Martial Cultivator

A vast, rolling dragon of sword qi swept across the skies above the small town of Three Feet. The long-vanished Sword Immortal Luting, once famed throughout the world but silent for sixty years, reappeared once more, not to choose a successor for his sword dao as many had expected, but, beyond all expectation, to borrow a sword and once again challenge the Sword Sect’s Sect Master.

Among all the countless paths of cultivation, the lineage of sword cultivators had always stood apart, not only for their unparalleled killing power, but also because sword cultivators were, without exception, the most free-spirited of all.

At the very peak of the Sword Dao, there might stand many great sword immortals who had already climbed that far. Yet when these great sword immortals looked up, they would surely see one person standing above the summit, overlooking the world.

At the highest point stood the Sword Sect’s Sect Master.

This man was acknowledged by all cultivators as the number one person in Sword Dao, even by those who were not sword cultivators, had stood alone at the pinnacle of Sword Dao for countless years. He had watched innumerable so-called genius sword cultivators ascend the mountain, yet no matter how high they climbed, they could only reach his feet.

Over the years, Sword Immortal Luting had challenged the Sword Sect’s Sect Master twelve times, and each time he had been defeated. Although outsiders vaguely knew of these duels, no one had truly witnessed them. Therefore, when Sword Immortal Luting once again caused such a grand commotion this time, the sword cultivators of Three Feet Town no longer cared who would inherit his Sword Dao. Instead, they leaped into the air, chasing after that sword dragon.

The inheritance of Sword Dao was important, but it was also a distant chance. Yet now, before their very eyes, there was a battle that might be the strongest contest of Sword Dao in this era. How could they not watch?

If they missed it, how could they sleep at night afterward?

Every time they recalled missing such a day, they would probably want to slap themselves silly.

Thus, the scenario here became rather magnificent. In the sky ahead, the old sword immortal stood upon the sword dragon, departing in effortless grace. Behind that sword dragon, sword cultivators took flight in pursuit.

In that moment, roughly half of the sword cultivators in the small town took to the skies and followed.

Outside an inn on the long street, amid the departing crowd, a couple stood. The woman had a long sword strapped to her back, glaring angrily at the man before her. For no other reason than that the man, who was also a sword cultivator, now carried only an empty scabbard on his back. The flying sword that had once rested within had long since been borrowed by Sword Immortal Luting.

The woman’s face darkened, and beneath her anger was a trace of helpless grievance. “Xu Bai, do you have any idea how hard it was to obtain that flying sword of yours?”

Perhaps because she was truly upset, her voice rose without restraint, so that all the nearby sword cultivators heard her.

Many of them recognized her, for she was a fairly well-known sword cultivator in Yellow Dragon Prefecture, and so quite a few gazes turned in their direction.

Perhaps knowing he was in the wrong, or perhaps moved by the sight of his wife’s sorrow and frustration, Xu Bai moved his lips slightly and said softly, “That senior borrowed my sword. Perhaps he will return it.”

He naturally knew how difficult it had been to obtain that flying sword, and he also understood why his wife was so upset. But given his temperament, if he were to make the choice again, he would likely still lend the sword.

Not because Sword Immortal Luting’s final words had moved him, but because throughout the years, he had always regarded Sword Immortal Luting as a Sword Dao senior he deeply admired. In his own life, many of his actions had followed that example - open and upright, passionate and righteous, willing to risk life and death for the sake of justice in his heart.

How could one not respect such a Sword Immortal Luting?

Yet his own choice was bound to disappoint Jiang Ying. Xu Bai could live as he wished, but Jiang Ying’s whole life revolved around just two words - Xu Bai.

More than anyone, she wanted her husband to become a sword immortal, to have a place in the sword path.

That wish was not because she would share in his glory once he became one, but because, deep down, she truly believed that her husband should be such a man.

Xu Bai fell silent for a moment, then took a few steps forward and gently held Jiang Ying’s hand, softly consoling her. “Wife, a flying sword can be found again. But if I hadn’t lent my sword today, I would never be able to overcome that knot in my heart. From that day on, no matter how hard I trained, I fear I would never again reach that realm.”

Having said that, Xu Bai’s tone softened. “I know you’ve always had my best interests at heart, but there are some things that cannot be helped.”

Jiang Ying’s eyes filled with tears, yet she was not a woman without reason. She only said with aching regret, “A sword as fine as that one will be hard to find again.”

Xu Bai nodded as well. He naturally knew how difficult it was to find another flying sword that resonated with his heart and was of decent quality, but as he had said before, if he were given another chance, he would still make the same choice.

If he did not choose this way, then he would no longer be Xu Bai.

And if he were no longer Xu Bai, then what use would it be to become a sword immortal?

These were things Jiang Ying already understood even without him saying them, so there was no need for Xu Bai to speak further. Saying them aloud would only hurt the feelings between them.

He reached out to embrace his wife and said with a soft smile, “Even without a flying sword, your husband, I, can still become a sword immortal...”

Before he could finish, a voice rang out not far away. “Fellow Daoist Xu has fine aspirations indeed.”

Xu Bai froze, then looked up to see a familiar figure in the distance.

A young man dressed in black was walking toward him with a smile. “It has been a long time, Fellow Daoist Xu.”

Xu Bai quickly released Jiang Ying and returned the greeting. “I didn’t expect to meet Fellow Daoist... Chen...here again.”

Xu Bai was not foolish enough to expose Chen Chao’s identity in public.

By coincidence, not far from him stood the drunken sword cultivator who had previously patted Chen Chao on the shoulder in the inn and even scolded him a few times. Seeing this scene, the man recalled what had happened earlier, and his expression became rather awkward.

If that young man in black were just an ordinary cultivator, it would have been fine. But since he seemed to be acquainted with Xu Bai, that could not be a good thing.

Fortunately, it seemed they were merely acquaintances. After all, this sword cultivator would never imagine that this fellow was the famous young Lord Warden Commander.

No one could be that unlucky.

Jiang Ying wiped her tears and respectfully curtsied Chen Chao, though she said nothing.

Chen Chao nodded in return, then walked over to stand beside Xu Bai with a faint smile. “That flying sword was borrowed by someone. If it truly isn’t returned, it must hurt a little, doesn’t it?”

Xu Bai made no attempt to hide it, there was no need to either. He answered frankly, “Of course. But Sword Immortal Luting borrowing my sword to battle the Sword Sect’s Sect Master, I don’t regret it.”

In fact, Xu Bai had only obtained that flying sword in the first place thanks to Chen Chao.

Chen Chao said, “A sword cultivator and his sword cannot be separated. That’s why the old sword immortal said he was borrowing it rather than taking it. If he had truly intended to take it without asking, with his cultivation level, no one could have stopped him.”

Xu Bai nodded. He deeply agreed with those words and could find no reason to refute them.

“But this battle is bound to shake heaven and earth. Some flying swords will break, some will vanish without a trace. Fellow Daoist Xu, you should be mentally prepared for that.”

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes with a faint smile, like a bystander making a detached remark.

A flash of regret and sorrow flickered through Xu Bai’s eyes, but it passed in an instant.

Chen Chao changed the subject and asked, “Since the sword has already been borrowed, and this is destined to be the strongest battle of Sword Dao in this era, why does Fellow Daoist Xu remain here instead of going to watch?”

Xu Bai hesitated for a moment, wanting to speak but stopping.

Jiang Ying glanced at her husband and continued, “Fellow Daoist Chen, my husband’s Sword Dao idol in this life has always been Sword Immortal Luting. He does not go now because he fears seeing Sword Immortal Luting defeated. This is destined to be the old sword immortal’s last battle of his life...”

Chen Chao nodded, understanding Xu Bai’s feelings.

Whether practicing the sword, cultivating the Dao, or even practicing the saber, at the beginning, there would always be such a person in one’s heart. Perhaps someone one pursues in life, perhaps someone one greatly admires, or perhaps both are the same person. Such a person was sacred in one’s heart, and one could not bear to see them defeated or crushed.

Xu Bai’s mood was complicated at this moment. Chen Chao felt it deeply.

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