Chapter 112: The Little Overlapping Mountain of Sword Dao
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
Swords clashed like waves crashing, the sharp Sword Intents in the forest colliding ferociously. A chorus of ringing steel resounded as iron swords trembled under the force.
The first sword strike bore a weighty power, a crushing force aimed to subdue the opponent outright. The moment it struck, its immense weight and strength could be felt, radiating an oppressive dominance.
But before the heavy sword could fully descend, Ji You’s swordplay, like turbulent waves, surged to its peak. With a fierce roar, the waves of Sword Qi crashed down, neutralizing the oncoming strike.
In an instant, that first powerful assault dissolved into nothingness amidst the forest, its energy dissipating like vapor in the sea of bamboo.
Ji You’s steps remained steady as he pressed forward, his white robes billowing gracefully. Yet the bamboo grove did not return to peace. The dim, verdant sea of bamboo rustled with tremors, as two more sword strikes emerged from the east and west, streaking towards him with blinding speed.
Unlike the first, these strikes were swift as lightning.
Ji You met the incoming blades with a flash of his sword, a sharp arc cutting through the forest. His Spiritual Qi surged beneath his feet, carrying him forward like a rushing tide.
Clang! Clang! The sound of iron echoed as the two swift strikes were shattered mid-flight by the sharpness of Ji You’s blade.
Seeing this, Yan Ye, observing from a distance, gave a subtle nod. [This disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy does have some skill. His ability to wield the sword as an extension of his will, smooth and precise, surpasses many others.] However, Yan Ye’s inner thoughts carried a note of skepticism. [But to say he handles it effortlessly might still be premature.]
As if echoing his doubts, a mysterious gleam flickered in Ji You’s eyes. Suddenly, three more swords rose into the air before him, their Sword Qi surging and scattering the surrounding leaves.
The aura of these three swords was entirely different from the prior attacks, exuding a killing intent that seemed to ripple through the bamboo grove. The air buzzed as the bamboo quivered under the oppressive force.
The wind howled sharply as the three swords, both swift and heavy, spiraled toward him, tearing apart the floating leaves. Ji You’s brow furrowed as he raised his sword to meet the challenge.
When blade met blade, his iron sword rang with trembling hums. In an instant, three white marks appeared on the blade, and his wrist quivered under the strain.
“The first sword strikes with immense force…” “The next two are as swift as the wind…” “The final three combine both speed and weight…”
Ji You muttered under his breath, shaking his head. [Elder Qi must have other talents outside of teaching swordplay to devise such a combination.]
After a brief pause, Ji You raised his sword again, this time advancing with less caution and more urgency. His shadow blurred with sudden movement, drawing the gaze of those watching intently.
Moments later, the air around them exploded with the song of swords, as dozens of Sword Intents surged into being, their energy shaping the void itself. The gale howled like a whistle, scattering the flying swords in all directions.
At this moment, Ji You abandoned conventional forms. He followed only the rhythm of his heart, charging headlong into the storm of swords with a calm yet determined expression. His blade danced like raging waves, surging forth endlessly.
The ferocity of the Sword Qi was unlike anything before—its swiftness and power unmatched. Ji You faced it head-on, his movements fluid and precise. With a sidestep, he swung his sword upward, carving through the storm like a force of nature.
Spectators could barely follow his movements amidst the chaotic flurry of blades. The sound of slicing air came from all directions, but none of the flying swords could escape Ji You’s relentless strikes.
The intensity of the battle mounted, the continuous onslaught leaving no respite. Ji You’s steps, once steady and composed, now alternated between advance and retreat. Yet, his iron sword seemed to grow more fluid with every strike, its surface radiating heat from the friction.
With a final sharp swing, a ray of sword light roared like thunder, dispersing three swords in a single motion.
And so, the dozen Sword Intents that had surged through the bamboo grove were all shattered.
At the heart of the First Layer Forest, the scattered remnants of Sword Qi dissolved into the air. Then, a brilliant beam of sword light ascended into the sky, its radiance piercing through the canopy and silencing all onlookers. Their breaths caught in their throats, hearts trembling in awe.
Even Yan Ye, who had followed Ji You into the forest, stood at the edge of the bamboo sea, narrowing his eyes in contemplation.
This composition, titled Little Overlapping Mountain, was a creation of Elder Qi during his youth, inspired by his enlightenment of the Sword Dao. It is positioned at the final trial of the First Layer Forest.
However, despite its lethal nature, Little Overlapping Mountain is limited in power within the Sword Forest. This is because the forest only manifests sword intent and sword qi, rather than the physical sword itself. Yan Ye believed that since this disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy was already at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, they should be able to withstand Little Overlapping Mountain without much trouble.
A low hum vibrated through the air—
As Yan Ye pondered, the sea of trees in front of him began to tremble violently, seemingly resonating with the surging sword qi. The immense aura churned the wind into a frenzy, brimming with a boundless killing intent that roared like a thunderstorm.
The gathered spectators squinted against the tempest. In the midst of this, Ji You raised his sword, the aura around him surging wildly, and his sword intent pierced upward to the heavens. Without hesitation, Little Overlapping Mountain descended directly toward him, unyielding and relentless.
Clang!
The clash of sword qi generated an explosive repulsion akin to waves crashing back into the sea, each one as heavy as ten thousand catties. Those watching closely saw Ji You being forced back several steps, his iron sword trembling uncontrollably in his grasp.
Before the onlookers could react, the sword qi condensed once more. Ji You, undeterred, adjusted his stance and sword technique, his expression as calm as ever. Once again, he charged forward to meet the reconstructed Little Overlapping Mountain head-on.
Heavy, sharp, swift, fierce, and ruthless.
This final trial of the First Layer Forest was unpredictable and perilous, leaving the spectators with their hearts pounding.
One Overlapping Mountain. Two Overlapping Mountains. Three Overlapping Mountains… Six Overlapping Mountains. Seven Overlapping Mountains. Eight Overlapping Mountains.
Under the relentless onslaught of sword qi, Ji You’s strikes were unceasing. Though his face remained impassive, his sword techniques shifted incessantly, adapting with each confrontation.
From their arrival at this point, it had only taken Ji You a few moments to advance from the first strike of the First Layer to this point of facing Little Overlapping Mountain. Yet, from the fall of the first mountain to the eighth, with the sword qi gathering and crashing down repeatedly, this process consumed an entire hour.
Throughout, Ji You changed his sword techniques eight times but was never able to suppress Elder Qi’s sword qi.
Amidst the lush greenery of the forest, Yan Ye appeared puzzled. His brows furrowed deeper as time passed, and finally, he could not help but shake his head. Nearby, Ding Yao mirrored his movement, while Zhuo Wan Qiu frowned deeply in concern.
“A Mystic Enlightenment cultivator should have had little difficulty passing Little Overlapping Mountain. Why is it this challenging for him?”
As the sun dipped low, nearing the end of the day, it was the fifteenth iteration of Little Overlapping Mountain.
Ji You stepped back, took a deep breath, and directed all his spiritual qi into his sword. With a circular slash, he surged forward to meet the attack head-on.
In the deafening clash of swords, the white-robed figure seemed to dissolve like snow under the fierce sunlight.
After a tea’s time, the forest fell into complete silence. The earlier frenzied sword chants were no longer audible. The violently swirling bamboo leaves gently fluttered to the ground, and the dust settled. Ji You’s figure had vanished entirely from the forest.
Seeing this, Zhuo Wan Qiu let out a small sigh of relief. Turning toward Ding Yao, she noticed Ding Yao had lost all interest in observing Ji You’s challenge of the Sword Forest.
“Did he make it through?” she asked.
“The First Layer Sword Forest isn’t particularly challenging. Even outer court disciples manage to pass a few strikes. For someone at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, it isn’t surprising to pass through.”
Yan Ye, staring in the direction Ji You had disappeared, spoke softly. “Sixteen times…” He let out a bitter laugh.
As she had said earlier, Little Overlapping Mountain, limited to sword intent and sword qi, was indeed a killing technique but lacked the full power of a real sword. It wasn’t particularly formidable. Mystic Enlightenment disciples who attempted the First Layer Forest typically passed after no more than eight iterations.
Ji You, however, required sixteen attempts. There were even moments when he came dangerously close to being struck down.
At that moment, a disciple of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion cupped his hands slightly and asked Yan Ye, “Elder Yan, how far do you think Ji You of the Heavenly Script Academy can progress?”
“The Second Layer is a completely different challenge from the First. Judging by his performance in the First Layer, the Second Layer will likely prove too difficult for him,” Yan Ye replied.
“The Second Layer…”
“Indeed. Furthermore, the Dao Quest ends in three days, and the disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy must leave. He won’t have enough time to acclimate to the sword intent of the Second Layer. At this pace, he likely won’t even catch a glimpse of Elder Qi’s New Willow Color.”
Both New Willow Color and Little Overlapping Mountain were the defensive swords, serving as the final obstacles of the Second Layer Forest. Previously, during a playful skirmish at the courtyard on Mystic Sword Peak, Yan Shu Yi had commented that Ji You might have the potential to enter the Third Layer Forest.
This assessment was partly tinted by her bias towards him and partly due to her failure to consider that Ji You couldn’t stay on Spirit Sword Mountain for long. [Such was the nature of women; in the company of someone they find comfort with, they often forget the passage of time.]
However, as Elder Yan Ye had pointed out, the second layer was already the limit for cultivators at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage. In fact, since Elder Qi established the Sword Forest half a month ago, dozens of practitioners from the same stage had attempted the trial, yet few managed to progress to the Third Layer. Now, with the added constraint of limited time, Ji You had even slimmer chances of advancing.
As these words were spoken, a sudden sound of something slicing through the air echoed from within the Sword Forest, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. The sound grew nearer, and soon a figure flew backward at tremendous speed from the forest’s depths, crashing to the ground in an unceremonious heap. The impact sent a cloud of dust into the air and splintered three green bamboo stalks.
Upon closer inspection, Elder Yan Ye and the others recognized the fallen figure—it was none other than Ji You, who had just crossed the Little Overlapping Mountain and entered the second layer moments ago.
Fortunately, Elder Qi had designed the Sword Forest with an intelligent system. Once someone breached the Little Overlapping Mountain, the sword qi of the First Layer Forest would no longer reactivate. Hence, when Ji You retreated, no additional sword qi was triggered. Still, his return to the first layer didn’t prevent a wave of murmurs from spreading through the onlookers.
The way he had been thrown out, coupled with his awkward landing, made it clear to all that he had been forcibly expelled by a sword strike. And for a strike to send someone flying from the Second Layer, it must have been the very first sword of that section.
Some observers began to believe Elder Yan Ye’s earlier assertion that the Second Layer Forest was an entirely different beast from the first. Yet, many others focused more on Ji You’s apparent defeat.
“He couldn’t even withstand the first sword? This is a bit…”
“Elder Yan Ye already said the swords in the second layer are exceedingly powerful.”
“Even so, it was just the first sword. Maybe this so-called ‘born disciple of Spirit Sword Mountain’ is a bit overrated.”
“When the events at the ruins unfolded, didn’t some already suspect his so-called One Person, Seven Swords feat was just a fluke? A true sword master would never rely on so many swords.”
As the murmurs continued, Elder Yan Ye sheathed her sword and shook her head, leaving the forest behind. As one of the stewards, she hadn’t come to challenge the Sword Forest but to ensure order amidst the influx of visitors due to recent events like the tea gathering and the Dao Inquiry. Her curiosity about Ji You had been piqued by the talk of him being “a natural-born disciple of Spirit Sword Mountain.” But after witnessing his current state, her interest waned entirely.
Once she departed, Ji You rested briefly on the ground before standing up and re-entering the Second Layer Forest.
Within the forest, several disciples from the Dao Seeking Sect and the Mountain and Sea Pavilion, all at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, were also present. However, the majority were disciples of Spirit Sword Mountain. The intense sword qi and Sword Intent of this layer had trapped most of them within.
When Ji You reappeared, every gaze turned toward him. He, accustomed to such scrutiny from his time at the Heavenly Script Academy, showed no discomfort and readied his sword to move forward.
But before he could take his first step, the sound of footsteps resonated from the verdant depths of the bamboo forest. A woman in a golden, embroidered spirit dress emerged gracefully. Her legs were long, her waist slender, and though the Sword Intent around her had dissipated, the iron sword in her hand was already sheathed.
“Look, it’s Yan Shu Jing, the direct disciple of Mystic Sword Peak!”
“So it’s her.”
“I heard she reached the final sword of the Third Layer Forest.”
“Wasn’t she supposed to duel He Ling Xiu of the Heavenly Script Academy? Why is she still in the forest at this hour?”
“Perhaps she doesn’t even consider the academy’s disciples worth her attention.”