Chapter 97

Deer Garden Mountain, the headquarters of the Nine Profound Sword Sect.

Disciples scattered around were joyfully conversing.

Today’s battle, the might of the Heavenly Sword wielded by the Sword Pavilion’s elder, stirred the hearts of all.

Even more exhilarating was that today’s battle had sealed the decline of the Great Spirit Sword Sect.

Perhaps the last position among the four major sword sects of the Western Border would soon be taken by another force.

The Nine Profound Sword Sect, with today’s great victory, would once again dominate the Western Border, setting the stage for a century of power.

Who could not be elated to be part of such a rising major sect?

On the mountain peak, protected by layers of defenses, stood several green tents.

In one of them, Han Muye and Mo Yuan sat facing each other.

Mo Yuan, pale-faced but with bright eyes, said, "Little Han, do you know, when Elder Gao unleashed his sword today, I was just a hundred feet away. I saw it clearly."

Mo Yuan waved his hand, his expression agitated.

"I understand what my Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source is missing."

He clenched his fist and swung it fiercely: "It’s missing true ten thousand swords!"

"Two hundred years have passed, and I have wasted time."

"The sword techniques passed down in the outer sect have little effect on refining sword intent."

...

Mo Yuan seemed almost mad, repeatedly recounting his insights and discussing his deductions about the Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source.

"Elder Gao was right; a hundred years of cultivation can cut through the Heavenly Realm."

He clenched his fist and whispered, as if speaking to Han Muye or to himself.

A hundred years of cultivation.

But after today’s sword strike, Mo Yuan’s lifespan would be less than a hundred years, right?

The sword intent Han Muye had given him was the foundation for Mo Yuan’s breakthrough.

Exhausting this sword intent today would reduce Mo Yuan’s lifespan by at least seventy percent.

Mo Yuan looked up and saw Han Muye’s gaze, and he smiled.

"Little one, I know what you’re thinking."

"We sword cultivators are indifferent to life and death."

"I’ve made up my mind; I’m going to the Eastern Sea."

"I’ll leave tomorrow."

The Eastern Sea, the place where sword cultivation is most prosperous in the Tianxuan world, is said to have Heavenly Realm sword cultivators who can cut through mountains and seas with a single sword strike.

"Master, the Eastern Sea is too far. You’ve exhausted your sword intent; why not rest for a while?" Han Muye said softly.

The Eastern Sea is millions of miles away.

Hearing Han Muye’s words, Mo Yuan laughed and waved his hand. "No problem. Even if I die on the way, I’ll have no regrets."

He looked at Han Muye, his eyes bright. "With my contributions, the Mo family will be safe."

"With your inheritance, the Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source will flourish."

"Why wait any longer?"

Han Muye nodded and did not try to dissuade him.

Mo Yuan, who had cultivated for two hundred years, had a resolve that others could not sway.

He reached out and placed a small jade bottle on the table.

This was the longevity pill Mo Yuan had given him.

It could extend his life by one year.

After a moment’s thought, Han Muye took out a small sword from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

A spirit artifact, the Flowing Moon Sword.

"Master, come back after a hundred years."

Han Muye said softly, then stood up, bowed to Mo Yuan, and turned to leave the tent.

Mo Yuan watched him go, and after a long while, he looked down at the spirit artifact and the longevity pill on the table.

His expression changed, and he picked up the pill and the sword.

"Brat, do you think I need these things?"

Mo Yuan laughed and scolded, then raised his hand, and three long swords with swirling sword qi appeared before him.

War brings the greatest wealth.

In the destruction of the Three Qin Sword Sect, Mo Yuan was at the forefront; how could he lack spirit artifacts?

Just the spirit artifact long swords he had seized and sent to the Sword Pavilion numbered several.

After a moment’s thought, Mo Yuan took out a green-black ring and waved his hand, and two spirit artifact long swords fell into it.

He then took out a pile of sparkling spirit stones and various spirit materials and treasures, placing them in the spatial ring.

"Brat, I was going to leave these for the Mo family, but now you can have them..."

"When I return after a hundred years, I’ll show you the might of my Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source."

——————

Han Muye left Mo Yuan’s tent, took a deep breath, looked at the tent in the middle of the mountain peak, and walked over.

When he reached the Sword Pavilion elder’s tent, a middle-aged man in a green robe stood outside.

Su Yuan.

A new rising power in the Nine Profound Sword Sect’s Fire Line.

He broke the Three Qin Sword Sect’s mountain gate with a single Blaze technique.

Although Han Muye had never met Su Yuan, the Blaze technique was taught by him.

In a way, Han Muye was Su Yuan’s creditor.

Su Yuan owed Han Muye a thousand merits.

"Is that Han Muye?"

Su Yuan looked at Han Muye and spoke softly.

"Han Muye greets Elder Su." Han Muye bowed and clasped his hands.

Su Yuan waved his hand. "Call me Uncle."

He turned and slowly walked up the green stone hill.

Han Muye followed.

"Elder Gao didn’t have to use that sword strike."

"I told Elder Gao that since I used Blaze, I was prepared to bear all the consequences."

Standing on the green stone, Su Yuan looked at the moonlight in the distance.

Han Muye remained silent.

The Nine Profound Sword Sect’s Fire Line had been dormant for too long, on the verge of disintegration and being absorbed by the other lines.

Su Yuan wanted to reunite the Fire Line, use Blaze to gather the hearts of the people, which was understandable.

But from the memory of the Three Qin Sword Sect elder’s sword, Han Muye knew that Blaze seemed to be a forbidden technique, not to be used.

"Uncle Su, the elder’s sword strike wasn’t just for you." Han Muye looked at Su Yuan and said softly.

"He did it for the sect."

Or rather, the sect’s situation forced the Sword Pavilion elder to use that sword strike.

But in the end, it was the elder’s willingness to use the sword strike; otherwise, no one could make him do it.

Su Yuan shook his head, looking into the distance, his eyes showing a hint of gravity.

"This victory in destroying the Three Qin Sword Sect can keep the Fire Line from disintegrating for ten years."

"If no one capable of controlling the Fire Line appears within ten years, it can only be said that it’s the will of heaven."

Su Yuan turned to Han Muye and said solemnly, "Remember, no matter what happens, you must escort Elder Gao back to Nine Profound Mountain."

Today, the Nine Profound Sword Sect achieved a great victory, and the Sword Pavilion elder killed the Great Spirit Sword Sect’s Supreme Elder Mu Teyang, directly reducing the Great Spirit Sword Sect’s strength by thirty percent.

After today, the Nine Profound Sword Sect’s prestige would soar, and it would be a rapidly rising force in the Western Border.

But Su Yuan, the hero who destroyed the Three Qin Sword Sect, did not show any joy; instead, he seemed to be facing a great calamity.

Han Muye looked at Su Yuan and said softly, "Uncle Su, is it because of the Blaze technique?"

Hearing Han Muye’s question, Su Yuan nodded. "Yes."

Han Muye frowned. "Uncle, why can’t this technique be used?"

Su Yuan did not answer but turned to look at the Nine Profound Sword Sect disciples gathered below.

"Since using this technique brings unpredictable disaster, why did you still use Blaze?" Han Muye asked Su Yuan solemnly.

If he hadn’t used this technique, Elder Gao wouldn’t have needed to act today.

Without using the Blaze technique, the Three Qin Sword Sect would have just been delayed in its destruction.

"The sect master ordered me to use it."

Su Yuan said softly.

The sect master, Jin Ze.

Han Muye wanted to ask more, but Su Yuan had already moved and disappeared from the spot.

Han Muye watched him go, pondered for a moment, and then turned to go to the Sword Pavilion elder’s tent.

Many things would have answers there.