Ah~

True Monarch Xuanyue said earnestly, "My trip over was just to establish an intent and set up some initial karma. But how this relationship is handled will ultimately depend on you. For now, what you need to do is find time to stay at the Sword Palace for a few days and just make yourself familiar to everyone. "In the sword camp, there's no need to be polite with them. Eat and drink what you like, and ask freely if there's anything you want to learn. But do not agree to any status or formal title. Remember! We can't sell ourselves—" True Monarch Xuanyue slammed on the brakes just in time. Zhang Sheng said placidly, "Decline three times and yield three times so we can fetch a higher price, isn't that it?" Xuanyue looked heartbroken and indignant. "How can you call it selling? This is called... called..." Xuanyue had read few history books and could not find an appropriate euphemism on the spot. Under Zhang Sheng's clear, piercing gaze, the pressure mounted, and sweat beaded on his forehead in the blink of an eye. Zhang Sheng suddenly smiled and asked, "Grandmaster, just how great is my killing tribulation this time?" Xuanyue's face changed, his words faltering slightly. "Wh-what killing tribulation? What nonsense is that? Don't let your thoughts run wild; there's nothing of the sort." Zhang Sheng gave a faint smile. "To force you to throw aside your pride and go beg the Sword Palace for shelter... I'm afraid my death is considered certain this time, isn't it?" Xuanyue suddenly flared up, barking, "Rubbish! In this world, even if some ancient immortal exalted mighty figure set the pieces and laid out a scheme, how could there be any talk of certain death! It's not as though they are the only true immortals in existence! If they truly had such power, they would just come right over and kill you—why bother with all these twists and turns! At worst, this old Taoist will cross the Immortal Gate today and drag them down in mutual ruin!" Zhang Sheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry and hurried to console him. "It won't come to that, it won't! Don't get worked up, Grandmaster. It's just a death tribulation—only a tribulation, not actual death. Besides, I've already died once. Why would I fear this?" Little did she know, this struck right at True Monarch Xuanyue's sore spot. The old Taoist's eyes instantly reddened, and in the silence, his aura surged like an impending volcanic eruption! After calming down, Xuanyue said, "When you go to the Sword Palace, bear with it for a bit and deal with them as best you can. I will cast away this old face of mine and reach out to more old friends and acquaintances. This time, I will cut down the source of this killing tribulation once and for all. If I cannot protect you all as you grow in peace, what use is this broken shell of mine?" Zhang Sheng said serenely, "Grandmaster, there is no need for this. Having cultivated such a Dao path, I was inherently never meant to be tolerated by heaven and earth. Deadly tribulations will surely follow one after another without end. One cannot block them, so it is best to face them head-on. Even a Heavenly Shaman failed to kill me; they won't succeed this time either. "Besides, the prime of my life lies ahead—a time of joy and welcoming the warm sun. I will not fall." True Monarch Xuanyue was also someone whose spirit reached the heavens. Hearing this, he declared, "Good! For Sky Azure Hall to spread its might across the world, what we lack are stepping stones. This time, we might just have to sacrifice a few lives to inaugurate our newly rebuilt grand hall." Xuanyue stood up. "I still need to visit the Sword Palace one more time. Before leaving, I might as well go see Wei Yuan. Come along as well; it's been a while since we had a reunion." Unexpectedly, Zhang Sheng stopped him. "Grandmaster, wait, don't go yet! Wei Yuan doesn't know I've returned; he thinks I'm still in the State of Ji right now." Xuanyue was taken aback. "You came back without telling him? What, did the two of you quarrel?" Zhang Sheng replied, "It's nothing major, and I hadn't planned on minding it. But now that I've been sold off for four cups of immortal tea without getting to drink a single drop, my mood is rather sour! Meanwhile, that fellow has been living it up and flying high lately. So I intend to find an excuse to go over and give him a beating—only then will my Dao heart be clear and unobstructed." "Hmm? Living it up and flying high?" True Monarch Xuanyue ignored the part about himself, catching an unusual whiff of trouble. A sharp gleam exploded in his eyes. True Monarch Xuanyue waved a large hand. "No worries! Your grandmaster will back you up in all things! If that boy dares wrong you, no matter who that vixen's backer is, this grandmaster will make her pay! Come, let's go catch—er, go see what on earth is going on!" Zhang Sheng let out a laugh. "An immortal stands behind this one as well. I hear she even beat up Patriarch Yanshi not long ago. Don't cause a scene; leave it to me to handle. You just watch from the shadows." Hearing that even Yanshi had taken a beating, True Monarch Xuanyue's bluster instantly deflated by half. He said gravely, "A true immortal behind her? Then we must proceed with caution. I wonder what her character is like, how old she might be..." The moment the words left his mouth, Xuanyue realized his slip of the tongue and hastily shut up. With a faint, knowing smile, Zhang Sheng waved a hand to project a fleeting image. It showed only two scenes: an antique curio shelf where a miniature sword had originally rested in the central compartment, later replaced by a jade toad. Only then did Zhang Sheng say, "Master inevitably plays favorites now and then. But you, Grandmaster, are on a completely different level of attainment. Surely you'll hold the bowl level and treat everyone equally?" True Monarch Xuanyue knew his disciple well. A closer look revealed that this was the layout of Fenhai's room, and another glance made the whole sequence of events clear. Feeling thoroughly awkward, he hastily assured her, "Rest assured, I will never show favoritism!" "That is good to hear. The time is about right; we should head over." Xuanyue's eyes flared with sharp light once more. "How do you know the time has come? Why did I sense nothing at all? How are we going over, and where should I hide once we get there?" True Monarch Xuanyue had too many questions, so Zhang Sheng could only answer them one by one. "The bond between Yuan'er and me runs too deep, our karma inseparable. Having achieved a lucent sword heart, and with my dharma idol possessing the power to penetrate mystery, I occasionally receive sudden intuitive premonitions. That is how I know that right now is the perfect moment." Xuanyue asked no more. Together with Zhang Sheng, he vanished. At this moment, inside the study in Qingming, Wei Yuan was devoting most of his attention to contemplating future relations with the State of Zhao, while dedicating a small fraction to instructing the Sixth Princess in the Desolate Roar. As expected of one bearing true immortal blood, the Sixth Princess possessed extraordinary natural talent. In just a few short days, she had actually mastered the First Sound, and the physical strength of her flesh had skyrocketed. Yet on the surface, she remained slender yet shapely, and to the touch, soft and fair. The enhancement of her physique would only become apparent if sliced with a blade; an ordinary spell sword could scarcely cut through her skin now. Now, despite every fiber of reluctance, Wei Yuan decided to teach her the Second Sound of the Desolate Roar. At this rate of progress, what little foundation Wei Yuan possessed in his chest would soon be completely drained. When that time came and he had nothing left to teach, compromising his integrity would be a small matter, but losing face would be monumental. The Second Sound primarily cultivated the liver and was of vital importance. After passing on the knack, Wei Yuan demonstrated first, then let the Sixth Princess try. Sixth Princess: "Ah!" Wei Yuan let out a sigh and demonstrated again: "Roar!" Sixth Princess: "Ah~" Wei Yuan said helplessly, "Completely wrong! Stand still and don't move." Then Wei Yuan stepped behind her, pressed his hand against her ribs, and pushed slowly inward. "Do you feel that? Your focus and divine intent must be concentrated right here. The sound must be continuous and drawn out, but without fluctuations—" Sixth Princess: "Mmh, ah~~" Wei Yuan was utterly helpless. Every time he taught her, endless hitches cropped up, yet once properly guided, she would master it in a single day. He increased the pressure of his hand, just about to explain the precise acupoints in detail, when he suddenly felt a breeze stir behind him. Faintly cold.