Chapter Twenty-Two: The Chivalrous Leader

The eagle is a unique creature of the world, born free, soaring above all, its sharp eyes piercing through everything, its claws capturing all. Compared to the fierce tiger, it seemed undeserving of such a fate.

Yet, the remains of that tiger were forged into the Tiger Soul Sword, ranked high in the sword manual, suggesting it possessed unique qualities; otherwise, it would never have been a match for the eagle. The consciousness guided the will of the eagle sword, soaring freely through the heavens and earth.

A treatise titled “Free and Easy Wandering” contained supreme profound art, boundless as the Northern Abyss, embracing all rivers and seas. Among the ancient Taoist sages, whose inner power was the most profound? Zhou Qing believed Zhuangzi to be the foremost.

Not relying on the dantian as a source of energy, but transforming the entire sandalwood region into a vast ocean, flowing through all the meridians, traversing the hundred convergences and the bubbling springs. Now Zhou Qing followed this path, empowered by “Free and Easy Wandering,” manifesting the endless Northern Abyss.

Mastering the eagle sword to roam above it — the Northern Sea vast and infinite — the sword served him, while his own will imparted its sharpness and dominance, perfecting his control.

Further enhanced by the chill of the icy spring and the noon-time yang energy, yin and yang in harmony, wrapped in Zhou Qing’s pure Taoist internal energy circulation. In an instant, holding the eagle sword, he commanded it.

After ten breaths, sensing the resonance between himself and the eagle sword, he waved his hand as the world’s colors faded away. He stepped upon the waves, appearing beneath the Tiger Leap Gorge, where two senior brothers and others awaited.

“This sword suits my heart well!”

For his current self, though larger in size, with his Divine Manifestation and Mystical Spirit realm, he could command the long sword at will within a hundred meters, much like the supreme sword of the strategists.

“Younger brother, we can go now!”

With the eagle sword in hand, Chisongzi and Mushanzi exchanged smiles, then lightly tapped the ground as if floating like immortals, appearing far off in the void at the swaying summit. Though the head of the Nong family’s Gonggong Hall was unwilling, seeing the state of the Nong disciples, his aura grew ever more ferocious.

“This sword was forged by your Nong family. Now that it falls into my hands, it is a favor owed by the Taoist Heavenly Sect’s Xuansheng to you. One day it will be repaid. Moreover, with your status here, if this leaks out, it would be more trouble than it’s worth!”

“Nong family hero Tian Guang, what say you to my words?”

Holding the eagle sword shimmering with azure light, stepping forward, the retreating group of Luo Wang and Zhao Kingdom warriors, though unwilling, all looked at Zhou Qing with sharp eyes.

Raising the long sword horizontally, a mystical light flickered across his refined, ethereal face. He looked toward Gonggong, the head of the Nong family’s hall, who wore an icy snow mask but commanded the other three halls and possessed Divine Manifestation and Mystical Spirit cultivation.

On this alone, only the elusive Hero Commander of the family could satisfy such conditions. With a soundless transmission of words, without revealing it outwardly, he swung the sword, directly cutting toward the five assassins of Luo Wang’s group.

The karmic debt from six years prior began to unravel today. Internal energy surged powerfully and dominantly, the world’s colors faded as the sword’s aura silenced all things. One horizontal slash tore the five assassins apart with sword qi.

His other hand moved in empty air to seize, force bursting forth. The bloodshed vanished into the void. Though his first kill, Zhou Qing seemed unaffected.

He then quietly regarded Gonggong Hall’s head, whom he suspected to be the family’s Hero Commander.

“Regardless of my consent, the eagle sword will not remain with the Nong family today. Let us depart. Taoist Heavenly Sect’s Xuansheng bids farewell for now!”

At Zhou Qing’s young words, the icy-masked Gonggong leader hesitated briefly but said nothing more. He looked deeply at Zhou Qing, who was no more than five or six years old yet already at Divine Manifestation and Mystical Spirit.

With two Taoist sect leaders flanking him, the eagle sword was beyond reclaiming. To linger here would only disgrace the Nong family. Casting a cold glance, he snorted and waved his hand, vanishing with many Nong disciples into the depths of Mount Taiyi.

“Let us leave as well!”

Watching the Nong family’s departure, Zhou Qing smiled faintly, sensing gazes converging above him. The breeze stirred as his figure drifted into the void, fading away.

Chisongzi and Mushanzi exchanged looks and departed too, leaving behind the stunned Zhao Kingdom warriors, Confucian scholars, and others from various factions at the foot of Tiger Leap Gorge.

Facing three Taoist warriors of Divine Manifestation and Mystical Spirit levels, their strongest was only at the Innate realm. To advance would be suicide. Though divine weapons were fine, without life to wield them, it was futile.

******

“What a fine eagle sword. The essence of that eagle must have been forged into the bones, then the Nong family’s swordsmiths alloyed five metals to craft this blade, endowing it with the eagle’s dominance, sharpness, and arrogance.”

“Forged by water refinement, extracted at noon, with yin and yang in harmony, it became this keen blade. The sword has spirit. Younger brother, you wielded it with your own will and ‘Free and Easy Wandering,’ hence your mastery.”

“In terms of sharpness, it is not inferior to Xue Ji; in terms of dominance, it surpasses him. But Xue Ji carries the aura of many Taoist sages, which benefits his cultivation. Yet in your hands, this eagle sword will surely be outstanding.”

After the battle on the Observing Wonders Terrace of Mount Taiyi, the eagle sword was taken swiftly. At the mountain’s exit, the Heavenly Sect and Human Sect gathered. Parting words were exchanged, uncertain when next they would meet.

In a private room of a three-story tavern at the foot of the mountain, Chisongzi took the eagle sword from Zhou Qing. Immediately, soft humming sounds reverberated, causing even the void’s primal energy to ripple.

A flick of a finger on the blade produced a crisp, lingering tone. Spirit perception enhanced it, revealing the faint form of an eagle. A gentle wave caused ripples in the void, spreading subtle undulations.

“With this sword by your side, Xuansheng, when you travel through the lands of Zhuxia, you will have added strength. Though you have already entered the Divine Manifestation and Mystical Spirit realm, few among the myriad schools can surpass you. Yet the world is vast, and many strong exist.”

“During your recent breakthrough, the appearance of Donghuang Taiyi from the Yin-Yang clan was striking. At his side, Dongjun’s talent is remarkable. In a few years, reaching Divine Manifestation and Mystical Spirit should not be difficult.”

The Yin-Yang clan, unseen for centuries, suddenly appeared this time, with their leader Donghuang Taiyi’s cultivation seemingly returning from the Void’s Enlightenment. His words hinted at significant schemes. The legend of the Seven Dragon Mansions had circulated among the nations for a millennium, but no one had unraveled its secret.

From Donghuang Taiyi’s brief remarks, it seemed he had uncovered some hidden truth. His cultivation level placed him among the top in all Zhuxia.

If Xuansheng ever encounters him, it would likely bring considerable trouble. But if such a day comes, the Northern Abyss Master would not stand idly by. The Yin-Yang clan is a threat, and today’s encounter with Luo Wang also constitutes a serious danger.