As the sword formation was completed, and the sword light interwoven, radiating a magnificent and brilliant Aura, Chen Daojun slowly rose.
He was clad in a Dharma robe woven from cloud brocade, embroidered with countless sword patterns, and his steps, adorned with flowing light and vibrant colors, floated as he walked towards the plaza where the sword formation was located.
With Chen Daojun's steps, the humming of myriad swords grew even more fervent, like ten thousand dragons roaring in unison, echoing through the heavens.
Countless spirit swords lined up to greet him, their brilliance mirroring the sword-patterned Dharma robe he wore.
His steps seemed to resonate with the surrounding Laws of heaven and earth, stirring up subtle spatial ripples that immersed the entire venue in a solemn and mysterious atmosphere.
Chen Daojun's eyes were deep and profound, and a faint Sword Intent and an Aura of transcendence lingered around him, naturally inspiring awe, as if facing a Supreme Sword Dao practitioner who had walked from ancient times.
"Fellow Disciples, and esteemed guests who have come from afar!" Chen Daojun surveyed the entire assembly amidst the cluster of swords, his voice like a morning bell and evening drum, both resonant and clear, piercing through the clamor of sword hums and the whistling wind, directly striking the depths of everyone's Souls: "Today is the celebration of my advancement to Great Vehicle Dao Lord, and also a grand event for the Sword Dao Legacy of my Xuantian Sword Sect.
Here, I, Chen Qingxuan, take this opportunity to celebrate with all of you, to delve into the mysteries of the Sword Dao, to Cultivate and advance together, hoping for the prosperity of the Sword Dao and the eternal stability of the Sect."
After speaking, Chen Qingxuan gently raised his hand, palm facing upwards, and closed his eyes slightly.
His body and Soul had merged with this heaven and earth, resonating with all things, attracting Spiritual Qi from all directions to gather.
The Sword Intent permeating the plaza instantly surged like ignited flames.
Those spirit swords that were originally suspended in the air, as if summoned by a Supreme call, all pointed their tips in unison towards the direction of the Sect's Holy Land—the Sword Inquiry Hall—foretelling that something extraordinary was about to happen.
"I, Chen Qingxuan, in the name of the Xuantian Sword Sect - Great Vehicle Dao Lord, hereby declare to heaven and earth, please unsheathe the Sect's treasure—the Xuantian Sword!"
Chen Daojun suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp light bursting forth, his voice like thunder, shaking hearts, majestic and inviolable.
At this very instant, the Sword Inquiry Hall seemed to be awakened by an ancient power.
A long and distant sword chant, piercing through the dust of Years, resonated through the heavens.
Immediately after, a dazzling sword light, like a meteor streaking across the night sky, soared from within the hall, piercing the sky, illuminating the entire sky as if it were daytime, brilliant and captivating.
Within the sword light, an ancient, weathered, yet incomparably majestic giant sword slowly revealed its true form.
Upon its blade, complex and profound runes flowed, each containing the ultimate truth of heaven and earth, emitting a heart-pounding Sword Intent and Supreme power.
This was precisely the Xuantian Sword, the treasure passed down through generations of the Xuantian Sword Sect.
With the appearance of the Xuantian Sword, myriad swords bowed in allegiance, like the emperor of swords, emanating an extraordinary Aura, instantly elevating the atmosphere of the entire grand ceremony to a fever pitch.
Chen Daojun's figure flickered, appearing instantly like a ghost beneath the Xuantian Sword.
He gently caressed the sword hilt, and a surge of Sword Intent from the depths of his Soul poured out, intertwining and Fusion with the Xuantian Sword's own Sword Intent, forming a colossal power capable of shaking and overturning the universe.
"The sword is neither a weapon nor a plaything; it is an extension of the heart and a vessel of the Dao."
Chen Qingxuan's voice was deep and full of power; his words seemed to imbue the Xuantian Sword with new life and meaning.
As he slowly tightened his grip on the hilt, the runes on the Xuantian Sword began to flicker, its light growing brighter, and ancient, pure surges of Sword Intent spread outwards like rushing rivers, cleansing everyone's Souls.
"I, Chen Qingxuan, with the Legacy of the Xuantian Sword Sect and the Xuantian Sword as my witness, swear to protect the Sect to the death!"
With that, his figure shot up like an arrow released from a bowstring, soaring into the clouds.
The Xuantian Sword in his hand transformed into a silver lightning bolt, tearing through the sky.
Wherever its tip pointed, winds changed color and thunder roared.
At the grand Sect ceremony, whether they were Sect Disciples or guests who had traveled from afar, all were shaken by the power and beauty of this astonishing sword strike.
Some were amazed, some awed, some solemn, some wary; various emotions intertwined, collectively witnessing this historic moment.
After circling in the air several times, Chen Qingxuan suddenly paused, and the Xuantian Sword abruptly detached from him.
A streak of sword light swept across like a bolt of silk, and wherever it passed, space seemed to be cut open, leaving behind clear spatial cracks.
But what was even more astonishing was that these cracks quickly healed after the sword light passed, as if they had never existed, demonstrating Chen Qingxuan's control and understanding of the Supreme Realm of Sword Dao.
"The sword is where the heart yearns, and where the intent reaches.
If the heart is righteous, the sword is righteous; if the intent is far-reaching, the sword is far-reaching."
Chen Qingxuan gracefully descended from the air back to the plaza, and the Xuantian Sword appeared out of thin air, flying into his hand.
Chen Qingxuan looked solemnly at the Xuantian Sword, holding it as he swore: "Today, in the name of the Great Vehicle Dao Lord of the Xuantian Sword Sect, inheriting the will of Ancestral Master Xuantian, I swear to greatly advance the Sword Dao, protect the Sect, and safeguard all living beings."
With that, Chen Qingxuan's Spiritual Qi within his body boiled, transforming into a surging river that poured into the Xuantian Sword.
The spirit patterns on the sword's body suddenly lit up, emitting a brilliant light, as if myriad stars had gathered within it, releasing an unprecedented Sword Intent, seemingly proclaiming to the world the birth of a new Sword Dao leader.
As Chen Qingxuan's thoughts stirred, the Xuantian Sword slowly floated in mid-air, its tip gently trembling, as if responding to his oath.
The surrounding space seemed to solidify at this moment, and everyone's gaze focused on this Sect Dao sword, which carried the ten thousand-year glory of the Xuantian Sword Sect.
Just when everyone thought the Xuantian Sword would officially acknowledge its master and choose Chen Qingxuan, an anomaly suddenly occurred.
The ancient spirit sword detached from his hand, its sword light reaching ten thousand feet, its Sword Intent awe-inspiring, and it did not choose Chen Qingxuan as expected.
Instead, it slowly rotated in the air, as if hesitating about something.
Chen Qingxuan's expression changed slightly, but immediately returned to calm, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.
As the Sect's Supreme treasure, the Xuantian Sword's choice of master was no small matter.
None of the Sect's previous Dao Lords had managed to gain the Xuantian Sword's approval.
He was only a little regretful that he wasn't chosen by the Xuantian Sword, but he didn't take it to heart.
"Xuantian Sword, who exactly are you waiting for?" Chen Qingxuan mused inwardly, while outwardly maintaining the composure and dignity befitting a Great Vehicle Dao Lord.
He gently waved his sleeve, allowing the floating Xuantian Sword to slowly descend onto the altar.
The sword's body still emitted a faint spiritual glow, as if whispering, or perhaps in silence.
Suddenly, the Xuantian Sword flew from the altar on its own, and after completing the solemn and sacred Dao-proving ceremony, it did not rush back into its sheath.
Instead, illuminated by the brilliant sunlight, it soared gracefully in the vast plaza like a silver swimming Dragon, leaving behind dazzling and mesmerizing trails.
The Old Ancestors of various Sects present, the entirety of the Xuantian Sword Sect, tens of thousands of Disciples, the Sect Elders, and several Sword Masters, all intently followed the Xuantian Sword soaring freely in the air, their hearts filled with doubt and discussion.
The Xuantian Sword's unusual behavior undoubtedly shattered everyone's preconceived notions about its master-selection process, making the atmosphere of this advancement ceremony incredibly tense.
The Xuantian Sword Sect's celebration for a Dao Lord was to bring out the Xuantian Sword and witness the moment of its master selection.
However, the Xuantian Sword's pickiness and arrogance were already a well-known secret inside and outside the Sect.
It was not merely a Sect-protecting Dao sword, but also the Incarnation of the Sword Dao spirit, with almost demanding standards for choosing its master.
The Xuantian Sword's choice of master has always disregarded the level of Cultivation and the prominence of power, seeking only the peerless sword practitioner who can truly comprehend the essence of the Sword Dao, whose heart is connected with the sword, and whose Sword Intent is in Fusion with it.
As the Xuantian Sword circled in the air, its Sword Intent grew sharper, as if it could penetrate hearts, judging the Sword Dao Cultivation and state of mind of everyone present.
At times, it shot straight into the clouds, its sword light tearing through the sky, displaying boundless majesty and power; at other times, it descended gracefully, its sword light like fine threads, delicately probing every subtle emotional fluctuation.
Everyone present, whether Sect Elders or young Disciples, felt an unprecedented pressure.
They knew that each of the Xuantian Sword's circlings was a test of their Sword Dao Cultivation and a purification of their state of mind.
Just as everyone held their breath in anticipation, their hearts uneasy, the Xuantian Sword suddenly stopped circling, its tip pointing straight at the sky, as if it had made a decision.
Finally, the Xuantian Sword settled in front of Li Mu.
Its tip slightly lowered, and its body emitted a deep, mystical sword radiance, like a star falling into the mortal world, quietly scrutinizing the person before it.
This sudden turn of events caused everyone present to involuntarily turn their heads, surprise evident on their faces.
They all looked at Li Mu, with curiosity, confusion, and a mysterious focus on the Xuantian Sword's unusual behavior.
"Oh?" Chen Qingxuan sighed softly, keenly detecting the Xuantian Sword's anomaly, and a ripple of thought arose in his heart.
Could this spirit sword, which carried the ten-thousand-year glory of the Xuantian Sword Sect, truly be searching for a new master?
Chen Qingxuan's gaze involuntarily fell upon Li Mu, his heart filled with complex emotions.
He had become a Great Vehicle Dao Lord, yet he still couldn't gain the Xuantian Sword's approval.
However, Elder Li seemed to have evoked an unusual resonance from the Xuantian Sword.
The Xuantian Sword was not merely a weapon; it was also a symbol of the Sect's spirit, the crystallization of the will and Cultivation of successive Sect Masters, and its choices were never easily predictable.
Sword Master Feng and the four Sword Masters behind him, along with a group of Sword Elders, all focused their gazes on Li Mu, utterly shocked.
They had never seen the Xuantian Sword show such intense interest in a person of non-Dao Lord Cultivation in such an important occasion.
Li Mu, on the other hand, frowned, never expecting the Xuantian Sword to react this way.
Under his Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, he perceived the Xuantian Sword's current state: a desire to seek a master.
However, the Xuantian Sword was the Xuantian Sword Sect's most important Legacy Dao sword, carrying tens of thousands of Years of glory and responsibility for the Xuantian Sword Sect.
Therefore, when the Xuantian Sword's attention shifted to him, Li Mu felt an unprecedented pressure and quickly activated his Mind-Cultivation Technique to fully conceal his Aura and hide his Sword Intent fluctuations.
"This... what's going on?" Li Mu muttered softly, but everyone present, being highly Cultivated individuals, could naturally hear him clearly.
His tone was full of bewilderment and confusion, mixed with a hint of undetectable tension.
The entire plaza fell into a brief silence at this moment, an inexplicable tension permeating the air.
Everyone's gaze shifted back and forth between Li Mu and the Xuantian Sword, their hearts filled with various conjectures, trying to interpret more information from this anomaly.
Seeing this, Chen Qingxuan stepped forward, looking at Li Mu with a gentle gaze, and asked softly: "Elder Li, do you have any perception?
Do you feel the Xuantian Sword's intention to choose a master?"
Chen Qingxuan's voice was not loud, but it clearly spread throughout the plaza, moving everyone.
Li Mu took a deep breath, looking at the Xuantian Sword floating before him, and felt the gazes from all directions.
Li Mu shook his head, calmly replying: "No particular perception, it's just that this Xuantian Sword seems to be paying attention to me."
"Oh?" Chen Qingxuan's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise upon hearing this.
He looked deeply at Li Mu, as if wanting to see through his inner thoughts.
Just then, the Xuantian Sword's body suddenly trembled slightly, and the flowing profound radiance, as if responding to some call, gradually receded, transforming into a dazzling streak of light.
With a speed almost like instantaneous movement, it flew towards the Ancestor Hall without looking back.
Watching the Xuantian Sword depart, everyone's faces showed a strange and surprised expression, not expecting the Xuantian Sword to give up on choosing a master and leave in a huff.
Did the Xuantian Sword's master selection get rejected by Elder Li?
Seeing this scene, the various Sword Masters and Elders of the Xuantian Sword Sect involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the Xuantian Sword's abnormal behavior had shocked and confused them, its eventual choice to return to the Ancestor Hall was undoubtedly a good thing for them, meaning they still had a chance to gain the Xuantian Sword's recognition.
At the same time, they couldn't help but feel some regret and disappointment, as they had all hoped the Xuantian Sword would quickly choose a new master to inherit the glory and responsibility of the Xuantian Sword Sect.
"It seems it was just a small interlude with the Xuantian Sword."
Chen Qingxuan smiled slightly, his tone carrying a sense of relief and profound meaning.
He looked deeply at Li Mu, as if he had already seen through Li Mu's subtle actions.
"However, Elder Li's Aptitude and sword nature are already extraordinary."
Chen Qingxuan changed the subject, his tone now carrying a hint of praise: "You and the Xuantian Sword have a unique destiny; it's just that the time has not yet come."
Li Mu smiled faintly, humbly saying: "Thank you for your high regard, Dao Lord.
Li knows his Cultivation is still shallow and dares not harbor extravagant thoughts."
Chen Qingxuan surveyed the surroundings, and seeing that everyone's emotions had gradually stabilized, he continued: "Fellow Disciples, the path of the Sword Dao lies in the tenacity of the heart and the loftiness of the intent.
Although the Xuantian Sword has not chosen a master, its appearance is enough to prove the prosperity of our Xuantian Sword Sect's Sword Dao.
Let us use this as an opportunity to Cultivate even harder, jointly protect the Sect, and pass on the Legacy of the Sword Dao."
"The path of the Sword Dao is long and arduous, requiring perseverance, tenacity, and Comprehension Ability.
Today, I am willing to share my insights from my Cultivation journey with all of you, and I also look forward to hearing your valuable opinions and questions, to jointly explore the higher Realms of the Sword Dao."
...
Subsequently, Chen Daojun slowly began to expound his Sword Dao philosophy, from the subtlety of sword moves to the comprehension of Sword Intent, from the unity of sword and heart to the congruence of Sword Dao and the Laws of heaven and earth.
Every sentence contained profound Sword Dao philosophy, benefiting everyone present greatly. (End of Chapter)
