Chapter 18

"Finally, I’ve arrived!"

A month later, Ling Dao finally reached the vicinity of the Li Tian Sword Sect. He hurriedly took out the letter from Jiang Zhong from the Qiankun Ring and placed it in his bosom. The matter of the Qiankun Ring could not be known by others.

He had already inquired and found out that the Li Tian Sword Sect was merely a tenth-grade force. Forces like the Da Luo Dynasty and the Tian Wu Sect were eighth-grade forces, two grades higher than the Li Tian Sword Sect. A tenth-grade force was utterly fragile and vulnerable in front of an eighth-grade force.

"Li Tian Sword Sect!"

On a massive stone stele, the four large characters "Li Tian Sword Sect" were carved, looking quite grand. The Li Tian Sword Sect couldn’t compare to the Tian Wu Sect, but it was still a tenth-grade force. In the world, there were many forces that didn’t even qualify for a grade. In An Shan County, the Li Tian Sword Sect was still considered a fairly powerful force.

"Who are you? Do you have a visiting card to come to our Li Tian Sword Sect?"

Four disciples of the Li Tian Sword Sect walked over from a distance. They were all around twenty years old, and they exuded the aura of True Qi Realm martial artists. Entering the True Qi Realm was considered the true beginning of cultivation, and within the Li Tian Sword Sect, they were already considered inner disciples.

The Physical Body Realm was just the foundation. Even those who didn’t know cultivation methods would still train their bodies, otherwise, how could they fight? However, without cultivation techniques, one might stay at the Physical Body Realm for their entire life, unable to even reach the Bone Tempering stage, let alone the Blood Condensation stage.

"I don’t have a visiting card, but I have a letter to deliver to Jiang Ren of your Li Tian Sword Sect. This letter was written by his brother, and I hope you can help me pass it on!"

Small forces had their own advantages. The disciples of the Tian Wu Sect all had their noses in the air, looking down on others. The four disciples of the Li Tian Sword Sect, however, were much better. Upon hearing Ling Dao’s words, they nodded.

"Reporting to other elders would indeed be troublesome, but for Jiang Ren, it’s a simple matter."

The four disciples of the Li Tian Sword Sect stared at Ling Dao, showing no intention of leaving. Just from their expressions, Ling Dao understood their thoughts. After all, it was impossible to ask someone to do something without giving them any benefit.

"A small token of my appreciation, please help me pass it on!"

Ling Dao wisely gave each of the four disciples one tael of gold. The four disciples’ eyes lit up, and after weighing the gold in their hands, they smiled broadly, their attitude toward Ling Dao improving significantly.

"Little brother, come, follow us. We’ll take you directly to Elder Jiang Ren!"

Money could make even the dead move. Each of them received one tael of gold, so they were naturally very happy. If Ling Dao hadn’t given them any benefits, they might have made things difficult for him, or even driven him away. Don’t think that one tael of gold is a small amount; in today’s terms, one tael of gold is worth over ten thousand yuan.

Although the Li Tian Sword Sect was only a tenth-grade force, it was like a sparrow, small but complete. The four disciples of the Li Tian Sword Sect led Ling Dao for a long time before finally stopping outside a courtyard. This was where Jiang Ren resided.

"This is Elder Jiang Ren’s courtyard. Please wait a moment!"

One of the Li Tian Sword Sect disciples walked inside. Since they had received Ling Dao’s gold, they naturally had to report to Jiang Ren. If it were another elder, it wouldn’t be so easy, but Jiang Ren was different.

"Elder Jiang Ren, someone outside is looking for you. They say they have a letter from your brother for you!"

As soon as the young disciple spoke, the sound of a door opening echoed from within the courtyard. A man who looked to be around fifty years old walked out of the room. He had thick eyebrows and large eyes, somewhat resembling Jiang Zhong.

"Where? Who is it?"

Jiang Ren had only one brother, Jiang Zhong, and they hadn’t seen each other for many years. Now that Jiang Zhong had a letter for him, he was naturally quite excited. He quickly walked out of the courtyard and soon saw Ling Dao. The other three disciples were wearing the attire of the Li Tian Sword Sect, so Jiang Ren naturally didn’t pay them much attention.

"Is it you? Where is my brother’s letter?"

Seeing Jiang Ren, Ling Dao thought of Jiang Zhong and felt a sudden sense of familiarity. Jiang Ren, however, was a bit puzzled. Ling Dao didn’t look like someone who would deliver a letter. Could something have happened to Jiang Zhong?

"Senior, this is the letter Grandfather Jiang asked me to deliver to you!"

Ling Dao took out the letter from his bosom, and Jiang Ren eagerly snatched it. Without caring about the others present, Jiang Ren immediately opened the letter. He naturally recognized Jiang Zhong’s handwriting. The content of the letter, however, made Jiang Ren’s face turn grim.

"My elder brother is gone?"

After a long while, Jiang Ren slowly raised his head, not expecting it to be Jiang Zhong’s last letter. Jiang Zhong had clearly written that when Jiang Ren read this letter, he would already be dead. The loss of his only brother naturally caused Jiang Ren great sorrow.

"Um..."

Ling Dao nodded, a trace of sadness flashing in his eyes. Jiang Ren considered Jiang Zhong a family member, and Ling Dao felt the same way. Even in his final moments, Jiang Zhong was thinking of Ling Dao, not himself.

"You four, leave. This is none of your business!"

Jiang Ren waved his hand, and the four disciples of the Li Tian Sword Sect left. In the courtyard, only Jiang Ren and Ling Dao remained. Jiang Ren had just received the news of Jiang Zhong’s death and was still in shock, standing at the courtyard gate. Ling Dao didn’t speak, understanding Jiang Ren’s feelings.

"Come inside with me!"

After a long time, Jiang Ren finally spoke again and then turned to enter the courtyard. Ling Dao nodded and followed behind Jiang Ren. Jiang Ren sat on a stone bench and turned to look at Ling Dao.

In the letter, Jiang Zhong had mentioned Ling Dao the most, barely mentioning his own life and death. He had instructed Jiang Ren to take good care of Ling Dao and to have Ling Dao join the Li Tian Sword Sect to learn martial arts.

From the letter, Jiang Ren could see how much Jiang Zhong cared for Ling Dao. In Jiang Zhong’s heart, Ling Dao was more important than himself. Jiang Zhong also mentioned Ling Dao’s background, stating that he was the prince of the Free and Easy King, but unfortunately, the Free and Easy King’s residence had been destroyed.

"Prince of the Free and Easy King, our Li Tian Sword Sect is a small sect and cannot accommodate someone of your stature!"

Jiang Ren slowly said, and Ling Dao’s brows furrowed, but he quickly relaxed. Jiang Ren was not Jiang Zhong. If Jiang Ren didn’t want him to stay in the Li Tian Sword Sect, he would leave. If one place doesn’t keep you, there will be another that will.

"I came to the Li Tian Sword Sect only to deliver this letter to you. Since your sect is unwilling to accept me as a disciple, I will leave now. I apologize for the disturbance!"

Ling Dao didn’t look at Jiang Zhong again but turned to leave. Since he hadn’t joined the Li Tian Sword Sect, he had no sense of belonging to it. Joining the Li Tian Sword Sect would be good, but not joining wouldn’t matter to him.

"Wait, I haven’t finished speaking!"

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