One of the disciples smiled. "You’ll get used to the sword intent, honored guest. It may be a little overwhelming at first for those unacquainted with it, but your body will adapt."
ng Bai grimaced. "I hope it adapts before I cough up my liver."
Lin Mu gave a slight chuckle and looked around. "The sword intent here is rich and sharp. It should be beneficial. With so effort, it can temper your ridians and refine your Qi flow."
The disciple guiding them nodded appreciatively. "Indeed. Our sect trains in the midst of sword Qi for this very reason. Those who cannot endure it are not suited for the Way of the Sword."
As they flew deeper in, the surroundings changed again.
Now, they entered a mountainous region where clusters of structures clung to the hillsides. Hundreds of buildings—training halls, disciple residences, weapon forges, and ditation caves—were arranged in disciplined, spiraling patterns around several peaks.
This was the Outer Court of the Xian Sword Sect.
Disciples in gray and blue robes were everywhere, training with practice swords, ditating on rocky ledges, or sparring in small duel rings. Each of them was imrsed in their own focused cultivation, so with sweat-soaked brows, others motionless in deep sword trance.
Here, the sword intent was stronger—far more refined than at the border. It perated the very stones, the trees, the wind. It was not rely oppressive—it was alive.
ng Bai inhaled deeply, trying not to flinch. "It’s like the mountains themselves are judging ."
Lin Mu scanned the area with calm eyes, feeling the subtle resistance the sword intent offered. His skin tingled, and his own Qi stirred defensively. Yet rather than reject the sword intent, it began to blend with it.
The sword intent seed to regard him curiously, then settled.
Daoist Chu noticed this and raised an eyebrow. "It’s welcoming you."
Lin Mu nodded slightly. "Perhaps it knows I an no harm."
They landed near one of the central courtyards where a bell tower stood. Several inner court disciples had already gathered, having sensed the arrival of an important guest. Their gazes lingered on Lin Mu, especially once they noticed the token he bore.
The disciple escorting them cupped his fists. "Please wait here while I inform the elders of your arrival. They will likely wish to receive you in person."
Lin Mu nodded. "Of course."
As the disciple flew off toward one of the higher peaks, ng Bai rubbed his shoulders. "I think I just earned an inner bruise from the air."
"You’ll survive," Daoist Chu said with a grin. "Maybe you’ll even learn sothing."
ng Bai groaned. "I was hoping we’d visit a sect known for tea or formations. Not... blade weather."
Lin Mu, on the other hand, was calm and focused.
The Xian Sword Sect had long been one of the few powers he had never interacted with directly. But now, that was changing.
He wondered just what secrets this land held.
Whatever ca next, he would be ready.
After a short wait in the courtyard, their escort returned, this ti accompanied by two senior disciples dressed in deep azure robes embroidered with patterns of swords parting clouds.
"The elders invite you to the Inner Court," the lead disciple said respectfully. "Please follow us. We’ll guide you there directly."
Lin Mu nodded, and the group took flight once more, this ti heading deeper into the sect territory. The air here seed purer, the Qi denser, and the ambient Sword Intent even more palpable with each passing kiloter.
They flew for nearly an hour before a mountain range appeared in the distance, rising higher and more dramatically than anything they had seen so far.
The peak at its center soared into the clouds like a celestial blade cleaving the heavens. Towering at nearly eight thousand ters, it dwarfed all surrounding peaks and radiated a pressure so sharp it could almost be felt in one’s bones.
"That is Mount Sky Sever," one of the disciples said proudly. "The heart of the Xian Sword Sect. The Inner Court is built around it."
As they drew closer, ng Bai squinted at the peak. At first, he seed unaffected—until his face contorted, and he winced.
"Ugh, my eyes are stinging..." he muttered, blinking rapidly.
"Try not to look directly at the peak," the disciple beside him advised with a faint smile. "If you lack Sword Intent, Mount Sky Sever will cut through your spirit. It’s not sothing one gets used to easily."
"I use the spear," ng Bai replied, shielding his eyes with his sleeve. "It’s not the sa."
"Indeed," the disciple nodded. "Spear intent differs greatly. Even many of our own disciples must limit how long they gaze upon it unless their Sword Intent has reached a sufficient level."
Daoist Chu was staring as well, though with so difficulty. His cultivation at the fifth stage of the Immortal Realm allowed him to resist the ntal slicing for longer than ng Bai, but even he furrowed his brow after a few monts and turned his gaze downward.
"This mountain really doesn’t welco outsiders," he murmured.
Lin Mu, anwhile, remained composed. His gaze calmly traced the ridges and sheer cliffs of Mount Sky Sever, unbothered by the fierce Sword Intent that surged like crashing waves from its summit. Not only was he unbothered—he was resonating with it.
His Advanced Sword Intent subtly aligned with the peak’s own, forming a tenuous but respectful accord.
The disciples flying beside him couldn’t help but glance over in surprise.
"Senior... you can look directly at the peak without strain?"
"I can," Lin Mu replied simply.
The disciples exchanged looks of awe and whispered amongst themselves. It was exceedingly rare for an outsider—especially one so young—to withstand the peak’s pressure.
Of course, Lin Mu looked like he was in his thirties, so certainly not young in the general sense, but most others who could look at the peak like that were elders that looked to be in their sixties or older.
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