Chapter 142: "The Valley Lord Touching Your Hand, Is That Not Okay?"

As Zuo Yijian trembled, Zuo Lin also noticed the unusual movement of his father's sword. The vast sword intent caused the scabbard to quiver. In Zuo Lin's astonished gaze, the scabbard, along with the sword, floated in midair.

Zuo Yijian stood up and gazed at his sword, fully believing he hadn't sensed it wrong.

This was indeed the sword intent of the Sword Master of the Dao!

On the Heaven Mending Platform, more and more people sensed the sword intent of the Sword Master of the Dao, including Ye Lan.

She turned her head, her eyes narrowing in Zuo Yijian's direction, filled with astonishment.

Boom!

The thunderclouds suddenly parted, and the outer city of the sect instantly brightened. A fierce wind descended from the sky, shaking the buildings, and those disciples with lower cultivation levels, including some labor disciples, were forced to the ground under the pressure. Everyone struggled to look up, only to see a massive hole appear in the thunderclouds above the outer city, spanning dozens of miles in diameter.

The clouds couldn't close up again, and under the sunlight, Red Qian Zun and Elder Kusong continued their battle fiercely. The two were separated by a distance of a hundred feet, continuously casting spells. Each collision created gales and flashes of light, with a terrifying pressure that distorted the city's protective barrier, which seemed ready to shatter at any moment.

"Father... is that…" Zuo Lin stammered, his voice trembling in disbelief as he looked at Zuo Yijian.

Could his father be the mysterious Sword Master of the Dao?

Others around them also began to have similar thoughts. After all, this sword intent was immensely powerful.

Even Red Qian Zun, locked in the fierce battle above, felt the sword intent. His gaze flickered toward Zuo Yijian, his brow furrowing.

Could this person really be the Sword Master of the Dao?

At that moment.

Zuo Yijian suddenly dropped to one knee, looking at his trembling sword, and shouted loudly, "Sword Master, please save our sect!"

As his voice echoed out.

Clang!

The sound of the sword leaving its scabbard tore through the heavens and earth, silencing everything. Red Qian Zun leapt backward, retreating to the thunderclouds and distancing himself from Elder Kusong. The eighteen golden short swords around him formed a long sword, and with a crazed grin, he shouted, "Sword Master of the Dao, come out and let me see your strength!"

His voice echoed throughout the entire Tai Xuan Sect!

Not only was he provoking the Sword Master of the Dao, but he was also sending a message to the Vice Sect Master, urging him to come quickly.

He was, after all, at the fifth level of the Profound Heart Realm. Even if he couldn't defeat the Sword Master of the Dao, he believed he could hold him off for a while.

However, the only response to his provocation was the sound of something tearing through the air!

The moment Red Qian Zun finished speaking, the sword in front of Zuo Yijian suddenly shot towards him. The terrifying sword intent erupted in an instant, sending everyone nearby flying.

Everyone in the city saw a cold light shooting up from the city, directly piercing the sky, unstoppable!

In the process of being thrown back, Zuo Lin saw that the cold light pierced through the sea of thunderclouds, seemingly cutting the heavens in half, leaving him in awe.

Red Qian Zun was similarly shocked by the sudden assault.

It was too fast!

Unable to dodge in time, he instinctively raised his massive sword, but his reaction was far slower than the speed of the sword coming toward him.

Boom!

The large sword in his hand shattered, and just as the sword tip reached him, the terrifying sword qi of the Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword exploded, disintegrating his body.

In just one swift strike, Red Qian Zun was gone!

Where the sword had passed, the clouds split apart, and the sky was left with an awe-inspiring trail of sword qi.

A dignified cultivator at the Profound Heart Realm didn't even have time for his soul to escape or to use any of his Profound Heart techniques!

The difference in power was too vast!

Red Qian Zun had no chance to resist!

Elder Kusong, suspended in mid-air, his robes fluttering and white hair flowing wildly, stared in the direction the sword qi had disappeared, utterly shocked.

Having fought against Red Qian Zun, Elder Kusong knew how terrifying this enemy was, as deep as an abyss.

Yet, such a powerful opponent had been obliterated in one strike by the Sword Master of the Dao?

And the Sword Master didn't even show himself!

Whoosh!

The sound of the sword returning echoed once more. The sword that had disappeared in the distance flew back, tracing a perfect arc in the sky before plunging into the Heaven Mending Platform.

Clang!

The sword embedded itself into the platform, sparks flying as it trembled violently, creating afterimages.

Lying on the ground, Zuo Yijian gazed at his sword, his mouth hanging open in shock.

The entire city fell into silence!

Far away in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An's lips curled into a smile as the message confirming the death of Red Qian Zun appeared before him, proving that the foe was truly dead.

Gu An glanced towards the sect's main city. The battle there continued, but he had no intention of interfering.

He had acted twice today—there would be no third time!

The Tai Xuan Sect needed to face its own trials.

Soon, a thunderous cheer erupted in the outer city, so loud that even the labor disciples in the Third Medicine Valley could hear it, although they couldn't make out the specific words. This made them even more nervous.

Gu An, however, remained by Lu Lingjun's side, ensuring that no one disturbed her enlightenment.

…

In the outer city, more and more people flocked to the Heaven Mending Platform. Elder Kusong descended from the sky, landing in the center of the crowd, right in front of Zuo Yijian.

At this moment, Zuo Yijian was clutching his sword tightly, reluctant to sheath it or let anyone else touch it.

"Junior, may I take a look at that sword?" Elder Kusong smiled warmly, speaking in a gentle tone.

Zuo Yijian, however, looked at him suspiciously, like someone guarding against a thief, and didn't agree.

"Wait, the sword intent beneath our feet is growing stronger!"

An elderly man suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention to the ground. They saw that within the two characters for "Righteous Dao," inscribed by sword marks, a stream of sword intent was flowing.

Just now, when the sword had landed, Gu An's sword intent had also been infused into those characters, further enhancing the Sword Master of the Dao's aura of deterrence.

Elder Kusong turned, his gaze falling on the inscription, and as he sensed the flowing sword intent within the words, he slowly closed his eyes.

Zuo Yijian, meanwhile, turned around and backed away, sending a mental message to Zuo Lin, "Lin'er, go fetch my Investiture of the Gods."

…

Far away, Ye Lan stood at the edge of the Heaven Mending Platform. Around her, the Law Enforcement Hall disciples were excitedly discussing the immense power of the Sword Master of the Dao, but her thoughts were on Gu An.

With such a powerful backer, her senior brother should be safe, right?

…

The sun set, the moon rose, and as the moon descended, a new day began.

After a full day and night, the battle in the sect's main city finally came to an end.

In the early morning, after finishing their daily exercises, Gu An and Xiao Chuan stood beside Lu Lingjun.

Xiao Chuan, leaning against the wooden railing and standing five steps away from Lu Lingjun, curiously asked, "Senior brother, what exactly is she doing?"

Lu Lingjun's unusual behavior had been noticed by all the disciples, and with Gu An forbidding anyone from disturbing her, she had been left undisturbed for the entire night.

Gu An speculated, "She might be practicing some profound cultivation technique. She's a grand cultivator, after all. Her realm is beyond our comprehension."

"What kind of technique could make someone stand still like this for an entire night?" Xiao Chuan asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It's not a technique. I've just gained enlightenment," Lu Lingjun suddenly spoke, causing Xiao Chuan to jump back in surprise.

Lu Lingjun didn't look at him. Instead, her gaze was on Gu An. Gu An also took a step back, signaling to Xiao Chuan with his eyes, prompting him to hurriedly leave.

Gu An asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thanks for staying by my side," Lu Lingjun replied calmly.

Gu An feigned a look of relief and said, "You should rest now. You've been standing for a day; you must be tired."

"I suddenly remembered—yesterday, when we returned, did you hold my hand?" Lu Lingjun took a step forward, asking him.

At that time, she had been so immersed in her thoughts about her breakthrough that she hadn't pushed his hand away. Now, thinking about it, she found it somewhat absurd.

Gu An coughed and said, "I was scared out of my wits at that moment. Please don't take it to heart."

"No man has ever held my hand before," Lu Lingjun said, her gaze fixed on Gu An, her tone soft yet carrying a faint hint of accusation.

Gu An chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, come on! I'm the Valley Lord, touching your hand—is that not acceptable?" He tried to brush it off with a light-hearted tone.

In truth, Gu An had helped her in ways far beyond just holding her hand. He had guided her cultivation subtly, allowing her to avoid wasting a hundred years of effort. In his mind, holding her hand was hardly a big deal.

Lu Lingjun's lips curved into a smile, but within that smile lay a deeper meaning. "Fine then, from now on, you're mine."

Before Gu An could respond, she turned on her heel and started walking away.

Startled, Gu An quickly chased after her. "Lu Lingjun, I was only joking! Don't take it seriously. Let's talk this over. Maybe I can have the Sect Master arrange for you to be transferred elsewhere."

Without looking back, Lu Lingjun said in a calm tone, "It's too late for that."

As she pushed Gu An away, continuing forward, Gu An internally sighed. "This isn't looking good. I've been outmaneuvered!"

Suddenly, Lu Lingjun stopped and turned halfway. "By the way, I'm planning to undergo my tribulation here in the valley. How does that sound?" she asked, as if the previous conversation hadn't happened.

Gu An furrowed his brows. "Tribulation requires a lot of preparation. Why not wait until the Sect Master returns? He can guide you to a safer area for it."

"I don't want to wait," Lu Lingjun said, her voice firm. "You've got good connections in Tai Xuan Sect, don't you? If anyone asks questions, you'll cover for me. Don't worry, I won't let my tribulation damage the valley's spiritual herbs."

Without waiting for further argument, she leaped into the air, rising thousands of feet into the sky. A blue lotus bloomed from her sleeve, rapidly expanding in size until it was large enough for her to step onto. She sat down cross-legged atop the lotus, preparing herself.

Her sudden ascent caused gasps of surprise from the labor disciples in the valley below. Xiao Chuan hurried back to Gu An's side, bewildered. "What's she doing now, Senior Brother?"

Gu An, his eyes still fixed on Lu Lingjun above, responded, "She's preparing to undergo her tribulation."

From where he stood, he could see her rapidly arranging various magical artifacts around her in layers of protective formations. Curiosity sparked in him. He had never seen a Profound Heart Realm tribulation up close. "This should be interesting," he thought to himself.

Xiao Chuan was left in a daze. "Tribulation?" He echoed, his eyes wide as he stared up at the sky.

…

Meanwhile, back in the silent depths of Wanji Forest, within the Six Paths Mahayana Array, the leaders of the Thistle Flower Sect continued their dark rituals.

In the center of the formation, seven black-robed figures sat in a circle, a burning black flame hovering in the air between them. The sudden appearance of the flame startled them, and all seven immediately stood and bowed deeply.

"We greet the Sect Master!" they intoned in unison, their voices reverberating through the forest. Their actions caught the attention of nearby cult followers, who were in the process of setting up offerings.

The "offerings" were, of course, living beings—mortals paralyzed with fear, their bodies bound by talisman seals. The space they were confined to was circled by formation lines, and their faces were etched with terror, some even fainting from fright.

A voice emanated from within the black flames, carrying an air of fatigue. "Where is the Vice Sect Master?" asked the Sect Master of the Thistle Flower Sect, Jing Tuxian.

An elderly man wearing a mask stepped forward and answered, "The Vice Sect Master has not yet returned. Our planned attack on Tai Xuan Sect failed. We lost seventy percent of our spies within the sect. According to the reports we've received, Red Qian Zun was killed by the Sword Master of the Dao in a single strike, but the Vice Sect Master hasn't shown up. Her whereabouts are unknown."

As he spoke, his voice grew heavier, the weight of the situation pressing down on him and the others present.