Chapter 31: A Sword Cleaves the Sky
Not long ago, atop Mending Heaven Peak, within the summit cave dwelling.
In stark contrast to the bustling activity below, with its myriad worldly affairs, the summit was serene, with clouds rising and falling, detached from the mundane, as if transcending the chaotic human realm.
Before a cliff, two figures stood, gazing down at the sea of clouds below.
One appeared elderly with white hair and a youthful face, dressed in black and white Daoist robes, holding a horsetail whisk, resembling the benevolent old immortals often depicted in mortal tales.
The other was a middle-aged man, who said with a sly smile:
"Mending Heaven, I heard you've been selecting a son-in-law for your daughter recently?"
"Why? Are you interested?" The Master of Mending Heaven Peak turned to look at the middle-aged man. "If it's one of your disciples, he could be a good match for Qian'er."
"Better not."
The middle-aged man shook his head. "I know my disciples; they're all flashy but lack substance. They can't handle your daughter. Better find someone else."
"Then forget it." The Master of Mending Heaven Peak shook his head. "I've already found someone suitable. This person has cultivated diligently over three lifetimes, possesses great merit and foundation, has a thirty percent chance of forming a Dao foundation in the future, and after learning True Person Panlong's 'Nine Transformations Dragon Art,' he even exhibits the might of a true dragon in bed."
"True Person Panlong? That can't be."
The middle-aged man calculated with his fingers, then shook his head. "Panlong Island vanished, and the opportunity was seized by someone else, not your disciple."
"Soon, he will be."
The Master of Mending Heaven Peak said calmly, "I've already calculated who seized the opportunity. I've sent Yuanchun to handle it. It won't be long before things are back on track."
"Tsk tsk tsk, you're really leaving no room for others." The middle-aged man shook his head. "The path of immortality is hard to attain. Why be so harsh on the younger generation?"
"Occasionally, we need to give them some hope. After all, the Saint Sect needs fresh blood."
"No need for your teachings."
The Master of Mending Heaven Peak sneered. "If that were all, I might not have acted. But I've calculated that the one who seized True Person Panlong's opportunity is quite unusual."
At this point, the Master of Mending Heaven Peak's tone carried a hint of surprise. "This person has only been in the sect for a few years. Not only did he profit greatly during the recent Substitute Death Yin Puppet incident, but he also cultivated the Blood-Transforming Divine Light, refined a Sword Pill, mastered the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion's sword techniques, and reached the sixth level of Qi Refining."
"Oh? Quite impressive."
The middle-aged man looked surprised, then silently calculated for a moment before sighing. "I didn't expect our Saint Sect to produce such talent."
After speaking, the middle-aged man seemed intrigued.
"Come, point me in his direction. Let's see what kind of potential he has. If he's of good quality, perhaps we can refine an excellent treasure pill."
"That's simple, just over there, hmm?"
The Master of Mending Heaven Peak initially wore a smile, but as he pointed out the direction and looked into the distance, his smile gradually faded.
"Boom!"
As the Master of Mending Heaven Peak's gaze fell, the vast Mending Heaven Peak seemed to experience a dragon's upheaval. Even the peripheral areas had rocks tumbling into the sea of clouds.
Within a certain cave dwelling on Mending Heaven Peak, Liu Xin lay prostrate on the ground, too terrified to breathe, fearing he might attract the attention of the Master of Mending Heaven Peak.
"Not looking for me, not looking for me..."
Liu Xin desperately repeated in his mind, suppressing his guilt and fear.
After all, that was a Foundation Establishment True Person.
Even a single glance could kill someone in the Qi Refining realm, and his son's soul was hidden within Liu Xin's Ten Thousand Spirits Banner.
If discovered, it would be a disaster beyond redemption!
"No need to fear. I have a divine talisman protecting me; he can't calculate my presence."
Liu Xin trembled, clutching a talisman tightly.
"Yuanchun pays respects to Master."
Lu Yuanchun, coughing up blood, bowed to the face in the sky, pleading guilty, yet felt no relief at surviving.
Instead, his heart was cold.
At the last moment, he had used a jade pendant to break through Lü Yang's grand formation.
The pendant contained a trace of the Master of Mending Heaven Peak's divine consciousness, his greatest reliance as a Foundation Establishment disciple. Because it was difficult to create, once used, it was nearly impossible to replace, equivalent to a life.
Now, it was gone.
Moreover, not only had he failed to help Junior Brother Zhao reclaim the opportunity, but he also failed to protect him, leading to his unexpected death—a complete failure.
With multiple offenses, his path to immortality was now hopeless.
"Disciple is incompetent."
Lu Yuanchun dared not speak or explain, choosing only to bow and await his master's decision after killing Lü Yang.
Clang—!
At this moment, Lu Yuanchun suddenly heard a sword's cry.
The sound was not loud but exceptionally clear, refreshing, and impossible to ignore.
Initially, it resembled the gentle sound of flowing water, but as time passed, the flow became more turbulent, the sound more deafening, eventually transforming into a roaring river, echoing throughout the heavens and earth.
Lu Yuanchun instinctively looked up.
Then he saw a figure standing proudly in mid-air under the gaze of the True Person, his back straight, unafraid, meeting the gaze head-on.
Beneath his feet was a surging river of sword Qi.
The river was crimson, filled with overwhelming killing intent, yet it did not spread but continuously contracted, flowing back into a delicate Sword Pill.
"What is he trying to do?"
Lu Yuanchun swallowed hard. He had a guess but couldn't believe it.
Could someone be so bold, so unaware of the heavens' will?
At the same time, the face in the sky seemed to realize something, frowning:
"You intend to attack me?"
Lü Yang's expression was indifferent.
The Sword Pill absorbed the blood river, its edge pointing straight to the sky:
"Please enlighten me, senior."
The face remained silent, seemingly disdainful of a response.
The next second, Lü Yang saw a black dot suddenly appear in the sky, rapidly expanding, descending upon him with overwhelming force.
As the black dot approached, Lü Yang barely discerned its form—it was a finger, descending from an unimaginable height, with skin textures clearly visible.
Lü Yang was struck by a sudden realization—this was the opponent's answer:
An ant, how can it comprehend the vastness of the sky?
In an instant, an intense sense of crisis enveloped him, nearly freezing his thoughts, like an ant emerging from its hole suddenly facing the bright sky.
"Trying to crush me with a finger???"
Lü Yang exhaled deeply, then his entire body's true Qi began to burn intensely.
The Killing Curse obtained in his second life was now fully activated.
At this moment, life and death were cast aside.
Lü Yang's heart was filled only with rage.
In this life, he sought no conflict, focused solely on cultivation, yet you calculated karma, sent people to seize my opportunity, and when that failed, personally attempted to kill me.
Speaking of cultivation methods and karma, claiming the opportunity was predestined.
Am I destined to be a beast of burden, while you are destined to be high above?
"Kill!"
Lü Yang shouted, his chest's true Qi transforming into a long howl, his fury forging a beam of sword light, striking straight into the sky.
A silent collision occurred, like a flickering candle flame.
After a brief brilliance, darkness engulfed Lü Yang's vision and consciousness.