"You... you... how do you know this sword technique?" Bing Ming couldn't help but be startled. His martial arts were all inherited from the martial fanatic Xiao Cangtian. Before achieving the Martial Saint realm, his training was eclectic, only abandoning other martial arts after seeing the eight characters: 'mixed yet uncoalesced, coalesced yet ungathered,' focusing solely on the Piaoruo Shuangyin Sword, which propelled him to the Martial Saint level in one go.
At that time, it wasn't because this sword technique was profoundly sophisticated, but because it was created by his grandmaster, Xiao Cangtian. As Xiao Cangtian's successor, he naturally had to practice his grandmaster’s martial arts. Techniques like the Jueqing Finger and Tiangang Fist were from other sects and didn't count.
This Piaoruo Sword Style was a unique technique created by Xiao Cangtian, synthesizing numerous martial arts. It was devised only after Dugu Bachan passed down the Dugu Sword Style, yet it was never truly used before Xiao Cangtian departed. Conceivably, an ordinary person could never know this sword style. How could this elder before him utter its name so easily? How could this not shock him?
“This is the sword art I created. How could I not know it?” The elder stated calmly, releasing the two fingers clamping Bing Ming’s iron sword…
Upon hearing this, Bing Ming was instantly petrified. He created this technique? Didn't that mean he was Xiao Cangtian?
He had set off on his travels over two centuries ago! How could he appear here now?
“What? Do you still not believe me?” A faint smile ghosted across the elder’s face. With a simple flip of his hand, the iron sword in Bing Ming’s grasp was now in his own. With a slight flick, Bing Ming felt the ambient temperature drop by at least ten degrees. Several sword phantoms flared to life, darting back and forth, truly erratic and fleeting.
Faintly, the sound of dragon roars could be heard, and plumes of white frost mist materialized from thin air, making the sword shadows more bewildering, more ethereal…
When the elder stopped swinging, the white frost mist slowly dissipated, and the sharp sword shadows slowly vanished into the void. Yet, in Bing Ming’s ears, there was a distinct crack-crack-crack sound, as if something brittle were shattering.
Looking up, he saw everything within several zhang—rocks, large and small trees, and even the grass—was fracturing, just like ice cracking…
Finally, everything dissolved into powder, kicking up swirling dust. A pocket of vacuum miraculously formed around them; besides the elder and Bing Ming, nothing else remained.
This terrifying scene shook Bing Ming to his core. Was this the highest realm of the Piaoruo Shuangyin Sword? There was no discernible killing intent or forceful power, yet the effect was devastating. Was this still a sword?
With a thud, Bing Ming sank straight to his knees.
“Disciple’s descendant, Bing Ming, pays respects to the Old Ancestor!” Seeing all this, Bing Ming was utterly convinced of the elder’s words. As the fifth-generation great-grandson of Xiao Cangtian, he was unsure how to address him, settling only for ‘Old Ancestor.’
“Get up. I, Xiao Cangtian, never took any formal disciples. I merely gave pointers to a certain young man back then. I never expected him to pass on my martial arts. Ah, the ways of the world are strange!” Xiao Cangtian spoke lightly, yet with a lift of his hand, Bing Ming’s body was suspended in mid-air.
Hearing Xiao Cangtian’s words, Bing Ming was momentarily speechless, standing awkwardly, unsure what to do. After all, this man was his grandmaster’s grandmaster.
“Why did you come to Medicine City? Why did you cross the Gongsun family?” Seeing his own descendant, Xiao Cangtian naturally dropped any thought of holding him accountable.
Bing Ming dared not hold back, quickly recounting how he met Ye Jingyu, followed him, and everything that happened afterward.
“You mean that brat is Dugu Bachan’s disciple?” Hearing Ye Jingyu’s identity from Bing Ming, Xiao Cangtian’s expression shifted.
“Yes!” Bing Ming nodded heavily. If not for being Dugu Bachan’s disciple, Ye Jingyu would have been killed by the Bai family long ago and wouldn't have survived until now…
“Damn it, this is a huge mess. That brat from the Xuanyuan family is already a Martial Saint, coupled with the Gongsun family’s old steward, Xu, and seven Saint Beasts—even if they were Pseudo-Saint Beasts, that brat couldn’t possibly handle them. Quick, go save him immediately! Otherwise, if Old Man Dugu finds out I stood by while his disciple was in danger, he’ll tear me apart!” Upon hearing this, Xiao Cangtian’s face changed drastically.
“But Old Ancestor, didn't the Gongsun family show you kindness? Shouldn’t you…”
“Kindness my ass! A brat from the Gongsun family—do you think he could truly cure my illness? I just didn’t want to move these past few years, and lacking status to openly seek money for wine, I gave that boy a chance to show filial piety. Damn it, stop talking nonsense! If Old Man Dugu gets angry, it’ll be real trouble!” Xiao Cangtian cursed loudly, grabbing Bing Ming by the shoulder and dashing toward the Tiangang Mountain Range…
Bing Ming, held captive in his grip, couldn't help but sweat a little. His Old Ancestor was truly a martial fanatic?
Just moments ago, he held the air of an otherworldly master, but the mention of the more powerful Dugu Bachan turned him into a street ruffian…
Favor and filial piety were all empty words; whoever had stronger power dictated allegiance—that was the true way…
Within the Tiangang Mountain Range, Ye Jingyu stared at the sword tip embedded in his chest, watching the spurt of blood, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief…
Looking up again, Xuanyuan Jing was nowhere in sight…
“The Taixu Sword was created by my ancestor. How does it compare to Brother Ye’s Jinglei Liezhan?” The faint voice of Xuanyuan Jing came from behind Ye Jingyu…
Hiss… Ignoring the excruciating pain in his body, Ye Jingyu surged forward. The long sword in Xuanyuan Jing’s hand was pulled out, and more blood jetted forth…
“It… it’s only because my skill is insufficient; it has nothing to do with the Jinglei Saber Arts…” Ye Jingyu clutched his chest, trying to staunch the torrent of blood. But even with his formidable physical healing ability, such a grievous wound was impossible to mend quickly; he could only watch the bright red blood flow ceaselessly…
“Since that’s the case, Brother Ye, try my move, the Tianjue Sword, one more time…” Xuanyuan Jing showed no change in expression, though he was somewhat surprised that Ye Jingyu could still speak after being pierced through the heart. His long sword thrust out once more…
(Still writing, afternoon update coming!)