horse of this competition.
If he performed well, the sect could secure invaluable resources.
Winning first place would elevate the Azure Sun Sword Sect above the Soaring Sword Sect, making it the number one sect in the Northern Territory.
This would ensure an abundance of resources for the next sixty years, enough to cultivate countless talents and strengthen the sect’s foundation.
This was exactly how the Soaring Sword Sect had risen to prominence.
“Fine, go, go!” the old man grumbled, sitting cross-legged beneath the platform and waving Xiao Yang away.
Xiao Yang smiled faintly, leaving the secret realm without packing his things. He knew he would return.
…
“Brother, you’re finally back…”
The moment Xiao Yang returned to the Holy Son’s residence from the secret realm, before he could even sit down, his younger sister, Xiao Yue, rushed in to find him.