Chapter 246: Chapter 245: Xiaobai: Master, This Fairy Is Going to Laugh at You for a Whole Year

It was a primal fear.

Qi Qingshan was certain of it.

There were too many unknown factors now.

Originally, he had only planned to draw out the small fry. Then, he would look for an opportunity to find a breakthrough with Li Zixuan, follow the trail, and extract more information.

However, he never would have expected this!

The small bait had indeed hooked a big fish.

But the problem was...

...he was only just now realizing...

...this wasn’t just a big fish. It was a goddamn hurricane!

It had capsized the fishing boat on the spot. Now, he wasn’t worried about his investigation, but whether he could even survive an encounter with the Sword God’s sect members.

"Sigh..."

At this thought, Qi Qingshan went numb. Cold sweat trickled down his temples as fear spread through his heart like spilled ink.

The figures in the sky were untouchable, all experts of the Venerable Realm.

Even if he and Liu Wushuang joined forces and gave it their all, they would be no match for them. It was basically a death sentence.

"Qingshan... are you afraid?"

Liu Wushuang, standing beside him, noticed Qi Qingshan’s strange behavior. He frowned, his expression turning sour. "You were the one who demanded to see the Sword God’s sect. Now that you’ve finally met them, tsk, you’re scared?

Why weren’t you flustered at all when you were questioning Qin earlier?"

As he spoke, Liu Wushuang crossed his arms, paying him back in full for the earlier teasing. "I still prefer your old, unruly self!"

"I..."

Hearing this, Qi Qingshan recalled the pressure he had put on Qin Yang. Cold sweat poured down his face as he shook his head. "I’m afraid they’re overprotective."

According to his prior investigation.

Much about the Sword God Sect was unknown, but their "overprotectiveness" was a confirmed fact. Back during the Beast Tide, they had killed an Emperor Level Star Beast without so much as blinking.

And now...

...he had made a move against their disciple.

Would the Sword God’s sect really let him off the hook?

"Alright, it’s useless for you to worry about that. Just focus on how to get through this."

As if reading Qi Qingshan’s mind, Liu Wushuang sighed softly and grumbled internally, ’It’s a good thing we didn’t go for the kill back there, or neither of us would be getting out of this. But now, there’s still a chance to turn things around.’

"What do you mean by that?"

Qi Qingshan clutched his sword, transmitting his voice nervously. "Then... what’s your plan?"

"First, we go up and negotiate with them,"

Liu Wushuang said in a low voice, looking up at the Immortals above. "They aren’t vicious members of the Demon Sect. As long as we can talk, there’s room for discussion."

Just then.

Suddenly,

"You two... are you done with your little private chat down there!?"

A resonant voice boomed, interrupting their thoughts.

Liu Wushuang and Qi Qingshan looked up at the same time.

They couldn’t tell who was speaking.

Figures crisscrossed the sky.

Their faces were obscure and blurry, beings far beyond their ability to scrutinize. Even their voices were distorted, their secrets impossible to perceive directly.

"Let’s go up first and greet them."

Liu Wushuang pressed his temples and heaved a heavy sigh. With a light tap of his toes on the paving stones, he ascended into the night sky. Qi Qingshan didn’t dare hesitate and followed him up.

Soon.

They arrived high in the sky for the meeting.

It was now approaching morning.

Wisps of purple qi drifted from the east as the dawn light gradually rose.

Moving closer, Liu Wushuang finally got a clear look at the figures.

They wore conical hats and black robes. Some carried sabers or swords, others were bare-fisted, but they otherwise looked like normal people.

Seeing this,

Liu Wushuang and Qi Qingshan didn’t dare to be disrespectful. They immediately cupped their fists and said,

"Liu Wushuang and Qi Qingshan of the Venerable Alliance... We greet you all. May we ask for your names?"

As soon as the words fell.

The seven people across from them glanced at one another, exchanging Divine Thoughts as if discussing something. After a few breaths, they gave a slight nod and announced their titles:

"I am Heaven-Covering Hand! Ye Fan!"

The one who stepped forward first had an even more immense Star Force surrounding him. His voice was like thunder, echoing through the heavens.

Immediately after.

The others followed suit, announcing their own titles.

"I am Heaven-Caging Finger, Lin Dong!"

"I am the Sword Emperor, Ye Wuque!"

"I am..."

Majestic, domineering voices roiled, churning the sea of clouds.

They were masters of all kinds of martial arts, from fists and palms to sabers and swords.

And every single one of them was in the Venerable Realm.

No one would dare to underestimate their every word and action.

’So those are our seniors’ titles?’

The nearby Star Martial Artists wore solemn expressions, respectfully committing these names to memory.

"Sister Qinghe, these are all our elders!"

Li Zixuan also looked up at the seniors, her emotions stirring as a look of deep feeling crossed her face.

’So I have so many martial uncles!’

Li Qinghe was also pleasantly surprised, her mind already scheming. ’With all these martial uncles, maybe I can become one of their disciples and raise my seniority?’

Meanwhile, Elder Li and the Commander also gathered, exchanging a look and understanding each other’s thoughts.

Just hearing those titles, they knew these people were extraordinary!

’So the Sword God’s sect is this powerful!’

They were all completely convinced.

...

Just then, as the dawn stretched from the distant horizon and daybreak was about to arrive, Ye Fan, known as the Sky-Covering Palm, slowly floated forward and broke the stalemate.

"So... you’re the leader of the people from the Venerable Alliance?"

Ye Fan said in a low voice, raising his eyes to size up Liu Wushuang. His expression remained nonchalant, but the killing intent in his words was completely undisguised.

"Why don’t you explain something to me?

Why have you repeatedly bullied the disciples of my Heaven-Blasting Gang?"

"Do you really think... that your Venerable Alliance is the sole power in this vast world?"

As his voice fell,

the other six Venerables focused their attention.

They stared at Liu Wushuang in unison, tightening their grips on their weapons. Array Patterns hummed as they awaited his reaction.

However,

when he took in the scene,

Liu Wushuang was actually stunned for a moment. His attention was completely fixated on a certain word, and he was so baffled that he couldn’t react right away.

’What gang???’

’The Heaven-Blasting Gang?’

’What sect is that?’

’I have no recollection of it at all...’

Liu Wushuang repeated the name in his mind, a strange look in his eyes. He glanced at Qi Qingshan beside him and saw that he was also looking back, with the same bewildered expression.

’Strange.’

The name was utterly unfamiliar.

It sounded like some common, street-level school.

’What a bizarre name. The Heaven-Blasting Gang... "Heaven-Blasting"...’

Liu Wushuang mumbled it again, catching the keyword within. He recalled the Sword God and the others self-destructing before and fell into thought.

A flash of understanding appeared in his eyes.

’No wonder they like self-destructing so much. It seems this doctrine of "Blasting"... is their core tenet?’

"Heh, you don’t get it, do you, Wushuang? I have a theory."

Qi Qingshan used a Secret Technique to transmit his voice. "The Jianghai Sword God’s sect has always been secretive and reclusive. The name ’Heaven-Blasting Gang’ does imply blasting the heavens, which is a bit crude. But to enter the mortal world is to leave it—it’s all about acting as one pleases."

As he finished speaking,

"???"

Liu Wushuang froze. After hearing what Qi Qingshan said, he was even more confused.

’That’s the explanation?’

’It can be explained like that!?’

Thinking about it carefully,

it seemed to make some sense.

’To enter the mortal world is to leave it, to follow one’s heart amidst the mundane.’ Self-destruction was crazy, but if self-destructing could change the Celestial Dao... then that would be unbelievably badass.

Liu Wushuang pondered the meaning, clapping his hands in approval. It was as if he’d had an epiphany... he was even a little moved by the idea.

’To enter the mortal world is to leave it. The sect behind the Sword God is truly incredible.’

...

"The Heaven-Blasting Gang?"

Down below, Li Qinghe’s ears perked up. Hearing this, her sense of belonging deepened.

Before, she might have had doubts.

But after seeing the Venerable Realm martial uncles above...

...why would she still have doubts? This was awesome! The Heaven-Blasting Gang was full of Venerable Realm seniors to learn from. Others probably couldn’t even get in if they begged on their knees!

"What a great name!!"

The grand spectacle had already attracted a crowd of Star Martial Artists, all of whom were staring in shock.

Some even recorded the scene and spread it online, where it quickly sparked a massive wave of heated discussion.

...

Heated Discussion on the "Sword Valley" Forum

[The Sword God is from the Heaven-Blasting Gang? I thought he was a Loose Cultivator!]

[Can we join this Heaven-Blasting Gang?]

[Look at what the third poster said. Of course they’ll look at your talent!]

[So you just need a "little bit" of talent, right? 😉]

[What kind of sect is the Heaven-Blasting Gang? Where did they come from? Will these Venerable Realm experts stay in Jianghai?]

[That’s hard to say. The Jianghai Sword God was willing to stay because he’s a carefree soul. These other seven don’t look so easy to talk to.]

The live screen-recording from the "Sword Valley" forum spread rapidly across the internet. The fame of the Heaven-Blasting Gang was transmitted, and it soon hit the top of the trending charts.

...

「Meanwhile.」

Several kilometers away, in the Fuhai District.

"Hahaha, Master!

"Are you trying to make this Fairy die from laughter?"

The live broadcast was playing on the TV. Xiaobai tossed her broom aside, watched the broadcast, and rolled on the floor, clutching her stomach.

"This fox is dying of laughter! The ’Heaven-Blasting Gang’? Only you could come up with something like that, Master!"

"Go ahead, keep fooling them."

"Wuwu... Hello, everyone. I am the White Fox Immortal. You’d all better remember... this Fairy is the Heaven-Blasting Gang’s chief grand-auntie..."

The little white-haired loli propped herself up, wiped tears from the corners of her eyes, and pouted, mimicking the famous scene from the broadcast as she stuck out her pinky:

"You hurt my grand-disciple today, so you’re definitely going to pay!"

"Tsk, you tell me, do they believe it or not?"

Qin Yang yawned. Unbothered by the teasing, he leisurely flipped through a book, ignoring Xiaobai’s jokes and continuing to read with rapt attention.

’I sent out these few Clones, all of them great powers from across the myriad realms.’

’What else can I do?’

’I’ll just bluff however I can!’

’It’ll definitely leave Liu Wushuang and the other guy completely bamboozled.’

"The Heaven-Blasting Gang? Seriously? Look at those two idiot Venerable Realm experts. One dares to say it, and the other dares to believe it... Don’t you go tricking people until they have a cultivation deviation..."

Xiaobai snorted, sat on the edge of the sofa, and nudged up against Qin Yang.

"Bad Master, tricking idiots is against the law!"

"And that ’Heaven-Covering Hand’ title is so cringey. This Fairy is going to laugh at you for a whole year!"

"..."

Qin Yang lay on the sofa and covered his right eye with one hand, activating the shared vision of his Blood Clone to check on the situation at the scene.

Hearing her words, the corner of his mouth twitched.

He lowered his hand again.

"Do you want to know... what my other nickname is?"

"What is it, Master?"

Xiaobai sensed something bad in the air. She stuck her butt out and was about to run, but before she could move, Qin Yang slapped a hand on her head and chuckled menacingly.

"HEH HEH HEH!!"

"My nickname is the Fox-Skinning Hand! And I specialize in skinning little foxes just like you!!"