Chapter 740: The Scent of Conspiracy
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"Could it be related to the Demon Sword Assembly?" Yun Che said directly.
"You already knew." Ji Qianrou leaned forward, turned his right hand, and pushed a palm-sized hexagonal gemstone emitting a dreamy blue light toward Yun Che: "This is the invitation for the Demon Sword Assembly. After a hundred days, you can use it to enter our Supreme Sea Palace and participate in the Demon Sword Assembly."
Yun Che reached out, took the blue gemstone in his hand, and felt a cool, heart-refreshing aura transmitted from his palm. He glanced at the engraved text on the gemstone, then directly put it away: "Thank you, Senior Ji, for coming in person. I will definitely visit the Supreme Sea Palace in a hundred days. Additionally... regarding the Demon Sword Assembly, I ask Senior Ji to enlighten me. What is the purpose of this assembly? And what does 'Demon Sword' refer to?"
"Oh?" Ji Qianrou looked at Yun Che with surprise, gently folding his jade-white flawless fingers: "So Little Che Che doesn't know? The matter of the Demon Sword Assembly has been publicized in the upper profound realms of Tian Xuan Continent for so long, yet Little Che Che doesn't even know what the Demon Sword is. It seems Little Che Che isn't very interested in the Demon Sword Assembly."
"To be honest, Senior Ji, I don't have much interest in the Demon Sword Assembly," Yun Che said without reservation. "But I can use this assembly to visit the Supreme Sea Palace, which I've long admired."
"Giggle giggle giggle..." Ji Qianrou laughed, his laughter more charming than a woman's, causing Yun Che's stomach to churn violently. If he hadn't controlled himself well enough, his face might have twisted. Ji Qianrou said with a smile: "This Demon Sword Assembly, although grand in momentum and hype, in my opinion, is actually quite boring. In comparison, I am more interested in Little Che Che's mysterious master. If Little Che Che's master could condescend to visit the Supreme Sea Palace, it would surely cause a bigger sensation than the Demon Sword Assembly."
Yun Che smiled without speaking.
"Since Little Che Che asked about the Demon Sword Assembly, I naturally must answer well. Speaking of the Demon Sword Assembly... Little Che Che, have you heard of the Eternal Night Royal Clan?" Ji Qianrou squinted his peach blossom eyes, which were seven-tenths more charming than a woman's, and spoke softly and leisurely.
"Eternal Night Royal Clan?" Yun Che was startled, then his brows moved: "Could it be that the 'Demon Sword' of the Demon Sword Assembly refers to the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword?"
The name Eternal Night Royal Clan was told to Yun Che on the first day he joined the Bing Yun Fairy Palace by the Supreme Palace Master Feng Qianhui. In Feng Qianhui's account, the Eternal Night Royal Clan was originally one of the sacred grounds, one of the five sacred grounds at that time, and the only family force among them. But a thousand years ago, it was destroyed by the other four sacred grounds acting together.
Later, the other three sacred grounds gradually realized they had been used by Tian Wei Sword Domain, but hindered by the name of sacred ground, they had to let the mistake stand, continue to confirm the Eternal Night Royal Clan's infamy, and quickly erase all traces of the clan's existence. To this day, very few on Tian Xuan Continent know the name Eternal Night Royal Clan, and as for the grievances of that time, outside the four sacred grounds, basically no one knows.
The reason Bing Yun Fairy Palace knows is because the Bing Yun ancestor Mu Bingyun once received a favor from the Eternal Night Royal Clan and could not let go of their tragic destruction, thus sealing this memory in the Palace Master inheritance.
"Ah ya! Although Little Che Che hasn't inquired about the Demon Sword Assembly, it turns out he knows about the Eternal Night Royal Clan and the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword. No wonder, with such a powerful master, how could there be anything Little Che Che doesn't know?"
Outside the four sacred grounds, very few know the name Eternal Night Royal Clan, and those who know 'Heavenly Sin Divine Sword' should be almost extinct.
Yun Che slightly shook his head: "I have only heard of it by chance. But I don't know the details. I hope Senior Ji can enlighten me on the reasons."
Ji Qianrou half-closed his eyes and said slowly: "Speaking of the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword, a thousand years ago, although few knew its name, within our sacred ground level, it was known to all. It is the only Emperor-class sword of Tian Xuan Continent, the only emperor among swords. Its origin has always been unknown. All that is known is that it is a divine sword guarded by the Eternal Night Royal Clan for generations. As for the reason for the guardianship, it is also unknown. I'm afraid that even within the Eternal Night Royal Clan, very few know these secrets."
"Furthermore, from the moment the world knew of the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword's existence, no one has ever been seen using it. Perhaps its level is too high; no one under heaven can master it. A thousand years ago, after the Eternal Night Royal Clan committed an unforgivable grave crime and was destroyed by our four sacred grounds together, the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword disappeared without a trace, entirely missing for a full thousand years. But not long ago, Tian Wei Sword Domain claimed to have accidentally discovered a strange sword in a desolate place and confirmed it to be the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword that had been lost for a thousand years."
Yun Che: "..."
Three years ago, Feng Qianhui told him that the Bing Yun ancestor had confirmed that the crime of the Eternal Night Royal Clan was actually a deliberate and vicious frame-up by Tian Wei Sword Domain, with the goal of obtaining the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword. After the Eternal Night Royal Clan's destruction, the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword also disappeared, and it was very likely that it had fallen into the hands of Tian Wei Sword Domain.
However, such matters at the sacred ground level, intentionally concealed by the four sacred grounds, especially Tian Wei Sword Domain, that the Bing Yun ancestor Mu Bingyun could know them so thoroughly back then... upon careful thought, it is quite incredible.
"And this Demon Sword Assembly is because Tian Wei Sword Domain does not want to monopolize the only Emperor-class weapon of Tian Xuan Continent, so they invite all heroes of the world to gather at our Supreme Sea Palace to jointly explore the secret of the divine sword."
"Oh... so that's how it is." Yun Che nodded slowly and said with a faint smile: "I have long heard that Tian Wei Sword Domain takes the sword as its path, values the sword above life, and spends its whole life pursuing stronger swords and more extreme sword paths. Unexpectedly, upon obtaining the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword, the strongest sword in the world, they do not keep it for themselves but instead make it public to the world, inviting all heroes to appreciate it together. To show sincerity, they even specially set the location at Supreme Sea Palace instead of Tian Wei Sword Domain. Worthy of the sacred ground of the sword, such a broad-minded and selfless disposition truly makes us juniors deeply admire."
How could Ji Qianrou not perceive that Yun Che's words were clearly questioning the purpose of Tian Wei Sword Domain, and even carried a hidden sarcasm. He immediately narrowed his eyes and said with a smile: "Then Little Che Che must not disappoint the beautiful goodwill of Tian Wei Sword Domain. Be sure to come then. If Little Che Che is really not interested in the Demon Sword Assembly, let me, who is also not interested, take you to enjoy some wonderful sea views."
"Then I thank Senior Ji for the kind offer," Yun Che said with a smile. He was somewhat curious about the Demon Sword Assembly, but not very interested. Especially after hearing Ji Qianrou's account of the contents, he immediately sensed some scent of conspiracy, and thought it best not to participate.
His main purpose in going to Supreme Sea Palace was the Netherworld Brahma Flower!
As for the Demon Sword Assembly... he might not even go to take a look. After all, it was better for him to minimize contact with the sacred grounds. Because of the existence of his fabricated 'master,' even though Ye Xinghan hated him to the core, and a grand elder and several guardians died at Bing Yun Fairy Palace, the Sun Moon Divine Palace dared not lay a hand on him... but the more contact he had, the easier it would be to reveal flaws.
And once it was discovered that the so-called 'master' was fake, it would be disastrous.
Moreover... when he last left the Black Moon Merchant Guild, the two final words Zi Ji said made him unable to help but be on guard.
"Senior Ji, I am a bit curious: which forces are qualified to be invited to the Demon Sword Assembly?" Yun Che asked.
"All forces or individuals with profound practitioners at the Overlord Xuan Realm were invited," Ji Qianrou said unhurriedly. "Most of such forces or profound practitioners are concentrated in the Shenhuang Empire, with very few in the other six kingdoms."
"So, the Fenghuang God Sect will also participate?" Yun Che pondered lightly.
"Giggles, of course," Ji Qianrou laughed again, his body trembling like a blooming flower. "Now the whole world knows that the Fenghuang God Sect, to calm Little Che Che's anger, sent the Snow Princess as a gift. If Little Che Che could bring the Snow Princess along, that would be even better. The invitation I just gave you can bring ninety-nine people along."
"Oh right, another person has also received a special invitation." Ji Qianrou looked at Yun Che's expression: "That person is also in Cang Feng Kingdom. His name, well, you must be very familiar..."
"Fen Juechen."
"Him?" Yun Che's brows twitched sharply. "Why was he invited?"
"Because he is even more powerful than Little Che Che is now," Ji Qianrou's eyes gleamed with an unusual light. "Since he appeared, the four sacred grounds have had a very big interest in him, almost as big as in Little Che Che."
"He was once a mere weakling at the Spirit Xuan Realm, but after disappearing for two years, he gained the power of the Lord Xuan Realm. He's even more frightening a freak than Little Che Che. I'm also very curious about him. Moreover, he accepted the invitation... so Little Che Che must be careful. Anyone who has investigated Fen Juechen knows that the thing he wants most is to kill you."
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Ji." Yun Che smiled blandly, but doubt rose in his heart. It was not surprising that the four sacred grounds were interested in Fen Juechen, but given Fen Juechen's disposition, why would he be willing to participate in a nonsensical Demon Sword Assembly?
"Alright, my mission this time is complete, I can go back now. Remember to come after a hundred days." Ji Qianrou finished, flicked his long sleeve, and turned to leave.
Yun Che called out to him: "Senior Ji must be visiting Bing Yun Fairy Palace for the first time. At least let me fulfill the duties of a host."
"No need. I heard that Bing Yun Fairy Palace is full of women. Women are the most annoying things; I have no interest at all. Meeting Little Che Che is already very satisfying, hm hm."
With a wave of his hand, countless flower petals scattered down, carrying Ji Qianrou's figure far away, quickly disappearing into the vast snowy landscape.
After Ji Qianrou left, Yun Che did not immediately return to Bing Yun Fairy Palace. Instead, he stayed where he was, sinking into a long period of contemplation.
Demon Sword Assembly... Eternal Night Royal Clan... Heavenly Sin Divine Sword... Tian Wei Sword Domain!
"What are you thinking?" Mo Li spoke up.
Yun Che twitched his brows and said thoughtfully: "Obviously, Feng Qianhui was right back then. The Heavenly Sin Divine Sword that had been lost for a thousand years has actually been in the hands of Tian Wei Sword Domain all that time. If Tian Wei Sword Domain had only just obtained it, they would never have exposed it."
"The reason they are now proactively revealing the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword and creating the Demon Sword Assembly is very likely that Tian Wei Sword Domain, after more than a thousand years, still couldn't find a way to master it, and their patience has worn thin. So they invite the world's strong to gather and explore its secrets together."
"There is another possibility," Mo Li said calmly. "That is, Tian Wei Sword Domain has found a way to unlock the secret of the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword, but it cannot be done with their own power alone. So they use the name 'Demon Sword Assembly' to gather more power."
"That is also possible."
The deaths of Grandfather Yun Canghai and the Demon Emperor, the tragedy of the Xiao Clan, the vengeance for his parents, the hatred of Xiao Yaohou... all were greatly connected to Tian Wei Sword Domain. The destruction of the Eternal Night Royal Clan was also a scheme designed by Tian Wei Sword Domain for its own selfish desires. Yun Che let out a heavy breath and said in a low voice: "I thought this Demon Sword Assembly was hosted by Supreme Sea Palace, so I never paid it much heed. But since it originates from Tian Wei Sword Domain... I need to be cautious."
The only person from Tian Wei Sword Domain Yun Che had come into contact with so far was Ling Kun. And from his accumulated experiences, all he could think of regarding Tian Wei Sword Domain were danger, malice, despicability, ambition, and unscrupulousness.
"Hmph, we'll go take a look when the time comes. As for possible conspiracies or dangers..." Mo Li's voice was very contemptuous: "You need not worry too much. Because by that time, the demon poison in my soul will have been completely purified! Not to mention a mere Tian Wei Sword Domain, even if the so-called four sacred grounds unite... I could kill them all with a snap of my fingers!"
Yun Che: "..."
"And the same goes for killing you!" Mo Li deliberately added.