Mu Jinyu, accompanied by Wen Rou, followed Jian Ruyan and finally arrived outside a mountain range.
From a distance, they could see the mountain range ahead, each peak towering like a sword piercing the skies, emitting a dense sword qi that could make one's skin crawl if stared at for too long.
It felt as if one's head was close enough to test the edge of a sword.
This place was the gateway to the Heavenly Sword Faction, located in the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range.
It was said that the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range was formed when an Ancient Sword Immortal perished during a battle eons ago. Overwhelmed, he fell, and his Immortal Sword shattered into countless pieces that landed below, eventually forming the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range.
Whether the legend was true or not was uncertain since no fragments of an Immortal Sword were ever found here. However, this mountain range indeed held intrigue; sword cultivators found it surprisingly easy to comprehend "Sword Momentum" and even "Sword Intent" here!
But this advantage was trivial for major powers; thus, no one competed with the Heavenly Sword Faction for this site, allowing them to establish their sect here!
"This is the Heavenly Sword Faction,"
Jian Ruyan stopped, turned back, and said to Mu Jinyu.
"Hm? Are we going to directly join this sect, or should we find a disguise first?" Mu Jinyu asked.
Actually, Mu Jinyu wasn't very interested in joining the Heavenly Sword Faction, as he felt there wasn't much to learn there.
However, since Jian Ruyan always kept things close to her chest, he didn't like to press her, so he thought it best to first stay temporarily with the Heavenly Sword Faction, familiarize himself with the Kunlun Ruins, and then decide where to search for a way to undo the Art of Snatching Souls, as well as investigate his enemies from Xiang Mantang!
Jian Ruyan said, "Just reveal who we are. We're from Huaxia, they'll welcome us."
"Oh? Really?" Mu Jinyu replied, somewhat skeptical.
After all, they were foreigners, not locals. Joining a sect usually required a thorough background check to ensure one wasn't an enemy spy before approval, right?
Jian Ruyan explained, "Every few years, many from our Huaxia enter the Kunlun Ruins. Some blend in well, some leave quietly and return to Huaxia, while others perish here…"
"So, as long as we explain that we're from Huaxia from outside their world, they'll investigate but won't make things difficult for us."
"In their eyes, Huaxia has thin spiritual energy; it's tough to advance one's strength to the Mid Stage of Divine Realm. They think If we can break through to the Mid Stage of Divine Realm under such harsh conditions, we must be geniuses. Wouldn't we soar to new heights in the spiritually rich Kunlun Ruins? Thus, they'll be very welcoming."
After hearing Jian Ruyan's explanation, Mu Jinyu suddenly realized, "So that's how it is, but in that case..."
"Wouldn't spies easily succeed by pretending to be outsiders like us?" Mu Jinyu became doubtful again.
Jian Ruyan said, "It's not that simple. Although the Kunlun Ruins were originally part of Huaxia and were separated for some unknown reason, Kunlun Ruins and Kunlun Mountain are now two different places. We cultivated to the Mid Stage of Divine Realm overseas, and our True Yuan naturally differs from those who grew up in the Kunlun Ruins. It can be detected with a simple check."
"I see," Mu Jinyu nodded without issue, then grinned and said, "Let's go then, let's visit this Heavenly Sword Mountain. I've been dealing with the chaos of dark disturbances and the revival of Spiritual Energy non-stop. It's been hectic. Now that we're here, it's somewhat like a vacation, a chance to relax."
Jian Ruyan heard Mu Jinyu's words, nodded slightly, but didn't echo his sentiment.
She knew well that Mu Jinyu was just feigning optimism. The waters of the Kunlun Ruins ran deep. Since they had come here, how could it be merely for tourism? If that were so, why had he always discouraged Gu Xiyan and the others from coming along?
Furthermore, with him wanting to investigate certain matters, they were only going to encounter more and more dangers.
However, these were not within her control for now, so she could only take one step at a time, eventually guiding Mu Jinyu to safely leave the Kunlun Ruins.
Mu Jinyu, without a sign of worry, made a decision and then took the lead, quickly rushing toward the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range ahead.
Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan followed closely behind.
Soon, Mu Jinyu reached the foot of the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range and sensed the fluctuations of spiritual energy from the mountain-protecting array. Although it was not as exceptional as the one he had set up at Yinlong Mountain, it wasn't easily breakable either.
He could only pause slightly and made his way toward the entrance at the foot of the mountain.
"Who goes there? Halt!"
The Mountain Guardian Elder, stationed at the foot of the mountain, stood up nervously upon seeing Mu Jinyu charging forward and shouted loudly.
He was holding a small copper bell magic treasure, eyeing Mu Jinyu and his companions warily.
If Mu Jinyu dared to make a wrong move, he would shake the bell in his hand immediately. At that moment, the whole Heavenly Sword Faction would be alerted with a deafening bell sound, warning of an external invasion!
Of course, this was a measure of last resort, only if the invaders were too weak would he handle it himself.
However, he could feel that Mu Jinyu's strength was in the middle stage of the Divine Realm, slightly stronger than his own, so he didn't dare let his guard down.
Mu Jinyu descended from the air and stood firm, then courteously cupped his fist toward the Mountain Guardian Elder, introducing himself, "I am Mu Jinyu from the Dragon King Hall, Tiance True Dragon..."
"The Dragon King Hall?" The Mountain Guardian Elder, upon hearing Mu Jinyu's words, paused slightly, vaguely recognizing the name.
Indeed, the Dragon King Hall was well-known in the Chinese Martial Arts Circle, but in the Kunlun Ruins, it was hardly significant, only occasionally remembered because once in a while, a remarkable Dragon King would enter the Kunlun Ruins, leaving a slight impression.
The Mountain Guardian Elder frowned in thought for a moment, finally recalling what the Dragon King Hall was about. He raised an eyebrow and relaxed a bit, saying, "The Dragon King Hall, the one from outside in Huaxia?"
"Yes," Mu Jinyu nodded.
The Mountain Guardian Elder asked, "What brings you to our Heavenly Sword Faction? Don't tell me you want to join our faction."
"Yes," Mu Jinyu nodded. "I have long heard that the Heavenly Sword Faction is the leader among the Yan Kingdom's Four Great Sects. After wrapping up trivial matters in the Dragon King Hall and entering the Kunlun Ruins, I wanted to enhance myself, hence I decided to join the Heavenly Sword Faction."
Jian Ruyan, standing behind Mu Jinyu, silently scorned him upon hearing his words.
What long heard?!
He had only learned about the Heavenly Sword Faction half a day ago from her introduction, and yet he dared to claim such a thing.
The Mountain Guardian Elder, pleased by Mu Jinyu's mention of "the leader of the Four Great Sects," but still somewhat suspicious of whether Mu Jinyu truly came from the outside world of Huaxia, said, "Alright, with your aptitude, joining the Heavenly Sword Faction shouldn't be a problem. But first, let me verify whether you truly come from the outside world."
"Alright," Mu Jinyu said casually. "How will you conduct the verification?"
The Mountain Guardian Elder explained, "Release the protection of your spiritual thoughts around the Dantian area, and I'll probe with my divine sense to find out."