Establishing Identity: The Work of Quan Xing

The Old Celestial Master sighed and said helplessly:

"This Wang Ai, aside from his family's inherited technique, should have no other methods at his disposal. So, when he came out, he would definitely have brought his life-bound painting scroll, but look—this is just an ordinary scroll. This explains one thing: Wang Ai did not bring his life-bound painting scroll. And given their actions, they would only come out with sufficient insurance, which means another thing: Wang Ai had other methods. And that method made him feel it was stronger and more formidable than his own Divine Painting! But in the end, he miscalculated—that method failed to effectively suppress the killer. It didn't even have any effect, so he was forced to fall back on his original Divine Painting technique. However, the result, as you can see, is what we have now. The hastily drawn painting was directly broken. Then he tried to create a powerful painting but failed, and finally died here. And just now, I sensed a surge of yin energy here, very likely a method involving yin souls."

With that, the Old Celestial Master turned to Feng Zhenghao and said: "President Feng, I recall your family's inherited technique, Spirit Summoning and Dispatch, is specifically aimed at yin souls, isn't it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Feng Zhenghao pushed up his glasses and said: "The Old Celestial Master is joking. This matter was not done by our Tianxia Association, nor by my Feng Family. We were all blocked outside just now, weren't we?"

The Old Celestial Master shook his head and said: "That's not what I mean. I want to ask if you can use Spirit Summoning and Dispatch to find their souls. That way, we should be able to question them more easily?"

Hearing this, Feng Zhenghao laughed and said: "Hahaha! So that's what it is! No problem, it's just a small matter. Old Celestial Master, please wait a moment!"

With that, Feng Zhenghao activated Spirit Summoning and Dispatch, and in an instant, his eyes turned pure black. However, a few seconds later, Feng Zhenghao's expression turned somewhat strange as he said: "Old Celestial Master, there are no soul bodies here?"

The Old Celestial Master: "What? President Feng, are you sure?"

Feng Zhenghao nodded and said: "Of course. On this matter, I absolutely would not deceive the Old Celestial Master. Moreover, there are many here who could also accomplish this step, though it would be somewhat troublesome. But they should be able to detect it easily!!!"

Hearing this, the Old Celestial Master nodded and said in a deep voice: "If that's the case, then it really is quite tricky!!!"

"Can you tell what happened to their souls?"

Feng Zhenghao: "They scattered. In normal terms, that means their souls scattered and spirits dispersed. However, I did sense the soul aura of the Healer Spirit. But strangely, those auras didn't disappear—they simply can't be found. It's as if someone collected them!!!"

At these words, everyone present fell silent.

Then, the Old Celestial Master shook his head and said, "Ah! Forget it. Since that won't work, let's examine the scene for clues! As I said just now, Wang Ai's death was likely due to excessive arrogance—he trusted that method he obtained too much. But Lu Ci is different. That old man's strength is definitely top-tier, and his combat power is extraordinary. In that regard, he relied on his own power to fight fiercely against the Little Devils' Irregulars. You could say he's among the best of us. Don't underestimate him just because he's old—with his Ruyi Force, few can harm him, let alone inflict such severe injuries! His right hand was severed directly. Such a method, such strength—the swordsmanship of the attacker is utterly baffling. This old Daoist feels the attacker resembles someone who cultivates the Ancient Sword Path lineage! That is, the original Sword Cultivators. But those people should have declined by now!"

"Ancient Sword Path lineage?" Xu Si asked in confusion.

The Old Celestial Master nodded and said:

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"This so-called Ancient Sword Path lineage actually refers to Sword Cultivators. When they cultivate to a powerful level, they become true Sword Cultivators.

It's different from the Jia Family's Object Manipulation Technique that you know. Their Object Manipulation Technique, when it comes down to it, is just a technique extended from Artifact Refining Methods.

To be honest, it's not really sword immortals—it's just been exaggerated by later generations blowing things out of proportion.

But a true sword immortal belongs to the Sword Cultivator lineage. This kind of Sword Cultivator, at the start, doesn't have methods similar to Flying Swords.

They simply hold a Long Sword and traverse the world.

However, as time continuously passes, things begin to change.

They constantly forge a sword within their body—a Flying Sword—and their own Qi also transforms into Sword Qi.

When the day of the sword's completion arrives, Sword Qi fills the sky. Especially the divine sword they forge themselves, which can gather and disperse without form, appearing thousands of li away in an instant.

Moreover, they can also perform Sword Flight, with speed that is extremely terrifying.

They can even transform their body into sword light to fly—that is the mark of a fully accomplished Sword Cultivator. But the path of the Sword Cultivator is arduous.

Most can only cultivate to the level of killing people with a Long Sword in hand; going further is extremely rare.

Furthermore, the process of converting the Qi within the body into Sword Qi is incredibly painful. During this period, the body is constantly being remade.

It can be described as agonizing. So true Sword Cultivators are a bunch of madmen.

However, once they succeed, they become an absolutely terrifying existence.

Yet, because the Sword Cultivator path is so difficult, by the Ming Dynasty, they were already rarely seen.

In modern times, I haven't even heard of this matter.

As for Lu Ci, the sword wound on his body—I feel it might have been caused by a legendary Sword Cultivator.

Look, here, there's also a long sword scar. Even now, touching it gives a stinging sensation.

This fully proves that the person who struck with the sword was absolutely formidable.

If you really want to go looking for trouble with this person, I think it's better not to.

This old Daoist said before: those who can walk the Sword Cultivator path are madmen.

Because enduring the pain of Sword Qi within the body is equivalent to suffering the torment of a thousand cuts year-round.

In this process, maybe the pain isn't that horrifying, but like being pricked by needles—that much is certain.

And enduring this pain for a long time, for someone who can successfully cultivate—you can imagine the kind of personality they have.

Tough, even obsessive. If your company insists on making a move against him, I estimate he will very likely attack company personnel without any regard for consequences.

When that happens, it could very well trigger a large-scale disturbance.

This is also why, since ancient times, sword immortals have been described as so terrifying.

Because once they make a move, it's a fight to the death, with no end but mutual destruction.

So, what is your company going to do next?"

After hearing this, Xu Si blinked his eyes, then let out a ha-ha laugh and said:

"Old Celestial Master, shouldn't this matter be blamed on the Quan Xing?

After all, we came here this time for the Quan Xing people.

The Quan Xing found out about our plan, so to vent their anger, they launched a sneak attack, killing Wang Ai and Lu Ci, two of the Ten Elders.

This is a provocation against our company, don't you think, sir?"

Upon hearing this, the Old Celestial Master couldn't help but smile and said:

"Hahaha! You little brat, you're really interesting. But you're absolutely right.

This is indeed the work of the Quan Xing. If it weren't for them, who would dare to cause trouble on my Longhu Mountain!"

And just like that, the two of them settled the matter in a few sentences.

They completely failed to notice a young Daoist acolyte nearby, who looked utterly incredulous, as if stunned by what he had heard.

Then, after saying a few more words, Xu Si stepped aside and called Zhao Fangxu.

Very soon, Xu Si walked back and said:

"It's been confirmed. This matter was done by the Quan Xing. The company has already recorded it.

Old Celestial Master, company personnel will be here shortly to clean up this place.

So, everyone, please leave now!!!"

Not long after, Feng Baobao walked over carrying a shovel.

"Baobei, take a look at this. Does this Sword Qi feel familiar to you?"

Feng Baobao only glanced at it and said:

"You dumb kid, you don't even recognize this? Isn't this Zhang Chulan's Sword Qi!"