First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 1342 - The Brewing Storm Starts Here

Illuminating Emptiness opened his mouth as if to speak.

But before he got the chance, Sword Immortal Qingshi’s hearty laughter rang out. “‘I’m not afraid of never returning. My only fear is that I’ll return disappointed?’ Well said!”

The Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha was even more direct. He whacked Illuminating Emptiness on the head. “Don’t sour the mood.”

Illuminating Emptiness scratched his head. “Why do I get the sense you’re hiding something from me? If not, why would you be this calm after watching my bro the Temple Master agree to this challenge?”

No one explained.

“Fellow Daoist, Universal Emptiness and I already confirmed that the Laws now permit Dao Integration Realm revenants to wander the outside world,” said Sword Immortal Qingshi.

Su Yi subtly inclined his head. “It’s even better that way.”

Two months prior, the Mountain-Overturning Yao Monarch, Li Zhong, came to visit.

At the time, Li Zhong could only travel the world thanks to a treasure similar to the Obscuring Heavens Umbrella. Were he to actually attack, he’d inevitably suffer a backlash from the Laws.

However, now, just two months later, Dao Integration Realm revenants could travel freely. Su Yi found this quite surprising.

There was no doubt about it. The world’s changes were speeding up.

Su Yi examined Clarity of the Heart intently, then put it away and took out the copper coin on a black string. “Do you two recognize this coin?”

Earlier, he examined it with his divine sense. The coin looked ordinary and assuming, but it was indeed full of mysteries. The power of a mysterious formation covered its interior, and he couldn’t think of any way to break it.

Su Yi had tried calling out to the Antique Dealer, but no one responded.

He dared say with certainty that he could break the mysterious seal on the copper coin if he drew on the power of the Sword of the Nine Hells. However, if he did so, it was highly likely he’d hurt the Antique Dealer hiding inside.

Thus, Su Yi ultimately decided not to risk it.

“I’ve heard of falling in love with money, but the Antique Dealer’s gone and fallen into his money!” exclaimed Illuminating Emptiness.

Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh.

The Antique Dealer had spent his life gathering all sorts of ancient treasures, and he was extremely miserly. People often laughed and said that he was infatuated with money.

Who’d have thought he’d one day have no choice but to seek refuge in a copper coin? In a sense, he’d moved in with his “one true love!”

“The coin is made of a material rarer than even Transcendent divine materials. It’s even comparable to treasures of the Immortal Dao,” said Sword Immortal Qingshi after a brief examination. He looked impressed. “Even in ancient times, this coin would absolutely have been a rare and wondrous treasure.”

The Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha said, “This copper coin really isn’t simple. The power sealing it is emblazoned with something similar to an Immortal Restriction, a treasure of the Immortal Dao, but it’s not quite the same. It really is strange.

These were both top Cloud Soaring Realm powerhouses of their era, but not even they could discern the copper coin’s origins. Su Yi couldn’t help but find this surprising.

“Whatever else you might say about the Antique Dealer, he’s gathered too many antiques over the years to count. I’m sure this coin is one of them,” said Illuminating Emptiness. “Back then, I heard the Antique Dealer brag about having collected quite a few relics and precious treasures that had existed since antiquity. They might have looked like a pile of junk then, but he said that when the time was right, these treasures would regain their former brilliance.”

Su Yi’s heart stirred. “That really is possible!”

The Path of Transcendence had long been severed.

But things were different now. The world was changing. Revenants were reawakening, and descendants of immortals were appearing, one after another.

The Antique Dealer went to the trouble of gathering these “useless” relics because he knew that if the era changed, they might well undergo an unbelievable transformation!

“Should the opportunity arise, I’d quite like to meet this Antique Dealer of yours,” said Sword Immortal Qingshi. He seemed intrigued. “I’d like to see just how many unbelievable treasures are hidden amongst the antiques he’s gathered over the years.”

The Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha laughed. “If we revenants of a bygone age could awaken after all those years of dormancy, who knows? The supreme treasures of ancient times might well have a shot at reawakening too.”

After chatting a while longer, Su Yi went back to his room.

In the two months since he’d returned from the Divine Forge, he spent all his time either cultivating or nourishing his heart, never once slacking off.

......

That very day, word of a new development spread.

“The leaders of the Nine Heavens Pavilion, the Studio of the Heart, the Church of the River of Stars, and the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect have issued a joint decree. In seven days, they’ll challenge the Temple Master atop Mount Pitaya’s Violet Heavens Platform!”

Massive waves of uproar shook the world.

“Why would these top orthodoxies declare war against the Temple Master at this juncture? Something strange is afoot!”

“Strange? No, not at all. The revenants might be afraid of the power of reincarnation, but even if they dare not fight the Temple Master, the newly minted Transcendents of the present day are different. The Laws of Reincarnation can’t suppress them!”

“The leaders of these top sects have all stepped onto the Path of Transcendence. Now that they’ve joined forces, they obviously plan to lay the Temple Master to rest!”

“Will His Excellency the Temple Master... accept their challenge?”

...the stars were in uproar, and every cultivator was talking about this unprecedented challenge.

This news also drew the attention of several ancient orthodoxies. Dark currents flowed beneath the surface.

...

The Red City Daoist Sect.

“Where is the Violet Heavens Platform? Whether Su Yi accepts the challenge or not, we must make ample preparations,” ordered an old man bathed in fiery immortal light.

....

Yang Transformation Immortal Mountain.

“Someone lost patience and decided to target the Temple Master already? Go investigate and see whose orders these top sects are following!” ordered a tall, stalwart man in black robes.

...

Deep within the Impermeable Demon Ocean, the yellow dog Xing Que said gravely, “Whoever announced this challenge definitely has ill intentions! They’re obviously using it to throw the new world order into disarray! When the time comes, an unpredictable, chaotic battle is sure to follow.”

Su Yi had long since become the common foe of the top factions of the present day, ancient orthodoxies, and descendants of immortals. All revenants saw him as prey. How could they possibly be content to watch Su Yi die at another’s hands?

The factions standing behind the Ancient Guardian Clans of the Dao wouldn’t just sit back and watch, either.

When the leaders of the top orthodoxies of the present day attacked, the ancient orthodoxies and descendants of immortals were sure to get involved! And the situation would surely descend into chaos!

“They say it’s easier to fish in troubled waters. But what I can say with certainty is that if Su Yi accepts this challenge, he’s doomed!” the dog said gravely.

But here, the dog suddenly realized that Daoist Master Red Cloud didn’t seem at all interested. She was just sitting there, repairing a worn-out, broken flower basket.

“Mistress, how... do you see this?” the yellow mutt couldn’t help but ask.

Daoist Master Red Cloud ignored the question, and the dog considerately refrained from asking again.

A long time passed before she raised the repaired flower basket and examined it with immense satisfaction. “Isn’t it pretty?”

The dog hurriedly nodded. “Extremely pretty!”

Daoist Master Red Cloud put down the basket. “I can tell you’re worried about Fellow Daoist Su.”

The dog froze, then denied it. “Mistress, I’d love to see him get what’s coming to him. How could I possibly be concerned about his safety?”

“When the time comes, how about we go for a walk and see just how deep these turbid waters are?” asked Daoist Master Red Cloud.

The dog was instantly excited. “Mistress, you’re finally in the mood to visit the outside world?”

Daoist Master Red Cloud looked a bit dazed. She murmured to herself, “It seems...it really has been a long time since I’ve been so excited...”

......

“Who is the old Tailor working for?” asked Mo Qingchou.

“The old-timer’s always been mysterious, and he always remains hidden in the darkness. They say he’s working with no small number of ancient orthodoxies, including the Hidden Skies Immortal Sect, Profound Yin Demon Mountain, and Yellow Springs Demon Mountain,” said Li Zhong.

“Are they all Demonist factions of the ancient era?” asked Mo Qingchou. The three sects Li Zhong listed were all once peak Transcendent orthodoxies, and each had given rise to numerous true immortals of Demonism!

Before he could answer, she asked another question. “And what about the Nine Heavens Pavilion, the Studio of the Heart, the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect, and the Church of the River of Stars? Who’s backing them?”

“Those are the four top orthodoxies of the present day,” said Li Zhong. “They’re on good terms with numerous ancient factions.”

Mo Qingchou thought for a moment. “When the time comes, you should lead a group there too.”

Li Zhong was stunned. “Young Mistress, are you worried Su Yi will get himself killed?”

Mo Qingchou said softly, “I can already foresee that there’ll be people who seize the opportunity to loot a burning house and pluck fish from muddied waters. However, there will also be people who choose to deliver coal in a blizzard. I’ve chosen to be one of them.”

......

“It doesn’t matter whether that Su person lives or dies. What matters is that the secrets of reincarnation absolutely cannot fall into another’s hands!” Fu Dongli said with staunch conviction, his eyes flashing with imposing light. “When the time comes, we’ll go too!”

He’d fought with Su Yi, losing numerous precious treasures in the process. Moreover, Su Yi crushed him beneath his feet. His hatred for Su Yi was now bone-deep.

More importantly, he’d already retrieved his Natal Dao Bone, and his strength had undergone an earth-shaking transformation.

Although he was still a revenant, he was completely different from before.

......

Numerous descendants of immortals chose to watch the battle and make preparations, just as Mo Qingchou and Fu Dongli had.

And as word of the impending challenge at the Violet Heavens Platform spread, the star realms practically boiled over, like pots blowing off their lids. Waves rocked the stars, and dark currents flowed beneath the surface.

The Primordial Unity Daoist Sect.

Deng Zuo sat in a dark room, caressing the flat of his sword, his gaze focused and tranquil.

It was raining outside, and the winds were fierce, but Deng Zuo didn’t care in the slightest. All he wanted now was to sever the enmity between him and the Temple Master!

The Nine Heavens Pavilion.

Yan Daolin arrived in the forbidden ground on the sect’s back mountain.

The Nine Heavens Pavilion was one of the greatest factions of the starry skies. Every disciple who joined the sect had to swear a Grand Dao Oath before their Dao Sword.

But throughout the sect, none but Yan Daolin knew the sword’s name or what it looked like. It was incomparably mysterious.

Throughout the years, the sword had always been sealed in this very forbidden ground!

Clang!

The low, boundless hum of a sword reverberated throughout the entire back mountain.

Yan Daolin listened to its hum in silence for a long time before slowly approaching and removing the case sealing the weapon.

He planned to use this sword to end things with the Temple Master once and for all!