Ling Tian Sword God

「Green Cloud Mountain.」

For most of the disciples in the Cyan Robe Association, there was momentous news today: their Sect Leader, Ling Chen, had returned from the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Since the battle at Green Cloud Mountain ended, Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan, bearing Xia Yunxin’s body, had gone to the Hundred Thousand Mountains and had not been seen since.

But this time, he returned alone. Xu Ruoyan, who should have been by his side, was nowhere to be found.

Ling Yin, Liu Feiyue, and the others naturally wanted to ask about his journey. However, as soon as Ling Chen returned to Green Cloud Mountain, he secluded himself in a cabin in the back mountains and hadn’t stepped out even once.

Seeing this, they didn’t question Ling Chen any further. Even without asking, they could guess what had happened.

This trip to the Wildlands had likely ended in failure.

Xu Ruoyan hadn’t even returned with him, making them wonder what terrible incident had occurred in the Wildlands.

The High Priest had been seriously injured in the ritual. Compounded by his existing grave injuries that had yet to heal, he hadn’t lasted more than a few days before passing away.

With the High Priest’s death, the Soul Returning Technique was lost forever. Ling Chen stayed with the Barbarian Tribe for several days, hoping to find Xu Ruoyan’s whereabouts, but in the end, he found nothing.

The complete disappearance of the Shade Ghosts marked the extinction of the Shadow Demons, but Xu Ruoyan had vanished along with them.

Her disappearance was total. With the help of the Barbarian Tribe, Ling Chen searched almost the entire Hundred Thousand Mountains but found no trace of Xu Ruoyan.

Ultimately, filled with endless disappointment, Ling Chen could only bring Xia Yunxin’s body back to Green Cloud Mountain.

「It was nearly the fourth month, and a persistent drizzle fell over Green Cloud Mountain.」

Ling Chen stood atop a lone peak, letting the raindrops lash against him.

”What’s that person doing? It’s pouring, and he isn’t using an umbrella.”

Two female disciples passing by saw Ling Chen standing in the rain and couldn’t help but whisper to each other.

”That person... is that the Sect Leader? Is he crying?”

Another female disciple, dressed in cyan, furtively watched Ling Chen.

”Nonsense. It’s just the rain that got him wet,” the first female disciple said, puzzled. ”Sect Leader Ling Chen is a peerless hero. He even defeated the heinous villain Shentu Yan. What could possibly devastate him?”

Hearing their whispers, Ling Chen was somewhat stirred. As the young woman said, even Shentu Yan fell to him; what else could possibly bring him down?

Even after suffering continuous, heavy blows, Ling Chen hadn’t abandoned hope. Now, though living felt worse than death, he couldn’t bring himself to die. As long as he was alive, there was hope of finding Xu Ruoyan and awakening Xia Yunxin. To die would be to become a coward who forsook love.

He would not be that kind of coward.

Sorrow was only temporary; Ling Chen would never succumb to it.

Humans are not like unfeeling plants; who can be devoid of emotion? It’s human nature to be hurt by love.

At this moment, the faint sound of footsteps came from behind him. The sound of feet splashing in puddles sounded particularly jarring in the quiet surroundings.

”Vice Sect Leader.”

The two female disciples bowed slightly to the newcomer.

The arrival was Liu Feiyue, dressed in white, with fair skin and a pretty, charming face. She held a white oil-paper umbrella, resembling a fairy maiden from the moon.

After paying their respects, the two female disciples quickly retreated.

”You’re here.”

An oil-paper umbrella gently shielded Ling Chen’s head, blocking the falling raindrops. He didn’t turn around, already knowing who it was.

”Resurrection goes against the natural order of things and is difficult to achieve on the first attempt,” Liu Feiyue said, her voice light and comforting. ”The matter concerning Miss Xia cannot be rushed. Junior Brother, you mustn’t grieve too much.”

”Senior Sister, there’s no need to console me,” Ling Chen said, shaking his head. He was heartbroken, yes, but not in despair. ”Having missed this chance, the only way to awaken Yun Xin is to go to the Nine Provinces.”

The Human Emperor had told him long ago that once his strength reached a certain level, there would be a way to save Xia Yunxin. Furthermore, the Cloud Outland was ultimately too small. The Nine Provinces Land was the true core of the Tianyuan Continent. There, he imagined, he would find many things unknown to him, including Odd Arts he had never encountered.

His parents’ Families were all in the Nine Provinces Land. He was destined to go there.

Liu Feiyue’s eyes lit up slightly, then she nodded gently. ”The Nine Provinces... it truly is a captivating place. Indeed, there might be a way to awaken Miss Xia there. It’s also a place more suited for you.”

”Sometimes I wonder if Master went there too.”

The person Liu Feiyue referred to was undoubtedly the Cyan-robed Guest. The Cyan-robed Guest hadn’t appeared for a very long time. Liu Feiyue didn’t believe he was dead; she suspected he had left the Five Kingdoms for the mysterious Nine Provinces Land.

”Junior Brother, since you’ve made up your mind, when do you plan to set out?”

”In the next few days.”

Ling Chen didn’t have many arrangements to make. The Cyan Robe Association would undoubtedly be handed over to Liu Feiyue. Liu Feiyue had always managed the Cyan Robe Association’s affairs; her becoming Sect Leader was a matter of course, and no one would object.

As for the Saint Witch Religion, he had already arranged for Elder Beiming to act as the interim Sect Leader and to select a new, talented successor from the younger generation of the Demon Way to be the next Sect Leader.

Ling Chen had also clarified the boundaries between the Righteous and Demon Ways. The Saint Witch Religion was given governance over the entire Earth Country and part of the Fire Country. The spheres of influence for the other major sects were also clearly demarcated. All major sects were to respect these boundaries. If anyone dared to cross these lines, the other powers could unite to attack them.

With these arrangements made, his departure would no longer significantly impact the overall situation and power balance within the Five Kingdoms.

”It’s a pity I’m tied up at the moment and can’t accompany you,” Liu Feiyue said with some regret.

She was naturally greatly drawn to the Nine Provinces Land. For a long time, she had heard scattered rumors about it. The warriors there were far stronger than those in the Five Kingdoms. Saints who had transcended the mundane were now extinct in the Five Kingdoms, but in the Nine Provinces Land, they were merely considered local powerhouses.

In a place like that, one would have the opportunity to pursue Cultivation to greater heights and higher Realms.

”The Nine Provinces Land is no Pure Land or Holy Land,” Ling Chen said, shaking his head. He held no reverent illusions about the Nine Provinces Land. ”The dangers there likely surpass anything in the Five Kingdoms. Otherwise, my parents wouldn’t have fled that place to seek refuge in the Cloud Outland.” He suspected it was also a land of conflict, perhaps even more brutal.

Liu Xiling had told Ling Chen before she left that he should not enter the Nine Provinces nor seek her until he reached the Sky Apex Realm.

The attempt on his life by Liu Feng last time further indicated that the Liu Family harbored ill intentions towards him. Moreover, his father’s Ling Family was likely not a trustworthy Family either.

Even if Ling Chen went to the Nine Provinces Land, he would still be alone, with no one and nothing to depend on.

Yet, even so, this did not deter Ling Chen’s determination.

”Three days from now. I will leave Green Cloud Mountain and head for the Nine Provinces Land.”

Having made up his mind, Ling Chen didn’t plan to delay any longer. There was nothing left for him in the Five Country Territory, so it was better to depart sooner rather than later.