"Is that the *Sword Lord of Sword Cloud*?" Yun Xiao was startled.
What was going on?
"Lin Qingfeng! Are you insane?!" Madame Desolate, who had been smiling confidently just moments ago, now wore a dark and livid expression. Her tone was harsh. "Have you forgotten about the Taboo Kill Command?!"
Before she could say more, the man in the grey robe appeared before her in a flash, his palm swinging forward.
Bang!
The slap echoed loudly as Madame Desolate was sent sprawling to the ground. Her face burned red with the impact, and her head buzzed with disorientation.
"Women like you don't understand!" the man in the grey robe snorted coldly and took another swig from his wine jug.
The Sword Cloud disciples were dumbfounded. This was even more shocking than the first strike!
Everyone had always thought the Sword Lord was henpecked by his wife. But now, this slap was as decisive and ruthless as it was quick!
"Mother!" Lin Lin cried out in disbelief, her mind spinning. Nearby, the young swordsman Lin Chen hurried to help his mother up, his eyes flashing with a gloomy light.
"Elder Brother Lin, that was too satisfying..." whispered Ning Yan, watching with joy. The slap on Madame Desolate seemed to strike straight at her heart, filling her with glee. It was as if a dream had come true.
"Lin Qingfeng!" Madame Desolate raised her head, her face twisted with shame, anger, and heartbreak. Her voice trembled as she shouted, "What are you doing? You struck Xiao He, then me! Are you trying to declare war on the Taboo Tower for a so-called talent? Do you want to die? Do you want all of Sword Cloud to die with you?"
"Father, you've made a mistake!" Lin Lin cried desperately, tears streaming down her face. "This Yun Xiao is only a Sword Soul cultivator! My brother Chu couldn't defeat him because of his tricks! He's just slightly stronger than others at his level—not a real talent!"
The other elders and revered swords of Sword Cloud looked uneasy.
"Lord Sword Cloud..." one elder finally spoke hesitantly, "this... are you truly declaring war? The Ten Thousand Swords Sea has been at peace for so long..."
A war? An ancestral sect war?
No one had even considered such a possibility, and now the entire crowd was left staring blankly at the Sword Lord in the grey robe.
The Sword Lord slammed his wine jug to the ground, shattering it into pieces. Wine splattered everywhere, its aroma filling the air.
"Damn it! War, you say? Fine! Let's go to war!" His voice was booming and fierce. "I've had enough of this nonsense! If it's a fight they want, then a fight they'll get! And while we're at it, I'll make Sword Cloud the first power in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea!"
His words plunged the entire audience into stunned silence.
The disciples and elders of Sword Cloud froze, their minds blank.
For years, the Sword Lord had been deemed ineffective, consumed by his secluded cultivation. Recently, relations between Sword Cloud and the Taboo Tower had reached a historical high—practically a honeymoon. Ten noble families had even intermarried to solidify their bond. And now? A war?
"Are you serious, Sword Lord?" Xiao He, bloodied and trembling, forced himself to stand. His face was pale, his voice edged with desperation. "I admit, we may have overstepped by bringing the Taboo Kill Command to your gates, but it was for the greater good of both sides! For the sake of peace in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea! Must we shatter a century of stability over a single rogue disciple?"
Before Xiao He could finish, the Sword Lord's palm struck again.
Bang!
The force sent Xiao He flying, landing dozens of meters away. He rolled across the ground, coughing up blood.
"Enough!" the Sword Lord roared. "You come to my Sword Cloud, waving some so-called command, threatening my people? Do you think I care about your peace? Get out of my sight!"
Xiao He scrambled to his feet, his face twisted with rage and humiliation. "Good! Fine!" he spat, glaring at the gathered Sword Cloud disciples and elders. "You'll regret this!" He turned and limped away, his figure disappearing down the path.
The aristocratic juniors gathered at the entrance—witnessing Xiao He's defeat—whispered in hushed voices.
"The Taboo Tower... and Sword Cloud... war?"
"This is going to shake the entire Ten Thousand Swords Sea."
"Who can even cultivate in peace if this happens?"
The implications were staggering. The intricate ties among the factions of the Ten Thousand Swords Sea—family, trade, allegiance—meant everyone would be affected.
Bang!
The Sword Cloud gates slammed shut, sending an ominous chill through the crowd.
The Sword Lord turned sharply, his gaze sweeping over the gathered Sword Cloud disciples. His voice was commanding.
"From this moment on, Sword Cloud prepares for war! All forces, at full readiness!"
The disciples exchanged uneasy glances, their faces pale.
"Did you hear me?" The Sword Lord's tone hardened.
"Y-yes, Sword Lord!" they stammered, their voices trembling.
An elder stepped forward, his voice shaking. "Sword Lord, shouldn't we... discuss this first? Perhaps there's a way to avoid—"
"Discuss?!" The Sword Lord's glare silenced him. "You want us to grovel before the Taboo Tower? Do you think Sword Cloud would even exist today if we cowered at every threat? Enough of this farce! If we lose face now, we lose everything!"
His words cut deep, leaving the crowd silent.
"Father!" Lin Chen, the young swordsman, stepped forward, his voice hoarse. "You've had too much to drink! This isn't about pride! Sword Cloud and the Taboo Tower stand as equals, maintaining balance across the Ten Thousand Swords Sea. This reckless decision—"
"Shut up!" The Sword Lord's hand shot out, pressing Lin Chen to his knees with a powerful force.
"Father!" Lin Chen's face turned pale as veins bulged on his neck. His eyes burned with frustration, but he dared not resist.
The Sword Lord ignored him, turning his attention to Lin Lin, the young girl in a light yellow dress. His voice was stern. "From today onward, you are forbidden from contacting Chu Yan. If I catch you again, I'll break your legs myself!"
"Father, no!" Lin Lin cried, her eyes brimming with tears. She turned to her mother, Madame Desolate, clutching her arm. "Mother, please help me!"
"It's useless to plead!" The Sword Lord's gaze hardened as he turned to Madame Desolate. "You are a part of Sword Cloud now. If you dare side with the Taboo Tower again, I will cast you out!"
The crowd gasped in shock.
Madame Desolate's face turned crimson with anger and humiliation. "Lin Qingfeng, you've gone mad! Just wait, you'll regret this!" She turned sharply and stormed away, pulling Lin Lin with her.
"Leave if you must," the Sword Lord called after her. "But Lin Lin stays here!"
"You're insane!" Madame Desolate snapped but released her daughter, fearing another public humiliation.
The Sword Lord's voice echoed behind her. "From now on, Xiao Yu is forbidden from leaving Sword Cloud. If she does, she's not welcome back!"
Madame Desolate clenched her fists, her face twisted with fury. She stormed away without another word.
The disciples and elders stood frozen, their expressions a mix of fear and disbelief.
Finally, the Sword Lord turned to Yun Xiao, his demeanor shifting. A warm smile spread across his face. "Yun Xiao, how about becoming my disciple?"
"Thank you, Sword Lord, but I already have a master in Blue Soul," Yun Xiao replied politely.
"Oh? Who could be worthy of teaching someone as talented as you?"
"My master is Zhao Jianxing," Yun Xiao said simply.
At the mention of the name, the crowd erupted in murmurs.
"Zhao Jianxing?"
"Isn't he a legendary figure from decades ago?"
"No wonder Yun Xiao is so strong!"
The Sword Lord's eyes gleamed with approval. "Ah, Zhao Jianxing! A name worthy of respect. But talent like yours deserves more. As a Sword Cloud disciple, you could rise even higher."
"I am honored by your offer, Sword Lord, but a disciple must honor his master. I cannot abandon my loyalty to him."
The Sword Lord nodded, clearly impressed. "Very well. But from today onward, you are a Sword Cloud Sword Lord, one of our key leaders. Together, we will reshape the future of the Ten Thousand Swords Sea!"
Yun Xiao bowed slightly, a small smile on his lips. "It would be my honor."