Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[The sword that Wei Qi gave you years ago hangs at your waist. It has eight sides, a dignified design, a bronze luster, and a hidden, cold gleam.]

[Ten years of fighting and bloodshed in the Western Regions, revealing a hint of vicious murderous intent.]

Long, slender fingers rested on the sword hilt.

[Clang!]

The sword rang out like the plucking of an ancient zither; a flash of cold light streaked across the sky and vanished in an instant.

The sword energy struck the black stone tablet, producing a resounding clang like bells and metal.

[You didn't use a direct thrust, but rather attacked purely with the force of the sword, yet this clearly demonstrated the ultimate power of your sword.]

The sound of metal and stone resonated outwards.

On the second floor, the young man paused in his book-turning motion, his eyes shining brightly, as if concealing a sword's light.

"Such extreme sword energy is indeed rare."

The young man listened intently, seemingly appreciative, and whispered approvingly.

If people who know him heard this, they would be extremely surprised.

You step out of the attic, look up at the second floor, and ask with a gentle smile, "Have you passed the test?"

"Please go ahead."

You pass through the gate and ascend the bluestone steps, surrounded by ancient, towering trees that cast dappled shadows.

Greenery grows along the steps, winding and secluded.

As you stroll and admire the scenery, a spacious martial arts arena comes into view, where sword sect disciples in kendo uniforms practice their swordsmanship. Magnificent ancient halls, pavilions, and towers are scattered throughout the mountains.

[Upon seeing outsiders climbing the mountain, they all cast their gazes towards them, as if piercing through with sharp swords.]

Disciples of the Canglan Sword Sect naturally understand the rules of mountain climbing.

Those who can stand on this martial arts stage must possess unparalleled swordsmanship, but upon seeing your age, they all lost interest and continued practicing their swordsmanship.

Sword cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of sword power can be roughly divided into two types.

[A person with mediocre talent, unable to break through the realm of sword qi, yet unwilling to abandon the way of the sword, stubbornly and persistently cultivates diligently. Ultimately, through 99% hard work plus a little bit of luck, they reach the pinnacle.]

[The other type is an absolute sword genius, pursuing the ultimate in sword force, sword energy, and sword stance.]

Every level of swordsmanship is perfected.

Clearly, you've been categorized into the first type.

[You didn't pay attention to their attitude, but you discovered that as expected of a holy land for sword cultivators, almost every disciple on the first level's martial arts arena unleashed a flurry of sword energy with their every move.]

[The other few swords remained unmoved, yet their power swept across the land, their surroundings displaying a bizarre and wondrous aura.]

[They have clearly reached the level of sword intent, and the key is that they all have the appearance of youth, exceptionally young.]

As for sword energy?

Sorry, those little kids are having an early childhood education class.

Beside the martial arts arena, there is another pavilion, inside which, like before, is a sword-shaped tablet.

Strangely, this attic only had windows, no doors.

[The test requires you to stand outside the window and strike the sword monument with your sword energy, producing a metallic sound.]

[You glanced at the distance between the window and the sword monument; it was a full three zhang (approximately 10 meters).]

[The sword energy, emanating, emerging, and swirling.]

[The sword energy can fly freely, detaching from the sword and piercing the air; this is naturally achievable.]

[With its nascent form and abundant spiritual energy, its output is barely acceptable.]

And you are "Sword Qi Unleashed," possessing an extremely intense sword qi capable of shattering gold and jade.

[Sing!]

[The sound of swords clashing arose.]

[Everyone present was a connoisseur of swords; they could tell from your voice alone that your sword was extraordinary, and they all turned to look.]

[With a casual gesture, you raised your sword, pointing it directly at the sword monument. A fierce sword aura emanated from the tip, directly confronting the monument.]

[It emitted a resounding, clanging sound, like metal striking stone.]

Even without the sword energy leaving the blade, all the Sword Sect disciples who could witness it could feel the terrifying sharpness of the sword energy.

"What terrifying sword energy!"

Someone couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

The highest level of sword energy is far more valuable than the highest level of sword power.

Because this isn't something that can be achieved through hard work and time alone.

Moreover, the higher one's cultivation level, the greater the power of sword energy at its peak, with virtually no upper limit.

There was once a sword cultivator who cultivated sword energy to the point of transcendence, truly achieving a sword energy that could traverse thirty thousand miles, a single sword strike chilling nineteen continents.

[Your cultivation level is limited, preventing you from fully unleashing the ultimate power of your sword energy.]

Even so, it greatly astonished the disciples of the Sword Sect.

The way they look at you has changed; they've gone from just standing by the roadside to idolizing you.

The disciples on the training platform, all young men, quickly couldn't contain themselves and crowded around you, expressing their admiration and seeking your guidance.

After dealing with your disciple, you did not continue your ascent of Mount Cang.

Because the next level tests swordsmanship.

You don't.

[As for passing the assessment, besides being able to climb the mountain, the Canglan Sword Sect also offers benefits and rewards.]

[As seen in the main hall ahead, elders often give lectures, explaining sword principles, including sword techniques.]

[Those who pass the assessment will be eligible to audit the classes.]

This is an opportunity that countless sword cultivators dream of.

[A move that the elder who imparted his skills might casually explain could be a top-tier sword technique, enough to benefit one for a lifetime.]

You were slightly disappointed after hearing that.

[A person has self-awareness; you deeply understand where your exceptional talents lie.]

[It's in the entry, of course.]

However, during my time in Canglan City, it wouldn't be bad to attend some classes in my spare time.

After you have finished enjoying the surrounding scenery, return the way you came.

A streak of sword light flashed across the sky; it belonged to a sword cultivator who flew on a sword.

[You'll marvel at the splendor of this sacred land of sword cultivators; even their journeys are so graceful.]

Upon arriving at the gate at the foot of the mountain, you find the swordsman who had previously flown on his sword standing in front of the pavilion nearby.

[Looking up at the young man on the second floor.]

"Senior brother, don't be so stubborn. If you continue to act willfully, Master will really get angry."

The young man ignored him and continued reading.

"Senior brother, if you truly wish to save the Great Cang Dynasty and quell the chaos, then you should cultivate the sword even more. Only when you are strong enough can you accomplish what you desire."

The young man sighed softly, his sharp, sword-like gaze fixed on the sky outside the window, a deep melancholy etched on his brow.

"Learning swordsmanship...can't save Da Cang..."

Upon hearing this, you cast a surprised and doubtful glance, as if looking at an old friend.

"Senior brother, what exactly do you want? You stay in this pavilion at the foot of the mountain all day, shutting yourself in and wasting your time."

The young man turned his gaze back to the book in his hands.

"I'm reading."

"What's the use of studying? Can studying save Da Cang?"

The young man didn't answer, only giving him a dismissive glance, as if he were looking at a roadside weed.

Enraged, he leaped onto his flying sword and stormed off.

["Tell my master that in this chaotic world, I will not wield my sword, nor will I ever set foot in the mountain again..."]

These words startled the sword light in the air, causing it to tremble and nearly fall. After regaining its footing, it flew away as if its life depended on it.

【Humph! 】

If the sound of magnificent chimes were to be heard, piercing like a sword, even the floating clouds over the mountains would be engulfed in a raging, turbulent wave.

A terrifying pressure descended upon the pavilion, as if to annihilate it.

The youth remained indifferent, offering no resistance and allowing the oppressive force to assail him.

Ultimately, seemingly unable to bear it, the oppressive aura vanished in an instant.

[You witnessed the whole thing and became interested in the young man who shouted that swordsmanship couldn't save the Great Cang Dynasty, and that studying was the only way to quell the chaos.]

[He walked towards the attic.]