Chapter 546: The Human Sword is Sheathed, the Heavenly Sword is Drawn

Deciding to lay everything bare with Yao Xingzi naturally posed an element of risk due to a simple reason: the Celestial Wind Sect was obviously putting the Xinghai Sect under immense pressure.

By revealing that he was the sword immortal that the Celestial Wind Sect had been hunting, Wang Sheng could better explain why he had joined the Xinghai Sect. Considering the strength he had shown and his potential, chances were high that Yao Xingzi would quietly support him and devote resources to nurturing him.

His deduction was based only on what seemed reasonable, though. He couldn't see through Yao Xingzi, and he didn't know him well enough to know what decision he would ultimately make. All Wang Sheng knew was that if Yao Xingzi turned against him, it would be extremely difficult for him to leave unharmed.

Conversely, Yao Xingzi couldn't completely see through him either. He gave Wang Sheng an unusually complex look.

The mid-stage Heavenly Immortal was already close to reaching the late stage of his realm. Ever since the Xinghai Sect moved to the ancient battlefield, he had spent most of his time in seclusion. Aside from a few early interventions to deter the many celestial gates on Fengmo, he rarely showed himself.

Yao Xingzi appeared to briefly consider multiple possibilities. He then slowly nodded. "That sword intent of yours does bear resemblance to the astral sword art spoken of in rumors. I still don't know why you're suddenly bringing up past events, though, Elder Pi."

Being called "Elder Pi" steadied Wang Sheng's mind.

"My new sword intent has only just taken shape. I wish to seek vengeance against the Celestial Wind Sect. However, now that I have joined the Xinghai Sect, I have to act with its interests in mind."

"How do you plan to account for that?"

"By borrowing the strength of the Fengli Sect to destroy the Celestial Wind Sect. When two great powers clash and neither yields, one of them is bound to die, while the other will be gravely injured. We can seize that opportunity to recruit capable members and grow stronger. At the very least, I can help ease some of the external pressure we're currently facing."

Frowning slightly, Yao Xingzi fell deep into thought. After a moment, he advised, "You're sharp, skilled in swordsmanship, and courageous, Elder Pi. Still, the Celestial Wind Sect has stood firm for countless years, and it's composed of many wise beings. Do you truly believe it could be easily lured into a trap?"

Wang Sheng smiled confidently. "Sect Master, it is precisely because the Celestial Wind Sect has so many members and has stood unshaken for so long that it can be plotted against. The Fengli Sect and the Celestial Wind Sect are like two massive ships suspended above the thirteen qi stars. Because they're so large, even those at the helm can't turn them freely at will.

"Moreover, the two sects have harbored resentment for a long time. They're only restraining themselves because their leaders understand that a war between them would leave both sides gravely wounded. Each is searching for the other's weakness, or a flaw that can be exploited."

Wang Sheng laid out the general outline of his plans before Yao Xingzi.

Yao Xingzi then contemplated. He seemed to find the plan feasible, yet doubt still lingered in his eyes. "I doubt you're telling me all this simply because you want to come clean. Is there something you require me to do?"

"I do. For the sake of gaining your support, allow me to be frank today, Sect Master."

"What do you need from me?"

Wang Sheng solemnly replied, "Help me conceal my identity. I wish to seek vengeance against the Celestial Wind Sect, but I know my own limits. The Celestial Wind Sect is too powerful for me to shake their foundations right now. The best I can do is fan the flames from the shadows. If I come out in the open as the nameless sword immortal, they will hunt me relentlessly.

"To avoid that, I want everyone to believe that the nameless sword immortal and Pi Kachew of the Xinghai Sect are two different people. So long as the nameless sword immortal appears while I'm confirmed to still be in the sect, my identity will remain concealed. The thirteen qi stars are vast, but without such a cover, I would soon find myself in trouble. I ask that you grant my request, Sect Master."

A look of realization appeared on Yao Xingzi's face, and a somewhat strained smile followed. "I still have a few doubts. If you can resolve them for me, I will give you my full support."

"Please guide me, Sect Master."

Yao Xingzi voiced his greatest doubt. "The nameless sword immortal is said to wield the Heavenly Dao of the Sword. That was also the main reason two Heavenly Immortals from the North-River Sword Sect came here. Yet when you sparred with Li Tianyao, you used the Human Dao of the Sword at a realm that was by no means shallow. How did you manage it?"

Wang Sheng smiled in slight embarrassment. A sword hum rang out as the Heavenly Ziwei Sword Intent in his right hand stirred. Right after, he opened his left hand and slowly unleashed his Dual-Polarity Sword Intent. The two sword intents reflected each other.

"My master once said that I have some aptitude in the Dao of the Sword."

That was a very restrained way of putting it. Talent didn't require much technical explanation.

In truth, Wang Sheng himself did not understand why cultivators of the endless space found this puzzling. Sword cultivators weren't restricted to one Great Dao of the Sword. Why couldn't the Heavenly, Earth, and Human Dao of the Sword coexist?

Yao Xingzi nodded slowly, a faint trace of appreciation appearing in his eyes. "How exactly was the blood mine destroyed?"

Wang Sheng recounted the event but deliberately omitted anything related to the Heavenly Court. He also said that he suppressed the fiend-blood energy using his Pure Yang Immortal Power instead of his Heavenly Tribulation Sword Intent. Afterward, he revealed the blood mine's transformation in detail.

"The rumors are greatly exaggerated. Back then, I didn't kill many of the Celestial Wind Sect's celestial soldiers. I merely followed that senior and was fortunate enough to escape alive."

The corpse and spiritual consciousness residue of a Golden Immortal who had fallen tens of thousands of years ago had heavily damaged the Celestial Wind Sect.

Yao Xingzi emotionally commented, "Immortals are truly formidable."

His longing for the realm of immortality was as plain as day.

He was already a Heavenly Immortal, yet attaining true immortality required far more than just taking two or three steps forward. It was a completely different level of cultivation.

Yao Xingzi fell silent for a time. Connecting everything Wang Sheng had said from beginning to end, he found no glaring flaws in his story.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

As far as he could tell, Wang Sheng could be laying out a grand scheme. He could simply be cultivating in the Xinghai Sect to evade the Celestial Wind Sect.

Wang Sheng could also have other plans altogether. He was such a powerful sword cultivator that he had dared oppose the Celestial Wind Sect while only at the Primordial Immortal Realm. And now that he had become a True Immortal, he had already devised a complete plan for revenge. What could a small sect like the Xinghai Sect possibly offer to keep such a man for long?

Still, Yao Xingzi found himself unable to refuse Wang Sheng's proposal. The Fengli Sect and the Celestial Wind Sect entering open conflict would be a fated opportunity for every other celestial gate across the thirteen qi planets.

Finally, he decided, "I'll help you, but only under a small condition."

Wang Sheng nodded and smiled. "Apart from marrying your adopted daughter, anything is fine."

"Oh? And why is that unacceptable?"

"Was that the actual condition, Sect Master?"

Calmly, Yao Xingzi replied, "Of course. As the sect master of the Xinghai Sect, I have to consider the sect's future. I have three adopted daughters. One already has a Daoist partner, while the other two are yet to marry. You may choose one of them to become your Daoist partner.

"Once Lishang becomes a Heavenly Immortal, I will pass the position of sect master to her and devote myself fully to cultivation. Considering your strength and intellect, you are naturally the best choice for the position of vice sect master."

Wang Sheng felt momentarily at a loss for words.

What sort of arrangement is this? Marry a young immortal maiden, become the vice sect master, and rise to the peak of immortal life?

Realizing that the sect master wasn't joking, Wang Sheng decisively answered, "Forgive me, Sect Master. I can swear an oath that I will never do anything detrimental to the Xinghai Sect and that I will devote myself fully to helping the sect grow stronger. However, I cannot take a Daoist partner. My heart already belongs to someone. Though she is far away, my resolve has never wavered."

Still calm, Yao Xingzi remarked, "I do not understand matters of romance between men and women, but I know such things are irrelevant to cultivation. My two adopted daughters possess excellent aptitude and are diligent in cultivation. They would be well matched with you."

Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Sheng casually answered, "Let's just pretend I never came today, Sect Master. I'll settle my grudge with the Celestial Wind Sect another day, when I advance further in my cultivation."

Yao Xingzi frowned. "What harm is there in taking one more Daoist partner?"

"My senior sister gives her whole heart to me. If I were to divide my attention to another, would that not betray her feelings?"

Yao Xingzi shook his head and sighed. "Alright. Since you're so adamant about this, you may swear your oath. I will not press the matter further."

Wang Sheng breathed a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sect Master, for granting my request."

He promptly swore an oath on the Great Dao that he would devote himself to the development of the Xinghai Sect and assist it with all his strength in forging a bright future.

Only he and Yao Xingzi knew about what transpired that day. The two spent quite some time discussing their plans.

In truth, the Xinghai Sect had treated Wang Sheng well. Even if he had not sworn an oath, he would've still taken care of the sect.

Earth's cultivators merely needed a foothold and an initial place of shelter when they stepped out. For as long as he gained sufficient influence and authority within the Xinghai Sect, and for as long as it could one day take full control of Fengmo, it wouldn't be difficult to uphold his oath.

Previously, Wang Sheng only had a vague idea to use another sect as a shell; he had no concrete plan that could turn it into a reality. Could he truly wipe out everyone in the Xinghai Sect or seize the position of sect master for himself?

All factors aside, Wang Sheng could not bring himself to repay kindness with betrayal. Such an act would likely give rise to heart devils in his Dao Heart and stop him from advancing in the Great Dao of the Sword.

Cultivators sought freedom and ease, but sword cultivators sought a clear and transparent sword heart even harder. If one had guilt in their heart, how could they be free, be at ease, and have a sword heart pure enough to draw close to the Great Dao of the Sword?

The sword itself would likely scorn such a path.

Hence, Wang Sheng had spent ten days in uninterrupted contemplation to come up with the most feasible plan that wouldn't taint his sword heart.

He would devote himself fully to helping the Xinghai Sect grow stronger and seize full control of Fengmo, making it the first stop for Earth's cultivators.

Once Earth's cultivators grew strong enough, they would expand to the other thirteen qi planets, supporting one another alongside the Xinghai Sect.

All of this would likely take a thousand or even ten thousand years.

***

Half a day after Wang Sheng left Yao Xingzi's residence, Yao Xingzi summoned his two adopted daughters and twelve direct disciples. He instructed them to choose among themselves one person who would cultivate together with Wang Sheng in the future.

Their adoptive father and master made his intentions so clear that they naturally understood what he truly meant. The male disciples remained silent, while several female disciples exchanged glances and almost simultaneously stepped forward.

None of them felt particularly opposed to the idea.

Of all his female disciples and two adopted daughters, Yao Xingzi selected the most obedient, sensible, and spiritually refined—a mid-stage Primordial Immortal with the Daoist name of Qiyue.

What Qiyue did not expect, however, was that she would literally be cultivating together with Wang Sheng.

The very next day, Yao Xingzi summoned Lishang and several elders. He announced that he would enter seclusion to cultivate and attempt a breakthrough to the late stage of the Heavenly Immortal Realm. He then instructed the elders to take their time rebuilding Wang Sheng's small courtyard next door because the sword cultivator had other arrangements.

Afterward, news that made the entire Xinghai Sect feel sour with envy quickly spread.

Wang Sheng had been summoned to cultivate in the sect master's small pavilion, and Qiyue had been allowed to join him. Yao Xingzi was clearly trying to bring them together.

In the eyes of the sect's immortals, Wang Sheng had gained both fame and fortune. He enjoyed the sect master's favor and was about to embrace a beauty in his arms.

Half a month later, after Qiyue had fully entered meditation in the adjacent room, Yao Xingzi entered Wang Sheng's room. He placed a lifelike, full-sized wooden carving on Wang Sheng's meditation cushion, then used an illusion technique. The wooden carving copied Wang Sheng's appearance.

Yao Xingzi transmitted, "Leave a trace of your aura on it."

Wang Sheng immediately extracted a drop of his blood and sent it into the wooden carving, making it emit his aura indefinitely. Every time Qiyue awakened from cultivation next door, she would always be able to sense his presence.

Afterward, Yao Xingzi used another illusion technique and quietly led Wang Sheng out of the sect master's pavilion, bringing him to a concealed corner of the sect's defensive array.

Yao Xingzi had the highest cultivation realm in the entire sect. If their presence here could still be detected, there truly was no justice left in the heavens.

"Don't push yourself too far, Elder Pi. In all things, know when to stop."

Wang Sheng performed a Daoist salute. "Thank you, Sect Master, for your assistance."

As he straightened up, Yao Xingzi handed him a jade thumb ring. "There are several communication talismans, a teleportation talisman, a small amount of Immortal Stones, and some treasured artifacts that conceal aura in there."

Wang Sheng's expression darkened slightly. When he accepted the ring, it felt somewhat heavy.

Yao Xingzi tapped the array ahead with a finger. A gap slowly opened, and Wang Sheng slipped out and instantly vanished.

From that moment on, Pi Kachew, the Xinghai Sect's elder and the Dao of the Sword prodigy who possessed a sword heart, continued cultivating in the sect.

Meanwhile, the nameless sword immortal who had destroyed the Celestial Wind Sect's blood mine in the past, plunging the Celestial Wind Sect into a century of disadvantage, quietly made his entrance once more, carrying with him a radiant sea of stars and brilliant arcs of lightning.