Chapter 250: A Heavenly Monarch's Sword

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's expression remained calm as he gazed far into the distance toward Heavenly Sword Peak.

Having lived through the long ages, Heavenly Monarch Qingcang knew all too well just how arrogant Heavenly Sword Peak could be.

Let alone Nascent Soul true lords, that Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword of Heavenly Sword Peak might not even look favorably upon a late-ancient Heavenly Monarch like himself.

As the legacy left behind by the Sword Lord, Heavenly Sword Peak certainly had the capital for such arrogance.

That was why Heavenly Monarch Qingcang did not care in the slightest about you heading to Heavenly Sword Peak.

So what if you went?

Wouldn't you just suffer a rebuff anyway?

The only thing that slightly surprised Heavenly Monarch Qingcang was that the peak master of Heavenly Sword Peak had actually welcomed you inside.

Instead of barring you outside the mountain gate.

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang wondered to himself. As a Deity Transformation stage Heavenly Monarch, he understood a bit of Heavenly Sword Peak's background. He knew that each generation's peak master controlled a portion of the Heavenly Sword's foundation, and their combat strength far exceeded that of an ordinary late Nascent Soul stage Great Cultivator.

Of course, the combat strength of Heavenly Sword Peak's master originated from the Heavenly Sword's foundation. Because it was an external force, they could not be considered a legendary Great Cultivator. The title of legendary Great Cultivator referred to someone who broke through their limits in a certain aspect relying entirely on their own power.

That should be it.

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang gave a slight nod. Aside from this reason, he couldn't think of any other explanation.

However, even if this generation's peak master was interested in you, that would be the end of it.

It would not be enough to sway that Heavenly Monarch of Heavenly Sword Peak.

Nor could the peak master of Heavenly Sword Peak beg their Heavenly Monarch to offer you protection just out of personal preference.

And Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword would not agree anyway.

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang watched for a while longer before looking away.

He would simply wait for you to come back after hitting a wall.

Standing beside him, Grand Cultivator Mangyan felt his heart settle slightly.

An inexplicable trace of emotion welled up within him.

So what if you were a legendary Great Cultivator unmatched in the late ancient era? Without a Deity Transformation stage Heavenly Monarch as a backer, every step forward would still be fraught with difficulty.

...

Heavenly Talisman Sect.

Grand Cultivator Xinfu and Chaos Talisman Grand Cultivator hurried over to find Great Cultivator Sanfu.

"Sanfu, have you heard? Elder Qingyuan... Elder Qingyuan is..."

Grand Cultivator Xinfu's mind was reeling, and Chaos Talisman Grand Cultivator was in a similar state.

"I know."

Great Cultivator Sanfu nodded. "He is True Monarch Golden Face."

Great Cultivator Sanfu looked at the two Great Cultivators and sighed. "Elder Qingyuan already told me before he left the Heavenly Talisman Sect."

"Elder Qingyuan..."

The two Heavenly Talisman Sect Great Cultivators were still deeply shaken.

Realizing something, they could not help but ask, "Did Elder Qingyuan head to the Extreme Dao Pavilion to attempt a breakthrough to Deity Transformation?" "Yes."

Great Cultivator Sanfu nodded. This wasn't difficult to deduce. Other than something related to Deity Transformation, what else could possibly warrant this legendary Great Cultivator seeking an audience with a Deity Transformation stage Heavenly Monarch?

"It seems Elder Qingyuan did not reach an agreement with the Heavenly Monarch of the Extreme Dao Pavilion."

Grand Cultivator Xinfu said softly. They had already received the news of your departure from the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

It appears Heavenly Monarch Qingcang of the Extreme Dao Pavilion didn't give any face to the ancestor of our Heavenly Talisman Sect.

Great Cultivator Sanfu thought to himself. He had previously given you a Token representing a certain Heavenly Talisman Sect ancestor from several thousands of years ago, but looking at the situation now, it clearly hadn't been of any use.

"Will Heavenly Sword Peak be able to reach an agreement with Elder Qingyuan...?"

Chaos Talisman Grand Cultivator and Grand Cultivator Xinfu exchanged a glance. Neither of them felt any confidence in this.

If Heavenly Monarch Qingcang of the Extreme Dao Pavilion was merely domineering, then the Heavenly Monarch of Heavenly Sword Peak demanded absolute supremacy.

Without having reached an agreement with Heavenly Monarch Qingcang, the hopes of securing an agreement with the Heavenly Monarch of Heavenly Sword Peak were even slimmer.

"Let's just watch."

Great Cultivator Sanfu said. In his view, your failure to reach an agreement with Heavenly Monarch Qingcang meant you likely didn't want to accept the latter's conditions.

If you had been willing to compromise, you still could have obtained Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's protection to push for the Deity Transformation stage.

As long as you could finally ascend to become a Heavenly Monarch, suffering a slight loss was perfectly acceptable.

...

Inside Heavenly Sword Peak.

You asked Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword a few more questions, such as whether that immortal cave possessed any hidden dangers. Being able to directly weaken the Annihilation Tribulation and the Five Elements Thunder Tribulation during the Three Trials of Deity Transformation was simply too incredible.

Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword's answer was that there were absolutely no hidden dangers.

The only drawback was that the cave dwelling could only be used once every thousand years.

Of course, for this current millennium, the cave dwelling's usage was still available. As long as you were willing, you could begin at any time.

"Fellow Daoist..."

Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword started to speak.

"Just call me Qingyuan."

You smiled, in an excellent mood.

During this visit, not only had you resolved the issue of potentially being suppressed during your Deity Transformation breakthrough, but you had also further elevated your success rate.

After all... your hopes of breaking through to Deity Transformation were already very high. With the experience from your fifth simulation, your current Nascent Soul foundation, and the Primordial Spirit Pill obtained from the Ghost Realm Trial Field, transforming your Nascent Soul into a primordial spirit shouldn't pose any problems.

As for the ensuing Annihilation Tribulation and Five Elements Thunder Tribulation, you were prepared for those as well, armed with the foundation of a legendary Great Cultivator, the Five Elements Thunder Stone, and more.

Now that you also had a cave dwelling capable of weakening the Annihilation Tribulation and the Five Elements Thunder Tribulation, you felt that your chances of stepping into the Deity Transformation stage were likely the highest of anyone since the late ancient era.

"Fellow Daoist Qingyuan, please follow me. I have already summoned all the disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak to gather."

Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword said.

"All the disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak?"

You looked at Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword, then followed him out of the main hall.

Outside the main hall, at the foot of the central peak, Sword Cultivators stood quietly. Some hovered in the air, while others remained on the ground. From Great Cultivators at the highest levels down to those in the Foundation Establishment Stage, all of them were waiting in absolute silence.

Formless sword intent and sword qi intertwined, forming massive, sword-shaped nets in the air, until Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword led you outside.

Only then did the numerous Sword Cultivators, including Sword Combat Grand Cultivator, turn their gazes over.

"Heavenly Monarch..."

Sword Combat Grand Cultivator and the others were slightly stunned. They didn't understand why their Heavenly Monarch, who hadn't awakened once in hundreds of years, would suddenly rouse at this moment—and bring you along with him.

The peak master of Heavenly Sword Peak, meanwhile, stood at your side.

"Everyone..."

Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword looked down at the crowd of Sword Cultivators. His words echoed across Heavenly Sword Peak, falling clearly into the ears of every single Sword Cultivator.

"Starting today, Heavenly Sword Peak shall be governed by Fellow Daoist Qingyuan. No Sword Cultivator, including myself, is permitted to disobey. Otherwise, they shall suffer the punishment of a myriad of swords piercing their heart."

Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword's tone was icy.

Yet the contents of his declaration left every Sword Cultivator on Heavenly Sword Peak utterly dumbfounded.

The minds of Sword Combat Grand Cultivator and the other Sword Cultivators reeled with shock. If these words hadn't come directly from Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword's mouth, they would never have believed it.

The majestic Heavenly Sword Sect, the strongest faction in the Human Realm, was actually being governed by an outsider. "This matter is an edict from the Sword Lord, witnessed by the Heavenly Sword."

Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword's tone was calm. An illusory, sword-shaped mark blazed to life between his brows. The towering Heavenly Sword Peak, rising millions of feet into the sky, began to subtly rumble. A terrifying sword intent converged, as if resonating with Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword's decree.

"We obey the Sword Lord's edict!"

"We obey the Sword Lord's edict!"

"We obey the Sword Lord's edict!"

Sensing the changes in Heavenly Sword Peak, the Sword Cultivators bowed their heads one by one in submission.

Even experts like Sword Combat Grand Cultivator did the same. On Heavenly Sword Peak—or rather, within the sword dao of the Human Realm as a whole—the Sword Lord's influence was carved into their very bones. Now, with the phenomenon of Heavenly Sword Peak accompanying the decree, let alone being governed by you, even if they were ordered to be governed by a pig, the countless Sword Cultivators of Heavenly Sword Peak would comply.

You looked at the Sword Cultivators below. Just counting those on par with Great Cultivators, there were nearly ten. Sword Cultivators naturally excelled in combat prowess; a Sword Cultivator at the Great Cultivator level likely possessed strength approaching that of a peak Great Cultivator.

Not to mention that right beside you stood someone who could be considered the strongest sword dao Heavenly Monarch in the Human Realm.

...

Heavenly Talisman Sect.

Great Cultivator Sanfu and the other two were anxiously waiting for you to emerge from Heavenly Sword Peak. However, it wasn't long before Heavenly Sword Peak publicly announced a piece of news.

The announcement declared that, starting today, Heavenly Sword Peak was to be governed by True Monarch Qingyuan. Everyone inside and out of the Heavenly Sword Sect would follow True Monarch Qingyuan's orders.

This left Great Cultivator Sanfu and the other two Great Cultivators, who were already quite worried, staring blankly. They couldn't process the information for a long time.

What did it mean that Heavenly Sword Peak was being governed by True Monarch Qingyuan?

That was Heavenly Sword Peak, the strongest faction in the Human Realm! How could it possibly be governed by an outsider? What about the peak master of Heavenly Sword Peak? What about Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword? How could they allow such absurd news to spread?

Even Great Cultivator Sanfu, no matter how highly he regarded you, immediately doubted the authenticity of the news.

But as time passed without Heavenly Sword Peak issuing any further statements, Great Cultivator Sanfu began to feel that something wasn't quite right. Could the news actually be true?

...

Great Snow Mountain.

Underground Demon Cave.

Great Snow Mountain's current generation late Nascent Soul stage Great Cultivator, Grand Cultivator Jinlun, stood before a massive spatial rift.

"That True Monarch Golden Face is actually taking over Heavenly Sword Peak?" Grand Cultivator Jinlun was in disbelief. Ever since Purple-Eyed True Monarch died, the Demon Abyss Realm had reached out to Grand Cultivator Jinlun through the spatial rift.

Lured by the temptation of breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage, Grand Cultivator Jinlun hadn't been able to resist either, and began secretly cooperating with the Demon Abyss Realm.

"The legacy left behind by the Sword Lord is actually going to be governed by an outsider? That's impossible!"

From within the massive spatial rift, waves of distorted fluctuations emanated, turning into a deep, low voice that fell into Grand Cultivator Jinlun's ears.

Grand Cultivator Jinlun also felt it was impossible. That was Heavenly Sword Peak!

No matter how astonishingly talented True Monarch Golden Face was, even if he broke into the Deity Transformation stage, it was still impossible to make Heavenly Sword Peak bow its head.

It wasn't as if Heavenly Sword Peak lacked a Heavenly Monarch holding down the fort. Even if they didn't have one, with the Heavenly Sword's foundation and the methods left behind by the Sword Lord, would any other Deity Transformation stage Heavenly Monarch dare approach Heavenly Sword Peak?

"Keep a close eye on this. There is something very wrong here. The legacy left behind by the Sword Lord must surely hide..."

Deep inside the spatial rift, in the passage leading to the Demon Abyss Realm, that deep voice—sounding as if it could draw out the thousands of desires hidden in every living creature's heart—did not finish its sentence.

...

Extreme Dao Pavilion.

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang also received the news immediately. "Fake. It must be fake."

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's expression turned ugly; his immediate reaction was sheer disbelief.

What kind of joke was this?

The stronger a person was, the more they understood exactly what Heavenly Sword Peak represented. How could such a faction, such a legacy, possibly submit to an outsider?

Not to mention that this particular outsider was just a little fellow who hadn't even reached the Deity Transformation stage!

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's absolute worst-case scenario regarding your entry into Heavenly Sword Peak was that Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword had simply lost his mind and, for whatever inexplicable reason, suddenly agreed to protect you.

Just that, and nothing more.

Even with Heavenly Sword Peak's protection, whether you could step into the Deity Transformation stage was still up in the air. Even if you succeeded, the Extreme Dao Pavilion still had him. If Heavenly Monarch Qingcang were to pass away in meditation in the future, the Extreme Dao Pavilion would simply need to keep a lower profile.

With the profound foundation left behind by generations of past Deity Transformation stage Heavenly Monarchs, the Deity Transformation cultivators of the current era wouldn't be able to do anything to the Extreme Dao Pavilion anyway.

But now?

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang gazed toward Heavenly Sword Peak.

... After announcing your existence to everyone at Heavenly Sword Peak, Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword brought you back to the main hall.

"Fellow Daoist Qingyuan, I heard that you failed to reach an agreement with Qingcang?" Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword asked.

During the short time since he awakened, he had already received plenty of news from the outside world, which included the matter of you entering the Extreme Dao Pavilion and leaving shortly after.

"Heavenly Monarch Qingcang wanted me to swear a great heart demon oath to protect the Extreme Dao Pavilion for one thousand five hundred years, and to act on their behalf three times before he'd be willing to protect me during my breakthrough to Deity Transformation." You shook your head slightly. "That demand was a bit unacceptable to me."

"That fellow Qingcang is indeed domineering in his conduct. I'm not too fond of him either."

Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword nodded. Looking at you, he asked, "So, Fellow Daoist Qingyuan, what do you plan to do? How do you wish to punish him?"

"How to punish him?"

Your heart stirred. "How can we punish him?"

"Qingcang is at Fifth-Tier Body Refining, and his life-saving abilities are formidable. If he keeps hiding in the Extreme Dao Pavilion and relies on their Rank 5 grand formation, it will be very difficult for me to kill him."

Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword pondered for a moment. "But inflicting heavy injuries wouldn't be a problem. Fellow Daoist Qingyuan, do you need me to make a move?"

"Sure."

You nodded immediately. You weren't the kind of saintly person who left grievances unavenged. Since Heavenly Monarch Qingcang had tried to take advantage of your desire to break through to Deity Transformation to control you and make all sorts of demands, even if you couldn't do anything about it in this simulation, you would still try to get your revenge in the next one.

Now that Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword was willing to act on your behalf, you naturally chose to exact your revenge right then and there.

"Come with me, Fellow Daoist Qingyuan. Let's go to the Extreme Dao Pavilion."

As soon as Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword finished speaking, you felt a surging power of heaven and earth wrap around you, swiftly taking you away from Heavenly Sword Peak.

...

Extreme Dao Pavilion.

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang was filled with doubt and suspicion as he gazed distantly at Heavenly Sword Peak.

Though he felt it was impossible for the news of you taking over Heavenly Sword Peak to be true, it had, after all, come directly from Heavenly Sword Peak itself. Perhaps there was some sort of misunderstanding?

Right at that moment.

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's expression changed slightly. He sensed a sharp, vast aura arriving outside the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

"Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword."

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang's expression grew solemn. He didn't leave the Extreme Dao Pavilion entirely; instead, he appeared and came to a halt just outside the mountain gate, looking at Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword. This spot was still protected by the Extreme Dao Pavilion's Rank 5 grand formation. As Heavenly Monarch Qingcang looked at Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword, he also spotted you standing right beside him.

"Hm?"

Heavenly Monarch Qingcang frowned. Just as he was about to ask Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword why he had brought you along, as well as inquire about the absurd news that had just spread from Heavenly Sword Peak—

He saw a streak of sword qi—one that looked as if it could sever the yin and yang of heaven and earth—slashing straight toward him.