Chapter Seventy-Eight: Duel of Swords in the Square, Power of the Five Elements Unleashed

Legend holds that the Four Swords of Immortal Execution are innate spiritual treasures. Although they may not rival the Primordial Taiji Diagram or the Pangu Banner in stature, their destructive power surpasses even those peerless artifacts. In the Investiture of the Gods, a poem extols the Four Swords thus: “Neither copper nor iron nor steel, once hidden beneath Mount Sumeru; unrefined by the reversal of yin and yang, nor tempered by water or fire; sharp enough to slay gods and reap immortals, wherever the Trapping Sword appears, crimson light bursts forth; the Severing Sword’s transformations are infinite, even great immortals stain their robes with blood.”

A haze of confusion clouded Mute’s heart. How could the legendary Four Swords of Immortal Execution, wielded by the Supreme Leader of the Upper Purity sect in the Investiture of the Gods, appear here? Lost in thought, he reached out unconsciously toward the ancient Immortal Execution Sword. At that moment, the dimensional transaction system sounded: “Detected… SS-grade item, Immortal Execution Sword; detected… SS-grade item, Immortal Slaughter Sword; detected… SS-grade item, Severing Immortal Sword; detected… SS-grade item, Trapping Immortal Sword; detected… SS-grade item, Immortal Execution Array Diagram.”

“The Immortal Execution Array Diagram?” Joy and disbelief surged through Mute. The Four Swords, together with the Array Diagram, formed the first killing formation since the dawn of chaos; even a Sage would be reduced to ash within it, leaving no trace in the Three Realms. Its might was beyond compare. This was a sacred relic left from before the world was cleaved, from atop the Treasure Division Cliff. When the four swords are assembled, their brilliance is like that of the Investiture itself, entwined with the fate of the Interception Sect. In that tale, the Interception Sect was the greatest of all, thanks to the Immortal Execution Sword Formation at its core.

Yet, while the system announced the discovery of the Array Diagram, the stone chamber was utterly bare—where was any sign of it?

Still dazed, Mute suddenly felt a sharp pain in his hand: the sword qi emanating from the Immortal Execution Sword had sliced his wrist. Droplets of golden blood fell onto the sword, vanishing instantly as if absorbed by a sponge. Those that missed the blade and struck the ground disappeared just as rapidly, as though drawn away by some hidden force.

Mute was still marveling when a shimmer of golden light rose from the floor. In the next instant, a small painting unfurled, enveloping Mute and the four swords. The swords vanished into the painting, only to fly out again moments later, circling Mute endlessly.

The small painting was covered in curious motifs: sun patterns, moon swirls, insect and fish sigils. As he observed the phenomenon, sudden understanding dawned—this was the Immortal Execution Array Diagram.

Watching the four swords spinning about him, Mute sensed something new emerging in his consciousness. With a gesture and a thought, both the swords and the Array Diagram vanished. Examining himself inwardly, he found in his dantian a miniature painting and four ancient blades floating serenely—the legendary Four Swords and the Immortal Execution Array Diagram. He was shaken to his core. Could his luck truly be so boundless that he had, in a moment of confusion, acquired the greatest killing force of ancient legend?

“Congratulations, Amu, on obtaining an SS-grade item! The Four Swords combined with the Array Diagram are an SSS-grade treasure. However, your current power is insufficient to wield both the swords and the array together!” Dingdang’s voice chimed in.

“I… I’ve actually obtained the Immortal Execution Swords and the Array Diagram?” Mute could scarcely believe it.

“That’s right. Congratulations, Amu!” Dingdang confirmed.

“Hahaha… I’ve made it!” Mute’s heart soared. “It must be due to my immortal bloodline. As Cloud Immortal said, I already possess an immortal’s body—only my cultivation is lacking, otherwise how could I claim such innate treasures? The Four Swords of Immortal Execution, the legendary supreme weapons! They’re a cut above even the finest immortal artifacts; even the Golden Jiao Shears pale in comparison!”

He thought of how, in the Investiture of the Gods, the Supreme Leader of the Upper Purity sect wielded the swords within the Array Diagram against the likes of the Grand Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Lord of Heaven—two Sages, yet neither could prevail against him. That was testament to the power of the swords and the array.

Mute mused further: until now he’d considered the flying sword his master had given him decent but unremarkable by the standards of the cultivation world, and he’d hoped to find a truly exceptional one. Who would have thought he’d acquire four immortal swords at once? From now on, he’d never want for a worthy weapon.

The only regret was that, at present, he could not simultaneously wield all four swords and the Array Diagram to set up the Immortal Execution Sword Formation; if he could, who in the world of cultivation could stand against him?

Then another thought occurred: the swords were simply too conspicuous—he could hardly use them as everyday weapons. He would ask his master for three more flying swords. He might not use the Four Swords, but he could wield the Array Diagram—perhaps, paired with four flying swords, its destructive power would vastly outstrip that of ordinary formations.

With that settled, he retraced his steps out of the inner cave. No sooner had he reached his meditation platform than someone hurried in—it was Wanderer.

“Mute! The Grand Competition at Chaotian Peak is in five days. How far have you gotten with the ‘Upper Purity Technique’?”

Mute was secretly relieved that he’d returned early; had Wanderer discovered he'd ventured into the inner cave, it would have been hard to explain.

“I’ve basically mastered the techniques within the ‘Upper Purity Method,’ though some require more spiritual power than I currently possess,” Mute answered honestly.

“You’ve mastered them?” Wanderer was taken aback, but said no more. “The Sect Master wishes to test your cultivation. Come with me.”

Mute exited the Endless Ancient Cave, following Wanderer flying on swords up to Sky-Reaching Heaven. There were fewer disciples on the plaza this time—along with the Sect Master and the various elders, perhaps thirty people in all. Clearly, these were the elite chosen to attend the Chaotian Peak gathering.

Mute dismounted his sword and followed Wanderer to where Master Zhengyi stood, bowing respectfully.

“No need for formalities. I hear from Junior Brother Wanderer that you’ve been secluded in the Endless Ancient Cave, studying the ‘Upper Purity Method.’ How far have you progressed?”

Mute replied, “Reporting to the Sect Master, I’ve basically mastered the techniques within the ‘Upper Purity Method,’ though some require more spiritual power than I can currently muster.”

Zhengyi was slightly surprised and glanced at Wanderer. “Did you teach him the Upper Purity techniques earlier?”

Wanderer shook his head. “Sect Master, you saw for yourself: last time, he only knew some basic sword control, nothing more.”

Now Zhengyi was truly moved. “Amu, are you saying you mastered the ‘Upper Purity Method’ in just one month of seclusion?”

Mute nodded, and at once mocking laughter broke out around him:

“Such boasting! A month might be enough to read it once or twice!”

“He must think he’s a reincarnated celestial to master the ‘Upper Purity Method’ in a month!”

“Does he take our Upper Purity Method for some street vendor’s trinket? He dares claim mastery after a single reading?”

Their disbelief was understandable. The ‘Upper Purity Method,’ while not particularly flashy, was the very foundation of the sect’s teachings—the base upon which all cultivation arts rested. Most disciples spent ten or twenty years to master it. That Mute claimed to have done so in a month was hard to credit. None knew that he possessed the supreme comprehension art “Shadow Mark”—any technique, once seen, was understood, even its flaws and deficiencies laid bare.

Master Zhengyi frowned. “Amu, the Upper Purity Method of our sect is vast and profound. After a month, at most you could have skimmed the surface—how can you claim mastery?”

“Since this boy boasts so shamelessly, let me test him myself!” It was Elder Evergreen who spoke.

Zhengyi hesitated. “You…”

“Rest assured, Sect Master. The Grand Competition is imminent—I would never let personal grievances harm him. I merely wish to show him the depth of our sect’s arts, lest arrogance hinder his cultivation.”

Zhengyi nodded. “The greater good comes first.”

Elder Evergreen stepped forward, brandishing his flying sword. “Since you are the junior, I’ll let you strike first!”

Mute made no excuses, raising his flying sword. A myriad rays of mystic light conjured themselves into tangible blades, lashing toward Evergreen.

“The Myriad Sword Technique…” The crowd gasped in surprise—he had already mastered such a formidable art.

Evergreen hadn’t expected such a fierce opening move. With a cry, a chill swept forth, forming layered waves that met the barrage of sword light. His complexion was always tinged with blue-green, a result of practicing the true qi of ice, and he dared not underestimate Chen Mu now.

Having deflected the “Myriad Sword Technique,” Evergreen’s sword flashed forth, swift as lightning and wreathed in cold, striking at Mute. Yet Mute’s expression was calm. With a gesture, he summoned seven walls of ice to block the attack. Then, with a sudden movement, his “Azure Abyss” sword burst forth with searing heat, its force utterly at odds with the previous cold.

His sword slashed, and the assembly cried out in astonishment. Evergreen, whose cultivation focused on pure cold, was most vulnerable to such fiery force. He dodged aside, ready to counterattack, when he saw Mute step into the Seven Stars Footwork, his sword raised toward the sky. Mute intoned quietly, “Heavenly Thunder, strike!” A bolt of lightning as thick as an arm crashed toward Evergreen.

This was one of the most advanced moves in the ‘Upper Purity Method.’ Evergreen was startled—he could scarcely believe Mute could use such a move—but dared not meet it head-on, dodging aside. Just as he was about to counter, the Sect Master cried, “Enough!”

The two halted. The onlookers stared at Mute with strange expressions as Master Zhengyi intoned, “Incalculable Heaven’s Venerable! It seems Amu has indeed mastered the ‘Upper Purity Method.’ But…” He turned to Mute. “How is it that you can wield ice, fire, and thunder—three entirely different elemental arts simultaneously?”

Mute replied with surprise, “Is that so hard? I use whatever I wish. Didn’t Master say that true essence is the foundation and techniques are its expression? As long as one’s cultivation is sufficient, shouldn’t any technique be second nature?”