Martial Cultivator

After exchanging blows for half a day, Liu Banbi retrieved his flying sword Embracing Cicada, and sat down with a satisfied smile, sweating profusely as he exclaimed, "That was a great fight!"

Ji Baili also took back his flying sword and approached the young sword immortal from the academy, smiling as he said, "I was lucky to win by a half-move. But you're much younger than me. In a few more years, I won't be your match anymore."

Liu Banbi had traveled a long way to the Sword Sect for a sword inquisition. Winning a match and losing one in the end was already quite good, especially considering his young age. The time he had stepped into the Nepenthe Realm was much shorter than these two sword immortals. With this result, he had already done very well.

"The Sword Sect truly lives up to its reputation, Liu Banbi is utterly convinced by my loss. It's just a pity I didn't get to see the Sect Master send out his sword."

Looking up at the Sword Sect surrounded by countless flying swords, Liu Banbi's expression was filled with respect.

Ji Baili chuckled. "Not just you, even us disciples of the Sword Sect haven't seen the Sect Master make a move in many years. Perhaps only two or three people in this world have the qualifications to make the Sect Master exert his full strength once."

Liu Banbi speculated, "Is it the Temple Master, and that old monk from the White Deer Monastery?"

Ji Baili said softly, "Now, we have to add one more: that emperor of yours."

Liu Banbi nodded and said, "When I returned south, I saw His Majesty take action with my own eyes."

Ji Baili asked curiously, "How was it?"

Liu Banbi raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "For sword immortals like us, His Majesty could fight ten with just one hand."

Upon hearing this, Ji Baili was taken aback, then immediately laughed and said, "I wouldn't believe you if you said that before, but now I have no doubts."

Liu Banbi stood up, patted his buttocks, and smiled, "Now that I'm done with the sword inquisition, I'll be returning to the Northern Frontier. If I'm fortunate enough to survive, the next time I come South, I'll come for another sword inquisition. Hopefully, one day I'll get to see the Sect Master make a move."

"Then you'll have to come a few more times, perhaps after a few years."

That was indeed a straightforward and honest statement.

Liu Banbi did not think much of it. The Sword Sect was full of hidden talents that remained in concealment. There were more than just one or two sword immortals. The true realm of the Sect Master's skills could be deduced from just a glimpse, without the need for speculation.

Ji Baili also nodded and said, "If it weren't for the rules of the Sword Sect, not allowing outsiders on the mountain, just based on Sword Immortal Liu killing demons for the human race in the Northern Frontier, you should have been invited onto the mountain for a friendly drink."

With this comment from Ji Baili, it actually piqued Liu Banbi's curiosity. He asked with a smile, "Since the founding of the Sword Sect, have there been anyone who has gone up the mountain?"

Ji Baili shook his head and said, "I haven't seen any, but many years ago, there was indeed one who defeated that generation's Sect Master and stayed on the mountaintop for half a day after going up."

"Was it a sword cultivator?"

Liu Banbi was tongue-tied. Throughout the ages, the Sect Masters of the Sword Sect had been renowned as the strongest sword cultivators in the world; a fact acknowledged by many sword cultivators in the world. If there was indeed a sword cultivator who surpassed the Sect Master and went up to the Sword Sect, it would surely be a significant event.

Ji Baili shook his head. "He wasn't a sword cultivator, that person used a saber. His identity remains a mystery, and it's considered a top-secret matter within the Sword Sect. Only the successive sect masters know his identity."

Liu Banbi joked, "Now that you've told me about it, aren't you afraid I'll go out and spread the word?"

Ji Baili chuckled but did not speak. If he were worried, he would not have mentioned it. Moreover, apart from the person's identity being a secret, the other details were not considered some secret.

Liu Banbi sighed, "Not a sword cultivator, yet he challenged the strongest sword cultivators on the mountain. Just hearing about it feels unjust."

This was different from a sword competition between sword cultivators. When sword cultivators competed in the sword, regardless of who won, it was ultimately one sword cultivator surpassing another. However, if it was another cultivator who defeated the strongest sword cultivator, then no other sword cultivator could salvage the situation.

In other words, all the people in the world who trained in the sword would have to lower their heads before that person.

Even though he was not a sword cultivator of the Sword Sect, Liu Banbi could not help but feel uncomfortable about it.

Ji Baili chuckled, "There's always someone better. Such matters are beyond our control. Don't worry too much. Even if you do, just continue to train hard and regain your dignity through your sword. Thinking about other things is futile."

"That's a good point."

Liu Banbi suddenly remembered something and said, "There's a child in the village below the mountain who seems suitable to train in the sword. If you're interested in taking on a disciple, go and take a look?"

Ji Baili pondered for a moment and quickly nodded, "Now that you mentioned it, I'm indeed considering taking on a disciple."

Liu Banbi rubbed his chin, saying helplessly, "If I weren't heading north to kill demons and don't have the time to teach a disciple. I wouldn't have told you about it."

Ji Baili burst into laughter.

Afterwards, the two of them arrived at the village and appeared at the farmer's house once again. At this moment, the sky was gradually turning dark. It was already duck.

Smoke was rising from the chimney as dinner was being prepared.

"Elder Brother, I've come again."

Liu Banbi headed in and grabbed a stool with familiarity.

The man was taken aback, then immediately saw Ji Baili by Liu Banbi's side, feeling not only surprised but also deeply shocked.

Considering the previous visit where Liu Banbi went alone into the back mountain and now returning with another person, it was obvious who the other person was.

Approaching the farmer, Liu Banbi whispered a few words. The man became excited and immediately called his young son over. The child still appeared timid, looking at Liu Banbi and Ji Baili.

Ji Baili stood still, and a flying sword inexplicably landed in front of the child.

This scene left the man speechless with astonishment.

Ji Baili smiled and asked, "Can you pull it out?"

The child gazed at the flying sword in a daze, then walked forward uncontrollably and reached out to grasp the sword. The flying sword possessed intelligence, humming softly in response.

Without waiting for the child to exert force, it flew into the air on its own.

There was a hint of surprise in Ji Baili's eyes, but more so, there was joy.

Watching this scene, Liu Banbi patted the man's shoulder and chuckled, "Elder Brother, you're blessed."