Volume One, Chapter Nine: Senior Brother, So Handsome

A flicker of greed and resolve flashed in his eyes, as if he could already see himself claiming that fortuitous encounter as his own.

With this thought, Jiang Wu’s brows furrowed slightly, and a sense of unease welled up in his heart. He realized that if Ye Chen had truly obtained a heaven-defying opportunity, the allure of such a prize would be immense, enough to tempt anyone. He could not guarantee that if he sent others to investigate, they might hide the discovery out of greed or miss the chance entirely due to incompetence.

Thinking this, Jiang Wu’s gaze grew even more determined. He decided it was best to go personally. After all, only by taking action himself could he ensure everything would go flawlessly and secure this fortune firmly in his own grasp.

The next moment, with his objective clear, Jiang Wu sprang from his seat like a hunting leopard ready to strike, his body exuding an aura that could not be ignored. His movements were swift and fluid. With a sudden shift, he moved like a black streak of lightning, tearing through the stagnant air of the room, covering several feet in a single stride as he dashed toward the half-open wooden door.

The door seemed to sense his resolve; it trembled slightly and swung open, yielding a path to the vast world beyond. Outside, a gentle breeze brushed against his face, carrying a hint of coolness and freedom. Jiang Wu took a deep breath of the purest air, the heroic spirit in his chest feeling as if it might pierce the heavens. He tapped his feet lightly against the ground, and his body miraculously rose into the air, like an immortal detached from the constraints of the mortal world, beginning to soar.

In mid-air, Jiang Wu moved with elegance and speed, like a meteor streaking across the sky. He left behind silvery trails and long waves of air, his momentum grand and imposing, like a dragon emerging from the sea, causing the winds and clouds to shift and drawing the gaze of all living things.

Below him, the disciples of the Qingyang Sword Manor were busy with their tasks when they suddenly swayed involuntarily, nearly losing their balance. It was clear they had been affected by the powerful shockwaves generated by Jiang Wu’s flight. At first, they looked up with anger, thinking some ignorant peer was acting recklessly. But when they focused and recognized the familiar figure as the Sword Seed Jiang Wu, their anger instantly dissolved, replaced by reverence and envy.

"It’s the Sword Seed!" someone exclaimed, their voice filled with awe.

"What? Senior Brother Jiang is heading out?" The crowd began to murmur, their eyes following the soaring figure with longing. The younger disciples were particularly excited, their eyes shimmering with adoration, as if they had caught a glimpse of their own future path.

"Senior Brother Jiang is so cool!" they praised, their tones filled with yearning for the strength he possessed.

"Indeed. If only I could reach the realm of aerial flight," one said.

"Me too," another added.

Compared to the longing of the younger brothers, the younger sisters harbored bolder fantasies. Watching the figure in the sky, they prayed silently that they might become his cultivation partner and explore the mysteries of the martial path together for the rest of their lives. One disciple, sturdy of build and blunt of character, could not help herself. Right in front of a group of her peers, she whispered, "How wonderful it would be to be Senior Brother Jiang’s partner."

Even though she spoke softly, she was overheard. This immediately drew the ire of her peers, who cast disdainful looks at her. One retorted bluntly, "What did you say? Do you think you’re worthy? A powerhouse like Senior Brother Jiang is beyond the reach of someone as ordinary as you."

"Exactly! If anyone is to be his partner, it will be me," they chimed in, their voices thick with jealousy and resentment.

Just as everyone was immersed in their admiration of Jiang Wu, an untimely sigh broke the harmony.

"Sigh..." The sound was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, drawing everyone's attention.

"Mo Shan, why are you sighing? You’re such a buzzkill," someone said, frowning in annoyance. Another added, "Are you dissatisfied with Sword Seed Jiang?"

Mo Shan shook his head, his expression complex. He took a breath and said slowly, "No, it’s just... I was reminded of someone."

At these words, the crowd exchanged glances, an ominous feeling rising in them.

"Are you talking about Senior Brother Ye?" someone asked tentatively.

"What, Senior Brother Ye? That’s just Ye Chen the waste," another retorted with contempt.

Yet, Mo Shan’s words acted like a seed, taking root in their hearts and forcing them to recall a name that had long been forgotten. Their thoughts were stirred, and memories of Ye Chen, like long-sealed scrolls, began to unfurl. They turned in unison, their gazes piercing through the layers of mist toward the mountain range on the outskirts of the Qingyang Sword Manor. That was where Ye Chen once lived, the place where he practiced in silence.

"Wait, it seems Senior Brother Jiang is heading toward that person's residence," someone suddenly realized, their voice filled with surprise and doubt.

This exclamation was like a stone hitting a calm lake again, the ripples spreading and shattering the silence. All eyes turned to the speaker, filled with curiosity and speculation.

"Should we go take a look?" a voice suggested, filled with anticipation. This proposal ignited their curiosity, and they grew instantly excited.

"Let’s go! Why not? It would be interesting to see what kind of miserable state that formerly glorious 'Sword Seed' has fallen into," another person added, his words tinged with subtle schadenfreude.

Thus, the group nodded in agreement, having found an excellent way to pass the time. They moved quickly, flying on their swords in small groups toward the direction Jiang Wu had taken, driven by curiosity about the unknown and a desire to spy on the fallen genius. The once-quiet grounds became bustling with noise and commotion.

...

Meanwhile, Jiang Wu had embarked on his journey to Qingyun Mountain. It was not a short distance—dozens of miles—which even for an aerial-realm expert like Jiang Wu, would take some time. He moved like the wind, flying on his sword directly toward Ye Chen’s location.

However, Ye Chen was completely unaware of all this.

At this moment, inside the wooden cabin on Qingyun Mountain, Ye Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, fully focused on communicating with the Pale Blood Orb. His face was pale, and fine beads of sweat covered his forehead; it was clear that this process was far from easy. To awaken the potential of the Pale Blood Orb, he had even resorted to using his own vital essence—the purest life force within him.

One drop was not enough, so he used two, then three...

Just as Ye Chen was about to collapse from exhaustion, the Pale Blood Orb finally changed. Its surface began to emanate wisps of pure blood energy. These wisps, as if possessing a life of their own, circled and gathered around Ye Chen, eventually forming a massive vortex of blood energy.

Ye Chen stared at the surging, blood-enshrouded orb, his heart filled with turmoil.

"Could this orb really be a demonic artifact?" he pondered, a flicker of worry crossing his eyes.

The term "demonic path" hung over his mind like a dark cloud, obscuring his path forward. He knew that demonic artifacts were often accompanied by unpredictable dangers; once involved, one could easily fall into a bottomless abyss. What worried him even more was the thought of his sister, Ye Lin, being dragged into this unknown vortex.

After all, in the Qingyang Sword Manor, throughout the entire Yunhai County, and indeed the entire Great Xia Dynasty, the demonic path was considered a taboo. If he were linked to it, not only would he and his sister be in danger, but the entire Qingyang Sword Manor could be implicated and face total destruction.