"The Luosha Gate? Are they a powerful sect?" Lin Feng asked, puzzled.
He had never heard of them.
Of course, that could be chalked up to his own ignorance, as he had rarely set foot outside the sect since his Master, Su Mubai, brought him to the Shenxiao Sword Sect. His knowledge of the outside world was pitifully scarce.
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The few major powers he did know of were only because his Master had mentioned them in passing.
If he hadn't heard of them, it meant they weren't one of the top-tier sects in Lizhou.
So how could an obscure sect dare to provoke the Shenxiao Sword Sect?
"The Luosha Gate is not considered strong," Leng Hanshuang replied.
"Then how did they dare to offend our Shenxiao Sword Sect?" Lin Feng's tone was thick with disbelief.
The Shenxiao Sword Sect was one of the four great powers of Lizhou. Who did the Luosha Gate think they were?
"The Luosha Gate of the past would never have dared. But now they have the Wuji Demon Sect as their backer, which has given them some courage. Your Uncle Master Zhao and Uncle Master Jiang went to the Luosha Gate to avenge your Master and retrieve the Haoran Sword, but they were ambushed on the way by Qian Dao Xiong, the Great Elder of the Wuji Demon Sect. They never made it to the Luosha Gate and had to return to discuss a long-term plan with the Headmaster," Leng Hanshuang explained.
So that was it!
Understanding dawned in Lin Feng’s heart.
He knew of the Wuji Demon Sect.
His Master had specifically warned him about this sect.
Like the Shenxiao Sword Sect, the Wuji Demon Sect was one of the supreme powers in Lizhou. Moreover, the two sects were mortal enemies, constantly engaged in minor skirmishes. With them as a backer, it was no wonder the Luosha Gate dared to grievously injure his Master.
"Thank you for telling me, Uncle Master Leng!" Lin Feng said gratefully, clasping his hands.
"Lin Feng! You are Senior Brother Mubai's only disciple. It's safe to say he has high hopes for you. Though your talent is not exceptional, in our world of cultivation, talent is not the only deciding factor. As the saying goes, diligence can make up for a lack of natural talent. If you can focus your entire mind on cultivation from now on, it's not impossible for you to one day inherit Senior Brother Mubai's Haoran Sword and Gucun Peak. Otherwise, given Senior Brother Mubai's current state, it won't be long before the Haoran Sword and Gucun Peak change hands."
Leng Hanshuang's words made Lin Feng, who was usually unflappable even in the face of a collapsing mountain, feel a sense of panic.
The Haoran Sword and Gucun Peak were going to change hands?
That was something he could never accept.
The Haoran Sword and Gucun Peak belonged to his Master, and no one was going to take them away!
"I ask for Uncle Master Leng's guidance," Lin Feng said respectfully, taking a deep breath.
"You know that Senior Brother Mubai's foundation was damaged during a mission in his early years, causing his strength to stagnate all this time. The rest of us have long since surpassed him. As the master of the Haoran Sword, one of the Shenxiao Seven Swords, Senior Brother Mubai's strength no longer matches his status. Many within the Shenxiao Sword Sect are now coveting the Haoran Sword and Gucun Peak. The only reason no one has acted is because the Headmaster has been holding back the pressure. But with Senior Brother Mubai's severe injury and the loss of the Haoran Sword, someone will certainly use this as an opportunity to make a move. You must be mentally prepared."
For Lin Feng, who adhered to the philosophy of living a low-key, discreet life, the internal politics of the sect were something he wanted no part of.
But if anyone dared to touch his Master's things, that was absolutely unacceptable.
"I understand! Thank you, Uncle Master Leng!" Lin Feng bowed again in gratitude.
"Alright! Go back and cultivate diligently! Even if you lose the Haoran Sword and Gucun Peak this time, you can just take them back with your own strength in the future. I trust you will not disappoint Senior Brother Mubai's expectations."
After learning more details about the Luosha Gate from Leng Hanshuang—that it was a sect formed by a group of wanted criminals—Lin Feng knew what he had to do.
He then left Yunv Peak and returned to Gucun Peak.
The day's events had taught Lin Feng a valuable lesson.
On the Jiuzhou Continent, being too low-key was also a mistake.
If he had revealed even a fraction of his talent, perhaps Gucun Peak would not have fallen into such a state.
And no one would be scheming to take the Haoran Sword and Gucun Peak.
Night fell.
A black-clad figure quietly slipped away from the Shenxiao Sword Sect, speeding westward. He moved so fast that he vanished in the blink of an eye.
hundreds of thousands of miles west of the Shenxiao Sword Sect lay the Luosha Gate.
At this moment, a dozen or so people were holding a secret meeting inside the Luosha Gate.
These were the decision-makers of the sect.
One of them asked, "Sect Master! Isn't what we're doing too risky? The Wuji Demon Sect and the Shenxiao Sword Sect are both supreme powers in Lizhou. If we, the Luosha Gate, get involved so rashly, won't we..."
"It's right for you to have such concerns! But what I want to say is, in the past, I would never have gotten involved in the conflict between the Wuji Demon Sect and the Shenxiao Sword Sect. But things are different now," the Luosha Gate's Sect Master replied.
"How are they different?"
"The Wuji Demon Sect's Grand Elder, Wuqi Daoist, had a breakthrough not long ago!"
As soon as he said this, all the high-ranking members of the Luosha Gate present felt a jolt. Their eyes widened as they stared at their Sect Master in disbelief.
Wuqi Daoist had a breakthrough?
Didn't that mean the Wuji Demon Sect would now completely suppress the Shenxiao Sword Sect?
Seeing everyone's shocked expressions, the Luosha Gate's Sect Master smiled faintly and continued, "The Wuji Demon Sect is working with the Seven Kill Sect to gradually dismantle the Shenxiao Sword Sect's power. Once Wuqi Daoist has fully stabilized his new realm, they will attack the Shenxiao Sword Sect in one fell swoop, annihilate their old enemy, and then deal with the Qingyun Sect. When the Wuji Demon Sect dominates Lizhou, our Luosha Gate will be able to ride their coattails and soar to new heights. This is our only chance, and we absolutely cannot miss it."
With the Sect Master's explanation, the high-ranking members of the Luosha Gate finally understood.
No wonder their Sect Master dared to grievously injure Su Mubai, one of the Shenxiao Seven Swords, and steal the Haoran Sword. He had already secured their backing.
***
At noon the next day, the sun shone brightly.
Suddenly, a three-hundred-meter-long illusory greatsword appeared in the sky above the Luosha Gate, its tip pointed straight down at the sect.
"BOOM!"
The sect's protective formation only held for a moment before it was utterly destroyed.
The immense power made the entire Luosha Gate teeter on the brink of collapse, with countless buildings swaying precariously.
"Insolence! Who dares to cause trouble at the Luosha Gate! Are you looking to die?!"
With a furious roar, dozens of the Luosha Gate's senior members rushed out.
But when they saw the three-hundred-meter-long greatsword in the sky, they were all stunned into silence.
"RUMBLE!"
The greatsword continued its unstoppable descent. The people of the Luosha Gate couldn't even get close, let alone stop it. In the end, they could only watch as the illusory blade plunged into the Luosha Gate's main hall, obliterating it.
The massive shockwave turned everything in the vicinity into rubble.
Even the dozens of high-ranking members were slammed to the ground, unable to move.
The greatsword plunged a third of its length into the ground, leaving two-thirds of its massive form towering above.
Only then did the members of the Luosha Gate notice that someone was standing on the very top of the hilt.
"Who... who are you? How has my Luosha Gate offended you to warrant such a ruthless attack? You didn't even give us a chance to speak!" the Luosha Gate's Sect Master demanded loudly.
He knew in his heart that since the attacker struck without a word, begging for mercy would be useless.
The Luosha Gate had done plenty of dirty deeds in the shadows, and it was a gathering of bandits. It was hard to tell where this enemy came from.
The figure on the sword hilt didn't answer. He simply turned slowly, revealing a face hidden behind a ghost mask.
Then, he stomped his foot.
"BOOM!"
The greatsword plunged another third of its length into the earth, leaving only the hilt exposed.
The already ruined Luosha Gate was completely razed to the ground.
The sect's disciples suffered heavy casualties.
The dozen or so stronger high-ranking members were left barely breathing.
To annihilate the Luosha Gate with a single blow was a testament to the attacker's terrifying power.
"Damn you! Aren't you afraid of retribution?" the Luosha Gate's Sect Master cursed.
The Luosha Gate was his life's work. He had been on the verge of rising to prominence with the Wuji Demon Sect's backing, but he never expected a sudden attack to destroy everything.
Where were the people from the Wuji Demon Sect?
Didn't they promise to ensure the Luosha Gate's safety?
Why hadn't they appeared yet?
The Ghost Masked Man remained silent, merely staring at the Luosha Gate's Sect Master with icy eyes.
He was, of course, Lin Feng, who had slipped out of the Shenxiao Sword Sect to avenge his Master, Su Mubai.
The first time he revealed even a fraction of his true strength, the result was utterly terrifying.
If the higher-ups of the Shenxiao Sword Sect knew that their "useless" Senior Brother had wiped out the Luosha Gate with a single sword strike, one could only wonder what they would think.
Although the Luosha Gate wasn't particularly strong, it was still a mid-tier sect. It couldn't be destroyed by just anyone, let alone with a single sword strike.
"Are you from the Shenxiao Sword Sect?" the Luosha Gate's Sect Master asked.
But then he immediately dismissed the idea.
"Impossible! You can't be from the Shenxiao Sword Sect. The Wuji Demon Sect promised me they would monitor the movements of all your experts. You can't be from the Shenxiao Sword Sect. Who in the world are you?"
Just as Lin Feng was about to finish off this group of evildoers, he sensed something. With a casual wave of his hand, a longsword flew out from the rubble and hovered before him.
The Haoran Sword!
Looking at the sword, so familiar it was a part of him, a flicker of emotion appeared in Lin Feng's eyes.
Just then, an enraged roar echoed from the distance.
"Audacious thief! How dare you commit such slaughter! Today, I shall send you to your death!"
Hearing this voice, the Luosha Gate's Sect Master's face lit up with excitement. He shouted, "Great Elder, save me!"
The newcomer was none other than the Great Elder of the Wuji Demon Sect—Qian Dao Xiong.
He was currently seething with rage.
In the eyes of the Wuji Demon Sect, the Luosha Gate was just a pawn, but a useful one.
Their mission was to ambush members of the Shenxiao Sword Sect, weaken their effective forces, and protect the Luosha Gate.
Now that the Luosha Gate had been annihilated, wasn't this a slap in the face to the Wuji Demon Sect?
For a supreme power like the Wuji Demon Sect, face was incredibly important. Otherwise, who would dare to work for them in the future?
Lin Feng stood atop the giant sword, looking at the dozens of black figures speeding toward him from the distance without a trace of fear. He pushed off with his feet, his body shooting out like a cannonball.
After launching himself into the air, Lin Feng, wielding his Master Su Mubai's Haoran Sword, slashed at Qian Dao Xiong and the others.
What was at first a seemingly soft and unremarkable sword strike instantly transformed as he swung. The winds shifted and the very heavens changed color. A sword light, dozens of meters long, shot out in an instant, carrying with it a cataclysmic might as it slashed toward the members of the Wuji Demon Sect.
Sensing the astonishing power of the sword light, Qian Dao Xiong was instantly alarmed.
This is...
Sword intent?
Who is this person?
To have comprehended such a terrifying sword intent!
Moreover, this sword intent actually made him feel suppressed.
The sword intent unleashed by the righteous and unyielding Haoran Sword had a powerful suppressive effect on those who cultivated demonic arts.
"Scatter!"
Qian Dao Xiong roared.
The dozens of black figures behind him shot off in all directions with a "swoosh," dodging the attack.
They too had naturally sensed the suppressive power within the sword intent.
Lin Feng, however, didn't slow down. He shot past them in an instant, letting out a loud laugh.
"Hahaha... A breath of righteous qi for a thousand miles of sweeping wind! It seems the Great Elder of the Wuji Demon Sect is not so great after all! Your reputation is undeserved! I'll spare you mongrels for today. The next time we meet, I will surely take your lives."
After Lin Feng left, the dozens of black figures gathered around Qian Dao Xiong again.
"Great Elder! The sword intent this person has comprehended has a powerful suppressive effect on us. If we don't eliminate him, he will become a great threat to our Wuji Demon Sect!"
Qian Dao Xiong stared in the direction Lin Feng had disappeared, his fists clenched so tightly his whole body trembled with rage.
The suddenness of the attack had made him hesitate to face the blow head-on.
Thinking back now, with so many of them present, so what if the opponent had comprehended sword intent?
Having fought against Sword Cultivators for so many years, Qian Dao Xiong understood that while they were strong and could fight above their level as if it were routine, they weren't invincible.
Besides, the demonic arts of the Wuji Demon Sect were not to be trifled with.
When did such a heaven-defying Sword Cultivator appear in Lizhou?
Qian Dao Xiong didn't believe Lin Feng was from the Shenxiao Sword Sect either, because the few individuals in that sect with such power were all under the Wuji Demon Sect's surveillance.
But if he wasn't from the Shenxiao Sword Sect, who could he be?
***
News of the Luosha Gate's destruction spread quickly.
Everyone was curious about the identity of the Ghost Masked Man.
To be able to destroy the Luosha Gate with a single sword strike and then casually depart while being surrounded by the Wuji Demon Sect's Great Elder Qian Dao Xiong and dozens of their experts—this was not something an ordinary person could do.
The more mysterious Lin Feng was, the more he piqued people's curiosity.
The Wuji Demon Sect was also investigating Lin Feng's true identity.
In Lizhou, the only Sword Cultivator faction that could pose a threat to the Wuji Demon Sect was the Shenxiao Sword Sect; all others were on a completely different level.
And the experts of the Shenxiao Sword Sect were all within their surveillance network.
Because of this, the Wuji Demon Sect couldn't make heads or tails of the situation.
What power could possibly cultivate such a formidable Sword Cultivator?
Their original plan was to slowly chip away at and weaken the Shenxiao Sword Sect's strength, then, once their ancestor stabilized his new realm and came out of seclusion, take them down with minimal cost.
Now, the sudden appearance of this mysterious expert had completely disrupted the Wuji Demon Sect's plans.
The higher-ups of the Wuji Demon Sect would never dream that the one causing them so much trouble was none other than the Shenxiao Sword Sect's "useless" Senior Brother of this generation.
Proofreader: Peter Pan