On Azure Cloud Peak, a private talk with the Sword Emperor

The Lingyun Sword Emperor's invitation came suddenly, yet it was hardly unexpected.

This towering figure of the righteous path, renowned throughout the Primordial Wilderness, had personally appeared to mediate, already showing Ye Chen ample respect. His proposal for a detailed discussion now clearly showed that he truly valued this ally and wished to delve into matters involving ancient secrets.

After a moment's consideration, Ye Chen nodded. "Since the Pavilion Master has invited me, I would be honored to visit."

He turned to Emperor Xuanwu, Ye Yun, and the others behind him. "Uncle Xuan, come with me. Ye Yun, you, Shi Meng, and Mo Yu will stay and guard the Mountain Gate. Tighten security. If anything unusual happens, send word immediately."

"Yes, Young Master!" Ye Yun cupped his fists, his gaze resolute.

Though Shi Meng was uneasy, he knew that a visit to the Heavenly Sword Pavilion's headquarters was no small matter. In his deep, rumbling voice, he said, "Young Master, be careful. If those old fossils..."

"It's fine," Ye Chen interrupted, his tone calm but confident. "Take care of things at home."

Emperor Xuanwu silently stepped half a pace forward. His sturdy figure stood as steady as a mountain, making his resolve as Ye Chen's guardian clear.

The admiration in the Lingyun Sword Emperor's eyes deepened. Decisive action, sound arrangements-this young man possessed both youthful boldness and the composure of a leader. He was certainly no creature destined to remain in a mere pond.

"Qingxue, return with us," the Lingyun Sword Emperor told Lin Qingxue. "You can give the elders a detailed account of what you gained on your journey to the Fallen Star Sea."

"Yes, Pavilion Master," Lin Qingxue replied, looking at Ye Chen with a trace of worry and anticipation.

Elder Yan's face was livid, but he dared say nothing more. He could only follow sullenly behind the Lingyun Sword Emperor with his disciples.

"Young friend Ye, please."

With a gentle sweep of his sleeve, the Lingyun Sword Emperor enveloped Ye Chen, Emperor Xuanwu, Lin Qingxue, and the others in soft sword light. In an instant, it became a breathtaking rainbow streaking across the heavens toward the Myriad Sword Mountains, where the Heavenly Sword Pavilion stood.

With the Sword Emperor personally carrying them on his sword light, their speed far exceeded the flight of ordinary Void Insight cultivators. Within half a day, the spiritual energy ahead suddenly grew sharp and abundant. Countless towering peaks pierced the clouds like keen swords. Sword Qi surged skyward between the mountains, slicing the mist into thin wisps, while countless palaces and towers could faintly be seen built along the slopes-a magnificent sight.

These were the Myriad Sword Mountains, home to the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, one of the foremost powers of the righteous path in the Primordial World!

The sword light descended straight toward the tallest, grandest peak at the heart of the range. Blue-gray from top to bottom, it resembled an enormous sword thrust point-first into the earth. Its summit had been leveled, and several simple yet imposing halls stood upon it. Clouds wreathed the surroundings and immortal cranes circled overhead. This was Azure Cloud Peak, where the Lingyun Sword Emperor cultivated in seclusion.

The sword light landed on a platform at the summit. Paved with white jade, it was smooth as a mirror. Several ancient sword steles of differing shapes stood along its edges, radiating sword intent steeped in the weight of ages.

"Young friend Ye, Fellow Daoist Xuanwu, please." The Lingyun Sword Emperor withdrew his sword light and personally led them toward a modest but majestic blue-stone hall behind the platform.

The hall had no name, and its plaque was blank, yet an austere sword intent pierced through its walls.

Inside, the furnishings were simple: only a few meditation cushions and a low table bearing a pot of clear tea and two cups. Wisps of tea fragrance rose, refreshing the heart.

"Sit." The Lingyun Sword Emperor seated himself on a cushion first and gestured for Ye Chen and Emperor Xuanwu to do the same. Lin Qingxue stood to one side and took the initiative to pour tea for all three.

Elder Yan and the others had not followed. Clearly, the Lingyun Sword Emperor intended to speak with Ye Chen in private.

The tea was fine Swordheart Tea. Its leaves resembled tiny sword blades, unfurling in the hot water. The infusion was clear, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and tongue, while a cool thread of sword intent reached straight into the soul, helping soothe the heart and quiet the mind.

"Excellent tea," Ye Chen praised after a small sip.

"Just some humble mountain tea. I hope you won't laugh at it." The Lingyun Sword Emperor smiled faintly and set down his cup, his expression gradually growing solemn. "Young friend Ye, I invited you here first to apologize for today's conflict at your Mountain Gate. Second, there are indeed many important matters I must discuss with you frankly."

"Please go ahead, Pavilion Master." Ye Chen set down his cup and waited.

The Lingyun Sword Emperor's gaze was deep as he slowly began. "First, the Sacred Emperor Palace. Between the news Qingxue sent back and our pavilion's years of investigation, we can be fairly certain that the Sacred Emperor's growing eagerness for quick results in recent years-even secretly colluding with forces such as the Blood Demon Sect-stems from his desire to find the Ancient Ruins and obtain an opportunity that will allow him to 'advance one step further.'"

He paused and looked at Ye Chen. "And your experiences in the Fallen Star Sea, along with the information you obtained from Starfall Hall, confirm that this 'opportunity' is connected to the Transcendence spoken of in ancient legends."

Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged, though something stirred within him. It seemed the Heavenly Sword Pavilion knew more about these ancient secrets than he had expected.

"That's right," Ye Chen admitted openly. "The Hall Spirit of Starfall Hall mentioned the Observers and the return to ruins tide. What the Sacred Emperor Palace seeks should be methods or legacies left by the Observers to resist or delay this 'tide.'"

The Lingyun Sword Emperor nodded, a trace of concern flashing through his eyes. "The return to ruins tide... There are scattered references to it on our Heavenly Sword Pavilion's oldest sword stele as well. It calls it the 'epochal calamity,' a periodic cleansing of the universe in which all things return to ruin. Only those who have attained Transcendence can escape. The Sacred Emperor must have sensed something, or received some revelation, to be seeking a breakthrough so frantically."

He sighed. "But the Sacred Emperor's heart has long since lost its balance under the erosion of endless years and power. If he obtains the means, it will be no blessing for the Primordial Wilderness. He may well sacrifice billions of lives for his own Transcendence. That is the fundamental reason our Heavenly Sword Pavilion firmly opposes his ambitions."

Ye Chen offered no judgment. Whether the Sacred Emperor was good or evil mattered little to him. What mattered was that the Sacred Emperor Palace stood in the way of his search for fragments, while also offering a possible lead to more truths about antiquity.

"How much do you know about the Observers and the Keepers?" Ye Chen asked the crucial question.

After a moment's thought, the Lingyun Sword Emperor shook his head. "Very little. The ancient sword stele mentions 'those who watch over the stars' and 'keepers of the rules,' but offers no clear explanation. Judging from Starfall Hall, the Observers should have been a group of ancient sages devoted to observing the universe and warning of disasters. As for the Keepers..."

His brow creased slightly. "The inscription suggests they are cold and merciless, upholding some established 'order' and hostile toward those who attempt to break or pry into it. You must exercise the utmost caution regarding the warning you received from the Hall Spirit."

Ye Chen silently committed this to memory. It seemed the Heavenly Sword Pavilion's ancient legacy had indeed preserved fragments of information that corroborated the Hall Spirit's words.

"Second," the Lingyun Sword Emperor shifted the subject, his gaze probing and faintly grave as he looked at Ye Chen, "there is the matter of you, young friend, and... the Heavenly Star Pavilion."

Ye Chen raised his eyes and met the Lingyun Sword Emperor's gaze.

"Your strength is unfathomable, your origins mysterious. Both your cultivation method and your constitution are unlike anything I have seen in my life," the Lingyun Sword Emperor said sincerely. "I have no intention of prying into your secrets. It is simply that your arrival, the power you have displayed, and your pursuit of ancient secrets have already broken the Primordial Realm's existing balance. You have become its greatest 'wild card.'"

"The Sacred Emperor Palace sees you as a thorn in its eye, while the Blood Demon Sect, the Netherworld Palace, and other forces are deeply wary of you. Even within our Heavenly Sword Pavilion, people such as Junior Brother Yan harbor doubts about allying with you. They fear drawing fire upon themselves or being used by you." The Lingyun Sword Emperor laid bare these internal conflicts without reservation. "What happened today was an eruption of that fear and rejection."

Listening from the side, Lin Qingxue's heart sank. She knew all too well how many factions existed within the sect, and how deeply rooted the conservatives were.

"So what do you propose, Pavilion Master?" Ye Chen asked calmly.

"What I mean," the Lingyun Sword Emperor said solemnly, "is that since we have chosen an alliance, I, Lingyun, and the mainstream of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion are willing to share the risks with you and explore the road ahead together. But I hope you understand that this path is thick with thorns. Enemies may come not only from outside, but from within as well. We need greater trust and cooperation. We also need... appropriate displays of strength and sincerity to reassure our people and deter petty villains."

He was speaking openly, making both his position and his expectations clear.

Ye Chen understood. The Lingyun Sword Emperor sincerely wanted an alliance, but he also needed his ally to demonstrate sufficient weight-to stand with him against powerful enemies and help stabilize his own ranks.

"Trust takes time. Cooperation is judged by deeds," Ye Chen said evenly. "As for strength..."

His gaze swept across the mist outside the hall, as though he could pierce the void and see the divine senses secretly watching this place.

"Since I am here, I fear no challenge. In time, your sect will also see the Heavenly Star Pavilion's sincerity."

He made no grand declarations, but the absolute confidence beneath that calm carried more force than any oath.

A gleam flashed in the Lingyun Sword Emperor's eyes, and he clapped his hands with a laugh. "Good! With those words, I can rest assured!"

He personally refilled Ye Chen's cup with hot tea and continued. "Third, there is the matter of what you are seeking. Qingxue's message mentioned that you were looking for clues to the Ancient Land of Life and eternal divine gold?"

Ye Chen nodded. "The Hall Spirit suggested that these two places might hold information about crucial fragments."

The Lingyun Sword Emperor looked thoughtful. "The Ancient Land of Life... If we speak of the place in the Primordial Realm where life is most abundant and ancient, it must be the heart of the Endless Forest Sea in the continent's far south. There is a remnant root of the World Tree there, said to have existed since heaven and earth were first opened. It nourishes primeval forests stretching for hundreds of millions of li, home to countless creatures and unfathomable mysteries. It may be worth exploring."

"The World Tree Remnant Root?" Ye Chen noted the information. Anything connected to the opening of heaven and earth was surely extraordinary.

"Eternal divine gold is far more elusive." The Lingyun Sword Emperor shook his head. "Our pavilion's records contain no definite account of it. However, deep in the northern Eternal Frozen Wasteland, an ancient legend speaks of the Undying Mine. It is said to have produced divine iron that never wore down and endured myriad calamities without destruction. But it was exhausted long ago, and its location remains a mystery. Perhaps... the Sacred Emperor Palace's archives hold a clue."

He had offered two directions. Though neither was certain, they were already an enormous help.

"Thank you for your guidance, Pavilion Master." Ye Chen cupped his fists in gratitude.

"There is no need for such courtesy between allies." The Lingyun Sword Emperor waved a hand, then his expression became somewhat subtle. "Actually, I invited you here today for one personal matter as well."

"Oh?" Ye Chen looked at him.

The Lingyun Sword Emperor turned his gaze toward Lin Qingxue, who stood to the side, his tone gentle. "I watched Qingxue grow up. Her talent and character are both outstanding, and she is one of the hopes for our Heavenly Sword Pavilion's future. On her journey to the Northern Border and the Fallen Star Sea, your care helped her turn danger into safety and earn great merit. Both publicly and personally, I owe you my thanks."

Lin Qingxue had not expected the Pavilion Master to suddenly bring her up. She froze briefly, then lowered her head, her lovely face tinged red.

"Miss Qingxue is resilient and intelligent. She is a trustworthy companion," Ye Chen said truthfully.

The Lingyun Sword Emperor nodded. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke. "As you have seen, our Heavenly Sword Pavilion is not a single solid slab of iron. Because Qingxue is close to you and strongly advocated this alliance, certain people have already begun treating her as an outsider. Her circumstances may become difficult. Though I am Pavilion Master, the sect's legacy stretches far back, and its various powers are intertwined like tangled roots and branches. At times, even I cannot attend to everything..."

He paused and looked at Ye Chen. "If possible, I hope you will look after Qingxue a little more when she is out in the world. This girl is stubborn. Once she sets her mind on something, she follows that path headfirst, and can easily suffer for it."

His words were tactful, but their meaning was clear-he hoped Ye Chen could become someone Lin Qingxue could rely upon, offering her protection if she faced internal power struggles.

Lin Qingxue abruptly raised her head, tears glimmering in her eyes, moved and aggrieved in equal measure. She had never imagined that the Pavilion Master would make such a solemn request to Ye Chen on her behalf.

Ye Chen looked at Lin Qingxue's reddened eyes, then at the Lingyun Sword Emperor's sincere face, and slowly nodded. "As long as Miss Qingxue remains true to our alliance, my Heavenly Star Pavilion will stand behind her."

There was no elaborate promise, yet every word carried the weight of a thousand jun.

Biting her lip, Lin Qingxue bowed deeply to Ye Chen and the Lingyun Sword Emperor, her voice catching. "I... will never betray the Pavilion Master's expectations or Young Master Ye's trust!"

The Lingyun Sword Emperor nodded with relief, a stone lifting from his heart. With Ye Chen's promise, Qingxue had another safeguard within the sect. Anyone who wanted to move against her would have to weigh whether they could withstand the Heavenly Star Pavilion's wrath.

With the important matters settled, the atmosphere in the hall eased considerably.

The Lingyun Sword Emperor went on to exchange insights on cultivation and views on the current situation in the Primordial Wilderness with Ye Chen. Though Ye Chen spoke little, his words invariably struck at the heart of the matter, giving the Lingyun Sword Emperor much to ponder and raising his estimation of this young ally even further.

Emperor Xuanwu remained seated silently behind Ye Chen, like the most steadfast shield. Only when he heard a particularly profound insight did a glimmer of understanding pass through his eyes.

The sun slanted westward, and several rounds of tea had been served.

Ye Chen rose to take his leave. "I have gained much from today's conversation, Pavilion Master. Now that our alliance is established, the Heavenly Star Pavilion and the Heavenly Sword Pavilion should work together with one heart. I will begin investigating the Ancient Land of Life and eternal divine gold. We must also keep a close watch on the Sacred Emperor Palace."

"Take care, young friend." The Lingyun Sword Emperor personally escorted Ye Chen out of the hall. "After its setback in the Fallen Star Sea, the Sacred Emperor Palace may restrain itself for a while, but it surely has more moves prepared. I will assign more people to monitor its movements and share any news immediately. If you need the Heavenly Sword Pavilion's assistance, do not hesitate to ask."

The two parted at the summit of Azure Cloud Peak.

As a mark of respect, the Lingyun Sword Emperor summoned a magnificent Azure Cloud Crane to carry Ye Chen and Emperor Xuanwu back to the Heavenly Star Pavilion.

The Azure Cloud Crane spread its wings and vanished into the distance as a streak of azure light.

The Lingyun Sword Emperor stood at the summit with his hands behind his back, watching the crane's silhouette disappear into the horizon. For a long time, he said nothing.

Standing behind him, Lin Qingxue asked softly, "Pavilion Master, do you think... Young Master Ye is truly an ally we can trust completely?"

The Lingyun Sword Emperor withdrew his gaze and looked toward the clouds over the distant mountains. "Qingxue, there is no such thing as complete, unreserved trust in this world. But from what I have seen, this man has lofty aspirations and disdains schemes and trickery. He acts according to his own principles and limits. More importantly, what he seeks differs from the Sacred Emperor Palace's goals and, at least for now, does not fundamentally conflict with the ideals our Heavenly Sword Pavilion upholds."

He turned and patted Lin Qingxue's shoulder. "That is enough. With an age of turmoil about to begin, gaining such a powerful friend rather than such a terrifying enemy is already a blessing for our Heavenly Sword Pavilion. Qingxue, you share this favorable bond with him. Treasure it, but keep a clear head as well. Do not lose sight of your true heart."

"I understand," Lin Qingxue replied solemnly.

"Go. You must be tired too. Return and get some proper rest. We will convene the elders tomorrow to discuss the details of the alliance." The Lingyun Sword Emperor waved a hand.

"Yes." Lin Qingxue bowed and withdrew.

Once more, the Lingyun Sword Emperor stood alone atop Azure Cloud Peak. He lifted his head toward the vast starry sky, sword intent flowing through his eyes, and murmured:

"The secret of transcendence, the epochal calamity... Ye Chen, who are you, really? And what role will you play in the coming tide?"

"This game of chess is growing more interesting by the moment."

The night wind swept past, lifting his blue robes and making them snap.

Meanwhile, riding the Azure Cloud Crane back to the Heavenly Star Pavilion, Ye Chen rested with his eyes closed. Within his sea of consciousness, the incomplete Star Map intertwined with the clues of the World Tree Remnant Root and the Undying Mine as he continually worked through their connections.

A new journey was about to begin.

Because of his arrival and his search, the undercurrents of the Primordial World were surging together at an unprecedented pace.