Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

“What?! That’s all?” Liu Peiyuan shouted.

Liu Yunxuan lay on the ground, panicking. “It’s true, Ancestor! I’d never dare lie to you!”

Liu Peiyuan clenched his teeth. A vein on his forehead pulsed as his mind raced. He could tell Liu Yunxuan wasn’t lying, but he couldn’t understand why the Blood Sovereign had made such a simple request.

Liu Peiyuan glared at him. “Are you sure that’s it? Did he say anything else?”

Liu Yunxuan looked down and pondered, then glanced back up as something came to mind. He hesitated.

Liu Peiyuan’s anger boiled over. He kicked Liu Yunxuan in the jaw and shattered it. “Why are you just staring at me? I asked you if he said anything else! Tell me!”

Liu Yunxuan, through his pain, transmitted his voice, “Yes, yes… The Blood Sovereign said that no matter what happens, you are not to intervene, Ancestor. Even… even if the whole Liu family dies…”

Liu Peiyuan’s eyes narrowed.

“He’s… thinking of using the Liu family as a whetstone.” He squatted down and glared at Liu Yunxuan. “Did he say anything else? Did he say whether the other Liu family members can intervene?”

Liu Yunxuan answered without hesitation. “No! He definitely didn’t! The Blood Sovereign really said we could do whatever we wanted, as long as you didn’t interfere.”Liu Peiyuan thought about the words and nodded. He felt that he had guessed correctly.

He rose. “Send someone to investigate Li Guanqi.”

He turned to Liu Yunxuan, his voice cold. “If we manage to settle this, you’d better drag your ass to Silent Spirit Abyss and repent for a thousand years.”

Liu Yunxuan’s face went pale at the name, his eyes filling with fear. But by now, the whole Liu family knew Liu Xiaochen had been stripped of the patriarch title. He was no longer the young master. Liu Peiyuan would take full control of the family, and all they could do was fall in line.

With that, Liu Peiyuan turned away, his brow still furrowed.

You Ming hadn’t done this on a whim. You Ming’s mind worked in ways most people couldn’t follow, but he never did anything without purpose.

A whetstone?

If it were anyone else, maybe. But You Ming would never waste his time on something so trivial. There had to be something else behind the condition he’d set. Liu Peiyuan just couldn’t see what it was. All he could do was follow You Ming’s instructions.

In the main pavilion, he looked at the assembled elders, then gave the command.

Boom! Crack crack crack!

Liu Peiyuan gradually broke the seal beneath Liu Yunxuan’s residence, revealing what lay hidden inside.

Despite his injuries, Liu Yunxuan hovered above the residence, expression hard. His eyes were fixed on the shattered realm. Everything inside had been his secret, one he’d kept for a long time.

But today… a dozen people aimed their projection stones at the realm.

Liu Yunxuan licked his dry lips, a manic gleam in his eyes as he stared at Yu Sui’an. Her Saint Spirit Root had already been extracted. She was the most talented person he’d ever met, and her peerless spirit had significantly elevated the quality of his own.

“I’m… going to miss her…”

Whoosh!

Liu Yunxuan rushed to her side, stepping into the frame of the projection stones. Yu Sui’an shuddered, her eyes darting frantically, as if trying to shake her head. Liu Yunxuan gently stroked her arm. He could feel her trembling with fear, even through her clothes.

Then Yu Sui’an felt a sharp wave of pain.

Crack!

He snapped her arm in half. White bone jutted out through her skin, just as it had before. The mere memory made her shiver.

Liu Yunxuan had lost himself completely.

“Gentleman? Sophisticated noble? To hell with those titles!”

He grabbed the chains and hoisted Yu Sui’an into the air. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face. Her lips quivered uncontrollably, chest heaving.

Liu Yunxuan turned to the projection stones, madness in his eyes. “Hahahaha! Look! Look! Look at all my masterpieces! These are all talented prodigies I worked so hard to capture!”

The Liu family members were certain he’d lost his mind. The elders holding the projection stones said nothing, no two faces wearing the same expression. They all knew this father-and-son duo would be quietly disposed of soon enough.

Liu Yunxuan no longer cared about the disgust in their eyes. He had made up his mind. If he proved himself to the Blood Sovereign, he would find a way to leave with him.

He only wanted to follow true power.His wild ambition had been stifled by his ancient sect, which had been sealed away for millennia. But no more. If the Blood Sovereign wanted a show, he’d gladly deliver one.

Yu Sui’an screamed as her bones were broken, one by one.

***

Meanwhile, in the realm of the territory lord, Li Guanqi and Meng Jiangchu were sitting in a sophisticated study. A valuable mind-focusing incense emanated a calming fragrance.

Meng Jiangchu set down his teacup. “I told you she’s fine! This is my precious daughter we’re talking about! Why would I lie to you?”

Li Guanqi quickly poured more tea and smiled ingratiatingly. “Father-in-law, I’m just concerned… It’s been eight days I still haven’t heard anything.”

Meng Jiangchu didn’t touch the cup. He burped. Li Guanqi had poured him so many cups that his stomach was sloshing.

He ignored Li Guanqi and turned the conversation to the Dungeon Abyss.

Li Guanqi furrowed his brow. “So… just one awl[1] is enough to break through two layers of seals? Is it that powerful?”

Meng Jiangchu took out the strange tool, his expression solemn. “On its own, this is half an ancient treasure at best. But combine ninety-nine of them, and they’ll be as strong as a spirit treasure.”

Li Guanqi’s eyes widened. Spirit treasures were extraordinarily powerful. One could easily tip the balance between evenly matched opponents.

1. A tool with a handle and a pointed tip used to pierce holes, typically in leather. It looks like a sharp screwdriver. ☜