Chapter 682

It's here; the question has finally arrived!

Tang Zhao perked up upon hearing this and gave the answer he had prepared long ago: "The Jinwu Sword will not remain with me for long. The Jinwu Sword concerns the Human World; it needs a new Sword Guest, and I am only wielding it temporarily. I will deliver the sword to the Sun Court and wait for a new Sword Guest to appear."

Regarding the Golden Crow, and that Highness, Tang Zhao felt deep regret and reluctance, but he was not attached to this incomparably powerful Jinwu Sword. He had his own sword, and he believed that besides himself, there were heaven-favored children in the world suitable for the Jinwu Sword, not a bit inferior to him, just like Ju Dongjun back in the day.

Upon hearing Tang Zhao's reply, Guiyuanshi instead fell into deep thought and remained silent.

Tang Zhao grew suspicious; was the Sun Court not in a hurry to recover the Jinwu Sword?

Guiyuanshi finally spoke: "Actually, there has always been a debate within the Sun Domain: should we cultivate a new Jinwu Sword from scratch?"

Tang Zhao began to ponder, and Guiyuanshi continued to explain: "The situation at the Qianxian is becoming more tense by the day, and the Sun Domain, once the strongest of the so-called Four Great Domains, has always borne the brunt of it. The pillars supporting the Sun Domain are the four Sun Swords. When one of the four swords was lost previously, those few were constantly anxious and uneasy, fearing the other side would discover the Sun Domain's instability and seize the chance to attack."

"But upon closer thought, they were of course not that uneasy, precisely because everyone knew the Jinwu Sword still existed. The Sun Domain possesses a treasure that has always indicated the Jinwu Sword exists in the world. As long as it is here, there is hope. Such a powerful sword does not necessarily need to go into battle; it serves more as a deterrent. And if the Jinwu Sword were to have a new Sword Guest, it would be like other new swords, dissipating its Sword Image and Sword Intent, and everything would have to start from scratch. In that period, the Sun Domain would truly be missing a leg."

"This time to start over would not be short," Guiyuanshi calculated. "Not to mention whether there is a youth in the world so compatible with the Jinwu Sword, even if there really were one, and they were found in the shortest possible time, how much time would it take to cultivate them from the beginning to a Sword Immortal?"

Although he could also fight and even unleash the power of the Jinwu Sword, it was actually different; a Sword Guest and a sword promote each other and can become stronger and stronger. But his use of the Jinwu Sword was merely consuming its reserves, and the Sword Essence had to be recovered by the Jinwu Sword itself, not to mention creating new Sword Techniques and Sword Arts. In fact, letting him use it was nothing more than consuming its potential.

Guiyuanshi laughed: "If you were willing to truly wield the Jinwu Sword, that would be perfect—" Seeing Tang Zhao's expression shift slightly, he said, "But I know you are unwilling. If you didn't have this kind of pride, you wouldn't have reached this day. This is inherently contradictory; the Jinwu Sword would certainly look down on someone willing to easily obtain powerful strength, and the person the Jinwu Sword is compatible with would not be willing. And this matter cannot be forced like leading a cow to water; causing the Jinwu Sword to become estranged from the Sun Domain would be even more disadvantageous."

Han Shengyuan stood to the side, wanting to speak several times but stopping himself. The Sword Saint said: "By the way, this junior of mine has heard of your reputation and has been saying they want to challenge you. What do you think?"

You don't have to be the Jinwu Sword, but when the Jinwu Sword needs you, you can come back to fight. When the Jinwu Sword cultivates a Sword Deity and can fight on its own, it won't need you anymore, and you can step down.

Hmm...

Guiyuanshi said: "This is different. If a Sword Deity can be cultivated, as soon as it awakens, it directly inherits the original power—that is, immediate combat power at the Sword Immortal level—perfectly inheriting the Sword Intent and laws of Ju Jinwu from back then. The uncertainty is much smaller."

Tang Zhao listened earnestly. He actually didn't love farming, but he never missed an opportunity to acquire knowledge. He figured that since this Sword Saint had lived for so long and had rich farming experience, what he said must be true insight.

Tang Zhao thought: So, you want both? How can there be a way for that?

Guiyuanshi said: "Rather than cultivating a Sword Guest, it is better to give birth to a Sword Deity."

So...

Of course, to say this urgency was entirely out of kindness to Tang Zhao would be impossible. There are always people who want to use easier, more direct, and brutal methods to control the situation; not everyone understands the principle that "a forced melon is not sweet." If Tang Zhao went to the Sun Court alone, even with the Jinwu Sword in his possession, his fortune would be unpredictable. In this regard, the Gaoyuan Marquis could not help him; it would depend entirely on his own response and timing.

Actually, it wasn't impossible; he was also willing to fight side-by-side with the Jinwu Sword, but one couldn't always be summoned and dismissed at will, right?

To have a shackle on one's neck at all times—no one would want that.

Tang Zhao said: "Yes, it would take decades of effort at least..."

The Sun Court is high above, and its power is immense. But their responsibilities are immense, and their worries are also immense. Previously, the Jinwu Sword did not return, leaving the entire domain externally solid but internally empty, teetering on the brink. The Sun Domain was the most anxious; after years of urgent cultivation of juniors, although Sword Heroes were springing up like bamboo shoots after rain, none were seen to have hope of ascending to Immortal in the short term, which made the various Highnesses feel insecure.

He really wanted to say he could decline the challenge, but words spoken are like spilled water; asking him to admit defeat was more painful than killing him.

Han Shengyuan again wanted to speak but stopped himself.

Tang Zhao laughed: "Since it is a challenge, how could I, a mere person, not accept? It's just that I am busy recently; could it be postponed for a period?"

Han Shengyuan glanced at him, thinking: What do you know? You're bold enough to talk nonsense about things you don't understand? Decades? You show me how to become a Sword Immortal in decades!

Guiyuanshi also laughed, saying: "Don't measure others by yourself. Not everyone is a 'scholar who changes after a year,' going directly from a Mortal to a Sword Hero, and not just an ordinary Sword Hero at that. If every Sword Immortal grew as fast as you, what would we have to worry about? If everyone relied on the Sword Immortal human-sea tactic to swarm the enemy, what problem couldn't be solved? Generally speaking, even if it goes smoothly, cultivating a Sword Immortal takes nearly two hundred years. Not to mention that the probability of it not being smooth is high. Among the children and disciples of those Sword Immortals, many are cultivated with the full effort of a Sword Immortal, yet who has smoothly become a Sword Immortal? Those who are called 'second-generation Sword Immortals' can be counted on one hand in history."

Guiyuanshi continued: "If you could grow up and directly replace the Jinwu Sword to support the Sun Domain, that would naturally be excellent; it would give the next generation of Jinwu Sword time to grow. Wouldn't the Sun Domain be even more stable with five pillars then? However, that is a matter for the future. We cannot bet everything on the future; we must still focus on the present."

And Tang Zhao, having found the Jinwu Sword alone and having a bright future ahead, was like sweet rain after a long drought for the Sun Domain. Guiyuanshi saying they were more anxious than Tang Zhao was no lie.

Guiyuanshi sighed with emotion: "One cause, one effect; nothing is not predetermined. If you and I hadn't met in Jianzhou long ago, if you hadn't solved a trouble for me, if I hadn't happened to have business coming to the Sun Court... neither of us could have met here. Since we have met, how could I, as a senior, not show something? By the way, is my lotus pond doing well?"

But Guiyuanshi taking him to the Sun Court was naturally different. As a Sword Saint, although not the person in charge of the Sun Court, if he were willing to vouch for Tang Zhao, he could naturally suppress some noise and let Tang Zhao enjoy better treatment.

As he spoke, he took out the lotus pond and placed it in the small courtyard. In the blink of an eye, half the courtyard was covered by the pond water, the clear water shimmering, lotus flowers blooming, and a fresh fragrance filling the courtyard.

It was easier to just bite the bullet and go.

He glanced at Tang Zhao.

This was still a gamble.

Tang Zhao pressed: "Can it be done? Doesn't that also require attempting an uncertain future?"

Tang Zhao felt a lump in his throat upon hearing this. Guiyuanshi said: "In this way, the spirituality is richer, and it is easier to cultivate a Sword Deity. If it can be guided, the hope should not be small. Moreover, there are people in this world who have artificially cultivated Sword Deities, which shows that this path is still viable."

"If others can't become Sword Immortals, then they can't. How can the Jinwu Sword support the Sun Domain if it isn't a Sword Immortal? Even if it does become one, what if there is a great catastrophe during the hundred-plus years in between? The Jinwu Sword is too important, so everyone doesn't want to lose it."

Tang Zhao understood his meaning: if it really doesn't work out, don't you still have yourself?

That sounded reasonable.

Guiyuanshi laughed: "If you agree, come with me to the Sun Court for a trip. They also want to see you and have prepared a little token of their appreciation to thank you for the contribution you made this time. Furthermore, since they want to entrust the responsibility to you, both publicly and privately, they naturally have to add more tokens, at least to help you reach a higher level. If you can advance a step earlier, it won't matter even if you can't cultivate a Sword Deity. On this point, they are even more anxious than you."

Guiyuanshi praised: "Not bad, you take good care of it. Even a Dharma Artifact lotus pond is a delicate thing; if not cared for well, it will wither. You must have perseverance and patience." After he finished, he casually pointed out the secrets of planting and caring for lotus flowers to Tang Zhao, gradually moving on to caring for other flowers and plants, and even talking about farming crops. Clearly, with the serious business finished, he wanted to talk about some relaxed, everyday topics.

A Sword Deity—isn't that just a Golden Crow?

Guiyuanshi said: "It couldn't be done before, but now we can try. I heard the Jinwu Sword is different; it was once a Sword Deity, and later reverted into a sword..."

Tang Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking: As expected of a Sword Saint Emperor, his breadth of mind is different; he is willing to reason, completely different from Caiyun Gui.

Tang Zhao said: "But the Jinwu Sword is useless with just the sword."

Tang Zhao felt much more comfortable after hearing this. It wasn't that he was greedy for anything, but it was good that the Sun Domain had an attitude.

"Furthermore, even if it can't be cultivated, the Jinwu Sword won't suffer any wear and tear just by being left there; consider it placed there as a foundation, at least the deterrent power remains. If there is a real, special need for combat..."

Tang Zhao exclaimed: "Can it be done?"

Tang Zhao could feel the goodwill in this and was naturally very grateful. He wouldn't think Guiyuanshi was honey-tongued and sword-hearted, trying to trick him into going to the Sun Court to be dealt with. What kind of status and strength does a Sword Saint have? If he wanted to act against Tang Zhao, why would he need to be so circuitous?

Although he had recognized his Kun Sword just now, he hadn't seen that it was drawn out by the Dharma Artifact lotus pond. An ordinary person wouldn't imagine how these two things were connected. Tang Zhao wouldn't specifically introduce it either, saying: "It's here."

Therefore, Tang Zhao immediately said: "Okay, I will go up with you, Senior. Thank you, Senior."

This could also be considered a polite refusal. Han Shengyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and replied simply: "Very well, I will await you at any time."

Tang Zhao asked Guiyuanshi again: "Senior rarely comes to Yunzhou. If you have no arrangements, could you stay for a few days? I will accompany you to look around the surroundings?"

Guiyuanshi shook his head and said: "In a couple of days; I still have one piece of serious business. The fellow Daoists of the Sun Court entrusted me to come to Yunzhou to see a young friend who is very experienced in raising Sword Deities."