In the Immortal Demon Sea, the Qiankun Sword Sect stood as a powerful force. The sect was revered across the vast expanse of the sea, and any sword cultivator emerging from it was treated with great respect. Whether human cultivators or demon cultivators, none dared to offend a Qiankun Sword Sect disciple, for doing so would mean losing their place in the Immortal Demon Sea.
Recently, Qiankun Island, the headquarters of the sect, had become abuzz with activity. Powerful leaders from across the Immortal Demon Sea had gathered there for a special event—the Sword Questioning. The island hosted not only demon king cultivators, who ruled vast domains of the sea, but also ancestors from prominent families.
From those at the Ascension Realm to those at the Qi Refining and Foundation Building Realm, no one wanted to miss such a rare spectacle that occurred once in a century.
Even sword sects from the mighty Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper were present to observe. Though Sword Questioning was a matter between sword cultivators, its outcome would have far-reaching consequences for all. Should the Void Immortal Sword Sect fail, the ruins under its control would fall into the hands of Celestial Heaven and the Northern Dipper, stirring up a chain of interests and conflicts.
On the surging sea, a massive city began to rise slowly from the depths.
The Green-Headed Sea Turtle, ever eager, looked at the Falling Whale King and said, “My lord, please come aboard my back. I will take you to Qiankun Island.”
The Falling Whale King nodded indifferently. With a group of her trusted subordinates, she boarded the turtle’s back. Together, they headed toward the distant Qiankun Island. Before they even reached the island, they saw cultivators flying through the air. Entire immortal boats were descending slowly toward Qiankun Island, transforming into streaks of light as they approached.
"Your Majesty, I heard that the sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect has won three consecutive battles."
"Who would have thought that even the nearly invincible Qiankun Sword Sect in the Immortal Demon Sea would have its day of defeat?"
"You're only aware of the surface."
The Falling Whale King said indifferently, "Don’t be fooled by those three victories. Qiankun Sword Sect still has many cultivators in the Dao Union Realm who haven’t yet taken the stage. Once they step in, I’m afraid Qin Hucheng of the Void Immortal Sword Sect won’t last long. They won’t even make it to Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper; they will be defeated in the Immortal Demon Sea!"
At that moment, a voice filled with amusement resounded. "Looks like the Falling Whale King sees things clearly.”
Startled, everyone turned their gaze toward the speaker. Who would dare interrupt when the Falling Whale King spoke?
A group of figures stood, walking on the waves. The young man at the front wore a faint smile, looking at the Falling Whale King.
The Falling Whale King was slightly taken aback. "Young Master Zuo Xu?"
She promptly straightened her clothes and saluted with respect. "I, Falling Whale King, pay my respects to you, Young Master Zuo Xu."
Her subordinates were visibly shocked. For someone as domineering as the Falling Whale King to bow in respect, that person’s status had to be extraordinary. However, they had never heard of a major figure named Zuo Xu in the Immortal Demon Sea.
Zuo Xu smiled faintly. "You need not be so polite, Falling Whale King. I remember leaving you with a few words before you departed Celestial Heaven years back. Have you given them any thought?"
The Falling Whale King’s face turned slightly red. She meekly said, "Young Master Zuo Xu, I’m a demon cultivator. If I were to follow you, wouldn't that be the subject of ridicule?"
Zuo Xu responded with a smile. "I’m not afraid, so why should you be?"
He smiled lightly and added "Besides, who in the world dares to laugh at me? Don't they fear for their own lives?"
The Green-Headed Sea Turtle and other demon cultivators were increasingly shocked. The young master Zuo Xu seemed to have a deeper relationship with the Falling Whale King than they had initially realized...
After a moment of thought, The Falling Whale King replied softly, "Let me think about it some more."
Zuo Xu nodded slightly. "Of course, I’ll give you enough time to think it over. Since we’ve met today, why not join me for a walk?"
The Falling Whale King did not refuse his invitation. The group made their way to Qiankun Island and headed directly toward the Qiankun Sword Sect.
At the entrance of the Qiankun Sword Sect, there were circles upon circles of cultivators standing. There were at least eight thousand cultivators, if not ten thousand. The gazes of nearly all of them were fixed on one person—Qin Hucheng, the acting sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, who was sitting cross-legged and meditating at the entrance of the sect.
As Zuo Xu observed Qin Hucheng, a faint smile flashed through his eyes. "I heard that the Void Immortal Sword Sect originally had a true sword leader, but unfortunately, he failed to form his Nascent Soul, which allowed Qin Hucheng to become the acting sword leader
"It's a pity, though, that his methods are not truly peak among cultivators of his rank. Even though he’s won three battles against the Qiankun Sword Sect's Fusion Realm cultivators, he is nearing his limits. His defeat is imminent."
The Falling Whale King was somewhat surprised. "That person who failed to form a Nascent Soul, why was he made sword leader?"
Zuo Xu said with a hint of regret, "I never met that person, but I’ve heard that among cultivators of his rank, he never encountered an opponent. He even killed Wu Changzai of the Kunlun Sword Sect in one strike in the Central Continent. If he were still around, perhaps he would still be the sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. The sect's situation wouldn't be so awkward now."
The Falling Whale King was slightly startled. "The Kunlun Sword Sect's Wu Changzai? It seems this person was quite a formidable opponent as well?"
Slaying a sword cultivator from the Kunlun Sword Sect was no small feat.
Zuo Xu responded, "He wasn’t exactly an extraordinary master. He was just a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator."
The Falling Whale King looked at him with surprise. "If that’s the case, why do you hold him in such high regard?"
Zuo Xu smiled faintly. "Because when he killed Wu Changzai, he was only at the Golden Core Realm. He was able to slay a Nascent Soul Realm sword cultivator from the Kunlun Sword Sect while at the Golden Core Realm. Tell me, who wouldn’t look at him in awe?
"It’s a pity that he failed to form his Nascent Soul and his fate remains unknown. No matter how high his talent or comprehension, if he can’t survive until the end, he’s just a speck of sand in the sea."
The Falling Whale King and the others were somewhat shocked. Slaying a Nascent Soul Realm sword cultivator from the Kunlun Sword Sect with only a Golden Core Realm cultivation? This sort of ability was terrifying. Could such a Golden Core Realm cultivator really exist in the world?
Zuo Xu continued with a thoughtful tone, "That person must be the elder Wang Zhenlong from the Void Immortal Sword Sect. The old sword immortal passed away. As it stands, there isn’t a single Immortal King within the Void Immortal Sword Sect. For such an important sword questioning to fall on the shoulders of a single Profound Immortal....
“Look, even the Immortal King from Qiankun Sword Sect had not come forward to greet them. Clearly, the Void Immortal Sword Sect is no longer a threat in their eyes."
He then turned his gaze to another group of sword cultivators from the Void Immortal Sword Sect, led by Wang Zhenlong, the burly bearded sword cultivator, and the Peak Master of the Extreme Sword Peak.
Beside them stood another group of sword cultivators. They were from the Qiankun Sword Sect, with their leader appearing slightly weaker than Wang Zhenlong.
Though the Qiankun Sword Sect’s reception appeared reasonable, in truth, they had been very negligent in their treatment of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. Both sects were renowned for their sword techniques, so there was no reason why one sect's leader should step forward while the other only sent an elder to greet them.
A Profound Sword Immortal from the Kunlun Sword Sect glanced at Qin Hucheng and smiled faintly. "Brother Zhenlong, it seems one of your disciples has sustained quite serious injuries. It’s not certain he will be able to continue fighting. Are you sure you want to keep going?"
Wang Zhenlong glanced at him indifferently, then replied, "Since this is sword questioning, there’s no such thing as giving up halfway."
He turned to look at Qin Hucheng. "Hucheng, can you still fight?"
Qin Hucheng slowly opened his eyes, rose to his feet, and looked toward the Qiankun Sword Sect. With a determined expression, he raised his head and declared, "I’ll hold onto my sword till my last breath."