Stronger by Killing

Primordial Qi fluctuated slightly as the old man’s long robe swayed gently; with white beard and hair, he possessed an aura of immortality and Daoist grace.

Ding Jianxiao, sword in hand, hurriedly bowed and respectfully said, "Master."

The senior members of the Lingxi Sword Sect all stood up and offered obeisance: "Greetings, Supreme Elder!"

This old man was none other than Zhang Xuanche, Supreme Elder of the Lingxi Sword Sect and its previous Sect Leader. In the Canglan Daoist Martial World, he was widely renowned, and it was under his hand that the Lingxi Sword Sect reached its pinnacle.

Back in those days, the Lingxi Sword Sect barely counted as a first-rate sect, but its influence was not great. Not until Zhang Xuanche took over as Sect Leader did Lingxi Sword Sect become one of the top three first-rate powers in Pingyang Prefecture. In his generation, there were as many as five or six Great Cultivators, and Martial Artists at the Innate Peak numbered more than one could count on both hands. The current Sect Leader, Ding Jianxiao, was his direct disciple.

However, flourishing greatness is bound to decline,

As Zhang Xuanche’s generation withdrew from the stage—some growing old, some dying—the Lingxi Sword Sect began its downward slide,

In Ding Jianxiao’s generation, only he managed to become a Great Cultivator. As for Great Innate Martial Artists, there were several, but those strong enough to carry the weight alone at Innate Peak were scarce—just two or three at most.

This was precisely why Ding Jianxiao allowed those second and third-rate factions around Youyang to rise—because the Lingxi Sword Sect could no longer keep such vast territory in check alone. Instead, they chose to strengthen cooperation with all the local powers; as the saying goes, better to divert than to block.

Yet, this situation had been ongoing for nearly twenty years,

The new generation of Lingxi Sword Sect was even worse: the succession had withered,

In such circumstances, Ding Jianxiao encountered the Mang Mountain Thieves, and the two parties formed an alliance.

The Lingxi Sword Sect provided the Mang Mountain Thieves with weapons and spirit medicine, while the latter delivered Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and money to the Lingxi Sword Sect, allowing its newest disciples far better cultivation resources.

The effect was remarkable indeed,

In just two short years, a host of disciples emerged in the Lingxi Sword Sect whose cultivation advanced at lightning speed,

Yet everything has its advantages and disadvantages,

While reaping the benefits, the Lingxi Sword Sect also had to bear the corresponding risks. Now, the risk had arrived,

Once their collusion with the Mang Mountain Thieves was confirmed, they would instantly fall from a renowned and righteous sect to become martial pariahs hunted by all.

"Master..."

Ding Jianxiao looked at his white-haired, nearly hundred-year-old master; his heart ached greatly.

Zhang Xuanche, advanced in years, had not meddled in sect affairs for a long time. To guard the Lingxi Sword Sect as long as possible, he had spent these years in seclusion, seeking ways to extend his life.

Ding Jianxiao knew well Zhang Xuanche’s painstaking concern. To see his master now forced out of seclusion, his heart brimmed with guilt. Choking up, he said, "Master, I’m sorry. I have failed your expectations. The sect under my stewardship grows ever more desolate—and now, is hounded to such a plight by a mere inexperienced youth. Jianxiao has shamed you, and disgraced the sect!"

Zhang Xuanche sighed softly and patted Ding Jianxiao’s shoulder, saying, "These years you’ve toiled endlessly for the sect, and I have seen it all. You’ve done well enough. As your master, I often recall your spirited younger self, always liking to lie in my lap and tug at my beard. Yet, all these years, I’ve never seen you truly laugh again. Jianxiao, you have always been my most satisfactory disciple and the greatest source of my pride!"

"Master..."

Ding Jianxiao’s nose burned, and he suddenly wanted to, like in the old days, throw himself into his master’s arms and have a good cry after suffering a grievance,

Yet,

He was now the Sect Leader,

No longer that carefree child with nothing to worry about.

Zhang Xuanche chuckled softly and said, "In my eyes, you will always be that child, Jianxiao. In this matter, your master can still shoulder some weight for you."

Ding Jianxiao took a deep breath, forcibly steadying his chaotic feelings, and cupped his hands: "Master, please instruct your disciple!"

Zhang Xuanche settled onto a chair and said slowly, "Although I have never met this Gu Zhan, from the accounts of our disciples I understand his character well enough—he is much like the Overlord Saber of my generation."

Ding Jianxiao and the other senior members were all slightly startled,

Overlord Saber was a martial legend, ranked among the top ten of the current age. A giant who dominated the martial world for decades—one man, one blade, who suppressed an entire era.

Ding Jianxiao and the others had not expected such high praise for Gu Zhan from Zhang Xuanche.

Zhang Xuanche smiled faintly: "You did not live through the age of the Overlord Saber and thus do not understand. Let me tell you: back then, when Overlord Saber first entered the martial world, he was much like Gu Zhan is today. Wherever he went, you either submitted or died—there was no third road.

It’s just that Gu Zhan lacks the background Overlord Saber had and falls short in talent; the Overlord Saber was a Grandmaster by the age of twenty. So, this Gu Zhan could be considered a lesser version of the Overlord Saber!"

Ding Jianxiao and the others let out a sigh of relief.

Zhang Xuanche continued, "Still, their temperaments are nearly identical. Jianxiao, your earlier plan had a fatal flaw: you only thought to resist the pressure from the Beidou Sect Sub-Branch, but overlooked this Gu Zhan. With his temperament, no matter what the Beidou Sect Sub-Branch chooses, there’s no way he’ll let this matter drop.

Now that things have come to this, there can only be one left between us and Gu Zhan. Of course—unless our Lingxi Sword Sect is willing to submit to him."

Ding Jianxiao was momentarily stunned and said, "Impossible! If we submit to Gu Zhan, the Lingxi Sword Sect will be drawn into the Canglan City succession struggle. That’s a disaster—the Sixth Young Master has no chance whatsoever. Following him is certain death. In truth, Gu Zhan has embarked on a path toward destruction by throwing his lot in with the Sixth Young Master—he simply doesn’t know his own limits!"

Zhang Xuanche smiled and asked, "Are you so certain it’s Gu Zhan who has thrown in with the Sixth Young Master, and not the Sixth Young Master clinging to Gu Zhan?"

Ding Jianxiao exclaimed in surprise, "How could that be?"

"With Gu Zhan’s character, it is impossible for him to serve anyone. More likely, the Sixth Young Master has formed a partnership with him—or even, the Sixth Young Master himself is betting everything on Gu Zhan." said Zhang Xuanche.

"This..." Ding Jianxiao pondered for a moment and then said, "But, none of that matters now. We must get through this first."

Zhang Xuanche nodded and said, "Do not expect Gu Zhan to pin his hopes on the Beidou Sect Sub-Branch. A man like him would never entrust his fate to others. If I am not mistaken, he is already making plans to strike directly at our Lingxi Sword Sect."

Ding Jianxiao exclaimed in shock, "He dares come to our Lingxi Sword Sect?"

"Why shouldn’t he dare?" said Zhang Xuanche. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard now holds the joint proclamation and commands the righteous cause, as well as evidence of our Lingxi Sword Sect’s dealings with the Mang Mountain Thieves. If he comes to our sect—whether to kill or to arrest—who would dare lay hands on him? To touch him is to publicly admit to collusion with the Mang Mountain Thieves!"

Ding Jianxiao’s face darkened, and he asked, "Then...Master, what should we do?"

Zhang Xuanche said slowly, "Go to Youyang City and seize the initiative!"