Three Thousand Threads of Karma

Back in the wooden cabin within the bamboo grove, Li Guanqi's appearance had fully returned to normal. Yet among his pitch-black hair, streaks of silver-white were interwoven, leaving it half black and half white. He still wore that dark red robe, and at his waist hung an ominous pagoda steeped in yin energy. The sword spirit looked at Li Guanqi and said softly, "Three thousand threads of karma... Your future Body Integration Realm heavenly tribulation might be rather difficult, I'm afraid." Li Guanqi spoke with an impassive expression. "What of it?" Lowering his voice slightly, he murmured, "If I hesitated and fretted over consequences, was I supposed to spare them instead?" The sword spirit said nothing more, asking with a hint of curiosity instead, "What do you plan to do next?" Thinking back on everything that had happened over the past year and more, Li Guanqi said softly, "After settling a few matters, I plan to just wander alone." "No destination, no chosen direction." He retrieved several jade slips from his storage ring. Light flashed repeatedly from the slips, continuing for about an entire incense stick of time... With a complicated expression, Li Guanqi finally picked up the jade slip for his master, Li Nanting, and softly told him everything that had occurred recently. Then, he gave a rough summary to the sect master as well. Ye Feng and Cao Yan had stayed in the sect throughout this past year; he told them not to worry and that he would not be returning for the time being. He also instructed Pengluo and Jiuxiao to settle in and take care of themselves. He would seek them out when the time was right. At that moment, Pengluo was soaking in a pool on Tianshui Peak, surrounded by giggling maidens. He suddenly jolted upright with a start. "Ahem! Right away, right away, Master! Don't you worry about a thing!" Jiuxiao, coiled in the sect's rear mountains, raised his head to gaze into the distance, his draconic eyes glinting. Then his massive form soared into the sky, tearing through the void as he departed the Great Xia Sword Sect. Pengluo stared blankly at Jiuxiao's departure, muttering under his breath, "Brother Jiu truly is the cream of the crop among dragons!" "Leaving without another word to go temper himself?" Ye Feng and Cao Yan likewise departed the Great Xia Sword Sect one after the other to temper themselves. Before leaving, both left a wisp of sword intent hovering in the air above Tianjian Peak. Lu Kangnian remained in secluded cultivation, having yet to emerge. No one knew how much fury he held suppressed in his heart. When Xiao Chen heard Li Guanqi's voice, he could not help but let out a long breath, the heavy stone weighing on his heart finally falling away. Having settled everything, Li Guanqi suddenly felt a sense of relief wash over him. His chest rose and fell slightly as he exhaled a breath of turbid air. With a raise of his hand, the sword coffin outside the bamboo grove trembled slightly and swept over in an instant. Hoisting the sword coffin onto his back, Li Guanqi said softly, "Let's go." *Whoosh!* Li Guanqi soared into midair, darting through the clouds. He spoke in a calm voice, "While out and about in the future, I should take an alias." The sword spirit smiled playfully. "Not using Ye Feng's name anymore?" Li Guanqi chuckled and shook his head. "His name is bound to shake the Six Domains eventually. I can't keep doing wicked deeds under his name forever." Pondering for a moment, the corners of Li Guanqi's mouth curved slightly, and he murmured, "Then let it be Li Wuji... From this day forward, I draw my sword without scruples!" The sword spirit nodded, finding the alias quite suitable. "Coincidentally, the Red Lotus Sword is somewhat damaged. You might need to find a new sword to carry for temporary use." "Also, alter your appearance a bit. It will make things more convenient down the road." As her words fell, the muscles on Li Guanqi's face squirmed and shifted slightly. Though it was only a subtle adjustment, he now bore only a thirty-percent resemblance to his former self. Even so, tall and upright as he was, Li Guanqi remained handsome despite the change in features. With hair half black and half white, combined with his altered countenance, Li Guanqi—toying with the pagoda at his waist—took on an added touch of eerie, demonic allure. At this moment, it was as if Li Guanqi had unlocked the shackles he had long suppressed within his heart; a subtle transformation took place in his mindset. This change did not stem from becoming bloodthirsty, but from attaining a deeper understanding of his Yanluo Sword Intent. If he deemed someone deserved to die, he should not care about the secular world's judgment. Whether someone deserved death was not for the worldly gaze or other people's opinions to define. It was up to him! Thus, he had given himself the alias Li Wuji. From now on, he, Li Guanqi, would draw his sword without scruples, guided solely by his own heart! *Buzz!* The sword spirit looked at Li Guanqi's back in surprise. In that instant, she sensed an earth-shattering shift in his state of mind! Within the silent void, a man clad in golden armor suddenly appeared. Gazing coldly at a speck of dust in the distance, a spear of gleaming gold slowly materialized in the man's palm. Immediately following, a formidable pressure as deep as an abyss erupted with a roar! Long Hou held the spear in one hand, raising his right arm high and smashing it violently down toward the void before him! *Boom!* A dull thud echoed for a hundred li as the void caved in and shattered. An aged figure, surrounded by an immensely powerful aura, flew out and bellowed in rage, "Who is it?!" Long Hou pulled back the spear and hurled it out! *Boom!* The spear shot forward, an illusory golden spear spanning a full thousand zhang blasting forth! The instant the elder saw this phantom spear, his pupils shrank violently. He crushed several jade slips with a flick of his hand and slashed out with all his might. *Rumble!* The sword light crumbled beneath the spear's radiance. The spear pierced clean through the elder's shoulder, pinning him firmly in midair! *Whoosh!* With killing intent surging in his eyes, Long Hou hoisted the elder up with the spear, tilting his head as he asked, "You're the one spearheading the Ancient Clan's return to the world?" Cold sweat poured down the elder's forehead as he stared at the man before him, his spirit quaking in terror. His voice trembled with sheer dread as he stammered, "Lord... Lord Long Hou..." "No, no, no, it wasn't me! It really wasn't me..." Auras appeared one after another in the surroundings. Long Hou swept a cold gaze across the area and sneered, "A bunch of useless trash. You don't even dare to make a move over this?" *Squelch!* With a single hand, Long Hou flung the elder thousands of zhang away! With a light twirl of his spear, he said chillingly, "Remember this: every last one of the Ancient Clan better tuck their tails between their legs!" Long Hou's aura alone suppressed the entire area. Pointing his spear at each concealed aura hidden within the void, he said in an icy tone, "Even if you're not satisfied, swallow it. Anyone who dares break the rules dies." As Long Hou's voice faded, not a single person dared to utter a word. That pressure was simply too terrifying... The oppressive might Long Hou exerted over them was overwhelming. Even if resentment simmered in their hearts, they dared not show the slightest hint of it, terrified that the next spear thrust would be meant for them! Long Hou retrieved his spear and stood tall, casting a sidelong glance around him as he said coldly, "I warn you: do not even think of moving against Li Guanqi, or your deaths will be gruesome." "Furthermore, disciples of the Ancient Clan under a hundred years of age may enter the secular world. That is the bottom line!" The moment these words were spoken, sharp glints flickered in the eyes of those concealed in the shadows! It seemed he had conceded ground after all... As long as they could enter the world, there was room to maneuver. Long Hou's figure gradually faded from where he stood. One by one, the hidden auras vanished as well, while the people of the Six Domains remained completely unaware of what was about to unfold.