Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

The destruction of the Zhe Family once again sent shockwaves through all the hidden aristocratic families and sects!

Countless people exclaimed, "Ling Xiao is back!"

As Ling Xiao reappeared in stunning fashion, speculation about his strength became the most popular topic of discussion among the countless aristocratic families and sects.

Ling Xiao's rise was like a dark horse bursting onto the scene, causing many aristocratic families and sects that had been dormant for years to stir restlessly once more.

This situation was rare. Over three hundred years ago, when Yun Zilan burst onto the scene, many aristocratic families and sects had also emerged from seclusion. But Yun Zilan was a lone swordsman, and his movements were unpredictable. He was only active for fifty years before vanishing without a trace.

But Ling Xiao was different. Not only was he powerful, with abilities that were both miraculous and mysterious, but he had even openly established his own sect! This meant that in the days to come, when it came to the distribution of various resources, all the aristocratic families and sects had one more terrifying rival!

Ling Xiao didn't go to see how Gaia and Tang Ming would deal with Wu Liang. He trusted that they would not let Wu Liang off. This hatred had festered in their hearts for years, and today was the time to let it erupt.

Using Wu Liang's head to commemorate their big brother Wang Chao was the best way to comfort his spirit.

After resting, Su Xue found Ling Xiao. The once lofty High Priest had finally returned to normal. The killing intent was gone from her, and her beautiful eyes shone with gratitude as she looked at Ling Xiao. "From now on, I will teach the sect's disciples in peace. Ling Xiao… as for saying 'thank you,' I'll spare you the words."

Ling Xiao chuckled and said, "Aunt Su, you're being too polite. By any standard, it was my duty to help you get your revenge. Aunt Su, please raise your strength as quickly as possible. We'll meet again in the Holy Sanctuary!"

Su Xue was slightly taken aback and said, "You… you're about to enter the Holy Sanctuary?" Then, an incredulous look appeared on her face. "Ling Xiao, you shouldn't be at the Saint Tier yet. Otherwise, killing Zhe Wushuang wouldn't have taken you that long…"

"Haha, you misunderstand. If I don't want to go to the Holy Sanctuary, I never have to!"

Ling Xiao spoke with a confident expression. Indeed, with his cultivation method, he wouldn't produce the kind of energy fluctuations associated with the Saint Tier. This was because the more advanced a Cultivator became, the more they deliberately concealed the fluctuations of their True Essence. Therefore, if Ling Xiao wished, he could remain in the Mortal World and cultivate all the way to the Mahayana Stage! When the time came for his direct ascension, the place he entered probably wouldn't be the Holy Sanctuary.

'But I'm too curious about the Holy Sanctuary. What is it really like inside? Is it just like the Cultivation Realm of old, with everyone inside practicing Longevity Skills? Or is the Holy Sanctuary a separate, illusory space that was created, where everyone exists only as souls? I'm very curious about that place, so I've always thought that once I break through the Nascent Soul Stage and enter the Soul Emergence Stage—that is, when my individual strength approaches that of a Sword God—I'll go take a look around the Holy Sanctuary.

'Besides, there's another matter. Except for Ye Zi, everyone around me primarily cultivates sword skills and has to go through the process of becoming a Sword Emperor, a Sword Venerable, and then a Sword Saint.

'In other words, I can avoid entering the Holy Sanctuary, but if the people around me increase their strength, they will definitely have to enter it. When that time comes, without me by their side, who knows what the Holy Sanctuary will be like? I'm now more convinced than ever: where there are people, there is conflict!

'Especially in a place like the Holy Sanctuary, the competition for resources is probably even more intense! If I can enter the Holy Sanctuary and lay a good foundation for my people, then even if the day comes for my Ascension to the Immortal Realm, I will be able to rest easy!'

Although Su Xue didn't know where Ling Xiao got such confidence, she had long since realized that her prospective son-in-law was different from other Martial Artists. His various Divine Powers were dazzling and bewildering to behold.

His miraculous medical skills, the giant cauldron a hundred meters square, the deadly Sword Array formed from over a thousand precious swords, the mystical Array that could trap and kill a Sword Venerable, and that precious sword which could be as small as a finger or swell to a hundred meters in length... All of this and more proved that Ling Xiao was unlike anyone else.

Therefore, if anyone else had said such a thing, Su Xue would have probably laughed her head off. But coming from Ling Xiao, she believed it without a doubt. Su Xue was also smart enough to quickly realize the implication. "Ling Xiao, are you saying that we… all have a chance to enter the Holy Sanctuary? That's… not easy, is it?"

Although Su Xue's strength was already formidable—a Tier Five Sword Emperor for whom entering the Sword Venerable Realm was only a matter of time—she had no confidence at all when it came to breaking through the Sword Venerable rank to reach the Saint Tier. After all, from ancient times to the present, the number of people who had broken through from Sword Venerable to Saint Tier was extremely limited. Even the Sword Venerable Realm itself was something few could ever reach.

Ling Xiao chuckled lightly. "I believe there will definitely be a chance!"

Having personally witnessed countless of Ling Xiao's methods, which could only be described as divinely inspired, Su Xue completely believed his words.

At that moment, Shangguan Yutong suddenly knocked and entered from outside. Seeing Su Xue, she smiled and nodded. She and Su Xue addressed each other as sisters, but Ling Xiao's seniority was a level below Su Xue's, so in the end, they all just used their own forms of address.

Shangguan Yutong fixed her gaze on Ling Xiao for a moment, then said, "A letter arrived from the Sea Domain Song Family. It's addressed to you." As she spoke, she handed an unopened letter to Ling Xiao.