398: Swing a sword

The heroic figure, wielding an ancient, simple longsword without any extra ornamentation, stopped.

She sheathed the longsword and hung it at her waist.

The heroic figure pushed open the door of the sword chamber and left.

A moment later.

Outside the secret chamber where Zhou Xiuyuan and Zhou Xiumao were located.

The heroic figure arrived quickly.

"Hall Master."

The heroic figure bowed to the two people sitting cross-legged.

"Nanying, give me the sword."

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded and spoke indifferently.

Zhou Nanying did not hesitate, unfastened the Whispering Sword hanging at her waist, and handed it to Zhou Xiuyuan.

Zhou Xiumao did not say much.

He naturally knew Zhou Nanying.

She was an outstanding Disciple of the 'Nan' generation.

One of the current Nine Outstanding Talents of the 'Nan' generation.

From a young age, she had a great interest in swordsmanship.

So she joined the Sword Hall.

Zhou Xiuyuan beckoned.

The longsword, engraved with the words 'Whispering', flew from Zhou Nanying's hand and landed in Zhou Xiuyuan's hand.

Zhou Xiuyuan gently drew out the Whispering Sword.

The Whispering Sword trembled slightly.

It seemed to be excited, exhilarated.

Zhou Xiuyuan pointed with a finger.

An invisible spiritual light seemed to merge into the sword body.

Zhou Xiuyuan withdrew his hand and re-sheathed the Whispering Sword.

However, in Zhou Xiumao's perception, this Whispering Sword was still the same, no different from when it was in Zhou Nanying's hand.

"You are to go to the Mei Ling Secret Realm."

"Swing a sword there."

Zhou Xiuyuan released his hand, and the Whispering Sword flew back, along with a sword-shaped token several inches in size that fell into Zhou Nanying's hand.

"Yes, Hall Master."

Zhou Nanying respectfully acknowledged.

Then, she hung the Whispering Sword at her waist and turned to leave.

"This..."

Zhou Xiumao hesitated to speak.

"Big Brother, letting Nanying go, will it work?"

After Zhou Nanying left.

Zhou Xiumao said with a hint of worry.

Although Zhou Nanying was excellent, she was only at the Qi Refining Stage. How could she resolve this matter?

"It's fine."

"That Demon King did not harm anyone; it had the intention of probing."

"Thus, swinging a sword is already enough."

Zhou Xiuyuan spoke calmly.

"Alright, then."

Zhou Xiumao chose to trust his Big Brother, after all, he was much more capable than himself.

Above Qingyang Peak.

A several-zhang-sized Azure Sky White Crane soared into the air.

Upon it sat a black-clad woman with a longsword at her waist, a cold expression, heroic features, and her hair tied up.

This Azure Sky White Crane, in the Late Qi Refining Stage, was Zhou Nanying's contracted beast.

During the Qi Refining Stage, one could enjoy the marvel of aerial flight.

The Azure Sky White Crane flew out of the Tianning Peaks, shrouded in white mist, and headed towards the Plum Ridge...

Outside the continuous mountain range, covered with green plum spiritual trees.

A several-zhang-sized Azure Sky White Crane arrived from outside, flying towards the depths of the continuous mountain range.

In the depths of Plum Ridge, outside the Secret Realm.

Figures were either sitting cross-legged in meditation or conversing with each other, clearly all waiting for the Clan's decision.

To decide whether to continue exploring this Secret Realm.

"Caw!"

A clear cry of a crane came from outside.

It reached the many Zhou Family Cultivators present.

Zhou Nanyou, staying beside Zhou Nanchu, heard this clear crane cry.

He stood up and looked towards the high sky.

Not long after.

He saw a several-zhang-sized Azure Sky White Crane pierce through the clouds and dive down.

Upon the white crane stood a stern, cold figure.

"That cold-faced woman?"

"Why is she here?"

Zhou Nanyou's expression changed slightly.

Although Zhou Nanying's title ranked after his, he never dared to underestimate her.

Zhou Nanying's difficulty was well-known.

Moreover, it became even more so after she was admitted into the Sword Hall.

He had often been entangled by Zhou Nanying for sparring.

Both had their wins and losses.

"Brother Chu, what do you think the Clan means by this?"

Zhou Nanyou asked Zhou Nanchu, who had also risen to his feet beside him.

After all, even if someone were to be sent to deliver a Clan decree, it would usually only be a Disciple from the Clan's Affairs Hall.

Could she really resolve that Golden Core Demon King?

"The Clan's arrangement has its own purpose; there's no need for baseless speculation."

Zhou Nanchu, on the other hand, had no particular thoughts.

As the two conversed.

The Azure Sky White Crane landed in front of the palace.

Zhou Nanying jumped down from the white crane.

"Three Elders."

Looking at Qi Dade and the other two who had already come out of the palace.

Zhou Nanying bowed respectfully.

"I have come by the Hall Master's order to enter the Secret Realm."

Zhou Nanying took out the several-inch-sized sword-shaped token and handed it to Qi Dade in the middle.

Qi Dade took it, examined it carefully, and after confirming its authenticity.

He exchanged glances with Second Mother Dou and Third Elder Miao.

Even if he had doubts, with the token present, he would simply follow orders.

"If it's impossible, do not force it."

Qi Dade led Zhou Nanying to the huge cyan stone block, removed the seal he had placed, and then admonished Zhou Nanying.

"I obey the Elder's teachings."

Zhou Nanying nodded.

Amidst the surprised or puzzled gazes of the Zhou Family Cultivators, she disappeared into the huge cyan stone block.

"She really went in..."

Zhou Nanyou clicked his tongue...

On the other side of the huge cyan stone, inside the Mei Ling Secret Realm.

Zhou Nanying held the sword in her hand, vigilantly looking around.

Zhou Nanying's heart tightened slightly; there seemed to be gazes peering at her from all around.

Deep within the Secret Realm.

A massive Aura, like a bright lamp in the night, announced its presence.

"Demon King..."

Zhou Nanying's heart was solemn, a little nervous, but she did not retreat.

Employing her movement technique, she headed towards the direction of that massive Aura.

As soon as Zhou Nanying took a step, the surrounding prying Auras stirred slightly.

With a "Clang~" sound, Zhou Nanying drew the Whispering Sword from her waist by an inch.

Instantly, an invisible deterrence seemed to emanate from that one inch of drawn Whispering Sword.

Whoosh!

The hidden Auras around instantly vanished.

Zhou Nanying did not stop.

She sped towards the depths of the Secret Realm.

Deep within the Mei Ling Secret Realm.

There was a deep abyss cold pond.

The cold pond was clear and icy, emitting waves of chill.

At the bottom of the cold pond, a hundred-zhang-sized, entirely cyan, toad-like Yao Beast suddenly opened its eyes.

Ice crystals began to spread, freezing the entire cold pond.

Boom!

The cyan toad opened its eyes, burst out of the frozen lake surface, and in the high sky, displayed its colossal form.

Ice flowers condensed in pieces.

As the cyan toad appeared.

In the distance.

Zhou Nanying's figure involuntarily paused.

"Cold Toad Demon King..."

She had already recognized the Yao Beast emanating Golden Core might.

"Human..."

The Cold Toad's huge eyes stared down at the tiny Zhou Nanying below.

Immense pressure surged out, pressing down.

Zhou Nanying's right hand, holding the Whispering Sword, moved abruptly.

"Clang!"

The Whispering Sword responded and was drawn.

Zhou Nanying swung it forward with the momentum.

The Whispering Sword swept through.

Yet, there was no sword light, nor Sword Qi.

It seemed to have no power at all.

Only when Zhou Nanying swung her sword.

High in the sky.

In the eyes of the hundred-zhang-sized Cold Toad.

An illusory figure seemed to emerge from that fragile longsword.

The illusory figure casually drew its sword and swung it.

A wisp of will entered the Cold Toad's heart.

Above the Golden Core, within the Divine Soul.

An invisible will flashed by.

Buzz~

Two completely different Concepts, extreme cold and extreme heat, erupted within the Cold Toad's body.

They dyed the Divine Soul and Golden Core half-red and half-blue, alternating with each other, as if it were in an endless purgatory.

High in the sky, the originally imposing hundred-zhang-sized Cold Toad suddenly trembled uncontrollably.

"Gurgle!"

A sound of painful croaking emanated from its hundred-zhang-sized body.

The Cold Toad's massive Physical Body fell from the high sky.

Boom!

It smashed out a huge pit.

Who knows how long passed.

The invisible will disappeared.

"Ho~ Ho~"

Within the pit.

The Cold Toad's eyes regained some clarity, and it slowly flew out of the pit.

"I am willing to surrender..."

The Cold Toad landed and said tremblingly to the figure holding the longsword in the distance.

A will without killing intent had made him so discomfited; if it had attacked seriously, he feared he would not have escaped with his life.

Fortunately, he had held back when he awoke and had not truly harmed anyone's life.

The Cold Toad felt extremely fortunate.

Inside the Mei Ling Secret Realm, Zhou Nanying entered with a wisp of Sword Intent.

The sword was drawn, and the demon submitted.