Chapter 205: Chapter 164: The Sword [Daoxuan] and the Young Master’s Choice

Especially within the Demon Dao, there are often cases where a Daoist is so highly valued that they end up holding power even over the Sect Leader.

To link the position of Daoist with Shao Yang is equivalent to using the next millennium of the Dharma Lineage’s destiny as collateral for this massive gamble.

A truly audacious move!

"My sister didn’t say who it was specifically. I imagine she doesn’t know either."

Qiao Yu let out a soft sigh.

Although she had only met Young Master Jiang twice, she was aware of the old history of Shao Yang being destroyed by Tai Yang. She was even more aware that the Demon Dao wanted to prop up several True Monarchs to shake the boundless glory of the Immortal Dao’s foremost figure.

In her heart, she naturally felt a measure of compassion and pity for Jiang Yi.

She even felt a surge of indignation—the Daoist Monarchs and Great Powers were hiding in the background, refusing to enter the fray. The Dharma Lineages of the Eight Sects had countless talented Dao Materials and prodigies, yet they insisted on making a junior among juniors shoulder such a heavy burden. What kind of twisted logic was that!

To some extent, Qiao Yu was starting to see Jiang Yi as "one of her own."

Because back when the Sword Dao went west to extinguish the Buddha, it was the Immortal Dao and the Demon Dao who were fanning the flames from behind the scenes.

Later, when the Lun Jian Xuan gradually declined, those Daoist Monarchs and Great Powers showed no regard for their past relationship, instead carving up what little remaining destiny the Sword Cultivators had.

If not for True Monarch Profound Yellow Wujie’s earth-shattering kneel, and if not for the acquiescence of Grandmaster Taiwei’s lineage in the Daoist Palace, the Sword Cultivators would have been left without a place to call their own, suffering the same miserable fate as the Ghost Cultivators and Divine Cultivators.

At this thought, the lively air about Qiao Yu instantly faded, and she said in a soft, listless tone:

"Besides linking Shao Yang with the Daoist position, there’s also a Daoist Monarch..." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Her cheeks grew slightly hot, as if she were a young maiden too embarrassed to speak of a difficult matter. She hesitated for a long while before continuing:

"I don’t know which Daoist Monarch of the Eight Sects it was, but one of them has specially arranged a marriage alliance. They can’t divine your background or origins, Young Master Jiang, but they can use the axiom ’He who is fated is Shao Yang’ to find you."

Jiang Yi had a sudden realization. As long as he actively accepted this marriage alliance, the identity of Shao Yang would be revealed.

"I have underestimated the Divine Techniques of the Daoist Monarchs. A Lower Cultivator truly cannot fathom an Upper Cultivator."

Even with the Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven suppressing his fate and obscuring heavenly secrets, the human heart is ever-changing, and the karma and fate of all things are intertwined; a single action can affect the entire situation.

The Daoist Monarchs, being positioned above it all, could see and calculate everything with perfect clarity.

"The answer shown by the Celestial Book was already written clearly—’A marriage connection will be involved, the implications are immense, choose with caution’—it’s just that I failed to comprehend its full meaning at the time."

Jiang Yi shook his head slightly, but he felt no regret.

Being exposed to the eyes of the Eight Sects was part of his plan all along.

Without the backing of an Ancestral Sect, the support of a True Monarch, and the aid of a Daoist Monarch, how could he possibly overcome the Tai Yang who stood in his path, seeking to end his life and Dao?

That Emperor Ji has been invincible for five thousand years, revered and supported by the trillions of Cultivators across the entire Dongsheng Continent as the foremost figure of the current era!

To hope to hide his light forever, grow in secret, repeatedly stumble upon fortuitous encounters, and then finally emerge to brazenly overthrow Tai Yang in a single day...

That would be a true fool’s dream!

’A Daoist, is it? Then a Daoist I shall be.’

Jiang Yi’s gaze turned firm. A fiery brilliance seemed to dispel the heavy fog in his mind, making his thoughts clearer than ever. In an instant, he understood the crux of the matter.

’If I want to climb high within the Daoist Lineage, I can’t be afraid to be a pawn for the Upper Cultivators!’

’The more Upper Cultivators who have a use for me, the better my chances of ascending!’

"If you are unwilling, Young Master Jiang, there is still room to maneuver."

Qiao Yu sat quietly beneath the peach tree, her voice soft and delicate as she spoke:

"The Daoist Monarchs can’t see you to begin with. So many people come and go from Fengdu; the threads of karma are tangled and destinies are complex. It’s not so easy to divine and sort through every single one.

"Besides, the Daoist Monarchs all think the ’red thread’ is tied to my sister’s hand. They’re just waiting for you to step into the Profound City Central Palace to find you."

’So that’s how it is!’

’Her Ladyship hasn’t summoned me all this time... it was for this reason?’

This was the final out Her Ladyship had left for Jiang Yi.

If he was unwilling to accept the arrangement, did not want to be a Daoist, and was even more reluctant to accept this marriage alliance...

He had the option of not setting foot in the Profound City Central Palace!

Jiang Yi’s expression grew solemn. He straightened his robes and bowed formally:

"I thank Her Ladyship, and I thank Miss Xiaoqiao."

From this, he could sense the pride of that Lady as a True Monarch. Even if it was at the behest of a Daoist Monarch or the decision of a Great Power, and even if the other party was the new lord of Shao Yang, she had no intention of accepting it all wholesale!

Qiao Yu said in a soft, gentle voice:

"There are still two months before Fengdu closes its gates. Young Master Jiang, you can take your time to think it over. This is a major event that will decide the future of your Dao path. You must be cautious..."

Jiang Yi stood up abruptly and laughed freely.

"There’s no need to wait! I have never been an indecisive person. When the time comes, one must be bold. Why hesitate and look back!

"May I ask, Miss Xiaoqiao, what are Her Ladyship’s intentions?"

Qiao Yu stood up as well. Her small face was slightly flushed, like a sunset blush on her cheeks, and she lowered her head to say in a small voice:

"It depends on which gift Young Master Jiang chooses."

She raised her hand and pointed up at the peach tree. On a gnarled branch, twisted like a Qiu dragon, a Black Sheathed Ancient Sword had appeared at some unknown time, hanging there.

"This sword is named Daoxuan. Although it was not the sword my father wore in life, it was one he selected from among tens of thousands of swords and considered his most prized collection.

"If you take the sword, Young Master Jiang, it will be considered your acceptance... of the marriage alliance."