308: Seventh Prince

Inside the Sword Domain.

As the date of the Jiang Family's Sword Ceremony drew near.

Factions located farther away had already begun preparing to set off.

After all, this was the biggest event in the Sword Domain since Venerable Xingai achieved Soul Transformation several centuries ago.

"Master, is it possible for me to achieve Foundation Establishment before reaching the Jiang Family?"

Inside the mountain forest.

Zhou Xiangyu, whose entire body was covered by a black robe, asked this while enduring the dual agony of his Physical Body and spirit while constantly rushing forward.

His voice was hoarse and filled with the pain he was forcefully enduring.

The current appearance of Zhou Xiangyu was completely different from his image in the Zhou Family.

Bone contraction and disguise were merely common methods within the Demonic Technique.

"It is worth a try, but if you do this... can you bear it?"

The Demon Lord of Suffering paused, feeling a hint of reluctance.

Although the Cultivation Technique of the Demonic Path advanced extremely quickly, it often could not be maintained in the long run.

It would be difficult to advance even an inch for the rest of his life.

Even he himself was stuck at the Middle Nascent Soul Stage, unable to advance further, and had to seek other methods.

The Demonic Tome of Suffering was the same; as long as enough suffering intent was absorbed, his cultivation could continuously climb until reaching the Bottleneck.

Even so, Foundation Establishment was a major hurdle.

It was not that easy to achieve a Breakthrough.

"Master, I want to try."

Zhou Xiangyu did not hesitate.

If his cultivation was higher, the stir he, a small figure, could create would be greater.

That negligible hope would also grow by a thread.

"Alright."

After a moment of silence.

The Demon Lord of Suffering in the bracelet agreed.

Bitter Heart remained silent, saying nothing.

The Demon Lord of Suffering moved his mind.

"Hmph!"

Zhou Xiangyu suddenly groaned.

His speed suddenly dropped drastically, and he nearly stumbled to the ground.

But having endured great suffering, he slowly managed to bear it.

His body did not stop moving.

He headed toward the location of the Jiang Family... Several months later.

Qingyang Peak.

Inside the fifth floor of the Cultivation Manual Tower.

Zhou Leren slowly rose, his cultivation having advanced slightly once more.

"It's time to set off..."

Zhou Leren took out the invitation formed of ice and snow, checked the time written on it, and then stepped out of the Cultivation Manual Tower.

He arrived outside a secret chamber.

Inside the secret chamber.

A figure with an indifferent expression was sitting cross-legged beneath a simple and unadorned longsword.

On the hilt of the longsword, the three seal characters 'Great Snow Mountain' were engraved.

The great snow mountain sword was no longer what it used to be.

Although it had not yet recovered to its Peak period.

But with the supply of numerous Heaven And Earth Treasures from the entire Barren State and Qingyang Prefecture.

Its might had already recovered significantly.

Sensing the Aura of the newcomer.

The great snow mountain sword trembled slightly.

Zhou Xiuyuan, sitting cross-legged beneath it, opened his eyes, stood up, and awoke from comprehending the Sword Intent.

After standing up and bowing to the longsword, he pushed the door open and stepped out.

"First Uncle."

Zhou Xiuyuan respectfully bowed.

"You are about to reach Core Formation; training in isolation is not enough. This Jiang Family is known as the foremost sword family under heaven. If you accompany me this time, you might gain some unique insights."

Zhou Leren looked at Zhou Xiuyuan, who possessed incredibly solid cultivation and whose Sword Intent was fully contained and unrevealed, and spoke with considerable satisfaction.

"Even if First Uncle hadn't mentioned it, this nephew would have shamelessly begged First Uncle to bring him along."

Zhou Xiuyuan gripped the one heart sword hanging at his waist, smiled slightly, and said that he had intended to go and experience it himself.

"Good, then let's go. We mustn't miss the time."

Zhou Leren nodded.

He summoned a small spirit boat.

The two of them entered the spirit boat, one after the other.

The spirit boat flew into the clouds and disappeared.

Southern part of the Sword Domain.

The Extreme Cold Ice Realm.

The Extreme Cold Ice Realm, which usually only held ice and snow, had become lively.

High in the sky.

From time to time, figures of Cultivators flashed by.

They flew toward the continuous Heavenly Forging Peaks at the center of the Extreme Cold Ice Realm.

Outside the Extreme Cold Ice Realm.

A black figure silently looked at the reflection cast on the icy surface.

He felt the intense coldness constantly emanating from the front.

After some time.

Zhou Xiangyu flew up.

He streaked toward the Heavenly Forging Peaks.

He had finally succeeded in achieving Foundation Establishment before the grand ceremony.

However, barring any accidents.

He would only be able to stop at the Realm of Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Beneath the continuous Heavenly Forging Peaks.

Zhou Xiangyu, clad in a black robe, descended.

"Halt, newcomer!"

"Do you have an invitation?"

A Jiang Family Disciple, wearing black tight-fitting clothes and a longsword at his waist, asked with an arrogant tone.

"No..."

Zhou Xiangyu's heart tightened.

Although he had inquired beforehand, if he were turned away, he would truly become a joke.

"One unattached guest!"

Hearing this, a Jiang Family Disciple announced.

"Ziping, you take the guest up the mountain."

The leading welcoming Disciple casually pointed to a collateral Jiang Family Disciple in the Qi Refining Early Stage and instructed him.

His attitude was slightly cold.

"Yes."

"Guest, please follow me."

The Jiang Family Disciple named Ziping looked displeased.

These people were just bullying him; unattached guests without invitations were almost always handed over to him.

Zhou Xiangyu, however, did not mind.

As long as he could successfully enter, that was enough.

The two proceeded along the main path.

Floating ice islands entered his view one after another.

Zhou Xiangyu observed silently, without speaking.

"Just another country bumpkin..."

Jiang Ziping scoffed internally.

After a long while.

An incredibly long staircase of ice and snow floated in the air.

At the end of it was a massive, spacious circular platform of ice and snow.

On both sides of the staircase were Cultivators wearing various colored robes, all unattached guests like Zhou Xiangyu who lacked invitations.

In the air.

Floating ice islands drifted, positioned slightly higher than the circular ice platform.

This was the location for the Cultivators who had arrived with invitations.

In front of the circular ice platform.

There were tall thrones of ice and snow, arranged in a semicircle.

After dropping off Zhou Xiangyu.

Jiang Ziping left directly.

Zhou Xiangyu casually found an unoccupied platform and sat down cross-legged.

Attendant Disciples came forward and placed many spiritual items.

All were Tier Two or above.

Zhou Xiangyu was completely impolite.

He drank freely.

This caused the surrounding Cultivators to secretly look down on him.

As the time drew closer.

More and more Cultivators arrived.

The floating ice islands gradually filled up with people.

Although they were all restraining their Aura, they still inspired awe in the many Cultivators below.

"Dong ~ Dong ~ Dong ~"

The sound of a massive bell rang out.

"Another important figure has arrived!"

The crowd of Cultivators below discussed this and looked outside.

"The Third Young Master and the Seventh Young Master of the Xingai Grotto-Heaven arrive!"

Announcements echoed throughout the Peaks.

Everyone was startled.

Venerable Xingai had a total of seven Disciples.

Aside from the Seventh Disciple, who was young and had shallow cultivation, and had not traveled abroad, the other six Disciples were all important figures famous throughout the region.

"To be able to witness the true faces of the two Young Masters this time is truly fortunate!"

"I didn't expect that Lord Star Venerable would also send Disciples here."

Someone sighed.

After all, one mountain cannot tolerate two tigers; the relationship between the two families shouldn't be very good.

The announcements ceased.

Three figures flew in from high altitude.

A Jiang Family Nascent Soul Elder personally came out to welcome them.

The Seventh Young Master, who had a handsome appearance, tied-up black hair, and his hands clasped behind his back, looked around at everything with a smile.

"Two Young Masters, please take your seats."

The three landed on the massive floating island at the very front.

The Jiang Family Nascent Soul Elder made a welcoming gesture.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang is too kind."

The Third Young Master was burly and spoke in a booming voice.

Below.

"I heard the Seventh Young Master is less than twenty years old, yet his cultivation is truly extraordinary."

"Of course, he is Lord Star Venerable's Personal Disciple."

"..."

Everyone expressed their feelings.

They were full of praise.

Zhou Xiangyu withdrew his gaze, listened to the crowd's words, and sighed internally: This is what a true Genius looks like...