Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Originally, Ling Tianxiao, Qiu Chen, and the others had been ecstatic to reach the Sword Emperor Realm by taking the Heaven-Ascending Pills. At the same time, they could all sense that the pills’ true effects didn’t even stop there, because their cultivation speed was now far, far faster than it had ever been.

As a result, they were all filled with confidence, believing that one day they would reach the Sword Venerable Realm.

At their current level, a Sword Emperor was by no means weak, even when facing the hidden clans and sects. But they never expected a Guardian Clan to suddenly appear, whose weakest members were all at the Sword Venerable Realm. This revelation dealt a considerable blow to their newfound confidence.

Qiu Chen shook his head with a bitter smile. “To think that even after reaching the Sword Emperor Realm, we still can’t be of much help.”

Ling Xiao smiled. “Grandmaster Qiu, please don’t be so pessimistic. At your current rate of improvement, it won’t be long before you reach the Sword Venerable Realm. And even if these Guardians harbor malicious intent, I’m confident we can find a way to keep them in check!”

「For three straight days」

During that time, the members of the Ouyang Family made no move against Ling Xiao. They merely strolled through the massive Shushan City, each of them buying little trinkets, just like any other tourist who had heard of the city’s fame and come to visit.

Ling Xiao wasn’t overly concerned. ‘If they want to stay here, let them. In any case, they wouldn’t dare enter the Shushan Inner City’s perimeter. If they risk entering the Mist Array, they’ll never leave!’

On the third day, Ling Xiao suddenly received a secret report. It stated that the members of the Ouyang Family had been asking all sorts of questions about him while wandering around Shushan City for the past few days. From their tone, they sounded just like any of his countless admirers.

And Ling Xiao, their Lord, was Shushan City’s greatest pride. Stories and legends about him were endless, and there were countless people asking about him just like they were. Because of this, almost no one let their guard down, instead taking the opportunity to boast extravagantly about Shushan City’s god-like Lord!

However, the intelligence agents under Li Tianluo had long since been informed that these people were not ordinary. They kept a careful eye on them, taking special note of their incessant inquiries about everything related to Ling Xiao.

Power and women are perhaps the eternal hot topics of the world. Ling Xiao’s strength went without saying, but his many beautiful companions were also a subject of enthusiastic gossip in Shushan City.

And just like that, the Ouyang Family actually managed to find out that the Lord, who once had many beautiful confidantes by his side, had rarely been seen with them in recent years. Rumor had it they were no longer in Shushan City!

When Ling Xiao received this news, his brow furrowed tightly. The fact that the seven women were studying at Nia Academy was a closely guarded secret. Even within the Shushan Sword Sect, only the members of his true inner circle knew.

But Ling Xiao dared not take the risk. The sheer power of the Guardians themselves had already been startling enough. He couldn’t bet that the Guardian Clan would fail to track down the seven women.

After all, all seven women were exceptionally beautiful. Ling Xiao had no doubt that if his enemies obtained their portraits and launched a search, it wouldn’t take them long to find them.

“I’m going to Nia Academy!”

Ling Xiao announced to the group, his expression firm.

“Sect Leader, is there no other way?” Su Xue’s brow was furrowed in concern. “Even if you go, bringing them back undetected will be an enormous challenge!” She clearly didn’t approve of Ling Xiao leaving at a time like this, despite being extremely worried for her daughter’s safety.

“If only we could find that Sikong Yang who came the other day,” Shangguan Yutong said, her elegant brow furrowed. “Don’t tell me there are no rules governing the Guardians?”

“It’s not possible for there to be no rules!” Huangpu Yue, who rarely spoke, interjected. “But the problem is that they’re accusing us of colluding with the Demon Race…”

“But we haven’t colluded with them!” Thirteenth Master retorted.

“The question is… who will people believe? Them, or us?” Huangpu Yue pointed out the crux of the matter. “If they adamantly claim we’re in league with the Demon Race, there’s really nothing we can do!”

A cold smile touched Ling Xiao’s lips. “If they’re that eager to die, I’m happy to oblige them. Colluding with another race, is it? Heh… I’ll give them a real collusion to witness!”

“You can’t!”

“Are you insane?!”

Su Xue and Shangguan Yutong cried out almost in unison. A faint blush rose on both their faces. Shangguan Yutong spoke first, “I’m sorry, that was impulsive of me. But Ling Xiao, you can’t do that!”

“That’s right. In our hearts, Ling Xiao, you are our very soul! Your decisions are our will,” Su Xue said with conviction. “But… with our current strength, we can’t even fight the Ouyang Family members here in the city. How could we possibly stand against the entire collective of Guardians? If you truly cooperate with the Demon Race, you’d be setting us against almost all of humanity!”

Huangpu Yue’s eyes glinted. “Naturally, something like that couldn’t be done openly. But I don’t think it’s necessarily impossible.”

Although everyone acknowledged that Huangpu Yue’s mind for business was second to none, this was a matter of survival, and Su Xue held firm to her principles. “Miss Huangpu, you need to understand something. Secrets never stay secret forever. No one knows if the Demon Race is good or evil. Who’s to say that cooperating with them wouldn’t be like letting the wolf into the henhouse?”