Chapter 207: Chapter 149: Peace Knot: The Hidden Spirit of the Treasure Sword

As the Sect Leader, he was different. He had to deal with everyone in the sect.

Over time, they had all become familiar faces, and it hurt to lose any one of them.

"Don’t dwell on these issues any longer. Since we are short so many people, just promote more disciples to handle sect affairs and help lighten your load."

"If all goes well, Junior Brother Ming Yan should be able to resolve the situation."

"Your priority right now is to calm your mind and strive to reach Core Formation as soon as possible. Should any new complications arise, you would be another true force protecting the sect."

No one could be seen in the hall, but a voice of counsel rang out from thin air.

Mei Yong bowed respectfully in the direction of the rear mountain. "Yes. I will remember your teachings, Daoist."

That may be so, but hearing Master Ming Yan’s name only made him more worried.

At present, besides the two Daoists, he was the only one in the entire Li Huo Sect who knew that Daoist Feihong had left to travel in his youth and had still not returned.

Now that the Divine Fire Sect had sealed off Quanzhou, any hope of his return was all but gone.

If anything were to happen to Master Ming Yan in Hezhou, the Li Huo Sect’s position would be in grave danger.

Never mind those other two powers; Thousand Bamboo True Man of Qianzhu Market now had a new junior brother, Master Ming Yue.

’Wouldn’t they get any ideas?’

At that point, while the Mountain Protection Array would prevent the Li Huo Sect from being annihilated, the ownership of its more remote Spirit Ore mines, Spirit Fields, and Spirit Veins would be up for debate. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

.

It was noon, and the sun was shining brightly.

A massive Spiritual Boat rose into the air, soaring high above the clouds.

Xiao Chen stood alone at the prow, visually estimating the number of people on board.

There were too many Foundation Establishment Cultivators present, so it would be unwise to use his Divine Sense and risk causing unnecessary misunderstandings.

Based on his estimate, there were more than four hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators on the Spiritual Boat.

Even after subtracting the nearly two hundred cultivators belonging to the Li Huo Sect, there were still more than two hundred others.

Extrapolating from the total attendance at the Thousand Bamboo Tower last time, this meant that nearly every Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator in the Li Huo Sect’s territory was here.

He had originally thought some cultivators would be too afraid of the risks to come.

It now seemed that any Loose Cultivator who could reach Foundation Establishment didn’t lack the courage for adventure; they only lacked a strong enough incentive.

"Junior Brother Xiao, don’t just stand around here."

Steward Chen found Xiao Chen and warmly invited him into the cabin. "Come have some Spirit Wine. I’ll introduce you to a few friends."

The journey to the Lingyuan Sect would take roughly thirteen days.

The first nine days would be spent crossing the Gobi Desert. After entering Hezhou’s borders, it would take about four more days to reach the Lingyuan Sect.

Resting rooms had been prepared on the Spiritual Boat, along with an entire deck for relaxation.

This flight speed was actually rather slow; a Foundation Establishment Cultivator traveling alone via Sword Control could be twice as fast.

This was precisely why some confident Loose Cultivators, such as Hei Bai Zi, had chosen to travel alone.

However, most cultivators placed greater value on the opportunities for safe rest and networking aboard the Spiritual Boat.

Cultivators like Nine-foot Staff Zhu Hui, for instance, or Liu Feng.

"Junior Brother Xiao, let me make an introduction. This is one of the renowned Ten Heroes of our Li State, Liu, also known as Lone Sword Liu Feng."

Steward Chen added enthusiastically, "Back during the New Year, Liu was in seclusion studying his swordsmanship, so he couldn’t make it to the Thousand Bamboo Tower. Today is the perfect chance for you two to meet."

He then turned to introduce Xiao Chen. "This is Junior Brother Xiao—"

Before he could finish, Liu Feng cut in, offering a cupped-fist salute. "I know him. Steward Xiao, the one who won the Wind and Thunder Dual Swords at the Thousand Bamboo Tower and killed Han Minghui in Jingchuan County. I’ve heard a great deal about you."

Xiao Chen was somewhat surprised that a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment was being so polite.

He returned the salute. "You’re too kind. I’m hardly worthy of such praise. I have also heard of you for a long time, and seeing you today, I can tell you live up to your reputation."

Dozens of other Foundation Establishment Cultivators were gathered around, all of whom typically had close ties to the Chen Family.

After a round of pleasantries, everyone pulled up nearby tables and chairs and sat in a circle.

After a bit of small talk, Liu Feng took the lead and asked, "I was wondering, Xiao, did you bring the Wind and Thunder Dual Swords with you on this trip to Hezhou?"

"I truly regret not being able to make it to the Thousand Bamboo Tower that day."

"I was wondering if I might have the honor of seeing them today."

At his words, all the others looked over as well.

Only then did Xiao Chen notice that, perhaps because Liu Feng was a Swordsman, many of the people nearby were also Sword Cultivators.

Each of them wore a different Flying Sword at their waist.

Liu Feng’s in particular stood out. The Spiritual Light shimmering from its blade was so brilliant it seemed ready to spill from the Sword Scabbard. It had to be a Top Grade Magical Artifact.

Noticing Xiao Chen’s gaze on his Flying Sword, he unfastened it without hesitation. "If you’re interested, Xiao, feel free to take a look."

Since the man had made the offer, Xiao Chen took out his Dual Swords and placed them before him. "These swords of mine are more famous than they are impressive. I imagine they can’t compare to your Treasure Sword, Liu."

The others didn’t try to handle them, contenting themselves with scrutinizing them from their seats.

However, compared to the other Flying Swords—some of which glittered with Spiritual Light, flowed with vibrant colors, and were dazzling to behold, while others pulsed with a faintly visible sword gleam like a breathing dragon, projecting an extraordinary aura—the Wind and Thunder Dual Swords looked utterly unremarkable, like a pair of models carved from wood.

Seeing this, the crowd exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.

Although they were too polite to say anything, their expressions betrayed their astonishment, their gazes filled with unconcealed doubt.

’Are these really the legendary Wind and Thunder Dual Swords that fetched a sky-high price? They don’t look the part at all.’

From the subtle shifts in expression around him, Xiao Chen got a sense of what they were all thinking.