Chapter 483 - 327: Parting Sentiments, a New Beginning

Chapter 483: Chapter 327: Parting Sentiments, a New Beginning

The seventh level of the Great Freedom Heart Scripture, the Realm of Past and Future, didn’t just elevate one’s own state of mind. Once activated, it could also influence the spiritual state of those nearby. For exceptionally talented young Martial Artists like Gongsun Sword and Lie Que—whose intelligence, mental fortitude, comprehension, and perseverance were all of the highest caliber—how could they possibly pass up such a chance for a breakthrough?!

When Ling Xiao emerged from his meditative trance, his entire being seemed to have undergone a profound change. It was as if a faint, fluorescent glow radiated from his body. This glow was visible only to Ling Xiao himself, but for others, simply approaching him brought a sense of peace and tranquility, like a baby returning to its mother’s embrace—warm and comforting.

Ling Xiao instructed some people to guard Gongsun Sword and Lie Que, then went to meet his family and the women. Shangguan Yutong was the first to sense the change in him. Her gaze was filled with pleasant surprise as she wondered, ’Just how many more surprises can this miraculous young man bring me?’

Gongsun Sword and Lie Que likely never imagined that their meditative seclusion would last a full seven days!

To this end, Ling Xiao had people build a canopy and enclose the area to protect the pair from the elements. Miraculously, both of them awoke from their seclusion at the exact same time.

They exchanged a look, each seeing the satisfaction in the other’s eyes.

"Gongsun Sword, Tier One Sword Emperor!" Gongsun Sword said, breaking the silence and extending a hand.

"Lie Que, Tier Six Sword Sect!"

"Congratulations!" the two exclaimed in unison, then burst into hearty laughter.

Lie Que looked at Gongsun Sword with envy and exclaimed in admiration, "Brother Gongsun, this stroke of fortune is astonishing! To think you actually comprehended the Supreme Sword Emperor’s Path. Sigh... an opportunity like this won’t come around again!"

Gongsun Sword was also overcome with emotion, as he had been completely unprepared for this. He never imagined that Ling Xiao’s breakthrough, by its aura alone, would push them both into a meditative state, allowing each of them to advance an entire realm! This was something they wouldn’t have even dared to dream of before!

As if sharing the same thought, they looked at each other again, their expressions filled with astonishment.

If both of them had advanced a realm because of this, then what about Ling Xiao...?

The two of them hurried to find Ling Xiao. The moment they saw him, they both dropped into a deep bow, their expressions solemn.

Ling Xiao quickly smiled. "What are you two doing?"

Gongsun Sword glanced at Lie Que and said with utmost sincerity, "Brother Ling, your great kindness is akin to that of a master. For helping me, Gongsun Sword, ascend to the Sword Emperor Realm, I owe you an immense debt of gratitude!"

Lie Que also dropped his roguish facade and said in all seriousness, "I’ve inadvertently received such a great favor from you, Brother Ling, and I will never forget it. If you’ll have me, I, Lie Que, am resolved to be your friend!"

Ling Xiao laughed. "Haha, we’re already friends. All who visit are my guests!"

"No, Brother Ling, you should understand my meaning," Lie Que said solemnly. "I swear on the Jingwu Family that I will befriend you, Brother Ling, and never betray you. If I break this oath, may I end up like this sword!" As he spoke, he drew the precious sword at his side. With a mere flick of his finger, the blade SNAPPED in two!

On the Canglan Continent, a Martial Artist’s sword was as precious to them as their own spouse. To swear an oath on one’s family and seal it by breaking that sword was arguably the most solemn vow a Martial Artist could make.

Gongsun Sword watched from the side, filled with admiration for Lie Que. ’I already knew he was a disciple of the Lie Family, a family at odds with Ling Xiao. I never expected him to have such incredible foresight. He never intended to be Ling Xiao’s enemy from the start, and the moment he broke through thanks to Ling Xiao’s aura, he immediately recognized his immense potential.’

’A friend like this is worth making, even if you had ten thousand of them! So, even if gratitude was a factor, the fact that Lie Que dared to swear such an oath proves how decisive he is.’

Few young disciples from the great families were fools. A thought sparked in Gongsun Sword’s mind, and he immediately proposed, "If that’s the case, why don’t we become sworn brothers?"

"Excellent!" Lie Que had actually been about to suggest it himself. However, he’d hesitated when he thought about his own status—after all, he wasn’t the direct heir of the Lie Family. And if word got out that the three of them had become sworn brothers, how would the Lie Family view him? Wouldn’t they suspect him of fraternizing with an enemy? But with Gongsun Sword being the one to suggest it, things were different. No matter how slow on the uptake Lie Que might be, he had already guessed that Gongsun Sword’s standing in the Gongsun Family must be extremely high.

A few days ago, an old man had appeared at the entrance of Lingxiao Mansion, an old man who was rumored to be the ancestor of the Gongsun Family: the Tier Six Sword Venerable, Gongsun Huang. If that was true, didn’t it mean that Gongsun Sword was the future Patriarch of the Gongsun Family?

’If I can have a mysterious and powerful backer like Ling Xiao and also gain the friendship of Gongsun Sword, so what if my family finds out about my connection to him in the future? Strength reigns supreme. That’s right... as long as I have that kind of strength and ability, who could possibly stop me?’

Ling Xiao had never been fond of such superficial gestures. ’Especially from a disciple of a great family like Lie Que, who can even scheme against his own brothers. What does a sworn brotherhood even mean to someone like that?’

But on second thought, he reconsidered. ’Although my strength has grown rapidly these past few years and I’ve gathered many people to my side, I’ve also made quite a few enemies. Building a good relationship and forming an alliance with the Gongsun Family and the Lie Family would lay a foundation for when I eventually leave the Mortal World. They’ll surely remember this bond and look out for me to some extent.’ With this in mind, Ling Xiao nodded in agreement.