Chapter 120 : The Challenge from Shen Yue
Chapter 120: The Challenge from Shen Yue
Shen Yue’s gaze clashed with Xuan Gong’s.
Both men leapt up at the same time, their battle breaking out instantly—one wielding a sword, the other striking with his palm.
Sword energy and palm gales rampaged in all directions, ravaging the ridge beneath their feet as soil and rocks blasted into the air.
The setting sun shone upon the ridge.
Under the watchful eyes of experts from the Three Sects, Shen Yue and Xuan Gong’s figures crossed again and again.
Their movements were so swift that even those experts broke out in cold sweat.
Xuan Gong’s power was vast as the blazing sun itself.
Even from over ten zhang away, his inner strength alone filled the onlookers with dread.
Liu Dai, Song Kejian, and the leader of the Li Yin Sect quickly led their groups to disperse, encircling the ridge.
Shen Yue swung his sword rapidly, his sword energy sharp as a tempest, slicing through the ridge and carving deep scars into the mountainside until the rock began to split apart.
Landing on the ground, Xuan Gong spread his arms wide.
His immense inner energy made the shattered stones around him lift into the air.
Then, thrusting both palms toward Shen Yue, he sent those stones blazing into flame, transforming into countless meteors that poured toward Shen Yue like a collapsing mountain.
From ten zhang away, Shen Yue hurled his sword.
The wooden sword was enveloped by sword energy, gleaming coldly as it pierced through the flaming stones, flying straight toward Xuan Gong.
Xuan Gong’s body flickered, narrowly dodging the sword as it brushed past him.
In the same motion, he seized the hilt and pulled the wooden sword toward Shen Yue, stepping in like an arrow released from a bow.
In a flash, he reached Shen Yue and slashed downward—the wooden sword in his grip suddenly igniting with blazing fire.
Shen Yue vaulted backward, widening the distance by several zhang.
Between the two appeared a fiery wave, broad as a stroke of ink, spectacular beyond compare.
Even the experts of the Three Sects who were arranging their formations stood transfixed.
Xuan Gong withdrew his sword.
The wooden sword spun in his hand before he flicked the blade downward, scattering the flames.
Shen Yue landed and looked at him in surprise.
“You also wield a sword?”
Xuan Gong sneered.
“Does this sword move look familiar to you?”
Shen Yue fixed his eyes on him.
“What is your relationship with my master?”
Suddenly, an overwhelming sword intent burst out from Xuan Gong, whipping up fierce winds around him.
The pressure from that intent caused the ridge beneath his feet to collapse bit by bit.
The experts of the Three Sects all backed away in terror, staring at him in disbelief.
“How many years must one cultivate to reach such power?”
“Who exactly is this Xuan Gong?”
“I heard even the Imperial Ancestor Emperor once sought him for martial instruction…”
“This level of power—unheard of! Not even my grandmaster possessed such strength, and he’s over a hundred years old. Could he have mastered the Mystic Yin Art?”
“The Mystic Yin Art? Even our Li Yin Sect’s Supreme Elders don’t wield such pure strength. His energy isn’t only vast—it’s perfectly refined, free of any impurities. Clearly, it was cultivated by his own effort…”
The Three Sects’ experts murmured anxiously, preparing for the worst.
Among them, Song Kejian of the Sword Extremity Sect stared at Xuan Gong in utter shock.
“That sword technique… Impossible…”
A realization struck him, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
Xuan Gong said disdainfully, “Song Xuanzong was nothing more than a street thief in his youth. How could he possibly have created those sword techniques?”
Shen Yue’s eyes hardened.
He raised his right hand, and sword energy burst from his palm, condensing into the shape of a sword.
Xuan Gong narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured in admiration, “Sword energy taking form—unseen through the ages. Perhaps you truly can rival the Martial Legend.”
Shen Yue lifted the sword-shaped energy.
In that instant, countless sword shadows gathered around him, multiplying unceasingly.
If disciples of the Clear Sky Sect had been there, they would have cried out in astonishment—
Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect!
His version of Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect appeared even more awe-inspiring than Li Qingqiu’s.
There was no sword in his hand, yet he surpassed those who held one.
…
At dawn, Li Qingqiu stepped out of a wooden hut, with Li Dongyue following close behind.
The courtyard held only two huts, halfway up the mountain, and a pile of firewood yet to be chopped.
Li Qingqiu stretched lazily.
“Let’s head back today. Next time, you can bring the disciples here yourself. Let Little Eight lead you.”
Li Dongyue nodded.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it well.”
She recalled the low-level demon realm they had seen a few days prior, her heart still brimming with excitement.
To her, it was a treasure of immeasurable worth.
She sighed with emotion.
“The ancient books say there exist source valleys hidden from the mortal world. It seems those who accidentally entered them weren’t dreaming. That demon realm truly is such a place—separate from the mundane world, its own heaven and earth. Living there would be quite peaceful.”
“That’s only because you haven’t stayed there long enough. After some time, you’d start missing worldly life. Oh, and don’t forget to continue searching Silent Heaven Mountain. I believe there are more opportunities waiting for us there,” Li Qingqiu replied.
Silent Heaven Mountain might conceal Spirit Mines or even a cultivator’s inheritance.
He didn’t plan to search personally but instead left it to Li Dongyue and the other disciples.
Eventually, Clear Sky Sect would not rely solely on the Dao Lineage interface to seek fortune.
Its disciples would travel the world, explore uncharted lands, and uncover hidden blessed grounds and heavenly treasures.
Only then would the sect become truly powerful.
Of course, for the exploration and guarding of low-level demon realms, he would personally select disciples of firm loyalty.
As the two chatted, Yang Xuan stepped out from another hut, yawning.
“Grandmaster Uncle, Master, why are you both up so early?”
Yang Xuan had already become Li Dongyue’s disciple, with Li Qingqiu as the matchmaker.
Li Dongyue didn’t yet know his true talent—she only accepted him out of pity.
Yet Yang Xuan’s aptitude and comprehension were exceptional.
He was sure to become a top genius like Li Yang or Ji Ya, a future pillar for Li Dongyue.
“We’re heading back,” Li Dongyue said with a smile.
Yang Xuan immediately brightened.
“Then I’ll pack my things!”
“Wait a moment. You’re staying here,” Li Qingqiu called out.
Yang Xuan turned back anxiously.
“Grandmaster Uncle, Master—are you abandoning me?”
Li Dongyue explained, “Not abandoning you. I’ll be bringing more people later. Silent Heaven Mountain is important to the Clear Sky Sect, and we need you to guard it first.”
Yang Xuan pouted.
“Didn’t you say Clear Sky Sect is far away? By the time you go and come back, won’t that take years?”
Li Qingqiu raised his hand and whistled.
Yang Xuan blinked in confusion.
A sudden gust of wind roared through.
When Yang Xuan turned, a massive shadow descended from the sky, plunging the courtyard into darkness.
He fell to the ground in fright.
Li Qingqiu and Li Dongyue leapt lightly onto Little Eight’s back.
The giant eagle shifted aside, letting sunlight return to the courtyard.
Looking down from above, Li Qingqiu said, “Nephew, cultivate well. Within a month, your master will return. By then, I hope you’ll be ready to request the Third Layer of the Heart Technique from her.”
With that, he stomped lightly, and Little Eight flapped its mighty wings, soaring into the sky.
The gale that followed made the mountain forest ripple like a sea of green waves.
Yang Xuan watched with his mouth agape as the two vanished into the horizon.
“Disciple, wait for your master’s return.”
Li Dongyue’s voice echoed through the mountains.
Yang Xuan finally snapped out of his daze, his face glowing with excitement and anticipation toward the Clear Sky Sect.
One day, he too would be as carefree as his Grandmaster Uncle.
…
Since Li Dongyue had already experienced riding Little Eight before, Li Qingqiu allowed it to fly even faster this time.
Li Dongyue had to gather her Vital Energy beneath her feet to stay close to its back.
Half an hour later, they landed inside the Lingxiao Courtyard.
Li Dongyue exclaimed, “Unbelievable—this speed! If every disciple of the Clear Sky Sect had an eagle, we’d be unstoppable.”
Li Qingqiu thought for a moment—it made sense.
The teleportation formation was still far from completion, but training spirit beasts was something he had experience in.
After all, besides Little Eight, there was also Little Nine—a successful example.
The low-level demon realm had many spirit birds—not as strong as Little Eight, but far more intelligent than ordinary ones.
Ideas began to spark in Li Qingqiu’s mind.
“Go rest for a bit first,” he said.
He needed to think this through—he even considered opening another hall for it.
Just then, Yuan Qi came running into the courtyard, shouting, “Sect Master, something terrible has happened!”
Having seen Little Eight’s shadow, he immediately guessed Li Qingqiu had returned and rushed over.
Li Qingqiu turned toward him.
“What happened?”
“While you were away, Senior Sword God encountered the Three Founding Sects of the Great Dynasty and the Forbidden Martial Guards. He’s gravely injured!”
Yuan Qi spoke quickly, and Li Qingqiu’s brows furrowed.
Shen Yue’s injury was no small matter—especially since he had fought for the Clear Sky Sect.
“Take me to him.”
“Yes, Sect Master!”
Yuan Qi immediately led the way.
Li Dongyue hesitated briefly before following.
Along the way, Li Qingqiu asked, “What happened after? Did the enemies cause more casualties?”
“No, they were all driven off by Senior Sword God!” Yuan Qi said, his tone full of admiration.
Li Qingqiu stopped in his tracks, staring at him with a complicated expression.
Yuan Qi turned back, puzzled.
“Sect Master, what’s wrong?”
Li Dongyue couldn’t help but shake her head.
This boy’s heart was too pure.
“Nothing. You’re doing great. Keep it that way,” Li Qingqiu said earnestly before resuming his stride.
He thought to himself—I can’t be the only one to get fooled.
Yuan Qi beamed with pride and quickly followed, while Li Dongyue chuckled softly behind them.
Before long, the three arrived at the Sword Sect.
Entering Shen Yue’s quarters, they found Zhang Yuchun there.
Seeing Li Qingqiu and Li Dongyue return, Zhang Yuchun immediately stood.
“Senior Brother, I was just about to ask Senior Shen about Xuan Gong,” Zhang Yuchun said.
Li Qingqiu saw that although Shen Yue was lying down, his injuries were not severe—he merely lacked Blood Essence.
“Tell us what happened,” Li Qingqiu said with a nod.
Yuan Qi, perceptive as ever, quietly withdrew and closed the door behind him.
Shen Yue glanced at Li Qingqiu, then closed his eyes.
“That Xuan Gong’s power is extraordinary—at least several centuries deep. He has mastered all forms of martial arts, and his swordsmanship is not inferior to mine before I climbed the mountain. However, he could no longer defeat me now. I struck him first, but those who consumed Martial God Pills and Yin Ghost Pills took advantage of my injuries to besiege me, draining all my strength.”
He paused briefly, then added, “After this battle, my sword path has advanced further. I will soon undergo a complete transformation. Sect Master, when that time comes, I shall challenge you—be prepared.”