Chapter 73 - 74: The Highwater Sword Court, Ethan Mercer Returns!

Chapter 73: Chapter 74: The Highwater Sword Court, Ethan Mercer Returns!

"Even a powerful sect like the Ashen Thorn Sect was wiped out just like that. If we were to offend a member of the Mercer Family, how could we possibly survive? I’m afraid Sword Grandmaster Julian wouldn’t even give us a chance to explain!"

"Exactly. After what happened, who would dare bully a member of the Mercer Family? The Ashen Thorn Sect is a warning to us all."

The Elders were filled with fear. Even their voices trembled.

Their fear was not without reason.

The Ashen Thorn Sect had once been a dominant force in the region.

Countless families and sects could not stand against it. In the end, many had no choice but to submit to its power.

Yet such a formidable sect, one that had made countless forces tremble for centuries, had been wiped out in a single day.

All because it had offended the Mercer Family of Crownfall Mountain!

At that moment, the Sect Master of the Dunmarsh Order was no less troubled.

His face was pale, his gaze restless, and his heart filled with anxiety.

Sword Grandmaster Julian had sent someone to destroy the Ashen Thorn Sect simply because one of its members had crippled a family member’s Dantian.

Such terrifying power and determination filled him with unprecedented fear.

He did not want the Dunmarsh Order to suffer the same fate.

He raised his head and looked at the Elders before him. His voice became solemn.

"Pass my order to every disciple. From today onward, if anyone encounters a member of the Mercer Family of Crownfall Mountain, they must keep their distance. No one is allowed to provoke them!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Elders hurriedly nodded.

They were just as worried that some foolish disciple might offend a member of the Mercer Family and bring disaster upon the entire order.

If that happened, their sect would face a calamity without warning.

How could the Dunmarsh Order withstand a family capable of destroying the Ashen Thorn Sect with such ease?

The Elders silently resolved to repeat the Sect Master’s warning to every disciple. They would make sure nobody caused trouble for the order.

Seeing that the Elders appeared even more anxious than he was, the Sect Master finally felt a little relieved.

At least they understood the seriousness of the matter. They would surely pass his command to every disciple without delay.

He sighed inwardly and prepared to end the meeting.

But then, a new thought crossed his mind.

His expression changed slightly as he looked at the crowd.

"Since Sword Grandmaster Julian is so protective of his family, why don’t we select some unmarried women from our families and send them to Crownfall Mountain?"

"If they can form good marriages with members of the Mercer Family, we may establish a lasting relationship with them. Should our Dunmarsh Order face trouble in the future, the Mercer Family might be willing to help because of that connection."

"Of course, even if they choose not to help, such a marriage alliance would still be useful. Other forces would think twice before provoking us. With the support of this relationship, our order could develop at a much faster pace and reach heights we have never achieved before."

The moment the Sect Master finished speaking, the Elders’ eyes lit up.

That was right!

Julian Mercer was fiercely protective of his family. If they could establish a connection with him through marriage, surely the Dunmarsh Order would receive some special consideration.

It would be a chance to rise far beyond their current position.

As expected of their Sect Master! He had found a path forward so quickly.

...

Highwater Sword Court.

The Highwater Sword Court was a powerful force guarded by a Sword Cultivator at the Moon Wheel Realm.

Its disciples devoted themselves to swordsmanship. They studied countless sword techniques and sought to master the supreme Sword Dao.

At that moment, before a waterfall, a handsome middle-aged man with graying hair sat cross-legged.

A blue-green longsword stood embedded in the enormous boulder before him. A sharp aura flowed from its blade.

This man was the Master of the Highwater Sword Court, a powerful cultivator at the Moon Wheel Realm.

He was listening to a report from an Elder standing beside him.

His expression remained calm, but a trace of curiosity appeared deep in his eyes.

He had little interest in the affairs of the Mercer Family.

Even if the family had destroyed the Aldercrest Order and the Ashen Thorn Sect, those events were not enough to attract his attention.

The only person who truly interested him was Eamon Strake.

Remembering what had happened in the past, the Sword Court Master revealed a thoughtful expression.

He muttered to himself.

"Back then, I recognized your extraordinary talent in the Sword Dao. If I had personally guided you, you could have reached Perfected Sword Intent within five years and perhaps even entered the Sword Heart Realm within twenty."

"I even offered you an Earth Rank Middle Grade Sword Technique. My only condition was that you join the Highwater Sword Court and remain here for the rest of your life."

"You should understand how precious an Earth Rank Middle Grade Sword Technique is. It is one of the foundational techniques of our Sword Court, something that cannot be casually passed on to outsiders."

"Only by making you a permanent member of the Highwater Sword Court could I have felt at ease sharing it with you."

He paused, then continued.

"Yet you rejected everything. You turned down an opportunity countless swordsmen dream of and abandoned what might have been your best chance to reach the Sword Heart Realm."

As he spoke, he looked toward the waterfall. His gaze gradually sharpened.

"Everyone has their own ambitions. I had no intention of stopping you."

"But you gave up all those opportunities and wasted your extraordinary sword talent. Instead, you chose to join a weak family whose strongest member was supposedly no higher than the Origin Sea Realm. You even became its Guest Elder!"

A trace of anger entered his voice.

The Sword Court Master was a renowned figure who had comprehended the Sword Heart Realm. He held the title of Sword Marquis and was famous throughout Ravenholt Province.

Ever since he had made a name for himself, few people had dared to reject his offers.

Yet Eamon Strake had refused him.

Worse still, Eamon had turned around and joined the seemingly insignificant Mercer Family of Crownfall Mountain.

Was that not an insult to the Highwater Sword Court?

Was Eamon saying that the family he had joined was better than the force that had offered him everything?

The Sword Court Master could not help feeling deeply displeased.

It was like watching someone he had admired reject him, only to choose someone who seemed inferior in every way.

He wanted nothing more than to visit the Mercer Family and see what made it so special.

What kind of qualities did it possess that could convince a Sword Dao genius like Eamon Strake to join it?

However, he remembered his position and his recent responsibilities.

He was currently occupied with matters concerning the Grand Tournament of a Hundred Sects, which was being supervised by the Provincial Governor.

For now, he could only suppress his curiosity.

"When the Grand Tournament of a Hundred Sects concludes, perhaps I should visit Crownfall Mountain and meet this Mercer Family myself."

"Julian Mercer... Let me see whether you truly deserve to recruit a Sword Dao genius who even rejected my Highwater Sword Court."

As his voice faded, countless strands of Sword Qi erupted from his body.

They shot in every direction, cutting through the waterfall before him.

In an instant, the mighty waterfall was sliced apart and scattered into a fine drizzle!

...

Meanwhile.

At the foot of Crownfall Mountain, a long caravan loaded with large and small chests slowly entered the marketplace.

A black-haired young man carrying a longsword on his back led the group.

He was none other than Ethan Mercer, who had been sent to bring the Quenton City branch family back to Crownfall Mountain.

Beside him walked Nolan Mercer.

The young man kept his head lowered, quietly observing his surroundings from the corner of his eyes.