Translator: CinderTL
"What good news and bad news?"
Elder Tianjian furrowed his brows.
The Taixu Sword Sect had already played the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy card in the name of racial righteousness. Now, they might cultivate another Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy. How could there be any good news in this?
Bai Yang patiently looked at the information in his hands: "The good news is that this Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator is from within the jurisdiction of our Chiyang Sword Sect..."
"A Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator from our Chiyang Sword Sect?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Tianjian's cold expression stiffened slightly: "A Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator from our Chiyang Sword Sect!?"
"Yes," Bai Yang replied. "Born and raised here, with a traceable background... relatively clean."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Elder Tianjian repeated the word "good" three times, causing Zhao Taiyi, who stood beside him, to tremble inwardly.
"The Taixu Sword Sect, relying on the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy's ability to sense... those trash, they label people at will, drawing their swords and killing without distinguishing right from wrong. This time, we'll let them taste the bitterness of being falsely accused and unable to refute it!"
"I haven't finished speaking," Bai Yang sighed. "The bad news is that this cultivator holds a grudge against our Chiyang Sword Sect and has already joined forces with Qin Zhou of the Taixu Sword Sect."
As an Elder of the Chiyang Sword Sect, it was naturally easy for him to investigate events occurring beneath the Chiyang Mountain Range, especially since Li Chunjun had no counter-surveillance awareness or skills.
These words caused Elder Tianjian's expression to freeze.
"He's joined forces with Qin Zhou of Flaming Phoenix Peak?"
"Yes," Bai Yang nodded. "When it comes to competing for someone with the Flaming Phoenix Bloodline, our Chiyang Sword Sect can't outmatch the Taixu Sword Sect, especially since this Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator already holds a deep grudge against us."
Elder Tianjian gritted his teeth, the anger in his eyes almost uncontrollable. "The Taixu Sword Sect! They've gone too far! Since when does a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator from our Chiyang Sword Sect become theirs to take? Are they openly violating the agreement from thirty years ago!?"
The agreement from thirty years ago...
It might restrain ordinary people, but a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator already had enough freedom to choose.
The Taixu Sword Sect wouldn't mind offending our Chiyang Sword Sect for the sake of a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator.
"Kuang Feng has already sent people to track Qin Zhou of Flaming Phoenix Peak..."
As Bai Yang finished speaking, Kuang Feng quickly brought forward a report: "We've found him."
With a cold laugh, he added, "They're not even trying to hide it. They brazenly took someone from our Chiyang Sword Sect and openly walked out of the Chiyang Mountain Range, completely disregarding our Chiyang Sword Sect."
"Inform the Sect Master. This matter involves a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator and an Elder of the Taixu Sword Sect. The Sect Master must decide personally."
Elder Tianjian, still maintaining his composure, took a deep breath and said, "My suggestion is to try to salvage the situation at all costs. No matter the price, it's worth it..."
Bai Yang nodded.
He agreed with this sentiment.
A Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator...
Especially the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy card, was too valuable.
However...
"The chances are slim," he said.
"Slim?"
A fierce glint flashed in Elder Tianjian's eyes. "If we can't have him, then we'll destroy him! Every Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator has the potential to transform into a Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy. The Taixu Sword Sect must not produce another Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, or else this world with spatial nodes will soon have no place for our Chiyang Sword Sect."
"Destroy him?"
Bai Yang shook his head. "If we really destroy him, the Taixu Sword Sect will go mad, and we might end up in a full-scale war with them."
"Li Chunjun is a member of our Chiyang Sword Sect. We can deal with him however we see fit. The Taixu Sword Sect has no right to interfere!"
Elder Tianjian said coldly.
Bai Yang didn't respond directly. Instead, he said, "Though it's hard to admit, our Chiyang Sword Sect currently doesn't have the strength to oppose the Taixu Sword Sect."
He paused, then added, "Let's try to bring him back."
As he spoke, he glanced at the information provided by Zhao Taiyi. "I'll think of a way."
Though he didn't believe Zhao Taiyi's experiment would work, if conditions allowed, he still wanted to try.
Elder Tianjian's eyes flickered with uncertainty.
Thinking back to thirty years ago...
To the terrifying scene of the Taixu Sword Sect's Sword Cultivators swarming out...
To their unrestrained slaughter...
He eventually regained his calm.
"The Taixu Sword Sect must not produce another Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy!"
He said heavily.
Bai Yang fully agreed with this.
"Our Chiyang Sword Sect can't act, but what if..."
Elder Tianjian's eyes carried a hint of coldness. "What if it's not us who acts?"
"Not us?"
Bai Yang was startled.
Then, as if he thought of something, his pupils constricted.
...
Outside the Chiyang Sword Sect.
"I'll take care of the daily necessities like food, clothing, and shelter. You're a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator, a future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy. Your precious time should be spent on cultivation, not trivial matters."
"Looking at you, you have quite a few scattered items. Here, take this storage bracelet for now. If it doesn't suit you, we can change it once we reach the sect."
"Pills from outside can't be trusted for quality. Here, use mine. They're effective, of high quality, and perfectly suited for the Flaming Phoenix Bloodline."
"A Sword Cultivator must have a Lifebound Flying Sword. Use mine for now... Oh, you have one? That's fine too. Here, I have a unique sword-nurturing technique from our Flaming Phoenix lineage. Take it."
Along the way, Qin Zhou chattered endlessly, taking over all the big and small matters for Li Chunjun.
He showed none of the arrogance expected of a Core Formation Realm cultivator.
Instead, he acted like a butler, meticulous in every detail, leaving Li Chunjun with almost nothing to do.
This level of enthusiasm...
Li Chunjun was not accustomed to it.
Nor did he find it comfortable.
After traveling together for a while, Qin Zhou realized that their relationship with Li Chunjun needed time to develop.
Though he fully understood the importance the Flaming Phoenix Peak placed on Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivators—without exaggeration, the entire glory of Flaming Phoenix Peak rested on Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivators—but...
Excessiveness could backfire.
His behavior might instead put pressure on Li Chunjun.
Thus, he restrained some of the joy he felt upon finding a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator...
One who had the potential to become a "Prodigy" among the Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivators, and tried to act as normally as possible.
"I'm just too excited," Qin Zhou said with an awkward smile.
Then, as if remembering something, he took out various items. "This is a Minor Teleportation Talisman, capable of instantly teleporting you a thousand miles; Void Jade, worn close to the body to conceal your aura, even Core Formation Divine Consciousness would struggle to detect it, perfect for assassins; Extinction Pearl, forms a protective barrier that can withstand a strike or two from a Core Formation cultivator..."
"Are these... your things?"
"No, I don't need these," Qin Zhou patted his chest. "Though I'm not a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator, I specialize in the Great Sun Radiance Sword Qi, belonging to the fire lineage of Sword Cultivators. As a Sword Cultivator, once the sword is drawn, there's no turning back. I have no use for these."
Before Li Chunjun could say anything more, these items were already in his hands.
"These are just some miscellaneous items lying around in storage. Consider it a favor to help me clear them out," Qin Zhou said with a generous smile, as if he were simply tidying up some clutter.
Li Chunjun looked at the items and eventually accepted them.
After a while, he finally spoke, "Tell me about Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivators, and... how to become a Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy."
(End of the Chapter)
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