Defeating Jian Xuzi

"Actually, it's not much of a secret. A little over a month ago, the Medicine Manor was wiped out in a sect annihilation. Do you know of it, young friend?"

Ye Jing certainly knew. The sole surviving bloodline of Medicine Manor had even crossed paths with him!

What a pity, though—that woman had been taken away by the Great Li Imperial Family. It was likely a dire fate. Otherwise, the peerless treasures in that secret realm would have been ripe for the picking.

"I do know of it, Senior Jian Xuzi. Could it be that this important matter you mentioned is related to Medicine Manor?"

Jian Xuzi laughed heartily. "Correct. The ancestors of Medicine Manor once saved my Sword Sect from ruin."

"Now, the sole surviving descendant of Medicine Manor, Yao Qingyin, is locked in the Great Li Heavenly Prison."

"For such a debt of grace, my Sword Sect must repay it. That's why the sect has sent me to sit guard in the Imperial Capital. If the Great Li Imperial Family dares to make any move against Medicine Girl, my Sword Sect will surely turn its swords toward the capital."

"For Medicine Girl's safety, I simply cannot leave the Imperial Capital at this moment."

Hearing Jian Xuzi's words, Ye Jing was startled. He hadn't expected Yao Qingyin to be safe and sound—this was truly an unexpected delight.

The secret realm Yao Xingchen had encountered was said to hold countless millennium-grade herbs. If refined into pills, who knew how much they could boost one's strength?

Ye Jing had long coveted the great herbs in that secret realm. Last time, when he saw Yao Qingyin being taken away by the Great Li Imperial Family, he had lamented it for a long time. Now, hearing that she was still alive, his longing for that secret realm flared up again.

Ye Jing pondered for a moment, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, then turned resolute. "Senior Jian Xuzi, how about we make a trade?"

Jian Xuzi looked at Ye Jing with interest. "And what trade does the young friend propose?"

"Since Senior Jian Xuzi is in the capital to ensure Qingyin's safety, you could escort Qiuyue to the Sword Sect. I'll go to the Great Li Heavenly Prison myself and rescue Qingyin. What do you think?"

Seeing that Ye Jing wasn't joking, Jian Xuzi paused for a moment, then a troubled look crossed his face.

"Young friend, you may not know this, but the Great Li Heavenly Prison is heavily guarded. Not only are many Great Grandmasters stationed there, but deep within the prison, there's even a Peak of Humanity standing watch."

"With such tight security, even I might not be able to bring Medicine Girl back if I tried to break in. With your strength, young friend, I'm afraid..."

Jian Xuzi had once entertained the thought of storming the prison to rescue Yao Qingyin. The Great Grandmasters didn't frighten him.

With his peak Great Grandmaster strength, even if surrounded by a horde of them, he could still leave calmly.

What he feared was that Peak of Humanity in the Great Li Heavenly Prison. Rumors said that this Peak of Humanity had comprehended the Thunder Dao's principles, making him far stronger than an ordinary Peak of Humanity.

He didn't think he could take Yao Qingyin from under that Peak of Humanity's nose, so he had abandoned the idea.

Ye Jing, though skilled, was, in Jian Xuzi's view, no match for that Peak of Humanity.

Ye Jing caught the implication in Jian Xuzi's words but wasn't angered. He said calmly, "Senior Jian Xuzi, I'd like to spar with you in the Sword Dao. Would you permit it?"

Hearing this, Jian Xuzi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Interesting, truly interesting. In my hundred years in Great Li, I've never met such an arrogant young man."

Seeing that Ye Jing wanted to challenge him, how could Jian Xuzi refuse? "Fine, let's find an open space and have a bout."

Under the cover of night, the two flew into the distance.

In a desolate wilderness, silent and uninhabited, Ye Jing's eyes blazed with battle intent. His sword will surged forth, its momentum piercing the heavens.

"Senior Jian Xuzi, in this battle, don't hold back. With your current level of cultivation, you can't harm me."

"Good lad, I've truly underestimated you. This sword momentum of yours is no weaker than mine."

A flicker of shock passed through Jian Xuzi's eyes. He knew Ye Jing was formidable, but he had never imagined Ye Jing's strength could reach such heights.

So young, yet his sword momentum rivaled his own—what kind of freak was this? Compared to him, that Innate Dao Body seemed almost mediocre.

Seeing the terrifying sword momentum radiating from Ye Jing, Jian Xuzi realized that Ye Jing's strength was no less than his own.

He dared not be careless. His aura surged to its peak, and with a single sword stroke, a massive sword qi shot toward Ye Jing.

Ye Jing was not to be outdone. He channeled his full power, his momentum instantly reaching its zenith, and swung his own sword. A tens-of-zhang-long, almost tangible sword qi hurtled toward Jian Xuzi.

The two sword qi collided with a thunderous boom, the shockwave snapping withered trees for miles around.

Ye Jing's Innate Sword Qi shattered the other's outright, then tore toward Jian Xuzi with irresistible force.

Jian Xuzi's sleeves billowed as he let out a roar, drawing the long sword on his back. He channeled his full aura and swung once more, barely deflecting the Innate Sword Qi. But his body was sent flying dozens of zhang, his Daoist robe riddled with holes from the piercing qi.

It took a while for Jian Xuzi to steady himself. Staring at his tattered robe, confusion flickered in his eyes.

Why was it that, though both wielded Innate Sword Qi, Ye Jing's was several times more powerful than his?

He prided himself on being the Sword Sect's greatest sword talent in three hundred years, having delved deeply into the sect's forbidden arts and achieved considerable mastery.

Yet here was Ye Jing, barely past his twenties, while Jian Xuzi had cultivated for a hundred years and trained in the Thirteen Swords of Heavenly Annihilation for decades.

And now, after this bout, the gap between them was so vast! Jian Xuzi stood frozen, struggling to accept it.

"Senior Jian Xuzi, do you think my strength is enough to enter the Great Li Heavenly Prison and rescue Yao Qingyin?"

Ye Jing's question finally snapped Jian Xuzi out of his daze. Looking at the smiling young man before him, who seemed every bit the refined gentleman, Jian Xuzi's eyes grew complex.

"Truly, each generation produces its own talents. Young friend, with such strength at your age, I am deeply impressed."

"Today, I've been blessed with extraordinary luck—first encountering an Innate Dao Body, and then a true dragon like you."

"Rest assured, young friend. I will escort Miss Qiuyue safely to the Sword Sect."

Having witnessed Ye Jing's overwhelming strength, Jian Xuzi, after some deliberation, agreed to his request.