Chapter 86: Master of the Act: Li Xun

On the other side, Gu Qingxiao stared at Li Xun in total confusion as he led her away to some unknown place.

She’d originally hoped to leave with her brother, but without another word Li Xun had dragged her onto a flying artifact, whisking her tens of thousands of miles away in the blink of an eye.

Before long, a place that looked straight out of a fairy tale unfolded before her eyes.

The air was thick with spiritual energy and the scenery was breathtaking. Dense jungles stretched as far as she could see. Birds sang in the trees, flowers scented the air, rivers raced through the landscape and mighty peaks pierced the clouds above.

Gu Qingxiao’s eyes lit up, her heart full of awe.

She couldn’t help comparing this place to Sky Sword City, where she’d grown up. This world felt so much grander, every inch humming with spiritual energy. If she could train here, she was sure her progress would be unbelievably fast.

Gu Qingxiao turned to Li Xun with a rush of questions. “Senior, where are we? Why is this place so vast, and why is the spiritual energy so thick here?”

“I stumbled across this secret realm by accident,” Li Xun replied with a smile, pointing ahead. “It’s called Lingxu Grotto-Heaven. The spiritual energy here is several times richer than outside—a perfect place for cultivation. I found this place while adventuring, and I’ve never told anyone else about it.”

He grinned, eyes twinkling. “I brought you here today so you could cultivate and grow stronger.”

Gu Qingxiao’s heart flooded with gratitude.

She understood Li Xun had done this for her sake.

With fresh resolve she promised herself she’d train hard and live up to Li Xun’s expectations.

So, guided by Li Xun, Gu Qingxiao began her journey of cultivation in Lingxu Grotto-Heaven.

………………

A few days later.

“Little one, you probably don’t know this,” Li Xun said, turning to a still-stunned Gu Qingxiao, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Lingxu Grotto-Heaven is actually the least remarkable of all the grotto-heavens bordering Tian Gu City. Compared to the Upper Sword Qi Continent, this lower world is like a miniature version—a tiny corner of a massive map. If you ever make it to the upper realm, you’ll see everything I’ve said is true.”

“Anyway, it’s getting late. We should get moving.” Before Gu Qingxiao could shake off her shock, Li Xun grabbed her again and they vanished from sight.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived atop Yunhai Mountain, at the gates of Sky Sword Sect.

Waving her out of her daze, Li Xun grinned, “Alright, snap out of it. We’ve arrived.”

Gu Qingxiao took a deep breath, finally registering the scene before her: Yunhai Mountain stretching skyward like a bridge to the heavens, and atop it, a grand sect. There, on a massive plaque above the entrance, stood three bold characters: “Sky Sword Sect.”

The calligraphy was forceful and alive, every stroke brimming with power, as if the energy of an ancient master still lingered.

Gu Qingxiao turned to Li Xun in disbelief. “This is your sect, Senior? I can’t believe someone who looks my age is already a ruler of the world. That’s amazing.”

Li Xun just chuckled. “Ruler? Please, that’s just a bird trapped in a cage. That title doesn’t mean much to me. But Gu, in the upper realm, your Gu family is truly famous. Three thousand years ago your father and I, Gu Ran, were the closest friends.”

“But later, for particular reasons, I had no choice but to reincarnate down here. Destiny works in strange ways; it’s a miracle I could meet the descendant of an old friend.” He couldn’t help but sigh about his legendary life. “After I arrived here, I relied on my upper realm talent and secret cultivation manuals. In just a few centuries, I reached the pinnacle of this land. On a whim, I founded Sky Sword Sect and brought together every sword cultivator across the continent. Many flocked here, and I made friends who shared my dreams. Now, I’m just half a step from stepping onto the Divine Path. If I wanted, I could do it any time!”

“But that road links the two realms, and it’s extremely dangerous. One misstep and you’d lose your life—even I wouldn’t dare charge in carelessly.” Li Xun’s expression grew serious. “Here’s the strange part: between the two realms, only one Sword God is allowed. Once that position is filled, anyone else who passes the Divine Path’s trial will hit a ceiling at the Demi-God Realm, no matter how hard they try.”

Li Xun heaved a sigh. “They call it ‘God,’ but it’s really just a False God. Sure, you get endless life like a real deity, but honestly, you’re just a bigger, tougher ant.”

“Alright, let’s go in.” Without another word, Li Xun led Gu Qingxiao down toward the main gates of Sky Sword Sect.

The disciples standing guard immediately straightened and bowed in deep respect. “Welcome back, Sect Master.” Their eyes flickered over to Gu Qingxiao. “Sect Master, may I ask who this young lady is?”

Li Xun waved his hand dismissively. “Just the daughter of an old friend. By the way, anything happen while I was away?”

The two disciples smiled. “Sect Master, all is well! Nothing major occurred while you were gone.”

“Good work. Keep it up. Come on, let’s go, Gu.” Li Xun nodded his approval, clapped them on the shoulder and, under their watchful gaze, strode straight inside with Gu Qingxiao in tow.

………………

Meanwhile, at Tianwu Academy.

Nangong Lin and Nalan Xue delivered the badly injured, unconscious Nalan Su for treatment, then hurried straight towards Epiphany Tower.

What they saw was pure chaos—a ruin full of groans and wreckage. They froze for a second, then dashed to help the others.

They quickly helped everyone up, checking their injuries. Luckily, none were fatal. A few days of rest would be enough.

Lin Bufan thought he felt someone supporting him.

Blinking his eyes open, Lin Bufan saw Nangong Lin and Nalan Xue standing before him. He managed a weak smile. “Senior Sisters, you’re here.”

Suddenly, he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Nangong Lin’s face stiffened in shock, but she immediately started treating his wounds.

After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Lin Bufan’s injuries had mostly healed. He just needed rest to recover fully.

“What exactly happened here? Why are you all injured, and what destroyed this place?” Nangong Lin asked anxiously.

“A powerful stranger appeared, demanding we hand over Senior Brother Gu. The Headmaster refused and fought back.”

Lin Bufan’s grief overwhelmed him. With tears streaming down his face he pointed to a deep crater nearby, voice trembling. “The Headmaster held his own at first, but then he started to falter. That person smashed him right into that pit with a single punch.”

“After that, I saw that person take both Senior Brother Gu and Senior Sister Gu away. I have no idea what happened next.” Lin Bufan clutched his head in agony.

The moment those words left his mouth, both Nangong Lin and Nalan Xue felt as if struck by lightning. They bolted straight for the crater.

There they found Nangong Wentian, blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth.

In the midst of that monstrous pit, the Headmaster looked heartbreakingly small.

Without a second thought, Nangong Lin jumped into the pit, helping Nangong Wentian up. “Dad, are you alright?” she asked urgently.

“Nangong, is he going to be okay? Will the Headmaster make it?” Nalan Xue was close to tears, her hands fidgeting helplessly.

“He’s badly hurt, but it’s not fatal. He’ll recover with some rest. Help me get him back for treatment,” Nangong Lin said, checking his meridians. She finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Nalan Xue nodded, and together they carried the wounded away. Knowing everyone would survive, the two girls finally relaxed.

Nangong Lin gazed up at the blue sky and clouds, clenching her fists as she quietly muttered, “Big Brother Gu, Xiao’er, are you two alright out there?”