Chapter 348: Chapter 344: Changes in the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon
The Celestial Sword Grand Canyon, a full hundred miles long, was a famous location in Qing Province.
Legend had it that a Celestial Martial Realm King had carved it out with a single sword strike, creating the magnificent sight.
It had always been a Martial Arts Sacred Land for the many Sword Cultivators of Qing Province, and many of them held a special sentiment for this place.
This was because a certain Sword Intent lingered within the canyon.
Of course, this Sword Intent had dissipated significantly over the long years, with only the final ten miles remaining.
Furthermore, this location was also consistently chosen as the competition grounds for the Qing Province Convention. The last time, it was here that Ning Jiang had clashed with the prodigies of Qing Province’s major sects, like Jian Xinghe, the Twin Sword Sons, and Yuwen Chi.
Now, in less than a year, both his status and his strength had undergone a world-shaking transformation.
Back then, he only had a Spirit Realm Cultivation and was a minor Elder within the Yanyue Sect. Now, he was the Sect Leader of the Myriad Swords Sect, a power that shook Qing Province. Who didn’t know his name?
At this moment, Ning Jiang stood among the clouds, gazing down at the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon below.
"Last time, in the domain of the Ten-Mile Sword Intent, I only reached the Ninth-Mile. The final mile remains," Ning Jiang murmured.
The last time, like Jian Xinghe, he too had stopped at the Ninth-Mile.
This was because unless one had comprehended a complete Sword Intent, entering that final mile would inevitably result in a backlash from the immense Sword Intent within.
Ning Jiang had returned this time for two reasons. First, he wanted to achieve a breakthrough in his Sword Intent.
Second, he intended to set up a certain arrangement in this place!
If utilized properly, this location could be of great use.
’If I go down there directly, I’ll probably cause some trouble.’
After a moment of contemplation, Ning Jiang took out a mask and put it on. With his current status, he was recognized by almost everyone in Qing Province. If he were spotted, it would most likely attract a crowd.
The most troublesome would be those looking to befriend him simply to curry favor.
Therefore, he chose to hide his identity and comprehend the Sword Intent in peace.
"Huh?"
As Ning Jiang approached the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon, he keenly sensed that something was wrong.
The Sword Intent within the canyon had grown much stronger. Even before entering, he could feel the air above it turn sharp, as if his skin were being cut by thousands of tiny swords.
’The Sword Intent has gotten stronger?’
Ning Jiang was a bit surprised. He extended his Divine Sense, spreading it out to carefully sense the area, and made a startling discovery.
’The Sword Intent now extends for thirty miles.’
This was very strange. The Sword Intent had previously only covered a mere ten miles, but now it had suddenly tripled in range.
He landed at the edge of the canyon and found a Martial Artist in green robes. "What’s changed in the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon? What’s going on with the Sword Intent here?"
As he spoke, he briefly revealed the aura of his Divine Travel Realm cultivation.
Respect immediately appeared on the face of the green-robed Martial Artist. He quickly said, "Senior, I don’t know the specific reason, but this situation has happened a few times in the past..."
The green-robed Martial Artist didn’t dare to hide anything and told him everything he knew.
According to him, the Sword Intent in the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon had suddenly surged like this a few times over the past several decades, but it never lasted long—sometimes for as little as three days, other times for as long as half a month.
The timing of each surge was completely random. For example, the last one was two years and three months ago, while the one before that was seven years and eight months ago. It seemed the phenomenon was purely a matter of luck.
Whenever the Sword Intent here surged, it would send countless Sword Cultivators into a frenzy.
This was because comprehending Sword Intent during these times seemed to be much easier than usual.
There were even past examples of people successfully comprehending a complete Sword Intent.
"I see."
After listening, Ning Jiang casually tossed him a bottle of Elixirs as a reward.
As the Master of the Myriad Swords Sect, having consolidated the resources of several major sects, he possessed a countless number of Elixirs.
"Thank you, Senior."
The green-robed Martial Artist was overjoyed upon receiving it, recognizing that the bottle contained precious Elixirs that could enhance one’s cultivation.
"If you need anything else, Senior, please feel free to call on me again."
The green-robed Martial Artist cupped his hands in a fist and withdrew.
’Interesting. It seems there are still some secrets within this Celestial Sword Grand Canyon. I imagine the source of this sudden surge of Sword Intent is related to that final mile, isn’t it?’
Ning Jiang mused softly.
Last time, he had stopped at the Ninth-Mile, unable to enter the final mile.
It was conceivable that this strange change was most likely related to that place.
Putting aside his thoughts, he stepped into the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon.
The Celestial Sword Grand Canyon was currently teeming with Martial Artists. When he had scanned the area with his Divine Sense earlier, he had detected several thousand of them.
The vast majority of these Martial Artists carried longswords; over ninety percent of them were Sword Cultivators.
Among them was a small portion who, despite not being Sword Cultivators and practicing with other weapons, also hoped to gain inspiration from the canyon’s Sword Intent and achieve a breakthrough.
Ning Jiang continued inward, walking twenty miles before stepping directly into the ten-mile range.
Due to the surge, the Sword Intent within this ten-mile range was far sharper than it had been in the past.
However, this was still not enough to stop him.
He continued deeper inside.
Along the way, many Martial Artists were seated in meditation, all of them comprehending the Sword Intent and seeking a breakthrough.
The deeper one went, the stronger the Sword Intent became, and the fewer Martial Artists there were. Those who could remain within the ten-mile range were basically all at the Primordial Spirit Realm.
"Another expert has arrived."
Seeing Ning Jiang easily step into the ten-mile range, some people opened their eyes to glance at him.
"I wonder where he’s from?"
Seeing the mask on Ning Jiang’s face, the crowd couldn’t guess his identity.
"Heh heh, Brother Li, how far do you think he’ll get?"
"To the five-mile mark, I’d say," the Martial Artist called Brother Li said after a moment’s thought.
"Oh really? Then I’ll bet ten thousand Spirit Stones that he only makes it to the four-mile mark. How about it?"
"Done."
At this time, quite a few Martial Artists were making similar comments. Whenever a newcomer arrived, some of them would place small bets.
After all, comprehending Sword Intent here for long periods was a tedious affair, and they needed to relax their minds a little.
Soon, the bet was settled.
"Damn, what bad luck."
"Haha, hand over those ten thousand Spirit Stones."
Ning Jiang had walked directly into the five-mile zone, so those who had bet on him stopping at the four-mile mark naturally lost.
"Huh? He’s still going deeper!"
Several astonished gazes fell upon him.
There were several thousand people in the entire Celestial Sword Grand Canyon, but fewer than fifty could step into the five-mile range.
And now, Ning Jiang was one of them.
Under the crowd’s astonished gazes, he walked all the way to the seven-mile zone before finally stopping.
"This..."
Many gazes had already turned to shock. In the seven-mile zone, there were fewer than ten people!
"Forget it, I don’t want those ten thousand Spirit Stones. I bet he’d stop at five miles, but I misjudged him too," the Martial Artist called Brother Li said, clicking his tongue in amazement.
’The Sword Intent is so much stronger,’ Ning Jiang thought, standing in the Seven-Mile Land.
A year ago, although he had reached the Ninth-Mile, the Sword Intent back then was nowhere near as powerful as it was now.
If the him from a year ago were here now, he would have only been able to reach the two-mile mark at most.