Chapter 106 - The Young Sword Lord Possesses the Qualities of a Heavenly Emperor
"Yun Xiao!" The youth emerged from the Spirit Treasure Walk, and barely stepping into the shadows, someone called out his name.
"Elder Wang?" Yun Xiao swiftly melted into the darkness. As the two moved in silence, he guided Elder Wang to an even more secluded spot.
"The Sea of Swords is rather perilous, what brings you to seek me here?" Yun Xiao inquired.
"Your Senior Sister Zhao was worried about you," Elder Wang, slapping a friendly hand onto his shoulder, confided with a hint of admiration. "She sent me to scout for information. And I tell you, I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t come—what a shock it was to hear of your exploits! How many days have you been in the Sea of Swords? Truly like a young cow controlling a grand sword—you’ve remarkably soared to impressive heights!"
"..." Yun Xiao didn't know how to respond. Still, he was concerned Zhao Xuanran might have encountered problems while descending to the mortal realm to exterminate demons! He hoped she was safe.
"Oh, how is my master doing?" Yun Xiao asked.
"Your Aunt Yu says he’s managing," Elder Wang replied. "Perhaps because his spirits are lifted, having something to look forward to, his willpower has strengthened too! Take your time, he can wait for you for ten days, even half a month!"
"Oh? Then let’s wait for the free Sword Tempering Pills!" Yun Xiao chuckled. That would save him 2,000,000 Spirit Stones.
"There's free ones?" Elder Wang's face mirrored his curiosity.
"Yes! Someone's insisting on stuffing them into my pocket. We shouldn’t be too polite as people, right?" Yun Xiao responded with a smile.
"Oh!" Elder Wang, a bit perplexed but displaying concern on his face, earnestly asked, "Yun Xiao, I just heard that Ye Guying is coming out of seclusion the day after tomorrow. His combat power might be comparable to the Sword Lord or the Tower Lord now!"
"Even you’ve heard about it?" Yun Xiao responded coolly.
"The entire Sea of Swords is buzzing about it," Elder Wang gritted his teeth, "Do you have confidence? If not, you might lay low for a while. After all, we think you're ten thousand times more remarkable than Ye Guying!"
"Ha ha." Yun Xiao suddenly laughed, "Lay low? No, no. Isn’t he only opening the Heavenly Gate to come out the day after tomorrow? I have already prepared a special surprise for him."
"Special surprise?" Elder Wang paused, befuddled. The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñòv€l-B1n.
"What’s that?"
"You’ll know if you come to watch when the time comes."
After speaking, Yun Xiao waved goodbye and, clutching the map in his hand, his white robe vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a single sentence.
"I'm off to prepare the package now, see you later!"
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In the Sea of Swords, in the courtyard of the Duanmu Manor, two elders were deeply engrossed in a game of chess.
To the left sat a hunched-back old man, and to the right, an elderly gentleman with gleaming white eyebrows and a bald pate. They were both in the Sovereign Dragon Realm, Great Elders of the Forbidden Tower—Duanmu Yao and Yan Guo. Their aura was profound, mystical energy coiling like dragons around them. Their eyes, sharply discerning, handled each chess piece as if gripping a ferocious beast, placing it on the board. The small chessboard resembled a battlefield, where the heavens and earth seemed to crumble amidst the slaughter of war.
Time meandered by.
“Brother Duanmu, your chess skills are extraordinary. I'm in awe,” Yan Guo commended with a polite bow and a smile.
“Brother Yan, your strategy, though fresh from recent learning, is quite admirable indeed!” Duanmu Yao laughed heartily.
“Shall we conclude tonight’s game?” Yan Guo asked.
“Hmm!” Duanmu Yao lifted his head. “The moonlight is quite fine. Shall we have a few drinks first?”
“Agreed.” Yan Guo’s face brightened with a rosy hue, for he indeed enjoyed a good tipple.
Under the moon, the old friends sipped their wine, savoring the leisure and contentment of these smaller moments in life.
“After the substantial loss we suffered at the Spirit Treasure Walk yesterday, and the numerous insults to our dignity by Sword Heaven, the Tower Lord has yet to show any response. This is not right!” Yan Guo's eyes held a distant depth as he broached the topic.
“What's truly intolerable was the incident at Azure Kite Sea. That’s something we of the Forbidden Tower simply cannot accept!” Duanmu Yao declared calmly.
“Yes!” Yan Guo gazed toward a distant, chilly tower. “In two days, Ye Guying will emerge from seclusion, attaining the combat power equivalent to the Tower Lord. We shall endure silently for two more days!”
“After tonight, there'll be one day left,” Duanmu Yao stated.
“It will pass in the blink of an eye,” Yan Guo said.
“Brother Yan, do you think that after Ye Guying eliminates that Yun Xiao, the Tower Lord will seize the opportunity to take down Sword Heaven and kill Lin Qingfeng?” inquired Duanmu Yao.
“I can’t quite figure them out,” Yan Guo replied.
“Grandfather! Yun Xiao doesn’t know you’re here. The two of you are Sovereign Dragon Realm Sword Cultivators, seasoned and proficient in combat with numerous kills under your belts. You could join forces and deal with him, then directly deliver him to Ye Guying’s doorstep!” Yan Ding's eyes were bloodshot as he spoke to Yan Guo.
To not only restrict their movements but also audaciously challenge them at their own doorstep, this was an egregious affront! And crucially, it was done by just one man!
The two young men fixed hopeful eyes upon their elders.
However, Duanmu Yao’s next words were like a basin of cold water dousing their heads!
“If he has such courage, he must be confident in his own strength! I predict that he’s even stronger than the one he killed during the day, Lin Chen. If so, should Brother Yan and I act rashly, we'll most likely meet our demise!” Duanmu Yao declared.
“Is that even possible?” Duanmu Ling was momentarily stupefied. It seemed that his grandfather was indeed more patient than him.
“You, go and send a message! Notify the Tower Lord and the other elders, have them come here quickly!” Yan Guo ordered the middle-aged man.
“Yes!” The sword cultivator hurried off to make the arrangements.
“Let’s go meet this Sword Heaven prodigy,” Duanmu Yao and Yan Guo exchanged glances.
By the time the two Sovereign Dragon Realm Great Elders arrived outside the manor, a crowd of Duanmu Sword Cultivators had already gathered at the entrance. Their eyes roiling tempests of murderous intent, they stared at the young man in white outside their gates.
Beneath the young man’s foot, several severed heads were cruelly trampled! All the fallen belonged to the Duanmu Manor! One was even the younger brother of Duanmu Ling!
“Oh? There’s another Great Elder here as well? Might I inquire as to your name?” Yun Xiao cast his gaze toward the bald, white-eyebrowed old man.
“Yan Guo,” the Great Elder responded curtly.
"I see!" Yun Xiao's gaze swept over them coldly. "The Forbidden Tower has declared war on Sword Heaven! As a member of Sword Heaven, I share no sky with the Forbidden Tower! Today, I’ve come to Duanmu Mansion to conduct a blood sacrifice..."
His proclamation was cut short by Duanmu Yao, who interrupted with a chuckle, announcing loudly, "I was wondering who it could be, turns out it’s the talented Young Sword Lord from Sword Heaven. I've long heard of the Young Sword Lord’s emperor-like qualities; seeing you today indeed proves you're extraordinary."
Yan Guo also joined in with a smirk, "Today, with the Young Sword Lord gracing us, Duanmu Mansion is illuminated with glory! Young Sword Lord, please come inside!"
"..." Yun Xiao stared at them, incredulous. Those two scoundrels, always playing out of turn. Ruining my Dao heart!
With a nonchalant kick, Yun Xiao sent the head of Duanmu Yao’s grandson rolling to his feet, asking, "Are you sure you want to entertain me?"
Unfazed, Duanmu Yao stepped on the head with no change in his expression, awkwardly smiling, "Having the honor to host the Young Sword Lord is my pleasure!"
"Alright, then entertain away. Bring out all the finest food and drink!" Yun Xiao replied with a faint smile.
"What are you all standing there for? Show your respect!" Duanmu Yao bellowed at those nearby.
"Yes..." Yan Ding, Duanmu Ling, the two Heaven Chosen of the Forbidden Tower, along with a host of Duanmu Sword Cultivators, suppressed their inner fury. Bowing their heads, they forced smiles onto their faces, greeting, "Welcome Young Sword Lord!"
"Your politeness honors me, brothers," Yun Xiao responded, entering Duanmu Manor at their invitation.
BANG! The grand doors of Duanmu Manor closed tightly. The gathered Duanmu family members stood, thoughts lingering on the severed heads outside. They suppressed their murderous intentions with all their might.
"Nobody move! Wait for others!" Duanmu Ling took a deep breath, speaking to the others with a face turning from purple to blue.
Before his words fully settled, his grandfather's voice rang out, "Lil Ling, Lil Ding, come in and pour the wine!"
"Yes!" Upon entering the guest hall, Duanmu Ling and Yan Ding saw Yun Xiao seated prominently at the head of the room, while their grandfathers, respected elders of the Forbidden Tower, waited below.
Their faces twisted yet still, they managed to maintain smiles, pouring a full cup for Yun Xiao.
"Young Sword Lord! Please!" Duanmu Ling said.
Yun Xiao gave them a cursory glance, "A full cup, are you implying you want me to leave?"
"I was wrong!" Duanmu Ling hastily swapped for a different cup, pouring again.
Yun Xiao abruptly stood, slapping Duanmu Ling atop his head. Duanmu Ling cried out in pain, collapsing to his knees!
"Where are your manners? Don't you know how to kneel while offering a drink?" Yun Xiao said.
"You!" Rage boiled in Duanmu Ling's heart, but seeing his grandfather shaking his head, he swallowed it down, forcing a smile, "Young Sword Lord, my apologies, please drink."
"That’s more like it." Yun Xiao then turned to Yan Ding.
Yan Ding took a deep breath, also kneeling down.
"Young Sword Lord, these young ones aren’t ready for the stage. How about the two of us elders keep you company until we're all thoroughly intoxicated?" Duanmu Yao asked with a smile.
"Get lost. Who wants to drink with an old thing like you?" Yun Xiao threw the wine pot at Duanmu Yao’s face, jeering, "Not an ounce of perception. Hurry up and arrange some girls for me! Don’t bring any old hags either!"