Legend of the Demon Sword

Legend of the Demon Sword...

In this moment, Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. He had just met Zong Qian, and yet he was being treated as if he were some pawn hired by the Zong Clan. To make matters worse, now these newcomers were itching for a fight. It was pure nonsense.

His eyes shifted to Zong Qian, who was also unleashing his aura, conjuring numerous luminous sword rays that materialized into a formidable array of sharp blades hovering around him. Zong Qian turned to Qin Wentian and said, "Brother Qin, this doesn't concern you. You should leave now; they wouldn't dare harm me."

"You think you can just leave? Do you really believe you'll succeed?" The woman in the middle sneered, brandishing a razor-sharp sword. In the Sword Reverence City, where swordsmanship reigned supreme, most of its residents focused on the art of the sword.

Qin Wentian felt the chilling point of the sword aimed at him, and a sigh escaped his lips. These opponents were all at the ninth level of Yuanfu and were undoubtedly strong. Yet, ninth-level Yuanfu opponents were not worth his concern.

"You better move your sword away," Qin Wentian said, gazing at the woman. "I'm Qin, and I've just arrived in the Sword Reverence City. I have no intention of fighting anyone."

"Hmph," the woman scoffed, clearly unimpressed by his words. Killing intent emanated from her gaze as she coldly responded, "Since you were hired by the Zong Clan, you should know the rules. Why pretend to be a novice and deceive others? What's your motive? And now that you're already involved, you should be prepared for the consequences."

"Li Nian, quit being so ruthless," Zong Qian interjected, his sword-type Astral Soul radiating with battle intent.

"I'd rather wrongly kill someone than let an innocent escape," Li Nian retorted coldly, her voice laced with hostility.

"Oh, are you bullying people from my Zong Clan because you outnumber us?" A cold snort echoed from a distance as the sharp sound of flying swords slicing through the air became audible. Several figures descended near Zong Qian, their eyes fixed on the trio from the Li Clan.

"Nian`er," another voice chimed in. The group turned their heads, their expressions changing. A man in his thirties stood on a flying sword, exuding a formidable aura as he looked down at them.

"Li Ran." The Zong Clan members wore grim expressions as they noticed his arrival. In the Li Clan, Li Ran held a prestigious position. At the age of thirty, he had reached the Heavenly Dipper Realm, making him one of the most talented elites among the younger generation. His swordsmanship was so swift that his foes often perished before their blood had a chance to stain his blade.

In the near future, the three major powers of the Sword Reverence City planned to vie for the ten-year extraction rights around the sword precipice flatlands. This was a crucial matter, sparking intense rivalry among them. The younger generation was particularly pivotal in this competition. When the Li Clan members learned that Qin Wentian was 'hired' by the Zong Clan, they were ready to confront him.

Li Ran's sharp gaze swept over the group before finally settling on Qin Wentian. His intense gaze seemed capable of piercing through him, but it lingered only for a moment before shifting to Li Nian. "Nian`er, what's going on?"

"This man was the so-called novice sword cultivator practicing at the Sword Reverence Precipice. However, we discovered it was all a ruse. He was already a proficient sword practitioner and had been hired by the Zong Clan," Li Nian explained calmly.

Li Ran's eyes returned to Qin Wentian as he stated impassively, "I won't bully you in this matter. If you can defeat Li Nian in battle, you're free to go."

"And if I lose?" Qin Wentian's expression remained indifferent. A recent Heavenly Dipper Sovereign? That was practically his level. He had no fear of Li Ran.

"In the future, when you represent the Zong Clan on the platform, defeat means death. So, if you lose here today, you should already know the consequences," Li Ran said casually, as if discussing an inconsequential matter.

Qin Wentian chuckled coldly. Win, and he could leave; lose, and it meant death?

He flicked his sleeves and took a step forward, ready to take action.

"Li Ran, don't go too far!"

At that moment, Zong Qian's voice pierced the tension. A ruthless gleam sparked in his eyes as he willed into existence a small, radiant sword that materialized before him. The sword's piercing hum resonated through the space, carrying with it an intense surge of sword intent.

"This sword was bestowed upon me by an elder in my clan. Don't push me too far, or I will not hesitate to take Li Nian's life as compensation," Zong Qian declared, his expression ice-cold.

Li Nian's face twisted into a grimace, her features contorted in frustration as she sensed the sword's ominous presence locking onto her.

She hastily retreated, but the small sword followed her, hovering menacingly before her. Its keening sound grew more intense, and she felt trapped.

"If I decide to kill you, you won't escape," Zong Qian threatened, his voice laced with menace.

Li Ran, too, advanced, casting a colossal shadow over them as an overwhelming sword aura enveloped the area. Those from the Zong Clan felt as if their bodies were about to be torn apart. It was the oppressive aura of a second-level Mandate of Swords.

"One breath, and her life is forfeit," Zong Qian stated, his tone chilling. He turned to Qin Wentian and urged, "Brother Qin, let's go."

Initially poised to act, Qin Wentian reconsidered. Zong Qian had shown him friendship and didn't want to trouble him. His disposition had evolved over time, and even Li Ran didn't warrant his attention. Whether to kill him or not depended solely on his whim. These opponents were not worth his anger.

Qin Wentian nodded slightly and left with Zong Qian. The shrill hum of the small sword remained locked onto Li Nian, leaving her pale and trembling with impotent rage. Only after Zong Qian and the others had vanished did the small sword soar through the air and return to its master.

"I will kill them when I have the chance," Li Nian vowed icily.

"You'll have your opportunity soon enough. There's no need to rush," Li Ran replied calmly before their group departed.

Now, Qin Wentian and Zong Qian headed towards the Zong Clan. Zong Qian shook his head wryly and smiled. "That was quite dangerous. Li Ran is genuinely powerful and can be considered one of the strongest in our generation. He has already reached the Heavenly Dipper Realm. If not for my sword treasure, we might have been in serious trouble today. I apologize for dragging you into this, Brother Qin. Please accept my humble apology."

"It's a minor matter," Qin Wentian replied casually.

"Brother Qin, you truly are magnanimous," Zong Qian chuckled. "This incident was triggered by the existence of that range of swords. In the depths of the Reverence Sword Precipice, there's an ancient demon sword embedded there. Some say it descended from the heavens, while others believe it's a relic from the primordial era when powerful factions clashed. It's said that this sword cleaved the precipice, and to this day, it remains buried deep within. It absorbs demonic energy from astral constellations aligned with demons within the Nine Heavenly Layers, occasionally giving rise to terrifying demonic beasts."

"Is that true?" Qin Wentian's eyes gleamed with curiosity. The majesty of the Reverence Sword Precipice was undeniable. Could it have been created by a sword slash that sundered the earth? If that were the case, just how powerful was that sword?

Zong Qian continued to provide insight into their predicament, "Yes, that's right. Many valuable swords have been excavated from the sword range over the years. Consequently, every decade, the three major powers select three individuals each to compete for the excavation rights. They assumed you were a recruit hired by our Zong Clan, which led them to act so aggressively."

As Zong Qian explained, Qin Wentian nodded in comprehension. The three powers were allowed to enlist outsiders' assistance for the competition. It now made sense why they had reacted so strongly and tried to eliminate him.

Qin Wentian inquired, "Considering the abundance of experts in the three powers, why hasn't anyone obtained the demon sword for themselves yet?"

Zong Qian wore a wry smile as he replied, "The demon sword is incredibly malevolent. It can absorb the blood of its wielder. There were those who sought to obtain it in the past, but as soon as they touched the sword, it drained the blood from their bodies, leaving them as lifeless husks. The sword's sheer terror has deterred anyone from attempting to claim it."

Qin Wentian mused, "Indeed, it's aptly named as a demon sword."

Zong Qian added another layer of intrigue, "There's something even more bizarre. Once a year, the demon sword emits mournful wails, as if it longs for an owner. During these episodes, an abundance of demonic energy descends from the demonic constellations in the Nine Heavenly Layers, enveloping the sword range. Unbelievably, any swords unearthed after this event are all demonic swords. They can absorb demonic-aligned astral energy, taking on a demon-like form and potentially evolving further."

Zong Qian shook his head in disbelief, reflecting that he wouldn't believe this himself if he hadn't witnessed it firsthand. He often wondered if there would be someone in the future who could master the demon sword.

As their conversation unfolded, they arrived at the entrance of the Zong Clan. Nine massive swords stood embedded in the ground, each towering twenty meters high, radiating a powerful sword intent that left people breathless.

"Truly befitting a major power that specializes in swords," Qin Wentian remarked, gazing at the nine colossal swords.

Zong Qian grinned and replied, "Brother Qin, you're quite generous with your compliments. But to answer your previous question, the Zong Clan's roots run deep, and its strength is substantial."

Zong Qian looked slightly puzzled and fixed his gaze on Qin Wentian as he replied, "To be honest, I'm not entirely certain about the true strength of my clan. However, I've heard our clan lord say that disciples of the Zong Clan should generally keep a low profile, valuing reserve over ostentation. We avoid unnecessary conflicts with others. But this philosophy only applies during ordinary times. For sword cultivators, when they decide to reveal their brilliance, they should do so overwhelmingly, leaving everyone in awe. With a sword in their hands, nothing in Heaven or Earth can stand in their way. If anyone dares to tread upon us merely because we maintain a low profile, we will respond in kind."

Qin Wentian's expression briefly froze before he nodded in understanding. The Zong Clan's clan lord seemed to possess strong principles. Given their hidden resources and talents, the Zong Clan had no reason to fear the other two major powers.

Qin Wentian then said, "Your clan lord's philosophy resonates with me. Could you introduce me to him, Brother Zong?"

Zong Qian raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "You want to meet our clan lord?"

"Yes," Qin Wentian affirmed. "I'll explain further in the future. It's not appropriate to discuss it all now."

A spark of realization gleamed in Zong Qian's eyes as he chuckled, "It appears that even if I hadn't invited you, Brother Qin, you would have taken the initiative to visit my Zong Clan. No matter, since you wish to meet our clan lord, I'll make the necessary arrangements and introduce you."

"Thank you," Qin Wentian said, clasping his hands. He hoped that the Zong Clan would meet his expectations.

It was widely known in Grand Xia that there were several places suitable for sword cultivation. While the Yan Continent was one of the best locations, even surpassing Sword Reverence City, Qin Wentian had chosen to come here for more than just refining his sword skills; he had another purpose in mind.

"Before that, Brother Qin, you must join me for a satisfying drink," Zong Qian proposed in his straightforward manner. Qin Wentian responded with a smile, saying, "Of course, how could I refuse such an invitation when there's excellent wine involved?"