Ruthless Sword Manual, First Slash the Old Love

"The Nian Family has come?"

The Nian Family was one of Tianwu City's first-rate powers and had always been on good terms with the Lin Family. Lin Bai's childhood sweetheart and fiancée, Nian Qing, was the daughter of the Nian Family's patriarch.

"Haha, Brother Lin, I trust you have been well!"

A hearty voice arrived first.

Then three people entered the main hall: the Nian Family patriarch in brocade robes, Nian Qing, whom Lin Bai had longed for day and night, and an unfamiliar middle-aged woman.

"Qing Er!"

Lin Bai happily greeted Nian Qing.

Yet Qing Er seemed to be avoiding him somehow, not daring to meet his eyes.

Feng Qingyang's sharp gaze caught this scene, and the corners of his lips rose slightly.

"It's here, it's here! The useless trash is finally getting his arranged marriage cancellation arc."

Feng Qingyang had originally found it strange. Lin Bai had been a useless good-for-nothing for ten years; by the usual script, the marriage cancellation arc should have come long ago.

Since it had been so late in coming, he had nearly thought Lin Bai had been blessed. Turns out it was not that it would not come—it was simply not yet time.

"Brother Nian, what brings you here today?" Lin Zhan asked from below.

The Nian Family patriarch first looked in surprise at the mysterious young man seated in the place of honor.

Wondering who this young man was and why he was seated there, he soon stopped dwelling on it and said, "Brother Lin, I have come today to ask for something."

Lin Zhan laughed. "Haha, Brother Nian, speak freely."

Lin Zhan was in a splendid mood today. As the saying went, happy events refreshed the spirit. His son had successfully begun cultivating, had destroyed the hostile Wang Family, and had even found the Azure Cloud Sect as a mighty tree to lean against.

The Nian Family patriarch was surprised. Did this fellow have some joyous occasion today? Could it be that he had gained another son in his old age?

His brow then relaxed as he said, "I came today to annul Qing Er's engagement."

"Fine, I agree."

"...?!"

The words slipped out of Lin Zhan's mouth, but once he realized what had been said, he was utterly dumbfounded.

"I don't believe it! Qing Er, is this true?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Bai shot to his feet. The news struck him like a bolt from the blue.

"Nian Yang! What do you mean by this?"

After coming to his senses, Lin Zhan's face turned black as he directly called the Nian Family patriarch by name.

"It means exactly what it says."

"Oh, and I heard your Lin Family was attacked by the Wang Family and Bai Family and suffered grievous losses. My Nian Family is not one to forget old ties. As long as you agree, my Nian Family will resolve your Lin Family's troubles for you."

"But! You must also provide a batch of resources."

"Of course, we will also need to trouble Elder to make a move."

Nian Yang turned and respectfully addressed the middle-aged woman.

"The Lin Family is already at the moment of life and death. They will definitely agree. Then Qing Er's marriage will be annulled, we can squeeze out another sum, and word will spread that we are benevolent. Three birds with one stone!"

Nian Yang was certain Lin Zhan would agree and was already calculating in secret.

"A mere Wang Family—I only need to go warn them. As long as Qing Er's troublesome affair can be settled quickly."

The middle-aged woman spoke with some impatience.

"Good, good, good!"

"My Lin Family is doing very well. We do not need your help."

"Your news is rather behind the times. Don't you know that both the Wang Family and Bai Family have been destroyed?"

When the Nian Family had first arrived in Tianwu City, they had been utterly miserable. Without the Lin Family's support, there would be no Nian Family today. Over the past ten years, they had relied on the resources and prestige provided by the Lin Family to successfully rise into the ranks of first-rate families.

Today, they had finally seen the Nian Family's true face.

"The Wang Family and Bai Family were destroyed!"

Nian Yang was also shocked. The three of them had just returned from elsewhere and had not even had time to go back to the family before rushing straight to the Lin Family, so naturally they had not received this earth-shaking news.

Had those families offended some powerful expert? He did not even consider the possibility that the Lin Family had done it. They could barely protect themselves, let alone destroy their opponents.

"Qing Er, is all this true? Why?" Lin Bai's face was filled with disbelief, his heart feeling as though it had been carved apart by knives.

"Why are there so many whys?"

"Does a useless trash like you deserve my disciple?"

The middle-aged woman shouted.

"Brother Lin Bai, I have joined the overlord-level RuoShui Sect."

"Master is right. We are no longer people walking the same path."

Nian Qing's words were simply impossible for Lin Bai to believe.

All their past vows had become a joke.

"In any case, you will agree today whether you want to or not. Otherwise, do not blame me for being discourteous!"

The middle-aged woman's words immediately set everyone on edge, swords drawn and bows bent.

"I'd like to see exactly how you plan to be discourteous."

At some point, Feng Qingyang had also risen to stand beside Lin Bai.

Lin Bai gave Feng Qingyang a grateful look. So what if they were an overlord-level power? He had a master and a sect as well.

"Are you going to deny me just because I am useless trash, because my talent is poor?"

"Have you ever heard this saying?"

"For thirty years, the river flows east; for thirty years, it flows west. Do not bully a poor young man!"

Feng Qingyang was speechless. This brat still wanted to show off at a time like this? Just reveal your talent and scare them to death!

"And then? Do not bully a poor middle-aged man, do not bully a poor old man, and speak no ill of the dead?"

The middle-aged woman cast Lin Bai a haughty glance and said coldly, "Let no one say that I am bullying you. How about this? If you refuse to accept it, I will make the decision to set a hundred-year agreement between you and Qing Er. If you can defeat Qing Er, I will personally apologize to you and the Lin Family. How does that sound?"

At those words, Feng Qingyang's gaze suddenly turned cold.

"A hundred years? Who has the time to play with you?"

"A hundred years is too long. We seize every moment."

"They will compete today. If she defeats Lin Bai, I will decide that this engagement is annulled. But if she cannot win, then she will be cast aside, and the Nian Family will get out of Tianwu City."

Feng Qingyang pointed at Nian Qing before him.

You want to play a hundred-year agreement with me? That old routine does not work anymore.

Upon hearing this, Nian Yang and the middle-aged woman's eyes lit up.

This was practically delivered to their doorstep. Nian Qing, at the middle stage of the Golden Core Realm, against a useless trash at the Qi Refining Realm—there was no suspense at all.

Seeing the sect master speak personally, Lin Zhan did not dare object, though he still had doubts in his heart. Bai'er's talent might be extraordinary, but the gap in their realms was right there.

Before long, they arrived at the Lin Family's training grounds.

Nian Yang even specifically instructed Nian Qing not to hold back, to make this useless trash clearly recognize the gap between the two of them. This was for his own good as well.

"Disciple, today your master will pass on another powerful sword art to you."

"Listen carefully."

"With no woman in the heart, drawing the sword makes one naturally divine."

"First form of the sword manual: Forget the One in Your Heart."

"Second form of the sword manual: Sever the Soul of Infatuation."

"Third form of the sword manual: Raise a Hand to Destroy Mortal Dust."

"Fourth form of the sword manual: Furiously Slash the Old Lover."

"Fifth form of the sword manual: Wield the Sword to Slay the Divine."

"Sixth form of the sword manual: One Leaf Opens the Heavenly Gate."

"There are six forms in total. Once you fully comprehend them, both your state of mind and swordsmanship will rise to a higher level."

"Yes, Master. I remember them all."

Seeing how serious Lin Bai's expression was, Feng Qingyang secretly thought, Uh... your master made all that up on the spot. This sword manual has only words; everything depends on personal comprehension...

Elsewhere.

Even after stepping onto the training grounds, Lin Bai continued muttering the sword art.

"With no woman in the heart, drawing the sword makes one naturally divine... First form of the sword manual..."

"Go, Brother Lin Bai!"

"Go, Brother Lin Bai!"

"Go, Young Master!"

Below the stage, Lin Family disciples and clansmen shouted encouragement for Lin Bai.

Nian Yang sneered at this. It was not whoever shouted the loudest that was stronger; strength was what spoke.

"Qing Er, remember what I told you. Go."

On the training grounds, Lin Bai and Nian Qing faced each other.

Nian Qing was initially conflicted, but her gaze gradually turned cold. Lin Bai, on the other hand, had his head lowered, muttering something unknown.

"Lin Bai, surrender. I will not show mercy."

Seeing that Lin Bai ignored her, Nian Qing circulated her spiritual energy and thrust her sword at him with all her strength.

When Lin Bai saw the woman he had once loved trying to put him to death, enlightenment suddenly struck him. His entire being entered a mysterious and profound state of enlightenment.

"He has entered a state of enlightenment!"

"Qing Er, do not hold back! Otherwise, you will certainly lose!"

The middle-aged woman recognized Lin Bai's state at once and warned Nian Qing at the same time.

Hearing this, Nian Qing pushed the spiritual energy within her body to its limit.

"With no woman in the heart, drawing the sword makes one naturally divine... With no woman..."

Just as Nian Qing's sword was about to pierce him, Lin Bai abruptly opened his eyes.

"Azure Lotus Sword!"

The Azure Lotus Sword appeared in his hand in an instant, blooming with dazzling radiance. Lin Bai then drew his sword and met her attack.