Chapter 1 Everyone is Dumbfounded

All the cultivators in line were dumbfounded.

Failure to meet the standards meant failure, an unchanging truth.

Why didn't it apply to Lu Changsheng?

Was it just because he was handsome?

Not only them, but even Lu Changsheng himself didn't expect this.

Did this count as passing?

With his sword dao talent? He actually qualified?

What about the rules?

What about the system?

What about the sect rules?

Lu Changsheng's worldview was completely shattered.

If he had directly activated nine sword lights, causing a phenomenon that shook heaven and earth, this would have been reasonable.

But he hadn't activated even a single sword light.

And he still passed?

Lu Changsheng couldn't help but sink into deep thought.

"Congratulations, Young Master Lu!"

Chen Yinrou said, but in reality, she didn't know what to say.

But the truth was, Lu Changsheng had indeed passed.

The process didn't matter, the result was what counted.

Lu Changsheng didn't know what to say.

He didn't plan to participate in the second stage of the Shumen Holy Land test, after all, he ultimately wasn't here to become a disciple.

Just the first stage.

Took a whole day to assess.

The next day.

The results of the assessment were out. A total of 25,000 people passed the first stage, but how many disciples came to participate in the assessment? More than 25 million!

In other words, the ratio was one in a thousand. It really was harder than ascending to heaven.

And this wasn't even the final stage.

Tomorrow would be the second stage, Sword Art Comprehension.

The next day, late at night.

At the Seven Wonders Pavilion, Lu Changsheng didn't participate in the assessment, he just listened to the news from Chen Yinrou.

Ten thousand people passed the second stage.

This ratio was still okay.

But if you could pass the first stage, the second stage wouldn't be too difficult.

That evening, Li Lingyun brought four people to Lu Changsheng, kneeling before him in gratitude.

He told Lu Changsheng that he had passed the first stage and was very grateful for Lu Changsheng's care these past few days.

It had to be said that although Li Lingyun and the others were a little lacking in aptitude and weren't that handsome, they had a very good pure heart.

At least they knew how to be grateful and didn't forget their benefactor when they achieved something.

Even if such people were a little clumsy and their foundations were a little poor, they were ten thousand times better than those ungrateful wretches.

Seeing them bowing.

Lu Changsheng felt a little embarrassed, so he took out a few pieces of spiritual jade from his Qiankun Ring. They were all treasures from the Da Luo Holy Land, originally intended to be given away as casual favors.

Wearing these spiritual jades could improve the body and accelerate cultivation. They were top-grade jades, and even the core disciples of the Holy Land didn't have such treasures.

But Lu Changsheng gifted each of them one. To him, these things weren't of much value.

Any piece of spiritual jade within the Langya Immortal Treasury was an extremely precious item, and even so, Lu Changsheng had many spiritual jades in his hand, enough to be measured by the catty.

So these jades really weren't anything.

But to Li Lingyun and the others, they were simply supreme treasures.

Lu Changsheng: "This item is nothing to me, accept it."

Li Lingyun: "Senior, we have received your care during this time, how dare we accept such treasures? I don't want it!"

Lu Changsheng: "Don't say anymore, take it."

Li Lingyun: "Senior, we really can't accept it."

Lu Changsheng: "Alright then, I won't give it to you. You four, one piece each, don't learn from your senior brother, I don't know where he learned this pedantry from, quickly accept it."

Since Li Lingyun didn't want it, Lu Changsheng wouldn't give it.

The five of them were immediately stunned.

Li Lingyun was a little dull.

The other four came back to their senses and immediately took the precious jades, then fell silent.

But it could be seen that Li Lingyun really didn't want it. After being slightly dull, he quickly calmed down and said, "Senior, this kindness, this junior will never forget. If one day this junior achieves something, I will definitely repay Senior!"

Li Lingyun said seriously, his words resolute.

Lu Changsheng nodded and didn't say much.

Although Li Lingyun's character was indeed good.

But sometimes you only listen to half of what people say. Whether he could actually do it remained to be seen.

Time will tell.

Fate brings people together, don't force anything.

And so, on the third day.

The third stage of the Shumen Holy Land test began.

Sword Mountain Recognition.

Countless cultivators were waiting for this moment.

Even some eliminated cultivators could come and try. If they could really obtain a spirit sword from Sword Mountain, perhaps there would be a glimmer of hope.

Before dawn.

The people of Shumen Holy City were already rushing to Sword Mountain.

Lu Changsheng went to Sword Mountain with Li Lingyun and the others.

Shumen Holy City was about 500 li away from Sword Mountain.

Chen Yinrou prepared a top-grade carriage, and the horses pulling the carriage were spirit beasts that could travel through the air.

In less than an incense stick's worth of time.

They arrived at Shumen Sword Mountain.

Before, in the Holy City, they had vaguely seen Sword Mountain, like an unparalleled divine sword piercing straight into the clouds.

But personally being under Sword Mountain.

Lu Changsheng was indeed shocked by Sword Mountain.

A giant mountain like a sword stood between heaven and earth. Looking up, it was unknown how long it was, piercing straight into the clouds.

And on Sword Mountain, there were flying swords inserted into it. Each spirit sword exuded a terrifying sword intent.

Looking at it, there were more than ten thousand flying swords. Even if there were hundreds of thousands, millions, Lu Changsheng would believe it.

This Sword Mountain was too grand.

It was shocking.

Only in the Xianxia world could such a spectacular divine mountain appear.

Not only Lu Changsheng was shocked.

The cultivators who came here were all shocked.

"Even though I've been here once, I'm still shocked when I stand under Sword Mountain again."

Li Lingyun slowly said, his mood hard to calm down.

"Is this the legendary Shumen Sword Mountain?"

"I really don't know if I can cause Sword Mountain to resonate and obtain my exclusive spirit sword."

People discussed, standing under Sword Mountain, all felt a sense of insignificance, like dust.

But until Maoshi (5-7 AM).

In an instant, beams of sword light soared into the sky.

"Welcome, Holy Lord!"

As the sound rang out, the sky became dazzling in an instant.

A phantom image landed above everyone, and then hundreds of Shumen disciples stood around, spirited and high-spirited.

"We have seen the Holy Lord!"

Everyone shouted in unison, and Lu Changsheng also shouted along, it was natural for him to shout Holy Lord.

"This Shumen disciple recruitment ceremony, the third stage is about to begin. Other cultivators, if you are fated, can also condense sword intent around Sword Mountain. Those who resonate with the spirit sword are all fated people and can take the spirit sword for themselves!"

The Shumen Holy Lord's voice rang out, loud and clear, reaching everyone's ears.

"The Shumen disciple recruitment ceremony will be presided over by the Shumen Holy Son, Xu Jian!"

Then, another voice rang out.

In an instant, Xu Jian appeared.

Still surrounded by a hundred sword lights, powerful and invincible, like a sword god descending, standing in the void, calmly watching everyone.

Until, his gaze slowly fell on Lu Changsheng.

But soon, Xu Jian withdrew his gaze and slowly said, "The assessment begins! The time is one day. If you cause the Sword Mountain spirit sword to resonate within one day, it will be considered passing! Other cultivators can also condense sword intent under Sword Mountain, the time is one day."

As his voice rang out, countless sword cultivators began to pour into the area around Sword Mountain, condensing sword intent.

The crowd surged.

But Lu Changsheng seemed very calm, just looking at Sword Mountain in silence.

And so.

Time passed bit by bit.

One hour!

Two hours!

Three hours!

Five hours!

Six hours!

Half a day passed, from day to night, but no one caused Sword Mountain to resonate and obtain a spirit sword.

In the void.

Xu Jian and the disciples watched all of this.

Someone spoke, slowly saying, "The aptitude of this year's disciples is not very good, no one has been able to activate the spirit sword until now."

"Yes, last time, someone caused the spirit sword to resonate in three hours. This time, six hours, and no cultivator has caused the spirit sword to resonate. It seems that at most only a few hundred people will pass this time."

"A few hundred people? I think it may be even fewer."

"Sword Mountain is a supreme divine object. Every spirit sword on Sword Mountain has its own consciousness. How can ordinary people subdue it?"

The disciples exchanged words.

But Xu Jian remained silent.

And so, time passed again.

Seven hours!

Eight hours!

Nine hours!

Ten hours!

A full ten hours passed.

Countless people were racking their brains, many people even seemed to be on the verge of becoming demons.

But Sword Mountain remained motionless.

No spirit sword resonated.

This not only made countless cultivators despair, but even the disciples of the Shumen Holy Land were curious.

"It's already been ten hours, and no spirit sword has resonated?"

"Ten hours, and not a single spirit sword has resonated, it's really strange."

"Isn't this a bit too strange?"

"Could it be that this year's disciples are so poor in aptitude?"

"We should have told the Holy Lord to cancel the once-every-ten-years rule and make it once every twenty years. You see, brothers, most of these disciples are the ones who came to test last time. If they're not good enough, they're not good enough!"

"It's a bit strange, but cultivation is difficult, and the sword dao is also difficult. If they're not good enough, they're not good enough, alas!"

They discussed in the void.

Also feeling strange.

And so, the eleventh hour.

Still, no one could make the Sword Mountain spirit sword resonate.

This made many cultivators despair.

Many people chose to give up.

Some people cried out loud.

Some people were silent.

Some people were filled with emotion.

A sad mood instantly permeated the surroundings of Sword Mountain.

Lu Changsheng quietly watched all of this.

Even he couldn't help but be a little surprised.

Although he knew that the Holy Land assessment was difficult, he didn't expect it to be so difficult.

Eleven hours, and not a single person has caused the spirit sword to resonate, it's really difficult.

"It's a bit strange, although there are indeed no amazing and outstanding cultivators in this year's class, but it shouldn't be that eleven hours have passed without a single disciple causing Sword Mountain to resonate, right?"

Chen Yinrou spoke from the side, feeling strange.

Lu Changsheng didn't speak.

But at this moment, a wail rang out.

"Why?"

"Why?"

"I have practiced swordsmanship hard for fifteen years, cultivated swordsmanship since childhood, endured pain that ordinary people cannot endure, and tasted suffering that ordinary people cannot taste! But why can't I still cause Sword Mountain to resonate? Am I so不堪 (incompetent)?"

This was a man who was already thirty years old. Theoretically, if he failed this time, he would not be able to take the assessment again.

His cries instantly brought sorrow to many people.

Some people also cried along, while others remained unchanged, steadfast.

Even more people chose to give up.

A teenager, he got up without saying a word, and quietly left.

This was the ruthlessness of cultivation.

If you're not good enough, you're not good enough.

Lu Changsheng took everything into his eyes.

He was silent.

Thinking about himself again.

If it weren't for being handsome, he might be the same as them.

Just like cultivation in general.

He worked so hard to cultivate, but he was only in the Golden Core Realm.

Cultivation is really hard.

There was still an incense stick's worth of time left in the twelfth hour.

Sword Mountain remained motionless.

Everyone despaired.

What possibility was there in the last incense stick?

The disciples of the Shumen Holy Land were also very surprised.

They knew that Sword Mountain resonance was difficult, but not a single one? This was really strange, such a thing had never happened in previous sessions.

"There's something strange, go tell the Holy Lord."

Xu Jian spoke, he also felt something strange, but at the moment he could only ask the Holy Lord to come over and check what the problem was.

But soon.

The twelve hours were up.

In an instant, with the sound of a bell, it represented the end.

Many people woke up, but were unwilling to leave.

Many people shed tears, but were unwilling to give up.

Many people were unwilling, but powerless.

Sigh, sigh, sigh!

Cultivation is difficult!

Lu Changsheng had never tried at all from beginning to end, mainly because he was affected by the first stage assessment.

After all, he couldn't even pass the first stage.

How could he possibly cause Sword Mountain to resonate?

But at this moment.

Xu Jian's voice rang out again.

"The Holy Lord has bestowed grace, everyone can try again for one day."

As the voice rang out, countless cultivators were stunned.

Then everyone didn't say much, returned to their original positions again, and continued to communicate with sword intent.

But Chen Yinrou on the side couldn't help but say, "Young Master Lu, why don't you try?"

Hearing the voice.

Lu Changsheng shook his head and said, "I couldn't even pass the first stage, wouldn't trying this be humiliating myself?"

He said this, with a slight hint of self-deprecation.

But Chen Yinrou shook her head and said, "The first stage is just testing sword dao aptitude. I heard that whether you can pass the Sword Mountain assessment depends on willpower, the will for the sword. Young Master Lu can also say some encouraging words, perhaps it can make Sword Mountain sense it. In the previous session, there was a cultivator who said some passionate words and obtained Sword Mountain resonance. Young Master Lu can try it."

Chen Yinrou said this.

"Can this Sword Mountain even understand human speech?"

Lu Changsheng was a little surprised.

He really didn't expect that this Sword Mountain could understand human speech?

"Shumen Sword Mountain is a divine object, it is rumored to have intelligence."

Chen Yinrou replied.

"Understood."

Lu Changsheng understood.

So, not only do you need to condense sword intent, but saying骚话 (flirty/encouraging words) also works?

Since that's the case, then I can try.

Let's think, what should I say?

Shall I want this sky? Can't cover my eyes anymore?

No, no, it's not appropriate.

I am Lu Tiandi (Lu, the Heavenly Emperor), I should suppress all enemies in the world?

No, no, these words are purely asking for trouble.

Uh...

Oh!

I have it!

Lu Changsheng thought of it.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng took a deep breath.

Then slowly walked towards Sword Mountain.

In an instant, Xu Jian in the void noticed this scene immediately.

In fact, he had been paying attention to Lu Changsheng.

For twelve hours, he found that Lu Changsheng hadn't moved at all, and felt a little strange.

Now seeing Lu Changsheng move.

He couldn't help but be curious.

Not only him.

In fact, many people were secretly paying attention to Lu Changsheng.

There was no way around it.

After all, Lu Changsheng was too handsome.

Like a crane standing among chickens.

It was impossible not to be noticed.

Soon.

Lu Changsheng came under Sword Mountain.

Looking up.

The Sword Mountain that pierced into the clouds seemed incomparably magnificent.

Heart-shaking.

In an instant.

Lu Changsheng put his left hand behind his back and pointed his right hand to the ground.

Then slowly said.