Chapter 2034 — Mystic Sword Tablet

When the spectators looked closely at Yuan’s appearance, many raised their eyebrows.

"Hey, isn’t that the Faceless Sword Emperor’s appearance?"

"Who is this guy, and why is he dressing up as one of the greatest Sword Emperors to ever exist?"

"Is he mocking the others or something? What a rude and disrespectful bastard!"

"People like him tend to come in last."

The spectators began cursing Yuan for his appearance.

"W-Wait a second! Look at his cultivation! He’s only at the peak of Immortal Ascension! He’s still a mortal!"

"What?! That’s impossible! He must be hiding his cultivation. There’s no way a mortal could comprehend Supreme Sword Aura, much less qualify for the Sword Emperor Qualifications."

Almost everybody there figured Yuan was hiding his cultivation with some kind of trick.

Senior Bai ignored the slight commotion and continued to speak.

"Now that all of the participants are here, allow me to explain the rules for the Sword Emperor Qualifications."

He gestured toward the standalone doors on the platform beneath them and continued, "I’ll keep things simple. Each door represents a trial. In order to be acknowledged as a Sword Emperor, you must pass all trials. Of course, this means more than one of you can become a Sword Emperor."

"However, there’ll also be a ranking depending on your results. Whoever comes in first place will be awarded a priceless and one-of-a-kind treasure that was recently discovered—the Mystic Sword Tablet, which was left behind by an unknown swordmaster who seemed to have glimpsed into a realm above Supreme Sword Aura!"

"What? Above Supreme Sword Aura?"

The spectators expressed disbelief after hearing this.

To satisfy the doubters, Senior Bai retrieved a fist-sized jade tablet bearing a small sword cut, seemingly unremarkable and unassuming at first glance. To the ordinary eye, it was nothing special. But to swordmasters who had reached a certain level of mastery, that tiny cut held an unfathomable secret—an imprint of sword intent so profound it defied comprehension.

"What the fuck is that?!" Sword Empress Huang exclaimed in a shocked voice after seeing the tablet, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Not only Sword Empress Huang, but every swordmaster present trembled with a mix of shock and excitement upon seeing the Mystic Sword Tablet, as none of them had ever witnessed anything like it.

To them, Supreme Sword Aura was the pinnacle of swordsmanship. The mere suggestion that a higher realm of mastery existed shattered their understanding and left them in awe.

After giving everyone a glimpse of the Mystic Sword Tablet, Senior Bai quickly stored it back inside his spatial ring.

"First place... I have to claim it," Tian Yuexing muttered, his eyes burning with determination and desire.

Around him, the other participants wore similar expressions—faces etched with ambition, each one ready to stake everything for the title.

Meanwhile, Yuan was looking at the notifications that had popped up before him when he glanced at the Mystic Sword Tablet.

’Flawless Sword Aura, huh?’ Yuan smiled inwardly.

"Where did you find something like that?" Tian Yuexing asked Senior Bai a question that was on everyone’s mind.

"I’m sorry, but that is not something I can disclose right now," said Senior Bai as he shook his head.

Although his answer left everyone disappointed, they understood why he’s keeping it a secret.

"Anyway, let’s return to the topic. I’m sure you already know this, but your life is not guaranteed during the Sword Emperor Qualifications, and participants have died while attempting the trials before."

"That said, we will provide you with a talisman that will take you out of the trial if you think you are unable to continue. Just know that using the talisman will automatically disqualify you."

Senior Bai retrieved a stack of black talismans and handed one to each participant.

"You can activate it by destroying it. None of the mechanisms in the trial will be able to touch the talisman, so you don’t have to worry about it being destroyed by accident."

"When the trial begins, you will all be transported to the same realm, but in different locations," Senior Bai explained. "There is a chance you may encounter other participants, but be warned—combat or intentional interference with others is strictly forbidden. Anyone caught doing so will be immediately disqualified. There will be tens of millions of pairs of eyes watching each of you, so don’t think you’ll be able to get away with it, either."

"Any questions so far?"

When no one spoke, Senior Bai continued, "One final note before we officially begin the Sword Emperor Qualifications: you are permitted to bring your own treasures into the trial. However, be aware—within the trial, all treasures will be automatically sealed, rendering them no more powerful than ordinary weapons."

"Now then... the Sword Emperor Qualifications will officially begin!"

The very next moment, one of the sealed doors opened, revealing a white portal within.

"You may enter."

Hearing this, the dozen participants flew into the portal one by one, disappearing into the trial.

Meanwhile, the projections above the island began displaying the situation inside the trial.

"Once again, good luck." Senior Bai said to Yuan before he left and entered the portal.

After stepping through the portal, Yuan found himself beneath a clear blue sky, standing on a wide dirt path flanked by dense tree lines on either side.

"Since they didn’t mention any details about the trial, I guess it’s for us to figure it out ourselves..." he mumbled as he began walking down the straight path.

After walking for a few minutes, he spotted a lone figure resting against a distant tree, seemingly lost in sleep.

Yuan focused on this individual, but he couldn’t see the man’s cultivation, almost as if he were an ordinary mortal. However, he also exuded a mysterious aura.

Moments later, Yuan continued walking again, only to stop again a few steps later when the man suddenly opened his eyes and slowly stood up.