First Immortal of the Sword

The Netherworld.

The River of Forgetfulness flowed around the base of the divine mountain, Naihe. This was honored as one of the thirty-six blessed lands of the Netherworld.

This was also the home of Meng Po Palace, one of the Netherworld’s top factions.

Naihe Divine Mountain was enormously tall, majestic, and shrouded in mists year round. The ever-changing clouds were a permanent fixture.

Low rumbling reminiscent of thunder resounded throughout an enormous ritual ground halfway up the mountain. Dazzling fluctuations of a formation’s power surged into the clouds.

The Grand Libationer of Meng Po Palace, Gu Zhongxun, was there leading a group of other libationers. All of them were silently waiting before the transmission altar in the center of the ritual grounds.

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Gu Zhongxun had the air of an immortal, and both his hair and beard were white as snow. He was tall and gaunt, and he’d proven his Dao and become an Emperor three thousand eight hundred years ago. He was now at the peak of the early-stage Profound Illumination Realm.

There were eighteen libationers in Meng Po Palace. Only three had stepped into the Imperial Realm.

The Grand Libationer, Gu Zhongxun, was one of the three!

His position was so lofty and his authority so vast that he could sit with the palace master as an equal.

As time passed, the altar’s rumbling gradually mellowed. With a flash of misty light, figures appeared out of nowhere.

These were none other than the Ninth Libationer, Cui Jingyan, Su Yi, and their companions.

Gu Zhongxun and company immediately approached to welcome them with a smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu Zhongxun and the others’ gazes turned toward Su Yi, the old blind man, the old man in Daoist robes, and the young man in white.

The Ninth Libationer hurriedly introduced them.

First, he introduced the old man in Daoist robes and his apprentice.

When he learned that this was an old friend of the third high elder, Gu Zhongxun smiled and inclined his head in greeting. “Martial Uncle has been waiting for you.”

The old man in Daoist robes smiled warmly. “Thank you for receiving us.”

After a few more pleasantries, Gu Zhongxun ordered one of the libationers to lead the old man and his apprentice to see the third high elder.

Before he left, the old man in Daoist robes smiled at Su Yi and clasped his fist. “Fellow Daoist, my apprentice and I shall take our leave first.”

Su Yi subtly inclined his head but said nothing.

Before long, the Ninth Libationer introduced Su Yi and the old blind man to the others.

Although he heaped praise upon Su Yi, Gu Zhongxun and company seemed only mildly surprised and curious.

However, when they learned of the old blind man’s origins, all of them were stunned, and they treated him with much greater solemnity.

In the Netherworld, none dared disregard the Ghost Lantern Sarcophagus Bearers. They certainly didn’t dare overlook one of their inheritors!

Grand Libationer Gu Zhongxun ordered, “Xue Ye, please arrange places for our two fellow Daoists to stay. This evening, we’ll host a banquet. Fellow Daoists, you are both invited to feast and dine with us.”

“Yes, sir!” Xue Ye said respectfully.

But it was then that a woman in silver could no longer hold back. “Ninth Libationer, did you bring back the Seed of the Azure?”

When they heard that, the others all looked at the Ninth Libationer too.

The Ninth Libationer’s eyelids twitched, and he whispered, “Everyone, I won’t hide it from you: a few unexpected developments happened. When I see the palace master, I’ll explain the details to everyone in full detail.”

Unexpected developments?

Gu Zhongxun and the others frowned. 

The woman in silver said, “The palace master and the grand high elder left for the Sea of Bitterness ten days ago. I’m afraid they won’t be back soon.”

She paused, then continued, “The Grand Libationer is managing the sect’s affairs in his absence.”

The Ninth Libationer exclaimed, “What are they doing in the Sea of Bitterness?”

In Meng Po Palace, high elders had always been emissaries of the river.

The grand high elder was the most ancient and experienced expert in the entire sect.

Now, both he and the palace master had gone to the Sea of Bitterness. Of course the Ninth Libationer was surprised!

Before the woman in silver could respond, Gu Zhongxun waved the question away. “When he proceeds to the sect’s grand hall, we can discuss this matter further.”

The Ninth Libationer nodded, then looked at Cui Jingyan. “Jingyan, let’s go together.”

Cui Jingyan tacitly understood his intentions. “Got it.”

Xue Ye led Su Yi and the old blind man away, while Cui Jingyan, the Ninth Libationer, and the group who’d come to welcome them proceeded to the grand hall.

……

Naihe Divine Mountain had nine peaks in total.

Jade bridges linked the peaks, piercing the sea of clouds.

Misty Autumn Peak was where they welcomed their guests.

“Fellow Daoists, please look. That’s Flying Goose Peak, where Meng Po Palace’s legacy disciples live.

“That’s Cloudsong Peak, where the libationers cultivate.

“Beside it is Golden Grain Peak…”

As Xue Ye led Su Yi and the old blind man to Misty Autumn Peak, Xue Ye introduced the layout of Naihe Divine Mountain. The words poured out of him.

Naihe Divine Mountain really was one of the thirty-six pure lands of the Netherworld. Everywhere they looked, spiritual mists hung in the air, and the land was enveloped in divine light.

That aside, they say numerous springs, waterfalls, all manner of strange flowers and grasses, and vibrant bamboo forests along the way. From time to time, cranes soared through the sky, letting out sonorous cries.

All nine peaks were covered in buildings, from old-fashioned pavilions to solemn and grand palaces, as well as facilities for cultivation, gardens packed with spiritual medicines…

It really did look like an immortal abode.

The Azure Continent’s famed blessed grounds were unquestionably inferior by comparison.

Along the way, Xue Ye kept an eye on Su Yi’s expression.

This was Su Yi’s first time in the Netherworld, and he was in a famed blessed land like Naihe Divine Mountain. Xue Ye had assumed that the sights along the way would astonish Su Yi repeatedly.

Who’d have thought that the scenery disciples of Meng Po Palace took such pride in wouldn’t elicit even the slightest response from Su Yi?

Xue Ye couldn’t help but find this a bit confusing.

Even in the Netherworld, cultivators saw Naihe Divine Mountain as a sacred ground for cultivation. Who knew how many people longed for it?

But now, it was as if Su Yi didn’t even see it, or as if he’d long since grown accustomed to such things. Of course Xue Ye was surprised!

He couldn’t help but say, “Fellow Daoist Su, what do you think of our Naihe Divine Mountain?”

“It’s really quite something. It’s a first-rate blessed ground,” said Su Yi, but his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

Xue Ye couldn’t help but rub his nose, and he considerately refrained from asking further questions.

The old blind man seemed to have realized what was going on, and he couldn’t help but laugh dryly. What kind of person is His Excellency Su? How could he gasp and exclaim like some kid who’d never seen the world before?

When they walked onto the jade bridge connected to Misty Autumn Peak, a bestial roar suddenly emanated from the mist-shrouded valley below.

“Roar——!!”

It went off like a massive thunderclap. Throughout the valley, the clouds churned, the skies shook, and the jade bridges connecting the peaks swayed.

Xue Ye’s expression changed dramatically. “This is bad! What alarmed the Netherworld Abyssal? What… What’s going on?”

He looked incomparably tense.

Before he’d even finished speaking, a massive outline appeared deep within the mist-shrouded valley beneath the jade bridge.

Beneath the mist, it was difficult to determine exactly what it looked like or just how enormous it was.

But as it appeared, the mist churned as if boiling, and before long, a pair of lake-sized eyes appeared.

“What the hell is that?” exclaimed the old blind man. He tensed up, and his hair stood on end; he’d just sensed an enormous threat.

Xue Ye gulped with great difficulty. “That’s the Netherworld Abyssal that guards our forbidden ground, the Divine Cave of the River of Forgetfulness. Tens of thousands of years ago, one of our emissaries of the river, the Profound Purple Netherworld Emperor, brought it back from the depths of the Sea of Bitterness. It’s an unmatched vicious creature, with abilities comparable to a Profound Illumination Emperor. It’s been guarding this place ever since…”

“But… But I don’t know what startled it either…” He sounded anxious, and his face paled.

The old blind man gasped. So, this was the Netherworld Abyssal!

He’d heard rumors about the extremely terrifying beast guarding Meng Po Palace’s Naihe Divine Mountain. They said it was comparable to an Emperor!

Who’d have thought they’d bump into it as soon as they arrived?

Su Yi put his hands behind his back and peered down the bridge into the mists and those enormous, lake-sized golden eyes. He couldn’t help but feel a bit dazed. 

So it’s that little guy….

Meanwhile, streaks of radiant light soared from the nine peaks of Naihe Divine Mountain. Several experts of Meng Po Palace had been startled into action.

“What happened?”

“What startled the Netherworld Abyssal? Don’t tell me someone’s trespassing in the Divine Cave of the River of Forgetfulness?”

 “Don’t panic! Let’s watch and see what happens!”

…A cacophony of voices rang out as experts streaked over from all sides.

“Roar——!”

That heaven-shaking roar rang out once more, and the clouds hovering around the nine peaks exploded and dispersed. 

Numerous Meng Po Palace cultivators saw stars and almost coughed up blood.

Up on the jade bridge, Xue Ye felt as if he’d been plunged into an icy abyss. His entire body broke out in cold sweats, and his face paled. He cried out in panic, “Quick, you two, let’s get out of here!”

The old blind man trembled, body and soul, and he felt thoroughly uncomfortable. He was just about to leave with Xue Ye when Su Yi only waved dismissively. “Don’t panic. It’s just greeting me.”

“???”

Neither the old blind man nor Xue Ye knew what to say to that.

Su Yi ignored their reaction, then gazed at the massive golden eyes deep within the valley. He could clearly sense their joy and excitement.

For a moment, the beast’s roaring grew even louder, shaking the entire stretch of heaven and earth.

When he saw how enormous of a commotion this was causing, Su Yi thought for a moment, then said, “Little guy, sit tight for now. When I have a spare moment, I’ll come find you for a chat. Remember, don’t reveal anything about me, no matter who asks.”

The beast’s roaring drowned out his words completely. Neither Xue Ye nor the old blind man could hear him clearly. 

However, deep within the valley, that massive being seemed to hear it. The roaring came to an abrupt halt.

Then, its unimaginably huge figure gradually faded into the mists. Everything returned to its former tranquility.

The nearby experts of Meng Po Palace relaxed; they felt a massive weight lift from their shoulders. 

Except for Xue Ye, who looked at Su Yi, his expression full of disbelief.