At the same time.
Two women walked along the streets of the imperial city.
Both wore light purple veils over their faces, lending them an ethereal, hazy beauty.
One was tall and slender, dressed in palace attire, with a golden hairpin adorning her hair, exuding the grace of a refined lady.
The other was younger, with her hair tied in a ponytail, fair skin, and large, sparkling eyes full of spirit, appearing more lively and adorable.
The appearance of these two peerless beauties drew considerable discussion from onlookers.
“Who are these two beauties?”
“Judging by their attire, they don’t seem to be from our Great Qi Dynasty.”
“And their cultivation seems unfathomably deep.”
“Ah, what a pity. I was hoping to invite them for a drink.”
These two women hailed from the Jade Pool Holy Land.
They were Yao Yue, the Grand Elder of the Jade Pool Holy Land,
and Su Lingfu, the current Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Holy Land.
As one of the strongest combatants of the Jade Pool Holy Land, Yao Yue had already broken through to the Ascension Realm.
Su Lingfu, at just sixteen years old, had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm. Her monstrous talent made her future prospects immeasurable.
“Master, it seems we’ve come up empty-handed again this time,”
Su Lingfu sighed helplessly. “Should we head back?”
Yao Yue did not reply, continuing forward with an unchanged expression.
Su Lingfu smiled wryly. “For years, you’ve brought me to the Eastern Continent every year in search of that sword cultivator benefactor from back then.”
“But Master, how can you be so certain that senior is in the Eastern Continent?”
“He must be in the Eastern Continent, and definitely within this Great Qi Dynasty,”
Yao Yue narrowed her eyes, speaking with conviction. “Because aside from the Central Continent, among all the dynasties across the four continents of east, west, south, and north, only this place is permeated with that pure Sword Intent of Solely Deciding All Ages.”
“But that senior’s cultivation is immensely powerful, far surpassing yours, Master,”
Su Lingfu said helplessly. “If senior wanted to see you, he would have done so long ago.”
“The fact that we’ve come up empty-handed so many times must mean senior is deliberately hiding and doesn’t wish to see us.”
A trace of melancholy flashed in Yao Yue’s beautiful eyes as she nodded. “You’re right.”
Just as she was about to set off back to the Jade Pool Holy Land, a deafening roar suddenly erupted in the distance.
A pillar-like Sword Qi shot into the sky, radiating a formidable power capable of annihilating all things, piercing straight through the clouds.
Pure Sword Intent spread out, allowing them to sense it clearly even from dozens of miles away.
The surrounding passersby were instantly shocked by the sight.
“Good heavens, what is that?!”
“Which great expert is engaged in a battle?”
“Looking at the direction… it seems to be near the White Deer Academy?”
Su Lingfu was also stunned speechless by the terrifying Sword Qi.
After a long moment, she suddenly snapped back to reality and exclaimed in astonishment, “Master, this familiar Sword Intent… could it be…?”
“Exactly!”
Yao Yue’s beautiful eyes gleamed with excitement. “It’s identical to the Sword Qi that slew the Ascension Realm Demonic Dragon and saved us that day!”
“That sword cultivator senior is indeed here!”
“Fu’er, we must hurry over without delay!”
…
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Ye Qing and Mo Zhentian exchanged another blow.
The second clash between the Xuanyuan Sword and the Cauldron of Primordial Mother Qi unleashed a power capable of shaking heaven and earth.
Fortunately, the Fire Phoenix King intervened to protect the area, preventing half the imperial city from being destroyed by the Sword Qi’s might.
“Hah, Ye Qing, do you think just because you’re in the Ascension Realm, you can act recklessly?”
Mo Zhentian, holding the Cauldron of Primordial Mother Qi, sneered coldly, “To be so arrogant before me, you truly have no regard for law or order, treating rules as nothing.”
“Don’t forget, no matter what happens, I am the founding ancestor of the Great Qi Dynasty.”
“Even if your Ye family ancestors were here, they would have to bow to me with respect!”
Hearing this, Ye Qing scoffed disdainfully.
“With someone like you, do you think you deserve respect from my Ye family?”
“As an elder, you lack dignity. When these people slandered my daughter, you pretended not to see it. Now that I’ve stepped forward to defend her, you immediately come out to suppress my Ye family.”
“Does your Great Qi royal family truly believe my Ye family has no one left?”
As he spoke, Ye Qing gripped his sword hilt horizontally and sneered, “Mo Zhentian, didn’t Qu Qingyan send you here precisely for my Ye family’s Xuanyuan Sword?”
“A Supreme Imperial Artifact should not be used lightly. If you want this sword, let’s have a proper exchange.”
“I won’t use the Xuanyuan Sword, and you won’t use the Cauldron of Primordial Mother Qi. If you can survive three strikes from me without dying, I’ll hand over the Xuanyuan Sword to you.”
Upon hearing this, everyone present, including the Fire Phoenix King, was stunned by Ye Qing’s domineering and unrestrained demeanor.
Both in the Ascension Realm—what gives you the right to be so arrogant?
However, Mo Zhentian’s expression shifted slightly, and he dared not accept Ye Qing’s challenge.
He understood that even though they were both in the Ascension Realm, there was an insurmountable gap between his strength and Ye Qing’s.
The only reason he had survived two strikes of Ye Qing’s Sword Radiance was entirely due to the power of the Cauldron of Primordial Mother Qi.
The Xuanyuan Sword was for offense, while the Cauldron of Primordial Mother Qi was for defense.
These two Supreme Imperial Artifacts were of equal quality, enough to bridge the gap in their strength and render them evenly matched.
But if he didn’t rely on the defensive power of the Cauldron of Primordial Mother Qi…
Even without using the Xuanyuan Sword, Ye Qing could easily obliterate him within three strikes.
Thus, he absolutely could not agree to Ye Qing’s proposal.
“Ye Qing, I can give you a chance to turn back.”
Mo Zhentian narrowed his eyes and said gravely, “With demons and monsters running rampant, the Great Qi Dynasty is in dire need of capable individuals.”
“If you are willing to surrender the Xuanyuan Sword and pledge allegiance to the court once more, I can plead with Her Majesty the Empress to pardon you for today’s disturbance in the imperial city.”
“Don’t forget, your Ye family has served the Great Qi Dynasty for generations, producing countless heroes and martyrs.”
“Do you truly intend to betray the Great Qi Dynasty and bring shame upon your ancestors?”
Hearing this, Ye Qing burst into laughter as if he had heard the greatest joke.
Mo Zhentian frowned tightly, “What are you laughing at?”
“I’m laughing at how thick-skinned you are, old man.”
Ye Qing raised his chin and mocked, “So you also know that my Ye family has been loyal to the Great Qi for generations, producing countless heroes?”
“Let me tell you, since its founding over three hundred years ago, my Ye family has spanned ten generations, with almost every generation fighting on the battlefield, sacrificing themselves for the nation.”
“Half of the credit for the Great Qi Dynasty’s current position atop the Eastern Continent belongs to my Ye family.”
“But how has that ingrate Qu Qingyan treated my family?”
“Spouting lofty words every day while committing nothing but acts of betrayal and ingratitude.”
“Over these years, they have repeatedly suppressed my Ye family, halted our resources, withheld our salaries, leaving us with nothing but the hollow title of Prince Xiaoyao, turning us into a laughingstock across the entire Great Qi.”
“Now, they have grown even more relentless, coveting my Ye family’s Xuanyuan Sword.”
“Such a heartless and unjust ruler—does he still deserve my Ye Qing’s unwavering loyalty?!”