Chapter 151: The Decade-long Pact, Shaking The World With Might
At this moment, True Martial Mountain was in a state of complete uproar.
With Heavenly Sword True Person’s departure, the crowd finally began to release the cheers they had suppressed for a long time. The disciples of True Martial Sect had fanatical expressions on their faces; this battle had truly ignited their blood.
The power of the Blade Demon had already left them with lingering fear; such a demonic blade was simply not of this world, but Heavenly Sword True Person was even superior.
Especially among the many seedlings newly joined to the sect, each one secretly resolved to become as powerful an existence as Heavenly Sword True Person in the future.
Sometimes.
Martial Way talent is not the most crucial factor.
After talent, perseverance and temperament are even more important. A good goal and role model can benefit one for a lifetime, providing strength when facing difficulties. And now, Heavenly Sword True Person had undoubtedly become such an existence in the hearts of many True Martial disciples.
Luo Wentian was filled with emotion.
He exchanged a silent glance with his Master, seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.
Only the two of them knew that the dignified Heavenly Sword True Person was currently only eleven years old.
Their trust in Ning Qi became even more resolute.
Besides the many disciples of True Martial Sect, the martial artists who had traveled thousands of miles to witness the battle were also extremely excited, feeling that the trip was worthwhile and that their long wait here had not been in vain.
“It’s truly hard to imagine Heavenly Sword True Person being so powerful. I originally thought True Martial Sect would benefit from the Prince’s influence, but now it seems the Prince might benefit from True Martial Sect’s influence one day.” Chen Xing and Chen Yue both sighed.
Heavenly Sword True Person had refreshed their understanding time and again. They were genuinely happy that their young master had found such a good sect.
Sun Chasing Sword King quietly said to a few disciples of the Setting Sun Sword Sect nearby:
“You all return first; I will reside in True Martial City for a period.”
After personally witnessing Heavenly Sword True Person’s peerless Sword Dao, he was itching to comprehend the Sword Stele here for some time.
The disciples of the Setting Sun Sword Sect showed difficulty on their faces:
“Old Ancestor, this…”
Sun Chasing Sword King frowned and coldly reprimanded:
“What? Do I not even have the right to act freely anymore?”
The crowd quickly and fearfully replied:
“Old Ancestor, we dare not. It’s just… we also wish to stay here for a while longer…”
Sun Chasing Sword King was stunned, then chuckled and waved his hand.
Such scenes were visible everywhere.
Many peerless experts, whether hiding their identities or openly displaying them, mostly planned to stay in True Martial City for a period. Both the True Martial Sword Stele and the Myriad Dao Tower would welcome a surge of activity.
Everyone sighed with emotion:
“When we came, no one probably expected Heavenly Sword True Person to win so decisively. The Blade Demon’s strength was not exaggerated at all, only that Heavenly Sword True Person was stronger. He is almost the strongest being below Martial Saint. Such strength, perhaps even Listening Wind Elder, the number one on the Heavenly Human Ranking, might not be his opponent.”
“Even in defeat, the Blade Demon is glorious. Although he failed to break through to the Martial Saint realm, he has provided a direction for future generations. Such existences have been very few for such a long time.”
“After being defeated by Heavenly Sword True Person this time, I wonder if we will see the Blade Demon again.”
Sighs were heard everywhere. If the Blade Demon were to disappear from now on, it would truly be a great loss to the Martial World.
While everyone was discussing.
Ning Qi remained calm and undisturbed. However, he also felt that it would be a pity if the Blade Demon were to disappear like he did twenty years ago. His eyes flashed, and he made a decision.
…
The disheveled old man walked barefoot in the mountain forest.
The Blade Demon left True Martial Mountain, walking aimlessly. He looked up at the sky, his dark pupils filled with confusion.
He failed to break through, and his remaining lifespan was only about a hundred years. What should he do next?
In an instant, he lost his goal.
His Blade Dao had already reached the Supreme Realm. Progressing further would also require a long accumulation of time, and the difficulty would be no less than stepping into the Martial Saint Realm.
With only a hundred years left, he didn’t know what to do.
Or rather, whatever he did seemed meaningless.
Because success was destined to be impossible.
Even with the Blade Demon’s temperament, he felt a sense of despair at this moment. This failure to break through had shaken and cast doubt on his Martial Dao.
“Perhaps… it would have been better to perish during the previous breakthrough. What use is this decaying body?” the Blade Demon whispered and stopped.
A faint, indifferent voice sounded:
“If that were the case, would you be content?”
The Blade Demon’s body trembled. He turned around, and a black-robed Daoist had appeared behind him at some unknown time. He said in a hoarse voice:
“True Person, what advice do you have?”
This ‘Heavenly Sword True Person’ was not the Usurping Power Body, but Ning Qi himself in disguise and transformed.
Ning Qi gazed at the somewhat dejected Blade Demon before him and shook his head in disappointment:
“If your temperament is only this much, then indeed, I shouldn’t have saved you.”
The Blade Demon’s pupils contracted, and he remained silent.
Ning Qi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky, his words calm yet filled with a dominance the Blade Demon couldn’t comprehend:
“One hundred years, is that very little?”
He genuinely thought so. Since he embarked on the Martial Dao, it had only been eleven years. He couldn’t imagine what realm he could reach if given a hundred years.
The Blade Demon was stunned.
It was as if thunder exploded in his mind.
Why couldn’t he forge a path forward in one hundred years?
He looked back at his life. Initially, he practiced swordsmanship, advancing steadily. Then he practiced both sword and saber, far surpassing ordinary people. Later, he abandoned the sword to refine the saber, devoting himself solely to the blade, reaching the pinnacle of the Blade Dao. Along this journey, he encountered numerous difficulties, but had he ever given up?
But why, all of a sudden, did he have thoughts of giving up on the Martial Dao or even ending his life due to this failure to break through?
In an instant, sweat broke out on his back. He suddenly awoke.
He realized that the terrifying sensation he had sensed during his previous breakthrough had given rise to an inner demon.
If Heavenly Sword True Person hadn’t suddenly appeared and enlightened him, he would have fallen into confusion and despair. This was not what he desired.
The Blade Demon bowed deeply:
“Thank you, True Person, for enlightening me. I owe you another favor.”
He had saved his life first, and then helped him overcome his inner demon. This was no small kindness.
He did not utter words of going through fire and water in the future, but instead kept this favor in his heart.
Ning Qi stood with his back to the Blade Demon:
“How about a transaction?”
The Blade Demon was startled, then solemnly said:
“Please speak, True Person.”
Ning Qi said indifferently:
“You help me guard True Martial Mountain for ten years, and within ten years, I will give you a Martial Saint Method.”
This was exactly Ning Qi’s intention in seeking out the Blade Demon. Currently, the situation of True Martial Sect was not very safe, with threats from the Demonic Sect and the Southern Border. He didn’t even dare to leave too far. With an expert like the Blade Demon guarding it, he could also leave the mountain with peace of mind for some time.
Furthermore.
If the Blade Demon were present, perhaps they could also exchange ideas on the path to Martial Saint in the future, which could provide him with some inspiration.
The Blade Demon’s pupils shrank, and he looked at the back of the black-robed Daoist with disbelief:
“Are you so confident, True Person?”
He didn’t have any questions about the transaction’s content. Having received great favors from Heavenly Sword True Person twice, even without any reward, guarding True Martial Mountain for ten or twenty years would not be a problem, as it wouldn’t hinder his comprehension of the Blade Dao. But what shocked him was Ning Qi’s promise: to give him a Martial Saint Method within ten years.
Having just experienced failure in breaking through, he knew how difficult this was.
Ning Qi smiled faintly.
He didn’t speak, but simply pointed his finger. In an instant, a surge of Demonic Blade Intent erupted from him. The terrifying demonic nature was enough to twist the void. Just as the Saber Intent was about to strike the Blade Demon, it instantly dissipated. However, the Blade Demon stood frozen on the spot, like a sculpture.
How could he not be familiar with this Saber Intent?
“You… you… how can you…”
He was incoherent. Even when he had lost to Ning Qi before, he hadn’t been this shocked. This was simply unbelievable. His Saber Intent had been learned by someone else, and their realm was no lower than his.
What he saw before him almost subverted his worldview.
Ning Qi turned around, smiling without speaking.
The Blade Demon gradually recovered, but the shock and horror in his eyes intensified. He roughly understood that Heavenly Sword True Person had learned his Saber Intent during their fight, but this… was too heaven-defying, wasn’t it?
How could there be such a prodigious person in the world?
At this moment, the black-robed Daoist before him was filled with unprecedented mystery in his heart.
And recalling Ning Qi’s promise again, his heart began to race, and a glimmer of hope surged within him. Perhaps… there was truly hope of obtaining a Martial Saint Method? Even if not in ten years, then twenty, thirty, or even a hundred years, there was always hope.
The Blade Demon took a deep breath and asked his inner doubt:
“Compared to you, True Person, I am far inferior. Why do you need me to guard True Martial Mountain?”
Ning Qi said:
“I won’t hide it from you. True Martial Sect has offended the Demonic Sect and the Southern Border. In perhaps two or three years, they will have a Martial Saint. Although it will be a Martial Saint achieved with external help, they will inevitably use True Martial Sect as a stepping stone. Are you willing?”
Unexpectedly.
After hearing this, the Blade Demon no longer hesitated.
His dark pupils radiated light, and he laughed heartily:
“To have the opportunity to fight a Martial Saint, how can I refuse? Since True Person is willing to trust me, I will not fail True Person’s trust. In the future, if True Person steps into the Martial Saint realm, please do not hesitate to impart some knowledge.”
Ning Qi smiled.
“That is natural.”
He felt much more relaxed, which meant he had not misjudged the Blade Demon.
“Under normal circumstances, you will reside in the forbidden area of True Martial Mountain’s back mountain. Most of the time, you won’t need to act. If I am not here and True Martial Sect encounters a crisis they cannot resolve, I will trouble you to assist.”
“Okay.”
Having said this.
Ning Qi leisurely departed.
There were no restrictions between the two, but after their fight, they both knew that in some ways, they were the same kind of people: their will to pursue the Dao was firm, and they would not break their word on such matters, lest their Martial Dao Will be tainted.
The Blade Demon watched the black-robed Daoist’s retreating figure, still filled with astonishment. The Demonic Blade Intent from moments ago was still vivid in his mind.
“Such a terrifying person truly overshadows all of history.”
Suddenly, he froze. He thought of Heavenly Sword True Person’s actions in establishing the True Martial Sword Stele and the Myriad Dao Tower, and his eyes were filled with even greater shock.
“Perhaps… he can truly forge a path to Martial Saint…”
The Blade Demon’s figure vanished from where he stood, his confusion completely gone.
He had found his goal again.
…
The ten-year agreement between Ning Qi and the Blade Demon was unknown to anyone.
However, the world was now in an uproar. The details of the great battle between Heavenly Sword True Person and the Blade Demon were spreading at an astonishing speed to all thirteen provinces of the world, even reaching lands outside Great Yan.
Top-tier Martial Arts Sects of all regions were shocked.
Some reclusive families or sects also heard of this matter.
The disturbance caused by the Blade Demon was simply too great.
The half-year-long turmoil came to an end in this manner. The prestige accumulated by the Blade Demon ultimately benefited Heavenly Sword True Person. After this battle, Heavenly Sword True Person’s prestige had reached the pinnacle of Great Yan.
Countless swordsmen were overjoyed.
Ever since the Blade Demon appeared, he had ranked third on the Heavenly Human Ranking, steadily surpassing Sun Chasing Sword King, who was fifth. Now, he had finally been defeated by another peerless swordsman. Swordsmen, whether in terms of peak combat power or the number of people on the Heavenly Human Ranking, had comprehensively surpassed swordsmen.
Not to mention, Heavenly Sword True Person had reached the legendary Supreme Sword Dao Realm, and the Blade Demon’s Supreme Blade Dao Realm was also achieved with Heavenly Sword True Person’s assistance.
Thus.
The battle between swords and sabers ultimately ended with the swordsmen’s victory. From then on, those who practiced swordsmanship in the Martial World would be as numerous as clouds, gradually forming an overwhelming advantage. Countless swordsmen regarded Heavenly Sword True Person as their idol and felt honored.
Discussions erupted throughout the Martial World, and more and more martial artists rushed to True Martial Mountain to comprehend the True Martial Sword Stele and the Myriad Dao Tower.
Invisibly.
The prestige of True Martial Sect was also growing day by day.
As long as Heavenly Sword True Person was present, almost no one would dare to provoke True Martial Sect. Every day, it was transforming at an astonishing speed. Luo Wentian was in pain yet happy, so busy that he couldn’t even squeeze in time to cultivate, but seeing the changes in True Martial Sect brought him genuine joy.
Now that True Martial Sect’s fame had spread far and wide, many powerful individuals on the Heavenly Human Ranking had come to comprehend the True Martial Sword Stele and the Myriad Dao Tower. This bestowed a favor upon True Martial Sect, creating an effective deterrent against the Demonic Sect.
Luo Wentian could clearly feel.
The Demonic Sect’s covetous gaze had significantly lessened, which brought him considerable peace of mind.
At this time, the atmosphere in the Demonic Sect and the Southern Border was indeed somewhat oppressive.
They had originally hoped that Heavenly Sword True Person would be defeated by the Blade Demon or even severely injured, but unexpectedly, it was the Blade Demon who lost, further elevating Heavenly Sword True Person’s prestige.
“Supreme Sword Dao Realm. This old Daoist Heavenly Sword is truly extraordinary.”
Even as opponents, the members of the Demonic Sect couldn’t help but sigh.
They knew that in the Demonic Sect, there would not be more than two people at this realm, perhaps even only one.
Many high-ranking members of the Demonic Sect gathered.
Lin Xueshuang had already gone to the Hundred Thousand Mountains, but the other two Vice Sect Masters were not in the main seats. In the center sat a silver-haired elder, the Great Elder of the Demonic Sect.
“Great Elder, should we inform the Sect Master about this?” Xiang Tianxing suggested.
The silver-haired elder pondered for a moment and shook his head:
“No need. The Sect Master has been in closed-door cultivation for sixty years. Since we do not intend to attack True Martial Sect for now, there is no need to call him out. Just let him continue to study the Martial Saint Method.”
Ghost Mask sighed:
“I don’t know what the Sect Master’s situation is now. He has been in the Supreme Realm for a century, and he has the experience of many past sages of the Sacred Sect as reference. If he succeeds, and we then use the power of the Saint Pill to create another Martial Saint, that would be a total of two Martial Saints. What would we have to fear from the Great Yan Martial Saint, and why would we need to ally with those people from the Southern Border!”
Everyone fell silent. They had had some confidence in this before, but the Blade Demon’s failure to break through this time had cast a shadow over their hearts.
This path was too difficult.
If they didn’t rely on external forces, they might not succeed even after their lifespan of eight hundred years withered away. It would likely require generations of continuous exploration and progress. However, they estimated that Great Yan would not give them that much time. After years of entanglement with Great Yan, they had also paid a price.
The Great Elder surveyed everyone and said sternly:
“Regardless of whether the Sect Master succeeds or not, the refining of the Saint Pill cannot stop. Heavenly Sword Old Daoist has this kind of strength and cannot be underestimated. For now, we don’t need to worry about True Martial Sect. Stop all those minor actions and focus all your energy on refining the Saint Pill.”
“I will warn you one more time: the matter of the Saint Pill is the highest secret of our Sacred Sect. Anyone who tries to probe the secret of the Saint Pill—”
“Die!”
As the words fell, an extremely strong sense of oppression covered everyone, not even excluding the two Vice Sect Masters. Both their bodies trembled, and their eyes showed reverence.
“Yes, Great Elder!”
…
At the same time.
In the Southern Border, it is also largely the same.
All the tribal elders were discussing this matter.
The Southern Border Alliance was formed by the union of many tribes, and naturally, it was not as centralized in power as the Demonic Sect. The top-tier power organization was called the Elder Council, with nine elders from the nine most powerful tribes. For major issues, decisions were made by a vote of the Elder Council.
However, in recent years, the Southern Border Alliance has also become increasingly close-knit, with assimilation occurring silently. Now, many tribes have placed the alliance’s interests above their own, especially the younger generation.
Lan Yiyi was reporting on the recent battle between Heavenly Sword True Person and Blade Demon:
“Elders of the various clans, this is the situation. Heavenly Sword True Person’s strength is now unfathomable. Looking across our alliance, perhaps only Lord Gu God can contend with him.”
When the Gu God was mentioned, her eyes trembled imperceptibly.
All the clan elders were astonished.
“Heavenly Sword True Person hid himself so deeply, his thoughts are terrifyingly profound. Since we have already made enemies, we must kill him in one fell swoop!” said a rosy-cheeked elder coldly.
But another tall and robust elder of the clan retorted:
“The Supreme Sword Dao Realm, such powerful strength, could it be that the Gu God will have to go personally? You want to ruin the great affairs of our alliance!”
“Then, should we just let the True Martial Sect continue to be so arrogant? The facts are clear now: the Qingzhou stronghold was destroyed by the True Martial Sect. If we don’t avenge this, our alliance will seem laughable to others!”
“A small impatience can disrupt great plans; the great enterprise is paramount!”
The clan elders all spoke, arguing incessantly; some were radical, while others were conservative.
Lan Yiyi felt inexplicably annoyed, but she couldn’t say anything to dissuade anyone, so she could only silently lower her head.
Finally.
A sharp cry.
The Blue River clan elder spoke:
“Since we cannot unify our opinions, let us proceed according to the old rules and vote. I believe the most pressing matter at hand is to cultivate the Blood Emperor Gu. Once a Martial Saint is born, what is a mere Heavenly Sword True Person? Why disturb the Gu God at this critical juncture.”
Everyone was silent.
Then vote by ballot.
It was ultimately decided by a vote of five to four to temporarily suspend all actions against the True Martial Sect.
The elder who spoke first, with a ruddy complexion, looked grim and somewhat displeased. He glanced at Lan He, then at Lan Yiyi, and suddenly smiled:
“Saintess, I wonder how your secret technique cultivation is progressing? Do not let it ruin the important matter.”
The Southern Border Saintess, who had been silent all along, trembled and said coldly:
“Don’t worry, Elder Hong Yan Clan, Yiyi has been diligently cultivating.”
Having said that, she bowed to the clan elders and retreated.
Watching Lan Yiyi depart, Lan He, his face gloomy, immediately exploded:
“Hong Yan, you dog, why are you involving Yiyi in the affairs of us old folks? Do you think Yiyi hasn’t sacrificed enough?”
The Heaven and Earth Power condensed on him, and he would attack if there was any disagreement.
Seeing this, the other clan elders quickly pulled Lan He back, offering good counsel, and at the same time, they all blamed Hong Yan:
“Elder of the Hong Yan clan, those words are indeed inappropriate. Please do not bring them up again next time.”
Hong Yan snorted coldly and remained silent, regretting it a little in his heart. However, seeing Lan He’s distressed look made him feel exceptionally pleased.
Lan Yiyi walked out of the pavilion and continued walking without any expression, as she heard the faint sounds of quarreling coming from behind her. Her entire being exuded a chilling aura that warned others to stay away.
Someone approached trembling, saying cautiously:
“Saintess, someone from the Demonic Sect is looking for you.”
“Who?” Lan Yiyi’s eyes were filled with frost.
“He calls himself Qin Yun.”
