Chapter 63: Such Terrifying Power!

Ye Jiuyao scoffed at the crowd’s chatter. When two people exist in different worlds, why take offense at their words? To do so would be to admit you dwell in the same world as they.

“A bunch of useless fools,” he cursed inwardly, carefully stowing away his longsword before waving nonchalantly at Jian Yunzi.

“Little Yun, did you see that clearly? That sword—Soul Sever—it can wound the soul directly. Look at that old geezer; his soul’s injured now. I bet it’ll be ages before he recovers,” Ye Jiuyao said, his tone mocking as he glanced at Ye Qing, who turned purple with rage and let out a cold snort.

“The debt for killing my grandson, for injuring my soul—our story is far from over!”

“But—”

“Enough. Let’s go. I’ll report this myself.”

Under Ye Qing’s domineering glare, the remaining elites of the Falling Leaf Sect could only leave, faces twisted in humiliation, under the eyes of the gathered crowd.

Inside Xuantian Town, the people could not help but feel gratified. The Falling Leaf Sect was notorious for bullying families and merchants alike. Seeing them suffer a setback brought genuine joy.

Hua Mingfeng and Jian Yunzi dispelled the barrier, both faces alight with astonishment, and the rest of the crowd was no less amazed—especially Nangong Mingyue. She had been skeptical of what the Emperor Marked Mink had said, but now she believed.

“Why are you all staring at me? You’ll make me shy,” Ye Jiuyao said with feigned bashfulness, drawing a chorus of eye-rolls.

“If there’s nothing else, everyone may now proceed to the Profound Tower for an hour of cultivation. When your time is up, we ask you to leave. The Profound Sect has no plans to formally enter the world just yet.” Nangong Mingyue’s voice was as melodious as an oriole, but cold as ever, though the crowd’s faces lit up in joy.

The Profound Tower of the Profound Sect was famous in Xuantian Town; everyone knew its reputation. To be allowed entry was a rare delight.

“Xuan San, take everyone there. The younger disciples too. As for the newcomer, come with me.” Nangong Mingyue’s gaze fell on Ye Jiuyao, then her voice rang out again. Xuan San immediately led the crowd away.

Ye Jiuyao, however, wore a rueful expression. Could Second Sister not be more civil? After all, he was now a sect master too.

Profound Sect, Listening Wind Hall.

Ye Jiuyao took the main seat. Jian Yunzi looked surprised at first, then seemed to realize something and let it go. Nangong Mingyue stood at Ye Jiuyao’s side, while Jian Yunzi and Hua Mingfeng sat across from each other. A fine bottle of wine sat on Jian Yunzi’s table, its fragrance filling the hall.

“Little Yun, how much of the essence of that sword did you grasp?” Ye Jiuyao asked, glancing at Jian Yunzi.

Jian Yunzi opened his mouth to reply, then fell silent. Wasn’t that just rubbing salt in the wound? If he’d understood it, would he not have shown it off earlier, in front of everyone, instead of waiting until now?

Ye Jiuyao, seeing this, grinned.

“Smells good, doesn’t it? Want to learn? If you’re willing to pay up, I might consider it…”

“Smack!” Suddenly, Nangong Mingyue brought her palm down on his head, her face icy as she looked at him with cold disdain.

“Mingfeng, right? Why don’t you take her away? There are only two women in the whole sect—one’s an exhibitionist, and the other’s colder than ice. How am I supposed to survive like this? Take one away, please…” Ye Jiuyao looked pitifully at Hua Mingfeng, his expression full of innocent grievance. Hua Mingfeng was left speechless.

“The Emperor Marked Mink chose well—his successor is just as shameless,” Hua Mingfeng laughed, scolding him.

Ye Jiuyao grinned awkwardly. In the next moment, his internal energy surged, coalescing into a giant hand. Suddenly, stars swirled throughout the hall, forming a sky-reaching gesture as if plucking them from the heavens.

“Let me try.”

The giant hand snatched the wine from Jian Yunzi’s table, traversing the air and landing it neatly in Ye Jiuyao’s grasp.

“Tsk tsk… fine wine indeed. On behalf of the Emperor Marked Mink, I thank you. In return, I’ll gift you a sword technique. There’s only one move, but it’s not inferior to your Heavenly Sword Sect’s ultimate technique…”

Jian Yunzi’s expression turned to delight, deep gratitude welling in his heart. A gift of swordsmanship under the guise of sharing wine—not only a generous gesture, but a subtle message. The method was crude, but flawless. If the Falling Leaf Sect ever tried to oppress the Profound Sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect would have every reason to intervene—repaying the debt of swordsmanship.

Such meticulous thought in one so young—truly terrifying.

Nangong Mingyue, for her part, marveled at Ye Jiuyao’s mastery of the Star-Plucking Technique. If she recalled correctly, Xuan San had only obtained this after countless brushes with death, yet Ye Jiuyao could now wield it with ease.

On her icy face, a look of genuine astonishment appeared. Ye Jiuyao noticed, but gave it no heed, striding straight out of the hall.

Jian Yunzi and the others followed close behind. Ye Jiuyao raised his right hand—light flashed, and a stalk of straw appeared in his grasp. With a surge of energy, it became as sharp as any sword.

“Watch closely. This technique is called the Drawing Sword Art, taught by a true sword cultivator. How much you learn depends on you.” Ye Jiuyao’s voice echoed as Jian Yunzi’s eyes sharpened, focusing intently.

Hua Mingfeng and the others did the same, their attention riveted on Ye Jiuyao, who stood at the center of all eyes.

This sword technique had been taught by a sword cultivator within the Canglang Diagram. Ye Jiuyao had thought it simple and pestered him for instruction, but in practice, he realized that a single sword stroke concealed countless mysteries.

One sword—enough to cleave heaven and earth.

One sword—enough to bring ruin to all creation.

Ye Jiuyao slowly closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them. Sword intent swirled within his gaze, making him seem a true swordsman. The straw in his hand flickered.

“Drawing Sword Art!”

A voice boomed from the depths of the underworld, like thunder scattering the mists of the world, as if sunlight had burst through clouds. Light exploded from the straw in Ye Jiuyao’s hand.

A sword radiance of apocalyptic force seemed to sever the very Dao, opening a chasm in the world. In a blink, the sword’s might was unleashed.

“Boom!!”

With a single deafening blast, everyone present felt a deep, instinctive terror, cold sweat running down their backs, as if Ye Jiuyao’s sword had been aimed at them.

“Hah…”

When the sword’s aura faded, Ye Jiuyao gasped for breath, his face pale and weak, his energy all but drained.

“So exhausting. I’m going to sleep…” With that, he turned and left, leaving the crowd frozen in place.

Jian Yunzi and the others were still lost in the brilliance of that stroke. Even though Hua Mingfeng and Nangong Mingyue were not sword cultivators, they could sense the terrifying power behind it.

If Ye Jiuyao’s strength were equal to theirs, this sword alone would have been enough to slay them with no hope of resistance.

The more they thought about it, the more shocked they became, their eyes still fixed on the spot where Ye Jiuyao had just performed the Drawing Sword Art, their pupils filled with ever-growing awe.

Such a sword! Its terror defied imagination.