Marrying Wives and Attaining Immortality in a Chaotic World

Chapter 303: One Move

“Since that’s the case, there’s no need for further words. Draw your sword.”

The young man extended his hand.

The middle-aged woman immediately handed him the ancient purple sword she had been holding, then retreated with the two elderly men to avoid being caught in the ensuing battle.

The young man slowly drew the ancient sword, pointing it diagonally toward the heavens. Immediately, the sword intent surged, and the entire sky was bathed in a faint purple glow. His eyes blazed with fighting spirit as he declared, “This sword is named Zi Ling !”

Was this really necessary? Such formality?

Xu Lian took out his Sword of Destruction, hesitated for a moment, and handed it to Huo Xin’er. Then he extended his hand.

Huo Xin’er understood his intention, returning the Sword of Destruction to him while retreating with Yun Conglong and Feng Conghu to watch from afar.

“…” The young man frowned. “What is the meaning of this? Are you mocking me?”

Xu Lian smiled. “I mean no disrespect. I’m simply following the standard procedure for an honorary disciple of the Sword Pavilion when drawing his sword.”

“Then let’s begin.”

The young man’s gaze sharpened as he swung the Zi Ling Sword.

A deep humming sound echoed through the air. The entire sky trembled as purple light coalesced into countless sword qi, forming a storm of slashing energy!

Space itself was shattered into fragments, creating a terrifying spectacle. The torrent of sword qi converged into a massive purple river, rushing towards Xu Lian!

Xu Lian brandished the Sword of Destruction . He didn’t unsheathe it or use any advanced sword techniques. Instead, he wielded it like a staff because he had already sensed that this young man was only at the third stage of Origin Tracing – four minor ranks below him. The gap between them was simply too vast; they weren’t even on the same level.

Boom!

The still-sheathed Sword of Destruction struck like a divine rod, instantly shattering the purple river of sword qi!

In the next instant, the young man was sent flying along with his sword by the force of the blow. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he tore through layers of space before barely managing to stabilize himself. He was badly injured.

The battle was over.

The middle-aged woman, the sword servant, and the two elderly sword disciples stared in disbelief, their pupils constricting in shock. Their master, who had cultivated for over a thousand years and reached the third stage of Origin Tracing, was considered formidable. Yet this youthful honorary disciple, whose life force suggested less than a century of cultivation, had defeated their master with a single strike. Was the difference really that great?

This revelation shattered their faith and admiration for their master. They turned pale and trembled, unable to accept what had just happened.

“How could this happen? Master’s cultivation at the third stage of Origin Tracing, combined with the Zi Ling Sword, should have equaled the strength of someone at the fifth stage! How could he be defeated in a single move?”

“He didn’t even unsheathe his sword or use any sword techniques! It was just a random swing! What level of cultivation does he possess?”

This was the fate of sword servants and disciples-they were bound to their honorary masters. When their master prospered, they prospered; when their master fell, they suffered. Witnessing their master’s crushing defeat left the three of them utterly devastated, their faces drained of color.

Xu Lian couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. If he were in their position, he could imagine how Huo Xin’er, Yun Conglong, and Feng Conghu would feel.

“I should have exchanged a few more moves with that honorary disciple who has cultivated for over a thousand years. At least then his sword servant and disciples wouldn’t feel so disheartened,” he thought silently.

But now, there was nothing more to say.

On the other hand, Huo Xin’er, Yun Conglong, and Feng Conghu were ecstatic. They flew over from afar, their excitement palpable.

“Master, you’re amazing!”

Huo Xin’er joyfully threw herself into Xu Lian’s arms, planting a sweet kiss on him as a reward.

“…” Xu Lian felt uneasy about this. Victory should be met with humility, and defeat with grace. Isn’t this just rubbing salt into the opponent’s wound?

Realizing his discomfort, Huo Xin’er refrained from pressing further. Instead, she held Xu Lian’s hand and proudly addressed their opponents. “There’s no need to be too discouraged. To be defeated by my master is an honor.”

Her words enraged the middle-aged sword disciple, whose face turned ashen and trembled with rage. The two older sword disciples were similarly enraged, but remained silent. Their master had lost, and lost badly. There was nothing they could say in response.

Finally, the young man regained his composure, wiping the blood from his lips. A bitter smile crossed his face as he bowed deeply to Xu Lian. “I accept defeat without reservation. Your strength commands respect.

“When I was first approached by the Sword Pavilion to become an honorary disciple, I was full of confidence. After cultivating for over a thousand years and defeating countless geniuses, I believed I had a chance to inherit the Sword Emperor’s legacy.

“But today, after being defeated by you in a single move, I realize that there are always greater heights to aspire to. Beyond every peak lies another mountain.”

Xu Lian bore no ill will towards this man and didn’t want to appear cruel. He comforted him gently. “You shouldn’t lose heart. The reason I was able to defeat you in one move is primarily due to my higher level of cultivation. I’ve reached the seventh stage of Origin Tracing.”

“The seventh stage of Origin Tracing? Four whole minor ranks above me… No wonder you were able to defeat me so easily.”

The young man nodded in understanding. Then, recalling that this youth had achieved such a level in less than a century, he was filled with awe. “To reach the seventh stage of Origin Tracing in under a hundred years… Truly, your name will echo through the ages. Across the land, among those who have cultivated for less than a century, perhaps only that person from the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands could hope to rival you”.

Before Xu Lian could answer, Huo Xin’er burst out laughing. “You still don’t get it, do you? Among those who have cultivated for less than a century, who else but the Nine Heavens Holy Son could accomplish such feats? My master is the Nine Heavens Holy Son!”

The young man stared at Xu Lian in stunned silence. “So you are the Nine Heavens Holy Son… But why can’t I sense the divine laws on you?”

Xu Lian replied calmly. “I prefer not to draw too much attention to myself, so I’ve concealed them.”

The young man nodded, then turned to the middle-aged sword servant, his expression complex. “Yuhua, I’m sorry. I failed, and you chose the wrong master.”

The middle-aged woman’s face darkened, forcing a faint, pale smile. “It’s alright. Losing to the Nine Heavens Holy Son is no disgrace. After all, he’s one of the top contenders to inherit the Sword Emperor’s legacy.”

The young man tenderly gazed at her. “Now that I’ve lost any chance of becoming the new Sword Emperor, I can no longer elevate your family’s status within the Sword Pavilion. You must decide whether to stay with me or return to the Sword Pavilion.

“After spending over a thousand years together, I’ve become very attached to you. I’ve long considered you my wife, and I hope you’ll stay with me to continue our cultivation journey.”

The middle-aged woman hesitated for a moment. “I am sorry, but I must return to the Sword Pavilion. I’ve been away from my family for over a millennium, and now it feels like all my efforts have been for nothing. I haven’t brought any benefit to my family, and I’m ashamed of their investment in me. I need to return and see if there’s still anything I can do for them”.

With that, she turned resolutely and walked away.

The young man watched her leave, his eyes filled with reluctance. He opened his mouth several times to call her back, but he knew it was futile. All he could do was sigh.

Xu Lian couldn’t help but feel guilty. But such was the cruelty of the contest for the Dao of the Sword. The winner would have the chance to inherit the Sword Emperor’s legacy, while the loser would be abandoned by their sword servants. The Sword Pavilion would simply wait for the loser to die and reclaim their famous sword.