Chapter 57: Qingzhou in Uproar |
Purple River Sword Sect.
Buildings and pavilions sat scattered across the mountain, their edges gleaming with deadly sharpness — these structures weren’t built by ordinary craftsmen; only martial artists with mastery in cultivation could have assisted in their construction.
Disciples of the Sword Sect moved between them, each wearing an expression filled with pride.
The Purple River Sword Sect was a prestigious first-rate sect in Qingzhou. The Sect Master, the Purple River Sword Master, was especially renowned — a Core Formation Realm expert. Earlier this year, his 120th birthday celebration had drawn an enormous crowd, thrusting the Purple River Sword Sect into the spotlight.
Its influence soared to new heights.
But today, the Purple River Sword Sect received an uninvited guest.
High in the sky.
A figure in a Daoist robe streaked across like a falling star and stopped above the Purple River Sword Sect. At first, no one noticed, but as a faint voice echoed across the skies, every disciple’s face was instantly filled with shock.
“Purple River, get your a** out here.”
All the disciples of the Purple River Sword Sect raised their heads in shock:
“Walking on air — a Heaven-Man Realm expert!”
At that moment.
A figure in a purple robe shot out from deep within the sect and soared upward.
But it was clear his flight wasn’t smooth or comfortable. Despite trying his best to reach Daoist Longshan’s height, he couldn’t manage it — forced to remain beneath him, unable to break through the overwhelming pressure.
Though Core Formation Realm experts could briefly float using Qi, the gap between them and the Heaven-Man Realm was still immense.
Sword Qi surged and flickered around the Purple River Sword Master, his expression a mix of anger and alarm.
Daoist Longshan’s actions clearly showed he didn’t see him as a threat at all.
But the Purple River Sword Master could only suppress the fury boiling inside and force a smile:
“So it’s Brother Longshan. It’s been a long time. I didn’t expect you to be the first to break through to the Heaven-Man Realm. I must say, I’m truly envious!”
He wasn’t lying — every Core Formation expert dreamed of breaking into the Heaven-Man Realm. There had been rumors in Qingzhou that Daoist Longshan had gone into closed-door seclusion to attempt the breakthrough, but the Purple River Sword Master hadn’t taken them seriously. Only someone in the Core Formation Realm could understand how difficult the Heaven-Man breakthrough was.
But now.
Seeing Daoist Longshan walking on air, the Sword Master suddenly had a bad feeling.
Daoist Longshan looked down at him with a calm, indifferent gaze, ignoring the flattery. He simply said:
“Speak. Why did you plot against my Zhenwu Sect?”
The Purple River Sword Master’s expression changed drastically:
“What do you mean by that, Brother Longshan?”
A growing sense of dread filled his heart as his eyes flickered.
Daoist Longshan had no intention of wasting words.
His robe fluttered, and the power of heaven and earth began to gather, pressing toward the Sword Master. The latter shouted angrily:
“Longshan, do you really think that just because you've reached the Heaven-Man Realm, no one in the world can stop you? Today, you come here for no reason and bully my Purple River Sword Sect — such demonic conduct will never be tolerated in Qingzhou!”
His words were a bit forced, a show of bravado, but Daoist Longshan only sneered coldly.
“Stubborn fool.”
With a casual wave of his hand, a massive palm imprint, brimming with terrifying might, slammed downward.
“You think the Purple River Sword Master is made of clay? Even if you've stepped into the Heaven-Man Realm, don’t think you can act this recklessly!”
The Sword Master roared up at the sky, Sword Qi condensing around him, sharp and surging as he slashed at Daoist Longshan.
In an instant.
Powerful energy rippled out from where the two floated.
Their figures shot higher into the sky.
Amid all the nervous stares, a great battle was on the verge of erupting.
No — maybe not a battle, but a one-sided beatdown.
The Purple River Sword Master’s words had barely left his mouth.
And he had already fallen from the sky.
In just a few breaths.
The victor was decided.
A massive palm imprint had smashed the once-mighty Core Formation expert from the heavens to the ground. He now lay there, bones shattered, coughing blood continuously — even his sword was broken.
Disciples all around looked on in horror and confusion, not daring to step closer. The strongest figure in their sect had ended up so pitifully — it didn’t feel real.
Their eyes turned to Daoist Longshan, filled with awe and dread.
At that moment, they fully understood the gap between the Heaven-Man and Core Formation Realms.
The Sword Master struggled to lift his broken sword, his gaze bitter. He had thought that if he went all out, he might still have a chance. But he hadn’t expected to lose so miserably.
He waved his hand, stopping the disciples who were about to rush over, and looked across at Daoist Longshan.
Daoist Longshan, hands behind his back, slowly descended.
He looked at the Sword Master’s sorry state with not a trace of pity. Calmly, he said:
“Name the others involved. If you do, only you will die.”
“If not, your entire sect will perish.”
His voice was flat, but it struck terror into all who heard it — Daoist Longshan had already proven he had every right to say such words.
The Sword Master coughed blood, deep regret washing over him. If he had known this would happen, he’d never have joined the scheme for the sake of latching onto a powerful backer. With a sigh and a bitter smile, he said:
“The world always said Brother Longshan was a once-in-a-generation genius. I used to think that was an exaggeration — that I could rival you. Today, I see how laughable that was.”
“I only hope Brother Longshan keeps his word.”
He looked around at the sect and all the disciples, then shouted in a deep voice:
“What happened today is all my fault. After I die, the Purple River Sword Sect will disband. All of you — go your own ways, train well, and don’t entertain any wild ambitions!”
The disciples looked on in sorrow.
With that.
The Sword Master ran his hand over his broken sword and slashed it across his neck.
Just after his 120th birthday, his life ended at 120.
Daoist Longshan watched calmly, without the slightest compassion. He could pity the weak, but never those who plotted against the Zhenwu Sect. If not for his little disciple, Ning Qi, he would’ve emerged from seclusion only to hear the worst news of his life.
Looking at the Purple River Sword Sect now shrouded in grief, Daoist Longshan left behind a single line — “You’re on your own now.” — then walked away through the air.
These people didn’t matter. Without the Sword Master, they couldn’t even hold onto their foundation.
Before his death, the Sword Master had already told him everything he wanted to know.
“The main bloodline of the Wang Clan in Qingzhou, Wang Qingfeng? I’ll deal with them one by one.”
Daoist Longshan narrowed his eyes. The Wang Clan of Qingzhou was a top-tier aristocratic family, even boasting a Heaven-Man Realm ancestor. But he wasn’t afraid. That ancestor’s lifespan was already running out, and he was only in the first Heaven-Man stage. If it really came to a falling out, then so be it — they’d just fight it out.
Still.
Though this incident originated with the Wang Clan, that old ancestor likely didn’t know.
Daoist Longshan planned to settle accounts one by one.
Daoist Longshan departed.
The next day.
News spread that the Purple River Sword Master had been forced to take his own life after being subdued by Daoist Longshan. All of Qingzhou was in uproar.
The world now knew — Daoist Longshan had emerged from seclusion, stepping into the Heaven-Man Realm. From now on, he was a true peerless powerhouse even across the Great Yan Empire. A storm was brewing, and everyone understood: Daoist Longshan was about to settle all old scores.