312. Saber Sovereign Sect‘s Plight
Xiao Yuchen stood there, her eyes wide and mouth agape. She looked towards the elder guardian of the Martial King Tower, her gaze questioning.
Was that truly the shadow projection of the Martial King? Moreover, it hadn't displayed any formidable abilities before it was vanquished by Lin Fei's single stroke of the saber.
"Wait, was that the Dual-World Saber?"
A realization seemed to dawn on Xiao Yuchen, and her eyes widened even more.
The Dual-World Saber!
Lin Fei had only recently acquired it, no more than a couple of months prior. Yet, he had already mastered it. And it wasn't merely at the beginner level. This was a mastery level, perhaps even a transcendent level!
She knew how demanding the initiation to the Dual-World Saber was. Beginner was already so challenging, let alone mastering. Transcending seemed impossible. Yet, the undeniable truth stood before her eyes. Lin Fei had indeed mastered the Dual-World Saber!
"Indeed, I fortuitously mastered the Dual-World Saber. But, Aurora Sovereign, what did you mean by the 'shadow projection of the Martial King'? Was it that shadow from earlier?"
Lin Fei instantly recalled the shadow. Xiao Yuchen briefly explained about the shadow projection of the Martial King only then did Lin Fei understand. It seemed that the third level of the Martial King Tower had encountered an anomaly.
Originally, there were only supposed to be those three exotic beasts. Yet, an additional shadow had appeared. That was the shadow projection of the Martial King!
"It indeed was the shadow projection."
"Absolutely!"
"But why did the shadow projection appear so weak?"
"That question, I'm afraid, is for Sovereign Lin to answer."
The elder guardian of the Martial King Tower fixed his gaze intently upon Lin Fei. Lin Fei reminisced about the shadow he encountered within the Martial King Tower. When he had unleashed his Saber Domain and Gravity Domain, even the three exotic beasts were firmly suppressed, unable to move a muscle.
However, the shadow seemed entirely unaffected. It could even teleport instantaneously. Had it been someone else, or had Lin Fei only possessed the Black Wind Prison and Gravity Domain, he likely wouldn't have been able to counter the shadow projection.
Yet, with the Dual-World Saber at his disposal, things were different.
To date, the Dual-World Saber was the most potent Divine Ability Lin Fei had ever seen. Once the Dual-World Saber was drawn, few could stand against it.
The truth was evident. Even the shadow projection of the Martial King was no match. The words of the elder had made the onlookers reconsider. Clearly, it wasn't that the shadow projection of the Martial King was weak, but rather that Sovereign Lin was overwhelmingly powerful!
Especially that final stroke of the saber. With one swing, the shadow projection of the Martial King was instantly annihilated. That kind of power, even from a distance outside the Martial King Tower, sent chills down one's spine.
Now Xiao Yuchen could enter the blood pool on the third floor of the Martial King Tower.
Consequently, the Wind-Thunder Sect acted with arrogant impunity, forcing the Saber Sovereign Sect to relocate. If not, they would launch a full assault. Such threats were not to be taken lightly. Perhaps the Saber Sovereign Sect was indeed on the brink of extinction.
"Sect Master, have you sought help from the Xiao Family? How did the Xiao Family respond?"
For a moment, the remaining warriors of the Saber Sovereign Sect in the hall gazed earnestly at their sect master.
The sect master remained silent. After what felt like an eternity, he finally murmured, "The Xiao Family has yet to respond."
Silence!
The martial artists of the Saber Sovereign Sect were struck dumb. They all grasped the gravity of the situation. It suggested that perhaps the Xiao Family had truly forsaken the Saber Sovereign Sect.
However, they bore no resentment towards the Xiao Family. When the Saber Sovereign Sect initially sought their protection, a great deal of time had passed. They had not given much in return, and their survival until now was due to the Xiao Family's shielding grace. Without them, the Saber Sovereign Sect would have long been destroyed.
"It seems our Saber Sovereign Sect is now trapped in a dire strait."
"The position the Saber Sovereign Sect finds itself in today is due to our unworthy actions."
"Perhaps we should have forsaken the Dao of the saber long ago..."
Regret filled the voices of many elders.
"Enough! Saber Sovereign Sect has always been rooted in the Dao of the Saber. Is it even the Saber Sovereign Sect if we abandon the Saber Dao? If the Saber Sovereign Sect has indeed reached its end, those who wish to leave may do so."
The sect master's eyes were bloodshot with rage. However, glancing at the young disciples below, his vigor seemed to diminish instantly. If the Saber Sovereign Sect was eradicated, these disciples would be mercilessly slaughtered. An unbearable thought. But he wouldn't leave. No matter the cost.
"Was it wrong to dedicate ourselves solely to the Dao of the saber?"
After his outcry, a thought emerged in his mind. If the Saber Sovereign Sect did not revolve around the saber, would it still retain its essence?
With heavy eyes, the sect master closed them. He realized that their fate was sealed and there was no turning back. The Saber Sovereign Sect's demise was inevitable under his watch.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice echoed from outside the hall.
"The Saber Sovereign Sect is not at fault. Neither is the Dao of the saber. Founding on the saber is not mistaken. You all are the ones mistaken."
As the voice trailed off, a figure appeared within the hall. No one noticed his entrance. Every gaze in the vast hall was drawn to this enigmatic figure.
"Who are you?" The sect master's eyes sharpened.
"The savior of the Saber Sovereign Sect," Lin Fei declared calmly, hands clasped behind him.