Chapter 280: One Sword
The Boundless Sword Sect did not invite the Northern Profound Upper Sect, yet they have come uninvited.
Not only that, but more people have arrived than from any other sect, with a full seven Great Powers arriving together. Their numbers are almost equal to the Great Powers from other sects combined!
As soon as the seven arrived, they displayed the arrogance of the Northern Profound Upper Sect, directly capturing the true disciples and elders of the Boundless Sword Sect who were greeting guests at the sect’s entrance.
At this moment, the Great Powers from other sects present had their gazes shifting back and forth between the seven from the Northern Profound Upper Sect and Ning Qi, who was about to be enthroned as the new Sect Master of the Boundless Sword Sect, and they began to whisper amongst themselves.
“To prevent the Sect Master of another Upper Sect from being enthroned, isn’t the Northern Profound Upper Sect being too overbearing?”
“They have always been overbearing, but coming with such a force is no longer an act of overbearingness; they are here for a battle between the two sects!”
“My heavens, deploying three Great Powers at the Perfection of Void Dao Realm. Among our sects, some can only muster one. What does the Northern Profound Upper Sect intend by this?”
“Whatever their intentions, there’s a good show to watch now. Let’s see how Ning Qi, the new Sect Master of the Boundless Sword Sect, will respond?”
Those true disciples who had been suppressed by their sect’s seniors before were now mainly looking at Ning Qi.
Ning Qi’s rapid advancement in strength and his impending status as Sect Master caused a surge of uncontrollable jealousy in most of their hearts.
Now that the overlord of the Northern Xuan Region had come to their doorstep, they shook their heads, as if they had seen through everything, and sighed in their hearts:
“Ning Qi, oh Ning Qi, your talent is indeed far beyond ours, but you should also know the principle that the young and brittle easily break. One wrong step now and you might not even be able to save your life. What use is great talent then?”
On the plaza, the ceremony for the succession of the Sect Master was immediately halted.
Jiang Baichuan, holding the Sect Protecting Sword with both hands, stood below Ning Qi and raised it before him.
Ning Qi did not immediately take it.
Although Jiang Baichuan had his back to the newcomers, he was well aware of the pressing situation.
For a moment, his heart was filled with both relief and worry.
He was relieved that he was no longer the Sect Master at this moment and did not have to face the enemy directly as the head of the sect.
He worried if the Northern Profound Upper Sect would go all out to target the Boundless Sword Sect.
Although Jiang Baichuan had witnessed the battle between the Sword Ancestor and Ning Qi and knew that ordinary late-stage Void Dao Realm cultivators were no match for them, the seven Great Powers from the Northern Profound Upper Sect were no ordinary individuals.
Ning Qi stood in the main seat of the central plaza.
Everyone in the sect looked towards the newcomers with heavy expressions, but not a single one showed fear!
Ning Qi slightly raised his eyes and gazed at the people from the Northern Profound Upper Sect, especially the one who had spoken earlier.
He had said that the succession of the Boundless Sword Sect’s Sect Master had not been approved by the Northern Profound Upper Sect.
Ning Qi had done a lot of homework in preparation for taking over as Sect Master during this period.
He had learned about all the renowned Great Powers in the North and South Regions, so he naturally recognized the speaker.
That person was named Li Daocheng, a Grand Elder of the Northern Profound Upper Sect. His fame had spread throughout the North and South Regions for ten thousand years; he was from the same era as the Sword Ancestor.
As for the other two Great Powers at the Perfection of Void Dao Realm beside him, one was Zhao Gang, and the other was Chu Risheng. They were from the era after the Sword Ancestor.
Ning Qi’s gaze swept over the two late-stage Void Dao Realm Great Powers behind the three. They were holding the Boundless Sword Sect’s true disciple and elder, who had been greeting guests, by the neck and lifting them as if they were carrying chickens.
However, even with their faces purplish, neither showed any sign of surrender!
Li Daocheng stared at Ning Qi and said, “Ning Qi, you killed my sect’s Heavenly Pride. You will come back to the Northern Profound Upper Sect with me now, otherwise, the Boundless Sword Sect will be drenched in blood today!”
Before Ning Qi could respond, many of the elders and true disciples of his sect spoke out in unison.
“Presumptuous! How dare you address the Sect Master by name! If you want to capture the Sect Master, you’ll have to step over our corpses first!”
Li Daocheng picked at his ear, “What flies are buzzing in my ear?”
Everyone was enraged. If not for the Sect Master’s orders, they would have already attacked.
Everyone looked at Ning Qi, hoping he would immediately give the order to lead them to repel the invaders.
Ning Qi was about to take the Sect Protecting Sword from Jiang Baichuan and unleash a strike.
However, from behind him, an unrestrained voice suddenly echoed throughout the entire plaza.
“What mad dog dares to disturb my Boundless Sword Sect’s Sect Master succession ceremony? You deserve to be executed!”
As the voice arrived, before everyone could see who had spoken, the void between the two opposing sides instantly split apart.
And the two late-stage Void Dao Realm Great Powers who were holding the Boundless Sword Sect’s true disciple and elder by the neck, before they could even react, were annihilated, body and soul, at their original positions.
Everyone was utterly shocked!
Not only them, but even Li Daocheng and the other two turned their heads in a daze, looking utterly incredulous.
At this moment, everyone finally saw what had annihilated the two late-stage Void Dao Realm Great Powers. In the void, an illusory Sword Dao rule appeared, stretching over three hundred feet long!
“What the hell is this?”
Some of the Great Powers from other sects exclaimed in astonishment.
“To think that there are people in this world who can wield rules to such an extent! Coming here today has truly broadened my horizons!” someone praised.
Some showed a look of lingering fear, saying, “This sword was too fast. Even we didn’t have time to react. Doesn’t this mean that if it were aimed at us, we would also perish immediately?”
Some immediately connected the dots: “Could it be that the hidden foundation of the Boundless Sword Sect has emerged?”
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked towards the speaker.
Behind Ning Qi, a figure in wide, flowing sleeves emerged from the void. One person seemed like the entire world, drawing people’s attention irresistibly.
Among the Great Powers watching, an old Daoist recognized him and exclaimed in astonishment:
“Jian Jingjue, it’s you!”
Upon hearing this name, the Great Powers present were incredibly surprised.
Many of those who came to participate in the Boundless Sword Sect’s Sect Master succession ceremony were people who had emerged in the last few thousand years.
Only that old Daoist recognized Jian Jingjue, but others had also flipped through the history of the North and South Regions and had some vague impressions.
Someone frowned in deep thought, “Jian Jingjue? Is that the Heavenly Pride from ten thousand years ago?”
“It must be him. Apart from him, who else in the Boundless Sword Sect has the audacity to kill when it’s time to kill, and never hesitate?”
“I heard that ten thousand years ago, he, alone with his sword, defeated all his peers in the Northern Xuan Region, being the most brilliant Heavenly Pride of that era.”
Some also said with adoration, “Although I am not from the Boundless Sword Sect, I also cultivate the Sword Dao. This person’s Sword Dao has reached a realm of the supernatural and unfathomable, truly the lifelong pursuit of us Sword Cultivators!”
The members of the Boundless Sword Sect were immensely uplifted by the Sword Ancestor’s intervention.
The two who were held hostage also quickly returned to the side of the Boundless Sword Sect after the Sword Ancestor annihilated the Great Powers.
Previously, Jian Jingjue had not shown himself.
Although Ning Qi was succeeding as Sect Master, as the hidden foundation of the Boundless Sword Sect, the more secretive his existence and state were, the more beneficial it would be for the Boundless Sword Sect.
Now that others had come to their doorstep, and three Great Powers at the Perfection of Void Dao Realm had come together, how could Jian Jingjue continue to remain behind the scenes?
The remaining five Great Powers of the Northern Profound Upper Sect ignored the two. Their attention was entirely focused on Jian Jingjue.
Li Daocheng, the leader, frowned and scrutinized Jian Jingjue for a long time before saying:
“Jian Jingjue, you are still alive!”
The Sword Ancestor stepped out of the void and landed beside Ning Qi, replying:
“Who is it? Oh, it’s the lackey behind Qi Feiyang, the Heavenly Pride of the Northern Profound Upper Sect back then. How dare you run wild in my Boundless Sword Sect? Have you forgotten that I killed Qi Feiyang with my sword?”
Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised that the two knew each other, and that there was such a secret behind it.
Li Daocheng’s brow furrowed even deeper.
“When Senior Brother Qi fought you that year, he unleashed that secret treasure that even Integration Realm cultivators dared not touch. I didn’t expect you to endure it.”
The Sword Ancestor scoffed, “Bullshit! What fight? What secret treasure? Qi Feiyang clearly used an evil creature to ambush me, which is how you escaped with your life!”
Li Daocheng’s expression turned unpleasant.
He had absolutely not expected Jian Jingjue to still be alive, and upon his appearance, he had already annihilated two of their Great Powers.
Such decisive and brutal temper was exactly the same as ten thousand years ago.
It should be known that when they came to the Boundless Sword Sect, they did not kill anyone at first, but instead took two hostages to force their way in.
A man’s reputation precedes him.
Seeing that the Boundless Sword Sect actually possessed such a powerful being, Chu Risheng, behind Li Daocheng, secretly sent a telepathic message:
“Elder Li, what should we do now?”
“What’s the hurry? Jian Jingjue is strong, but we are not pushovers either.”
Li Daocheng suddenly spoke out:
“Jian Jingjue, I was almost fooled by you. You killed two of my Northern Profound Upper Sect members as soon as you appeared; this is a tactic to intimidate us.”
“Judging by your aura, you are only on par with me. With your talent, it’s impossible for you to have stayed in the Perfection of Void Dao Realm like me. I’m afraid these past ten thousand years have not been easy for you.”
Jian Jingjue coughed lightly, “Your skill in observing people’s expressions has indeed improved over the past ten thousand years. However, killing a few of you is not a problem.”
Li Daocheng smiled, “Jian Jingjue, why the bluff? This isn’t like you. If you were truly confident, you would have directly obliterated us, not wasted so much time talking nonsense.”
Upon hearing this, everyone finally understood that there was a hidden edge in their words, as both were trying to gain an advantage for their own side.
Suddenly, an old Daoist among the observing Great Powers below stood up.
He levitated into the air, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
“Jian Jingjue, do you still recognize me?” the old Daoist asked, his face full of indignation.
This old Daoist’s appearance during the confrontation between the two sects showed considerable spirit, but everyone was confused as to why he had suddenly appeared.
Jian Jingjue glanced at the old Daoist with his sword-like eyes, “Old man, who are you?”
The old Daoist was almost angered to death. He pointed at Jian Jingjue, panting heavily, as if with endless resentment.
Li Daocheng, however, spoke up: “Jian Jingjue, he is Lu Yixin from the Feixing Sect.”
“Lu Yixin, Lu Yixin,” Jian Jingjue repeated the name twice, and finally said, “Sorry, I really don’t remember anyone by that name.”
The old Daoist Lu Yixin’s hand, which was pointing at Jian Jingjue, trembled incessantly. He said, “You may not remember me, but do you remember Xiao Lan?”
“Xiao Lan?” Jian Jingjue was startled. He seemed to finally recall something, “Oh, you mean the daughter of the Feixing Sect Master who once said she liked me? How is she now?”
The scene at the moment caused everyone present to look at each other, seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.
How did a major battle turn into a reunion of old friends? However, this drama, they had no choice but to watch.
Lu Yixin said dejectedly, “Xiao Lan passed away a thousand years ago.”
“Is that so?” Jian Jingjue sighed softly, then said, “So why did you step forward? Do you also want to be an enemy of my Boundless Sword Sect?”
The old Daoist Lu’s turbid eyes gazed at Jian Jingjue and said:
“I want to tell you, she married me!”
“Isn’t that good?”
The old Daoist Lu’s eyes became moist, “But, when she was on her deathbed, she was still calling your name!”
Jian Jingjue’s old face turned red. What kind of situation was this?
However, the people of the Boundless Sword Sect, from the elders down to the true disciples, now felt that this Old Ancestor lived a life with flesh and blood.
“Alright, Lu Yixin, right? Remember to burn some incense for me when you go back. I don’t have time to deal with you right now.”
The old Daoist Lu’s eyes swept over both sides. There still seemed to be injustice in his eyes, but he temporarily took his seat.
His heart was extremely complicated. On one hand, he felt that he had to personally convey to Jian Jingjue the matter of Xiao Lan’s last thoughts.
On the other hand, a man’s dignity made him harbor hatred towards Jian Jingjue.
At this moment, his heart was struggling between the two. No one knew what was going through his mind.
After the spectators had eaten their fill of melon seeds, they felt a sense of being unfulfilled.
Jian Jingjue suddenly reached out and patted Ning Qi’s shoulder, giving him a meaningful look.
Ning Qi immediately understood.
Then, Jian Jingjue looked at Li Daocheng and the others again, “Go back, or die?”
“Hmph, Jian Jingjue, what’s the hurry? If you’re so eager, then make your move.”
Li Daocheng snorted, seemingly having seen that Jian Jingjue’s condition was not right.
The Sword Ancestor frowned slightly and did not act immediately, wanting to see what else Li Daocheng intended to do.
Li Daocheng glanced at the other Great Powers participating in the ceremony below and said:
“Are you all here to help the Boundless Sword Sect?”
The crowd did not answer. Anything they said now would be inappropriate; they preferred to be neutral observers and enjoy the show.
Unexpectedly, Li Daocheng spoke again:
“Your intentions are already known to my Northern Profound Upper Sect. You had best show the proper attitude, otherwise…”
His threat was evident.
The Great Powers looked at him, all feeling indignant.
But there was nothing they could do. The Northern Profound Upper Sect was the most powerful sect in the Northern Xuan Region, and it even had a Body Integration Realm Giant presiding over it. They simply couldn’t afford to offend them.
“Of course, if you help my Northern Profound Upper Sect capture the Boundless Sword Sect’s Sect Master, we will provide you with a Heaven and Earth Unity Pill and three pieces of Rule Jade as compensation. How about it?”
Upon hearing this, the Great Powers were stunned.
When had the Northern Profound Upper Sect changed its ways?
However, if what was said was true, they wouldn’t mind helping. After all, they could both get closer to the Northern Profound Upper Sect and reap rewards.
The Heaven and Earth Unity Pill was a medicinal pill used by Body Integration Realm Giants and was extremely useful to them, who were at the Void Dao Realm. Rule Jade, moreover, was usable by all three realms and was very precious.
Immediately, five Great Powers, leading their true disciples, joined the Northern Profound Upper Sect’s ranks.
Li Daocheng’s gaze suddenly fell upon the old Daoist Lu Yixin.
“Lu Yixin, I know you definitely can’t stand Jian Jingjue. Why not help my Northern Profound Upper Sect this once? You can get treasures and vent your anger. Isn’t that the best of both worlds?”
Unexpectedly, Lu Yixin did not even look at him.
“I promised Xiao Lan that I wouldn’t target him.”
Li Daocheng rubbed his forehead. This person was hopeless. Forget it, one more or one less wouldn’t matter.
Even Jian Jingjue hadn’t expected the old Daoist to be so principled; it seemed to stem from deep affection.
Li Daocheng then said to the Sword Ancestor, “Come on, the three of us will meet the former Heavenly Pride!”
Jian Jingjue said no more, his tall figure soaring into the sky. Li Daocheng and the other two Great Powers at the Perfection of Void Dao Realm immediately followed, subtly forming a formation and surrounding him in the center.
In the sky, terrifying fluctuations instantly erupted, and numerous Rule Divine Chains appeared in the void. The few of them immediately began a fierce battle.
Jian Jingjue was surrounded by the three, his Sword Dao rules like swimming fish, protecting him in the center.
Where no one could see, he suddenly wiped a wisp of crimson from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and looked down below.
“Young Ning, I’ve attracted their firepower. The rest is up to you.”
“Once you take down the others, we’ll work from the inside and out.”
Just as Li Daocheng had said, Jian Jingjue’s previous action of directly annihilating two Great Powers was the limit of what he could do.
He was suffering from a Great Dao Injury, and his strike was only for an instant. Li Daocheng and the other two were at the Perfection of Void Dao Realm, and he had no confidence in instantly killing them.
Now that he had tied them up, Jian Jingjue entrusted the rest to Ning Qi.
The two had a telepathic connection and knew each other’s strength, so he was very relieved.
Below.
Other sects wanted to help the five Great Powers of the Northern Profound Upper Sect and gathered with the remaining two Great Powers of the Northern Profound Upper Sect.
Although there were many of them, they were still led by two people.
After all, these two are also close to Void Dao Realm Perfection, not something these sects can compare to.
The person in the lead said, “That Jian Jingjue has already been trapped by the three Grand Elders of the Northern Profound Upper Sect, and will die before long. Now, the others of the Boundless Sword Sect are nothing special. Attack together and take down that Ning Qi.”
“Yes!”
At that moment, the five Great Powers attacked simultaneously.
And on the side of the Boundless Sword Sect, the elders also attacked together, confronting the five individuals.
The others who came to watch the ceremony, though pleased to be spectators, were still deeply alarmed.
They realized at this moment that it was difficult to watch the show with peace of mind.
Because the future is uncertain, if this Boundless Sword Sect cannot hold on, the Northern Profound Upper Sect will become even more powerful, and their future will be miserable!
All the remaining true disciples of the Sword Sect were extremely anxious, wanting to activate the Sect Protecting Grand Formation.
However, as the Sect Protecting Grand Formation had invited various sects to come today, many areas were temporarily shut down, and it could not be fully activated in a short time. There was not enough time.
Ning Qi’s gaze remained calm, and the Vice Sect Master Cang Wanhe beside him had already joined the battlefield.
“Sect Master, please accept the sword!”
Jiang Baichuan, the former Sect Master, still held the Sect Protecting Sword high beneath the steps in front of Ning Qi, and said at this moment.
His situation was special and he had to complete the ceremony before participating in the battle, so he could only wait for Ning Qi to obtain the sword.
Before, he had kept his head down, but now he looked towards Ning Qi.
A hint of anxiety flickered in his eyes, but upon meeting Ning Qi’s gaze, the anxiety in Jiang Baichuan’s heart inexplicably subsided.
Jiang Baichuan was shocked at heart. Although Ning Qi was young, he truly achieved a calmness and composure that even Jiang Baichuan could not attain.
Ning Qi took the Sect Protecting Sword and said lightly, “Go.”
“Yes!”
Jiang Baichuan immediately took the order and left.
Now, few people care what Ning Qi is doing.
They were either drawn to the battle between Jian Jingjue and the three Void Dao Realm Perfection Great Powers in the sky, or they cast their gazes down at the fight below.
Ning Qi held the Sect Protecting Sword and drew it out gently, but he didn’t unleash it, keeping the sharpness hidden within.
In these recent days, he has gained a lot, especially from the Sword Ancestor.
He cannot replicate the Sword Ancestor’s ten-thousand-meter Sword Dao Rule Divine Chains, nor can he achieve the Sword Ancestor’s “One Dao Controls Myriad Daos,” but he has achieved “One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws.”
Ning Qi’s gaze swept over the sword’s edge. Holding this Sect Protecting Sword in his hand gave him an extremely peculiar sensation, as if he were holding the entire Boundless Sword Sect.
“Then… let’s sacrifice him to the sword!”
He finally made a move, his sword dancing, and thrust a sword towards a certain direction.
As soon as he made his move, it shocked heaven and earth and made ghosts and gods weep. An incomparably thick black void appeared within the Boundless Sword Sect.
Although there were no flashy glimmers, this black hole was like an abyss of void, and all spiritual energy and rules within it were annihilated.
At this moment, this darkness was extraordinarily conspicuous amidst the many brilliant lights. Anyone who saw it would be terrified, and it immediately drew everyone’s attention.
“What is this…” someone exclaimed in astonishment.
“The new Sect Master Ning Qi has made a move, an attack just like Jian Jingjue’s earlier!”
“No, his attack is stronger than Jian Jingjue’s. Didn’t you see the black hole thicker than a water bucket?” someone swallowed, pointing to the black hole in the void.
Someone asked, “But who is Ning Qi attacking? I don’t see anyone.”
As soon as his words fell, the void black hole tore straight through the sky, reaching the outside of the Boundless Sword Sect’s Sect Protecting Grand Formation.
A figure suddenly fell out of the void black hole, dead as dead could be, plummeting straight downwards.
“Who is this person?”
The congregation was full of doubt.
This person had not appeared before, and now, for the first time, he showed himself to the public, but in a state of death.
194 They did not know, but the people from the Northern Profound Upper Sect knew it very clearly.
At this moment, seeing the figure that fell out, everyone from the Northern Profound Upper Sect instantly changed their expressions.
“Grand Elder Xu Chen!”
Li Daocheng exclaimed. He was the first to sense Xu Chen’s presence.
As he spoke, other Great Powers of the Northern Profound Upper Sect also exclaimed one after another.
Xu Chen was a Great Power of the Northern Profound Upper Sect from twenty thousand years ago. He had been cultivated by the Northern Profound Upper Sect as a protector of the sect and was almost unknown to outsiders.
However, in recent years, the Northern Profound Upper Sect has been restless and desires to consolidate the power of the entire Northern Xuan Region, thus causing these hidden sect protecting Great Powers to emerge and gain fame.
“Xu Chen?”
The congregation heard the startled cries and each froze like a wooden dummy.
“Did I hear that right? They’re calling out that peerless Great Power in the Half-step Body Integration Realm?”
“Besides that person, who else could shock all the Great Powers of the Northern Profound Upper Sect like this?”
A true disciple asked, “Elder, may I ask what a peerless great power in the Half-step Body Integration Realm is?”
Elders from other sects immediately responded, “Someone who failed to break through to the Integration Realm and will never be able to advance further!”
No one paid attention to these two, and another Great Power said:
“This son of a bitch Northern Profound Upper Sect thinks too highly of the Boundless Sword Sect. Not only did they openly send out seven Great Powers, but I didn’t expect them to secretly send a Half-step Body Integration Realm Great Power to follow.”
Someone said with a dejected face, “You’re wrong to say that. The Boundless Sword Sect is indeed worthy of their attention. Didn’t you see that Xu Chen is already dead?”
That person immediately slapped himself in the face, “Damn, I should slap my mouth. I hope Sect Master Ning didn’t hear that.”
Just as the news of the unparalleled great power’s demise spread, the chaotic battle scenes that had been occurring everywhere unexpectedly came to a halt, a rare sight for everyone.
They each projected a trace of their minds towards Ning Qi.
The disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect were naturally overjoyed. They never imagined that Senior Brother Ning’s strength had already reached such a terrifying level.
The Great Powers of the Northern Profound Upper Sect arrived, and the first feeling they gave everyone was that dark clouds pressed down on the city, threatening to destroy it. Now, with Ning Qi drawing his sword, it was like a clear sky sweeping away all clouds for ten thousand miles.
Their confidence greatly increased one by one!
And in contrast to them were the Great Powers of the Northern Profound Upper Sect.
Does the Northern Profound Upper Sect still have masters?
Jian Jingjue’s appearance had already exceeded their expectations. With a single sword strike, he annihilated two Great Powers, giving them a display of his might.
But with Grand Elder Xu Chen guarding them, everyone felt very confident in their hearts. Even if Jian Jingjue was powerful, facing three Void Dao Realm Perfection experts and Elder Xu Chen, he wouldn’t last much longer.
Therefore, Li Daocheng and the other two went specifically to target Jian Jingjue, leaving the remaining two Great Powers below.
They have a trump card!
However, now, their trump cards were cut down by a single sword!
The strongest in the Boundless Sword Sect was not Jian Jingjue, who amazed the entire Northern Xuan Region ten thousand years ago, but the new Sect Master—Ning Qi!
