From Senior Disciple Jin's words, Meng Fan gleaned a piece of information that would prove useful in the future.
That is, within the Demon Locking Tower, there were sealed Demon Swords and other such weapons.
These Sword Weapons were undoubtedly extremely powerful and terrifying.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been sealed within the Demon Locking Tower.
When Meng Fan grew stronger, after he had exploited all the resources of the Sword Pavilion, perhaps he could consider challenging the Demon Locking Tower.
But this was not something to consider in the short term; it was a matter to be measured in years.
Meng Fan felt that if he could freely enter the Demon Locking Tower in ten years, it would be quite an achievement.
To this, one could only say that he underestimated himself!
"Senior Disciple Jin, is the Clan Master of the Ghost King Sect so confident that he dares to invade the Shu Mountain Sword Sect's Demon Locking Tower alone?" Meng Fan asked curiously.
The Clan Master of the Ghost King Sect was undoubtedly strong, that was certain.
But no matter how strong, he couldn't possibly be stronger than the entire Shu Mountain Sword Sect. At least, Meng Fan believed that the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain was definitely not weaker than the Clan Master of the Ghost King Sect.
Plus, with the other members of Shu Mountain, what made the Clan Master of the Ghost King Sect so arrogant and presumptuous to invade the Shu Mountain Sword Sect alone?
Senior Disciple Jin shook his head helplessly, "He just wants to challenge the Demon Locking Tower, not to declare war on behalf of the Ghost King Sect against the Shu Mountain Sword Sect!
Moreover, he issued a challenge openly. Our Shu Mountain Sword Sect is a reputable sect; we can't just gang up and attack him, can we?
As long as he can pass the Sect Leader's test, he has a chance to enter the Demon Locking Tower.
Whether he can come out alive from the Demon Locking Tower, that's another story!"
This statement was actually quite reasonable.
If the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain were to invade the Ghost King Sect, he might indeed be attacked en masse and pulverized into dust.
But the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, being one of the leaders of the Righteous Path, wouldn't do such a thing.
There's no choice, one must maintain face and magnanimity!
Sometimes, the actions of those on the Righteous Path are indeed a bit overly cautious, lacking the carefree ease of those on the Demonic Path.
"What do you mean by 'whether he can come out alive from the Demon Locking Tower is uncertain'? Is the danger inside the Demon Locking Tower greater than the Sect Leader?" Meng Fan frowned slightly, somewhat surprised.
In his view, the Sect Leader should be the strongest existence within the Shu Mountain Sword Sect.
Even if there were dangers inside the Demon Locking Tower, they couldn't possibly be stronger than the Sect Leader.
Senior Disciple Jin shook his head, "The situation inside the Demon Locking Tower is much more complicated than you imagine!"
Meng Fan couldn't help but smile wryly. Senior Disciple Jin's serious demeanor made it seem as if he had been inside the Demon Locking Tower himself.
However, Meng Fan really didn't know the realm of Senior Disciple Jin.
Previously, he instinctively felt that Senior Disciple Jin was stronger than Senior Disciple Luo, but how much stronger was still a mystery.
Meng Fan's realm had completely caught up with Senior Disciple Luo, but looking at Senior Disciple Jin, he still couldn't see the depth.
Thinking this, Meng Fan directly asked, "Senior Disciple Jin, what realm are you in now?"
There was no need for any subterfuge when chatting with Senior Disciple Jin; just ask whatever you want to know.
If Senior Disciple Jin wants to tell you, he'll tell you directly.
If he doesn't want to tell you, then there's nothing you can do!
Then, Senior Disciple Jin obviously didn't want to tell Meng Fan, he simply replied noncommittally, "Anyway, stronger than you."
With that response from Senior Disciple Jin, Meng Fan understood that he wouldn't get an answer.
"Alright, we'll talk another time. I'm going to find Elder Wang." Meng Fan waved to Senior Disciple Jin and prepared to look for Elder Wang.
As for the matter of the Ghost King Sect's Clan Master, he didn't take it to heart at all.
Such matters probably didn't even require his Master's attention, let alone his own.
***
On the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion, Meng Fan found Elder Wang.
Elder Wang showed a hint of a smile upon seeing Meng Fan.
Although Meng Fan was not his direct disciple, he had a good relationship with Elder Lin and highly valued Meng Fan. He had been taking good care of Meng Fan for some time, and the more he saw of him, the more he liked him.
"What brings you here again, lad? Haven't I told you that I don't have the authority to let you into the fifth floor of the Scripture Pavilion unless the Sect Leader permits it? If you really want to enter the fifth floor of the Scripture Pavilion, you'll have to find the Sect Leader!"
Elder Wang thought Meng Fan was trying his luck again, hoping to gain access to the fifth floor of the Scripture Pavilion, so he said as much.
Hearing this, Meng Fan felt somewhat helpless.
Ever since he joined the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, he had never once met the Sect Leader.
The Sect Leader was elusive, and Meng Fan was self-aware.
However, his visit to the Scripture Pavilion today was not for the fifth floor!
"Elder Wang, let's talk over here." Meng Fan said to Elder Wang with a somewhat complex expression.
"What's the matter?" Elder Wang looked at Meng Fan with surprise, sensing that Meng Fan's mood was off.
Meng Fan then led Elder Wang away from the Scripture Pavilion to a quiet, uninhabited place, a bamboo grove on the back mountain.
"What's with all the secrecy, lad? What are you up to?" Elder Wang asked Meng Fan, looking exasperated.
Meng Fan sighed and took out two small stools from his storage ring, placing them on the ground.
They each took a seat.
"Elder Wang, please prepare yourself. What I'm about to say may cause you to lose your composure. You must stay calm," Meng Fan said earnestly.
Elder Wang rolled his eyes, "Out with it!"
Seeing Elder Wang's attitude, Meng Fan sighed again.
Once he told Elder Wang the news, Elder Wang might not maintain such a relaxed demeanor.
But Meng Fan didn't hesitate; having decided to tell Elder Wang, he wouldn't waver.
Because if he were in Elder Wang's shoes, he would definitely want to know this news.
Blood debts must be paid in blood!
Meng Fan took out a sword from his storage ring.
The Compassionate Heart Sword!
He had brought this sword out from the Sword Pavilion.
"Elder Wang, you surely haven't forgotten this sword, have you?" Meng Fan handed the long sword to Elder Wang.
Elder Wang did not take the sword; he had sworn that until he avenged his child, he would not touch the Compassionate Heart Sword again.
He frowned at Meng Fan, his expression full of confusion.
"What do you mean by this?"
Meng Fan said helplessly, "I know this sword is yours."
Elder Wang shook his head.
"This sword was indeed mine, but it's not anymore. I don't know where you learned about the connection between this sword and me, but now it doesn't belong to me. Put it back in the Sword Pavilion."
Hearing Elder Wang's words, Meng Fan still maintained the gesture of offering the Compassionate Heart Sword, without retracting it.
"Elder Wang, I know why you won't take this sword. But now, you can take it back."
Meng Fan looked directly at Elder Wang, his voice laden with complexity, "Because I know who killed your wife and child!"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan