One Man, One Sword, Escorting His Wife to the Mortal World

Time flew by in the Taixu Illusionary Realm.

In the blink of an eye, seven years of summer and winter had passed.

A major event that shook the cultivation world occurred within the Hehuan Sect.

Ye Xuan, who was once regarded as a public human cauldron and rose to power by selling his body, had unexpectedly broken through the Nascent Soul bottleneck in just a few short years and stepped right into the Soul Formation realm!

A Soul Formation cultivator was already a giant in the cultivation world. And in the Hehuan Sect, this meant he had finally escaped the fate of being slaughtered at will and possessed a true voice of authority.

What was more, due to his special physique and terrifying cultivation speed, the sect's patriarch personally emerged from seclusion, suppressed all dissenting opinions, and crowned Ye Xuan as the Holy Son of the Hehuan Sect.

At the Holy Son's coronation ceremony, ten thousand sects came to pay their respects.

On the main peak of the Hehuan Sect, red carpets paved the ground, and immortal music filled the air.

Wearing a dark gold python robe befitting a Holy Son and a purple gold crown on his head, Ye Xuan sat high upon the throne.

His face was breathtakingly beautiful, his skin like jade. Those eyes, once filled with humiliation and numbness, were now as deep as the abyss, exuding a majesty that made people afraid to look at him directly.

Below the stage, tens of thousands of disciples knelt in worship.

Those female elders who had once played with him and humiliated him now had to lower their noble heads and shout in unison, Long live the Holy Son.

How glorious, how honorable.

This should have been the scene Ye Qingcheng dreamed of.

However, watching from outside the Taixu Illusionary Realm, Ye Qingcheng only felt a bone-piercing chill.

Because she saw Ye Xuan's hand resting on the armrest, trembling slightly.

It was not a tremble of excitement, but of disgust.

It was extreme loathing toward the hypocritical prosperity before him and his own filthy body.

After the ceremony ended, Ye Xuan dismissed all the cultivators who wanted to come up and curry favor.

He took off the python robe that symbolized supreme glory and changed into a clean, simple green shirt.

He did not go to enjoy the privileges of a Holy Son, nor did he go to take revenge on those who had bullied him.

He merely carried a sword and flew in the direction of the outer sect.

Godfather! Godfather!

In a small courtyard, a beautifully chubby boy stumbled toward Ye Xuan, who had just walked through the door. The boy was about five or six years old, and his features faintly carried Wang Luo's honest nature and Ye Qingcheng's delicate elegance.

Ye Xuan's originally cold, iron-hard, and murderous face melted like snow and turned into a pool of spring water the moment he saw the child.

Teng'er, run slower.

Ye Xuan squatted down, ignoring the fact that his priceless Holy Son robe was dragging in the mud, and opened his arms to catch the pouncing Wang Teng.

He took out a rattle-drum from his robes. It was carved from top-grade Soul-Nourishing Wood, and with a gentle shake, it had the effect of calming the mind and stabilizing the soul.

Look what Godfather brought you?

Wow! Thank you, Godfather! Wang Teng held the rattle-drum, giggling happily.

Looking at the child's innocent smiling face, Ye Xuan felt a pang of agony in his heart.

Over the past few years, he had taken Wang Teng as his godson.

He poured all the love he could not give to his unborn child onto Wang Teng.

He used the best spiritual medicines to build Wang Teng's foundation and used the purest spiritual energy to comb through his meridians.

But he never dared to hold him for too long.

Because he felt the scent of rouge and powder on his body was too heavy, and he was afraid of suffocating the child.

Ye... Holy Son.

Wang Luo walked out from the house holding an axe. Seeing Ye Xuan, his expression was somewhat restrained, but mostly it showed the vigilance of a father and husband. You have spent too much again. Teng'er does not need such expensive things.

It is for the child, not for you, Ye Xuan said indifferently. He stood up, his gaze passing over Wang Luo to look at the busy figure inside the house.

Ye Qingcheng was sewing winter cotton clothes for Wang Teng.

Time had left its mark on her face. Her hands were no longer delicate, and there were fine lines at the corners of her eyes, but that peaceful tranquility of passing years was something Ye Xuan had never experienced amidst his life of luxury.

Ye Qingcheng, Ye Xuan called out softly.

The needle in Ye Qingcheng's hand paused. Without looking up, she said coldly, If His Highness the Holy Son has no business here, please return. Commoners like us cannot bear your favors.

Ye Xuan was already accustomed to her indifference.

He took a deep breath, a flash of determination in his eyes.

I am not here to deliver things today.

Ye Xuan's voice trembled slightly, carrying a long-suppressed fervor. I am here to take you away.

Ye Qingcheng suddenly looked up, and Wang Luo was also stunned.

What did you say?

Ye Xuan took a step forward. The terrifying aura belonging to the Soul Formation realm faintly leaked out, freezing the surrounding air.

I am now at the Soul Formation realm, the Holy Son of the sect.

Ye Xuan looked at Ye Qingcheng, a fire called hope burning in his eyes. The Grand Elder has entered life-and-death seclusion, and no one in the sect can force me to do anything anymore! I have enough power now!

He reached out, wanting to grab Ye Qingcheng's hand, his eyes heartbreakingly eager.

Ye Qingcheng, come with me. Bring Wang Luo, bring Teng'er. I will take you away from this man-eating Hehuan Sect, to a place where no one knows us. I have resources and strength. I can protect you for a lifetime!

This was the only motivation that had supported him to live through countless filthy nights over the past few years.

It was all for this day.

To be able to stand straight before her and say, I can take you away now.

However.

There were no tears of joy as he had imagined.

Nor was there the expected weeping in gratitude.

Ye Qingcheng looked at his outstretched hand, her eyes filled only with panic and resistance.

She took a step back, instinctively hiding behind Wang Luo.

Ye Xuan, are you crazy?

Ye Qingcheng tightly gripped Wang Luo's sleeve, her voice trembling. Why should I go with you?

Ye Xuan's hand froze in mid-air.

Wh... why? he asked in disbelief. This is a devil's den! This is hell! Wasn't leaving this place what you wanted most back then? Now that I have the ability, why won't you leave?

Because this is my home!

Ye Qingcheng shouted loudly. She hugged Wang Teng beside her and snuggled closely against Wang Luo, her eyes incomparably resolute.

I have a husband, I have a child. Although life is a bit hard, our family of three is together, and that is happiness!

And what about you?

Ye Qingcheng looked at Ye Xuan, a trace of sorrowful pity revealing itself in her eyes.

Ye Xuan, look at yourself now. You are full of hostility, and your hands are stained with blood. You are the Holy Son, a high and mighty figure. Your world only consists of slaughter and scheming.

You want us to go with you? Go where? To live a life where we are on edge every day, chased and killed by your enemies?

Furthermore...

Ye Qingcheng gritted her teeth and uttered the most hurtful words:

I am already a married woman. Although Wang Luo has no great abilities, he has never abandoned me. But you... it was you who chose that path back then.

I won't leave. I wouldn't leave even if I died.

Ye Xuan looked as if he had been struck by lightning.

He stood blankly on the spot, looking at the family of three before him.

Although Wang Luo was only at the Qi Condensation realm and his legs trembled in fear facing the Soul Formation realm Ye Xuan, he still stubbornly blocked his wife and child, raising that ridiculous axe as he roared:

"Ye Xuan! Did you hear me! Qingcheng is my wife! Teng'er is my son! As long as I have a breath left in me, I will never allow you to take them away!"

What a ridiculous scene.

One was a Soul Formation Holy Son with world-shaking power.

The other was a lowly Qi Condensation handyman, insignificant as an ant.

Yet at this very moment, in this contest of so-called "happiness" and "dignity," Ye Xuan had lost completely and utterly.

Looking at how tightly they held each other, Ye Xuan suddenly began to laugh.

"Heh... Hehehe..."

As he laughed, tears began to stream down his face.

So, I really am the one who doesn't belong.

So, the salvation I risked my life to climb up and offer you is nothing but a disturbance and a disaster in your eyes.

"Good... Good..."

Ye Xuan stumbled two steps backward, looking as if he had aged decades in an instant. His once proud and straight spine slumped.

He looked at Ye Qingcheng's hands tightly gripping Wang Luo's sleeve, looked at Wang Teng hiding in terror behind his father, looked at the impenetrable, watertight bond of their family of three.

He suddenly understood.

He was a superfluous person.

No matter how strong he became, that "dirty" stench on him had long since isolated him from their world.

"Heh..."

Ye Xuan lowered his head, his shoulders trembling as a low, deep laughter escaped him.

As he laughed, a tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

"Since that is the case..."

He suddenly raised his head, the burning passion in his eyes dissipating, replaced by a resolute, icy coldness.

"I will grant you your wish."

"Ye Xuan..." Ye Qingcheng looked at him with a trace of surprise.

"What are you still standing there for?!"

Ye Xuan suddenly shouted fiercely, his voice exploding like thunder. "Pack your things! Leave with me right now!"

"Didn't you say you wouldn't force us?" Wang Luo said angrily.

"What the hell do you know!"

Ye Xuan's eyes were bloodshot as he pointed toward the main peak, from which faint tremors could be felt. "I am the Holy Son, I know the sect's plans! Teng'er has a Supreme Heavenly Spirit Root. In another year, when his bone structure sets at the age of eight, the Grand Elder will snatch him away to refine him into a Child Fiend!"

"And you, Ye Qingcheng! Do you have any idea how many people in the sect want to use you to threaten me because I am the Holy Son?"

"If you stay here, there is only death waiting for you!"

Ye Qingcheng and Wang Luo's faces instantly turned deathly pale.

A Child Fiend... That was the most vicious and sinister dark art of the Hehuan Sect, requiring the living soul of a child to be ripped out.

"Take Teng'er. I will escort you out of the Hehuan Sect and back to the mortal realm."

Ye Xuan turned around, his back facing them, no longer looking at the family of three that broke his heart.

"Once back in the mortal realm, hide your names and never practice cultivation again. Become a wealthy commoner and live your lives in peace."

Looking at that aloof yet desolate figure from behind, Ye Qingcheng's eyes turned red.

"Ye Xuan... what about you?"

"Me?"

Ye Xuan let out a soft chuckle, his fingers brushing against the sword at his waist. "I am the Holy Son of the Hehuan Sect. Here... is where I belong."

A quarter of an hour later.

The family of three, carrying simple luggage, followed behind Ye Xuan as they walked toward the mountain gate.

Ye Xuan walked at the very front, the sword in his hand emitting a low, thrumming hum.

He knew this journey would not be peaceful.

But he hadn't expected the interception to come so quickly, and so ruthlessly.

"Holy Son, please stay."

An ancient and chilling voice descended from the sky.

Dark clouds pressed down heavily before the mountain gate of the Hehuan Sect.

The Grand Elder, leading three hundred elites of the sect's Disciplinary Hall, had already been waiting here for a long time.

And behind the Grand Elder stood seven or eight Nascent Soul stage elders. Even the two Soul Formation stage guardians of the sect, who were usually in secluded cultivation year-round, had appeared.

This grand formation would not be an overstatement even if it were meant to intercept and kill the leader of the righteous path.

Ye Xuan stopped in his tracks, shielding Ye Qingcheng's family of three behind him.

He looked at the Grand Elder expressionlessly. "What is the meaning of this, Grand Elder? The Patriarch said I could do whatever I wish."

"The Patriarch did say that."

A sharp glint flashed in the Grand Elder's cloudy old eyes—it was the look of a predator eyeing its prey.

"But the Patriarch also said that while the Holy Son now possesses unparalleled talent, there is but one flaw: your mortal ties of love have not been severed."

The Grand Elder pointed at Ye Qingcheng's family behind Ye Xuan.

"These three are your inner demons. They are your tribulation of love."

"Ye Xuan, as long as you kill these three today and sever your ties of love, you will possess a Flawless Demonic Body, and your future ascension will be assured! The Patriarch specially ordered us to wait here to help the Holy Son... kill your wife to prove your Dao!"

"Kill my wife to prove my Dao?"

Ye Xuan laughed, laughing so hard that tears flowed out.

"Prove what Dao? The Dao of Ruthlessness?"

"If it means becoming a cold-blooded monster like you who disowns their own kin, then this Dao... I'd rather not cultivate it!"

"Insolent!"

The Grand Elder shouted angrily. "Ye Xuan, don't be ungrateful! This woman betrayed you long ago and gave birth to a bastard with another man! She thinks you're dirty, she finds you disgusting. Don't you hate her? Kill her! Kill her, and you will be free!"

Ye Xuan looked back.

He cast a glance at Ye Qingcheng.

At this moment, Ye Qingcheng's face was ashen as she held the child, shivering violently.

The way she looked at Ye Xuan was filled with terror. She was afraid that Ye Xuan would actually listen to the Grand Elder's words and kill her and her son to prove his Dao.

That look of distrust pierced Ye Xuan's heart once again.

"Yes, she betrayed me. She despises me."

Ye Xuan turned his head back, his sword pointing straight at the Grand Elder, his voice ringing out loud and clear, echoing through the clouds.

"But so what?"

"She is my wife. Even if she refuses to acknowledge it, in my heart, she still is."

"In this life of mine, Ye Xuan, my body is dirty and my reputation is ruined, but this heart of mine... is still warm!"

"You destroyed everything I had, leaving me with no face to confront her, turning me into a complete joke."

"And now, you want me to watch helplessly as you destroy her last shred of happiness? You want to force me to kill her with my own hands?"

"Keep dreaming!!"

Spiritual energy erupted around Ye Xuan, and the pressure of the Soul Formation stage exploded like a volcano, sending the surrounding low-level disciples flying backward, spitting blood.

With one man and one sword, he stood blocking an army of thousands.

That not-so-broad back suddenly seemed as majestic as a towering mountain in this moment.

"Ye Qingcheng!"

Ye Xuan roared without turning his head.

"Take Wang Luo and Teng'er and go! Run down the mountain! Don't look back!"

"I have failed you. I failed to give you the promise of a lifetime with only one person, and I failed to give you a clean husband."

"Today, with my single sword, I will escort you back to the mortal realm!"

"This is what I owe you!!"

"Ye Xuan..."

Looking at that back, Ye Qingcheng's tears finally burst forth.

At this moment, she finally understood that this once-young boy had never changed.

No matter what he had become, no matter how much darkness he had endured, he was still the same Ye Xuan who was willing to shield her from the wind and rain.