Chapter 3796: Ming Zhuo

After meeting Lu Yin’s gaze for a moment, Lu Sizhan slumped. “Very well. I will do whatever you require of me.”

Lu Yin nodded in satisfaction. “That’s it. Ride my coattails. Even if it sullies your reputation a bit, what’s important is reaching the goal.”

Lu Sizhan’s expression grew conflicted. “I’ll follow your teachings. If I still fail, no one can blame me.”

Lu Yin’s lips curved upwards. “If you learn from me, others will certainly notice. If they notice and you still lose, you alone will be disgraced.”

Lu Sizhan did not argue.

“It seems like that doesn’t bother you, and fair enough. Given that you’ve been looked down on for so many years, you should already be used to it. I expect that you’ve already pinned your hopes on Lu Feichen’s second technique, believing that, no matter what I teach you, you won’t be able to overcome it. If you can’t beat him, you won’t end up becoming the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster, which means that you’ll only lose your own reputation. Meanwhile, your sect won’t be dragged down, and I won’t be able to complete my task. Two birds with one stone, right?” Lu Yin slowly stated.

Lu Sizhan’s eyes flickered. “You’re overthinking things.”

“I’ll teach you how to defeat Lu Feichen’s second technique,” Lu Yin declared, startling Lu Sizhan.

“You’ve seen his second technique?”

Lu Yin smirked. “No, but I’ve managed to deduce it.”

Lu Sizhan froze. That was impossible. No matter how strong Lu Yin might be, he could never have deduced Lu Feichen’s second technique. Lu Feichen was a Dukkhan; not even the Lesser Sancti could deduce his techniques. No one beneath the Immortal realm could do so.

“You don’t need to believe me—just do as I teach,” Lu Yin said. Suddenly, his voice grew cold. “If you deliberately lose the competition, Not only will I destroy the other three directions, but I will also destroy your East Command. There is no one here who can stop me, though feel free to try.”

Lu Sizhan’s fingers twitched, and the glint in his eyes grew even colder.

Internally, Lu Yin sighed. To complete this task, he was making himself play the role of the villain. It felt incredibly conflicting to do so.

The moment the Four Commands Sword Sect had first appeared in the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, there had been a tradition of competing for the position of the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster.

The sect’s Grand Swordmaster was the embodiment of the complete sword intent combined from the four sect masters of the Four Commands Sword Sect, and the advent of such an expert could elevate their entire sect to new heights.

The competition was held at a place known as the Sword Altar.

Let the sword serve as the foundation, to steady the four cardinals.

Scars had been left on the bottom of the Sword Altar by the previous generations’ Four Commands Grand Swordmasters. Only the Four Commands Sword Sect’s sect masters were allowed to freely approach the Sword Altar and study the marks; no one else was even allowed to get close.

There had been a time when one generation’s Grand Swordmaster had sought to elevate the overall strength of the sect. He had changed the rules and allowed everyone in the Four Commands Sword Sect to view the scars. However, most of those who tried to comprehend them had their sword intent shattered, and in the end, they fell into decline, their paths in sword cultivation utterly broken.

Unless a swordsman had achieved a certain level of mastery, forget comprehending the techniques left on the Sword Altar—just a single glance would be harmful.

The day came for the entire Four Commands Sword Sect to gather at the Sword Altar to initiate the competition for the current generation’s Grand Swordmaster.

Countless people appeared around the Sword Altar. They could watch the competition, but because they needed to stay away from the Sword Altar and because the Sword Altar prevented all sword intent from escaping, it was impossible for people to directly observe the competition.

Lu Yin was standing among the crowd, calmly observing the Sword Altar.

He had spent almost half a month teaching Lu Sizhan how to counter the other three sect masters’ sword techniques, improving his chances of winning to seventy percent. Barring any unexpected incidents, Lu Sizhan was guaranteed to become the Grand Swordmaster.

Elder Le still had not left the sect. He was also within the crowd, staring at the Sword Altar. He was waiting to see if the mysterious assailant would appear.

If that expert had been honest in claiming to want to challenge the Four Commands Sword Sect’s sword skills, then once a Grand Swordmaster that represented the sect appeared, such a challenger would certainly show up.

The crowd was filled with people from every major organization. Xian Ding was among them, and he was also watching intently.

When the Four Commands Sword Sects lacked a Grand Swordmaster, they remained within the boundaries of their territory. However, the advent of a Grand Swordmaster would transform the entire sect. Such a change could potentially affect the entire Nine Odysseys Megaverse. Thus, many organizations were desperate to learn who the Grand Swordmaster was as soon as possible, so that they could prepare for any future changes.

Lu Yin also spotted members of the White Jade Clan in the crowd. They had odd appearances; their bodies looked like they were carved wholly from white jade, though they had entirely human features.

Farther away stood a scholar with a distinctive aura. If Lu Yin was not mistaken, that man was from Autumnspring Slip.

There were only a few experts scattered throughout the crowd, yet they all were nothing more than messengers.

The true representatives of the megaverse’s great powers would not appear for the competition. They were waiting to learn who became the Grand Swordmaster, and they would only step forward once they knew how they should act.

The members of the Four Commands Sword Sects filed closer to the Sword Altar. Lu Siyu looked miserable. Despite waiting half a month for Lu Yin to return, she had never seen him.

That little thief! Who knows where he’s gone?

Fortunately, there had been no news from the other three directions, though that only increased her unease while waiting.

“Is that Lu Siyu? One of the Seven Fairies... She truly is gorgeous. If I could marry her, I’d happily sacrifice even 10,000 years of my life.”

“Brother, it’s already questionable if you’ll be able to live for 10,000 years. She’s one of Greater Sancte Green Lotus’s nominal disciples, one of only seven who’ve managed to overcome the trial of fate in centuries. Marry her, and you won’t just become the East Command’s son-in-law. Each of the Seven Fairies boasts an exceptional background. If you throw in their connection to the Sea of Karma, then they’re basically at the same level as the Lesser Sancti. They’re... unbelievable.”

“I hadn’t thought that far... I just think that Lu Siyu’s stunning.”

“Hehe, I agree!”

“Kindred spirits!”

“I’ve heard that every major power has plans regarding the Seven Fairies. Even Deathmound has prepared betrothal gifts.”

“What? Deathmound?”

“No way! Deathmound wants to curry favor with the Seven Fairies?”

Lu Yin looked over. Deathmound? From what he remembered, Deathmound should have nothing to do with any outside group.

When the person who had commented on Deathmound saw everyone’s eyes on him, he proudly continued to say, “This news is absolutely true! Deathmound has prepared a dowry, though I don’t know which of the Seven Fairies it’s for. Still, there’s no doubt that it’s for one of them.”

“That’s huge! That could shift the balance of the entire Nine Odysseys Megaverse!”

“The Nine Odysseys and the Temporal Heavens form two groups, while Deathmound sits between them. This balance has lasted for too many years. If Deathmound leans to either side, then that group is guaranteed to outmatch the other. It could even spark war...”

Lu Yin looked away.

Deathmound sits in the middle? They’re even more formidable than I’d thought.

It was no wonder why just the lord of their Sixth Peak had been able to wipe out Ruler Garden.

Clang.

There was a soft sound of impact as sword intent shot into the sky from all four directions of the Four Commands Sword Sect.

At that instant, everyone within the sect’s territory, both ordinary humans and cultivators, knelt as they faced the soaring sword intent. They were all awaiting the birth of the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster.

Atop the vast Sword Altar, Lu Feichen, Lu Bi, Lu Jing, and Lu Sizhan each stood in a separate corner, staring at one another across the distance.

The competition to determine who would become the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster was not fought through one-on-one duels, but rather by a battle royale atop the Sword Altar. The last person standing would become the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster.

At that moment, several ancient individuals revealed themselves in the Four Commands Sword Sect; each one released a powerful aura that sent chills through the crowd.

Lu Yin had sensed these elders when he had first sneaked into the Four Commands Sword Sect. They were members of older generations. They were all powerful, but none were truly exceptional. At the very least, none of them were peak Dukkhans. Still, Lu Yin was sure that the sect had at least one such expert, though he could not say if that expert had gained their power by Seed Transfusion or personal cultivation.

Even Ruler Garden had had a peak Dukkhan who had undergone Seed Transfusion, as well as Yanbo Haomiao. There was no way the Four Commands Sword Sect was any weaker.

The Nine Odysseys Megaverse’s cultivation system was practically cheating; whenever someone died, the spirit seed that they had cultivated could be saved for future generations, and that allowed various powers to endure across the ages.

Any one of those groups could sweep through the entire Tianyuan Megaverse.

Unfortunately, only those who had externally cultivated a spirit seed were able to accept Seed Transfusions. If not for that, Lu Yin could steal those spirit seeds and take them back home to instantly produce a legion of experts.

What a pity

.

Just then, the sound of another sword rang across the Four Commands Sword Sect, the qi rolling outwards and beyond the sect’s territory.

This sound was different from the previous one; the second was filled with reverence.

Countless eyes fell upon the Sword Altar. There were five seats there: four held the sect’s ancient powerhouses, while the central seat was reserved for an honored guest from outside the sect who had been invited to witness the competition.

Such an external observer was invited to attend every generation’s competition to determine the sect’s Grand Swordmaster.

Everyone wondered who the Four Commands Sword Sects had invited this time.

As the ringing of the sword faded, someone appeared and slowly took the central seat.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man, his features dignified and his eyes deep. He did not reveal a shocking aura, but the moment anyone looked at him, they would feel as though they had fallen into a whirlpool. It would become impossible to break their gaze.

The man’s clothes were rich and elegant, embroidered with strange designs that were reminiscent of an astral beast. A casual glance made it look as though the beast was about to come alive and release an earth-shaking roar.

Most people in the crowd were puzzled, as they did not recognize the man. Still, his bearing was undeniably extraordinary.

The few who did recognize the man were startled, and were barely able to believe their eyes. “Is tha- that... Ming Zhuo?”

“Impossible! How could Ming Zhuo be here?”

"Is that really Senior Ming Zhuo?"

As Lu Yin observed the middle-aged man, his expression grew much more solemn. This man’s aura was no weaker than Chao Yi’s. Was this another peak Dukkhan? Lu Yin could not tell if the man had accepted a Seed Transfusion or if he had achieved such power on his own.

As murmurs floated about him, Lu Yin grew certain: this man’s strength was entirely his own.

While peak Dukkhans and ordinary Dukkhans were technically both in the same stage of cultivation, the gulf between them could be as vast as the distance between heaven and earth.

The High Seraph was able to easily dominate the entire Spirit Nidus, and he had swept aside the Thirteen Luminaries. That was only possible because he was a peak Dukkhan. He was the only person in the entire Spirit Nidus to have reached that level. Not even Old Salamander or Emperor Wu had reached that level despite both having used Heaven’s Seal.

Similarly, in the Consciousness Megaverse, only Old Chief’s consciousness could match the power of a peak Dukkhan.

Even in the powerhouse-laden Nine Odysseys Megaverse, peak Dukkhans were rare experts. Those who had reached that level through their own efforts were rarer still.

Lu Yin was certain that this man had obtained his strength on his own due to his other identity: Ming Zhuo was one of Greater Sancte Green Lotus’s disciples.

Lu Yin looked over at Lu Siyu. She had already stepped onto the Sword Altar and was bowing to Ming Zhuo while showing him a sweet smile. “Siyu greets her senior brother.”

Countless eyes were staring. Some were envious, while others were jealous and wishing that they could pay their respects to Ming Zhuo.

How many in the entire Nine Odysseys Megaverse were actually qualified to do that?

Ming Zhuo smiled at Lu Siyu. “It’s been a while, youngest Junior Sister. You’ve grown even prettier, haha!”

Lu Siyu’s cheeks flushed. “Senior Brother, you’re teasing me again! How can I hope to compare to my senior sisters?”

Ming Zhuo laughed. “Each of you has your own virtues! You’re lively and bright, youngest Junior Sister! Master is very fond of you. When you find your ideal husband, allow your senior brother to vet him. Master might be busy, so I’ll guard the gate for you. No one will steal you away.”

“Senior Brother!” Lu Siyu’s face blushed as she ground her teeth and glared at Ming Zhuo. Clearly, the two had an excellent relationship.