Chapter 295: Are Sword Cultivators Really All That Impressive?
After a few drinks, the Supreme Marshal staggered off into the night.
Yun Xiao handed him a Bag of Holding, filled to the brim with a mountain of resources for cultivators. Magic treasures, daoist spells, Immortal Jades, Saint Stonesyou name it, it was in there.
These treasures could strengthen the folks of the Heavenly Realm, the real backbone of a thriving, peaceful nation.
"The demise of those two Cosmic Immortals boosted the spiritual energy of the Divine Continent," Yun Xiao mused. "With these resources, give it some time, and everyone in the Divine Continent should reach the level of the Nine Hells. Even the cultivators in the mortal realms like the Cloud Nation will sprout like bamboo after rain, no longer plagued by demons."
Yun Xiao, wherever he went, to put it bluntly, was like a swarm of locusts passing through, leaving nothing behind. Yet, when it came to giving back, he was never stingy. And it wasn't just empty talk; he really did work for the welfare of the people.
Take the recent crisis in the Heavenly Realm. If Chen Xi had fought at her full strength, the losses would have been much greater.
"Maybe what I bring to this world... is balance," Yun Xiao paused, talking to himself. "To put it plainly, I'm robbing the rich to help the poor. Right now, the rich are the Sword Ruins, the poor are the Divine Continent. Diverting the water of the Eternal Sword Prison to irrigate the lands of the Divine Continent, letting the weak rise and seek opportunities, gaining more dignity."
"Cut the crap, you're just justifying your exploitation of the Sword Ruins," Blue Star chuckled. After saying this, he retched and spat out another batch of enhanced Heavenly Dao Sariras.
"The more they enjoy now, the better I'll feel when I surpass them," Yun Xiao laughed. The dao was boundless, and there would always be higher places like the Nine Hells for him to exploit.
"Since your Dao Heart is tied to the mortal world, you must experience trials there. No matter where you go, you always think of the common folk at the bottom... Maybe that's what strengthens your Dao Heart," Blue Star said, somewhat skeptical.
"Once in the abyss, one can't forget the suffering of the people." Yun Xiao closed his eyes gently, his mind wandering back to his days in the Cloud Nation. Commoners, demons, Ye Guying, power struggles, ignorance... all these experiences were etched deeply into his Worldly Dao Heart.
"Anyway, this path you've chosen isn't part of the grand plan, so we can't really help," Blue Star said.
"To be reborn is to forge new paths," Yun Xiao replied. Although he was treading an unpredictable path, his belief was unshakably strong. His Dao Heart, fueled by a chest full of righteous fury, was not just his spiritual core but also his original intention!
"Oh? I've just had a bit of enlightenment." Yun Xiao suddenly smiled.
"And?"
"My Dao Heart has grown. Just a few more Heavenly Dao Sariras, and I'll be ready for a breakthrough," Yun Xiao declared.
"Now you see that the Second Dao Tribulation isn't so easy to cultivate, right? Without the growth of the Dao Heart, your breakthroughs will be unstable, and your control of sacred power will be elusive," Blue Star chuckled.
"Is that so?" Yun Xiao smirked. Whenever he closed his eyes, it felt as if the thoughts of all living beings in the Divine Continent were swirling around him. "I find the growth of my Dao Heart... quite simple."
On the surface of Yun Xiao's heart, a pure white and round Dao Heart was always absorbing everything from the mortal world, like a greedy, endless cavern. Before long, the sacred power in Yun Xiao's Dantian grew once again.
"Mid Dao Heart Realm." Yun Xiao stood up and looked outside; dawn was breaking.
"So, what will you be doing about the Demon Continent?" Blue Star asked.
"No rush. I'll let my body double develop a bit first. I'll roam around the Heavenly Realm to prevent any unwanted disturbances," Yun Xiao responded. He liked to keep things risk-free. "As for Ling Chen..."
Yun Xiao was well aware Ling Chen had his eyes on the Demon Continent's Dao Source. In fact, he'd be disappointed if this reincarnated Divine Sky Sword Emperor left it alone.
"To covet the possessions of the Creator Immortal? Be prepared to be in for a world of hurt!"
In the Grand Temple Academy, dawn was just breaking. The morning drill was in full swing. Tens of thousands of young folks gathered in a large plaza, their gazes solemn, their eyes brimming with hope for the future.
Now, the Grand Temple was open to all talented individuals from across the Divine Continent, regardless of their background.
People like Stray Dog, Nangong Xu, Zhao Xiaotang, and others quickly became influential senior students at the Grand Temple, leading the way in righteousness.
Nangong Xi, You Yue, and Su Lianlian, hailed as the three beauties of the Grand Temple, had become almost goddess-like figures.
The three sisters were working harder than the Mu Family ever did. In just a few days, the Grand Temple underwent a massive reform, turning into a true sanctuary for cultivating talent of the Divine Continent!
The daily morning drills didn't start with daoist spells or swordsmanship; first came the rectification of the dao heart and understanding of social decorum.
"We humans must be self-reliant and strong. With a will as tough as steel, nothing shall shake us! Only by wholeheartedly pursuing the dao can we remain invincible in all battles." Nangong Xi's melodious yet stern voice echoed throughout the Grand Temple, eliciting an enthusiastic response from the young crowd.
"Live as a false demon, be despised for a thousand years." Su Lianlian pointed towards the back of the plaza, where a charred statue with a dog's head stood. It bore twisted names, etched in infamy.
From the Violet Emperor and Ye Qingtian to younger folks like You Qingzhi, their names were all prominently displayed.
"Ptui!" The new students spat at it, a warning to themselves.
"Morning drill over, in an hour, the three of us will teach the Flying Sword technique at the Flying Crane Hall. All Sword Cultivators are welcome to attend," Nangong Xi announced.
"Fantastic!" Excitement gleamed in the eyes of the young Sword Cultivators in the crowd. They had finally become a respected group, no longer the scum of the streets. Ordinary cultivators looked on with envy, but not jealousy.
In the great war of the Heavenly Realm, Sword Cultivators had earned the respect of the Divine Continent with their fierce spirit! Thousands of young people dispersed in an orderly fashion.
Unnoticed, on the roof of a distant hall, stood an old man and a young boy. The boy, bathed in the gentle morning light, wore a faint, odd smile. His colorful robe shimmered like the garments of an immortal.
This was Fu Longxiang, formerly the top talent of the Nine Hells. Beside him stood a gray-robed elder, his eyes dull, his face marked by a scar like a centipede.
"Not many Sword Cultivators, yet they're so revered. Must be something wrong in their heads." Fu Longxiang shook his head.
"Clearly, this has something to do with that Exile Yun," Old Chu, the gray-robed elder, said with a cold smile. "Who would have thought that this fold world would be the homeland of an Exiled Sword Immortal? It's like finding a five-clawed golden dragon in a gutter."
"Whether it's a true dragon or not is yet to be seen." Fu Longxiang raised an eyebrow, gazing towards three mature silhouettes. "But one thing's for sure, these three beauties at the Saint Realm are followers of his."
"So?" Old Chu's eyes flashed with a dark light.
Fu Longxiang touched his nose and grinned. "Let's play with them."
After these words, two figures vanished as if they had never been there.
In the Flying Crane Hall
"I wonder how Yun Xiao is doing in the Eternal Sword Prison?" Nangong Xi mused, her gentle eyes full of concern as she stood by the window.
"Yes, he left in such a hurry, didn't even say goodbye," You Yue added.
"I hope we'll meet that kid again," Su Lianlian said lazily, lounging with her legs crossed and stretching. "I must admit, life's much more fulfilling now."
"It's certainly better than before, everything is looking up," Nangong Xi turned around. "With the Immortal Empire valuing Sword Cultivators, and our legacy in the Sword Realm, our lineage can only get better. Maybe one day, we might even revive the glory of the ancient Sword Realm."
"If that happens, we'll make it into the history books," Su Lianlian's eyes sparkled. "Being a little aunt is really paying off."
Suddenly, a leisurely male voice reached their ears.
"Sword Cultivators, are they really that impressive?"
Startled at first, the trio then solemnly looked towards the audience. Out of nowhere, a man in a colorful robed garment stood there! He was surrounded by a swirling mist of colors, profound and ethereal, with a faint smile playing on his lips, showcasing his ability to command the scene.
To the three women, his sudden appearance, coupled with the aura of his Dao Heart, exerted an invisible pressure, instinctively invoking a sense of fear in them, causing fine beads of sweat to form on their foreheads and temples.
"May I ask, are you a high Immortal?" Nangong Xi quickly asked, her voice tinged with nervousness. She was aware that with the barriers of the world now open, beings from other realms might descend upon the Heavenly Realm, and one glance told her this man was not to be trifled with.
"A high Immortal? A true Immortal?" Fu Longxiang stepped forward, moving towards them. A chilling pressure, like blades, weighed on their hearts.
The three women exchanged glances, holding their breath. "We humble ones pay homage to the high Immortal." They bowed their heads, not daring to look directly, and greeted him respectfully.
"Don't be nervous, I just want to discuss some matters with you," Fu Longxiang spoke softly.
"Please enlighten us, high Immortal," Nangong Xi said.
"Look up." As Fu Longxiang spoke, he gently lifted her chin with his fingertip, his eyes teasing.
"Yes..." Nangong Xi raised her head to meet his gaze, her eyes filled with reverence, not daring to make any other move.
"Open your eyes, and see what this is." At Fu Longxiang's brow, there was a colorful sigil! As he spoke, his fingertip touched the sigil, causing it to suddenly burst into a dazzling bright light.
In an instant, a dazzling Life Sigil materialized before the three women, transforming the entire Flying Crane Hall into a rainbow paradise. But this seemingly beautiful runic sigil felt like mountains bearing down on them, an immense weight atop their heads.
Nangong Xi, You Yue, and Su Lianlian trembled, instinctively stepping back, shrinking together.
"The majesty of the high Immortal is unparalleled, spanning from ancient times to the present!" the three exclaimed, shock resonating in their hearts. They could only bite their lips, kneeling dumbfounded, their eyes haunted by emerging nightmares.
Fu Longxiang, sensing their fear, couldn't help but break into a sly grin.
"I have a question for you." He slightly narrowed his eyes, speaking slowly, "Who do you think is more formidable, me or Yun Xiao?"
"Naturally, the high Immortal is far more formidable," Nangong Xi replied, head bowed.
"Oh? So, you really know Yun Xiao and have a close relationship with him?" Fu Longxiang asked.
Nangong Xi didn't expect he was just fishing for information! She had unwittingly fallen into his trap. Clearly, this man was a rather sinister character.
"Yun Xiao is the consort of the Empress of the Immortal Empire; everyone knows him. We serve the Immortal Empire, so technically, we are his subordinates," Nangong Xi replied without panic, partially truthfully.
"Is that so?" Fu Longxiang chuckled coldly. "Then back to my earlier question: Do you think Sword Cultivators are very impressive?"
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