In the blink of an eye, with Nie Qingcheng's imposing pressure clearing the way, they smoothly made it out of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sword Forest.
If the Ten Thousand Beasts Sword Forest was merely a test at the threshold of the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm,
then they had now reached the Ten Thousand Swords River, a place within it where true opportunities could be found.
Beneath this river, which stretched as far as the eye could see, countless swords lay buried, while boundless sword intent permeated its surface.
Here, drawing a sword out of the waters or comprehending some powerful sword intent would both count as great gains.
Thus, many geniuses lingered here, some comprehending sword moves, some experiencing sword intent, and others seeking a keen sword suited to themselves.
Since they emerged from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sword Forest at different speeds, the forces arrived in intermittent groups, preparing to cultivate here in earnest.
The many forces all knew that there were only eight sage swords in the final layer.
With so many wolves and so little meat, the various forces had long anticipated what would follow.
Only the geniuses of the few strongest forces were qualified to lay their hands on those sage swords.
They all knew full well that the final Sword Heart Tomb was the true battlefield for those favored sons of heaven.
Aside from those hoping to fish in troubled waters and slip into the Sword Heart Tomb to pick up overlooked treasures, most would find their opportunities here at the Ten Thousand Swords River.
Up ahead, Ye Jinghong and the two young maidservants, Ye Kongling and Ye Yanling, had already arrived and were waiting for Ye Wushuang.
"That's odd. With His Highness the Son of Heaven's strength, he should have come out very quickly if he wanted to cross the Ten Thousand Beasts Sword Forest. Why haven't we seen him yet?" Ye Yanling muttered quietly.
"Perhaps His Highness the Son of Heaven didn't intend to come so early. After all, the Sword Heart Tomb hasn't opened yet, so we can only gain insights here at the Ten Thousand Swords River." With her eyes closed, Ye Kongling murmured softly.
Gradually, the geniuses of the various forces arrived as well.
Wisps of Nether Qi seeped out as a party from the Nine Nether Imperial Dynasty slowly approached from nearby.
Dark gleams flickered in their leader's eyes, and he gave the Ye Lineage members an eerie smile.
"That's Ming Ye, a descendant of one of the Nine Nether Imperial Dynasty's princes. He's also an outstanding figure among the dynasty's current generation."
"I've heard that, aside from a few exceptionally powerful imperial sons, the descendants of those princes are the strongest," a cultivator quietly transmitted to his companion.
A woman with an ethereal, immortal air flew over, surrounded by others. A fresh, unworldly feeling washed over them, and her breathtaking beauty displayed the bearing of one untouched by the smoke and fire of the mortal world.
"That's Situ Xue, the sixth and youngest disciple of Immortal Feather Mountain's current mountain lord. What a pure bearing. She reminds me of my first love in her white enchanted dress."
A man covered his face and wept, leaving those beside him thoroughly puzzled.
His friend patted his shoulder and comforted him, calling him a hopeless romantic, while inwardly cursing him for failing to live up to expectations: Damn simp.
Sensing a stirring from her ethereal Dao body, Ye Kongling opened her eyes, revealing a hint of delight.
She sensed the familiar presence ahead and said softly, "His Highness the Son of Heaven is here."
At the sight of that white-haired man, everyone present fell silent.
After witnessing the strength of this Son of Heaven of the Ye Lineage outside, none of them dared provoke him casually anymore.
"That handsome white-haired man is Ye Wushuang, the Ye Lineage's Son of Heaven who made his name outside."
"He suppressed Qilin Cave's Lin Zhan with a mere raise of his hand, forcing Qilin Cave to miss out on entering the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm this time."
Someone introduced him to a late-arriving friend beside him.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Xie Qianli was still a beat behind. "Brother Ye, are you famous? Even if you're already half as handsome as me, surely that isn't enough to cause such a sensation."
Ye Wushuang ignored that fool, Xie Qianli.
Up ahead, Ye Wushuang strolled over and reached the Ye Lineage's gathering.
Seeing the confusion in the Ye Lineage members' eyes, Ye Wushuang pointed to the two behind him and introduced them.
"This young lady is Nie Qingcheng. The big idiot beside her is called Xie Qianli."
Nie Qingcheng nodded lightly and returned everyone's greetings.
Xie Qianli planted his saber upright and laughed heartily. "Hello, everyone! I'm Xie Qianli, a saber wielder who wants to become the God of Cooking." Then he actually struck a pose on the spot to look cool.
Ye Wushuang could not help turning his head away and closing his eyes, looking as though he did not know him.
He simply could not bear to look!
The corners of Nie Qingcheng's eyes lifted slightly, and she raised a brow with a smile.
So there was someone who could give this Son of Heaven of the Ye Lineage, so glorious in the outside world, such a headache.
Seeing this holy maiden, famous for her fiery temper, acting like a refined young lady, everyone from Heavenly Demon Mountain looked as though they had seen a ghost.
Among them, a blond-haired man with piercing eyes glared over in fury.
He was Jin Zhan, a prodigy of the Golden-Feathered Heavenly Peng Clan. Seeking to compete for Heavenly Demon Mountain's holy son position, he had been constantly courting Nie Qingcheng's favor.
He addressed Ye Wushuang. "I hear you're the Ye Lineage's Son of Heaven of this generation. I've just heard something of your exploits outside."
"But in the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm, your sword does the talking. Only a powerful Dao of the Sword can subdue these divine swords."
At the same time, he anxiously called to Nie Qingcheng, "Qingcheng, why aren't you coming back? Why are you mingling with the Human Race?"
Nie Qingcheng arched her brows and smiled contemptuously. "Who do you think you are? Is Qingcheng a name you have the right to use?"
"I am Heavenly Demon Mountain's holy maiden. Who are you to dictate whom I spend time with? Know your place."
Having said that, Nie Qingcheng paid him no further attention.
Ye Wushuang looked over with interest and said with a faint, ambiguous smile, "Let my sword do the talking? Once I draw my sword, you won't have another chance to speak."
"You!" Jin Zhan was utterly exasperated.
Noticing Jin Zhan's pursuit of Nie Qingcheng, Ye Wushuang revealed a sly expression.
He slipped an arm around Nie Qingcheng's slender waist and pulled her over.
Suddenly finding herself in Ye Wushuang's arms, Nie Qingcheng's mind went blank. "You little bastard, what are you doing?"
Breathing in Ye Wushuang's fragrance and feeling his heartbeat, Nie Qingcheng could not help going weak, a blush spreading across her face. (We virgins all have a natural fragrance.)
Holding Nie Qingcheng's arm tightly, Ye Wushuang said teasingly, "Little phoenix, if you're using me as a shield, I'll have to collect a little interest."
"You bastard! Today, I'll let you witness the divine abilities of my Golden-Feathered Heavenly Peng Clan!" At that moment, Jin Zhan wished he could fly over and strike Ye Wushuang with his sword.
But when he saw the Sword Qi emanating from Ye Jinghong, Jin Zhan immediately calmed down and hurriedly sent a voice transmission asking the Heavenly Demon Mountain disciples beside him to hold him back.
Seeing Ye Wushuang's bold flirting, Xie Qianli shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Brother Ye, you truly are a god among men! I'm convinced! I prostrate myself before you in admiration! I want a wife too. Hurry up and teach me that move!"
Hearing the clamor beside her ear, the corner of Nie Qingcheng's eye twitched, and she raised her arm slightly.
Flames instantly erupted over Xie Qianli's body. "Help, Brother Ye!"
Xie Qianli looked as though he were questioning his entire life. "Why are we so different?"
Ye Wushuang pointed at his handsome face and smiled dashingly. "Perhaps it's because of this."
Beside him, Ye Kongling and Ye Yanling teased with jealous expressions, "Well, well, Your Highness the Divine Son, you haven't even held either of us yet."
Ye Wushuang joked in return, "Come on, then. One on each side." He spread his arms.
Ye Yanling pretended she was about to throw herself into his arms, while Ye Kongling's heart pounded. Unable to withstand such teasing, she ran off shyly.
"Your Highness the Son of Heaven, we're going to explore the Ten Thousand Swords River and see whether we can obtain swords of our own." The two ran toward the Ten Thousand Swords River.