Chapter 772: Sect Leader Summons
Purple Cloud Half-Saint was the master of Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain in the Longevity Institute and also the nominal master of Lin Yue in name. After the battle of the Realm Son Banquet, Lin Yue's reputation within the Liangyi Sect had risen to rival that of Gai Tianjiao, making them the two most popular figures in the sect, with boundless futures ahead. Although Purple Cloud Half-Saint was only Lin Yue's nominal master, he had still basked in some reflected glory, much to the envy of many other half-saints in the Liangyi Sect.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint was naturally delighted to see Zhang Ruochen, not hiding the admiration in his eyes at all. He said, "Lin Yue, you did exceptionally well at the Realm Son Banquet. You thoroughly defeated the experts of the Demon Sect, truly establishing the prestige of the Liangyi Sect. Since you have contributed to the sect, the sect will not treat you unfairly. Come with me now to the Taiqing Palace; the Sect Leader wishes to see you in person."
Although Zhang Ruochen's cultivation was still at the Fish-Dragon Eighth Transformation, his spiritual power had already reached the Half-Saint realm, allowing him to stand on equal footing with Purple Cloud Half-Saint. Therefore, Purple Cloud Half-Saint did not put on the airs of a master but addressed Zhang Ruochen as an equal.
"The Sect Leader wants to see me in person?" Zhang Ruochen was somewhat surprised.
"That's right." Purple Cloud Half-Saint smiled and said, "As far as I know, Grandmaster Taiyi has always thought highly of you. With him as your backing, just answer whatever the Sect Leader asks you truthfully. There's no need to be too nervous."
Zhang Ruochen naturally agreed and returned to the mountain gate of the Liangyi Sect with Purple Cloud Half-Saint.
At the Taiqing Palace of the Liangyi Sect, the Sect Leader, Ning Xuan Dao, and the Burial Moon Sword Saint stood side by side at the center of the hall, discussing a rather secretive matter. Burial Moon Sword Saint's brows were tightly furrowed, his expression grave and worried. He said, "Sect Leader, Grandmaster Taiyi has sent word from the seventh mountain of the Ancient God Mountain Range. The Heavenly Sword has stirred again, its tip pointing toward the direction of the Fallen God Tomb Forest. This is already the third time this month."
"Since ancient times, the Heavenly Sword and the Earthly Sword have been suppressing the fortune of the Liangyi Sect. If the two swords remain still, it signifies that the Liangyi Sect will prosper and flourish, and external enemies will not dare to invade. If the Earthly Sword moves, it means disaster will befall the sect, and an important figure will fall. If the Heavenly Sword moves, it indicates that the disaster will be extremely fierce, affecting the entire sect. Now, in just one month, the Heavenly Sword has moved three times. This clearly means that a major calamity is imminent."
Ning Xuan Dao, dressed in a Daoist robe and holding a bronze whisk, wore an equally serious expression. He gazed toward the direction of the Fallen God Tomb Forest and said, "The emergence of the Void Sword itself indicates that something unusual is happening in the Fallen God Tomb Forest."
Burial Moon Sword Saint said, "I have already sent my senior disciple, Xiao Yun, and my second disciple, Situ Xiao, to the Fallen God Tomb Forest. If anything goes wrong, they will send word back to the sect immediately."
"Swish!"
A speck of light flew rapidly from the horizon, rushed into the Taiqing Palace, and landed in Burial Moon Sword Saint's hand. It was a Message Light Talisman. Characters emerged from the talisman and appeared on Burial Moon Sword Saint's palm. After reading the content, his expression grew even more somber.
"What's wrong?" Ning Xuan Dao asked.
Burial Moon Sword Saint put away the Message Light Talisman and said, "Xiao Yun and Situ Xiao have discovered cultivators from the Undying Blood Clan in the Fallen God Tomb Forest."
"They've gone to the Fallen God Tomb Forest as well." Ning Xuan Dao snorted coldly. "Back then, the Liangyi Sect put considerable effort into besieging the Undying Blood Clan. They probably hold a grudge and are plotting some evil scheme. Regardless, this matter is no small thing. To be safe, starting today, the Liangyi Sect will enter a state of highest alert."
Immediately, Ning Xuan Dao used the power of his Sacred Soul to transmit orders, sending out sound waves that flew out of the hall and spread to the three palaces and seventy-two courtyards.
A moment later, a Saint-Transmitted Disciple walked in from outside the gate, respectfully bowed to Ning Xuan Dao, and said, "Sect Leader, Lin Yue and Purple Cloud Half-Saint have arrived outside the hall."
"Let them in."
Ning Xuan Dao moved, and in the next instant, he appeared at the highest seat in the hall, sitting on a chair carved from Sacred Stone. Burial Moon Sword Saint did not leave but took a seat to Ning Xuan Dao's lower left.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint and Zhang Ruochen entered one after the other, stopping at the center of the hall. Purple Cloud Half-Saint stepped aside and stood on the right side of the hall. Zhang Ruochen bowed and said, "Disciple Lin Yue pays respects to the Sect Leader and the Sword Saint."
"Lin Yue, you are now a Spiritual Power Half-Saint. There's no need for such formalities even when meeting me." Ning Xuan Dao's expression was quite gentle. He carefully examined Zhang Ruochen, nodded, and smiled. "Truly a sword prodigy of the Liangyi Sect—impressive in appearance and extraordinary in temperament. No wonder the clan leader of the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan came to me personally a few days ago, wanting to arrange a marriage for you."
Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment and roughly guessed the reason, offering only a bitter smile in his heart. After the Realm Son Banquet, the world knew that Lin Yue was devoted to Smoke Dust Commandery Princess of the Eastern Domain Saint King Manor, so Ning Xuan Dao did not pursue the matter further. He continued, "Your performance at the Realm Son Banquet was excellent. The Sword Saint and I have been watching closely. In recent years, the Demon Sect has rarely suffered defeats except when clashing with the Ministry of War. When contending with other sects, they have been unstoppable and invincible. It's rare to see them so disgraced as at the Realm Son Banquet. However, I am quite puzzled. Since you had the strength to compete for the position of Realm Son, why did you choose to give up?"
Zhang Ruochen had anticipated this question from Ning Xuan Dao, so he repeated the same reasoning he had given to Shengshu Cainü. Since the Realm Son Banquet was over and the matter was settled, Ning Xuan Dao did not press further. Instead, his gaze grew more serious. "Then what about the Void Sword and the inheritance of Qiangu Nüdi?"
Even facing the Sect Leader of the Liangyi Sect and the Burial Moon Sword Saint, Zhang Ruochen remained completely at ease, showing no tension. He smiled and said, "In truth, the Void Sword was a gift from Yuanlong Half-Saint."
Ning Xuan Dao and Burial Moon Sword Saint were both taken aback, clearly surprised. They naturally knew of Yuanlong Half-Saint, but they couldn't understand why he would gift such a precious treasure as the Void Sword to Lin Yue.
The most shocked, however, was Purple Cloud Half-Saint, who knew the entire process of Yuanlong Half-Saint giving the Void Sword to Lin Yue. Still finding it hard to believe, he confirmed, "Do you mean that the damaged Sacred Sword Yuanlong Half-Saint gave you back then is actually the legendary Void Sword, the personal sword of Qiangu Nüdi?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "At first, I also thought it was just a damaged sword. It was only later that I learned it was the Void Sword."
Purple Cloud Half-Saint burst into laughter, tears nearly streaming from his eyes. If he could, he would immediately go and tell this news to that old fellow Yuanlong, just to see if it would infuriate him to death.
After hearing Purple Cloud Half-Saint explain the whole story, Ning Xuan Dao and Burial Moon Sword Saint exchanged glances and smiled wryly. Yuanlong Half-Saint had personally handed the Void Sword to a junior. If he learned the truth, even with the mindset of a Half-Saint, he would probably vomit blood for several days.
Ning Xuan Dao then asked Zhang Ruochen a few more questions, all of which he answered fluently without revealing any flaws.
"The ninth day of the ninth month is less than a month away. By then, you will definitely represent the Liangyi Sect in the Sword Discussion Assembly. Other opponents are not a concern for you, but there is one person who poses the greatest threat." Ning Xuan Dao said solemnly.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Shao Lin of the Four Symbols Sect?"
Ning Xuan Dao nodded. "That boy's sword talent is likely on par with yours. Now that he has become one of the nine Realm Sons and drunk the Divine Spring, his strength is probably greater than that of a Second-Order Half-Saint. With your current strength, if you fight him, you will surely lose."
Zhang Ruochen said, "I will give it my all and will not let the Sword Pavilion fall into the hands of the Four Symbols Sect."
Based on Qi Hong's memories, Zhang Ruochen knew that the Four Symbols Sect had a secret alliance with the Demon Sect. The Sword Discussion Assembly was part of their covert plan to seize the Sword Pavilion.
Ning Xuan Dao was quite gratified. "Having such determination is excellent. The sect will fully support you. If you have any requests, you may make them now. As long as they are reasonable, I will grant them."
Without hesitation, Zhang Ruochen said, "I wish to view the Wordless Sword Manual."
The Wordless Sword Manual was considered the foremost sacred text of the sword path. Who wouldn't want to see it with their own eyes?
Burial Moon Sword Saint frowned slightly. "Lin Yue, your sword talent is indeed high, but your cultivation realm is still too low. The Wordless Sword Manual is extremely profound. Do you know that even many Saint-level figures struggle to glean anything valuable from it? With time running short, you should focus your efforts on raising your cultivation realm. To be blunt, with your Fish-Dragon Eighth Transformation cultivation, even if you master Sword Two to perfection, you won't be Shao Lin's match. However, if you can break through to the Fish-Dragon Ninth Transformation before the Sword Discussion Assembly, and during the sacrificial ceremony, you can use the power of the gods to refine another drop of Divine Blood, then you might have a chance to defeat Shao Lin."
Clearly, Burial Moon Sword Saint had made the best arrangement for Lin Yue based on his own understanding and calculations. If everything went smoothly, Lin Yue might indeed have a chance to defeat Shao Lin. However, Zhang Ruochen had his own ideas. He absolutely had to achieve the perfection of Sword Two by the time of the Sword Discussion Assembly. This was Xuanji Sword Saint's greatest hope for him. If he could do it, Xuanji Sword Saint would be greatly comforted and in a better state before his decisive battle with Jiuyou Sword Saint, increasing his chances of victory.
With less than a month until the Sword Discussion Assembly, only by comprehending the Wordless Sword Manual did Zhang Ruochen have a slim chance of perfecting Sword Two. There was no other way.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was resolute, neither humble nor arrogant. "This disciple has only this one request and hopes the Sect Leader and Sword Saint will grant it."
(Some spoilers about "Eternal God Emperor" have been posted on the WeChat public account "Flying Fish." You can go check it out; there's a lot of dry content. Also, you can follow "Flying Fish's Weibo" for updates on release times, which will be announced there in advance.)