Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Lie Yang looked at Ling Xiao with what appeared to be a gentle smile, but his eyes were bone-chillingly cold. He knew that this time, he had definitely lost his chance. In the presence of Gongsun Huang, no one dared to make a rash move.

After the banquet, most of the guests took their leave in a hurry. The members of the Qin Family, in particular, practically fled in a panic.

Gongsun Huang’s arrival was, of course, no secret, and word of it quickly spread. Ling Xiao’s personal prestige, following his annihilation of the Zhe Family, rose to a new level. At the same time, the newly founded Shushan Sword Sect had left an indelible impression on everyone.

From this day forward, the Shushan Sword Sect would be ranked among the first-rate sects!

Perhaps in the entire history of the continent, no other sect had ever grown so powerful in just a few short years. Only the Shushan Sword Sect had managed it.

The ten great disciples of the Shushan Sword Sect were also present in the banquet hall today.

Although the strongest among them was merely a First Rank Demon Sword Master, they didn’t seem the least bit inferior amidst a crowd of disciples from prominent families and sects, who were at a minimum Third or Fourth Rank Demon Sword Masters. On the contrary, those whose strength surpassed theirs by several, or even more than ten times, had to be the ones to speak to them with caution!

This was a moment of immense pride and vindication for all the Shushan Disciples; they never imagined they would experience such a gratifying day. Watching people from prominent families and sects—people they once wouldn’t have even dreamed of approaching—now sincerely seeking their acquaintance and friendship, even fawning over them obsequiously... The ten disciples of Shushan all came to understand a fundamental truth.

The words the Elders had repeated countless times had been proven in the best way possible.

’To be respected by others, you must first be strong yourself!’

’Is the Shushan Sword Sect strong? No... not at all. Although it has thousands of disciples, even after consuming Elixirs and the Ice Crystal Celestial Silkworm, the strongest among them are only Mid-level Demon Sword Masters.’

’As for the ten great disciples, such as Celestial Garden, the strongest among them was only a First Rank Demon Sword Master. So, on what grounds were people treating them so politely? It was because they have a mysterious and powerful Sect Leader!’

’And as of today, he is also our master!’

The day’s banquet left an indelible mark on the hearts of these ten youths. Almost all of them swore to themselves that from this day on, they would train even harder! They would never bring shame upon their esteemed master and would strive to one day be the ones to bring such great honor to Shushan themselves!

Gongsun Huang and his grandson, Song Qi, Leng Qianqian, and the Western Li Family’s Patriarch, Li Fei, did not rush to leave after the banquet. Li Fei clearly wanted to speak with Ling Xiao, but seeing that Ling Xiao’s group seemed to have internal matters to discuss, he could only take his leave first, arranging to meet and talk with Ling Xiao the next day.

The rest of the group all went to the reception hall in Lingxiao Mansion. Gongsun Jian, who seemed to have been holding back for a long time, saw that there were no outsiders and complained to his grandfather, "Grandpa, you clearly knew it was the Qin Family who cultivates by absorbing Essence Blood. Why did you let them go?"

Gongsun Huang saw the same confused expressions on the faces of Song Qi, Leng Qianqian, and Shangguan Yutong. He turned to the calm-faced Ling Xiao, let out a soft sigh, and said, "Little Friend Ling Xiao, you explain."

Ling Xiao glanced at the group, then shook his head slightly and said, "They cannot be killed."

"Why not?" Gongsun Jian stared at Ling Xiao in disbelief. He never thought that his highly respected big brother would say such a thing. ’What is wrong with everyone? Why is this happening?!’ Gongsun Jian was on the verge of reprimanding him, but fortunately, his grandfather was present. Furthermore, Ling Xiao was practically a half-master to him; though he said nothing, in his heart, he had always held deep respect for Ling Xiao.

Shangguan Yutong’s expression, however, remained unchanged. After so many years, she understood what kind of person Ling Xiao was. ’With his temperament, how could he possibly let scum like the Qin Family off the hook?’

Ling Xiao glanced at Gongsun Huang. "Do you really want me to be the one to say it?"

Gongsun Huang shook his head, sounding somewhat resigned. "It’s better coming from you."

Everyone watched in confusion as the old man and the young man traded cryptic remarks. Even Su Xue and the others who had just arrived were baffled.

Ling Xiao suddenly gave Gongsun Huang a deep bow. "Grandmaster Gongsun, you must lay a good foundation for this junior in the Holy Sanctuary. When I eventually travel there, I hope I can continue to receive your guidance."

At these words, everyone was stunned into silence.

Gongsun Jian first looked blank, stunned for a long moment before suddenly asking in a loud voice, "Grandpa, you... you’re going to enter the Holy Sanctuary?" By the end, his voice was trembling. Although he had long known this day would come, he had never expected it to arrive so soon.

It had come so quickly that Gongsun Jian wasn’t even mentally prepared. He had hoped to continue relying on his grandfather like this for decades, even a century more. His feelings were contradictory; on the one hand, he wanted his grandfather to break through and enter the Holy Sanctuary soon, but on the other, he wanted his grandfather to stay by his side forever.

The others, including Song Qi and Leng Qianqian, all bowed to Gongsun Huang once more to offer their congratulations.

This could no longer be considered merely a joyous occasion for the Gongsun Clan; it was a momentous event for all the hidden prominent families and sects!

How many years had it been since anyone had entered the Holy Sanctuary!

It was as if after the dazzlingly brilliant Yun Zilan entered the Holy Sanctuary three hundred years ago, the fortune of all human Martial Artists had been completely exhausted. Although there were still Sword Venerables, no one had been able to break through to the Saint Tier.

Today, one had finally appeared again!

At this moment, Gongsun Huang reached out his hand, his face full of kindness. Upon closer look, his hand... the hand of this old man, an expert at the Tier Six Sword Venerable Peak Realm—no, it would be more accurate to say a Quasi-Saint Tier expert—was actually trembling slightly!

Stroking Gongsun Jian’s head, Gongsun Huang was now simply a grandfather doting on his grandson. The loving kindness in his eyes moved everyone present!

Who said Martial Artists were heartless? Who said High-tier Martial Artists were even more so!

Palace Master Lengning, Leng Qianqian, suddenly turned her face away. She, who had never shed a single tear in her entire life, suddenly felt a pang in her heart and her eyes grew moist. A very special feeling washed over her. Immediately after, countless streams of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi surged into her body through her countless meridians. Leng Qianqian, at a time like this, had a sudden epiphany. The leader of a sect that advocated the Path of Emotionlessness had, in a setting so full of warmth and affection... advanced!

"Yutong, act as a Guardian for Lady Cold."

Ling Xiao looked at Leng Qianqian, finding it somewhat incredible. ’To be able to advance under such circumstances is truly admirable!’

Gongsun Huang was also momentarily stunned, then said with a smile, "I never expected that this old man would get to witness a talented young lady advance before I leave. Hmm, she’s reached the realm of a Sword Emperor. Not bad, not bad at all! Given time, I believe I will see her in the Holy Sanctuary!"

To receive such high praise from someone like Gongsun Huang, whose Divination Skill was so strong, was truly a stroke of great fortune for Leng Qianqian.

Gongsun Huang then turned his head toward Gongsun Jian and said with a smile, "Jian’Er, don’t be sad for your grandfather. You must train hard. I believe that one day, I will see you all again in the Holy Sanctuary! After I’m gone, you must listen to Little Friend Ling Xiao. I was very pleased to learn that you two became sworn brothers."

"Grandpa, you’re not going back to the clan?" Gongsun Jian, no longer caring about losing face, looked at Gongsun Huang with tear-filled eyes. It was easy to say they would meet again in the Holy Sanctuary, but in all these years, how many people had ever managed to enter the Saint Tier?

"It is better not to see them than to see them."

Gongsun Huang let out a long sigh and said to Ling Xiao, "Little friend, are you willing to witness the process of entering the Holy Sanctuary? I can already feel it... it’s almost here!"

Even if Gongsun Huang hadn’t offered, Ling Xiao would have shamelessly asked to watch anyway. Now that he was invited, he couldn’t have been happier!

For any Martial Artist, the Holy Sanctuary was a mysterious and powerful place. To be able to witness someone entering it with one’s own eyes was a stroke of incredible luck!

Ling Xiao nodded vigorously while Song Qi and the others also looked at Gongsun Huang with eager anticipation.

Gongsun Huang smiled serenely. "All of you, come."