The venerable old master, who had ruled over the Martial Emperor City for eighty years, gazed at the Da Liang Long Que, a legendary sword from the Wu family’s sword tomb, and nodded approvingly. It was self-evident that merely wielding this blade granted one the qualification to challenge Wang Xianzhi himself.
Jiang Ni bit her lip. To claim she felt no anxiety whatsoever would have been self-deception. She could afford to disregard the old master known as the “Sheepskin Cloak” Li, because that elderly mentor, who had taught her calligraphy but not swordsmanship, bore no trace of an expert’s arrogance—seeming instead like a senile old man fond of boasting. She could remain unafraid of Cao Changqing, because in her heart, he had always been the gentle and affectionate Uncle Cao, the Go master she had often seen in the Western Chu imperial palace during her childhood. As for Cao’s fabled martial cultivation prowess—his mastery of celestial phenomena—she regarded it rather lightly. But Wang Xianzhi was different. Even within the gilded cage of the cold northern lands of Bei Liang, she had heard tales of how this old eccentric had crushed the heroes of the world, how he mocked the entire martial world by claiming himself the second strongest, leaving no one daring to call themselves the strongest. He had broken Mu Ma Niu, defeated Deng Tai’a, defeated Cao Changqing, defeated Gu Jiantang—every expert ranked on the martial evaluation list from the Liyang realm had fallen to this old man who had never left the city. Wang the old eccentric had become a whetstone for the entire martial world. No matter how sharp one’s blade, one had to go to the Martial Emperor City in the East Sea to be honed before gaining recognition. Countless martial elites had dreamed of battling Wang the old eccentric—even if they lost in a single move, they would consider it an honor. The most terrifying aspect was that during Wang Xianzhi’s century, the martial world had seen towering peaks and countless prodigies emerging one after another, far surpassing any previous hundred-year period. Yet Wang Xianzhi remained unshaken, riding alone at the forefront. Universally acknowledged, only Qi Xuanzhen from the Zhan Mo Platform sixty years ago could rival him. Unfortunately, after Qi Xuanzhen, the Daoist sect had produced another immortal, Hong Xixiang, who had entered the martial world only to depart shortly thereafter. Thus, Wang Xianzhi remained the undisputed unrivaled champion. Even the highly discerning Li Chun’gang admitted that even if he regained his Sword Immortal state, he still could not defeat the old eccentric Wang. He even elevated Wang Xianzhi to the level of being capable of challenging Lü Zu himself.
Jiang Ni hesitated for a moment before saying, “Master Wang, Uncle Cao said you are going to kill Xu Fengnian.”
Wang Xianzhi’s voice was loud and steady as he replied indifferently, “This old man made a vow with the previous emperor of Liyang. During my lifetime, no matter whether Prince Jing’an Zhao Heng succeeds in seizing the throne, I must ensure that his lineage enjoys honor and prosperity. Zhao Heng’s death is closely tied to Bei Liang. However, I have not stooped so low as to relentlessly pursue a junior generation cultivator. Otherwise, when the heir of Bei Liang, Xu Fengnian, ascended the building with a bowl in hand, even with Deng Tai’a personally guarding him, it would not have been so easy. This time, I have left the city because I heard that Xu Fengnian summoned the manifestation of the True Martial Emperor at the Spring Spirit Lake, and a reclusive Daoist sage left his body to deliver a secret decree to the Martial Emperor City. This old man has always considered it a great regret never to have fought Qi Xuanzhen. Now, this seems like a perfect opportunity to witness the grace of a celestial being.”
Jiang Ni hesitated, as if wanting to say something else. Wang Xianzhi smiled faintly and kindly said, “This old man knows your true name is Jiang Si, and you are the fallen princess of Western Chu. You carry a great destiny, one that began with the Qin Dynasty and ended with Western Chu. Your innate talent is also exceptional, and you have Li Chun’gang guiding you in the sword path, while Cao Changqing spares no effort in cultivating your realm. Thus, you have become the magnificent sight of a woman wielding a sword, a rarity in the martial world. This old man has guarded the Martial Emperor City for many years, and aside from those who seek death without attachments, I have never destroyed a promising talent. Cao Changqing dares to let you stand alone in my path precisely because he knows I won’t harm you. Let me speak plainly—my current achievements owe much to Li Chun’gang, who allowed me to break his treasured sword, Mu Ma Niu, even at the cost of his reputation. Moreover, my initial step into the martial world was inspired by Li Chun’gang’s famed sword elegance. Jiang Si, since you are his disciple, I assure you I will not harm your life or hinder your cultivation. You may rest assured. However, this old man is not blind. I can see that your foundation is unstable. Before reaching the realm of a land immortal, each use of a Celestial Sword technique will cost you years of life. Therefore, I advise you: if you know you cannot stop me, do not engage in reckless battles. This old man has watched the martial world for over eighty years in the East Sea, yet only encountered one female sword immortal, Wu Su. I truly hope you do not perish before reaching your full potential.”
Jiang Ni shook her head.
Wang Xianzhi smiled, “This old man never forces others. The reason I speak so much is largely due to your connection with Li Chun’gang. If you were to retreat without even drawing your sword, you would surely feel discontent, which would hinder your sword cultivation.”
Jiang Ni replied earnestly, “I have two swords.”
Wang Xianzhi burst into laughter. Who in the world dared to haggle with him? He declared loudly, “Two swords are fine. Let this old man see whether the disciple of Li Chun’gang and Cao Changqing, wielding the Da Liang Long Que, will disappoint me.”
Jiang Ni replied solemnly, “Uncle Cao secretly took me to the Wu family’s sword tomb and the Eastern Yue sword pool within the past year. I ascended the sword mountain of the Wu family, where countless legendary swords were embedded, and I also saw the deep pond concealing tens of thousands of ancient swords.”
With his vast experience, Wang Xianzhi pondered briefly and immediately grasped the truth, “Ah, the superior sword path of observing a thousand swords to recognize the true one. Cao the Grand Master’s vision has always been rare. The sword path he taught you must be exceptional.”
Jiang Ni shook her head, “Initially, Uncle Cao had that intention, but I inadvertently triggered two hidden energies and accidentally stumbled upon a different sword technique. However, it is still in its infancy. Uncle Cao said this technique grows stronger against stronger opponents. If the opponent were not you, Master Wang, but someone ordinary, it wouldn’t be so formidable.”
Wang Xianzhi chuckled, “Little girl, you needn’t explain so thoroughly to this old man. I wish someone could wound me gravely.”
When Wang Xianzhi said this, he bore no trace of arrogance or pretense—it was simply a natural truth.
Jiang Ni blushed slightly and nodded.
Jiang Ni slowly closed her eyes, and her hands, stacked atop the Da Liang Long Que’s hilt, rose slightly. The famed sword displayed the posture of leaving its scabbard.
Wang Xianzhi gazed upward and nodded, praising, “Interesting.”
Jiang Ni, who had just raised her hands, suddenly pressed downward, returning the Da Liang Long Que to its sheath. She softly cried, “Place the piece!”
Where was the Go board? On what board was she placing the piece? And what was the piece itself?
The tall, imposing old man’s expression remained calm, but his eyes flickered with surprise. He had underestimated this girl. To him, the initial sword drawing and sheathing were mere trivialities, but what followed would carry great significance.
The clear sky stretched for ten thousand miles, yet in an instant, it was sliced into countless Ravines and Gorges.
Sword Qi!
Thousands upon thousands of razor-sharp sword qi raged across the heavens.
Two mighty waves of sword qi—one from the Wu family’s sword tomb, the other from the Eastern Yue sword pool—drew the Go board like black and white threads. Using sword qi as lines and the clouds as the board, it was a grand and sweeping gesture!
In an instant, Wang Xianzhi understood the subtlety. The girl’s words about the technique growing stronger against stronger opponents were no exaggeration. Because her opponent was Wang Xianzhi himself, the sword qi drawn from the sword tomb and sword pool surged forth with such speed and density! Wang Xianzhi’s smile deepened. Indeed, she was an honest and endearing girl—no wonder Li Chun’gang held her in such high esteem. As Jiang Ni cried, “Place the piece!” the sword qi in the sky poured down like a rainstorm. Yet it did not fall chaotically—it all aimed directly at Wang Xianzhi alone, forming a magnificent terrestrial whirlwind. Wang Xianzhi stood unmoving, allowing the sword qi to descend upon him. Yet each strand of qi shattered several zhang above his head. When the last strand of sword qi dissipated, it had barely reached a zhang above his head. The old man in hemp shoes and robes remained motionless throughout, relying solely on his immense, outwardly radiating martial aura to withstand all the ancient sword qi that had traveled thousands of miles.
Wang Xianzhi gazed at the pale-faced young woman and said calmly, “Indeed, it is still in its infancy. This old man eagerly awaits the day you summon two entire mountains of swords like a swarm of locusts.”
In his heart, Wang Xianzhi marveled—this woman was beginning to show signs of becoming the sovereign of all legendary swords.
How many years had passed since he last felt the awe of a younger generation?
Wang Xianzhi spoke gravely, “Jiang Si, this old man is very curious about your second sword.”
※※※
Xu Fengnian’s originally slightly effeminate phoenix eyes turned a strange golden hue, and suddenly, his entire demeanor exuded the aura of a supreme ruler. He reached out and grasped the unstable Luo Yang, smiling faintly, “As long as I do not die, and I refuse to let you leave, where can you possibly go? Eight hundred years ago, a fangshi who had sailed overseas to seek immortals had already obtained an elixir of immortality, but you secretly destroyed it. Did you think I didn’t know? I simply chose not to hold it against you.”
After speaking, he ignored Luo Yang’s stunned expression and turned his head toward the The Crimson Robe of Shadows on the wall, shaking his head. The latter instantly fell silent.
Xu Fengnian pressed one hand to his forehead, closed his eyes, then opened them again, his thoughts now clear. He smiled and murmured a contradictory phrase, “I am indeed truly myself. Everything flows from the same source, unable to escape the fate of a lonely sovereign. After one incense stick’s time, will I still be myself? Will you still be yourself?”
He pulled the weeping and laughing Luo Yang onto his back and then strode forward, chasing after Liu Haoshi, who had already begun to flee upon sensing trouble. It seemed as though only a few blinks had passed before he caught up to the so-called Follower of Heaven who had remained in the realm for fifty years—the Follower of the Zhao household. Xu Fengnian ran nearly side by side with him, smiling, “Liu Haoshi, you were quite impressive with those three questions earlier.”
Liu Haoshi instantly darted sideways for over ten zhang, his voice filled with terror and fury, “Who exactly are you?!”
Xu Fengnian’s golden eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled, “The capital of your ancestral homeland, ruled by the old Liu patriarch, was pierced into a hedgehog by the Qin Dynasty’s crossbows. Not a single Qin soldier perished while annihilating your entire nation.”
Liu Haoshi, furious to the point of laughter, shouted, “Xu Fengnian, have you gone mad?!”
The reason martial artists show respect to monks, nuns, and Daoist priestesses is due to their fear of “unfamiliar hands.” It is the same principle as fearing a new sword when facing a swordsman. Unless one is a martial expert ranked on the evaluation list, no one dares to claim they will never stumble in shallow waters. Liu Haoshi had guarded the imperial palace for sixty years, reading countless martial secrets. One could say he was a frog in a well, but that well itself was nearly as vast as the heavens and earth. Liu Haoshi had witnessed too many techniques worthy of being called brilliant. He never allowed himself to become conceited merely because he had lingered in the Follower of Heaven realm for decades. That year, when the young Daoist patriarch of Wudang entered the Taian City as if it were empty, he and Han Diaosi had merely observed from afar, weighing their options until they had no desire to intervene at all. This year, Longhu Mountain had produced another prodigy, Zhao Ningshen, said to be the reincarnation of their first patriarch, and even he had troubled Liu Haoshi. However, Liu Haoshi’s cautious nature did not mean this aged Follower of Heaven was a soft target. Killing a top-tier expert who did not wish to fight was always as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
Liu Haoshi returned empty-handed, merely feeling humiliated, thinking that Xu Fengnian was surprisingly familiar with unorthodox techniques, making him a tough opponent.
Xu Fengnian clung to him like a parasite, never allowing Liu Haoshi to widen the distance, smiling as he asked, “They say those with superior skills are bold. Why is a Follower of Heaven like you so timid?”
The sky, originally clear and blue, first gathered clouds, then turned dark with thick storm clouds.
Liu Haoshi continued his long leaps without speaking.
Xu Fengnian glanced at the sky and halted his steps.
The previously fleeing Liu Haoshi also stopped, his face dark and sinister, “I’ve heard of a sword formation called the Thunder Pool, but how could it compare to the real Thunder Pool? Against a fiend like you, I must use the proper remedy!”
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