Upon finishing her sentences, the Soul Master—still bathed in the strong light—shot across the sky. She still remembered the horror she felt many years ago that forced her to split her soul into many pieces just to ensure her survival. She planned to gather all of the pieces of her Remnant Soul so she could stand at the peak again.
The group watched her leave and was silent for a long while, each lost in their own thoughts. They were contemplating the things the Soul Master had just told them. The information came as a shock to them, causing them to take it seriously. However, it still did not answer the questions in their hearts.
“I knew there must be a reason for the expert to be like that.”
“The Soul Master had instructed us not to wake him up nor let anything disturb him in this crucial time of his life.”
“Do you think the expert’s deep in a special state of enlightenment? And that it’s best not to disturb him?”
“No matter what, we should ensure that nobody disturbs him in this state!”
“Hahaha, we’re the chosen ones, the linchpins to the whole plan!” Xiao Chengfeng was proud of himself, as if he had found his purpose for being alive. “The expert trusts us so much that he’s willing to entrust his life to us!”
A linchpin referred to a person who was indispensable or vital to an organization’s success, someone who had been specially chosen by the higher-ups to solve all problems and be at the forefront of all battles. Generally speaking, the linchpin would have to suffer many tribulations and run the risk of falling anytime.
The thought of that did not deter Xiao Chengfeng. Instead, he became very excited, animated, and sparkly-eyed. The rest of the group felt the same way as he did. There were smiles all around.
“That means our very existence is indeed valuable!”
“I won’t ever let the expert down!”
“We should train harder so we can serve the expert better as linchpins!”
“Yes, let’s work harder everyone!”
Half a month passed by in a blink of an eye. The reputation and influence of the Area of the Gods had grown so much that many powerful forces had been attracted there.
During that time period, something big had happened—a powerful organization who used to shun the world appeared from the Chaos and landed on the Area of the Gods, proclaiming themselves to be the descendants of an Elite Being and possessing their Heritage!
The organization was called Palm Sword Cliff and the followers were all sword cultivators with shocking and unparalleled power. They quickly gained fame throughout the Area of the Gods with their dramatic entrances and domineering way of doing things.
Not long ago, five followers—who humbly proclaimed themselves to be only sword interns but were in fact in possession of immense power—came out of the Palm Sword Cliff, joined forces, and took out a high-level member from the Heavenly Realm.
This news shocked everyone in the Area of the Gods and catapulted Palm Sword Cliff to the pinnacle. After that, there was always a never-ending line of worshippers going up the cliff.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Palm Sword Cliff, a crowd of sword cultivators had gathered for a discussion. The tension in the atmosphere was palpable. Their leader was not there because his seat remained empty.
“How’s the secret border research going? Did you find out who got it?” asked an Elder who was in charge.
“According to the intel we’ve received, it was a group of people from the Chaos who went in about a month ago. Apparently, they possessed immense power and came from an extraordinary background,” answered a follower with admiration in his eyes. “But this secret border now belongs to the Heavenly Temple.”
“The Ministry people were involved as well but they were nearly wiped out by the people from the Heavenly Temple,” added another follower in a cautious voice.
“The timeline matches up! It must be the secret border belonging to the Wisdom Elite Being!” The elder’s eyes were shining brightly while he continued in a rushed and determined tone, “Technically speaking, we—the Palm Sword Cliff—are the true heir of the Elite Being for he had given us his guidance many years ago. Therefore, only we have the right to inherit his secret border, no one else!”
The secret border was created before the death of the Elite Being and must be imbued with his Heritage. The benefits would be boundless once they obtained it.
“Big Elder, the Heavenly Temple can be easily destroyed once the master’s here,” said a follower, excited at the thought of an all-out battle.
“The master cannot come out yet. That’s why he’s ordered me to dig around for information about the secret border. Besides, this matter is so small that we need not concern him.” He then shook his head and smiled knowingly. “I have a fragment left by the Elite Being with me and it’s already producing a resonance. With this, we can know the approximate location of the secret border’s Heritage! Send some men to look for it now!”
At the same time, everybody was enjoying themselves in the four-part architecture. Li Nianfan could be found watching the news early in the morning. He did not deny that it was good entertainment, making his life a little less boring and a little more fun.
There was news about the settlement of foreign sects, the throwing of banquets, and the struggle between sects, all with moving pictures accompanying them. It was like an Immortal version of Tik Tok which of course, made the content very interesting.
“Wow, this Celestial List is interesting. It provides a record of all the sect’s members who have achieved the ranks of the Heavenly Realm.
“The Area of the Gods has so many sects now! It surely has gotten larger.
“And this Saint List records all the Chaos Daluo Golden Immortal’s names. Apparently, they all possess the ability to overturn the Laws themselves and are on their way to reach the ranks of the Heavenly Realm. Interesting! You can tell how powerful they are. It makes me all pumped up!
“I never knew you could kill people from different ranks.
“I’m so jealous! If only I’m a true transmigrator, I could at least be listed in the Saint List and shock everyone with my power.
“My life’s a waste. Sigh.”
‘Oh well, I can always live vicariously through them by watching the news.’
Li Nianfan’s current mentality was similar to that of his previous life. Although he was not a successful person, it did not affect him one bit for he could always join in on the fun by giving his opinion or analysis about the whole thing.
At the same time, two figures were heading towards the Fallen Immortal Mountain from a distance away. They were wearing brown training uniforms and their sword-like eyebrows gave them an innate sharp aura. They were shooting brilliantly like a rainbow across the air with their flying sword underneath their feet.
Their speed was not fast and they looked as if they were looking for something, looking around on the ground from time to time.
‘Big Elder said it should be around here, but we’ve been searching for three days without anything to show for. How deep is it hidden?’ they wondered.
Chop! Chop! Chop!
Suddenly, they heard the sound of wood chopping which immediately attracted their attention. They both scoffed at the same time when they discovered it was only a simple woodcutter. However, their pupils contracted rapidly and they nearly fell from their flying swords when they saw the sword the woodcutter was holding. In an instant, they landed where the woodcutter was. Their faces were not friendly at all.
“Hey, you there. Who are you?” asked one of them in a low voice.
Jiang Liu took one glance at them and continued to chop the wood. “I’m just an ordinary woodcutter.” He was in a hurry to deliver today’s firewood to the expert.
“Show us the longsword you have in your hand!” ordered the other man sternly.
Chop! Chop! Chop!
Jiang Liu ignored them and continued on his task.
“You’re courting death!” Both the two sword cultivators emitted a murderous aura at the same time and one of them went at Jiang Liu with a longsword in his hand.
A blood-red mist had gathered around the sword’s slash with enough power to cut through a mountain. Jiang Liu continued to ignore them and strike his sword against the tree. The shock wave from that strike canceled out the slash attack.
“I have no intention to kill any of you. Leave, now!” said Jiang Liu calmly.
The two followers smiled coldly at their realization.
“So, you’re a monk. Did you really think you could escape detection by hiding out here?
“I’ll get straight to the point with you. The sword you’re holding contains a Wisdom Elite Being’s Heritage. It doesn’t belong to you. Hand it over if you don’t wish to die.
“We’re the followers of the Palm Sword Cliff. We can make you our sword servant if you cooperate with us!”
Jiang Liu stopped what he was doing. “You know about this sword?”
“The real owner of this sword was the teacher of the Palm Sword Clif, so it naturally belongs to us!” said the follower arrogantly. “You’re just returning what rightfully belongs to us.”
Jiang Liu knitted his brow together. “The Elite Being didn’t mention any rightful heir when he gave me this sword. Besides, the fact that this sword was given to me means he approves of me! I don’t believe the Elite Being would leave his Heritage to a bunch of people who not only treat others with no respect but would also go as far as using force to get what they want.”
Jiang Liu was not a fool. He would not easily hand over an Elite Being’s Heritage without any proof. Besides, even if what they had said was true, so what? This sword was given to him by the expert and he did not want to disappoint him. He would not hand over this sword no matter what!
“It never ends well for people who are greedy.” The follower’s eyes became icy as he gave the last ultimatum. “Kneel before me and beg for my forgiveness. I might consider leaving your corpse intact.”
“Don’t waste your breath on him. How dare he insult the Palm Sword Cliff! He must die!” said the other follower, his sword already unsheathed. The aura emitting from his sword transformed into a drizzle that aimed straight at Jiang Liu.
The glint of the sword was dazzling and flew in all directions. Both of them were at the early stage of being Quasi-Saints, but due to their immense sword combat power, they were more like mid-stage Quasi-Saints.
However, they were still no match for Jiang Liu.
“Flashy but useless,” said Jiang Liu with a shake of his head. His expression remained impassive when he pointed his finger.
In an instant, it was as if the king of all swords had possessed him and he had come upon the ability to command all the swords in the world. The attacks sent out from the followers stopped mid-air before turning around and aiming back at them with their powers greatly increased.
“How’s this possible?” cried the two followers. Their eyes were wide open with shock. They activated their defense skill, but alas, it was no use against the incoming attack.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
The slash attack left a thousand cuts all over their bodies. They fell to the ground with blood spraying out from every wound on their bodies.
“How did the two of you know about this place anyway?” asked Jiang Liu with a stern expression on his face. It was important for him to know the answer for it caused him great worry to realize the expert could be disturbed by their presence. He would do anything to make sure that would not happen under his watch.
Not long ago, he had been notified by the people in the Heavenly Temple to not cause disturbance or let anyone cause disturbance to the expert. He would not be able to forgive himself if the expert was frequently disturbed by visitors to the Fallen Immortal Mountain.
“We’re the followers of the Palm Sword Cliff. It’ll be game over for you if you dare kill us!”
“Wrong answer.” Jiang Liu shook his head and gave a cutting look to the follower. In an instant, a red gash appeared on his neck, completely destroying his Primordial Spirit.
“Your turn to answer my question!” said Jiang Liu to the remaining follower. His tone was as cold as the arctic wind.
The follower was quaking in his boots and was scared. He felt as if there were 1,000 swords pinning him down. “The Elite Being left us a piece of swordsmanship fragment which can detect the Heritage’s location. That’s how we were able to come across this place.”
“Thank you for your answer,” said Jiang Liu. As soon as he had said that, the follower’s eyes widened as a similar red gash appeared on his neck.
Jiang Liu knitted his brows together and became lost in thought. If it was as the Palm Sword Cliff followers said, then he should not stay there any longer because his very presence would attract more troubles.
“I’m their target, which means wherever I go, they’ll follow. Therefore, I should get as far away from here as possible to prevent them from disturbing the expert,” concluded Jiang Liu. He was clear about what he had to do. He lifted the chopped firewood onto his back, once again taking up the role of a simple woodcutter, and started his climb up the mountain. He would first bid the expert farewell and come back again when this problem had been taken care of.
It did not take him long to arrive at the entrance of the four-part architecture. “Lord Saint, I’m here to deliver the freshly chopped firewood!”
“Is that you, Jiang Liu? I’m coming,” said Li Niangfan from inside.
After a while, the door was opened. Jiang Liu put down the firewood he was carrying on his back and passed them to Li Nianfan. “Good morning, Lord Saint.”
“Thank you for all your hard work,” said Li Nianfan with a smile. In his mind, he thought that Jiang Liu was a very honest kid who practiced gratitude well as Jiang Liu stayed true to his promise of delivering firewood to Li Nianfan every day without a word of complaint. “Look at these neatly chopped wood. You’ve improved so much, Jiang Liu. I can tell you’ve really put your heart into this.”
“You’re being too kind, Lord Saint. I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg.” Jiang Liu was secretly pleased with the expert’s praise.
“There’s no need to be humble,” said Li Nianfan with a smile. “You’ve come just in time for breakfast. Would you like to join us?”
