Refining the Nirvana Heart

"Senior overpraised me. It was merely a few insignificant tricks."

Lin Xuan politely clasped his sword and cupped his fist in salute. The Tomb Master could not help but laugh at the sight. He then turned to Ling Qingzhu beside him, looked her over from head to toe, and only then spoke.

"Such a peerless beauty—even I have only seen one in my life. What, kid, you're still not satisfied?"

Ling Qingzhu had already vaguely sensed that something was wrong. Upon hearing the Tomb Master's words, her expression darkened, and she glared at both Lin Xuan and the Tomb Master with hostile eyes.

Lin Xuan paid no attention to Ling Qingzhu beside him. He merely shook his head at the Tomb Master and spoke softly.

"Neither my wish nor my pursuit."

"And what if I insist on bringing the two of you together?"

Hearing this, the Tomb Master's smile deepened. He sized up Lin Xuan, then glanced at Ling Qingzhu. Looking at this perfectly matched, talented man and beautiful woman, his smile grew even broader.

Upon hearing the Tomb Master's words, Ling Qingzhu's pupils instantly contracted. The next moment, a streak of clear light flew out from the Ancient Azure Sky Lotus beneath her feet, shooting straight toward the Tomb Master.

Whoosh!

Yet when that streak of clear light reached the Tomb Master, he casually shattered it with a light tap of his finger.

However, although that finger had blocked Ling Qingzhu's attack, the stone coffin containing the Tomb Master's remains was struck by the resulting energy ripples and exploded with a thunderous crash.

"You are quite a fierce woman. I merely wished to make a fine match before I fade away. It would have been one thing if this kid was unwilling—at least he remained polite. But you? You destroyed my coffin and scattered my bones outright. Truly unreasonable. No wonder this kid is unwilling."

Looking at the shattered stone coffin and skeletal remains, the Tomb Master could not help but shake his head and sigh.

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Xuan raised his hands in a cupped-fist salute and explained, "Senior misunderstands. Lin Xuan has no interest in affairs between men and women. Moreover, Miss Ling possesses peerless beauty; I would not dare presume to be worthy of her. I hope Senior will show mercy."

"Hmph!"

However, Ling Qingzhu merely snorted coldly. She showed Lin Xuan no kindness either, though she did not attack him. After all, this had ultimately been the Tomb Master's idea.

Seeing Lin Xuan's earnest expression, the Tomb Master sighed softly. He looked at Lin Xuan seriously and asked in a low voice, "You truly do not wish to? Though this woman has a terrible temper, and her talent and everything else fall short of yours, her background is decent enough to match you. Her beauty, moreover, could topple kingdoms and cities. You would not be losing out, kid."

As the Tomb Master carelessly tried to arrange their marriage while continuously belittling her, Ling Qingzhu was thoroughly enraged. The next moment, she made a grasping motion. Her longsword flew back into her hand, and she immediately swung it at the Tomb Master.

"You woman, no wonder this kid doesn't fancy you. Your temper is far too fierce."

The Tomb Master shook his head slightly, then pointed with a finger. A powerful force not only blocked Ling Qingzhu's attack, but also sent her staggering several steps back.

Just as Ling Qingzhu was about to swing her sword again, a large hand landed on her body. Immediately afterward, she felt the Origin Power within her body become completely suppressed.

Her pupils trembled violently as Ling Qingzhu turned around and stared at Lin Xuan in disbelief.

In that instant, Ling Qingzhu had not even noticed how Lin Xuan had appeared beside her. Before she could react, the Origin Power inside her had already been suppressed by him.

"Senior, please do not mention such jokes again."

Sensing the unusual aura around Lin Xuan, the Tomb Master narrowed his eyes slightly. Then he let out a deeply regretful sigh.

"Fine, then. You woman truly do not know what is good for you. Do you really think that because this kid said he only defeated you by luck, you can be mentioned in the same breath as him?"

"His talent likely surpasses even the foremost experts of ancient times. He may even rival the Ancient Eight Rulers, or perhaps Lord Symbol Ancestor himself. Even I, as I am now, might not necessarily be able to defeat him."

It was clear that the Tomb Master truly found it a great pity; the regret in his eyes could not be concealed. After all, Ling Qingzhu was the most beautiful and most gifted woman he had ever seen, while Lin Xuan possessed the most terrifying talent he had ever encountered.

This man and woman were a match made in heaven. Yet what a pity—what a pity!

"Senior flatters me. Lin Xuan merely understands a little of the sword path and is thus skilled in offense. In Senior's hands, I might not even last three moves!"

Lin Xuan responded politely. His main concern was that while he resisted—or rather, while he refined the yin and yang energies within the Nirvana Heart—the Tomb Master might forcibly make the match a reality.

"Rest assured, I can guarantee that I will not interfere. Of course, if you cannot resolve it yourself, heh heh, then do not blame me for bringing this peerless couple together!"

As the Tomb Master spoke, anticipation gleamed in his eyes. Ling Qingzhu, meanwhile, had also come to her senses. She raised her head to look at the emerald-green Nirvana Heart, and her heart tightened slightly.

"There's something wrong with that Nirvana Heart?"

Recalling the conversation between Lin Xuan and the Tomb Master, Ling Qingzhu felt that this was not a place to linger. She immediately wanted to leave.

But before Ling Qingzhu could make any move, the Tomb Master pointed a finger. A barrier instantly formed and trapped her where she stood.

By then, Lin Xuan had arrived before the Nirvana Heart. He grabbed it in his palm and, without the slightest hesitation, swallowed it whole.

The moment the Nirvana Heart entered his stomach, an astonishing aura erupted from Lin Xuan's body. Crisscrossing Sword Qi immediately raged throughout the Stone Hall, leaving countless sword marks across the surrounding walls.

Buzz!

At that moment, a strange fluctuation spread from Lin Xuan's body once more. Ling Qingzhu then saw Lin Xuan's entire body turn illusory, with only a clear and translucent heart at his chest beating continuously.

Looking at that pure, lucid heart, Ling Qingzhu felt her own heart tighten. An exceptionally strange pressure, like a massive boulder, weighed heavily upon her chest.

"This fluctuation is rather peculiar. And from the looks of it, he comprehended it himself. Tsk, tsk, he truly possesses peerless talent. What do you think, woman? Do you regret it now? With talent like this, let alone you, I fear no one in the world today could compare to him."

Looking at that transparent Sword Heart, the Tomb Master could not help clicking his tongue in amazement. Then, with considerable regret, he said, "How about it? Once this is over, I'll give you a hand and fulfill the marriage between you and him?"