Chapter 136: The Xihe Sword Sect

Chapter 136: Xi He Sword Sect

“You brat, I have to admit, your Huashan does have a bit of strength, but when it comes to our Xixia Sect, you’re simply no match. A second-rank minor sect—do you even understand what a fourth-rank sect means? The life and death of Lu Tiannan isn’t something for you to decide,” the young master Ximen said to Jiang Yan, his tone dripping with arrogance. Judging by his demeanor, he seemed to consider himself the true lord of Huashan.

Fourth-rank sect, huh? Jiang Yan felt no fear. Compared to third-rank sects with Foundation Establishment cultivators, the top experts in a fourth-rank sect were merely Foundation Establishment at the Great Perfection stage. Jiang Yan’s current realm was comparable to a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. Though not a match for a Great Perfection cultivator, his mid-Foundation Establishment level combined with his mid-level talisman master skills meant he was far from without a chance.

“Whoosh…” Nanmen Luo’s figure darted through the air. Clad in azure robes, his form weaved among the golden streams of the great sword, leaping back and forth across the arena. With a final slash, he severed the head of the last Tianshan disciple and landed steadily beside Jiang Yan. Hearing the sneering voice of the young master Ximen, Nanmen Luo panted heavily and spoke up.

“So what if you’re a fourth-rank sect? At the foot of Huashan, a fourth-rank sect means nothing. If it’s a dragon, you’re to coil it; if it’s a tiger, you’re to prostrate before it. Under Huashan’s shadow, my senior brother is the greatest.”

Nanmen Luo’s heavy breathing and defiant words instantly spread throughout the crowd, shocking both Ximen Shang and the young master Ximen, as well as the group of cultivators hovering in the air behind them from Linqing Prefecture.

“You ugly-faced brat, whether your senior brother calls the shots depends on the strength of his fists. If his fists aren’t harder than mine, then it’s our Xixia Sect who decides today,” Ximen Shang said mockingly, his eyes fixed on the riled-up Nanmen Luo.

Nanmen Luo’s face flushed crimson, his tone brimming with anger. “Come on, come on, let’s settle this. If you defeat me, only then do you have the right to compare fists with my senior brother.”

The young master Ximen sneered disdainfully. “Ugly-faced brat, who do you think you are, wanting to spar against an inner disciple of Xixia Sect? You’re impressive? A Foundation Establishment cultivator, and only a first-rank talisman master? A mere Qi Refining stage nine brat, yet you dare shout nonsense here.”

Tang Wan stepped forward, her delicate face cold as frost. Calmly, she asked, “And what about me? Early Foundation Establishment should be enough, right?”

The young master Ximen’s eyelid twitched slightly. This young girl was no older than himself, yet her realm was far superior. But unwilling to admit defeat, he raised his eyes disdainfully and replied, “Early Foundation Establishment? Far from enough, little girl. Come back when you reach late Foundation Establishment.”

“Buzz buzz…”

Tang Wan gently raised her pure hand. The cyan wooden arrow reformed in her palm. Seeing the young master Ximen’s changing expression, Tang Wan spoke each word slowly and clearly, “Our sect leader’s senior brother commands: release Lu Tiannan and leave, or stay here with him.”

Ximen Shang sneered bitterly, his face flashing with a mix of anger and humiliation. “Ha! Stay together with him? Fine. If you have the capability, I won’t object to staying either. Stinky girl, you won a mere early Foundation Establishment cultivator, and now you want to challenge a fourth-rank sect’s expert? I want to see what you have that lets you keep me, Ximen Shang, here.”

“Ding! The moon marten has awakened, successfully advancing to a second-rank mid-level spirit beast. Spirit Beast Garden space insufficient—please upgrade the garden’s level promptly.”

Suddenly, the voice of the Sect Leader System rang sharply in Jiang Yan’s ear, reminding him that the second-rank Moon Marten had finally awakened. Due to this advancement, the Spirit Beast Garden’s space was running short and needed an upgrade.

Jiang Yan’s heart leapt with joy. The awakening of the Moon Marten meant Huashan had gained another existence comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Now, between Jiang Yan, Tang Wan, and the Moon Marten, Huashan had three beings on par with Foundation Establishment cultivators and no longer needed to fear the terrifying words of Ximen Shang.

Wrapped in spiritual energy, Jiang Yan’s declaration instantly spread throughout the venue, reaching the ears of the cultivators watching from behind. Upon hearing “fourth-rank sect,” murmurs erupted.

“Fourth-rank sect? How did the Tianshan Sect get involved with a fourth-rank sect? This is bad. Fourth-rank sects have experts close to the Nascent Soul stage.”

“Isn’t our Linqing Prefecture under the jurisdiction of the Xi He Sword Sect in the East Wood District? Since when did the fourth-rank Xixia Sect come to meddle in Linqing Prefecture’s affairs?”

“You don’t know? I spent ten spirit stones buying the news from the Curio Pavilion. The Xi He Sword Sect is no longer what it was. They suffered heavy losses in the last demon hunt—Foundation Establishment experts perished, first-rank talisman masters died on the battlefield. Now, the Xi He Sword Sect doesn’t even have a single Foundation Establishment cultivator left.”

“What? The fourth-rank Xi He Sword Sect has no Foundation Establishment cultivators left?”

...

Ximen Shang stepped forward, shielding Lu Tiannan and the young master Ximen behind him. Coldly, he glared at Tang Wan and Nanmen Luo. “Just starting Foundation Establishment and already clueless about the world. Let me show you what true power looks like. A fourth-rank sect isn’t something a little brat like you can provoke.”

Bang!

The brocade on Ximen Shang’s body billowed without wind as an overwhelming spiritual pressure instantly blanketed the entire arena, hanging over everyone like a heavy cloud.

Nanmen Luo felt a sudden chill in his chest, then spat out a mouthful of blood. His knees buckled, and he collapsed into a seated position. Tang Wan’s clothes shimmered with a faint azure glow, weaving across her body to resist the crushing spiritual pressure.

Jiang Yan’s figure flickered, appearing before Tang Wan and Nanmen Luo. A patch of cyan light glowed on his chest, blocking Ximen Shang’s spiritual oppression. Instantly, a wave of spiritual energy, no less formidable than before, swept across the arena.

“Talisman master! A genuine first-rank talisman master!” A middle-aged man kneeling before Huashan’s mountain gate, Master Yan, looked up. His worn face lit up with bright eyes as he gazed toward Jiang Yan. In the moonlight, seeing Jiang Yan clearly, he sighed in relief—so this was Sect Leader Jiang. With over a decade of experience training talisman apprentices, he knew Jiang Yan’s realm had progressed since last time.

Ximen Shang’s expression flickered with surprise. Hearing that middle-aged man’s words made his heart skip. If this young man before him was truly a first-rank talisman master, offending Huashan Sect would be unwise indeed.

The Tianyue Realm was a small domain. Though talisman apprentices were not numerous, each prefecture had several or even a dozen who could rival Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivators. Linqing Prefecture alone had no fewer than a handful. Master Yan was one such figure.

Linqing Prefecture belonged to East Wood District, which governed about a dozen similar prefectures. East Wood District was one of three districts under a fifth-rank sect overseeing the entire Tianyue Realm.

Within the entire Tianyue Realm, the number of first-rank talisman masters never exceeded ten. Four belonged to the fifth-rank sect, two to the Curio Pavilion scattered across various prefectures, and the remaining four served four different fourth-rank sects—including one from Xixia Sect.

Talisman apprentices could create low-grade talisman arrays and refine low-level spirit tools but lacked the skill to lay large-scale second-rank arrays or higher. A protective array like Huashan’s third-rank mountain array required a true talisman master to set up. Crafting treasure pouches, universe bags, space rings, and storage bracelets also relied on talisman masters opening small spatial pockets with their spiritual perception.

Hearing someone shout “first-rank talisman master” jolted Ximen Shang from his irritation. Such talisman masters were rare not only because most major sects lacked the cultivation methods to refine spiritual perception but also due to strict requirements: to become a talisman master, cultivators needed a wood attribute constitution and had to practice wood element cultivation techniques. Self-taught cultivators without formal methods had virtually no chance of becoming talisman masters.

Though ascending to first-rank was difficult, once achieved, a talisman master was a terrifying presence among peers.

A peak first-rank talisman master was roughly equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivator but could easily overwhelm a group of cultivators of equal level. Facing a same-level talisman master, cultivators had almost no resistance.

Xixia Sect had a first-rank talisman master whose strength equaled an early Foundation Establishment cultivator. Ximen Shang had once witnessed that talisman master instantly annihilate a cultivator of similar realm. A mere glance shattered that cultivator into pieces, sending him sprawling before the talisman master. Even recalling that scene, Ximen Shang still felt a chill run down his spine.

Looking again at Jiang Yan, Ximen Shang’s gaze was now filled with respect and fear. He withdrew his spiritual pressure and clasped his fists in salute. “Sect Leader Jiang, Ximen Shang of Xixia Sect pays respects. If I offended you earlier, please forgive me.”

Behind Ximen Shang, the young master Ximen stared in astonishment, a strange thought swirling in his mind. “What’s going on? Why is Ximen Shang suddenly so polite to that brat?”

Lu Tiannan’s face turned pale as ashes, a fearful thought swirling endlessly in his mind. “A first-rank talisman master—the Huashan Sect Leader Jiang Yan is a first-rank talisman master…”

The cultivators suspended in the distance gaped in disbelief, staring at Ximen Shang’s respectful bow to Jiang Yan.

“When did fourth-rank sect cultivators start showing such respect to a second-rank sect leader…”

“Sect Leader Jiang, please accept Yan Feng as your disciple. Yan Feng is willing to serve as your loyal servant for life…” At the foot of Huashan’s mountain gate, talisman apprentice Master Yan struggled to stand, swaying as he approached Jiang Yan.

“Sect Leader Jiang…” Behind Yan Feng, several kneeling talisman apprentices were roused by his movement. They too struggled to stand but, from kneeling too long, lacked the strength to speak or stand properly and could only crawl toward Jiang Yan, hoarsely shouting.

P.S. Wow, I just checked the monthly votes and suddenly gained four more! Thanks to the two brothers who voted. I can’t promise three updates today, but I’ll work hard to keep up the pace in gratitude.