Martial Cultivator

It was because, some time ago, a rumor had begun to spread throughout Yellow Dragon Prefecture: a certain great sword immortal of the Sword Sect, feeling his life nearing its end, intended to choose a successor for his Sword Dao; A disciple to inherit his legacy, here in this very town of Three Feet.

And the requirements were almost none at all, whether one had ever practiced the sword or had no master, all were eligible.

When sword cultivators first heard such news, they did not take it seriously. After all, a great sword immortal who had cultivated to the very end of Nepenthe, even if truly nearing death, would most likely entrust his life’s Sword Dao to a fellow Sword Sect cultivator. Why would he pass it to an outsider?

But as the rumor continued to spread, more details gradually came to light. It was said that this great sword immortal was none other than the famed Sword Immortal Luting, who had made a tremendous name for himself in the world many years ago.

Sword Immortal Luting, Yang Luting, was already a renowned great sword immortal whose name shook the world sixty years ago. Although this sword immortal was not necessarily the most outstanding among the sword cultivators of his generation, his fame was certainly unmatched. When he roamed the world, he often drew his sword to cut down injustice, standing up for countless cultivators. Because of this, he made many enemies. But in truth, almost none of those grudges had anything to do with him personally.

Later on, this great sword immortal was besieged by the then temple master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, who joined forces with several sect leaders. The two sides fought fiercely for several days. Yang Luting was covered in wounds and nearly perished, when the Sword Sect’s Sect Master appeared. Out of appreciation for his talent, the Sect Master used several important treasures to save Yang Luting, but made a single demand - that Yang Luting henceforth join the Sword Sect and become the Sect Master’s accompanying sword.

The so-called accompanying sword meant that the two would spar against each other, constantly exchanging insights into the Sword Dao for mutual benefit. Yet at that time, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master was proud and aloof, not seeking to gain any understanding of Yang Luting’s Sword Dao; he merely wanted to test his sword against that of a great sword immortal.

As fellow masters of Sword Dao in their era, Yang Luting only asked one question: “How may I leave the mountain?”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master gave a simple and direct answer: either defeat him in a duel, or wait until the end of his lifespan.

Back then, Yang Luting replied that once his injuries healed, within at most ten years, he would surpass the Sword Sect’s Sect Master and win his freedom to descend the mountain.

And the final result? Outsiders did not know, but within the Sword Sect, those sword immortals of sufficient seniority did. Over the years, he and the Sect Master crossed swords once every five years. At first, their strength was nearly equal, but as time went on, by their most recent duel, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master had needed to unleash only half a sword move to defeat Yang Luting.

Was Yang Luting weak?

On the contrary, Yang Luting’s Sword Dao was profound; ranking among the top three within the Sword Sect.

And precisely because of that, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master appeared all the more terrifying.

Between him and the other great sword immortal of this world, there seemed to be an unbridgeable chasm.

Even among great sword immortals, there were differences.

Now that word spread that the old sword immortal intending to pass down the Dao was Yang Luting, everyone found it reasonable. First, Sword Immortal Luting had always been a righteous and chivalrous man. Second, he was not truly a Sword Sect cultivator. He was merely someone forced to stay in the Sword Sect for sixty years. Did he truly harbor affection for the Sword Sect? Most likely not. The fact that he bore no resentment was already rare enough.

Thus, upon learning of this news, sword cultivators began to rush toward the small town of Three Feet. This was a remote town in northern Yellow Dragon Prefecture. From that very moment, it became a place of legend.

Some said this was the birthplace of Sword Immortal Luting; now that the old sword immortal wished to return to his roots, choosing this place was reasonable. Others said this was not actually Sword Immortal Luting’s hometown, but the place where the sword immortal’s beloved woman had perished. Back when Sword Immortal Luting roamed the world, intervening for many people, he ultimately dragged his wife into danger, and during one ambush, she died here.

Some even said that if it weren’t for Sword Immortal Luting’s wife dying here, shattering his sword heart, then later, when facing the Sword Sect’s Sect Saster, he would certainly not have been able to surpass him.

In any case, opinions varied, and people all came.

Some did not seek to obtain that Sword Immortal Luting’s Sword Dao legacy, only to catch a glimpse of him. Such a legendary figure, perhaps not weighty to the entire world, but to the lineage of sword cultivators, it was not so.

This was a legend of Sword Dao.

To see him even once was great luck; if one were fortunate enough to receive a few words of guidance, that was luck within luck.

One must understand that a single casual word from such a person might be something others could never obtain elsewhere in their entire life. Such things had happened before, a great sword immortal had once casually instructed a junior in the Sword Dao, and that person eventually became a sword immortal. This matter even became a well-known tale.

Three Feet Town, the sword auras were chaotic.

After sunset, night fell. Although the town was already overcrowded, more people were still heading there.

A pair of sword cultivators, man and woman both carrying swords, entered the town. The man still held the woman’s hand. She surveyed the surroundings, a habit formed over many years, while the man’s gaze was fixed ahead, seemingly unconcerned with the environment.

After entering the town, the woman could not help but remind her husband a few times: to speak little, avoid conflict, and even if wronged, not to care too much. But once she spoke, the man frowned. He said it did not matter if he were wronged, but if she were wronged, he would definitely draw his sword.

The woman helplessly pinched his arm. “All right, but what if there’s a sword immortal standing opposite you, does it matter whether you draw your sword or not?”

The man was about to speak, but the woman stared at him and said, “You are now only one step away from becoming a sword immortal. If something happens at this critical moment, can you truly say you would not regret it?”

The man was silent for a moment, then smiled. “No regrets.”

The woman sighed. Her husband’s temperament was always like this; no amount of persuasion could change him. She had no other choice and could only hope that nothing would happen this time.

If it were not for Sword Immortal Luting’s Sword Dao inheritance, she would not have dragged her husband here. Both were itinerant cultivators; cultivation was already difficult enough. Now her husband was only one step away from reaching Nepenthe. According to him, this final step required only a few years of focused cultivation to possibly achieve. But she still did not fully believe it. She wanted to try their luck here, if they were to obtain Sword Immortal Luting’s inheritance, that would be a done deal.

Starting as an itinerant cultivators, to become a sword immortal. Such a thing was rare.

And once accomplished, one could even establish a sect, pass down their Dao teachings. That too, would count as a life not wasted in this world.

For this reason, the woman really wanted to succeed in this matter.

Seeing his wife already somewhat angry, the man squeezed her hand tighter and spoke more gently, “I’ll try, I’ll try my best.”

If he did not say this, it would have been fine. Once spoken, the woman became somewhat angry. “You say try your best, are you treating me like a three-year-old to soothe me?”

The man had no choice and sighed, “We sword cultivators, with a sword in hand, must express our hearts directly. If this doesn’t work, or that doesn’t work, then what’s the point of cultivating the sword?”

Seeing his wife about to retort, the man quickly brought up an example: “Isn’t that the same with that Lord Warden Commander? Look at him now, what realm has he reached?”

The woman sneered, “Xu Bai, in what way do you think you can compare to him?”

Hearing this, Xu Bai immediately lost heart. He opened his mouth but did not argue. Indeed, whether in terms of background, talent, or anything else, he could not compare to Chen Chao.

But since Chen Chao was mentioned, Xu Bai still felt some emotion. “I really don’t know when I’ll see that Lord Warden Commander again. When I do, I want to have a proper drink with him.”

Hearing this, the woman’s expression softened. She quietly said, “Then I’ll make some side dishes for the drink. I hope that Lord Warden Commander will not mind.”

To outsiders, the woman would not necessarily seem exceptional, but to Xu Bai, she was the best woman in the world, without equal.

Xu Bai held the woman’s hand and softly said, “If that Lord Warden Commander shows disdain, then we won’t drink at the same table.”

This time the woman did not reply, because she noticed that the man beside her was completely serious.

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