Translator: CinderTL
Li Chunjun had previously killed a Golden Core cultivator from the Zhan family of the Chiyang Sword Sect—Zhan Feng.
Before his death, this Golden Core cultivator had revealed a secret: Zhan Chiyang and Ge Li of the Xian Tian Sect had conspired to use a Bloodline Curse to kill him.
A dying man's words are often truthful.
Although the Bloodline Curse had not succeeded in killing him, the fact that he had been attacked by it was undeniable.
...
Li Chunjun stepped out of the courtyard, and his powerful Divine Sense quickly enveloped the entire Flaming Phoenix Peak.
"Come to me at once."
The command was issued, and soon, Jiang Yuxue, Qin Zhou, Zhou Yuechen, and Zhang Weiqian, who had already returned to Flaming Phoenix Peak, arrived outside his courtyard via Sword Flight.
"Greetings, Sword Prodigy!"
The four of them bowed in unison, their eyes burning with fervor.
"Jiang Yuxue, Zhang Weiqian, and Zhou Yuechen, accompany me on a trip. Qin Zhou, stay behind."
Li Chunjun handed a jade talisman to Qin Zhou. "After I leave, deliver this to the Sect Master."
"Yes."
Qin Zhou responded respectfully.
At this moment, they no longer questioned why Li Chunjun was leaving.
Their admiration for him had instilled in them an unwavering willingness to execute any of his commands without hesitation.
Besides...
With Li Chunjun's current strength, was there any place on Blue Star he could not go? "Let's go."
With that, Li Chunjun prepared to take flight on his sword.
Just then, a voice came from the side. "Chunjun, where are you..."
Li Chunjun glanced over.
It was Jiang Wanyu.
She had heard the commotion and stepped out of her courtyard.
In the short span of over a year since arriving at Flaming Phoenix Peak, Li Chunjun had experienced many things, and his strength had undergone a dramatic transformation.
From a minor cultivator who needed someone to carry him during Sword Flight, he had become the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, invincible at the Core Formation stage and possessing combat power rivaling that of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
As for Jiang Wanyu...
She hadn't changed at all.
Just like the first time he saw her at the Taixu Sword Sect, she was still dressed in a flowing gown, as elegant and stunning as ever.
However...
Facing her inquiring gaze, Li Chunjun glanced at her briefly before turning away. "There's something I need to take care of. I'll be back soon."
"Oh, do you need any help?"
Jiang Wanyu's concern was as genuine as ever.
"No."
With that, Li Chunjun turned to Jiang Yuxue and the others. "Let's go."
"Yes."
Jiang Yuxue acknowledged, and the group immediately took flight on their swords, swiftly departing from Flaming Phoenix Peak.
As she watched Li Chunjun leave...
Jiang Wanyu couldn't help but feel something.
A sense of unfamiliarity.
For a moment, her expression couldn't hide her melancholy.
She seemed to understand, yet she also seemed not to.
Because of his increased strength, changed status, and altered cultivation...
Could a person change so much?
...
After Li Chunjun and his group left, Qin Zhou followed his instructions and delivered the jade talisman to Huan Ming.
Huan Ming read the message within the talisman and abruptly stood up. "Where is Sword Prodigy Chunjun?"
"He left the sect a while ago."
"Left?"
Huan Ming's expression changed, and he quickly took out a Message Jade Talisman to contact Li Chunjun.
However...
There was no response.
For a moment, he had no choice but to contact Jiang Yuxue, Zhou Yuechen, and the others.
They did respond, but as they were following Li Chunjun's orders, there was no way they could influence his decisions.
In the end, he had to contact the Shadowless True Lord, who should have followed them.
"Shadow Elder! Sword Prodigy Chunjun has left again..."
"I know."
A Divine Sense fluctuation came through the Message Jade Talisman. "That kid really knows how to stir things up. I thought he'd at least go into seclusion for three to five years."
"Shadow Elder, now is not the time to discuss these matters. Sword Prodigy Chunjun did not leave this time just for a stroll. He went to the Xian Tian Sect! And... according to his words, on one hand, he aims to make the Xian Tian Sect spit out the territories they annexed from our Taixu Sword Sect. On the other hand, he seeks justice from Ge Li, the Nascent Soul True Lord of the Xian Tian Sect!"
Huan Ming's message was urgent.
"Troubling the Xian Tian Sect?"
Upon hearing this, Shadowless True Lord clapped his hands and laughed: "Good, good, good! The young ones are full of vigor and quick to act. The Thunderclap Sect and the Sky Sword Sect have already voluntarily returned the lands that belong to our Taixu Sword Sect and even offered gifts to show their stance. As for the Xian Tian Sect, Piao Miao Sect, and Overturning Sea Sect, they dare to remain indifferent, truly thinking that our Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy is made of clay and won't kill again?"
As for the Chiyang Sword Sect and the Wu Ji Sect, he did not mention them.
Once the Star Gate is completed and the dust settles, our Taixu Sword Sect will inevitably have to confront these two sects. "Martial Uncle, is that what I'm talking about? He's going to cause trouble with Ge Li!"
Huan Ming was somewhat speechless.
"What about Ge Li? He's just a Nascent Soul cultivator skilled in Curse Techniques. In terms of combat ability, he's probably inferior to Si Xiang. If Si Xiang could be killed, what more Ge Li?"
Shadowless True Lord was completely unconcerned.
"The nature is different!"
Huan Ming quickly said: "Sword Prodigy Chunjun's actions are equivalent to actively provoking the Nascent Soul True Lords of the Xian Tian Sect. To some extent, he has escalated the conflict to the Nascent Soul level. In such a situation, the Nascent Souls of the Xian Tian Sect will not stand idly by!"
Upon hearing this, Shadowless True Lord hesitated slightly.
When Four Symbols True Lord, a Nascent Soul, attacked Li Chunjun, not only was he held accountable afterward, but the Zhou Tian Sect also paid a price.
But if Li Chunjun attacks the Nascent Souls of the Xian Tian Sect...
This matter is uncertain.
The rules are not clear.
Is it considered that Li Chunjun has initiated a Nascent Soul-level battle, or is it a personal grudge?
If it's a personal grudge, it's somewhat better.
But if it's considered that Li Chunjun has actively initiated a Nascent Soul-level battle, then the Nascent Soul True Lords of the Xian Tian Sect can fully retaliate.
At this moment, Shadowless True Lord seemed to think of something and suddenly said: "Why did he only mention seeking justice from Ge Li and not others from the Xian Tian Sect?"
Then he quickly realized something: "The Bloodline Curse!?"
At this thought, the Nascent Soul True Lord's mind suddenly cleared: "Indeed, within the entire Xian Tian Sect, when it comes to expertise in the Bloodline Curse, Ge Li is second to none! Not long ago, when Chunjun fought with that True Inheritor from the Chiyang Sword Sect, he was sneak attacked by the Bloodline Curse. He must have found out the culprit and is going to seek revenge. This is a righteous battle, as it should be!"
After saying this, he immediately cursed: "Huan Ming, what are you still standing there for? Quickly gather our people and annihilate the Xian Tian Sect! They've already bullied us to our doorstep, and you're still indifferent? You still want to persuade Sword Prodigy Li to return? How are you even the Sect Master!?"
"It's all speculation, there's no evidence!"
Huan Ming was already regretting having Shadowless True Lord as Li Chunjun's Dao Protector.
This elder's concealment techniques are indeed unparalleled in the world.
His strength is also extremely formidable.
But this temper...
He really can't handle it.
"The Inheritance Battle between Sword Prodigy Chunjun and Xiao Yan, the curse has been traced back to the Evil God's Chosen... Yet, Sword Prodigy Chunjun's so-called discovery of the culprit is merely based on the word of a Golden Core cultivator from the Chiyang Sword Sect, without any preserved evidence. In such a situation, to wage war against the Xian Tian Sect..."
Before Huan Ming could finish, he was sharply interrupted by the Shadowless True Lord: "Nonsense!"
The Nascent Soul cultivator was furious: "Do you need to see your own Sword Prodigy killed with your own eyes to consider it evidence!? The people of the Xian Tian Sect are notorious for their underhanded tactics. The Bloodline Curse, who else could it be but them? It's as clear as day, what are you all waiting for!?"
"Martial Uncle... there is no evidence."
Huan Ming forced a bitter smile, even changing his form of address: "Our Taixu Sword Sect has joined the Immortal Alliance, we can no longer act on mere suspicions as we did before, to annihilate a sect..."
"The Immortal Alliance! The Immortal Alliance! Again with the Immortal Alliance!? It hasn't even been a thousand years since we joined this so-called alliance!? And you've already fallen to such depths!? I say we should withdraw from this Immortal Alliance, our Taixu Sword Sect should continue to reign as the Profound Yellow's overlord!"
The Shadowless True Lord was so angry he nearly stomped his feet.
Huan Ming had no words.
From different positions, one naturally sees different things.
The Immortal Alliance, with its many Dao Unification experts, is a force that the Taixu Sword Sect alone cannot oppose. Joining and integrating with it is the best choice.
"Do not provoke a Nascent Soul battle, this is a strict rule set by the higher sects, Martial Uncle, you should first appear and persuade him, we will follow shortly."
Huan Ming said.
"I think your brain has gone bad!"
The Shadowless True Lord scolded: "Haven't you realized yet? The fact that Sword Prodigy Chunjun left the Taixu Sword Sect before having this message delivered to you itself represents his stance!"
He spoke bluntly: "Didn't he encounter a plot before he even reached Core Formation? And then, all thunder but no rain! In the Great Shang capital, the Chiyang Sword Sect even threatened his closest kin, and what did you do afterwards? And the Bloodline Curse in the Inheritance Battle, you also let it go without a follow-up! Sword Prodigy Chunjun is deeply dissatisfied with your inaction in these matters!"
"The higher sects command that all must be stabilized, within the rules, I will do my utmost to protect Sword Prodigy Chunjun, as evidenced by our determination when we fought our way to the Chiyang Sword Sect to bring him back. But when it comes to actions that touch upon the rules, I am powerless, I can only..."
Before Huan Ming could finish, he was ruthlessly interrupted by the Shadowless True Lord: "So, you bully your own Sword Prodigy!? Let your own Sword Prodigy suffer!? His joining the Taixu Sword Sect was truly a misfortune! Had he known, he might as well have joined the Chiyang Sword Sect! At least the subsequent events wouldn't have happened!"
"..."
Huan Ming paused, and after a while said: "We, and the other sects, would not be pleased to see the Chiyang Sword Sect produce a 'Sword Prodigy', would we?"
"Hopeless!"
The Shadowless True Lord was too tired to continue scolding: "This is your last chance, if you still wish for Sword Prodigy Li to have any recognition for the Taixu Sword Sect, then immediately lead your forces here, support Sword Prodigy Li, and wage a full-scale war against the Xian Tian Sect, otherwise..."
He snorted coldly, "A sect that won't even stand up for its own Sword Prodigy when they're wronged—why should anyone be loyal to you!? Just because of those few fifth-grade stones!? From now on, we go our separate ways, and that's that!"
After saying this, he abruptly ended the communication.
Huan Ming was left utterly humiliated by Shadowless True Lord's scolding.
But upon careful reflection, his Martial Uncle's words weren't entirely without merit.
Whether or not to go to war with the Xian Tian Sect was one thing, but whether the Taixu Sword Sect made its stance clear was another matter entirely.
Immediately, he issued orders to summon the Peak Lords of each peak, preparing to march on the Xian Tian Sect and exert pressure by laying siege to their gates.
...
Li Chunjun was unaware of the events unfolding in the Taixu Sword Sect.
At this moment, he had already obtained detailed information about the Xian Tian Sect through Long Xian, the True Inheritor Disciple stationed in the southwestern region.
The Xian Tian Sect bordered the Chiyang Sword Sect to the left, the Wu Ji Sect to the right, and was adjacent to the Thunderclap Sect. Within its ranks were numerous experts, with as many as twenty-two Nascent Soul cultivators.
However, compared to the Chiyang Sword Sect, which excelled in combat, and the Zhou Tian Sect, which specialized in battle formations, the Xian Tian Sect was proficient in various mystical arts.
They dabbled in curses, divination, blessings, geomancy, and more.
This made them a sect that leaned heavily toward auxiliary roles.
It was precisely because of this that while other sects had between fifteen to twenty Nascent Soul cultivators, the Xian Tian Sect boasted twenty-two.
Li Chunjun meticulously noted down all the information. Seeing that they were about to enter the territory of the Xian Tian Sect, he directly ordered, "Have Long Xian issue a message: the Xian Tian Sect must hand over the territory they've encroached upon from our Taixu Sword Sect and surrender Ge Li, who secretly cursed me. Otherwise, the Zhou Tian Sect will serve as their precedent!"
(End of the Chapter)
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