C17 Obtaining the Immortal Artifact Great Void Sword

Wai Jiang's cultivation had advanced to the mid-stage of the Void Refining Stage. His rapid progress was due to a breakthrough in his sword technique, which allowed him to enter a state of self-forgetfulness. However, such a state was elusive and could not be sought at will.

Despite expending a great deal of effort, Wai Jiang found himself unable to re-enter this state of self-forgetfulness, leaving him deeply disappointed. In that state, his cultivation speed was remarkably fast, and he believed that if he could maintain it, he would reach the peak of the Void Refining Stage within half a year. Regrettably, entering the state of self-forgetfulness was not something one could do on a whim. Wai Jiang was a rarity in the Profound Heaven Taoism Sect, having entered this state even once, while other so-called sect geniuses might never experience it in their lifetimes.

Throughout the month, Wai Jiang had been diligently signing in at the Sword Tomb, acquiring numerous spiritual swords and cultivation techniques. Yet, with the Immortal Slaying Sword and the Three Sacred Swords already in his possession, he found little interest in the other spiritual swords.

One day, after completing his duties as a disciple, Wai Jiang visited the Sword Tomb later than usual. "System, sign in!" he called out.

"Congratulations to the host for a successful sign-in. You have obtained the Great Void Sword," the system announced.

Holding the Great Void Sword, Wai Jiang was taken aback. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the spiritual sword in his grasp was, in fact, an Immortal Artifact—a treasure typically wielded by Immortals alone. Yet now, it was his.

The appearance of the Great Void Sword set off a monumental transformation within the Sword Tomb. Buried spirit swords hummed in unison, as if on a pilgrimage to a sacred site. A gathering of ten thousand swords to honor such a weapon was a sight to behold.

Clearly, the Great Void Sword in Wai Jiang's hand was an exceptional blade, commanding even the subtle presences within the Sword Tomb to bow in reverence. In the presence of an Immortal Artifact, none dared to stir.

As Wai Jiang caressed the Great Void Sword, his heart swelled with profound sentiment.

Wai Jiang had always believed that reaching the peak of the Void Returning Stage meant he was the strongest being in the world. However, the sudden appearance of an Immortal Artifact challenged that belief. Could it be that true Immortals still existed on this continent?

He remembered an old legend: upon becoming an Immortal, one wasn't necessarily required to ascend. Those who chose to ascend would enter the Immortal Realm and become Heaven Immortals. But those who remained in the Immortal Cultivation Realm would be known as Land Immortals. This tale had never been confirmed as fact.

Yet, with an Immortal Artifact now in Wai Jiang's possession, he couldn't help but question the reality of the Land Immortals. He had recently delved into the archives of the Profound Heaven Taoism Sect, uncovering numerous records related to the Sword Tomb. Among them was a legend of the Sword Saint, the revered founder of the Profound Heaven Holy Land, whose cultivation was unmatched and said to be at the Void Returning Stage Peak.

Given that the Supreme Void Sword was indeed an Immortal Artifact, Wai Jiang suspected that the Sword Saint might have been a true Land Immortal. Regardless of the Sword Saint's actual level of cultivation, he had not made an appearance for many years. It was likely that he had either perished or ascended to the Immortal Realm. Otherwise, the Profound Heaven Holy Land wouldn't have declined to its current state, transforming into the Profound Heaven Taoism Sect, with only one cultivator at the Void Refining Stage.

If the Sword Saint were truly the founder of the Profound Heaven Holy Land, he would have emerged from seclusion by now, berating his descendants for their incompetence and restoring the Holy Land to its former glory. But the past is irretrievable.

Having secured the Supreme Void Sword, Wai Jiang resolved to continue his cultivation within the Sword Tomb. His time spent there had revealed that practicing Sword Cultivation techniques was far more effective than in the outside world. He had honed his skills to the brink of perfection, nearly reaching the Transformation Stage.

If he could leverage the Sword Tomb to achieve a breakthrough to the Transformation Stage sooner rather than later, that would be incredibly beneficial.

Naturally, if he had the opportunity to reach a state of selflessness, that would be even better.

He was confident that with such an opportunity, he could advance his cultivation to the late Void Refining Stage in a relatively short period.

At present, his power was sufficient to defeat a typical late-stage Void Refining Cultivator.

And should he encounter a Cultivator at the peak of the Void Refining Stage, he could still ensure his own safety.

In essence, unless he faced an adversary from the Void Returning Stage, he had no reason to worry.

Although he possessed an Immortal Artifact, Wai Jiang was not yet able to wield it.

Immortal Artifacts were, after all, intended for use by Immortals.

Currently at the mid-stage of the Void Refining Stage, using the Immortal Artifact prematurely could potentially lead to a harmful backlash.

Thus, he stored the Supreme Void Sword in a small world for nurturing.

On a day-to-day basis, his go-to weapon was the Immortal Slaying Sword.

Indeed, the Immortal Slaying Sword, being a supreme treasure, would serve him well up to the peak of the Void Returning Stage.

It was undoubtedly the perfect weapon for him.

Over the past month, the various factions had become more restless than before.

The absence of Ren Qingfeng for a whole month led many to speculate that he might have perished.

If not dead, they reasoned, he must be gravely injured and unable to emerge from seclusion.

Still, they refrained from making any hasty moves.

Their caution was understandable; they feared the unexpected.

If Ren Qingfeng was feigning his absence to deceive them, they would need to be prepared.

As a result, countless groups were biding their time, waiting for someone else to make the first move.

This standoff led to an unusual calm within the Profound Heaven Taoism Sect.

Of course, within the sect, many disciples were abuzz with speculation.

They suspected that something untoward had happened to Ren Qingfeng.

Otherwise, why would there be no sign of him for an entire month?

Yet, there were still many disciples who were not so easily swayed.

They understood that advancing to the Void Refining Stage was no small feat.

Typically, the higher a Cultivator's realm, the more time required for cultivation—measured in years, not days.

For a Cultivator to retreat for several years of focused cultivation was nothing out of the ordinary.

Everyone in the Immortal Cultivation Realm began to suspect that Ren Qingfeng might truly be on the verge of a breakthrough to the Void Refining Stage, given the unusually long period he had spent in seclusion.

Should he advance from the Void Refining Stage to the Void Returning Stage, the time required for seclusion would undoubtedly increase.

The Void Returning Stage represents the pinnacle of power beneath that of an Immortal, and those who reach it can become titans within the realm.

The distinction between a powerful sect and a regular sect force is often determined by the number of Void Returning Stage experts they possess.

To be recognized as a Great Holy Land, a sect would typically have at least five experts at the Void Returning Stage.

Larger holy lands boast over ten such experts, and they are often guarded by a cultivator at the peak of the Void Returning Stage.

However, the tranquility of the Profound Heaven Taoism Sect was short-lived.

Six months later, various forces noticed that Ren Qingfeng had seemingly vanished without a trace.

Many speculated that he might have perished.

Meanwhile, Wai Jiang had been diligently attending the Sword Tomb and practicing his Sword Cultivation Technique over the same period.

His Myriad Sword Technique had reached the Transformation Stage, rendering him virtually unbeatable within the Void Refining Stage.

He was even confident in his ability to defeat cultivators at the peak of the Void Refining Stage.

Yet, his own cultivation level remained at the mid-phase of the Void Refining Stage, and progressing further proved to be a challenge.

Nonetheless, the gains from the past six months left him feeling that a breakthrough to the late phase of the Void Refining Stage was imminent.

At that time, within the grand hall of the Profound Heaven Taoism Sect, two Vice Sect Masters, Lou Haitian and Mooh Chenyi, sat in the principal seats.

The Sect Master's seat, however, remained empty as Ren Qingfeng was not present.

He continued to seclude himself in the sect's secret cave, fortifying his early Void Refining Stage cultivation and mastering the associated powers.

At that moment, a sect disciple burst into the hall.

"Vice Sect Masters, we have an urgent situation!"

Mooh Chenyi noticed the disciple's frantic entrance and furrowed his brow, asking:

"What's the matter? Why such urgency?"

Upon hearing his question, the disciple quickly responded, "Sect Master Mu, the Green Mountain Sect has rebelled!"

This news left everyone in the hall in shock.

It was well known that the Green Mountain Sect was a subordinate sect of the Profound Heaven Taoism Sect, with only one cultivator at the Deification Stage holding the fort.