Chapter 1635 - 197: Audience

Chapter 1635: Chapter 197: Audience

Lotus Forbidden Land, a beam of heavenly light descended from above.

Xie Xuanyi sat on the mat.

He slowly opened his eyes.

"Annihilation..."

A thousand miles away, Chen Jingxuan’s words settled in the Heart Lake.

He pondered repeatedly, reflected deeply.

For the past eight years.

His cultivation could be described as having reached the pinnacle.

The Primordial Immortal Law is fully comprehended, the Great Creation Technique has been understood to the fifteenth layer, the Primordial Swallowing Divine Power’s four magic techniques are fully mastered, the "Path of Destruction Taoist Intent" of the Ancient Tree Cave Heaven is completely digested, the Primordial Sea, Divine Soul, Sword Qi... all have reached the Yang God Eighth Heaven.

Although not yet the "Strongest".

But now, Xie Xuanyi has already crossed that insurmountable chasm between the Eighth Heaven and the Ninth Heaven, gaining the strength to contend with the Strongest.

If Great True Master Chong Kan were still alive, facing the current Xie Xuanyi, even managing ten moves would be difficult.

Yet in his heart, there still resided a faint unease.

Time passed day by day.

Two years remain until the cataclysm foretold by Lady Duan’s prophecy arrives.

"It’s a pity that these years I have not stepped into the Divine Travel Realm."

Xie Xuanyi felt some regret.

He tried the Forget Sorrow Technique, tried other magic techniques, but all resulted in failure.

After promoting to Yang God, the difficulty of stepping into the River of Destiny suddenly increased... as if an invisible threshold blocked him.

"Perhaps..."

"In the final two years, I should reclaim the Life Avatar."

A thought arose in Xie Xuanyi’s mind.

These years, the Life Avatar has traveled far and wide, experiencing several reincarnations, accumulating abundant Taoist intent.

But to comprehend "Annihilation"...

Relying on this method is not feasible.

Xie Xuanyi faintly felt that the truth of Annihilation lies in the River of Destiny.

He needs a Divine Travel.

...

...

"Regarding the Annihilation Chapter, you are right."

Above Smoke Cloud Lake in the Imperial City.

Xie Xuanyi held a tea cup, earnestly saying, "For the final two years, I’m preparing to undergo a Life and Death Gate."

"Life and Death Gate?"

Chen Jingxuan raised a brow.

"Thinking carefully, Master, Xiao Yaozi, Zen Master, Holy Emperor... these strongest figures who step into the River of Destiny all have one commonality..."

Xie Xuanyi whispered, "Promoting to the Ninth Heaven is the key to Divine Travel."

"..."

Chen Jingxuan remained silent, merely watching Xie Xuanyi.

"I believe the answer to Annihilation should be hidden within the River of Destiny."

Xie Xuanyi softly said, "For the final two years, I wish to try."

Between him and Chen Jingxuan, there were no secrets.

Undying Spring, Yuan Tuns World, Immortal Tree.

All his reserves, experiences, encounters, Chen Jingxuan was fully aware.

Should one day Xie Xuanyi truly enter the River of Destiny, leaving only a shell in this world and needing to entrust someone, that person... would undoubtedly be Chen Jingxuan.

"I understand."

Chen Jingxuan nodded and said, "Rest assured in your retreat, the Sword Palace will be safe."

No further words were needed.

Upon receiving this response, Xie Xuanyi’s Life Avatar dissipated.

...

...

Dusk.

The founding ceremony of Da Sui Sword Palace had just concluded.

Bone selection, Sword Qi competition, the day was lively.

Mountain wanderers from the Four Realms of Great Chu, family sons, any young talents with some natural gift and ability... had all arrived at the Sword Palace.

All Sword Peaks selected some promising seedlings.

Jiang Miaoyin also picked a "disciple", surprising everyone, as they had all assumed that Master Miaoyin would select a disciple who was at least the champion of the Sword Qi competition, but unexpectedly she picked a most inconspicuous little girl from the crowd, skinny and weak, sallow-faced, not outstanding in appearance.

This little girl named "Shuang Sui", hailing from the South Border’s Ten Thousand Great Mountains as a Body Refiner, had heard of the Sword Palace’s founding disciple intake, and had trekked thousands of miles on foot from the South Border to Da Sui Sword Palace. Her most notable feature... was probably her decent bone aptitude, ranking in the top three, and her uncommon resilience, not crying out when hit; unfortunately, she encountered Jiangning’s swordsmanship genius, and was quickly eliminated in the competition.

After the founding ceremony.

By tradition.

Jiang Miaoyin would lecture for three days, demonstrating the "Sword Qi Bell", expounding the Great Dao swordsmanship to visitors from the Four Realms.

But today...

Just as the lecture began, it was interrupted, and Jiang Miaoyin left with Shuang Sui hurriedly, leaving the "Sword Qi Bell" only half-demonstrated.

Below Lotus Peak, before the Forbidden Land door.

Sheets of Sword Qi talismans hung in suspension, forming arrays, enveloping the surrounding area by several miles.

The Sweeping Cloud Sword Array spread out, the evening glow through the sword array fell, dyed a blush red.

"All Master Uncles... and Junior Disciples..."

"Please wait a moment."

Duan Zhao stood before the Lotus Forbidden Land, saluting silhouette after silhouette.

Today’s lecture was postponed.

Because...something more significant than the sword Qi ceremony occurred.

Xie Xuanyi decided to undergo a major retreat.

Before retreating, he wanted to meet the people of the Sword Palace.

Qi Lie, Huang Su, Si Qi, Great Demon Ci Jing...

All were present.

Besides, Xu Nianning, Xin Rui, also came.

"..."

The last to arrive was Jiang Miaoyin.

She brought her newly accepted disciple, Shuang Sui.

The little girl was anxious, looking at these Master Uncles and Senior Brothers, at a loss, her face red, even her breathing became rapid.

"The Sect Leader is currently in talks with Master Tongtian."

Duan Zhao spoke with a smile, "It should conclude shortly..."

"Has something happened?"

Qi Lie also appeared tense.

In recent years, the world had been peaceful, the Sword Palace’s Qi Fortune had been thriving. Everyone had grown accustomed to the quiet ambiance of the Lotus Forbidden Land.

Today, Xie Xuanyi wanted to summon everyone.

Clearly...

There is an important matter to discuss.

"I don’t know either."

Duan Zhao shook his head, speaking very honestly.

As soon as his words fell.

Rumble ———

The stone door of the Lotus Forbidden Land slowly opened, Zhao Tongtian’s figure emerged from the smoke and dust.

"Master?"

Qi Lie looked over, his master’s face held no joy or sorrow, eyes with some wistfulness. He had seen this expression before; when he was young, his master went to the Lotus Forbidden Land, conversed all night with the Pure Yang Sect Leader, and had just this expression...

"..."

Zhao Tongtian looked at his beloved disciple, said nothing, and just left the Lotus Forbidden Land, returning to the Golden Turtle Peak with a Sword Control.

"Everyone, please come in."

In everyone’s Heart Lake, Xie Xuanyi’s voice sounded.

Everyone exchanged glances, perplexed.

Duan Zhao was the first to enter.

Qi Lie sighed, following closely.

Huang Su led Xu Nianning and Xin Rui, entering the Forbidden Land.

Outside the mountain gate, only Jiang Miaoyin remained.

"Master... Master, can I also go in?"

Jiang Miaoyin’s sleeve was gently tugged.

She looked down, seeing a cautiously flushed face.

Shuang Sui was very nervous.

She was still adjusting.

Today was her first day of apprenticeship, she hadn’t even familiarized herself with the size of the Sword Palace, even the title "Master" hadn’t been well-rehearsed.

And now...

Was she about to meet the legendary Da Sui Sect Leader?

"Of course."

Without waiting for Jiang Miaoyin to speak.

Xie Xuanyi’s voice rose once more, lacking any intimidation but carrying a gentle smile.

"Since you are Senior Sister Miaoyin’s direct disciple, naturally you have the right to step into this Lotus Forbidden Land..."

"Do not be nervous."

"Having joined the Sword Palace, from today onward, treat this place as your home."