796: Special treatment

When the news reached the capital of the Southern Sword Dynasty...

The Cultivators of the Imperial Dynasty were all excited, and discussions were rampant.

The First Prince, Nan Wangjian, had been famous throughout the Imperial Dynasty since childhood for his extraordinary talent.

He later joined the upper sect, Songya Immortal Abode, under the tutelage of Dao Lord Jueying, inheriting the Dao Lord's ultimate techniques.

After achieving success in his cultivation, he returned to the Imperial Dynasty, fought across the world, and was conferred the title of Southern King.

He was skilled in using a fast sword; his blade was like a vanishing shadow, which led fellow Cultivators to call him Nan Wangjian.

It was said that even the current Sovereign of the Southern Sword Dynasty, that half-step He Dao powerhouse, was no longer a match for the Southern King.

"The Southern King has profound cultivation and peerless talent. In my view, he might not be inferior to that Heavenly Sword Successor of the Qingyang Immortal Clan."

Within the Imperial Dynasty, Cultivators were discussing the matter.

"Not so. How can you possibly understand the weight of the title 'Heavenly Sword Successor'?"

Someone scoffed in rebuttal.

"Then why don't you tell us, exactly how powerful is this Heavenly Sword Successor?"

"This..."

The person who rebutted hesitated. 'Heavenly Sword Successor' was merely a title passed down from the upper echelons.

Ordinary Cultivators truly didn't know the actual meaning behind those three words.

However, since the title originated from the great sects and Immortal gates...

It naturally carried significant weight.

Because of this, various legends regarding the Heavenly Sword Successor quickly flooded the Eastern Wasteland Continent.

Since they didn't know the specific meaning, they simply made them up.

The legends were varied and diverse.

However, none of them were reliable.

"Heh, putting aside the Heavenly Sword Successor, you must at least know the weight of the name 'Qingyang Immortal Clan', right?"

That person thought for a moment and changed the direction of the conversation.

They might not know about the Heaven Sword.

But they certainly knew of the Qingyang Zhou Family of the Chaotic Sea, who had replaced the Dongxuan Dao Court.

As soon as these words were spoken...

Those who were discussing fell silent one after another.

The significance of the Ten Great Immortal Sects was known to everyone in the Eastern Wasteland Continent.

Countless millions of Cultivators had the highest aspiration of joining the Ten Great Immortal Sects since they were children.

Yet, few could actually achieve it.

"Furthermore, I've heard that this Heavenly Sword Successor is one of the most outstanding descendants of the Zhou Immortal Clan."

"The only one who shares equal fame with him is that Fairy Zixiao."

This person added another sentence; he clearly knew quite a bit.

Fairy Zixiao's reputation was much greater than Zhou Xiuyuan's.

It was heard that Fairy Zixiao was extremely young.

But her cultivation was already such that no one below a Dao Lord of He Dao could rival her.

She was skilled in Thunder Methods, and her pair of Purple-Gold Hammers were fierce and overbearing.

Her prestige spread far and wide.

Her admirers were countless.

To be able to share equal fame with Fairy Zixiao...

He must certainly be an extraordinary figure.

The Cultivators in the Southern Sword Dynasty grew somewhat silent.

It was hard for them to accept that the Imperial Dynasty's number one Prodigy might suffer a defeat.

At the same time.

In the imperial capital, within the royal court.

"Southern King, are you willing to accept the challenge post?"

The Sovereign, seated upon the dragon throne, asked the man standing at the very front of the officials, dressed in green robes with a handsome face and a long sword at his waist.

The other ministers of the Imperial Dynasty also looked toward that green-robed swordsman.

Although this challenge post was written in Zhou Xiuyuan's personal name...

They still did not dare to be negligent.

After all, the difference in strength between the two sides was too great.

They could not afford to be anything less than cautious.

If the Southern King was unwilling to fight, they would have to think of a perfect reason to decline.

"To be able to discuss the Dao with such a Prodigy is truly my good fortune."

The Southern King had a solemn expression as he slowly cupped his hands in a respectful salute.

"Good! As expected of our dynasty's Qilin son."

The Southern Sword Sovereign was overjoyed.

With this kind of demeanor and a heart that did not fear competing with any Prodigy in the world, he would surely break through his limits.

In the future, he would definitely lead the Imperial Dynasty to greater heights.

"Someone, make preparations. We shall receive him according to the highest standards."

The Southern Sword Sovereign commanded.

Inwardly, he was secretly delighted; with this opportunity, regardless of success or failure, he could use it to establish some connection with the Zhou Family.

The Southern Sword Sovereign's internal calculations were not shared with others.

As for that green-robed swordsman, the Southern King felt a trace of anticipation in his heart.

The news of the Southern King accepting the challenge post spread quickly, causing the excitement in the Imperial Dynasty to grow even stronger.

Countless Cultivators rushed toward the imperial capital... Meanwhile.

A small boat sailed upon the vast and boundless ocean.

On the small boat were two people.

One had hair as white as snow and carried three long swords at his waist, his expression indifferent and calm.

Behind the white-haired youth followed a young boy who also carried a long sword on his back.

The boy was not very old and asked the white-haired youth in front of him with some confusion, "Hall Master, why aren't we flying over?"

Hearing the voice, Zhou Xiuyuan did not turn around.

"Guangyao, do you know how long a sword is? How wide the world is? How big a heart is?"

"Only by measuring the world with your feet can you know how wide it is; only by traversing the mountains and rivers with your sword can you know how big your heart is."

Before Zhou Guangyao could respond, Zhou Xiuyuan spoke again.

Zhou Guangyao was a Disciple of the 'Guang' generation, and his talent in the way of the sword was extraordinary.

On this journey across the world, he hadn't brought anyone else, only taking Zhou Guangyao along so he could point things out and teach him at any time.

"Guangyao has learned much."

Zhou Guangyao pondered in his heart and felt it made a lot of sense. By keeping his feet on the ground and taking the world into his heart, he would know the reach of his Sword Qi and when he should strike.

Before long.

A coastline appeared in their sight.

The small boat stopped and was put into a Storage Pouch by Zhou Xiuyuan.

The two of them, one following the other, stepped onto the land of the Eastern Wasteland.

This sword-testing journey was to realize the Dao within his heart.

He wanted to become one with the sword.

What is the way of the sword?

A sword is just a sword.

All other Sword Intents—overbearing, sharp, heavy, benevolent, continuous, fierce, and so on—were all expanded from the most fundamental way of the sword.

And what he wanted to do was to align with that most fundamental and original way of the sword that encompassed everything.

It contained all things, yet was the most pure and simple.

A sword is just a sword, nothing else matters.

Zhou Xiuyuan constantly contemplated this in his heart.

He hoped that by the time he returned from this trip, he would have made progress... Watching from afar with her Divine Sense as Zhou Xiuyuan disappeared into the horizon, a low voice suddenly echoed in Zhou Xiutong's mind.

Zhou Xiutong's mind stirred.

Her figure vanished from the air and appeared at the bottom of the sea.

"Old Ancestor."

Zhou Xiutong paid her respects, wondering what instructions the Old Ancestor had for her.

"I need to go out for a while. Xiutong, you come with me."

Mo Xuan glanced at Zhou Xiutong and spoke softly.

He had already sensed the approximate locations of two other innate supreme treasures.

However, the sensation was not clear; he needed to go there in person.

Furthermore, the Zhou Family did not possess the ultimate Legacy of thunder methods.

Therefore, he planned to take Zhou Xiutong along to give her some special treatment.

His Divine Thunder Horn was the Origin of the Divine Thunder of Destruction.

With Zhou Xiutong's talent, if she meditated on it throughout this journey, she should be able to gain some insights.

She should be able to step into the Dao Integration Realm much faster.

"Yes, Old Ancestor."

Zhou Xiutong was delighted.

She usually cultivated and meditated in the depths of the Thunder Region on the Floating Island.

The Thunder Region was filled with divine thunder.

But in the end, it was only a manifestation of the Old Ancestor's Divine Ability.

If she could stay by the Old Ancestor's side...

Her cultivation progress would likely be even faster.

This was the Old Ancestor giving her special treatment.

Zhou Xiutong felt wonderful inside.

With the Old Ancestor's strength...

In these heavens and myriad worlds today, there was nowhere he could not go, and he didn't need anyone's help at all.

Taking her along was clearly to look after her.

Hehe~