Chapter 619: Could It Be You're Also an Undercover Agent?

A peerless genius of his generation, Jian Chi Yixin took one year to go from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core.

From Golden Core to Nascent Soul, he spent twenty-five years.

Those twenty-five years were the fastest speed unprecedented in history.

Now, Tang Xuanzang went from Golden Core to Nascent Soul in one month — well, two months at most.

Because when he emerged from seclusion back then, he was already directly at late-stage Golden Core.

According to Tang Xuanzang's own words, he had broken through to the Golden Core stage long ago; that one month was spent attempting to advance and break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

It felt a bit harder than Golden Core.

And the result?

What happened to the promised "a bit harder"! It really was just this tiny bit?

"It's nothing! Don't panic!"

At the critical moment, You Tiangang stepped forward. As someone who had been through it, he was very experienced: "Look, it's merely early-stage Nascent Soul, not straight to late-stage Nascent Soul. It's just a breakthrough triggered by insight from watching the duel; it's a normal phenomenon."

The surrounding sword cultivators heard this and felt relieved; it was only early-stage Nascent Soul.

Normal... my ass!

You Tiangang, when did your tolerance become this strong?

Forget one month, even two months from Golden Core to Nascent Soul is abnormal, okay!

"That... what about taking a master?"

A Nascent Soul sword cultivator spoke up.

Since ancient times, there has never been a case of a Nascent Soul sword cultivator becoming a disciple.

No matter how harsh the conditions, a Nascent Soul sword cultivator is fully qualified to found a sect; no one can say they "lack the qualifications" — they are big shots.

Even in the Seven Great Sects, a Nascent Soul sword cultivator is an elder; it's just that their status isn't as high as a Spirit Severing elder.

A group of Spirit Severing sword cultivators exchanged subtle glances, each seeing indescribably complex emotions in the other's eyes; even Elder Hanqing forgot to be angry.

What else can be done?

Definitely call it off!

If we're talking about who still has the qualifications to accept Tang Xuanzang as a disciple in this situation, it can only be the Divine Lord.

Even if Tang Xuanzang suddenly became willing to apprentice himself to any one of them right now, they wouldn't agree.

They can't do it.

"Tang Xuanzang..." Sure enough, Yue Wushuang spoke.

Tang Luo looked at Yue Wushuang.

"I observe your Sword Yuan is rather mixed." Yue Wushuang said, "The foundational technique you cultivate seems poor?"

"Is there? I don't feel anything." Tang Luo lied about the name of the foundational technique he cultivated.

The scene instantly fell quiet.

He pretended the technique he cultivated was called the Heavenly Origin Sword Art; it sounded quite impressive, but was actually very ordinary — no, it should be said it's widely circulated and a rather poor technique.

If one were to grade various primary cultivation techniques — Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow and such — the Heavenly Origin Sword Art would be the lowest-grade Yellow-rank technique.

"What a pity." Yue Wushuang said.

The other sword cultivators also showed pitying expressions; a few looked utterly distressed, as if they wanted to jump down and loudly scold Tang Luo, "Why don't you cherish yourself!"

A primary cultivation technique can be changed during Foundation Establishment, swapped for a better one.

At Golden Core, with a big shot's assistance, one can also "change one's appearance completely."

But once at Nascent Soul, it's impossible; the Nascent Soul forming means finalization, and there is no possibility of cultivating another foundational technique.

Unless... one self-cripples their cultivation, disperses the Nascent Soul, and starts over.

A perfectly good genius actually cultivated a trash technique like the Heavenly Origin Sword Art; just who spread this sword art in the first place?

Simply unforgivable!

"I think this technique is not bad; leveling up is fast." Tang Luo said.

"..." Yue Wushuang was silent for a moment, "Effective immediately, Tang Xuanzang is an elder of the Soaring Heaven Sword Gate, and may enter the seventh floor of the Sword Pavilion."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a command token flew before Tang Luo.

"Hold this token; once every five years you may enter the Five Elements Peak."

Everyone present was slightly moved, sighing at the Divine Lord's cherishing of talent.

The Sword Pavilion, to put it plainly, is the Hidden Sword Pavilion; omitting the "Hidden" character is to give the Hidden Sword Manor its due respect. This pavilion is where the Soaring Heaven Sword Gate stores its various techniques, sword arts, and divine abilities.

It has nine floors total; the eighth and ninth floors can only be entered by successive sect masters, Supreme Elders, and those with great contributions to the Sword Gate.

The seventh floor is actually the "permission range" of Spirit Severing elders.

Nascent Soul elders can only reach the fifth floor; even the sixth floor requires merit to enter.

Now Tang Xuanzang, with the status of a Nascent Soul elder, can enter the seventh floor; one can see Yue Wushuang's cherishing of talent.

Not to mention that command token.

The Five Elements Peak is where Yue Wushuang cultivates in seclusion; barring major events, only the sect master may report and enter.

Now Yue Wushuang giving the token is, of course, not granting Tang Xuanzang the same permission as the sect master, but giving him a chance to receive guidance once every five years.

Listening to a Void Refining sword cultivator expound the Dao is a benefit even Spirit Severing sword cultivators might not have.

Yet Tang Xuanzang gets it once every five years, able to hear the Great Dao of the Sword — truly the envy of all.

You must know, Yue Wushuang is one of the Three Strongest Swords, and also the most "broad and profound."

Feng Xian Zhenren and Jian Chi Yixin are both proud swords that walk a deviant path.

They are the Three Strongest Swords, yet they are not qualified masters or teachers.

Yue Wushuang is different; bearing the Five Elements Sword Intent, he can guide the vast majority of sword cultivators in the world, and the guidance is extremely useful.

Tang Luo accepted the token: "Many thanks, Divine Lord."

Inwardly he mused: "Treating me this well — could it be that you, young fellow, are also an undercover agent?"

Ever since he became an undercover agent, why did it feel like everyone in the Soaring Heaven Sword Gate was an undercover agent?

"That..." Putting away the token, Tang Luo raised a hand, signaling he still had something to say.

"Speak." After giving the token, Yue Wushuang's figure gradually faded and vanished, already gone; the one speaking was Sect Master Lei Zhengyang.

"May I accept disciples?" Tang Luo asked.

Lei Zhengyang froze for a moment, then said: "You may. Our sect's Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Severing sword cultivators may freely accept disciples. If a Golden Core cultivator wishes to accept a disciple, the disciple must still temper themselves in the outer sect for one year. Nascent Soul and Spirit Severing sword cultivators accepting disciples may take from both inner and outer sect disciples."

The implication was that non–Soaring Heaven Sword Gate people, if a Nascent Soul or Spirit Severing elder took a liking to them, could also be directly accepted into the sect.

Skipping the outer sect stage, directly becoming a Soaring Heaven Sword Gate inner sect disciple.

"Oh, then that's fine." Tang Luo nodded; being able to accept disciples was enough.

As Tang Luo asked this question, some Foundation Establishment sword cultivators' hearts instantly burned hot.

Could this disciple-acceptance gathering turn into a disciple-selection gathering?

Tang Xuanzang, whose startling talent far surpassed Sword Maniac Yixin by a thousand or ten thousand times, was accepting disciples — if they could become his disciples, their lives would be different from now on.

They did not expect Tang Xuanzang to be able to give any pointers.

Judging by Tang Xuanzang's demeanor, he was most likely just another enhanced version of Sword Maniac Yixin.

As long as they entered his sect, even as nominal disciples, having this great banner was enough.

Unfortunately Tang Luo gave them no chance; after asking, he left on his own.

The various Spirit Severing elders also departed one after another.

This disciple-acceptance gathering ended with an outcome that no one besides Tang Luo had anticipated.

Next, the sect's stewards led Tang Luo — this elder who had been in the sect for a grand total of two months — to familiarize himself with the sect environment.

Also providing the sect's elder benefits — but Tang Luo didn't want them, only asking for a set of the sect's Nascent Soul elder robes.

He swore solemnly: "My whole self, the sword suffices; one sword breaks ten thousand laws."

He even showed off the great hammer, making the sect steward's expression very hard to maintain.

Finally Tang Luo chose a relatively quiet cave dwelling as his residence, officially settling in the Heaven Sword Gate.

In the days after settling, visitors to Tang Luo came in an endless stream.

Toward this Tang Luo did not shut his door and decline guests, but received them one by one, becoming acquainted with many people.

After a few days, visitors gradually dwindled, and Tang Luo left the Soaring Heaven Sword Gate.

This day was precisely the Soaring Heaven Sword Gate's time for recruiting outer sect disciples.

Tang Luo left, naturally to accept disciples.

Ao Yulie and Zhu Bajie mingled in the crowd, looking utterly bored; Xiaotian Dog crouched atop Ao Yulie's head.

Battle pets, mounts, and such are not uncommon in the cultivation world either.

Sword cultivators raising some small pets that can fight or cannot fight is a common occurrence.

Seeing Ao Yulie and Zhu Bajie, Tang Luo descended from the sky, and the surroundings instantly cleared out an empty area.

Everyone recognized them — these are Soaring Heaven Sword Gate people! And judging by the robes, he seems to be a big shot!

"Let's go." Tang Luo said to Zhu Bajie and Ao Yulie, waving a hand, sweeping the two up and soaring into the sky once more.

Leaving behind a field of envious, jealous, hateful gazes: damn connections!

Since they have connections, why still come queue up? Doing it on purpose to piss them off?

"Master, what's the situation?" Ao Yulie looked puzzled.

These two months, they basically hadn't been in contact like this.

Ao Yulie and Zhu Bajie had all kinds of deep and shallow exchanges with Qi Jinghuan, and were basically already die-hard members of the Extinction Sword Alliance.

"Oh, I'm now a Soaring Heaven Sword Gate elder, can accept disciples, so I'll just accept you two." Tang Luo said.

"Elder?"

"Mm, I've advanced to Nascent Soul stage."

"Too fast, right, Master." Zhu Bajie couldn't help saying, "Won't that arouse suspicion?"

"No matter. First, what undercover agent acts this high-profile?" Tang Luo said. "Second, we have people above us."

"Master, you made contact with other undercover agents?"

"No, but we definitely have people above. I suspect First Elder, and that Divine Lord Yue Wushuang, are undercover agents."

"..."

Divine Lord Yue Wushuang is an undercover agent?

Might as well say the Soaring Heaven Sword Gate belongs to the Extinction Sword Alliance; Ao Yulie felt Master's imagination was too rich.

Bringing Zhu Bajie and Ao Yulie to the place specifically handling disciple registration to register, Zhu Bajie and Ao Yulie officially became Tang Luo's direct disciples.

Yes, directly direct disciples, no ambiguity.

This move stirred up some waves again.

You must know, right now Tang Luo is the Soaring Heaven Sword Gate's hottest hot cake; every move draws massive attention.

No one expected he would suddenly accept disciples.

Quite a few Nascent Soul and even Spirit Severing sword cultivators came to congratulate "joyfully receiving noble disciples, successors assured," while probing to ask why Tang Luo suddenly accepted disciples, and what these two disciples' origins were.

Tang Luo didn't hide anything either, directly stating they were little companions he knew before entering the Sword Gate, also people of extraordinary talent.

Thought they were good, so accepted them.

As straightforward as ever, more sword-cultivator than sword cultivators.

On the other side, outside the Soaring Heaven Sword Gate.

Originally calm and composed, Qi Jinghuan stared blankly: "What, Tang Xuanzang became a Nascent Soul elder? What, he even took on two disciples?"

"No way! This isn't the undercover agent I wanted!"

"Could it be that he's an undercover agent of an undercover agent?"