Yè Fán looked at Lǐ Cháng'ān and the others, his long sword flashing with a blinding, frigid light in the moonlight.
He was just about to head down the mountain when he suddenly noticed more than a dozen unfamiliar presences lingering at the Sword Sect's mountain gate. Driven by vigilance, he had hurried over.
Feeling Yè Fán's Void Refinement Stage cultivation, Lǐ Cháng'ān's expression flickered slightly. Although he was also in the Void Refinement Stage, he had only just stepped into it not long ago. The other man's aura was clearly much stronger than his own. Furthermore, the other party was a Sword Cultivator.
Lǐ Cháng'ān couldn't think of anyone else in the Sword Sect with such cultivation besides the Sword Prince.
With that thought, Lǐ Cháng'ān cupped his hands in a salute. "Sword Prince, please don't misunderstand. We came here this time to see Senior Brother Xiaoyao and join the Sword Sect."
"Senior Brother Xiaoyao? Join the Sword Sect?" Yè Fán frowned. He glanced at Lǐ Cháng'ān, his expression suddenly turning cold and stern. "Are you people from the Qilin Sacred Land?"
Ever since learning of Yun Xiaoyao's ordeal, Yè Fán had never held a good impression of anyone from the Qilin Sacred Land.
Seeing that Yè Fán's expression was somewhat unfriendly, Lǐ Cháng'ān immediately understood. He directly recounted what had happened to him at the Qilin Sacred Land and stated the purpose of their coming to the Sword Sect. The disciples behind him also spoke up one after another, sharing their own mistreatment.
After listening, Yè Fán's expression softened. "Liǔ Yúnyān and those disciples of hers are truly worse than pigs and dogs. If this goes on, no matter how powerful a sacred land is, it will sooner or later be ruined in their hands."
He added, "Whether what you're saying is true or false, I can't just take your word for it. Everything will have to wait until Xiaoyao comes out of seclusion. However, I can take you to see the Sword Master now so he can decide whether you stay or leave."
To be honest, Yè Fán very much hoped that geniuses like Lǐ Cháng'ān would join. After all, geniuses in the current Sword Sect were already scarce, let alone a talent of Saint Son caliber.
Afterward, Yè Fán led Lǐ Cháng'ān and the others to the main sect hall. He first had the group wait there while he went to summon Jiàn Wúhén.
As soon as Yè Fán left, a group of disciples gathered around.
"Senior Brother Cháng'ān, do you think we can join the Sword Sect? After all, it seems we aren't very close with the Eldest Senior Brother."
Lǐ Cháng'ān pondered for a moment. "I'm not sure either. I can only hope that Eldest Senior Brother resents them and not us."
About the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, Yè Fán returned with Jiàn Wúhén.
"Master, these are the ones who want to join the Sword Sect."
"To have you come fetch me in the middle of the night, these people must not be ordinary."
As they spoke, everyone caught sight of the renowned Sword Master, Jiàn Wúhén. Seeing this, Lǐ Cháng'ān gave the others a subtle look and bowed deeply.
"Junior Lǐ Cháng'ān pays respects to the Sword Master."
Lǐ Cháng'ān was neither servile nor overbearing, his expression very calm.
Seeing this, Jiàn Wúhén smiled faintly and nodded in great satisfaction. "Not bad, to have already reached the Void Refinement Stage at such an age—placed in any other faction, you would be considered a Saint Son-level talent."
He was extremely pleased with Lǐ Cháng'ān. Moreover, since the young man had come to defect to Yun Xiaoyao, he had even less reason to refuse.
He then looked at the dozen-odd disciples behind Lǐ Cháng'ān. "Hm, the people behind you are also quite good. Most of them are around the Deity Transformation Stage in cultivation. All of you may join the Sword Sect and become inner sect disciples."
Hearing this, a trace of joy appeared on Lǐ Cháng'ān's face, and he hurriedly expressed his gratitude. "Many thanks, Sword Master!"
What he had feared most was that he himself would be accepted while these disciples were turned away. They had followed him here because they trusted him, and as their senior brother, he bore the responsibility for them.
"What are you all staring blankly for? Hurry up and thank the Sword Master."
The disciples were slightly startled before quickly offering their thanks in unison. "Many thanks, Sword Master!"
Jiàn Wúhén waved a hand. "No need for such formalities. Yè Fán, take them to find a place to settle in for now, and we can make proper arrangements tomorrow."
With that, Jiàn Wúhén's figure flashed and he vanished from the spot.
"Let's go, Junior Brothers." Yè Fán gave a faint smile. Since Lǐ Cháng'ān and the others had joined the Sword Sect, and he was the Sword Prince, calling them junior brothers was entirely appropriate.
Lǐ Cháng'ān responded in kind. "Then we'll have to trouble the Sword Prince."
***
Time flowed on. Nearly half a month had passed since Yun Xiaoyao entered seclusion.
Inside the room, Yun Xiaoyao sat cross-legged on a straw cushion, his aura exceptionally profound. He had already broken through to the peak of the Golden Core stage. In just half a month, he had broken through three minor realms in succession, soaring from the sixth layer all the way to the peak of the ninth layer.
The mountain-like pile of spirit stones that had been stacked there earlier was now about a third depleted. At this moment, Yun Xiaoyao was attempting to breach the barrier to the Nascent Soul Realm—he was only a hair's breadth away.
As he accelerated the absorption through his hands, the surging spiritual qi rushed madly toward that invisible barrier. For anyone else, it might require a period of consolidation to be certain of a breakthrough. But Yun Xiaoyao had no such need; with just a slight impact, the illusory barrier shattered directly.
At the same time, a miniature golden figure that looked identical to him slowly emerged from Yun Xiaoyao's dantian. This was his Nascent Soul.
Yun Xiaoyao stopped what he was doing and slowly opened his eyes. Feeling the power of the Nascent Soul Realm within his body, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
"With my Nascent Soul cultivation, I must already be an invincible existence in the upcoming grand tournament of the Bamboo Mountain Blessed Land."
"When that Bái Chén—who is probably still at Foundation Establishment—sees me, will he be surprised?"
At this thought, a playful smile inevitably crept onto Yun Xiaoyao's face. According to his memories from his past life, the Bamboo Mountain Grand Tournament was only half a month away.
The so-called Bamboo Mountain Grand Tournament had been established to contend for a secret realm known as the Bamboo Mountain Blessed Land. Not long ago, the major factions had discovered this secret realm in a certain region. Several forces all wanted it for themselves, but none were willing to hand it over to another.
Consequently, they negotiated and decided that whoever could secure first place in the Bamboo Mountain Grand Tournament would gain ownership of the Bamboo Mountain Blessed Land. After investigating, they discovered that the resources within the Bamboo Mountain Blessed Land were simply too heaven-defying; it was entirely capable of nurturing a second-rate faction into a first-rate one. The rare Demonic Beasts, spiritual herbs, grotto-heavens, and legacies hidden within were countless, which was why everyone desired it so fiercely.
In his past life, Yun Xiaoyao had won first place for the Qilin Sacred Land with invincible might, securing ownership of the Bamboo Mountain Blessed Land for the sacred land. Over the next hundred years, relying on the resources within the Bamboo Mountain Blessed Land, the Qilin Sacred Land completely cemented its position as the number one power.
In this lifetime, however, Yun Xiaoyao wanted to see whether the Qilin Sacred Land could still match its performance from the previous life without him.
By his estimation, Bái Chén had probably only just broken through to the Golden Core stage at most. But he himself had already successfully broken through the Golden Core stage and become a Nascent Soul cultivator; crushing Bái Chén would be as easy as squashing an ant.
At that moment, a smile flickered at the corner of Yun Xiaoyao's lips.
"No, killing him just like that isn't profitable enough."
"After all, the Heavenly Demon Sect behind him is also a juicy piece of fat!"