Chapter 613 | I Really Don't Want to Cultivate Immortality!

The Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow was enraged, ready to walk the path of slaughter.

However, an old Taoist stepped out on a wooden sword to mediate. "Old friend, we haven't seen each other for ten thousand years, yet you still have that explosive temper. Why get so worked up over a little girl?"

The voice drew countless gazes.

"The Peach Blossom Immortal Master? He's still alive?"

Someone in the crowd cried out in shock.

The Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow glanced over. Seeing the newcomer, its fury subsided slightly, replaced by a sneer. "Flower Priest, you've certainly lived a long time, haven't you?"

"Likewise, likewise," the old Taoist replied with a smile, a peach blossom tucked into his hair and a wooden sword beneath his feet.

"What, are you involved with this girl? Do you want to stand up for her?"

The old Taoist smiled. "Far from it. Heaven values all life. This old man simply cannot bear to see living beings suffer."

Jiang Wanyin said coldly, "Old man, stop acting like a saint. It's sickening!"

A playful look crossed the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow's beak. "Heh... it seems someone doesn't appreciate your kindness."

The old Taoist shook his head and let out a theatrical sigh. "Lady Jiang, why must you be like this? You should know why we have come. Why not simply help us fulfill our goals? Move the Wendao Sword Sect elsewhere and rebuild your mountain gate. Your rules can remain the same. Wouldn't that be a mutually beneficial solution?"

Many of the old monsters thought this was reasonable.

They didn't want to engage in a massive battle here either.

It would sap their strength.

It would ruin the harmony.

And it would give others a reason to criticize them.

It was better to save their strength for when the Sky Gate opened and face the tribulation with everything they had.

That was the real priority.

Jiang Wanyin sneered. "Old man, are you all so certain that the Sky Gate is beneath our mountain gate?"

The old Taoist remained calm and composed.

"Words are useless. We will know once we enter the sect and see for ourselves."

Jiang Wanyin said in a low voice, "For ten thousand years, no one who isn't a disciple of our sect has been able to cross this Longevity Bridge while still standing."

"The world is fickle; there are always exceptions," the old Taoist replied nonchalantly.

From the green mountains to the east, another person spoke up. It was a middle-aged man wearing a red headband and a pine-patterned robe, standing with his sword held in his arms.

"Lady Jiang, I, Chen Zhen of Zhenwu Mountain, guarantee that if the Sky Gate is not within the Wendao Sword Sect, I will never allow any foreign races to lay a finger on the Northern Borders. How about it?"

Jiang Wanyin looked over, her eyes scrutinizing him for several moments before she asked flatly, "And who are you?"

The man announced his name.

"Chen Zhen of Zhenwu Mountain."

The Martial Saint, Chen Zhen.

A rising star of the younger generation.

He hadn't become famous early, but his reputation in the world outside was significant.

Rumor had it that his strength was far superior to that of his own master, the Zhenwu Ancestor.

He was also a saint.

Among the humans of the Central Plains...

Aside from the Three Sects and the Wendao Sword Sect...

Zhenwu Mountain, which also belonged to the Seven Schools, was the only sect that possessed two saints simultaneously.

Like the Wendao Sword Sect...

They were known for their mastery of swordsmanship.

Jiang Wanyin clicked her tongue and mocked, "Never heard of you. What has happened to this world while I was in seclusion for a few thousand years? How is it that every random cat and dog dares to come out and bark..."

The man was neither pleased nor angry, his tone remaining flat and deep.

"Lady Jiang, there is no use in sharp-tongued barbs. You should be clear that today, there is no room for negotiation. Whether you allow us in or not, we are going to enter this mountain gate."

The implication was clear:

Enough nonsense.

Jiang Wanyin was amused, her long lashes fluttering as her eyes narrowed with a cold light. "How funny. Aren't you the ones who have been blathering on without end? I'll say it again: attack if you dare."

The expressions of the three experts instantly turned as foul as if they had just swallowed a fly.

It seemed...

Indeed...

From beginning to end, they were the ones talking nonsense.

It felt very much like their unrequited enthusiasm had met a cold shoulder.

But...

After saying so much...

If they just started fighting now, wouldn't they lose face?

But if they didn't fight...

They would lose even more face.

The old Taoist's face flushed with shame and anger. "Aren't you afraid? What about the disciples behind you? Aren't they afraid?"

Jiang Wanyin remained silent.

Ye Xianyu,

Li Qingshan,

the Guest Elders,

and the Pavilion Elders also remained silent.

On Wendao Square, the plain-looking Niu Batian was the first to shout at the top of his lungs, "You old bag of bones! Come and fight if you've got the guts! If you're afraid, you're no man!"

Following him, the other disciples began to shout in defiance.

Even though the mountains and fields beyond the long bridge were filled with saints and powerhouses, at this moment, they remained unyielding.

Fearless.

Dauntless.

Even if they knew in their hearts that they stood no chance against such opponents, they dared to fight, sought to fight, and did not fear the fight...

"That's right! Stop talking and fight!"

"Afraid? Only if I were your grandson!"

"Old and refusing to die is the mark of a thief! You old thieves should have died long ago!"

"Draw your swords!"

"Wendao Sword Sect would rather die than retreat!"

Their shouts echoed through the mountains like a tidal wave. In terms of pure morale...

At this moment, the Wendao Sword Sect was absolutely superior.

If Xu Xian were here,

witnessing this scene, he would surely have commented:

The disciples of the Wendao Sword Sect aren't just terrifyingly upright; they're also insanely brave.

A hint of pride flickered in Jiang Wanyin's eyes as she said with a touch of grace, "You see..."

The faces of the invading powerhouses from various races were grim, and their hearts were conflicted. Such a sect was truly rare in Fanzhou.

How had such a sect survived until now?

This anomaly truly deserved to be destroyed.

The previously kind-looking old Taoist changed his demeanor, his eyes turning dark and predatory.

"Since you are so obstinate, you cannot blame this old man for settling accounts."

Seeing his former "old friend" humiliated, the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow's mood improved considerably. It gave a sinister laugh. "Old Taoist, you'd better think this through. If you strike, this little girl might just release her water to flood your Daoist Ancestral Court."

The old Taoist spoke with a dignified and righteous air. "If I can reopen the path to the heavens and restore longevity for all living beings under heaven, then even if my entire sect is destroyed, it would be a worthy death. Why should I fear?"

This single sentence exposed their true nature.

These old fellows...

They were not like the younger saints and powerhouses in their sects.

They didn't care about the destruction of their mountain gates, nor did they care about the lives of their disciples.

To achieve their goals, paying a price was only natural.

They were used to life and death.

They had seen countless civilizations perish.

They had long since become accustomed to it. Aside from those closest to them, what was the difference between ten deaths and ten thousand?

As for their loved ones, they naturally had ways to protect them.

Therefore,

Jiang Wanyin's threat was useless.

Jiang Wanyin knew this in her heart as well.

Moreover,

even if it were useful, she would not do such a thing.

At her level, using a saint's power to kill ordinary cultivators or even mortals was beneath her.

Just as...

eight years ago, when Senior Brother Yun Zheng fought his way into the Great Desolation, he only struck down those at the eighth-stage beast sovereign level and above.

He destroyed the Ancestral Mountain, it was true.

But he never slaughtered an entire race.

She was taught by Yun Zheng.

Yun Zheng was a gentleman of the sword; how could Jiang Wanyin be any less?

Listening to the old Taoist's rhetoric, she only felt disgusted.

The world knew...

though many claimed to be from righteous sects, only the Wendao Sword Sect produced true gentlemen. The rest were all hypocrites and villains.

She challenged him, "Then why don't you come?"

The old Taoist said a single word: "Fine." The peach sword beneath his feet flew into his hand.

"Allow this old man to see just how much weight your Water Sword Intent carries."

Jiang Wanyin remained provocative. "Not much. Just enough to kill you."

The Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow wouldn't have it. It had arrived first; it couldn't let this old Taoist steal the spotlight.