Lin Yi had been in the Inner Sect for some time and had come to recognize the influential figures within the Heavenly Sword Holy Land’s Inner Sect.
This Shangguan Tiance was indeed a standout among the Inner Sect Saints, his cultivation having reached the Sixth Level of the Sealed Marquis Realm.
Of course, judging a Heavenly Pride’s strength solely by cultivation was undoubtedly inaccurate.
It was well-known that within the Inner Sect, there were many older individuals whose cultivation was higher, but their strength was not necessarily greater.
The strength of this Shangguan Tiance, even the Half-Saint Disciple Xue Qianzhong couldn’t compare.
However, the sensation caused by Shangguan Tiance hadn’t lasted long before another figure enveloped in soaring Demonic Qi descended upon Wanjian Mountain.
He was a young man dressed in black, with a heavy murderous aura, carrying a thick black Heavy Sword on his back, exuding a decisively lethal presence.
"It’s the third disciple of the Black Sword Half Saint, Dugu Sheng!"
"Can anyone among the Inner Sect Saints withstand Dugu Sheng’s Killing Sword?"
"At the sword competition, there will definitely be a place for Dugu Sheng."
Clearly, Dugu Sheng had many admirers within the Inner Sect, and even though he rarely showed himself, it hardly affected his renown.
Lin Yi stroked his chin, eyeing this young Sword Cultivator with an overwhelming aura. This man’s power seemed on a par with Shangguan Tiance’s.
However, their approaches to the Sword Dao were completely different.
While Lin Yi contemplated the differences between the two.
A sudden waft of fragrant breeze hit him head-on, and amidst the focused gazes, a woman in a purple dress landed in the area.
The woman in the purple dress was extremely beautiful, with snow-white skin and a graceful figure. Her long, slim legs accentuated her beauty, and the moment she arrived, it was as if a remarkably stunning flower had blossomed right there.
"She is a Direct Disciple of our Heavenly Sword Holy Land’s Holy Master, her talent outshining even Shangguan Tiance and Dugu Sheng."
"It is said that at her birth, she triggered celestial phenomena with flowers raining down from the sky, making it highly likely that she is the reincarnation of some significant figure."
"Is she also here to challenge the Sword Realm?"
Below Wanjian Mountain, all the Inner Sect Saints were boiling with excitement.
Compared to them, the little fame Lin Yi had in the Inner Sect was utterly insignificant.
Besides, aside from those three, there were over a dozen formidable figures in the Inner Sect who had reached even higher realms of cultivation. Both their power and reputation far surpassed Lin Yi’s.
"Hey? Isn’t that Xu Qing, the one who caused heavenly phenomena at the Sacrificial Altar?"
Soon someone recognized Lin Yi, immediately causing a stir and drawing the attention of many Inner Sect Saints.
"Oh? Is it him? This lad has become a person of interest in the Inner Sect lately."
"It’s said he even turned down Half-Saint Xuan Yu’s invitation to become his pupil? Tsk, tsk, truly famous overnight, he even dares to disregard a Half-Saint."
"Just a fame seeker, even Wan Huayu hasn’t sought attention like him. With his strength, he shouldn’t be ranked in the Inner Sect. What right does he have to be arrogant?"
"Let’s see what he can make of himself in the Sword Realm now. Probably he will be crushed into dust by those exceptional Heavenly Prides."
"Needless to say? Let him face some setbacks; it’s good for him to understand his limitations here in the Inner Sect and not get too full of himself!"
Everyone was discussing animatedly, clearly because of the incident with Half-Saint Xuan Yu, the current sentiment within the Inner Sect towards Lin Yi was mostly negative.
However, Lin Yi paid no mind to these discussions. Whether he would be crushed was one thing, but even if he were, his spiritual resolve wouldn’t be affected.
After all, he had come from the small region of Shi Country to this point, weathering many storms. His will was already as solid as a rock, far stronger than ordinary people.
Lin Yi and the other Inner Sect Saints didn’t have to wait long. An astounding fluctuation emitted from Wanjian Mountain, revealing ribbons of light that converged to form an ethereal gateway.
The Sword Realm was finally open!
As this ethereal gateway materialized, Wan Huayu, Dugu Sheng, Shangguan Tiance, and a few others burst forth first, transforming into streaks of light and rushing into the gateway.
Others followed closely behind, raising a tumultuous sound of wind, rushing into the Sword Realm like a swarm of locusts.
Lin Yi was naturally among them.
After entering the Light Gate, Lin Yi felt a drastic change in the surroundings. The Wanjian Mountain before him had transformed into a dark space, an empty void with no trace of any living creature’s aura.
The other Inner Sect Saints who had entered the Sword Realm with Lin Yi had also disappeared.
And as Lin Yi was marveling at this, a figure stepped out from the darkness ahead.
His pupils suddenly constricted.
Because the figure before him was identical to him in every way!
Even their cultivation was exactly the same.
It seemed like a perfect cloning body of himself.