Chapter 283: Going Out of Their Way to Deliver Their Heads!
"Exile Yun sure knows how to make a big show!"
Most Sword Cultivators didn't have a good impression of Inscription Cultivators.
It was a rivalry that lasted countless generations!
This was the clash of generations!
The territory of the Calamity Seal Purgatory was vast, teeming with people, both aloof and proud. Though also belonging to the human race, the Inscription Cultivators were like oil and water with the Sword Cultivators.
However, times appeared to be changing. Ever since Qingzan married into the Calamity Seal Purgatory, the ice was starting to thaw, but old grudges didn't just vanish into thin air.
The Sword Ruins was hosting the Immortal Sword Rankings, a grand event held only once every year to celebrate the young talents of the sect. Yet, not only had the Inscription Cultivators crashed it, they also immediately started causing trouble. This immediately rubbed many Sword Cultivators the wrong way!
"Those Inscription Cultivators always act so high and mighty. Even with the emergence of two Exiled Sword Immortals, they still don't know how to tone it down!"
Many Sword Cultivators were just bystanders, neutral about Yun Xiao. But now, they felt a sense of kinship with him.
"Alright then, the challenge of a mighty Exiled Sword Immortal? We Inscription Cultivators gladly accept it!" The girl in the green dress stirred up quite the buzz in the Immortal Sword Rankings.
Even the tens of thousands of justice-seekers knew better than to open their mouths in the face of this grand dispute.
"I've never seen Inscription Cultivators in action. I hope you all don't disappoint," Yun Xiao quipped before soaring back onto his viewing tower.
And inside the venue of the Immortal Sword Rankings, the undercurrents grew even stronger.
More and more Sword Cultivators came to watch. The sky was filled with over two million Sovereign Swords.
Those who criticized Yun Xiao were now silenced!
For a moment, Ling Chen's limelight was completely stolen. He glanced at Yun Xiao and smirked coldly. "Still a bit green... Fine, you can be the dancing clown and take the blows for me."
On another viewing tower, Qingzan walked up slowly, bowing slightly to an elderly, hunchbacked figure. "Grandfather," she greeted.
Beside them, the sorrowful Overseer Sikong, mourning his granddaughter's death, had excused himself, leaving Qingzan with the Withered Bone Keeper.
"The Exiled Sword Immortals are tough opponents, aren't they?" the Withered Bone Keeper rasped in a low, gravelly voice.
"A bit unexpected," Qingzan admitted, pouring a cup of murky tea for the old man, her expression calm.
"Do you think this turn of events is a blessing or a curse for our family?" the Withered Bone Keeper asked, sipping his tea and staring intently at Qingzan.
"A curse," she replied without a moment's hesitation.
"One disaster, or two?" the Withered Bone Keeper inquired.
"Both are disasters," Qingzan replied, locking eyes with the Withered Bone Keeper, her gaze unwavering.
"Heh." The Withered Bone Keeper chuckled, shaking his head. "Qingzan, you may be married, but remember, you're a Sword Cultivator. You should speak from our perspective."
"Grandfather, I am speaking as a Sword Cultivator," Qingzan insisted, her voice firm.
"You want to kill both Exiled Sword Immortals... that's the stance of the Calamity Seal Purgatory!" The Withered Bone Keeper gritted his teeth, then paused before continuing solemnly, "Yun Xiao is a thorn in our side. Except for Mu Tianjian, the entire Nine Hells wants him dead! But our Exile Ling is cautious and experienced, stable in temperament, and a trustworthy man. He's a genuine reincarnation of a true Immortal, clearly retaining memories from his past life. He spoke up for you just now, and yet you wish to eliminate him? I advise you to abandon this notion quickly, or not even I can save you."
Qingzan shook her head, speaking sternly, "Grandfather, my sole purpose here is to ask you to eliminate these two menaces swiftly. They're still in their nascent stages, and we have a chance to strike now. Leaving even one alive would plunge the Eternal Sword Prison into an irreversible abyss."
"Silence!" The Withered Bone Keeper's eyes blazed with a gray fire, "The Exiled Sword Immortals are a gift from the heavens and our ancestors to the Sword Ruins! Exile Ling is fully capable of leading the Eternal Sword Prison into a golden age of swordsmanship, dominating the Nine Hells. If you'd only wake up, step out of the Calamity Seal Purgatory's shadow, and align with Exile Ling, the day he ascends will be your day to rule the Nine Hells. Even your husband will be no more than a servant under you. Why bother with his approval then?"
"Rule the Nine Hells?" Qingzan looked up, meeting her grandfather's gaze. "Sorry, I don't share your blind faith in the Exiled Sword Immortals, nor in this so-called reincarnation of a true Immortal. I don't believe that a prodigy can suddenly make the Eternal Sword Prison capable of taking on eight hells at once. The other Hell Wardens aren't fools; they'll never allow such a supernatural talent the time to grow."
"One against eight?" The Withered Bone Keeper frowned deeply, visualizing the scene.
Qingzan couldn't help but smile, asking, "Grandfather, does the Eternal Sword Prison really have friends in the Nine Hells? Everyone else thinks you're all a stubborn bunch of old donkeys."
Her words were disrespectful, yet they struck a nerve like a sharp sword. Indeed, when it came to cunning and social graces, the Sword Cultivators were no match for the Inscription Cultivators.
The Calamity Seal Purgatory had allies everywhere, while the Eternal Sword Prison's neighbors, whether the Primeval Demon Hell or the Endless Netherworld, were sworn enemies.
"No matter what, Exile Ling is worth the gamble. If we win, it'll be a blessing for countless generations!" the Withered Bone Keeper declared.
"And if we lose? If the other hells divide us, leading to the decline of Sword Cultivators, our lineage ends, and you and Mu Tianjian become historical criminals, cursed even in the afterlife!" Qingzan retorted coldly.
"The Exiled Sword Immortal cannot lose." The Withered Bone Keeper knew Ling Chen well. He was aware of his strategic prowess and just how formidable he was.
So far, Ling Chen had only been unable to influence Yun Xiao.
Everything else was under his control.
"One against eight, and you think we can't lose? You've grown senile and lost your mind." Qingzan shook her head and sighed. "Grandfather, why can't you see? The reason our ancestors gave such high status and power to the Exiled Sword Immortals was that they knew there's no such thing as a reincarnated true Immortal! It was a beautiful illusion, a wistful dream yearning for the path of Immortality, but that's all it isan illusion. In reality, even a Heavenly Sun Child can be assassinated by the combined forces of the eight hells, let alone an Exiled Sword Immortal."
"You needn't say more. You have your stance, and we'll see how it plays out. No matter what, we the Ku Family are betting on this." The Withered Bone Keeper's gaze never wavered.
"Why the need to gamble at all?" Qingzan asked, exasperated. "According to our original plan, once I become the Sword Warden, we can ally with the Calamity Seal Purgatory, and our human race will be strong enough to dominate the Nine Hells. Why rely on someone else? Grandfather, including the Sword Relic you desire, I'll personally hand everything to you myself."
"Qingzan..." The Withered Bone Keeper gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with blood. "To wait for you to take charge means waiting for Mu Tianjian to step down. I can't wait that long."
"If you can't wait, you'd sacrifice the entire Eternal Sword Prison? After living so long, why are you still so selfish?" Qingzan's face was icy as she spoke bluntly.
"No point in arguing further. I choose to bet on Exile Ling," the Withered Bone Keeper declared, looking directly at her. "As for you, there's no need for you to stick your neck out. You can just maneuver between the two hells, siding with whoever has the upper hand. After all, you can't lose; your father and I won't allow it either."
Qingzan fell silent upon hearing this. "I'm sorry, Grandfather. I was presumptuous," she lowered her head.
"For so many years, you've always been like this. I'm used to it." The Withered Bone Keeper sighed deeply. "But no matter what, you're still our family."
"Alright," Qingzan gave up trying to persuade him. She paused, then added solemnly, "Since we're family, let me remind you. The other eight hells fear the Exiled Sword Immortals more than you realize. They've already started covert operations. Once the Immortal Sword Rankings is over, assassinations will flood in. Then, humans, demons, and devils will all pounce for the kill. I'm afraid your Exile Ling won't even survive long enough to compete in the Nine Hells Conquest Clash."
"Oh? They're that jealous?" The Withered Bone Keeper sneered.
"It's normal." Qingzan looked out. "If it's something nobody else has, they don't want you to have it either! One is bad enough, but you've got two. Isn't that the same as forcing them into a corner? If they don't kill the Exiled Sword Immortals soon, are they just waiting to die?"
"They could also choose to kneel before Exile Ling," the Withered Bone Keeper suggested.
"Kneel? The Calamity Seal Purgatory might, since we're all humans. But the demons and devils? You think they'd kneel? If the Sword Cultivators rise to power, the demons will become your livestock; and the Azure Phoenix Demon Empress, your pet bird trapped in a cage! Their only hope is to assassinate your Exiled Sword Immortals; they don't have the luxury of kneeling." Qingzan finished speaking, grasped the railing of the viewing tower, and said with a distant gaze, "So, Grandfather, face reality."
The conversation reached a point where the Withered Bone Keeper fell into deep silence.
The issue of the Exiled Sword Immortals had long transcended the confines of the Sword Ruins. It was now a matter concerning the entire Nine Hells! Like a stone causing ripples in a pond, the news had stirred up a storm across the realm, prompting secret meetings among various powers.
"I just heard that the War Princess of the Endless Netherworld unlocked her Nine-Tiered Bloodline, a talent comparable to a Heavenly Sun Child. In the past, we'd all have thought of assassinating her, right? But now, no one's paying her any mind! Instead, the Endless Netherworld is more eager for both Exiled Sword Immortals to perish, hoping their darling daughter triumphs in the end," Qingzan commented.
"Is that so?" The Withered Bone Keeper's eyes glowed with a dull yellow sword energy. He too gazed downwards, speaking calmly, "Let's wait until the last couple of rounds are over."
Two hours passed, filled with tension. To the east, dawn broke, its rays illuminating the land! Finally, a new day had arrived. Yet, for some reason, the Sword Ruins remained engulfed in dark clouds, as if haunted by countless specters and evil spirits, their malevolent aura pressing down, stirring endless killing intent in the hearts of those below.
"Breaking through two stages in quick succession, not bad," Yun Xiao remarked. With the help of the upgraded Heavenly Dao Sariras, he'd reached the end of the Eight Mortal Realms. He was at the Establishment stage of the Awakened Emperor Realm!
In just a short month, Yun Xiao had blitzed forward, breaking through the 40 stages of the Eight Mortal Realms! Now, standing before him was the first major hurdle in the human cultivation systemforming the Dao Heart!
Breaking through four stages in just a day, Yun Xiao's current cultivation speed was incomparable to when he first stepped foot into Azure Spirit.
Yun Xiao could feel the immense power of his Primordial Void Technique coursing through him, his belief in his abilities stronger than ever.
"Bluey, if I ascend any higher, can I still return to the Divine Continent?" Yun Xiao suddenly pondered this crucial question.
"Don't worry, no matter how powerful you get, I can smuggle you back in the coffin if necessary," Blue Star assured him.
"That's a relief." Yun Xiao, having been away from Azure Spirit for quite some time, was beginning to miss the taste of Daughter's Red.
"Fae" Mu Xiaolong pouted, standing nearby, "Was it really necessary to take such a big risk just to make it to the finals?"
"Why do you think I'm taking a risk?" Yun Xiao stood up, smiling as he asked.
"The Divine Sigil Rankings is a bit more competitive than our Immortal Sword Rankings. That woman, Fu Die, is ranked third on their list. Her combat power is nearly on par with our previous champion, Yi Qingfan. Her Deep Abyss Sigil has over 3,000 Runes!" Mu Xiaolong explained.
"Fu Die?" Yun Xiao found the name a bit awkward to pronounce. As for the Runes, they were like the Sword Aura of a Sword Soul, but different in that these Runes were inscribed by the Inscription Cultivators themselves, unrelated to demons.
"Yeah! She has several young Inscription Cultivators with her, ranked fourth, fifth, and sixth in the Divine Sigil Rankings. Each one's strength is at the Perfect Dao Heart Realm. Ku Xin was just in the Late Dao Heart Realm," Mu Xiaolong said, astonished. "You're practically taking on five champions of the Immortal Sword Rankings by yourself. Some people are saying you're too arrogant, and it's really pissing me off."
"There's no doubt about the outcome of the battle. All they've done is go out of their way to deliver their heads to me," Yun Xiao remarked. As the time for the next round drew near, he composed himself, his gaze focused as he looked down from the viewing tower. "I'm actually quite curious about the techniques of these Inscription Cultivators."
Hearing these words, Mu Dalong, standing beside him, relaxed slightly. She softly said to her daughter, "Xiaolong, let's just enjoy Exile Yun's performance. There's no need to be nervous. Enjoy the show."
"Don't pretend like you're not nervous too. You screamed like a bat out of hell when that nasty woman showed up!" Mu Xiaolong retorted.
"Ah, you rascal," Mu Dalong couldn't help but smile and shake her head.
As the mother-daughter duo chatted, Yun Xiao had already descended from the viewing tower and calmly stepped onto the arena.
BOOM! The battle platform shook violently, causing a ripple of shock among the over two million spectating Sword Cultivators. After two hours of silence, the show was about to begin!
Ling Chen hadn't made an appearance yet. He probably wanted to see Yun Xiao fight this battle before he took the stage himself.
In an instant, countless eyes were fixed on Yun Xiao, from the Sword Warden and the Withered Bone Keeper to the Overseers and guests from the Calamity Seal Purgatory.
Qingzan sat with several elders from the Calamity Seal Purgatory atop the viewing tower, watching intently. These Inscription Cultivators were the parents and ancestors of the young Inscription Cultivator prodigies. In the Calamity Seal Purgatory, they also held positions equal to Supreme Adjudicators and Overseers.
The atmosphere was tense, charged with anticipation!
As Yun Xiao made his entrance, he was soon faced with five radiant, deeply charismatic young prodigiesone Sword Cultivator and four Inscription Cultivators. There were no cheers for them; after all, this was the territory of the Sword Cultivators. It was a silent duel, a battle observed in hushed anticipation. Perhaps some supported Yun Xiao, but only inwardly.
The waters were deep, and without firsthand information, anyone with a bit of sense dared not take sides prematurely. Support whoever won! That was the prevalent mindset.
Under this oppressive atmosphere, even the five prodigies appeared stoic, their auras heavy, eyes brimming with lethal intent. Only Yun Xiao, casual and relaxed, walked towards them. In his hand, he held a three-foot azure blade enveloped in 10,001 layers of Sword Aura, not uttering a word as he pressed forward.
Yun Xiao allowed the opponents to call for reinforcements, and it appeared they believed that five was enough. There were two other powerful Inscription Cultivators from the Divine Sigil Rankings missing. However, they had no way of making it to the Eternal Sword Prison by the start of the 11th round. As for any others who could take part in the battle, they would be nothing more than cannon fodder. Their presence would make no difference.
"Inscription Cultivators excel in forming arrays and trapping their opponents. I wonder if Exile Yun is prepared for this?"
The crowd held its breath, watching with bated anticipation.
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