Chapter 1649: Chapter 80: Clash of the Second Under Heaven, Change of the True Second! (2)

Passing through the bamboo grove, he hadn’t yet entered but could sense an exceedingly sharp sword standing inside the bamboo house.

Though unseen, he could feel the incredible sharpness and piercing coldness of the sword.

He knew this aura came from Su Qingying.

In his mind, he also recalled Su Qingying’s identity.

Immortal Slaying Sword.

Both as the body and as the Sword Spirit.

Master of Sword Dao and the power of slaughter.

He understood why Su Qingying’s Sword Dao was so transcendent.

He walked forward, reaching the outside of the bamboo house.

Next moment.

The sharpness inside the bamboo house had receded, returning to calm.

Then, without a breeze, the door of the bamboo house opened by itself.

He stood beneath the bamboo steps, seeing Su Qingying inside the house, sitting cross-legged barefoot, wearing loose-fitting and somewhat thin white clothes, with a glimpse of jade-like skin visible beneath the dress.

His gaze fell involuntarily on the long sword floating in front of Su Qingying.

A silver-white long sword, slender, over three feet in length.

The sword’s body was ordinary, showing nothing unique.

The hilt was simple, with no decorative carvings.

It appeared to be a very ordinary long sword.

But Jiang Ning knew that the razor-sharp sword intent just now came from this sword in front of Su Qingyuan.

Su Qingying then slowly opened her eyes, the three-foot-long sword in front of her instantly spinning, quickly shrinking, and flying into her forehead.

At the moment the sword entered her forehead, a sword scar imprint emerged on her smooth jade-like brow.

Su Qingying’s cold eyes looked at Jiang Ning: "You’re here."

As her voice fell.

She stood up.

The tassel-like dress hem slipped down, instantly covering the veins-visible bare feet.

Jiang Ning withdrew his gaze accordingly.

He responded to Su Qingying, nodding, and then ascended the bamboo steps to enter the bamboo house.

"Qinghe said you have something to discuss with me?"

Su Qingying raised her eyes, glancing calmly and nodding: "Your return is timely. These days, the Royal Capital seems serene, yet one matter might involve both of us."

Jiang Ning sat beside her casually on the ground: "Sit and talk, what’s the matter?"

Su Qingying nodded and sat down as well.

Sitting down, she stretched her legs, once again revealing her veined, slender feet.

She relaxed her foot arch then softly spoke: "Prince Ji Xuan went south not long after your departure."

"South?" Jiang Ning’s brow slightly moved.

"Yes." Su Qingying nodded, "He went to Xisha County, where the Yellow Heaven Sect is located."

A hint of surprise crossed Jiang Ning’s eyes: "Did he seek trouble with the Yellow Heaven Taoist?"

"Indeed." Su Qingying nodded and continued: "Ji Xuan is very confident; after holding a court discussion about the Yellow Heaven Sect, he went solo to Xisha County to confront the Yellow Heaven Taoist. I guess his years in retreat have seen significant progress, otherwise with his current status, he wouldn’t take such risky action."

Upon hearing, Jiang Ning frowned.

"So Ji Xuan, by his power alone, handled the turmoil of the Yellow Heaven Sect."

Su Qingying shook her head.

She retracted her stretched feet, rubbing her soles with both hands.

Jiang Ning’s gaze involuntarily flicked upwards.

Su Qingying continued: "Many watched that battle, as Ji Xuan and the Yellow Heaven Taoist are already among the second strongest in the land; their clash after years attracted countless eyes. Yet regrettably, no one could see their engagement clearly—at least, I couldn’t from thousands of miles away."

She paused, then continued: "After the battle, Ji Xuan returned to the Royal Capital three days ago, and has remained secluded, not holding court since. My guess is Ji Xuan likely suffered considerable losses!"

Jiang Ning’s eyes narrowed: "So it seems the Yellow Heaven Taoist’s power could be above his."

Su Qingying nodded: "Nine out of ten, and possibly suffered significant setbacks. Otherwise, given his nature and style, he wouldn’t suddenly choose seclusion for three days during a time of heightened authority, ignoring even superficial niceties."

Jiang Ning nodded solemnly, his heart somewhat weighted.

He had a general understanding of Ji Xuan’s temper.

Indeed, as Su Qingying just described, if Ji Xuan hadn’t made significant progress over the years, he wouldn’t dare face such risks.

As a prince regent, yet he alone went to Xisha County to duel the Yellow Heaven Taoist.

And for such a person to suffer a setback in the clash with the Yellow Heaven Taoist under conditions of major improvement?

Moreover, judging by Su Qingying’s account, this "setback" likely wasn’t just a minor injury or slight defeat, otherwise, it wouldn’t prompt him to hide his activities so unusually, putting even court affairs on hold.

"Yellow Sky Sect Leader...could be so formidable?" Jiang Ning took a deep breath, his voice tinged with amazement.

Su Qingying nodded.

Once, the Yellow Heaven Taoist, Ji Xuan, and the Qingxu Temple master were tied as the second strongest in the land.

After Ji Xuan and the Yellow Heaven Taoist’s recent battle, perhaps the true second rank needs replacing.

Thinking about this, his heart weighed heavy.

Although he had no direct conflict with the Yellow Heaven Taoist.

Yet in his current role, as Zeshan State Patrol Envoy, one of the Nine Provinces Inspection Envoys.

Zeshan State, bordering the area of the Yellow Heaven Sect’s turmoil.

Once spring arrives, with ice and snow fully melted, the Yellow Heaven Sect will dispatch an army towards Zeshan State.

That time, he would face the Yellow Heaven Sect directly.

Even possibly encounter the Yellow Heaven Taoist.

Jiang Ning’s thoughts churned, yet his expression remained calm.

He lifted his eyes to Su Qingying, asking: "Has anything stirred at Prince Mansion these days? Anything regarding Lin Qingyi, or me?"

Su Qingying shook her head lightly, extending her bare foot onto Jiang Ning’s pant leg: "No. During your absence, the Prince Mansion was extraordinarily quiet, with no one coming. Likely because Ji Xuan returned injured, leaving him temporarily unable to attend to other matters."

Upon hearing, Jiang Ning nodded.

"Recently, the old servant from Prince Mansion you encountered, followed me all the way, attacked me, and I killed him!"

"If official did so, then so be it!" Su Qingying said indifferently: "With me in the National Master Mansion, even if Ji Xuan comes himself, he can’t do anything to me."

Speaking, natural confidence emerged between her brows.

Afterward, she paused, her clear eyes gazing at Jiang Ning: "Now that you’ve returned, your aura is hidden and profound, much different from when you left. This venture...was it successful?"

Jiang Ning slightly nodded, without concealment: "Succeeded! Soon, I’ll step into the Primordial Spirit realm."

Hearing this, Su Qingying’s brows revealed joy.

"Official has reached this point, in the Ancient Era, it would mean true immortality."

Jiang Ning chuckled: "After becoming immortal, it’s precisely your domain."

Su Qingying shook her head: "My sword already lacks the power to slay immortals; once I was the Immortal Slaying Sword, able to easily destroy an Immortal Body, now it’s merely an ordinary life-bound sword!"

As she spoke.

Chime—

A crisp sword sound, with sword light bursting from her brow, landing before the two.

The three-foot-long sword appeared again before Jiang Ning.

"Official, try this sword!" Su Qingying said.

Upon hearing, Jiang Ning reached for the sword hilt suspended in front.

Buzz—

The long sword in hand erupted with immense sword intent, space reverberating, an invisible ripple spreading within the bamboo house.

Jiang Ning reached to lift Su Qingying’s foot resting on his pant leg, removing it before standing up.

"The sword is fine! I’ll practice outside!"

"Good!" Su Qingying stood as well, the white dress slipping down, covering her feet.

She watched Jiang Ning on the open ground outside, lifting the dress hem and looking at her bare feet.

Feet like jade stone, veins and patterns clearly visible.

A smile unconsciously curled at her mouth.

Then, she walked towards the outside.

After exiting the bamboo house, she stood on the last bamboo step, watching Jiang Ning on the open ground, not moving forward.

Because moving a step forward would mean stepping onto the muddy earth of the bamboo grove.

Without shoes, she wished not to tread on muddy soil.