Chapter 342: Chapter 240: Ascend to the Peak! Mountain Master Seal!_2
Su Changqing looked up at the path ahead; it was the last twelve hundred steps of the third trial.
"With nothing else on my hands, I might as well go have a look."
Having said that, he turned to look at Ye Xiaoyi, who was drenched in sweat behind him, and laughed softly, saying:
"Young man, the path is a hundred meters, I can take you ninety-nine steps."
"But this final step, you must take on your own."
"The aid of others will eventually run out; whether you can see the scenery of the next stage depends on the sword in your hand."
With that, Su Changqing laughed lightly, turned around, and stepped into the fog-shrouded third trial, which outsiders could not clearly see.
"Ask the sword in my hand..."
Su Changqing’s few words seemed to contain the supreme truth of the Sword Dao, causing a sudden shock in Ye Xiaoyi’s heart.
He slowly calmed his previously frustrated and uneasy mind, having not fully comprehended Su Changqing’s technique.
Gently, as he gazed at the sword in his hand, he seemed to understand something, gradually becoming entranced...
...
The path of the Sword God, the third trial.
The imposing sword intent and pressure of these last twelve hundred steps had vanished, leaving a tranquil atmosphere.
However, within each step of these jade stairs, there lay a question aimed straight at the depths of one’s soul.
These questions were extremely varied, involving the Sword Dao, principles, wisdom of mind, and more, countless in variety.
"Is this trial a questioning of the heart?"
Observing this, Su Changqing chuckled with undimmed brightness in his eyes.
Since embarking on the path of cultivation, he had experienced much.
But whether it was towards people or matters, he could maintain a clear conscience!
And those with a clear conscience, harbor no fear in their hearts!
Su Changqing flicked his sleeves and stepped boldly onto the third trial’s jade stairs.
His pace was not fast, but he did not pause on any of the jade stairs in the slightest.
To others, this path of questioning the heart might pose immense difficulties.
But for Su Changqing, whose mind was pure and understanding was profound, it was without difficulty.
With the wind beneath his feet, he advanced along the path.
Su Changqing’s speed was even faster compared to the second trial.
And when he reached the six-hundredth step, a young man was sitting cross-legged on the jade stairs not far away.
His eyebrows were tightly furrowed, as if he was pondering something intensely.
This jade step had trapped him for a month, yet he couldn’t overcome it.
Or rather, he couldn’t overcome the hurdle within his own heart, unable to find the answer.
As he was worrying, a figure swiftly passed him by.
The jade step that had trapped him for so long failed to stop that figure even for a moment.
"This..."
Ximen Tianyu stood up abruptly, his face greatly changed as he observed the rapidly departing figure.
Especially seeing that after crossing this jade step, the figure continued advancing quickly, he showed a look of astonishment.
"How is this possible!"
"This path questioning the heart, each question points directly to the depths of the soul, slightest mistakes result in failure."
"How could anyone have such terrifying speed in moving forward!"
Ximen Tianyu’s eyes were filled with incredulity.
During this period, Celestial Sword Immortal Palace had set many people on Sword God Mountain for the Sword Emperor’s legacy.
As a member of the current leading sect in the Sword Dao, how could they not challenge the legendary path of the Sword God upon arriving at Sword God Mountain?
A number of strong individuals from the Celestial Sword Immortal Palace had come, but only one or two had reached the third trial.
And among them, the one who climbed the furthest was none other than the current young master of the Celestial Sword Palace.
The elder brother of Ximen Qingjun and Ximen Langge, Ximen Tianyu.
Reaching his current position, although Ximen Tianyu hadn’t spoken of it, he was proud in his heart.
The third trial of the Sword God path, reaching the six-hundredth step, how many in ancient times could achieve this?
Given his current age, reaching this point was enough to stand proudly in the vast domain of the Sword Dao.
But just now.
The achievement he was proud of was silently overshadowed by someone, shattered to pieces.
Such speed, there was simply no basis for comparison, absolutely not opponents on the same level.
"Could it be an illusion on my part?"
"Or... is this an illusion created by the path questioning the heart?"
Thinking of that exaggerated speed, the confidence in Ximen Tianyu’s eyes lit up once again,
"It must be so!"
"This path questioning the heart intends to disrupt my state of mind, how can I let you succeed!"
With regained confidence, Ximen Tianyu sat cross-legged again, continuing to ponder the answer that troubled him...
Meanwhile.
Casually strolling along, Su Changqing soon arrived at the final step.
Looking at the peak ahead, ready to ascend, Su Changqing smiled nonchalantly and stepped up.
"What is most important in the Sword Dao?"
A grand voice resounded from within, as if asking him, or asking himself.
Hearing this final question, Su Changqing smiled with interest.
He turned back to look at the path he had taken, seeing the figures of sword cultivators climbing within the three trials.
These people varied greatly, men and women, young and old alike.
Yet these people shared a remarkable common trait.
"What is most important in the Sword Dao?"
Su Changqing laughed aloud: "That is certainly to first have a sword."
Bang!
As the words fell, the barrier before the peak shattered with a roar.
Before his eyes appeared a platform of barely ten zhang in size.
At the center of the platform stood an ancient stone pillar.
Above it floated a peculiar seal, resembling both a mountain and a sword.
"Is this the end of the Sword God path?"
Su Changqing surveyed the surroundings, taking in the scene that only he in the past ten thousand years had witnessed.
"Is that all there is?"
He shook his head with a laugh, barely glancing around before planning to leave.
But at this moment.
The great seal floating above the ancient stone pillar shot forth on its own, landing on Su Changqing’s brow.
"What is this..."
Su Changqing was taken aback, looking into his sea of consciousness at the ancient Sword Seal.
Perhaps it was a mere illusion, but as he gazed upon this Sword Seal, it was as though he gazed down upon the entire Sword God Mountain.