Chapter 398 - 397

Chapter 398: 397Ye Tianchen had killed the three people from the Sword Control Sect including Chen Hui without much concern, unaware that the Sect’s top disciple, Xiao Yuan, a man who appeared simple and honest yet concealed his depth, was already hot on his heels. Xiao Yuan’s cultivation had reached the mid-to-late stage of Martial Venerate, exceedingly powerful and even more advanced than Ye Tianchen’s own realm. He was probably not far off from Li Qiushui’s level. Xiao Yuan was a deeply scheming person who had concealed his plans for decades. This time, his junior sister came under the lecherous advances of Tian Boguang, which made their master furious enough to pursue Tian Boguang to the ends of the earth and to make a solemn promise. Any disciple of the Sword Control Sect who could bring back Tian Boguang’s head would be taught the Sword Energy Skill, and it might even be possible for that disciple to marry his daughter, securing the position as the next Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect.

As the top disciple of the Sword Control Sect, Xiao Yuan had always given the impression of being honest and loyal, hardworking in his cultivation. Many people liked him for seeming to have a sense of justice, never vying for fame or profit. It seemed like he never coveted the position of Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect. But it was such a man who had hidden for so many years, deceiving even the current Sect Leader. A person like him was a hundred times more terrifying than a villain, for he was a hypocrite.

The pursuit of Tian Boguang gave Xiao Yuan the chance he had been waiting for. He had long realized that his master was still young and had no intention of stepping down. Even if he performed well, it would only earn his master’s internal praise and get him shortlisted as a candidate for the next Sect Leader. As the top disciple, Xiao Yuan was naturally a candidate for the next Sect Leader, something expected and not something he needed to show off for.

However, the circumstances were completely different this time. Their master was getting on in years, with no sons and only a daughter who was his junior sister. Even though his junior sister was highly perceptive and her cultivation was not weak, being a woman still made it difficult for her to succeed as the next Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect. Therefore, the only method was to seek a son-in-law who could become the Sect Leader.

The aging Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect had his daughter harassed by Tian Boguang, an utter disgrace to the Sect, and while he was incensed, he also wanted to take the opportunity to choose someone he favored to be the next Sect Leader and teach him the Sword Energy Skill. This wasn’t only understood by Xiao Yuan and Chen Hui but also known to the other disciples of the Sword Control Sect. However, they didn’t possess the strength needed; Tian Boguang’s cultivation was at least at the mid-stage of Martial Venerate. Among those in the Sect, aside from Xiao Yuan, perhaps only Chen Hui could barely compete with Tian Boguang. Thus, the contest for the position of Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect would be between Xiao Yuan and Chen Hui.

When their master gave the order, what the other disciples of the Sword Control Sect didn’t expect was that Xiao Yuan would volunteerily step back instead of pursuing immediately. In front of the master, junior sister, and all the siblings of the Sword Control Sect, he said, "This time Tian Boguang dared to harass our junior sister. I guarantee to everyone here that I will personally kill Tian Boguang. As for the Sword Energy Skill mentioned by our master, that is something only a Sect Leader is worthy of receiving. I, Xiao Yuan, don’t believe myself to have enough talent or insight compared to my fellow brothers, so I dare not be hopeful. But as the eldest brother, I absolutely cannot tolerate someone insulting our Sword Control Sect!"

His remarks were impassioned, and many of his fellow disciples couldn’t help but applaud. Even Chen Jianshu, the Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect, couldn’t help but nod in approval. Xiao Yuan was his first disciple. Though not the most intelligent or talented, Xiao Yuan was hardworking and diligent, and over the years, he had been helping to manage the affairs of the Sword Control Sect, gaining the support of the other disciples. To be a Sect Leader, it wasn’t only about having profound cultivation to suppress the masses but also about uniting the disciples below and winning their endorsement, ruling with virtue rather than relying on force, which would never last.

Xiao Yuan’s cunning and viciousness had never been exposed over the many years, known only to a few confidants of the moment. Xiao Yuan was aware that this was a rare opportunity. If he could kill Tian Boguang and avenge Chen Hui, he was sure to become the next Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect.

"That elder brother, what should we do now?" a younger disciple asked.

"Chase! We must kill Tian Boguang and avenge the second junior brother and the other two. Right, you go back to the Sect immediately and inform the master. Tell him the second junior brother has been harmed by a villain and I am investigating. I will return to the Sect within three days, and by then, I’ll definitely bring back the corpses of Tian Boguang and that villain!" Xiao Yuan said with soaring spirits.

"Yes!"

At this moment, Xiao Yuan no longer looked like an honest and loyal person. Instead, his face bore a treacherous smile, becoming an insufferable villain. His arrogance was laid bare, and had the Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect or any other siblings been present, they would have been stunned. For decades, Xiao Yuan had presented himself as a paragon of honesty and simplicity, and nobody could have imagined that he was a deeply concealed and venomously hypocritical man.

Meanwhile, in a stone chamber of the Ancient Tomb Sect, Dongfang Meng stood in a corner, almost crying out of anxiety over the scene before her, yet completely helpless. If she moved even a small step forward, the power of the Heavenly Dao would send her flying. Such formidable power left both Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng with almost no resistance.

"Don’t go any forward, you’ll lose your life!" Dongfang Meng couldn’t help but shout loudly at Ye Tianchen.

Ye Tianchen could be seen pushing forward with both palms, inching exceedingly slowly. The challenge was like moving step by step. To his left and right floated two Divine Swords, the Taie Sword and the Fish Intestine Sword, which blocked part of the power of the Heavenly Dao. Combined with Ye Tianchen’s own robust physique, this allowed him to move agonisingly forward. Still, the mere ten steps to the stone coffin took him over an hour to traverse, as if he carried an immense burden. This sensation was unbearable for normal people; any ordinary person would have been scared to death, let alone dare to move forward.

Drip-drip!

Drip-drip!

Blood was falling to the ground, and it was none other than Ye Tianchen’s. Ye Tianchen always paid great attention to tempering his physique, and he had the Taie Sword and Fish Intestine Sword by his side, but the pressure that felt even greater than ten Mount Tais was truly crushing. Ye Tianchen’s skin had begun to crack, and blood was dripping down his arms and shoulders. This was merely a strand of the Holy Path Power’s oppression. The Xuanyuan Sword, one side adorned with the sun, moon, and stars, the other side with mountains, rivers, and vegetation, embodied the sun, moon, and stars, representing the most origin forces of the universe. Such a sword was not easy to subdue; let alone subduing it, even approaching it now posed a life-threatening danger to Ye Tianchen.

"You big dummy, come back!" Dongfang Meng shouted loudly, always appearing like an ice queen, but at this moment, her beautiful eyes were filled with tears. She was moved by Ye Tianchen’s tenacious will and was touched by this unreliable man who had gone through all kinds of hardships to find the Jade Maiden Heart Scripture for her.

One cannot be unemotional like plants and trees, and at this moment, Dongfang Meng was indeed moved. Ye Tianchen might look irresponsible and carefree, but it was such a man who once he became serious, his kingly aura could truly make people submit and be infected by his charm.

"I won’t die; I’ll make Xuanyuan Sword mine, and of course, I can’t let you, having just become a woman, be a widow!"

At this time, Ye Tianchen was covered in blood, pressed out by the immense pressure of the Holy Path Power, and his flesh had started to crack. Blood kept dripping down. Fortunately, his physique was strong, as if he had an endless supply of blood, at least for now without feeling too overwhelmed.

Faced with Ye Tianchen’s joking words, even now still in an unserious manner, Dongfang Meng wasn’t angry anymore. She was genuinely worried for Ye Tianchen, staring intently with her fair and delicate hands clasped in front of her chest, silently praying and hoping that Ye Tianchen would be alright. With their cultivation level, they really couldn’t withstand the Holy Path Power. If it weren’t for Ye Tianchen’s sturdy physique, plus having the Taie Sword and Fish Intestine Sword, he probably would have already become a puddle of flesh!

Crack!

Ye Tianchen took another step forward. Now he was only two steps away from the stone coffin, but his foot hadn’t touched the ground when he felt a weight on his shoulder and heard a cracking sound, the sound of bones breaking. Ye Tianchen clenched his teeth, his eyes becoming incredibly resolute and domineering. That unyielding spirit was evident in his gaze. Having come this far, he was determined to see what the Xuanyuan Sword inside the stone coffin actually looked like, even if it killed him.

"Holy Path Power, I want to see what kind of Taoism this is..."

With a loud shout, Ye Tianchen clenched his fists tightly and, disregarding everything, swung his bloodied fists upwards. Dongfang Meng was taken aback, staring dumbfounded at this scene. She hadn’t expected Ye Tianchen to dare to strike the Holy Path Power. The Holy Path was also the Heavenly Dao. To strike at the Holy Path, wasn’t that defying heaven? Wasn’t he afraid of being punished by the Heavenly Punishment?

"I refuse to believe that I can’t see the Xuanyuan Sword inside this stone coffin!"

Accompanied by a roar, and with his body dripping with blood, Ye Tianchen kept swinging his fists, even when bones were visible, without the slightest hint of faltering. At this moment, he couldn’t feel pain, couldn’t feel that he might die, just the indomitable will in his heart propelling him forward, one step, two steps, reaching the front of the stone coffin! (To be continued. If you like this work, please head over to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)