Chapter Thirty-One: Sword Light, Nothing But Sword Light

Suddenly, within this world, a crimson light pierced the azure sky—the manifestation of a single sword.

The firelight surged through the clouds, shattering the horizon like a rolling sun, while formless sword energy descended from the heavens. Jiang Zhenguang was startled. With a flick of his sleeves, layers of invisible light coalesced into a protective barrier, interlocking like the leaves of a thousand-layered cake. He could not see the attacker, but the wave-like sword intent came crashing down in relentless succession.

Crimson flames struck the barrier, causing it to collapse instantly. A second barrier rose to meet the onslaught, but it was to no avail; it, too, shattered. Even after such impact, the sword energy did not wane in the slightest. It remained as sharp as ever, carrying the singular, chilling resolve that it would not rest until its target was slain.

"Jiang Zhenguang, have you no shame left, you decrepit waste? You’ve wasted your entire life like a dog. Did that dead piece of trash, your teacher, teach you to act like this?"

Amidst the churning sea of clouds and rising storms, a vortex formed. Within it stood a handsome youth, staring down the old man on the ground with icy vitriol.

Upon seeing his attacker, Jiang Zhenguang raised a finger etched with lines like the bark of an ancient tree. "Xu Yuanming, you are insolent!"

How could he not recognize this person? He was the undisputed top inner-sect disciple of the current Yingtian Taoist Temple. His cultivation at such a young age was already enough to strike fear into Jiang's heart. If he were given more time to cultivate...

"Insolent? And who are you to speak of insolence, you old relic?"

With these words, the red glow of the sword light retracted into the blade. Suddenly, the sky ignited. The blade shimmered with the very clouds it had just parted, illuminating the vast world below. The ground mirrored the scene like a polished mirror, reflecting waves of fiery, maple-red light that flooded the earth.

Light flared at Jiang Zhenguang’s fingertip, and a talisman rose into the air, transforming into two towering, hundred-foot-tall manifestations of deities. Yet, it was futile. Before long, the body of one manifestation was pierced through; the sword energy shredded it from the inside out. The other fared even worse—its body was riddled with dense sword marks, and its head was cleanly severed by a single strike.

"I am old, indeed... To think that even a junior dares to shit on my head now..." Jiang Zhenguang laughed bitterly. "Even your master would not dare to be so disrespectful to me. Regardless of his grievances, he would still have to call me 'Fellow Daoist'..."

Xu Yuanming laughed aloud, cutting him off. At this point, there was nothing left to say.

"Jiang Zhenguang, you are truly old, and your mind has withered along with your body. But tell me, how was that sword strike from my master back then? He did not wish to kill you, but I shall see it through to the end. Today, you old relic shall go to meet your master!"

Jiang Zhenguang pondered for a moment, blood seeping through his tattered robes. "Hundreds of years have passed in the blink of an eye. Old wounds have piled up, leaving this withered husk a shadow of its former self. My cultivation is no longer at its peak, like an old tree nearing its end. Had we met sooner, would I ever have allowed you such arrogance?"

...

Outside the world within Jiang Zhenguang’s palm.

Xie Peiling lay flat on the ground. Faint stars were beginning to appear in the sky. Suddenly, the evening glow spread across the heavens. It was not a natural phenomenon; the red light, desolate as falling maple leaves, rippled through the firmament. These were wisps of sword intent, expanding from the very center. The emptiness of the twilight was swept away.

Xie Peiling was bewildered. "What is this?"

Bai Ci explained, "This is the manifestation of his Dao. 'Brother Lü’s' sword path and cultivation are so profound that every strike reflects upon the world itself."

Xie Peiling raised an eyebrow, attempting to rise, only to find his entire body pinned down as if by the weight of ten thousand tons of earth and sand.

"Why so vigilant? If I wanted to do something to you, I wouldn't need to be so cautious. Even your 'Brother Lü' is wary of me, let alone you. If I wanted to touch you, I wouldn't need to overthink it."

Chu Xianlü suddenly interjected, "Young master, may I ask what business you have with him? As you can see, he is currently indisposed. Whatever you need can wait until he has recovered."

Bai Ci noticed the young girl standing nearby. "And who are you? Are you not afraid that I might kill you with a single strike?"

The girl chuckled, pointing at her own face with a 'go ahead and try' expression. "Of course, I am... guess."

Bai Ci’s smile stiffened. He closed the fan he was waving in his right hand, his voice turning sinister. "Little girl, that is not very cute at all!"

The girl held up a finger, gesturing a 'no' sign. "Whether I am cute or not is not for you to decide. Who are you? Do I know you?"

Bai Ci was stunned. Shaking his head, he ignored her and took a few steps toward Xie Peiling. He crouched down, watching the solemn expression on Xie Peiling’s face, and let out a long sigh.

"I have no designs on you, nor on 'Brother Lü.' I merely wish to make a friend. After all, I am here..."

Chu Xianlü said with a grin, "In a strange land, unable to meet many people? You’ve been here for at least a year. I suppose your 'unfamiliarity' just means you don't intend to stay long?"

Bai Ci glanced at her. "I wasn't talking to you. Don't interrupt."

"But I’m telling you, he is injured and not fit to receive 'strangers,' so please leave."

"And how do you know you aren't the stranger, and that I am not his close friend? Little girl, empty words can get you hurt..."

"If you truly have a clear conscience, why not use a Mirror of Heart-Questioning to see if you really only want to make a friend?"

At that moment, the sword energy in the sky began to contract. The brilliant light shone into everyone's hearts. The next instant, a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of Bai Ci’s mouth. He knew this was Xu Yuanming’s warning to leave at once. He had not expected Xu Yuanming to spare a sliver of focus for him while dueling the ancestor of the Zhengling Sect, Jiang Zhenguang.

Chu Xianlü laughed. "It seems your constitution is poor, young master. You were injured just by looking at the sword light. I suppose your cultivation is lacking. You had best return quickly, lest you die here without anyone knowing. If the Imperial Court were to blame us, even with a thousand mouths, my sister’s fiancé and I could never clear our names!"

"Then I shall take my leave. But I advise you, young lady, to be careful. After all, a young lady of the Chu family walking the streets alone without a bodyguard—who knows if someone might snatch you away? You are not your sister, and with your meager cultivation, I have nothing more to say."

After these words, the atmosphere in the world surged. Then, a brilliant light flared up.

Sword light—nothing but sword light.