Chapter 55 - Heavenly Sword Sect

Chu Yang stepped down from the carriage, stretching lazily as the morning glow painted the sky a brilliant red.

He walked up to the two night watch guards and asked with a smile, “Brothers, may I ask how far we are from Profound Origin City?”

“Profound Origin City is to the south. Even on a flying desert horse, it would take at least seven days to get there,” one of the guards replied warily.

The other looked displeased and added, “Kid, now that you're healed, you should leave. That carriage you’ve been sleeping in for days? It originally belonged to our young lady. Don’t overstay your welcome.”

Chu Yang smiled without responding.

He was unfamiliar with the area, so naturally, he planned to stick with the caravan until they reached the nearest city. Once there, he’d leave on his own.

The caravan rolled steadily toward Fire Beacon City, encountering no danger along the way.

Over the past few days, Chu Yang had grown more familiar with Ning Yuyan. She was the second young lady of the Ning Clan, a major family in Fire Beacon City, and was in charge of the family’s merchant caravan.

She had personally gone to another city on business, and on her way back, had rescued Chu Yang.

When the spatial gate had opened, interference from the Ancient Hellblood Race had thrown off the coordinates, and even Chu Yang hadn’t known where he’d end up.

Looking at things now, the situation wasn’t too bad, at least he was still in the Western Region.

“Fire Beacon City, west of the Hundred-Foot Tower, bathed in autumn’s sea breeze at dusk!”

Fire Beacon City was under the jurisdiction of the Violet Sun Empire. A wide, clear river flowed in front of the city walls, like a giant, silvery dragon glimmering with light.

The river’s end was unseen, winding into the distant horizon.

Chu Yang followed the caravan across the drawbridge and entered the city.

The sights inside were far more bustling than he’d expected. Vendors lined both sides of the streets, shouting loudly as they sold spiritual pills, divine weapons, and martial arts manuals.

The central street was packed with people. Some youths wore swords at their waists, others carried curved blades on their backs, and some rode on rare demonic beasts.

In the surrounding balconies and courtyards, noble daughters and refined young ladies stood watching the flow of talents below, hoping to spot a worthy husband.

“Lady Ning, your Fire Beacon City is quite lively,” Chu Yang said with a smile.

“Today, the Heavenly Sword Sect is here to recruit disciples, so of course it’s livelier than usual,” Ning Yuyan replied, smiling.

“Heavenly Sword Sect?” Chu Yang’s interest was piqued. He had been looking for a sect to join, not only for shelter but also to access cultivation resources.

He might even find a spiritual herb that could restore Elder Mo’s soul. But Chu Yang didn’t know how strong the Heavenly Sword Sect was.

Sensing his hesitation, Ning Yuyan explained, “In the Western Region, the Heavenly Sword Sect is considered a third-tier force, but its sect master, Yue Buli, is a genuine Paragon Meridian Realm cultivator.”

“Miss Ning, how are these tiers ranked?” Chu Yang asked earnestly.

He had never left Sunshine Village before. The most powerful person there had been Master Mo. In terms of worldly knowledge, he was basically a blank slate.

“If a sect doesn’t have a cultivator beyond the Desolate Meridian Realm, it’s considered unranked,” Ning Yuyan explained as they walked. “If a sect has at least one Paragon Meridian Realm expert, it’s ranked as third-tier.

A second-tier force must have someone at the Imperial Meridian Realm.

A first-tier force is defined by having a Empyrean Meridian Realm powerhouse.”

“Then is the True Martial Sacred Ground a first-tier force?” Chu Yang asked.

“No, no,” Ning Yuyan shook her head. “Above the first-tier, there’s another class, Imperial Lineages.

Each of these lineages has dozens of Empyrean Meridian Realm experts, and they inherit divine techniques and secrets left behind by ascending Grand Emperors of past generations. There are even rumors that some of them still have ancient God Meridian Realm ancestors hidden within.”

Chu Yang was silent. He clenched his fists tightly. At that moment, he realized how insignificant he truly was.

After a long pause, he looked up, eyes sharp and full of determination.

“Miss Ning, I’ve made up my mind. I want to participate in the Heavenly Sword Sect’s disciple selection.”

He had figured it out, no matter how strong others were, he couldn’t aim too high from the start. He had to climb step by step.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. One day, he believed, he would gain the strength to stand against even the mightiest.

“Alright. Be careful then, Young Master Chu,” Ning Yuyan encouraged him. “I believe you’ll pass the selection!”

“You saved my life, Miss Ning. I can’t repay that. But if you ever need anything, you can find me at the Heavenly Sword Sect,” Chu Yang said sincerely.

After bidding her farewell, Chu Yang followed the crowd toward the city center.

Elsewhere, in the Hu residence, the deep night was wrapped in an eerie silence.

Everyone in the Hu estate had gathered in the main hall, visibly anxious.

The dark night felt like a silent, lurking beast, ready to devour the world.

The hall was brightly lit, but no one felt safe.

Before Xu Zimo and the others had arrived, Hu Yuanwai had tried this method before, gathering everyone in one place for the night. But it had never worked. By morning, someone would always turn up dead.

The only ones who remained in the Hu residence were those willing to stay for the extra wages. Otherwise, most would have fled by now.

Xu Zimo found a reclining chair, yawned, and lay down to sleep.

Not long after, a haunting, sorrowful singing voice echoed through the Hu estate.

The song was eerie, like a mix of a woman crying and teeth grinding. It sent chills down the spine and made everyone’s ears uncomfortable.

Outside the eastern wing, Wang Yang, Xing Lin, and Xiao Yu each held torches.

Lanterns on either side of the courtyard painted their faces red with flickering light.

“Where’s that singing coming from?” Wang Tao asked, frowning.

The three strained to listen, but the voice came from every direction, distant and close, as if the sound were drifting in from all sides.

“We’ll search every room. I don’t believe it can hide forever,” Wang Tao said coldly.

“Senior Brother Wang, we should be cautious,” Xiao Yu warned from the side.

“Cowardly tricks like this, if it had real power, it wouldn’t need to play games,” Wang Tao scoffed, though he still nodded.

The three began searching the rooms in the eastern wing, one by one.

The Hu residence wasn’t large, but even by midnight, they found nothing. Yet the eerie woman’s song still echoed throughout the compound.

“This is getting strange…” Xing Lin muttered, frowning.