147: Li Xiao, the leader of Xiaoyao Sword Sect

Within the borders of Sui Province,

Inside a magnificent Sect, immortal mist swirled, like a celestial Realm.

Craggy peaks, like colossal swords, towered into the clouds, standing atop the sprawling mountain range.

This was the Xiaoyao Sword Sect, the leading first-rate power in the Northern Wilderness Region!

A soaring sword light, like a Dragon emerging from the sea, like a rainbow piercing the sun, shot out from a Sword Mountain and plunged directly into the tallest peak among the mountains.

“Sect Master, the soul lamps of Elder Zhu and the others have all shattered!”

Inside the magnificent, resplendent main hall of the Xiaoyao Sword Sect, a robed Old Man stood like a statue, his face so grim it seemed water could drip from it.

In front of him stood a middle-aged man in a dark robe.

The middle-aged man’s eyebrows were like sword edges, his body as straight as a pine, and his Aura as profound as a mountain; he stood there quietly, like an peerless sharp sword, his Aura naturally formed.

His robe was embroidered with many stars, which clustered around a crimson longsword, and countless golden runes on the sword body shimmered with dazzling light, as if proclaiming its extraordinary nature.

This person was precisely the current Sect Master of the Xiaoyao Sword Sect—Lin Xiao.

Hearing the robed Old Man’s words, he slowly opened his eyes, and two sharp sword glints, like dark green glass, instantly shot out from his pupils, sweeping past the robed Old Man’s frosty white temples like lightning, causing a heart-stopping sensation.

“Drip-drop~” A drop of cold sweat slid down the robed Old Man’s cheek, his heart already pounding wildly under this terrifying pressure, and he thought in horror:

“The Sect Master’s Sword Dao Cultivation has grown even stronger; this must have already stepped into the Realm of Sword Intent Major Achievement!”

He stood in place without a word, a few strands of his temple hair lightly drifting down.

After a long while.

Lin Xiao slowly spoke.

“The sword is the king of all weapons,” the middle-aged man continued, “Only by befriending the sword, learning from the sword, and clarifying the heart with the sword can one gain insight into the Sword Dao.”

He spoke as if discussing something trivial, his words revealing a profound understanding and endless pursuit of the Sword Dao.

But then the sword glint in his eyes grew even brighter, as if it could see into people’s hearts, and he spoke again, his voice deep and powerful.

“Elder Zhu, as an Elder of the Xiaoyao Sword Sect, fell due to the Heaven Sword Sect incident. Normally, the Sect would certainly seek justice for them!

“But, just now, this Sect Master just received some interesting news. Elder Mo, why don’t you take a look!”

With that, a Jade Slip appeared in his palm and shot towards the robed Old Man.

The robed Old Man’s expression solidified, and he instantly caught the Jade Slip with a raised hand, immediately injecting his consciousness into it.

The next moment.

He suddenly trembled, his eyes widening abruptly, and he exclaimed in shock.

“Taichu Holy Land, this… how is this possible!”

This news was simply too astonishing; if it hadn't come from the Sect Master, he would never have believed such a thing.

“Nothing is impossible. Two hundred years ago, an Elder from the Immortal Seeking Sect forcibly snatched that exceptionally talented child from among many great powers. What happened during that time, we do not know!”

“However, afterwards, those powers almost competed to have their Sect’s future Saintess sign a marriage contract with that child!”

“It wasn’t until one hundred and eighty years ago that the Elder disappeared, and the major powers also successively came to break off the engagement, the reason being that the child could not Cultivate. But what the actual reason was, we still don’t understand!”

Recalling that incident from back then, Lin Xiao’s eyes showed a trace of reminiscence; at that time, he was merely a minor character and had no access to that matter at all.

Over the years, he had been secretly investigating what purpose those people had ultimately achieved, but unfortunately, these powers deliberately concealed it, preventing him from getting much information.

Thinking of this, he continued:

“Which of those great powers isn’t ruthless? They absolutely cannot tolerate any blemish. Under normal circumstances, they would have annihilated the Immortal Seeking Sect, but they did nothing, which is strange.”

“I remember that among those powers back then, there was the Taichu Holy Land. Now, the Taichu Saintess suddenly appears in the Immortal Seeking Sect, and their relationship seems quite good, which makes one shudder to think about it.”

“Adding to that, some time ago, the Star Plucking Holy Land was inexplicably annihilated, and the fuse seemed to have been ignited by a Immortal Seeking Sect Disciple!”

Lin Xiao stopped here, his gaze profound as he looked at the shocked robed Old Man.

The robed Old Man fell silent, seemingly pondering something.

After a long while, he slowly opened his mouth and said, “Sect Master, where did this news come from?”

Lin Xiao seemed to know the robed Old Man would ask this, his expression calm, and he said indifferently, “It cost some price, obtained from the Sun Moon Tower!”

“Sun Moon Tower…” The robed Old Man murmured softly, a glimmer in his eyes. He harbored some apprehension towards this mysterious Sun Moon Tower.

Inside the main hall, silence reigned.

The moonlight streamed through the windows, scattering into a corner of the hall.

A wisp of cold wind howled in through the palace gate, rustling their robes and bringing a chill.

The robed Old Man felt a sudden chill, startled awake from his thoughts, and the anger that had arisen from Elder Zhu’s demise instantly dissipated at this moment.

His gaze deepened slightly as he looked at Lin Xiao and said, “Then Sect Master, what should we do now?”

Lin Xiao’s gaze subtly shifted towards the door, looking at the dim starlight above the Nine Heavens, and he said in a deep voice, “It wasn’t just the Heaven Sword Sect that was annihilated, but also the Limitless Sect. The Blood Cloud Valley behind it is not to be trifled with. The Blood Cloud Old Ancestor just advanced to the Supreme Realm and is bound to find an opportunity to assert his power!”

“The Immortal Seeking Sect is the best opportunity. Let the Blood Cloud Valley probe the depths behind the Immortal Seeking Sect.”

“We will observe the changes.” Lin Xiao, like an old fox, his eyes glinting with shrewdness, said, “Oh right, recently the Old Ancestor touched upon that Realm. During multiple attempts, he coincidentally had a heavenly premonition, saying that the world is about to undergo a great change, urging us to Cultivate diligently and raise our strength as much as possible to cope with future changes!”

“What? The Old Ancestor, he!!” Hearing this, the robed Old Man suddenly grew excited, looking at Lin Xiao, who nodded gently at him, making his face light up with joy. He then said, “Sect Master, I understand. I will make the arrangements immediately!”

“Mm, go!”

Lin Xiao watched the departing robed Old Man, then suddenly fell into thought, his brows furrowing and relaxing intermittently. After a good while, he murmured to himself, “I hope it’s not as I imagine!”

...

Sui Province.

In a vast valley stretching for thousands of miles, surrounded by towering cliffs, with a magnificent waterfall hanging at its end, imposing in its Aura.

The valley contained a hidden world within, with countless palaces standing grandly, and looking up, one could see many blood-colored clouds and mist swirling ahead. The valley was also filled with red flowers, plants, and trees.

This place was precisely the Blood Cloud Valley, a second-rate power in the Northern Wilderness Region.

Inside the main hall of the Blood Cloud Valley.

Many people were gathered at this time, all full of vigor, they were all the Elders of the Blood Cloud Valley, seemingly planning something, arguing amongst themselves, and not stopping for a long time.

The Blood Cloud Valley Leader wore a blood-colored robe, with short hair and raised eyebrows, giving him an eerie feeling.

He swept his sleeve, directly making the final decision, and then his voice boomed:

“Alright, this matter is settled. Two days from now, we depart for the Immortal Seeking Sect!”

Upon hearing this, although some people opened their mouths wanting to say something, seeing his angry gaze, they swallowed their words back, their faces bitter.