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Chapter 240: Chapter 237 Tian Ji Sword Master
Moon State.
Wuchen County.
As the second largest state in the world after Central State, even a small county within Moon State boasts a bustling and prosperous scene no less lively than Sunset City, and Lingxiao City of the past.
The city’s population exceeds two hundred thousand, its main streets teeming with the hustle and bustle of carts and pedestrians.
Even because Moon State has been under the long-term peace provided by Master Wushi, the world’s foremost figure, various tea houses and merchants have extended their businesses beyond the county’s borders.
This is a testament to the prosperity of Moon State.
At this time, in a tea house, three people—a senior and two youths—were enjoying their tea and pastries.
Then, another elder arrived with a young girl.
Immediately, the elder rose and clasped his hands in greeting: "Mo Wen... Mr. Mo."
"Fang Qiuyuan, Mr. Fang."
The elder with the young girl clasped his hands in kind.
The five individuals took their seats again.
Fang Qiuyuan glanced at the young girl beside Mo Wen and said with a smile, "This must be Miss Qiu Yuechan whom Mr. Mo spoke of. I hear that despite her young age, she has already completed her first Qi Refining and Divinity Transformation, truly a talent with boundless potential."
"You flatter her too much, Mr. Fang. Yuechan’s experience is shallow compared to Mr. Mo’s esteemed disciples."
Fang Qiuyuan humbly responded, but his face was filled with a smile.
After some pleasantries, Fang Qiuyuan’s expression gradually turned solemn as he got to the heart of the matter, lowering his voice, "Has Mr. Mo made up his mind?"
"I have," Mo Wen replied in a hushed tone, "Rather than hiding all over the place, it’s better to take a chance in Star State."
As he spoke, there was an unusual glint in his eyes, "After all, he’s the only one who has ascended to the rank of Heavenly Monarch in the last forty years, and he is immensely talented, even passing the True Dragon Gate of the Aries Star Palace. It’s said that the Aries Star Palace is willing to descend into the Qiantian World once again in a few years, partly because of his exceptional talent."
"Lingxiao City... just don’t end up like those top sects, once you’re in Lingxiao City, life and death are out of your control; besides Artifact Refining and Alchemy, there is no freedom to speak of," Fang Qiuyuan remarked.
"It shouldn’t come to that. When the Aries Star Palace opened, that Heavenly Monarch, along with dozens of Great Heavenly Masters and Heavenly Masters, went there for assessment. If they were truly not masters of their own fate, would Lingxiao City allow them to compete for such opportunity? And during the month in the Aries Star Palace, many Heavenly Masters have communicated with them, and they were not coerced in any way," Mo Wen explained.
"During this month, many Heavenly Masters learned of Lingxiao City’s call and entered the territory of Star State, but so far, I haven’t heard any bad or scandalous news."
Upon hearing this, Fang Qiuyuan found it difficult to deny this point.
Indeed, since one month ago when Lingxiao City announced possessing a magic skill that could remedy the shortcomings of the Heavenly Master Path’s Qi Refining and Divinity Transformation, a vast number of Heavenly Masters indeed pledged their allegiance.
Heavenly Masters often have various methods for clandestine communication.
Such as treasures like the Mother-child Stone.
If Star State really were to harm Heavenly Masters, the news would certainly not be kept secret.
Of course, it also couldn’t be ruled out that Star State was still in disguise, yet to truly make a move.
After a while, Fang Qiuyuan spoke, "Star State is located to the south of Tianhe, facing threats from the Champsosaurus King in Tianhe, and the demons of Mu State eyeing it covetously. A singular Star State might not be able to assure our safety. Let us not end up like the Earth Mother Divine Sect, Tianhai Sword Sect, or Demon God Sect, who couldn’t withstand the pressure of Devils and ended up expelling their gathered Heavenly Masters out to die at the jaws of Devils."
"Star State is different from these forces; don’t forget, the State Governor of Star State is himself a Heavenly Monarch. If he truly intended to submit to Devils, he would be the first target Devils wish to eliminate," Mo Wen argued. "Moreover, Star State’s strength surpasses that of the Earth Mother Divine Sect, Demon God Sect, and Tianhai Sword Sect, offering greater security."
Fang Qiuyuan clearly understood this but still hesitated in his heart.
"As far as I know, Star State has specifically dispatched a squad of Demon God Guards to form a Devil Slayer Army that roams the vicinity of Tianhe, exclusively escorting the Heavenly Masters from north of Tianhe who wish to join. This move demonstrates Lingxiao City’s sincerity. Furthermore..." Mo Wen heaved a long sigh, "I’m truly tired of this life, and even if not for my sake, I must also consider my disciples and family."
Fang Qiuyuan was silent.
"Let’s go together. The Devils of Tianhe are retreating, and the connection between the north and south is limited in time. Once those Devils return to Tianhe, barring the way again, we won’t be able to cross even if we wish to," Mo Wen urged, looking at Fang Qiuyuan, "Don’t you want to witness the first Heavenly Monarch to break through in forty years, and those War Spiritual Artifacts that even caught the eye of the Aries Star Palace’s Artifact Spirit?"
"War Spiritual Artifact..." Fang Qiuyuan seemed to be moved.
If he weren’t interested in this aspect, why would he still wholeheartedly commit to the now declining Heavenly Master Path?
"It is said that the Heavenly Monarch has carved out an entirely new path, aiming to establish a civilization as splendid as the ancient Holy Lands... Don’t you want to witness it?" Mo Wen’s expression was filled with longing.
And Fang Qiuyuan...
After hesitating for a moment, he finally made up his mind: "Then let’s go together!"
He declared solemnly, "I want to see for myself whether Lingxiao City is as good as they claim and if it has the potential to become a new Holy Land for Heavenly Masters. If it turns out to be a deception, and entering Lingxiao City is akin to stepping into the abyss, then so be it. For countless years, numerous Heavenly Masters have fought and bled to keep Demon Spirits from our world’s barrier. I believe the world won’t be that cruel to us Heavenly Masters; there will surely be someone to light a lamp for the Heavenly Master Path, kindle a flame, dispel the darkness, and bring warmth..."
The two Heavenly Masters were conversing in hushed tones.
Unknown to them, however, was that their conversation has been overheard by a young swordsman nearby, enjoying simple tea and food, and wearing a long sword.
"Lingxiao City, Heavenly Monarch Gu..." He was familiar with this individual.
Because when he first escaped from the Human Immortal Hall, he had encountered Heavenly Monarch Gu, and the two had even remotely crossed swords.
That was the first time the invincible Sky Extreme Sword faced a setback.
But now...
It wouldn’t happen again.
The young man caressed the Treasure Sword hidden in its sheath.
"Hopefully, Lingxiao City is really as you say... otherwise, once my cultivation is complete..."
The youth murmured softly to himself.
But after a moment, he shook his head.
Has cultivation been successful?
In the Heavenly Immortal Palace and Human Immortal Hall, experts roamed the world to assassinate him, and they even neglected to convene the Divine Sword Conference.
After all...
The sword for the Divine Sword Conference was lost.
And he, the bearer of the Sky Extreme Sword, faced pursuit from these two top forces and could hardly protect himself.
Furthermore...
Taiyi Sect, Xuzhen Tower, and Great Sun Sword Sect had also joined the pursuit against him.
And he knew all too well what their target was.
It was the Sky Extreme Sword in his hands.
"Heh..."
The young man laughed inwardly, but his face showed no expression.
"Because I have revealed my talent, Wu Tiandi exterminated my Frost Sword Sect to make me the Sky Extreme Sword Master. Because I achieved Divinity Transformation in three years, Wu Tiandi feared I was uncontrollable, never allowing me to touch the Sky Extreme Sword. Pressured by the Divine Sword Conference, you had to let me wield it. But the moment I easily drew the Sky Extreme Sword, you became afraid, terrified..."
He glanced back.
He thought that by hiding in Moon State, the people from Human Immortal Hall and Earth Immortal Palace wouldn’t dare to chase him, and that he could finally settle down.
But he was wrong.
It wasn’t the people from Human Immortal Hall or Earth Immortal Palace who came; it was those from Sanqing Hall.
"A long time ago, back in the Frost Sword Sect, I asked my master why... we were humiliated and oppressed. Master didn’t answer, but the eldest senior sister gave me one—it’s because...we weren’t strong enough."
The young man, carrying a sword, slowly stood up and left the tea shop.
He didn’t want the upcoming battle to harm the innocents in the shop.
"Without strength, one naturally gets bullied; without strength, one naturally endures humiliation; without strength, one naturally becomes someone else’s victim."
He looked up into the distance.
From the end of his vision, two powerful presences surged toward him at incredible speed.
If Gu Jinlai were here, he could recognize them.
One of them...
Was none other than Master Wusi of Sanqing Hall, a Heavenly Master who presided over the situation when Aries Star Palace descended.
True Man is a term of reverence in the Taoist hierarchy.
Its significance far exceeds that of an ordinary Refining God Immortal.
"Senior sister said that only when I become the strongest in the world will no one be able to humiliate, oppress, or target me."
At that moment, the two surging presences arrived with overwhelming force.
The faint silhouette of Master Wusi became visible, accompanied by a righteous shout, "Venerable Xuan Tian, the direct disciple of Wu Tiandi from the Human Demon Hall! How dare you act recklessly within Sanqing Hall’s territory? Surrender at once so that my senior brother from the Hall can cleanse you of your demonic nature. Otherwise, do not blame us for being ruthless."
"Heh."
The young man laughed lightly.
Venerable Xuan Tian.
The new Sky Extreme Sword Master.
He who began cultivation at fourteen and embraced the Pill at seventeen, looked very young.
Especially since he refined God at nineteen and underwent Divinity Transformation at twenty-two, he was only twenty-six years old to this day.
His profound cultivation kept his appearance quite youthful, making him seem no different from a teenager.
Facing Master Wusi’s stern rebuke, he seemed unfazed.
"The strongest in the world! The strongest in the world!"
Venerable Xuan Tian looked at the two rapidly approaching figures as if querying them, yet also confronting his inner self, "Tell me, just how powerful does the strongest in the world need to be?"
This scene caused the faces of the two Devas rushing toward him to change.
"Dare to draw a sword!? Stubborn and unenlightened!"
"Uncle Master, why waste words on such perverse demons? Act now, subdue him, and let the Master in charge of the Hall decide his fate!" another Deva barked in succession.
"Indeed, we need not speak so much reason to these perverse demons. To avoid the battle harming the innocents, let’s join forces to capture him as fast as possible!"
As Master Wusi spoke, he attacked fiercely.
A Heavenly Master, wielding the authority of Heaven and Earth, harnesses the power of Heaven and Earth.
In an instant, sands whirled and stones flew within hundreds of meters, and the weather quickly changed.
Almost simultaneously with his attack, a brilliant sword light, piercing through the void and reaching the skies above, burst forth, shredding the tumultuous clouds.
And with it came a wild and unrestrained howl.
"Hahaha!"
...
Days later.
Gu Jinlai, upon returning to Lingxiao City, received news from the north of Tianhe.
Sky Extreme Sword Master Venerable Xuan Tian, wielding the number one Divine Weapon, the Sky Extreme Sword, entered Moon State and slew a Heavenly Master.
One battle shocked the world.
Sanqing Hall could no longer sit aloof above the clouds, overlooking the rolling and changing clouds. For the first time in nearly a hundred years, they condescended to intervene directly in the conflicts between the righteous and devilish paths.
Within the Daqian Territory, no land remained untouched by conflict.
