P.S. Sorry for the lack of updates in the last two days, hopefully, today I can publish enough chapters to make up for it. Also, thanks for everybody's votes last week. As we had reached the first voting goal last week, this week I'll publish 1 bonus chapter. Please enjoy!
***
Inside an exclusive room in the outer disciple courtyard.
The Xian Clan's member was carefully treating the Xian Bu Yu's injuries. Meanwhile, a creaking sound was startling all the people present as two figures were walking through the opened door.
The ones coming over were Elder Xian and Xian Qingruo.
"Greeting to Grand Elder Xian! Greeting to Young Miss!"
Elder Xian waved his hand while looking at the unconscious Xian Bu Yu indifferently.
"Give him these pills."
Elder Xian took out a jade bottle that contained some recovery pills inside it and handed it over to one of the Xian Clan's elders.
The Elder didn't dare to dally and swiftly inserted a pill inside Xian Bu Yu's mouth.
A moment later, color returned to his pale face, and soon, his eyelids twitched and slowly opened.
Groan.
A muffling sound came out of his mouth as his consciousness gradually returned. As he awoke, his expression showed a hint of confusion.
"Where is this? How is the examination going?"
Before anyone could answer, Xian Bu Yu sensed an overwhelming presence making his body stiffened. He was shocked by the appearance of the man who was emitting a powerful pressure from his body.
"Greeting to Grand Elder Xian!"
"Bu Yu, do you know your mistake?"
"This…. I-I don't understand…"
Pah!
A solid slap resounded in the room causing everybody to gasp in shock, especially Xian Bu Yu. He truly had no idea of what he did to make his uncle enraged. A wronged expression showed on his face.
"Tell him what happened."
As Elder Xian gave his permission, Xian Qingruo recounted what happen after he had fainted while glaring at him with eyes full of accusation.
"You promise that we will win but look at what've you done now you bastard!" growled Xian Qingruo angrily.
"W-what?! How can it be… H-How can she did it? I-impossible! It's impossible!"
Xian Bu Yu was unwilling to accept the fact that he had been trashed by a woman whose level was lower than him. His confidence was crumbling as he was yelling in denial.
"You can look for yourself!"
Qian Qingruo pointed at the examination are, at the back of a young woman who was currently preparing to climb to the eight gates. Her eyes filled with hate and envy.
She hated Snowy because she dared to oppose her despite knowing her status and background as if the only thing that Xian Qingruo could be proud of was worth nothing in Snowy's eyes.
She envied Snowy because of her strength and achievement. How can someone without backing like her could have supreme potential? If she could have that talent, would she still be sucking up to Elder Xian and doing those disgusting acts?
'How can she do it? She is just a mere woman!'
Unwillingness and anger were bubbling up in Xian Bu Yu's heart. The scene where Snowy was looking down at him once again resurfaced in his mind. Xian Bu Yu's clenched his fist tighten, gritting his teeth hard.
"Now, do you know what you did wrong?"
"Please forgive me… Uncle Xian… I-I am not lost, yet! Please give me a chance!"
Elder Xian gave a mocking smile as he saw Xian Bu Yu's unyielding expression.
"You know who she is? What is her background?"
"T-this… I don't know… I only know that she is close to Feng Xue…"
"That's why you are a fool! How can you face an enemy without gathering information first? Arrogant! Conceited! And with your empty brain, you dare to scheme and even make your cousin's dignity as a bet?!"
A powerful pressure was once again released from Elder Xian's body making everybody present flinched.
"Please be merciful, Uncle Xian! I know I'm wrong!"
"Good! You're still not that useless," said Elder Xian while retracting his aura, "I can give you a chance to redeem yourself."
Elder Xian summoned an exquisite sword with a red hilt that emitted tyrannical presence and a bloody-red pill from his spatial ring.
"Uncle Xian? This?"
"I can lend you this Crimson Star Sword and also I give you this pill to boost your strength. I want you to make sure that she won't be a problem in the next round. Don't let me down."
"I understand!" Xian Bu Yu's expression turn bright as he saw the gift given by Elder Xian and he looked at Elder Xian with grateful eyes.
"Good."
***
"She is the one you who humiliated you?"
"Yes, Uncle…"
After they had done with Xian Bu Yu's matter, Elder Xian and Xian Qingruo walked together to an inconspicuous place nearby the watching platform.
Elder Xian sent his Nascent Soul level spiritual sense to examine Snowy thoroughly. After a few seconds or so, he retracted his spiritual sense back and raised his eyebrow.
"Mm. 6th level of Qi Transformation stage? Is she really in the Qi Transformation stage? Or she has some powerful treasure that can mask her true cultivation level even from Nascent Soul Cultivator?"
He became more surprised when a moment after he retracted his spiritual sense, he saw Snowy turned her head in his direction, looking at him with a deep and profound eye.
'Hmm? Does she notice me? How sharp. Interesting, interesting…'
"Who is she? Is she sect master's new chess piece? A new trump card? Or a diversion? Reaching Sword Grandmaster in such a young age, incredible indeed…" the corner of his mouth curved upwardly, revealing a cunning smile, "If she can survive the next round, maybe she can be of some use."
***
"Hmm?"
When Snowy just about to move forward, her step suddenly halt as she felt an intrusive spiritual sense was trying to probe her. She turned her head and got a glimpse of a middle-aged man beside a familiar face which she instantly recognized as Xian Qingruo.
She saw the middle-aged man showed a surprised expression before flashed her a cold smile.
As the name Xian Ritian appeared on his information window, Snowy inwardly sneered, 'Is he the Second Elder? After the young generation, come the elder, indeed'
Snowy stopped paying attention to Elder Xian and move toward the next gate.
Snowy utilized 20% of her total Qi to contend with the suppression at the level of upper-level of the Golden Core stage on eight stairs set. Unsurprisingly, she only needed 10 minutes to reach the eight gate's platform.
After her <Sword Intent>'s proficiency level up to level three, the sword intents within Eight Gates were easily subdued and assimilated into her sword intent. The integration was as smooth as at the first time she absorbed the sword intents within the first gate. This level of sword intents didn't pose a threat for current Snowy.
The crowds' cheer set ablaze as Snowy step up on the eight gates' platform. Against all expectations, she successfully broke the record of the Heaven Sword Sect's examination and made her way into history.
She continued climbing the last stair sets, advancing toward the ninth gate.
"Break!" She pushed almost 75% of her remaining Qi to resist the pressure on the ninth stair set. The force equal to the peak of the Golden Core stage fell on Snowy's body, hindering her climbing speed. Although she could easily battle cultivators or spirit beasts at this level, facing such might voluntarily still put quite a burden on her body. Of course, it wasn't enough to falter her.
Snowy reached the last stairs after a little bit of struggle. She stood before the ninth gate while stabilizing her ragged breath and spiritual qi. Sweat was rolling on her smooth forehead.
After one more step, she would be the first person who cleared the Sword Ascension trial before reaching the Golden Core stage.
"One more step…"
At this moment, all the spectator were holding their breath and watching with admiration and awe in their eyes.
At this moment, Feng Xue was looking at her tenderly with a warm smile on her face.
*Zheeng*
The moment she ascend the Ninth Gate's Platform the sword intents within were congregating into a gigantic sword made of light. The sharpness beyond word was exuded by the sword, so sharp that the space around it seemed to be torn apart.
*Whoosh*
The gigantic sword slashed toward Snowy with incredible might that seemingly would be able to split heaven and earth.
Snowy stared at the gigantic sword solemnly and unleashed her sword intent!
Three thousand swords with a myriad of sword intents were rushing to block the sword's assault.
*Bang!*
The two opposing sword intents collided, resulting in horrendous impact, cutting apart the avenue.
The three thousand swords mightily slashed forward like nothing could stop their advance!
*Creak*
The gigantic sword lost its luster and broke into a burst of light in the next second!
The mote of light was quickly absorbed by the three thousand swords and strengthen their presence.
Although the sword intents within the next gate were only slightly weaker than Snowy's sword intent, it still couldn't make her sword intent to break through the next level.
Nevertheless, Snowy was quite satisfied by this result.
"Congratulation for completing the Sword Ascension trial!"