Chapter 16: I’m Racing You with a Sports Car, and You Want a Bicycle?

"Uh, fine sword..." To be honest, since Ling Tian arrived in this world, he had never come into contact with anything so sharp in such a short time. Of course, no one would hand a sword to a baby—far too dangerous. Still, when someone presented themselves so eagerly, was it really so hard to offer a word of praise?

The Surging Wave Sword seemed to understand Ling Tian’s words and began circling him excitedly, as if cheering. The disciples below could only twitch their mouths. In Ling Tian’s hands, this sword behaved like a humble grandson; in theirs, it was more like an imperious grandfather, demanding to be treated with utmost care lest it throw a tantrum. Truly, comparison between people could be infuriating.

Sensing that the time was right, the Surging Wave Sword tried to slip into Ling Tian’s hand. But at that very moment, its attempt was thwarted.

A sharp sound cut through the air as a sword, pure white as snow, shot forth. All the disciples’ swords trembled in their scabbards, then flew out to greet this newcomer. Behind it, a multitude of different swords followed, as if sending off a sovereign. Even at a distance, the disciples could feel the oppressive might emanating from that sword.

“An Imperial Armament—Glorystream! I never imagined you would be so fortunate, my friend!” Elder Xu exclaimed in awe. Indeed, this sword was an Imperial Armament! Though his reaction was intense, there was no trace of regret. Divine weapons had their own spirits—if one wished to possess Glorystream, one needed the proper ability. For years, no one had stirred this sword, yet now, Ling Tian had drawn it forth. It was destiny!

“Wait, not just that one…” Elder Qiao suddenly sensed another presence, his expression shifting from astonishment to excitement. He had little fondness for the mundane, but he loved swords—especially rare ones. As soon as he spoke, a jet-black light darted out.

“Shadowscale!” Elder Qiao cried out in surprise—another Imperial Armament! The Sword Pavilion had stood for countless years, and only two Imperial Armaments had ever been forged, nourished by the blood of an Emperor. These weapons possessed Imperial Might, far beyond any other spiritual tool. To see both emerge for a single infant was almost unbelievable.

Even though Elders Xu and Qiao were prepared, the sight before them still made their hearts race. Luo Qingqiu, too, felt the extraordinary nature of the two swords, her eyes bright with excitement—this journey had not been in vain.

With the arrival of Glorystream and Shadowscale, the Surging Wave Sword immediately bent itself in deference, bowing like a humble servant and retreating to the side. Just as people had ranks, so did swords.

Now, Glorystream and Shadowscale hovered before Ling Tian, each vying for his favor.

“Choose me, and I will take you to the pinnacle of the Dao Domain…”

“Choose me, and I will let you dominate this age…”

Voices echoed in Ling Tian’s mind—offers from the sword spirits themselves. Swords longed for worthy masters, to ride into battle together and bask in glory. When Ling Tian unveiled the highest realm of swordsmanship, their hearts had already been moved. Even their previous wielders had not possessed such potential. If they followed him, perhaps they, too, might transcend.

Perhaps then, they could escape their current fates…

After so many years, the spirits of these swords had developed their own desires.

Listening to the two voices, Ling Tian found himself with a headache. Could he not choose both? Was it necessary to pick only one?

Just as he was hesitating, a faint glow radiated from a broken black sword, making Ling Tian’s mind waver. Instantly, his attention was drawn to it, and the bickering of the other two sword spirits faded away.

Ling Tian stared intently at the rusted, battered sword, its surface etched with intricate patterns. For reasons he could not explain, a powerful urge arose within him:

He must choose this one!

Strange—how strange indeed. Could this sword be connected to his past life? He tried to suppress the agitation in his heart but found it impossible.

“Stop arguing—I’ve made my choice,” Ling Tian declared, halting the two Imperial Armaments as he reached for Glorystream.

The light from Glorystream shone even brighter, as if triumphant and proud.

“Young man, you will never regret this choice. Let me tell you—” the spirit of Glorystream began enthusiastically, eagerly awaiting Ling Tian’s touch. But after a moment, nothing happened. Its eyes snapped open to see Ling Tian holding a broken black sword instead.

“Haha! Ha ha! What an excellent choice!” Shadowscale, who had been disappointed a moment before, burst into laughter at Ling Tian’s decision, mocking Glorystream before returning to the Sword Mound. Though it felt some regret, the outcome was decided—there was no point in saying more. It could not lower itself to beg Ling Tian like the other swords. An Imperial Armament had its pride: if not here, then elsewhere. What was a few more tens of thousands of years?

Glorystream’s spirit was so stunned it turned livid, metaphorically slapped in the face, but unable to retort—forced to swallow its pride.

“Fine, fine, fine! You certainly have an eye for the unusual! If our paths diverge, we have nothing more to discuss!” the spirit spat out three “fines” in a row, seething as it returned to the Sword Mound.

What kind of judgment was this?

I’m offering you a sports car, and you pick a bicycle instead? There are lines of people across the Dao Domains who would give anything to possess me! Yet he chooses a broken sword over me?

Well then, let’s see what he accomplishes!

Not just Glorystream, but all those watching below were stupefied.

Had he gone mad?

Anyone with some sword training could sense the sword aura emanating from a blade—the stronger the aura, the higher the grade. In Ling Tian’s hand, it was clear that the sword was just…

Even before the principal parties reacted, sighs rose from the crowd.

An Imperial Armament! Such a weapon was of immeasurable benefit. More than just a weapon, it embodied the legacy of the Sword Dao itself! To possess one was to soar to greatness.

“What a waste—such talent, such opportunity. If it were me, I’d have chosen Glorystream and become the next Sword Emperor…”

“If it were me, I’d have picked Shadowscale—the murderous aura suits a true man’s heart!”

“I simply can’t understand his thinking. Do all the talented have some eccentricity?”

The crowd’s chatter was thick with envy and regret. What they longed for, others discarded as worthless. The world was truly unfair.

“Ah? This, this, this…” Elder Xu stammered, unable to finish his sentence. Elder Qiao could only shake his head in disbelief.

“Is there some deeper meaning in his choice?” Luo Qingqiu scrutinized the broken sword in Ling Tian’s hand. Aside from the mysterious runes, it seemed no different from an ordinary iron blade. With an arched brow, she glanced at the two elders.

Elder Xu immediately took a step back, very sensibly.

“This is the origin of ten thousand swords, the primordial womb of all blades, endless in use and measure, truly—”

Elder Qiao kept a straight face, reciting a string of profound-sounding words.

“Make it simple,” Luo Qingqiu interjected coldly, her brow furrowing.

Elder Qiao’s expression stiffened. Defeated, he replied,

“An iron sword. Just an ordinary one…”