Chapter 289: You're Nothing But a Sword Slave!
"Sword slave!"
When Yun Xiao uttered these two words, the hearts of everyone present clenched in a vice-like grip!
Ling Chen had been Bai Wuque's sword slave almost his whole life! Just a few days ago, he had delivered a karmic retribution to Bai Wuque, and now, Yun Xiao was pinning this disgrace back onto him?
To Ling Chen, no insult was greater than being called a sword slave.
"To think, an Exiled Sword Immortal would become the Sword Slave of another... well, that's just..."
People couldn't even find the words to describe the tumult in their hearts.
"Even though they're both in the Dao Heart Realm, why does Yun Xiao seem so much stronger than Ling Chen?"
No one understood.
This was the difference between a Creator Immortal and a Divine Sky Sword Emperor.
Even a Creator Immortal at their weakest was above the clouds!
After a tense silence, as Ling Chen hesitated to make a choice, the topic of discussion quickly shifted.
"Exile Ling is too weak."
"How he treated Bai Wuque's mother, I told you, he's no good, and you all praised him?"
"I said it before, all this talk about the Fiendish Sword Soul, it's all lies spread by Exile Ling."
"He can't beat Exile Yun, so he resorts to such low tactics, while Exile Yun is unafraid of rumors; that's the true demeanor of an Immortal!"
These words, previously spoken, were often met with retorts. But now, who would dare?
The tens of thousands of young justice-seekers, at some point, had their heads nearly buried in their necks, turning into shrinking turtles, awkwardly laughing along with others in praising Yun Xiao, their faces twisted.
Yun Xiao's name echoed through the skies!
The Withered Bone Keeper, Ku Xuan, the trio of Overseers, and others stood completely frozen, their faces warping with shock as if their insides were being torn apart.
This battle, not even lasting three hundred exchanges, saw Yun Xiao strike twice with his sword, forcing Ling Chen to keel.
Ling Chen's supporters were devastated!
"Dad, this is bad, if Exile Ling, unable to bear this humiliation, takes his own life..." Ku Xuan's voice trembled.
Sword Slave, a lowly slave! Even if Ling Chen rose to the position of second strongest, standing above countless people, others would still mock him as nothing but a sword slave! Who could endure such a fate?
"Exile Ling hasn't lost, he can still fight!" Overseer Sikong clenched his teeth. He wasn't wrong; Ling Chen had only lost his ears, not his arms. There was still a chance for him to turn defeat into victory.
"Fight!" Those Sword Cultivators, unwilling to accept defeat, suppressed their panic and roared at Ling Chen on the stage in the most stifled voices. In their hearts, a supreme reincarnated true Immortal like him surely couldn't just surrender and kneel as a slave! Even they couldn't stomach such humiliation!
However, as they widened their eyes in anticipation, they were stunned to see Ling Chen bowing deeply Then, in front of everyone, he prostrated on the ground!
His forehead touching the earth, he spoke in the most respectful tone, "Sword Slave Ling Chen greets his master. From now on, I am willing to wield my sword and face death for my master!"
This statement, though not loud, instantly silenced all the noise.
The Withered Bone Keeper and his other supporters, along with the tens of thousands of justice-seekers, were petrified on the spot.
"Pfft!" Mu Xiaolong couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
"Don't laugh!" Mu Dalong hurriedly tried to cover her mouth, but she too couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hahaha..." In an instant, the laughter of millions of people formed a wave of humiliation, crashing over and over again onto the young man in the dark violet robe on the battle stage, torturing his heart repeatedly.
"Ugh." Zhang Mu's face turned pale, and he instinctively retreated into the crowd, applauding Yun Xiao with the other Overseers that stood with the Sword Warden.
All around, the Overseers wore smirks, except for him, whose facial muscles seemed to have their own consciousness, trembling in different directions.
"Two tigers cannot share one mountain, unless one is master and the other slave!"
"Congratulations to Exile Yun, and to Exile Ling as well. No matter what, we, the cultivators of the Eternal Sword Prison, will continue to fight for both Exiled Sword Immortals!" The Sword Warden's declaration, like a final verdict, marked the end of the Immortal Sword Rankings.
The Sword Warden's message was clear. The Sword Ruins still recognized the status of both Exiled Sword Immortals, and their internal master-servant relationship was their own affair.
While this move seemed to save Ling Chen's face, the news of him becoming a sword slave would inevitably spread throughout the Nine Hells, becoming a topic of mockery at every meal.
Not just outsiders, even many Sword Cultivators present couldn't help but chuckle at these words.
Yun Xiao was slightly taken aback by the turn of events. "Not bad for someone who, in a past life, rose to the ranks of a Cosmic Immortal, truly bearing humiliation with fortitude," he thought with a chuckle.
The ability to bend or stand tall was, indeed, the mark of a protagonist! Unlike Yun Xiao, who could only stand tall and never bend. But it worked out perfectly, as Ling Chen's Seed of Creation was not yet fully potent. Killing him now would be a waste after nurturing him for days.
"Aren't you afraid of nurturing a threat?" Blue Star asked.
"From the moment he knelt, he became nothing more than a rabbit," Yun Xiao replied.
Nurturing a tiger might be dangerous, but a rabbit? That was just for fun.
"Stand up!" In the midst of the uproar, Yun Xiao casually instructed Ling Chen.
"Yes, Master!" Ling Chen stood, trembling slightly. He looked at Yun Xiao with deep respect, devoid of any resentment, and completely indifferent to the mockery of the entire Sword Ruins. "Master has the ability to pierce the heavens and possess the essence of the universe. I was blind to your grace and kindness, acting foolishly. Please forgive me."
"Enough with the flattery," Yun Xiao waved his hand dismissively. "Give me back the Sword Rings."
"Yes!" Ling Chen lowered his head, summoning the nine-colored Sword Soul. As his gaze fell on the Divine Cosmic Sword, his eyes trembled slightly. The degradation of this sword was the fundamental reason for his current choice. He took a deep breath and removed the seven Hell Demon Sword Rings, handing them over to Yun Xiao in front of everyone.
CLICK! CLICK! With a casual flick, Yun Xiao attached the seven Sword Rings to the Heaven Burial Sword Soul in a smooth, natural motion, eliciting another wave of admiration and noise.
"Indeed, Exile Yun's Sword Soul must be at least Yang grade!"
"No, no, no, he embedded seven Sword Rings because that's all there is. Who knows what his limit is?"
The crowd erupted into laughter, and the entire Sword Ruins seemed to clear of any malicious rumors, filled with joy and harmony.
Yun Xiao was pleased with the astute reactions of the Sword Cultivators. As he put away the Heaven Burial Sword Soul, he looked up at Ling Chen. "When did you acquire these Sword Rings?"
Ling Chen replied respectfully, without hesitation, "Yesterday afternoon."
"Oh?" Yun Xiao calculated the time; it was right after his visit to the Blood Crystal Pool.
Ling Chen made no effort to hide his voice. So, when he spoke, Zhang Mu collapsed to the ground, his face etched with panic!
The surrounding Overseers shook their heads and scoffed at him.
"Sword Warden! Exile Yun!" Zhang Mu, in utter despair, knelt and started kowtowing frantically.
"I've heard that his brother, Zhang Qian, died by his hand," Ling Chen respectfully informed Yun Xiao.
"Oh?" Yun Xiao turned his gaze towards Mu Dalong.
Mu Dalong, who had been smiling just moments before, now trembled, staring blankly at Zhang Mu, her eyes gradually filling with blood.
This news sent shockwaves through the crowd!
"Murdering his own brother?"
Such a deed was despicable in any realm!
"He killed my father? Why..." Mu Xiaolongs young eyes were filled with disbelief. Yet, she knew it must be true.
"Exile Ling, this is a misunderstanding!" Zhang Mu, weeping, crawled towards him. The more revolting his past actions, the more tragic his current plight. This was karma!
"Arrest him, and after investigation, execute him!" the Sword Warden commanded, not wanting the scandal to spread.
"Yes!" Several Overseers stepped forward, seizing the desperate Zhang Mu and forcefully dragging him away.
Zhang Mu had never imagined he would be betrayed by Ling Chen. He was stunned! Of course, he knew it was all because Yun Xiao was too powerful! Otherwise, how could Ling Chen be reduced to such a state?
"Are you alright?" the Sword Warden asked his daughter.
Mu Dalong quietly wiped away her tears and whispered, "I'm fine, Dad. At least we found the murderer. Its some consolation to my beloved."
"Who would have thought..." The Sword Warden sighed deeply.
"Do we need to delve deeper for evidence?" Mu Dalong asked.
"No need."
The so-called thorough investigation was just a formality.
With Ling Chen's testimony and the timing of Zhang Mu's allegiance to the Withered Bone Keeper, even a fool could deduce that the Withered Bone Keeper had coerced Zhang Mu with this very truth.
"Later, you will execute Zhang Mu," the Sword Warden comforted.
"Mhm." Mu Dalong nodded. After fourteen years, she could finally avenge her husband! Her daughter, Mu Xiaolong, had never even seen her father. How could such hatred be forgotten?
"Dad, can we take this chance to uproot the Ku Family?" Mu Dalong asked quietly.
With Zhang Mu being dealt with, why not go further and root out the Ku Family? After all, the truth about the demon spawn and Fiendish Sword Soul rumors, with just a word from Ling Chen, could condemn Ku Xuan.
"He is my master," the Sword Warden said through clenched teeth.
"Does being your master give him the right to do as he pleases? He wants the Sword Relic and even your life," Mu Dalong argued.
"Alright... but the Ku Family is a major family in the Sword Ruins, deeply rooted. Dealing with them is much harder than dealing with Zhang Mu. The time is not right yet," the Sword Warden said.
"I thought as much. You've always been ruthless, not one to let personal feelings interfere with matters of great importance," Mu Dalong looked towards the battle platform and whispered again, "Dad, are you saying Exile Ling's fighting spirit hasn't faded?"
"Let's just keep observing." The Sword Warden smiled slightly, "Truth be told, they're still both merely geniuses, not yet strong. With many disciples under my master's wing and the upcoming Nine Hells Conquest Clash, trying to eliminate the Ku Family now would hurt the vitality of the Sword Ruins."
"Then?"
"Wait a little longer. They'll get impatient, and impatience will push them into an abyss from which they can't return. I don't want to be known for killing my master... According to their own games, to destroy a man, you first have to make him utterly despised, right?" The Sword Warden chuckled.
"You mean to use their own tactics against them," Mu Dalong said.
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