Firmament Sword

”AAARGH! This is infuriating!” Wang Xu couldn’t stop himself from spitting out a mouthful of blood. He was wild with hatred, wishing he could tear Xu Luo to shreds.

He had never suffered such a major loss in his entire life. When he thought about how much he had endured to subdue the supreme fire among Elemental Fires—the Ice Flame—he felt like he was about to go mad.

Lianyi and Ji Bingyu were also speechless. Neither had expected this outcome.

The surrounding onlookers couldn’t help but gasp. Xu Luo’s fame had already spread throughout the Imperial Capital, but not everyone had witnessed his power firsthand.

Having witnessed this battle with their own eyes, even though many didn’t recognize Wang Xu, it didn’t stop them from concluding he was a remarkably powerful man.

Anyone who could cultivate Elemental Fire into their own Dharma Heaven and Earth was, without exception, a genius among geniuses!

Yet before Xu Luo, he seemed so utterly vulnerable. In close combat... he was no match. He used his Dharma Aspect, only for it to be easily countered. And to top it all off, even his Elemental Fire had been taken...

Liu Wuyan, Wang Dong, and the others who had just arrived watched with shifting expressions, their gazes on Xu Luo turning grave.

”I never thought a disciple from the secular world could be this powerful. A burning desire to fight him is building within me!” Liu Wuyan licked his lips and said softly, ”Only an opponent like him can force me to improve!”

Beside him, Liu Wushang was silent, a hint of envy in his eyes.

Ever since the Sect Assembly, he had been hearing all sorts of rumors about Xu Luo and felt he had a good understanding of this secular disciple. He was tempted to remind his proud younger brother that during the Sect Assembly, Xu Luo was nowhere near as powerful as he was now.

Xu Luo’s rate of improvement was so fast that Liu Wushang couldn’t even muster the will to fight him.

’It’s too fast!’

’This isn’t a genius, it’s a true monster!’

Wang Dong turned to Xiaohai beside him. ”Was he this strong before?”

Xiaohai shook his head. ”During the Sect Assembly, in the Small World, he was already very strong, but definitely not this strong. At least... back then, he couldn’t use Dharma Heaven and Earth yet.”

”Only someone like him is worthy of being my opponent!” Wang Dong’s eyes shone with the thrill of a predator spotting its prey. He said, ”My previous estimation of him was too low. If I get the chance, I must fight him!”

”Do you want to continue?” Xu Luo looked calmly at Wang Xu and said indifferently, ”If not, I’m heading back. I still have to prepare a banquet for my guests.”

”...” The surrounding crowd was collectively speechless.

Talk about humiliation. This was it.

Facing a High Tier of Transformation Realm expert, he acted with casual indifference, as if the battle that had just concluded was some trivial, everyday affair.

”I’ll fight you to the death!” How could Wang Xu endure such provocation? Forget about the crowd watching; even if it were just the two of them, he wouldn’t be able to stand Xu Luo’s attitude.

”That’s enough!” A crisp, cold shout echoed through the air. A woman who appeared to be in her thirties descended from the sky.

The woman had a rosy complexion, skin whiter than snow, and wore an aqua-blue long dress that perfectly accentuated her graceful figure, making her look incredibly bewitching!

”Auntie?” Lianyi called out softly.

The woman shot a glare at Lianyi, then turned to Wang Xu. Her gaze was severe as she said in a low voice, ”Haven’t you made enough of a fool of yourself?”

”Ma-Master.” Wang Xu, who had been incomparably furious just a moment ago, had an immediate change in attitude the instant he saw the woman. He lowered his head, his face full of grievance. ”He stole my Ice Flame…”

”And you have the gall to mention it!” the woman cut him off coldly. ”I saw that entire battle from start to finish! You were no match in close combat, and your Dharma Aspect was countered. In a situation like this, what did I teach you?”

”To withdraw and leave without hesitation,” Wang Xu said weakly.

”And what did you do?” the woman sneered.

”I… I lost my cool and wanted to risk my life, but that’s only because…”

”Enough. I don’t want to hear excuses. People who make excuses are annoying enough, let alone men who make excuses!” The woman cut Wang Xu off forcefully, then turned to face Xu Luo.

”This is my aunt, my mother’s biological younger sister…” Lianyi whispered to Xu Luo.

”So you’re Xu Luo?” the woman asked, looking at him with a blank expression.

’Didn’t you just watch from start to finish?’ Xu Luo thought. ’And you don’t know who I am?’

But she was an elder, after all. If for no one else, he had to give Lianyi some face. Nodding, Xu Luo said, ”Greetings, Senior.”

”What ’Senior’? Call me Big Sister!” the woman said imperiously. ”Do I look that old to you?”

”...” The corner of Xu Luo’s mouth twitched violently. He was at a loss for words. ”No… but…?”

”No buts. It’s true I’m Lianyi’s auntie, but I’m so young and beautiful. Calling me that makes me sound old!” The woman waved her hand dismissively. ”So, call me Big Sister!”

Lianyi wore a helpless expression. This auntie of hers had always been like this—so fierce that she left others speechless.

”Let’s not waste words. My worthless disciple was being foolish, so Big Sister is apologizing to you. Look, you’ve taught him a lesson, you’ve beaten him… How about you just give that fire back to him?” the woman said casually.

Behind her, Wang Xu’s eyes lit up. Though he was still resentful about losing to Xu Luo, and even more so about being called worthless, he had a deep attachment to his unique Ice Flame. If he could get it back, that would naturally be for the best.

”About that… I can’t,” Xu Luo said with a helpless and very sincere expression. ”We’re not strangers here; it was all just a misunderstanding. If I could, I would naturally obey Auntie… Big Sister’s command. But the problem is… I don’t know how to return the flame to him either.”

’What a joke. He wants something back after it was swallowed by the Kaiyang Star Soul? Even if the Kaiyang Star Soul agreed, I wouldn’t! Don’t be fooled by Wang Xu’s weak act. He was the one ready to fight to the death moments ago! The grudge between us is set in stone now. I don’t believe for a second that he isn’t plotting revenge. So why should I show him any goodwill?’

The woman was slightly taken aback. She glanced at Lianyi, silently urging her to persuade Xu Luo.

But Lianyi’s heart was entirely with Xu Luo, and she was extremely displeased with Wang Xu. How could she possibly speak up for him? She turned her head aside, pretending not to see her auntie’s pleading gaze.

The woman sighed in resignation. She shot Wang Xu a look of profound disappointment and said, ”Fine. It’s hard to truly grow without suffering a few losses. Wang Xu, I’ve told you before, there’s always someone better out there. The world is full of experts. Don’t be so arrogant, or you’ll suffer for it… Never mind. Go back. Think carefully about where you went wrong today. You’re still young, with a long road ahead of you. It doesn’t matter that you lost something; what’s most important is your heart!”

Wang Xu was seething with resentment. A venomous look appeared in his eyes as he stared at Xu Luo. Even now, he refused to admit he was weaker. He just felt he was unlucky that his Dharma Aspect happened to be countered. Otherwise, how could Xu Luo possibly have been his match?

But now his Master had spoken. Even if he was a million times unwilling, he didn’t dare to object. Others might not understand how terrifying this woman was, but as her disciple, he knew very well that defying her would lead to terrible punishment.

He nodded immediately. ”I understand, Master.”

With that, Wang Xu turned and left.

”You can all disperse now.” The woman waved her hand at the other disciples of the Celestial Cauldron Sect, dismissing them. Then she turned back, looking at Xu Luo with a beaming smile. ”Little brother, what’s this? You don’t want to invite Big Sister to your home as a guest?”

A wry smile appeared on Xu Luo’s face. He knew his decision had somewhat offended Lianyi’s aunt. Despite her current nonchalant expression, who knew what she was really thinking?

”Please, come in!” Xu Luo said to the formidable woman, gesturing for her to enter.

Nearby, Ji Bingyu had become very quiet ever since the woman’s arrival. Clearly, this Heaven’s Chosen of the Celestial Cauldron Sect was also very wary of Lianyi’s aunt.

No one else from the Xu Mansion was home, so Xu Luo led the group directly to his own courtyard and gave orders for food and wine to be prepared.

For Lianyi, returning here was no different from coming home; she didn’t feel like a guest at all. Every blade of grass and every tree was incredibly familiar to her.

Looking at the largely unchanged courtyard, Lianyi felt a wave of emotion. A soft chord was struck in her heart, and she remained silent for a long time.

”Alright, Lianyi, take Bingxue and go for a walk. I need to talk with Xu Luo,” the woman said with a casual wave of her hand. Her gaze toward Lianyi, however, held a touch of tenderness.

”Okay,” Lianyi agreed softly, not worried at all. She knew very well that while her auntie seemed casual and fierce, in reality, Ling Fengxian was arguably the most intelligent person in the entire Celestial Cauldron Sect.

After personally pouring a cup of tea for Ling Fengxian, Xu Luo sat down, watching the radiant woman and waiting for her to speak first.

”Xu Luo, before I met you, I was actually very against Lianyi being with you,” Ling Fengxian said, getting straight to the point.

”Oh?” Xu Luo was a little surprised, not understanding why she would suddenly say such a thing.

”That girl, Lianyi, has had a bitter life… Of course, I don’t mean to blame your Xu Family. In fact, if it weren’t for your father, she might not even be alive today.” Ling Fengxian sighed softly. ”Back then, my older sister had no choice but to abandon her in the secular world. Afterward, many things happened, causing the search for Lianyi to be delayed again and again… My sister grieved for many years over this, until we received definitive news that Lianyi was still alive.”

”Of course, none of that is important now. Lianyi has finally returned to her mother’s side, and as her auntie, I naturally hope she can be happy.”

”You’re a smart man, and your future is limitless. I’m not asking for anything else. I only hope that you will treat Lianyi well in the future, just as you always have, and continue to see her as the person closest to you!”

Although Xu Luo didn’t understand why she was saying all this, he still nodded. ”I have always considered Lianyi the person closest to me!”

”That’s good. Then I can rest assured.” Ling Fengxian smiled faintly. ”That settles that. Now, let’s talk business!”