Firmament Sword

’This Star Ancestor, both righteous and wicked, was truly a fascinating character. To possess such a miraculous Inference Skill, capable of calculating events thousands of years into the future!’

’Truly incredible!’

’Even though the Star Ancestor had set a trap, hoping to possess his body, Xu Luo really couldn’t bring himself to hate the unlucky bastard.’

’If the Star Ancestor hadn’t laid this trap that spanned thousands of years, his Shaking Light Star Soul would never have fully awakened, let alone the Kaiyang Star Soul.’

’Though he now had another bottomless pit to feed, Xu Luo was still quite cheerful at the moment.’

’Especially when he remembered the Star Ancestor’s last words—*Fucking unlucky!*’

It made Xu Luo want to laugh and cry at the same time, leaving him at a loss for words.

”Oh, well. You were brilliant your whole life, old man. You lived for so many years and plotted out every last detail. The fact that you got to wake up thousands of years later to take one look at the powerful me... I guess that’s something,” Xu Luo muttered, then scanned his surroundings.

Besides a few ancient books on a shelf, Xu Luo also found a small Bronze Cauldron. It was only about the size of his palm, and the mysterious patterns engraved on it looked somewhat familiar to him.

Thinking back carefully, Xu Luo almost cried out in surprise. The engravings on the little cauldron, though incredibly fine, were remarkably similar to what he had seen on the Star Gate!

’Could this be some kind of ancient artifact?’ Xu Luo tried to communicate with it using his Spiritual Power but received no response. After studying it for a long while and finding nothing else unusual, he could only put it away for now, tossing it into his Storage Ring.

”I wonder how Miaomiao is doing. It must think I’m dead, right?” Xu Luo murmured to himself, then opened the stone chamber’s door and headed out along an ancient passageway.

This passageway connected to the one the Star Ancestor had carved out, but the Star Ancestor had sealed it with an Array. Otherwise, Cao Tianyi and his group would have discovered this place long ago.

Following the method the Star Ancestor had described, Xu Luo soon found the place where it connected to the carved-out tunnel. Following the instructions in another ancient text, it took him several hours to finally emerge from the Array.

He entered the tunnel that Cao Tianyi and his group had walked through years ago. Looking back, the stone wall still bore the marks of blades and chisels, showing no sign of anything unusual!

”The Star Ancestor’s abilities truly were formidable, far beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals,” Xu Luo sighed softly. ”A pity he still couldn’t escape death in the end.”

After a moment of hesitation, Xu Luo decided to find Phoenix first. He remembered the stone chamber collapsing as he lost consciousness; perhaps the passageway on that side was now blocked.

The moment Xu Luo emerged from the deep pool, he suddenly sensed someone above him. Startled, he instantly drew Shuilan, and the power of the Breaking Army Seven Kills’ fourth strike, Great Mountain Collapse, immediately condensed on the blade.

”Xu Luo, is that really you?” A voice full of pleasant surprise rang out from above.

Xu Luo instantly sheathed Shuilan, and the power of the Breaking Army Seven Kills vanished without a trace. Ever since cultivating for an unknown length of time in the mysterious space the Shaking Light Star Soul had brought him to, Xu Luo’s control over his various Cultivation Techniques had improved dramatically.

SPLASH!

Xu Luo leaped out of the water and onto the overgrown bank, where a red figure instantly appeared before his eyes.

It was Phoenix, her stunning, unconcealed face filled with joy as she gazed at him.

Xu Luo grinned. ”Phoenix, long time no see.”

Phoenix looked at the soaking wet Xu Luo standing there, smiling at her, and a complex, indescribable mix of emotions welled up inside her.

After staring at him for a long moment, Phoenix suddenly broke into a smile. ”I’m so happy you could come!”

Xu Luo circulated his True Essence, steaming his clothes dry. Wisps of vapor rose from his body.

Phoenix watched him quietly, then said, ”Your strength has improved so quickly. You’ve actually become a Great Sword Master!”

”Yeah, yeah. Pretty amazing, right?” Xu Luo chuckled, raising an eyebrow. ”How did you know I’d be here? Were you waiting for me specifically? Have you seen Qiushuiduan?”

Phoenix shot Xu Luo a look. ”You’re so reckless, taking this path. Let me tell you, this route is cursed. Several Merak Disciples have entered it and mysteriously disappeared!”

Xu Luo’s mouth twitched. ’Alright, Star Ancestor,’ he thought to himself. ’You’re not both righteous and wicked. You’re just plain wicked, even in death, you old coot! Those missing Merak Disciples... needless to say, they must have been snatched away by the Star Ancestor. As for where they went... who knows. In any case, the Star Ancestor is dead now.’

”It was fine, aside from the tiring climb up Divine Maiden Peak,” Xu Luo said.

”Alright, this place may be secluded, but it’s not a good spot to talk. I’ll find a place for you to hide for now.” As she spoke, Phoenix took Xu Luo’s hand. ”I never expected you to know my martial uncle. With him here this time, Master might be saved. If so, that would be wonderful!”

At this moment, Phoenix had none of the languid charm she displayed at the Fengyue Building. She seemed more like an innocent young girl.

But a slight ache touched Xu Luo’s heart. He knew Phoenix was putting on this act for his sake.

She was telling him: *I’m fine. I’m happy in the sect!*

”Can you... take me to see your master?” Xu Luo asked seriously.

”That... might not be a good idea, would it?” Phoenix said softly, a faint blush creeping across her face, which was as fair and smooth as jade.

”Hm? Why not? This is the whole reason I came!” Xu Luo said, growing anxious. He looked at Phoenix. ”If I don’t see your master, how can I solve your problem?”

”But... but this is all a little too fast. I... I’m not mentally prepared yet,” Phoenix stammered. ”And besides... you don’t have the strength to challenge the Merak Sect right now. Even if I were willing to run away to the ends of the earth with you, you... you have a family, after all! What if they decide to take revenge on your family? Also, I can’t bear to abandon Master right now...”

Xu Luo stared at Phoenix’s bashful expression, his face darkening with exasperation. He was about to clarify, but seeing her pitiful look, he suddenly realized that if he did, she would probably fly into a rage on the spot!

Raising an eyebrow, Xu Luo cleared his throat and said, ”In any case, as a junior, it’s only right and proper for me to pay my respects to your master now that I’m here. As for... that other matter... I just won’t bring it up, alright?”

”You can really stop yourself from bringing it up?” Phoenix looked at Xu Luo, then suddenly burst out laughing. ”Alright, alright, I was just teasing you. You really have become a bad boy... In the past, you would never have humored a girl like this or considered her feelings. Tell me, after I left, did you and someone else... hmm?”

Xu Luo stared at Phoenix, dumbfounded. Then, anger flared up inside him. He’d been played by this woman again!

’Damn her!’

’She’s so cunning. After so many years in a place like the Fengyue Building, what kind of person hasn’t she seen!’

”Hmph, feeling pretty smug, are we? You think just because your martial uncle is here, you have someone to back you up?” Xu Luo sneered. ”You think no one will dare to keep forcing you to marry someone you don’t like?”

”Isn’t that so? My martial uncle is very powerful!” Phoenix frowned and said, ”Besides, the Elders will have to consider the consequences.”

”Phoenix, you spent so many years in the Fengyue Building, for crying out loud. Alright, don’t glare at me, I know you kept yourself pure. But you must have seen how sinister people can be, right? Do you really think your martial uncle alone can change the minds of the entire Merak Sect?”

”What if you add my master to the equation?” Phoenix retorted, unconvinced.

”If your master hadn’t suffered a cultivation deviation, who would have dared to force you to do anything you didn’t want to?” Xu Luo said with a wry smile. ”But now, can you guarantee that the Nine Profound Celestial Heart can save her? Silly girl, if you don’t believe me, go take a look right now. If your martial uncle can produce the Nine Profound Celestial Heart and save your master, I’ll admit I’m wrong!”

”You... you’re saying my martial uncle is unwilling to part with the Nine Profound Celestial Heart?” Phoenix said with a look of disbelief.

”No. A man as infatuated as your martial uncle... for whom did all his hair turn white? How could he possibly be unwilling? What I mean is... your martial uncle won’t get the *chance* to take it out!” Xu Luo sighed softly, thinking, ’Qiushuiduan, you really are an upright Gentleman. It’s a pity you’ve underestimated those despicable ghouls!’

”That’s... that’s impossible. When the Grand Elder heard about this, she personally told me to go out and bring my martial uncle in. The Grand Elder... she’s very fair!”

”Then let’s just wait and see. But Phoenix, you should still take me to see your master first. I can’t guarantee I can cure her, but I can at least try.” As he spoke, he looked at Phoenix seriously. ”You have to trust me this once!”

Phoenix lowered her eyes and sighed faintly. ”Of course I believe you. If I wasn’t willing to believe you, there would never have been anything between us...”

With that, she turned to leave. ”Follow me.”

Xu Luo hurried to catch up, falling into step beside Phoenix. Phoenix chuckled. ”You’re wearing the clothes of a low-level Merak disciple, yet you dare to walk side-by-side with me, the Merak Saintess. You’ve got some nerve. If anyone saw us, they’d surely scold you for not knowing your place.”

”Tch. If they’d dare scold your man right in front of you, the Saintess, then you’re a pretty pathetic Saintess!” Xu Luo shot back without hesitation.

”What ’your man’? What do I have to do with you?” Phoenix retorted, her face flushing as she feigned a scoff.

Xu Luo pouted and sighed. ”I came all the way from the battlefield, traveling thousands of miles to see you, and this is the treatment I get.”

Phoenix shot him a sidelong glance. ”And what more do you want? Should I just put on my wedding reds and marry you right now?”

”Uh... let’s not. I’m afraid I’d get hacked to death,” Xu Luo answered honestly.

Phoenix rolled her eyes at him but said nothing more. After Qiushuiduan had told her Xu Luo was coming to find her, she had rushed to make a series of arrangements.

In any case, she still held some prestige within the sect; not everyone was against her.

As a result, they encountered no trouble on their way and arrived safely before the courtyard where the Tianxuan Sect Master lived.

Only then did Phoenix stop and turn to look at Xu Luo.