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Within the Central Plains Sword Pavilion, ten Ancient Legendary Swords were sealed around a Sword Cauldron that glowed a fiery red. The swords emitted mournful cries, desperately trying to break free from their bindings.
As a sect dedicated to the study of swordsmanship, the Sword Pavilion possessed unique techniques for sealing weapons, rendering the struggles of the Ten Famous Swords futile.
A group of people surrounded the Sword Cauldron, with Dongfang Jiu at the forefront. In front of him stood a White-Haired Elder, who held several extremely intricate design blueprints in his hands. After carefully examining them, he remarked, "The Sword Master’s weapon designs are indeed unparalleled. If this weapon could be forged with sufficient materials, it would surpass all others in existence and rank first among Divine Weapons."
The elder was none other than Ouyang Xun, the head of a renowned sword-forging family from Wutai Mountain.
Dongfang Jiu smiled lightly and said, "Mr. Ouyang, you truly are a master swordsmith of our time. The materials for this weapon are precisely the ten swords surrounding your Sword Cauldron. What do you think about merging these ten swords into one?"
Upon hearing Dongfang Jiu's words, Ouyang Xun's expression changed dramatically. "Sword Master, I admire your ability to gather the ancient Top Ten Famous Swords, but as a fellow sword lover, why must you destroy these Ancient Famous Swords to forge a new one? The art of sword forging is delicate; a slight miscalculation can lead to disastrous results. The ancient techniques have long been lost, and each Ancient Famous Sword is a crystallization of our predecessors' efforts. The Dragon Abyss Sword was forged from dragon blood and fire essence over three years; Frostblade was crafted from millennia-old ice crystals. Destroying such masterpieces would be a great pity!"
Dongfang Jiu interjected, "Mr. Ouyang, while each of the Ten Famous Swords has its strengths, they ultimately fall short of being supreme. Do you not wish to pursue excellence and forge an unparalleled Divine Weapon? One that could surpass the legendary Ou Yezi and earn admiration from future generations?"
Ouyang Xun shook his head. "My Ouyang Family has been forging swords for generations under the Daoist Sect's guidance. Whether it was the Lushan Sword Immortal over a hundred years ago or Old Sword Saint Miao Zhong from Emei Mountain, anyone capable of creating magnificent swords deserves our utmost dedication. However, Sword Master, this plan involves destroying swords. Moreover, merging the Ten Famous Swords would unleash a power beyond human control; I cannot agree to this."
Dongfang Jiu chuckled softly and clapped his hands. A group of sixty or seventy individuals entered through the door, most of whom were children.
"Grandpa!" several children called out.
A middle-aged man spoke up, "Father, please agree to Mr. Dongfang's proposal. Our Ouyang family has been passed down for a thousand years and has never involved itself in Daoist Sect disputes; the lives of dozens in our family depend on your decision!"
Ouyang Xun hesitated as Dongfang Jiu picked up one of the older children and asked, "Friend, did you find your journey from Wutai Mountain tiring?"
The child turned pale with fear and shook his head. "Not tired."
“Dongfang Jiu, what do you want to do?” Ouyang Xun asked as he looked at Dongfang Jiu.
Dongfang Jiu walked towards the Sword Cauldron and said, “The more souls there are in this Sword Cauldron, the heavier the sword's killing intent becomes, especially the blood of children. Mr. Ouyang should think this through. The method of refining is not something we lack at the Sword Pavilion; it’s just that it takes too long. You, Mr. Ouyang, are also a lover of swords. I still have a Seven Star Sword in my possession. If you can help me forge it into a Divine Weapon, I will gift you the Seven Star Sword as a renowned sword for the Wutai Mountain Ouyang Family.”
Ouyang Xun replied, “You can release my family and wife first; I don’t want the Seven Star Sword.”
Dongfang Jiu smiled lightly and said, “Mr. Ouyang need not worry. I, Dongfang Jiu, am a reasonable person. If I give you the Seven Star Sword, I will certainly do so. As for your family, I will take good care of them and won’t neglect them in the slightest.”
After Dongfang Jiu finished speaking, he signaled his subordinates to take the Ouyang family members away. Ouyang Xun remarked, “The Ten Famous Swords combined possess unparalleled power and will surely surpass all weapons in the world. In righteousness, they become the Ten Directions Sword; in wickedness, they become the Taizhe Divine Weapon. When the Divine Weapon emerges, it will undoubtedly stir up the world and will require blood to be drunk.”
Dongfang Jiu responded, “You need not worry about these matters, Mr. Ouyang. Before the Divine Weapon emerges, I will send your family back to Wutai Mountain.”
“Thank you, Sword Master,” Ouyang Xun expressed his gratitude with a sigh in his heart.
Meanwhile, in a water town within the Jiangnan Suburbs, Zhang Xing sat in an old residence with his Dao Qi dissipating and his mind calming down. He opened his eyes and walked out of his room.
In the courtyard was a Gray-Robed Elder tending to the flowers and plants. Zhang Xing said, “Shifu Uncle, my master told me before he passed that if I ever find myself stagnating or feeling powerless, I should come to find you. It has been some time since I left the Sword Pavilion; if I don’t return soon, that old rascal Dongfang will suspect me. You were once the top talent of Wudang; is there no other way?”
The elder continued watering the plants as he replied, “Actually, your current abilities are already among the best among your peers. There are no more than ten young people with your level of cultivation.”
Zhang Xing said, “Just a mere Nascent Soul Realm. Any random Elder from a sect could easily kill me. I can’t even withstand a single finger from Dongfang Jiu; how is that considered outstanding?”
The elder said, “Dongfang Jiu is nearly eighty years old; why must you compare yourself to these older generations?”
Zhang Xing retorted, “Wudang has already been destroyed; am I supposed to wait for Dongfang Jiu to die of old age before seeking revenge? Do you think Dongfang Jiu would let me off? I used to think that Wudang’s top talent Zhang Juzheng was someone remarkable; it turns out he was just an arrogant fool! Farewell!”
Zhang Xing walked outside, and Zhang Juzheng sighed, saying, "Rapid growth in cultivation often leads to overreaching. Back when I was in the sect, I became a master of the Mahayana Realm after just three years of practice. At fourteen, I challenged the sect leader, full of pride and arrogance. My untamed spirit not only harmed the leader but also led to the death of my close brothers in arms. The swift increase in my power made it impossible for me to control myself; once I began to channel my energy, I became insatiably bloodthirsty. In the end, to save my life, I had no choice but to abandon my cultivation. Wudang has kept this matter secret; for many years, aside from my junior brother Zhang Ziling, no one has come to see me, and no one remembers that there is still a Zhang Juzheng in Wudang."
Zhang Xing turned back, frowning. "Three years to reach the Mahayana Realm? You must be joking."
Zhang Juzheng replied, "Cultivators absorb Spirit Energy, inhaling purity and exhaling impurities, refining both their physical body and Dao Body into a pure form. However, the Cultivation Method I practiced is quite the opposite; it absorbs impurities and expels purity. No one in this world competes with you for cultivation resources, but the price is that you might go mad or become hideously deformed. If you want to learn it, I won't stop you."
Zhang Xing's expression wavered; his eyes hardened as he clenched his fists tightly.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Western Divine Serpent Sect, Nangong Yun sat above the Refining Fire Hall, pointing at Nangong and berating him. "Useless! You're nothing but trash! All of you are worthless! A mere Emei Sect could be crushed with a flick of a hand, yet you let them ruin all your disciples!"
Nangong was scolded mercilessly and looked furious. Nangong Lin said, "Grandfather, that Rain Master Lofei was extraordinary; he fought to a standstill with Father. Later on, Yang Sanqian and many experts arrived; we had no choice but to retreat. But no one knows why someone used forbidden techniques to kill all our disciples!"
"Why did Yang Sanqian and his wife go to Emei? Why did they first appear in Dunhuang?" Nangong Yun asked.
Yu Youya replied, "Reporting to Old Master, the Yang Family excels in Void Techniques; perhaps they used the Thousand Li Talisman or employed Void Techniques."
"Void Techniques can leap thousands of miles in an instant! Are you trying to fool me?" Nangong Yun exclaimed with wide eyes. "I've been away from sect affairs for just a few years and you've made such a mess of things! Now even Meng Xuanjian has been captured—each one more useless than the last!"
Hearing Nangong Yun's reprimand, Nangong felt anger rise within him. Although this man was his father, at over ninety years old he still wore a displeased expression. He said, "It seems that since Old Master came out of seclusion, he hasn't achieved anything either. Wasn't he supposed to have mastered his skills and become invincible?"
"Son, you're nearly a hundred years old now; it seems you really dislike your old Immortal father!" Nangong Yun looked down at Nangong.
"I wouldn't dare! Since Old Master is already invincible and a strong Tribulation Realm expert, why not transcend the tribulation now and ascend as an immortal? Just wipe out the remaining Supremes!" Nangong scoffed.
Nangong Yun was furious; he slammed his palm down onto the table before him, shattering it. His fingers curled like claws as he grabbed Nangong by the throat.
"Old Master, please do not be angry. The leader speaks without thinking. It was just a moment of frustration, so please do not take it to heart!" The Black-Clad Guardian and Yu Youya knelt down to plead.
Nangong Lin also knelt and said, "Grandfather, my father is getting older and cannot bear this humiliation. Let us think of a long-term plan; we can surely turn the situation around. Please do not let your anger affect your health!"
Nangong Yun snorted and released Nangong. He said, "It seems my grandson is the one who is cherished. Nangong, you are my only son, and I have worked hard to give you a name. Do you know how many capable subordinates I lost to capture the Panlong Remnant and help you seize power? Yet now that you have gained some strength, you dare to argue with me. You must understand that this position is one I granted you, and I can take it away at any time!"
After speaking, Nangong Yun cast a cold glance at the elders kneeling on the ground before turning to leave the Refining Fire Hall.
Once Nangong Yun had left, the Black-Clad Guardian and Yu Youya stood up. Yu Youya turned to signal everyone else to rise as well and said, "Leader, Old Master is Supreme; it is unwise to make an enemy of him!"
Nangong did not dwell on this topic further. After dismissing everyone, he turned to the Black-Clad Guardian and asked, "Have you found out where the Sun Refining Cauldron is?"
The Black-Clad Guardian replied, "The Sun Refining Cauldron is a Taoist Sacred Artifact that Old Master has kept hidden all these years. Aside from Grand Elder Meng Xuanjian, no one else likely knows its whereabouts."
Nangong hesitated for a moment and then said, "In three days, come with me to Leiyin Temple to rescue someone."
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