189: The destruction of Yijian Pavilion

"In just three short months, your cultivation has actually advanced to this level?"

After dealing with the Sword Emperor's Clone, the three individuals, now completely free of the Blood Curse, finally sensed that Shen Lian's Aura was different from before.

When they learned that Shen Lian was now at the Fourth Level of the Immortal Realm, Xiao Chen and Wu Aozhou were immediately astonished.

Clear Moon, however, had long been mentally prepared for this and was not particularly surprised.

After all, a person who could single-handedly withstand the siege of the Heroes of Tianji Mountain and win without injury naturally couldn't be measured by common sense.

Shen Lian manifested his Folding Fan, offering no direct response to Xiao Chen's confusion, and only spoke to Clear Moon:

"Now that the Blood Curse on you has been removed, I have fulfilled my initial promise.

Now, I want Chess Sword Pavilion to pay the price for their foolish actions. Are you still going to stop me?"

Clear Moon replied, "Naturally not. From now on, we have no further connection with Chess Sword Pavilion, it's just..."

After hesitating for a moment, Clear Moon finally spoke, "Many Outer Sect Disciples of Chess Sword Pavilion are innocent.

The only person who proposed killing you was Lord Youyang. Can you spare those innocent people?"

"Innocent?"

Shen Lian sneered.

"When they raised their swords to kill me, even an ant is not considered innocent. Shen Lian always acts with clear distinction between gratitude and grudges.

Don't you know the principle that when the nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact? Everyone in Chess Sword Pavilion, excluding Disciples without cultivation, shall be killed by Shen Lian!"

Hearing Shen Lian say this, the three couldn't help but tremble inwardly.

This guy is truly ruthless.

Fortunately, they had not provoked him. If they had encountered such an opponent, it would be truly unimaginable.

"If there is nothing else, then leave. I imagine you wouldn't want to witness the destruction of Chess Sword Pavilion."

Clear Moon: "Shen Lian, you had better think again. If Sima Zhou learns that his tens of thousands of years of Effort were ruined by you, he definitely won't let the matter rest."

"Hahaha!"

Shen Lian laughed loudly upon hearing this.

"Would Shen Lian care about a coward who relies on Schemes and Calculations to maintain his status? If he wants revenge, he'll have to see if he has the ability.

Furthermore, this is my business. I don't need you to point fingers. Leave."

Clear Moon opened her mouth to say something, but Xiao Chen grabbed her sleeve: "Senior Sister, you care about Shen Lian so much, are you perhaps interested in him and want to be his Dao Companion?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Are you looking to die!"

Clear Moon and Shen Lian spoke almost simultaneously, directing their anger toward Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen spread his hands: "See? Your reactions are almost identical. This is truly the Look of a Naturally Destined Couple. If this works out,

on the day of your wedding, I will definitely contribute two hundred Spirit Stones as a gift, though the bill should, of course, be charged to that beast Sima Zhou."

Clear Moon was so angry she was speechless.

Shen Lian flashed next to Xiao Chen, and said with a serious expression, "If you think your life is too long,

I can be merciful and send you on your way. Do you want to test how hot Shen Lian's wrath is?"

Xiao Chen immediately shut up and stepped back two paces: "I just said it casually, please don't take it seriously."

"Hmph."

Shen Lian gave a cold snort, gently shaking his Folding Fan.

"Family Affection, friendship, love—these things are merely stumbling blocks on the great Dao, serving no purpose other than eroding one's will.

In Shen Lian's heart, only continuous improvement of strength, constant challenging of limits, and perpetual self-transcendence constitute the sole meaning of stepping onto the path of cultivation.

All other actions are just excuses for wasting time. I don't want to hear this kind of nonsense again.

The transaction between us is over. We part ways here, never to meet again."

Having said that, Shen Lian walked directly out of the Sword Tomb.

Everyone was speechless. If, according to Shen Lian, cultivators should reject the most precious emotions of the mortal world, what difference would they have from a statue?

Isn't the meaning of stepping onto the path of cultivation to explore the beauty that was once unattainable and make up for past regrets on the road to pursuing the Peak?

The trio's thoughts were not wrong, but if they understood Shen Lian's experience of confronting fate over ninety-nine lifetimes, they would understand his perspective.

Unfortunately, Shen Lian would never tell these things to the world.

Whether it was righteous or evil, in his eyes, there was only the value of whether it was worth surpassing.

Clear Moon suddenly thought of something and quickly called out to him: "Wait, Shen Lian, I have one more matter."

Shen Lian stopped, but the expression on his face was extremely impatient: "What nonsense do you want to say now?"

Clear Moon: "Did you take Su Mengyao as your Disciple?"

"What does that have to do with you?"

Clear Moon took a deep breath: "Next month, on the tenth day of the sixth lunar month, a Heavenly Sword Arts Assembly will be held on Divine Sword Peak."

"Hmm?"

"You can take Su Mengyao to participate. If she wins the championship, she might obtain the Sword Sect Legacy, which would greatly benefit her cultivation and state of mind."

Shen Lian scoffed upon hearing this: "A mere Sword Sect—does what they possess internally contain even One Ten-Thousandth of what I know?

Such a waste of time offers no help whatsoever in improving one's Sword Realm cultivation."

Xiao Chen and Wu Aozhou immediately had black lines across their faces upon hearing this.

Just how arrogant was this Shen Lian? Everything he said constantly shattered their understanding of him.

The Sword Sect Legacy—that was a Legacy that even Sima Zhou was tempted by. How could it be so worthless in his eyes?

His arrogance was boundless.

Clear Moon: "Although that is true, it would still be good for your Disciple to recognize her current level.

Su Mengyao is a Good Seedling. Given time and your guidance, she will certainly secure a place in the Dao of the Sword.

However, she lacks Actual Combat experience and sufficient broadened horizons. Even if her cultivation is high, she will struggle to unleash even half of her potential during combat."

Shen Lian pondered for a moment and said, "There is some truth to what you say. Next month, on the tenth day of the sixth lunar month, at Divine Sword Peak in the Eastern Region, I will take Su Mengyao there."

After speaking, he turned back to look at Clear Moon: "Speak. What do you want to gain from me by telling me this?"

Clear Moon held up three Jade-like Fingers: "Three days."

"Hmm? What do you mean!"

"I want you to give the Disciples of Chess Sword Pavilion three days to flee for their lives. After three days, you can do whatever you want with the Disciples who remain in Chess Sword Pavilion."

"Your kindness truly makes me angry!" Shen Lian stared fiercely at Clear Moon, a half-smile on his face. "Is the information you just provided worth exchanging for these three days?"

Clear Moon remained silent: "I have stayed here for three thousand years, after all. I wouldn't say I have too much affection, but I still want to do something one last time before leaving."

"One day."

Shen Lian replied straightforwardly.

"You can go tell this group of ants that they have one day to flee for their lives,

As long as they can leave the confines of Chess Sword Pavilion within one day, their lives will be spared."

"Thank you!"

After thanking him, Clear Moon immediately flew towards the Main Hall of Chess Sword Pavilion... Inside the Sword Realm, a massive Sword Net covered the sky, enveloping the entire domain in a blanket of sacred Qi illumination.

Sima Zhou sat alone beside the Sword Pond, closing his eyes to focus his mind, quietly comprehending a brand new Sword Intent.

Suddenly, his chest hurt, and he violently opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

The fresh blood fell into the Sword Pond, immediately stirring up towering Sword Waves.

"What a Shen Lian! How dare you ruin This Seat's plans? Once This Seat fully comprehends the final layer of the Taihe Sword Intent, I will surely cut you into ten thousand pieces."

He clutched his chest and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

The Backlash from the destruction of his Clone immediately caused his cultivation to plummet slightly.

He firmly imprinted Shen Lian's name in his mind.

"Do not let This Seat catch you. This Seat swears, you will die a miserable death!"

...The Next Morning, when the first ray of sunlight shone upon the Main Hall of Chess Sword Pavilion, the Disciples began taking their positions to Cultivate as usual.

Lord Youyang stepped out of the hall, took a deep breath of Spiritual Qi, and felt a wave of refreshment.

Yesterday, before Clear Moon left, she told him that Shen Lian was about to come attacking and urged him to quickly lead the Disciples away from Chess Sword Pavilion.

But unexpectedly, this was exactly what Lord Youyang wanted.

When Shen Lian caused chaos in Chess Sword Pavilion, killing hundreds of Disciples and even several Elders, Lord Youyang had been holding a grudge.

Now that Shen Lian had actively sought them out, Lord Youyang could conveniently wait for the opportune moment to suppress and kill him, wiping away the Sect's shame.

The battle at Tianji Mountain did not make Lord Youyang realize how serious the situation was; instead, he was glad that Shen Lian hadn't died so quickly, believing it was Heaven giving him a chance to personally finish him off.