Southern Prefecture, Sword Sect.
"Sword Master, according to the reports, no fewer than fifty factions have already issued announcements to recruit Yun Xiaoyao. If we don't make a move now, I'm afraid..."
An elder dressed in Sword Sect elder robes wore an anxious expression, his words filled with urgency.
As soon as these words were spoken, the dozen or so other elders all nodded in agreement.
"Elder Qiu is right. If we can recruit Yun Xiaoyao, our Sword Sect will become the number one power in Southern Prefecture."
"That's right! And Sword Master, do you still remember Yun Xiaoyao's terrifying attainment in the Sword Dao? Even our Sword Prince couldn't possibly match it."
It was no wonder they were so anxious; in recent years, aside from the Sword Prince Yè Fán, the Sword Sect had produced not a single disciple worth mentioning.
If things continued this way, no matter how powerful the Sword Sect was, it would gradually decline.
Whenever they held disciple recruitment drives, the applicants were either dispirited wrecks or cowards fleeing from danger, which always sent their blood boiling with frustration.
Listening to the discussion, Jiàn Wúhén, seated in the main seat, smiled faintly.
"You needn't worry, everyone. The moment the news broke, I already sent Fán'er to find him."
"And just yesterday, Fán'er sent me a voice transmission—with good news."
At this, everyone's eyes widened as they stared at Jiàn Wúhén in utter disbelief.
Some even suspected they had misheard and slapped themselves on the head.
No one dared to ask what the good news was, terrified that it wouldn't be what they were hoping for.
Jiàn Wúhén remained silent, just smiling at them as he kept them in suspense.
After a long while, someone finally couldn't help asking, "Sword Master, is the good news you mentioned that Yun Xiaoyao is willing to join our Sword Sect?"
Hearing this, everyone turned to look at Jiàn Wúhén with eyes full of anticipation.
Seeing that he had strung them along enough, Jiàn Wúhén was just about to speak when a figure suddenly rushed in through the door.
"Master! Master! Look who I brought back!"
Yè Fán ran in laughing, completely devoid of the dignified demeanor expected of a Sword Prince.
Yet none of the elders minded; instead, all eyes turned toward the entrance.
Following their gazes, they saw a handsome young man in white robes slowly walking in from outside.
When they caught sight of his face, everyone burst into loud, excited laughter and hurriedly crowded around him.
"Heaven bless our Sword Sect! Heaven bless our Sword Sect! This immense fortune has finally fallen upon us!"
An elderly Sword Sect elder wept tears of joy, overcome with emotion.
Yun Xiaoyao, who had just stepped inside, was completely bewildered and felt somewhat out of place.
Even so, he collected himself and bowed to Jiàn Wúhén and the dozen-plus Sword Sect elders.
"Junior Yun Xiaoyao pays respects to all seniors."
At these words, the crowd waved their hands dismissively and hastily helped Yun Xiaoyao up.
One had to remember that despite Yun Xiaoyao's young appearance, his Half-step Tribulation Transcending cultivation was right there. In the cultivation world, those with weak cultivation were called juniors; as for those with high cultivation—regardless of age—they were all seniors.
"Fellow Daoist Xiaoyao is too polite. Judging by cultivation level, we are actually the juniors here."
"Indeed! Calling us seniors is treating us with far too much deference; we certainly don't deserve it."
Only then did Yun Xiaoyao realize that the news of his cultivation dropping must not have spread.
With a bitter smile, he said, "To be honest with all you seniors, my cultivation dropped all the way to the Foundation Establishment stage right after that great battle back then."
"Even this Golden Core cultivation I have now was only broken through yesterday."
Fearing they wouldn't believe him, he even revealed his Golden Core 3rd Layer aura.
Instantly, the dozen-plus Sword Sect elders froze, but quickly waved their hands again.
"What does that matter? With your talent, returning to your peak is only a matter of time!"
"That's right! We aren't like those ungrateful wolves at the Qilin Sacred Land. So your cultivation regressed—you can just cultivate back up!"
Though it was the first time any of them had heard of such a drastic regression in cultivation, not a single person looked down on Yun Xiaoyao.
At this moment, Jiàn Wúhén walked over and smiled at Yun Xiaoyao.
"The elders are right, Xiaoyao. You needn't worry too much; with your talent, it won't be long before you return to your peak."
"When that time comes, certain people at the Qilin Sacred Land are going to regret this so bitterly their guts turn green!"
Beside them, Yè Fán suddenly spoke up.
"Master, I request to step down from my position as Sword Prince and let Brother Xiaoyao take it instead."
At these words, all the elders looked at Yè Fán in astonishment, their eyes filled with deep approval.
Even Yun Xiaoyao was momentarily stunned, a warm current welling up in his chest.
They knew very well what the title of Sword Prince meant: it meant enjoying the greatest and finest resources of the Sword Sect, along with the absolute best cultivation environment.
Furthermore, the Sword Prince enjoyed a special privilege—he could enter the Sword Void once every month.
The Sword Void was the most mysterious place in the Sword Sect, where the powerful figures of past generations were laid to rest. Anyone who entered it had the chance to inherit the Sword Dao legacies of those ancient masters.
To any disciple of the Sword Sect, such a legacy held a fatal temptation.
Even Yun Xiaoyao felt a stirring of temptation.
Though his cultivation had once reached the heavens and he deeply loved the Sword Dao, his two junior sister disciples had caused him to abandon it and instead study Alchemy and Formation Arts, all so he could guide the two of them.
And what did all that effort buy him in return? Ostracism and false accusations.
Even so, his past mastery of the Sword Dao had still outshone Yè Fán, who was already a Sword Prince.
In this lifetime, he would no longer care about so-called junior sisters or masters, nor would he delve into alchemy and formations for their sake.
The only thing he wanted to do now was dedicate himself entirely to the Sword Dao he loved.
Looking at Jiàn Wúhén, he offered a faint smile.
"It was Yè Fán who didn't disdain me when I was down on my luck and brought me to the Sword Sect. If I were to do this, how would I be any different from an ungrateful ingrate?"
"Therefore, I, Yun Xiaoyao, would rather not have this position of Sword Prince."
Yè Fán was startled. "Xiaoyao, you..."
Yun Xiaoyao waved his hand. "Brother Yè, say no more. I will not accept this position of Sword Prince."
Watching the two of them, Jiàn Wúhén felt immense warmth in his heart.
"Since that's settled, the position of Sword Prince remains Fán'er's. However..."
"Is there any rule stating our Sword Sect cannot have two Sword Princes?"
At this, the surrounding elders' eyes lit up.
Indeed! Was there any rule stating there couldn't be two Sword Princes?
"Brilliant, Sword Master!"
Yun Xiaoyao was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Jiàn Wúhén to suggest this.
That way, it wouldn't harm his relationship with Yè Fán, yet it would still allow him to enjoy the treatment accorded to a Sword Prince.
However, Yun Xiaoyao had one more concern: given his current cultivation level, becoming a Sword Prince might cause dissatisfaction among the Sword Sect disciples.
When he voiced this concern, Jiàn Wúhén and the elders all burst into hearty laughter.
"Xiaoyao, even after all these years, you still vastly underestimate your own influence."