Novel Full Chapter 2803 - Shang Wuhui
Chapter 2803 – Shang Wuhui
The walls were incomparably firm. The old Kun Peng slammed into them with a startling, muffled impact, but the walls held fast.
Blood flowed from the corners of his lips, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
The hall fell utterly silent. Bi Yunzi, Granny Snake, and Fu Yong gasped.
None of them saw how the Sword-Bearer attacked.
But anyone who saw this would have realized that had the Sword-Bearer wanted to kill Old Yao Kun Peng, he’d have been dead by now.
When the group next looked at the Sword-Bearer’s bony frame, there was undisguisable dread on their faces.
From beginning to end, the Sword-Bearer never turned his head or uttered so much as a single word. Even now, he maintained his silence.
Old Yao Kun Peng rose, wiped the blood from his lips, and clasped his fist in the Sword-Bearer’s direction. “I was too abrupt earlier. It shall be as you say. We’ll carry out our plan in two weeks’ time!”
The Sword-Bearer didn’t react, but the others no longer found his silence strange.
“You three, the Esteemed Sword-Bearer said that in two weeks, we must seal the Ancient Nine Luminaries City off completely. That way, our target cannot escape, not even with a Nine Luminaries Medallion,” Fu Yong transmitted to the others. “That aside, even if something goes wrong, the Esteemed Sword-Bearer will be here. He’ll resolve any difficulties with ease!”
As he said that last part, a hint of contemptuous pride appeared in Fu Yong’s expression. After all, it was the Heart-Tempering Sword House who’d arranged this death trap.
Why were the three Heavenly Sovereign factions willing to cooperate?
It was because the founder of the Heart-Tempering Sword House, Jiang Wuchen, had been the first to discover the Nine Luminaries Forbidden Zone, and because he was the one who’d refined the Nine Luminaries Medallions.
But even more importantly, it was because the Sword-Bearer was here, watching over the Forgotten Palace!
And here in the Ancient Nine Luminaries City, the Sword-Bearer was like the incarnation of the heavens!
“Fu Yong, don’t you think it’s about time you told us the Sword-Bearer’s origins?” transmitted Granny Snake.
After a moment’s silence, Fu Yong said, “The founder just said that he’s a sword cultivator from the Devastation, and that he spent his whole life fighting on this ancient battlefield. Even when the Devastation ended, the Sword-Bearer remained here, becoming its sole guardian.”
The group exchanged glances. They were instantly solemn, but at the same time, they were even more confident that their plan would succeed.
Suddenly, Fu Yong looked attentive. He paused to listen, then transmitted a message to the others. “The Esteemed Sword-Bearer commanded us to leave.”
The group nodded and left.
But although they didn’t know it, Fu Yong had left one sentence out. The Sword-Bearer had also called for someone else to see him.
In the end, Fu Yong left too, leaving the Sword-Bearer all alone in the Forgotten Palace.
The sound of footsteps rang out, and a figure walked into the hall.
The new arrival was a big-boned, unassuming man in black.
Had Yang Lingxiao been there, he’d have recognized the man at a glance. This was his Dao Protector, Shang Wuhui!
A Heavenly Monarch of the Great Yin Divine Race!
When Shang Wuhui arrived, he smiled and bowed to the Sword-Bearer. “Long time no see, Fellow Daoist.”
The hall was silent.
After a while, a hoarse voice rang out. “I’ve never understood why a sword cultivator so blessed by fate would suffer a Karmic Tribulation.”
The Sword-Bearer sat there, facing away from Shang Wuhui.
Had anyone else been there to hear him, they’d have surely been shocked!
Shang Wuhui’s smile faded. He said calmly, “Ultimately, my Dao of the Sword was a dead-end right from the start. There’s nothing strange about it.
“Be kinder to others, the kinder the better,” said the Sword-Bearer. “The people of the mundane talk about the rewards of accumulated karmic merit, but I’ve never understood why your heart devil’s path was so starkly different from yours.”
He paused, then shook his head. “No, that’s not right. You’re his heart devil, although I’m sure you don’t see yourself that way.”
Shang Wuhui frowned, then paused before responding. “All of that is in the past. No need to discuss it any further. There are thousands upon thousands of Daos of the Sword. He lost, and that proves his Dao of the Sword was flawed.
“That I’m the one standing before you now proves that my path was the correct one!”
The Sword-Bearer said, “You’re living proof that a single thought can create a demon! Were you like this during our first meeting, I’d have surely cut you down!”
Shang Wuhui laughed. “Senior, don’t forget that if I hadn’t found this place all those years ago, you’d have long since been reduced to dried-up bones. By now, nothing would remain of you but dust!”
The Sword-Bearer fell silent.
Shang Wuhui continued, “Senior, you were a mighty expert during the Devastation, and you’re the last Sword-Bearer of the Nine Luminaries Battlefield. I just hope you’ll carry out your end of the agreement.”
The Sword-Bearer’s voice didn’t so much as ripple with emotion. “Rest assured that this time, I’ll repay you everything I owe you—including my life!”
Shang Wuhui nodded, then turned to leave.
The Sword-Bearer sat there, then sank back into silence, still as a stone statue.
……
Late at night, the outline of the Ancient Nine Luminaries City appeared in the distance.
No one was sure when, but dense, leaden tribulation clouds hung beneath the dome of heaven.
“The weekly Tide of Calamity is sure to strike tomorrow!” Mo Lanhe looked up at the sky. The clouds were still silently gathering, and although nothing had happened yet, it was an unsettling sight.
They knew that tomorrow, anyone who failed to seek refuge in the city would have to face the threat of the Tide of Calamity head-on!
“They say that the city was at the front lines of the war of the Devastation, and that it was under constant siege by the Outsider Celestial Demons. Those stationed here were the mightiest warriors of their age,” Su Yi said softly. “Alas, it’s hard to see any of that anymore.”
The towering city walls were once covered in the vestiges of battle, but the years had worn them down.
“I just heard that there are numerous fortuitous grounds throughout the city. Why not test our luck?” chirped Fu Lingyun. “I’m not after anything lavish. A bit of good fortune is enough for me.”
Su Yi smiled. She’s not greedy. That’s a wonderful thing indeed.
As they conversed, they rapidly approached the city.
The gates were enormous, fully one hundred thousand feet tall, like the gate of heaven.
The sides of the gate were completely covered in countless Dao Markings. They looked naturally formed, but they were already worn and corroded beyond recognition; they had been rendered useless.
When Su Yi and his companions passed through the gates, they saw numerous other cultivators rushing toward the city, like birds seeking refuge from a storm.
The Ancient Nine Luminaries City was enormous. It could easily contain one million people, far more than the mere six hundred or so disciples and Dao Protectors who’d entered the Nine Luminaries Forbidden Zone this year.
Thus, even after everyone gathered here, the city looked extraordinarily empty, and everyone could easily find a place to rest.
However, those intent on seeking out good fortune largely chose to rest near the city center. This was for the simple reason that the city center was near numerous places well worth visiting.
These included the Starry Stele, the Demon-Refining Cave, the Gazebo of Buried Swords, and the Sin-Severing Dungeon, among others.
Only the Signal Fire Platform was relatively distant, as it was near the city’s northern wall.
“Daoist Brother Li, where should we go to rest?” Fu Lingyun asked softly.
They hadn’t encountered very many people since entering the city, but when they did, it was always unsettling. Everyone looked at them as if selecting and evaluating their next prey, their gazes playful.
Some were so fearless that they made no attempt to disguise their intentions. They openly stated that they’d just love to find an opportunity to spar with their fellow Daoists from the Literati Continent.
They were like butchers sharpening their knives.
Even a scatterbrain like Fu Lingyun picked up on it, so there was no way that Su Yi and Mo Lanhe would miss it.
Mo Lanhe was a bit worried.
Practically everyone they’d run into was from the Five Great Continents, and all of them were backed by powerful sects.
Cultivators from the Literati Continent were like sheep in a den of wolves. It was only natural that they’d be targeted.
Only Su Yi acted like none of this had anything to do with him. He frequently paused along the way, as if taking a tour of the ancient ruins.
“Let’s go to the Starry Stele,” said Su Yi. “I’d like to experience the wonders of the Towering Lotus Platforms first.”
Mo Lanhe’s heart clenched. “Over the years, every time the Nine Luminaries Forbidden Zone has appeared, experts of the Five Great Continents have monopolized the Starry Stele. We of the Literati Continent dare not get involved.”
“It might not have been possible before,” said Su Yi. “But that doesn’t mean it won’t be possible now. Besides… I heard that there’s a rule every participating faction must follow: Dao Protectors are not permitted to intervene in fights between Unfettered Realm disciples. Those who break this rule will be expelled from the city.”
Su Yi laughed. “In that case, what do I have to worry about?”
Mo Lanhe fell silent. He could tell that Su Yi was already determined to visit the city center.
“I want to go too!” Fu Lingyun’s eyes lit up, but then, she hesitated and said softly, “Of course, I just want to look. With my abilities, there’s no way I’m qualified to occupy one of the Towering Lotus Platforms.”
Mo Lanhe nodded approvingly. She understands what really matters!
But Su Yi said, “If we have to compete for the platforms, I’ll help you seize one!”
Fu Lingyun was stunned, while Mo Lanhe felt a headache coming on. He didn’t even need to think to know that doing so would invite further trouble!
His brow furrowed in confusion. Li Muchen doesn’t seem like the type to invite trouble, so why provoke the competition immediately upon arriving in the Ancient Nine Luminaries City?
It doesn’t make sense. It’s not like the Starry Stele is the only good fortune available here. Don’t tell me Li Muchen is really after something else entirely?
“Daoist Brother Li, I…”
Fu Lingyun was just about to say something, but Su Yi was already waving dismissively. “It’s settled.”
The three of them set course for the city center.
But although none of them knew it, countless eyes had been watching them from the moment they passed through the city gates!
Word was spreading in silence.
“Send word to His Excellency. Our target is headed for the city center. I suspect he’s headed for the Starry Stele!”
“When should we strike? Please request His Excellency’s orders!”