The Sovereign’s Ascension

ak looked illusory.

Lin Yun picked up a pebble and threw it at the path.
The pebble bounced off the path before stopping.
Clearly, the path was real despite disappearing whenever Lin Yun tried to walk on it.

“Is that an illusion?” Lin Yun rubbed his chin and took a step forward.
The cliff appeared before him once more, and he was sure that it wasn’t an illusion.
At this moment, he understood why no one ascended the peak.

No wonder many people lost the courage to keep going. It looks like I boasted a little too much… How am I supposed to go up? Lin Yun knew that if he went back, Ye Ziling would definitely laugh at him.

The thought of this riled up his fighting spirits and made him fall into deep thoughts.
But right at this moment, Lil’ Purple’s voice sounded out from the sword box, “Lin Yun, what are you afraid of? With me around, you don’t have to worry that you’ll die.”

“If you’re that strong, why don’t you come out and walk in front of me? I’ll follow behind.” Lin Yun smiled.

“Hmph, why should I!” Lil’ Purple raised her head proudly.

Hearing that, Lin Yun smiled because he knew that Lil’ Purple was boasting again.
Ignoring Lil’ Purple, Lin Yun tried a few times again and failed.
He was sure that he would die a terrible death if he took another step forward.
This was no longer an issue about his courage.
If one only needed to be courageous, there would have been many people who reached the peak.

There were many geniuses who weren’t afraid of death, but the mountain wasn’t that simple.

“I must’ve missed something…” Lin Yun pondered.

“What did I miss?” Lin Yun smiled bitterly.
It looks like the mountain was harder than comprehending the Sword of the Beginning.
Although it was dangerous back then, he could still turn back if he wanted.
But this time, there would be no turning back if he took a step forward.

“I think it’s time to go down…” Lin Yun turned around as his gaze lingered on the path for a long time.
Perhaps he might be able to uncover the secrets here after reaching the Empyrean Realm.
Then again, he really found it a pity to give up here when he already made it this far.
Letting out a sigh, Lin Yun shook his head and left.

At the same time, everyone in the Flying Cloud Palace looked at the ten Azure Birds flying around Sword Saint Mountain with shock on their faces.
After all, this was the highest record in the Fleeting Cloud Sword Sutra in the past millennium.

“What’s a genius? That is a genius!”

“He entered the sect officially and made it to the tenth test on the first try.
No one can really compare to him.”

“He’s too strong!” Lin Yun’s performance fully convinced the disciples.
But as time passed without any additional phenomena, everyone knew that Lin Yun was stuck.
It was like the previous genius a few centuries ago who got stuck on the eleventh test.

But this time, no one uttered a word.
If Lin Yun couldn’t make it through the last three tests even with his aptitude, no one would be able to ascend the peak.

“Senior Sister, Lin Yun is stuck at the eleventh test.” Wang Yuruo ran over in excitement.

“As expected.
After all, no one has made it through the last three tests,” replied Ye Ziling,

“Why?” Wang Yuruo asked.
Her words made the nearby disciples grow quiet.
They were quietly waiting for Ye Ziling’s explanation.
After all, she was the sect master's daughter, and she might know some secrets about the Sword Saint Mountain.

Ye Ziling didn’t hide it from her and replied, “The Sword Sect’s disciple who made it to the tenth test seven centuries ago left some notes behind.
I looked through them before.
He said that there is no path after the tenth test.
It might seem like a path, but it’s actually a deadly cliff.
The tenth test is where everything ends.”

The crowd was shocked that Sword Saint Mountain had such a huge secret.

“Then won’t Senior Sister win the bet with Senior Brother Yun?” Wang Yuruo pouted her lips.

“You think I’ll make a bet on something that I’m not confident in? After all, I have to agree to any request if I lose,” replied Ye Ziling.

“Actually, it doesn’t really matter.
With how outstanding Senior Brother Yun is, he’s definitely a perfect match for you.” Wang Yuruo spoke cheerfully to Ye Ziling.

“What are you thinking? Why don’t I give you to him instead?” Ye Ziling glared at Wang Yuruo.

Hearing that, Wang Yuruo lowered her red face, “I-I’m still young…”

Knocking on Wang Yuruo’s head, Ye Ziling said, “You really took that seriously? I’m warning you to distance yourself from him or you won’t even know how you got sold.
He’ll definitely lose this bet, and it’ll make him behave for some time.”

“It hurts!” Wang Yuruo held onto her head.
Those who were nearby clicked their tongues.
After all, Lin Yun had just come to the Fleeting Cloud Sword Sect, and he nearly conquered two of their beauties.

It didn’t take long for Lin Yun to reach the foot of the mountain.
When he arrived at the first test, the stone statue bowed to Lin Yun.
Looking at the stone statue, Lin Yun smiled before he continued forward.
But just when he was about to leave the mountain, he suddenly came to a stop.
He finally found what he missed when he saw the stone statue bowing to him.

“Hahaha!” Lin Yun laughed and smacked the back of his head happily, “I’m really a genius!”

“Lin Yun, why are you hitting yourself? Have you become stupid?” Lil’ Purple chuckled.

“Hehe, just wait and see!” Lin Yun climbed the mountain once more.
This time, he would ascend the mountain!