Sealing the Heavens

"Senior Brother Meng, your words are mistaken. The Sword Sect has never stipulated that the master of the Reverse Scale Sword must join the Reverse Scale Peak. My Frostpeak is the best choice for him."

At this moment, another Seat stepped forward to recruit him: "Gu Qingfeng, don’t listen to them. Come to my Ten Thousand Blades Peak. It is the strongest among the seven peaks. With your talent, you naturally belong with the strongest!"

The others could no longer hold back and began vying for him as well.

Dugu Wei felt a headache coming on and quickly interjected, "Everyone, we haven’t reached the allocation phase yet. Let him choose his path first. Gu Qingfeng, what is your choice?"

In an instant, all eyes turned to Gu Qingfeng.

Most hoped he would choose the path of mastering a single sword, as this was the orthodox way—the path that had produced Sword Emperors in the past. All sword cultivators throughout history had followed this tradition.

However, Gu Qingfeng’s thoughts leaned toward the path of sword formations.

Had he not heard the words "Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Art," he would have undoubtedly chosen the single-sword path.

But this was the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Art!

The pinnacle of sealing and array techniques!

Gu Qingfeng had no interest in sword techniques. His strength had never relied on the sword path—he preferred using his fists over a blade.

What he truly desired was the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Art.

Why, you ask?

The memory of being trapped by the Heaven-Phenomenon Ancestor’s World-Sealing Forbidden Art still haunted him.

Why had he hesitated to hunt demons?

Because he feared encountering one too powerful, one that could seal him away in an instant.

But with the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Art, no array or seal in this world could ever confine him again.

No more fear of being sealed by demons—he could act as recklessly as he pleased!

Thus, he chose the path of sword formations. The Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Art was his absolute goal.

"I choose the path of sword formations."

His words brought joy to some and dismay to others.

Dugu Wei’s face darkened on the spot. "Gu Qingfeng, think carefully. The path of sword formations has no future. You—"

"Who says it has no future?" The Female Seat with the Surname Lin cut him off sharply, her willow-leaf brows furrowed. "Dugu Wei, don’t think you can spout nonsense just because you’re the Sect Leader. The path of sword formations is in no way inferior to your single-sword mastery!"

"Junior Sister Lin is right! Sect Leader, your words are inappropriate. What exactly is lacking in our sword formation lineage?" another chimed in.

Dugu Wei’s expression grew darker still. Ignoring the other Seats, he continued earnestly, "Gu Qingfeng, reconsider. You possess the potential of an Emperor. Only by following the path of the Sword Emperor will you have the greatest chance of success!"

"Sect Leader, my decision is final. I choose sword formations!"

"Ah, you..." Dugu Wei sighed, then added, "Very well. Since you’ve only just arrived at the Sword Sect and are unfamiliar with our ways, stay for a while longer. Explore all paths before making your final decision."

Clearly unwilling to give up, Dugu Wei refused to let Gu Qingfeng choose just yet.

Seeing this, the others stopped arguing over single-sword mastery versus sword formations and resumed their competition to recruit him.

Who wouldn’t want a disciple with dual sacred constitutions?

If they could nurture an Emperor, they might even earn the title of Imperial Mentor—eternal glory!

"Gu Qingfeng, come to my Evil-Warding Peak. I’ll teach you everything I know."

"Join the Windblade lineage. I guarantee you’ll reach the Heavenly Realm within ten years!"

"Don’t listen to them. The Earth-Burial Peak is the best fit for you."

...

Gu Qingfeng’s head spun from the clamor. Weren’t these supposed to be high-ranking figures of the Imperial Sword Sect? Couldn’t they show some restraint? All of them were scheming to take him as their disciple.

Amid the chaos, he quickly returned the Heart-Questioning Stone. That thing was trouble!

"Enough! All of you, quiet! Have you no shame, acting like this at your age?" Dugu Wei finally roared.

The crowd fell silent, waiting to hear the Sect Leader’s verdict.

Dugu Wei straightened, his face stern. "Gu Qingfeng is the master of the Reverse Scale Sword. By all rights, he belongs to the Reverse Scale Peak."

Meng Yan’s face lit up—but before he could rejoice, Dugu Wei added, "However, while he may be part of the Reverse Scale Peak, that doesn’t prevent him from taking a master."

Meng Yan’s expression soured, while the others brightened again.

All the Seats waited eagerly to see whom Dugu Wei would assign as Gu Qingfeng’s master.

Suddenly, Dugu Wei spoke again. "Gu Qingfeng, as it happens, I have yet to take on a personal disciple. Would you be willing to accept me as your master?"

The moment the words left his mouth, the Seats erupted in outrage, heedless of Dugu Wei’s status as Sect Leader.

"Dugu Wei, this is an abuse of power!"

The Female Seat with the Surname Lin, fiercer than the rest, pointed at Dugu Wei’s nose and snapped, "Dugu Wei, you shameless old fool! Have you no dignity left?"

Dugu Wei’s face flushed—especially with a junior present, his authority as Sect Leader was crumbling.

"Enough arguing. Since we can’t reach a consensus, let Gu Qingfeng decide for himself."

Seeing no other option, the crowd turned to Gu Qingfeng, each passionately extolling the virtues of their own lineage.

After a moment of contemplation, Gu Qingfeng spoke. "Actually..."

The crowd hushed, eyes fixed on him.

"I already have a master."

"What?!"

"You have a master?"

"Who is it?"

"Meng Yan, was it you? Did you take him as a disciple on the way here?"

Meng Yan smiled bitterly. "I wish I had!"

Dugu Wei’s voice was grave. "Gu Qingfeng, since you’ve chosen to join the Sword Sect, your master must be from within the sect. An outsider’s guidance cannot be recognized."

"My master is from the Sword Sect."

The crowd was even more astonished. "Then who is your master?"

"The 13th Generation Holy Maiden—the one who bestowed the Reverse Scale Sword upon me!"

"What?"

"You said you found the Reverse Scale Sword!"

"The 13th Generation Holy Maiden had little lifespan left when she disappeared. Five thousand years have passed—there’s no way she could still be alive. How could she have taken you as a disciple?"

"Esteemed Seniors, allow me to explain.

It was a dark and stormy night. I accidentally wandered into the Primordial Forbidden Land. Thanks to a fortuitous encounter with a mystical fruit, I was immune to the land’s curses. Lost within, I fled from pursuing barbarians and stumbled off a cliff. At the bottom, I found a cave.

Inside lay a skeleton—and beside it, a sword. That sword was the Reverse Scale Sword.

Words were carved into the cave walls: ‘To the one who finds this, I bequeath my legacy. Take my mantle, and return the Reverse Scale Sword to the Sword Sect.’

I am not one to covet treasures, but I hold the wishes of the deceased in the highest regard. Thus, I honored the 13th Generation Holy Maiden’s request, accepted her as my master, and took the Reverse Scale Sword."

The crowd fell into stunned silence, utterly speechless at Gu Qingfeng’s tall tale.

After a long silence, Dugu Wei finally spoke: "The 13th-generation Holy Maiden was of the same generation as my master. Since you are her disciple, does that mean I should address you as... Junior Brother Gu?"

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Qingfeng immediately clasped his hands and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Sect Leader!"

Dugu Wei: "..."

Then, Gu Qingfeng turned to the other Seat leaders and bowed. "Greetings, Senior Brothers and Sisters."

The Seat leaders: "..."

Everyone felt it was all rather sudden—instead of gaining a disciple, they had somehow acquired an unexpected junior brother.