Chapter 1576 - 173: The Sword Returns to Its Master, the True Culprit Revealed (Part 2)

Chapter 1576: Chapter 173: The Sword Returns to Its Master, the True Culprit Revealed (Part 2)

Thinking about this, he immediately felt the urge to leave, but before doing so, there was one matter he could not forget.

He rose and left the Cave Mansion, tapped his foot, and rode the wind to seek Xun Huaiying’s place of cultivation. Before long, he arrived outside the door and said, "Is fellow Daoist Xun here?"

With a flash of Xuan Guang, a disciple surnamed Liu leaped out and respectfully said, "Master has just completed his work. Junior Master Zhang, please come inside."

Zhang Yan went in directly. When he reached the inner house, he saw Xun Huaiying already waiting by the steps, and with a formal bow, he said, "Greetings, fellow Daoist Xun."

Xun Huai returned the courtesy and smiled, "Since Daoist returned, you’ve been in retreat for a month. I suspect you’ve obtained the Green Jade Scroll of the Sword Transformation lineage?"

Zhang Yan smiled. This was not something to hide; once he demonstrates sword moves in the future, people will naturally recognize the techniques. So he said, "Daoist Xun is not wrong. Thanks to Sect Leader Yue’s grace, I’ve been allowed to study the Sword Transformation Dao. However, your sect’s marvelous techniques are profound, and though I’ve tried hard to comprehend, I’m not sure how much I’ve grasped."

Xun Huaiying said seriously, "There’s no need for such modesty. I’m well aware that Daoist entered Mingcang’s Lower Court through Erosion Text, and in this path, you are indeed a peerless talent. But as I focus on the Slaughter Sword path, I can’t assist much. However, there are a few fellow disciples who are skilled in this realm. If you’re interested in sparring and seeking guidance, I can gladly introduce them."

Zhang Yan was slightly moved. Engaging in a swordfight could indeed rapidly enhance his swordsmanship, particularly when facing a Shaoqing Disciple, which is a rare opportunity. However, there’s a prerequisite: he must familiarize himself with the swordsmanship first, which would take at least a dozen years.

But fearing that a Demon Cave would emerge in a few decades, and considering his status as Mingcang’s Ten Disciples’ Chief, being away from the sect for thirty years, having obtained what he wanted, it would be improper to linger further. So he said, "Since coming to your esteemed sect, I’ve been a considerable bother, and I dare not impose further. Today’s visit is to bid farewell, yet I have an item that has been in my possession for over a century, which likely originally belonged to Shaoqing, and I must hand it over to you."

Xun Huaiying couldn’t help but ask curiously, "What might that be?"

Zhang Yan reached into his sleeve and retrieved a sword ball, dim and devoid of light, and said, "Daoist Xun, do you recognize this sword ball?"

Xun Huaiying’s gaze instantly sharpened. He stepped forward a few paces, then took it in hand, looked at it, and said excitedly, "How did Daoist come across this sword ball?"

Zhang Yan said, "Last time at the Star Stone Sword Fighting, after slaying Feng Haiyang, I retrieved it from his sleeve bag."

"Nether Spring Sect?"

Xun Huaiying sneered several times, with a murderous glint in his eyes, yet seemed to recall something, sighed, and cupped his hands, "Daoist, please don’t hurry to leave, stay a moment longer. This is no insignificant matter. Allow me first to report to Master Ying."

Zhang Yan nodded and agreed, "I wonder where Senior Brother Miao might be at the moment? Could Brother Daoist dispatch a disciple to guide me to him?"

Xun Huaiying said, "That’s easy, just find my disciple."

He instructed the Fang Disciple to take good care of Zhang Yan and hurried out the door, riding a sword light to Qinghong Palace. Before long, he arrived at the palace steps, expressed his intentions, and was immediately summoned inside.

Ying Chunqiu was sitting behind the desk, with Ran Xiushu standing by his side. Upon seeing Xun Huaiying enter, Ran Xiushu immediately stood up and said, "Nephew, quickly show me the sword ball."

Xun Huaiying presented the sword ball. Ying Chunqiu looked at it for several moments and sighed, "Indeed, it’s Nephew Ban’s item. Where did you obtain it?"

Xun Huaiying immediately explained how it was acquired.

Ran Xiushu’s anger surged, and he slapped the table, "Since it was in Feng Haiyang’s hands, this means he harmed others. This enmity cannot go unanswered!"

Ying Chunqiu’s eyes also harbored a trace of coldness. He pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "It’s true that our Shaoqing True Disciple fell victim to foul play, and this cannot be easily dismissed. However, even if action is to be taken, there is no need to rush." Then his tone became stern, "This matter must not be spoken of outside by you two. Understood?"

In three to four decades, the Demon Cave would emerge. He had already made arrangements in advance, waiting for the right time to strike. If this were to spread out now, the sect members would undoubtedly be in an uproar, everyone clamoring for revenge, which would certainly disrupt his plans, and that would not be good.

Ran Xiushu hesitated for a moment and asked, "Master, can’t even Senior Brother know about this?"

Ying Chunqiu said solemnly, "Nephew Qingchen is comprehending Divine Skills, and it’s at a crucial time now. There’s no need to disturb him."

At this moment, Xun Huaiying said, "Although Daoist Zhang had this sword ball all along, he never spoke of it, and now, on the threshold of departure, he brought it out. His actions clearly indicate he doesn’t want our Shaoqing to mistake him for holding it as a favor."

Ying Chunqiu nodded slowly and said, "Though Feng Haiyang is dead, the Mingcang Envoy returned the sword ball, and this act of kindness cannot go unrewarded." He stroked his beard and said, "I just don’t know what should be given as thanks."

Given Zhang Yan’s current status within the Mingcang Sect, he lacks nothing in terms of Cultivation Techniques, Divine Skills, or Cultivation External Objects. Even the swordsmanship path he was deficient in has now been acquired. He’s truly at a loss as to what should be given.

Ran Xiushu pondered deeply and suddenly brightened, as if he had thought of something, and said, "Master, why not present Zhang True Master with the Sword Pond left by Cave Heaven True Master?"

Ying Chunqiu murmured, his gaze shifted slightly, then he lightly tapped the table, "That’s an excellent idea."

This Sword Pond was crafted thousands of years ago by a Shaoqing Cave Heaven True Master. If a Sword Cultivator duels with a Demon Cultivator and the sword ball gets contaminated, washing it in the pond’s water can cleanse the impurities.

Unexpectedly, Shaoqing Sect disciples often saw the contamination of the sword ball as a rare trial, preferring to exercise their own techniques to remove it rather than using the pond’s water. Therefore, it just sat there, unused. Since that’s the case, it would be better to gift it to Zhang Yan, as a gesture of goodwill.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)