Chapter 277: Character Assassination!
"Ku Xue is dead!"
This chilling scene swept through the battlefield like a cold wind. Over a million Sword Cultivators from the Sword Ruins, their eyes frozen like ice, stared unblinkingly at the Taiji Yin-Yang pattern formed from blood and bone powder on the battle platform.
The howling wind seemed to pierce right into their very marrow!
Ordinary Sword Cultivators had no idea about Yun Xiao's situation in the Ancestral Sword Tomb. Had they known, the trembling in their hearts would have doubled.
"At the Sword Baptism Ceremony, Exile Yun was at the Saint Realm. Ku Xue is in the Early Dao Heart Realm, and she couldn't even withstand a single swordstroke from him!"
Everyone's gaze shifted from the battle platform to the viewing tower, but they couldn't see that young man in white. He killed and left as if brushing dust off his sleeves, without a speck of blood on him.
"The question is, how did Exile Yun use the same swordsmanship as Exile Ling?"
Amidst the tingling of scalps, a common question arose in their minds.
"Feng Ruolin and Ku Xue... After just entering the Sword Ruins, Exile Yun has already cut down two great beauties! Each death is more tragic than the last. Was he hurt by a beauty in the past? Why else would he be so ruthless?"
After a moment of silence, various discussions slowly arose, the gazes of countless Sword Cultivators deep and cold.
"In the Immortal Sword Ranking, it's usually enough to just make contact. Exile Ling killed Qin Luo for revenge, but why did this demon spawn act so mercilessly, wiping out a genuine talent with such distinguished ancestors?"
In the shadows, whispers cold as ice, buzzing like flies among the crowd, became impossible to ignore.
However, it was clear to hear that the frequency of words like fraud and pretender had significantly decreased, while terms like demon spawn, deceiver, and ruthless dramatically increased.
"Why does Exile Yun know your swordsmanship?" Ku Xuan quietly approached Ling Chen, his gaze deep as he asked.
Ling Chen gazed at the blood-red Taiji pattern for a long time, calmly saying, "It can only mean that he and I share a connection, practicing the same path."
"Is he tough to handle?" Ku Xuan asked. From the perspective of such a powerhouse as himself, that recent sword strike, which seemed to tear the heavens, appeared terrifying yet avoidable. Even a counterattack was possible. The sword technique, though mystical, couldn't overwhelm the likes of him and the other Overseers.
However, Overseers like him would never have a chance to confront Yun Xiao!
"It's fine." Ling Chen lowered his head, glancing at the nine-colored brilliance on his finger, "Even if he shares a similar origin with me, there are things I possess that he could never have. Such divine objects are even legends to me."
Hearing this, Ku Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"What about the Grove Essence Pills?" Ling Chen asked.
"I've already ordered Du Zhongyuan to hurry up," Ku Xuan replied.
"Once the pills are ready, bring them here directly. It's rare to find an opponent this interesting. I should show some real skill too," Ling Chen said.
"Understood!" Ku Xuan nodded profoundly, then after a moment of contemplation, he whispered in Ling Chen's ear, "Exile Ling, your goal is to reach the top of the Immortal Sword Rankings, right?"
"Yes." Ling Chen nodded calmly. He was a reborn Cosmic Immortal, carrying memories of his past life. If he couldn't even conquer the sword sects of this little world, let alone claim the first spot, where would the glory of his rebirth be?
Ling Chen harbored a sky-high spirit in his chest! It was a spirit of vengeance!
"Then, will you kill Exile Yun?" Ku Xuan quietly asked.
Ling Chen paused for a moment, scrutinizing Ku Xuan. "Does it matter?"
"It matters a lot!" Ku Xuan said earnestly, bowing slightly. "Forgive my frankness, but Exile Ling, you have a grand vision and have offered Yun Xiao a path of compliance. Yet, this youngster not only shows no gratitude but constantly challenges you at the Sword Puppet Forest and Azure Phoenix Tower. He's annoying as a buzzing fly, an ever-lingering shadow. Now, by killing Ku Xue, he's openly defying you. Such a rebellious character, if not dealt with soon, might become a significant obstacle on your path to the heavens."
"Heh." Ling Chen sneered, giving him a cold look. "Your stirring the pot like this is just because the demon spawn rumors you spread deeply offended him. Now, realizing his talent isn't lacking, fear grows in your heart, and you desperately wish I'd just eliminate him, freeing your Ku Family from worry."
"Exile Ling, we are wholeheartedly devoted to you, ready to follow you to death!" Ku Xuan, left without a retort, could only forcefully pledge his loyalty.
Ling Chen's words had indeed hit the nail on the head.
It was clear that the demon spawn rumors had ignited Yun Xiao's fury. His killing of Ku Xue with a single sword strike was a display meant for the Ku Family!
The Withered Bone Keeper himself knew the Ku Family had lost any chance to switch sides to Yun Xiao. They could only subtly suggest to Ling Chen to eliminate this potential threat as soon as possible!
The Ku Family was backed into a corner with no way out.
"However, you are right about one thing. This kid isn't content being a subordinate under me; he wants to stand beside me, even surpass me," Ling Chen said, his gaze deep and turbulent.
From the Sword Aura, Sword Rings, to the Grove Essence Pills, Ling Chen constantly felt Yun Xiao competing with him for resources, obstructing his path of vengeance and ascension!
"He also goes around saying he once saved your life, trying to paint you as ungrateful," Ku Xuan added somberly.
"Here you go again, trying to be clever and sow discord," Ling Chen shot him a cold glance.
"I dare not!" Ku Xuan quickly bowed his head, his face tense. But inside, he smiled. Because he sensed the unbearable urge to kill emanating from Exile Ling. And this murderous intent, of course, wasn't directed at him.
"Not a lifesaver, not a subordinate, but a destined adversary?" Ling Chen looked up at the battle platform, the red-white Taiji pattern a severe provocation.
"Perhaps there was a moment when we could have been friends. Sadly, our paths differ, and our goals do not align." In Ling Chen's cold eyes, strands of sword energy began to emerge.
"Exile Ling, shall I continue instructing others to spread rumors about the demon spawn's brutality and ugliness?" Ku Xuan asked in a hushed tone.
Ling Chen stood in the wind, neither agreeing nor objecting.
In the viewing tower, Yun Xiao was sitting cross-legged on the ground, with Mu Dalong standing beside him, holding a jug of Golden Springs Wine.
"I've got a few things going for me" Yun Xiao mused, scratching his chin. "I picked up the Hundred Scales Dantian, solving my bottleneck problem for now. I have the enormous advantage of 10,001 layers of Sword Aura. Finally, I have the Taiji Sword Dao and Divine Sky Sword Dao. Defeating an opponent an entire realm above me should be no issue."
In terms of Sword Aura and swordsmanship, Yun Xiao far surpassed Ku Xue. Even if she was stronger than him, she couldn't escape the fate of being instantly slain.
"However, to reach the top of the Immortal Sword Rankings today, my current strength is still insufficient," Yun Xiao concluded. The one-hour rest time between each round of combat was crucial!
While regular disciples of the Sword Ruins spent years honing their swords for the Immortal Sword Rankings, Yun Xiao needed only to hone his sword on the very day, breaking through while fighting!
"To climb higher, the Hundred Scales Dantian alone isn't enough. Among these four thousand participants, at least three thousand possess Seeds of Creation. Moving forward, even if I have to kill, I need to leave some bodies."
These ordinary Seeds of Creation, though not as exceptional as Ling Chen's, were still valuable and could not be wasted, providing significant transitional benefits.
After all, Moon Fairy had absorbed hundreds of Seeds of Creation by now.
"Exile Yun..." Mu Dalong suddenly called out in a low voice.
"What is it?" Yun Xiao asked.
"In the Immortal Sword Rankings duel, the focus is on sparring. Unless there's a deep grudge, it's generally frowned upon to kill. Otherwise, it might bring further criticism to your reputation," Mu Dalong expressed her concern.
"I've been slandered to such an extent, even involving my mother. Do you think I still care about reputation?" Yun Xiao questioned.
At a loss for words, Mu Dalong could only offer comfort, "Insulting one's mother is indeed despicable."
That was the real reason for Yun Xiao's annoyance. His parents might have passed away early, but in his eyes, they were great and sacred, a pure memory deep in his heart.
Yun Xiao's father exhausted his mind for the Cloud Nation. His mother managed the household and raised him with constant teachings, never forgotten.
"The ability of these people to create rumors is truly remarkable. I'm not even from your Nine Hells, yet they fabricated a whole hometown for me. It's outrageous. And so many believe it, absolutely ridiculous," Yun Xiao muttered.
Once Yun Xiao grasped this truth, he knew that in the face of such character assassination, defending himself or backing down was pointless.
Why fear the crooked paths when your sword was straight and true?
"Are you planning to face off against Exile Ling in a life-or-death battle?" Mu Dalong suddenly asked.
"Not today," Yun Xiao responded.
"Why not?"
"He's not ripe enough yet."
"Oh." Mu Dalong nodded, somewhat befuddled by this response. Unlike her father, she wasn't as convinced and harbored some worries for Yun Xiao. It wasn't a matter of trust, but during their brief time together, she had grown fond of this clean,pure, and proper young man.
And with fondness comes concern.
The Immortal Sword Rankings had officially kicked off!
In the first round, aside from Yun Xiao and Ling Chen, over four thousand people engaged in duels of swordsmanship simultaneously!
Yun Xiao, watching from a high vantage point, found the scene truly spectacular. Four thousand talented Sword Cultivators, all above the Awakened Emperor Realm, and many in the Dao Heart Realm!
These new generations of the Sword Ruins were strong in combat, with many young Sword Cultivators stronger than Ku Xue and Qin Luo in the Early Dao Heart Realm.
Each round lasted an hour! Whoever defeated their opponent first got to rest and prepare for the next round!
By the second round, Yun Xiao and Ling Chen joined the fray once more. But by then, the competition had thinned, halving to just over two thousand competitors. These were top-tier Sword Cultivators.
After facing opponents like Qin Luo and Ku Xue, the subsequent rounds against Awakened Emperor Realm opponents posed no difficulty for Yun Xiao or Ling Chen.
In the blink of an eye, half a day passed!
Half of the twelve rounds of the Immortal Sword Rankings competition were over.
Including Ku Xue, Yun Xiao had already defeated six opponents.
These opponents were young and timid. So, Yun Xiao simply knocked them out.
"Clearly a villain, yet pretending to be virtuous?"
After the sixth round, the whispers and gossip almost made Yun Xiao's nostrils flare with irritation.
Ling Chen, who'd held himself back, was hailed as a natural saint. Meanwhile, when Yun Xiao did the same thing himself, he was accused of pretending?
"People, once their opinions are set, can't make objective judgments." Yun Xiao clicked his tongue.
It was normal, yet frustrating.
Fortunately, Blue Star finally came through, hurriedly delivering to Yun Xiao the first batch of upgraded Heavenly Dao Sariras refined from the Immortal Jades.
Looking down from the viewing tower, Yun Xiao noticed that Ling Chen had stopped playing the role of the people's champion by staying on the ground floor, likely retreating to a secluded spot to prepare for the final rounds.
"Mid Awakened Emperor Realm." Yun Xiao sighed. With the upgraded Heavenly Dao Sariras, breaking through the Eight Mortal Realms was as simple as breathing.
Yun Xiao could clearly feel that his comprehension and other aspects were much stronger than during his time in Azure Spirit.
Blue Star explained this as a gradual awakening of the Creator Immortal's abilities. Moreover, these abilities would continue to grow in the future, becoming even more exaggerated.
"If only my cultivation could skyrocket like this," Yun Xiao remarked in a joking tone.
"That's not possible. Stages are the bridges of all things. If you soar hundreds of stages at once, the whole Dao Realm will see you," Blue Star replied.
"Creator, as you progress, you'll probably have to suppress your breakthrough speed to hide the Creator Immortal's abilities." Red Moon chuckled.
"Suppress it?" Yun Xiao was a bit dizzy. While others struggled to ascend, he had to work hard to hold himself back? He shook his head. "'I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
FInally, the Immortal Sword Rankings entered its latter half, with the seventh round about to begin!
Out of 4,096 talented Sword Cultivators, only 64 remained! This round would reduce that number to 32!
Those who remained were mostly in the Dao Heart Realm!
The real challenging battles were about to begin.
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