Chapter 2726 - Mountain Lord Wu Qing

The talisman shattered, and a short, ferocious, gray-haired old man appeared out of nowhere.

Pu Xuan attacked practically the moment the talisman shattered, his sword qi flowing naturally through the air.

But when the gray-haired old man raised his hand and grabbed, all of Pu Xuan’s sword qi split in midair and then scattered like rain.

Practically simultaneously, the gray-haired old man stretched and flicked his fingers.

Bang!!

Pu Xuan was forced back, a bloody hole through his shoulder.

Silence descended over the area.

The short, gray-haired old man was obviously an avatar of will, but his presence was terrifying enough to make the onlookers’ hearts palpitate.

“Greetings, Mountain Lord!” Liang Shan clasped his fist in greeting. He felt a massive weight lift from his shoulders.

This unassuming old man was actually the Mountain Lord of Mount Heavenquench, one of the thirteen mountains of the Heart-Tempering Sword House.

The Heart-Tempering Sword House consisted of two halls, four pavilions, and thirteen mountains.

The two halls were supreme, followed by the four pavilions, with the thirteen mountains at the bottom.

Everyone who entered the Heart-Tempering Sword House to cultivate was sent to one of the thirteen mountains. It was only after they stepped into Eternity that they could participate in the Trials of the Sword, a competition between the thirteen peaks.

Those who made it into the top thirty could then advance to the four pavilions.

Disciples of the four pavilions were comparable to the core disciples of other sects.

Those who wished to enter the Heart-Inquiring and Dao-Seeking Halls had to undergo a stringent selection process and extensive training. Finally, they needed the approval of every Heavenly Monarch in the Heart-Inquiring Sword House. Only then could they enter the two halls and become legacy disciples.

The sect’s Heavenly Fate Realm Heavenly Monarchs would choose their disciples from the two halls and guide them personally.

In a sense, the Heart-Inquiring and Dao-Seeking Halls were the true foundation of the Heart-Tempering Sword House.

The short, old man in gray was called Wu Qing. He was a Heavenly Monarch and the highest authority of one of the sect’s thirteen mountains, making him a highly influential figure.

In his youth, he entered the sect’s Spring Rain Pavilion to cultivate. In the end, he distinguished himself and entered the Dao-Seeking Hall as a Silent Realm expert. A living fossil of a Heavenly Monarch then accepted him as his disciple.

Now that Wu Qing had proven his Dao and become a Heavenly Fate Realm Heavenly Monarch, his attainments in the Dao of the Sword were impressive enough to found his own sect. In the end, he assumed leadership over Mount Heavenquench, becoming a Mountain Lord.

Mountain Lords were high-ranking authorities of the Heart-Tempering Sword House, behind Pavilion Masters, Hall Masters, and several long-secluded old-timers.

But that didn’t mean that Wu Qing was weak. On the contrary, every Mountain Lord of the Heart-Tempering Sword House was an unparalleled sword cultivator spoken of throughout the Eternal Heavens Domain.

All of them were like living legends!

Wu Qing was no exception.

His most impressive accomplishment was the time he went on a journey, ostensibly in the name of seeking the sword, then overpowered an entire Heavenly Monarch-level faction. In the end, he shook his head, said, “You have the title, but no substance,” and left.

This feat was still spoken of throughout the Eternal Heavens Domain. Even the Divine Reverence Pavilion called it a lasting legacy, a historic accomplishment in the Dao of the Sword.

Now, Wu Qing’s avatar had arrived on the scene, injuring Pu Xuan with a flick of his fingers!

“As a sword cultivator, you lost to an enemy of the same level, then begged for aid in the face of death. It’s truly shameful!” Wu Qing’s eyes glinted coldly as he looked at Liang Shan. “Once you’ve returned to the sect, you’re to face the Cliffs of Contemplation for one thousand years. Take a single step outside before time is up, and I’ll slaughter you personally!”

Liang Shan stiffened, then lowered his head and bowed. “I shall assiduously carry out your orders, Mountain Lord!”

Wu Qing, meanwhile, looked at Pu Xuan and glowered, his entire body erupting with murderous intent. “You’re a sword cultivator, yet you divert your attention with Buddhist practice? What a departure from orthodoxy!”

His aura spread outward, throwing the surrounding void into chaos.

Luan Yunzhong and Qin Suqing held their breath, their souls practically leaving their bodies for sheer panic. They sensed the terrifying sword intent filling every last inch of space around them and felt that the slightest disrespect would lead to them being executed on the spot.

This was the prestige of a Heavenly Monarch.

Heavenly Monarchs were ordained by Heavenly Fate, like incarnations of the Grand Dao or the representatives of heaven!

Sword cultivators, meanwhile, were among the most lethal around.

Wu Qing was just an avatar of will, but his power was still far beyond what most ordinary Eternals could withstand.

Su Yi stood there, raising an eyebrow. He’d long since condensed a Heart Soul and given rise to the Light of the Heart. Wu Qing’s presence naturally wasn’t enough to sway him.

Still, he was now sensing the terrifyingness of a Heavenly Monarch for the first time.

He also finally understood how extraordinary Xiao Jian really was.

Back in that endless expanse of time and space beyond the God Domain, Xiao Jian single-handedly fended off not just Heavenly Monarchs, but also the clones of multiple Heavenly Sovereigns!

The thought made Su Yi even more melancholy about Xiao Jian’s passing.

“Sword cultivators cultivate the sword, but also the myriad Daos of the heavens,” said Pu Xuan, his white robes and long hair fluttering around him. “I combine my Chan Buddhist heart with my sword heart. What’s wrong with that?”

He stood there, holding his sword. Although Wu Qing’s majestic aura had enveloped him, he retained his unyielding pride and majesty.

Wu Qing snickered. “You’ve fused your Chan Buddhist heart and sword heart? That’s called going down the wrong path!”

He suddenly smacked Liang Shan on the head and cursed him out. “You couldn’t even beat someone like this? How shameless are you? You’ve disgraced the Heart-Tempering Sword House!”

Liang Shan’s head buzzed, and he saw stars, but he dared not say anything.

Every sword cultivator in the Heart-Tempering Sword House had a different disposition, but there was one thing they all had in common. All of them were bold!

Especially the Mountain Lord of Mount Heavenquech. He was temperamental and fierce.

“Get out of the way!” said Wu Qing. He rolled up his sleeves and gazed icily at Pu Xuan. “Come on, then. You’re a sword cultivator too, so out of respect, I’ll limit myself to Immeasurable Realm cultivation to match you.”

He then glared coldly at Su Yi and the others. “Survive three attacks, and they can live too. Die, and all of them shall accompany you to the grave!”

He stretched out his hand and grabbed. The entire area rumbled and boomed as a streak of sword qi condensed in his grip.

“Three strikes, huh?” Pu Xuan laughed. “You’re sure to be disappointed, then.”

Wu Qing attacked without a single wasted word, raising his sword and delivering a simple slash.

He had indeed limited his strength to the Immeasurable level, but the power of this strike was nonetheless terrifying beyond measure.

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

In the blink of an eye, the humming of a sword shook the surrounding area, and Pu Xuan flew back like a kite with its strings cut, bleeding from all seven apertures of his face.

His white robes were stained with blood, like plum blossoms blooming all over his body.

Luan Yunzhong and Qin Suqing’s hearts sank.

These were the foundations of the Heart-Tempering Sword House. They had no need to prepare anything special. A single avatar of will could dominate everyone around him.

Most terrifying of all, the Heart-Tempering Sword House had more than just one Heavenly Monarch-level sword cultivator!

Su Yi furrowed his brow. He could tell that something was off about Pu Xuan’s aura.

“You’re this weak?” Wu Qing laughed coldly, then smacked Liang Shan on the head and chastised him again. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

Liang Shan lowered his head, silent and quivering.

“Weak?” Pu Xuan wiped the blood from his lips. “You only say that because you have no idea how strong I really am.”

“Tough talker, huh?” Wu Qing swung his sword, sending Pu Qing flying once more. A gash tore open, blood gushing from the wound. He’d almost been disemboweled!

But Wu Qing actually nodded approvingly. “This is actually somewhat interesting. Killing you at least won’t dirty my hands!”

Liang Shan seemed to realize something. He quivered from head to toe and instinctively pulled his head in.

But it was useless; Wu Qing slapped him on the back of the head anyway. “See that? That’s how he managed to suppress you. He created his own path of the Dao of the Sword in the Immeasurable Realm! Learn from his example!”

Liang Shan grimaced. Wu Qing had many good qualities, but he was far too temperamental and overly fond of hitting others. He was merciless, too!

“Shall I lend a hand?” Su Yi finally asked.

Pu Xuan shook his head and smiled. “A hot-tempered old man, that’s all, and just an avatar of will at that. He isn’t even worth mentioning.”

“Not even worth mentioning, huh?” Wu Qing glared, then threw back his head and laughed. “Good! You’ve got spirit! That’s how a sword cultivator ought to be!”

As he spoke, he suddenly took a step forward. His aura rose around him like a mountain, soaring higher and higher.

“You’re worthy of dying beneath my sword!” said Wu Qing, launching his strike without pause.

This attack was far scarier than the last two. The onlookers felt a piercing pain in their eyes, and their souls seemed to split. Soon, they couldn’t sense anything at all.

Only Su Yi could see it clearly. This slash was actually quite similar to the others. It, too, was a simple, straightforward strike.

But its momentum was starkly different!

It struck like wind or fire. Nothing could block it!

But then, Pu Xuan laughed. Instead of retreating, he advanced, raising his sword as if holding the sun and moon aloft. Dazzling light illuminated the entire area.

An unprecedentedly terrifying sword force surged along the edge of his sword, his sword qi reminiscent of a bodhisattva respectfully greeting the Buddha.

It shone with endless light, manifesting limitless power!

The sky shook violently, and a massive collision rang out. Dazzling sword light swept out like a windstorm.

Pu Xuan stood there, blood gushing uncontrollably from the corners of his mouth, his handsome face deathly pale. However, he remained perfectly calm, as if not even eight winds could move him.

Wu Qing watched from afar, seemingly dazed. He stared intently at Pu Xuan, his expression shifting erratically and his brow tightly furrowed.

He then looked down at the shallow gash on his chest and said, “An impressive strike!”

A deathly silence descended over the area. Luan Yunzhong and Qin Suqing looked dazed, as if they found this hard to believe.

Liang Shan was tongue-tied.

Su Yi thought to himself,

Pu Xuan’s presence is strange, perhaps because he overcame the limits of an inauspicious spirit to live a second life.

Pu Xuan’s third strike was dazzling and unparalleled, with a momentum never seen before, boundless and immeasurable!

Pu Xuan gently caressed the flat of his blade and said hoarsely, “I’ve got even stronger attacks, too. Care to taste them?”

Wu Qing sighed, started to speak, then hesitated. The ferocious Mountain Lord of Heart-Tempering Palace suddenly seemed like a completely different person. His gaze was strange and conflicted.

“How about we end this here?” he suggested.

Liang Shan almost dared not believe his ears.

Mountain Lord Wu Qing obviously can still fight, so why give up? Given his disposition, he’d rather die in battle than admit defeat!

And this is just an avatar of will! What’s he so concerned about?

Something must have changed his mind. There’s no way he’s simply afraid to die, or just afraid to lose?

“End things here?” Pu Xuan chuckled and was just about to say something when Su Yi shook his head.

“Yes, let’s end this.”