First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 2288 – When He Returns

Outside the sect gates.

Yan Shuiming held a bamboo spear and stood there casually.

He was young and handsome, with the bearing of a solitary cloud hanging over the horizon, elegant and refined.

His attire was simple, and he wore no ornaments. Even his spear was simple and without flourishes.

But now, a tall, powerfully built, middle-aged man in gray sat on the ground in a puddle of blood, his hair disheveled and his expression bleak.

A deathly silence descended over the area.

Everyone who saw this, from the Qingwu Divine Court higher-ups to the sect disciples, fell silent.

This was already the eighth elder to fight. He was a peak Fortune Realm Master God, yet he’d only managed to block three attacks before Yan Shuiming injured and suppressed him!

The seven Greater Gods who’d fought before him had been crushed, too. Their defeats were completely one-sided!

In stark contrast, Yan Shuiming had won eight effortless victories in a row.

Everyone in Qingwu Divine Court was intimidated, and all of them had bleak looks on their faces. Their opponent was just too strong. He seemed invincible within the Fortune Realm!

“It’s true. Every disciple of an unknown territory seems more monstrous than the one before,” sighed one of the older-generation experts.

There were numerous unknown territories in the God Domain, but historically, it had been extremely rare for their experts to wander the outside world.

Thus, others knew almost nothing about them.

But that didn’t apply to Master Gods. Undying Realm experts all knew just how terrifying the orthodoxies of unknown territories were.

Take Clear Breeze Daoist Temple as an example. Its master only took on one disciple, so master and apprentice were the only people in the sect. Even so, they were a force powerful enough that not even top factions would dare to underestimate them!

Yan Shuiming was from another unknown territory, Purple Mist Grotto.

Someone like him was naturally a rare, unparalleled monster. Tens of thousands of years might pass without seeing his equal. He was a supreme expert within his level, and he could even cross greater realms to kill opponents of superior cultivations.

“Who still isn’t convinced?” asked Yan Shuiming. His voice boomed throughout heaven and earth, but no one dared answer his call.

Sect Leader Liang Lingxu’s gaze shifted to Tie Wenjing. There were only a few Greater Gods who’d yet to take the stage, but Tie Wenjing was one of them.

“Sect Leader, I’m willing to fight!” Tie Wenjing solemnly volunteered. He knew that his strength wasn’t even worth looking at, and that if he fought, he was sure to lose.

But even if he lost, he couldn’t just back down. Someone had come right up to their gates to provoke them. Tie Wenjing was furious, too.

He’d already made up his mind. Even if he lost, he’d do his best to hold on and fritter away his opponent’s energy.

However, Liang Lingxu just shook his head and said gravely, “Accept reality. Not one of our Greater Gods is a match for Yan Shuiming.”

Everyone in the sect knew that Tie Wenjing was a middling Greater God. Liang Lingxu couldn’t even be bothered to consider letting him fight. He simply refused.

Tie Wenjing found this stifling, but there was nothing he could do about it.

“I said you could send One-Tribulation Master Gods, too,” Yan Shuiming reminded them from beyond the sect’s gates.

Many of the Master Gods’ expressions darkened. Yan Shuiming is just too arrogant! He’s obviously teasing us for our lack of manpower!

“Are you willing to fight, Grand Elder?” Liang Lingxu suddenly looked at Wei Zhong.

Many of the onlookers’ expressions shifted. Who in the sect didn’t know that the sect leader and the high elder got along like fire and water? They’d been at each other’s throats for years!

Yet now, the sect leader had suggested that the grand elder do battle. If he succeeded, he’d save the sect’s reputation. It would also make the sect leader seem decisive and clever.

But if Wei Zhong lost, he wouldn’t just disgrace Qingwu Divine Court. He’d disgrace himself first and foremost!

After all, Wei Zhong was a lofty One-Tribulation Master God. If he lost to a Greater God, even one from Purple Mist Grotto, it would be far too shameful.

“Of course, it’s just a suggestion. It’s fine if you don’t want to, Grand Elder,” said Liang Lingxu. “Worst case scenario, I’ll just have to fight personally.”

Many of the old-timers instantly objected. How could Liang Lingxu possibly fight? If their sect leader lost and word got out, Qingwu Divine Court would lose face, big time!

“You’re jumping to conclusions, Sect Leader,” Liang Lingxu said expressionlessly. “Even if you hadn’t suggested it, I would have offered to fight. After all, the sect’s honor is on the line. How could I possibly shrink back and remain a bystander?”

He spoke with an air of righteousness, but Liang Lingxu could hear the implied barb.

However, he feigned ignorance, clasped his fist, and said solemnly, “Grand Elder, rest assured that if you win, I’ll give you those ten pieces of Purplegold Phoenix Jade as a reward!”

Wei Zhong disregarded him and marched beyond the sect gates. All eyes were instantly upon him and Yan Shuiming.

The atmosphere was rife with tension. Everyone here knew that if the grand elder lost, no one else in the sect would be a match for Yan Shuiming.

A grand battle soon broke out. It was incomparably fierce right from the start. The scenery outside the side was instantly plunged into chaos and destruction.

This was a clash of the Grand Dao. Neither used any external items save for their natal treasures.

But this only made Yan Shuiming’s terrifyingness all the more readily apparent. He was a Greater God, yet he and the grand elder were evenly matched!

Countless onlookers were astonished. Even the old-timers struggled to remain calm. There was no denying that the disciples of unknown territories were far, far too terrifying.

In the end, the crowd watched as Yan Shuiming used his supreme Grand Dao Divine Ability.

A Thousand Watery Graves!

A flood of spatial power crushed heaven and earth. Wondrous and tyrannical spatial power came crashing down from the nine heavens.

A divine ability of this level was enough to contort and confuse space. A One-Tribulation Master God like Wei Zhong had no hope of dodging. All he could do was clash with it head-on!

Shortly after, Wei Zhong lost. That terrifying flood of spatial power crushed his defenses and sent him flying.

Startled cries resounded throughout the area. Everyone stood there in a daze. They couldn’t accept the reality of the situation all at once.

The grand elder was strong, even by the standards of One-Tribulation Master Gods. He was among the strongest of his level in the sect.

Yet now, he’d lost! And to a Fortune Realm Greater God at that!

It was unbelievable for an Undying Realm cultivator to lose to a Greater God. The very idea was shocking.

At the very least, you could count those in the God Domain capable of such a feat on your fingers!

“It’s a pity, but those ten Purplegold Phoenix Jades aren’t destined for you,” said Yan Shuiming. His clothing billowed around him, a magnificent sight.

The clamor of voices and startled cries died down. Everyone in Qingwu Divine Court felt stifled and dejected.

If they refused to acknowledge Yan Shuiming’s victory after all this, it would make them seem small-minded and lacking in spirit.

Furthermore, they didn’t even need to think to know that after this, Qingwu Divine Court was sure to become a laughingstock, just like the Red Dust Demon Lands before them.

Yan Shuiming’s reputation would rise even further. He’d use them as a stepping stone to climb to greater heights!

“You live up to your reputation as an inheritor of Purple Mist Grotto. Given your strength, you’re undoubtedly a true unparalleled figure beneath the Undying Realm,” said Sect Leader Liang Lingxu, magnanimously praising Yan Shuiming.

He wasn’t just saying it, either. Yan Shuiming’s heaven-defying strength was worthy of his praise.

However, no one in Qingwu Divine Court was happy to hear it. Ultimately, they’d lost! They were a top faction, but they’d still lost to their challenger!

“Give ten pieces of Purplegold Phoenix Jade to Fellow Daoist Yan.” Liang Lingxu took out a bronze box, then passed it to the elder.

The old-timers’ hearts ached. They felt as if someone were gouging out a piece of their flesh. That was a full ten pieces of Purplegold Phoenix Jade!

Grand Elder Wei Zhong couldn’t help but sigh, his expression bleak.

“Thank you.” Yan Shuiming accepted the bronze box with a satisfied smile.

But just as he was about to leave, a calm voice rang out. “Wait.”

Yan Shuiming was stunned. When he looked over, he saw that a gaunt young man in robes whiter than snow had appeared beside Wei Zhong.

“Xiao Jian!?”

Everyone in Qingwu Divine Court recognized him at a glance. This was none other than the vice palace master of Wandering Night Palace, Xiao Jian!

An unparalleled descendant of the Torch Dragons!

That kid is finally back! Sect Leader Liang Lingxu’s eyes flashed, and his heart filled with irrepressible murderous intent.

“Do you have business with me?” Yan Shuiming asked with a laugh.

This new arrival was, of course, Su Yi. It was just that he’d taken on Xiao Jian’s appearance once more.

“Grand Elder, step aside and rest for now. I’ll win those Purplegold Phoenix Jades back.” Su Yi stepped forward, then helped the badly injured Wei Zhong to his feet.

“You… want to fight me?” Yan Shuiming looked stunned.

The other members of Qingwu Divine Court were stunned, too. There was an uproar in their ranks. None of them had imagined that Vice Palace Master Xiao would be so bold as to challenge Yan Shuiming!

“Xiao Jian, don’t be ridiculous.” Tie Wenjing’s heart clenched, and he hurriedly tried to dissuade him. What kind of joke is this? That’s the heaven-defying monster who just defeated a Master God like the grand elder! How is a Creation Realm Lesser God like you supposed to beat him?

No small number of people thought just like Tie Wenjing.

All of them knew that Xiao Jian had put on an impressive performance in the sparring competition with the Severed Heavens Demon Court. They knew he was strong.

But none of them thought that Xiao Jian had any hope of victory against Yan Shuiming.

Wei Zhong, however, visibly perked up. “I don’t think Vice Palace Master Xiao is any weaker than Yan Shuiming!”

He and Su Yi had traveled to the Spirit Firmament Divine Continent together, so he knew that Su Yi was deep and unfathomable.

Uproar ensued. No one had expected the grand elder to support Xiao Jian’s decision.

As the crowd was in uproar, Sect Leader Liang Lingxu chimed in. “Since the grand elder has agreed, let’s let Vice Palace Master Xiao do battle.”

He wanted to seize this opportunity to see just how strong the suspicious Xiao Jian really was!

The crowd instantly quieted down. Both the sect leader and the grand elder had agreed to let Xiao Jian fight. As confusing as it was, who’d dare to say anything?

Yan Shuiming watched all of this play out. He hadn’t been the least bit interested in Su Yi at first, but now, he couldn’t help but feel surprised.

He also realized that this “Xiao Jian” guy wasn’t simple.

Yan Shuiming had been on the verge of leaving, but now, he was finally intrigued!

“It looks like you’re only in the Limit Realm. Are you sure you want to fight me?” Yan Shuiming asked with a smile as he looked Su Yi up and down.