First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 2597 – The Lower Court of Three Purities Temple

Li Sansheng looked the swords over intently, again and again. It seemed he was struggling to decide.

In the end, he said hesitantly, “I remember that, in addition to these three swords, Boss left a sword called ‘Simple Joys.’”

Before he could continue, the old turtle sneered. “What right do you have to covet Simple Joys?”

This time, Li Sanjiu didn’t argue. He just said, “It’s true… I’m unworthy of it, but… everyone has their unrealistic notions. Any sword cultivator with any degree of perceptiveness longs for Simple Joys even in their dreams.”

With that, he seemed to have made up his mind. He pointed to the sword in the middle. “I’ll take that one.”

Snow Cap.

The name came from a line of poetry: “You lie buried beneath the earth, while I live on, my hair as white as a cap of snow.”

The turtle was briefly stunned. After a moment’s silence, it said, “Don’t do anything to besmirch its reputation.”

Li Sansheng took a deep breath, wiped his hands on his robes, then stepped forward to claim the ink-black sword. He solemnly clasped his fist. “Li Sansheng, a humble student of the Dao of the Sword, has come here to borrow this weapon on his boss’s orders!”

His hair and beard were disheveled, and he had a dark complexion. He looked down on his luck.

But now, his gaze was utterly solemn, and his whole body emanated formless majesty. It was as if he’d become a completely different person.

Clang!

The sword let out a low hum, as if responding to Li Sansheng’s call.

Li Sansheng instantly felt a massive weight lift from his shoulders. He accepted the sword with both hands and smiled. “This will be more than enough to destroy the Lower Court of Three Purities Temple’s sign, to the point that my heart aches at the extravagance of it all!”

The old turtle said coldly, “You have the time it takes to burn a stick of incense. If you don’t return the sword by the time it runs out, I’ll go to your house for a spot of tea and a chat with your wife.”

Li Sansheng’s expression froze, and he turned and left without a word. The stars revolved around him with every step, and soon, he’d vanished into the shifting of time and space.

Only the old turtle remained here, half-submerged in lava.

“I just knew he’d return…” murmured the turtle, its blazing eyes suddenly wet with tears. It was so enormous that its tears were like twin waterfalls pouring into the sea of lava.

Shortly after, both the turtle and the two remaining swords silently sank into the lava’s depths.

……

The River of Destiny was home to countless territories. A single drop of its waters could contain a thousand worlds or hide indescribable perils.

Thus, even those Limitless Dao Lords who’d stepped into Eternity traversed the River of Destiny with the utmost caution, as if treading on thin ice. They didn’t dare to be even the slightest bit negligent.

Precious few places in the River of Destiny were truly safe. Such places typically had foundations and a natural order capable of contending with the flow of destiny.

The Eternal Heavens Domain was one such place. It was the most famous, ancient Heaven Domain in the entire River of Destiny.

But the Lower Court of Three Purities Temple wasn’t in the Eternal Heavens Domain. Rather, it was built on a mountain floating on the River of Destiny.

The mountain was shaped like a crouching tiger, and it was shrouded in auspicious purple mist year-round. Thus, it was known as Purple Firmament Mountain.

Without exception, the landmasses floating on the River of Destiny had utterly extraordinary origins. They were Eternal blessed lands. If an Eternal orthodoxy claimed one for its own, they’d have no need to fear the current of Destiny.

Purple Firmament Mountain was one such landmass.

But even on the River of Destiny, few knew that this was the home base of the Lower Court of Three Purities Temple.

In truth, few even knew that Three Purities Temple existed.

Purple Firmament Mountain’s slopes were covered in ancient palaces with old-fashioned charm. Everything was picturesque, like an otherworldly pure land.

Qing Li sat cross-legged in one of its many palaces. Suddenly, he grunted, and his brow furrowed.

Images of the battle at the ruins of the God Domain’s Three Purities Daoist Court flashed through his mind, including the moment Su Yi crushed his avatar of will beneath his feet.

For a moment, the purple-robed, golden-crowned Qing Li’s expression shifted erratically. Su Yi’s strength was far beyond his expectations. It was hard to even imagine!

“Junior Apprentice Brother, why did you awaken early? Don’t tell me that something went wrong in the God Domain?”

A thin man with an extraordinary, ethereal air and dark Daoist robes silently appeared outside the palace. He had elegant features, and his willowy beard hung all the way to his chest.

Qing Shi.

He was the chief elder of the Lower Court of Three Purities Temple, as well as Qing Li’s senior apprentice brother.

Qing Li sighed. “That swordman’s reincarnation destroyed my avatar of will.”

Qing Shi was briefly stunned, but then, he laughed. “An avatar, that’s all. No need for concern. I warned you, didn’t I? Su Yi might just be that swordsman’s reincarnation, but he isn’t so easily dealt with.”

Qing Li rose and shook his head. “Senior Apprentice Brother, I’m naturally not bothered by the loss of an avatar, but after seeing Su Yi for myself, I’ve realized that his path is utterly unique. Even on the River of Destiny, I’ve never heard of anything like it.”

Qing Shi was stunned. He asked with great interest, “Just how unusual is it?”

Qing Li launched into a detailed account of his battle with Su Yi. After hearing the full story, Qing Shi stood there in a daze.

“A Master God, that’s all, yet he was so unreasonably strong. Senior Apprentice Brother, have you… ever seen anything like it?” asked Qing Li.

Qing Shi mulled that over briefly. “This just makes the terrifying power of the Epoch Spark and reincarnation all the more obvious.”

“They’re more than just terrifying,” said Qing Li. “They’re completely incomprehensible! I dare not imagine how terrifying Su Yi will become if we let him achieve Eternity.”

Qing Shi subtly inclined his head. “I understand your concerns, but do you really think he has hope of flattening Three Purities Temple?”

He burst into laughter, not even giving Qing Li a chance to respond.

Qing Li paused, then laughed and shook his head. “How could that be possible? The Dark Days of Legend have begun, and countless people are eyeing him. I question whether he’ll even live long enough to participate in the Battle for Order.”

Su Yi was indeed heaven-defying, and he was terrifyingly strong. More than that, he was the reincarnation of that swordsman.

Still, none of that was enough to threaten Three Purities Temple and the foundations they’d built up over countless years!

“Senior Apprentice Brother, I’m going to take another trip to the God Domain,” Qing Li said softly. “I said I’d kill everyone around Su Yi and that I wouldn’t let up until he was all alone in this world. I naturally cannot go back on my word.”

Qing Shi frowned, then said, “Excessive murderous intent puts you at high risk of backlash. In the path of cultivation, you cannot be too focused on kill—”

But before he could finish, Qing Li said, “I understand what you’re trying to say, but this is the Grand Dao I seek.”

Qing Shi made no further attempts to persuade him.

Those who cultivated in Three Purities Temple strove to act in accordance with their fundamental natures. That meant staying true to themselves!

“Come on, let’s go meet with an old friend,” said Qing Shi.

“Who?”

“Fellow Daoist Wuxu of the Eternal Heavens Domain. Not long ago, he came to our gates personally, and he brought up something quite interesting. It involved Su Yi, too. You were in seclusion at the time. Otherwise, you’d have known about it,” explained Qing Shi.

Meanwhile, he’d already led Qing Li to a palace halfway up Purple Firmament Mountain.

A short old man in golden robes was seated inside. His snow-white hair and beard were so long that they almost touched the ground, and his aged face was completely covered in stars. His eyes blazed like twin suns.

Had Su Yi been here, he’d have recognized the old man at a glance. This was the same person who’d introduced himself as Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu.

Back in Five Lightning Temple, after Su Yi suppressed the Fragment of Heaven’s Will shaped like a page of scripture, Su Yi spoke—and fought—with Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu’s avatar of will.

He even said, “None can defy the Heavenly Sovereigns. Disobedience will only lead to certain doom!”

Yet now, Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu had come to the Lower Court of Three Purities Temple as a guest.

When Qing Shi and Qing Li arrived, Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu smiled and rose to greet them. “Long time no see, Qing Li.”

“Greetings, Daoist Brother.” Qing Li stepped forth and clasped his fist in greeting.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three of them took their seats and got down to business.

“Su Yi destroyed your avatar of will too?” exclaimed Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu.

‘Too’? Qing Li was stunned. “Daoist Brother, something similar happened to you, too?”

Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu looked a bit ill at ease. He sighed, “A while back, I left my mark on a portion of the Laws of the God Domain. Not long ago, someone destroyed it.

“Afterward, I sent someone to investigate, and they learned that the culprit was none other than Su Yi.” A fierce look appeared on Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu’s face.

“Do you plan to punish him, Daoist Brother?” asked Qing Li.

“That’s why I’m here,” said Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu. “Su Yi’s status is extraordinary. Numerous old-timers of the Eternal Heavens Domain have set their sights on him, including Heavenly Emperor Wen of Limitless Palace. He sent his forces into the God Domain a while ago.

“And I know that Three Purities Temple knows many secrets surrounding Su Yi’s background. I came here to request further information.”

Qing Li was briefly stunned. He came to inquire about Su Yi’s background?

Qing Shi chimed in to explain. “One of Su Yi’s past lives once dazzled the Eternal Heavens Domain. They called him the Greatest of the Unthroned. However, Daoist Brother Wuxu suspects that Su Yi has yet another unknown past incarnation.”

Only then did Qing Li understand.

“Do you two perhaps have any guidance for me?” Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu said solemnly.

He was a Heavenly Sovereign of the Eternal Heavens Domain, yet he’d come here in person just to ask about Su Yi’s past lives. It was obvious how seriously he took this!

“Su Yi does indeed have another past life, but you needn’t concern yourself with him, Daoist Brother. His other past life is from a bygone epoch, one that met its end a long, long time ago,” Qing Li said casually, his voice full of disdain.

“Is that so? Then what is his other past incarnation called?” asked Heavenly Sovereign Wuxu. He was obviously intrigued.

“He…” Qing Li was just about to answer when a voice suddenly boomed from outside the premises.

“Might I trouble you to tell me where the Lower Court of Three Purities Temple keeps its sign? I’ll leave as soon as I’ve destroyed it!”