Yun Xiao felt the familiar surge of excitement at the thought of the battles to come. The prize, the millennium monster bone and Longquan pill, would be a true boon. But time was short, and there were still stronger opponents he hadn't yet faced—disciples like the leading talents of the First and Third Jianfeng. "So it's tomorrow then," he mused. There was no way around it; he'd simply have to prepare for the coming clash.
Wu Wu, his voice still biting, interrupted. "Yun Xiao, release her.
The tension in the air grew as the crowd looked on, expecting Yun Xiao to resist. Yet, to their surprise, he agreed without hesitation. Yun Xiao turned to Jiang Yue, who was visibly shaken, her face pale as she awaited his judgment.
"Jiang Yue," he said with a smirk, "anything to say?"
"N-no," she stammered, her gaze shifting nervously.
"Do you know why you're still alive today?" Yun Xiao asked coldly.
Jiang Yue shook her head, fear flashing across her face as she dared not speak her thoughts."You're probably thinking that just yesterday, I was nothing more than a speck of dust in your eyes." His voice was laced with bitter amusement.
Jiang Yue shivered, desperate not to provoke him further. "No… I wouldn't dare…"
"Good. Keep up that attitude, continue to flaunt yourself, because one day you'll find yourself at the mercy of the same blade I used to take down Ye Guying." He released her with a push, sending her tumbling down from the fencing stage. "Tomorrow, when the Sword Soul measurement begins, you'll be reminded of what it's like to face a true warrior."
"And when you're gasping your last breath, miserable and alone, I'll know my name—Yun Xiao—was the last thing on your mind." His dark smile deepened.
The tension surrounding the Blue Soul Cauldron and the upcoming competition in Dingshan was palpable, with the Sword Pavilion caught between its past glory and present threats. Wu Wu and Yao Manxue's words carried a weight that lingered in the air, emphasizing the brewing conflict. They were determined to eliminate Yun Xiao, with Wu Wu proposing a ruthless plan to ensure his demise.
"Tomorrow, if they don't join the competition and manage to cling to life, the millennium monster bone might actually end up in that reckless boy's hands," Yao Manxue said, her voice cold as frost.
"Then let's make sure he doesn't see tomorrow," Wu Wu replied with a chilling smile.
"You have a way?" Yao Manxue raised an eyebrow.
"I know of a demon cultivator, a top-tier assassin—silent, without a trace, and works strictly for money," Wu Wu's eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"Where is he?"
"In Blue Soul."
"Tonight, then?"
"Yes."
"Fine. I'll get approval from the First Sword Elder," Yao Manxue said. Then, taking a few steps and looking back at her son's body, her murderous intent sharpened. "Tell that assassin the target needs to die as miserably as possible. No mercy."
Wu Wu smirked darkly. "Naturally."
As the Sword Pavilion members departed, many in the arena couldn't settle their thoughts, left uneasy by the day's events. Yu Xuanzhou, usually strong-willed, was unusually silent for a long time. Finally, he exhaled in frustration.
"That boy acts recklessly!" Yu Xuanzhou muttered, shaking his head. "And the Sword Pavilion… can't they just keep a low profile? Isn't it better to survive quietly?"
The Seventh Sword Elder, Zhang Jian, glared at him fiercely, scolding, "Fool! Find the right moment and bring a gift. Apologize to Yao Qingqian repeatedly if you must!"
"Understood…" Yu Xuanzhou replied with regret.
"Make it clear you have no involvement with that boy. If the First Sword Elder even suspects we have ties to the Sword Pavilion, how many of our disciples do you think will survive tomorrow?" Zhang Jian grumbled, full of resentment.
"Yes! I'll go clarify things with Yao Qingqian right now."
On the other side, at Lingbao Pavilion, cashier Qian Kun approached the Second Sword Master, Shangguan Yu, with a smile. "Sister Jade, tomorrow Lingbao Pavilion will host a betting event at Sword Cloud Tower for the aspirational competition rankings. Remember to have your disciples show their support."
Why do you stir up trouble every year?" Shangguan Yu, though over fifty, still appeared youthful, radiating a timeless grace.
"We just like adding some fuel to the fire," Qian Kun replied, sidling closer to her. He blinked and asked, "Sister Jade, because of your connection with Zhao Jianxing, will you be supporting those young disciples from Sword Pavilion?"
Shangguan Yu, startled, gave him a sharp look. "Mind your words."
Qian Kun chuckled awkwardly. "Understood. With First Sword Peak dominating the rankings, along with prodigious talents like Jiang Yue and the renowned Sword King Ye stirring up the Ten Thousand Swords Sea, they seem unstoppable."
Shangguan Yu remained silent.
"Sword Pavilion once had its glory days, but those are long past," Qian Kun shrugged. "In any case, Lingbao Pavilion has no interest in a Blue Soul monopoly, or there'd be no perks left for anyone else."
"If Ye Tiance overheard you, you might never leave Blue Soul," Shangguan Yu replied dryly.
"He won't hear it. Sister Jade, you're as candid as always," Qian Kun said, glancing in the direction of Sword Pavilion's disciples. "Thinking back, Zhao Jianxing may be stubborn, blunt, and not exactly charming... but he's still admirable."
Qian Kun strolled away, hands clasped behind his back, shaking his head with a sigh.
---
At First Sword Peak, Jiang Yue slowly woke up. Her face, legs, and stomach ached, and her scalp felt sore. She had dreamed of a nightmare. As she came to, she hurriedly reached for a bronze mirror.
In the mirror, her nose looked slightly swollen, her face was covered in sword cuts, but overall, she could still pass for presentable.
"Junior Sister, relax. It's just a flesh wound. With my father's Jade Face Pill, you'll be as good as new in a few days."
The man by her bedside wore a silver robe with glistening silver hair, adding a certain stern elegance to his appearance.
"Senior Brother…" Jiang Yue's eyes filled with tears, but then she noticed the First Sword Master standing nearby with his arms crossed.
"Master!" Jiang Yue struggled to stand, her voice trembling. "Today, I shamed you."
The First Sword Master, known for his seriousness, had lost face today, especially in the presence of the honored Buddhist Elder. Jiang Yue was scared that he would unleash his fury on her.
However, as she looked down, Ye Tiance approached her with an unexpectedly gentle face. He helped her up, asking in a soft voice, "Is it bad?"
"Yes," she replied hastily.
"Tianyuan, help Yue," the Sword Master commanded.
"Yes!" Tianyuan helped Jiang Yue back to her seat beside the bed.
Thinking over today's events, Jiang Yue asked, "Master, this man is clearly at the Fixed Dragon Spring Realm. How was he able to fight against those in the Divine Sea Realm?"
"It's fairly normal," replied the Sword Master.
"Normal?"
"Indeed. Judging by his swordsmanship, this isn't something achieved in a few days. Sword Pavilion must have been secretly training him for years," he replied.
"And his Sword Soul…"
"Nine Sword Gangs. It's truly remarkable! A formidable Sword Soul with high layers of Sword Gang can be quite lethal. Besides, he's clearly trained as Sword Pavilion's sacrificial weapon. He's honed his skills in pools of blood, making his swordsmanship ruthlessly effective. Although your senior brothers and sisters are in the Divine Sea Realm, they underestimated him," the Sword Master said with a slight sigh. "From now on, I must enhance your life-and-death combat training. A realm is a realm, but actual combat is another matter."
Sword Gang is the heaven-bestowed advantage of natural talent.
"So that's why my Ice Moon Sword Soul couldn't suppress his. It was the layered Sword Gang and superior swordsmanship!" Jiang Yue realized, a glimmer of hatred in her eyes. Today, she had thought this man was somewhat like Yun Xiao. Now she realized, she had been right.
In this world, could there be two such terrifying people like Yun Xiao?
"I just didn't expect Sword Pavilion to save so many monster bones. In a few days, they managed to forge nine Sword Gangs with it," the Sword Master sneered.
"That 500-year-old Sword King Ye's monster bones must have been key," Tianyuan gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Master, if he's leading the ranks tomorrow and claims the millennium monster bones…" Jiang Yue's voice wavered, fighting back tears.
"Junior Sister, rest assured. Sword Pavilion's few remaining disciples won't make it through the aspirational competition tomorrow. I'll help you take him down and retrieve the monster bones for you," Tianyuan assured her, his eyes blazing with conviction.
"Will he compete?" Jiang Yue asked in disbelief.
"He's arrogant and reckless, so he probably will," Tianyuan replied.
"Even if he does, Zhao Xuanran won't let him go," added the Sword Master.
"And if that's the case?" Tianyuan clenched his teeth and murmured, "We can't let the millennium monster bones fall to someone like that."
The Sword Master's expression was calm. "No need for complications. Wu Wu will handle him. When the rankings are announced tomorrow, that boy won't show up."
"I understand!" Jiang Yue and Tianyuan exchanged a look, their eyes gleaming.
Assassination. That was the plan.
"This youth doesn't understand how deep the waters run here. Does he really think Zhao Jianxing's Sword Heart can shield him?" Tianyuan shook his head.
"Protection won't last forever. There's only one end for him," Jiang Yue said, feeling a grim satisfaction.
She took a deep breath, her expression slightly wistful. "I only regret that I won't be able to sever his head myself, to avenge my seven senior and nine junior sisters!"
"Yue, don't think that way," the Sword Master said.
"Teacher, please clarify," Jiang Yue asked humbly.
"I know you suffered today, but on the immortal path, obstacles are nothing. Countless powerful figures lie ahead, and no one remains undefeated. Don't dwell on the past. Look forward," he said calmly.
"If I don't conquer my inner demons, how will I grow?" Jiang Yue asked, a bit confused.
The Sword Master smiled. "Eventually, you'll forget those who once stood in your way. Didn't your Senior Brother Ye once crush Sword Pavilion's Seven Children? And now? He's ascended, while Sword Pavilion's Seven Children left no legacy, becoming a mere joke. And I, who once fought Zhao Jianxing, now watch him helplessly as his Pavilion falls to pieces before me. So, the one who laughs last laughs best. When you reach the heights, you'll see that once-feared inner demons were nothing but a joke."
Hearing this, Jiang Yue felt reinvigorated, her eyes shining with confidence. "Thank you, Master!"
Tonight, that fly could be killed. Why wait for battle?
The Seven Children of Sword Pavilion—how impressive once, now easily forgotten.
"My true journey lies in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea! I mustn't let myself be defeated by someone like him!"
She stood up. "Master, is the Buddhist Elder also here in Blue Soul?"
"Naturally. Tomorrow's aspirational contest is the main event," he replied.
"Then… may I test my Sword Soul now? I can hardly wait," Jiang Yue said, clenching her teeth.
The Sword Master gently patted her shoulder, shook his head, and replied with a smile, "You're feeling anxious because you were defeated, so you want to prove yourself."
"What do you mean, Master?" she asked.
"We've already announced tomorrow's Sword Soul measurement; it's best not to change it," he replied.
"Why not?" Jiang Yue looked puzzled.
"Today, your strength is at a low point, and your desire to reclaim your honor through Sword Soul is understandable. But if your talent is so exceptional, why feel threatened by Yun Xiao?" he asked.
"And tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow, let your fellow disciples from First Sword Peak dominate the aspirational contest, and let our name rise again. After they claim victory, you'll ride that momentum and soar, making a true impact," the Sword Master's voice rang with clarity.
"I understand, Master!" Jiang Yue glanced outside. The sky was darkening.
"And tomorrow, the news will spread of Yun Xiao's death. When he's finally gone, our position will be unchallenged."
Her eyes shone with a fierce light. This was what she longed for—to stand at the Four Poles of Sword Stone and shake Blue Soul.
"Tomorrow, I'll rise from his fallen form, and turn adversity into triumph!"