168: Chapter 168 Who exactly dares to be so bold?

But the book clearly states the author is Xie Feixuan... Could it be—

“Husband, this book... was it really written by the Confucian Sword Immortal?”

Ignoring her shyness, she lifted the corner of the quilt and poked her head out to press for an answer.

“Who else could it be but him?”

“This... is simply unbelievable.”

Yue Yao was stunned, her eyes losing focus slightly.

She had always thought it was written by a woman; after all, those delicate and nuanced descriptions of emotions could only be written by a woman who deeply understood love.

“Say no more, let’s rest.”

Su Rui placed the book on the dressing table and flicked his finger, extinguishing the candlelight.

In the darkness, a short cry of surprise rang out.

Two days later, the White-Haired Immortal and other experts of the Heaven Beyond Heaven watched the receding figure of the Roc bird, their eyes filled with shock.

Their state of mind was no longer what it once was.

Where they once feared Su Rui, they now only wished for him to become even stronger.

...

Inside the Sword Heart Tomb, King Li Su was bent over, forging a sword.

During this time, he had been diligently studying the Artifact Refining secrets within the Talisman of Nine Surges of the Jiyin Epoch, gaining quite a profound understanding.

Even when Lei Mengsha returned, he merely came out of seclusion to give him a lecture before letting it go.

“Sect Head!”

An urgent call interrupted his thoughts as a man arrived with a face full of excitement.

King Li Su frowned and looked up, his gaze sharp: “Did I not say not to disturb me?”

“That... That person has arrived!”

The Disciple's voice trembled, clearly unable to contain his excitement.

That person?

King Li Su was startled for a moment, then realized who it was. He tossed the sword blank aside and turned to stride out.

At this time, Li Xinyue was holding little Lei Wujie, watching Su Rui’s party of three alongside Lei Mengsha.

Especially the peerlessly elegant Yue Yao standing beside Su Rui.

Seeing her relaxed expression and the soft light in her eyes when she looked at Su Rui, everything was self-evident.

Li Xinyue sighed softly in her heart. Her daughter was young after all, but seeing Su Rui treat her with such tenderness made her feel somewhat at ease.

“Did you resign from your position as Pillar State General?”

Su Rui looked at Lei Mengsha and spoke indifferently.

“Yes, I have handed it over.”

Lei Mengsha’s expression was calm, showing no lingering attachment.

“What are your plans for the future?”

“I’ll return to the Lei Family first, and then move to Snow Moon City.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a strange look appeared on Su Rui’s face.

“Moving to Snow Moon City?”

“Exactly.

The scenery there is beautiful and the climate is pleasant. The Lei Family also has a base in that area.”

Lei Mengsha could not hide his yearning as he spoke.

“Are you going as a Disciple of the Lei Family, or as a descendant of the Sword Heart Tomb?”

A deep voice suddenly rang out. Lei Mengsha’s whole body stiffened, and he immediately stood up straight.

“Father-in-law!”

He instinctively leaned toward Li Xinyue, fearing a beating.

Getting beaten was one thing, but with Su Rui and his own daughter present, where would his dignity as a man be if he were punished in public?

“I am asking you a question!”

King Li Su’s face was dark. If the answer was not good, a severe thrashing would be inevitable.

“I... I represent the Sword Heart Tomb!”

Under the pressure, Lei Mengsha could only answer with forced courage.

“That’s more like it!”

King Li Su snorted coldly, finally nodding in satisfaction, then turned to Su Rui:

“You’ve come at the right time. I have recently forged a pair of swords. Their quality is not inferior to Chengying or containing light, and each possesses a mysterious power.”

Su Rui was slightly surprised upon hearing this and couldn't help but feel a bit of interest.

After the two left, Li Xinyue turned to look at Yue Yao, her tone carrying a hint of scrutiny:

“Who are you?”

“I am Yue Yao, the current Sect Master of Heaven Beyond Heaven.”

Yue Yao answered frankly.

As soon as these words were spoken, both Li Xinyue and Lei Mengsha were stunned.

“Sect Master of Heaven Beyond Heaven? After Ye Dingzhi died, Heaven Beyond Heaven actually fell to you? Then why are you following my son-in-law?”

Lei Mengsha had always been straightforward.

“I... I don't care about status!”

Yue Yao was momentarily at a loss for words and could only respond this way, her meaning clear—she would never compete with Li Hanyi for position.

Li Xinyue nodded gently, her expression softening.

Only then did Lei Mengsha realize something was wrong with the words.

“Girl, I can't beat him!”

He couldn't help but blurt out.

Li Hanyi’s face darkened.

“Father cannot defeat me now either, not to mention that my husband treats me very well. You needn't worry.”

Being shut down by his daughter, Lei Mengsha sat back in his chair sheepishly and said no more.

“In that case, as your mother, I can be at peace.”

Yue Yao had long anticipated this scene.

She only wished to be by Su Rui’s side, and that was enough to satisfy her.

If she could bear him a child in the future, her life would be without regrets.

At this moment, deep within the sword-casting pavilion's underground cavern, Su Rui was staring at the two longswords King Li Su had brought out.

“These are all forged from rare Materials, but this one, ‘Clear Rain’, is more of a Daoist Magical Artifact. It is not known for its sharpness, but rather its ability to channel the power of heaven and earth, such as fueling flames.”

Su Rui nodded slightly.

Although forged by King Li Su himself, the man's vision was not yet equal to his own.

This sword could not be considered a High Grade Magical Artifact, but it possessed quite a bit of spirituality.

He was quite satisfied with the result.

“You may take the ‘Ten Essentials of Artifact Refining’ and teach it to others.”

Setting down the sword in his hand, Su Rui spoke calmly.

King Li Su was stunned upon hearing this.

He already knew the value of that manual—it was a supreme treasure that every smith in the world dreamed of, truly priceless.

And now he was being allowed to pass it on?

“Are there any conditions?” he asked hesitantly.

“No restrictions. You only need to complete the few weapon-casting tasks I assign you,” Su Rui answered straightforwardly.

“Deal!”

If that was all, King Li Su naturally agreed readily.

...

Li Hanyi’s return to the Sword Heart Tomb was originally intended for a good talk with her mother.

And Su Rui had also planned to stay for a few more days.

However, a sudden anomaly caused his expression to instantly turn cold.

While they were talking, Li Xinyue’s sharp eyes noticed the change in him.

“What happened?” she asked.

“The Talisman on Yuyan has been triggered.” Su Rui’s gaze was cold.

Li Hanyi’s heart jolted, and she immediately understood—that Talisman would only activate in the face of danger.

“Sword, rise!”

With a light shout from Su Rui, the cangfeng sword shot out from the bedroom and streaked across the sky under everyone's shocked gazes.

A moment later, a thunderous boom echoed from the distance.

“It seems I cannot stay long.” Su Rui stood up.

“Go and handle the urgent matter, don't worry about us,” Li Xinyue said.

She didn't know the details, but from Su Rui’s expression, she could guess that someone had provoked someone they shouldn't have.

She wondered in her heart, who exactly was so bold?

After Su Rui left with the two women, Lei Mengsha and King Li Su hurried over.

After hearing Li Xinyue’s account, both were shocked.

“I’m afraid trouble has come knocking.

The Yuyan you mentioned... is it that little girl who carries the peerless sword casket?”

Regarding the poetry gathering in Snow Moon City back then, all the sects had heard of it and had investigated the people around Su Rui.

“I heard she came from the Great Song,” King Li Su said in a heavy tone.

“The distance is so great, how did he know the child was in danger?” Lei Mengsha was full of doubt.

“He said the Talisman reacted,” Li Xinyue replied.

Lei Mengsha was suddenly startled, recalling the scene on Qingyun Terrace—when Li Hanyi and the others were besieging Ye Dingzhi, at the critical moment, several golden lights had enveloped them and instantly whisked them away.

“Could it be... he used the same kind of method?”

As soon as these words were spoken, King Li Su and his daughter looked at each other in unspeakable shock.

“To have such a Divine Ability? This doesn't seem like something ordinary Daoist Talisman techniques can achieve.”

Such a skill was clearly beyond the reach of the mundane world.

But then thinking of the ‘Ten Essentials of Artifact Refining’, King Li Su felt relieved again.

Su Rui had too many secrets, but as long as they were not harmful to himself, why look too deeply?

...

Within the borders of the Great Song.

A hundred miles from the Shaolin Temple, Wang Yuyan landed on the ground, her expression grave.

The peerless sword casket on her back was open, but the Flying Swords within were nowhere to be seen.

In an instant, thirteen Flying Swords of different colors broke through the air; they were the weapons she had struggled to recall while protected by the golden light.

Just then, an old monk clad in yellow robes quietly appeared.

“Talisman techniques? It seems there is another expert guiding you from behind, benefactor.”

After the old monk appeared, he did not immediately strike, but spoke slowly.

“What promises did the Murong family make to you?”

Wang Yuyan’s brow furrowed slightly, her expression solemn.

“What promise do you speak of?”

The old monk sighed softly, pressed his palms together, and chanted a Buddhist name.

“Before this poor monk entered the monastery, I once had a name.”

“What name?” Wang Yuyan was startled.

“Murong Longcheng.”

He folded his hands in front of his chest, his tone steady and his face solemn.

Murong Longcheng?

Wasn't that the Ancestral Master of the Murong Clan?

The name struck like a clap of thunder, and Wang Yuyan couldn't help but retreat several steps, the look of alertness in her eyes suddenly deepening.

“Though my descendant was worthless, he ultimately died at your hands.

A life for a life; it is only natural.”

The old monk had a compassionate face, but every word was like a blade.

“Soft Finger Wrap!”

Wang Yuyan gave a low shout, and a strangely shaped sword broke through the air, heading straight for the old monk's throat.

Clang—!

The sound of a bell rang out, the resonance lingering.

Golden light emanated from all around the old monk, transforming into the phantom of a giant, translucent bell that firmly protected him.

“Futile,” he said indifferently. “Though your sword technique is wonderful, your cultivation is still shallow; you cannot harm me in the slightest.”

His tone was calm, as if everything was within his expectations.

“Heavenly Sword!”

Wang Yuyan pointed her fingers, and the thirteen Flying Swords floating before her suddenly merged into one, forming a colossal blade that cleaved down with the force of thunder.

Clang—!

There was another deafening toll of the bell, and the air currents surged, snapping the surrounding vegetation.

“Useless effort.”

The Sword Control Art she practiced was indeed an extraordinary skill, originating from the Heavenly Sword Art taught by Su Rui, but unfortunately, the time she had spent on it was too short and her mastery was insufficient.

Whereas the person before her had spent over two hundred years in quiet cultivation in the ancient temple to comprehend the supreme Buddhist Cultivation Technique; his cultivation had long since reached a transcendent and holy level.

“Brother Murong, leave a way out in all things; why must you be so ruthless?”

An old figure appeared abruptly, white hair fluttering, with a profound Aura.

The old monk looked up, his gaze cold.

“Free and Unfettered Master, this matter has nothing to do with you.”

Before his voice had even faded, his palms separated, and his right palm suddenly thrust upward.

“Great Prajna Palm!”

In an instant, the sky split open, and a giant golden palm pressed down from the Void Realm, its Aura like a mountain collapsing.