First Immortal of the Sword

Evening Glow Peak.

Within a blessed ground.

“In summary, I hope you can keep everything about me and my apprentice, Wang Ting, a secret,” said an old man in Daoist robes. His tone was gentle, modest, and polite.

Lu Changming said across from him. He solemnly clasped his fist and agreed. “Daoist Brother, rest assured. I won’t leak a word of this.”

Lu Changming was thin, his hair and beard were graying, and his eyes were sunken. This was the third high elder of Meng Po Palace, a lofty authority figure.

Even in the Netherworld, he was a peak old monster of the Imperial Realm, and he had Profound Serenity Realm cultivation.

Yet when he faced the old man in Daoist robes, Lu Changming, an Emperor who could shake the entire River of Forgetfulness Domain with a stamp of his feet, looked respectful!

“Many thanks.” The elder in Daoist robes inclined his head and smiled.

“Daoist Brother, you needn't be so polite,” laughed Lu Changming.

It was then that a crisp, pleasant voice rang out beyond his immortal cave.

“Martial Grand Uncle, if you keep refusing to see me, I’m going to barge in!” 

The speaker sounded a bit frantic. 

Lu Changming’s brow furrowed, but then, he seemed a bit helpless. He faced the old man in Daoist robes and grimaced. “Daoist Brother, the girl outside is Family Head Cui’s daughter. Her mother once cultivated here in Meng Po Palace, and she was even my senior apprentice sister.”

If they truly got down to it, going by seniority, Lu Changming was Cui Jingyan’s martial uncle.

But Cui Jingyan was only a legacy disciple of Meng Po Palace. Calling Lu Changming martial uncle would have been inappropriate. 

When you're just trying to make great content at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

But then again, amongst cultivators, matters of seniority were typically a mess.

Forms of address generally depended on the situation. 

The old man in Daoist robes couldn’t help but smile understandingly. “I know the girl; we returned from the Azure Continent together.”

He paused, then added, “Fellow Daoist, you’d best invite her in.”

Lu Changming nodded, then raised his hand and dispersed the power of the formation sealing off the immortal cave.

Whoosh!

Practically simultaneously, Cui Jingyan’s graceful figure charged inside. She said frantically, “Martial Grand Uncle, it’s terrible! If you don’t make an appearance, our Meng Po Palace will face disaster!”

Lu Changming looked stunned. “What happened to make you panic like this? Tell us about it.”

Cui Jingyan glanced at the old man in Daoist robes and his apprentice. “Might the two of them step aside for a moment?”

“You don’t know your place!” rebuked Lu Changming. “If you have something to say, say it directly. No need to hide it.”

“Oh?” said Cui Jingyan. “Martial Grand Uncle, since you’re not afraid of losing face, I’ll just go ahead and say it.”

Losing face?

Lu Changming’s eyelids twitched imperceptibly.

The old man in Daoist robes seemed thoughtful, as if he’d already figured something out.

Cui Jingyan’s red lips parted, and she explained concisely and at top speeds that the grand and third libationers were plotting to seize the Seed of the Azure from Su Yi.

By the time she’d finished, Lu Changming’s brow was furrowed, and he looked a bit uncomfortable.

They were seizing good fortune from a young man of the Azure Continent, a junior who was a guest in their territory. This… really was shameful.

If word got out, it would definitely damage Meng Po Palace’s reputation!

What made this really awkward was that both the old man and his apprentice had heard every word.

When he looked at Cui Jingyan, he saw a hint of smug glee in her expression. Lu Changming instantly understood: she’d done this on purpose!

She could have transmitted her message to him, but she deliberately chose not to. She was obviously using this to force him to end this matter; he couldn’t refuse even if he wanted to.

For a moment, the atmosphere was heavy.

Only for the old man in Daoist robes to say thoughtfully, “Fellow Daoist, in my estimation, Fellow Daoist Su is no ordinary person. You cannot treat him as you might an ordinary Spirit Dao cultivator. It seems to me that the Seed of the Azure isn’t worth becoming enemies with him over; the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.”

His expression was solemn and grave, and the implications of his words made Lu Changming’s heart tremble. He sensed that something wasn’t right here.

Based on his understanding of the old man in Daoist robes, he wasn’t the type to speak thoughtlessly!

Lu Changming immediately requested further guidance. “Daoist Brother, don’t tell me… does that boy perhaps have extraordinary origins?”

He could disregard Cui Jingyan’s request, but he couldn’t disregard the Daoist-robed old man’s guidance! 

The old man asked right back, “Fellow Daoist, I’ll just ask you this: which matters more, the Seed of the Azure, or Meng Po Palace’s reputation?”

Lu Changming was instantly at a loss for words, and his expression shifted erratically.

Second High Elder Feng Chi, the Searing Flame Spirit Emperor, stood behind the Grand Libationer and the Third Libationer. Lu Changming didn’t want to get mixed up in this unless it was absolutely necessary.

But the Daoist-robed old man’s attitude made him realize that there was most likely something strange about Su Yi!

“Martial Grand Uncle, quick, make a decision!” Cui Jingyan said frantically. “If we drag this out, it’ll be too late to stop it!”

Lu Changming took a deep breath. “Fine. Since I’ve learned of this, I have to stop it no matter what.”

Cui Jingyan’s eyes shone, and she broke into a smile. “You’re the wisest, Martial Grand Uncle!”

The old man in Daoist robes rose. “Let’s go. I’ll go with you. Now that you mention it, Fellow Daoist Su and I are acquainted. Now that he’s stuck in the mud, I naturally cannot just sit back and watch.”

Lu Changming’s pupils constricted. “This… How could I possibly trouble you, Daoist Brother? I can resolve this on my own.”

The old man in Daoist robes looked deeply at him. “I’m just worried that if Fellow Daoist Su insists on pursuing this matter, he won’t give you face.”

Lu Changming was stunned, and his eyes widened in disbelief. “Daoist Brother, I’m going there to help him avert disaster. Don’t tell me he’d still dare make trouble?”

The Daoist-robed old man’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, and he said coolly, “Meng Po Palace is in the wrong here. Don’t tell me you expect him to be overcome with gratitude?”

He paused, then sighed, “Out of consideration for the bond between us, I don’t mind telling you that in your shoes, I wouldn’t offend someone like Fellow Daoist Su lightly. If you treat him as a junior or a mere Spirit Dao cultivator of the Azure Continent… I’m afraid this matter won’t end well.

“Wang Ting, let’s go see Fellow Daoist Su.”

With that, the Daoist-robed elder left the immortal cave.

Lu Changming’s behavior had disappointed him, but then, it was to be expected.

This was, after all, Naihe Divine Mountain, the heart of Meng Po Palace’s territory.

And Lu Changming had no idea how strange and mysterious Su Yi was. He was an Emperor; it wasn’t the least bit strange that he’d disregard a Spirit Dao cultivator.

How lofty of an existence is he? But even he wouldn’t offend that young man lightly… Lu Changming finally realized how serious this was, and he no longer dared hesitate. “Jingyan, we’re going to Misty Autumn Peak to chat with Fellow Daoist Su!”

“Okay!” How could Cui Jingyan possibly refuse?

She’d long since taken all of this in, and she couldn’t help but sigh to herself. Ultimately, I need a sufficiently powerful cultivation base before my words can convince older-generation cultivators like Martial Grand Uncle Lu!

Her background might be lofty and extraordinary, but how could she fail to realize that it was thanks to the old man in Daoist robes that Lu Changming had straightforwardly agreed to her request?

……

Misty Autumn Peak.

The thoroughly enraged Yuan Linning’s aura surged around her in rolling waves, suppressing and contorting the surrounding air.

An Emperor’s wrath could overturn heaven and earth.

Although Yuan Linning was doing her best to keep her temper under control, her imposing aura alone was enough to push even Spiritual Revolution cultivators to despair. 

The old blind man felt as if his entire body had been sealed. His skin prickled, and his blood seemed to freeze. Even his breathing was no longer smooth. However, his mind was the most affected; Yuan Linning’s aura was terrifyingly oppressive!

Su Yi just sat there, as if all of this were perfectly ordinary. However, although it was only barely discernible, the irrepressible will to fight blazed in the depths of his gaze.

But it was then that an urgent voice cried out, “Third Libationer, please calm down!” 

Before the voice had even finished echoing through the air, the thin, decrepit Ninth Libationer charged inside.

Su Yi furrowed his brow.

Yuan Linning seemed displeased too.

The Ninth Libationer’s forehead was covered in sweat as he tried to dissuade her, “Third Libationer, Fellow Daoist Su is a guest of Meng Po Palace. Furthermore, he’s on excellent terms with Jingyan. If you…”

But Yuan Linning coldly interrupted him before he could finish. “Ninth Libationer, are you trying to teach me how to conduct myself?”

Her expression was frosty, and her eyes flashed like lightning. The aura of an Emperor surged around her, emanating a terrifying and imposing power.

The Ninth Libationer felt an intense sense of oppression. His body stiffened, and he forced everything he had to say back down.

He could tell that if he dared say anymore, Yuan Linning wouldn’t show him any mercy!

In other words, someone of his status could in no way dissuade her!

“What are you getting mixed up in this for? You should leave,” sighed Su Yi.

As he spoke, he rose, then looked at Yuan Linning and pointed outside the pavilion. “Let’s go outside. I’ll teach you how to conduct yourself.”

His words were light and airy, but Yuan Linning’s expression grew even colder in response, and her eyes glinted with ferocity and murderous intent.

Who’d have dared imagine it? A young man of the Spiritual Incarnation Realm had just proclaimed his intentions to teach her, an Imperial expert, how to conduct herself!

He couldn’t have been any more brazen and arrogant! 

Even the Ninth Libationer was rooted to the spot, as if he dared not believe his ears, and the old blind man couldn’t help but gasp. His Excellency Su has only just arrived in the Netherworld, but he already plans to duke it out with an Emperor!?

“Alright, I’d just love to see how an ant like you plans to instruct me!” Yuan Linning took a deep breath, turned, and headed toward the exit.

Inwardly, she was determined to teach this shameless braggart of a young man a lesson!

But before she could reach the doorway, Yuan Linning stopped, and her brow furrowed.

Several figures were rushing toward them.

And their leader was none other than Third High Elder Lu Changming!

Their guests, that master and apprentice, were beside him, as well as Cui Jingyan.

When Su Yi saw this, he too was at a loss for words. It seems that girl Cui Jingyan really went looking for reinforcements. But… I really don’t need them!

No, it wasn’t just that he didn’t need them, but that Cui Jingyan’s kindness would likely spoil this for him. He was going to miss out on this opportunity to spar with an Emperor!

Conversely, the Ninth Libationer and the old blind man looked as if a massive weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

These unexpected new arrivals could most likely stop this imminent, perilous conflict!

“Martial Uncle, what are you doing here?” asked Yuan Linning.

Lu Changming’s expression darkened, and he said harshly, “I was about to ask you that. What are you doing here, huh!?”

Both his tone and his expression were fierce!