The branch altar of the Yin Yang Reincarnation Sect in Zhenbei City had been reduced to ashes. The majestic gate seemed to have been swept by the razor-sharp Inner Qi of a martial artist, slashed into pieces that fell to the ground, creating a sense of desolation and disarray.
In the Martial World, martial prowess reigns supreme.
With a weapon in hand, the urge to kill arises. Challenges and visits to pay respects to various sects are common occurrences, but it was extremely rare for such a large branch that spanned several states to be trampled so thoroughly.
What did Li Guanyi have to do with the destruction of this place?
Siming frowned as he looked at the vast expanse of ashes. He bent down to rub a handful of ash between his fingers and grimaced, "Qilin Fire, Green Fire Powder commonly used by magicians and Taoists—this kid’s techniques are quite mixed."
Sword Madman appeared calm and composed, saying lightly, "The Yin Yang Reincarnation Sect?"
Siming replied, "Yes, it’s a major sect that rose in the past few decades. Originally, it was rather honest, a neutral faction. Although its disciples were not as exceptional as those from the Academy or the Buddhist and Taoist sects, and their behavior was unruly and arrogant, they were not particularly evil-doers."
"However, since the death of the Taiping Duke ten years ago, the Regent King’s retirement, and your confinement within the Jiangnan Eighteen States, they became more and more overbearing. Before the Taiping Duke died, he took a batch of people from the National Protection Manor with him, and as a result, the behavior of these large sects became even more wanton."
"Although Chen Dingye quietly rebuilt the National Protection Manor to keep it concealed—"
"He did not allow disciples of the National Protection Manor to traverse the Martial World, to eradicate evils. Originally, when Emperor Chen Wu established the National Protection Manor with the mandate to protect the nation, it was meant to calm the unstable elements in the Martial World. Chen Dingye turned it into protection for his own manor instead."
"The world has been unstable in recent years."
"From the looks of it, it’s the time when dragons and snakes rise from the Martial World."
"It’s unknown what provoked Li Guanyi."
After pondering, Siming knocked on the void, and the Black Tortoise Dharma Form emerged. The elder swept his sleeve, standing within a square formation, the Yin Yang revolving and transforming, reassembling the disrupted Heavenly Extreme of Li Guanyi’s Mystic Turtle Dharma Form.
Such a level of prowess in Yin Yang Skill, could only be achieved by him in this entire world.
Sword Madman walked over with a stride.
Grumbling, Siming said, "That kid is very cautious and careful. If it weren’t for this old man, anyone else would be at a loss." With a wave of his hand, the blurred scenes of the past two days appeared, distorted and faded after two days’ time.
He barely made out the image of a young man riding a horse and wielding a Battle Halberd, charging back and forth.
As if in an uninhabited land.
His moves were fierce and resolute.
He then broke into a secret chamber and with a flick of his wrist, he nailed a beautiful woman to death with his sword.
Sword Madman’s brows furrowed slightly before he chuckled and said, "This sword technique is crude."
"It’s like he threw out a piece of hidden weaponry, fast and forceful."
"Apart from that, it’s utterly lousy."
Then he saw Li Guanyi fighting back and forth with the altar master of the Yin Yang Reincarnation Sect, who was a heaven higher in cultivation. Using the "Jiangnan Misty Rain Twelve Layers" of the third layer to wield the Shaoyang Sword, Murong Longtu nodded slightly and laughed, "This move is somewhat skillful."
"But it’s being used only as an auxiliary."
Until they witnessed the old altar master’s wrathful afterimage demanding to know why Li Guanyi had come there.
The young man’s afterimage lifted the Battle Halberd.
"Just testing my halberd!"
Sword Madman Murong Longtu finally burst out laughing.
Pointing to the phantom of the young man, he turned to look at Siming and said with a laugh, "I phrase."
"’Just testing my halberd,’ he has a trace of madness in him, like me."
"He is of my lineage."
Siming massaged his temples, feeling that the young man had other reasons for saying those words. However, he glanced at Sword Madman and realized that because of that phrase, Li Guanyi’s impression in the old Sword Madman’s heart had improved once again.
From deduction, he knew that Li Guanyi had come to this place to save someone.
And had destroyed the elixir pills capable of extending life and maintaining youthful appearance.
He took many people down the mountain.
Sword Madman laughed heartily.
He was exceedingly pleased and joyful.
Then looking at the old man, he said, "Elder, where is my descendant at the moment? Can you locate him?" Old Si Ming grinned, shaking his head, "No, that kid is probably meeting up with the Three Sects of the World’s Shaking Light.
"And most likely, there’s another item or person involved."
"His trace of Qi has been obscured and twisted; I can’t see it."
Old Si Ming actually had a guess as to who it might be.
There weren’t many in the world who could achieve that feat. But he glanced at the old but keen swordsman and ultimately did not say the name, knowing that the world’s foremost Grandmaster holding a sword would want to see if he could slay the legends of the Martial World.
Smiling, Sword Madman said, "Never mind, the younger generation has their own affairs to handle."
"To be able to witness my child doing so at the end, I can wait. The Martial World is vast. Elder, you might as well join me on my journey. If it comes to sparring with peers, I would step back. But if those old geezers use their power to bully the young—"
The aging swordsman opened his eyes slightly, smiling, "The act of the strong preying on the weak—they do it."
"And I can do it, too."
He turned and descended the mountain, saying lightly:
"I’m close to dying; I’m not much for reason anymore."
Siming felt a killing intent, and then the two of them went down the mountain, following the Qi Mechanism to find the inn where Li Guanyi and the others had been before, and, using Siming’s methods, they understood what Li Guanyi had done. Consequently, Sword Madman grew fonder of the young man.
Of the same bloodline, are they ordinary commoners or are they gallant and bold?