Reaching the "Eighth Level of Longevity: Tempering the Spirit Sword" was by no means an easy threshold to cross.

The majority of people never earned the sword's recognition.

Thus, after a brief explanation, Qu Qingchen moved on to other matters: "Attaining the Eighth Level of Longevity is not the work of a single day; there is no need to rush. Focus on the Dao of the Sword. In terms of swordsmanship," you are already at the Sword King realm, which theoretically places you above us. However, concerning specific sword intents, we can certainly teach you a thing or two." "The Sword King realm?" Lu Yuan started, never having heard of it before.

Qu Qingchen then detailed what the Sword King realm entailed. Lu Yuan eventually grasped the basic meaning: under normal circumstances, in terms of the level of techniques, the Sword King realm represented the pinnacle attainable in the Jin Kingdom. Had he truly ascended to the peak of Jin Kingdom's techniques so quickly?

However, he had heard whispers that within the Central Celestial Dynasty, there existed the Sword Emperor realm and the Sword Saint realm.

Those, however, felt utterly distant and unattainable.

Qu Qingchen then began explaining his sword intent: the Autumn Sword Intent.

Autumn!

Slaughter!

Qu Qingchen recounted the process by which he comprehended the Autumn Sword Intent. Lu Yuan then learned that the Autumn Sword Intent was actually a branch under the Metal Element Sword Intent.

Metal Element Sword Intent: Anything possessing the qualities of cleansing, descending, and contraction belongs to Metal.

And autumn, precisely, was the season of descent and contraction.

As Qu Qingchen spoke of the nuances of the Autumn Sword Intent, Lu Yuan listened with rapt attention, intoxicated by the knowledge. It was rare to find such a senior master of the Dao of the Sword willingly sharing his profound insights. If he weren't considered the hope of the North Peak, such intimate knowledge, typically reserved for master-to-disciple transmission, would never have reached his ears. This opportunity was incredibly precious, and Lu Yuan dared not be careless, listening with utmost seriousness.

The Autumn Sword Intent, the Sword Intent of Slaughter.

Lu Yuan gleaned a great deal from it.

Meanwhile, Wan Qingwang, after Qu Qingchen concluded his discourse on the Autumn Sword Intent, began to elaborate on another type: the Slowness Sword Intent. The Slowness Sword Intent was one of Wan Qingwang's signature intents. The deceleration effect he could impose was significantly greater than that of the Mù Sword Intent, and according to Wan Qingwang, the Slowness Sword Intent also fell under the purview of the Metal Element Sword Intent.

Metal signifies white.

Metal Feast, White Rule.

Whereas the White Emperor Sword Dao was a Dao of Acceleration, both the speed and slowness were fundamentally rooted within the Metal Element Sword Intent.

With this realization, Lu Yuan discovered that, without realizing it, he had already mastered two aspects of the Metal Element Sword Intent: the Metal Sword Intent and the Speed Sword Intent. He quickly refocused his mind, continuing to learn the Slowness Sword Intent from Wan Qingwang.

What exactly was "slow"?

Lu Yuan found his comprehension of the Slowness Sword Intent remarkably swift. Could it be because he had always favored laziness, frequently indulging in sleeping late? This led to a faster grasp of the Slowness Sword Intent. Lu Yuan was left somewhat speechless; the irony was palpable.

Next up was Lu Qingtao. Lu Qingtao smiled: "I specialize in the Water Element Sword Intent, but you have already cultivated the Water Element Sword Intent to the Sword King realm. I cannot teach you anything in this regard. However, I do have a magical artifact for you—a substitute treasure. It can temporarily create an illusory double, while your true self is moved many miles away." Lu Qingtao, as one of the Seven Great Dao Realm masters, naturally possessed extraordinary items. Yet, even for him, such a substitute treasure was scarce. Because Lu Yuan represented the hope of the North Peak and was immensely vital to its future, this exceedingly precious substitute treasure was gifted to him.

Lu Yuan looked over and saw a palm-sized doll figure with a blurred face.

Following Lu Qingtao's instructions, he dripped blood onto the doll-shaped artifact. Instantly, the doll began to transform, molding itself into an exact replica of him.

On the journey toward the Western Regions, Lu Yuan continuously absorbed various kinds of knowledge, soaking it up like a sponge.

The Water Emperor Sword Dao was established; how far was he from the Metal Emperor Sword Dao?

What Lu Yuan did not know was that a major incident had occurred back at the North Peak.

Sima Changbai was dead!

Indeed.

Sima Changbai had been duly sent to the Peak of Self-Reflection. When he was interred there, he was covered in severe injuries. Given his crime was treason against the peak, naturally, no medicinal supplies were provided. Under heavy duress, he first had to endure the Five-Colored Tribulation Clouds of the Peak of Self-Reflection, which caused him unimaginable agony. After a grueling month, the Five-Colored Tribulation Clouds dissipated, and the members of the North Peak gathered.

In the aftermath, everyone present cursed Sima Changbai. After all, he had colluded with Yuan Ling, and years ago, Yuan Ling had used numerous North Peak members as raw material for his forbidden arts. The consequence was a furious, collective riot that beat Sima Changbai to death.

The ambitious Sima Changbai had perished just like that.

It truly made one... Perhaps Sima Changbai died with intense reluctance. He had imagined every possible way to die—sickness, death at an opponent's hand—but he never envisioned being beaten to death by a mob. This reality was utterly absurd.

Fang Ru, as the Peak Master, despite past animosities with Sima Changbai during the competition for leadership, had always acted impartially. He intended to punish those who killed Sima Changbai. However, this was a mass riot; the law often spares the crowd. Since everyone had participated, he was forced to sentence each participant to an additional thirty years of imprisonment.

And it was rumored that Sima Qinggui of the Immortal Realm of Ethereal Clouds was so enraged upon hearing the news that he nearly vomited blood. Reportedly, with a single palm strike, he pulverized a Xuan Stone table renowned for its unparalleled hardness into dust.

The Western Regions of the Jin Kingdom were relentlessly icy, marked by perpetual snow and sprawling mountain ranges.

The four streaks of sword light had entered the Western Regions.

These four streaks were primarily white, but set against the backdrop of rolling black clouds and falling snow, they were still somewhat conspicuous.

Qu Qingchen, Wan Qingwang, Lu Qingtao, and Lu Yuan arrived before a vast expanse of snow-capped mountains.

Observing the massive range, Qu Qingchen frowned. Lu Qingtao spoke up: "We can only ascertain the general location of Bei Ling Mountain; its precise spot remains elusive. Senior Brother, perhaps the three of us should split up to search for Bei Ling Mountain? We can contact each other once found."

Qu Qingchen pondered briefly and nodded: "Very well."

Lu Qingtao produced three Communication Stones, devices that allowed transmission over vast distances.

"Then, who should Lu Yuan accompany?" Lu Qingtao inquired.

"I will go alone," Lu Yuan stated.

"What?" This suggestion clearly surprised everyone. If Bei Ling Mountain was nearby, it was fraught with danger. Lu Yuan explained: "How can one become a peerless Grandmaster of the Dao of the Sword, a Sword Emperor or Sword Saint, without experiencing hardship? Under the protection of Martial Uncle-Ancestor, I can never truly grow. Therefore, I must travel alone. Besides, I have the substitute treasure gifted by Martial Uncle Lu; I won't die that easily."

Hearing Lu Yuan’s reasoning, Qu Qingchen considered the matter before finally agreeing. There was another factor: Lu Yuan's current strength was not to be underestimated. Having defeated Sima Changbai of the Ninth Level of Longevity, few in the entire Jin Kingdom could overcome him in the cultivation world now. Furthermore, Lu Yuan's argument held merit, so they consented.

Lu Qingtao handed Lu Yuan a Communication Stone, and then the four dispersed in different directions; Lu Yuan was assigned the southwest. Lu Yuan was familiar with snowy terrains, having spent time in the Tianshan Mountains of Qin and the snow mountains of Jin. He activated his Snow Sword Intent on his sword, allowing his flight to blend with the snowflakes, becoming nearly invisible from a distance.

Lu Yuan flew straight ahead but not too swiftly. His mission this time was to locate the precise coordinates of Bei Ling Mountain, so he paused whenever he noticed the faintest clue.

Ordinarily, even with Lu Yuan's sharp vision, finding such subtle hints would be near impossible.

However, Lu Yuan had learned the tracking techniques of the Seventh Generation Sword Eagle, famous for its tracking prowess. After learning this skill, Lu Yuan’s mastery of tracking advanced significantly. In the snow, he detected an almost imperceptible trace—a mark amidst the cloud cover, a manifestation of the third method of the Five Tracking Arts: Tracing Marks.

Lu Yuan followed these traces meticulously, moving with extreme caution.

Finally, in an extremely remote and deeply concealed valley, he sensed something amiss. This valley was exceptionally hidden, and its entrance was protected by various strange mechanisms. In the Sword Eagle’s insights, some methods for breaking formations were detailed. Lu Yuan employed various tactics and finally slipped inside without a sound.

Once inside the valley, in a secluded corner, he discovered a massive gate.

From a short distance, the gate was indistinct, but three vigorous characters were inscribed upon it: "Bei Ling Mountain." Bei Ling Mountain—he had finally found it.

The legendary Bei Ling Mountain!

Two guards stood before the entrance to Bei Ling Mountain.

"Did you hear? Lord Yuan Ling’s plan to seize the North Peak failed."

"That plan was flawless in its design. It was only ruined by a genius that emerged from the North Peak—a man who defeated Sima Changbai, who was in the Ninth Level of Longevity and over four hundred years old, while he himself was barely in his twenties."

"That Lu Yuan is truly formidable."

"But what good is formidable? He can never match Lord Yuan Ling. Eventually, Lord Yuan Ling will calculate his downfall."

"Exactly. Look at that Master Yuanyuan—wasn't he outmaneuvered by Lord Yuan Ling? Even though he's currently employing the North Peak's Ethereal Grand Formation, preventing us from entering, and has been locked in combat with Lord Yuan Ling inside that formation for over half a year, he will ultimately perish at Lord Yuan Ling's hands."

"Yes, and it won't be long now. Once the Ethereal Grand Formation is broken, he will die."

Lu Yuan had been ready to strike immediately, but upon hearing news of Master Yuanyuan, he halted his movement. Master Yuanyuan was not dead.

This was undoubtedly good news.