Go to Lingyun Cave

After an impassioned speech, Xiao Ming calmed his emotions and walked out of his residence.

He planned to go see Lin Feng and Wang Hao, to see if he could fleece them a bit.

After searching for a while, Xiao Ming did not find either of them. The reason was that Wang Hao had taken on a Sect mission and was out on official business.

As for Lin Feng... Xiao Ming heard that after Lin Feng had his luck tested, he was summoned by Elder Hongxiu.

It was said that the two of them were going to engage in some kind of dual cultivation... male and female dual cultivation!

Just thinking about it was exciting!

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming couldn't help but sigh, Lin Feng's luck with women was truly heaven-defying; he could even win over Elder Hongxiu, who had been single for many years.

Furthermore, he had heard another piece of news.

It was about Young Master Xueyi.

It was said that not long ago, Young Master Xueyi was severely beaten by a black-clad, masked expert, who thrashed him until he cried out to his parents and wailed Aihao.

After the beating, Young Master Xueyi indignantly sought out the Sect Leader, demanding that he uphold justice.

However, the Sect Leader didn't know much about the matter. Although he had issued an order to thoroughly investigate it, it would likely end up unresolved.

"Young Master Xueyi was inexplicably beaten? This is certainly a novel occurrence," Xiao Ming was quite surprised. "Logically speaking, Young Master Xueyi just joined the Qingtian Sword Sect; he shouldn't have any enemies."

"Forget it, he got a beating, and I'll just enjoy the show."

He shook his head.

Xiao Ming walked towards the Sect Great Hall, intending to inquire about the Azure Lotus Sword Intent.

He had only obtained an incomplete Sword Intent, and although it was already powerful enough, Xiao Ming still wanted to obtain the subsequent Sword Intent legacy.

Even if he couldn't get his hands on it, asking about related matters was necessary.

Arriving at the Sect Great Hall, Xiao Ming found an Elder surnamed Wu and explained his problem.

"You want to obtain the subsequent Sword Intent legacy?" Elder Wu was somewhat surprised, then said, "The subsequent Sword Intent legacies are all kept in the Sword Tower."

"You can only obtain the legacy after entering the Sword Tower, challenging the lingering phantoms of various experts, and reaching a certain level."

"The Sword Tower?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming frowned slightly.

He had indeed seen a towering, majestic pagoda in the Sect, like a sword piercing the sky. Could that pagoda be the Sword Tower the Elder spoke of?

"Exactly, it is the Sword Tower!" Elder Wu nodded and said, "The Sword Tower is a relatively special trial ground of our Qingtian Sword Sect. It has a total of one hundred floors, and each floor retains a phantom of an expert."

"Some of those phantoms were left by past inner sect experts, and some by exceptionally talented disciples."

"Disciples who enter the Sword Tower need to challenge floor by floor to temper their martial arts. Once victorious, not only can they leave their own phantom behind, but they can also obtain different opportunities."

"And the Sword Intent legacy you are asking about is in the Sword Tower. If you want to obtain the legacy, you must defeat the lingering phantom of Superior Qing Lian on that floor."

"So that's how it is..." Xiao Ming nodded.

Then he started to worry.

Superior Qing Lian was an extremely formidable existence, said to be even more powerful than Lü Ziyang, who was at the Half-Step Tribulation. The phantom of the expert he left behind would naturally be exceedingly strong.

How difficult would it be to defeat him!

Conversely, if Xiao Ming possessed the strength to defeat Superior Qing Lian's phantom, he wouldn't need any Azure Lotus Sword Intent. Thinking about it this way, it was almost a dead end.

As if seeing through Xiao Ming's thoughts, Elder Wu smiled and said, "To obtain the subsequent Sword Intent legacy, you don't necessarily have to defeat Superior Qing Lian; gaining his recognition can also grant you the Sword Intent."

"You probably don't know yet, but the stronger a martial artist is, the more agile their lingering phantom will be. For a formidable existence like Superior Qing Lian, his phantom even possesses a trace of sentience."

"If you're lucky, after a good conversation with him, you might also receive the legacy."

"Understood!" Xiao Ming exhaled a breath of stale air and said, "I'm going to the Sword Tower now to try my luck!"

However, Elder Wu shook his head.

"You are currently only at the Great Perfection of the Danhu Realm, and you are not yet qualified to undertake the Sword Tower challenge. According to the Sect's rules, you must at least cultivate to the Divine Sea Realm before you can enter the Sword Tower."

"The reason for this rule is primarily that those who can leave their names in the Sword Tower are all formidable martial artists. This also serves as a form of protection for martial artists like you at the Danhu Realm."

Pausing, Elder Wu added, "I know you; your name is Xiao Ming, and you've been quite prominent recently. Although your Cultivation Level is only at the Great Perfection of Danhu, you can display the strength of a mid-Divine Sea Realm cultivator."

"However, even so, I do not recommend you enter the Sword Tower now. Because you are not the only one capable of challenging beyond your Cultivation Level; those martial artists who can leave their names in the Sword Tower can also do so."

"Therefore, you should first raise your Cultivation Level. Cultivation Level is the foundation of a martial artist; only by raising your Cultivation Level can you gain the ability to navigate the Sword Tower with ease."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming nodded silently.

Elder Wu was a kind person; he not only patiently explained many things but also thoughtfully considered his well-being.

He was a rare and considerate Elder.

"Thank you, Elder Wu, for guiding me. This junior will remember!" Xiao Ming earnestly cupped his hands.

After they conversed for a while longer, Xiao Ming bid farewell and left.

Walking along the Sect's path, Xiao Ming contemplated his next actions.

Currently, Lin Feng and Wang Hao were unavailable, so he couldn't fleece them.

Young Master Xueyi, after being severely beaten by an unknown expert, suffered a resurgence of his injuries and had been staying in his room in seclusion to heal. Although Xiao Ming had the intention to kill him to eliminate future troubles, he didn't have a suitable opportunity for the time being.

Regarding Sword Intent, he was temporarily unable to enter the Sword Tower to seek the subsequent Sword Intent legacy.

As for taking on Sect missions and going out to handle business... with Lingyun Cave opening soon, there wasn't enough time to go back and forth. He had no interest in undertaking any missions.

After some thought, his next course of action could only be focused on Lingyun Cave.

"Counting the time, there are still about ten days until the full moon. I can prepare in advance," Xiao Ming mused. "Especially my own Cultivation Level; I can increase the concentration of true essence within my body by consuming a large amount of cultivation resources."

"Even if there's no possibility of a breakthrough, compressing the true essence and laying a good foundation is also beneficial."

Xiao Ming was a decisive person.

After formulating his next plan, he returned to his small courtyard residence, then shut himself in his room to cultivate diligently.

He ignored everything outside and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to cultivation!

Cultivation knows no time.

Soon, seven or eight days passed.

On this day, Xiao Ming finished his cultivation and walked out of his room.

Although Lingyun Cave was still a few days away from opening, he decided to head to the location first to understand the surrounding situation before taking the next step.

Being prepared is always good.

Summoning his tiangang sword, Xiao Ming leaped onto it, then soared into the sky, riding the sword.

Whoosh!

A piercing whistle of air breaking rang out.

Xiao Ming's speed was extremely fast; in a moment, he disappeared into the clouds, leaving no trace.