Qin Chu felt that with Qin Lingxi and Qingyi, who was arriving soon, the Vermilion Bird Holy Land would not fall behind in the grand scheme of things.
After Cultivating for a night, Qin Chu called his brothers together and asked about their plans.
Yan Yi and Bai Yu planned to visit Heavenly Sword Mountain, even if they couldn't enter, they would at least get to know the outer areas first.
Qian Xun also planned to Cultivate inside Heavenly Sword Mountain. He was friends with Qin Chu and didn't want to be left too far behind by Qin Chu, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to hang out together later.
"What about you, Brother Lang?" Qin Chu looked at Lang Lang. Among his friends, Lang Lang's Cultivation was the most profound, he was a sixth-tier King realm, Qin Chu couldn't discern his depth and hadn't asked.
"Qin Chu, I won't get involved in the matters of the Sword North Forest. In the past, I've always progressed steadily, never hoping for any great Opportunity. I do well even without Opportunity, so I won't go this time either. I'll take Qian Xun and the others to Heavenly Sword Mountain, that way their safety won't be an issue," Lang Lang said to Qin Chu.
Qin Chu looked at them and felt that they all had a very accurate understanding of themselves, none of them were overly ambitious. As for Lang Lang, Lang Lang also had his own principles.
"Alright, I will inform the guards of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land, so you will have no problem entering and exiting the Vermilion Bird Holy Land. From now on, you will live in the Vermilion Bird Holy Land," Qin Chu said to them.
Lang Lang and the others didn't stand on ceremony; they all knew what kind of person Qin Chu was, and being overly polite was meaningless.
After everything was arranged, Qin Chu thought for a moment and went to the Azure Dragon Castle to pay his respects, but Shang Shu Tianye, Zhen Han, and Shang Shu Yu were not there.
The steward of Azure Dragon Castle warmly received Qin Chu. Qin Chu's engagement to Shang Shu Yu had already spread throughout the Azure Dragon Holy Land, so when the Young Lord arrived, those belonging to the Azure Dragon Holy Land naturally had to be polite and respectful in their reception.
Since the main people were not present, Qin Chu did not stay long, he drank a cup of tea and left.
After walking around Heavenly Sword City, Qin Chu returned to the Vermilion Bird Holy Land's stronghold, then waited for news.
Qin Chu knew that the results of the negotiations between human Cultivators and Yao Beast Kings would be announced within the next few days. By then, Qingyi should also have arrived, and the Vermilion Bird Holy Land could officially proceed to the Sword North Forest.
One day, as Qin Chu was Cultivating, a Cultivator arrived at the gate of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land's stronghold, challenging Qin Chu, or more accurately, challenging the top of the Azure Cloud Ranking.
Qin Chu naturally accepted the challenge. Originally, Qin Chu thought it would be over after the fight, but the opponent said that they would fight two days later in the square in front of the City Lord's Mansion, he wanted to defeat Qin Chu in front of people.
Qin Chu also agreed. Since he was going to accept the challenge, it didn't matter when the battle took place.
Shortly after Qin Chu agreed, Su Mu arrived at the Vermilion Bird Holy Land's stronghold, stating that he had come to see Qin Chu.
Qin Chu received Su Mu in his own courtyard.
"Senior Su, is there anything you wish to instruct this Junior?" Qin Chu asked after pouring Su Mu a cup of tea.
"It's rare that you can still be so humble and polite after becoming the Vermilion Bird Young Lord. Based on your humility and respect for Seniors, I have a few words to say to you," Su Mu said, looking at Qin Chu.
"Senior, please speak!" Qin Chu asked.
"You cannot fail, absolutely cannot fail. You must treat every battle seriously, this is very important to you!" Su Mu said, looking at Qin Chu.
"Cannot fail? I, Qin Chu, am not afraid of failure. Even if I fail, I do not lack the courage to stand up again," Qin Chu looked at Su Mu with some confusion.
Su Mu shook his head, "This can apply to others, but not to you. I will explain it to you today. You should know that Heavenly Sword Mountain holds a great secret. Not to mention other secrets, the Sword Emperor's Legacy truly exists, and to obtain the Sword Emperor's Legacy, one of the demanding conditions is to be an undefeated body. Only the undefeated are qualified to be called Sword Emperor, and only the undefeated can continue the path of the Sword Emperor."
"The Sword Emperor cannot fail?" Qin Chu was surprised.
"How to put it, you cannot fail before obtaining the Sword Emperor's Legacy. Of course, being forced to retreat by a siege doesn't count; it's about losing honorably, a defeat where you admit you are inferior to others, that cannot happen!" Su Mu said.
"That is indeed a bit too demanding!" Qin Chu rubbed his hair. Only an undefeated Cultivator could obtain the Legacy, which eliminated too many people at once.
Su Mu smiled, "If it weren't demanding, the Sword Emperor's Legacy would have been gone long ago. Many of the experts from other continents who came this time are here for the Sword Emperor's Legacy, but it will be very difficult for them to obtain this Legacy. The Longevity Sword Venerable once rose to prominence, domineering and extraordinary, but even he did not obtain the Legacy."
"Senior, the Longevity Sword Venerable is my Qin family's ancestor. If he couldn't do it, can I?" Qin Chu felt a little lacking in confidence.
"Haha! You must have an indomitable conviction! The Longevity Sword Venerable was powerful, but he lacked one thing: he didn't have a Sword Spirit Realm within him!" Su Mu said with a smile.
Qin Chu's eyes widened. Not only did he need to be undefeated, but he also needed to have a Sword Spirit Realm within him. Where could such a suitable person be found?
"Do you feel very surprised? There's one more thing: you must possess a ninth-level Sword Intent. I have high hopes for you, so work hard! If you become the new Sword Emperor, you'll have to treat me to some good wine," Su Mu smiled and threw out another statement that shocked Qin Chu.
Qin Chu slapped his forehead. Sword Spirit Realm, an undefeated body, ninth-level Sword Intent—any one of these was quite deadly.
"Without a ninth-level Sword Intent, one cannot reach the Sword Intent Forbidden Zone; without a Sword Spirit Realm, one cannot enter the Sword Intent Forbidden Zone; without an undefeated body, one cannot gain the Heavenly Sword's recognition. I have told you too much. Just remember my words. I have great expectations for you, truly!" Su Mu sighed.
"Qin Chu has noted Senior's teachings, but being undefeated is very difficult. As a fifth-tier Cultivator, if I encounter a King realm, how is a defeat counted?" Qin Chu stood up and said.
"I don't know! You should avoid such battles, try your best not to let them happen. However, in such battles, a defeat is not considered a disgrace; it doesn't mean you are inferior to others. But I'm also not certain! This path is very difficult. You can only fight all the way, constantly battle, and constantly win. If you succeed, look back at your path, and it will be full of pride," Su Mu said, looking at Qin Chu.
Qin Chu was silent for a moment, then looked at Su Mu, "Senior, where did you fail?"
"I didn't have a Sword Spirit Realm within me, and during a spar with someone, I lost, so I lost the Opportunity. You are the most suitable person I've found in all these years," Su Mu waved his hand at Qin Chu and then left. He was worried that Qin Chu might be too ambitious and not care about some battles, thus losing his undefeated body.
Su Mu left. Qin Chu took out the Azure Spirit Sword and wiped it, "Sword Emperor... the Emperor among swords, the highest title for a Sword Cultivator. It is something all Sword Cultivators aspire to, and I am no exception!"
