Chapter 135: Pinnacle Of The Sword Dao, Delivering The Sword Pagoda Themselves
Before the True Martial Sect Gate.
A silence prevailed.
Only Tang Qiu’s wailing echoed. This former high-and-mighty Sword Asking Pavilion Sect Leader now cried like a helpless child. Before him lay the corpses of several Sword Asking Pavilion members. He tremblingly reached out a hand, only to withdraw it as if electrocuted.
He was terrified.
Though he didn’t know why Heavenly Sword True Person had spared his life, he didn’t dare make any extra moves now.
But no one in the True Martial Sect sympathized with Tang Qiu.
Especially the many gate-guarding disciples who had previously witnessed the Sword Asking Pavilion group’s ugly faces; two words arose in all their hearts.
Serves him right!
The congregation simply gazed reverently at the gradually quieting True Martial Sword Stele, the adoration and astonishment in their eyes almost tangible.
That scene just now was truly astonishing.
Thirty-six Heavenly Swords transformed into a Sword Formation, brutally slaying Gu Changhe, crushing him like dry weeds and rotting wood, without the slightest suspense.
Some True Martial Disciples had already discerned the mystery within.
“Heavenly Sword Senior used… Heavenly Stars Sword Formation? Could it be that the Heavenly Stars Earthly Fiends Sword Formation was created by Heavenly Sword Senior?”
While marveling in their hearts, they also burst with unprecedented eagerness. The Heavenly Stars Earthly Fiends Sword Formation had now become one of the True Martial Sect’s major signatures, with many True Martial Disciples exchanging for it and cultivating it together.
In the past, though they had trained diligently, they were far less eager and urgent than now.
They saw a thread of connection to Heavenly Sword True Person, and deep in their hearts hid an extravagant hope: what if one day they too could independently manifest the Heavenly Stars Earthly Fiends Sword Formation?
The three hundred newly initiated seedlings stared wide-eyed, their hearts immensely shocked.
Rumors were no match for seeing it with their own eyes.
Heavenly Sword True Person was destined to become the goal they pursued for life.
Gou Dan clenched his fists, his gaze utterly resolute.
“One day, I too must become as strong as Heavenly Sword Senior, protecting our True Martial Sect!”
These past days.
He had finally felt the warmth of home again.
There was ample food, clean clothes, a windproof dwelling, no one looked down on him, he could practice martial arts, and even his little sister was allowed to stay with him on True Martial Mountain. His heart filled with gratitude.
Luo Wentian perceived the shifting Essence, Qi, and Spirit among the surrounding disciples and smiled inwardly.
This was a good thing.
In truth, even though he had long been mentally prepared, he was still startled, secretly smacking his lips. He had originally thought it would be like last time, with Ning Qi appearing to battle Heart-Seeking Sword, but unexpectedly, Ning Qi didn’t even show himself. He merely activated the Sword Stele and crushingly resolved Gu Changhe.
Before he could marvel at Ning Qi’s strength, he smiled and walked toward Tang Qiu, his voice somewhat calm:
“Tang Sect Leader, can we now properly discuss the matter of the spy?”
Tang Qiu shuddered.
The calm Luo Wentian seemed as terrifying as a malevolent ghost in his eyes, like the embodiment of Heavenly Sword True Person. His body trembled as he realized why he had survived. He didn’t dare meet Luo Wentian’s eyes and merely said:
“Good, good… Luo Sect Leader, you have the final say.”
Luo Wentian smiled happily, warmly welcoming Tang Qiu inside as if the previous conflict had never happened.
…
At the foot of True Martial Mountain.
Dead silence.
The martial artists who had rushed over turned into statues, mouths agape as they stared at the corpse plummeting from the sky, somewhat in disbelief.
They had thought there would be an epic battle.
But unexpectedly, it ended like this.
Heart-Seeking Sword was resolved just like that, and even Heavenly Sword True Person hadn’t appeared. This exceeded everyone’s imagination.
Chen Xing hissed, glaring furiously at Chen Yue:
“Why did you pinch me?”
Chen Yue murmured:
“It’s real. Heart-Seeking Sword was slain by Heavenly Sword True Person!”
Veins bulged on Chen Xing’s forehead, but her anger quickly turned into a long sigh. The shock in her eyes was no less than Chen Yue’s.
“This Heavenly Sword True Person… is truly terrifying. In the past, I thought True Martial Sect hitching onto the Prince was their fortune, that their small temple might not accommodate the Heir Apparent. But now, it seems I was shallow. The Prince is the Prince after all; he likely discovered it long ago.”
Chen Yue nodded deeply in agreement, then hissed in pain herself as Chen Xing pinched back while she wasn’t paying attention.
The sisters were just a microcosm.
Myriad martial artists were all shocked.
Once all the anomalies vanished and Tang Qiu disappeared into the sect gate with Luo Wentian and others, waves of astonished exclamations arose.
“Heavenly Sword True Person’s strength is unfathomable! Heavenly Human Ranking 36? This is simply the greatest error on this Heavenly Human Ranking!”
“Even Heavenly Human Ranking Fourteenth was defeated so miserably. Heavenly Sword True Person absolutely has the strength of the Heavenly Human Ranking top ten, even top five!”
“Who said Heavenly Sword True Person has little lifespan left? This might be a great talent blooming late, an elderly Sword God whose rise is unstoppable. He might step into the Sword Saint Realm before reaching his lifespan limit, extending another millennium!”
Excited discussions rang out one after another.
The congregation vented their inner shock without restraint.
They exalted Heavenly Sword True Person’s strength as much as possible, not wanting to be slapped in the face again and again.
If not for the fact that the further forward on the Heavenly Human Ranking, the stronger those peerless old monsters became, they might even boldly rank Heavenly Sword True Person in an absurdly high position.
But even so.
Heavenly Sword True Person had already touched the highest peak of swordsmen.
Some swordsmen couldn’t help comparing him to the Heavenly Human Ranking Fifth, “Sun Chasing Sword King.”
Sun Chasing Sword King was a true Sword Dao legend, occupying the position of “world’s number one swordsman” for two hundred years, unshakable. Any of his many battle achievements taken alone would shock the world; no swordsman dared stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
But now.
Heavenly Sword True Person’s display made them fantasize uncontrollably.
No one knew where Heavenly Sword True Person’s limit truly lay.
Qin Yun deeply gazed toward the True Martial Sect Gate, that once-familiar place now a distant dream, even somewhat strange to him.
He sighed softly.
Recalling the eccentric Daoist he had encountered sneaking into Seeker’s Courtyard that night years ago.
Before Heavenly Sword True Person had appeared, he thought that was Heavenly Sword True Person. But after seeing Heavenly Sword True Person’s battle with Thunderous Blade Venerable last time, he felt it wasn’t. Yet today, for some reason, he felt it was again.
Perhaps because Heavenly Sword True Person’s rise was too fast, too fast.
It gave him an illusion—
“Heavenly Sword True Person isn’t hiding his strength; rather, in these short few years, he suddenly gained such immense power!”
This strange thought startled him, followed by a shake of his head and bitter smile.
Impossible.
He had overdrawn four hundred years of lifespan in the Blood Demon Pool and barely stepped into the Heavenly Human Realm. How could anyone gain such terrifying strength in just a few short years? Even exhausting the extra four hundred years of lifespan after ascending to Heavenly Human would fall far short of Heavenly Sword True Person’s level.
He realized it was probably because that Daoist from back then had left too deep a psychological shadow.
“He was probably just Gang Yuan Realm at most. If I met him now, I could easily defeat him.” Chaotic thoughts swirled in Qin Yun’s mind.
Unknowingly, he glanced sideways at the Southern Border Saintess beside him. A breeze lifted a corner of her black veil, revealing a snow-white pointed chin. Its owner was silent, no longer as lively as before. Qin Yun subconsciously asked:
“Saintess, what are you thinking?”
The two had already quietly departed, walking in a mountain forest where the wind rustled the leaves.
Southern Border Saintess sighed faintly:
“I’m thinking, if Heavenly Sword True Person goes berserk, what kind of threat he would pose to us.”
Qin Yun’s spirit shook; he had nearly forgotten the main matter.
This trip was to assess Heavenly Sword True Person’s strength, to determine the next actions against True Martial Sect. The previous spy infiltration had failed, so the plan was to secretly capture some important True Martial Sect figures for interrogation.
And now.
Heavenly Sword True Person had undoubtedly given them a huge surprise.
Qin Yun remained impassive, merely saying calmly:
“Top ten or even top five on the Heavenly Human Ranking—very strong, but our Sacred Sect and your Southern Border aren’t without them. Why worry?”
After learning Heavenly Sword True Person’s strength, he was no longer so urgent. He knew the Demonic Sect and Southern Border’s styles; before such a strong expert, they would be even more cautious. Not afraid, but no need to offend.
Southern Border Saintess glanced at Qin Yun and said:
“Is Holy Son Qin so certain this is all of Heavenly Sword True Person’s strength? What if he rivals Blade Demon or catches up to Listening Wind Elder?”
“Such a figure, even if we can deal with him, must be killed in one strike. Otherwise, with a death grudge and lurking in the shadows, it’s endless trouble.”
She glanced back at True Martial Sect with a light sigh:
“We’ll have to take it slow, can’t be so simple and brutal. Start reinvestigating from the Blood King Gu incident. Recently, I discovered something interesting, which somewhat relates to Holy Son Qin.”
Qin Yun was stunned.
Southern Border Saintess chuckled lightly:
“Ten years ago, Dragon Mountain Daoist brought back an infant named Ning Qi, your ninth Junior Brother, Holy Son Qin. He might not have been picked up by Dragon Mountain Daoist from the wilderness, but from Snow Plum Villa, which was exterminated the year he was born. Of course, you might not have even heard the name. If I hadn’t checked old scrolls, I wouldn’t know either.”
She had studied Qin Yun and True Martial Sect, roughly guessing part of why Qin Yun left True Martial Sect.
Qin Yun’s pupils contracted sharply.
Southern Border Saintess continued:
“Back then, Snow Plum Villa’s Villa Leader discovered the Blood King Gu matter. Our Southern Border’s minor branch in Qingzhou wiped it out. But unexpectedly, that foolish fellow missed one person, who was saved by Dragon Mountain Daoist.”
“Of course, he actually paid attention to the matter and suspected whether the infant Dragon Mountain Daoist brought back was a survivor from Snow Plum Villa. But at that time, with Blood Rain Tower about to be established and merits being rewarded, that guy actually concealed it, so no one ever infiltrated True Martial Mountain to investigate.”
In truth.
Back then, after “Lord Feng” learned Dragon Mountain Daoist had brought back an infant named Ning Qi, he was greatly shocked.
But after weighing it several times, he ultimately concealed the matter.
First, it was the time of his merit evaluation and promotion; he didn’t want extra trouble. Continuing the investigation would involve Dragon Mountain Daoist, a Core Elixir Realm expert, likely requiring even more effort.
Second, he suspected Dragon Mountain Daoist was fishing, deliberately naming the brought-back infant “Ning” to lure the snake out. After all, under such a great fire, how could an infant survive?
Stepping back ten thousand steps, even if that infant truly was Ning Ye’s couple’s son, revenge would take decades or even centuries. By then, he might already be in the Heavenly Human Realm, no need to panic.
A trace of killing intent toward the Southern Border Alliance surged in Qin Yun’s heart, but his voice remained calm:
“What does this have to do with the Qingzhou stronghold’s destruction?”
Southern Border Saintess halted and said:
“Dragon Mountain Daoist has been secretly investigating Blood Rain Tower matters for years. Though covert, traces remain. True Martial Sect’s motive is even stronger. This alone warrants suspicion. In contrast, on King Zhenbei’s side, despite our two sides expending so much manpower and resources lately, there’s not a trace. Doesn’t that say enough?”
Qin Yun said:
“Then by Saintess’s reckoning, we should wipe out True Martial Sect in one go?”
A sigh echoed in the woods:
“If before today, simple.”
“But now, wait and see. Before our two sides’ Martial Saints are born, provoking such a troublesome enemy isn’t good. Once Martial Saint emerges, Heavenly Sword True Person is just a slightly larger ant.”
“Then… use True Martial Sect to inaugurate.”
Qin Yun’s heart chilled.
Yet haze gradually rose in his eyes.
Not just because of True Martial Sect’s situation, but because of the Southern Border Saintess’s veiled reminder in her words.
Evidently.
The Demonic Sect and Southern Border had quietly uncovered much intelligence, even set strategies against True Martial Sect, while he knew nothing, excluded. This meant he had lost the Demonic Sect’s trust. If not for Southern Border Saintess subtly pointing it out, he might still think the two powers were leisurely probing, preparing to abduct True Martial Sect figures for interrogation.
If not for Heavenly Sword True Person’s heaven-defying combat power today, perhaps in a few days, experts from both sides would ascend the mountain to exterminate the sect, while he remained in the dark.
“When did they start suspecting me?”
“During the first meeting with Southern Border Alliance? Or when dispatching the spy for the assessment?”
Qin Yun hung his head low, realizing he had vastly underestimated the Demonic Sect. He thought his actions flawless, but now it seemed laughable. He still had value, that’s all; perhaps anytime he would become a discarded pawn.
Qin Yun sobered.
The elation of becoming Candidate Holy Son after emerging from Blood Demon Pool vanished entirely.
Southern Border Saintess didn’t turn back. She walked faster and faster, her figure vanishing into the mountain forest, only a faint voice lingering:
“Holy Son Qin, indecision is no good habit.”
Qin Yun’s gaze flickered uncertainly.
He realized he faced a choice.
…
Heart-Seeking Sword had fallen!
This news swept through Great Yan at terrifying speed. The Heavenly Human Ranking only took thirty-six, and Gu Changhe, ranked Fourteenth, was already at the forefront. Such a peerless expert’s fall was absolutely world-shaking.
And if adding one more detail—
Heart-Seeking Sword easily suppressed and slain with one sword by Heavenly Sword True Person.
The news was like an earthquake.
Everyone hearing it first reacted with disbelief. The recent conflict between Sword Asking Pavilion and True Martial Sect had drawn much attention, but ending with Heart-Seeking Sword’s fall? They hadn’t imagined it.
But when those present that day stepped forward.
Disbelief turned to belief.
After all, Heavenly Human Realm experts were among the day’s spectators.
No need to lie about such a thing; easily debunked.
In a moment.
Heavenly Sword True Person became famous throughout the world.
All Thirteen Prefectures of Great Yan buzzed with discussion.
Especially after details of that day’s clash between Gu Changhe and Heavenly Sword True Person were revealed, swordsmen grew even more excited. Almost all felt Heavenly Sword True Person already had the strength to challenge for world’s number one swordsman.
True Martial Sword Stele’s fame grew further. Heavenly Sword True Person hadn’t appeared, merely using the Sword Stele to draw Heavenly Thunder manifesting Heavenly Swords to slay Gu Changhe, filling all swordsmen with longing for the True Martial Sword Stele. Many swordsmen set off for True Martial Mountain.
Thunderous Blade Venerable, hearing the battle details, fell silent for a long time.
Shock and confusion filled his eyes.
“Sword Stele drawing Heavenly Thunder? Why does this sound… like Heavenly Thunder Saber.”
He thought of the Thunderclap secret manual sent up the mountain earlier and the Heavenly Thunder Saber as compensation, shuddering with cold sweat. Then he announced closed-door cultivation—first twenty years!
Discussions raged everywhere.
Martial artists marveled one after another, martial arts sects elevating True Martial Sect’s status higher and higher.
Formless Sect members broke out in cold sweat.
Their thought process was tortuous. Initially wary of Heavenly Sword True Person’s many compensations, but after Sword Asking Pavilion held out two months, they regretted yielding too quickly, damaging their prestige.
But now, seeing Sword Asking Pavilion’s end, they only felt fortunate.
Good thing they chickened out fast.
King Zhenbei read the letter from Chen Xing and Chen Yue. Besides a detailed account of that day’s battle, it overflowed with praise for his discerning eye.
He felt somewhat bewildered.
“Does this king really have a discerning eye?”
Chen Xing and Chen Yue thought he had long known Heavenly Sword True Person’s power and thus sent Li Ling to True Martial Mountain, but actually, no—he had sent Li Ling for Dragon Mountain Daoist.
King Zhenbei rarely smiled bitterly.
He had been present for Thunderous Blade Venerable and Heavenly Sword True Person’s battle, once sighing that Heavenly Sword True Person’s Sword Intent was peerless but cultivation insufficient to stand at the Heavenly Human Realm’s peak. But now, Heavenly Sword True Person defied all norms.
This was an elderly Sword God, undoubtedly on his level, and from Chen Xing and Chen Yue’s description, he vaguely felt this might not even be Heavenly Sword True Person’s limit.
King Zhenbei thought deeper.
“I should have realized. For Heavenly Sword True Person to seek Martial Saint matters, he must have perfected the Three Flowers of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, probing the Martial Saint path.”
Longing appeared in his eyes.
“The Martial Saint path is so difficult; having a fellow traveler is good.”
“But this time, some old monsters might be alerted.”
After hesitating.
He still chose to send a letter to True Martial Mountain.
This matter was far from over.
He needed to instruct True Martial Sect not to go too far with Sword Asking Pavilion. Many eyes would be watching; better not leave handles. Sometimes, not exterminating utterly isn’t bad.
However.
Luo Wentian clearly had no intent to exterminate utterly either. He couldn’t do such an evil sect-destruction deed.
Just ensure Sword Asking Pavilion posed no threat henceforth.
After friendly negotiation with Tang Qiu.
Sword Asking Pavilion ultimately agreed to the following conditions.
First, Sword Asking Pavilion seals the mountain for two hundred years, no emerging.
Second, gift the Inheritance Sword Tower to True Martial Sect for free.
Third, copy all sect martial arts classics and records, send to True Martial Sect.
Fourth, compensate with spiritual medicines, Precious Materials, Treasure Swords, and other treasures.
Tang Qiu staggered back, unsure how he returned to Sword Asking Pavilion.
When these conditions were announced.
Some flew into rage.
“We fight them to the death!”
But Tang Qiu’s faint words calmed them:
“Then slain by Heavenly Sword True Person like pigs and dogs? Accept these, endure two hundred years, Sword Asking Pavilion still has hope.”
All regretted in their hearts.
One wrong step, every step wrong.
A thousand times shouldn’t have, ten thousand times shouldn’t have coveted the True Martial Sword Stele. Now even their own Inheritance Sword Tower must be handed over.
The congregation ground their teeth.
In some instant, the remaining two Heavenly Human Realm experts even hoped True Martial Sect would be ruthless, exterminating Sword Asking Pavilion. Then they two could flee far, lurk in shadows, and revenge unbound on True Martial Sect.
But now.
Keeping Sword Asking Pavilion was their weakness.
Strike True Martial Sect darkly? They dared not.
“When will they come to move the Sword Tower?” a Heavenly Human Realm Elder sighed lowly.
Tang Qiu dared not meet their eyes, merely saying lowly:
“They want you two to deliver it personally.”
Another Elder spat blood skyward, collapsing to the ground.
“Too bullying!”
Sword Asking Pavilion descended into chaos, helplessness filling everyone.
That night.
Some vaguely saw two Heavenly Humans dragging a hundreds-zhang Sword Tower speeding through the night.
