Battle for the Continent's Number One Support Martial Soul, Ye Mother Asked Li Zhexian to Fight

(Ultimate Sharpness · Li Zhexian)

"Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers?"

Li Zhexian's gaze narrowed slightly.

Ye Mother's cool voice flowed like a stream over mountain stones.

"The so-called Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers is a contest held once every three years between the Nine Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda for the title of 'the continent's number one support Martial Soul.'"

"The current heirs of both families each choose a Battle Soul Master to aid them."

"The outcome determines who claims the title of 'number one on the continent.'"

Li Zhexian frowned.

From Ye Mother's words, the Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers seemed to be a major event watched by many powerful figures.

But why had the Original Work never mentioned it?

He immediately asked:

"The Nine Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda are both the continent's most renowned support Martial Souls."

"Why has no one ever spoken of this Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers?"

A trace of gloom passed through the depths of Ye Mother's pale violet eyes.

"Because..."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has Chen Xin, known as the 'First Attack Douluo,' guarding it."

"With Chen Xin there, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is invincible in the Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers."

"This contest... has been dormant for more than a dozen tournaments."

"So long that... the world has long forgotten it."

Hearing this, Li Zhexian nodded in understanding.

If that was the case, it made sense that the Original Work had not mentioned it.

First there had been Sword Douluo Chen Xin sweeping all before him, then the other six Shrek Monsters had joined in.

The so-called Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers had long existed in name only.

Even if the Ye Family forcibly revived it,

they would only be humiliating themselves.

"Wouldn't that be unfair?"

After a brief moment of thought, Li Zhexian asked in confusion:

"If they truly wish to contend for the title of First Support, then the Battle Soul Masters aiding the two families should be of comparable strength."

Ye Mother replied:

"When has there ever been true fairness in this world?"

"Besides, being able to befriend a top-tier Battle Soul Master is itself an ability of a Support-type Spirit Master."

At this point,

how could Li Zhexian still fail to understand why Ye Mother had invited him?

"So..."

"Ye Family Head invited me here"

"because you want me to represent the Ye Family in the next Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers?"

Ye Mother looked at Li Zhexian.

At last, a trace of warm hope appeared on her beautiful face, which had always remained cool and calm.

"That is correct."

"But not the next one. There is only a little over a year until the next contest."

"The Ye Family does not expect to defeat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect within just a few years."

"The Ye Family can afford to wait. We can wait for Young Master Zhexian to grow."

"In you, I see hope of defeating Chen Xin."

"Your sword is sharper than Chen Xin's."

This Ye Family Head, usually so cool and dignified, now had an almost obsessive expression surging across her beautiful face.

"Our Ye Family's Nine Heart Begonia only permits two plants to exist in this generation."

"When the New Stamen blooms, the Old Flower must wither."

A faint tremor she could not suppress leaked into her detached voice.

The begonias in the garden seemed to sense her turbulent emotions and silently bowed their heads.

Scattered petals drifted down in rustling showers, covering her shoulders and hair like a heavy, wordless mourning.

"I have personally sent off two generations of Nine Heart Begonia inheritors..."

"I watched blood relatives with my own eyes wither away in the prime of their lives."

"Even so... even though the Nine Heart Begonia is powerful enough to incur heaven's jealousy, the title of 'First Support' in the hearts of the world still belongs to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."

"As the current head of the Ye Family, I bear the long-cherished wishes of countless deceased members of the Ye Family."

"I ask for nothing else. I only wish to clear the name of our Ye Family's Nine Heart Begonia."

She raised a hand.

She removed an exquisite jade hairpin from her bun.

Three streaks of light drifted from the hairpin. Amidst a hazy, multicolored glow, three Spirit Bones of different shapes floated quietly in the air, radiating vast and pure energy fluctuations.

"These are three Spirit Bones treasured by the Ye Family."

Ye Mother regained some of her calm and said seriously:

"If Young Master Zhexian agrees to represent the Ye Family in the Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers in the future, they will all be yours."

Looking at the three Spirit Bones that could drive any Spirit Master mad,

Li Zhexian could not help but remark:

"Spirit Bones—the dream of every Spirit Master—and you offer three at once."

"The Ye Family certainly does things on a grand scale."

The corners of Ye Mother's lips lifted slightly, like rain and snow melting to reveal bright sunlight.

She firmly believed that no one could refuse such treasures.

However—

"But I won't do it."

Li Zhexian's voice remained calm and unruffled.

The hint of a smile on Ye Mother's face vanished.

"Is it not enough?"

"As long as you help the Ye Family defeat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and seize the title of number one support Martial Soul,"

"the Ye Family's centuries of accumulated wealth can all be yours."

"Lingling, as the next generation's family head, has a duty to contribute to the family."

Ye Mother turned her gaze toward her daughter beside her, her tone so cold that it did not carry a single ripple of emotion.

"When the time comes, she can support you... Lingling can also marry you."

These words were obsessive to the point of sickness. She even treated her own daughter as a bargaining chip.

Li Zhexian could not help looking at Ye Lingling, who had remained silent all this time.

The girl lowered her head.

Her lashes cast shadows over her pale, delicate face, concealing those azure eyes.

She was as quiet as a soulless puppet on strings.

Li Zhexian fell silent.

A dead father, an obsessive mother, and shackles of fate she could not break free from—these were the roots of why Ye Lingling had become this way.

But—

"Ye Family Head does not understand me."

Li Zhexian spoke leisurely:

"To me, wealth is nothing but something external. Enough to buy a few jars of rough wine is enough."

"All I seek is freedom."

"One man, one sword, and one jar of wine are enough to roam the world."

"I have no interest whatsoever in the grudge between the Ye Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

The day he had left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had already severed those ties.

Now, everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was merely a stranger in his eyes.

There was neither favor nor hatred between them.

If he agreed to involve himself in the struggle between the Ye Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because of past entanglements,

that would not be freedom—it would be narrow-mindedness. It would mean he had not truly let go.

That ran contrary to his unfettered nature and his clear, transparent Sword Heart.

If one day in the future...

he agreed to fight for the Ye Family in the Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Towers,

it could only be because the Ye Family itself had moved him, not because he harbored thoughts of revenge.

Otherwise, both his sword and his heart would be sullied.

"If Ye Family Head has no other business, Zhexian will take his leave."

Li Zhexian cupped his hands in farewell and strolled down the path leading outside.

Shadows of flowers swayed, partially concealing his plain white robes.

Just as his figure was about to vanish from the sight of the Ye Family mother and daughter, the youth's clear voice drifted back on the wind:

"Ye Family Head, let Zhexian say one more thing..."

"Before making a decision that concerns someone's entire life next time, why not first ask your daughter whether she is willing?"

With those words,

Li Zhexian hummed a tuneless little melody, his figure disappearing completely into the depths of the flowers and trees.

Ye Lingling's lowered lashes trembled almost imperceptibly, and faint ripples seemed to rise within the depths of her dim blue eyes.

"Heh..."

Ye Mother was only briefly stunned before murmuring:

"Heavenly Prides possess pride and backbone. I expected he would not agree so easily."

"Back then, Chen Xin was being hunted down. Ning Fengzhi saved him, and he joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to repay that debt."

"Lingling..."

She turned, her gaze sharp as a blade as it fixed upon her daughter.

"Opportunities vanish in an instant."

"That boy Li Zhexian is a hidden dragon in the abyss."

"Before he soars through the Nine Heavens, you must carve the Ye Family's mark into his heart!"

"You must remember: the Ye Family's honor, disgrace, rise, and fall over hundreds of years all rest upon you!"

Ye Mother turned a deaf ear to Li Zhexian's words.

That crushing century-old burden of the family's reputation was forcibly... entirely placed upon the girl's thin, delicate shoulders.

Ye Lingling still kept her head lowered.

Only after a long while did she softly utter three words.

"I understand."

After returning to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye,

Li Zhexian cast aside those trivial matters.

He calmed his mind and began brewing Ice Flame Immortal Dew.

"All that messy turmoil is far less real than becoming stronger myself."

"Until I forge the Molten Frost Spirit Vein Body and comprehend the second form of the Azure Lotus Sword Song, I, Li Zhexian, will never leave seclusion."

The little author was exhausted and dizzy. I'll nap for two hours before I have to go work like a beast.

The next chapter is more than half written. I'll keep writing at my desk and definitely finish it before noon.

Thank you for the support from so many dear readers. The little author bows!!!

Hehe, asking dear readers for some votes...