Chapter 787: Successor of the Mantle
It must be understood that, at this moment, many people had already begun to suspect whether Zhang Ruochen was still alive, and some might even have started to suspect "Lin Yue's" identity.
One could say that Zhang Ruochen was now walking on thin ice; the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.
Thus, even though his master had died right before his eyes, he could only kneel from a distance, not daring to approach.
If his identity were exposed, even if he didn't die within the Sword Pavilion, he would certainly be captured and escorted to the Central Imperial City.
Even at this moment, Zhang Ruochen maintained the utmost rationality, suppressing his emotions as much as possible, telling himself not to act impulsively.
Acting impulsively would betray the protection his master had always provided, and all his efforts would be destroyed in an instant.
"Lin Yue, big brother, what's wrong?"
Behind him, Mu Jiji and Xun Hualiu rushed up, helping Zhang Ruochen, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet from both sides.
At the same time, the nearby Zangyue Sword Saint cast a glance at Zhang Ruochen, a look of confusion appearing on his face.
Zhang Ruochen kept his head down, trying not to let anyone see the bloodshot veins and tears in his eyes. He pressed his palm against the wound on his right leg, reopening the already healed injury, and said, "It's nothing. Earlier, that Half-Saint from the Undying Blood Clan slashed my leg with a sword. The wound hasn't healed yet, and it just flared up again."
Mu Jiji saw that blood was indeed seeping from Zhang Ruochen's leg and became very worried. "Big brother, you're injured so badly, why are you still standing? You should focus on resting and recovering."
Earlier, Zangyue Sword Saint's attention had been entirely on Xuanji Sword Saint, so he hadn't seen Zhang Ruochen kneeling on the ground. He only assumed that Zhang Ruochen had fallen due to the severity of his leg injury.
Zangyue Sword Saint gave an order, saying, "Lin Yue, the Sword Discussion Conference is about to end. Since you're badly injured, withdraw first and tend to your wounds."
"Mm."
Zhang Ruochen kept his head down and responded.
Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji supported Zhang Ruochen as they retreated to the rear.
When they reached the edge of the white stone square, Zhang Ruochen stopped and turned back to glance in the direction of Xuanji Sword Saint's body.
"Master, I will definitely become a Sword Saint, go to Jiuyou City, and, as a disciple of Xuanji Sword Saint, personally defeat Jiuyou Sword Saint."
Zhang Ruochen silently vowed in his heart.
Although Zhang Ruochen knew that the duel between Xuanji Sword Saint and Jiuyou Sword Saint had been fair, and Xuanji Sword Saint's death could not be blamed on Jiuyou Sword Saint, this battle would inevitably affect Xuanji Sword Saint's reputation. Jiuyou Sword Saint would receive countless praises and accolades, and from now on, everyone in the world would believe that Jiuyou Sword Saint was stronger than Xuanji Sword Saint.
During his lifetime, Xuanji Sword Saint had valued his reputation greatly and held his honor in high regard. It made no sense that, after his death, none of his disciples would step forward to reclaim that honor for him.
"Jiuyou Sword Saint, you bastard, give me your life!"
Second Senior Brother Zhu Hongtao clenched his fists tightly, his eyes bloodshot. He let out a furious roar, and an astonishing aura of a savage beast erupted from his body, stirring up a fierce wind across the entire white stone square.
"Whoosh."
The saints present were naturally prepared. They immediately activated their Saint Soul Domains, protecting the disciples and followers behind them.
Zhu Hongtao was a descendant of an ancient species with a formidable physique and a Saint-level cultivation base. In terms of combat power, he was only slightly inferior to Senior Brother Qingxiao Saint.
Zhu Hongtao was originally four meters and three inches tall. After going completely berserk, cracking sounds came from within his body, and his frame expanded several times over.
With a fierce gleam in his eyes, he stomped his feet, charged out of the pit, and formed a massive fist imprint aimed at Jiuyou Sword Saint's chest.
Before the fist imprint even landed on Jiuyou Sword Saint, the force it emitted sent the six Half-Saint elders of the Black Market behind Jiuyou Sword Saint flying backward.
Jiuyou Sword Saint stood motionless. Without using his sacred sword, he simply extended a withered finger and pointed forward.
"Pfft."
An ordinary finger, as if piercing through a sheet of paper, penetrated Zhu Hongtao's chest, leaving a wine-cup-sized bloody hole.
Zhu Hongtao flew backward and crashed back into the pit with a thud.
Jiuyou Sword Saint's gaze was extremely indifferent. "Even your master, Xuanji Sword Saint, died by my sword. You are far too reckless to dare attack me?"
"You old scoundrel..."
Zhu Hongtao roared, flipped over, and prepared to charge at Jiuyou Sword Saint again.
"Just now, I spared your life out of consideration for Xuanji Sword Saint's recent fall, understanding your state of mind. Yet you dare to continue offending me? Do you truly think I wouldn't kill you?"
Jiuyou Sword Saint's eyes turned cold. He pressed two fingers together, forming a sword seal, and a powerful sword aura gathered toward them.
Senior Brother Qingxiao Saint sensed the killing intent emanating from Jiuyou Sword Saint, realizing he was about to strike. Sensing the danger, he immediately used his movement technique, rushed in front of Zhu Hongtao, and struck him back with a palm.
"Senior Brother, why are you stopping me?" Zhu Hongtao roared.
Qingxiao Saint gritted his teeth and scolded, "Can you calm down? Master has just passed away. I don't want to have to collect your corpse next."
Zhu Hongtao stared at Qingxiao Saint for a long moment. Finally, he bent his legs again, knelt before Xuanji Sword Saint's body, pounded his chest with his fists, and let out a mournful howl.
It was a feeling of helplessness—his master had died right before him, yet he had no way to avenge him.
Jiuyou Sword Saint dispersed the sword aura between his fingers, glanced at Qingxiao Saint, and said, "You are all welcome to come to Jiuyou City to seek revenge. But remember this: next time, I will show no mercy. Come one, die one; come two, die a pair. Xuanji Sword Saint doesn't have many disciples, does he? Once they're all killed, things will be peaceful."
Qingxiao Saint replied, "Rest assured, one day, I will definitely go to Jiuyou City and personally defeat you."
"With you? You'll never have that chance in a lifetime. Among Xuanji Sword Saint's disciples, only the Heir of Time and Space, Zhang Ruochen, had truly outstanding talent. If he were still alive and cultivated for another hundred years, he might have a chance to fight me. For the rest of you to seek revenge is nothing but suicide."
Jiuyou Sword Saint shook his head with a smile, turned around, and walked away into the distance.
"How infuriating."
In truth, Wan Ke, Lingshu Half-Saint, and Huang Yanchen also wanted to strike and fight Jiuyou Sword Saint to the death.
But with their cultivation levels, facing a Sword Saint was like an ant looking up at a fully armed human warrior—they didn't even have the right to make a move.
The mere saintly might emanating from Jiuyou Sword Saint suppressed them, rendering them unable to move.
Fourth Senior Brother Feng Han sheathed Xuanji Sword Saint's Sky-Soaring Sword, a flicker of fervor flashing in his eyes that went unnoticed by others. Then, he snorted coldly, "Jiuyou Sword Saint is far too arrogant. Does he really think that none of us brothers can defeat him in our lifetimes?"
"I, Feng Han, swear today that within a hundred years, I will use the Sky-Soaring Sword to cut off Jiuyou's head and offer it as a sacrifice to Master's spirit. If I fail to fulfill this oath, may I be struck dead by five thunders."
Hearing Feng Han's oath, the other senior and junior brothers were visibly moved.
Second Senior Brother Zhu Hongtao slapped Feng Han on the shoulder and said, "Old Fourth, among us brothers, aside from the deceased Sixth Brother, you have the highest talent and the best chance to avenge Master."
Feng Han nodded. "To be honest, before the duel, Master had already arranged his affairs. He chose me to inherit his mantle. If something unexpected happened to him during the duel and he unfortunately fell, I was to take the Sky-Soaring Sword and his body to the Central Region."
As he spoke, Feng Han was already in tears, filled with indignation. "As Master's successor, it is only right that I avenge him. If I cannot defeat Jiuyou Sword Saint in this life, how can I be worthy of the high hopes Master placed in me?"
Since it was a life-or-death duel, who could predict the outcome? It was perfectly normal for Xuanji Sword Saint to arrange his affairs in advance. Therefore, the other senior and junior brothers did not doubt his words.
Moreover, before the Sword Discussion Conference, Xuanji Sword Saint had indeed been alone with Feng Han.
Qingxiao Saint, with his meticulous mind, glanced at Feng Han with a contemplative expression. "Why did Master want you to take the Sky-Soaring Sword and his body to the Central Region?"
Feng Han met Qingxiao Saint's gaze and said calmly, "To be honest, the Sky-Soaring Sword hides a great secret that can only be unraveled in the Central Region."
Zhu Hongtao said, "Old Fourth, Second Brother will accompany you to the Central Region."
"I'll go too," Wan Ke said.
Feng Han shook his head. "This matter is of great importance. Master instructed me to go alone. If anyone accompanies me, it might bring unforeseen disaster."
With that, Feng Han put away the Sky-Soaring Sword, crouched down, and lifted Xuanji Sword Saint's body. His eyes were sincere and filled with tears. "Rest assured, fellow senior and junior brothers. When I return from the Central Region, that will be the time to avenge Master."
Then, holding Xuanji Sword Saint's body, Feng Han immediately left the Sword Pavilion, disappearing into the night.
Third Senior Brother Wan Ke let out a long sigh. "I hope Fourth Junior Brother succeeds and doesn't disappoint Master's expectations."
Among all the senior and junior brothers, only Huang Yanchen stared at Feng Han's retreating figure, a look of doubt in her eyes.
Because she knew very well that if Xuanji Sword Saint were to choose a successor, it would undoubtedly be Zhang Ruochen.
How could it be Feng Han?
Something was definitely wrong.
Huang Yanchen's gaze shifted to Senior Brother Qingxiao Saint. She bit her lip, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
Without confirming with Zhang Ruochen, Huang Yanchen didn't dare speak recklessly. After all, Feng Han had just shown genuine emotion, and it wasn't impossible that Master had chosen him as his successor.
Besides, her senior and junior brothers were either Half-Saints or Saints, each a figure of great renown. How could she, a mere Fish-Dragon Realm junior sister, casually slander them?
Her eyes swept around, and she immediately began searching for Zhang Ruochen's figure.