Chapter 154 - Only One Strike Was Left
Gong Wei inclined his head, fingertips grazing the parchment laid upon the table.
The missive was succinct, its contents equally so.
“Respectfully, Gong Wei, the twenty-seventh master of the Sword Pavilion in Sugong Lands, extends his greetings.”
This summons had lingered atop his desk for several days.
The revered recluse, as rumors suggested, embodied the rumored demeanor.
He wasn't one to retreat a thousand miles away from civilization. Indeed, the elite of the Upper Central Realm knew his secluded whereabouts and could easily reach out to him.
While visitors weren't unheard of, they were invariably turned away upon arrival.
Any attempts at forced entry were promptly rebuffed by the Demon Venerable stationed at the gate.
Eventually, fear deterred any further disturbances.
Nonetheless, invitations were seldom refused. Most sought counsel from the Sage regarding cultivation hurdles, power struggles, or familial disputes.
Despite professing seclusion, the Sage served as a compassionate elder and an impartial arbiter amidst the highest echelons of power. Seekers could confide in him without reservation, assured of his abstention from worldly conflicts and the quality of his counsel.
Why not?
Even during their conversations, they would delve into topics related to the questions and answers posed to the saints.
Guo Fan would certainly express his discontent if he knew about the actions of these higher-ups.
Isn't this essentially just a Tieba forum??
Initially, only one person would respond to the posts, but occasionally others would share the content and offer their comments.
This essentially resembled the rudimentary structure of a Tieba forum. If this group of immortal cultivators were given access to an internet forum, the chaos they might unleash would be unimaginable.
In essence, everyone enjoyed engaging with the saints.
Hence, it stood to reason that a letter of reverence would likely be dispatched to the Sage's secluded abode every month.
However, very few individuals had genuine experiences of conversing and laughing with this saint; most merely made passing mentions of a few things.
Yet, Gong Wei always had the impression that this Sage treated their affairs as mere gossip. When idle, he would peruse the discussions for amusement, responding based on his mood or opinions.
It must be acknowledged that, deep down, this saint had reverted entirely to his original mindset.
Rumor had it that the Upper Central Realm marked the sole significant multiplication period in this world. His presence here, prevented from ascending due to a seal, naturally led to such a disposition.
However, it was precisely this gentle and accommodating saint who, willing to entertain gossip, rescinded Gong Wei's invitation letter.
Gong Wei retrieved the invitation letter. On its front lay his identity details, while on the reverse, a sentence inscribed by the saint himself awaited.
“The one who breaks the bell must be the one who does it.”
“Sigh.”
Gong Wei sighed and finally set aside the invitation.
His eyes remained veiled by a milky film, lending him an eerie appearance. However, those acquainted with the Sword Pavilion's master would attest to his exemplary character.
Despite his blindness, he functioned like any sighted individual. Had it not been for the injuries sustained in his youth due to persecution, rendering him physically blind, he would have appeared no different from anyone else.
Where did his injuries lie now? It took less than ten minutes for him to revert to his original state.
Blindness of the eyes did not equate to blindness of the heart.
Yet even the discerning master of the Sword Pavilion couldn't decipher the significance behind the seven-word response: “The one who breaks the bell must ring it.”
The content of the invitation pertained to Xia Shui, or rather, the individual known as Guo Fan.
As something within the purview of the Night's Fall Sword City Lord, Gong Wei naturally could trace it as well.
Once the fa?ade of the false identity was stripped away, it was akin to shedding a transparent outer layer, revealing the enigma within.
While there had been no prior reports of his sudden appearance within the Veplon Country's borders, he seemed to be an old acquaintance of Night's Fall Sword City Lord, Fang Xiang.
Gong Wei possessed some understanding of Fang Xiang. As the previous Pavilion Master's wife and a 9-star swordsmith, they were considered good friends and peers. However, he had been unaware of Night's Fall Sword City Lord's enduring relationship with her.
Not only that, but the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator pursued him, and the Profound Yin Young Lord was willing to return the sword to him because of him. In recent days, major occurrences in the cultivation world all seemed linked to him, as if the entire Upper Central Realm stirred upon his appearance.
It appeared as though everyone had some connection to him, even the Lady Boss of the Secret Jewel Inn in the city.
Despite Gong Wei's genuine admiration for Xia Shui's abilities and his readiness to observe his actions after their brief encounter, he couldn't help but feel astounded. It seemed as though Night's Fall Sword City, under his very nose, had become Xia Shui's playground.
Given Guo Fan's apparent strength, such a scenario seemed implausible.
Hence, Gong Wei delved into his origins. Ignorance left him in the dark, but upon investigation, he discovered Guo Fan's presence not only in Veplon Country but also in Frost River Manor.
The abode of the reclusive saints.
Was this a coincidence?
Gong Wei swiftly dispatched the invitation to Guo Fan, probing into his true identity before sealing the letter.
Even the servant relayed a sentence from the saint.
“He once aided me.”
One could fathom the tempest stirring within the heart of the Sword Pavilion's master.
He had indeed rendered me assistance before.
Initially perceived as merely a disciple, he unexpectedly turned out to be a benefactor.
Was it possible that a formidable figure had reincarnated, or was it someone who had traversed the trials of the past?
Despite the unanswered query regarding Guo Fan's identity, Gong Wei gleaned a rudimentary understanding, realizing he couldn't afford to provoke him!
Regardless, safeguarding him was the prudent course of action.
Subsequent observations, such as the mastery of Seraphic Speed cultivation, aligned more with the enigmatic demeanor of a powerful individual.
He couldn't possibly treat her as a subordinate.
Initially assuming Fang Xiang's loyalty to Xia Shui, it now appeared she might have exploited him.
Shaking his head, Gong Wei resolved to set aside those nonsensical musings without a coherent beginning or end. He then turned his gaze to the Sword Handling Servant.
“By the way, has the master of Blistook Pavilion arrived?”
“Indeed,” confirmed the sword servant. “She's currently in discussion with the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator and appears inclined to bring her back to the pavilion.”
Gong Wei directed, “If Shen Lin shows any signs of aggression, intervene. It signifies our Sword Pavilion aligns with the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator.”
The sword servant nodded deferentially. “Understood.”
……
Sun Fen remained in her chamber, the tranquility of a summer night enveloping the surroundings. Not long ago, a lovelorn young girl had occupied the very spot where her brother now sat.
“Have you concluded your dalliance? Forsaking everything for the sake of a man?” she questioned sternly.
Shen Lin's countenance darkened. “You've yet to master the seventh level of the Green Lotus Sword Technique. Your negligence extends beyond yourself; it imperils the Blistook Pavilion and the entire Upper Central Realm. The untamed Green Lotus Sword harbors the potential to transform into a weapon of indiscriminate destruction. Should you fail to control it, the consequences will be dire.”
Sun Fen listened in silence for a moment before calmly responding, “I am nearing completion.”
Shen Lin was taken aback. “Completed what?”
“The seventh level of the Green Lotus Sword Technique.”
Sun Fen's expression turned grave as she gazed upon the Green Lotus Sword resting on her lap.
“Just one final strike.”
Shen Lin's expression froze momentarily. The implication behind her words was clear to him.
This statement didn't signify Sun Fen's need to cultivate another sword technique to reach the seventh level of the Green Lotus Sword Technique. Instead, it indicated that she had already completed the cultivation and now only required to test her swordsmanship.
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