Chapter 2: The Nameless Elder

The Thousand Sword Formation was truly formidable beyond compare! The fierce, biting sword energy surged toward Ji Anran like a crashing wave the moment she stepped into Golden Gate Pass, as if determined to swallow her whole in an instant. Yet, faced with such a torrent of deadly sword force, Ji Anran’s expression remained calm and unruffled. She had mastered the supreme skills of three sects, but her greatest strength lay in the Water Manipulation Technique of Cold River Isle, the art she had cultivated since childhood. Her steps did not falter.

The many disciples of Golden Gate Pass held absolute faith in their sect’s Thousand Sword Formation. This young girl had yet to make a move—could she really withstand such a peerless technique?

A low rumble resounded.

A faint mist now swirled around Ji Anran, and the collision of the savage sword energy and that gentle water vapor sent shockwaves through the air. In this moment, the Water Manipulation Technique became the most resilient shield, and the myriad sword energies the sharpest of spears. How could the spear shatter the indestructible shield? After all, this was the unique art of the late Water Master, and later, after being enhanced by the Myriad Waters Sect, its might surpassed even its original form.

“Gentlemen, is this truly the power of the Thousand Sword Formation? I must say, it’s not as impressive as I’d anticipated. If these sword energies cannot harm me, perhaps you should come forth and fight me yourselves. Even if you lose, your reputations will not suffer. I have heard your swordplay is renowned. Though I am no expert with the sword, my master has always admired the sword arts of Golden Gate Pass. Now that I have come, I naturally wish to witness them firsthand.”

“Young lady, is that the Water Master’s Myriad Waters Technique you’re using? Hmph. The moment you acted, I recognized it. For years, we have sought the whereabouts of the Water Master, only to hear he perished as a result of a cultivation mishap. We of Golden Gate Pass felt both furious and helpless. A man of his caliber should never have met such an end. No matter how troublesome, he ought to have died by our hands.”

“Now, since you are his disciple, the rage we disciples of Golden Gate Pass have harbored can only be unleashed upon you. As for what happened in the past, little girl, perhaps once you’re dead, you’ll finally know. Brothers, we have endured countless hardships, biding our time for this day—to reclaim the honor lost to the Water Master’s humiliations!”

A whistling sound cut the air.

Thousands of sword lights gathered as one—the force behind this strike was staggering. It was said there existed a sword technique in this world that could only be fully unleashed when driven by overwhelming hatred. Ji Anran was not well versed in swordsmanship, but even she dared not be careless in the face of such a deadly art.

“Well met! Today I shall pit myself against this long-lost technique and see whether a disciple of the Water Master can triumph over you. I see now—you must have suffered greatly at his hands in the past. Today’s outcome will be no different from that day. Nothing will change!”

“Azure Dragon Emerges from the Sea!”

A chorus of dragon roars shook the sky as a water-formed dragon burst forth. This move, merging the River-Gazing Palm with the Water Master’s arts, was nothing short of domineering. Ji Anran now had a clear grasp of her own abilities—she sought to blend all she had learned into one. Of course, to truly succeed would be difficult, but today’s battle would test just how far she had come.

With a thunderous crash, a single move forced all the disciples back. Mist coiled around Ji Anran, the power of the Myriad Waters Technique displaying its fearsome strength. During her time among the Yaksha Sect, she had been gradually comprehending this divine skill. Now, afflicted by cold poison, she had to finish the fight quickly; if her foes discovered her condition, it would spell trouble.

The Fragrant Beauty Step was pushed to its limits. Though her last move had been overwhelming, she could not sustain such power for long. To defeat these foes, she would need to outmaneuver them, not face them head-on. If only she were uninjured, matters would not be so troublesome. Yet, since things had come to this, she would fight as best she could.

“Hmph, a bunch of useless wretches! Weren’t you all so formidable earlier? It seems those years of training were for nothing.” In the past, Ji Anran fought with ruthless efficiency, never with taunts. This was her first time adopting such a mocking tone—a style favored by her brother. She had never approved of it before, but now, she found it effective.

“You wretched girl, relying on your uncanny tricks, do you really think you can win by avoiding us? Don’t forget, this is Golden Gate Pass! Do you know what that means? This place has birthed countless heroes—bolstered by their spirit, you can’t possibly defeat us! And you, little girl, you’re clearly suffering from severe internal injuries—cold poison, isn’t it? You hope to win by evasion, but that’s impossible. Since ganging up on a girl seems unsporting, I’ll face you for three moves. If you can withstand them and remain standing, you are free to leave Golden Gate Pass at any time.”

“But if you cannot, your skills will remain here. Afterward, we’ll answer any questions you have. Haven’t you always wanted to know what we in this desert have done all these years to surpass the Water Master? You’ll find out soon enough.”

“So, do you accept? If I die by your hand, I guarantee none here will trouble you. Golden Gate Pass values strength above all. If I fall, it’s my own lack of skill—no one will blame you.”

Ji Anran knew she could not expend much energy now; if it were only three moves, she had no reason to refuse. “Very well. Since you insist, let us make that pact for three moves.”

She felt the cold poison and her blood stirring restlessly inside her; she had to resolve this quickly. The Myriad Waters Technique was too domineering—her only hope of victory now lay in using the Beauty’s Hand. She had endured the agony of cold poison for days, her complexion growing ever paler, but after this bout, she looked a little more flushed.

Her palm flickered, fingers nimble—the twin techniques of Plucking Leaves and Scattering Flowers. Her inner force condensed into steel-like needles and shot outward. Such a method was nearly impossible to defend against, even for the strongest opponents.

The Scattering Flowers technique, once unleashed, pursued its target relentlessly—no matter how agile the foe. “Careful, brothers! This girl’s hidden weapons are unlike anything we’ve seen,” someone warned. “Brother, her skill is above ours. Were she not wounded, even together we wouldn’t be her match. But now, this is our chance—if we miss it, we may never get another.”

Among the disciples, the leader was a young man in yellow, perhaps in his twenties; the one who spoke was a youth in purple, his words full of malice.

“So be it—this is our only option. If we don’t capture this wretched girl today, our years of hardship will be a laughing stock. Brothers, heed my command: we’ll use the sect formation to face the Water Master’s disciple. Years ago, the Water Master broke our sect’s formation single-handedly, causing our founder to die in regret. Today, we shall wipe away our shame!”

There were twelve disciples in all, dividing the formation into three groups of four. Immediately, the atmosphere around Golden Gate Pass shifted. This was the Twelve Heavens Earth Formation, said to contain the power of wind, thunder, and the elements—its strength was formidable, though none could say for sure.

“You should count yourself lucky, girl, to die within the Twelve Heavens Earth Formation. The Water Master shattered it alone back then, but our founder spent decades perfecting it. Now, let’s see how you fare. You’re skilled, but your arts are too diverse to master fully—and the more strength you use, the greater the backlash.”

“That devastating palm you used must have cost you dearly, or you would have continued. Clearly, you are gravely wounded.”

Blood spattered from Ji Anran’s lips—she could barely contain the cold poison now. But she refused to yield; she would break the formation first and worry afterward. Forcing the poison down, she gritted her teeth: “Cold poison, I know I can barely suppress you, but hold on a little longer. Once this battle is done, even if you consume all my strength, it will matter not.”

She pushed the Plucking Leaves and Scattering Flowers techniques to their utmost. Ji Anran, always one to keep clean, was now battered and disheveled for this battle’s sake. The Twelve Heavens Earth Formation was indeed formidable, its defense beyond her expectations.

“So, is this your final move? Weren’t you boasting you could break the formation? Why are you powerless now? Ah, I see—your cold poison has flared up. Originally, we wanted to kill you ourselves, but seeing you like this…”

“If you surrender now, I might spare your life for the Water Master’s sake. Your strength would be wasted if destroyed. Let’s end this here. Spread the word: the Water Master’s disciple has been defeated by us, and from now on, the Water Master’s name is forbidden in this land. So much for the so-called Three Great Masters—look how far you’ve fallen!”

The man in yellow was pleased with himself, his mastery now complete, having defeated Ji Anran. His pride would last for some time. “Brother, your power truly is unmatched. Only you could accomplish this in Golden Gate Pass.”

“Ha! At least you have eyes. My strength is indeed formidable. Someone, lock this wretched girl up with that old wretch—he’s always complaining of loneliness. Now he has a companion and won’t bother me again.”

The youth in purple looked shocked. “Brother, are you serious? That old wretch is mad—if you put her in with him, she’ll be dead within half a day.”

“Purple, you talk too much these days. You know my decisions are final. If the girl dies at his hands, all the better. You’re always so cautious—afraid she has some powerful backer? Hmph, even if she does, this is Golden Gate Pass. As long as she’s here, her life is ours to command.”

He turned to Ji Anran. “Wretched girl, soon you’ll know true terror. You came here, and you will not be leaving.”

The dungeon was dim and cold. Ji Anran had been imprisoned there for three days. She knew there was a man seated to her left, elderly, always with his back to her—which suited her fine. If he preferred not to speak, it saved her the trouble. In such gloom, her cold poison only worsened. The disciples of Golden Gate Pass clearly intended her to die quietly. The more they wished it, the less she would allow them their victory.

As long as she didn’t fight, the poison could be suppressed. The two had not spoken a word—a curious silence.

“Hey, come get your food.”

A disciple brought their meal, leaving it at the cell door. Whether they ate or not was none of his concern. If there was anything Ji Anran took pleasure in, it was mealtime—she never denied herself food. Only by eating well could she consider her next move. Poisoning the food was unnecessary; Golden Gate Pass wanted her alive, to show the world the Water Master’s disciple had become their prisoner.

Such satisfaction could not be put into words. While the people of Golden Gate Pass were nothing special, their cooks were quite skilled, and the meals were varied—enough to brighten Ji Anran’s spirits.

“Even poisoned as you are, you still have the appetite to eat and drink. If Water Master Lian Pingfeng knew his disciple was like this, he’d be furious.” For the first time in three days, the stranger spoke—his voice hoarse from disuse, made all the more eerie in the darkness.

Ji Anran paid him no mind, even delighted. “Senior, you’re finally willing to speak? I thought you might be mute. Today’s meal is nice—there’s chicken. Would you care to share it? We’re acquaintances now, no need to be shy.”

In the past, Ji Anran would never have been so forthcoming, but her friendship with Liang Xi had softened her nature. Perhaps she had always harbored such warmth—no one was born cold as ice. The man remained turned away. “No, I don’t eat. I can see your strength and cultivation are not ordinary. If you wished to leave, it would be easy. Why do you remain? What is your purpose?”

Ji Anran laughed. “Senior, the true master here is you. As for my staying, it’s for your sake, of course. If we’re to escape, why not leave together?”

He chuckled. “You’re a fanciful girl, always talking nonsense. Do you know who I am? Do you understand that I cannot leave? If I did, many would die. For their sake, I remain. Still, you are amusing—after all these years, I’ve never met anyone like you. Since there’s nothing else to do, let me see how you manage your cold poison.”

Ji Anran shrugged off his words. “Do you think I’ll be frightened? Let me tell you, there’s no one in this world I fear. The more you refuse my help, the more determined I am to help you. Let’s see what you can do about it.”

She was always contrary by nature. “Interesting. Very interesting. All right, girl, your temperament suits me. Since you say you wish to save me, let’s hear your plan. But as you can see, my energy channels are sealed. I won’t be able to help. Are you still willing, knowing you might die in the attempt?”

The old man seemed genuinely intrigued, rising to his feet. He was tall and imposing; though his clothes were in tatters, nothing could conceal his kingly presence. His once-clouded eyes now shone with piercing light. Few could meet that gaze without flinching.

One glance revealed a man of vast experience, his cultivation extraordinary. “Seeing your water aura, I remember meeting the Water Master many years ago. His charisma was unforgettable. If not for your cold poison, with the Myriad Waters Technique alone, you could roam the world unhindered. Now, tell me, what is your plan for our escape?”

“My way is always simple: fight our way out. I’m not one for elaborate schemes.” Ji Anran was clever in martial matters, but beyond her formidable strength, she was still a beautiful young woman—direct and straightforward.

The old man smiled approvingly. “Fight our way out? With you poisoned and my meridians sealed, who will do the fighting? Besides, this dungeon lies thirty meters beneath Golden Gate Pass, guarded by experts and traps. How do you propose we escape?”

He waved off the question. “Never mind. Rest is more useful now. In this dungeon, escape is impossible. If you don’t believe me, try it yourself. If you die, I won’t mourn you—will you believe that?”

“Experts, eh? All the better. I may be poisoned, but holding it at bay while I defeat a few foes is not impossible.”

“Well, did you all hear that? The little girl plans to fight her way out. You’ve all bullied her before—now her strength is returning. If you’re wise, you’ll leave her be. It would be best for everyone.”

A chorus of mocking laughter answered him. “Old man, you’re in no state to protect yourself. Trying to escape with her? Don’t forget, this cell is built from black jade fused with rare metal unique to Golden Gate Pass. Here, your strength is already suppressed—if you can muster even a fraction, you’re lucky. If you think you can escape, try it.”

This dungeon was designed for the world’s greatest martial artists. “Don’t stir up trouble. If you behave, your energies will settle and you’ll be fine. But if you force your way out, you know the consequences. Ji Anran, we know you’re powerful, but poisoned as you are, you shouldn’t overuse your strength. Rest, and don’t trust this old man—he’s ruthless.”

“Still, old man, you used to disdain speaking to anyone. Why change now? Is it this pretty girl who’s swayed you? Do you fancy her?” The disciples grew more insolent, emboldened now that these two were prisoners. Once, this old man’s reputation terrified them, but years of captivity had worn him down.

“What’s your name?” Ji Anran’s tone grew icy. She disliked being tied to any man’s name, whoever it might be—her father Jiang Xuehan included. The only bond she accepted was with her brother Liang Xi, and no other. The disciple seemed oblivious to his peril.

“My name? I’m a disciple of Golden Gate Pass—nothing more you need know. You’re as good as dead in my eyes.”

“On our grounds, no matter your abilities, you’ll never leave. The reason is simple: there is one supreme master here. Old man, even at your peak, could you have beaten him? I think not.” The disciple’s tone turned reverent when speaking of the master—his strength was legendary, though few had ever seen his face.

He was known as Peach Blossom Mask, for he always wore a mask of that name. The title sounded delicate, but his strength was overwhelming. He had bested countless experts—only the Water Master had ever defeated him. Unlike others, he had no secret arts, relying instead on innate divine strength. People compared him to Ba Sandao of Grand Cloud Valley, but the two were not the same. Ba Sandao had great strength but could not wield it well; Peach Blossom Mask’s strength was inexhaustible, growing with each battle.

“Force conquers all,” said the old man, his face darkening. “The master of Golden Gate Pass is indeed formidable. Once, I could not defeat him, and now he must be even stronger. I have wasted years in this cell—opposing him is futile. Girl, you see now it isn’t unwillingness, but the sheer power of the foe. Any rash action would be suicidal.”

“Indeed. A wise person adapts to circumstances, Ji Anran. You are already our defeated captive. If you wish to fight again, you may—but I fear you will lose once more, and your reputation will be ruined. Perhaps you should eat and rest instead.”

“Enough,” he continued, “the rest is up to you. I never thought the mighty Ji Anran would fall so low. You don’t even know who this old man is, yet you risk yourself for him. Be careful—you may not know how you die. In the past, this old man was notorious for such things. He hasn’t changed.”

“Not everyone is fit to be your friend, girl. What’s that look in your eyes? I see you don’t trust me, but that’s fine. If you doubt me, ask around—find out what this old man has done. You’ll be shocked.”

“Elder, won’t you tell me who you are? Why so secretive? If you have troubles, perhaps I can help.”

The old man glanced at the lovely girl. “You are a good person. I have here a pill that will temporarily suppress your cold poison. I give it only because I find you congenial. As for myself, the less you know, the better—for your sake. If you need anything else, I’ll answer, but not about my identity.”

A dark red pill landed in Ji Anran’s palm, exuding a faint fragrance. Without hesitation, she swallowed it.

“Aren’t you afraid it’s poison?”

“Poison? I trust you. You seem to dislike trouble, so poisoning me is unlikely. And with this cold poison inside me, if you gave me another poison, their conflicting properties would only make me stronger. Since you won’t say who you are, I won’t ask. But I will keep my promise: we’ll fight our way out, and I’ll make it happen. For now, I’ll rest and recover. One doesn’t need to know a friend’s name—meeting is fate enough.”

Ji Anran’s manner had softened a little with strangers, no longer so sharp as before. She sensed no malice from the old man; indeed, his insight into her condition was remarkable. Perhaps, in time, he might be the one to cure her. Befriending him could only be a boon.

The old man laughed. “You’re an amusing child. Very well—since you are so determined, I promise you this: if we escape, I will grant you any wish that lies within my power.”

Soon, a robust energy coursed through Ji Anran—a searing heat, as if she were engulfed in flames. “What’s happening? Why do I feel as if I’m in a blaze?”

“Your foundation is impressive, for the pill’s effect to manifest so quickly. That is my Leaving Fire Pill, unique in the world—there is only one. It will suppress any cold poison, but only suppress. To eradicate it, you’ll need a master of supreme skill. Such people are hard to find, but as it happens, I know one. I will introduce you when the time comes.”

“Good. I never expected, after all these years in captivity, to meet such a friend. Life will not be so dull now. For now, focus on refining the pill’s power. Rest assured, as your friend, I will never harm you.”

This old man’s identity was certainly extraordinary, but he would not speak of it. Ji Anran understood that everyone has their secrets—perhaps, in time, he would reveal his, but until then, she need only wait patiently. Brother, would you believe that I have met such an extraordinary man, one who may cure my poison? When I return, we shall never be parted again.

“Master, Ji Anran is already our captive. Why not let us kill her? Leaving her alive is a future threat, and you even placed her with that old wretch. You know his strength—if he wished to escape, we could not stop him.”

“I know. Ji Anran’s mother once did me a great kindness. Were it not for her, I would have died many times. For her sake, I cannot harm Ji Anran. As for the old wretch, you need not worry. Years ago, he surrendered to me and chose to remain here, saying he awaited someone. But all these years, that person has never come. Who knows if he spoke the truth?”

“Besides, he has always been well-behaved; for that alone, we cannot mistreat him. You have all worked hard—go and rest. Leave the rest to me. Truth be told, it has been a long time since I visited my old friend. Now, you’ve reminded me—I should pay him a visit.”

How many years had it been since Peach Blossom Mask last came to the dungeon? So long that even he had forgotten. “So many years, and you’re still so carefree. Are you still unwilling to give up the Sword Manual? I’ve told you, hand it over and I’ll let you go. But you refuse. I truly don’t understand—why cling to it when you possess such power?”

“Peach Blossom Mask, I knew you’d come, even after all these years. My answer remains the same: the Sword Manual is with me, but you’re not worthy. You’re not even qualified to carry the Sword Emperor’s shoes. You want the sword art, but I won’t give it to you—what can you do? My strength doesn’t match yours, but if you want to kill me, it’s not so easy. Or do you wish for another duel? If so, I’ll oblige you. It’s been a long time since I’ve exercised; your disciples are no challenge at all.”