Leaving the mountain

Heavenly Splendor Fruit.

A natural treasure whose wondrous uses rivaled those of Enlightenment Tea.

Qin Lian had just been finding his proficiency growth too slow.

"Spirit Radiance Commandery was originally guarded by a True Disciple and an elder, but that True Disciple has already been transferred away. There should only be an elder left now. Although that elder is also third grade, his vitality has already begun declining, and he leans toward neutrality. Presumably, he won't fight to the bitter end."

Li Wangxu briefly introduced the situation there.

After hearing him out, Qin Lian naturally did not refuse Sect Master Li's kindness.

Besides, Supreme Elder Song Huangting was personally heading to the headquarters of Ten Thousand Swords Manor, enough to ensure that no fish slipped through the net.

"I will follow your arrangements, Sect Master."

"Good."

Li Wangxu acknowledged him, then turned back to everyone present to make detailed arrangements.

"Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. Although we are helping Young Manor Master Ye Wuji set things right this time, and will only be facing Ye Yingxiong's weakened faction within Ten Thousand Swords Manor, a fight to the death has never been a dinner party. To underestimate your opponent is to disrespect life."

His gaze swept across everyone. "I hope that at our next meeting, all of you will still be gathered here."

Everyone immediately rose. "With this mobilization, our Pure Yang Sword Sect will surely return in great victory and shake the world in every direction."

The peak masters quickly dispersed.

After leaving Pure Yang Hall, Qin Lian met up with Liu Xu. "Although we only have to face the counterattack from Ye Yingxiong's faction, there are still quite a few third-grade experts who have sided with him. Cloudmist Peak had best commit its full strength to this operation."

"I understand! I'll go with Junior Brother Xiao and cooperate with you, Grandmaster Qin."

Liu Xu nodded slightly.

"That would be best."

Qin Lian also felt reassured.

Three third-grade grandmasters...

As long as this lineup did not encounter someone who truly possessed second-grade divine intent, they could pretty much swagger unhindered throughout Sword Province.

Let alone merely pacifying Spirit Radiance Commandery.

Cloudmist Peak and the entire Pure Yang Sword Sect prepared to depart.

This was their largest operation since fierce friction had erupted between the Pure Yang Sword Sect and Overlord Blade three years ago.

In fact, even Supreme Elder Song Huangting had not stepped forward three years ago. Only Sword-Wielding Hall Master Lu Jianping and Mount-Subduing Peak Master Shen Chenxing had taken part. In terms of scale, that operation fell short of this one.

As the various peaks summoned their disciples, the changing atmosphere quickly filled even the air below Chunyang Mountain with tension.

Qin Lian, however, clearly had little time to experience the changes on the mountain.

By the time he returned to Cloudmist Peak, its preparations were complete.

Not three, but four third-grade grandmasters would be taking part.

There was also a third-grade expert from the generation of his senior martial uncles, named Xiao Hong.

But compared with Liu Xu, Xiao Qing, and Qin Lian, who were in their prime, Xiao Hong was already forty-six. His vitality was declining, and he could only be considered a relatively strong fourth-grade expert.

In fact, if he truly fought to the death without retreating, he might not even measure up to Xu Qingsong.

The many third- and fourth-grade experts, together with a group of fifth- and sixth-grade disciples, numbered no fewer than forty. They rode straight toward Sword Province.

Several other peaks traveled with them.

Sun-Viewing Peak, in particular, divided its forces into two groups, each with thirty or forty experts. One group was even personally led by Yan Chixia, a second-grade grandmaster.

Their peak alone was responsible for two commanderies.

After all...

Expecting the old, weak, sick, and disabled of Forget-the-World Peak to attack a commandery was asking rather too much of them.

Even with Supreme Elder Daoist Shan Hui on that peak.

The Pure Yang Sword Sect's sudden mobilization could not possibly escape the eyes and ears of the various powers below the mountain.

But the Pure Yang Sword Sect had no intention of hiding it.

Their approach was simple: remain still until it was time to move, then strike like thunder.

The forty-odd members of Cloudmist Peak galloped over a thousand li in a day and a night.

By the following afternoon, the commandery seat of Spirit Radiance Commandery was already close at hand.

However, Spirit Radiance Commandery's true value lay not in its commandery seat, but in the Heavenly Splendor Treasure Tree a hundred li away.

Without pausing for a moment, they finally reached Heavenly Splendor Mountain, where the Heavenly Splendor Treasure Tree stood, at dusk.

With dozens of riders making such a conspicuous advance deep into Spirit Radiance Commandery, the Ten Thousand Swords Manor elder stationed on Heavenly Splendor Mountain had also received word, assembled his people, and established tight defenses.

Yet when he saw the figures appearing on horseback, the elder's expression still changed.

Liu Xu glanced at Qin Lian beside her. Seeing that he had no intention of stepping forward to speak, she rode ahead.

"Li Xiu of Ten Thousand Swords Manor? I am the peak master of Cloudmist Peak of the Pure Yang Sword Sect. And this is Grandmaster Qin Lian, our sect's Heaven Ranking Grandmaster, the expert who slew Blood Demon Zuo Qiudao of the Black Ranking with his sword."

The valiant new peak master of Cloudmist Peak declared in a clear voice, "At the invitation of your Young Manor Master Ye Wuji, we have come to help quell Ye Yingxiong's rebellion and take control of Sword Province's key locations. Do you intend to offer stubborn resistance on behalf of your manor's rebels?"

"Heaven Ranking Grandmaster, Qin Lian..."

Hearing Liu Xu's words, Elder Li Xiu involuntarily turned his gaze toward Qin Lian, his face growing a shade paler.

But...

Looking at the disciples behind him, and the Heavenly Splendor Treasure Tree he had guarded for six years, whose fruit was finally almost ripe, he could only grit his teeth. "I, Li Xiu, grew up in Ten Thousand Swords Manor and enjoyed the chief manor master's deep trust..."

At this point, he paused, a trace of pain flashing through his eyes.

After all, their chief manor master had suffered cultivation deviation and was already gone.

Yet he persisted. "The Heavenly Splendor Treasure Tree belongs to our Ten Thousand Swords Manor. Even if you have come on the young manor master's orders to quell the rebellion, don't think you can easily take the treasure tree from my hands."

Liu Xu heard the implication in his words. "What do you propose?"

"I naturally hold a Heaven Ranking Grandmaster in awe, but forgive me if I cannot surrender without a fight!"

Li Xiu's expression was resolute. "Although I achieved Weave Astral Qi into Armor at thirty-five, I ultimately had no glorious battle record and regrettably missed my chance at the Grandmaster Heaven Ranking. But in my heart, I too have wished to fight a Heaven Ranking Grandmaster. Therefore, Grandmaster Qin, I earnestly ask for your instruction!"

He slowly drew the sword at his side. "If I am defeated, or even killed, it will be because I overestimated myself and brought it upon myself. Our people from Ten Thousand Swords Manor will withdraw from Heavenly Splendor Mountain... If I am fortunate enough to gain the advantage by a move or half... I ask that all of you retreat from here!"

Hearing this, Liu Xu turned her gaze toward Qin Lian.

As for Qin Lian...

With Li Xiu having gone this far, he could hardly refuse.

Moreover, the Heavenly Splendor Treasure Tree was still in Ten Thousand Swords Manor's hands for now. If Li Xiu were driven into a corner and set the treasure tree ablaze, burning jade and common stone alike...

No one wanted to see that outcome.

Qin Lian immediately dismounted. Holding his treasured sword Azure Sky, he looked at the third-grade grandmaster, who was now forty-two. "Since Elder Li wishes to exchange a few moves with me, I will oblige you to the end."

Watching Qin Lian advance with his sword, Li Xiu drew a deep breath.

He turned toward those behind him and said gravely, "Listen well. If I die in today's battle, it will be no more than repaying the manor! You must leave Spirit Radiance Commandery and must not make the slightest attempt at revenge against anyone from the Pure Yang Sword Sect!"

"Father!"

"Master..."

"Elder Li..."

A chorus of sorrowful cries rose behind him.

They seemed to have recognized Li Xiu's resolve to stake his life on a final struggle to uphold his duty as guardian.

After leaving those instructions, Li Xiu said, "Grandmaster Qin, please."

"Please."

Qin Lian's expression was solemn as well.

Although he had already learned from the information that Li Xiu was unremarkable among third-grade experts.

And that he was getting on in years, already forty-two, with declining vitality.

Still...

He did not underestimate him in the slightest.

However ordinary he might be, he was still a third-grade expert who had cultivated to the point of weaving astral qi into armor and could serve as the martial mainstay of a commandery.

Even a lion used its full strength to hunt a rabbit.

[Swiftness] activated!

[Blood Burning] activated!

The next instant, true qi erupted beneath his feet. Sword in hand, he charged like an arrow loosed from its string, brazenly bursting through the air and reaching Li Xiu in an instant with the speed of rushing thunder.

Just as the Ten Thousand Swords Manor elder's pupils contracted sharply and he tried to bring his sword across to intercept, Qin Lian's figure suddenly flickered...

Like a phantom, he shifted straight to Li Xiu's side. The Nine Heavens Sword Forms, carrying the explosive power of [Blood Burning], swept viciously toward him with the momentum of a falling star.

"This is bad!"

Having committed all his strength to his intercepting strike, Li Xiu barely managed to bring his sword back to defend, but the next second...

Bang!

An overwhelming force, like thunder bearing down with ten thousand jun of weight, erupted against his defending sword.

That immense power carried an unstoppable jolt and impact, instantly splitting the palm of his sword hand. He could no longer hold on to his sword, and it flew away.

"I..."

The bursting impact of true astral qi shook Li Xiu's entire body, driving him several steps back.

He had barely steadied himself and had yet to make another move when a sword tip gleaming with cold light came to rest before his throat.

An icy sensation instantly spread throughout his body.

With it came a voice that sounded slightly surprised, yet also carried a hint of judgment.

"You lost."