Username: Password: Remember
background color:font color:font:[12PX15PX16PX20PX28PX]
Chapter 64 - The Sword Of A Cultivator
writer:无罪      update:2022-07-21 15:26
  This chapter has been brought to you by me, and larkspur.

  The carriage passed through the streets of Changling. The paths on Ding Ning’s painted wall proved to be useful. This carriage quickly passed through the busy areas and went towards a farmhouse near a tributary of the River Wei.

  As the carriage driver passed through the streets, he was pushed by a gentle power to land near a sunny wall.He seemed like an idler napping by the wall.

  Seeing this carriage’s measured speed, the man dressed like a merchant who it had been tailing, felt increasingly more disdainful. A rebellious and domineering presence started to surge in his eyes. Such indescribable presence, that clearly looked down upon a dynasty, was one that only some rebels in the world could possess.

  This man dressed like a merchant was one of the direct disciples of Cloud Water Palace, Fan Zhuo, Bai Shanshui’s right and left hand.

  By this moment, Fan Zhuo had noticed that the carriage was deliberately following him. However in his eyes, the one in the carriage was just seeking one’s own death.

  The number of people that could kill him in Changling was limited, but those kinds of people would not exist in Two Level Tower. Even if this was a cultivator of Two Level Tower, the other would not be able to glean that he was a member of Cloud Water Palace.

  Albeit, these were only his thoughts.

  Zhangsun Qianxue’s usual way of thinking was simple, but it did not mean she was stupid.

  When the carriage entered an area of unpopulated huts that should have been left behind by duck farmers, she confirmed this location would not be seen by the nearby corner turret. She thought back once again to the paths on Ding Ning’s painted wall. She deliberated on her route of exit once she was done with the attack, before she slowly stopped the carriage next to a simple hut.

  Fan Zhuo had trailed the carriage into this village.

  Seeing the yellow, white, and green duck manure that was exposed by the carriage wheels crushing the ice, he frowned and mockingly said, "You chose a good position, but the environment is lacking."

  In the cabin, Zhangsun Qianxue’s brow furrowed deeply.

  She always had a strong obsession with cleanliness. While she had chosen this place as the safest to attack, she was still discomforted by Fan Zhuo’s words. She decided she would leave this place quickly.

  "Why do you want to kill Wang Taixu? Because of Liang Lian?" she asked, with unusual directness.

  "You are of the Warden’s Office?" Fan Zhuo stilled. He had not expected the person in the carriage to be a woman, and that she would speak so directly. But when he recalled that no powerful female cultivator like Ye Celeng existed in the Warden’s Office, it considerably eased his wariness.

  Zhangsun Qianxue shook her head and in displeasure said, "I am asking you questions, you shall not ask me."

  She hailed from the former most powerful family, and her personality was extremely cold. When she felt displeasure, her voice would carry a sharp coldness and a lofty pressure.

  Fan Zhuo sneered instantly. His rebellious presence exploded and his body seemed to grow larger.

  "You are Ye Celeng? You dare to speak to me like this!" He looked disdainfully at the carriage and said, "I fear if you know my true identity, you will immediately kneel before me and beg me to spare you!"

  "Cloud Water Palace is just a sect on the decline. You can call yourself king in the mountains, but in Changling, you have to tuck your tails between your legs."

  Zhangsun Qianxue was a member of the Qin, and a former member of the aristocracy. She looked down upon cultivators from other dynasties, especially from dynasties that had been destroyed. She sneered as well and spoke impatiently. "Since Ye Celeng makes you wary, then you should answer my questions. Otherwise, I will just kill you."

  Fan Zhuo suddenly put away his sneer. A dangerous aura spread within his body.

  The other knew his status in Cloud Water Palace and dared to purposefully lure him here. From the other’s words, he could infer that she even looked down upon Ye Celeng.

  Considering the noble and lofty presence this woman exuded since she had started speaking, Fan Zhuo was suddenly reminded of a personality. His eyes contracted in disbelief. "You are Zheng Xiu?"

  Zheng Xiu was the noblest woman in the Qin Dynasty, the empress of Qin. At the same time, she was the strongest cultivator of the Zheng Family.

  At his exclamation, Zhangsun Qianxue’s demeanour changed and coldly rebuked. "Who is that whore!"

  Fan Zhuo found this was absurd.

  As the absurdity and incomprehension sank in, the sense of danger strengthened and his back started to perspire.

  "Who are you?"

  He took a deep breath, his expression grew serious. He glared at the carriage, his brows full of viciousness. "Have you ever heard of members of Cloud Water Palace succumbing to the enemy under pressure?"

  Zhangsun Qianxue frowned even more deeply. She started to feel that, just like what Ding Ning had said, she was not skilled in anything outside of cultivation. But she had always handled things with simplicity.

  "I originally did not intend to kill you, but I coincidentally encountered you. I do not want you to kill a member of Two Level Tower. However, since it has come to this, I will kill you," she said.

  "You have such strong spirit." Fan Zhuo sneered. His voice rang like thunder.

  At the same time, thunder seemed to clap in front of him.

  A sword, that seemed like a stream of water, appeared in his hand.

  At the same time, a cluster of white clouds suddenly descended from the sky.

  The white clouds turned to water halfway through the air, becoming a glowing and powerful flow of water that looked like a serpent.

  Fan Zhuo’s sword turned into a stream of water that cut towards the cabin. The crystal serpent flow of water also cascaded towards the carriage from the sky.

  At the same time, his figure flew towards the frozen river at his side, as though he was being pulled by his sword move. His body was enveloped in thick moisture. There seemed to be three streams of water dancing in the air.

  Although Fan Zhuo’s visage was vicious, his eyes were calm and cold. While his cultivation was realm six first class, and he was still a step away from realm seven, Cloud Water Palace’s cultivation method and attacks were much greater than the ordinary sects’. Also, the closer they were to water, the stronger the cultivators of Cloud Water Palace were.

  So while this river had frozen, he had ways to turn it into flowing water. Even if the other was a cultivator stronger than Ye Celeng, he was confident he could flee by using this river.

  —


  Before the streams of water arrived, a powerful force tore the entire carriage apart, and pushed the two horses into the air.

  Zhangsun Qianxue was surrounded by the pieces of the carriage, and the many pieces seemed about to cut wounds into her body.

  However, in the eyes of cultivators of her level, the scene seemed to be almost frozen.

  A blue sword appeared in her hand. Its color quickly deepened to dark blue and formed a strong contact with her white skin. The blue was so deep it appeared black, so when she held this sword, she seemed to be holding the underworld.

  In this moment, Fan Zhuo, who was flying across the frozen river, caught sight of her appearance and sword.

  "Nine Hell King Sword, you are Gongsun ……" He finally reacted and spoke in shock.

  At this time, Zhangsun Qianxue launched her attack with the sword. All the flying pieces of the carriage suddenly paused around her, turning into blue crystals of ice that in the very next moment shattered into dust.

  When the enormous stream of water descending from the sky was still several meters from her, it quickly froze and instantly turned into a blue crystal from the head to the tail. It paused in midair, and then crashed to the ground.

  Fan Zhuo’s lifebond sword that was attacking started to hum mournfully but could not stop the spread of the blue ice on it. Several feet from her, the sword completely froze and was sent flying into the air by Zhangsun Qianxue’s power.

  Fan Zhuo’s vital energy rushed out of his body like a river and smashed below him.

  At this time, he was on the surface of the frozen river. His vital energy created unique rhythms on the water surface like multiple waterfalls thawing the entire river an instant.

  The cold energy was forced out of the flow of water, transforming into threads of light that flew into the air and dissipated like smoke.

  A string of explosions sounded around him. Several, enormous, pillars of water rose around him, and formed many walls with him at the center.

  The river water under him did not dry up. It seemed that even distant waters were immediately diverted over. An enormous whirlpool formed underneath him. His body was about to flow into it so he could flee.

  Yet at this moment, Fan Zhuo’s breathing stopped, and he seemed to hear the sound of death.

  The enormous pillars of water turned color, to become pillars of blue ice.A blue-black sword light passed through one of the pillars and came in front of him.

  Fan Zhuo’s face was drained of all blood. He shouted, terrifying sword essence emerged from his fingers and palm. He wanted to fight for a trace of time.

  But his right hand immediately lost sensation. It was cut off.

  His body bounced back and fell into the ice pillar behind him.

  "Such a powerful Nine Hell King Sword …… I had not expected you to have such terrifying cultivation already."

  "But you will not be able to get anything out of me. Bai Shanshui will avenge me."

  Fan Zhuo’s vital energy could no longer flow, but he still had a snarl on his face. When he spoke, a unique flow of water came out of his abdomen and charged to his head.

  A white stream of water charged out of his mouth. This great rebel of Cloud Water Palace lost all vitality.

  Translator Ramblings: larkspur is back to edit and makes this chapter so much better.

  Volume 2 64 - Not Skilled In Many Matters

  This chapter has been brought to you by me, and larkspur.

  The field was silent. The light of Min Mountain Sword Sect’s green jade doors fell on Ding Ning and the others, causing their figures to appear more dazzling.

  In reality, all of the participants were looking at Ding Ning who had entered last.

  This young Changling youth did not have especially great cultivation, but had always shone since he joined White Goat Cave. The wine shop youth was able to even overshine the other geniuses. The students all had different thoughts and opinions.

  But looking at Ding Ning who was silently helping Xue Wangxu, all of these students felt slightly anxious, and an inexplicable danger.

  Gu Xichun was standing at the centre of the students’ group. In his view, since Ding Ning could rank so high in the Book of Talents, this meant that Ding Ning would not be eliminated early on. He was not in a hurry to fight Ding Ning.

  Not even in a hurry to see Ding Ning.

  Yet, when Ding Ning arrived, he seemed to have magic to pull everybody’s attention over.

  He looked at Ding Ning. He looked at Xue Wangxu by Ding Ning’s side. His eyes, that were in shadow, gave off a strange color as though there was pine oil burning and billowing with smoke in his eyes.

  Beside Gu Xichun was a teacher from the Shadow Mountain Sword Cave. This was the sect uncle who was always concerned the most with Gu Xichun’s cultivation. After Gu Xichun obtained astounding comprehension, his sect uncle’s status in Shadow Mountain Sword Cave had greatly elevated, and he accompanied Gu Xichun at important events like this.

  Sensing the abnormality of Gu Xichun next to him, this middle-aged teacher frowned slightly. He warned in a soft voice, "Do not keep this on your mind. This person has rebelled against the empress. He will not obtain anything in the Min Mountain Sword Trials. After the trials, he will naturally fade out of view."

  Gu Xichun was aware of the good intentions of this sect uncle. His expression eased slightly, and he slowly said, "If he is fated to be a meteor, I hope that this meteor will end at my hands. This way, his light will increase color for me."

  "It will be good if there is a chance. But do not be too obsessed over matters." This middle-aged teacher of Shadow Mountain Sword Cave nodded and glanced at Xue Wangxu. He said with slight sympathy, "When one is too stubborn, one will end up like Xue Wangxu."

  Many looked at Xue Wangxu with some regret, and even sympathy.

  When one was above realm seven, one was a grandmaster.

  How great was the accomplishment in reaching realm seven? But a true realm seven grandmaster could not even achieve his wish of seeing his closest students perform in the Min Mountain Sword Trials.

  Most people present were certain that Xue Wangxu would die before the Min Mountain Sword Trials formally began.

  Before the Min Mountain Sword Trials started, the Holy One had to worship the ancestors, and establish the crown prince.

  Most even doubted if Xue Wangxu could last until the Holy One finished the ceremony.

  Nangong Caishu was a student of Green Vine Sword School. After He Zhaoxi moved forward, she did not hesitate and walked over to next to Ding Ning.

  Xie Changsheng did not think too much when he acted, so he moved without hesitation as well.

  This time, Xie Rou did not stop him.

  When the husband sang, the wife followed. She had sworn to marry Ding Ning. While Ding Ning did not recognize her oath, she would follow Ding Ning no matter what dangerous thing he was doing.

  Xu Heshan hesitated slightly but still walked to Nangong Caishu’s side.

  These people, including Zhang Yi and Shen Yi, formed a small group isolated from the surrounding people.

  Because they were a hand few, they did not appear tragic, but just slightly sad.

  "There is not much time."

  From the moment they had walked into the green jade doors of Min Mountain Sword Sect, Ding Ning had maintained his silence. At this time, he was at the end of the group. He let He Zhaoxi take all of Xue Wangxu’s weight and then seriously said by Xue Wangxu’s ear. "Because I will help White Goat Cave get first, this disciple cannot accompany you on this last journey."

  Xue Wangxu was struggling to breathe at this moment. But when he heard Ding Ning’s words, he still squeezed out a smile and said gently, "I will go in peace."

  "Eldest Sect Brother, accompany the Cave Master on this last journey."

  Ding Ning gave his position to Zhang Yi and bowed deeply to Xue Wangxu.

  Before anyone could speak, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

  Nangong Caishu, Xie Changsheng and the others did not understand the true meaning of Ding Ning and Xue Wangxu’s conversation. But the moment Ding Ning closed his eyes, they were stunned.

  In their senses, the moment Ding Ning closed his eyes, his body became an absolutely still pond. Many wondrous energies flowed through the pond. There were many things in the world they could not see or even feel flowing into this pond.

  This was cultivation.

  Even cultivators of realm five or six would require a certain amount of time to calm their minds and enter this kind of internal state. But Ding Ning did not need any time to prepare. He managed to enter their cultivation state the moment he closed his eyes.

  This was an impossible fete, yet it had occurred right before their very eyes.

  Other than this, they were even more shocked as they could sense Ding Ning’s body was extremely drained. He was so drained that not just all of the water had been expelled from his pond, even most moisture in the wet soil had been pressed out.

  "Someone forced Ding Ning to run out of his vital energy."

  Xie Changsheng’s expression grew dark. He took a deep breath, looked at Zhang Yi and Shen Yi, asking, "What happened?"

  Shen Yi’s eyes turned red. He wanted to say something, but Zhang Yi answered in a trembling voice, "This is none of your business."

  "What do you mean none of my business?"

  Xie Changsheng knew Zhang Yi’s good intentions but couldn’t help but shout in fury. "We are standing by you. Is this none of our business?"

  "Stop fighting."

  Shen Yi spoke up.

  Xie Changsheng turned in even more furious. He wanted to ask Shen Yi what he had done as a student of the White Goat Cave, but the moment he turned around, he could no longer speak.

  All the people around him were unable to speak.

  Because Xue Wangxu’s mouth was open but he couldn’t make a sound.

  This old man seemed to want to say something, but was now unable to. In the end, he only showed a small helpless smile.

  At this time, a silent throbbing came from ahead.

  Solemn music played on the sacrificial altar on the mountain path ahead.

  Xie Changsheng suddenly looked up.

  He knew that Emperor Yuanwu would appear next. At this time, he should be like the surrounding students, looking on with heated gazes and filled with respect. However, at this time, his eyes were filled with anger, as though he wanted to vent the fire towards the sacrificial altar in his sight.

  There were many people kneeling on the sacrificial altar like an ocean.

  Emperor Yuanwu walked calmly and confidently, holding a gold slip, towards the forefront of the altar.

  Fu Su, dressed grandly, walked several feet behind him. Following Fu Su were numerous cultivators in indigo robes.

  When that golden figure appeared in sight, all of the students in front of the mountain path felt the stabbing pain in their eyes alleviate. There seemed to be an unusually vast and gentle presence that had shrouded the sword essence of Min Mountain like an invisible umbrella.

  Their own sense of that power and the status of that bright yellow figure caused most students’ excitement and awe to reach a peak. Cheers rose again and again.

  The bright yellow figure on the altar did not stop the sounds. He started to recite the litany to the heavens, and did not even change his usual way of talking.

  Yet, nothing in the mountains could cover up his voice.

  Each word from his lips clearly passed into every person’s ears.

  The moment he had said the first word, the sunlight seemed to become brighter.

  Each person’s body seemed to have a layer of gold.

  But Xue Wangxu’s light faded from his eyes. He wasn’t able to hear Emperor Yuanwu’s Heaven Worshipping litany.

  At this time, he had peacefully passed on.

  Ding Ning did not hear Emperor Yuanwu’s recitation as well.

  He forgot everything and cultivated to replenish his vital energy.

  Zhang Yi and Shen Yi also did not hear Emperor Yuanwu’s recitation. They were completely taken over by immense grief.

  At the back of the altar, when he heard his name mentioned, Fu Su, now the crown prince, tried his best to look down.

  He wanted to see where Ding Ning was.

  But the distance was too great, he could not see what was happening below and where Ding Ning and the others were.

  Translator Ramblings: Goodbye Xue Wangxu.