Chapter 81

Chapter 82: Xu Yan's Excitement, Xie Lingfeng of the Sword Venerable Cliff

Emperor Qi and Guo Rongshan looked up at the sound, and four figures descended from the sky.

A young man, with a sword at his waist, descended holding the First Prince; another was a middle-aged man, also with a sword at his waist, holding the First Prince's eunuch attendant.

Emperor Qi was instantly overjoyed and stood up abruptly.

The long-awaited expert had finally arrived.

"Greetings, Great Expert!"

Emperor Qi lowered his posture, almost shedding tears of excitement.

Guo Rongshan, however, felt a sinking heart. The experts had flown in, but his grandson Xu Yan still couldn't fly.

But, his grandson's master must be an extraordinary expert, right?

He hurriedly stood up and followed suit in bowing.

Xie Lingfeng's gaze was stern, and without any pleasantries, he directly asked, "Where is the troublemaker?"

Emperor Qi was taken aback. Troublemaker?

Xu Yan?!

Guo Rongshan's heart sank. The expert's tone was not friendly. Could it be that he had some grudge against Xu Yan or Xu Yan's master?

His heart became uneasy.

"Guo Rongshan, where is your grandson?"

Emperor Qi straightened his back, no longer calling him brother, and addressed him directly.

Guo Rongshan pondered for a moment. His grandson was in Donghe County, training with his master. If these two warriors went there, perhaps Xu Yan's master could handle them.

"In Donghe County!"

He didn't hide it, straightening his back and giving Emperor Qi a sideways glance.

Emperor Qi's heart sank. The battle hadn't been decided yet. If these two experts failed, it would be disastrous.

He immediately put on a smile and said, "Brother Guo, the Great Expert wants to find your grandson. I dare not hide it."

Xie Lingfeng, upon hearing that Xue Wuxin was in Donghe County, immediately asked, "Which direction is Donghe County?"

The First Prince straightened his back and said, "Great Expert, there's no need for you to go personally. I'll send a message to have him come to the capital to meet you."

He pointed at Guo Rongshan and ordered, "Minister Guo, why don't you quickly send a message to your grandson to come to the capital to meet the Great Expert?"

Guo Rongshan narrowed his eyes at the First Prince. This kid needs a lesson.

The First Prince felt uneasy under his gaze but, thinking of the support from the Great Expert, glared back fiercely.

Xie Lingfeng was confused, looking at Guo Rongshan with a puzzled expression.

"Your grandson?"

Xue Wuxin is someone's grandson now?

"Indeed, I wonder what the Great Expert needs from my grandson."

Guo Rongshan nodded.

Xie Lingfeng blinked, feeling that something was off.

He looked at Hu Shan and whispered, "How old is Xue Wuxin? Could he be from the Borderlands?"

Hu Shan was also confused and said, "Xue Wuxin is not younger than me. It's impossible for him to come from the Borderlands to the Inner Domain. The mountains near the Inner Domain are infested with fierce beasts. Without the strength of a Fourth or Fifth Rank, it's impossible to cross!"

"What's going on then?"

Xie Lingfeng had never thought that a warrior could appear in the Borderlands.

Hu Shan pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps Xue Wuxin has changed his style. On the surface, he is this person's grandson, but in reality, he controls this person, helping him control the Qi Kingdom's court, secretly consuming others' essence and blood to avoid causing major chaos."

"To avoid our pursuit?"

"If someone else came to the Borderlands and found no signs of a city massacre, they would stop investigating and return to the Inner Domain."

Hu Shan analyzed.

Xie Lingfeng found this reasonable. Xue Wuxin had suffered a great loss in the Inner Domain and, to avoid being pursued by Inner Domain warriors, would definitely be more low-key.

To hide his identity, he even became someone's grandson?

He truly underestimated Xue Wuxin's patience.

Thinking this, Xie Lingfeng narrowed his eyes and said to Guo Rongshan, "Send a message to your grandson to come to the capital. Tell him he can't hide."

"Alright!"

Guo Rongshan didn't hesitate and nodded in agreement.

This matter was beyond his control. He would inform his grandson, and if it was too dangerous, he would let him escape.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave!"

Guo Rongshan bowed to Emperor Qi.

"Minister, take your time!"

Emperor Qi was overjoyed.

After Guo Rongshan left, Emperor Qi ordered a grand banquet to entertain Xie Lingfeng and his companion.

However, Xie Lingfeng declined and only asked for a secluded residence.

Emperor Qi readily agreed.

He personally escorted Xie Lingfeng and his companion to a secluded place in the palace. After returning to his study, his demeanor changed, and the imperial aura returned.

"Order the secret surveillance of the Qi Wang's movements and prepare to control the Divine Might Army."

Emperor Qi commanded.

"Father, why don't we just raid Guo Rongshan's house?"

The First Prince suggested.

"Foolish!"

Emperor Qi glared at his eldest son, "The battle isn't decided yet. What's the rush? What if it's a draw? What if we lose? Be patient and don't be hasty!"

"Yes, yes, Father is right!"

The First Prince acknowledged, though he was deeply dissatisfied with his father. He planned to curry favor with the Great Expert to gain support for becoming the emperor of Qi.

Father is old and confused. He should be removed.

...

In Yunshan County, Li Xuan was refining the cultivation method beyond the Innate Realm.

It could seamlessly connect with the Innate Realm, and the power at this level was still incredibly strong, surpassing the Great Masters of the Inner Domain.

One day, a message from the capital reached Donghe County.

Warriors had arrived in the capital!

They wanted Xu Yan to come to the capital to meet them!

It seemed they had ill intentions!

The two arrivals, descending from the sky, were undoubtedly Inner Domain Master Warriors.

"Master, I will go to the capital to meet the Inner Domain warriors!"

Xu Yan's face was filled with excitement.

"Inner Domain Master, do you have confidence?"

Li Xuan pondered for a moment and asked.

Xu Yan had reached the peak of the Blood Qi Realm and had a clear understanding of the Sword Path.

His strength was far greater than before.

However, if the two opponents worked together, Xu Yan might struggle.

Moreover, Masters also have varying levels of strength.

"Master, don't worry. I have comprehended the Sword Path, and my Dragon Subduing Palm has broken through to the second level. I am not afraid of Inner Domain Masters, even if they work together!"

Xu Yan said confidently.

"If you have confidence, then go."

Li Xuan nodded.

"Do you need me to accompany you?"

After some thought, Li Xuan asked again.

"Master, you stay in Yunshan County to teach the younger disciples. I can handle it alone. They came for Xue Wuxin and haven't harmed my grandfather's family. They might not have malicious intentions. This is a good opportunity to hone my Sword Path and perhaps comprehend Sword Intent."

Xu Yan shook his head after some thought.

"If you have this confidence, then go."

Li Xuan nodded.

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan left excitedly.

"Two Inner Domain Masters, pursuing Xue Wuxin? From Guo Rongshan's message, they seem to have ill intentions but haven't harmed the Guo family. They also don't appear arrogant or condescending. They are not bloodthirsty. Xu Yan should be fine, and with his strength, he won't lose to a Master."

Li Xuan pondered.

"My precious disciple must not be in danger. I'll go and see."

Li Xuan was still worried.

"Disciple, the Wind and Thunder Vajra Fist lies in the power of wind and thunder. Meditate on it more. I need to leave for a while."

After Meng Chong returned, Li Xuan instructed and then took off, heading to the capital of Qi.

In the capital of Qi, at the Guo family residence.

"Father, are those two experts here for Yan'er?"

Guo Yun Kai asked worriedly.

"We can't control this. It's up to Yan'er."

Guo Rongshan said helplessly.

Since the experts arrived in the capital, the ministers were all excited, vying to show their loyalty to Emperor Qi.

Just to meet the experts.

The Qi Wang's residence suddenly became deserted. The ministers thought the Qi Wang's family was doomed.

They all kept their distance, as if the Qi Wang's residence was a plague, fearing any contact.

Emperor Qi had no time for the ministers. He visited the experts morning, noon, and night, bringing all kinds of precious medicines and rare treasures to their residence.

Although the experts didn't accept them, he didn't take them back.

If you eat someone's food, you become soft; if you take someone's gifts, you become short. As the ruler of a country, showing such respect and giving such treasures, the experts should at least show some gratitude, right?

Emperor Qi was delighted, waiting for the right moment to ask about the martial arts.

To have the experts take on disciples.

The First Prince also served them diligently every day, hoping to be taken as a disciple and learn the powerful martial arts.

"Where is he? Is he hiding?"

Xie Lingfeng was getting impatient.

"Great Expert, he has already set out for the capital."

The First Prince said with a fawning smile.

On that day, a figure flew towards the palace.

"Old man Qi, I, Xu Yan, have arrived. Where is the so-called expert?"

Xu Yan arrived!

He was as arrogant as before, flying in with overwhelming momentum.

"Who is this?"

Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan's faces changed.

A warrior!

Where did this warrior come from?

In an instant, they disappeared from their spots, flying up and appearing in front of Xu Yan.

Xu Yan's gaze sharpened. They were indeed Master Warriors.

His eyes fell on Xie Lingfeng, and his intuition told him this person was the strongest, with a sharp and imposing aura.

He had a long sword at his waist.

A Sword Path warrior!

His eyes lit up, standing on the palace roof, rubbing his hands, eager to test his skills against an Inner Domain Sword Path warrior.

This Inner Domain warrior was in his twenties, only about eleven or twelve years older than him.

But his strength was even greater than Xue Wuxin!

"Are you the ones looking for me?"

Xu Yan asked excitedly.

Xie Lingfeng's brows furrowed. The young man in front of him seemed off.

He seemed to be a warrior, but his aura was different, with extremely vigorous blood qi.

Taking a deep breath, he said solemnly, "You are not Xue Wuxin. Where is Xue Wuxin?"

Indeed, they were looking for Xue Wuxin.

"Xue Wuxin is dead!"

Xu Yan didn't hide it.

"Dead?"

Xie Lingfeng was stunned. A Master Warrior, dead in the Borderlands?

"Who killed him?"

He didn't think the young man in front of him could kill Xue Wuxin.

"My master!"

"Who is your master?"

"That's none of your business. Since you're looking for me, let's fight. I also want to see the strength of an Inner Domain Master!"

Xu Yan's blood qi erupted with a loud boom.

A red dragon coiled around him.

Xie Lingfeng was shocked and asked, "Who are you? Are you from the Inner Domain?"

Xu Yan stood proudly and said, "What do you mean from the Inner Domain? I, Xu Yan, am from Donghe County in Qi Kingdom, a Borderlander!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Xie Lingfeng was incredulous.

"Warriors cannot exist in the Borderlands!"

Xu Yan sneered, "Then what about me? Am I a warrior?"

"This..."

Xie Lingfeng was stunned.

Yes, the person in front of him was a Borderland warrior.

Hu Shan was also shocked. He tried to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth but found nothing.

This meant that the Borderlands still lacked spiritual energy!

"Stop dilly-dallying. Let's fight!"

Xu Yan, impatient, pointed at Xie Lingfeng and said.

"Alright!"

Xie Lingfeng took a deep breath and nodded.

"Let's go outside the city!"

Xu Yan said, moving and flying out of the city.

Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan exchanged glances, both seeing the disbelief in each other's eyes.

They flew up and headed out of the city.

The capital was in an uproar.

There was a battle between martial arts experts. People rushed out of the city to watch, but they couldn't see anyone.

Outside the capital, several miles away.

Xie Lingfeng flew, sword in hand, with a sharp and imposing aura, locking onto Xu Yan from a distance.

Xu Yan's blood qi boiled, and he became increasingly excited.

"I am Xie Lingfeng of the Sword Venerable Cliff!"

Xie Lingfeng bowed.

"Donghe County, Xu Yan!"

Xu Yan returned the bow.

Feeling Xie Lingfeng's sharp and sword-like aura, he became even more excited. He had just entered the Sword Path, with a clear sword heart, but had not yet comprehended Sword Intent.

Perhaps this was an opportunity!

To battle an Inner Domain Sword Path warrior and see who was stronger!

"Brother Xu!"

Xie Lingfeng bowed and asked curiously, "What realm are you in, Brother Xu?"

He couldn't quite gauge Xu Yan's realm.

Not a Master, but not a First Rank either.

A First Rank couldn't have such a powerful aura.

More surprisingly, the red dragon coiling around Xu Yan was quite formidable, and he had never seen such a cultivation method in the Inner Domain.

"Warrior's Path, peak Blood Qi Realm!"

Xu Yan said straightforwardly.

"Blood Qi Realm?"

Xie Lingfeng was confused.

What realm was this? He had never heard of it.

He looked back at Hu Shan, who was also puzzled.

And just a Warrior's Path?

"Brother Xu, what is the Blood Qi Realm? The Warrior's Path is the Ninth Rank..."

Xu Yan, impatient, said, "Stop wasting time. Let's fight first!"

"Alright!"

Xie Lingfeng's gaze sharpened, pointing his sword, with sword qi flickering at the tip. "Brother Xu, please make your move!"

"I won't hold back then!"

Xu Yan raised his hand and slapped out a palm.

Boom!

The Dragon Subduing Palm transformed into a giant dragon, rushing forward with terrifying force.

Xie Lingfeng thrust his sword, the sword qi like a bolt of lightning, piercing the dragon's head, splitting it in two with a hiss.

Xu Yan's gaze sharpened. Xie Lingfeng was stronger than Xue Wuxin, and not just by a little.

He took a deep breath and unleashed the Dragon Subduing Palm, with eighteen dragons converging in a powerful attack.

Boom!

Xie Lingfeng was startled. What kind of palm technique was this?

His