Dragon-Slaying Evil-Purging Sword

"His word alone isn't enough to serve as proof." Su Wenjin's face remained expressionless. "Go guard the Earth-Fire Abyss for a month. Once the matter has been investigated, we'll decide what to do next."

'The Earth-Fire Abyss!' Yu Xiu wasn't surprised.

After all, he had killed nine Inner Court disciples. Though the Law Enforcement Hall had secretly tilted its backside toward him, they couldn't very well skip the public show.

Everyone knew the score.

Of course, the main reason was that Fang Jiming and the others weren't clean to begin with. Otherwise, the Law Enforcement Hall couldn't have tilted its backside toward Yu Xiu.

"Because of my actions, several senior brothers lost their lives. I'm willing to accept punishment," Yu Xiu said obediently.

'Still putting on an act?' Su Wenjin let the words go in one ear and out the other, pretending he hadn't heard Yu Xiu's performance.

After all, everyone was acting. They were just going through the motions.

As Yu Xiu turned to leave, Su Wenjin spoke lightly. "Stop."

Yu Xiu halted.

"You've now entered the Five Viscera realm, the first of the Four Great Passes. Yet you still have to guard the Earth-Fire Abyss for a month. After that, once Fang Jiming and the others' deaths have been investigated, you'll have to help wrap things up.

"More importantly, to be promoted to the Main Sect, you need accomplishments."

Su Wenjin slowly rose to his feet. "With all these trifles, a trip there and back could easily take half a year. It might even take longer.

"You have excellent talent and comprehension. In just over two months, you broke through both the Qi Sea and Life Spring passes and completed the Inner Court stage. And now..."

He looked at Yu Xiu. "...you'll be stuck at the Five Viscera realm, the first of the Four Great Passes, for half a year, without access to the next cultivation method. Are you truly willing to accept that?"

Yu Xiu's heart stirred. 'Is there a back door I can use?'

Getting the cultivation method for the Four Great Passes ahead of time would naturally be ideal.

But there would surely be conditions.

"Please enlighten me, Hall Master!" Yu Xiu bowed smoothly, taking the opportunity as it came.

'Hm?' Su Wenjin was surprised.

The boy was a quick-witted slippery customer.

From the moment Yu Xiu opened his mouth and claimed Fang Jiming, Zhao Zheng, and the other seven had all died at the hands of a Shadow Demon, it was clear he was shrewd. Everyone knew the score, yet he'd kept his eyes open and told an outright lie.

But that was exactly what he should have done. If he'd been a blockhead and simply admitted to killing nine Inner Court disciples, it would have been a real headache for the Law Enforcement Hall to tilt its backside in his favor.

"Since you're sincerely asking, I suppose I can offer some guidance." Su Wenjin slowly sat down at his desk. The atmosphere relaxed, and the pressure from before vanished completely.

"You're about to enter the Main Sect. You should know it has ten peaks and ten lineages. So, which lineage appeals to you?"

He looked at Yu Xiu with interest, waiting for his answer.

Though the Main Sect had ten peaks, there was only one answer.

'The Main Sect's ten peaks!' Yu Xiu was a little taken aback.

When they first joined the Qingwei Sword Sect, every disciple imagined what it would be like to enter the Main Sect and become a true heir of the Sword Sect.

Yu Xiu was no different.

The peak he'd once favored was the same one favored by most disciples: Tianque Peak. It belonged to the Sect Master's lineage, and its disciples had a chance of inheriting the Sect Master's position one day.

Later, when he discovered how difficult cultivation was, he realized how naive it had been to think he could enter Tianque Peak.

So back then, he'd thought that being able to join Jinding Peak or Powang Peak—two main peaks whose specialty was the Sword-in-Hand—would be wonderful.

Later still, he'd awakened the memories of his previous life and his Fate: God-Communicating, which allowed him to stack comprehension and lifespan without limit.

Of the Main Sect's ten peaks, Wen Dao Peak suited him best. That lineage was dedicated to studying the Sword-in-Hand lineage's cultivation methods and sword techniques.

With his comprehension able to stack without limit, joining that peak would let him learn every cultivation method and sword technique in the Sword-in-Hand lineage. He could also work with his fellow disciples to create new methods, making the lineage self-sufficient.

Wen Dao Peak was perfect for him!

But now, Su Wenjin, the Inner Court Law Enforcement Hall Master, had given him a chance to use the back door...

So there was really only one answer.

"This disciple wants to join Dragon-Slaying Peak." Yu Xiu answered without the slightest hesitation.

Dragon-Slaying Peak belonged to the Law Enforcement Hall's lineage and upheld the sect's ironclad rules.

Any disciple who broke the sect's rules, harmed a fellow disciple, or colluded with demons could be executed.

For that very reason, Dragon-Slaying Peak didn't enjoy much popularity within the Qingwei Sword Sect. Most disciples kept their distance from the Law Enforcement Hall's lineage, afraid of attracting its attention.

'As expected, he's a clever one.' Su Wenjin's eyes lit up, though his tone remained mild. "Dragon-Slaying Peak, is it?

"With your current realm and strength, you can already be counted as half a Dragon-Slaying Peak disciple. In that case, I should call you Junior Brother."

Yu Xiu understood and cupped his fists. "Yu Xiu greets Senior Brother Su."

Su Wenjin smiled. "There's no need for formalities, Junior Brother. Circumstances are urgent, so I'll pass on the technique for my master in his stead. I hope you'll cultivate diligently and not slack off."

As he spoke, Su Wenjin took out a jade slip and pressed it against Yu Xiu's brow, then tapped the slip with a finger.

In an instant, Yu Xiu felt a surge of information pour from the jade slip into his mind.

It was a cultivation method and sword art called the Dragon-Slaying Evil-Purging Sword, but it only contained the Five Viscera portion of the first of the Four Great Passes, divided into twenty chapters.

"Junior Brother may not know this, but once you reach the Four Great Passes, cultivation methods are no longer divided into one method per realm. Instead, each becomes a complete whole, just like the Dragon-Slaying Evil-Purging Sword." Su Wenjin slowly withdrew the jade slip and explained.

There was an unspoken meaning behind his words.

Once Yu Xiu cultivated the Dragon-Slaying Evil-Purging Sword, he could no longer enter any of the other nine main peaks. Dragon-Slaying Peak would be his only path.

That was because only Dragon-Slaying Peak possessed the Dragon-Slaying Evil-Purging Sword.

Yu Xiu didn't care. As long as his strength was sufficient, he'd eventually be able to browse the entire Qingwei Sword Sect's collection with ease. He didn't have to join Wen Dao Peak.

His immediate priority was to increase his strength and, while he was at it, build himself up.

"Since we're all on the same side, there's no need to beat around the bush." Su Wenjin smiled. "Sending you to guard the Earth-Fire Abyss for a month is partly a small punishment meant to warn others, but it's also an opportunity.

"There's an underground fire vein beneath the Earth-Fire Abyss. Earth fire erupts from it from time to time, and Fire Demons might emerge as well, though their appearance is so rare you can practically ignore the possibility.

"The environment is a little harsh, but overall, there's more to gain than lose.

"You can collect Earth Fire Essence and sell it to the sect for contribution points. What's more, a thousand years ago, Ancestor Linyuan personally carved the Abyss-Suppressing Sword. The sword intent he left on it hasn't faded in a thousand years. It's perfect for someone with your exceptional comprehension to study.

He patted Yu Xiu on the shoulder. "This kind of opportunity doesn't come often.

"The person on guard there is our fellow Dragon-Slaying Peak disciple, Senior Brother Yuan Tiankuo. He'll look after you.

"You don't have to hand over any Earth Fire Essence you collect during your stay. It's all yours. If you don't want to collect and refine Earth Fire Essence, then study the sword intent on the Abyss-Suppressing Sword.

"Also, though we're saying you have to guard the Earth-Fire Abyss for a month, once the matter over in Guiping County, Donghe Prefecture, has been fully investigated, you might be able to go straight to claim your qualification for promotion to the Main Sect. You definitely won't need a full month. You might not even need half a month!"

'Tsk. Having connections really does make things easier!' Yu Xiu marveled inwardly.

Hall Master Su Wenjin's attitude toward him had changed dramatically!

As soon as Su Wenjin finished speaking, a Law Enforcement Hall disciple arrived and led Yu Xiu to the Earth-Fire Abyss.

"There's an underground fire vein over there. If your strength isn't sufficient, you could be exposed to fire poison. To be safe, Brother Yu, you can prepare some Ice-Melting Pills to drive it out." The disciple escorting him was quite polite, and he explained a few tricks for staying in the Earth-Fire Abyss.

'Su Wenjin didn't mention that.'

Yu Xiu's thoughts stirred. "What level of strength do I need to ignore the fire poison?"

The young disciple replied, "Starting with the first of the Four Great Passes, most people are basically immune to fire poison. But if you stay in the Earth-Fire Abyss for more than half a month, there's still a risk of getting poisoned.

"You won't have to worry about fire poison at all until you reach the second of the Four Great Passes."

'Half a month!'

That was exactly the time Su Wenjin had mentioned.

But Yu Xiu might still end up staying longer than half a month. To be safe, it would be better to have Ice-Melting Pills on hand.

"This Ice-Melting Pill..." Yu Xiu began hesitantly.

Before he could finish, the disciple smiled. "As it happens, I have some with me. I don't mind giving Brother Yu two."

He took out a wooden bottle and pressed it into Yu Xiu's hand. "My name is Wei Ling. If you don't mind, Brother Yu, let's be friends."

Yu Xiu squeezed the wooden bottle in his hand and understood.

This was an attempt to befriend him!

It seemed that reaching the first of the Four Great Passes in three years was exceedingly rare, even within the Qingwei Sword Sect!

He cupped his fists. "Brother Wei."

Wei Ling returned the gesture with a smile. "Brother Yu."

'Good thing I prepared in advance.' Wei Ling was secretly pleased.

Hall Master Su had told him Yu Xiu was exceptionally talented and might rise rapidly through Dragon-Slaying Peak in the future, becoming a major figure in the Qingwei Sword Sect. He'd told him to cultivate a good relationship with Yu Xiu.

Looking at things now, Hall Master Su had deliberately left him this opportunity by not telling Yu Xiu about the fire poison.

By bringing out the Ice-Melting Pills himself, Wei Ling could make up for Yu Xiu's lack of preparation.

They followed a winding path down the mountain and entered an abyss in the mountains. The temperature rose sharply, and flames could occasionally be seen flickering in the air before vanishing.

Caves in the rock walls led deeper underground. Yu Xiu caught glimpses of Inner Court disciples moving about inside.

They were probably all disciples who'd gotten into trouble and been sent there as punishment, collecting Earth Fire Essence on the side.

They had arrived at the Earth-Fire Abyss.

Aside from the caves in the rock wall, the first thing Yu Xiu noticed was a massive sword thrust into the ground.

More precisely, it was a stone sword. It must once have been a boulder, later carved into a sword.

'The Abyss-Suppressing Sword!' Yu Xiu didn't need anyone to tell him that this enormous stone sword, towering like a mountain peak, must be the Abyss-Suppressing Sword personally carved by Ancestor Linyuan a thousand years ago.

The sword intent upon it was vast and boundless. It didn't manifest on its own, but to Yu Xiu, who possessed a Sword Heart, it was impossible to miss.

'If I study sword intent in front of this sword, my Sword Heart should improve considerably.' Yu Xiu could hardly sit still.

He saw a young figure seated motionless beside the Abyss-Suppressing Sword, like a stone carving.

But Yu Xiu's first thought was, 'Is this person a man or a woman?'

If it was a woman, there were no feminine features on her chest.

But if it was a man, he had a woman's face, with fair skin and delicate features.

Before Yu Xiu could figure it out, Wei Ling stepped forward to greet him. "Senior Brother Yuan, I've brought Brother Yu to guard the Earth-Fire Abyss."

'So he's Yuan Tiankuo. Then he must be a man.'

A man with a woman's face.

Yu Xiu followed and called out, "Senior Brother Yuan."

Yuan Tiankuo opened his eyes...

He looked even more like a woman now—more beautiful than many women!

"Senior Brother Su already told me about you. Since you've joined Dragon-Slaying Peak, cultivate well here." Yuan Tiankuo's gaze rested on Yu Xiu's face for a moment, then he quickly closed his eyes again.

As for Wei Ling beside him, Yuan Tiankuo didn't even look at him. He merely gave a nod to acknowledge him.

Wei Ling discreetly shot Yu Xiu a look, and Yu Xiu understood, following after him.

Wei Ling sent a quiet voice transmission. "Senior Brother Yuan has a woman's looks, and he's very sensitive about people bringing it up. Brother Yu, be careful not to offend him.

"Also, Senior Brother Yuan is considered a genius even on Dragon-Slaying Peak. He's very strong, but he doesn't like to talk. If you have questions about cultivation, you can ask him for advice..."

Wei Ling paused, sneaking a glance at Yuan Tiankuo. Seeing that his eyes were still closed, he cautiously continued his voice transmission. "Senior Brother Yuan doesn't like people saying he looks like a woman, but the truth is, the first thing he looks at when making friends is their face.

"The senior brothers and senior sisters on Dragon-Slaying Peak who aren't very good-looking can't befriend him. But those with regular features can at least exchange a few words with him, regardless of their strength—even if they don't manage to become friends."

As he spoke, Wei Ling couldn't help glancing at Yu Xiu's face. He said no more.

After bidding him farewell, he left the Earth-Fire Abyss.

'So he's a face-con.' Yu Xiu glanced at Yuan Tiankuo, who was sitting with his eyes closed, and didn't approach.

He simply sat down on the other side of the Abyss-Suppressing Sword.

As for collecting Earth Fire Essence, that was something the disciples sent there as punishment had to do. He was only there to go through the motions, so there was no need to take on such hard labor.

Besides, Senior Brother Yuan Tiankuo didn't seem inclined to teach him how to collect Earth Fire Essence.

'Sword intent!'

He calmed his mind and focused his thoughts on the enormous stone sword before him.

In an instant, his Sword Heart resonated with it, and the world before his eyes seemed to change.

Everything changed!

The Earth-Fire Abyss was gone. In its place stood a towering figure, transforming his body into a sword as he descended from the azure heavens and cleaved straight into the depths of the earth.

What kind of sword was it?

It blazed with the radiance of heaven and earth joined as one. Its sword light eclipsed the sun. The air split apart, and even the void seemed to shatter as the sword plunged into the mortal world and drove deep into the earth.

The mortal world and the earth alike lay beneath that single strike.

No demons could come near the mortal world, and none could approach from beneath the earth.

That strike suppressed the underground fire vein and any Fire Demons that might lurk within it. It had remained so for a thousand years!

'What realm had Ancestor Linyuan reached?' Yu Xiu was shaken.

This sword had been carved a thousand years ago. After all that time, how high had Ancestor Linyuan risen? What unimaginable realm had he reached?

He must have ascended to a height beyond imagining!

His thoughts surged and swirled. Only after a long while did he manage to calm his mind again.

Back when he'd first entered the Inner Court, Hao Yuan had taken Yu Xiu, Zhao Hong, and the others to see Sword Severed Cliff. Three hundred years ago, True Disciple Qi Wendao had carved it with a single sword strike. The sword intent still lingered to this day, and many Inner Court disciples went there to study it.

But that kind of sword intent was useless to Yu Xiu.

The Abyss-Suppressing Sword, carved by Ancestor Linyuan, was different. Its vast, boundless sword intent could resonate with his Sword Heart. If he studied it carefully, he could not only improve his own sword intent, but elevate his Sword Heart as well!

Aside from cultivating sword arts and techniques, this was the first method Yu Xiu had encountered that could directly improve his Sword Heart!

Ancestor Linyuan's realm was terrifying indeed!