Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Li Guanqi knew Lu Kangnian would drown himself in wine. Even so, he didn’t take him for an indecisive sect master. If anything, placing himself in Lu Kangnian’s position… if it had been Ye Feng instead of Yu Mu, what would he have done? He had no answer.

Maybe only someone like Lu Kangnian, ruthless yet still human, deserved to lead the Daxia Sword Sect. The thought made him smile faintly, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was late, and the day had been heavy. He let go of the idea of seeking out Cang Lu.

They were both on the Heavenly Lightning Peak, so Li Guanqi could sense him whenever he wished. He returned to the Jade Teapot Peak and sat cross-legged at its summit. His body was shrouded in an overwhelming aura.

His mind ran back through the events of the day. Yu Mu’s situation felt off. If he had eavesdropped while Li Guanqi was speaking with Lu Kangnian, that would be understandable.

But why had he shown up when Li Guanqi spoke with Li Sheng’an? Li Sheng’an’s cultivation was low, and his position in the sect barely mattered.

If the mysterious man wanted information, it would’ve made far more sense to target a peak master or someone like Qin Xian.

Then he recalled Li Sheng’an’s reason for seeking him out. He broke free from his meditation and muttered, “Could it be Cang Lu?”

As soon as the thought formed, he shook his head. It made no sense. The timing‌ did not align, and Cang Lu was only at the Nascent Soul Realm.

There was no way he could have implanted such a vicious technique into Yu Mu’s soul. Even for the current Li Guanqi, it would’ve been taxing. Whoever had done it had to be at least at the late Divine Transformation Realm and skilled in divine consciousness.

But if I assume the worst-case scenario. Could it be that my encounter with Cang Lu wasn’t a coincidence?Again, he shook his head. Too many pieces didn’t fit. How could Cang Lu have foreseen months ahead that Yu Mu would be a target, yet make such a careless slip-up?

The thought left his chest tight. He uncorked his red wine gourd and took two sharp gulps, the fire quieting the unrest within.

The next morning, seated above the clouds, Li Guanqi sent a message. “Come to me.”

He had pondered much throughout the night. The two matters were seemingly unconnected, yet equally strange. He had to test it personally.

Cang Lu soon woke from cultivation and teleported toward Jade Teapot Peak. Clad in the Heavenly Lightning Peak robe, he looked ordinary enough. Li Guanqi gestured to a white jade chair opposite him.

“Sit.”

Cang Lu shook his head at once, uneasy. “Elder Li, I’ll stand. What did you need from me?”

Li Guanqi didn’t look away. He studied him closely, sensing nothing unusual in his emotions. Leaning back a little, he said softly, “Yu Mu is dead.”

His tone was mild, but his gaze sharpened as he watched for the slightest reaction.

Cang Lu only frowned, seemingly puzzled. “Since Elder Li killed him, he must’ve deserved it.”

Li Guanqi’s face didn’t shift. “Why did you come to the Daxia Sword Sect?”

Cang Lu frowned deeper, shrugging as their gazes met. “Elder Li, if there’s something you want to know from me, just ask directly. There’s no need to go in circles. I’m already grateful to you for getting me into the Daxia Sword Sect.”

His tone carried frustration, but Li Guanqi could understand his irritation. However, suspicion could not be dismissed so easily.

He leaned back in his chair. “It’s nothing. It’s just… I suspect you might be far stronger than you appear.”

The words had barely fallen when a crimson sword flashed, its tip lunging straight for Cang Lu’s chest. The strike was lightning-fast, its killing intent palpable and solid. If Cang Lu failed to react, he would die.

Swish!

Pfft!

Cang Lu had no time to reply. The Red Lotus Sword pierced through his chest, its tip sinking half a finger into his heart. His face drained of color, and Li Guanqi’s sword qi nearly shredded his organs.

He stood unmoving, the sword still lodged in his chest. A mere push would claim his life.

But Li Guanqi frowned. Cang Lu hadn’t reacted at all. He also hadn’t followed the sword with his eyes. Not even a twitch.

Had he done so, even slightly, Li Guanqi would have killed him without hesitation.

Now trembling and pale as death, with blood at his lips, Cang Lu stared at Li Guanqi with confusion and a trace of anger.

Did I guess wrong? Then only one way remains.

He withdrew the sword and grabbed Cang Lu by the throat. A crushing aura burst out. Cang Lu’s eyes rolled back as he slumped into unconsciousness.

Li Guanqi’s final method was simple. First, Soul Verification to check for possession. Then, Soul Search to look at his past. Such things were hard to fake unless one was an Illusory Refinement Realm expert.

However, even patched memories would leave traces.

A light sparked in Li Guanqi’s palm, and a rainbow-colored bell appeared in his grasp. As his energy surged, the bell radiated dazzling light, enveloping Cang Lu in its mysterious aura.

Ding ding ding!

With a flick of his fingers, the Soul Verification Bell chimed crisply.

Cang Lu’s limbs twitched. A moment later, a faint soul shadow drifted from his body. His own soul, intact.

Ding ding! Ding ding ding!

The bell rang faster. The phantom trembled but showed no sign of splitting. His soul was whole. He hadn’t been possessed.

Only then did Li Guanqi exhale in relief. Someone from the Heavenly Lightning Peak falling under such corruption… the consequences would have been unthinkable.

His sea of consciousness rippled as his fingers moved, beginning the search through Cang Lu’s memories.