Chapter 290 : The Curtain Rises, A Grand Spectacle

Chapter 290: The Curtain Rises, A Grand Spectacle

The Dao Gate’s current generation of prodigies descended the mountain in a grand procession.

Though it appeared that Jiang Zhi was leading the team, the true leader was Nangong Yue.

Because right after shouting “Descend the mountain,” this Little Martial Uncle Ancestor of the Dao Gate had already flown ahead alone—who knew what he had gone off to do.

Ten enormous hawks landed in the Martial Arena.

Like Swift Movement Steeds, they possessed traces of demon beast bloodlines.

But in terms of value, these hawks were far rarer—and far more expensive.

This was basically the transportation used by major sects.

In game terms, they were mounts only top-tier players could afford.

Due to their massive size, each hawk could easily carry over a dozen disciples.

Chu Huaixu and the other True Disciples rode together with Nangong Yue and Chu Yinyin on one hawk.

The two Outer Sect Stewards were also on the same hawk.

“Second Master, Master Nangong,” Chu Huaixu greeted respectfully.

Since Chu Yinyin had entered seclusion, he hadn’t seen this Second Master of his.

“She’s really become even more childlike,” he thought.

She could no longer be called an “old girl”—she had truly become an old loli.

But somehow…

She was even cuter now!

What kind of heaven-defying cultivation method was this, to reverse one’s growth like that?

Clearly a woman in her thirties, yet possessing the body of a young girl.

At this stage, Chu Yinyin had also regained her usual lively demeanor.

She glanced at Chu Huaixu and said, “I heard that during my seclusion, you’ve already condensed a Sword Heart? Not bad, not bad!”

Chu Huaixu, as usual, showed no proper master-disciple decorum and replied:

“I heard Second Master broke through several realms in one go, reaching the Third Heaven of the Seventh Realm. Impressive, impressive!”

The two looked at each other—

Then burst into smug laughter.

What followed was a round of mutual flattery.

After a while, Chu Huaixu finally asked curiously:

“Second Master, Master Nangong, what is Grandmaster doing?”

Jiang Zhi had flown ahead alone, completely out of sync with the group.

“Him? He’s probably clearing the path ahead,” Chu Yinyin replied.

“Clearing the path?” Chu Huaixu was confused.

“Just checking if there are any blind fools ahead—and killing them,” the old loli explained.

Dead Fox: “…”

Damn it, not even leaving any “monsters” behind!

That old guy is basically blocking my leveling path.

From the perspective of killing monsters to level up, Chu Huaixu could also follow the path of Attaining Dao Through Killing.

But he understood why the Dao Gate was acting this way.

Ever since the sudden emergence of the Black Moon Sect, not only the Dao Gate, but also the other three major sects of the Eastern Continent and the Moon Country royal family had begun large-scale demon-slaying operations.

Chu Huaixu looked ahead—toward the imperial capital of Moon Country.

While playing 《Borrowed Sword》, he had often gone to Moon Country.

After all, Spring and Autumn Mountain, where he had been, was the closest of the four great sects to the border.

But he had never been to the imperial capital.

“Huo Dingyi probably grew up there… or was trained and indoctrinated there from a young age,” Chu Huaixu thought.

Unfortunately, he had inherited none of those memories.

At this thought, Chu Huaixu glanced sideways at Niu Yuanshan and Mo Qingmei.

Being highly perceptive, he keenly sensed something subtle between them.

“And it’s the kind of subtlety between a man and a woman!”

Dead Fox was almost certain—something must have happened between them recently.

He had heard rumors about their past, and considering Niu Yuanshan’s situation and the fact that he was going to Moon Country…

“I can pretty much guess what’s going on,” he thought.

Strangely, he had a contradictory feeling.

He thought Old Niu was very much a man—

Yet also not a man at all…

Chu Huaixu sighed inwardly.

He actually felt Mo Qingmei was quite a good person.

Glancing again, he saw Niu Yuanshan lost in thought.

As a spy sent by 【The Organization】 from Moon Country, now returning home, Old Niu’s emotions were complicated—tinged with tension and sadness.

As the hawk took flight, he cast a deep look at the Dao Gate’s Mountains Beyond Mountains.

Niu Yuanshan felt dazed.

He couldn’t even remember how many years he had spent in the Dao Gate.

In contrast, Chu Huaixu—the openly declared defector—felt completely relaxed.

His only real concern about Moon Country was the Old State Preceptor who had possibly targeted him before.

But with Jiang Zhi accompanying them, nothing should go wrong.

After all, if even the Dao Gate’s top combat power acting as escort couldn’t ensure safety—

Then it would be a certain death situation.

“Well… nothing to do about that,” Chu Huaixu thought.

His mentality was remarkably relaxed.

After a while, Niu Yuanshan finally snapped out of his daze.

By then, the hawks had already flown beyond the Dao Gate’s territory.

He looked at Chu Huaixu’s profile.

The young man was chatting and laughing with the Ninth and Tenth Elders.

“He has no burden at all… no pressure whatsoever?” Niu Yuanshan thought.

Only then did he feel that Chu Huaixu truly had the confidence to not fear exposure.

He recalled what Chu Huaixu had said to him that day:

“Steward Niu, I’m not asking you to let me go—I’m asking you to let yourself go.”

—

Ahead, about ten li in front of the Dao Gate group—

Jiang Zhi stood in the air, looking east, slightly frowning.

“Come out. What’s the point of hiding?” he said coldly.

A scholar-dressed man slowly emerged from the clouds.

It was Cheng Yuyan—the Ninth Realm expert known as the number one rogue cultivator, leader of the rogue organization 【Divergent Path】.

He wore a somewhat ingratiating smile.

“Senior Jiang, I was just worried you might not want to see me.”

“It’s been a long time—you still look as imposing as ever.”

Jiang Zhi glanced at him coldly.

“Not that long. When I brought Chu Huaixu back from the 【Origin Spirit Realm】, weren’t you watching from afar?”

Cheng Yuyan coughed awkwardly.

“Well… on one side was you, and on the other my subordinates. I had no choice but to observe.”

“And I knew those fools were no match for you anyway,” he added flatteringly.

Jiang Zhi snorted.

Cheng Yuyan seemed unfazed.

He stepped forward in midair, approaching Jiang Zhi.

“Senior Jiang… how is my master lately?” he asked with concern.

“Don’t get familiar. My senior brother doesn’t acknowledge you as a disciple.”

“You wanted to be his disciple but refused to join the Dao Gate—how could such a thing exist?”

“Even so, he taught me for half a year. Whether he acknowledges me or not, I still regard him as my master,” Cheng Yuyan said sincerely.

“Of course, only in private. In public, I would never claim to be Zhong Ming’s disciple.”

Jiang Zhi’s expression softened slightly.

“Fifth Senior Brother is better than before.”

“Really!?” Cheng Yuyan’s face lit up.

Jiang Zhi nodded.

“Has the Dao Gate found a cure?” he asked eagerly.

“You don’t need to know that,” Jiang Zhi replied.

But that answer already implied confirmation.

“That’s wonderful… truly wonderful…” Cheng Yuyan said excitedly.

Jiang Zhi cut him off.

“Why are you here?”

Cheng Yuyan smiled.

“We’re heading to the same place. May I accompany you?”

“You’re going to Moon Country’s capital?”

“Indeed. I am from Moon Country. The academy has invited me to attend.”

Jiang Zhi sneered.

“You’re going… the Sword Sovereign is going…”

“Seems many big figures will attend.”

“This competition will be lively.”

Cheng Yuyan added, “The one from Luo Heaven Valley will also go.”

“Hmm… Huang Boyue hasn’t left the valley in years,” Jiang Zhi said. “What about the one from Spring and Autumn Mountain?”

“I don’t know,” Cheng Yuyan replied.

This Third Realm competition was drawing numerous experts with Origin Power to Moon Country’s capital.

A grand event unlike any before.

Clearly, with the Heaven-and-Earth Calamity approaching and the Dao Gate revealing part of the Dao Ancestor’s prophecy, these figures had grown increasingly concerned about the 【Origin Spirit Realm】.

Jiang Zhi waved his hand.

“Go on your own. Don’t join us.”

He refused.

But Cheng Yuyan smiled.

“Senior Jiang, before you refuse—let me share a secret.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“But it concerns your Dao Gate’s Xuanhuang Champion.”

Jiang Zhi froze.

“Speak.”

Cheng Yuyan said:

“The one who used the 【Curse-Killing Technique】 on Chu Huaixu… was Ming Xuanji.”

“Ming Xuanji?” Jiang Zhi smiled coldly, killing intent rising. “I already suspected him. How do you know?”

“I was there.”

Jiang Zhi’s aura exploded with killing intent—

Then suddenly vanished.

He smiled.

Perhaps today… he could outplay him.

Cheng Yuyan was surprised.

Then Jiang Zhi said:

“Do you know… the one who can save my Fifth Senior Brother is my grand-disciple—Chu Huaixu!”

—

Elsewhere, ten giant hawks flew through the sky.

They carried Sword Sect disciples—each with a spiritual sword.

At the front sat a man rarely seen—

The Sword Sovereign.

To the disciples, he was the most revered figure.

The undisputed number one in swordsmanship.

Even said to rival the First Sword Sovereign.

Jiang Tianhe, now a True Disciple, sat watching him in awe.

He had joined Situ Cheng only to be closer to the Sword Sovereign.

The Sword Sovereign noticed his gaze—

Then suddenly understood.

He handed Jiang Tianhe a jade slip.

“A meeting gift. A sword technique I created—it suits your Great River Sword Intent.”

Jiang Tianhe was ecstatic.

Situ Cheng frowned.

“Only Mystic-rank?”

“Too low,” he said.

The Sword Sovereign nodded.

“Then take this Earth-rank one too.”

Jiang Tianhe was overwhelmed.

But secretly—

He preferred the first one more.

It had been carefully chosen.

He felt deeply moved.

Situ Cheng snorted.

“Young people don’t understand…”

Then told him to cultivate immediately.

Jiang Tianhe immersed his Divine Sense into the jade slip.

The name appeared—

“Good name,” he thought.

—【Azure Firmament Lodged Flame】.