A Saint's Personal Welcome

At the sight of the peerless young figure arriving bathed in divine light, the vast space fell so silent that a falling pin could have been heard. Countless people even held their breath without realizing it.

By now, among the countless living beings of the Ancient Eight Domains, few had not heard of this young king who had risen like a comet and burst onto the scene.

Outside the Thousand Mysteries Secret Realm, he had formed ninety-nine runes, an unprecedented feat, resonated with the gods and devils, and manifested the Gods and Devils Wings. He had entered the secret realm with an invincible bearing, after which he had caused it to close on its own.

Inside the secret realm, he had defeated Li Tianxing, the devil scion of the Dao-Demon Sect, and slain Ao Mo, the dragon scion of the Demon Dragon Clan, and Teng Yi, the crown prince of the Demon Peng Clan. He had made Su Ting and Jian Wuya retreat without a fight and obtained the Evil Emperor Inheritance.

After leaving the secret realm, he had faced the Demon Dragon Emperor Ao Guang without the slightest fear, chatting and laughing with ease, while Ye Xuankong, the killing god of the Asura Domain, had come in person to protect him. Every one of these deeds had shaken the world and defied convention, lending him an air of legend.

Thus, many people, especially the younger generation, were curious about Ning Xuanyuan. What bearing did such a legendary figure possess?

At that moment, a group of figures flew over from within the Sword Emperor Sect. Ning Xuanyuan looked up and, to his surprise, saw a familiar figure.

Jian Wuya.

Jian Wuya was accompanying an elderly man. The old man wore a tall crown over his silver hair and looked vigorous and alert. His eyes in particular showed not a trace of cloudiness; instead, they shone with a piercing sharpness, like sword edges.

The group came straight to the carriage. Jian Wuya looked up at Ning Xuanyuan, his gaze flickering slightly and his expression seeming a little unnatural. Then he stepped forward and cupped his hands to Ning Xuanyuan. "His Highness Xuanyuan."

"Brother Wuya." Ning Xuanyuan nodded with a smile. He had come to the Sword Emperor Sect as a representative of the Asura Domain to attend the ceremony, and with so many eyes upon him, he naturally would not neglect his manners.

"This is my master, the head of the Sword Emperor Sect's Seventh Peak, Saint Jianjue." Jian Wuya stepped slightly aside and introduced the old man beside him to Ning Xuanyuan.

At those words, countless people below turned to look, their expressions shaken.

What was a saint? It was not a title just anyone was qualified to bear. Only someone in the Saint Realm was qualified to be called a saint. This old man was actually the head of the Sword Emperor Sect's Seventh Peak, a sword saint!

Someone of such standing had actually come to welcome Ning Xuanyuan in person.

Across the eight domains, prominent figures emerged one after another. In the great sacred lands, dynasties, and sects that carried on ancient teachings, heaven's chosen competed for supremacy, and peerless figures appeared from time to time.

Take those who had come today: which of them was not a dragon or phoenix among men, a monster among monsters? There were legitimate sons of great clans, crown princes of dynasties, and an Innate Thunder Venerable. Yet when they arrived, the Sword Emperor Sect had merely sent a few disciples to welcome them. Only when Ning Xuanyuan arrived had a sword saint come out personally to greet him.

That treatment alone had already placed him a head above the others.

"I am Ning Xuanyuan of the Asura Domain. Greetings, Senior." Ning Xuanyuan cupped his hands and bowed, neither humble nor arrogant, his manners impeccable.

Regardless of status or seniority, bowing upon meeting a sage was a sign of respect.

"You are too courteous, Your Highness." Jian Jue's sharp gaze fell on Ning Xuanyuan, and he nodded in return. "I have long heard of His Highness Xuanyuan's great name. Now that I have met you, you are indeed extraordinary, a truly outstanding young man. No wonder that day in the Thousand Mysteries Secret Realm, when my unworthy disciple faced Your Highness, he had neither the heart to compete nor the courage to fight."

Hearing Jian Jue's words, Ning Xuanyuan's expression immediately grew a little strange, and he glanced at Jian Wuya beside him. Jian Wuya had lowered his head slightly, and his expression was visibly unpleasant.

This old fellow seems to be trying to stand up for his disciple, Ning Xuanyuan muttered inwardly. On the surface, however, his expression remained normal, without the slightest sign of anything amiss.

"You flatter me, Senior. The Sword Emperor Sect is known as the foremost sacred land of the sword in Wanxiang. Half the sword cultivators in the Wanxiang Ancient Domain came from the Sword Emperor Sect. It is my honor to attend the ceremony this time." Ning Xuanyuan smiled. Might as well flatter you. Would you dare bite me?

Sure enough, upon hearing Ning Xuanyuan's words, Jian Jue's sharp gaze softened slightly. Someone had praised the Sword Emperor Sect, and he was naturally quite pleased.

"Please enter the sect, Your Highness," Jian Jue said.

Ning Xuanyuan nodded, then took Qin Lang with him and followed Jian Jue and the others into the Sword Emperor Sect. The others from the Asura Domain remained outside, waiting at ease.

Ning Xuanyuan had brought only Qin Lang with him to the Sword Emperor Sect. It was not that he did not want to bring anyone else, but apart from Qin Lang, Chu Tian, Yan Chen, and the others were not in Asura City. He had heard that the Asura Emperor had sent them out to temper themselves in various places.

The Sword Emperor Sect occupied an immense area. Its outer grounds alone were large enough to build a vast city, Ten Thousand Swords City. One could imagine how large its inner grounds were.

Many people within the sect had turned their gazes on Ning Xuanyuan, sizing him up. Many disciples were curious about this Blood Scion of the Asura Domain, whose fame had risen so rapidly of late.

In particular, they had heard that Ning Xuanyuan had obtained the Evil Emperor Inheritance in the Thousand Mysteries Secret Realm. The Evil Emperor Xuantian of old had been unmatched with both saber and sword. Those who devoted themselves to the sword greatly anticipated the Evil Emperor Sword Technique, wondering whether they might see it during this grand ceremonial event.

The group continued on until they reached the foot of a towering mountain that rose into the clouds. Below it lay an exceptionally spacious plaza, surrounded by rows of seats. Quite a few of those seats were already occupied.

When Ning Xuanyuan's group arrived, everyone in the seats looked over. But when they saw Saint Jianjue accompanying Ning Xuanyuan, a sharp gleam flashed in their eyes.

Of all the heaven's chosen who had come to the Sword Emperor Sect, Ning Xuanyuan alone had been welcomed by someone from the Saint Realm?

Which of them was not proud and arrogant, looking down on everyone else? Such blatant preferential treatment immediately left them all somewhat displeased.

In one direction, Yan Ying of the Heavenly Fire Clan, whose body was wreathed in flames, saw his presence surge. Scorching flames seemed to shoot from his eyes, fierce and overbearing.

In another direction, an earthshaking fighting spirit swept out from Yun Lou, crown prince of the Heaven-Contending Dynasty. He stared straight at Ning Xuanyuan, his gaze domineering and intimidating.

In the other seats, the presences of their occupants also surged abruptly. In an instant, Ning Xuanyuan became the target of every arrow.

Ning Xuanyuan's eyes flickered, but his expression remained calm and unruffled, as though he had noticed nothing. Saint Jianjue watched the scene quietly, saying nothing.

"Insolence!"

With that cold shout, Qin Lang stepped forward. Dazzling sword light soared into the sky from his body, and in an instant, a monstrous sword intent swept out with a howl, causing the heavens to change color.

Boundless sword intent spread through the air without restraint. His gaze like lightning, Qin Lang stared coldly at the people in the seats.

"If anyone objects, step forward!"