CHAPTER 868: PAYING RESPECTS TO GREAT SWORD IMMORTAL

It had long been agreed that this sword duel would be fought within the realm of Nepenthe. Whether it was Yu Xiyi or the Sword Sect’s Sect Master, both were to remain within this realm, that was the only way to keep the match fair.

Yet at this moment, when the Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s mind stirred and sword qi began to flow from his apertures, it had already surpassed Nepenthe Realm, reaching the end of Nepenthe

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master frowned. As the sword qi circulated, he willed it back into his apertures once again.

All of this happened in an instant, as quick as lightning. The movement of sword qi was faint, yet still perceived by Yu Xiyi across from him. He halted his sword, then struck anew.

Wild Grass swept past once more. The Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s flying sword, Autumn Water, blocked the first strike, but from that moment onward, he was completely forced onto the defensive.

Yu Xiyi’s sword momentum did not stop. With every swing of Wild Grass, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master was suppressed a little further. After several exchanges, this leader who had stood at the pinnacle of the sword path for countless years finally showed signs of decline, his stance collapsing, his defeat inevitable.

Among all cultivators in the world, sword cultivators were those who cared most about maintaining the so-called spirit within their chests. Now that the Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s spirit had scattered, no matter how lofty his Sword Dao or how strong his cultivation, he was fated to lose again and again.

With a crack.

Just as the Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s mind wavered, a crack appeared on Autumn Water in his hand. Having clashed repeatedly with Wild Grass, the flying sword that had barely endured until now finally reached its limit. When his breath dissipated, the sword could no longer withstand it.

The flying sword broke apart into several pieces. Countless fragments scattered and fell, vanishing without a trace.

Seizing the momentum, Wild Grass pierced through the Sect Master’s left chest with a single thrust.

Between heaven and earth, everything suddenly fell silent.

Everyone who witnessed this scene stared wide-eyed, their faces full of disbelief.

What did they just see?

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master truly had his body pierced by Yu Xiyi’s flying sword at this moment?

How was this possible?!

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master had roamed the world for so many years, his mastery of the sword long acknowledged as unrivaled. Yet such a terrifying existence, how could he lose?

Even though everyone present knew that today’s battle was one where the Sect Master suppressed his cultivation to face a junior sword cultivator, no one had ever imagined that Yu Xiyi would truly defeat him.

Just as the Sect Master himself had always believed, no matter how much he suppressed his cultivation, he was destined to be the strongest within every realm, unrivaled among sword cultivators.

But now, regardless of what anyone said, the truth before everyone’s eyes was this: the Sword Sect’s Sect Master had lost.

This man who stood atop the mountain’s highest peak had, for the first time within the same realm, been defeated by another sword cultivator.

Though the Sword Sect's Sect Master still remained the number one figure of Sword Dao, on this day, he had indeed been defeated.

Everyone remained silent, yet the shock spreading through the hearts of all present seemed as if it would never subside.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master lowered his head and glanced at the flying sword, Wild Grass, that was embedded in his chest.

This Hundred Year Sword was indeed one of the top three flying swords in the world today. But no matter how sharp such a flying sword was, it should never have been thrust into his own chest.

“Hahaha...”

A burst of laughter shattered the heavy silence.

It came from the gasping Yu Xiyi. He lifted his head, looking up at the tall sword cultivator before him, his eyes full of triumph.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master was also looking at him, his expression more solemn than ever as he regarded the young sword immortal before him.

The age gap between the two was great, separated by more than one generation. Before today, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master had only regarded Yu Xiyi as a junior.

But after today, perhaps that would no longer be the case.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master did not raise his hand, only stirred his mind slightly. The sword qi that had been deliberately sealed within his apertures began to flow again, circulating through his meridians.

Wild Grass abruptly retreated from his chest and flew back into Yu Xiyi’s hand.

The wound on the Sword Sect’s Sect Master’s chest began to heal continuously. In just a short while, it had completely vanished.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master, who still remained the number one figure of Sword Dao in this world, looked at Yu Xiyi and said, “You won.”

His voice was not loud, yet everyone heard it clearly.

The Sword Sect disciples watching from all directions were stunned.

On the mountain, the two sword immortals on the mountain were also watching. Meng Sangshan of them was momentarily dazed before bursting into hearty laughter. “Old Jiao, you can bring out that jar of wine now. Let’s drink together.”

Jiao Xinchen gazed blankly at the distant scene. After a long silence, he murmured, “So this mountain truly could be surmounted.”

Before today, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master had been the mountain pressing down upon all sword cultivators in the world. But after today, he would no longer be.

At the very least, everyone now saw that this mountain could indeed be surmounted.

......

......

Yu Xiyi sat down heavily in the sea of clouds, gasping for breath. The young sword immortal opened his mouth as if to speak, but stopped halfway.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, “That momentary thought was my mistake. You took advantage of the opening when I withdrew my sword qi, but since it was I who first moved, letting the sword qi flow out of my apertures, it was already unfair. So your victory is without question.”

Though he was the number one figure of Sword Dao in this world, a proud sword cultivator, when he lost, he lost, he would never make excuses for himself.

Just like when he had lost to the two emperor before, he was completely convinced.

Yu Xiyi opened his mouth and mumbled, “Who told you all that? No matter the reason, I won. I just want to say, it’s a pity that Elder Brother has passed on first. Otherwise, he’d definitely be jumping for joy right now.”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master was momentarily taken aback, probably not expecting that this kid would be thinking about something like that at this moment.

“Yang Luting lost to me for a whole sixty-year cycle. If he knew you defeated me once, he would likely be thrilled.”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master took a deep breath, his mind replaying Yu Xiyi’s past, from when he first climbed the mountain, to drawing a prison on the ground to trap himself, and then drawing his sword before he headed for the Divine Capital. Each of these events together formed the Yu Xiyi of today.

“Yu Xiyi, today you have defeated me once, and with that, you have earned the qualification to compare your Sword Dao with mine. Back when I went out to the Divine Capital, you didn’t finish what you wanted to say, you may speak now.”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master recalled the previous matters.

Yu Xiyi shook his head, grinning, “Back then, you said that this disciple wasn’t worthy of debating the correctness of your Sword Dao, and now this disciple say you don’t need to debate this with me either.”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master’s brow furrowed slightly.

Yu Xiyi slowly stood up, smiling, “Whether Sect Master's Sword Dao is correct or not, I no longer care. Because having defeated Sect Master this time, next time if we are of the same realm, I will naturally use facts to show Sect Master exactly what the Sword Dao is.”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master did not speak immediately. After a pause, he said, “Our paths are destined to be separate, but I see in you the hope that the Sword Dao can reach even higher...”

“How about we set another duel?”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master looked at Yu Xiyi.

Yu Xiyi grinned, “When?”

“The time is uncertain. When our realms are equal, we will compete in the sword. If you win, the position of Sword Sect's Sect Master will be yours. If I win... you won’t have to give anything.”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master spoke calmly. He naturally sought nothing; if he were to defeat Yu Xiyi at that time, it would only prove that his path was without fault.

Yu Xiyi frowned and asked, “A fight to the death.”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master did not answer this directly, but rephrased, “Give it your all in the duel.”

Yu Xiyi said, “It’s a deal.”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master turned around. Between heaven and earth, the sound of sword cries sounded out.

The flying sword Wild Grass now carried a dazzling sword light, shooting toward the sky.

The sword qi that had previously scattered across the world now surged violently toward the young sword immortal.

Yu Xiyi spread both arms, accepting it calmly.

The Sword Sect's Sect Master transformed into sword light and dissipated.

One after another, the sounds of swords ringing arose at this moment.

Above the sky, there was a stretch of green.

Like Wild Grass growing vigorously in spring rain, full of life.

“Greetings, Great Sword Immortal Yu!”

The Sword Sect disciples spoke first, their voices containing genuine admiration.

Then the other sword cultivators who had reacted followed, all speaking in turn.

“Greetings, Great Sword Immortal Yu!”

“Greetings, Great Sword Immortal Yu!”

The voices rose and fell repeatedly.

Everyone knew that at this moment, Yu Xiyi had crossed that threshold and become a great sword immortal.

And such a young great sword immortal.

It seemed the age at which he became a great sword immortal was even younger than when the Sword Sect's Sect Master had achieved it.

Indeed, the new waves surpass the old.

But Chen Chao just looked at the sword cultivator beside him.

Xu Bai closed his eyes tightly, sword qi flowing through his body, and at this moment, he finally broke through that realm.

Today, the world did not have one less sword immortal, it just gained an additional great sword immortal.