Jian Xuzi Who Subverted Life

"Speak—how did this Soul Lamp go out?"

Li Tianchen flew into a thunderous rage, all his usual grace gone, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he glared at the guard kneeling below the jade steps.

"Clan Leader, the Third Young Master's Soul Lamp was blazing strong at first, but then it dimmed abruptly, and within moments, it was completely extinguished."

Dimmed abruptly—could a Peerless Powerhouse from the mortal world have struck?

A Soul Lamp is linked to a person's life force. Normally, the stronger the vitality, the brighter the lamp in the clan.

For the lamp to dim so sharply in an instant meant Li Yiting had suffered a devastating blow in a very short time, already on the verge of death.

Li Yiting was a prodigy of the clan. Though a Great Grandmaster, his combat strength far exceeded that rank. For him to be crippled so quickly, Li Tianchen could only suspect a Peerless Powerhouse from the mortal world.

After a moment's thought, Li Tianchen immediately ordered outside the hall: "Summon someone—tell the Mystic Bird Guard to head to the Great Li Dynasty at once and investigate this matter. Find the trail of the Innate Dao Body."

Having given the order, Li Tianchen turned his gaze to the Thirteenth Elder: "Thirteenth Elder, the matter of the Innate Dao Body has taken a turn. This cannot wait."

"I ask you to immediately sever your own cultivation. Rest for a few days, then head straight to the mortal Great Li Dynasty. You must bring the Innate Dao Body back to the Taixu Profound Realm."

The Thirteenth Elder also realized the gravity of the situation. Though Li Yiting was merely a young prodigy of the Li Clan Ancient Clan, his Mystic Art was profoundly mysterious, and as a Great Grandmaster, his combat power far exceeded those of the same realm.

Such a figure, across the entire Great Li Dynasty, might not be invincible, but few could match him—unless a Peerless Powerhouse from the mortal world stepped in.

Now was the Age of Dharma's End, with the heavenly Dao's principles hidden. To attain the Dao in the mortal world was an immense challenge.

Those true Peerless Powerhouses of the mortal world, who could 'Enter the Dao' in such an environment, were all great talents of cultivation, their combat strength far beyond ordinary imagination.

Such beings were no match for the Mystic Bird Guard. Only someone like himself, who had severed his Divine Realm cultivation, could fully suppress them.

To ensure nothing went wrong, the Thirteenth Elder immediately agreed: "Rest assured, Clan Leader. This old man will retrieve that Innate Dao Body from the Great Li Dynasty."

Ye Jing returned to Ye Manor, placed Qiuyue back on the bed, tucked her in, then quietly closed the door and left.

Back in his own room, he had rescued Qiuyue from those two ancient clan youths and erased all traces, ensuring no one could suspect him.

Everything had been done perfectly, yet a trace of worry lingered in Ye Jing's eyes.

Though he had slain those two ancient clan youths with a single sword strike, he held no contempt for them. It was only because he possessed several supreme techniques and terrifying combat power.

Otherwise, with their strength, they could have swept through the entire Great Li Dynasty, unless the Peak of Humanity intervened.

If the Li Clan Ancient Clan could nurture such powerful prodigies, how formidable must their elders and ancestors be? What heaven-defying power did they wield?

The matter of Qiuyue had caused an uproar within the Great Li Royal Family, impossible to cover up. If the Li Clan Ancient Clan's elders investigated, they would eventually trace it back to him.

Though they had no proof it was his doing, it would still bring unnecessary trouble.

And to be safe, Qiuyue could no longer stay at Ye Manor. He had to find a place to properly settle her.

Ye Jing sank into thought. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he exclaimed in surprise: "Right—how could I forget about Senior Jian Xuzi!"

"These past days, that senior has been staying at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. If Qiuyue could become his disciple and stay within the Sword Sect, it would be far better than remaining in Ye Manor."

"With Qiuyue's talent, she would surely be valued in the Sword Sect."

Dusk fell. Ye Jing looked up at the bright moon hanging high, then leaped into the night, vanishing into the darkness.

He flew through the air until he reached the entrance of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

The Drunken Immortal Pavilion sat midway between the Hanlin Academy and Ye Manor. Jian Xuzi had been staying there for over a month.

Every day when Ye Jing passed by, he would see Ling Xuzi sitting by the window, drinking.

Ye Jing took a single stride and arrived at the second-floor window of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. From inside, a carefree voice tinged with drunkenness called out:

"In the dead of night, isn't this behavior a bit presumptuous?"

Ye Jing looked toward the voice. At an eight-immortal table, a refined and unrestrained swordsman was drinking heavily from a jade flask.

His face showed three parts drunkenness, but his sword-like eyes were exceptionally clear.

Since Ling Xuzi had already spotted him, Ye Jing stopped being secretive. He approached Jian Xuzi, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, then sat down freely like an old friend.

"I am Ye Jing. Greetings, Senior Jian Xuzi."

"You're a little fellow who suits my temperament."

Seeing Ye Jing so at ease, sitting down to eat and drink like an old friend without a care for worldly rules, Jian Xuzi's eyes flickered with curiosity.

He picked up the wine flask on the table, filled the cup before Ye Jing, and asked: "Little fellow, coming late at night—what important matter do you have with me?"

Ye Jing downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, then spoke: "Senior Jian Xuzi, you are a renowned Sword Dao master across the Great Li Dynasty. It would be a pity if your legacy had no one to inherit it."

"I have a maidservant at home. Her talent in the Sword Dao is passable—she could carry on your legacy."

Jian Xuzi's eyes showed a flicker of surprise. He hadn't expected Ye Jing to come for this reason, and he couldn't help but tease:

"Since you know I'm famous across the Great Li, you should also know that not just any Sword Dao prodigy can catch my eye."

Ye Jing had no doubt about Qiuyue's talent. In the entire history of the Great Li Dynasty, no one's talent could match hers.

It was only because he himself possessed a system, often awakening Heaven-Defying Comprehension, that he could barely stay ahead of her.

"Senior Jian Xuzi, if even an Innate Dao Body fails to catch your eye, then I suppose I have no choice but to accept defeat."

"What did you say? An Innate Dao Body!"

Hearing Ye Jing's words, Jian Xuzi's heart trembled, the fine wine in his cup nearly spilling over the rim.

He gave Ye Jing a long, hard look, then forced a calm demeanor. "Little brat, you know of the Innate Dao Body? Don't speak such nonsense lightly."

Ye Jing knew that even a man as free-spirited as Jian Xuzi would find this hard to believe at first. To dispel Jian Xuzi's doubts, a tangible, almost solid Innate Sword Qi appeared at the tip of Ye Jing's finger.

"Senior Jian Xuzi, do you still think I was speaking nonsense just now?"

"Innate Sword Qi! And refined to such a degree! Where on earth did you learn the Thirteen Swords of Heavenly Annihilation!"

Jian Xuzi lost all composure, his face shifting dramatically as he shot to his feet, staring at Ye Jing with eyes full of disbelief.