Volume One: The Dragon Rises from the Wild Chapter Twenty-Five: The Aura of the Sword

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...

Xuanhuang Mountain.

Main peak.

On the cliff.

The entrance to the cave was still shrouded in mist, unchanged from before.

This was the residence of the master of Xuanhuang Mountain, known as Madam Hong. She had not yet emerged from her seclusion.

Dust Rise and Bu Yi had already made an agreement, so everyone could only continue their vigil. One side was there to protect, to prevent any mishaps; the other, though claiming to be visiting, was far too forceful, their true intent unclear.

Unexpectedly, after five days, Dust Rise grew agitated and restless. He excused himself to Bu Yi, thanked Bai Zhi for her efforts, and wandered off alone.

Bu Yi and his three companions took no offense at Dust Rise's abrupt departure; instead, they watched him leave with ambiguous smiles.

Bai Zhi, however, frowned, her anxiety deepening.

Half an hour later, Bai Zhi could no longer sit still. Claiming she had something urgent to discuss with her senior brother, she gave a few instructions to the eight disciples of Xuanhuang Mountain and hurriedly descended the cliff.

Bu Yi and the others relaxed even more, laughing loudly as they discussed the amusements of the Immortal Gates and commented on the beauty of Xuanhuang Mountain's scenery.

The eight disciples listened eagerly to the conversation of these distinguished guests, feeling their horizons broaden and gaining much, gradually lowering their guard. But after a short while, the four guests suddenly revealed their ferocious intent.

Bu Yi raised his hand, pointing, and sword light flashed.

The disciple nearest him hadn’t realized what was happening before the sword light pierced his waist. The sword light spun through the air, and three more disciples fell into pools of blood.

The other three guests swung their swords simultaneously, and one disciple after another fell dead on the spot.

In the blink of an eye, eight corpses lay on the ground.

Only then did Bu Yi rise, raising his hand once more.

The circling sword light turned in the air, shooting straight for the mist-shrouded cave entrance.

"Boom—"

A muffled sound, and the mist dispersed.

Bu Yi flicked his sleeve, and the sword light returned to his hand, revealing a short sword a foot long. He exchanged a glance with his three companions and strode toward the cave.

The other three conjured spells, igniting a fierce blaze. The corpses and bloodstains on the ground were consumed in an instant.

Inside the cave.

Bu Yi walked in with hands clasped behind him, stopping leisurely.

On the open ground sat an old woman, her hair silver, a trace of blood at her lips. She appeared even older and weaker than before. She looked up at Bu Yi and gasped, "I... I know you are a master from Qizhou. Why did you break my wards, invade my cave, and interrupt my seclusion?"

"Heh!" Bu Yi smiled, saying, "Madam Hong? Truly worthy of being the master of Xuanhuang Mountain. But alas, your cultivation is too weak and your lifespan spent. Even in seclusion, your efforts are futile!"

Madam Hong’s face flushed with anger, and she rebuked, "In three or five days I would have emerged, but you disturbed me, causing my vital energy to reverse, my meridians to rupture, and my cultivation to collapse, cough..." Another trace of blood spilled from her lips as she bit her teeth and continued, "Xuanhuang Mountain has no grudges with you. Why have you killed my disciples and endangered my life?"

Bu Yi surveyed the dim cave, his gaze passing over a pill furnace in the corner. Stroking his short beard, he spoke in a deep voice, "This is our first meeting, so let’s not waste words. Let me ask you, where are the treasures of the Qizhou master?"

"Ah..." Madam Hong's anger had not faded, but now confusion appeared.

"You don't know?"

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Bu Yi shook his head. "Let me be frank. The so-called Qizhou master is not from Qizhou, but the Immortal Gates of Yan Prefecture. He was hunted by many factions and disappeared for decades. Recently, it was learned that Xuanhuang Mountain discovered the site of his demise, obtaining not only a beast core but also a manual and secrets. Furthermore, I've learned you intend to use the beast core to establish your foundation, and today it’s confirmed. There is no denying it now." His tone turned deadly. "Hand over the treasures, and I'll leave at once. If not, you'll regret it. You’re at death’s door—even if you don’t care for your own life, you should care for your disciples. Don’t say you weren’t warned!"

"Beast core... manual..."

Madam Hong seemed to realize suddenly, but then fell into thought, muttering, "Dust Rise never mentioned the manual. He said himself he found only a beast core in Spirit Jiao Valley, but it was stolen by a hunter..." She suddenly lifted her head, her voice trembling in anger, "Where is Dust Rise... How dare he betray his master and ancestors, pfft..." Before she could finish, as if her life force was exhausted, she spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed weakly to the ground.

Bu Yi was taken aback, stepping back. He paused in silence, then turned and strode out.

His three companions were still waiting outside. He urged them sharply, "Go find Dust Rise!"

...

Where there are people, there is strife.

Either you cause me trouble, or I come to settle accounts with you.

And the one Dust Rise sought was in the Cliff Cave, just three yards away—the young man with the bamboo staff. He launched himself at Yu Ye, cruelly slashing out a blade of sword energy.

The sword energy sliced through the air, whistling with murderous intent, unstoppable.

Yu Ye stood his ground, neither dodging nor fleeing, but raised the bamboo staff with both hands, fearlessly facing the sword energy.

"Boom—"

Gu Yu, still hiding in the distance, squeezed his eyes shut in terror. After the crash, he couldn't help but peek.

He saw Yu Ye, empty-handed, retreating step by step until his back slammed against the stone wall, then he collapsed to the ground with a thud. The bamboo staff he held had been shattered, splinters flying everywhere. Meanwhile, Dust Rise advanced with sword raised, pressing relentlessly.

Alas, a bamboo staff was no match for a sword; bare hands were certain death!

Gu Yu picked up his longsword, wanting to rush over, but forced himself to hold back, sighing helplessly.

"Kid, you have true energy in your body—must be from the beast core, right?"

Dust Rise now stood before Yu Ye.

His previous strike had been all out, meant to kill in one blow, but it had been neutralized by a mere bamboo staff. Though the staff was now splinters, the force within was familiar to him.

True energy!

How could a rural boy cultivate true energy? It must be from the power of the beast core!

Yu Ye sat with legs splayed, face pale, eyes cold and calm as he quietly regarded Dust Rise. His desolate look showed he'd given up any last resistance.

Dust Rise raised his sword impatiently. "Keeping the beast core is a waste. Hand it over, and I'll grant you an intact corpse as thanks!"

He swung his sword at Yu Ye's abdomen, intent on reclaiming the treasure he coveted.

Yu Ye remained silent, watching Dust Rise and the descending blade. At the instant the sword was about to slice his abdomen, Yu Ye suddenly raised his right hand and flicked his finger.

Dust Rise was imagining flesh and blood flying and the beast core restored to him. But suddenly a gust of wind from Yu Ye's finger came with lethal force, chilling to the bone. Dust Rise’s expression changed, he hurriedly dodged, but with a loud crash, his protective magic shattered and his shoulder exploded in a bloody hole. Screaming, he was hurled backward, crashing to the ground, crying out in terror, "Sword energy—is it the legendary sword energy..."

Yu Ye rolled to his feet, silently rejoicing.

After two months of bitter cultivation without progress, then five days of intense practice, he finally comprehended the secret and cultivated sword energy, unleashing a desperate counterattack at the brink of death.

And now, how could he let his enemy escape!

"Dust Rise, you killed my kin—pay with your life!"

Yu Ye growled, charging forward.

Dust Rise lay on the ground, unable to rise, panicked. "Kid, if you kill me, the foundation masters of Qizhou won't spare you..."

Yu Ye formed a sword seal, flicking his finger in the air.

He cared nothing for foundation masters—only his enemy mattered. Three months ago, he couldn't even dream of revenge, powerless and forced to flee his village in disgrace. Today, having cultivated sword energy, he was determined to kill Dust Rise, or else let down Er Gou and all his fellow villagers. But when he attacked with all his hatred, no sword energy emerged from his finger.

Yu Ye tried again, forming seals and flicking his finger, but it was futile.

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"Heh!"

Dust Rise was still shouting, suddenly delighted. "Kid, your sword energy isn't mastered yet. If you want to kill me, come—"

Though lying in blood, Dust Rise waved his longsword provocatively. What he feared was sword energy, not an unarmed opponent.

Yu Ye had to halt, bewildered.

He had clearly cultivated sword energy—why couldn't he use it now? Without sword energy, how could he kill Dust Rise? Would this rare chance for revenge slip away?

Suddenly, someone called out, "Catch the sword!"

Yu Ye glanced back and saw Gu Yu toss his longsword.

Dust Rise cursed, "Traitor! You want to die!"

Yu Ye caught the sword.

Dust Rise threw a piece of cloth that instantly transformed into a ball of flame, rolling straight toward Gu Yu.

It was a talisman!

Yu Ye's knowledge had grown—he recognized Dust Rise’s fire talisman at a glance. Its power still haunted him. With Gu Yu’s skills, he feared the worst.

As expected, Gu Yu retreated in panic, but the flames were ferocious, and in a flash, he was trapped.

Yu Ye sprang forward, grabbed Gu Yu, and another wave of fire surged.

"Bang!"

Just then, the stone door sounded.

Someone had opened the Cliff Cave’s stone door—was it the foundation master Dust Rise had mentioned?

Yu Ye could no longer care about revenge. Sword in his right hand, Gu Yu in his left, he dodged the flames, blindly rushing toward the pool. Crossing it, he cast one last hateful glance back, then dashed out with Gu Yu...

"Senior brother?"

Bai Zhi entered the Cliff Cave, exclaiming in surprise.

Inside, the flames had not yet faded, but Yu Ye and Gu Yu were gone. Only Dust Rise lay on the ground, bloody and battered.

Bai Zhi’s face turned cold as she questioned, "Senior brother, why did you try to kill Yu Ye and Gu Yu?"

"Hmph!"

Dust Rise snorted, struggling to sit up. He raised a hand to staunch his shoulder wound, rolled his eyes, and said, "When did you see me kill Yu Ye? I nearly died at that kid’s hands. Damn Gu Yu helped him escape, ow..."

Bai Zhi asked in disbelief, "How could Yu Ye be your match, or kill you?"

Dust Rise, humiliated and angry, couldn’t help sneering, "All thanks to you, junior sister. If you hadn’t sheltered him here, feeding him pills and teaching him skills and sword techniques, how could he have developed innate spiritual roots and mastered invisible sword energy?"

"I kept him here on master’s orders, never taught him any skills..."

Bai Zhi protested, incredulous, "You say he developed innate roots and invisible sword energy? But none in the Great Marsh Taoist Sect knows sword energy—did you kill Yu Ye just to deceive master?"

"You’re wrong. When have I ever lied to master?"

"You brought the Qizhou masters, claiming a visit but actually provoking, lingering ever since. Isn’t that deceiving master, deliberately hindering her seclusion? Now you’ve killed Yu Ye, ruining master’s plans..."

Dust Rise shook his head, interrupting, "If you won’t believe me, so be it. But how could you leave master’s cave without permission? If master comes to harm, you’ll be held responsible!"

Bai Zhi’s expression changed slightly...