Chapter 1132: The Sword Lord's Successor
The Sword Lord moved aside with the young girl, and the others naturally dared not disturb, each descending in their own time.
"Palace Master Ice Cloud, who is that person?" As soon as Mu Bingyun returned, Yun Che immediately asked.
"His name is Jun Wuming. He is a legendary figure who once shook the entire Divine Realm. In his youth, in order to pursue the ultimate path of the sword, he wished to have no distracting thoughts or attachments, so he abandoned his star realm and family, wandering through the various divine regions, and to this day has no descendants."
"As for a successor... that girl carrying the Nameless Sword on her back is his only disciple."
"Only one? Then her talent must be extremely high, right?" Yun Che looked in surprise at the cold, indifferent girl standing still in the wind and snow.
"It is said that the Sword Lord scoured more than half of the star realms in the Eastern Divine Region for countless years in search of a satisfactory successor. Only seventeen years ago did he find his first, and only, disciple. The appearance of the 'Sword Lord's Successor' caused quite a stir back then."
Mu Bingyun also cast a deep glance at that young girl. "Do you still remember the 'Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain' I mentioned to you earlier?"
Yun Che's heart stirred. "Could she be..."
"She is one of the Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain. The one known as the 'Tearless Sword Maiden,' Jun Xilei!"
"And she may well become the next 'Sword Lord' of the Eastern Divine Region."
"... No wonder she is the successor the Sword Lord searched for over fifty thousand years." Yun Che let out a heartfelt sigh of admiration. Then, smiling, he added, "The Divine Realm is so vast, yet to encounter such legendary figures here is excellent luck. I hope we will be just as fortunate when we reach the Zhou Tian God Realm."
As Mu Bingyun and Yun Che spoke, they suddenly felt the gaze of the Sword Lord, Jun Wuming, sweep toward them and then settle on Yun Che, sizing him up with interest.
"This young man... wouldn't he be the new personal disciple that Realm King Xuanyin has accepted?" Jun Wuming asked thoughtfully.
The other disciples were all behind, but Yun Che was alone at the front, his position even parallel to Mu Bingyun and Mu Huanzhi, making him easy to spot.
"Indeed he is." Mu Bingyun bowed slightly.
Jun Wuming shifted his gaze away from Yun Che and slightly furrowed his brow. "This young man’s cultivation is still quite low. But since he was accepted as a personal disciple by Realm King Xuanyin, he must have some extraordinary qualities. However... forgive me for speaking bluntly. After Realm King Xuanyin, it will be difficult for Yin Xue to have anyone to carry on her legacy. Perhaps you should consider seeking another path."
These words undoubtedly struck at the very heart of the Bing Huang God Sect. All the disciples and elders looked downcast. Mu Bingyun sighed inwardly and said softly, "Bingyun is ashamed. Thank you for your advice, senior."
*Chi... chi la!*
Suddenly, a violent spatial fluctuation came from above, followed by a long spatial crack, accompanied by an icy coldness that could freeze heaven and earth.
"It's the Sect Master!" Mu Huanzhi and the others quickly turned around.
The spatial crack parted, and Mu Xuanyin walked out slowly. Her peerless elegance instantly made all the snow and ice lose their luster.
Mu Xuanyin's icy eyes swept over the Bing Huang group without a word. She stepped through the void, walking soundlessly to Jun Wuming, and bowed slightly. "Mu Xuanyin of Yin Xue pays respects to Senior Sword Lord. May you be safe and well. Many years have passed, yet your bearing is even more impressive. Your visit to Yin Xue today was unexpected, and Xuanyin failed to welcome you from afar. I hope you will forgive me."
Mu Xuanyin performed the courtesy of a junior, maintaining both respect and the dignity of a Realm King.
"Ah, you are thoughtful." Jun Wuming nodded in acknowledgment.
"It is unfortunate that the Profound God Convention begins in three days; otherwise, Xuanyin would have insisted on having you stay a few more days, so that I might show my respect while also allowing Yin Xue to bask in your immortal presence."
Jun Wuming spoke gently. "It is enough that you have this intention. But if you do not go to the Zhou Tian God Realm this time, I fear many will be greatly disappointed, hehe."
"Le'er, this is the Yin Xue Realm King I have told you about."
Mu Xuanyin's beauty was unmatched, and her aura and dignity were far beyond what Huo Rulie and others could match. Facing Mu Xuanyin, even Jun Xilei dropped her previous cold indifference and bowed deeply. "Jun Xilei pays respects to the Yin Xue Realm King."
"The name 'Tearless Sword Maiden' has long thundered in my ears." Mu Xuanyin nodded slightly to Jun Xilei, then turned her icy eyes to Jun Wuming. "I have yet to congratulate Senior Sword Lord on obtaining such a heaven-sent successor."
Hearing these words, Jun Wuming smiled. "Le'er is still young, but she has never let me down. To have obtained such a successor in my lifetime is more than enough for my wishes."
It was clear that Jun Wuming was not only very fond of this successor but also extremely satisfied. The words "more than enough for my wishes," spoken by him, carried a weight no less than ten thousand mountains.
"But speaking of successors," Jun Wuming's tone shifted slightly, "a true successor is enough with just one. I searched bitterly for fifty thousand years before finding Le'er. If you find a true talent and teach them with all your heart, they may one day reach your level. Taking in someone with merely acceptable aptitude reluctantly means that even if you have a thousand or ten thousand, they are nothing but a waste of effort and heart, unable to inherit your legacy."
"It is better to have none than to have too many indiscriminately!"
As he finished speaking, his gaze swept toward Yun Che. When he looked away, there was a clear disappointment in his eyes, and he let out a very soft sigh.
Mu Xuanyin's slender brow twitched almost imperceptibly. She said calmly, "Xuanyin has her own considerations. Thank you for your advice, senior."
*Zheng!!*
In the pale white world, an even whiter profound light suddenly shot into the sky. The dimensional profound array they had been waiting for had finally activated.
Stepping into it would bring them to the Zhou Tian God Realm, which Yun Che had long yearned for.
"The profound array is open. Bingyun, Huanzhi, lead the disciples into the array." Mu Xuanyin's gaze fell on Yun Che, and she emphasized, "Che'er, remember what your master said. Do not violate a single word!"
"Yes, Master." Yun Che replied respectfully.
"Enter the array." Mu Bingyun's snow-white sleeve moved, gently guiding Yun Che toward the dimensional profound array.
But just as they took their first step, suddenly, a sharp whistling sound descended from the sky and struck the ground right in front of Yun Che. A not very strong but exceptionally domineering aura rushed at him, forcing Yun Che back half a step. From his chest to his legs, it felt as if he had been cut by a blade, a sharp pain shooting through him.
Looking at it, what had shot down was clearly a sword aura formed from profound energy. The snow layer dispersed, and the sword aura vanished with it.
Yun Che, Mu Bingyun, and Mu Huanzhi, who were at the front, all turned around. Behind them, Jun Xilei slowly withdrew her finger and said with extreme indifference, "Step back. Let my master go first."
Yun Che's brows twitched, anger rising in his heart. But his status was insignificant, and this was certainly not the place for him to speak. The other party was the Sword Lord and the Sword Lord's successor, before whom even his master had to bow. He had no right to say anything.
Mu Huanzhi was momentarily stunned, then quickly stepped back, making way and gesturing with a smile. "That should be so. Senior Sword Lord, please go ahead."
"Le'er, do not lose your manners." Jun Wuming spoke to stop her, but his rebuke was not too severe. Then he added, "Very well, we will go first."
"Let's go." Without saying more, Jun Wuming took Jun Xilei with him and flew straight toward the profound array.
Although this act undoubtedly gave no face to the Bing Huang God Sect, he was the Sword Lord, and the Bing Huang God Sect was merely a sect from a middle-level star realm. Even comparing the entire sect to him alone, their standings were worlds apart. If the Sword Lord went first, no one would dare object, nor would they dare. In fact, many would even consider it only natural.
"Wait a moment!!"
Just as Jun Wuming and Jun Xilei were about to enter the dimensional profound array, a cold and commanding voice suddenly rang out from behind, directly aimed at the master and disciple, causing their movements to halt.
"Senior Sword Lord, this place is the territory of our Yin Xue, and it is our Bing Huang God Sect that arrived first. By reason, by propriety, and by the way of the path, it should be our Bing Huang who goes first! I ask Senior Sword Lord to step back with your disciple and let our Bing Huang disciples enter the array first!"
There was none of the previous gentleness when facing Jun Wuming, and not a trace of respect remained in her words. Each word was icy and piercing, brimming with anger.
Everyone was stunned, then gaped in astonishment. The entire Bing Huang God Sect was greatly alarmed. Mu Huanzhi said in a flustered voice, "Sect Master, Senior Sword Lord is a senior figure of high standing. Letting him go first should... should be no problem..."
"Shut up!"
Before Mu Huanzhi could finish, a furious rebuke made his heart nearly stop. Mu Xuanyin's eyes were like a frozen abyss as she said angrily, "When the Sword Lord arrived, our Bing Huang God Sect treated him with courtesy. I myself crossed half of Yin Xue to come and pay my respects, showing due reverence. But what the Sword Lord and his disciple just did not only showed contempt for our Bing Huang but also insulted us! As the Grand Elder of the sect, you not only failed to reject this behavior but instead smiled and bowed obsequiously. You have utterly disgraced the face of our Bing Huang!"