I Have A Sword

To kill or not to kill?

Xuan Yin remained silent as she slowly rose to her feet. She walked to the entrance of the main hall, gazing at the sky, seemingly deep in thought.

After a brief hesitation, the black-robed elder asked, "Clan Leader?"

Collecting her thoughts, Xuan Yin glanced at him. "Did you really just ask if we should kill him?"

"Do you feel as if we're missing something?"

"You've been blinded by short-term interests."

"What do you mean, Clan Leader?"

"Have you ever considered how he can produce hundreds of Ancestral Origin strands at once and, more importantly, why he dares take them out in front of others?"

"He's not afraid of the Wu Clan?"

Xuan Yin nodded. "There are only two reasons he would dare expose his wealth so easily before me. He either has more money than sense or he's confident and unafraid of the Wu Clan. He might even be mentally prepared to kill us for more treasure."

She then turned to the black-robed elder. "Which one do you think is more plausible?"

The black-robed elder thought about it for a moment. He then answered, "The second one."

Xuan Yin nodded. "When I first met him, although his strength was sealed, he remained calm and composed, neither humble nor overbearing. Such a person is either extremely foolish or extremely confident, completely unafraid of the Wu Clan's power."

"Clan Leader, does that mean we're just going to let him go…?" the black-robed elder asked.

Xuan Yin remained silent.

Give up?

In truth, she still felt somewhat undecided.

She knew that the young swordsman had extraordinary origins. If she were to confront him head-on, it would inevitably incur karma neither she nor the Wu Clan could bear. For that reason, her rational mind was telling her that it would be best to form a friendly connection with him instead.

The other party had already shown her goodwill. As long as she reciprocated it, establishing friendly relations with him would be easy.

However, thinking about the Ancestral Vein that the young swordsman likely possessed made her heart grow restless, especially since it likely wouldn't just be any ordinary Ancestral Vein. Otherwise, the Ancestral Origin strands he had given her could not have been so pure. He might even have other divine items as well...

She could not make up her mind!

Seemingly sensing Xuan Yin's hesitation and struggle, the black-robed elder said, "Clan Leader, fortune favors the bold!"

Naturally, he hoped that the Clan Leader would take action. If she were to benefit from this, he would too. There were certainly risks involved, but as the saying went, fortune favored the bold, and those who were timid starved. What was there to be afraid of?

Xuan Yin smiled. "Everyone knows that saying, but only a few know that that is not its complete version. Fortune favors the bold but may also abandon them in danger. For every success, there are nine other failures…"

She slowly closed her eyes. "We cultivators should abandon the notion of relying on luck and being greedy. We must not dive headfirst into something just because of a fleeting whim, lest we end up losing everything and regretting it."

At that moment, from within her, a powerful aura erupted like a volcano. However, she immediately suppressed it.

Peak Ancestor Sovereign Realm aura!

The black-robed elder was stunned. "You have… broken through?"

Xuan Yin gazed at the sky. "Greed… is truly terrifying."

The moment she learned that the young swordsman possessed an Ancestral Vein, greed enveloped her heart and turned into her inner demon. Paired with desire, it could cause anyone to lose themselves.

The black-robed elder's reminder had enlightened her.

Xuan Yin sensed her own state of cultivation and shook her head with a smile. "Why seek external desires when cultivating the Dao?"

Without hesitation, she said, "Please invite Young Lord Ye in."

The black-robed elder nodded and turned to leave.

A moment later, Ye Guan followed the black-robed elder into the hall.

Today, Ye Guan was wearing a white robe that was as clean and elegant as snow and had his long hair cascading down his shoulders. His graceful demeanor made him look more like a scholar than a swordsman.

Smiling warmly, Xuan Yin gestured for Ye Guan to sit. "Young Lord Ye, please have a seat."

Ye Guan nodded and sat down. He then looked at her, waiting for her to speak.

Xuan Yin sat down opposite him. "The teleportation array will be fixed by tomorrow."

"Thank you," he replied with a nod.

"Aren't you afraid at all that the Wu Clan would rob you and kill you?"

"Would you really do that, Clan Leader Xuan?"

"What if I did?"

"Then I can only try to run away. After all, you are quite powerful. Even if my cultivation was not sealed, I would not be a match for you."

"You're a smooth talker."

Ye Guan smiled.

Xuan Yin glanced at the young man, who had remained calm and collected this entire time. Although she looked just as composed, she could not help but feel a little shocked. The confidence that he was displaying was genuine, not just some mere facade.

Why is he so calm and confident? Does he seriously not see me or the Wu Clan as a threat?

Feeling a little indignant, she asked, "Young Lord Ye, shall we have a sparring match?"

Ye Guan was somewhat surprised. "A sparring match?"

"Yes. A friendly one."

"Clan Leader Xuan, my cultivation is sealed…"

"Don't worry, I will not fight you while you are handicapped. I'll seal my cultivation as well."

Ye Guan fell silent.

"Just a casual match," she reassured him, "nothing serious."

"Alright," he finally agreed.

Xuan Yin got up. With a wave of her sleeve, she instantly transported them to a training ground so huge that they could not see its end.

"I've sealed my cultivation," she said. "Come."

Ye Guan nodded. "Okay."

He took a step forward. Like an arrow released from a bowstring, he instantly closed in on Xuan Yin. He then pointed his finger forward like a sword, aiming it directly at her.

Her eyes narrowed, a hint of seriousness appearing in them. Ye Guan's attack seemed ordinary, but the power it possessed was exceptionally pure.

Such was the simplicity of the Great Dao!

Instead of retreating, Xuan Yin stepped forward and threw a punch at him. A head-on confrontation!

Bang!

When their attacks collided, the two staggered backward. Right after, Xuan Yin quickly leaped forward and closed the distance between them. She swept her leg toward him at lightning speed.

Ye Guan advanced as well. He would face her attack head-on just like she had done earlier!

Boom!

The moment their attacks collided, the resulting shockwave blasted the two a great distance away from each other. Ye Guan stomped on the ground with his right foot backward to stabilize himself. He then launched himself off the ground like a cheetah and thrust a finger out toward Xuan Yin. He was using it like a sword!

Even though his cultivation was sealed, the attack still contained an invisible Sword Intent.

Xuan Yin narrowed her eyes. Instead of directly facing his attack, she turned into a beam of light and evaded it.

Ye Guan's finger missed its target. At the same time, the Sword Intent within it weakened.

Without missing a beat, Xuan Yin sprang forward and tried to punch him in the face.

Like before, Ye Guan advanced and thrust a finger toward her.

Bang!

The two were sent flying backward once more. However, in no time at all, they were at each other's throats again.

They fought for nearly half an hour with neither being able to gain the upper hand. Unable to determine a clear winner without engaging in a battle to the death, they finally decided to stop.

Xuan Yin looked at Ye Guan. "Your swordsmanship is powerful, Young Lord Ye."

He grinned. "You're quite strong yourself, Clan Leader Xuan."

Xuan Yin shook her head, a complicated expression forming on her face. Although they were evenly matched, she believed she had lost. Her cultivation realm surpassed his, and she was also much older than him. Hence, a draw was considered a loss for her.

Previously, she had merely speculated that a powerful force was backing Ye Guan. Now, however, she was certain. Ordinary people could not have nurtured such a talent so well.

"Young Lord Ye, why did you come to this place?" she asked.

"Due to personal circumstances," Ye Guan replied.

Sensing that he did not want to elaborate further, Xuan Yin respectfully stopped pressing him. With a smile, she said, "Ye Guan, the teleportation array should be repaired by tomorrow morning. My people will inform you once it's ready."

"Thank you for your trouble," he replied.

Xuan Yin nodded and then waved her sleeve. The two reappeared back at the Wu Clan.

Ye Guan then returned to his room and entered the little pagoda. The battle with Xuan Yin left him rather unsatisfied. After all, his cultivation was sealed, preventing him from unleashing his true strength.

Instead of continuing his own cultivation, he dedicated his time to guiding Lin Daimei and the others. He spared no effort in mentoring them and treated them as if they were his disciples.

Time passed quickly. Finally, on the second day, Xuan Yin guided him to the teleportation array.

"The teleportation array has been repaired, but activating it requires a substantial amount of spiritual energy," she explained. "You'll have to cover the cost yourself."

"How many Ancestral Origin strands are required to activate it?"

"At least thirty."

Ye Guan nodded and opened his palm. Thirty Ancestral Origin strands floated toward Xuan Yin. She looked at them before waving her sleeve, sending them all flying toward the teleportation array.

Boom!

The Ancestral Origin strands transformed into spiritual energy and were absorbed by the array, immediately activating it.

"Farewell!" Ye Guan said.

As soon as he stepped into the teleportation array, he started to turn illusory. He soon disappeared.

Xuan Yin remained standing in complete silence for a while before turning to leave. At that moment, as if sensing something, she suddenly turned back around.

The teleportation array started to tremble. Ye Guan then reappeared, covered in blood.

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