Chapter 77: Heavenly Dipper And Earthly Fiend Sword Formation
“Greetings, Green Ox Senior!”
Whether it was Dragon Mountain Daoist, Carefree Lord, or White River True Person, all slightly bowed to show respect.
Dragon Mountain Daoist laughed:
“Today, with Green Ox Senior’s arrival, this Heavenly Human Ceremony can finally be considered complete.”
Only Wang Family Old Ancestor felt somewhat awkward, because in truth his age was even greater than Green Ox Swordsman’s. Calling him senior felt odd, but doing nothing would make him seem too casual, so he could only force a smile and chuckle.
However, Wang Family Old Ancestor was actually more joyful than embarrassed in his heart.
He never imagined that Dragon Mountain Daoist could invite a Heavenly Human Ranking expert to stand on stage. This time, he had truly come to the right place. The corners of his mouth slightly curved up, and his smile carried a bit more sincerity from the heart.
Everyone present looked on with reverence.
Heavenly Human Ranking expert.
They could almost be said to stand at the pinnacle of Great Yan. In this era when Martial Saints rarely appeared, those thirty-six experts were the strongest.
Don’t think that Green Ox Swordsman was merely ranked thirty-third on the Heavenly Human Ranking. Even if Dragon Mountain Daoist and the other four Heavenly Human Realm experts joined hands, they would be easily suppressed.
Ning Qi slowly withdrew his gaze, lest he be noticed by Green Ox Swordsman.
He could feel that faint sense of oppression, especially from the unedged saber on the elder’s back, which astonished him even more. Astonishing saber intent was nurtured within it.
“Master once said that the Heavenly Human Realm is rather special. Some people cultivate only a single realm, some dual realms, and some even three realms cultivation, and the order of cultivation differs as well. Thus, combat power is not as straightforward as in the Gang Yuan Realm.”
“Among Heavenly Human Realm experts, who is stronger or weaker—unless their paths are similar—can only be known after fighting. Most are judged based on past battle records, and thus the Heavenly Human Ranking came into being.”
“The Heavenly Human Ranking is issued by the Great Yan imperial family. Those who enter the Heavenly Human Ranking are the top-tier experts among Heavenly Human Realm, enjoying utmost honor.”
Without a doubt.
Green Ox Swordsman was the strongest being Ning Qi had seen so far.
Green Ox Swordsman chuckled and waved his hand:
“We’re all in the Heavenly Human Realm, so there’s no need for senior or not. If you don’t mind, just call me brother.”
He looked at Dragon Mountain Daoist, his gaze carrying appreciation:
“Dragon Mountain Kid, back then I felt that you stepping into the Heavenly Human Realm was just a matter of time. I didn’t expect it to be even earlier than I imagined. Surpassing me in the future will just be a matter of time.”
Such praise startled the several Heavenly Humans present.
The two clearly had an uncommon relationship.
Dragon Mountain Daoist laughed loudly:
“Green Ox Brother, you’re too kind. Who knows how long it will take to catch up to you.”
He was also somewhat elated. Back when he encountered a crisis during his travels, Green Ox Swordsman had saved him and given him some pointers due to his favor. Now, so many years had passed in a blink, and he himself had stepped into the Heavenly Human Realm. That sense of achievement went without saying.
“Everyone, please take your seats!”
Now that everyone had arrived, a full five Heavenly Humans landed on the central high platform, instantly making the training ground’s atmosphere even hotter.
Dragon Mountain Daoist was in the center, Green Ox Swordsman to his left, White River True Person to his right, and the other two divided to the left and right.
One gaze after another was filled with excitement, heads lowered in conversation.
No one had expected that today’s Heavenly Human Ceremony would have so many Heavenly Human Realm experts descend, and even one Heavenly Human Ranking expert.
This news quickly spread into True Martial City. Martial artists who had no chance to go up the mountain beat their chests, regretting they couldn’t witness today’s grand event. Others exclaimed that this trip was worth it. Though they couldn’t see the true faces of the Heavenly Humans, at least they shared the same heaven and earth, which would be an honor to mention in the future.
Wang Family Old Ancestor’s gaze also held a hint of envy and jealousy.
Recalling his own Heavenly Human Ceremony three hundred years ago, he had barely one Heavenly Human Realm friend attend, and afterward he had promised quite a few benefits. Compared to Dragon Mountain Daoist’s lineup, it was far inferior.
But thinking of the purpose of his visit this time, he felt much better.
Time slowly passed.
The congregation in True Martial Training Ground sensed something and gradually quieted down.
Luo Wentian’s excited voice rang out:
“The auspicious time has arrived. The Heavenly Human Ceremony officially begins!”
In an instant.
Nine heavenly drumbeats resounded. Hearing the drum sounds, the crowd’s blood inexplicably boiled.
Then music rose and fell, coming from afar, intoxicating the mind.
Fine wine and delicacies were placed on the tables.
True Martial Disciples clad in ceremonial robes and holding ritual swords surged in—thirty-six inner disciples, seventy-two outer disciples, exactly matching the number of Heavenly Stars thirty-six and Earthly Fiends seventy-two.
“We congratulate the sect leader!”
The True Martial Disciples were full of youthful vigor, their sword dance suddenly rising like the sun at dawn.
Though without killing intent, the sword dance had orderly formations, with all sorts of exquisite changes hidden in their coordination. It was expected that in actual combat, it would be far from ordinary. This was both a sword dance and a peerlessly exquisite sword formation.
Everyone’s eyes lit up. Though they were only Body Tempering Realm and Inner Yuan Realm martial artists, what they displayed was True Martial Sect’s foundation.
Those with keen eyes could see that these disciples all had excellent foundations. In ordinary sects, they would be genius disciples who could stand out. Unexpectedly, True Martial Sect had so many.
In an instant.
Many people’s mindsets changed. They had originally thought True Martial Sect had only produced a once-in-a-generation prodigy like Dragon Mountain Daoist, but now it seemed Dragon Mountain Daoist’s methods of teaching disciples were equally impressive.
Some long-established powers looked grave. With the foundation True Martial Sect had shown, in just a few decades, it would surely stand firm and become a top-tier overlord.
Wang Family Old Ancestor felt a pang in his eyes.
What had troubled him most in recent years was the Wang Clan’s lack of successors. How could a family’s geniuses compare to drawing talents from all over the world? Seeing the True Martial Disciples’ abundance of prodigies today, he couldn’t help but reflect once more on whether he needed to draw some fresh blood from outside.
But a clan and a sect were different. If too much external fresh blood came in and one day grew powerful, would the Wang Clan still be the Wang Clan?
Green Ox Swordsman just chuckled while tasting the fine wine.
White River True Person, however, seriously observed the sword dance of the True Martial Disciples before him. As a Daoist Sect member, he was especially sensitive to the numbers of Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends. Observing closely now, he was even more shocked.
This sword formation was not simple.
He couldn’t help but ask:
“Fellow Daoist Dragon Mountain, may I ask about this sword formation…?”
His words drew the gazes of the several Heavenly Humans.
Dragon Mountain Daoist smiled:
“This sword formation combined becomes the Heavenly Stars Earthly Fiends Sword Formation, and separated can be the Heavenly Stars Sword Formation or Earthly Fiends Sword Formation. It gathers the power of the crowd to face the enemy, striking the strong with the weak. It’s a bit of a trick—Fellow Daoist White River, you’ve seen something laughable.”
Their conversation immediately piqued the crowd’s interest. Even Green Ox Swordsman narrowed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then laughed loudly:
“Dragon Mountain Kid, you’re being too modest. This sword formation is far from as simple as you say. What a strike the strong with the weak—if half of this Heavenly Stars Earthly Fiends Sword Formation were Inner Yuan Realm, paired with a few strong hands, I’m afraid they could even handle Gang Yuan Realm martial artists?”
Carefree Lord also laughed loudly:
“Such a brilliant and stunning creation—truly impressive! A toast is in order!”
The Heavenly Humans all saw the clues within and exclaimed in admiration one after another.
The gap between Inner Yuan Realm and Gang Yuan Realm was equally vast, yet this sword formation had such power—extraordinary.
Wang Family Old Ancestor seemingly casually asked:
“I’ve never heard of True Martial Sect having such a sword formation before, not even in Qingzhou. Otherwise, it should have been famous long ago.”
