Chapter 210: Chapter 134: The Highest Peak of Sword Dao, Sending the Sword Tower Over Myself_3
Qin Yun said:
"So, according to the Saintess’ intention, are we to wipe out the True Martial Sect entirely?"
A sigh echoed through the forest:
"If it were before today, it would be simple."
"But now, just wait. Before the birth of our Martial Saints, provoking such a troublesome enemy isn’t wise. Once a Martial Saint is born, True Man Tianjian will be nothing more than a larger ant."
"By then... the True Martial Sect will serve as our sacrificial banner."
Qin Yun felt a chill in his heart.
Yet, a shadow gradually surfaced in his eyes.
It wasn’t just because of the predicament the True Martial Sect faced, but also because of the Southern Border Saintess’ unclear warning in her words.
It was evident.
The Demon Sect and Southern Border had quietly gathered numerous intel and even devised strategies against the True Martial Sect, yet he remained in the dark, excluded from everything. This indicated that he had lost the Demon Sect’s trust. If not for the Saintess’ subtle hint, he might have thought both forces were leisurely probing, preparing to kidnap important people from the True Martial Sect for interrogation.
If it weren’t for True Man Tianjian’s formidable combat prowess today, perhaps in just a few days, the elites of both forces would have climbed the mountain to annihilate them, yet he would remain unaware.
"When did they start suspecting me?"
"Was it during the first meeting to negotiate with the Southern Border Alliance? Or was it when they sent spies into the assessment before that?"
Qin Yun lowered his head, realizing he had greatly underestimated the Demon Sect. He initially believed he had done everything flawlessly, but now it seemed laughable. He only still had some value; maybe at some point, he would become disposable.
Qin Yun awoke from his reverie.
All his elation from emerging from the Blood Demon Pool as a Saint Heir candidate vanished without a trace.
The Southern Border Saintess didn’t look back. She walked faster and faster, her silhouette fading into the forest, leaving only a faint voice behind:
"Saint Heir Qin, being indecisive is not a good habit."
Qin Yun’s expression flickered between light and shadow.
He realized he was facing a decision.
...
The Heart Inquiry Sword has fallen!
This news spread across the Great Yan at a horrific speed. The Celestial Being List only accommodates thirty-six, and Gu Changhe, ranked fourteenth, was already at the forefront of the list. The fall of such an unparalleled powerhouse was bound to shake the world.
And to add to it——
The Heart Inquiry Sword was easily suppressed by True Man Tianjian and was slain with a single sword.
This news was akin to an earthquake.
Everyone who heard it initially reacted with disbelief. The recent conflict between the Inquiring Sword Pavilion and the True Martial Sect had drawn much attention, but for it to conclude with the Heart Inquiry Sword’s fall? No one had expected it.
Yet when those present that day came forward.
Even skeptics had to believe it.
After all, among those who witnessed the battle, there was no shortage of Celestial Realm experts.
There was no need to lie about such matters; any pretense would be easily exposed.
In no time.
True Man Tianjian became renowned across the land.
Throughout the Great Yan’s Thirteen States, everyone was talking about it.
Especially after the details of the battle between Gu Changhe and True Man Tianjian were revealed, swordsmen everywhere were electrified. Almost everyone felt that True Man Tianjian possessed the strength to contend for the title of the world’s greatest swordsman.
The fame of the True Martial Sword Stele grew even larger. True Man Tianjian didn’t show up personally, yet merely using the sword stele to draw Heavenly Thunder to slay Gu Changhe made every swordsman long for it. Many swordsmen began journeying toward True Martial Mountain.
Thunder Shock Blade Venerate listened to the details of the great battle and remained silent for a long time.
His eyes were filled with shock and confusion.
"Drawing Heavenly Thunder from the sword stele? Why does it sound... just like the Heavenly Thunder Blade?"
He recalled previously sending the Thunder Shock Secret Record and the Heavenly Thunder Blade up the mountain as compensation and shuddered, breaking into a cold sweat. Then he announced, he planned to seclude himself in retreat, perhaps for twenty years!
Everywhere, discussions ensued.
The martial artists marveled, and the various martial sects elevated the True Martial Sect’s status higher and higher.
The Formless Sect members were drenched in cold sweat.
Their mental journey was tumultuous. At first, they were apprehensive about True Man Tianjian, sending many compensations, but after seeing the Inquiring Sword Pavilion’s two-month defiance, they somewhat regretted, thinking they yielded too quickly, causing their prestige to fall.
Now, witnessing the fate of the Inquiring Sword Pavilion, all they felt was gratitude.
Thankfully, they capitulated quickly.
Town North King looked at the letter delivered by Chen Xing and Chen Yue, which contained detailed descriptions of the great battle that day, along with words of praise for his foresight.
He was somewhat perplexed.
"Does this king truly possess such foresight?"
Chen Xing and Chen Yue thought he had long known of True Man Tianjian’s prowess and hence sent Li Ling to True Martial Mountain. But in truth, it was for the sake of Taoist Longshan that he sent Li Ling there.
Town North King rarely wore a bitter smile.
He had been present during the battle between Thunder Shock Blade Venerate and True Man Tianjian, where he once lamented that Tianjian’s Sword Intent was unrivaled, though its cultivation didn’t suffice for top ranks in the Celestial Human Realm. But now, it seemed that True Man Tianjian simply defied common logic.
He was a Sword God in his twilight years, undeniably on the same level as Town North King, and even after reading Chen Xing and Chen Yue’s description, Town North King vaguely felt that this might not even be True Man Tianjian’s limit.
Town North King pondered further.
"I should have anticipated it—True Man Tianjian wanted to explore matters regarding Martial Saints, which means he has the Three Flowers of Essence, Qi, and Spirit perfected, seeking the Martial Saint path."
His eyes held a longing.
"The path to becoming a Martial Saint is exceedingly difficult; having a companion on this journey is advantageous."
"Yet this time, perhaps some old monsters will be stirred."
After hesitating.
He decided to send a letter to True Martial Mountain.
This matter was far from over.
He wanted to caution the True Martial Sect not to overdo it with the Inquiring Sword Pavilion. Many eyes would be watching them, so as not to leave any culpability; sometimes, eradicating the enemy completely isn’t wise.
However.
Luo Wentian evidently hadn’t planned on utter eradication; such sinful deeds of annihilation were beyond him.
They only needed to ensure the Inquiring Sword Pavilion would no longer pose a threat.
After a friendly negotiation with Tang Qiu.
The Inquiring Sword Pavilion ultimately agreed to the following conditions.
Firstly, the Inquiring Sword Pavilion would seal itself off for two hundred years, not emerging during that time.
Secondly, they would gift the Inheritance Sword Tower to the True Martial Sect free of charge.
Thirdly, all sect martial arts and texts would be copied, one set to be sent to the True Martial Sect.
Fourthly, they would provide compensation in the form of spirit medicine, treasure materials, treasure swords, and other goods.
Tang Qiu stumbled and didn’t know how he returned to the Inquiring Sword Pavilion.
When these terms were announced.
Some were outrageously furious.
"Let’s fight them!"
But Tang Qiu’s gentle words calmed them down:
"And be slaughtered like pigs by True Man Tianjian? Accept these terms, survive for two hundred years, and there’s still hope for the Inquiring Sword Pavilion."
Regret filled everyone’s hearts.
A single misstep, leading to more.
Never should they have coveted the True Martial Sword Stele or intended to dispossess their own Inheritance Sword Tower.
Everyone gritted their teeth in frustration.
At a certain moment, the only two remaining Celestial Realm experts ironically wished the True Martial Sect had been more ruthless, annihilating the Inquiring Sword Pavilion, so that they could quietly retreat and later strike from the shadows with impunity.
But dealing a heavy blow to the True Martial Sect? They dared not.
"When will they come to take the Sword Tower?" asked a Celestial Realm elder.
Tang Qiu couldn’t bear to look the two in the eye and only whispered:
"They want you both to deliver it personally."
Another elder spat out blood to the sky and collapsed to the ground.
The Inquiring Sword Pavilion members trembled with cold sweat.
That night.
Someone faintly saw two Celestial Beings dragging the hundreds of feet tall Sword Tower, racing through the night.