Chapter 123: A Deserving Title!

"My lord,” whispered Yuan Zhuang anxiously to Fang Chen, “I’m afraid that if we don't hurry up, then by the time we’re there...."

Fang Chen smiled. “What, are you afraid that the sects would have long barged into the Profound Blade Sect by the time we are there?”

Yuan Zhuang nodded.

His cousin, Yuan Yu, was trapped in there with the rest. They were surrounded by the many sects led by the Giant Sword Gate. Those people didn’t even take Commander Jue seriously. If they rushed into the sect, it would be a bloodbath.

“They surrounded the Profound Blade Sect because they wanted an answer. Why do you think you were able to escape and relay the news to me? Had they wanted to kill you all, not to mention you, even Huangfu Jie might not be able to escape down the mountain alive,” pointed out Fang Chen with a faint smile.

"Does that mean...?" Yuan Zhuang took a sharp breath and then cursed in his heart. The martial scene, which was supposed to be free and unrestrained, had turned into a place full of political scheming—just like the court!

He had only just understood that after Fang Chen’s words.

The Giant Sword Gate reaction was likely due to Commander Jue’s expedition to cleanse the Southern Immortal Prefecture. His actions had clearly touched upon the interests of certain individuals, and this siege on Profound Blade Sect was their response.

Their true objective was not really to sever all ties with the northern region, rather, it was similar to how a drunken man’s true desire was not to merely drink! [1]

It seemed that even in the martial scene, there were behind-the-scenes power struggles, too.

Once Yuan Zhuang understood that, he was no longer so anxious.

Several hours later, the group arrived at a lively town. In the distance, beyond the town, stood a tall mountain on which the Profound Blade Sect was located. It was a little over ten miles away.

This town didn’t used to be so lively, but due to the recent chaos that had ensued, martial artists from all over the nine prefectures had rushed here on account of the Giant Sword Gate’s invitation. Martial artists could be seen all around the town, each carrying a weapon.

However, most of these martial artists were at the Qi Condensation Stage and were considered just small fries. They were relatively unknown with little reputation.

There were some who had reached the Qi Detonation Stage and had made a name for themselves. These had numerous followers flanking them.

"Hey. These people have an extraordinary aura. Their background must not be simple.”

“That's Zhong Ying from Azure Point Sword Sect. She's already at the Qi Detonation Stage at such a young age. Her Azure Point Sword can easily deal with us.”

“So she's a disciple of Azure Point Sword Sect. With the destruction of Heavenly Sword Villa, they are very likely to rise and replace Heavenly Sword Villa as one of the Four Great Sects..."

“

Hehe

... I don't think the Profound Blade Sect will be able to last long, either. With that, two of the Four Great Sects will be gone. Now that the Azure Point Sword Sect will take one of the spots, I wonder which sect will fill the last one.”

Recognizing Zhong Ying and company, the people around broke into a bout of whispers. Their eyes held deep fear for what was to come in the future.

It hadn’t been long when the group entered the town when another group walked over to them, led by a young man in his twenties, who was wearing white, had sharp eyebrows and starry eyes. All of them carried a broadsword on their backs.

Disciples of Giant Sword Gate!

The people around quickly stopped staring when they recognized who they were.

“You’ve finally arrived, Junior Sister Zhong Ying," said the young man.

Zhong Ying smiled. “It's good to see you, Senior Brother Xian. I thought you had already went up the mountain.”

The disciples of Azure Point Sword Sect bowed one after another. "We pay our respects to Senior Brother Xian."

Xian Kun had a faint smile on his face. "I was waiting for you, Junior Sister Zhong,” he said. “I was worried you might not find your way to the Profound Blade Sect and decided to wait for you here.”

Zhong Ying nodded with a smile. "Thank you, Senior Brother Xian."

Sweeping his eyes over at her group, Xian Kun’s eyes couldn’t help but pause for a moment at Fang Chen and Yuan Zhuang, the two unfamiliar faces. "Who are these two?"

Zhong Ying briefly explained.

When Xian Kun heard that they were wealthy young masters from the northern region, a hint of unfriendliness appeared in his eyes.

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

He plastered a smile, then sarcastically said, "Aren’t you afraid you might get nicked by a blade or a sword around here,

Young masters

?”

"The southern region is not a place delicate young masters can roam around in,” sneered a Giant Sword Gate’s disciple as he looked at Fang Chen with disdain.

One could tell a southerner from a northerner with a glance; people from the south usually had a darker, more rough complexion.

Even though Zhong Ying was attractive, her skin had a tint of healthy bronze. On the other hand, Fang Chen’s skin was as fair as snow, and his skin wasn’t as rough as theirs even though he was a seasoned warrior who had been on the battlefield one too many times.

Not to mention that after stepping into the path of immortality, his skin was nourished with spiritual energy, so it had become more white and even had a faint radiance to it, which the southerners interpreted as him being some sissy young master from the northern region.

"I’m just here to broaden my horizons," said Fang Chen with a smile.

Seeing that his eyes had been closed throughout the conversation, Xian Kun frowned. "Why don't you open your eyes when you speak?"

Zhong Ying stepped forward to explain on Fang Chen’s behalf.

When everyone learned that he was actually blind, they couldn’t help but find it amusing. How can a blind person “broaden his horizons” when he can’t even see?

Suddenly, a shout came from the distance, "A fight has broken out on the mountain! Seven Profound Blade has taken action! The Azure Point Sword Sect Master has been seriously injured!"

The disciples turned anxious when they heard that their sect leader had been seriously injured, and they urged, "Senior Sister! Let's hurry up the mountain!"

"Let's go. I'll take you up there," said Xian Kun and immediately led the way. With the disciples from Giant Sword Gate splitting the crowds, the group’s path was much smoother than it could’ve been.

Zhong Ying turned to Fang Chen and said, "Young Master Li, it might not be suitable for you to go up the mountain. How about you stroll around town till we're done?"

Yuan Zhuang responded on behalf of Fang Chen. "It’s not appropriate for my young master to stay at the foot of the mountain with everything that’s happening up there. Since a major event is ongoing in the southern region, we must take a look!”

Hearing this, Xian Kun turned around and sneered. "You think this is some circus? Are the southerners some clowns you came to watch or what?

"I'm a Qi Detonation martial artist. Why can't I join you up there?" Yuan Zhuang snapped back sternly.

A Qi Detonation martial artist?

Xian Kun's expression flickered, and he looked carefully at Yuan Zhuang. Seconds later, he sneered, but he didn’t say anything else.

Zhong Ying thought for a moment and felt that there was no harm in bringing Fang Chen up the mountain. After all, he had a Qi Detonation martial artist guarding him, so there shouldn't be any danger to his life. Therefore, she decided not to object.

With that, the group began the trip up the mountain. Along the way, they encountered many martial artists.

After an hour, they finally arrived at the entrance of Profound Blade Sect.

The area was crowded with people, and various camps were set up. It was evident that martial artists from all kinds of different factions had gathered here to help surround Profound Blade Sect.

Amongst them, the martial artists wielding giant swords from Giant Sword Gate were the most eye-catching. They had brought hundreds of disciples, making their presence hard to ignore. Other than them, there were first-tier sects such as Azure Point Sword Sect, and around them were martial artists from second or third-tier sects, and even nameless sects.

There were probably seven to eight thousand people gathered around here.

The large number of martial artists concentrated in this small area made for a formidable force. They certainly had no military experience, but with their raw martial skills, they could threaten even an elite army force of ten thousand strong.

If they had set their mind on annihilating the Profound Blade Sect, they would have definitely been able to wrap it up in less than half a day!

At that moment, in front of the Profound Blade Sect, Huangfu Jie was currently engaged in a fierce battle with a Qi Manipulation martial artist. He was surrounded by seven sharp blades, all of which were supported by his internal qi. Each of his blades could unleash terrifying explosive power, and they attacked his opponent at extremely tricky angles.

His opponent was an elderly martial artist who appeared to be in his sixties. His aura was clearly inferior to that of Hiangfu Jie. But nonetheless, he was a well-known martial artist amongst the older generation and was one of the top practitioners. Still, he was being repeatedly pushed back by Huangfu Jie and clearly found it hard to fight back.

Zhong Ying led the group to the camp of Azure Point Sword Sect directly.

Her sect leader was currently watching the fight, his face pale. "He's only twenty years old yet has already mastered the Seven Profound Blade Divine Manual. He truly deserves the title of the southern region’s top martial artist. His reputation is well earned..." he muttered under his breath, appreciation in his eyes.

1. Saying that a person drinks alcohol because of sorrow/happiness/or wanting to forget about something ☜