C9 No One Could Break the Celestial Sword Formation

"Your Highness, please, don't act impulsively. I have a way for you to be accepted into the Celestial Sect. We're not in the royal palace here; we must abide by the rules of the Celestial Sect!"

Jiang Zhong was taken aback by Ling Dao's behavior. Even in his prime, he wouldn't have dared to stir up trouble within the Celestial Sect. It was said that the Sect Master was as powerful as the Emperor of the Great Luo Dynasty, both formidable figures of the same realm.

"Hmm? Your title means nothing here. Do you have a death wish, disrupting the peace of the Celestial Sect?"

A formidable young man emerged from within the Celestial Sect, appearing to be about twenty-four years old. Li Wuliang was responsible for external affairs, and he was not pleased to see Ling Dao, who clearly didn't meet the entry requirements, attempting to gain access to the Sect, blatantly disregarding its prestige.

"Isn't there another way to join the Celestial Sect? By breaking the Celestial Sword Formation, if I'm not mistaken?"

Ling Dao gave Li Wuliang a measured glance, speaking with an air of composure. He was somewhat familiar with the Celestial Sword Formation, knowing that if he could dismantle it, he would be granted entry into the Sect, regardless of any other prerequisites.

"Oh? You're aware of that, are you?"

Li Wuliang's gaze landed on Ling Dao, his voice devoid of surprise, laced instead with a tone of sarcasm. As a disciple of the Celestial Sect, Li Wuliang was well-versed in the lore of the Celestial Sword Formation, and he found Ling Dao's confidence laughably naive.

"Haha, what a farce! A greenhorn like you, barely out of childhood, thinks he can solve the Celestial Sword Formation?"

"The Celestial Sword Formation, crafted by the founder of our Sect, has withstood the test of time; not a single soul has deciphered it, not even the successive Sect Masters. And here you are, a mere boy, spouting such audacious claims?"

The Celestial Sect Disciples couldn't contain their laughter. Ling Dao's claim that he could shatter the Celestial Sword Formation was as ludicrous to them as if he had boasted he could snatch the moon from the night sky. It was, by far, the most amusing joke they had ever heard.

"You've heard their words, haven't you? For millennia, the Celestial Sword Formation has stood unbroken. Do you honestly believe you'll be the one to shatter it?"

Renowned across the Great Luo Dynasty, the Celestial Sword Formation had stumped countless formidable challengers, all of whom met with failure. For a greenhorn like Ling Dao, the odds were even more daunting. Having witnessed the formation's might firsthand, Li Wuliang was well aware of its dread-inducing power.

"Unless I'm mistaken, the Celestial Sect has a strict rule forbidding its disciples from interfering with anyone attempting to break the Celestial Sword Formation. Now that I'm poised to take on the challenge, shouldn't you step aside? Or are you contemplating a breach of the sect's code?"

Ling Dao's icy gaze bore into Li Wuliang, clearly undaunted by his presence. Li Wuliang, facing Ling Dao, felt the impulse to strike but restrained himself time and again. The Celestial Sect's edicts were not something he dared contravene.

"So, you're still considering blocking my path?"

With a venomous look, Li Wuliang allowed Ling Dao to pass, while simultaneously shooting a warning glare at the onlookers. Ling Dao's words had stirred a buzz of excitement, but Li Wuliang's intimidating stare quickly quelled their enthusiasm.

The Celestial Sword Formation had always been invincible, and Ling Dao's attempt seemed nothing more than a fool's errand. They were like frogs at the bottom of a well, oblivious to the vastness of the heavens. It was better they stayed out of it rather than incur Li Wuliang's wrath. It was clear to all that Li Wuliang commanded considerable respect among the Celestial Sect Disciples.

"You little pest, once you've failed, I'll have endless ways to make you suffer!"

As Li Wuliang watched Ling Dao's retreating figure, a flicker of murderous intent crossed his eyes. He would bide his time; after all, Ling Dao's failure was a foregone conclusion. Without meeting the necessary criteria, Ling Dao had no chance of becoming a Celestial Sect Disciple. And when the moment arrived, dealing with Ling Dao would be effortless.

Whether they hailed from the earlier generations of the Ling Family or later as the Crown Prince Xiao Yao, Ling Dao was always a swordsman. A swordsman must be sharp! Without a keen edge, what would be the point of pursuing the way of the sword?

"The key to becoming powerful isn't just talent or insight, but having the heart of a warrior! A true swordsman must forge ahead relentlessly, choosing the straight path over the crooked, seeking honor in directness rather than deceit," said not by King Carefree, but by Ling Dao's own father. Tragically, Ling Dao's biological father left the Ling Family when Ling Dao was just a child, vanishing without a trace. Ling Dao had intended to search for his father once he became an unparalleled warrior, but in a fit of rage, he stormed the Purple Vine Holy Land, which led to his subsequent imprisonment beneath Immortal Sword Mountain.

Confronted by Li Wuliang, Ling Dao could not afford to back down. At present, he was no match for Li Wuliang, but he knew he had to grow stronger for the sake of vengeance. His path to power lay with the Celestial Sect, a place brimming with pills, heavenly and earthly treasures, cultivation methods, and various martial arts...

"Who is this young man? He's not a Zhenqi realm martial artist, so how did he get in here? Did he pull some strings?"

"Look at his attire; he's clearly no commoner. But isn't this terribly unfair? With his frail appearance, what good will joining the Celestial Sect do?"

In the plaza stood a throng of youthful prodigies, the eldest among them no more than sixteen. Those older were ineligible and remained outside. Yet, each emanated a strong presence, the least of which was a Zhenqi realm martial artist.

To reach the Zhenqi realm before the age of sixteen was a sign of considerable talent. But to Ling Dao, these so-called geniuses were insignificant. He seemed to pay no mind to their murmuring.

"Don't look down on this kid. He's here to unravel the Celestial Sword Formation. If he manages it, he'll be instantly promoted to an internal disciple of the Celestial Sect, far surpassing any of you in prospects!"

Li Wuliang spoke with a mocking tone, casting Ling Dao as the antagonist to all the other young men present. Ling Dao had embarrassed him, and he was eager for a chance to retaliate. Had it not been for the strict rules of the Celestial Sect, he would have taken matters into his own hands and slain Ling Dao.

"What? Am I hearing this right? This kid thinks he can shatter the Celestial Sword Formation? Who does he believe he is—a mighty hero of the human race?"

"Who is this upstart? He's clueless about the vastness of the world! At fifteen, he hasn't even entered the Genuine Qi Stage. With such lackluster talent, he dares to attempt breaking the Celestial Sword Formation?"

Each youth there was brimming with pride and arrogance. Yet, not one entertained the thought of breaking the Celestial Sword Formation. For thousands of years, innumerable strong individuals had tried and failed. Those more talented and powerful than them couldn't breach the formation, so what chance did they have?

"Activate the formation!"

Ling Dao remained serene amidst the jeers and dismissive glances, ignoring Li Wuliang's provocation. Bickering with these youths served no purpose. His goal was to dismantle the Celestial Sword Formation, not to squander words in fruitless debate.