Chapter 217: Mysterious Senior
Liu Qing shook his head and smiled. “If this is what you are thinking, then you may be disappointed. Although this book is called the Nine Saber Heavenly Exterminating Formation (Simplified Version), it is not related to that Nine Saber Heavenly Exterminating Formation.
“This manual is another formation, which was derived from the Nine Saber Heavenly Exterminating Formation. Although its might is great, it required nine cultivators of similar cultivation levels to cooperate perfectly. It had very high requirements and only existed in theory.
“Aside from the formation master, the other eight people would have to be like extensions of his arms, smooth and natural, without any pause or hesitation. There was no leeway for any errors; otherwise, the formation would instantly fail and cause a backlash.”
Xiao Chen frowned slightly, a strange look appearing in his eyes. He said, “Senior, why are you so familiar with this?”
Liu Qing smiled faintly and said, “Not just familiar, I am the one who wrote this book.”
So that was why. No wonder he was as familiar with it as if it were his family treasure. Xiao Chen said, “In that case, I will listen to senior’s advice and not take this book.”
“Wait for a while,” Liu Qing told Xiao Chen before handing him a complete Nine Saber Heavenly Exterminating Formation (Simplified Version). “There is no problem looking through it when you have time. Who knows, maybe you can figure out the method to solve the issues it has.”
Xiao Chen was mildly surprised. He gave his thanks after receiving it before immediately leaving the library.
Liu Suifeng was seated alone on the stone steps outside of the library. He had a dejected expression on his face. It was likely that he was still thinking about Wang Rong’s return.
Xiao Chen walked to Liu Suifeng’s side. He was not aware of the grudges between him and Wang Rong, nor did he know how to console him. It was fine to receive setbacks and difficulties as long as one knew of their faults and bravely dealt with them.
However, Xiao Chen did not know if Liu Suifeng could think this through. If he was ruined by this setback and developed a heart demon, it would mean the end of his journey on the path of cultivation.
When Liu Suifeng heard Xiao Chen’s footsteps, he got up and put on a brave front. “Brother Ye. You obtained the manuals already, right? Let's go down the peak. Thank you for standing up for me earlier.”
Xiao Chen patted his shoulder and said, “As your friend, this is what I should do.”
Liu Suifeng was silent on the way down, completely different from when they were going up. They both headed for the middle of the peak in silence.
“Hold on!”
After they walked for a while, a voice suddenly rang out in their heads. They stopped walking and looked at each other; there was a trace of doubt in their eyes.
Suddenly, Liu Suifeng shut his eyes, as though he was communicating something with his mind. After a while, he opened his eyes and said to Xiao Chen, “My dad wants you to go to the top of the peak. He wants to meet you.”
Liu Suifeng’s father, the previous Peak Master of Qingyun Peak; the one who held on to the Divine Weapon. He was usually at the top of the peak and was shrouded in mystery. To think he wanted to meet Xiao Chen!
Xiao Chen felt suspicious and asked, “Did he say what is it about?”
Liu Suifeng did not know, so he shook his head, “He did not say. I have not seen him for a very long time myself. Let me know how he is doing when you come down.”
Xiao Chen nodded and executed the Azure Dragon Cloud Soaring Art. He moved very quickly on the small mountain path. In the blink of an eye, he had travelled several hundred meters.
Liu Suifeng looked at Xiao Chen’s disappearing figure and muttered, “How unfathomable. He was about as strong as me a few months ago. Now, I can no longer see through his strength. He probably would be able to fight against Wang Rong.”
When Liu Suifeng thought of Wang Rong, he revealed an expression of hate and helplessness.
Qingyun Peak’s summit was between 4,000 and 5,000 meters higher. The higher one climbed, the more precipitous it was. Eventually, it reached a point where there was no more road. After that was a near-vertical climb. The top of the peak was shrouded in clouds. A strong wind blew up there, making one’s clothes flutter.
Xiao Chen took a look around. There was another thousand meters to the top, but the wall was smooth, and there were no footholds. His Small Perfection Azure Dragon Cloud Soaring Art had no way to fly in the air.
Xiao Chen had no other choice but to use the Gravity Spell to fly to the top. Flying for a thousand meters up exhausted a lot of Essence. Furthermore, the wind very strong. This final stretch took a long time to complete.
Xiao Chen felt like he was flying up to heaven. He did not know how Liu Suifeng came up here in the past. In the end, Xiao Chen got through this daunting experience without any mishaps, and landed firmly.
There was an old man seated cross-legged at the top. There was no expression on his face, as though he had merged together with the rock.
The apocalyptic Divine Weapon was stowed peacefully in a wooden box and placed at the side of the peak; it seemed very ordinary.
Xiao Chen had always been curious about the old man’s status; he had a guess that he was not very sure about. When he saw this person, he sized him up carefully. However, he discovered that this person was different from the one in his memories.
He did not know why, but Xiao Chen exhaled in relief when he arrived at this conclusion.
The old man slowly opened his eyes and he looked at Xiao Chen. He smiled, “I did not expect to meet you again so soon… Thunder Emperor’s inheritor. How is the scabbard I gave you?”
When Xiao Chen heard this, he was startled. A strange light appeared in his eyes as he stared at this old man, “So, it really is you!”
The Thunder Emperor’s inheritor… this was the status Xiao Chen was the most sensitive about. When he heard this person mention it again, his right hand went for his saber hilt quickly. He raised his aura and was ready to make a move at any moment.
The old man smiled indifferently, “There is no need to be nervous. If I wanted to harm you, I would not have given you the scabbard. Otherwise, the people in the Elders’ Assembly would have felt the aura of the Thunder Wood Sword and killed you on the spot.”
Although the old man said that, the wariness in Xiao Chen’s heart did not decrease at all. The feeling of having one’s life in the hand of another was not comfortable.
If this was looked at from another angle, if the old man wanted to harm him, all he had to do was to announce his status. Xiao Chen would then immediately face the threat of elimination.
Xiao Chen said sullenly, “Why did you call me here? I’m guessing it is not simply to meet me?”
The old man did not answer Xiao Chen’s question. Instead, he said, “Although I cannot leave this Mountain Coiling Rock under me, I know of every little thing that happens in the Heavenly Saber Pavilion. Nothing can escape my eyes.”
He could not leave the rock under him? Xiao Chen extended out his Spiritual Sense and looked carefully at the rock under the old man. When he scanned it with his Spiritual Sense, he saw something he could not see with his eyes.
There were black tentacles binding the old man tightly to the rock. The tentacles emitted a black demonic Qi, it was very horrifying.
Xiao Chen withdrew his Spiritual Sense and looked again. However, he discovered that everything seemed normal; he could not see anything. So that was why when Biyun Peak’s Peak Master—Song Que—came in force, this old man was unable to help.
It was because of these black tentacles. The feeling these tentacles gave him was similar to the Corpse King Imprint that was once placed in his body.
When the old man felt Xiao Chen’s Spiritual Sense, he revealed a somewhat astonished expression. What strong Soul Power! His Soul Power is as strong as mine. Furthermore, he seems even more adept at using it.
Xiao Chen withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, “What you can see is not my problem. I came to the Heavenly Saber Pavilion as a private individual.”
“I am only here to learn Listening to the Sword and Communicating With It. I will not cause any trouble in the Heavenly Saber Pavilion. I request for Senior to stop bringing up my status as the Thunder Emperor’s inheritor.”
The old man’s expression did not change. He smiled gently, “Little Friend. Listen carefully. I said, nothing in the Heavenly Saber Pavilion escapes my eyes.”
After the old man said this, he paused and looked at Xiao Chen meaningfully. Then, he continued, “… including your escapades in the Spirit Mine realms… and everything that happened in that herb field.”
This time, Xiao Chen was completely shocked. He did not expect the secrets of the underground world would be discovered by this person. That meant that this person knew everything about his deeds in the Heavenly Saber Pavilion.
The old man continued, “Don’t overthink this. Although I can see everything in the Heavenly Saber Pavilion, I will not focus on a single person for no reason. It would be very exhausting that way. Most of my attention is spent on the spatial crack in the Heavenly Saber Pavilion. I don’t have that much time to care about you.
“I noticed you in the Spirit Mines because of the battle with the Heavenly Wolf Race Fiend King. I had diverted some of my Soul Power.”
Xiao Chen felt a little more assured. However, he did not understand something, “After speaking for so long, you still have not told me why you called me here.”
“Young Man, don’t be anxious. There are some things that cannot be explained with just a sentence,” the old man had a calm expression as he went on indifferently. “You have benefited from a senior of my Heavenly Saber Pavilion and you are learning Listening to the Sword and Communicating With It from my daughter. I would like to ask for your help.”
Help? Xiao Chen did not hesitate at all. After receiving someone’s favor, it was right to return it; this was not a problem. He cupped his hands and bowed, “As long as it is within my capabilities, I am willing to help.”
However, the Heavenly Saber Pavilion is full of talent. What kind of help can this insignificant me provide? Xiao Chen was filled with doubts as he pondered.
Xiao Chen was not arrogant to that level yet. With his current strength, there were many people who were stronger than him in the Heavenly Saber Pavilion. He could not figure out why this old man was asking him for help.
Hence, he was careful about it. As long as it was within his capabilities he would do it. If it exceeded what he could do, then he could only sympathize with this elder.
“Naturally, it is within your capabilities. Furthermore, this is something only you can do. Remember your promise.”
[TL: I bet the promise is to marry his daughter. (Not a spoiler, just my prediction.)]
In the end, when Xiao Chen left the top of the peak, the old man did not state what he needed help with. The old man beat around the bush and kept saying Xiao Chen just needed to remember today’s promise.
Xiao Chen felt a little depressed at making a promise for no cause or reason. However, his time was tight. He rushed over to the dueling grounds and started to anxiously attempt to comprehend Listening to the Sword and Communicating With It with Liu Ruyue’s assistance.
He had no time to be overly depressed. When he returned to his courtyard at night, he started to practice the Lingyun Saber Technique.
Time was as tight every day. There was no free time at all. Xiao Chen was either cultivating or practicing.
At the same time, as the yearly core disciple exam approached, the entire Heavenly Saber Pavilion seemed to enter into a season of training sessions.
Even some of the core disciples did not dare to slack off. According to the rules, a few core disciples ranked at the back would have to fight with the regular disciples in the core exams. If they lost, their status as core disciples would be revoked.
Such rules were a spur for them, causing them to not dare to neglect their training.