Immortal of the Ages

“The Empress of the Heavenly Realm?” Yun Xiao halted abruptly, his eyes wide as he gazed at Blue Star.

"Indeed! To your current self, she could annihilate you, a mere earthly cultivator, with a mere flick of her wrist! Why do you think I'd say whether you become rich isn’t up to you?" Blue Star, clutching his robe, declared fervently, "Brother, this is a top-tier wealthy young lady, descending personally to deliver fortune! You can get rich just lying there!"

"She harbors improper intentions towards me, just like that Sword Lord!" Yun Xiao retorted coldly.

"So what? Your magic power to her is as insignificant as a single hair from nine oxen. You’ve only been cultivating for less than half a month. Even if it's taken away, you can cultivate it back. That's much kinder than that Sword Lord trying to snatch your sword bone, right? Trust me! This girl is a major benefactor for you!" Blue Star spoke with utmost seriousness. It had had enough of Yun Xiao’s slow rise and sought a shortcut.

"Unless she pens you up, shearing you round after round! Only then is she a bad woman!" Red Moon chimed in.

Three times a cycle!

Round after round?

"With the Primordial Void Technique in play, by the third time, she'll be crying!" Blue Star quipped, curling its lip. "Including that cute little tiger, she’ll be weeping too!"

"Three times?" Yun Xiao pondered thoughtfully. He could do it ten times a day. If this Dawn Divine Empress attempted it on her way to the Heavenly Realm, wouldn’t she...

"You're overthinking. There will definitely be an interim period for you to absorb the Yin Void power and grow!" Blue Star burst into raucous laughter. "However, once the first time starts, the second and third are inevitable! The first time she’ll lose out, the second time as well, and just when she thinks the third time's the charm… she loses everything!!! Hahaha!"

"..." Yun Xiao was speechless.

After much consideration, he shook his head. "No, I refuse."

"Why?" Blue Star was stumped.

"As you two have said, I am the Creator Immortal reincarnated. My path of cultivation depends on myself, and you all are enough! I will not seize the magic power others have worked hard to cultivate! With this sword, I can carve out my own destiny!" Yun Xiao spoke earnestly.

"Wait, what? When you were swiping Spirit Stones, you sure didn’t have this attitude..." Blue Star gawked.

"Spirit Stones are one thing, taking someone else's cultivation is a whole nother!" Yun Xiao retorted through clenched teeth.

"So, are we taking the Seeds of Creation or not?" Blue Star prodded.

"Yes! We are! Of course we are!" Yun Xiao declared.

Blue Star's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah, I get it. You just don't want to engage in reproductive activities with her!"

"Shut it!" Yun Xiao snapped, squeezing Blue Star's throat.

Blue Star, persistent and genuinely curious, managed, "I'm serious. The Divine Dawn Empress is both beautiful and powerful, but why does it seem you prefer a mortal woman? If you continue on this path, this boundless way of Immortal cultivation, there are countless talents, demons, Immortals, and beauties in all directions..."

"Is that so?" Yun Xiao inhaled deeply, standing atop the Spirit Treasure Walk, gazing towards the direction of Azure Spirit, and murmured, "Like you said, I am the Creator Immortal, and below the Heavens, all are mere mortals! With that being the case, what difference is there between mortal and immortal women in my eyes? If I favor someone, I never consider their status or lineage; no matter how high they are, they can never surpass me, the Creator Immortal!"

"Holy moly, you’ve really got the hang of using your Creator Immortal status," Blue Star exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Ah, no need to hide it. To put it nicely, you’re just smitten by the big white lanterns!" Red Moon chimed in with a spark of realization.

"..." Yun Xiao never ceased to be amazed by the things that came out of this little black creature's mouth.

"Just ignore Yun Xiao. When the time comes and other lanterns are suppressing him, he won't be able to resist this miserable fate, might as well lie back and enjoy! Hehe..."

Blue Star and Red Moon burst into a cackling laughter together.

"Both of you must be somewhat sick," Yun Xiao remarked dryly.

Blue Star cast a glance upward, then solemnly advised, "By the way, don't expose her identity. If she's chosen to hide it, she must have her reasons. If you blow her cover and she imprisons you in a fit of rage, how will you ever find peace on this long road of cultivation, being suppressed day in and day out?"

"Get lost! In this life, I’d rather die than submit!"

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When Yun Xiao descended from the Divine Dawn Pavilion, a lively commotion seasoned the grand hall of the Spirit Treasure Walk.

Numerous Sword Cultivators had encircled two individuals, their ears hungrily absorbing a discussion about a certain individual—Ye Guying!

"My grandfather has spoken," a bald young man began, clad in an earthy yellow sword robe, his nose arrogantly high and his expression fiercely defined. "The day after tomorrow, when he exits the tower through the Heavenly Gate, reaching the Mid Sovereign Dragon Realm will be no obstacle."

"He possesses the Nine Dragons Dantian, his magic power significantly overpowering those at a similar cultivation stage. If he attains the Mid Sovereign Dragon Realm, might his combat strength rival even those two?" The spectators stared, awe smeared across their faces.

"At only twenty, Ye Guying has managed to stand alongside the Forbidden Tower Lord and Sword Lord. Who can predict the extent of his progress a decade from now?" A slender young man offered with a gentle chuckle. He and the bald youth were the focal point of the present crowd.

"Could he sweep across the Heavenly Realm in a decade?"

"Most likely becoming a legend amongst Sword Cultivators for generations!"

The gathered people in the Spirit Treasure Walk exchanged glances, hearts surging with various emotions.

"A boy from a remote place like Azure Spirit, astonishingly reaching such a level in a mere ten days within the Sea of Swords—it’s a rarity throughout the ages!"

Recalling that there was another Sword Cultivator from Azure Spirit in Sword Heaven, they could only shake their heads in amazement. News of Lin Chen's demise earlier in the day had already once again shaken the entire Sea of Swords!

"And now, there's a subtle sense of two prodigies from Azure Spirit contesting for supremacy within the Sea of Swords..."

"Who do you think will live and who will die?"

"Yun Xiao excels in Sword Aura and swordsmanship, while Ye Guying has a higher cultivation. Their combat abilities are well-balanced and flawless. At present, it seems like Ye Guying has a bit of an upper hand!"

"But it's hard to say. If today's incident hadn't happened, we wouldn’t have expected Yun Xiao could kill Lin Chen!"

"Let’s wait and see."

The people of the Sea of Swords did not take sides, their predictions fairly impartial.

Within the crowd, upon hearing the words, the bald youth and the slender young man exchanged a cold, knowing smile. Although silent, their minds were surely set.

"The moment Ye Guying exits seclusion, he'll be at the pinnacle level of the Sea of Swords! And yet these people are comparing Yun Xiao to him?" the bald youth scoffed.

"Do they think Yun Xiao also has the Tower Heart's legacy?" The slender youth sneered with a sinister look.

Watching this, Yun Xiao asked Madam Qian beside him, "Who are these two?"

"Heaven Chosen of the Forbidden Tower, Yan Ding and Duanmu Ling! Even stronger than Xiao Xing'er," Madam Qian responded, a playful arch in her eyebrows. "Behind them, they each have elders in the Sovereign Dragon Realm—all venerable ancestors of the Forbidden Tower."

Yun Xiao knew that below the Tower Lord of the Forbidden Tower, there were ten Great Elders, all significant figures in the Sea of Swords, holding a status even higher than that of Xiao He and Patriarch Fan’s family.

To become a Great Elder of the Forbidden Tower, the sole condition was to be in the Sovereign Dragon Realm!

The number of experts in the Sovereign Dragon Realm represented the power and influence of an organization.

Though the number of Sword Cultivators in the Forbidden Tower couldn’t hold a candle to Sword Heaven, they firmly held a superiority, all due to their strategy of concentrating resources on the prodigious and powerful. The Sovereign Dragon Realm Great Elders were the linchpin to the Forbidden Tower dominating the Sea of Swords!

It was an organization focused on quality over quantity!

By raising the bar and only cultivating the gifted and powerful, the Forbidden Tower rose to prominence amidst the Sea of Swords!

"Those ten Sovereign Dragon Realm Great Elders hold quite the high status. They control the lifeblood of the Sea of Swords. Each has numerous mines, shops, and casinos under their sway, wealthy enough to rival sects," Madam Qian chuckled with a sly grin.

"Are they your business rivals?" Yun Xiao inquired.

"Merely local snakes! My Treasure Spirit Walk descends from the Heavenly Realm like a mighty dragon, effortlessly stifling them into breathlessness!" Madam Qian declared disdainfully.

Despite her nonchalance, the unintentional speaker sparked intentional contemplation in Yun Xiao, and a plan began to crystallize within his mind. A sinister smile fleetingly adorned his lips. Without uttering another word, he made his way towards those two prideful individuals of the Forbidden Tower.

"Yun Xiao!" Several Sword Cultivators, awe percolating within them upon spotting him, promptly rose from their seats, forming a path for him to tread.

Yan Ding and Duanmu Ling, the two Forbidden Tower prodigies, abruptly stood, their eyes coldly affixing Yun Xiao.

The atmosphere instantaneously shifted, becoming sharply severe.

"Yan Ding, Duanmu Ling," Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow, arriving before them.

"What do you want?" Yan Ding, face brimming with caution, asked with a deep voice.

"At times like these, you dare to frivolously wander outside?" Yun Xiao’s voice descended into a chill.

"What do you mean? We, disciples of the Forbidden Tower, cannot step outside now?" Yan Ding clenched his fists, a fiery surge billowing within.

The previous day, Yun Xiao had slaughtered a horde from the Forbidden Tower here, and they were yet to settle the score!

"That's right! While I remain in the Sea of Swords for a single day, every one of you from the Forbidden Tower who steps out shall perish!" Yun Xiao spoke with an unperturbed expression.

"You!" Yan Ding's veins bulged visibly. Such audacity! The Forbidden Tower hadn’t settled the score from yesterday because the Forbidden Tower Lord ordered them not to act recklessly.

Who would have thought Yun Xiao would be so unrestrained, daring to threaten the entirety of the Forbidden Tower's members, ordering them to stay put, all on his own?

How could that be possible?

The Forbidden Tower's assets were scattered everywhere throughout the Sea of Swords!

Just as Yan Ding was about to speak, Duanmu Ling at his side hastily restrained him, shooting him a look that conveyed, "Brother Yan, no harsh words!"

Yan Ding's entire being quivered, hastily stifling his burgeoning rage.

Indeed, Yun Xiao was one who could even slay Lin Chen.

A fawning smile hurriedly painted itself across Duanmu Ling's face, addressing Yun Xiao, "Young Sword Lord speaks the truth. We realize our mistake and will make ourselves scarce immediately. Is that acceptable?"

Yun Xiao chuckled. "Are the Heaven Chosen of the Forbidden Tower truly so spineless?"

"Yes, yes, yes! We're indeed spineless. Please, calm your anger! A person of your stature surely won’t bother with the likes of us!" Duanmu Ling responded, maintaining his smile.

"..." Yun Xiao hardly expected this turn of events. Damn it! This wasn't following the script! His animosity couldn't even muster itself!

"Young Sword Lord, we shall take our leave now. Please, enjoy your drink." Duanmu Ling, still wearing that sheepish smile, bowed and nodded, pulling Yan Ding backward with him in retreat.

Yun Xiao watched as they fled from the Spirit Treasure Walk.

The surrounding onlookers shared awkward, subdued chuckles.

Those two Heaven Chosen from the Forbidden Tower nearly knelt; Yun Xiao wouldn’t actually kill them, would he?

As anticipated, Yun Xiao departed without uttering a word. He found himself once again before Madam Qian.

"Do you have a map?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Of where?" Madam Qian asked, a playful smirk adorning her visage.

"A map of the Sea of Swords, preferably one detailing whose house is where!" Yun Xiao responded.

"I do!" Madam Qian produced a map, marking it on the spot for him.

Yun Xiao, his brows slightly furrowed, noticed at least ten red circles drawn upon it!

The residences of the Forbidden Tower’s Ten Great Elders!

"You're truly ruthless," Yun Xiao said to Madam Qian.

"What are you talking about? Your sister here is just lending a hand!" Madam Qian retorted, rolling her eyes in faux indignation.

"Thank you!" Yun Xiao, pocketing the map, pivoted to leave.

"Halt!" Madam Qian bellowed.

"What is it?" Yun Xiao asked, turning back.

With a sly grin, Madam Qian declared, "That map will be one—!"

"That cheap?" Yun Xiao exclaimed in astonishment. His hand slapped the counter, and in the next moment, he vanished into the night.

"Hundred thousand Spirit Stones…" Madam Qian froze. A single Spirit Stone twirled before her eyes.

"Damn it, paying one upfront, huh? Including interest, you now owe me 990,000 Spirit Stones!" Madam Qian muttered, her lips curling up.

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