Chapter 314: The Sword Pavilion's Nice Guy?
Sword Pavilion, Ji Tian Cliff.
This was the secluded cultivation site of the True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue. With a True Lord presiding, the aura here was naturally extraordinary—just gazing from afar, one could sense its towering majesty.
At this moment, numerous Foundation Establishment True Persons were gathering here.
Among them were the Yun Family Patriarch and True Person Xiuxin, and even True Person Xiaohai from the Li Clan of Sea Patrol had arrived. The two factions clearly harbored mutual disdain.
Soon, the crowd poured into a grand hall.
At the head of the hall, a Daoist with a gloomy appearance stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at a map hanging on the wall—depicting the Jiangnan region.
The man wore black robes, his beard unkempt, with an ancient-style sword hanging at his waist. Yet, it showed no trace of spiritual radiance, appearing as nothing more than an ordinary mortal blade. His aura was completely concealed, making him resemble a down-and-out wandering swordsman one might encounter anywhere in the mortal world.
He stood there, wholly absorbed in studying the map.
In one corner of the map, a specific area had been prominently marked—none other than the location of the mass grave, its implications self-evident.
"Greetings, Demon-Slaying True Person!"
The assembled Foundation Establishment cultivators dispersed their radiant lights upon entering the hall, each clasping their hands in salute toward the Daoist at the head. Their words carried not the slightest hint of disrespect.
After all, this man was no ordinary figure.
Demon-Slaying True Person Ye Guangji was the foremost expert of the Sword Pavilion's Ye Clan, second only to the True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue. He had long cultivated by the True Lord's side.
Late-stage Foundation Establishment, Grand True Person!
And not merely late-stage Foundation Establishment—the title "Demon-Slaying" was exclusive to the Sword Pavilion, reserved only for those with formidable divine abilities.
Since defeating numerous cultivators with his sword two hundred years ago and claiming the title "Demon-Slaying," no successor had managed to wrest it from him. With such cultivation, such achievements, and the backing of a True Lord, his status within the Sword Pavilion was beyond question.
A moment later, he slowly turned around.
"At ease, everyone."
His voice was calm, yet each word rang with metallic sharpness, as if blades were clashing. Even just hearing it evoked a cutting edge.
At this moment, Lü Yang connected with Puppet on Strings, observing the hall's situation through the eyes of the Yun Family Patriarch, True Person Xiuxin, and True Person Xiaohai.
'Strange... there aren't many people here.'
The spacious hall held more than ten Foundation Establishment True Persons, but most were at the early stage—only two had reached mid-stage.
And Lü Yang recognized both of them.
'Ye Xingfeng!'
Following the Yun Family Patriarch's gaze, Lü Yang spotted the youth standing in a corner of the hall, exuding intense killing intent. Memories of being hunted by him overseas resurfaced. Though the man had ultimately met a gruesome end, the psychological damage inflicted on Lü Yang was immeasurable.
As for the other, their connection ran even deeper.
She appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen, with bright eyes and white teeth, delicate brows, and skin like polished jade. Her heroic demeanor drew frequent glances.
'Ye Guyue...'
Lü Yang's gaze remained calm before finally settling on Demon-Slaying True Person Ye Guangji at the head of the hall, recalling relevant intelligence about him.
Then, his expression turned peculiar.
'This Demon-Slaying True Person... has an exceptionally good reputation in the Sword Pavilion. Everyone considers him a decent person—some even think he's overly rigid.'
It was said that despite being a swordsman, he disliked killing.
As a Sword Pavilion True Person, he had almost never participated in the Righteous-Demonic War, and his sword rarely tasted blood. Because of this, many in the Sword Pavilion criticized him.
But his combat prowess was formidable, and his backing solid.
Thus, such criticisms remained mere gossip—no one dared say such things to his face. Most praised him instead.
'What a familiar style...'
Lü Yang stroked his chin. Back then, Ang Xiao had enjoyed a similar reputation—a rare good soul who never did wrong, the Saint Sect's last shred of conscience.
Now, it seemed less about not doing wrong and more about...
Lü Yang strongly suspected that after committing misdeeds, the man used Knowledge-Perception Obstruction to brainwash everyone, ensuring no one remembered his crimes—thus preserving his image as a good person.
Could this Sword Pavilion True Person be the same?
"Fellow Daoists."
At that moment, Ye Guangji at the head of the hall spoke, his metallic voice devoid of emotion: "I have decided to head to the mass grave three days from now."
The announcement sent waves through the crowd.
"So soon?"
"The Demon Sect has recently reinforced their defenses at the mass grave. It's said a Grand True Person is stationed there. Wouldn't launching an attack now be unwise?"
"Demon-Slaying True Person, please reconsider..."
The reactions left Lü Yang momentarily stunned.
Had Chongguang made such a declaration in the Saint Sect, the response would have been a unified "As you command," not this chaotic chorus of doubts.
But he soon understood why. Instead of asserting his authority as a Grand True Person, Ye Guangji—despite his lofty status in the Sword Pavilion—merely nodded patiently, listening to each objection and addressing them one by one.
It was utterly unbelievable.
The disparity in cultivation between Foundation Establishment True Persons was vast, especially at the Grand True Person threshold—the difference was like that between clouds and mud.
Under such circumstances, engaging in equal dialogue?
Would a man consult ants about what to eat for dinner?
'This isn't normal...'
Not just by Saint Sect standards—it wasn't normal for the Sword Pavilion either, as Lü Yang noticed the impatient expressions on Ye Guyue and Ye Xingfeng's faces.
"Uncle..."
Finally, Ye Guyue couldn't resist whispering a reminder. Only then did Ye Guangji pause and shift topics: "You must all be aware of the Mystic Spirit Realm situation."
"Rumors have circulated that I have my sights set on the Mystic Spirit Realm."
"That isn't entirely incorrect."
With that, the Demon-Slaying True Person raised his hand, summoning a burst of spiritual light in the hall. From it emerged a young Daoist.
This Daoist's aura was entirely distinct from the assembled Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Though he had a physical body, it carried an unusual sandalwood fragrance. His flesh appeared full yet somehow illusory, brimming with worldly energy.
Foundation Establishment True Persons, having built their Dao foundations, transcended mortality—no longer sharing the same plane as ordinary humans. Yet this Daoist, despite possessing a cultivation level akin to theirs, radiated an intense mortal essence.
"He resembles a Heavenly Official from the Dao Court."
"Who is this man?"
Under the crowd's puzzled gazes, the young Daoist solemnly clasped his hands: "Yu Shao of the Baochang Great Nation, Mystic Spirit Realm, greets you, fellow Daoists."
The moment these words fell, Lü Yang's pupils contracted sharply.
Mystic Spirit Realm!
A celestial realm rumored to house True Lords!
Simultaneously, the Demon-Slaying True Person spoke again: "Previously, rumors claimed that Daoist Yu attacked me and was captured. That is not the truth."
Yu Shao smiled bitterly: "Forgive my embarrassment. With Daoist Ye's cultivation—comparable to a Heavenly Immortal in the Mystic Spirit Realm—how could a minor cultivator like me dare to challenge him? The truth is the opposite. Were it not for Daoist Ye, I would have died without a whole corpse."
'Oh?'
Hidden in the shadows, Lü Yang's eyes flickered with interest—and he wasn't alone. Other quick-thinking Foundation Establishment True Persons also showed signs of intrigue.
"Indeed."
Finally, the Demon-Slaying True Person revealed the full story: "Daoist Yu was not dispatched by the Mystic Spirit Realm—he fled from it as a refugee!"