Sword Invitation

A colossal pillar of Holy Light plunged straight down, violent spiritual power splashing wildly in every direction. Even the ground rippled outward in circles like water.

The Platinum figure engulfed by Holy Light let out a piercing, mournful roar, its body trembling violently. The dense Death Qi swirling around it rapidly dissolved in the sacred light.

After cultivating in the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum for so long, Ning Xuanyuan had long since discovered that the power of will contained within the Voids here, regardless of their level, was actually of the same attribute.

The death attribute!

In other words, the Death Rule!

The Death Rule was also one of the original powers of the Great Dao of heaven and earth. But few cultivated it, because the attribute itself was exceedingly sinister and vicious. A single moment of carelessness could very likely cause it to backfire on the cultivator. Even if one succeeded in cultivating it, it would affect one's character, causing a drastic change in temperament and turning one cold-blooded and violent.

Ning Xuanyuan's holy-type Bloodline Divine Ability, Holy Light, actually belonged to the Life Rule.

Although the Holy Light Divine Ability restored vitality and healed injuries, possessing no lethality of its own, that depended on the circumstances and whom it was used against.

Against the Voids in the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum that cultivated the will and rule of death, the damage dealt by Holy Light was absolutely fatal!

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

The Platinum Great Void bathed in Holy Light trembled madly, letting out piercing screams of agony. It revered death and cultivated the Death Rule, and the Holy Light dealt it tremendous damage.

The droplets splashing from the pillar of Holy Light also dealt considerable damage to the surrounding Golden Voids. Terror appeared in their eyes for the first time as they retreated frantically, not daring to let so much as a trace of Holy Light touch them.

Seizing the opportunity, Ning Xuanyuan did not hesitate for an instant. His saber and sword danced at breakneck speed, carving a bloody path through the enemy as he broke out.

He could handle one Platinum Great Void, but if a few more appeared, even with the Holy Light Divine Ability, he would probably be unable to escape disaster.

Ning Xuanyuan fought and killed his way forward, not daring to dawdle in the slightest. Only after he had fought his way out of the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"Where on earth did those guys come from?" Ning Xuanyuan opened his palm, revealing a spatial ring he had just taken from Kong Yao after killing him. It might well contain clues to those people's identities.

"I'll head back to Asura City first." Ning Xuanyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, then flickered away, heading toward Asura City.

Asura City, the commander's residence hall.

As he listened to Ning Xuanyuan's account, Ye Xuankong's expression turned icy. Though the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum did not belong exclusively to Asura City, its proximity meant it was effectively within the city's sphere of control.

Yet someone had dared attack Ning Xuanyuan in the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum. Even if the other party had not known Ning Xuanyuan's identity, they absolutely could not let the matter rest.

"Leave this matter to me." Ye Xuankong placed his hand on the long table before him, where a spatial ring lay.

He had long since broken the restriction on the spatial ring, but aside from some Soul Jade and spirit stones, it contained nothing out of the ordinary. Thus, there was no way to determine the other party's identity or origins for the time being.

Ning Xuanyuan nodded. In truth, he had not expected Ye Xuankong to immediately uncover the other party's origins.

"By the way, you've come back at just the right time. Imperial Father sent word asking you to return to the Asura Domain." After putting the spatial ring away, Ye Xuankong suddenly spoke.

"Return to the Asura Domain?" Ning Xuanyuan was stunned, looking somewhat taken aback. "Did the old man take the wrong medicine? Didn't he say I had to stay on the Myriad Heavens Battlefield for half a year before I could go back?"

The corner of Ye Xuankong's mouth twitched slightly. In the entire Asura Domain, Ning Xuanyuan was probably the only person who dared address the Asura Emperor that way.

"That was the plan, but something came up, so you need to return immediately."

"What happened?" Ning Xuanyuan raised his brows. Though he now bore the title of Asura Blood Scion, he was still a weakling whose virtue did not match his position. What could require him to go back and handle it?

Ye Xuankong leaned back slightly and said, "The Sword Emperor Sect of the Wanxiang Ancient Domain sent someone with a Sword Invitation, inviting you to attend a ceremony at the sect."

"The Sword Emperor Sect?" Ning Xuanyuan blinked and thought back for a moment before it clicked. That Jian Wuya from the Thousand Profound Secret Realm seemed to be from the Sword Emperor Sect, and apparently he was said to be one of its seven Sword Heirs.

But he seemed a little unworthy of the name. One look, and the guy had chickened out.

"They invited me to a ceremony? What ceremony?" Ning Xuanyuan asked, puzzled.

"The Sword Emperor Sect is hailed as the foremost sword cultivation force in the Wanxiang Ancient Domain. Every ten years, it opens its gates wide and welcomes young experts from all quarters to undergo its trials. Those who perform exceptionally well may enter the sect and become its disciples. As such, it is considered a major event in the Wanxiang Ancient Domain," Ye Xuankong said, clearly quite familiar with the matter.

"What's that got to do with me? I'm not going." Ning Xuanyuan glared. All that lofty talk, but aren't they just recruiting disciples? What the hell does that have to do with me? Wouldn't I be better off spending that time cultivating in the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum?

"Xuanyuan." Ye Xuankong leaned forward slightly, looking at Ning Xuanyuan. "Cultivating relentlessly is just as bad as not doing enough. You've been fighting in the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum all this time. It's time you relaxed a little."

"Don't underestimate this Sword Invitation. In fact, everyone who receives one is a dragon or phoenix among people, peerless in their generation. Each time, only a handful receive one."

"This Sword Invitation carries considerable weight. You are now the Blood Scion of our Asura Domain, second only to one person. The Sword Emperor Sect's invitation is tantamount to acknowledging your status."

"Who cares?" Ning Xuanyuan curled his lip and spoke with utter indifference. "Do I need their approval? Tell the old man to let Qin Lang go instead."

"Qin Lang's status isn't high enough, and neither is his strength." Ye Xuankong gave Ning Xuanyuan a long look and spoke quietly.

"Come on, they're spoiled rotten! A young king of the Five Great Blood Clans at the Life Palace Realm, and his status and strength still aren't enough for them? Why doesn't the old man just go in person, then?" Ning Xuanyuan said.

"Imperial Father won't be going, but the one who went last time was me," Ye Xuankong said, watching Ning Xuanyuan in silence.

"Uh..." Ning Xuanyuan's expression froze. "So I have to go?"

Ye Xuankong nodded. "It's up to you, but Imperial Father has already agreed. If you don't go, you'll bear the consequences yourself."

"Damn!" Ning Xuanyuan's bearing immediately deflated, and he gave Ye Xuankong an aggrieved look. "Big brother, get to the point next time."