novelraw Chapter 237 : Xu Ziqing’s Nemesis
Chapter 237 : Xu Ziqing’s Nemesis
Chapter 237: Xu Ziqing’s Nemesis
“‘Defy Heaven and Alter Fate’?” Qin Xuanxiao’s expression changed the moment he heard those four words.
If it were anyone else uttering them, he wouldn’t have been too shocked.
After all, nowadays, any random inheritance or opportunity would be exaggerated as some kind of ‘fate-defying fortune.’
But as the Heir of Prince Rui, he scoffed at such claims. The treasures and fateful encounters others went through great hardship to obtain—he thought of them as nothing special, hardly worthy of the term ‘fortune.’
Sometimes, that was simply how the world worked.
How could your sweat and blood compare to my amniotic fluid?
But Ming Xuanji was different.
If those words came from his mouth, then they truly meant defying heaven and altering fate—changing one’s destiny!
It might even be more exaggerated than they could imagine.
“What exactly happened to Huo Dingyi?” Qin Xuanxiao was puzzled.
Perhaps this was the reason he betrayed the 【Organization】 and the Moon Country?
He immediately looked at Ming Xuanji and asked, “Elder State Preceptor, have you divined something?”
Ming Xuanji’s hollow eyes fixed on him as he shook his head. “This old man couldn’t divine anything.”
And that was the deadliest and most terrifying part.
“This variable… even the Dao Ancestor a thousand years ago couldn’t foresee it,” Ming Xuanji continued.
It was unclear whether he said that to save face or to emphasize the gravity of the matter.
“I attempted to restore order from chaos, but I was instead met with backlash.”
“Huo Dingyi’s birth date and eight characters have a problem.”
“Someone altered his destiny.”
“And the method was exceedingly brilliant—above mine.”
“Even… above the Dao Ancestor’s?”
That part, he wasn’t certain about.
Though a citizen of the Moon Country, Ming Xuanji held the Dao Ancestor in the highest regard, revering his power and divine abilities.
Logically, there shouldn’t be anyone stronger than the Dao Ancestor in this world.
At least, none had appeared yet.
Ming Xuanji continued, “Xuanxiao, since you’re here, this old man has something to entrust to you—something you must do.”
“Please speak, Elder State Preceptor,” the Heir of Prince Rui responded respectfully.
“Xu Ziqing is the Sword Attendant spoken of in the Dao Ancestor’s Maxim.”
“He has now obtained that sword.”
“You and Zixuan must forge a good relationship with him.”
Qin Xuanxiao’s heart stirred slightly as he understood and said, “Xuanxiao understands.”
“When the time comes, I will have you present him with a grand gift—one that will place him deeply in your debt.”
Since he couldn’t divine anything about Chu Huaixu or alter his trajectory for now, the elder decided to take a different approach.
He would divine Xu Ziqing’s future, deepening the bond between Qin Xuanxiao, Lin Zixuan, and this Sword Attendant.
At the very least, that relationship must be preserved.
And what he divined would not be seen by Xu Ziqing as a mere favor—but a great kindness.
Something Chu Huaixu could not offer.
Ming Xuanji looked at Qin Xuanxiao and said, “Xu Ziqing’s entire family was wiped out—he carries a blood feud.”
“I already know who was responsible.”
“When the time comes, you shall tell him that his enemy is in Spring and Autumn Mountain, and his name is Yuchi Huaide.”
Upon hearing that, Qin Xuanxiao’s eyes lit up instantly.
Now that was no ordinary kindness!
He’d owe me for life!
Dao Gate, Hidden Spirit Mountain.
Xu Ziqing sat atop the mountain peak, his bronze sword floating midair in a dormant state.
Jiang Zhi watched his progress from the side.
“His comprehension in swordsmanship is exceptional. He’s about to reach the third level of the《Sword Nurturing Art》,” Jiang Zhi nodded repeatedly, satisfied in his heart.
Setting aside the ever-unpredictable Chu Huaixu—who sometimes progressed not at all, and at other times shocked the entire scene—Xu Ziqing was undoubtedly the most gifted among the younger generation of the Dao Gate.
As for Chu Huaixu, he either made no progress or caused a stir, giving people the impression that his breakthroughs depended purely on his mood.
Even someone as knowledgeable as Jiang Zhi couldn’t quite place him in any category.
Of course, his appreciation for Xu Ziqing was also rooted in his admiration for those with great perseverance.
“Perhaps it’s because he harbors hatred in his heart,” the Little Martial Uncle Ancestor thought.
A blood feud… irreconcilable under heaven!
Jiang Zhi’s own senior brothers and sisters had perished in the 【Origin Spirit Realm】, and the hatred he held toward the Kunlun Grotto-Heaven resonated deeply—it was something he could empathize with.
Lately, his mood had been relatively good.
“Fifth Senior Brother’s condition these past days has been much better than before.”
Normally, Zhong Ming would be in a dazed stupor, mechanically making ding-sheng pastries.
But aside from that, he’d have minor episodes every three days, and major ones every five.
At regular intervals, he’d spiral into madness—speaking nonsense, clutching his head, and writhing in agony.
Yet ever since Chu Huaixu’s visit and the aid of the Dao Seal【Southward Sunlight】, he hadn’t had a single episode.
Jiang Zhi even had the illusion:
“Fifth Senior Brother’s pastries these days… almost don’t taste as bad as before?”
He laughed at himself—it was absurd to gauge Zhong Ming’s healing by the edibility of his pastries.
Suddenly, Jiang Zhi felt a burst of vitality:
“Life just keeps getting more hopeful.”
“Almost makes me reluctant to die in a few years.”
The mountain wind fluttered his white robe as he looked up at the sky.
Having nothing better to do, he began to stroll aimlessly atop the mountain.
Before long, he arrived before the Gentleman’s Monument.
Those crooked, uneven characters were too striking to ignore.
“‘The gentleman uses things, but is not used by them.’” He couldn’t help but recite aloud.
In truth, writing such words wasn’t anything rare.
In this arrogant old man’s eyes, the sight of Chu Huaixu bleeding from all seven orifices yet refusing to kneel before the sword that day atop Hidden Spirit Mountain wasn’t particularly surprising.
What was surprising was that he lived up to every word he had written!
That day in the grand hall, he declared he would shoulder all karmic burdens alone.
And in the end, he resolved every problem—perfectly.
At that thought, Jiang Zhi turned to look at the bronze sword floating in the air.
“The Sword of Salvation,” he softly spoke those four words.
To those who knew the truth, the bronze sword was considered the Sword of Salvation—a powerful weapon left behind by the Dao Ancestor for future generations.
Many had placed their hopes on it.
And truthfully, everyone understood: this sword was forged specifically for salvation.
It was the only known object capable of annihilating a nascent soul.
Perhaps for that very reason, this evil sword looked down on everyone equally, forever maintaining an aloof, superior posture.
Furthermore, because Baleful Aura was the most wicked force under heaven, the sword spirit within the bronze sword was born with boundless malice, making it an evil sword.
At this moment, Xu Ziqing finally succeeded in cultivating the《Sword Nurturing Art》to the third level.
A surge of power flowed from his body and into the floating bronze sword.
This caused the evil sword to awaken—albeit briefly.
In an instant, a powerful aura swept across the mountain peak, filled with sinister energy!
It still looked at Jiang Zhi with condescending arrogance.
“Back then, why did you want Chu Huaixu to submit to you and become your Sword Attendant?”
“That clearly wasn’t the Dao Ancestor’s arrangement,” Jiang Zhi said, gazing at the bronze sword.
The bronze sword trembled slightly, and a wave of spiritual pressure rippled outward—its disdain evident.
This evil sword naturally had no desire to save anyone. If given the chance, it would rather devour the entire Xuanhuang Realm.
But it also understood—it was needed. It was indispensable.
Thus, it looked down on everyone equally.
I’m clearly an evil sword, yet you all worship me as the Sword of Salvation!
Jiang Zhi calmly stared at it, sensing the power radiating from its form.
Xu Ziqing was still in the Second Realm, yet this had already lifted another layer of the restrictions on the bronze sword.
With two restrictions removed, its power had become immense!
And with each restriction lifted, its strength would grow exponentially.
Thus, it maintained its pride, showing disdain even toward Chu Huaixu, who had bested it.
“There’s still more than seven months until the Third Realm Grand Competition,” Jiang Zhi thought.
Because the competition would last a long time, and afterward, the Champion of the Third Realm would need time to prepare—shortly after that, the Spirit Realm would open.
The second layer of the 【Origin Spirit Realm】 would be far more perilous than the first.
Cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Stage possessed many more and much stronger techniques than those in the Qi-Training Stage.
At the current pace, Xu Ziqing would certainly reach the Third Realm before the competition.
“Dao Ancestor’s Sword with three restrictions removed…” Jiang Zhi pondered, unable to predict how strong it would be.
But for some reason, he too had begun to change.
He now hoped that Chu Huaixu would win.
A moment later, Xu Ziqing slowly opened his eyes, completing his cultivation session in the《Sword Nurturing Art》. The evil sword instantly muttered curses as it sank back into slumber.