Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Zhao Yongxian looked up. “It’s nothing serious. We just heard that a few youths went to the Divine Treasure Territory and killed the Southern Heavenly King. We also heard that they crippled the other three heavenly kings. Tell me, do you think that’s possible? You come from the Divine Treasure Territory and possess extraordinary cultivation levels. That’s why Old Du insisted we come.”

He turned to Du Yuan and chuckled. “See, these kids look so kind and friendly. How could they be the people from those rumors?”

Zhao Yongxian turned back to Li Guanqi. “Right, kid?”

Li Guanqi smiled and nodded. “Elder Du did receive the correct intel. Word gets around quickly here.”

Still bowing, Du Yuan nodded. Zhao Yongxian’s face stiffened. When he’d first heard the news, he’d thought it was too absurd to be true. But now…

Li Guanqi and the others smiled faintly and offered no explanation.

All the bystanders in the plaza were shocked. The youths before them had killed the Southern Heavenly King of the Divine Treasure Territory? And thrashed the other three heavenly kings?

“Thank you for the offer, but we won’t be coming to the feast. May I know which transport array leads to the Profound Phoenix Pavilion of the Soaring Heavens Continent?” Li Guanqi asked.

Du Yuan thought for a moment, then said hurriedly, “The Du family has a transport array that connects directly to the Heavenly Demon Sect of the Soaring Heavens Continent.”

Li Guanqi smirked. Du Yuan caught the expression and bowed again. “The Du family only has some business dealings with the Heavenly Demon Sect. We’ve been having problems with them recently, and in the future, we will no longer be dealing with them!”Li Guanqi smiled and nodded. “Senior Du, you don’t need to panic. We’re not bad people.”

Du Yuan’s head remained lowered, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “I will take you there.”

He quickly led Li Guanqi’s group to the Du Estate. The transport array lay in an independent realm deep within the grounds. Du Yuan instructed everyone in the estate to leave, then brought Li Guanqi and the others to the array.

The array shone brightly. As the youths disappeared in the light, Li Guanqi’s voice rang in Du Yuan’s ear. “You’re very smart.”

Whoosh! Buzz!

The light faded, and Du Yuan finally sighed in relief. He knew a tragedy was about to befall the Heavenly Demon Sect of the Soaring Heavens Continent.

These youngsters are gods of killing. They’re all so young, but they’re terrifying. They’re going to be frightening people for years to come.

He immediately called for a clan-wide meeting. The agenda was simple: sever all ties with the Heavenly Demon Sect.

***

Ye Feng frowned. “Boss, why are we going to the Soaring Heavens Continent?”

Li Guanqi shrugged. “Just doing what my heart wants. We’re going to kill someone. When I was heading to the Taiqing Territory, someone sabotaged the transport array and nearly killed me. Since I’m already here, I might as well take my revenge before heading back.”

The others said nothing. If Li Guanqi wanted to do this, they had no objections.

Li Guanqi gazed at Meng Wanshu lovingly and smiled. “The difference between how you act with me and how you act in public is big too. Back in Heavenly Cloud City, I thought you were some ice-cold girl. You had such a lofty, sophisticated aura, like you were looking down upon the world from the heavens.”

Meng Wanshu smiled. She didn’t deny it. “When you have a high status, many people are watching you. My cultivation technique and spirit root both belong to the ice element, and I don’t really have any peers my age.”

She leaned back into her chair and took a sip of tea, as if discussing something casual. “Once you reach a certain standing, everyone who tries to make friends with you has ulterior motives. Some treat you with contempt until you show just a little kindness, then they try to curry favor. Over time, I became cold. It was the only way to protect myself.”

Li Guanqi’s heart ached for her. Anyone would become cold living like that for years.

She broke into a smile. “Thank goodness I met you.”

Ye Feng gagged. He rose and walked out onto the deck. “I can’t take it anymore… I need some fresh air.”

Xiao Chen sat at the bow of the ship, drinking wine. He pursed his lips. “Look at you. You just had to go in there.”

Ye Feng huffed. “Come on, turn around.”

Xiao Chen turned around. His face was covered in tears.

“Why are you doing this to yourself?” Ye Feng asked.

Cao Yan sighed when he saw Xiao Chen. It was tragic. Too tragic.

“You guys are so kind to me,” Xiao Chen said. “I was just thinking about how Wanshu doesn’t like me and how there’s nothing I can do about it…”

Ye Feng patted his shoulder. “When we get back to the Daxia Sword Sect, just tell me which female disciple from Heavenly Water Peak you like. I’ll speak to the peak master!”

“Ah… really? Also, Heavenly Water Peak? Does your sect name its peaks based on the five elements?”

Ye Feng smiled. “The Daxia Sword Sect has three thousand peaks and eight hundred water bodies! There are layers upon layers of mountains there, and many reach into the clouds. The scenery is beautiful! Heavenly Water Peak is almost entirely composed of female disciples. You’ll find someone there for sure!”

Xiao Chen’s eyes lit up as he listened to Ye Feng. He gulped and nodded vigorously.

Ye Feng thought for a moment, then pretended to look worried. “But you’re an outsider. You have no status, nothing there. It won’t be easy...”

Xiao Chen panicked and jumped up. He thumped his chest. “Are you dumb? You’re an Illusory Refinement Realm cultivator now! You’re part of the sect’s highest level! Just give me a title later, whatever you want. Regular elder, ceremonial elder, doesn’t matter. Problem solved!”

Ye Feng stuck his thumb up. “Brother Xiao, you’re so smart! Why didn’t I think of that?”

Cao Yan glanced at the smug-looking Xiao Chen and nudged Ye Feng. He transmitted, “Second Brother, is this guy a little slow in the head?”

“Hey, how could you say that? He’s just very direct and honest. Also, Brother Li said you can go work at Heavenly Water Peak after we get back. You’ll be able to rest well there.”

Cao Yan scratched his head. “Me? Are you sure I’m qualified?”

Ye Feng rolled his eyes. “What do you mean? You’re almost at the Illusory Refinement Realm! You just need to teach some disciples in the Foundation Building and Golden Core realms. Why wouldn’t you be qualified?”

Buzz!

A burst of light appeared in the distance. Li Guanqi emerged from the room. “My brothers, come with me to get revenge.”