Chapter 1203: Chapter 52: Sword Roar in the Western Wind (3)
The sword cultivators within the Sword Sect surged towards Qing Peak like a tide.
Across the sky and ground, all was sword light.
At this moment, two young apprentices diligently practicing sword were finally startled by the rapid sword sounds.
They looked up, and then saw Lu Qingshan.
Startled at first, they quickly became delighted and were ready to shout something, but the words stuck in their throats came to an abrupt halt.
Because a sword light had already stopped in front of Lu Qingshan, revealing a figure within.
The two young girls recognized at a glance that it was Uncle Xi Xiang, the first sword cultivator they met when joining the Sword Sect.
Although they were young, they were exceptionally sharp. Realizing the significance of this spectacle, they dared not speak further.
Xi Xiang appeared before Lu Qingshan.
He did not speak.
Lu Qingshan didn’t speak either.
They were both waiting.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Almost one after another, sword lights constantly stopped, and individual figures appeared continuously.
After a moment, no new sword lights appeared.
Lu Qingshan swept his gaze over the hundreds of figures before him.
Uncle Xi Xiang, Daoist Kong Shan, Daoist Xin Yu....
These were old sword cultivators of the Sword Sect, of age, who had retreated from Yumen Pass, residing in the Sword Sect to handle various chores within.
Cao Xiaoxin, Yu Cibei, Wei Mou....
These were the young disciples of the Sword Sect, full of potential but not yet grown, with insufficient cultivation, hence did not go to Yumen Pass.
"Greetings, Young Sect Leader."
Regardless of whether they were old sword cultivators or young disciples, at this moment, they all spoke in unison.
Lu Qingshan clasped his fists and bowed to everyone, then began to speak: "You should be aware of my intention in coming."
"The Sect Master told me that there are differing voices and opinions regarding this Sword Sect’s decision to head westward...."
He paused and continued, "The Sect Master told me that this matter is for me to decide solely, so feel free to speak your demands."
"The Sword Sect is not the Sect Master’s Sword Sect, nor is it Lu Qingshan’s Sword Sect, but everyone’s Sword Sect. I will respect everyone’s opinions."
"So, what are your thoughts?" Lu Qingshan asked.
"Young Sect Leader, we’ve been looking forward to your return." Xi Xiang stepped forward and spoke.
Lu Qingshan quietly listened.
Xi Xiang’s face was extremely sombre, "We are already aware of the situation in the Central Spirit Domain, and we all agree with the Sect Master’s decision for a westward expedition."
"Some of us are already old, some still too young, yet we are all sword cultivators of the Sword Sect." Xi Xiang articulated each word slowly.
He pointed to the aged sword cultivators behind him, "We are not so old as to be unable to hold a sword."
"They may be young, but they can also hold a sword." He pointed again to the young disciples beside him.
Lastly, Xi Xiang paused for a moment, his face complex but his gaze exceedingly firm, "Young Sect Leader.... although we know this might put you in a difficult position, and know this may be irrational, but...."
Suddenly, he shouted aloud.
"We request to battle!"
With a mighty roar.
Xi Xiang drew his sword, the fierce flying sword shot forth from his Dantian, soaring into the sky, piercing the clouds, and the imposing sword momentum echoed throughout heaven and earth.
"We request to battle!"
"We request to battle!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
All present sword cultivators, regardless of whether they were Void Refining, Divinity Transformation, or Integration, whether young or old, drew their swords and shouted in unison.
The entire sect demanded battle.
At that instant, it seemed as if the vast white clouds paled in color, leaving only various flying swords in the sky.
All the flying swords were fluttering wildly over Qing Peak.
"We request to battle!"
All voices converged together, echoing throughout the Sword Sect.
At this moment, it was as if the mountains themselves trembled in response.
Every gaze focused intently on Lu Qingshan.
Every gaze was filled with an enthusiastic fighting spirit and hope.
An inexplicable sentiment collided heavily within Lu Qingshan’s heart.
At this moment, he finally understood everything.
These people did not oppose the Sword Sect’s westward expedition, but wished to accompany.
However, for the Sword Sect, no matter what, there surely must be someone remaining to guard the sect.
Otherwise, if everyone leaves, who would guard the Sword Sect?
If they depart never to return, would there still be a Sword Sect in the world?
So, these old sword cultivators bear the duty of remaining to guard the Sword Sect.
And the young disciples, their strength is insignificant in the battle of the Central Spirit Domain.
But to the Sword Sect, they are the fire seed, the hope.
Even if the Sword Sect’s westward expedition fails, as long as there are young disciples, when they grow to shoulder the burden of the sect, the Sword Sect will still remain the Sword Sect.
In terms of emotions or reason, young disciples with insufficient cultivation should not participate in this war.
Hence, the old Sect Master left them in the sect.
Lu Qingshan’s ears were continuously resonating with the low, thunder-like sound of the flying swords.
It was noisy and jarring.
Yet to him, it was incredibly pleasant.
Thunder, rain, the roar of the river, how could they compare to the resounding sword cry of the Sword Sect?
A surge of inexplicable fervor brewed within Lu Qingshan’s chest.
He gazed upon those faces, both familiar and unfamiliar, took a deep breath, suppressing the tumult in his heart.
After a long while, he exhaled a heavy breath and gently pressed his hand down.
As a result, the flying swords above the vault of heaven suddenly halted.
Heaven and earth returned to silence.
"Have you thought it through?" Lu Qingshan spoke.
Then, he lightly pointed towards the seven towering main peaks in the distance, "Qingyun Peak, Eternal Peak, Canghai Peak, Autumn Horizon Peak, Sword Coming Peak, Vastness Peak, Sheathless Peak..."
He then turned around, "Stable Army Peak, Empty Mountain Peak, White Autumn Peak..."
"These, are the foundations left by the predecessors of the Sword Sect, these are the Sword Sect..."
"Are you truly willing to forsake them?" he asked.
For a moment, no one replied.
After a brief silence, Xi Xiang’s deep voice sounded.
"Young Sect Leader...."
He raised his head, steadily gazing at Lu Qingshan’s youthful and elegant visage.
"The Sword Sect, it has never been a place."
"It is us sword cultivators."
"Where we are, the Sword Sect is."
Xi Xiang’s voice was not loud, but it spread gently.
Then the entire world seemed suddenly silent in that moment, with only his voice echoing.
Lu Qingshan remained silent for a long time.
He knew that the company of these Sword Sect sword cultivators, the assistance they could bring to the war in the Central Spirit Domain versus the cost the Sword Sect might bear were not at all on the same scale.
If it were any cultivator outside the Sword Sect, they certainly would not agree to this seemingly "foolish" and "lacking in overall awareness" request for battle.
But Lu Qingshan also knew, the blessed land of Sword Sect, the profound cultivation techniques and sword skills, the treasures of the sect...
These are merely external items, compared to these, what truly holds esteem within the Sword Sect is the heritage of the Sword Sect spirit passed down through generations.
Those Outer Sects, always wish to replace Sword Sect.
But they don’t understand, without the true will of sword cultivators, without the soul of sword cultivation, how can one be called the Sword Sect?
The reason Sword Sect is called Sword Sect, is because it is the most powerful sword cultivation sect, even the strongest sect on this land, based on these simple yet complex, ephemeral yet potent things.
Thus, a smile appeared at Lu Qingshan’s lips.
"Then it shall be as you wish."
"Longing for the sword tassel, to seize the supreme seeds!"
He willed his thoughts.
Boom!
Dragon Sparrow suddenly emerged from his body.
The blazing red sword light spanned across the sky, like a rainbow.
Monumental sword intent soared.
All sword cultivators, as if their divine souls were uncontrollably moved, frantically controlled their swords into action.
In the sky, sword intent was destructive.
Flying swords clang mightily.
The sword roared against the west wind.