The ground below was a scene of heated battle, but the surface was deathly silent.
In front of the gates of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the wind and snow had stopped, but the air was even colder than when the storm was raging.
Jian Huaishuang stood with one foot on the golden plaque that read 'World's Number One Sword.' His heavy sword pointed diagonally at the ground as paper snow fluttered around him.
He blocked the mountain gate like a guardian deity.
At his feet lay a ground full of wailing elders and broken swords.
Eighteen elders, yet none could withstand a single blow.
"Who else?"
Jian Huaishuang's voice was not loud, but no one dared to accept the challenge.
All the inner-sect elites were shrinking back, their eyes dodging his gaze, and the swords in their hands were trembling slightly.
What kind of joke was this? Who would dare to go? Even the elders couldn't beat him; were small fry like them supposed to just go and get slaughtered?
Was he even human?
He was too strong.
So strong that it bred despair.
The newly recruited disciples and the commoners were also stunned.
These were immortals?
How were they being beaten like children, left crawling on the ground looking for their teeth?
"Sigh."
At this extremely awkward moment, a soft sigh suddenly drifted from deep within the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Following that, a peaceful golden light broke through the clouds and mist, spilling onto the plaza.
The main hall of the Heavenly Sword Sect, which had been closed for a long time, slowly opened.
A gentle and elderly voice came through, carrying a warmth like a spring breeze, instantly dispersing the murderous chill in the air.
"Is it not a delight to have friends come from afar?"
"The Heavenly Sword Sect has been negligent in receiving such noble guests."
An old man dressed in a plain white Taoist robe, with white hair and a white beard, stepped out slowly, holding a horsetail whisk.
His face was kind, his eyes were clear, and he was surrounded by a faint immortal aura. At a glance, he appeared to be a transcendent master of great cultivation.
With just one look, people couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill and an urge to bow in worship.
"Sect Master?"
"The Sect Master has come out of seclusion?"
The elders on the ground seemed to have found their backbone. One by one, they struggled to crawl up, their eyes brimming with tears.
"Senior Brother Sect Master, your... your injury..." The red-faced elder looked concerned.
"It matters not."
The old man waved his hand, coughing twice with a smile. His face seemed a bit pale. "An old ailment, it's no trouble."
Li Zhaoye was even more overcome with shame, kneeling on the ground. "This disciple is incompetent. I have disturbed Master's seclusion and brought shame to the sect."
"Silvly child, victory and defeat are common occurrences. There is no need for self-reproach."
"This fellow daoist's sword techniques are divine. To be willing to point out your flaws is your fortune."
As he spoke, Xu Yunzi turned and gave a slight bow to Jian Huaishuang, who was still standing on his sect's plaque. Not only was there no anger on his face, but he wore a smile as warm as a spring breeze.
"Fellow daoist, your sword skills are superb. This old Taoist is full of admiration."
"Since you have already won, your anger should have subsided. I wonder if you would do me the honor of entering the hall for a chat?"
This display of magnanimity was extreme.
The surrounding commoners were instantly moved.
"As expected of the Sect Master! This temperament, this breadth of mind!"
"Indeed, to be so polite even after someone attacked his gate, this is the true style of a transcendent master."
Chen Zhou stood with his hands behind his back, sizing up this leader of the Northern Region's righteous path with interest.
In the eyes of ordinary people, this was a benevolent elder who had come out of seclusion despite his illness.
But in Chen Zhou's eyes, beneath Xu Yunzi's Taoist robe was a wolf's torso covered in long white fur.
His strength was approximately sixth-stage Three Transformations of Eerification, and he was deeply demonized.
The flesh and blood energy in his body was so full it was almost overflowing—how could he possibly be injured?
Yet strangely, his soul was wrapped in a dense demonic qi, yet he managed to maintain a human-like rationality.
Chen Zhou wasn't sure if this was a mutation caused by eerification or some other reason, but perhaps this was the key to why the Heavenly Sword Sect was 'dying.'
The problem lay with the Sect Master.
"Sect Master!"
An elder nearby, seeing Xu Yunzi inviting them in, hurriedly tried to dissuade him. "Your injury..."
"Ten years ago, to protect the sect, you fought the lord of the Wolf Court and were infected with wolf venom that hasn't healed to this day. How can you easily use your spiritual power again?"
Li Zhaoye was also worried. "Indeed, Master, you are forcing yourself to end your seclusion for our sake..."
Xu Yunzi waved his hand. "It matters not."
"A visitor is a guest. My Heavenly Sword Sect is a righteous immortal sect; how can we lose our manners?"
"Today is the disciple recruitment ceremony, a day for universal celebration. Since these noble guests have arrived, let us all enjoy the festivities together."
As he spoke, he looked at Chen Zhou, who had not yet said a word.
Although Chen Zhou had not made a move, Xu Yunzi keenly felt that this young man in a black robe, whose features were hard to see, was the core of this group.
"Interesting."
The corner of Chen Zhou's mouth curled slightly as he spoke indifferently. "The Sect Master has quite the spirit. I crashed your party and slapped your face, yet you can still welcome me with a smile."
"Truly worthy of being the leader of the righteous path. I am impressed."
Xu Yunzi gave a bitter smile and glanced at Jian Huaishuang, a hint of praise flashing in his eyes.
"Fellow daoist, you joke."
"This young friend's sword skills are divine, and his Lucid Sword Heart is clear. My incompetent junior brothers did not lose unfairly."
"Although I have some small fame, in the path of the sword, I wouldn't dare say I could definitely win against this young friend."
"Since our skills were inferior, it means the Heavenly Sword Sect has not practiced well enough. If you're beaten, you stand tall and take it; that is the rule."
These words were flawless. They praised Jian Huaishuang while making Xu Yunzi seem broad-minded.
Even Jian Huaishuang frowned slightly, and the murderous intent on him retracted a bit.
One does not hit a smiling face.
This old man was a master of diplomacy.
"Since you have graced us with your presence," Xu Yunzi stepped aside and made an inviting gesture, "it just so happens that today is my sect's disciple recruitment ceremony. I have prepared a simple feast of wine and vegetarian dishes. Please, fellow daoist, give me some face."
"A feast?"
Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow. "I am an unwelcome guest. Aren't you afraid I'll flip your table?"
"We merely sparred with the sword; how could you be an unwelcome guest?"
Xu Yunzi looked at Chen Zhou meaningfully. "The Northern Region is cold and harsh; all beings suffer. This has not changed for hundreds of years."
"I have heard rumors of unusual movements in Jiuquan Village these past few days. Seeing your extraordinary nature today, I presume it was your doing."
"Perhaps we are not enemies, but fellow travelers on the same path."
"Please."
Chen Zhou looked deeply at this old wolf and smiled.
"Quite the 'fellow traveler.'"
"Since the Sect Master has extended such a warm invitation, it would be rude of me to refuse."
"I am also very curious to taste the wine of this Heavenly Sword Sect and see what it's really like."
The group was about to enter.
Suddenly, a disheveled head popped out from a nearby snow pile.
"Hey, hey, hey! Wait for me!"
Wu Gou wiped the snow off his face and rushed out with glowing eyes.
"Since there's a feast, is there wine?"
"I've heard the snow lotus wine from the Heavenly Sword Sect's back mountain is superb. This old beggar has been craving it for years. Can I have a sip today?"
Earlier, when Jian Huaishuang was fighting the elders, Wu Gou was afraid of being caught in the crossfire and had burrowed straight into the ground, only coming out now that it was safe.
Chen Zhou didn't know how this crazy beggar, who seemed to have no cultivation and was a mere mortal, had acquired such profound earth-tunneling techniques.
Once he entered the ground, even Chen Zhou found it difficult to perceive Wu Gou's exact location.
When Xu Yunzi saw Wu Gou and confirmed he was Chen Zhou's companion, the gentle smile remained on his face.
"Since you have come, you are a guest. Naturally, there is wine."
"Good, good! Old Taoist, you really are a good person, much better than this black-hearted Great Demon Lord!"
Wu Gou laughed loudly. Ignoring his own filth, he threw an arm around Xu Yunzi and walked ahead grandly.
Xu Yunzi's entire body stiffened, and his expression changed slightly as a rancid smell hit his nose.
Chen Zhou was not modest either and followed along.
Jian Huaishuang put away his heavy sword and silently followed behind.
As he passed Li Zhaoye, Li Zhaoye seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he only sighed and cupped his fist toward Jian Huaishuang.
"Senior's sword skills... Zhaoye has taken them to heart."
"However, there is one thing I do not understand. Senior said earlier that the limit of one's sword skills depends on the practitioner's sword heart."
"Then, what is Senior's sword heart?"
Jian Huaishuang stopped and looked at the back of Chen Zhou, who was walking ahead.
"To establish the heart for heaven and earth, to establish life for all beings."
Li Zhaoye was confused. "Is that so? But when I strike, I also think of the beings of the Northern Region, I think of..."
"No, it is different."
Jian Huaishuang interrupted Li Zhaoye.
"I am the sword in my Lord's hand."
Jian Huaishuang's voice was not loud, but it was incredibly firm.
"My Lord will always walk the correct path. I only need to follow him."
"As my Lord's sword, it is my duty to clear all obstacles for him. The sword is drawn for my Lord; naturally, its edge is invincible."
Li Zhaoye's body shook, and a look of confusion flashed in his eyes.
To swing a sword for a single person?
Was this... a pure sword heart?
Chen Zhou saw that Jian Huaishuang was still standing there and that Li Zhaoye looked lost, as if he had been abandoned by something.
Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow and turned back.
What were they doing?
It didn't look like they were sparring anymore.
Chen Zhou spoke slowly, "I've heard your noble sect has a Sword Tomb in the back mountain?"
Li Zhaoye was startled, then nodded. "Yes."
"I am quite interested in that Sword Tomb. I wonder what is buried there?" Chen Zhou asked, already knowing the answer.
Although Li Zhaoye was puzzled, he answered truthfully, "The Sword Tomb is a forbidden area of our sect. Originally, it was the burial place for the swords of past ancestors."
"However, in recent years, the Wolf Court has been rampant, repeatedly invading our borders. Therefore, our sect has imprisoned the captured wolf demons within the Sword Tomb, using sword qi to suppress them and grind away their demonic nature."
"After the feast, if you are interested, Zhaoye can take you there for a visit."
"Oh? Only wolf demons?"
Chen Zhou looked with a half-smile at Xu Yunzi, who was still being hugged by Wu Gou in the distance. "Then your noble sect has truly worked hard."
"Let's go. Take your seats."
He could feel that beneath this seemingly radiant immortal mountain, something was rotting.
It wasn't the stench of demons, but rather the rot of human hearts.
The group followed Xu Yunzi all the way to the main hall.
The Heavenly Sword Sect was indeed the number one immortal sect of the Northern Region. The hall was magnificently built. Although it was icy and snowy outside, the inside was as warm as spring.
A feast had long been prepared.
Although the defeated elders looked unhappy, they were indeed members of a righteous sect. Since they had lost, they had lost; they didn't resort to any petty tricks.
They briefly tended to their injuries and took their seats to accompany the guests.
A few of them even publicly praised Jian Huaishuang for his superior sword techniques.
"Everyone, today is a day of great joy for my sect, and we have the fortune of meeting several masters. This is worth a great drink."
Xu Yunzi raised his cup and spoke a series of polite formalities.
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