Chapter 216
Chapter 216
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Translator: Ace
Chapter:
Chapter Title: Xuan Iron Reinforcements
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As Perfected Being Yin Shan voluntarily withdrew, the tense atmosphere within Guillotine Dragon Pass eased somewhat.
The reinforcements' Profound Iron Sword Master received courteous treatment.
The countenance of Perfected Being Profound Iron Sword Master was not handsome—quite ordinary.
After sheathing his sword intent, he lacked even the edge typical of sword cultivators.
At a glance, he resembled nothing more than an old farmer.
Only the black iron longsword at his waist faintly revealed a sharpness that made Foundation Establishment True Persons' hearts tremble.
"Daoist Friend Xuan Iron!"
Five Elements True Person stepped forward first, excited.
"It's fortunate you arrived in time, Daoist Friend. Otherwise, Guillotine Dragon Pass would likely have fallen to the Demon Sect today."
After speaking, he glanced once more at the longsword at Profound Iron Sword Master's waist.
"Profound Gold, Profound Silver, Profound Iron—the more mundane the material, the keener the sword intent. Profound Iron Sword lives up to being the foremost of Upper Profound Sword Sect's three Profound Swords!"
"Overstated praise."
Profound Iron Sword Master waved it off upon hearing this.
His expression, however, clearly relished the words.
After all, everyone enjoyed flattery, particularly when his merits were substantial.
At the same time, Zhong Xin approached as well, smiling.
"Upon learning the Demon Sect was advancing south, I immediately sent word to Upper Profound Sword Sect for aid. I expected it would take longer, but thanks to your profound cultivation and swift sword escape art, Daoist Friend Xuan Iron, we turned the tide in the end."
"Come in, quickly—I've prepared a banquet to welcome you all and dust off the road's grime."
Profound Iron Sword Master naturally accepted without demur, following Zhong Xin inside.
The assembly of Foundation Establishment True Persons entered the hall.
The mood grew lively in an instant.
"The leader we met outside the city earlier—was that Yuan Tu?"
Profound Iron Sword Master's gaze sharpened.
He spoke gravely.
"After Profound Gold Junior Brother returned and described him to me, I believe it was this man who shook his sword heart."
"A pity he withdrew on his own without crossing swords with me."
"Otherwise, I'd have wielded the Profound Iron Sword and beheaded him before the formation lines. Profound Gold Junior Brother, learning of it, could surely mend his shaken sword heart."
Here, Profound Iron Sword Master sighed.
He seemed deeply regretful.
Then he noticed the once-boisterous banquet had fallen silent at some point.
Many Treasures Child and the others stared fixedly at him.
What was this?
"Daoist Friend, you wouldn't know."
Five Elements True Person sighed.
"That man outside wasn't the fierce demon himself—just one of his companions."
"As for the fierce demon, I suspect he's some True Lord's direct heir come to gild his name, so investigating after his retreat took real effort."
With that, Five Elements True Person produced a jade slip.
"The results? Best not to ask. Once I did, I half-wondered if he was a True Lord reborn!"
"Do you know his age, Daoist Friend?"
Profound Iron Sword Master paused, then ventured cautiously.
"Profound Gold Sword Master said he's at mid Foundation Establishment, peak. Has he only just begun his second reincarnation?"
He considered this guess bold.
Ordinary cultivators formed their foundation within a century, refined natal divine abilities, sought heavenly stems and earthly branches—and poof, the first life was gone.
Mid Foundation Establishment in one's first life marked a child of heaven.
Mid-peak, with two talent divine abilities? That demanded at least one reincarnation.
Even Upper Profound Sword Sect's Sect Master was nearing the end of his third life.
Yet Five Elements True Person shook his head.
"One reincarnation? From what I've learned, that fierce demon's cultivated less than a century total! Forget reincarnation—he hasn't even reached mid-life in his first!"
Profound Iron Sword Master fell utterly mute.
Mid Foundation Establishment in under a century? Peak, no less?
Absurd!
Long after, he exhaled deeply, forcing a grin.
"Cultivating swiftly means little. Too swift, and the foundation's shallow—divine abilities must be mediocre."
Even as he spoke, Profound Iron Sword Master shut his mouth.
Profound Gold Sword Master had mentioned the foe slaying Dragon-Fishing Old Man—a mid Foundation Establishment—right under their noses.
Mediocre? Hardly.
"Divine abilities strong or not?"
Profound Iron Sword Master gripped his waist sword tightly.
"We sword cultivators roam the world on sword alone. Face me, and one sword ends him!"
Pride flickered in his eyes.
"My Profound Iron Sword came from Jiangnan Sword Pavilion—a superior spirit treasure bearing one marvel: Barrier Breaking. It cleaves all obstructions. Myriad divine abilities? One sword shatters them!"
"Pfft!"
Many Treasures Child burst out, barely containing it.
Profound Iron Sword Master glared icily.
"What do you find amusing?"
"Daoist Friend, Daoist Friend—stay your temper."
Five Elements True Person hastened to restrain him, whispering.
"Profound Iron Sword is keen indeed, but that fierce demon wields even finer spirit treasures!"
"I saw it plainly: at least three superior spirit treasures on him. Two dharma swords—one with three marvels, one with one. A defensive treasure besides. Likely more he didn't deploy."
Profound Iron Sword Master grew ever quieter.
A three-marvel dharma sword? Minimum three superior treasures?
Glancing at his own treasured Profound Iron Sword—one marvel only—a surge of frustration welled up.
"Damn immortal princeling!"
Profound Iron Sword Master gnashed his teeth.
"For sword cultivators like us, the sword is mere tool. True mastery lies in sword intent comprehension! Beyond these spoiled heirs forever."
"Wrong again, Daoist Friend."
Five Elements True Person sighed.
"My probe shows no backing for him. Step by hard step, all his talent and toil."
Profound Iron Sword Master: "..."
Nothing to say.
At last, head-seat Zhong Xin spoke.
"Be that as it may, he's no late Foundation Establishment. We have counters yet."
"...Indeed!"
Profound Iron Sword Master rallied.
"Our Sect Master, aided by Sword Pavilion lately, secured his third heavenly stem earthly branch. He's in seclusion now, breaking to late Foundation Establishment. Genius or not, one Sect Master sword suffices!"
The crowd lit with fervor.
Zhong Xin alone stayed guarded, murmuring.
"With Daoist Friend Xuan Iron aiding here, Upper Profound Sword Sect lies exposed, no? Defenses hold?"
"Fear not, Top Scholar!"
Profound Iron Sword Master brimmed with assurance.
"Profound Gold and Profound Silver—two early Foundation Establishment True Persons—hold the mountain. Triflers pose no threat."
"What peril?"
"Wait..."
Five Elements True Person furrowed his brow abruptly.
"That fierce demon skipped this clash. Might he have slipped to your sect gate?"
"The foes must grasp Upper Profound friends' menace."
Profound Iron Sword Master's face blanched.
But swiftly, another voice rang out.
"Impossible! Utterly so!"
All turned.
Many Treasures Child.
"Fellow Daoists, recall Guillotine Dragon Pass!"
Many Treasures Child expounded confidently.
"It bans all spirit energy—no void-crossing flight."
"Escape-light travel evades no eyes of ours."
"Concede ten thousand steps: say the demon assault damaged arrays, letting him pass. Unless he eradicates Upper Profound Sword Sect outright—no whisper escaping—or when we rush aid, he's trapped, a turtle in the jar?"
"Fellow Daoists: can he? Dares he?"
"Sect Master Upper Profound: mid-peak Foundation Establishment too. Attacked, no message sent?"
"This..."
Many Treasures Child's airtight logic swayed them.
Even questioner Five Elements True Person deemed himself unduly anxious.
【Qing Kingdom】, Profound Sword Mountain.
As implied by name: Upper Profound Sword Sect's mountain gate.
Sword-shaped peak thrust cloudward.
Hence, Profound Sword Mountain.
Founding ancestor prized its peerless feng shui, heroes' breeding ground.
Thus founded here, hoping generations nurtured an earth vein.
Earth vein secured, the sect stood unshakable.
Like bygone Witch Ghost Dao.
Millennium past, Witch Ghost Dao claimed eight hundred li Skull Mountain vein—even True Lords wary.
Earth veins' weight for any power: evident.
"Fortunately, no vein gestated here, it seems."
At Profound Sword Mountain's base, a white-clad youth in black cloak—long sleeves drifting—surveyed the vista idly.
"Halt!"
Not till the youth neared the gate did two Upper Profound Sword Sect disciples descend on escape lights, barring him sternly.
"Who goes there? State your business."
"I am Lu Yang. Kindly report inside."
Lu Yang cupped hands decorously, smiling faintly.
"This visit: to butcher your sect root and branch."