"Young Master Ye has such a pleasant demeanor; I wonder where you hail from? And under which lineage or sect do you study?" Jialouluo inquired of Ye Xiu, aiming to flatter Jianan, who stood nearby.

Ye Xiu caught the subtle implication in Jialouluo's gaze, instantly understanding the underlying reason. The relationship between the three imperial brothers of the Desolate Ancient Bone City was clearly not as harmonious as the rumors suggested; suspicion festered among them. "I come from the Corpse Demon Forest, skilled only in some minor techniques of worm cultivation."

Yunxin, appreciative of Ye Xiu's courtesy, took another sip before returning to the hall with Jialouluo.

"Actually, Jianan has an announcement for everyone: the order of tomorrow's duels." Jianan's words immediately startled everyone present; even the usually composed Jialouluo was momentarily galvanized.

"Second Brother, wasn't it decided by a drawing of lots?" Jialouluo felt a wave of confusion. His own calculations were proceeding perfectly in his mind, but this declaration from Jianan unsettled him profoundly.

"This was the Eldest Brother's idea. To ensure fairness in the competition, tomorrow's matchups will be determined by the seating arrangement of this moment. Look across the table at the person facing you—that is your opponent tomorrow. It is all the will of Heaven." Jianan himself disliked this method, as his trusted confidant, Bai Cheng, was seated opposite a complete stranger.

"Ha..." A murmur rippled through the assembly below. However, it seemed all eyes were now fixed on Ye Xiu, as the long tables extended from two sides, placing him squarely in the front row.

"Heh heh, it seems, Ye Xiu, that I am your opponent." Bai Cheng smiled faintly, brimming with confidence. "I witnessed Brother Ye's skill with that previous sword strike; it will be an honor to exchange pointers."

"I..." Ye Xiu found himself speechless. He couldn't help but cast a glance upward toward Jialouluo, but at that moment, Jialouluo was entirely preoccupied elsewhere. This meant the fight would come down to pure strength alone.

"Facing the Chief Guard of the Desolate Bone City—you’re unlucky," Jiu Liansheng murmured, patting Ye Xiu’s shoulder. "Don't be fooled by his gentle appearance. From the previous fight, that fellow not only commands Bone Control techniques, but his swordsmanship is also extraordinary."

Ye Xiu pointed toward Yan Shangcheng, seated opposite Jiu Liansheng, and laughed, "Don't just talk about me. Take a look at your own opponent; that fellow is no easy catch either."

Jiu Liansheng glanced at Yan Shangcheng. That man's gaze was saturated with killing intent, yet it wasn't directed at him. Yan Shangcheng was fixedly staring in the direction where Jiaye had departed. "What happens tomorrow can wait until tomorrow. Drink up!"

After a night of feasting and drinking, everyone was accommodated within the imperial quarters. Ye Xiu's room was situated right beside the platform of the Sky Ladder Pavilion. Gazing at the strange constellations of the Boundless Realm, he fell into deep thought.

"Can't sleep? Might as well join me for a drink." Jiu Liansheng's figure flickered, and he landed directly on Ye Xiu's windowsill, his wine gourd perpetually in hand, truly living carefree. "If you want to see the night view, the platform is the best spot. I hear one can observe the magnificent panorama of the entire Boundless Realm from there."

Ye Xiu chuckled lightly and followed Jiu Liansheng as they zipped up to the platform. At first glance, the surroundings were tranquil; the distant and near scenery floated ethereally, like a dream. The north, where the hazy clouds gathered, was perhaps Mount Sumeru, the site of that fierce battle against Sha Juntian. "Do you really enjoy drinking this much?"

Jiu Liansheng took another sip, a hint of unease flickering across his expression. He focused his sight and realized that in a corner of the platform sat the blue-robed youth, Yan Shangcheng, utterly alone. "Why is that fellow here too!"

Ye Xiu finally grew alert and paid attention. Yan Shangcheng sat by the cliff edge like a statue, holding no weapon, only a pot of fine wine. "Yan Shangcheng..."

"Tch!" Yan Shangcheng had long sensed their arrival. He spat dismissively and continued drinking his own wine.

"Why not go share a cup with your opponent?" Ye Xiu teased, walking toward Yan Shangcheng. The man's eyes were cold and sharp, appearing utterly frozen, an imposing and unapproachable figure.

Hearing Ye Xiu's suggestion, Yan Shangcheng hurled the wine pot in his hand toward Jiu Liansheng. The throw was tremendously powerful; the gourd shot out like a hidden projectile, whistling through the air.

Jiu Liansheng saw the wine pot bearing down on him, chuckled lightly, and gracefully stepped back several paces. Finally, with a side-step maneuver, he caught it and took a deep drink. "The royal family's wine is indeed good, but sadly, I still prefer my own cheap stuff!"

"Whoosh..." Another projectile flew out. Jiu Liansheng mustered his strength and hurled the wine pot back at Yan Shangcheng. These two were already locked in silent competition before their official match even began.

"Oh ho ho, it seems I have disturbed the elegant evening of the three of you." Suddenly, a gentle voice drifted over. Jialouluo entered the platform, clad in dark night attire. He bowed slightly to the trio. "Jialouluo merely wished to admire the moonlight; I hope the esteemed heroes will indulge me."

Yan Shangcheng caught the wine pot, took another large swallow, and then leaped away, returning swiftly to his room. As he left, he smashed the wine pot into fragments, spitting out viciously, "The Desolate Bone City royalty!"

Ye Xiu and Jiu Liansheng, witnessing the arrival of the Third (Sect Master), showed no excessive reverence; they simply offered two polite bows out of custom. "We apologize for interrupting the Third Sect Master's enjoyment."

Jialouluo smiled and nodded, walking himself to the edge of the platform. Gazing at the beautiful night scene, he spread his arms wide. "The scenery of the Boundless Realm is exquisite; I truly wish I could watch it like this forever."

Ye Xiu carefully scanned the surroundings—no one else was present. He spoke in a low voice, "For the Third Sect Master to meet with us so late at night, aren't you afraid of suspicion?"

Jiu Liansheng remained silent, his attention fixed beyond the platform. Caution was necessary at a time like this.

"Hahaha, Brother Ye speaks the absolute truth," Jialouluo laughed unrestrainedly. He dropped his arms and addressed Ye Xiu. "Only if the utterly useless Third Sect Master were wandering about outside would someone pay attention. Moreover, I have brought fine wine. Drinking with heroes is a great delight!"

Hearing about the wine, Jiu Liansheng immediately shed his reserve and snatched a cup from Jialouluo's hand. Having secretly followed the Third Sect Master for many years, he knew his master's temperament well. "If that is the case, this hero shall not be polite. Third Sect Master, please!"

Jialouluo looked at Ye Xiu's worried expression. "I already understand that Bai Cheng is my Second Brother's man. As for Yan Shangcheng, his behavior is erratic, and his cultivation is profound—that is the person we should truly be wary of."

"Does this mean the Eldest Sect Master hasn't placed any of his own people in the running for the Heavenly Que?" In Ye Xiu's view, Jiaye was no simple character either.

Jialouluo shook his head, unconcerned about that matter. "The Eldest Brother has the absolute right to determine the fate of the Heavenly Que. Until the final moment, no one knows the answer. My only worry is Yan Shangcheng's identity."

Jiu Liansheng, addicted to drink, gestured with his power while consuming it. "Third Sect Master, you can rest assured. Tomorrow's battle will reveal this man's depth. With my strength, I should be able to push him to the limits of what he can achieve."

"Mm, I trust you." Jialouluo poured himself a drink as well. "I observe that Yan Shangcheng is steeped in malevolence. His movements in battle are brutal. This fight is purely for reconnaissance; do not engage him head-on."

"Don't worry," Jiu Liansheng replied. His own cultivation was formidable; he didn't regard Yan Shangcheng as a major threat. "But Ye Xiu has to face Bai Cheng. I know Bai Cheng's power; that fellow was once famous throughout the entire Boundless Realm, otherwise, he wouldn't be the Chief Guard of the Desolate Bone City."

Ye Xiu spread his hands in a gesture of resignation. "No matter what, I only have to meet him head-on."

"Bai Cheng possesses Bone Control abilities, augmented by the Heavenly Bone Sword Art taught by Second Brother. His capabilities are indeed an unknown variable," Jialouluo stated firmly, looking at Ye Xiu. "I believe in your power, and even more, I believe in the power of the Heavenly Mists Sword in your hand. No matter how strong Bai Cheng is, he is merely a Bone Gatherer, whereas your energy tends toward infinity."

"If that's the case, I have no choice but to win." Ye Xiu knew Jialouluo was praising him, but the true reason he wished to fight Bai Cheng was to further comprehend the sword movements of the Heavenly Mists Sword.

The night was dim and evocative. The three drank cup after cup until a hint of intoxication settled upon them. Jialouluo drank with heavy thoughts. Honestly, sometimes he truly wished he could be as carefree as Ye Xiu and Jiu Liansheng, wandering the mortal dust. At least then, he wouldn't have so many things he needed to deliberately conceal. This was fate—the injustice of his fate had relegated him to the status of the inferior Third Sect Master. Therefore, he desired to resist, to realize his own ambitions.

...

The north wind’s cold and warmth known only to the lonely heart; the moon’s waxing and waning seen only by the solitary master sleeping alone.

Jiaye was also consumed by melancholy. The Desolate Ancient Bone City, once a chaotic mess under the shadow of war, had been organized into order by his administration. Yet, the undercurrents beneath this stability were dangerously turbulent. Years ago, he had stubbornly decreed the law elevating the Bone Sect above all others, despite vehement opposition from all his civil and military officials, thus stirring up endless conflict.

The Sun-Blind Clan, the Corpse Demon Forest, and the Myriad Path Mountain folk were forbidden from displaying their clan’s ultimate techniques within the Desolate Ancient Bone City. This seemingly harmonious and rigid rule had instead stoked the discontent of the other clans. However, without that decree back then, the Bone Sect could never have regained its dignity and high standing. Governing a city of anomalies was easy; governing an entire Realm was proving far too difficult. More often than not, he longed to abandon the Desolate Ancient Bone City, take up the Heavenly Chasm, and roam the world as an ordinary swordsman, pointing his blade toward the heavens.

If only he hadn't listened to that woman's counsel back then and issued the decree—would the outcome have been entirely different? Would his daughter, Hong Ling, have been spared the fate of bearing the (Anomaly-Born Body)?

Jiaye's thoughts churned endlessly as he sat before the lamp, unable to sleep. Suddenly, a fierce gust cut through the air, instantly extinguishing the candle flame. A suffocating wave of killing intent enveloped him completely.

"Whoosh..." A flash of brilliant yellow blade light pierced through, stabbing out unexpectedly. Jiaye’s arm was instantly slashed, leaving a deep, bleeding gash.

"Ah!" The chilling aura closed in immediately. A masked figure in purple robes brandished a wide, curved saber, rotating and slashing forward fiercely. The saber's edge was serrated, and the downward strike was deadly.

With the killing light pressing upon him, Jiaye lost his usual composure; beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. As the enemy struck, he unleashed a burst of palm force to slow the attacker's momentum, then spun around, gathering his energy to summon the precious Heavenly Chasm Sword into his waiting hand.

"Clang..." The purple-robed figure brought the wide saber down violently upon the Heavenly Chasm, creating a shower of sparks that illuminated his face. That single, stark gaze shook the soul.

"Who are you? You seek my life?" Jiaye was somewhat confused. In the Boundless Realm, practitioners of the saber were mostly from the Fierce Beast Sect, yet this person did not attack by crawling like a beast; his speed and power, however, were no less impressive.

At Jiaye's question, the killing intent in the purple-robed figure's eyes intensified. He pressed his palm down, and a second edge flipped out from the side of the broad curved saber—a blade with edges on both sides, plunging toward Jiaye's head.

"Die!" The purple-robed figure's voice was shrill, his eyes piercing, as if he harbored an irreconcilable feud with Jiaye.

"Ah..." Jiaye was no ordinary man. As the Heavenly Chasm Sword rose, countless walls of white bone began to shift and emerge across the floor. These bone walls burst forth abruptly, blocking the purple-robed man's line of sight.

"Hah!" The purple-robed figure leaped back. As the saber descended, he swiftly drew another weapon from his waist—a white jade ancient sword, comparable to the Heavenly Chasm. He struck down, and the bone sword unleashed streams of bone barbs, piercing through every one of the bone walls before Jiaye. "Die!"

"A member of the Bone Sect..." Jiaye’s eyes widened; an inexplicable fear gripped his heart. The moves the purple-robed man employed with his saber and sword were unmistakably the Heavenly Bone Sword Art. How many people in the Boundless Realm knew this sword technique and had reached the Fifth Level of Mastery or higher?

"Assassin! Protect the Great Sect Master!" At this moment, the Bone Sect guards outside the chamber heard the commotion and burst into Jiaye's room.

Jiaye retracted the Heavenly Chasm and flew forward, intending to capture the purple-robed figure. Unexpectedly, even surrounded by guards, the assassin showed no sign of retreat. Instead, he stepped onto the desk and hurled his curved saber outward.

Jiaye felt a violent whirlwind rushing toward him, a whirlwind laced with grit and sand. He activated his Bone Control technique, raising a thick bone wall to block such an attack. However, the guards behind him clearly lacked the reaction time; they were sliced in half by the spinning blade.

The purple-robed figure sidestepped slightly and immediately utilized the bone sword again. He gathered his stance, and the bone sword circled once before charging into the crowd: "Heavenly Bone Sword Art, Thousand Bone Killing Intent."

"What!" Jiaye gasped, his face turning ashen. Who exactly was this purple-robed man? He had already reached the Sixth Level of the Heavenly Bone Sword Art—the Thousand Bone Killing Intent—and the power behind this strike was clearly no less than Jiaye's own.

"Whoosh..." The sword light shot out like a piercing cold wind. Jiaye forced himself forward with the Heavenly Chasm, unleashing his own Thousand Bone Killing Intent. At this moment, two brilliant lights illuminated the chamber; the two sword energies wrapped around each other, canceling out, but the resultant shockwave sent the surrounding people reeling to the ground.

"Jiaye, your head will be mine sooner or later!" Seeing that the assassination opportunity had passed, the purple-robed figure leaped onto the windowsill. He turned and unleashed another strike of the Heavenly Bone Sword Art, shredding the guards who pursued him, before vaulting away into the night.

"Do not chase." Jiaye clutched his chest, deep in thought. That one specific glare seemed familiar, seen somewhere before. The only mystery was the identity of the attacker. Being a member of the Bone Sect who could wield the Heavenly Bone Sword Art—how many such individuals existed in the entire Desolate Ancient Bone City? Jianan, Jialouluo, Chief Guard Bai Cheng... who else...?

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