Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 110: Chapter 107: Why Fear Death? Help Me Stall for 10 Breaths

What is a Spirit Realm Martial Artist?

Those in the Spirit Realm have a lifespan of five hundred years. They can survive purely on spiritual energy through Qi Refining and Grain Avoidance, and are capable of Flying in the Sky.

Powerhouses of this Realm absorb not Primordial Qi, but rather Spiritual Qi—a higher form of energy. They don’t need to eat or drink; as long as Spiritual Qi is present, they can survive.

The main reason Cyan Cloud Country has no Spirit Realm Powerhouses is that there is almost no Spiritual Qi in this land, and not even a single Spirit Vein can be found.

Yet Ling Tianxu was a Spirit Realm Powerhouse at the mere age of twenty. Compared to him, the likes of the Nine Great Young Masters and Sword King Chu Bai were all leagues below him.

If word of Ling Tianxu’s existence were to get out, it would immediately shock all of Cyan Cloud Country.

How many years had it been since a Spirit Realm expert appeared in Cyan Cloud Country? And one so young, at that.

But Ning Jiang wasn’t surprised. As a disciple of a Super Sect and possessor of an Innate Sword King Body, Ling Tianxu was considered a top-tier genius of the Six Eastern Provinces. His starting point was worlds apart from the likes of the Nine Great Young Masters.

Someone like him would have enjoyed the best resources since childhood, with no shortage of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

He stood on the shoulders of giants, while others had to start climbing from the foot of the mountain. It was only natural for him to have entered the Spirit Realm at his age.

”Do you now realize the gap between us?”

Ling Tianxu clasped his hands behind his back, an intense pressure emanating from his body.

The lake’s surface sank by a foot in a radius of dozens of yards. Underneath, fish were instantly crushed into a bloody mist. Ning Jiang felt his entire frame tremble, and it was as if the blood in his veins was about to freeze solid.

”A mere Spirit Realm.” Ning Jiang’s tone was utterly calm.

”Hm?”

Ling Tianxu raised an eyebrow, his eyes as sharp as two swords. He formed a sword finger with his index and middle fingers and swiped lightly through the air.

VSSSHHH!

In an instant, a Flame Sword Aura dozens of yards long shot out, scorching hot and blindingly bright.

After stepping into the Spirit Realm, there was another, even bigger difference.

In the Realms before the Spirit Realm, even for those at the Innate Limit, attacks were limited to using Gang Qi.

But upon entering the Spirit Realm, one could master Attribute Power.

There were Fire Attribute, Thunder Attribute, Wind Attribute, Water Attribute, and so on...

Ling Tianxu’s Cultivation Technique was flame-related, giving his attacks the Fire Attribute. A casual strike from him could instantly kill an expert at the Innate Limit.

This strike was not aimed at Ning Jiang, but at Crescent Island!

The Flame Sword Aura tore through the air, striking Crescent Island in a flash.

BOOOOM!

With a deafening roar, the ground on Crescent Island instantly split open as a massive fissure was torn across half the island.

The rocks near the fissure melted into scalding magma under the intense heat of the flame, sizzling audibly.

”What’s happening?”

Many Martial Artists were gathered around Crescent Lake. When they saw half of Crescent Island get cleaved apart, they stared in horror as if they had seen a ghost.

”Who did that?”

”I bet a strike like that could rival Sword King Chu Bai’s feat of severing a river with one slash!”

Countless people gasped in shock.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH.

On Crescent Island, numerous shocked and furious figures appeared. It was Wenhua City, Liu Yuanlong, the people of Kunlun, and the many experts from the various noble houses who had come to offer their congratulations.

No one had left in the days following the annual meeting.

They had all come bearing gifts, and it would have been improper to send them away immediately. So, Ning Jiang hosted them on Crescent Island, turning the occasion into a symposium to exchange insights on Sword Techniques, Martial Arts, and all manner of martial topics.

But they never expected such a shocking event to occur today.

”I know all about you. Leader of the White Head Sword Sect, number one on the Famous Family List, is that it? And Lord of Kunlun. Are you very proud of all that? It’s a pity that in my eyes, it’s all pathetically fragile.”

Ling Tianxu stared at Ning Jiang with ice-cold eyes. ”After I’ve crushed everything you hold dear, let’s see you try to maintain that calm expression of yours.”

As he spoke, to everyone’s astonishment, his figure slowly rose into the air until he was a hundred yards high, gazing down upon them all.

”A Spirit Realm Powerhouse!”

All around, everyone stared in absolute horror.

To stand unsupported in the air—that was the trademark of a Spirit Realm Powerhouse.

Those at the Innate Limit could only fly at low altitudes; they could never reach Ling Tianxu’s height of a hundred yards.

”Am I dreaming? When did our Cyan Cloud Country produce such a young Spirit Realm Powerhouse?”

”What happened? This person seems to have a grudge with the White Head Sword Sect.”

No one could remain calm.

The emergence of a Spirit Realm Powerhouse was an earth-shattering event, enough to send shockwaves through all of Cyan Cloud Country.

By comparison, titles like being number one on the Famous Family List paled into insignificance.

”I’m going to kill this brat today. Who wants to die with him?!”

Ling Tianxu’s voice boomed like thunder across the sky, and many Innate Realm experts who heard it were shaken so badly their qi and blood roiled within them.

’Damn it, where did the White Head Sword Sect manage to piss off a Spirit Realm Powerhouse?’

Everyone’s expression changed dramatically. The members of the various noble houses were the first to react, quickly backing away, not daring to get any closer.

They may have wanted to curry favor with Ning Jiang, but with a Spirit Realm Powerhouse present, it was questionable if Ning Jiang would even survive. Who would dare to stand with him now?

”Hm? You’re not leaving? Do you want to die!”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Ling Tianxu looked at those who remained, his gaze cold and indifferent.

The ones who remained were the people of Kunlun, as well as Liu Yuanlong, Wenhua City, and the others.

”What is the meaning of this?”

Liu Yuanlong’s expression was grim, as if facing a formidable foe. This was likely the gravest danger he had ever faced in his entire life.

”What is the meaning? Since you didn’t leave just now, I will now give you one chance. Kill him, or you die!”

Ling Tianxu pointed a finger at Ning Jiang, his icy words making everyone’s expression turn ashen.

In that moment, his sheer dominance was on full display. He was like a lofty Divine King, holding the power of life and death, his very Words Accompanied by Law, unable to be defied.

”My apologies, but I cannot accept.”

Liu Yuanlong took a deep breath and said slowly, ”Ning Xiaoyou healed both of my arms. He has shown me great kindness. Am I a man who would betray his benefactor?”

His words made the surrounding crowd look on in astonishment. This was a Spirit Realm Powerhouse they were talking to!

To dare refuse him was practically a death sentence.

”A Sword Cultivator would rather break than bend!”

Wenhua City spoke up, drawing his sword and filling the air with his Sword Qi.

His stance was clear!

”What is there to fear in death? I have joined Kunlun. I would rather die than betray it,” Du Wanqing added immediately after.

’No wonder they were able to achieve so much...’ someone remarked with a look of respect.

Liu Yuanlong had built a First-Class Noble House, Wenhua City was a Sword Sect master of his generation, and Du Wanqing was the number one Alchemy Master in Luoyang. Their status was exalted, but they were also men of unbending character.

Even before a powerhouse, they would not bow to threats.

Better to die in honor than live in disgrace.

What is there to fear in death?

If they were cowards who clung to life at all costs, they never would have reached their current heights.

”Hah... I, Fei Yanqing, may not be some man of high moral character, but I’m not afraid to die either. To live on as a traitor would be a pitiful existence. I’d rather die a glorious death.”

Fei Yanqing, Luoyang’s second-greatest Alchemy Master, who had once held a grudge against Ning Jiang but was later won over by him, declared this loudly.

”Well said, Brother Fei! I’m with you. The worst that can happen is we’ll keep each other company in the Yellow Springs!” Highland declared, taking a deep breath and stepping forward.

”I may have a family to think of, but Brother Liu built a First-Class Noble House and has even more loved ones. If even he isn’t afraid, what have I to fear?”

Lü Dong, though plain-looking, spoke with a firm voice, ”Even if I die, I will die with dignity! I’d rather die with honor than eke out a miserable existence as a coward. My family will surely be proud of me!”

”I’m an old man. My only regret is that I never managed to reach the realm of a Sword Sect master. But so what? Who lives a life without regrets?”

Xie Baichuan burst out laughing. His greatest desire had been to reach the realm of a Sword Sect master, which was why he had followed Ning Jiang. But now, he didn’t care. ”Failing to reach that realm is a small regret at best. But if I were to turn tail and flee now, would I still be worthy of the name Sword Cultivator? Could I face my own sword? A Sword Cultivator can face death, but never cowardice!”

”I am also a Sword Cultivator!”

Liu Xianyu stood beside Liu Yuanlong and said just five words. She drew her sword, her resolve firm.

”Good, good, good! Worthy of being my granddaughter, HAHAHAHA!” Liu Yuanlong laughed out loud, full of pride.

’Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, everyone in the Wei Family... perhaps I won’t be able to avenge you after all. Just let Yanran be selfish, this one time.’

The Iceberg Beauty, Wei Yanran, stood behind Du Wanqing, her beautiful eyes filled with the resolve to face death without fear.

At that moment, everyone from Kunlun, along with Liu Yuanlong, Wenhua City, and the others, refused to retreat a single step. Even when facing a Spirit Realm expert, they chose to stand with Ning Jiang.

Even if it meant death, they would face it head-on.

Ning Jiang looked at them all, committing each of their faces to memory. Finally, he turned his gaze to the gentle woman who had been standing by his side all along.

”Little Brother, you know me. No matter what, even if it means death, I won’t leave you.”

Ning Yu’an smiled faintly. Her smile was as gentle as water, ethereally beautiful.

Ning Jiang could feel her determination, her persistence, her courage, so he didn’t say anything, nor did he need to.

”Everyone, buy me ten breaths’ time!” Ning Jiang said.

”Alright!”

Liu Yuanlong nodded. He didn’t know what kind of trump card Ning Jiang had, but for ten breaths, they had to stop Ling Tianxu, even if it meant their lives.

”Thank you.”

Ning Jiang’s voice was soft. This was the gratitude of a Venerable, the acknowledgement of a Venerable.

From this moment on, the bond between him and these people was no longer one of mutual benefit, but of... trusted friends!

”Are you done talking?”

Ling Tianxu’s eyes were ice-cold. He took a step forward, and an overwhelming pressure bore down on them. ”A swarm of ants. Do you think by huddling together you can stand against me? Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige you!”

With a thunderous roar, he pointed a finger from high above, shooting out a crimson Sword Aura.

”We’ll give it our all!”

The crowd let out a heaven-shaking roar.

At the same time, Ning Jiang retreated further onto the island and sat down cross-legged. His hands formed a series of seals, and in an instant, flames erupted from every inch of his flesh and blood!

’Myriad Stars Immortal Realm! My world! Grant me... POWER!’