Almighty Genius

Chapter 2171 - 1665: The Mysterious Sword Grotto!

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This sinkhole is not so simple. At least when Qin Fang was searching for some man-made traces, he discovered that there seems to be a naturally formed formation here... which automatically isolates this area from the outside world.

The entire sinkhole isn't particularly large, but it gives off a mysterious and unfathomable feeling... as if there are hidden secrets within it that people are unaware of.

"Let's go in and take a look..."

Qin Fang also noticed a black cave revealed on a stone wall of the sinkhole.

In such a late night, the moonlight above is not very bright. Normally, people wouldn't discover the existence of this cave unless they come closer... yet Qin Fang was able to clearly locate the presence of the cave.

This cave seems to be the only place in this sinkhole that appears to be hiding something... perhaps a secret place, or perhaps a passage out of the sinkhole.

Regardless of the truth, Qin Fang is determined to walk this path.

The cave is extremely dark, almost pitch-black to the point where one can't see their own hand... even for someone like Qin Fang, a grandmaster-level expert, it's difficult to see objects beyond three meters ahead.

Nevertheless, Qin Fang's equipment is always very complete, and he quickly took out a high-power flashlight, which allowed him to see a little of what's up ahead... at least he didn't have to worry about being swallowed by some monster unknowingly.

"Here..."

However, precisely because Qin Fang could see clearly, his expression gradually turned grim.

Though this cave is naturally formed, the things inside caused Qin Fang to take notice... They are almost all man-made, and the time spent must have been quite long, probably not less than a thousand years, perhaps several hundred years.

"The Xu Family has only been in Nanyang for just over a hundred years, how could they have such foundation?"

Such questions also surfaced in Qin Fang's mind... because the things left on the cave walls clearly predate the time the Xu Family entered Nanyang.

"So many sword marks... despite their old age, one can still sense strong sword intent from them!"

This was what Qin Fang discovered on these stone walls, a series of sword marks crisscrossed, appearing rather chaotic and disorderly... but Qin Fang could find some peculiarities within these chaotic sword marks.

The sword marks have been here for a long time, and each seems quite different, likely made by different people... As Qin Fang traversed, he saw at least two to three hundred sword marks.

This means that at least two to three hundred terrifyingly powerful sword cultivators left their marks on this stone wall...

"How could there be so many?"

Qin Fang also felt quite puzzled...

The Xu Family hasn't been here long, so it's unlikely they have produced so many sword cultivator experts... Based on the sword marks, even the sword cultivator elder Qin Fang saw prior would barely match up!

However, Qin Fang firmly believes that achieving the elder's power as a sword cultivator expert is extremely rare... The Xu Family would be lucky to find three or five over a century, let alone ten, which would be a miracle.

That still falls far short of the two to three hundred in front of him...

"Could this have once been the site of some sword cultivator sect?"

Suddenly, Qin Fang's mind stirred, and he immediately thought of a possibility, his face turning quite astonished.

To produce so many sword cultivator experts, and with this place existing for hundreds of years, Qin Fang's guess seems highly plausible... he even feels this could be the truth.

Though Xu Family Island is on Star Continent's territory, far from Dragon Country, in Dragon Country's ancient martial world, many powerful sects actually originated from the South Sea, which matches well with the location of Xu Family Island.

Though the strength of the South Sea is far below that of the Central Plains... it's not weak at all. In the flourishing era of martial arts, it's possible for a sect to accumulate two to three hundred sword cultivators!

Thinking of all this, Qin Fang's interest in this cave evidently increased...

"Xu family members are truly fortunate..."

The same time, Qin Fang also understood that in this age, there are still so many sword cultivators, and their cultivation could reach such heights... It must be due to the fortune brought by this place.

Qin Fang's footsteps did not halt because of this, he continued to advance into the depths of the cave, while his map kept detecting the surroundings... If his speculation is correct, this is surely a forbidden area for the Xu Family, not permitting outsiders to visit freely.

Once this forbidden area is exposed, conflict is inevitable...

Over on the little island, the discovery of a relic has already stirred up a storm of bloodshed, so it's not impossible for it to happen here too.

In order to conceal this secret, the Xu family members would spare no expense to "eliminate" Qin Fang, the outsider who discovered it...

"This is... the Sharpening Sword Stone!"

However, Qin Fang didn't really care about this... He even deliberately ignored the fact that the sniper led him here on purpose, continuing to stride deeper into the cave.

Soon, he discovered a very peculiar stone blocking his way... Under the light, Qin Fang saw characters carved with a sword: "Sharpening Sword Stone".

Aside from this, Qin Fang noticed that this stone was very special, with many sword marks left on it... But they seemed more like marks left by a longsword, making the name Sharpening Sword Stone quite fitting.

"Phew~~~ I wonder what's inside!"

The Sharpening Sword Stone, known for sharpening swords, yet when Qin Fang walked past it, he almost instantly felt an overwhelming Sword Intent rushing towards him... Compared to the restrained Sword Intent on the stone walls before, the Sword Intent on this sharpening stone was much more violent!

Buzzz~~~

Qin Fang's Flowing Shadow Divine Sword instantly came out, vibrating fiercely, facing the onslaught of Sword Intent...

The Sword Intent was like a mountain!

This was the first time Qin Fang felt the terror of Sword Intent... Sharp at times, heavy at others, sometimes nimble, and occasionally eerie, it almost instantly brought boundless threats to Qin Fang.

When Qin Fang completely fended off these Sword Intent assaults, the boundless Sword Intent gradually dissipated, retreating back into the Sharpening Sword Stone...

"Phew~~~ That was close!"

Only then did Qin Fang let out a long breath and bemoan the situation.

The Sword Intent just now, while not exceedingly terrifying in Attack Power, exerted immense pressure, and if one couldn't fend off such an assault, these Sword Intents could shred a person...

Not in the strict sense of bodily tearing, but mentally... To put it bluntly, it could turn one into an idiot!

Such Sword Intent attacks are geared towards those true sword cultivators...

For the average martial artist, trying to resist these Sword Intents with personal Martial Way consciousness is extremely tough, and a slight lapse could lead to disaster... and the likelihood isn't minor; the variations in Sword Intent far exceed typical martial arts, making defense even trickier.

Qin Fang is not solely a sword cultivator, though his weapon is a sword, it's merely that—a weapon, and he hasn't even learned a decent sword technique... All his combat depends on his Martial Way cultivation, responding to moves as they come.

Even so, Qin Fang managed to get through the Sword Intent massacre peacefully... thanks to his deep-seated strength as a foundation, otherwise, he might have suffered the same fate!

"Sword Intent... seems to have gained some insight!"

However, such a Sword Intent massacre is more than just a test, it's also an alternative form of enlightenment... Having experienced all this firsthand, Qin Fang couldn't help feeling a bit unfulfilled, as if he'd discovered something in the undercurrent, albeit hazy.

"Looks like coming here was a stroke of luck..."

Though Qin Fang stumbled upon this place by chance, the small rewards he gained made him feel the trip was worthwhile...

After a brief rest, Qin Fang promptly continued deeper into the cave... until he reached a gigantic stone door.

"This place, unexpectedly is... the Sword Tomb!"

Seeing this stone door, seeing the characters on the door... Qin Fang's eyes widened, full of deep disbelief.

For behind this stone door in front of Qin Fang lies the legendary... Sword Tomb.

The Sword Tomb, essentially the Tomb of Swords, or the Graveyard of Swords... this is almost the most crucial place for any sword cultivator sect, a repository of a sect's millennia of tradition.

Qin Fang once wondered about the strength of this sword cultivator sect, and upon seeing this Sword Tomb, he deeply revered it...

Gazing at the vast inside of this Sword Tomb after entering the stone door, Qin Fang's eyes practically popped out!

"Sword Tomb, Sword Tomb... Indeed, only places like this truly deserve the title of Sword Tomb!"

Even at this moment, Qin Fang couldn't help but voice such admiration.

Qin Fang had seen the Sword Forest of Master of Yijian Fu Cailin... but that was somewhat overrated, although there were many swords there, they were miles away in quality and quantity compared to this Sword Tomb, the disparity is as vast as between a phoenix and a wild chicken. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)