The man appeared to be in his early twenties. He had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, with long hair dancing wildly. Handsome and flamboyant, a sharp aura radiated from his entire being. At first glance, one could tell he was a born Sword Cultivator, as if the very essence of the sword was embedded in his bones.
His most eye-catching feature was the silver crescent moon mark between his eyebrows. It resembled a vertical pupil, from which a brilliant divine light shot forth. Wherever the divine light shone, all Yin Sha Qi was extinguished.
He was the Chief Disciple of the Sword Sect within the Sanqing Immortal Sect, his cultivation level at the peak of the Golden Core’s Ninth Heaven. Ranked among the Ten Great True Disciples of the Sanqing Immortal Sect and also at the forefront of Nanzhou’s Golden Core Ranking, he was a genuine, peerless heavenly prodigy.
It was said that he possessed an extremely special constitution: a natural Sword Bone that allowed him to master any sword technique with half the effort for twice the results. His innate Sword Dao Eyes could see through any demon or ghost. He was a treasure to the Sword Sect, the likes of which was seen only once every five hundred years. At the tender age of twenty-seven, he had already gained the acknowledgment of the Sword Sect’s ultimate treasure, the ’Celestial Timing Sword Box’. Given time, he had the potential to achieve sainthood and be revered as an ancestor!
If he had arrived just a moment earlier, Wang Xiu would have been overjoyed. With Li Zuoyue present, Daimon Qianmian would have been nothing but trash, utterly defenseless! Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs ɴo(v)elFɪre.ɴet
But now, this guy’s timing couldn’t have been worse!
Wang Xiu’s mouth twitched. I used the Ten Thousand Demonic Transformations Art to disguise myself as a Ghost General and shanked Daimon Qianmian in the flank. The fight was so intense I forgot to change back. And now... I’ve become the villain!
"Awakening of Insects!"
Li Zuoyue formed a sword seal with his hands, and with each solar term he recited, a famed sword shot out from the silver Sword Box behind him, its sword qi overwhelming. The oppressive power radiating from each of the six Flying Swords was enough to crush Daimon Qianmian.
"Friendly!" Wang Xiu wiped sweat from his brow, shouting hastily, "Brother, I’m on your side!"
"On my side?" Who would be on the same side as a Malicious Ghost reeking of Yin Sha and Demonic Qi?
Li Zuoyue watched Wang Xiu coldly and snorted, "Do you think you can fool the Sword Eye between my brows? I’m not bragging, but my Sword Eye can discern the true nature of all things. No demon or ghost in this world can escape my gaze! Villain, I saw you weren’t human from the first glance!"
[Detected someone boasting. Congratulations, Host, on gaining +99 Mana.]
Crap... This transformation art is too powerful. What a pain. Wang Xiu’s mouth twitched. He couldn’t very well say, ’Senior Brother, your Sword Eye’s version is too old, and its specs are garbage!’
I just have a feeling that an enraged and humiliated Li Zuoyue might kill me to silence me! Given the ’bloody calamity’ and ’omen of great disaster’ between the Sword and Divination Sects, I really have no confidence. Maybe I should try another identity to get friendly with Senior Brother Li!
At that thought, Wang Xiu’s form shifted. He transformed directly into the likeness of Ji Jinglei, perfectly matching his appearance, build, and even his aura.
Strangely... after becoming Ji Jinglei, I feel like my brain isn’t as sharp.
Seeing the Malicious Ghost, who had been brimming with a sinister aura, suddenly transform into a disciple of Taoism, Li Zuoyue was completely stunned.
Why? Why did all traces of the Malicious Ghost’s aura vanish after he turned human? Even my Sword Dao Eyes can’t see through him! How is that possible?
"Reveal your true form!"
Li Zuoyue pressed his index and middle fingers to his temples. Instantly, the crescent moon mark on his forehead began to expand, growing into a full moon as its light swelled dramatically, shining like a 200-watt lightbulb. Bizarrely, faint blood vessels could be seen webbing across the glowing orb.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
After a long moment, perhaps because he had been staring for too long, his eyes dried out. Li Zuoyue closed the Sword Eye on his brow as tears trickled down. He lowered his head, covered his eyes, and roared, "Monster, you can’t fool me!"
"This... my Sword Dao Eye can penetrate the true nature of all things! No demon or monster in the heavens or on earth can hide from my gaze. You are no exception! Show your true form now! Retreat, retreat, retreat! Activate!!!"
[Detected someone boasting. Congratulations, Host, for gaining +99 Mana.]
Watching Li Zuoyue, who was already starting to question his own existence and bordering on hysteria, Wang Xiu said with utmost sincerity, "Senior Brother, I really am one of us. I’m Ji Jinglei, a True Disciple of Thunderclap Peak. The technique I just used was a spell from the Thunder Sect: the Wind-Thunder Talisman Sword Art. You’re so experienced and knowledgeable, Senior Brother. You must be able to recognize the technique!"
Ji Jinglei? The name doesn’t ring a bell at all. However... if his surname is Ji, it’s normal that I, Li, wouldn’t know him. After all, Uncle Master Ji Yan has over a hundred sons. Let alone a Sword Sect disciple like me, even Uncle Master Ji Yan himself probably can’t remember all their names, right?
Li Zuoyue rubbed his eyes for a long time before turning to look at Wang Xiu, his own eyes still full of suspicion. "If you are a disciple of the Thunder Sect, then where is the monster from the Zhao Residence?"
Wang Xiu spread his hands. "He committed too many sins and was struck dead by Heavenly Retribution."
Li Zuoyue was speechless. Are you taking me for a complete idiot? Struck dead by Heavenly Retribution? Of the countless demons and monsters in this world, how many have ever been struck down by Heavenly Retribution? This guy appeared in the Zhao Residence in the form of a Malicious Ghost, with the three critically injured Li Longhao brothers beside him. He’s far too suspicious. Furthermore, his transformation art is incredible; even my innate Sword Eye couldn’t see through it. If he really is an evil heretic, and if he escapes today, who knows how many disasters he’ll cause in the future. I absolutely cannot let my guard down.
At that thought, Li Zuoyue formed a sword seal with his fingers. Three more Flying Swords shot out from his Sword Box, surrounding Wang Xiu tightly. "You’d best not make any rash moves. My Flying Swords show no mercy!"
With that said, he took the Communication Token from his waist and channeled a spell into it.
The sound of the waiting tone seemed to stretch on for an eternity in Li Zuoyue’s ears, and even longer in Wang Xiu’s.
After a moment, the Communication Token connected, revealing a magnificent palace on the other side. Ji Yan was seated solemnly on the main throne, a warm smile on his face. "My dear nephew Zuoyue, for you to contact me on your own initiative is truly a rare occasion!"
"What’s the matter? Has my dear nephew had a change of heart and decided to transfer to our Thunder Sect? Let me tell you, having me as an additional master is definitely no loss. The Thunder Sect needs a talent like you!"
"Think about it, the Seven Steps Dragon Slaying Technique is a sword art too! One slash summons a thunder dragon that soars through the sky. Isn’t that infinitely cooler than your Sword Sect’s Flying Swords? As long as you join the Thunder Sect, you’ll have all the Spirit Stones, secret manuals, resources, and junior sisters you could ever want!"
[Detected someone boasting. Congratulations, Host, for gaining +666 Mana.]