Chapter 831: Chapter 23: Tribal Turmoil (Celebrating Qidian’s 3rd Anniversary)_2
Feng Ping thought for a moment and said, "On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be any difference from mine, but it appears to be somewhat heavier. Although his strength isn’t as great as mine, he didn’t really suffer when it came to head-on confrontations."
Xi Wen nodded and replied, "That’s right. The boy is most likely not a fourth-generation disciple, but a third-generation disciple. Moreover, the sword he used is probably not the 56 kg Tian Gang Sword that the third-generation disciples use, but the 72 kg Tian Gang Heavy Sword that we second-generation disciples use, which is mixed with mysterious iron."
Lu Wen exclaimed in shock, "Big Brother, are you saying..."
Xi Wen nodded and sighed, "Only he would have been capable of training such an exceptional disciple. It’s been thirty years, and finally, there is news of him. Quick, my fellow disciples, let’s go together and ask our Master to come out of seclusion. With news of him, Master will definitely be pleased," he said, a trace of sorrow crossing his face.
Feng Ping listened in confusion, not understanding who the Senior Uncle was referring to. However, since everyone present was his elder, it wasn’t appropriate for him to inquire further. He could only wait here.
Xi Wen and the other six second-generation disciples of the Tian Gang Sword Sect came to the cave on the back mountain. This unremarkable-looking cave was where the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang, famous for nearly seventy years, conducted his secluded cultivation. Mountain winds stirred the clouds, which continuously struck against the mountain peaks. Every person there was a top expert of the continent, their vibrant True Qi creating a faint white glow that repelled the damp mist.
Upon reaching the cave, led by Xi Wen, the seven lined up and called out respectfully, "We humbly request Master to come out of seclusion." Their voices were not loud, but wrapped in the package of vital True Qi, they deeply penetrated the inside of the cave.
After a short while, a clear voice came from inside the cave, "What has happened that compels you to disturb my cultivation?"
Xi Wen bowed towards the cave and reported, "To inform Master, there may be news of our junior. The disciple of our fifth junior, Feng Ping, found a young man in the territory of the Red Charming Clan. The youth is not even twenty years old, but his True Qi has already reached the fourth realm. According to the boy, his master has passed away. I think, only our junior could have trained such a remarkable disciple."
There was silence within the cave, and the seven disciples of Xi Wen could only wait quietly, awaiting instructions from the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang. To these disciples, the Sword Saint was almost synonymous with a deity.
After a long time, the clear voice spoke again, with a tinge of faint sadness, "Old Nine has been gone for so many years, I never expected he would meet his end in a foreign land. Ah, fate plays with people! Issue my Sect Leader Command, order all the disciples of the Tian Gang Sword Sect to search with all their might, find that disciple as soon as possible and bring him to me. Xi Wen, I have grown old, and the time of great return is near. The position of the Sect Leader should have been passed to you long ago—it is my command, you must not disobey."
Xi Wen was greatly startled and quickly knelt to the ground, shakingly said, "Master, your disciple is trepidatious, please take back the order."
"I am old, and the time of great return is approaching. The position of Sect Leader has long been yours to inherit—this is my command, you cannot defy it."
Hearing the Sword Saint speak of his imminent great return, Lu Wen and the other six simultaneously knelt down, calling out loud, "Master—"
The voice of the Sword Saint softened considerably, "I have lived for over one hundred and ten years, the oldest among the four Sword Saints. A person’s life is always limited. From now on, the Tian Gang Sword Sect will depend on you several. The Crimson Day approaches, and a millennial catastrophe is imminent, something the Church cannot resist. The undercurrents on the continent have been gradually rising; you must take it as your sacred duty to care for the well-being of the people of the world. When the Sacred Calendar completes a full millennium, a demon will inevitably descend upon the world, ah—I fear I might not persist till that day. You must assist the Church and eradicate the demon, understand?"
"We will honor Master’s command," they replied.
"Good, Xi Wen, you must find that child as soon as possible. The matter of Old Nine is my life’s greatest regret. I have been too selfish. I hope that before I die, I can resolve this wish."
...
After more than two hours of rapid travel, Ah Dai, who had never ridden a horse before, felt as if his entire body was about to fall apart, especially his waist and hips, which had become numb and lost all sensation.
Yan Shi gently pulled the reins, slowing down the pace, and glanced at Ah Dai beside him, asking, "Brother, how do you find the experience of riding a horse?"
Ah Dai replied with a wry smile, "Brother Yan Shi, my bones feel like they’re about to shatter. Haven’t we reached your tribe yet?"
Yan Shi laughed heartily and said, "Everyone feels this way on their first horse ride. We will reach the tribe once we pass through this forest. Just hold on a little longer."
Ah Dai stretched his limbs and said, "Brother Yan Shi, the environment here in the Pu Yan Clan is truly great, with so many forests. Don’t you have cities?"
Yan Shi nodded and replied, "It is nature that nurtured the people of the Pu Yan Clan. How could we destroy it? Cities? What’s the use of cities? They’re nothing but built through clearing forests. Nature has its own laws. If you treat it poorly, sooner or later it will retaliate against you. Even with the power of gods, man could never contend with nature!"
Ah Dai scratched his head and said, "Brother Yan Shi, although I don’t quite understand what you’re saying, I feel you’re absolutely right. Compared to cities, I’d rather stay in the fresh air of the forest." Upon mentioning the forest, he naturally thought of the Illusive Forest and Goris, the Flame Wizard whom he hadn’t seen in five years, and a trace of melancholy appeared on his face.
