Taking the Sword

Ye Qingcheng's Dao heart was shattered.

She slumped on the ground, like a puddle of mud that had lost its bones. Her cultivation realm plummeted like water bursting from a broken dam, dropping madly from the Body Integration Realm down to Soul Formation, Nascent Soul... It looked as if she was about to hit rock bottom and be reduced to a cripple.

Right at this moment.

A pair of warm hands gently wrapped around her trembling shoulders.

Ye Qingcheng's entire body stiffened, and she raised her head in disbelief.

Ye Xuan was looking down at her.

Having just awakened from the illusion, the white-gold flawless immortal light around him had not yet fully dissipated. He looked as holy and pure as a Divine King from the Nine Heavens.

However, the look in his eyes as he gazed at her was no longer filled with the previous coldness and scrutiny; instead, it carried an intoxicating gentleness.

Junior Sister.

Ye Xuan's voice was soft, like a spring breeze brushing across her parched heart.

Why are you crying?

An illusion is ultimately just an illusion. The things of the past, since they have already happened, truly cannot be changed.

Ye Qingcheng stared at him blankly, tears hanging on her eyelashes, on the verge of falling. Ye Xuan... do you... do you not find me dirty? Do you not blame me?

Ye Xuan smiled faintly, his fingers gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes. His movements were as tender as if he were wiping a dust-covered treasure.

Didn't I say it earlier in the illusion?

A body in the mire, but a heart yearning for the light.

As long as you are willing to change from now on, willing to make amends... the future can be started anew.

Really?

Ye Qingcheng suddenly grabbed Ye Xuan's sleeve, an unprecedented light of hope bursting from her eyes, like a drowning person clutching the only straw. Husband... are you really willing to give me a chance? Do you really think I can still be saved?

Ye Xuan did not speak. He simply lowered his head and placed a light kiss on the forehead of this woman whose face was covered in tears and ruined makeup.

Boom!

This kiss was like the first ray of light when heaven and earth were first separated.

Ye Qingcheng only felt a massive, incredibly pure power carrying an aura of supreme holiness frantically surging into her body through Ye Xuan's lips!

That was the origin power of the Flawless Dao Body that Ye Xuan had just awakened!

This power was both overbearing and gentle. It instantly stabilized her collapsing cultivation realm and even helped wash away the inner demons and impurities that had accumulated in her body for a thousand years.

Husband...

Feeling the power in her body that had been lost and found again, and even elevated to a higher level, Ye Qingcheng was completely overwhelmed by immense joy.

He forgave me!

He really forgave me!

He even didn't hesitate to use his origin power to help heal my injuries!

I am willing! I am willing to change! I am willing to do anything!

Ye Qingcheng was so excited she became incoherent. She hugged Ye Xuan's waist tightly, wishing she could melt herself into his body. From now on, I am yours alone! I will listen to whatever you say! I will never look at another man again!

Ye Xuan let her hug him, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder.

From an angle that Ye Qingcheng could not see.

The gentleness in Ye Xuan's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a spine-chilling coldness and mockery.

He tilted his head slightly, his lips pressing against Ye Qingcheng's ear, and spoke softly in the murmuring tone of a lover:

Good girl.

After all... my current situation is very dangerous.

Many crazy women want my life!

By my side, I really need an obedient, fierce dog with the strength of the Tribulation Transcendence Realm.

To help me bite those blind women.

The wild joy on Ye Qingcheng's face froze instantly.

A dog.

Did he say... a dog?

Her eyes widened, her pupils contracting violently.

If it were the proud Ye Qingcheng of the past, hearing this word would have probably made her erupt and kill him on the spot.

But now.

After experiencing the psychological destruction of the Great Void Illusion, and then the massive emotional rollercoaster just now.

Her self-esteem had long been trampled under Ye Xuan's feet and crushed into powder.

Not only was she not angry.

Instead, she felt a perverted, twisted... sense of security.

A dog is fine.

As long as I can stay by his side.

As long as I am needed by him.

Being a dog... doesn't seem so bad?

At least, a dog is loyal, and a master will not abandon his dog.

I...

Ye Qingcheng took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and hugged him even tighter. Her voice trembled but was firm:

As long as you don't abandon me...

I am willing to be your dog.

Whoever dares to bite you... I will bite them to death.

Hearing this answer, the corners of Ye Xuan's mouth curled into a satisfied, icy arc.

Very good.

Ye Xuan sneered coldly. Without any lingering attachment, he casually pushed away the Tribulation Transcendence Realm mighty figure in his arms who was now dead set on him.

He dusted off his sleeves and restored his cold, aloof demeanor.

Clean yourself up and wipe your tears.

Follow me. I have a major matter that I need you to handle.

Ye Qingcheng stumbled back from the push, but did not dare to have the slightest complaint.

She hurriedly climbed up, used spiritual energy to evaporate her tears, and tidied up her appearance. In an instant, she transformed back into that cold, glamorous, and noble Holy Maiden of the Joyous Union Sect, only the look in her eyes when gazing at Ye Xuan now held an added slave-like fanaticism.

Yes, Master.

Ye Xuan returned to the small courtyard and picked up Ying'er, who was cracking melon seeds.

Let's go, we are heading somewhere.

Ying'er clapped the melon seed shells off her hands and hopped onto the flying ship with an adorably clueless expression. Master, where are we going this time? Are we going to eat something delicious?

Ye Xuan stood at the bow of the flying ship, his gaze piercing through the clouds, looking towards the distant south.

There, a heaven-piercing sword aura was scorching the firmament.

No.

Ye Xuan narrowed his eyes, a glint of sharpness flashing in them.

We are going... to retrieve a sword.

A sword... that rightfully belongs to me.

Southern Continent, Sword Worship Villa.

This was the holy land in the hearts of all sword cultivators in the world.

The entire villa was built upon an extinct ten-thousand-year-old volcano, with scorching toxic earth-core fire flowing underground. Within a radius of a thousand miles, not a single blade of grass grew, and the air was filled with the smell of sulfur and rust.

Today was exactly the Sword Worship Villa's annual Sword Worship Assembly.

The massive plaza in the center of the villa was packed with a sea of people.

Cultivators from all corners of the world, heaven-chosen talents from major sects, and even some reclusive old monsters who rarely showed themselves were all gathered here at this moment.

Their gazes convergently and fanatically focused on the very center of the plaza.

There, stood a sword mound built from obsidian.

Atop the sword mound, a sword was plunged into the stone.

The sword's body was completely crimson, like flowing magma. The hilt was dark gold, carved with ancient sun patterns.

It rested there quietly, yet it emitted a terrifying, suffocating high temperature.

The surrounding space twisted slightly under this intense heat, as if even one's line of sight could be scorched.

This was the Sun-Slaying Divine Sword.

This sword... has been stuck there for at least ten thousand years, right?

Someone in the crowd sighed in awe.

Indeed. I heard it's an innate sword embryo, possessing its own sentience. Only peerless geniuses can draw it, and only those bound by destiny can move it.

Over these past few thousand years, who knows how many astonishingly brilliant figures have failed here. Let alone drawing the sword, just getting within ten strides of its Heart-Burning Sword Aura is enough to turn an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator into ashes!

Hey, look over there! That's the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Zhao Tianyi! I heard he possesses an innate sword body, and he is determined to win this time!

Amidst the exclamations of the crowd, a young man in flowing white robes, with a long sword on his back, walked toward the sword mound with an arrogant expression.

He cupped his fists to the surroundings, enjoying the feeling of being the center of attention, and then strode into the range of the sword qi.

One step, two steps...

When he was five zhang away from the sword.

"Hmph!"

Zhao Tianyi suddenly grunted, his face flushed, and white smoke rose from his body.

The invisible sword qi coiled around him like a fire dragon, burning his protective spiritual light until it crackled.

"Get... up for me!"

He roared, forcefully rushing to the hilt of the sword and reaching out to grab it.

"Ah!"

A miserable scream.

Before his hand could even touch the hilt, he was blown away by a terrifying rebound force. His entire right hand was burned pitch-black, like a piece of dead wood.

"Trash."

Sitting high on the platform, Ao Tianqiong, the Master of the Sword Worshipping Villa, cast a disdainful glance at Zhao Tianyi, who was being carried down, and shook his head.

"Another one who doesn't know life from death."

Ao Tianqiong touched the storage ring on his finger, which contained the ten thousand top-grade spirit stones Zhao Tianyi had just paid as a "sword testing fee."

This was the true business strategy of the Sword Worshipping Villa.

The divine sword was good, but no one could pull it out.

Since it couldn't be pulled out, it was used as a tool to amass wealth.

Every year, countless geniuses, willing to go bankrupt, paid the sword testing fee for this sword, and the Sword Worshipping Villa made a fortune from it.

"Next!"

Ao Tianqiong called out lazily.

Over the next few hours.

Geniuses from major sects took turns.

A top-grade fire spirit root, a desolate overlord body, a clear sword heart...

The results were all the same.

The lightly injured coughed up blood, while the heavily injured had their souls burned by the sword qi, turning them into idiots.

Seeing the sun setting in the west, the gathering was about to end.

Ao Tianqiong stood up, a hypocritical smile on his face, and said loudly,

"Everyone, it seems that this Sun-Slaying Divine Sword is still waiting for its destined person this year. Since no one can pull it out, today's gathering will..."

"Hold on."

A cold voice, like shattering ice and jade, instantly pierced through the noisy crowd and echoed above the square.

The crowd looked up in astonishment.

They saw a massive pink flying boat parting the clouds and slowly descending.

On the flying boat stood a man in a green shirt with his hands behind his back.

He didn't ride a sword, nor did he display any shocking aura. He simply leaped down casually, landing lightly in the center of the square.

Behind him followed two peerless beauties.

One was cute and charming, looking around curiously.

The other was dressed in fiery red, with a cold and beautiful face, exuding an icy aura that kept strangers away.

It was Ye Xuan and his group.

"I'm here to pull the sword."

Ye Xuan looked at the crimson longsword stuck in the rock, his eyes deep.

Ao Tianqiong frowned, looking Ye Xuan up and down.

His aura was restrained, making it impossible to see his depth.

But this grand entrance was quite something.

"Fellow Daoist," Ao Tianqiong said with a fake smile, "the time for the Sword Worshipping Gathering has passed. If you want to test the sword, please come early next year."

In reality, he just wanted to raise the price on the spot.

Ye Xuan didn't even look at him.

He waved his hand casually.

"Crash!"

A small mountain of spirit stones appeared out of thin air in front of Ao Tianqiong.

Crystal clear, radiating spiritual energy.

A full one hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones!

The entire square went dead silent.

Everyone gasped.

Where did this prodigal come from? Throwing out one hundred thousand just like that?

Ao Tianqiong's eyes instantly went wide.

His old face bloomed into a smile like a chrysanthemum, and all the previous rules and times were completely forgotten.

"Easy to say! Easy to say!"

Ao Tianqiong waved his large sleeve, storing the spirit stones, and turned sideways to make an inviting gesture, his attitude extremely respectful:

"Young Master is truly generous! Please! This Sun-Slaying Divine Sword must be waiting for an outstanding hero like you!"

Ye Xuan sneered.

Money makes the world go round; this was the cultivation world.

He strode toward the sword mound.

Discussions rose and fell around him.

"Who is this guy? So generous?"

"I don't know, he looks very unfamiliar. But that red-clothed woman behind him has a terrifying aura..."

"Tch, what's the use of money? Even the Chief of the Heavenly Sword Sect failed. Can a pretty boy like him do it?"

"Exactly, just another sucker coming to give away money."

Ye Xuan turned a deaf ear to these voices.

He walked step by step toward the Sun-Slaying Sword.

Ten zhang.

The "Heart-Burning Sword Qi," enough to incinerate a Nascent Soul, rushed at his face.

A faint white-gold light—the Immaculate Dao Body—shimmered on Ye Xuan's body.

The moment those terrifying fire poisons and sword qi touched this layer of light, they melted instantly like snow meeting boiling water.

He walked as if on flat ground.

Five zhang.

Three zhang.

One zhang.

Ye Xuan stood atop the sword mound, right in front of the Sun-Slaying Sword.

Up close, the sword was even more stunning.

Inside the blade, it seemed a slumbering fire dragon was sealed, breathing slowly. Every breath spewed out a visible wave of heat.

Ye Xuan reached out his hand.

His slender fingers passed through the distorted heat waves and slowly grasped the scalding hilt.

The moment his fingertips touched the hilt.

The Sun-Slaying Sword let out a sword cry that shook the heavens!

An indescribably terrifying flame instantly surged up his arm and into Ye Xuan's sea of consciousness!

"Ah!!"

Ye Xuan's soul felt as if it had been thrown into a pill furnace. The excruciating pain almost made him let go.

"This is the Sun-Slaying Fire; it only burns the soul! Do not hold it for long! Otherwise, your soul will be destroyed!"

In the distance, Ao Tianqiong, having received the money, rare "kindly" reminded him.

But a hint of schadenfreude flashed in his eyes. This was the wicked part of the sword; the stronger the person, the stronger the backlash.

Ye Xuan gritted his teeth, refusing to let go.

He closed his eyes slightly, allowing the flame to ravage the depths of his soul.

Because at this moment.

With the burning of the Sun-Slaying Fire, some memory fragments that had been sealed and forgotten frantically revived in his mind like a revolving lantern.

Darkness.

Endless darkness.

Suddenly, a woman's voice, so gentle it broke the heart, echoed in the depths of his sea of consciousness:

"Xuan... look, this sword is called 'Sun-Slaying'."

"It's an innate sword embryo, tempered with the True Fire of the Sun."

"And the one in my hand is called 'Moon-Gazing', condensed from the True Essence of the Moon."

"The sun and moon shine together, yin and yang complement each other."

"These are couple's swords. Those who possess these two swords are destined lovers, bound life after life, never to be separated."

In the vision.

A blurry woman in white was smilingly handing him this crimson sword.

Although her face was unclear, Ye Xuan could feel that intense, unshakeable love.

Who was that?

Was it from his past life's past life? Or an even older karma?

Just as Ye Xuan tried hard to see the woman's face clearly.

Suddenly.

The scene in his sea of consciousness changed abruptly!

The warm scene shattered instantly, turning into a sky full of a sea of blood!

The woman in white fell in a pool of blood, a sword pierced through her chest—it was exactly that "Moon-Gazing"!

And standing beside her corpse was a woman in black clothes with wildly dancing long hair.

The woman held the blood-stained hilt, a crazy, sick, and chilling smile on her face.

Following closely.

A shrill, hysterical, and fiercely possessive voice exploded in Ye Xuan's mind, drowning out the gentle voice from before:

"Master! Master!"

"This sword shouldn't belong to that woman! That bitch doesn't deserve it!"

"I killed her... hehehe... I killed her!"

"Now, I've snatched this Moon Gazer! I am its master!"

"Master, do you see?"

"Sun Cleaver is yours, and Moon Gazer is mine."

"I am your heaven-ordained Dao Companion! I am the only one in this world worthy of you!"

"Whoever dares to steal you away... I'll kill them! I'll kill them all! Slaughter every last one of them!!"

Ye Xuan's eyes snapped open as he let out an agonized roar.

The madness and obsession in that voice were like a venomous hook, viciously snagging his soul.

It was a cursed love that transcended time, space, and reincarnation itself.

His body was drenched in cold sweat, which was instantly evaporated by the sword qi.

"An illusion... no, it's a memory!"

Ye Xuan gasped heavily for air.

He finally understood why no one had been able to draw this sword for thousands of years.

Because it was waiting for him.

And that terrifying woman was waiting for him, too.

"No matter who you are... no matter how heavy this karma is..."

"I am taking this sword!"

A ruthless glint flashed through Ye Xuan's eyes.

He exerted his strength fiercely, and the newly awakened Grand Luo Boundless Sword Intent within his body erupted instantly!

"Come... out!!!"

Rumble!

The entire volcano began to quake violently!

Toxic subterranean flames spewed forth, dyeing the sky above the Sword Worship Villa a bloody red.

Under the terrified gazes of countless people.

Ye Xuan, his entire body burning with white-gold flames and veins bulging on his arms, inch by inch, slowly drew out the Sun Cleaver Sword that had been embedded in the rock for three thousand years!