Chapter 034 - Primordial Birth of Heaven and Earth, Divine Sea Steadies the Vast Lands! (2)
At the break of dawn in Sword Pavilion, the fierce red sun leaped from the eastern sea, casting its glow over the mountains of the Azure Spirit Sword Sect, a promise of life reverberating throughout all creation. The bones that lay barren in the night had already turned to dust come morning.
In the Grand Hall bathed in the early rays, a scream erupted.
"Grandpa Qin! Senior Sister Zhao!" Cai Maomao and the other disciples' faces transformed into canvases of panic, anxiety written in bold strokes across them.
"What's the panic?" Grandpa Qin's heart stuttered, his voice laced with a rising urgency.
"Junior Brother Yun…! He's disappeared!"
"What?" Grandpa Qin and the three elders' complexions took on a hue resembling damp soil, a silent testament to their sinking hearts.
Turning around, they beheld a woman in a black gown exiting the Grand Hall with a serene face. Before they could fully comprehend the gravity of the news, Zhao Xuanran calmly proclaimed, "He's gone to the Grand Conclave."
"Why didn't you stop him?" Grandpa Qin and the others suddenly felt a heaviness that seemed to suck away all hope, their voices shaking with unspoken fears. In the Sword Pavilion, only one had ventured into battle.
"I couldn't restrain him," Zhao Xuanran said, her voice echoing in the somber atmosphere as she bypassed them, moving towards the forest beyond. She paused, her eyes quivering slightly as she turned back to face them, "Let's go."
"For what purpose?"
"To protect him!"
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At the foot of Conclave Mountain, the morning was buzzing with eager anticipation. The rankings from the Grand Conclave determined the resource allocation for the eight branches of the Azure Spirit Sword Sect for the coming year, a matter of utmost significance for every individual.
Propelled by the enthusiastic betting at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, virtually all the Sword Cultivators of Azure Spirit had congregated at the mountain, awaiting the announcement of the outcomes with bated breath.
"Following the Grand Conclave, there remains one paramount event!"
"That is—"
"To reveal, under the collective gaze of thousands, the Sword Soul grade of that peerless Immortal prodigy, which will shake the very foundation of our land and bring unprecedented fame to Azure Spirit!"
That was the moment everyone was fervently awaiting.
"The First Sword Peak might have faced some setbacks yesterday, but their power today is undeniable, seemingly unstoppable."
"Indeed, no one from the Sword Pavilion has participated in the Grand Conclave, leaving them unrepresented."
"Honestly, if it weren't for Swordking Ye deeming the Eight Swords Conclave beneath him, the Sword Pavilion's Yun Xiao wouldn't even have had a chance to reach the top!"
Ye Guying! His journey was destined to traverse the vast Sea of Swords. For such a figure to partake in a battle between disciples would be nothing short of a degradation of his stature.
Whispers carried on the gentle breeze were thick with surprise and admiration. "I didn't anticipate Jiang Yue displaying such courage," a disciple remarked, a tone of grudging respect in their voice. "After the setback she faced yesterday, with injuries yet to heal, she's here at the Grand Conclave."
Amidst a huddle of stern-faced and valiant disciples at the pinnacle of the First Sword Peak, a young girl draped in a snow-white robe was seen standing defiantly. Her face was partially obscured by a veil, hiding her yet-to-heal wounds. But the glint in her visible eyes revealed an unbroken spirit, glowing with fierce pride and confidence.
"She possesses the essence of a true Immortal, not a defeated coward," another disciple murmured, nodding appreciatively. "These small hurdles seem insignificant to her."
"After yesterday's defeat, I doubt that will ever happen again. She'll only continue growing exponentially stronger, leaving Yun Xiao in the dust."
Many in the crowd could only sigh in resignation. The majority of them could empathize with Yun Xiao, as they were in the same mundane category, feeling a sense of powerlessness when faced with Jiang Yue’s prodigious talents.
"What's the significance of defeating her twice?" An elder chimed in, an insightful gleam in his eyes. "Life is full of ups and downs, don't underestimate the rise of a young phoenix. Soon, she may soar high, leaving her past adversaries far below."
As the pre-battle discussions buzzed with fervent anticipation, seven formations of Sword Cultivators stood impressively before the massive assembly, representing the true elite among countless individuals across the mundane nations.
Particularly noticeable was the First Sword Peak, enveloped in a solemn atmosphere. It was spearheaded by genius Sword Cultivators— Jiang Yue, Ye Tianyuan, Xia Huai, Tao Liang, Xu Qian, and Qi Yuxuan, each surrounded by swirling sword rays and bearing grave expressions. A battalion of one hundred and twenty Sword Cultivators stood ready, appearing as if a congregation of Sword Immortals had descended upon the mortal realm.
In the wake of yesterday's losses, including the death of Yun Tianyi and the others, new disciples had stepped forth to fill the gaps, ready to engage in the imminent battle. The Third Sword Peak, although slightly diminished in power due to the disappearance of core disciples like Wu Jianxiong, still held a formidable presence.
The square buzzed with gossip. Everyone had something to say about Jiang Yue and the Rank Four Sword Inheritance Stone. There were also talks about the strange events of the night before. The Third Sword Venerable and his family had vanished without a trace, a mystery that still hung heavy in the air. As if that wasn't enough, later that same night, Ye Tianzhao, the Chief Law Enforcement Elder, met his demise. Rumor had it he had crossed Zhao Xuanran and paid for it—a single sword strike had sealed his fate.
"If last night hadn't been so chaotic, the First Sword Venerable, mourning the loss of his little brother, would have certainly retaliated!" a disciple speculated.
"After the Conclave, the Sword Venerable will definitely settle scores," another agreed, nodding gravely.
"The conflict between the Sword Pavilion and the First Sword Peak has escalated to a dangerous level. A battle of life and death is inevitable."
"I suspect that in the future, those from the Sword Pavilion will not venture out openly. I wonder if the Sword Venerable has the courage to storm the Pavilion and enact a massacre?"
The crowd nodded, the possibility hanging heavily in the air. Everyone knew the Azure Spirit Sword Sect was merely a coalition of Sword Cultivators; there was no camaraderie or fraternity between the different Sword Peaks.
"The head of the Sword Pavilion initially united everyone to slay demons, fostering unprecedented unity among the various Sword Peaks," someone reminisced with a sigh.
"Unfortunately, the incident three years ago marked a point of no return for Azure Spirit."
A tangible sense of regret pervaded the crowd, a collective lament for what could no longer be changed.
Just then, a cry pierced through the murmurings, jolting everyone to attention. "The people from the Sword Pavilion have arrived!"
A flurry of reactions followed this announcement, with many displaying a mix of shock and pity on their faces.
"At this stage, even if they have come to witness the battle, returning might not be an option, right?"
"Why insist on coming? Ah..."
Under the complex gazes of numerous Sword Cultivators, figures like Zhao Xuanran, Grandpa Qin, and a few other Sword Pavilion disciples landed on Conclave Mountain.
The fervent discussions on the mountain ceased abruptly, replaced by an engulfing silence that settled upon the vast summit, where, for a moment, not a single sound could be heard.
WHOOSH! At that very moment, a golden stream of sword rays burst forth from the elevated platform, darting directly towards the lady in the black gown with a murderous intent.
The sword rays tore through the sky, emitting a piercing sound, displaying more than twenty layers of Sword Aura, a force to be reckoned with. As it soared, the ears of all the Sword Cultivators in the area throbbed in pain, as if unable to bear its fierce momentum.
"Be careful!" Grandpa Qin shouted, his voice laced with a fear that seemed to pierce through his very soul.
Faced with this lethal threat, the lady's delicate eyebrows knitted in determination. A black sword soul materialized abruptly in her hand, transforming into a Palm Sword. Her hands moved with the swiftness of thunder, gripping the sword tightly and slashing ferociously with all her might.
KLANG! With a resonating sound that seemed to shake the heavens, the golden sword rays were sent flying away. Zhao Xuanran stumbled back several steps, her beautiful hands trembling violently. A trickle of blood escaped from her red lips, a testament to the fierceness of the attack.
"So powerful!" This scene allowed many anxious spectators to finally exhale a breath they didn't know they were holding.
Zhao Xuanran had survived!
The crowd from the Sword Pavilion had just arrived. Who dared to attempt murder on Zhao Xuanran right in front of the entire sect and the guests without uttering a single word?
People's eyes followed the trajectory of the attack, fixating on the elevated platform.
There, a man with sword-like eyebrows and a hawkish nose stood, casually holding the returning golden Sword Soul between his fingers. His eagle-like gaze scrutinized Zhao Xuanran from a superior position, a position that echoed his formidable power. It was none other than the First Sword Venerable, Ye Tiance.
"You actually have reached the Establishment Divine Sea Realm, not bad," Ye Tiance remarked, his eyebrows raising slightly in a mock praise, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.
Zhao Xuanran gave him a cold, piercing look. She knew very well that if she hadn't reached this level of cultivation, she would have already met her death, perhaps without even a chance to utilize her Sword Heart. Although the Sword Heart wasn't on her, others weren't aware of this fact.
"Do you have a death wish?" Zhao Xuanran's voice rang out, as cold as ice.
In terms of status, her position as the acting head of the Sword Pavilion was no lesser than the First Sword Venerable.
At her icy rebuke, Ye Tiance chuckled amusedly, replying, "You flatter me with your concern. Unlike you, the favored daughter of the Sect Master, I don't have the luxury to kill innocents indiscriminately."
With those words, he turned and greeted the guests seated in the middle of the high platform with a gracious bow and a charming smile, making a mockery of the heated situation.
"Such sweet words you have there! Had Xuanran not managed to block that attack, she would have been dead!" Elder Wang said, gritting his teeth in anger.
"Has he not slain enough of our Sword Pavilion members over the years?" Elder Zhou added, his anger surging like a tidal wave.
It was clear to all the onlookers that, once the Eight Swords Conclave ended and the guests left, a fierce battle that may not end without death was inevitable between the two parties.
"Are you alright?" Grandpa Qin asked, his voice trembling with concern.
"I'm fine," Zhao Xuanran replied, wiping away the blood from the corner of her mouth. However, upon seeing her hands covered in blood, with fissures appearing between her fingers, she gritted her teeth. Reality had demonstrated that she was no match for Ye Tiance.
"He sure knows how to make an entrance," Grandpa Qin said, his voice heavy with resentment.
"It's alright now, let's find Junior Brother Yun," Zhao Xuanran said, sweeping her gaze across the gathering.
"He didn't come?" Cai Maomao asked with a hint of joy, thinking that they might be able to leave now. The further they were from Zhao Jianxing, the lesser the restraint Ye Tiance would have.
"He's here. But since the Grand Conclave hasn't started, showing himself early might get him killed," Zhao Xuanran explained.
If Ye Tiance didn't hesitate to attack her in public, what would stop him from doing the same to Yun Xiao?
With furrowed brows and melancholy settling over her wizened features, Elder Zheng remarked, a shadow cast in her eyes, "It seems we've missed our chance to stop the lad."
A sorrowful grimace marred Qin Grandpa's face as he lamented, "It can't be helped. He's young and has a strong sense of justice. Still, there was no need to risk his life like this!" His utterance hung heavily in the air, echoed only by a collective sigh that followed.
Up on the elevated stage, Ye Tiance and Yao Manxue exchange glances.
Yao Manxue, her voice chilly as the winter wind, remarked, "Fortunately, Ye Guying and Jiang Yue appeared. Otherwise, in just a few years, Zhao Xuanran would turn into the next Zhao Jianxing. Then, we'd have no way of suppressing her."
With his eyes drifting towards an empty seat in the direction of the Third Sword Peak, Ye Tiance mused,, "What do you think? Do you think she killed Wu Wu?"
Yao Manxue shook her head decisively, a frown etched upon her features, "Even with her reaching the Establishment Divine Sea Realm, it seems highly improbable!"
Ye Tiance, his tone as cold as a winter's night, conjectured, "When I made a move against her just now, she didn't utilize the Sword Heart immediately. Maybe it's already been used?"
With a sinister gleam in her eye, Yao Manxue proposed, "In that case, should we prevent them from leaving the Conclave Mountain once the Conclave concludes?"
Gazing towards the Sword Pavilion, Ye Tiance schemed, "We'll have to see what Jiang Yue does. If she manages to win over Elder Fan, and with his support, Zhao Jianxing's death is assured. Once he's taken care of, figures like Shangguan Yu and Zhang Jian will surely bow to us, bringing unity to Azure Spirit."
With their attention riveted on Jiang Yue, they acknowledged her pivotal role in harnessing Elder Fan's power in the unfolding scheme.
A fierce resolve sparkled in Ye Tiance's eyes as he declared, "Go announce the start of the Grand Conclave!"
Yao Manxue reminded him hesitantly, "The appointed time has not yet arrived..."
Wearing a smile that promised swift resolutions, Ye Tiance asserted, "The sooner it starts, the sooner it ends. A quick victory will help us solidify control over the Azure Spirit Cauldron and set the stage for a united front!" This ambition fuelled his directive to his disciples: not only to win but to secure a victory so dazzling that it would send shockwaves through all the sword lineages.
Turning towards Yao Manxue, he shared his grand vision, "Once this is achieved, I'll assume the position of Sect Master and you'll be the Deputy. From here on, the Azure Spirit Sword Sect will no longer be a coalition but ruled solely by us."
"Yes!" Her eyes ablaze with fervor, Yao Manxue nodded vigorously, envisioning her enhanced authority and power in the newly structured leadership where she stood as the prime Deputy Sect Master.
Embracing the limelight as she stepped forward, Yao Manxue was a vision of grace and unmatched allure, her announcement setting hearts aflutter amongst the crowd gathered.
"I hereby declare the commencement of the Grand Conclave!"
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