The Female CEO's Personal Bodyguard

Chapter 1361: Chapter 1361: Remember, You Only Have One Chance!

Asking me to return?

Surprised joy welled up in Carson Flores’s heart. Although he maintained a resolute mindset towards the Heavenly Sword Inheritance—fortunate if received, fated if not—he still yearned to obtain it if possible.

The reason he spoke so openly was firstly that it was uncertain whether the heritage lay down the stone steps or if it was merely a trial. Even if it was the inheritance, Carson did not believe he could stealthily steal it away.

Besides, the inheritance belonged to the White Crane Immortal Sect. Not having agreed to join, it was only fair and reasonable if they disagreed.

He couldn’t possibly resort to robbing, could he?

With his modest strength, anyone who came forth could erase him in an instant.

Carson soared back to Franklin Austin’s side.

Franklin Austin asked, ”If you obtain the Heavenly Sword Inheritance, are you willing to join the White Crane Immortal Sect and become part of the Heavenly Sword Peak?”

Without hesitation, Carson replied, ”Upon inheriting, I shall bear the responsibilities.”

Franklin Austin, with his hands clasped behind his back, sighed softly, ”The White Crane Immortal Sect was once glorious, but began to wane after the death of the previous Sect Master and the departure of the owner.”

”Today, the overall strength of the White Crane Immortal Sect isn’t weak, yet it lacks a banner, a banner powerful enough to deter others. Initially, it was the previous Sect Master, followed by the owner, but after the owner’s departure, no one could hold up that banner.”

”Before leaving, the owner mentioned he had left behind the Heavenly Sword Inheritance. The Sect viewed this as an opportunity to shine again. However, no one anticipated that after thousands of years, no one could receive this inheritance.”

Carson asked in surprise, ”With so many outstanding disciples in the White Crane Immortal Sect, if you give them some hints, couldn’t they find it?”

Franklin Austin replied, ”Before the owner left, he mentioned only the existence of the inheritance but not its location. For thousands of years, I have been searching, scouring every inch of this mountain, only to have vaguely identified these stone steps.”

”I can sense the extraordinary Sword Intent from these stone steps, but I cannot discern its strength, nor can I determine its direction. On this matter, you surpass me.”

Carson’s eyes widened, ”I thought the senior would know.”

Franklin Austin shook his head, but offered no further explanation, merely pointing at the stone steps below, ”If you are certain it is here, you may dig it up and see what lies beneath. But I must warn you, you only have one chance.”

Carson blinked, ”One chance?”

”Yes.”

Franklin Austin answered, ”The owner once said that each person only gets one chance. If you find it, it means you are destined. If not, it means you are not. The Heavenly Sword Inheritance chooses its inheritor; it cannot be attained by guessing.”

Carson then understood that this was a trial – at its simplest, it tested one’s sensitivity to Sword Intent. Those who could attain this must either possess profound knowledge in the Sword Dao or extraordinary talent in this area.

Apart from this stringent test, there were softer trials involving luck, personality, and other aspects.

Who would pay attention to the inconspicuous stone steps up the mountain?

Who would earnestly ascend step by step for three or four hours?

Carson confirmed, ”May I dig?”

Franklin Austin responded, ”You may. Actually, I am curious about what’s hidden beneath.”

Carson curiously asked, ”Senior, since you have been looking for the inheritance, why haven’t you...”

Franklin Austin shook his head, ”I am of meager talent, unable to learn the Heavenly Sword. The owner once taught me a move, which I have contemplated for thousands of years without mastery. What use would the Heavenly Sword Inheritance be to me?”

”The owner granted me a lifespan of ten thousand years. With my weak power, unable to follow the owner, I stayed to guard and seek an inheritor of exceptional talent.”

”If you attain the inheritance, my mission will be completed, and I will not have failed the owner’s nurturing grace.”

At this point, Carson completely understood. He looked down at the step and closed his eyes again.

One chance, success is the only option, failure is not.

Carson must accurately determine the converging point of the Sword Intent within these ten thousand-plus stone steps.

This time, Carson unleashed his full strength and opened all his senses. The faint traces of Sword Intent became increasingly distinct.

This is not one sword!

This is two swords!

One sword fell from above, cleaving down onto the steps. The steps did not shatter, but the Sword Intent of this strike was deeply ”infused” into the steps.

The second sword, likewise, changed direction from below to above. These two strikes, their Sword Intent extending, finally meet at a juncture.

This crossing point is where the Sword Intent is the strongest!

This crossing point is the marker!

Carson opened his eyes, his gaze settling on a point ahead. He threw a punch, clean and decisive.

Though the force of the punch was not immense, the steps could not withstand it.

The stone step crumbled with a crash.

As the step broke apart, so did a hidden Formation beneath it. A Jade Pendant lay within the Formation, inscribed with Runes.

The Jade Pendant floated up, gradually emitting a gentle white glow. Then the light flickered, and the pendant shattered.

Instinctively, Carson closed his eyes. When he opened them again, a man stood before him, scrutinizing him with an evaluating gaze.