First Immortal of the Sword

The gray-robed young man looked quite ordinary. He sat there cross-legged, drinking and eating sunflower seeds, the very picture of an unemployed drifter killing time in the marketplace.

Only his eyes stood out: they were bright and clear, like the polished edge of a sword.

The gray-robed young man drummed the countertop and spat out the sunflower seed shells in his mouth. He laughed, “Ol’ Wang, assassins aren’t brave warriors prepared to face death with equanimity, nor are they reckless, temperamental barbarians. We aren’t valiant elites who can kill a man every ten steps and travel thousands of miles without anyone standing in our way. I won’t even try to imitate people like that.”

Old Man Wang asked with great interest, “Then what do you think a true assassin ought to be like?”

The young man in gray pointed at himself and said, “Like me. When I’m not killing people, I bury my head in the dust and act just like any other ordinary civilian. I never foolishly overestimate my own power.”

Old Man Wang snickered, “But you’re no ordinary civilian. You’re just hiding your identity, that’s all. That’s not so clever.”

The young man in gray laughed and drained his cup. “I blend into the marketplace! Assassins ought to entrust themselves to the world of mortal dust. They ought to act just as other people act; the only thing they cannot be is themselves. Only then can they catch targets off guard and ensure a one-hit kill.”

Old Man Wang had no desire to continue this foolish conversation, so he asked directly, “How do you view this mission?”

The gray-robed youth rose from his chair and pointed to the jar of wine. “Half of the wine remains. Hold onto it for me. When I come back, let’s drink the rest to celebrate.”

As he spoke, he put his hands behind his head and sauntered out of the Eternal Peace Pawn Shop.

Old Man Wang couldn’t help but exhort him, “If you cannot carry out this mission, don’t push yourself.”

The young man in gray’s laughter emanated from afar. “Rest assured. I know when it’s time to chicken out, and there’s no way I’ll push it. Right, if I don’t make it back within ten days… Consider the remaining half of that jug a gift.”

Amidst the hustle and bustle of city traffic, he made no conspicuous waves, and in the blink of an eye, he’d disappeared.

It was noon, right on the dot, and the sky was bright overhead.

In a courtyard, in the shade of a willow tree. 

Su Yi sprawled out in his wicker chair, studying a beast-skin scroll.

He'd reaped considerable benefits at the morning’s Spiritbend Assembly.

First, he spent thirty tier-six spirit stones to purchase a segment of Dragonbone Rattan, with which he enhanced his wicker chair.

Then, in exchange for a technique for repairing damaged weapon spirits, he received this Void Swallowing Spirit Beast pelt.

The Demonic Womb was an unexpected gain.

The scroll in his hands was the pelt he’d obtained earlier. Although the pelt’s divine power had long since disappeared, mottled traces of the Grand Dao remained on its surface.

An ordinary cultivator wouldn’t know what they were looking at; they couldn’t discern its mysteries.

However, to Su Yi, these scattered, fragmented traces of the Grand Dao were absolute treasures!

This was because these were remnants of the Dao of Wind. The presence of the Dao Charm of Wind had long since faded, but so long as he calmed his heart and focused, he could still discern some of the true meaning of wind in what remained.

If I gain enlightenment into the Dao Charm of Wind, only the Dao Charms of Yang and Thunder remain. Then, I’ll have comprehended all I need to in the Origin Dao… Su Yi thought to himself.

He’d long since decided on his goal. During the Three Realms of the Origin Dao, he’d master three peerless Dao Charms: the Five Elements, Yin and Yang, and Wind and Lightning!

“Brother Su, what do you plan to do next?” Wen Xinzhao had changed into an elegant indigo dress. Her skin was fair as snow, and she looked as pretty as a painting. Beneath the mottled light pouring through the willow branches, she seemed as graceful as a fairy.

“I plan to visit Nine Tripod City and have a look around,” said Su Yi casually.

Since he was already in the Great Xia, there was no reason not to visit the imperial capital.

The Great Xia was the hegemon of the Azure Continent, and Nine Tripod City was the heart of the Great Xia. It was a city of crouching tigers and hidden dragons, and it was incomparably prosperous.

Furthermore, the curtains were due to open on the Orchid Terrace Dharma Assembly in just two months.

Su Yi also planned to see if he could find Yue Shichan and Ge Qian in the capital.

“Brother Su, don’t tell me you’re planning to participate in the Orchid Terrace Dharma Assembly too?” Wen Xinzhao’s eyes lit up.

Su Yi said distractedly, “I’m not very interested in the Orchid Terrace Dharma Assembly, but I wouldn’t mind participating if necessary.”

Hua Xinfeng once said that Sumeru Immortal Island was a land of opportunity and that it was highly likely that clues about the source of the Prohibition of Ancient Darkness were hidden there.

It was only by participating in the Xia Emperor’s Orchid Terrace Dharma Assembly that one could obtain a Sumeru Talisman and enter Sumeru Immortal Island.

Su Yi wasn’t at all interested in the Orchid Terrace Dharma Assembly, but if he really needed to explore Sumeru Immortal Island, he wouldn’t mind participating in the competition just to get his hands on a talisman. 

“Then are you willing to travel with us, Brother Su?” Wen Xinzhao’s bright eyes stared at him eagerly.

Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “I’d be happier to agree if you didn’t just see traveling with me as an opportunity to request my guidance regarding the Dao of the Sword.”

Wen Xinzhao’s face flushed red in mild embarrassment. Then, she batted her eyes and smiled faintly, “Brother Su, you said you were willing to act as my guide. I naturally have to treasure this incomparably precious opportunity. They say you should always stay thirsty for knowledge! What if the day comes that you aren’t willing to guide me anymore? If that happens, I’ll definitely regret giving up the chance now!”

The young woman was already as beautiful as a lady immortal. When she smiled, she was naturally even more pleasing to the senses. 

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“Wah, Little Martial Aunt, you’re clinging to Big Brother Su Yi again!” Qing Ya suddenly swept in like a spring breeze, then immediately started griping. “If it goes on like this, I’m afraid you’ll start ignoring me too!”

Clinging? 

No matter how calm and composed her temperament, when she heard this description, Wen Xinzhao couldn’t help but feel her face heat up.

It was then that Ling Yunhe arrived. He smiled and clasped his fist. “Fellow Daoist Su, I’ll begin my journey back to the Great Qi soon.”

He was here to bid farewell.

Su Yi rose from his wicker chair and said, “Be careful on your journey.”

When he saw this gesture, Ling Yunhe’s heart shook slightly.

After all the time they’d known each other, how could Ling Yunhe fail to realize that Su Yi would never get up to see someone off unless he valued them?

“Fellow Daoist Su, if we’re fated to meet again, I’ll be sure to treat you to a drink.” Ling Yunhe smiled and clasped his fist.

Su Yi nodded and smiled back.

Before long, Ling Yunhe was on his way.

It was on that day that the Cloudsky Divine Palace’s treasure ship left Spiritbend City, carrying Su Yi, Yuan Heng, and Bai Wenqing along with it.

It was also on that day that word of what had happened at the Spiritbend Assembly spread throughout the Southern Sky Province, as if it had grown wings.

The monster of the ancient era, the Nirvanic Winds Holy Son, had been killed. The mysterious Demonic Embryo had been stolen, and no one knew where Holy Maiden Jade Angelica had gone…

All of this was connected to the young man named Su Yi. It would have been impossible for this news not to shake the world.

Of late, throughout the Great Xia, every faction beneath the heavens was paying close attention to monsters of the ancient era.

Their origins were mysterious, and their foundations were heaven-defying. They were more terrifying than the Possessed and more dazzling than the geniuses of the modern era and other children of fortune.

Under the circumstances, Su Yi nonetheless managed to kill the Nirvanic Winds Holy Son. What faction would dare overlook him now?

Furthermore, the incomparably mysterious Demonic Womb was involved in this too, and all of this took place within the Nine Provinces Pavilion’s territory. They were one of the nation’s three greatest trading companies! 

It was easy to imagine just how enormous the waves resulting from this incident were.

That very day, the Spiritbend City branches of the Golden Tripod Trading Company, the Nine Provinces Pavilion, and the Four Seas Tower all spread news of this incident as quickly as possible!

……

The Qingyi Dao Sect.

“Elder Miaohong, there’s news about Su Yi!” A voice emanated from beyond Daoist Master Miaohong’s immortal cave.

Whoosh!

The meditating Daoist Master Miaohong’s eyes popped open and flashing with sharp light. “Little Sister, my chance to avenge you has finally arrived….”

He rose, then emerged from his immortal cave.

This was the man honored as the “Number One Saber Monarch of the Great Chu” in his youth. He was now ranked third among the Qingyi Dao Sect’s inner sect elders, and he was a Spiritual Manifestation Realm cultivator, an expert whose strength shook the world!

“He actually slew a monster of the ancient era like the Nirvanic Winds Holy Son? That’s actually quite impressive.” 

Upon learning of what happened at the Spiritbend Assembly, Daoist Master Miaohong’s eyes flashed with surprise.

Shortly afterward, his expression gradually grew cold and indifferent.

He might be heaven-defying, but he’s still just some Origin Dao kid. Who cares where he’s from or how talented he is? He dared kill my little sister, and he must pay for that with his life!

On that day, Daoist Master Miaohong left seclusion, departed his immortal cave, and ventured out of the Qingyi Dao Sect.

……

Within a dark, terrifying, dimly lit palace.

“You’re saying… Su Yi stole the Demonic Womb?” A voice boomed with endless fury.

The speaker was the man sitting on the throne deep within the hall. He wore long, blood-colored robes, and his entire body was shrouded in baleful mists. His face was hidden beneath a bronze mask carved with strange markings; only his icy, yellow-gray eyes were visible.

The black-dressed Holy Maiden Jade Angelica knelt on the ground, her charming, beautiful face pallid and filled with bitterness and unease.

She whispered, “Your Excellency, Su Yi didn’t fear the Demonic Womb’s suppressive power, and with my strength, I’m far from being his match. If you want to punish me… I’m willing to pay the price for my failure.”

The man in the bronze mask fell silent.

A while later, the man asked out of nowhere, “If you weren’t a match for him, why didn’t he kill you?”

Holy Maiden Jade Angelica looked a bit bewildered. “He said… He owed the Ghost Serpent Clan….”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” The man in the bronze mask sounded confused. “He’s just a young man in the Grain Avoidance Realm. Don’t tell me he has a deep connection with your race?”

The holy maiden pursed her lips. “I don’t understand either.”

The man in the bronze mask sighed; it seemed he’d calmed down completely. He waved and said, “Get up. I promised your father that I’d protect your life. You’re safe, and that’s enough.”

Holy Maiden Jade Angelica nonetheless continued kneeling. “Your Excellency, I’ll do everything in my power to seize the Demonic Womb back!”

The man in the bronze mask said, “You are not to get involved in this any further. Let Blood Valiant go; that shall be sufficient. He was Nirvanic Winds’ protector, and it’s only right that he avenges him.”

Suddenly, a low, soft voice emanated from the shady corner of the grand hall. “Your Excellency, many thanks for granting my wish.” 

A shadowy bundle wriggled there, then silently took on the shape of a gaunt, middle-aged man dressed like an otherworldly Daoist.