Immortal of the Ages

SPUTTER! Jiang Yue, who had been led away by the elders, suddenly spewed a mouthful of coagulated blood upon hearing Elder Fan's words. The whispers spread like wildfire, intertwining with hushed laughter.

"Even Elder Fan has personally stepped in!"

"That heavyweight from the Sea of Swords was actually invited by Ye Tiance. The irony of this situation is just too rich."

"Look at Ye Tiance's face, it's like he's swallowed a fly."

…

The crowd couldn't help but keep their giggles at bay.

"Just what kind of grade does Yun Xiao's Sword Soul have?" Their shock soon morphed into avid curiosity, their gazes transfixed on the youth in question.

"With Elder Fan leading personally, it is indeed a moment of glory for Azure Spirit!" For a moment, even Yun Xiao's blood-stained robe seemed to radiate with an exceptional glow.

The elder's golden eyebrows twitched slightly as he regarded Yun Xiao. "How about it, Yun Xiao, my young friend?"

"Elder Fan, the Grand Conclave isn't over yet, and I still intend to fight for the championship. Could we possibly resume this after the Conclave?" Yun Xiao's words caught the crowd off guard.

Realization dawned upon them. "Oh right, the Conclave has just begun!"

"I thought the battle between the Sword Pavilion and the First Sword Peak was the final showdown."

"The ownership of the Azure Spirit Cauldron hasn't been decided yet!"

Hearing this, Elder Fan grinned, chiding himself warmly, "Thanks for reminding me. I was too eager to witness your talent and forgot about the event at hand. How embarrassing! In that case, let's continue with the Conclave first."

"Thank you for understanding, Elder Fan." Yun Xiao replied calmly.

Despite his calm demeanor, everyone knew the battle was practically over. Yun Xiao had single-handedly decimated the strongest First Sword Peak, leaving no doubt about the outcome of the ownership of the Azure Spirit Cauldron, or about Yun Xiao's immense talent.

He had already shaken the Azure Spirit Sword Sect to its core! Jiang Yue was ruined, and Ye Tiance had lost face. Testing the Sword Soul further was simply gilding the lily, no longer of any real significance.

"The Grand Conclave continues!" Yao Manxue, her face a patchwork of green and purple hues, could do nothing but carry on with the arrangements.

Elder Fan returned to the viewing platform, his demeanor leaving no room for negotiation.

"Elder Fan, about Ye Guying..." Ye Tiance began, attempting to approach.

"Until Yun Xiao's Sword Soul is revealed, don't speak in my presence." Elder Fan cut him off, his cold gaze settling on Ye Tiance for a moment before dismissing him entirely.

"Yes..." Ye Tiance bowed his head, a storm brewing in his eyes.

The battle of the Grand Conclave resumed once more!

Each Sword Peak still had to fight for their ranking. This should have been a passionate, grand event, with hundreds of swords soaring through the sky. However, Yun Xiao's overpowering presence had eclipsed the excitement, rendering the subsequent battles somewhat bland.

In the next stage, the Sword Pavilion faced the Sixth Sword Peak. But the entire team from the Sixth Sword Peak surrendered, over a hundred people conceding to a single individual. This scene was indeed unprecedented in the history of the Azure Spirit.

Once again, a wave of cheers erupted for Yun Xiao, the lone figure who had rewritten history and stolen the show.

In a corner, where the dust met the despair, Jiang Yue was abandoned, her sight stolen by the blindness that now consumed her. The joyous cheers echoing around her pierced through her heart like a thousand swords, bringing with them a sorrow as profound as the oceans. At this devastating moment, she yearned for the release of death.

Tears cascaded like rivers as she placed the tip of her icy moon sword soul at her heart, whispering a name, a prayer, a farewell—"Brother Ye..." Yet as time trickled on, she found herself unable to muster the courage to plunge into the abyss.

Out of nowhere, a mysterious hand reached out, enveloping hers with a grip as gentle as the moonlight. The fragrance that accompanied this gesture was intoxicating, seeping into Jiang Yue's bones with a heady, floral melody that was unparalleled. Even Jiang Yue, a woman herself, found herself losing track of time and place in this entrancing aroma.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling like leaves under a gusty wind.

The tender hand traced a path along her arm, eventually coming to rest on her face, its touch as soft as a cloud drifting across the sky. "Your name is Jiang Yue, and I am Moon Fairy. We walk the same path," the stranger replied, her voice melodious and sweet, like the caress of a spring breeze on blooming flowers.

Moon Fairy? The enigmatic woman, cloaked in veils, who had been invited as a distinguished guest by her master. Recollection dawned on Jiang Yue. This was a woman who had always been secluded in a corner, a silent enigma whose identity seemed known only to Ye Tiance. Despite being a woman herself, Jiang Yue couldn't help but be captivated by Moon Fairy's mesmerizing power.

"Jiang Yue, I can sense the resentment brewing in you. It's beautiful, like a deadly flower in full bloom," Moon Fairy whispered, her voice drifting like a melody in a dream, tinged with an allure that was both sinister and enchanting.

Jiang Yue felt like she was floating amidst a pink mist, the laughter of Moon Fairy echoing around her like chimes in the wind. Her anger seemed to be magnifying under this strange influence, and a fire of wrath began to simmer within her.

"Meet me in the Misty Valley tonight. I can heal your eyes," Moon Fairy murmured, her voice a gentle stroke across Jiang Yue's soul.

"No, no, I don't know you," Jiang Yue replied, shaking her head vehemently. "My master will heal me."

Moon Fairy's laugh turned sardonic, her voice enveloping Jiang Yue like a warm yet deceitful breeze. "He won't. Your presence now is a stain, a disgrace to him. Ye Tiance wants you gone, can't you see?"

As Moon Fairy's seductive voice woven tales of betrayal and abandonment, a tangle of confusion, anger, and despair tightened around Jiang Yue's heart. The cruel words clawed at her, dragging her further into a pit of turmoil and dark desires. In her mind's eye, she saw herself standing above Yun Xiao, the young man who had always overshadowed her, his eyes filled with desperation and longing for her. It was a twisted vision, filled with the sweet scent of revenge and power.

For a moment, lost in the tantalizing tales spun by Moon Fairy, Jiang Yue allowed herself to be swept away by the intoxicating aroma and the fantasies of dominance and adoration. But as the vision grew darker, a spark of resistance flickered within her, a tiny ember of her former self striving to break free from the engulfing darkness.

But was it already too late? The labyrinthine paths of vengeance and lust were converging, and Jiang Yue found herself standing at the crossroads, her soul teetering dangerously on the brink of oblivion.

“Men! I want all men to grovel before me!” Jiang Yue shrieked, her face contorting in a grotesque show of rage and yearning, the vehemence of her whisper almost as jarring as a scream.

"Well, then you should come find me tonight." The woman's words lingered, a giggling retreat that grew fainter with each passing moment, leaving Jiang Yue in a cloud of mystifying, intoxicating fragrance.

Stuck in her little corner of the world, it took a considerable amount of time before Jiang Yue could shake off the stupor that enveloped her, her expression morphing into one of confusion. “Just now... did someone come by?” she mumbled, the tip of her nose still tingling with a lingering scent—a fragrant aroma that soothed her soul.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall who it was. Only a location remained, etched into her memory.

“Misty Valley...” As she murmured these words, almost like a sacred mantra, the Conclave Mountain erupted in euphoria, voices reverberating through the valleys and peaks.

“Congratulations to the Sword Pavilion, who have reclaimed the top spot of the Azure Spirit Sword Sect after a gap of three years!”

“The prodigious Yun Xiao stood alone, his sword in hand, sweeping across the seven grand sword peaks with an unbeatable stance, carving a new legendary chapter for Azure Spirit!”

The echoes of the Grand Conclave came to an end amidst the frenzied roars. The Sword Pavilion stood victorious, the pecking order of the previous champions completely upturned, with the once dominating peaks failing to secure even a spot in the top three.

And so, the Sword Pavilion clinched first place, followed by the Second Sword Peak in second, and the Fifth Sword Peak in third. This new ranking would dictate the distribution of Azure Spirit's common resources for the coming year—including precious Spirit Stone Miines, magical herbs, and demon bones. But above all, the coveted Azure Spirit Cauldron was the prize to behold.

“Honored ancestors of the Sword Pavilion, our disciple Yun Xiao has finally avenged our past humiliations and reclaimed the Azure Spirit Cauldron!” Grandpa Qin fell to his knees, directing his tear-stricken face towards the direction of the Sword Pavilion, his heart a tumultuous sea of emotion.

Among the throng of people, Yun Xiao turned his gaze towards the members of the Sword Pavilion. A woman in a black gown, with skin as white as porcelain, stood there, her eyes slightly reddened. Although she was normally reserved, the tempest inside her was clearly visible in her expressive eyes.

“Senior Sister Zhao, do we have any more wine?” Yun Xiao asked, his youthful face smeared with blood, yet bearing an innocent smile that seemed almost out of place.

“Tonight, we'll buy plenty,” Zhao Xuanran replied, her rare smile blooming like a radiant flower under the sun.

“Yes, you are about to become rich,” Yun Xiao joked, his laughter ringing pure and unburdened. With 6,969 Spirit Stones at his disposal, wasn't he capable of squandering a small fortune of 300,000? Regardless, that chubby fellow would surely laugh himself silly. His bet of 1,000 Spirit Stones had managed to multiply into tens of thousands.

As the Grand Conclave concluded and the dust settled, the outcome was clear as day. Yun Xiao's formidable strength had already captured the hearts of the people, leaving an indelible mark on all who witnessed his prowess. Everyone knew of his extraordinary talent. But just how extraordinary was it?

"Yun Xiao, ascend to the Sword Inheritance Stone!" Suddenly, thousands of Sword Cultivators shouted in unison, a scene unprecedented in history.

"Yun Xiao, the genius, please grace us with a demonstration!" Yu Xuanzhou chimed in, his eyes brimming with reverence.

Yun Xiao raised his head. An elder with golden hair akin to a majestic lion already stood beside the Sword Inheritance Stone that bore the weight of the world, smiling benignly at Yun Xiao with his hands clasped behind him.

THUMP THUMP THUMP! The heartbeat of the crowd reverberated. In unison, they cleared a path to the Sword Inheritance Stone for Yun Xiao.

"Is this the path to soaring heights?" Yun Xiao's eyes sharpened. He had no intention of playing coy. A genius is a genius! Why should he fear a test of the Sword Soul? Living a life with vitality was what mattered most! Hesitation only shortened one's spirit, how could one carve out a path to the heavens with such a demeanor?

Without another word, Yun Xiao stepped forward, transcendent in spirit amidst the watchful eyes of the masses, crossing the crowd towards that radiant place.

"Heroes emerge from youth! With such courage, you are destined to become a dragon amongst the cultivators!" Elder Fan proclaimed, extending a hand towards him. "My name is Fan Jing, and I am willing to be your guide on the path of cultivation!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, while Ye Tiance and Yao Manxue at a distance looked increasingly displeased, as if they were dressing others in wedding garments. Their trembling hands were barely concealed beneath their sleeves.

Yun Xiao turned towards Elder Fan. "Along this path of cultivation, opportunists really are a dime a dozen," he sneered inwardly. Great power beckoned submission! No need for further words. To wield power to bully others was simply exhilarating!

THUD THUD THUD!! In a few strides, Yun Xiao stood before the Sword Inheritance Stone. "A test of the Sword Soul. If the grade is high enough, I can also use power to dominate others, suppressing all opposition!"

No need to personally stem the tide; just revealing his background would make people kneel and tremble, wasn't that exhilarating? All he needed was to grasp the essence of this concept.

"Come now!" Elder Fan chuckled, stroking his beard. "Come!"

Yun Xiao approached him. The moment he unleashed the Heaven Burial Sword Soul, the whole place fell into a hushed silence, thousands of eyes fixed on him. At the proclamation of Elder Fan, the fervent anticipation of the Azure Spirit Sword Sect soared to heights untold.

“Behold, a genius graces our world, let us witness his measure here!” Elder Fan declared, his voice echoing across the hushed mountaintop of Conclave Peak. But then, like a bolt of lightning tearing through a tranquil sky, a thunderous cry disrupted the calm.

JL's Thoughts