Chapter 31: A Sword Cleaves the Sky
Chapter 31: A Sword That Splits the Sky
Not long ago, at the summit cave dwelling of Mending Heaven Peak.
Unlike the bustling crowds and worldly affairs found elsewhere on Mending Heaven Peak, the summit existed beyond mortal concerns—where clouds rose and fell in serene detachment, as if transcending the clamor of human existence.
At the cliff's edge, two figures gazed upon the sea of clouds below.
One had the youthful face of an old man, dressed in black-and-white Daoist robes and holding a horsetail whisk, resembling the benevolent immortal commonly depicted in mortal folktales.
The other appeared middle-aged and spoke with a teasing tone:
"Mending Heaven, I heard you've been selecting a husband for your daughter recently?"
"Oh? Are you interested?" The Mending Heaven Peak Master turned slightly toward the middle-aged man. "If it's one of your disciples, they might make a suitable match for Qian'er."
"Let's not."
The middle-aged man shook his head. "I know my disciples—they're all flashy but useless. They wouldn't be able to handle your daughter. You'd better find someone else."
"Then forget it." The Mending Heaven Peak Master waved his hand dismissively. "In any case, I already have someone in mind. This person has cultivated diligently over three lifetimes, accumulating both merit and profound foundations. Not only does he have a thirty percent chance of achieving Foundation Establishment, but after mastering True Person Panlong's 《Nine Transformations Dragon Art》, he'll also possess the vigor of a true dragon in bed..."
"True Person Panlong? Wait, that can't be right."
The middle-aged man pinched his fingers in calculation, then shook his head. "Panlong Island has vanished without a trace. The opportunity has already been seized—but not by your disciple."
"It soon will be."
The Mending Heaven Peak Master spoke indifferently. "I've deduced who forcibly took the opportunity and sent Yuanchun to handle it. It won't be long before things return to their proper course."
"Tsk tsk tsk, you really leave no room for survival." The middle-aged man sighed. "The path of immortality is already arduous—why be so harsh on juniors?"
"They need some hope occasionally. After all, the Saint Sect requires fresh blood."
"No need to lecture me."
The Mending Heaven Peak Master sneered. "If that were all, I might not have intervened. But I calculated that the one who seized True Person Panlong's opportunity is... unusual."
At this point, his tone carried a trace of astonishment. "This person has only been a disciple for a few years. Not only did he profit immensely from the Substitute Death Yin Puppet frenzy years ago, but he also cultivated the Blood-Transforming Divine Light, refined a sword pill, mastered the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion's sword incantation, and reached the sixth layer of Qi Refining..."
"Oh? Such remarkable achievements?"
The middle-aged man looked genuinely surprised. After silently calculating for a moment, he sighed in admiration. "Who would have thought our Saint Sect could produce such talent?"
His interest was evidently piqued.
"Come, point me in the right direction. Let me see what kind of spiritual roots he possesses. If they're of high quality, perhaps he could be refined into an excellent treasure pill."
"That's simple. He's right over there... Hmm?"
The Mending Heaven Peak Master initially wore a faint smile, but as he gestured toward the location and gazed into the distance, his expression gradually darkened.
............
Boom!
The moment the Mending Heaven Peak Master's gaze descended, the entire peak trembled as if struck by an earthquake. Rocks tumbled from the edges, cascading into the sea of clouds below.
Inside a cave dwelling on Mending Heaven Peak, Liu Xin lay prostrate on the ground, trembling so violently he dared not even breathe loudly—terrified of drawing the Peak Master's attention.
"Not looking for me, not looking for me..."
He repeated the mantra in his mind, suppressing his guilt and fear.
After all, this was a Foundation Establishment True Person. Even a mere glance could annihilate a Qi Refining cultivator—and his Myriad Spirits Banner concealed the Peak Master's son.
If discovered, he would face eternal damnation!
"Don't panic. I have divine talisman protection. He can't deduce me..."
Clutching the talisman at his waist, Liu Xin trembled uncontrollably.
"Yuanchun pays respects to Shifu."
Lu Yuanchun coughed up blood as he kowtowed toward the colossal face in the sky, begging for forgiveness—yet he felt no relief at surviving, only an icy dread.
The jade pendant that shattered Lü Yang's formation at the critical moment contained a strand of the Mending Heaven Peak Master's divine sense—the ultimate lifeline for a Foundation Establishment disciple like him. Such treasures were exceedingly difficult to produce, and once used, they could almost never be replaced. It was equivalent to losing a life.
And now, it was gone.
Moreover, not only had he failed to help Junior Brother Zhao reclaim the opportunity, but he had also failed to protect him, resulting in Zhao's unexpected death. This was a complete and utter defeat.
With multiple offenses compounding, his path to immortality in this lifetime was effectively severed.
"This disciple is incompetent."
Lu Yuanchun dared not speak further—nor even offer excuses. He could only press his forehead to the ground and await his fate after Shifu executed Lü Yang.
Clang—!
At that moment, Lu Yuanchun suddenly heard the clear ring of a sword. Though soft, the sound was piercingly pure—impossible to ignore.
At first, it resembled the gentle trickling of a mountain spring. But as time passed, the flow grew turbulent, the sound escalating until it roared like a raging river, reverberating across heaven and earth.
Instinctively, Lu Yuanchun raised his head.
There, he saw a figure standing tall under the True Person's gaze—spine straight, head unbowed, meeting the colossal visage with fearless defiance.
Beneath his feet surged a long river of sword qi.
The water ran crimson, churning with overwhelming killing intent—yet instead of dispersing, it contracted, flowing backward until it was entirely absorbed into a delicate sword pill.
"What does he intend to do?"
Lu Yuanchun swallowed hard. He already guessed the answer—yet refused to believe it. How could anyone in this world be so audacious, so ignorant of the Heavenly Mandate?
Simultaneously, the colossal face in the sky seemed to realize something, its brow furrowing slightly:
"You dare raise your sword against me?"
Lü Yang's expression remained cold as his sword pill, having swallowed the blood river whole, pointed its edge toward the heavens:
"I seek your guidance."
The face did not respond—as if the question itself was beneath contempt.
In the next instant, Lü Yang saw a black dot materialize high in the sky. It rapidly expanded, descending toward him with the weight of the heavens themselves.
Only as it drew near could Lü Yang discern its true form—a single finger, descending from unimaginable heights, its skin wrinkles and creases clearly visible.
Suddenly, Lü Yang understood.
This was the other party's answer:
Ant, do you know how vast the sky truly is?
In that moment, overwhelming danger seized his entire being, freezing his thoughts—like an insect crawling from its burrow only to be blinded by the midday sun.
"You plan to crush me with a single finger???"
Lü Yang exhaled deeply—then ignited every ounce of his true qi in furious combustion. The Killing Curse obtained in his second lifetime erupted at full power.
At this moment, life and death were cast aside.
Only rage remained in Lü Yang's heart.
In this lifetime, I sought no conflict, devoted myself solely to cultivation—yet you calculated my karma, sent others to steal my opportunities, and now personally intervene to kill me when they failed.
What talk of karmic debts? What nonsense about predestined opportunities?
Am I fated to be nothing but livestock, while you remain forever above?
"Kill!"
Lü Yang roared—his chest's true qi transforming into a piercing cry, his fury condensed into a single streak of sword light. Unwavering, it cleaved straight through the sky.
The collision was soundless—like the flicker of a candle flame. After a brief, dazzling brilliance, darkness swallowed Lü Yang's vision... and then his consciousness.