Chapter 511: Borrowing Your Sword for a Use

Chapter 511: Lend Me Your Sword

The burly man was named Feng Tie, a peak Earth-rank Weapon Master.

He was acquainted with the Flower Thief Master Hengshan, and the two had once explored a secret realm together.

Within that secret realm, dangers abounded, and several Earth-rank Weapon Masters had perished there.

Only he and Master Hengshan had escaped.

Thus, he also learned Master Hengshan's greatest secret.

Master Hengshan had once received the inheritance of a celestial visitor, imitating the Blood of Thorns to modify spirits, ultimately merging himself with a spirit to gain a bizarre ability.

Illusion!

The primary reason Master Hengshan became a notorious flower thief wreaking havoc far and wide, with a resounding reputation yet never being caught, was his mastery of an illusion technique.

Each time, he could swagger away without a care.

This secret was likely known only to Feng Tie.

Therefore, Feng Tie was different from other Earth-rank Weapon Masters watching the Shen family stronghold; even a cat coming out of it would catch his attention.

The chameleon that Chen Kangbao had transformed into would have been overlooked by other Earth-rank Weapon Masters if not for special attention.

Feng Tie was different.

He looked at the chameleon, a smile in his eyes.

"Master Hengshan, what's the matter? Afraid I'll take a share?"

Chen Kangbao, carrying the cleaver on his shoulder, grew anxious. He stood still, hesitating.

Motionless.

The burly man ahead gave him immense pressure.

Seeing the chameleon unmoving, Feng Tie's smile widened: "Could it be that Master Hengshan wants to monopolize the Yin Essence Body?"

The main reason Master Hengshan was called a master was his bizarre illusion technique.

But once known, Hengshan's combat power would drop significantly.

If Hengshan were a match for Feng Tie, why would he let Feng Tie, who knew his greatest secret, live?

"You've mistaken me. I am not Master Hengshan." At this moment, Chen Kangbao did not hide; his form shifted into an old man, his voice hoarse.

If he didn't answer, given Feng Tie's nature, he probably wouldn't let the chameleon live either.

"Who are you... you also know illusion?" Feng Tie was startled, a hint of wariness on his face.

If the other were Master Hengshan, he would have boldly admitted it; there was no need for this.

"Ning Country seems to have no one like you... nor does Moshan Country..."

"I'm just passing through. May I leave?" Chen Kangbao asked tentatively.

"Leave the item behind." Feng Tie looked at the cleaver and said coldly.

This old man used illusion to sneak into the Shen family stronghold and steal a cleaver.

This cleaver must be extraordinary.

Since he had seen it, he had to see what made it so special.

"Fine."

To Feng Tie's surprise, Chen Kangbao, without any hesitation, tossed the cleaver straight toward him.

After throwing it, Chen Kangbao quickly left.

This caught Feng Tie off guard.

Just leaving the cleaver like that?

Was he that easy to deal with?

Could there be a trick?

Yet even so, he quickly caught the cleaver.

He examined the cleaver closely, a sharp gleam in his eyes: "What a sharp cleaver! I'd say its sharpness is no less than that of an Earth-rank artifact!"

Feng Tie thought that Chen Kangbao, having been caught stealing the treasure, threw the cleaver to him to buy time for escape.

"No, why is there a notch on the edge of this cleaver?"

He looked at the cleaver, a strange expression in his eyes.

That notch was the zipper opening of the shell forged by Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan and Chen Kangbao had been in a hurry to leave, so they hadn't noticed this detail.

"A vessel within a vessel?" A look of delight flashed in Feng Tie's eyes.

The outer shell alone was comparable to an Earth-rank artifact; what treasure lay within?

Overjoyed, he forcefully pried at the notch, trying to pull out the cleaver inside.

Just then, a helpless voice rang out.

"Prying at a cleaver—you're truly perverse!"

As the voice fell, a flash of light suddenly streaked by.

Feng Tie clutched his throat in disbelief, blood spurting continuously.

His massive body crashed to the ground. Even in death, he never imagined that this cleaver could be so sharp and possess its own intelligence.

An artifact with intelligence—that was a legendary divine weapon!

But how could Ning Country have a divine weapon?

Under the sneak attack, he had no time to resist and died on the spot.

Qi Yuan's form shifted back to his original appearance: "I didn't expect killing with a cleaver could slightly increase proficiency."

He looked at Feng Tie on the ground, his gaze calm.

If it had been a direct confrontation, given Qi Yuan's current level of recovery, it would have taken considerable effort to subdue him.

But turning into a cleaver and launching a surprise attack made it simple.

Too close, and the opponent was off guard—one slash to kill.

As he spoke, Qi Yuan began to loot Feng Tie's body.

He found three Earth-rank artifacts.

A soft armor, a short sword, and a lamp.

Additionally, there were one hundred ten thousand taels of silver notes in the storage artifact.

This was likely all of his possessions.

"There are even letters with the Flower Thief Hengshan?"

In the storage artifact, Qi Yuan saw several letters.

The first few letters were quite old, written by Yokoyama to Feng Tie, inviting him to explore a secret place together.

“The Ten Thousand Mountain Abyss?”

This secret place, named the Ten Thousand Mountain Abyss, lies in the no-man’s-land at the border between Ning Country and Moshan Country.

There, ten thousand great mountains stretch endlessly, with steep ridges, thick miasma, and all kinds of eerie spirits lurking within.

Rumor has it that even a Heavenly Grade Weapon Master cannot cross the Ten Thousand Mountain Abyss.

“According to Yokoyama, he discovered a newly built underground palace in the Ten Thousand Mountain Abyss?”

A newly built underground palace—now that’s intriguing, isn’t it?

“The Ten Thousand Mountain Abyss… why does it feel familiar to me?” murmured Chen Kangbao beside him.

Qi Yuan’s gaze was calm: “Probably triggered your side quest.”

“Huh?” Chen Kangbao didn’t understand what he meant by his side quest.

“As per usual, we’ll have to go check out this Ten Thousand Mountain Abyss later.

Yokoyama and Feng Tie are very interested in this place.

They also agreed that after abducting Shen Lingxuan, the three of them would go together to that palace in the Ten Thousand Mountain Abyss, and once they finish dual cultivation and break through to Heavenly Grade Weapon Master, they would explore again.”

“Tsk, even my wife, Qi Yuan the live-in son-in-law, they want to kidnap—this flower thief has a death wish!”

“They also agreed to meet at the Cloud Immortal Temple in five days to discuss how to capture Shen Lingxuan.”

“They sure have sweet dreams.”

Qi Yuan said indifferently.

…

“Miss… the young master, he’s… gone.”

Zhi Shuang’s eyes were anxious; she stood on a small boat and handed a letter to Shen Lingxuan. Her features were cold and striking, but standing before her mistress, that icy aura was completely overshadowed.

Her mistress’s coldness was enough to freeze the soul.

“A delicacy of the mortal world?” Shen Lingxuan looked at the letter, her expression calm.

“It should be that Chen Kangbao who took the young master out, only… I don’t know how Chen Kangbao managed it,” Zhi Shuang offered her speculation.

“Investigate Chen Kangbao’s identity. If… he has no intention of harming Qi Yuan, let this matter rest for now,” Shen Lingxuan said coolly.

As long as Qi Yuan wasn’t in danger, let things be as they may.

“Yes.” Zhi Shuang nodded and hurried away.

Shen Lingxuan held the letter, her thoughts tangled: “With… the spirit guardian, he should be safe.”

She knew many secrets, including some about Qi Yuan’s father.

Back then, Qi Yuan’s father had vanished mysteriously, then suddenly reappeared, gave something to Qi Yuan, and perished.

According to what Shen Lingxuan knew, Qi’s father left something to protect Qi Yuan’s safety.

“As fate decrees, we are destined to meet, but this destiny…” Shen Lingxuan’s thoughts were complicated.

She married Qi Yuan not only because of Qi’s father but also because of fate.

Fate was elusive and unfathomable.

Even in her past life, Shen Lingxuan had struggled to grasp it.

Just then, a small boat drifted toward Shen Lingxuan. On it stood a man in a green robe. When he saw Shen Lingxuan, his eyes held admiration.

“Junior Sister, many days have passed, and your cultivation has grown even deeper.”

The newcomer was Xie Danran, a true disciple of the Heavenly Sect, ranked among the top three true disciples. Barely past thirty, he was already an Earth Grade Weapon Master.

He looked at Shen Lingxuan without hiding his appreciation and affection.

“I heard that the Moshan Country’s number one flower thief, Master Yokoyama, has come to the Artifact Masters’ Assembly for you. Hearing this news, I was very worried.

Master Yokoyama is cunning and treacherous. You are only a Profound Grade Weapon Master now. If you encounter him suddenly, you might not even have time to warn anyone before being taken.

As it happens, I am also patrolling Ye Mountain Lake. Why not travel with me, Junior Sister?

Though my strength is no match for Master Yokoyama, I could hold him off for a while and call for reinforcements from the sect.” Xie Danran’s voice was refined, his words full of admiration.

“Senior Brother, I already have a husband. I should keep my distance from other men. Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother,” Shen Lingxuan said, her voice icy, pushing him away.

Xie Danran’s face changed slightly, anger kindling deep in his eyes: “Junior Sister, I was in seclusion for just three months, and you got married? Is it because I angered you before seclusion, and you married that Qi Yuan just to spite me?”

“…” Shen Lingxuan’s shoulders trembled slightly. “Senior Brother, you are… too absurd. My marriage to my husband is ordained by fate. It has nothing to do with you.”

The distance in Shen Lingxuan’s words was clear.

“Please leave, Senior Brother. I fear my husband might misunderstand.”

“You… aren’t you afraid Master Yokoyama will kidnap you?” Xie Danran fumed. “Do you know what will happen if you are taken? How can that useless husband of yours protect you?”

“See the guest out!” Shen Lingxuan waved her hand, and suddenly Xie Danran’s boat lurched backward.

Xie Danran stood on the boat, fists clenched, a fierce flame burning in his heart.

“A Profound Yin Body—this is a Profound Yin Body! How can that waste enjoy it!”

…

The Cloud Immortal Temple stood on Southeast Mountain, a dilapidated, abandoned little shrine.

Outside the shrine was a crumbling pavilion made of marble.

At this moment, a light drizzle fell over Southeast Mountain. Shen Lingxuan, in a blue dress, sat outside the pavilion, watching the rain, her thoughts wandering.

Within the rain seemed to hide a sword intent.

When the rain stopped, that sword intent would take form and unleash its strongest strike.

Shen Lingxuan sat in the pavilion, her expression icy, as if she had merged with heaven and earth.

If anyone passed by outside, they would not notice her presence.

At this moment, the aura she emitted was not that of a Profound Grade Weapon Master but clearly an Earth Grade Weapon Master.

Just then, through the curtain of rain, two figures appeared—an old man and a young one. The young man held an oil-paper umbrella, stepping through the mud, splashing water.

“Him?”

Seeing the young man, Shen Lingxuan was slightly startled.

She had seen this young man before near Kunling Ferry and encountered him in the ghost market.

Now he was coming here?

Her expression turned even colder.

At this very moment, those heading to the Cloud Immortal Temple… weren’t they all the villains that Master Yokoyama, the flower thief, had contacted?

Shen Lingxuan knew full well what those ruffians were plotting.

She never expected that this man was one of them.

Just then, the young man stopped, glanced at the pavilion, and said: “Beautiful lady, what a coincidence, we meet again. May I come in to take shelter from the rain?”

Shen Lingxuan heard these words, and a flicker of surprise passed through her beautiful eyes.

He can see me?

It must be known that Shen Lingxuan had long attained the realm of oneness with heaven and man.

In combat power, though inferior to a Heaven-grade Weapon Master, in realm she was even higher than an ordinary Heaven-grade Weapon Master.

Under oneness with heaven and man, she was sheltering from the rain in this pavilion, and it was absolutely impossible for anyone to discover her.

Now that she had been discovered, a faint sense of crisis stirred within her.

"This place does not belong to me; if you wish to take shelter from the rain, please do so, young master," Shen Lingxuan said indifferently.

Qi Yuan entered the pavilion, gazing at that graceful figure, his expression calm: "Beautiful lady, about what I said last time—becoming my mount—would you care to reconsider?"

"Ah... so cold!" Suddenly, Chen Kangbao felt a bone-piercing chill.

"Are you with the people from Xianyun Temple?" Shen Lingxuan asked coolly.

Originally, her plan was to slowly build up momentum, then strike with a single sword stroke to gravely wound those few villains from Xianyun Temple.

Now that she had been discovered, any further action would surely be noticed, and today's scheme had failed.

She felt a sense of crisis.

The man before her—she could not see through him at all.

Perhaps only by truly achieving oneness with heaven and man and restoring her former life's strength could she see through him.

"How about this: I help you deal with the people from Xianyun Temple, and you become my mount?" Qi Yuan issued the invitation again.

Having encountered someone he liked, how could he let the chance slip?

Shen Lingxuan's eyes showed suspicion: "Are you not in league with them?"

"It's not that I discriminate by appearance, but they are so ugly—how could they be with me?" Qi Yuan replied.

"Master, I am ugly too!" Chen Kangbao could not help but say.

"Shut up!" Qi Yuan was speechless—why did Chen Kangbao always talk back?

Shen Lingxuan shook her head: "Regardless, I will never become a mount."

"What a pity." Qi Yuan was disappointed upon hearing this. He said, "Your sword momentum is impressive. May I borrow it?"

Shen Lingxuan's wariness grew even stronger.

This man could even see her sword momentum.

Did that not mean that if he wanted to kill her, she would find it hard even to escape?

"Why not?"

"Good, watch."

At that moment, Qi Yuan extended his fair hand and grasped at the air.

The curtain of rain in the sky seemed to halt.

Water droplets hung still, like strung beads.

A sword appeared in his hand, cold and forbidding.

Holding the water sword, he thrust it into the distance.

Instantly, the rain stopped.

The earth shook and the mountains trembled.

(End of chapter)