Liu Xingshen sped away in a streak of light. After leaving the Treasure-Forging Sect's gates, he flew straight toward his own sect. But before he had traveled a hundred li, he stopped. A jade-colored Command Sword appeared in his palm.
He looked at the Command Sword, hesitation showing on his face. At last, he made up his mind and wrote upon it with his Spiritual Sense:
"The Heaven-Gazing Sect's chief disciple has come to their aid. Skilled with the sword, aligned with the Great Yang."
After writing those few words, Liu Xingshen frowned and erased "Skilled with the sword, aligned with the Great Yang," leaving only "The Heaven-Gazing Sect's chief disciple has come to their aid."
He examined it closely before nodding, though he let out a long sigh inwardly.
Brother Shen, Brother Shen, I've wronged you in this. But I owe Xie Huaibi a favor, and I must repay it. I hope you can forgive me.
Besides, I haven't revealed any information about him. That hardly counts as leaking secrets, does it?
With that thought, he hesitated no longer. He urged his True Essence into the token, and it became a streak of light that shot into the clouds.
Bang!
Just then, the Spiritual Impetus shuddered. The sky all around seemed to turn into iron walls, sealing every direction. The Jade Token struck empty space as though it had hit a mountain. A sharp crack rang across the sky.
Lu Xuan, seated in the guest hall, knew none of this.
A clamor.
Shen Qinglu had not expected the Treasure-Forging Sect to guard against him, too.
"Chongming greets True Person Spirit Pivot."
"If you lose, I'll behead you before the sect gates and display your head as a warning. It isn't as though I have much longer to live."
The