"Lin Zhujie."
Huang Tingyu narrowed his eyes, his gaze penetrating a portion of the damage to Lin Zhujie's life essence. His twelfth realm was no longer as complete as before, and the direct injury to his life essence meant he was severely wounded. For a sword cultivator of Lin Zhujie's caliber, such an injury could only be inflicted by someone extremely close, or a fourteenth realm cultivator.
"Banished from Ancestral Mountain by the Demon Ancestor?" Huang Tingyu asked with a smile.
Lin Zhujie scratched his head. "I didn't intend to bring this up, but Old Sword Immortal Huang is truly Old Sword Immortal Huang, with eyes that see all. Your sense of smell is truly something to behold."
Lin Zhao frowned. "Why did the Demon Ancestor banish you from Ancestral Mountain?"
"It's about the matter in Shuzhou."
Lin Zhujie sat down, filling the four-person table perfectly. He said dejectedly, "The Demon Ancestor and Yu Zhi both felt I was incompetent in handling affairs in Shuzhou, suspecting deliberate delay. They even said that if it weren't for my procrastination, Nine-Tails might not have been killed. So, they dealt with me directly. Now, everyone on Ancestral Mountain is cursing Lin Zhujie."
Huang Tingyu grinned. "I've never understood your thinking. Since you followed Yu Zhi and the others south to orchestrate a plan, why were you absent from all the major battles?"
"I didn't want to fight."
Lin Zhujie frowned. "Humans and demons have no inherent reason to fight to the death. Humans in the human realm, demons in the demon realm – isn't this a good situation? But someone insisted on breaking this balance. Once the war between the two realms began, who truly benefited, and who became the ultimate victor?"
Lin Zhao asked, "What are your thoughts now? You have no stance between humans and demons?"
"Mmm."
Lin Zhujie continued, "That's precisely how I feel. My innate divine ability is disguise and concealment; I can suppress my demonic energy. I'm already at the twelfth realm. Wandering the world, drawing my sword to help the righteous when I see evildoers, and offering aid to the impoverished when I see those in need – isn't this life better than staying on Ancestral Mountain, fighting endlessly?"
Tang Guangjun grinned. "You speak well, but how can you prove you're not a spy from Ancestral Mountain, here to swindle Old Huang?"
Lin Zhujie frowned. "Firstly, I, Lin Zhujie, would never stoop to such deeds. Secondly, I didn't know Old Huang was returning to the Demon Ancestral Land before coming to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, so Sword Immortal Tang's inference is baseless."
"Lin Zhujie."
Lin Zhao said, "Are you truly willing to escort Old Huang to the Demon Ancestral Land on this journey?"
"Mmm."
Lin Zhujie smiled. "Old Sword Immortal Huang is a man of character, and I, Lin Zhujie, am too. It just so happens that I also need to embark on a journey, but without direction. So, I recommend myself. On Old Sword Immortal Huang's path through the world, Lin Zhujie is willing to accompany him."
"May I make a presumptuous request?"
Lin Zhao frowned. "After all, this concerns Old Huang's safety. Old Huang's status in Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is far more than just a deputy commander. He is also a former subordinate of Commander Chu Huai Xi, a superior to us all, and the most esteemed figure in our Mountain Peak Villa. Therefore, matters concerning Old Huang's safety must be handled with extreme caution. Lin Zhujie, I am grateful that you are willing to go with Old Huang to the Demon Ancestral Land, but I wish to probe your state of mind, if I may?"
"Probe your state of mind?"
Lin Zhujie took a deep breath, then smiled. "As long as the Villa Master has the ability, feel free to proceed. My sword heart is already in tatters; you can probe it however you wish."
"Thank you."
Lin Zhao directly summoned his flying sword, Hao Ran, and enveloped Lin Zhujie within its small world. Lin Zhujie's state of mind was then opened. Indeed, there was little to see. His mind contained very little about martial world strife or deceit. Most of it was occupied with fishing, practicing swordplay, having picnics, watching butterflies flutter on Ancestral Mountain, and observing the grand river flow. There was little about conflict in Lin Zhujie's nature. This person was not just a natural-born sword cultivator, but also a free-spirited demon, completely unlike other great demons in the Upper Five Realms.
In an instant, Lin Zhao understood why the Demon Ancestor had not killed Lin Zhujie. Such a pure-hearted demon, even if banished from Ancestral Mountain, would not pose a significant threat to the demon realm. Furthermore, the Demon Ancestor had watched Lin Zhujie grow up and likely had affection for him.
"Alright."
Lin Zhao retracted his flying sword, Hao Ran, and sat squarely in front of Lin Zhujie. He smiled. "Thank you. Then, all matters concerning Old Huang in the Demon Ancestral Land are entrusted to you."
"A minor matter."
Lin Zhujie smiled. "After all, traveling the world together is certainly more interesting than going alone. And Old Sword Immortal Huang is a senior in the martial world; I, Lin Zhujie, can gain much experience from him."
Saying this, Lin Zhujie looked at Lin Zhao and cupped his fists. "Villa Master, I have a request."
"Speak."
"After I escort Old Sword Immortal Huang through the Ancestral Land and we safely return, could the Villa Master grant me the title of an Enshrined Guest, even if it's the lowest rank?"
Lin Zhujie scratched his head. "Honestly, being removed from Ancestral Mountain leaves me feeling adrift, like someone without a home. If Mountain Peak Villa could accept me, Lin Zhujie, as an Enshrined Guest, I would not draw my sword during major conflicts between Mountain Peak Villa and the demon race. However, for ordinary martial world grievances and the like, I am willing to contribute to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool."
"Agreed, it's a deal!"
"Good!"
Lin Zhao glanced at Old Huang. "When do you plan to leave?"
"The sooner, the better."
Old Huang finished a bowl of wine and smiled. "Shall we depart now?"
...
Before dawn, an old and a young sword cultivator departed from Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, each riding a horse. After Lin Zhujie's disguise, Old Huang transformed into a slightly hunched elder with an incredibly aged face, but his spirit was still strong. Lin Zhujie disguised himself as a young sword cultivator just starting out in the martial world. Such appearances were common, so they wouldn't attract undue attention.
Now, the silhouette of Bai City was gradually emerging.
Lin Zhao, clad in white, stood on the lookout post, watching Old Huang and Lin Zhujie depart. Old Huang's departure was fraught with peril. If he didn't return, Snow Domain Heavenly Pool would lose a great general. If he did, he would undoubtedly become a thirteenth realm demon sword cultivator, much like Bai Lan in the past. Old Huang's thirteenth realm might even be coveted by the Demon Ancestor, as the previous thirteenth realm demon sword cultivator was Bai Lan.
Moreover, Old Huang had endured immense hardship over the years. His thirteenth realm, even if not as terrifying as Bai Lan's, would likely be comparable.
...
Deep in the night, White Emperor City.
Su Xinghe practiced his sword repeatedly, while the beautiful Deputy Alliance Leader, Yun Mi Wu Suo, watched with narrowed eyes, continuing to count for him. Su Xinghe had now practiced over 40,000 times, demonstrating astonishing perseverance.
Just as he finished a practice session, Su Xinghe suddenly sheathed his sword, experiencing a moment of divine inspiration. Golden sword dao luck swirled in the air, and strands of golden rain descended upon Su Xinghe. Finally, after more than 40,000 repetitions, just as his master Cao Ying had said, he broke through!
Lin Zhao had entered the Nascent Soul realm through a Heartbreak Realm breakthrough, but Su Xinghe's was different. His was a pure breakthrough driven by his pursuit of the sword dao. This Nascent Soul realm, while seeming easy, was not without its challenges.
"Ding!"
System Announcement: Congratulations to player [Zheng Du] for successfully refining their Nascent Soul and entering the [Nascent Soul Realm]. They have gained new realm abilities: [Nascent Soul Refinement i], [Sword Refining], and received an additional reward: [Chaos Bead]!
...
"Finally broke through!"
Yun Mi Wu Suo stood up and smiled. "Exactly 45,000 times!"
"Yes, finally broke through!"
Su Xinghe took a deep breath. "Next, I need to consider the sword embryo issue for five medium-refined flying swords and twelve small-refined flying swords. Last time, when I completed my sect mission, Master gave me a celestial-grade lower-tier immortal sword. The rest will have to be acquired through other channels. Keep a close eye on the market for me; if any flying sword embryos of Heaven Grade Upper Tier or above are available, acquire them."
"Mmm."
Yun Mi Wu Suo smiled. "What about the Chaos Bead? What's its status?"
"I don't know yet."
Su Xinghe opened his inventory and took out a bead swirling with chaotic energy. It turned out to be a key to unlock a new map.
[Chaos Bead]: Upon use, opens the server-wide version map [Seven Treasures Glazed Tree].
...
The next moment, Su Xinghe directly used the Chaos Bead. Instantly, a bell rang across the system map.
"Ding!"
System Announcement: Players, please note, player [Zheng Du] has used the [Chaos Bead] to open a temporal rift, successfully creating the server-wide version map [Seven Treasures Glazed Tree]. This map is the transformed celestial cave of an ancient sage and will officially open at noon tomorrow, 12:00 PM. The [Seven Treasures Glazed Tree] map consists of nine layers. Only players at Golden Core realm or above can enter. Each layer of the map will spawn a "Supreme" Boss. Defeating a Boss will guarantee the acquisition of a Star Stone. Collecting nine Star Stones within the nine layers will allow players to summon the projection of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tree's owner, [Nine Star Overlord Long Chen]. Defeating him will guarantee the acquisition of the magical treasure [Seven Treasures Glazed Tree] (Celestial Grade Upper Tier)!
...
The national server erupted!
The previous version map was the Stone of Destiny map, where Lin Zhao ultimately seized the Stone of Destiny and reportedly gained immense benefits. What will this Seven Treasures Glazed Tree map bring to the national server players? Even though it was late at night, the leaders of various guilds immediately began holding meetings to prepare for the conquest of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tree map at noon tomorrow.
On the lookout post of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, Lin Zhao frowned. Su Xinghe's consecutive breakthroughs and the opening of a new map were significant moves. This Seven Treasures Glazed Tree map likely held substantial rewards and was not to be missed. He then said in the Scarlet Moon Knights' chat channel, "Should we get some sleep early? We need to be well-rested for conquering the Seven Treasures Glazed Tree map tomorrow."
"Mmm."
Chen Xue nodded. "Just in time, Sister Ju Zi's crab and shrimp congee is ready."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "Let's go down. We'll have congee together."
Shen Xingchen, Ding Chi, and others logged off one after another and soon gathered in the hall downstairs.