Chapter 00195: The Sword of Flying Smoke
# The Sword of Flying Smoke
Chapter 195
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 195: The Sword of Flying Smoke
What appeared before Ding Huan's eyes was a volcanic canyon, which seemed to still burn with the remnants of a fierce fire.
However, that was not the main point.
The crucial matter was that Ding Huan saw a man impaled by a long sword through his chest, pinned against the canyon wall.
The man's head hung low, with long hair cascading down like a river.
As Ding Huan focused his mind on the man, he felt a tightness in his heart.
This guy was still alive?
He sensed a faint breath that hinted at life; this man was indeed living.
His gaze shifted to the sword, noticing two ancient characters engraved on the hilt: Flying Smoke.
So familiar...
Ding Huan racked his brain to recall the meanings of these two characters.
He soon remembered the legend of the Flying Smoke Sword, a divine weapon possessed by the immortal Luo Xuan in Chinese mythology.
This sword was said to split into two, both forged from the essence of solar fire.
No wonder this sword had found its way here, to the volcanic region.
It must be the fabled immortal sword from Hidden Sword Mountain, which meant that all swords nurtured there were of fire attribute.
The sword he obtained earlier was also of fire attribute.
Wasn't this sword taken by the number one expert, Ji Xinting? It should still be hidden deep within Hidden Sword Mountain, right?
Ji Xinting?
Ding Huan's gaze landed on the unfortunate man impaled by the long sword.
Could it be that this fellow was Ji Xinting himself?
What a formidable character! The strongest in the Threefold Heavenly Star Realm, Ji Xinting had actually been killed by the Flying Smoke Sword while searching for it in Hidden Sword Mountain.
Wait, he wasn't dead yet.
But since no one was coming to his aid, death was only a matter of time.
Ding Huan cautiously began to withdraw, planning to leave this place.
The immortal sword was splendid, but if it could even pierce through someone like Ji Xinting, it was better to keep his distance.
He was self-aware enough to know that such a valuable item was beyond his reach; at least not at this moment.
This was his fortunate ground, where he had comprehended things that could invoke lightning strikes, but it was also a perilous place.
As for saving the man, Ding Huan had not even thought about it.
If even the number one expert Ji Xinting could fall here, why would he risk himself trying to rescue him?
Just as Ding Huan was stepping back, a frail voice reached his ears:
"Please, lend your hand to save me. I, Ji Xinting, will repay you with my life..."
Ding Huan paused.
This guy was aware of his presence and could still transmit messages to him?
This was dangerous.
Ding Huan retreated a few steps, trying to calculate if he could save him.
Ji Xinting's strength was too formidable; he couldn't glean even the slightest information.
Yet Ding Huan had ways.
He began calculating what would happen if he saved Ji Xinting.
Soon, Ding Huan’s expression changed.
After saving Ji Xinting, he could see no further scenes—none, not even the faintest image.
This scoundrel was truly insidious; he only did this to ensure Ding Huan could not see what lay ahead for him.
"Senior Ji, I have only acquired a treasure to avoid poison. Below us is a volcano, if I were to go down to save you, I fear I might not be able to come back myself. When I return, I intend to join the Yan Yue Sect and acquire their skills. I'd feel unfulfilled if I died like this. Let me go find someone to help you..."
Ding Huan spoke anxiously.
"Clang!" A ring fell to the ground.
"Everything you need is inside. Take it. The Yan Yue Sect is nothing; you only need to help me pull out this sword..."
Ji Xinting's voice echoed again.
Ding Huan glanced at the ring, noticing it was at least a hundred meters away from his position.
It was perfectly wedged between two volcanic rocks.
To others, he lacked foundation, but even if he did have it, using his mind to fetch the ring was not very likely.
Ding Huan sensed subtle restrictions around the ring.
He was one hundred percent sure that even a foundational cultivator could not retrieve this ring.
To obtain it, he would have to jump down.
Ding Huan had not only built his foundation but was also cultivating the Great Universe Dao Base.
At this moment, his mind was as powerful as any true core cultivator, and even stronger when it came to resisting poison and solidifying forms.
When faced with this opportunity, he had no reason to be foolish and let it go.
This was something Ji Xinting had sought out; it had nothing to do with him.
Without hesitation, Ding Huan’s mind grasped the ring.
Expanding his mental strength to its maximum, the ring seemed to be seized by an invisible hand and quickly flew into his palm.
Even while grabbing the ring, Ding Huan remained alert to Ji Xinting’s condition.
He clearly sensed that the moment he took the ring, Ji Xinting's body shivered slightly.
"This ring is a gift for you. Once you take the sword, the sword will also belong to you. I’m heavily injured and may not be able to come out for a hundred years of closed-door cultivation. If you ever have a chance to reach the Wasteland God Sect, send a word back to them for me..."
Before Ji Xinting could finish his words, Ding Huan’s body swayed, and in the next moment, he found himself several hundred meters away, his voice trailing behind:
"Alright, Senior Ji, I will deliver your message should the opportunity arise. As for this sword, my current ability is..."
Ding Huan’s voice suddenly stopped as he was shocked to see the place where he had just stood collapsed without warning.
If he had not left, he would have been dragged into the canyon alongside Ji Xinting.
These old fellows truly were treacherous and ruthless.
Ding Huan did not dare to linger for even a moment longer, activating the Shadow of Extreme Darkness technique and disappearing like a wisp of smoke, leaving behind an enraged Ji Xinting.
It had taken a long time to arrive, but when Ding Huan exited Hidden Sword Mountain, he did so in less than half a day.
He did not dare to touch Ji Xinting's ring, instead tossing it into his star room, and hastily turned back toward the Great Crystal District.
He had been gone for over half a year and was unaware of any issues in the Great Crystal District.
...
Purple Cloud Valley.
Due to the sect master’s unresolved injuries, sect matters had fallen into neglect, and various elders were searching for a way out.
Once a thriving **Purple Cloud Valley** now bore the bleakness of a sunset.
Those who knew the details wanted nothing to do with it anymore.
In the eyes of many, it was only a matter of time before **Jiuyin Sect** claimed it for themselves.
Thus, very few disciples from other sects had come to visit **Purple Cloud Valley** recently.
Guan Lou stood outside **Purple Cloud Valley**, shocked by the desolate scene.
Although **Purple Cloud Valley** held lesser status in the Daoist cultivation world compared to the **Yan Yue Sect**, that was merely in terms of position and power, not the sect’s aura.
In terms of location, **Purple Cloud Valley** ranked among the top in the entire Daoist cultivation realm.
Even if **Purple Cloud Valley** fell into decline, it shouldn’t be to such an extent.
"May I ask what brings you here, fellow Daoist?" Jia Sha stepped forward to inquire.
In truth, Jia Sha was an elder of **Purple Cloud Valley**, and it was quite unlikely for him to be welcoming guests at the sect entrance.
However, due to the many recent changes in **Purple Cloud Valley**, he dared not let disciples linger outside.
If they were to offend anyone or miscommunicate something, as the protective elder, the repercussions would be significant.
The news was naturally about Liu Yingzhu.
He had kept in contact with Elder Liu and knew she had been entrusted by the sect master to find an important person.
Being a loyal supporter of the sect master, he even knew whom Liu Yingzhu was searching for.
"I am from the **Yan Yue Sect**, Guan Lou..."
Before Guan Lou could finish, Jia Sha exclaimed in surprise:
"You are the Fairy Lou! You must be here to find Elder Liu? She isn’t around; let me take Fairy Lou to Zizhu Peak..."
Jia Sha was aware of Guan Lou.
Elder Liu’s trip was to find Ding Huan, who Guan Lou had initially discovered and brought into the Daoist realm.
Guan Lou quickly responded, "I won't be going to Zizhu Peak. Do you happen to know where Elder Liu has gone?"
Guan Lou was not here to seek Liu Yingzhu but to find Ding Huan.
She felt that nothing during their journey could trouble him.
Neither Han Po nor the Swallowing Foot Zombie could hold back Ding Huan, who led them safely through.
Elder Qu had even attempted to scheme against Ding Huan but now lay without a trace.
The Lost Swamp was terrifying, yet Ding Huan had brought them out safely.
Elder Cong had aimed to assassinate Ding Huan, yet he hadn’t been able to catch a glimpse of him.
…
She knew she couldn't find Ding Huan relying solely on herself.
Initially, she wanted to seek Elder Gu's assistance, but he had been away on business for several months and had yet to return to the sect.
After much thought, she felt that only Liu Yingzhu could help her find Ding Huan.
In the **Yan Yue Sect**, she didn’t know many elders, and apart from Elder Gu, most wouldn't be able to help her.
Even Elder Gu, she didn’t dare to share her difficulties lightly.
Elder Liu knew her and also appreciated Ding Huan when they journeyed to the Daoist realm together.
She had seen Elder Liu try to initiate conversation with Ding Huan more than once and even watched as she emerged from Ding Huan’s tent on one occasion.
Moreover, when Elder Qu died, Elder Liu would have certainly suspected Ding Huan’s involvement.
After Elder Gu claimed that Elder Qu had perished from the poison of the Swallowing Foot Zombie, she added another possibility—that it was due to Han Po’s illusionary poison.
It was clear that Elder Liu favored Ding Huan in her heart.
Hearing Guan Lou’s words, Jia Sha hesitated.
As a trusted aide to the sect master, he understood what Ding Huan meant to **Purple Cloud Valley**.
Guan Lou's search for Elder Liu was likely also to find Ding Huan.
After all, according to Elder Liu, they had merely met on the road and had no deep connections.
"Fellow, I am friends with Ding Huan and have some matters for him. However, since arriving at the **Yan Yue Sect**, I haven’t ventured out and have lost contact with him..."
Guan Lou was aware that Jia Sha certainly understood her intentions—searching for Elder Liu.
"Rest assured, if I hold any ill will in my heart, let lightning strike my consciousness and consume me."
Worried he might not fully believe her, Guan Lou swore an oath.
She understood his hesitation, particularly since the **Twin Souls Sect** had inquired about Ding Huan’s whereabouts at the **Yan Yue Sect**.
Seeing Guan Lou so earnest, and considering her friendship with Ding Huan, Jia Sha finally replied:
"Ding Huan is in West Wind City. Elder Liu has been waiting there all this time."
In fact, Jia Sha had no knowledge of the **Twin Souls Sect** having previously visited the **Yan Yue Sect** in search of Ding Huan.
Had he known, he would have refrained from revealing Ding Huan’s location, even if Guan Lou swore an oath.
"Thank you very much, senior."
Guan Lou bowed gratefully and then summoned her flying ship, speeding off in haste.
As long as there was a location, she would find him.
Even though the Daoist realm was vast and boundless, how far could Ding Huan travel?
He would undoubtedly show up on the map in her hands.
(End of this chapter)