My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult - Chapter 155 - Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Opportunity in the Heavenly Flipping Seal
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- Chapter 155 - Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Opportunity in the Heavenly Flipping Seal
Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Opportunity in the Heavenly Flipping Seal
An Jing touched his chest and then took the Heavenly Flipping Seal out from it.
At that moment, the seal face of the Heavenly Flipping Seal was emitting a scorching red light, as if flames were burning on it.
“What’s going on…?”
As soon as An Jing placed his palm on the seal face, he immediately felt a sharp pain in his fingers.
It’s important to note that he had already tempered his body to forge Golden Bones, making his physique extraordinarily strong. Therefore, anything that could instantly cause him pain was definitely not ordinary.
“The Heavenly Flipping Seal was left to me by my wife. Could it have some other purpose?”
An Jing thought of something and couldn’t help feeling a bit puzzled.
Ever since he met Tan Yun again, there were several complicated emotions added to his heart.
He was a very cautious person by nature. Even though he deeply trusted Zhao Qingmei at the bottom of his heart, he couldn’t help but recall many things now, such as whether Zhao Qingmei had any connection with the Demon Sect.
When he previously discovered that Li Fuzhou was the Sect Leader of Human Sect, An Jing had never doubted Li Fuzhou. But this time, he wavered a bit.
However, if Zhao Qingmei was really related to the Demon Sect, why would she marry him?
All of this, what could be the reasons behind it?
In a daze, An Jing remembered Zhao Qingmei’s countenance and felt a profound sense of loss in his heart.
After pondering for a moment, he slowly got up and went to the door of Lou Xiangzhen.
“Knock knock!”
“Senior, are you asleep?”
“Come in.”
The voice of Lou Xiangzhen came from inside the room.
An Jing pushed the door open and saw Lou Xiangzhen sitting crossed-legged on the bed, meditating with closed eyes.
Hearing the footsteps, Lou Xiangzhen slowly opened his eyes and said, “What’s the matter that you’re not resting in the middle of the night, kid?”
An Jing chuckled dryly and said, “Nothing, I just wanted to see if Senior Lou had rested.”
Lou Xiangzhen: “….”
An Jing explained, “I’m just more concerned about you, Senior. Are you getting used to living here, eating here, and how your injuries are healing.”
“Alright, let’s not beat around the bush with each other.”
Lou Xiangzhen gave An Jing a strange look, “You’ve been acting odd lately, is it because of that little girl that day?”
Ever since he rescued that Demon Sect woman in Huang Yao Town, An Jing had been acting very weird, often zoning out as if contemplating something.
“Sigh.”
An Jing sighed deeply and then took out the Heavenly Flipping Seal from his bosom, “Actually, I wanted to ask Senior to take a look at this and tell me what it is.”
Instantly, a red light filled the room.
“Is this an Exotic Treasure!?”
Lou Xiangzhen was astonished when he saw the Heavenly Flipping Seal.
“Exotic Treasure?”
An Jing asked, puzzled, “What is an Exotic Treasure?”
As Lou Xiangzhen examined the Heavenly Flipping Seal, he explained, “In this world, there are countless precious materials. Once refined, they become powerful Exotic Treasures, capable of attacking and killing, very strong.”
“The top ten swords on the Famous Sword List can actually be considered Exotic Treasures, and the seal you hold in your hand is also one.”
As he spoke, Lou turned to take a closer look at the Heavenly Flipping Seal.
“I didn’t expect this thing to be so precious.”
Upon hearing this, An Jing was moved, having thought it was just an antique, when in fact it was an Exotic Treasure.
“Hmm?”
When Lou Xiangzhen saw the characters on the face of the Heavenly Flipping Seal, he was shockingly taken aback, “The Heavenly Flipping Seal!?”
“Yes, this is the Heavenly Flipping Seal,” An Jing nodded.
“This is really the Heavenly Flipping Seal!?”
Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing.
“Yes, doesn’t it have writing on it?” An Jing pointed to the seal face.
“Of course I know the writing here…”
Lou Xiangzhen paused, then said with an extremely serious expression, “Where did you get this thing from?”
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Seeing Lou Xiangzhen’s expression, An Jing also knew that this object was extraordinary and said cautiously, “It was given to me by my wife, who said it is an antique passed down from her ancestors. She told me to keep it on me and not to lose it.”
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“Antique? This is worth a hundred, no, a thousand times more than any antique.”
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Lou Xiangzhen carefully examined the Heavenly Flipping Seal, murmuring, “This is a truly incredible exotic treasure, lost for a thousand years. I never imagined it would appear in your hands today.”
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Curious, An Jing asked, “What exactly is this thing?”
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“The Demon Sect’s treasured relic to suppress the sect!”
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Lou Xiangzhen stated each word deliberately.
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“The Demon Sect’s treasured relic to suppress the sect?”
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Hearing this, An Jing felt as if he had been struck by a bolt from the blue.
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Zhao Qingmei had in her possession the Demon Sect’s treasured relic to suppress the sect!?
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As if realizing something, his expression changed drastically.
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To say that Zhao Qingmei had nothing to do with the Demon Sect, An Jing wouldn’t even believe it himself now.
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Seeing An Jing’s change in complexion, Lou Xiangzhen couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the matter? This is a top-tier exotic treasure, one of the finest in the world. Why do you look so troubled, lad?”
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An Jing took a deep breath and said, “I think I’ve been deceived?”
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“All those who deceived me in the past were killed by me.”
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Lou Xiangzhen’s eyebrows rose slightly before he said, puzzled, “What did your wife deceive you about? This is an unparalleled exotic treasure, one that can only be rivaled by the union of six Evil Suppressing Swords.”
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An Jing replied earnestly, “I was tricked in love.”
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Apart from being suave and handsome, it seemed he had no other outstanding qualities unless Zhao Qingmei had spotted something else…
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“Do you think you’re worth a Heavenly Flipping Seal?”
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Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing with a hint of irritation, then admired the Heavenly Flipping Seal in his hand, saying, “It’s said that back in the Nine Nether, a piece of jade was found. This jade, growing in the Nine Nether, was pure and untainted, luminous and pure white. The jade was then taken and came into the hands of a remarkable person, who split it in two. One piece was turned into the Imperial Jade Seal of the Qin Dynasty, treasured and seen as a symbol of the nation.”
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“The other piece was fashioned into the Heavenly Flipping Seal, and later used to establish the Demon Sect. This person, emulating the Human Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, made the Heavenly Flipping Seal the treasured relic to suppress the sect, intending for the Demon Sect to be passed down for generations.”
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Listening to Lou Xiangzhen, An Jing scrutinized the Heavenly Flipping Seal and asked, “Do you mean, senior, that the Heavenly Flipping Seal and the Imperial Jade Seal are from the same piece of jade?”
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He had not expected the Heavenly Flipping Seal to have such an impressive origin.
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Lou Xiangzhen nodded, saying, “Correct. This Heavenly Flipping Seal represents the supreme status within the Demon Sect. Not only that, this object is also an extraordinary treasure for offensive and defensive purposes, no weaker than the complete Evil Suppressing Sword.”
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“However, this object has been lost by the Demon Sect for thousands of years, and they have searched for it for thousands of years, but have not been able to find it.”
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Upon hearing this, An Jing was greatly astonished. His wife had in her possession the Demon Sect’s treasured relic to suppress the sect, and furthermore, she had passed it on to him.
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What exactly was the reason for this?
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What kind of relationship did his wife have with the Demon Sect?
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At this moment, his mind was in turmoil. If she truly belonged to the Demon Sect, why would she give him such a precious object?
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Or was she being coerced by the Demon Sect?
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Lou Xiangzhen, as if struck by a thought, said, “Drop some of your blood onto the surface of the seal and try it.”
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“What is this?”
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An Jing, confused, asked, “Does this exotic treasure also require a blood pact to recognize a master?”
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Lou Xiangzhen explained, “Such exotic treasures naturally possess a hint of sentience. By leaving behind your own aura, you may be able to use it in part. But if you wish for it to recognize a master and exert its full power, it will depend on your opportunity and fate.”
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Hearing this, An Jing nodded slightly.
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His Evil Suppressing Sword was just like this; it could only be drawn once it recognized a master.
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An Jing cut his finger, producing a drop of blood, then let it fall onto the surface of the seal.
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“Boom!” “Boom!”
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When the blood touched the surface of the seal, it was as if a spark had fallen onto dry grass, igniting an immediate blaze.
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The crimson surface of the seal seemed to boil, with red light filling the entire room.
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But soon, the red light faded away.
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An Jing was puzzled, as for some reason, he felt Zhao Qingmei’s essence within the Heavenly Flipping Seal, and it was profound. Her essence then completely devoured his own.
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He could sense that Zhao Qingmei was still alive, and judging by the essence she left behind, her cultivation seemed rather strong.
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Knowing his sensation of strength meant she truly must be very strong.
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He was currently in the Heavenly Flower Realm; above that were only the Half-step Master and maybe the Grandmaster Realm.
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“Tip Two: A purple opportunity is near the host.”
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“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!”
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The red light trembled, refracting streams of characters from within.
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“What is this?”
An Jing’s eyebrows rose as he looked over, “The ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’?”
“Indeed.”
Lou Xiangzhen gazed at the characters, bursting into laughter, “The records within the ‘Heavenly Flipping Seal’ are true, it contains the supreme martial heart method of the Demon Sect.”
Originally, he was merely speculating, but now it seemed his guess was entirely correct, the ‘Heavenly Flipping Seal’ indeed included the Demon Sect’s supreme heart method.
“Is this one of the three martial arts that surpass the Heavenly Martial in the current age?”
An Jing looked at those characters, astounded.
The heart method of the martial arts that surpassed the Heavenly Martial, a heart method that countless people coveted, was now before his eyes.
After a short while, the red light gradually disappeared, and the ‘Heavenly Flipping Seal’ returned to how it looked before as if nothing had happened.
“You best not expose the ‘Heavenly Flipping Seal.’ If the people of the Demon Sect learn you possess this item, they will certainly stop at nothing, by any means necessary.”
Lou Xiangzhen seemed to think of something, “You said this was given to you by your wife? Does your wife know what this is?”
“I… should know… or do I not know?”
An Jing’s mouth opened, and his mind felt a bit foggy.
If Zhao Qingmei didn’t know, why would she insist he carry it close to his body? Moreover, she seemed to have some connection with the Demon Sect. Now, An Jing was even more confused.
Lou Xiangzhen shook his head, saying, “Either way, since she gave you something so precious, you should keep it safe. Remember not to let anyone else find out about it.”
It seemed that this lad’s wife was no ordinary figure, and she was quite good to him, indeed, to have given him such a precious item.
An Jing nodded vigorously, then asked, “Don’t you wish to take another look at the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’?”
Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand and spoke with righteousness, “I practice the orthodox methods of the Mystical Sect, which inherently conflict with the Demon Sect’s techniques. Even though the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’ is above the Heavenly Martial, converting my true qi now would be too time-consuming.”
“Moreover, as a disciple of the Mystical Sect, it would be inappropriate for me to practice a cultivation technique from the Demon Sect. How would it look if that got out?”
Lou Xiangzhen’s Ghost Valley Heart Method had already reached the ninth layer, and if he were to start over with the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,’ it would take too much time. Besides, he had his pride; how could he possibly practice a technique from the Demon Sect?
An Jing inwardly sighed, “The predecessor still upholds his integrity, unswayed even by this heart method.”
Lou Xiangzhen spoke indifferently, “After I obtain the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture,’ and practice the orthodox martial arts of my Mystical Sect, won’t it be stronger than this Demon Sect heart method?”
An Jing nodded, then clenched the ‘Heavenly Flipping Seal’ tightly and carefully placed it against his chest.
This was what Zhao Qingmei had left for him.
“Your wife is quite good to you.”
Seeing this, Lou Xiangzhen couldn’t help feeling a bit sour, “Did she trick you with charm? How valuable are you?”
An Jing’s eyebrows rose, “My affection is priceless.”
Lou Xiangzhen spoke dismissively, “Then you haven’t hidden anything from your wife, have you?”
An Jing: “…..”
Upon reflection, he realized he too had kept many things from Zhao Qingmei, such as his cultivation, and when Zhao Qingmei left, he only gave her paper effigies along with Third Grade wooden figures.
Thinking of this, guilt started to set in his heart.
In comparison to his wife, he was far too poor.
He had finally obtained the ‘Great Sun Tathagata Mantra’ but couldn’t even cultivate it.
Lou Xiangzhen let out a soft sigh, then took a seat in a chair, “In this world, there is nothing more precious than sincere affection, make sure not to live with regret.”
An Jing quickly sat down next to Lou Xiangzhen, pouring two cups of tea, “Listening to the predecessor, it seems you have some regrets.”
“Some regrets, yes, but not entirely.”
Lou Xiangzhen shook his head and said, “How could life be full of only regrets? Looking back, there are three regrets in my heart, two of which I still have the chance to rectify.”
“What regrets?”
Lou Xiangzhen took a deep breath and after a long silence finally said, “One of my regrets was Jiang Sanjia, but his death reignited my will to persevere, sparking my fighting spirit. It was key for me to reach the Sixth Realm; otherwise, my life might have never advanced to this stage.”
With that said, Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing, “If I reached the Sixth Realm, you have a part in it, too. Your sword intent was also immensely beneficial to me.”
An Jing chuckled, “It’s mutually beneficial. I also learned a lot from the predecessor.”
Throughout their exchange over this period, An Jing’s swordsmanship had also greatly improved, especially as Lou Xiangzhen had almost unreservedly passed on his experience to him.
“As for the second regret… it is the title of the world’s foremost swordsman. A person’s life spans but seventy years, deducting ten years for childhood ignorance and another ten for old age, only fifty remain. Among those fifty, when divided by day and night, only twenty-five are left. When you account for windy and rainy days, sickness, dangers, and the time spent rushing here and there, how many good days are truly left? Regardless, the one thing I have always been doing is practicing the sword.”
“Why practice the sword? Because of the world’s vain titles, yes, for that vanity. That’s right.”
Lou Xiangzhen chuckled lightly, his voice laden with infinite sighs, “Something I’ve pursued my whole life seems so distant, yet also seems within reach.”
Upon hearing this, An Jing was inwardly shaken.
How many swordsmen spent their lives chasing the title of the world’s number one, exhausting their essence blood in the effort.
In the eyes of many, this might seem ridiculous, but this is precisely what a true Swordsman is.
When you choose to become a Swordsman, that becomes your ultimate destiny.
There isn’t a Swordsman who doesn’t wish to be the world’s foremost Swordsman.
“I thought that after retiring for decades, I had left everything behind,”
Lou Xiangzhen slowly said, “but as they say, only when you can pick it up, can you put it down. I, however, never picked it up in the first place, so how can we speak of putting it down?”
In his lifetime, Lou Xiangzhen never became the world’s foremost Swordsman; in his earlier years, he was overshadowed by unparalleled Swordsmen such as the Sword God and the Sword Demon, and later lost his ambition, with no progress in his Sword Dao realm for years. Although the Sword God and Sword Demon had retired, new and emerging young talents had since arisen in Jianghu.
For his entire life, he was the second-best Swordsman.
An Jing knew that his heart harbored unwillingness.
For a lifetime, persisting devotedly to one task, such an obsession had been deeply imprinted in his mind, impossible to shake off completely.
This time, Lou Xiangzhen came out of retirement not only to avenge Jiang Sanjia but also to truly become the world’s foremost Swordsman.
An Jing nodded solemnly, understanding that with Lou Xiangzhen’s strength, he could indeed contend for the title of the world’s foremost Swordsman.
Without going any further, neither he nor the Heavenly Sword were matches for Lou Xiangzhen.
“The last one…”
Lou Xiangzhen paused after these words, and then said no more.
An Jing remained silent, knowing that Lou Xiangzhen was referring to that woman.
Both men understood each other without words, and each raised their teacups to take a sip.
An Jing put down his teacup and said, “Senior, I’ve decided to go to the Five Poison Sect to borrow the Thunder Pool.”
Lou Xiangzhen chuckled, “Oh? Have you thought it through? The Five Poison Young Master isn’t a very generous person. With the grudges between you and the Five Poison Sect, they might not lend it to you.”
An Jing spoke gravely, “This is something I must try to know for sure.”
The transformation of the Thousand-year-old Black Python into a Jiao, with strength comparable to the Grandmaster Realm, was the most pressing matter for him at the moment.
“You have finally come to understand,”
Lou Xiangzhen smiled, “Once the Thousand-year-old Black Python undergoes the Jiao Transformation, even Yu Ying from the Zhenyi Sect wouldn’t be able to harm you when he arrives, and with me protecting you along the way, unless the Zhenyi Sect mobilizes in full force, they stand no chance against the two of us.”
He had previously advised An Jing to visit the Five Poison Sect, but at that time, An Jing had refused.
…….
In Lingnan Dao, the city of Heavenly Travel, in an alleyway.
The alley wasn’t long and ran from north to south. On both sides were courtyards made of thick loam, one connected to the next, with sturdy ancient locust trees and wisterias laden with purple blossoms embellishing the depths of the alley.
The courtyards were uniform in height and size; on one side, a dozen families lined up neatly. You couldn’t see inside the houses, only the broad wooden doors, each double-paned, and the wisps of blue smoke rising from earthen chimneys atop their roofs.
In one of these courtyards at the moment.
In the alley, there was a wooden table laid with fish head stew, dragon beard vegetables, stir-fried eggs, and steamed crabs.
“Little Tan Yun, it’s time to eat,”
Luo Zixiang called out to the inner room.
“Coming, coming!”
Upon hearing this, Tan Yun hurriedly ran out from her room.
Luo Zixiang laughed, “These are all your favorites; you aren’t angry anymore, are you?”
Tan Yun took a seat and said, “I never get angry during mealtime, but after I eat, that’s not so certain.”
After saying this, Tan Yun picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
“You little girl,”
With a stern face, Luo Zixiang said, “Consider this a lesson. The spies of the Heaven and Earth Net are quite formidable. As you move through the Great Yan Martial World, you must be extremely careful and vigilant.”
While stuffing her face and puffing out her cheeks, Tan Yun replied, “I took action once, probably killing those blind little bandits, and I guessed it might expose my identity. I just didn’t expect the Heaven and Earth Net to catch up so quickly.”
Tan Yun was unaware that because the North Mountain bandits had recently committed too many outrages, they had become a major target of the Heaven and Earth Net, and since Tan Yun had killed them at this juncture, she was quickly marked by the spies of the Heaven and Earth Net.
“Ah,”
Luo Zixiang sighed, “It’s really difficult for our Demon Sect to infiltrate Great Yan while it remains stable.”
The current situation was like a taut bow, just waiting for the first arrow to be fired. The Demon Sect could only find its way into Great Yan when someone else fired that first arrow.
For example, if Houjin or Zhao Country declared war on Great Yan, or if the Zhenyi Sect and the Buddhist sects engaged in battle–events that could completely unsettle Jianghu.
However, the likelihood of the latter unfolding is meager, as neither the Zhenyi Sect nor the Buddhist sects would act hastily at such crucial times.
Suddenly, Luo Zixiang thought of something and asked, “By the way, why did that Ghost Swordsman intervene to save you that day?”
Now that they had escaped, they also learned that in the end, the Ghost Swordsman had defeated the Heavenly Sword, which truly surprised Luo Zixiang. She hadn’t expected the Ghost Swordsman to turn defeat into victory.
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It seems I was wrong that day; I failed to see that the Ghost Swordsman is an even more formidable swordsman than the Heavenly Sword.
Facing the Heavenly Sword, Luo Zixiang admits even the courage to make a move eludes her.
If it weren’t for the Ghost Swordsman’s intervention that day, Tan Yun wouldn’t have the chance to be eating now; she would only be able to eat the Xuanyi Guard’s prison food.
Recently, the entire Jianghu has been discussing this duel.
Now that the Ghost Swordsman has eclipsed the fame of the Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian, he has directly become the sixth Sword Immortal of the Jianghu, and countless swordsmen, upon mentioning this swordsman, can’t help but feel a chill in their hearts and silently express their admiration.
First, he slew the Great Zhenren of the Zhenyi Sect, and then he defeated the Heavenly Sword; either deed alone is a major event that has shaken the Jianghu.
In just a few short months, the Ghost Swordsman went from being a fairly well-known swordsman to ascending to the position of a Sword Immortal.
One should know that the other five Sword Immortals are all renowned figures, swordsmen who have undergone decades of experience before gradually becoming Sword Immortals in the Jianghu.
Only the Ghost Swordsman remains true to his name, with his moves unpredictable and mysterious, and to this day no one knows his true appearance or age.
This only adds a layer of mystery to his identity.
“How… how would I know?”
Tan Yun’s face turned completely red upon hearing this, and her voice was as thin as a thread.
“You don’t know?”
Luo Zixiang stared wide-eyed, “You don’t know that the Ghost Swordsman made a move against the Heavenly Sword? That’s one of the five great Sword Immortals.”
When she took Tan Yun away, the Ghost Swordsman was already at a clear disadvantage; even if he had finally overcome the Heavenly Sword, he probably didn’t win easily.
For the sake of someone she doesn’t know, who would come to her rescue?
And if Tan Yun doesn’t know the Ghost Swordsman, why did she say such things that day?
“I really don’t know, I’m not a parasite in his stomach; how could I know why he saved me?”
Tan Yun shook her head, feeling even sweeter than if she had eaten honey at this moment.
Luo Zixiang was full of suspicion; she didn’t believe Tan Yun’s words.
Tan Yun bit her lip and said, “Aunt Luo, do you believe in love at first sight?”
“I did decades ago, but not anymore,” Luo Zixiang laughed lightly, “I’m old and faded now; there is no such thing as love at first sight for me anymore.”
Tan Yun earnestly replied, “Love at first sight isn’t about liking someone at a glance; it’s about seeing someone once and then never being able to forget them.”
To say she likes him, she doesn’t know; she’s not familiar with mystery, but his silhouette is something she can never forget.
“Wow!”
Luo Zixiang couldn’t help but laugh, “What if he’s hideous?”
“No, his eyes are very nice.”
“How nice?”
“Just like… like your husband’s…”
When Tan Yun said this, her expression became somewhat sad.
For some reason, whenever she thought of the Ghost Swordsman, she would often be reminded of An Jing.
“You’re not talking about that Ghost Swordsman, are you?”
Luo Zixiang shook her head and advised, “Forget it, this is your private affair; if you don’t speak of it, I won’t pry. But you’d better stay away from this Ghost Swordsman for now. He killed the Great Zhenren of the Zhenyi Sect, and while there’s been no move by the sect yet, I reckon they will act soon.”
What kind of sect is the Zhenyi Sect? It’s the state religion of Great Yan and the undisputed leader of the Jianghu.
If no one knew about the Ghost Swordsman killing the Great Zhenren, it would be better, but now the whole Jianghu knows of it. How would the rest view the Zhenyi Sect if they did not act?
How can the Zhenyi Sect’s reputation continue to intimidate the Jianghu?
Therefore, the Ghost Swordsman is in grave danger.
Tan Yun paused in her actions, asking, “Aunt Luo, do you think it would be a good thing if the Ghost Swordsman joined our Demon Sect?”
“That… would of course be an incredible boon,”
Luo Zixiang looked at Tan Yun seriously, “He is one of the six Sword Immortals in the Jianghu. Currently, only these six can be called Sword Immortals. If he were to join our Demon Sect, it would undoubtedly greatly strengthen our sect’s prestige.”
The noise the Ghost Swordsman has made in the Jianghu lately has been no small matter. If he were to join the Demon Sect, then the sect’s reputation and power would grow correspondingly.
Regardless of being known for good or ill, it would intimidate a large number of Jianghu experts.
“I have finished eating; I will go rest now,”
Tan Yun acknowledged this with a nod and then set down her chopsticks, making her way to her room.
Luo Zixiang looked at the mess on the table and asked, “How come you only ate two bowls today? Was the food not to your liking?”
“There wasn’t enough food; I wasn’t satisfied.”
Having said this, Tan Yun then slipped into her own room.
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“Really.”
Luo Zixiang saw this and couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head, “Love at first sight, this little girl even asks about love at first sight. In the blink of an eye, she’s all grown up.”
Many of the newer generation in the Demon Sect Main Hall were watched over by her as they grew up, and she had very deep impressions of Zhao Qingmei, Tan Yun, and Yu Qiurong.
Zhao Qingmei was brought into the sect by Jiang Shang, and the first time Luo Zixiang saw Zhao Qingmei, she felt that Zhao Qingmei was quite extraordinary.
That gaze and tone of voice shouldn’t belong to a girl of about ten years old.
Some people can be seen from childhood to be not of the common sort.
Zhao Qingmei was such a person.
Then there was Tan Yun, who was brought into the Demon Sect by Li Fuzhou. Moreover, he made an exception by accepting her as his disciple, although he claimed at the time that he would not take any disciples.
Compared to Zhao Qingmei’s coldness, Tan Yun was quite familiar with many of the sect members. Many people liked this innocent and cute little girl, and they often looked out for her.
Luo Zixiang remembered clearly that once, when Tan Yun failed to complete a task assigned by Li Fuzhou, she followed a merchant convoy out of Dongluo Pass to eat beggar’s chicken. Upon her return, Li Fuzhou punished her by making her kneel in the courtyard for a day and a night.
Inside the sect, many people pleaded for her, but Li Fuzhou refused to see anyone and ignored them all.
At night, many went to secretly bring food to Tan Yun, who unexpectedly fell asleep in the middle of the courtyard.
In fact, Luo Zixiang knew that Li Fuzhou was observing everything in secret.
He protected Tan Yun very well; she had never been exposed to the shady and ignoble affairs within the Demon Sect.
Moreover, because of Li Fuzhou, few people dared to set their sights on Tan Yun.
Sometimes, Luo Zixiang almost thought that Tan Yun might be Li Fuzhou’s own daughter.
You should know that Li Fuzhou was famously handsome and elegant in his youth. The women he was close to were numerous. When he first joined the Demon Sect, Liu Huiyun from the Liu Family of Great Yan even came to look for him. At that time, Li Fuzhou hid for a whole month and did not show up.
As for Yu Qiurong, her impression was not that deep.
Yu Qiurong liked to follow Zhao Qingmei from a young age, very honest and loyal. A sect member with ill intent took a fancy to Yu Qiurong, who was quite attractive.
Yu Qiurong was much older than Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun and had already grown into a tall and graceful beauty. Although her cultivation was also not bad, she didn’t hold any status within the sect.
In the end, it was Zhao Qingmei who took action and helped her out of the crisis. Since then, Yu Qiurong became Zhao Qingmei’s shadow, often following her around.
When Zhao Qingmei became the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, the first person she promoted was Yu Qiurong.
“This little girl seems a bit off today; even her appetite is lacking.”
Luo Zixiang was halfway through her meal when she suddenly felt something strange and walked slowly to Tan Yun’s door.
“Tan Yun! I still have some things to ask you, have you gone to sleep?”
There was no response from inside the room, not even the sound of breathing.
“This is bad!”
Luo Zixiang muttered to herself in alarm and hurriedly pushed the door open.
She saw that the room was completely empty; there was no sign of Tan Yun.
On the table, there was a piece of white paper with a few crooked words: “Aunt Luo, I have important matters to attend to, I’m leaving first. No need to look for me, Tan Yun.”
Seeing this, Luo Zixiang couldn’t help but reveal a bittersweet smile.
“Master Li, Master Li, girls really can’t be kept around once they grow up.”
…..
Zhenyi Sect, Zhenyi Mountain.
Majestic and towering, with layered ranges, the midsection of the mountain was shrouded in endless clouds, rolling ceaselessly.
Today seemed somewhat different. On the plaza of Zhenyi Mountain, thousands of disciples stood on both sides, their eyes focused straight ahead, filled with a certain excitement.
In the center of the plaza was a giant cauldron, currently emitting red incense that gave off a fragrance which inevitably jolted the mind.
Directly in front was Heavenly Venerate Hall’s Yu Ying, followed by Nanhua Peak Master Ling Yuanjing, Dongxu Peak Master Song Chengbiao, Chongling Peak Master Sima Changlin–the three great peak masters. Only the Tongxuan Peak Master He Chen was still lying in bed with injuries requiring more time to heal.
Further back were the great real people of the Zhenyi Sect.
Out of the seven great real people of the Zhenyi Sect, except for Yuchen Real Person, who was far in the Southern Barbarians, four had come, while two had already been buried.
Such a grand and solemn assembly was something very few people in Zhenyi Sect of contemporary times could enjoy.
Everyone was serious, as if they were waiting for something.
Time ticked away, and after about half an incense stick’s time passed,
“Dingling!” “Dingling!”
Just then, clear bell sounds came from the great hall ahead, followed by a young boy’s crisp shout.
“The Sect Leader Uncle has exited seclusion!”
The tone was clear and pleasant, echoing across the entire plaza.
“Greetings to the Sect Leader upon exiting seclusion!”
“Greetings to the Sect Leader upon exiting seclusion!”
…….
All the people were shouting loudly, and then they bowed in respect.
The voices of thousands rang out clearly, echoing resoundingly and scattering across the skies.
At that moment, a young boy walked out slowly.
Behind him, the sound of footsteps followed, and soon, a figure emerged at a leisurely pace.
The man was dressed in a white robe, wearing a Daoist crown and had his hair tied up in a Daoist topknot; he appeared to be in his early thirties, with a face as sharp as if it had been cut by a knife, and a pair of pure, bright eyes that showed no trace of impurity–clear yet profoundly unfathomable, and his skin was as lustrous as jade.
Some people, even when standing in a crowd and dressed in the same Daoist robes, you would immediately recognize them.
He was none other than Xiao Qianqiu, the most respected figure in the current Great Yan Martial World.
Upon seeing Xiao Qianqiu’s silhouette, everyone present showed a hint of reverence.
“Senior Uncle.”
Xiao Qianqiu glanced at Yu Ying in front of him and nodded faintly in response.
Yu Ying’s eyes sparkled as he smiled and said, “Congratulations to the Sect Leader for exiting seclusion. Your cultivation must have improved further, right?”
Xiao Qianqiu nodded slightly, then glanced around, “Senior Brother He Chen is still unable to leave bed?”
“Brother He Chen’s injuries are severe; he needs at least a month or two of recuperation,” Ling Yuanjing stepped forward and said with a deep breath.
He Chen had suffered a sword strike from An Jing, and although it did not hit a vital point, the Sword Qi was still within him, requiring time to be expelled.
Yu Ying said gravely, “It is not only He Chen; Yu Huai and Yu Lin have both perished.”
As his words fell, everyone from the Zhenyi Sect fell silent, their heads bowed, eyes filled with a touch of sorrow.
“Did Qi Yun also die?”
Xiao Qianqiu’s face showed neither joy nor sorrow, betraying no change in emotion.
Yu Ying replied, “He did die, killed by the Ghost Swordsman and another mysterious expert during a fight.”
“Are there any other messages?”
After speaking, Xiao Qianqiu raised his head and looked into the distant sky.
On his face, in his eyes, there was no sign of any emotion, no telling whether he felt loss, sadness, or melancholy.
Yu Ying glanced at Ling Yuanjing, who took a deep breath and said with a serious face, “Recently, there are two important pieces of intelligence. Jiang Shang is not dead, and he has returned to the Demon Sect.”
The news of Jiang Shang’s return to the Demon Sect had been spreading secretly, but it had yet to spread throughout Jianghu.
Xiao Qianqiu nodded, “This Jiang Shang indeed has formidable abilities. However, having been gravely injured before, even if he did not die, he would need several years to recuperate, so his cultivation should not have progressed over these years.”
He was well aware of their previous clash; Jiang Shang had taken the blow with his own body, and if not dead, would certainly be critically injured.
That Jiang Shang was not dead was not entirely unexpected to him.
“The second piece of intelligence concerns the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’.”
Ling Yuanjing continued, “Lou Xiangzhen of the Ghost Valley Sect and the Ghost Swordsman of the Daluo Sect were seen together. Lou Xiangzhen’s cultivation should be at the peak of the Second Qi Peak, while his Sword Skill at the peak of the Fifth Realm.”
“The Ghost Swordsman’s cultivation is at the realm of the Heavenly Flower, extremely strong in power, with a formidable Thousand-year-old Black Python under his command. He Chen was wounded by him, while the revered Yu Huai and Yu Lin were killed by him.”
Yu Ying, furrowing his brows, said, “Against the strength of this Lou Xiangzhen, I’m not confident I could defeat him…”
Considering Lou Xiangzhen’s formidable abilities, he was not sure he could prevail.
Xiao Qianqiu’s gaze was serene, as he gently declared, “Proclaim to the world that in five days, I shall descend the mountain.”
Upon hearing Xiao Qianqiu’s words, everyone present was profoundly shaken!
Xiao Qianqiu was going to leave the mountain!
The most respected figure in the Great Yan Martial World was going to come down from the mountain!
If this news were to spread, it would surely cause an uproar throughout the entire Jianghu.
Upon hearing this, Ling Yuanjing couldn’t help but clench his fists, knowing well that with Xiao Qianqiu making a move, the outcome was bound to be certain, allowing them not only to seize the Daluo Heart Method but also to exact their great revenge by slaying the Ghost Swordsman.
“Are you really going to leave the mountain?”
Yu Ying asked in a grave tone.
Xiao Qianqiu was of such special status that descending from the mountain meant facing not only the visible members of the Zhenyi Sect but also many unseen enemies.
“Such is life, nothing more than ascending and descending mountains,”
Xiao Qianqiu said indifferently while watching the white clouds drifting in the distance.
……
Lijiang City, aboard a fishing boat.
Ling Yuhua, looking at the secret letter in her hands, shook her head slightly.
“Li Fuzhou, oh Li Fuzhou, if only you had stayed in Capital Road, but you even went to meet that Liu Huiyun…”
Even though she had long anticipated the outcome, the actual sight of it still made her heart skip a beat.
“Grandma, there’s an urgent secret letter.”
At this moment, a crisp, pleasant voice sounded.
The curtain was lifted, and a gentle and beautiful figure walked in, holding a secret letter from Wind and Rain Tower in her hand.
This person was Li Yue, currently dressed in plain clothes, disguised as a fisher girl. Her peerless beauty was not diminished by this attire; on the contrary, it added an enchanting charm.
“Let me see what it is.”
Upon hearing this, Ling Yuhua took the secret letter and scanned the dozens of words on it.
Li Yue saw Ling Yuhua’s face turn incredibly serious, and couldn’t help asking, “Grandma, what’s the matter?”
Ling Yuhua took a deep breath and slowly said, “Xiao Qianqiu is coming down from the mountain.”
“What!?”
Li Yue was also startled by the news.
Even though she had never met Xiao Qianqiu, ever since she stepped into Jianghu, his legends were everywhere.
The number one person in the Great Yan Martial World!
Currently, he was the topmost top expert under the heavens, also having a chance to break into the Grandmaster Realm in the future.
Throughout the thousands of years of history, Grandmasters were few and far in between.
“It seems that the world is going to be disturbed again.”
Ling Yuhua lamented, “You don’t understand Xiao Qianqiu… He’s descending the mountain to find the Ghost Swordsman and Lou Xiangzhen. You must gather information quickly, and if you learn anything about these two, immediately send word to the Zhenyi Sect.”
Li Yue, puzzled, asked, “Why is this?”
Why should Wind and Rain Tower involve itself in the affairs of Zhenyi Sect?
Ling Yuhua said sternly, “Don’t ask why, just do it.”
“I understand.”
Li Yue nodded, then departed.
“Sigh.”
Ling Yuhua sighed, her gaze fixed on the secret letter as she lost herself in thought.
……
Capital Road, inside a certain secluded courtyard.
In the courtyard stood a thick, tall camphor tree, beneath which was a stone table.
At this moment, an elderly man in a green shirt was sitting next to the table, his brow furrowed, staring blankly at the chessboard.
“A dead end, another dead end. It seems this game of chess has no solution.”
The elder looked on for a long while, then helplessly shook his head and set down the black piece in his hand.
“My lord, there’s urgent news.”
At this time, a man dressed in ornate silk clothing hurried in.
“Speak.”
The elder picked up the chess pieces from the stone table, one by one, and then placed them back into the chess pot.
The man hurriedly said, “Zhenyi Sect’s Xiao Qianqiu will descend from the mountain in five days. His targets are the Ghost Swordsman and Lou Xiangzhen, and the motive is the Daluo Heart Method.”
“Oh?”
Even an elder as skilled in controlling his emotions couldn’t help but be shaken by the news.
This elder was none other than Meng Zhaodou, the head of Heaven and Earth Net.
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The man asked cautiously, “This news has not yet fully spread, but in a few days, it will travel throughout Jianghu. Do we need to take action?”
Xiao Qianqiu spreading this news was a clear indication that he wanted to use the hands of the entire Jianghu to find these two men.
“Investigate the whereabouts of these two men, and report back to me immediately upon learning anything.”
Meng Zhaodou took a deep breath, then without even bothering to tidy up the chess pieces on the table anymore, he went straight into the house.
……
