Make Mountains and Rivers Disappear with One Sword

Qin Ran stood under the eaves, craning his neck as far as he could to gaze up at the peak of Master Peak. At that very moment, even higher up, halfway up the sky where the evening glow shone, something like a mirage appeared, unfolding a golden landscape.

The evening clouds were as red as gold, and their golden red glow shone down on the landscape in the sky, reflecting off every part of it. For that landscape was made entirely of swordsmanship, and the glow caused it to shine brightly.

And so a golden landscape appeared in the sky, which in turn cast a golden glow over the entire Dao Sword Sect.

Qin Ran was bathed in the golden light as well. As he looked up at the golden landscape in the sky, he thought to himself: “What a pretentious display; for thousands of years to come the Dao Sword Sect will never forget this scene.”

Just then, a figure in black and white robes suddenly materialized within the golden landscape. His eyes were closed as he held a sword aloft in his hand. The golden light had turned him gold as well, making him look every inch an emperor surveying his domain.

Perhaps it would be fitting to call him the Emperor of Swords, the Sword Emperor!

"Master Lu Junxing!" Qin Ran exclaimed in admiration. "One might say he is the Dao Sword Sect’s once-in-a-millennium genius, one in ten thousand!"

As he watched Master Lu suspended in mid-air, Qin Ran thought of Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin, Liu Baixuan and Dong Zhongyuan as well. Truly the Dao Sword Sect was blessed with outstanding talents in this generation.

“It’s all because of me...” Qin Ran finally understood. “Despite being in a state of vitality and thriving growth, it is in fact the perfect time for the Dao Sword Sect to prosper.”

In the air, Master Lu opened his eyes. There was a serene calm within them. Releasing his grip, he let go of the sword in his hand - clearly that was his personal weapon, black and white in color, still untouched by the golden glow. The sword floated upwards of its own accord, and as it rose, the golden landscape in the sky gradually drained into the blade, until when it reached the pinnacle all the river and mountains had been absorbed into this “Landscape Sword”.

Finally, only one black and white sword remained suspended in midair.

Master Lu took a deep breath and proclaimed in a carrying voice to the entire Dao Sword Sect: “Today, I, Lu Junxing, have comprehended the fourth level of the Way of the Sword, One Sword to Form Landscapes and Rivers. I will leave this Landscape Sword here. My entire comprehension of the Way of the Sword resides within it. From now on, any swordsman of the Dao Sword Sect may enter it and gain insight into the qi, spirit, and way of the sword."

Having said this, his figure vanished, leaving only the black and white Landscape Sword floating quietly in midair.

"No way, would anyone really be so generous as to open up their hard-earned comprehension for anyone to take advantage of?" Some were incredulous.

"What secrets does that sword hold?" Others did not understand what the fourth level of the Way of the Sword meant. "Can we really enter it?"

"What if it's a trap? What if the sword qi suddenly erupts when we're inside comprehending it?"

"Is it safe? The sword qi won't go haywire without warning, will it?"

"Is Master Lu just showing off?"

The outer court was abuzz with all kinds of speculation and clamor.

Yet not a single person, whether from the inner or outer court, flew up to enter the Landscape Sword and comprehend Master Lu’s sword qi.

As darkness fell, Qin Ran’s face was obscured in shadow. In a soft voice, he muttered: “The strongest warrior of the Dao Sword Sect has been supplanted!”

Master Lu had clearly already broken through to the Primordial Infant stage. Together with comprehending the fourth level of the Way of the Sword, Elder Liu Boxian probably could not defeat him.

Moreover, Elder Liu had grown old after remaining at the Primordial Infant stage for many years. It was unlikely he would have another chance to advance to the Divine Transformation stage, while Master Lu...

Master Lu was still in his prime! There was no telling how high he might soar.

As Qin Ran marveled at this, he descended from Elder Yan Yi’s pavilion and headed out towards the gates.

But just as he was about to push the gates open, he sensed something...

He quickly looked up to see, through the mists shrouding Dan Peak, a female sword immortal dressed in white emerge and fly straight towards the Landscape Sword in the sky. She did not stop, making directly for the suspended sword.

“Shiyin!” Qin Ran’s expression fell drastically as he yelled anxiously, “Li Shiyin, stop this instant!”

From his understanding of Master Lu’s character, Qin Ran knew him to be a true gentleman. His talent and abilities were top-notch, and he lived in a carefree manner, acting with perfect transparency and an open heart and mind. He truly wished to lend the Dao Sword Sect disciples a hand - in fact, he even hoped that all the Sect’s swordsmen could learn to Form Landscape and Rivers with a Single Sword.

Qin Ran was very clear that the Landscape Sword floating over the Dao Sword Sect represented a priceless opportunity for all its swordsmen!

Qin Ran believed this firmly, he truly did.

However...

The first to take on this challenge absolutely could not be Li Shiyin!

"Hmm?" As her master was the person she cared about most, although Qin Ran's voice was drowned out by the clamor from the Outer Court disciples, her sharp ears managed to catch it clearly. "Master?"

She stopped and looked down to search for Qin Ran's figure, quickly spotting him flying up from the Outer Court area towards her. She heard her master shouting, "Don't go over yet!...wait a while before going over!"

Hearing this, Li Shiyin examined her master's expression closely. Combining her understanding of him, she instantly grasped what he was worried about. Smiling to herself, she called back, "What? Master I can't hear you clearly..." Meanwhile she continued flying towards the Landscape Sword. "I'm a bit busy at the moment."

As they were arguing, someone else had already entered the Landscape Sword before her - it was Liu Baixuan.

Seeing this, Li Shiyin felt even more urgency. Not bothering to pretend any longer, she hurriedly yelled at Qin Ran: "Master, let's talk after I emerge!

Qin Ran had just flown up halfway when he saw Li Shiyin execute the Flying Immortal Seeking the Way, blinking forward with a few flashes until she arrived before the Landscape Sword.

Pausing briefly to stick her tongue out teasingly at Qin Ran, she then turned and flew straight into the heart of the sword.

Qin Ran halted, his expression gloomy and eyes full of worry. Being cautious by nature, he could not help feeling uneasy that she was the first to venture this.

But since she was not, strictly speaking, the very first...that offered some slight comfort at least. Still, he kept staring fixedly at the black and white Landscape Sword for a good while before finally turning back towards Dan Peak.

After all...what's done was done.

Just as he arrived before the great protective array shrouding Dan Peak though, he heard a voice calling out from the side, "Uncle need not worry, there is nothing dangerous within the Landscape Sword, merely some insight into the Way of the Sword I have gathered. There is absolutely no risk."

Qin Ran looked over to see Master Lu sprawled lazily atop a cloud within the array's mist, casually propping his chin up with one hand as he smiled at Qin Ran.

Qin Ran managed a smile as he replied, "I do trust in Nephew’s character."

"I feel Uncle leads far too cautious and weary a life..." Master Lu shook his head. "That's no good. One’s barely past twenty yet seems older than me in my forties."

"Not that bad, is it!" Qin Ran responded.

"Nevermind that for now, I originally came to ask Uncle for some wine..." A grin spread across Master Lu's face as he sat up amidst the clouds. "I entered the Sect just as the peach blossoms were blooming this year. I know Uncle enjoys producing fine cuisine, so came specially to ask for some of that peach blossom wine."

"I did brew some..." Qin Ran replied, proceeding to invite Master Lu into Dan Peak.