Although Zhang Yi wanted the sword, he did not feel it was appropriate for him to take it. After all, he did not contribute much at all since the first challenge in the heaven-rank treasure vault that Li Bai, the Green Lotus Sword Celestial, had left behind. It was already difficult for him to deal with the first challenge, he could not even do anything during the second and third challenges that became progressively harder.
"Just take it." Duan Ling Tian was not surprised by Zhang Yi's polite refusal. He only smiled faintly after speaking before he continued to move forward. He had no intention of taking the Celestial Sword from Zhang Yi at all.
Meanwhile, Liu Xia stared at the Celestial Sword in Zhang Yi's hands enviously. Ever since she had entered the Beyond Heaven Secret Zone, she had not obtained any treasure yet.
"Brother Ling Tian, wait for me!" Han Xue Nai quickly ran after Duan Ling Tian.
A hint of appreciation flashed through Zhang Yi's eyes as he gazed at Duan Ling Tian's back. He quietly put the Celestial Sword away. He had decided to accept Duan Ling Tian's kindness.
...
The following three challenges, naturally, got progressively harder as well. However, they were nothing to Duan Ling Tian. He was able to pass through the challenges effortlessly.
After they passed the sixth challenge, the scenery changed again. Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, "There should be a Divine Ability after we passed the sixth challenge!'
Previously, they were in a desert, now they were in a bamboo forest. A stone tablet lay conspicuously in the bamboo forest. The stone tablet's surface looked smooth and did not look special. However, it attracted everyone's attention immediately. How could it not attract their attraction despite its ordinary appearance when it was the only thing in this bamboo forest?
Suddenly, the voice of Li Bai, the Green Lotus Sword Celestial, rang in the air again as clear as bells. "Congratulations on passing the sixth challenge… The stone tablet contains a Divine Ability that I accidentally found in the Devata Realm. At that time, it had no name. After I mastered it, I decided to call it the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords."
Li Bai's voice continued to ring in the air. "The Thirteen Green Lotus Swords is a sword-type Divine Ability and has thirteen swords. The strength of these thirteen swords can be combined into a single attack! The strength of the fourth sword of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords is comparable to the strongest sword-type Divine Ability in the mundane realm. The fifth sword is comparable to an ordinary sword-type Divine Ability in the Devata Realm. Your strength will progressively get stronger as you continue to master it."
Everyone's eyes brightened when they heard Li Bai's words. Based on his words, it was clear that this Divine Ability, the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords, was not a common Divine Ability even in the Devata Realms.
All of them inhaled sharply when they looked at the stone tablet in the bamboo forest again.
Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, 'I wonder if this stone tablet that contains the Divine Ability, The Thirteen Green Lotus Swords, can be comprehended by more than one person?"
At this moment, Li Bai's voice rang out in a timely manner. "This stone tablet with the Divine Ability, the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords, can be comprehended by more than one person. As long as you put your hand on the stone tablet, you'll be able to begin comprehending it. However, three days and three nights after the first person puts his hand on the stone tablet, it will disappear. Before it disappears, I hope that you'll be able to remember the content of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords. Finally, I hope I'll be able to meet whoever manages to completely master the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords. Although you can't be considered as my disciple, we can still have a few drinks together!"
Based on Li Bai's words, it seemed that he liked drinking alcoholic beverages. However, the four people in the bamboo forest were not too concerned about that at this moment. They were more focused on the part where Li Bai said the Divine Ability could be comprehended by more than one person. They were relieved since this meant they would not have to worry about being left out.
"Let's go!" Duan Ling Tian smiled faintly when he saw Han Xue Nai, Zhang Yi, and Liu Xia looking at him hopefully. Then, he led them to the stone tablet that contained the Divine Ability, the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords.
Duan Ling Tian was the first one to put his hand on the stone tablet. Then, the other three quickly followed suit and put their hands on the stone tablet as well. All of their eyes were closed at this moment.
...
As soon as Duan Ling Tian put his hand on the stone tablet and closed his eyes, a black figure appeared in his mind. Judging from its form, it should be a man. He could not help but think to himself, 'Could it be Li Bai?' However, he had no time to ponder on that thought since the black figure began to move.
Swoosh!
A sword appeared in the black figure's hand. He wielded it skillfully and moved with a flash, leaving afterimages in his wake. Then, the black figure slashed the sword across the sky, it seemed capable of cutting through everything!
'The First Green Lotus Sword!' A thought appeared in Duan Ling Tian's mind unbidden. He knew then this must be the first sword of The Thirteen Green Lotus Swords.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Duan Ling Tian was still immersed in his thoughts when the black figure separated into two. The second black figure wielded the sword in a posture different from the first black figure while the first black figure still maintained its posture.
'The Second Green Sword!' Another thought appeared in Duan Ling Tian's mind.
Subsequently…
'The Third Green Lotus Sword!'
'The Fourth Green Lotus Sword!'
'The Fifth Green Lotus Sword!'
After a short time…
'The Twelfth Green Lotus Sword!'
'The Thirteenth Green Lotus Sword!'
Duan Ling Tian did not even react in time when the thirteen black figures had executed all the movements of the thirteen swords of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords.
It only took the black figures a moment to execute the first to the thirteenth sword of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords.
Duan Ling Tian could barely keep up with the first three swords. He could not keep up at all after the fourth sword.
'It's too fast! The speed of the figures wielding the sword is extremely fast!' Duan Ling Tian was extremely shocked. He did not expect that even after comprehending the Sovereign Heart Sword of the Supreme Sword Dao Mental Cultivation Method, he still could not keep up with the speed of the fourth sword of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords.
'If the thirteen swords' movements were combined and used at the same time… I can't imagine it's strength. After all, the Green Lotus Sword Celestial had said that just the strength of the fifth sword of the Thirteen Green Lotus Sword is comparable to the strength of ordinary Divine Abilities in the Devata Realms. I can imagine how terrifyingly strong it would be if I managed to comprehend all thirteen swords. Its strength would probably be comparable to those high-rank Divine Abilities in the Devata Realms at that time.' Duan Ling Tian's eyes brightened when he thought about this. The Thirteen Green Lotus Swords was indeed a peerless treasure. He became excited as he continued thinking to himself, 'Even if I only mastered the fifth sword of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords, my strength will rise a few levels!'
Naturally, Duan Ling Tian knew it would be difficult to master the first five swords of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords, let alone the remaining eight swords. However, he was not discouraged. 'What I should do now is comprehend the basics of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords. Most importantly, I'll have to memorize all thirteen swords of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords even if I can't comprehend them yet.'
After all, if Duan Ling Tian could not even remember the movements of the thirteen swords from the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords, how was he going to comprehend and master it?
'Although I've already comprehended the Sovereign Heart Sword, I only managed to catch the movements of the first three swords of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords. I'm afraid the other three people might not even be able to catch the movements of the first sword when they see it for the first time!'
At this moment, Duan Ling Tian discovered the black figure was going to demonstrate the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords for the second time, and he quickly focused his attention on the black figure.
…
Duan Ling Tian was right in his speculation. Indeed, Han Xue Nai, Zhang Yi, and Liu Xia could not even catch the movements of the first sword when the black figure demonstrated the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords. Before they even regained their senses, the first demonstration had ended!
The demonstration of the Divine Ability, the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords, lasted for three days and three nights. The black figure repeatedly demonstrated the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords to them.