Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Figures swooped in from all directions.
These were the elders of the Hidden Sword Manor. When the aura of the Heart Demon Swordleaked out, they rushed to organize the disciples for evacuation. Only after the evil energy dissipated did they return, having witnessed Ling Feng's impressive feat of slaying the Great Evil King.
"I didn't expect the Great Evil King to be so despicable, taking advantage of our swordsmanship competition to sneak into the Sword Tomb and seize the magic sword."
"Fortunately, we had young friend Ling Feng with us; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
"Yes, young friend Ling Feng's righteous energy is the nemesis of this Evil Heart Magic Sword. Thanks to him, the Great Evil King did not succeed."
"I never thought I would see a young disciple with such righteous energy in my lifetime; it truly is a blessing."
The elders looked at Ling Feng with admiration in their eyes. However, Ling Feng was curious about the origins of this Evil Heart Magic Sword. Feng Zhengyang explained, "In fact, this sword was acquired by our ancestor through a fortuitous encounter, but due to its heavy evil nature, the ancestor forged a Light Sword to suppress the magic sword and sealed it within the Sword Tomb."
"I wonder how the Great Evil King learned about this, to have found the Sword Tomb and refined the Ten Thousand Spirits Blood Pearl, attempting to control the magic sword."
Feng Zhengyang was also curious about this. After all, very few people knew of the magic sword's existence. How did the Great Evil King find out?
"Does the villa master remember the swordsmith Firebeard?" an elder spoke up.
Hearing this, Feng Zhengyang's gaze sharpened. "Of course, I remember. Firebeard was one of the two most outstanding swordsmiths of our villa back in the day, but unfortunately, he walked the path of evil and even forged swords using human lives. In my anger, I crippled his martial arts and expelled him from the villa. Could it be...?"
"Yes, Firebeard knew about the magic sword, and I suspect he informed the Great Evil King to take revenge on our Hidden Sword Manor."
"Alas, this is all a consequence of past actions." Feng Zhengyang sighed and chose not to dwell on it further.
They then began to handle the aftermath of the swordsmanship competition. Due to the influence of the Great Evil King, the competition had to be paused, but it was almost concluded before that happened. Therefore, the top ten winners of the competition had already been determined.
Notably...
Five out of these ten sword cultivators were from Baiyun Sect!
They were Ling Feng, Gu Linglong, Leng Ningshuang, Feng Xiaoyao, and Zhang Ruocheng.
There was no need to mention Ling Feng; everyone acknowledged his strength. If anyone dared to voice their disagreement, they would be drowned in a sea of spittle from the others, as the remaining four were at least at the peak level of Martial Sovereign. It was only natural for them to enter the top ten.
Many sighed in awe.
Baiyun Sect had already become a force to be reckoned with.
Compared to other sects, Baiyun Sect was now the number one sect in the Great Zhou!
With Ling Feng alone, there was no one who could contest it.
After the top ten sword cultivators were selected, each was awarded a renowned sword, making the other sword cultivators grin from ear to ear.
However, Gu Linglong and the others weren't very interested.
After all, each of them possessed an Autumn Water sword.
How could an ordinary renowned sword attract their attention?
Everyone could only sigh, lamenting that some people were so fortunate that they treated their hard-earned swords like trash.
After the competition ended, Ling Feng and the others did not leave; instead, they were warmly invited by Feng Zhengyang to stay at Hidden Sword Manor for a few days to experience the hospitality.
Ling Feng and the others did not refuse.
Time passed.
On one particular day, outside Hidden Sword Manor, a robust old man with fiery red hair suddenly arrived. He was muscular, like iron forged, and exuded an imposing aura!
"Hidden Sword Manor... It's been thirty years! I'm finally back!"
"Feng Zhengyang, Feng Xiangzi! You brought me the shame of Firebeard, and I will cleanse that shame!" The red-haired old man's eyes were icy.
He took a step forward and walked into Hidden Sword Manor.
In an instant, a surging wave of fiery true energy erupted, shaking the villa.
The disciples of Hidden Sword Manor, who had just experienced the turmoil caused by the Great Evil King, were momentarily stunned.
Then, they felt like crying without tears.
"Are we not allowed to live in peace? Who is causing trouble again?!"
"Who is this now?"
"This aura doesn't seem friendly!"
At that moment, Feng Zhengyang, who was forging swords in the sword pavilion alongside a white-haired swordsmith, exchanged glances after sensing the aura and were both surprised.
"Could it be that he's back?!"
"Impossible! I clearly crippled his cultivation back then!"
Feng Zhengyang's brow furrowed.
In a flash, he and the white-haired swordsmith rushed out of the sword pavilion, arriving at the entrance of the villa, where they saw the red-haired old man, their pupils slightly constricting.
"It's you! Firebeard!"
"I didn't expect you would dare to return!"
Feng Zhengyang and the white-haired swordsmith gritted their teeth in anger.
Firebeard laughed heartily, "Why wouldn't I return?! By the way, how did you find the Great Evil King's actions the other day? Are you satisfied?"
"Indeed, you were the one who revealed the secrets of the Heart Demon Sword to the Great Evil King!"
"And so what? When you expelled me from the villa back then, you should have considered that today would come!"
"Wait a minute, I crippled your martial arts back then. How is it that you've now reached... the peak of Martial Sovereign?! How did you accomplish that?"
"Hmph, Feng Zhengyang, you didn't expect this, did you? By chance, I obtained the Flame God Technique back then. This technique can only be practiced by someone who has completely abandoned their martial arts, thriving in adversity! Over these years, I've endured the agony of searing flames, and I've finally mastered this technique. Do you think I would dare to return otherwise?"
"Even if it's the Flame God Technique, what does that matter? Hidden Sword Manor is not a place for you to run wild!" Feng Zhengyang scoffed.
"Rest assured, I'm not here to fight today! I've come to find you… to forge swords!! I want to prove to the world that I, Firebeard, am the number one swordsmith in the world! Feng Xiangzi, as the top swordsmith of Hidden Sword Manor, do you dare to compete with me?" Firebeard coldly declared as he looked at the white-haired elder.
"Preposterous! You think you can just challenge me?" Feng Xiangzi snorted dismissively, ignoring him entirely.
"You must compete!"
At that moment, a cold voice came from behind Firebeard. A young man clad in a golden robe slowly stepped forward, accompanied by a black-clad man carrying a massive sword, radiating a heavy and domineering sword intent!
Feng Zhengyang's gaze sharpened as he recognized them. "You two! The Third Prince of Great Chu and one of the three Grand Martial Saints of Great Chu, Chu Batian!!"
Regaining his composure, he turned back to Firebeard, "How bold of you to betray Great Zhou and join Great Chu!!"
"Indeed, I am now the court swordsmith of Great Chu!" Firebeard replied proudly.
"Ah, it's the first time I've seen someone betray their own country and take such pride in it; it's truly an eye-opener," came a nonchalant voice.
Ling Feng walked over with Gu Linglong and the others.
Seeing him, Firebeard frowned. "And who are you?"
"Your grandpa."
"Brat, you're being outrageous!!"
Firebeard's anger flared, and true energy surged from him like a raging fire, causing the temperature around them to rise sharply.
Ling Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. In a flash, he vanished from his spot.
When he reappeared, he was already in front of Firebeard. With a swift motion, he slapped Firebeard, sending him flying into a nearby pond.
Water splashed everywhere.
Ling Feng played with his fingers, smiling lightly, "Old man, it's not good to be so hot-tempered. Why don't you cool off in the water?"