Chapter 521 - 531: The Sword Sect’s Provocation

A wave of smugness washed over Hei Xuan, and she hurriedly ordered, "Quick, take me to see the Great Elder."

"Yes."

The two young men from the Heaven-Burying Sect quickly helped Hei Xuan through the heavy stone wall.

Beyond the stone wall lay another world entirely. It was resplendent and magnificent, grand and imposing, filled with a forest of palaces and temples—a world apart from the scene outside. This was the mysterious headquarters of the Heaven-Burying Sect.

Supporting Hei Xuan, the two young men walked onward, and before long, they arrived at a quiet courtyard.

"You may leave now," Hei Xuan said with a wave of her hand.

The two young men nodded and slowly departed.

Hei Xuan slowly entered the courtyard where a hale and hearty old man stood, his hands clasped behind his back. The old man then slowly walked over to a nearby stone chair and sat down.

This was Ou Zeming’s grandfather, the Great Elder of the Heaven-Burying Sect, Ouyang.

"We failed this time."

Hei Xuan took a deep breath, walked over to face Ouyang, and spoke.

Ouyang nodded faintly. "I already know everything."

Hei Xuan gritted her teeth. "To think that not only did we fail to kill Wen Qingye, but we also pushed the Three Realms Sect and the Flowing Cloud Sect to side with the Celestial Profound Sect. It’s truly infuriating."

"It is indeed a pity we didn’t kill Wen Qingye. But even though I hate him, he can no longer become a major threat," Ouyang said, shaking his head. "Who could have expected Shan Tong to be slain by Wen Qingye’s own demon beast? And it’s bizarre how Wen Qingye managed to so cleverly neutralize the Corpse Condensing Powder, something our Heaven-Burying Sect spent a fortune to acquire. This isn’t your fault."

"Since our move failed, I’m afraid it will provoke a backlash from the Celestial Profound Sect and the other sects. What should we do next?" Hei Xuan asked, puzzled.

Ouyang said, "I’ve already received news. Tangg Guanzhong, Situ Yun, and Hua Lie are preparing to move against our various branches. I have already arranged for our followers to begin relocating."

"Relocating where?" Hei Xuan asked in confusion.

Ouyang smiled. "To the northwest! Near the Desert North Ancient Land."

...

「Six days flew by in the blink of an eye.」

This day was an exceptionally lively one for the entire Celestial Profound Sect. It was Peak Master Hua Lie’s grand birthday celebration, and countless renowned experts from across the Eastern Profound Domain had come. The entire Absolute Peak seemed to be filled to the brim.

Hua Lie, the Peak Master of Absolute Peak, was a top-ranked expert in the entire Eastern Profound Domain. Having presided over Absolute Peak for many years, his might shook the Four Seas, and he was a central pillar of the Celestial Profound Sect.

Essentially all of the Celestial Profound Sect’s Core Disciples had gone to Absolute Peak to offer their birthday congratulations.

Aside from the Celestial Profound Sect, many people from numerous other sects in the Eastern Profound Domain had also arrived. There were representatives from the Sword Sect, Thousand Nether Valley, Baoling Temple, the Daoist School of Non-action, the Ghost Sect, Thousand Mountains, the Desert North Ancient Land, the Great Daoist Mansion, One Sword Tower, the Qinglan Ancient Country, the Glazed Ancient Country, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty... countless people from the various sects and the Seven Great Ancient Countries were present.

The clamor could be heard for miles.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the rich, festive atmosphere reached its peak.

Inside the grand hall of Absolute Peak, Zhang Zhilin looked at the jubilant Hua Lie and said with a smile, "Senior Brother Hua, Junior Brother Ji and I must head to the Ancestral Hall first. We won’t be long. We will be sure to drink three cups to make up for our absence when we return!"

Hua Lie smiled and waved his hand. "Go on, go on."

Zhang Zhilin and Ji Hai exited through the hall’s rear door and headed straight for the Ancestral Hall on the Main Peak.

Hua Lie smiled as he gazed at the dense crowd before him, his eyes filled with a mixture of joy and pride.

At that moment, a young man came forward and presented a box. Hua Du took the box and announced in a clear voice.

"The Qinglan Ancient Country presents a seventy-year-old Blood Orchid!"

"A Blood Orchid! Isn’t that an Emperor-grade High-level Heavenly and Earthly Treasure? A seventy-year-old one must be considered at the Emperor Peak! The Qinglan Ancient Country certainly lives up to its reputation—so lavish!"

"To curry favor with the Celestial Profound Sect, the Qinglan Ancient Country really spared no expense."

"His title as the Peak Master of Absolute Peak is worthy of such a gift from the Qinglan Ancient Country."

Hearing Hua Du announce the gift, the surrounding crowd couldn’t help but murmur in astonishment.

"One Sword Tower presents three taels of Thousand-Year Iron Heart!"

Hua Du took the box, unable to suppress his excitement, and shouted loudly.

"Thousand-Year Iron Heart! It’s actually Thousand-Year Iron Heart! That’s a Spiritual Ore! One Sword Tower truly proves itself a close ally of the Celestial Profound Sect."

"That’s not the main reason. It’s mostly because the Sect Leader of One Sword Tower and Hua Lie share a life-and-death bond from their younger days."

From among the One Sword Tower contingent, an old man and a young man slowly walked out. The old man looked at Hua Lie and laughed heartily. "Brother Hua, it’s been seven years! You’re as full of vigor as ever. My heartfelt congratulations!"

This elder was Zheng Shui, the Sect Leader of One Sword Tower, a power from the southeastern region of the Eastern Profound Domain.

"HAHAHA!" Hua Lie couldn’t help but laugh loudly upon seeing Zheng Shui. "Brother Zheng, you flatter me. That must be your prized disciple, Bai Qiuzhi, behind you. Truly a fine talent, heroic and extraordinary. Quick, please, take your seats."

Zheng Shui nodded and then slowly sat down.

"Baoling Temple presents three stalks of Qingyuan Buddha Incense!"

An old monk slowly walked out, pressed his palms together, and said, "Master Lingzhi wishes Master Hua great progress in his cultivation and a healthy body."

Hua Lie nodded. "Many thanks, Master Lingzhi. Please, take your seat."

"Daoist Shangxuan of the Daoist School of Non-action presents one Emperor-grade High-level Magical Artifact, the Dustless Umbrella!"

The moment Hua Du’s announcement ended, the hall erupted. Everyone, shocked, craned their necks to get a better look.

A Daoist with an ordinary appearance stood in the crowd, yet once anyone saw him, they found it impossible to forget his face, as if it had been deeply etched into their minds.

"Heavens! Even Daoist Shangxuan came!"

"Hasn’t Daoist Shangxuan been secluded in the Daoist School of Non-action for twenty years?"

"Peak Master Hua Lie’s prestige is truly immense."

Hearing who had arrived, Hua Lie himself jolted, his expression turning serious. It wasn’t just him; all the members of the Celestial Profound Sect present turned to look at the seemingly unremarkable Daoist.

Hua Lie quickly said, "Daoist Shangxuan, please, take a seat."

Daoist Shangxuan gave a silent nod, swept his gaze across the surroundings, and then slowly sat down.

"The Seventh Elder of Thousand Mountains presents a hundred-year-old Black Lotus!"

"The Vice Sect Leader of the Ghost Sect presents a pair of Horned Silver Plates!"

"Su Xinyu of the Great Daoist Mansion presents three Ten Thousand Flowers Treasure Peaches!"

"Mui Chanhua of Thousand Nether Valley presents a flask of Thousand Nether Brew!"

"Fourteenth Elder Bu Yanting of the Jade Maiden Sect specially presents a Spirit-Grade Four Extremes Ten Thousand Life Array Map!"

...

One powerful faction after another was announced, along with countless rare and exotic treasures, magical artifacts, and other precious items, leaving the crowd dazzled and utterly astounded.

Su Qingyun surveyed the packed crowd and murmured, "Hua Lie’s reputation is truly incredible. To think so many factions would show up for his birthday celebration."

Su Ding chuckled. "Stop looking. I already asked around about that Wen Qingye. He’s still suffering in the Ancestral Hall."

Realization dawned on Su Qingyun, and he nodded before preparing to close his eyes and rest.

Su Qingyun’s third uncle, Su Xinyu, shook his head from the side and said, "That Wen Qingye... a pity. He was a rising star in the Celestial Profound Sect recently. With his meridians crippled, the people from Taiyi Pavilion are truly ruthless. They showed no mercy."

Hearing Su Xinyu’s words, Su Qingyun’s brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

"Elder Huang En and Chief Disciple Moo Luo of the Sword Sect present one Emperor-grade High-level sword: the Unrivaled!"

Suddenly, as Hua Du’s voice fell, the entire hall fell silent.

An Emperor-grade High-level sword was naturally priceless, but this was Hua Lie’s birthday celebration! A sword is a weapon, an object of ill omen. This was a clear provocation.

How arrogant! How domineering!

This was a blatant challenge to everyone from the Celestial Profound Sect, delivered by a sword! How could anyone present fail to see it?

In an instant, the atmosphere grew tense.

Qii Yue stared at the Sword Sect’s Elder Huang En, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. Behind Qii Yue, Lu Wushuang’s gaze clashed with those of the two men standing behind Huang En.

Bu Yanting frowned. "The two behind Huang En must be the Sword Sect’s otherworldly genius, Liu Xiaomo, and their Chief Disciple, Moo Luo. Their bearing is truly extraordinary. They are worthy of their ranks as third and twelfth on the Cyan Cloud List."

With his Sword Technique Cultivation that could startle ghosts and gods and his peerless talent, Liu Xiaomo had shot straight to third place on the Cyan Cloud List.

Youu Junlian sighed in admiration. "Their sharp edges are on full display. This is a sign of the Sword Sect’s great rise. Given time, their strength will surely be no less than the Celestial Profound Sect’s."

A trace of sorrow in her beautiful eyes, Liuu Hanmei said in a low voice, "It seems the Sword Sect has come because of the incident where a disciple from Celestial Profound Sect’s Cloud Conceal Peak went to challenge them."

Many people in the crowd began to discuss the matter in low voices.

Hua Lie suppressed the rage in his heart, took a deep breath, and said, "Good. Very good. Our friends from the Sword Sect have come a long way. In my opinion, you should take your seats first."

Huang En smiled, cupped his fists in a brief salute, and then slowly sat down.

Behind Huang En, a young man couldn’t help but speak up. "Elder Huang..."

The young man next to him reached out a hand, cutting him off. Shaking his head with a smile, he said, "Xiaomo, don’t be hasty. Wait a little longer."

Liu Xiaomo nodded. "Alright, Senior Brother."