Sword Saint Feng Zhirun.
Some said his talent was stunning for five hundred years.
His life was also legendary.
Before the age of twenty-four, he was a proud son who amazed the world. Regardless of his background, talent, or appearance, he was unparalleled, and the dream lover longed for by women all over the world.
His painting talent was superb, having mastered the techniques of famous artists of all generations. At a young age, he was known as the Painting Saint. His figures and landscapes far surpassed those of famous artists of past dynasties, and everyone was honored to have their portrait painted by him.
Upon reaching the age of dancing elephants, he traveled the world, painting all the beauties of the land. The Hundred Beauties Painting he created was something every woman in the world was proud to be included in.
Feng Zhirun possessed noble character, extensive knowledge, and eloquence. He made friends with people from all walks of life, earning him unparalleled prestige. Even the consorts and empresses in the deep palace knew of his reputation.
However, on the day of his wedding at twenty-four, the Feng family of Jinling was wiped out overnight. Feng Zhirun subsequently renounced the world and became a monk at Linggu Temple.
Linggu Temple was one of the three great Buddhist temples of the time, known as the "Number One Zen Forest in the World."
Feng Zhirun read all the scriptures in the temple and, from Buddhist teachings, enlightened the "Twelve Aspects of All Beings," earning him the name Treasure Forest Divine Monk.
But eight years after Feng Zhirun became a monk, when he was thirty-two years old, he suddenly abandoned monkhood and entered the Daoist path. The reason for this is unknown.
...
Ao Haiping met Feng Zhirun when the latter was traveling the world, specifically before Feng Zhirun turned twenty-four.
Ao Haiping was captivated by Feng Zhirun's talent and often accompanied him. They roamed through mountains and rivers, their minds wandering through the mortal world, living a carefree life.
Even after Feng Zhirun became a monk at Linggu Temple, Ao Haiping visited him frequently and received his guidance, shedding his own malevolent aura and making rapid progress in his cultivation.
However, for some unknown reason, Feng Zhirun suddenly betrayed Buddhism and joined the Daoist sect, then disappeared without a trace.
When he reappeared, it was ten years later. He was known as the Unrivaled Sword Saint, wielding the Unrivaled Sword.
With his Unrivaled Sword for slaying demons and vanquishing evil, he single-handedly swept across the land, killing so many talented individuals in the demon realm that various demons fled in terror. Even Ao Haiping avoided him, fearing being apprehended for demon-slaying.
But a few years later, he disappeared again. Some said he was besieged and killed by powerful demons and monsters, while others said he had avenged his grievances and retreated to the mountains. In any case, opinions varied.
Only the Dragon Clan knew that five years after Feng Zhirun's disappearance, he suddenly appeared on the coast of the East Sea and stole the Dragon Clan's supreme treasure, the "Dragon Gate."
The Dragon Clan is a very special race. They are considered demons, yet they are worshipped by sentient beings of all generations, transforming from demons to deities.
Due to their unique nature, procreation within the race is extremely difficult. Although there are nine offspring of dragons, none are born as true dragons; all are sub-dragons, meaning they are all hybrids.
Therefore, some dragon ancestors, with collective wisdom, forged the supreme treasure—the Dragon Gate—giving all water creatures an opportunity to shed their mortal forms, transform into dragons, and obtain dragon bloodlines.
Ao Jiangyue was the one presiding over the Dragon Gate that year. It was also her first time presiding over the Dragon Gate that this supreme treasure was lost from her possession.
…………
"By the way, Xiao Yue, have you found any clues about the Dragon Gate since you returned?" Ao Haiping asked.
For the past few centuries, Ao Jiangyue had been searching for any trace of the Dragon Gate. Not only him, but the entire Dragon Clan had never given up.
Ao Haiping asked casually, as there had been some clues over the centuries, but they had ultimately turned out to be fake or led to dead ends.
However, as Ao Jiangyue slowly nodded, Ao Haiping could barely contain his excitement.
"Are you sure? Are you sure this time it's not a mistake?"
Ao Jiangyue shook her head, then her eyes showed a hint of confusion, followed by a nod.
"What do you mean by shaking your head and then nodding?" Ao Haiping asked anxiously.
"I met someone. I suspect he might be the reincarnation of Feng Zhirun."
"Huh?"
Ao Haiping was startled and even stood up from the sofa.
"Is he powerful? After reincarnation, how much of his strength has he retained?" Ao Haiping asked eagerly.
Mainly because Feng Zhirun's sword strike back then had left a psychological shadow on him. One sword split the sea, annihilating all things. The terrifying scene was like a natural disaster, unstoppable by anything; under that one sword, all things were cut down.
He finally understood why Feng Zhirun was called the Unrivaled Sword Saint. Even now, the memory sent shivers down his spine.
But Ao Haiping, to be honest, didn't really hate Feng Zhirun. Firstly, they had years of friendship, and secondly, he knew Feng Zhirun had held back.
Otherwise, Ao Jiangyue would have been annihilated soul and body under that sword, and she wouldn't have been able to escape unscathed.
Of course, it would be best if the Dragon Gate could be returned. As for the centuries that had passed, for the long-lived Dragon Clan, it was but a fleeting moment.
"He is just an ordinary person now, or perhaps slightly stronger than an ordinary person," Ao Jiangyue said.
"Huh? Did you fight him? Were you injured?" Ao Haiping asked nervously.
"I said he is only slightly stronger than an ordinary person now. How could he hurt me?"
Ao Jiangyue couldn't help but glare at him, resenting her second brother's unmanly demeanor.
Hearing this, Ao Haiping breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down, asking, "Tell me what happened."
So Ao Jiangyue recounted everything from discovering the soaring sword energy, to suspecting him because of the dragon robe woven from Zhu Yin'e's dragon whiskers, and then making a move to test him.
"That day I intended to overwhelm him with brute force, to stimulate his potential at the brink of life and death, to test if he was Feng Zhirun. But unexpectedly, Zhu Yin'e intervened and interrupted me."
Ao Jiangyue expressed great dissatisfaction at this point.
"Zhu Yin'e intervened to help? It seems he really might be Feng Zhirun."
Hearing this, Ao Haiping also felt it was highly probable.
Ao Jiangyue was very pleased that Ao Haiping agreed with her guess.
"Feng Zhirun was so powerful. Even after reincarnation, I don't believe he wouldn't have left any contingency plans. That's why I wanted to force him by threatening his life. At the moment of life and death, I don't believe he wouldn't use his contingency to protect himself."
"You should be more careful," Ao Haiping said, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Second brother, you're truly timid. Even if he is indeed Feng Zhirun reincarnated, his strength must be less than a tenth of what it was. What is there to fear?" Ao Jiangyue said with disdain.
"What's his name? Where does he live? I'll go meet him. With my understanding of him, if he is truly his reincarnation, I'll be able to see some clues."
"His name is Liu Nanfeng now, but his wife is no ordinary person. She is one of the Su sisters."
"The Su sisters?"
"They are the great demon Su Jinxiu, and the shape-shifting spirit Su Huamei, the two sisters."
"Su Jinxiu… Su Huamei… Su family… That’s right, that’s right…" Ao Haiping stood up and paced around the room.
"What's wrong?"
"I remember Feng Zhirun mentioned to me back then that the woman he married was a daughter of the Su family of Jinling. Unfortunately, I was held up by matters on the wedding day and couldn't attend. Otherwise…" Ao Haiping revealed a hint of regret.
"You mean the Su sisters are daughters of the Su family of Jinling, and they are continuing their fated relationship with Feng Zhirun?"
"It's possible, very possible." Ao Haiping became more excited as he spoke.
Then he suddenly remembered and spoke again, "Did you come back this time just to tell the old man this good news?"
"No, I want to borrow the [Book of Three Lives] from father."
"Huh?" Ao Haiping was taken aback.
"You want to use the [Book of Three Lives] to help him regain his reincarnation memories?" Ao Haiping asked in surprise.
"Yes. Only by regaining his reincarnation memories will we know where he hid the Dragon Gate."
"But… but…"
Ao Haiping frowned deeply. If he regained his memories and became as powerful as his past life, would the Dragon Gate still be reclaimable?
"Forget it. The old man doesn't know when he'll be back. I'll go back with you and meet him first," Ao Haiping said after some thought.
Ao Jiangyue nodded.
At this moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Young lady, your meal is ready. Shall I bring it in?"
"Come in." Ao Jiangyue said.
Ao Haiping sat up straight, his demeanor becoming serious.
ps: More