Chapter 57: Sword Dao Genius (7) |
"Flying Star Sect…"
Su Chen searched his memories for information on the sect.
The Flying Star Sect was a power that had only risen in the past millennium. Its momentum was unstoppable, and its founding ancestor—the Flying Star King—was a Profound Connection sixth-layer expert, a full layer above even Shen Tianyi. They too had set their sights on the Cloud Abyss Dynasty's territory.
"Since they insist on opposing Imperial Sword Manor, this manor lord will grant their wish. I will personally pay a visit to Flying Star Sect and see whether that old fellow's Flying Star Pearl is harder… or if the sword in my hand cuts sharper!"
Su Chen's tone was icy. In this life, he possessed both talent and ambition. He intended to forge Imperial Sword Manor into a colossal force. Anyone who stood in his way would have to test whether his sword was sharp enough.
"Ping'an, stay behind and take care of Mother."
Su Chen gave Shen Ping'an careful instructions, then led the elite forces of Imperial Sword Manor away from the manor, heading straight for the Cloud Abyss Dynasty.
One month later.
Powerful sword cultivators appeared in the skies above the Cloud Abyss Dynasty.
"This seat is Shen Chen of Imperial Sword Manor."
At the mention of that name, the Cloud Abyss Dynasty's ancestor's pupils contracted sharply.
"Shen Chen… the manor lord of Imperial Sword Manor!"
The old ancestor trembled from head to toe. He was merely half a step into Profound Connection. Before Su Chen, he was no different from an ant.
Su Chen descended upon the imperial palace, followed by dozens of formidable sword cultivators. They advanced as though walking through an empty field—no one dared step forward to block them.
Inside the grand hall, ministers prostrated themselves on the ground. Whether they bowed to the figure on the dragon throne or to Su Chen himself was unclear.
Dead silence reigned. Not a single head lifted. The young king seated on the dragon throne felt an invisible hand clamp around his throat. He could scarcely breathe. Bean-sized beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks.
"It's the manor lord of Imperial Sword Manor… damn it, why would he come here in person?"
Yun Hua could not comprehend it. Why would such a major figure personally descend upon the Cloud Abyss Dynasty?
A few months earlier, he had chosen to align with the Flying Star Sect, purged his rivals, and secured his throne. He had even begun dreaming of revitalizing the Cloud Abyss Dynasty.
Su Chen's arrival shattered those illusions. In conflicts between great sects, leaders of this caliber never entered the fray lightly. Yet Su Chen had come—and he had brought the elite of Imperial Sword Manor straight to their doorstep.
Su Chen spoke indifferently. "Get down."
A flash of anger crossed the young king's face, but it was quickly suppressed. Head lowered in utmost deference, he rose from the throne and stepped aside.
Su Chen seated himself upon the dragon throne and thought inwardly, 'He's the type who knows how to endure. If he survives, he might one day become the dynasty's great restorer. Unfortunately, he met me.'
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In his heart, Su Chen had already pronounced the death sentence on this ambitious young man who dreamed of remaking the Cloud Abyss Dynasty.
"Tell me the location of the Flying Star Sect."
That was Su Chen's true purpose.
"My lord… though we are a vassal of the Flying Star Sect, our allegiance is recent. We do not know the sect's precise location."
Yun Hua forced the words out, steeling himself.
Su Chen's expression showed disappointment. Purchasing intelligence on the Flying Star Sect's location would cost a considerable sum of resources.
Suddenly, Yun Hua felt a bone-chilling cold.
'He… intends to kill me?'
Sensing the murderous intent radiating from Su Chen, Yun Hua's mind raced. Just before Su Chen could act, he cried out loudly, "My lord! Our ancestor can contact an envoy from the Flying Star Sect!"
Su Chen withdrew his killing intent.
Yun Hua gasped for breath in great heaving gulps. He had narrowly escaped death.
"From this day forward, the Cloud Abyss Dynasty submits to Imperial Sword Manor. Do you have any objections?"
Yun Hua dared not object. But from below, a purple-robed elder leaped forward.
"Your Majesty, you cannot agree to this! Our Cloud Abyss Dynasty has stood for thirteen hundred years and has never known such humiliation. One subject cannot serve two masters—how can one ruler serve two?"
Su Chen glanced at him. With a casual wave of his hand, one of the sword cultivators acted instantly. A flash of steel severed the elder's head, and blood sprayed across the grand hall.
"This manor lord is a kind man. I most enjoy fulfilling such loyal wishes."
Su Chen smiled.
"Who else is so devoted and loyal? Feel free to step forward."
The ministers below fell deathly silent, not daring to breathe.
Under Yun Hua's guidance, Su Chen soon located the Cloud Abyss Dynasty's ancestor.
The old ancestor had been waiting for him. He knew that with the manor lord of Imperial Sword Manor personally appearing, there would be no peaceful resolution.
"If I reveal the location of the Flying Star Sect to Your Excellency, will you forgive the offenses committed by my Yun clan?"
The Yun ancestor asked with trepidation.
Su Chen's lips curved in a faint smile. "Rest assured. As long as you obediently tell me where the Flying Star Sect is, this manor lord will not make things difficult for your Yun clan."
Hearing the assurance, the ancestor finally relaxed and disclosed the sect's location.
True to his word, Su Chen left the Yun clan untouched. Everything appeared calm on the surface.
In his heart, the Yun ancestor prayed fervently that the Flying Star Sect and Imperial Sword Manor would both suffer heavy losses.
…
Su Chen located the Flying Star Sect.
"Shen Chen of Imperial Sword Manor, invited by your former sect master, has come to pay his respects."
The disciples of the Flying Star Sect saw a middle-aged man followed by a large group of sword cultivators. Even the dullest among them understood the visitors came with ill intent.
"The manor lord of Imperial Sword Manor? Heh, this old man never expected you to actually have the guts to show up at our door."
From the back mountain emerged a white-haired elder, his robes whipping in the wind.
Su Chen stood with hands clasped behind his back. "The senior wishes to test whether I can leave your sect unscathed. And I, having not acted in many years, also wish to see whether the senior's Flying Star Pearl is truly unyielding… or if the sword in my hand cuts sharper."
The elder sneered, lips curling without warmth. "This old man has walked the martial world for so many years and has never seen such an arrogant junior. Ignorance breeds fearlessness."
Su Chen replied calmly, "The Yangtze River's waves push the former ones ahead. Be careful, senior, or the new waves will push you dead onto the beach."
The elder's anger flared. Streaks of qi shot forth like falling stars.
Su Chen drew Dustreturn. In quick succession, he unleashed several forms of the Imperial Sword Art.
"Kill them. Leave no one alive!"
At Su Chen's command, the powerhouses of Imperial Sword Manor surged forward. They descended upon the Flying Star Sect.
King against king, general against general, soldier against soldier.
The battle shook heaven and earth.
Su Chen had to admit that the Flying Star King was a formidable opponent. The Flying Star Art was versatile in both offense and defense. If such a technique could be combined with Imperial Sword Manor's Imperial Sword Art, the manor's strength would undoubtedly rise to a new level.
"But the victor will be me."
Su Chen exploited the Flying Star King's desire for a swift end to the fight. He baited the old man into shifting from defense to offense, then closed the distance and unleashed Calamity Dust, First Form: Cease Conflict—right in his face.
The older ginger is still the spicier.
The Flying Star King was cautious.
Unfortunately, Su Chen—stacked across several lifetimes—was even older and far more patient.
With the Flying Star King's death, the fate of the Flying Star Sect was sealed. The only regret was that one old fellow managed to escape with some of the sect's descendants.
"Pursue them. Spare no cost—uproot Flying Star Sect entirely!"
Su Chen issued the cold command. If the grass is not pulled up by the roots, the spring wind will bring it back to life.