Watching the dispute among the Elders, Venerable Fang Hong quickly made a decision and said slowly, "The opinions of all the Elders have their merits. However, as the upper echelon of the Sect, we must consider the overall interests of the Sect."

Venerable Fang Hong paused and continued, "Elder Li’s influence within the Sword Tower is indeed too great. His presence has caused many young disciples to lose the courage to challenge, which is undoubtedly a huge blow to the younger generation of the Sect. Their spirit of competition and determination for honing themselves are overshadowed by Elder Li’s brilliance, which is an issue that cannot be ignored. Sending Sword Master Ling Feng to persuade him is a method worth trying. Of course, we must also respect the rules of the Sword Tower. If Elder Li is unwilling to give up ascending and choose to continue defending, we cannot force him."

Upon hearing this, the Elders all nodded in agreement, considering the overall interests of the Sect. Although this move might be somewhat inappropriate, it could quickly resolve the current predicament.

Soon, at the Celestial Sword Peak, the first chief disciple, Ling Feng, received the order and emerged, tasked with entering the Sword Tower to persuade Li Mu. He donned a white robe, carried a long sword on his back, and gracefully flew in, striding resolutely into the Sword Tower.

The news quickly spread around the Sword Tower.

The chief disciple of Celestial Sword Peak, Ling Feng of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect, the Thirteen Swordsmen himself, is preparing to enter the Sword Tower for a challenge once again. As soon as this news spread, it immediately attracted the attention of a large number of disciples,

The disciples who heard the news gathered under the Sword Tower’s battle rankings, discussing and constantly monitoring the developments of this battle.

Some disciples were delighted and hopeful that Sword Master Ling Feng could break Elder Li’s long-standing dominance and revive the spirit of fair competition in the Sword Tower; others worried that Sword Master Ling Feng might also find it difficult to shake Elder Li’s position and fail the challenge.

Outside the Sword Tower, the crowd gathered like a tide, with continuous discussions surging like ocean waves.

"I heard that Senior Brother Ling has been in retreat for a long time, and this time he emerged specifically to challenge Elder Li," a disciple said excitedly, his eyes shining with expectation.

"Yes, last time Senior Brother Ling climbed the ranks, he seemed to enter the top thirty, and this time, he must be aiming for the top." Another disciple chimed in, his tone full of admiration and trust in Ling Feng.

However, some disciples had a different view, cautioning, "Elder Li has defended the platform for two years, invincible, even Sword Son Changming of Supreme Profound Peak was defeated. This time, even if Senior Brother Ling takes action, he might not be able to break this stalemate!"

"Indeed, Elder Li’s strength is unfathomable, defeating him won’t be an easy task," another disciple echoed, a worried look in his eyes.

Around the Sword Tower’s battle rankings, hundreds to thousands of disciples gathered swiftly upon hearing the news, surrounding the rankings and continuously discussing, creating a lively scene.

For the past two years, the Sect’s elites defeated by Li Mu’s sword were countless. Whether their swordsmanship was superb or their talent extraordinary, without exception, they couldn’t shake Li Mu’s position. Even those disciples gifted and acclaimed as Sword Sons fell during challenges against Li Mu, unable to break his undefeated myth.

For those who wanted to defeat Li Mu and gain the qualification to challenge higher levels of the Sword Tower, their numbers have nearly vanished in the past two years due to the ’roadblock’ presence, resulting in fewer challengers entering the Sword Tower.

Soon, the real-time battle status of Ling Feng appeared on the Sword Tower’s battle rankings.

Ling Feng sang all the way through, continuously ’slashing down’ ten Sword Competitors in succession, successfully achieving ten consecutive victories and earning the qualification to challenge the master of the hundred-layer Sword Tower.

In the 100-layer Sword Tower Space, Li Mu sat cross-legged, his mind focused on the Celestial Puppet Heart Palace trial.

It wasn’t until the Token on his body buzzed continuously, reminding him, that Li Mu returned to his senses, withdrawing his Divine Sense from the Celestial Puppet Celestial Palace trial, becoming alert again.

"Elder Li, you really have the leisure!"

Just as Li Mu withdrew his mind and prepared to check the Token, a playful voice suddenly sounded in the Sword Tower Space.

Li Mu looked up to see a white-robed youth appearing out of nowhere in the Sword Tower Space, floating in mid-air, smiling at him.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting," Li Mu’s voice carried a hint of apology. As the defender of the Sword Tower, he needed to be ready to accept challenges at any moment, but he had been fully immersed in the Celestial Puppet Heart Palace trial earlier, slightly distracted.

"It’s our first meeting, Elder Li; you probably don’t know me—Ling Feng of Celestial Sword Peak." The white-robed youth elegantly walked up to Li Mu, gracefully saluted with his sword, and introduced himself.

Li Mu nodded, a friendly smile on his face, returning the salute with his sword, "Li Mu of the Seven Gods Peaks! A pleasure to meet you."

Ling Feng nodded, looking at Li Mu and smiling, saying, "Elder Li, may I first speak a word before we begin?"

"Hmm! Please speak!" Li Mu happily nodded.

"Elder Li, you have been the master of the hundred-layer Sword Tower for two years now, during which you have accepted numerous challenges from our Sect’s elite disciples. Based on your performance and strength, you should be able to defend a platform in the Sword Tower’s tenth layer; yet, you occupy the hundred-layer Sword Tower, which has hints of monopolizing. This oppresses many elite disciples of the Sect, preventing them from challenging freely, violating the spirit of fair competition in the Sword Tower, and significantly affecting the Sect’s disciples."

Li Mu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, though his heart remained calm. Smiling lightly, he said, "Fellow Daoist Ling Feng, I naturally understand what you’re saying. However, this Sword Tower arena is a place where the strong are respected. I’ve occupied this level as the master, having undergone numerous battles, defeating countless challengers to succeed in remaining here. As for suppressing the Sect’s disciples, I did not intend it to be so; it is merely that they lacked the strength to defeat me."

"As for defending a platform on the tenth layer of the Sword Tower, I have never attempted such a challenge. However, I am not seeking comfort; I merely wish to spar with more disciples here, learning and growing together. If a stronger disciple would defeat me, I would naturally yield my position as master of the platform."

Pausing here, Li Mu looked directly into Ling Feng’s eyes and defended, "Moreover, my occupation of this master position in the hundred-layer Sword Tower has not been without contribution. During this time, I have also guided many challengers, competing and verifying against each other, enhancing Sword Dao Cultivation together; hence, what you call monopolizing doesn’t hold."

Listening to Li Mu, a hint of a peculiar expression flashed in Ling Feng’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Li Mu to face the challenge with such frankness and even eloquently make a reasoned argument. Ling Feng couldn’t help but admire Li Mu’s demeanor and magnanimity.

"Elder Li is absolutely right, I am enlightened," Ling Feng bowed with a smile.

There was no point in arguing with Li Mu over this matter; he merely needed to convey the Peak Master’s intention to the other party.

Turning the topic, Ling Feng smiled at Li Mu and gestured with his sword, saying, "Today, I enter the Sword Tower not to criticize Elder Li but to convey the concerns of the Celestial Sword Peak’s Peak Master and the other senior members. The main purpose is to challenge Elder Li, hoping to spar with you on the Sword Dao."

Upon hearing this, Li Mu was slightly taken aback, seriously contemplating, and immediately grasped the deeper meaning in Ling Feng’s words. It seemed he should perhaps moderate his continued defense of the hundred-layer Sword Tower.

"Since it is the will of the Celestial Sword Peak’s Peak Master and the Elders, I will naturally keep it in mind," Li Mu nodded at Ling Feng in response and then gestured with his sword, "I also look forward to sparring with Fellow Daoist Ling."

With that, Li Mu leaped onto the platform, signaling to Ling Feng, "Fellow Daoist Ling, please!"

Seeing this, Ling Feng smiled slightly, gracefully landing on the platform, standing opposite Li Mu. The atmosphere between the two instantly became tense, as if an invisible Sword Qi was spreading between them.

"Elder Li, pardon my offense!" Ling Feng said with a fist salute, and before his voice faded, he moved, transforming into a Sword Light, rushing toward Li Mu.

Li Mu, not underestimating, swiftly dodged Ling Feng’s attack. At the same time, his long sword transformed into a Sword Aura, slashing toward Ling Feng.

The battle between the two erupted instantly.

Sword Qi surged, Sword Light flickered, and the entire Sword Tower Space quickly filled with their Sword Qi.