Kong Qingquan recognized Shen Rongyin’s carriage; after all, only the Shen Family could have a Grandmaster like Earth Deficiency as their driver. Recently, rumors had circulated in Jianghu that Shen Rongyin had left the Capital City and taken a detour to Fengxiang Prefecture. No one knew the reason for this. But now, it seed the Shen Family had their sights set on the Nine Dragon Key.
Holding a scroll, Kong Qingquan bowed respectfully. "Kong Qingquan of Little Sage Manor greets Imperial Consort Shen. I was unaware of Your Highness’s presence and am truly apprehensive!"
Kong Qingquan? Was this the Confucian Sub-Sage, ranked Third in the World?
At this mont, everyone around the carriage couldn’t help but gasp. This man was Third in the World, rumored to be one of only three cultivators in the Free Heaven Realm.
They had actually encountered him here? Wasn’t it said that this Sub-Sage avoided the world, unwilling to involve himself in the intrigues of Jianghu or the struggles of the Imperial Court? Why was he here?
Earth Deficiency was drenched in cold sweat. He knew the other party was no ordinary person, but he hadn’t expected him to be *this* extraordinary.
A Sub-Sage, Third in the World!
The others also wore expressions of shock, staring at this world-renowned figure and the elder standing beside him.
Who is this old man in a black robe, carrying a wooden sword? Wait! Black robe... wooden sword... The Black Robed Swordsman from the Sword Tomb? Number One Zhao Qixian? What exactly is going on? Why are these two together, and why are they heading to the Profound Yellow Sect?
"The Black Robed Swordsman! This must be the Black Robed Swordsman, right?" one person exclaid.
"Number One and Number Three in the World, together? Could they also be here for the Profound Yellow Sect?" another wondered.
"What kind of background does the Profound Yellow Sect have to attract these two giants?"
"If they’ve joined forces to co here, doesn’t that an Lord Tiancan, who went to the Profound Yellow Sect alone earlier, is in even greater peril?"
The crowd murmured anxiously.
「Inside the carriage.」
When Shen Rongyin heard Kong Qingquan speak, surprise flickered across her brow. eting this Sub-Sage is like encountering a living legend. Because of the Aristocratic Families, he possessed imnse talent but had nowhere to display it. Finally, he entered Little Sage Manor and, in one fell swoop, achieved the status of a contemporary Sub-Sage. The current Aristocratic Families are nothing before him.
Although Kong Qingquan had adopted a humble stance, she couldn’t continue to act aloof. If this man were to go to the Capital City, even His Majesty would likely grant him a personal audience. In Jianghu, only three individuals could make the Imperial Court apprehensive. Coincidentally, two of them were here now!
The carriage curtains were drawn aside, and Shen Rongyin stepped out with a composed expression, glancing at the middle-aged scholar and the elderly man beside him.
"Mr. Kong jests. It should be Rongyin paying respects to you," Shen Rongyin said. "Mr. Kong, if you are ever free, please be sure to visit the Shen Family. We will most certainly treat you with the utmost hospitality."
So goes the saying: thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west. It is perfectly exemplified in Kong Qingquan. Once, the Aristocratic Families subjected him to endless difficulties; now, he has risen so high they cannot hope to associate with him!
Kong Qingquan nodded in agreent, a gesture of courtesy to Shen Rongyin.
Zhao Qixian, however, paid no heed to their exchange. In his eyes, neither Shen Rongyin, nor the Shen Family, nor even the current Emperor, could stir any significant emotion within him. At his level, he had no rivals and naturally possessed an air of worldly detachnt and pride.
"And this gentleman is...?" Shen Rongyin asked curiously.
With a gentle smile, Kong Qingquan introduced him. "This is Elder Zhao from the Sword Tomb. He has co with to visit the Profound Yellow Sect."
That settles it! It’s indeed the Black Robed Swordsman, Zhao Qixian!
But Kong Qingquan’s words sent a tremor through Shen Rongyin. Visit the Profound Yellow Sect? Number One and Number Three in the World, together, just to visit the Profound Yellow Sect? That’s absurd! What qualifies a minor Jianghu Sect like the Profound Yellow Sect, tucked away in so remote corner, to receive a visit from these two?
"Mr. Kong, you jest. A minor sect like the Profound Yellow Sect hardly deserves such attention from two esteed figures like yourselves." A flash of unwillingness crossed Shen Rongyin’s eyes. She had never imagined that her target for revenge would attract the notice of such prominent individuals. This is becoming quite troubleso.
Zhao Qixian shot her a look and scoffed, "A minor sect? This old man doesn’t know about your personal grievances with the Profound Yellow Sect, but let tell you, young lady, the ’minor sect’ you speak of has turned Jianghu completely upside down!"
Hearing this, Shen Rongyin fell silent. The Profound Yellow Sect? Turned Jianghu upside down? How is that possible? The mbers of the Profound Yellow Sect have been On the Mountain all this ti. There are barely more than four hundred of them in total, and their Sect Leader, Xu Nian, has been hiding up there, never coming down. How could such a sect throw Jianghu into turmoil? Are you getting senile, old man?
"Is Consort Shen also heading to the Profound Yellow Sect?" Kong Qingquan asked with a smile.
Shen Rongyin nodded firmly. Now, she had no way to approach the mountain and was completely unaware of the situation On the Mountain. Has Celestial Remnant captured Xu Nian yet?
"How about we ascend the mountain together?" Kong Qingquan invited with a light laugh.
At this offer, a wave of relief washed over Shen Rongyin. She had been worried about how to get up the mountain. With these two leading the way, could that stench possibly stop them? No! In the presence of the Number One and Number Three in the World, not even the Imperial Palace could block their path!
"In that case, this Imperial Consort thanks Mr. Kong for the invitation." Shen Rongyin nodded gently in agreent.
Her driver, Earth Deficiency, also dismounted from the carriage and followed behind Shen Rongyin. His duty was to protect her. These two powerful figures might not act against her, but the people On the Mountain were another matter.
Kong Qingquan turned to look ahead, a smile touching his lips. "Elder Zhao, would you like to do the honors, or shall I?"
His aning was clear: soone had to deal with the stench. Either Zhao Qixian or Kong Qingquan could handle it; it was just a matter of who wished to act.
"You go ahead," Zhao Qixian said, narrowing his eyes. "It’s a good chance for this old man to see your swordsmanship." He, too, was intrigued by this Confucian Sub-Sage; achieving the Free Heaven Realm in a single breakthrough was unheard of.
"Then I shall humbly make the attempt." Kong Qingquan smiled, bowed, and then took a step forward.
With that single step, the Vast Righteous Qi of his Confucian swordsmanship surged forth. Visible Sword Qi coalesced and then swooped down towards the stench pervading the mountain.
SWOOSH!
The Sword Qi struck decisively, instantly splitting the thick odor in half. The Stone Steps leading up the mountain were revealed in that mont.
At the Mountain Gate, a figure startled by this sight stumbled back, nearly knocking over a nearby jar.
This display of Confucian swordsmanship also shocked Shen Rongyin and the others. Could the stench blocking their path truly be neutralized so easily by him?
"Not bad. You’ve indeed mastered Vast Righteous Qi," Zhao Qixian said with a nod. "As for Confucian swordsmanship, you’re the first to impress this old man. You truly live up to the title of Sub-Sage."
"Senior Zhao flatters . Qingquan is truly apprehensive!" Kong Qingquan quickly bowed.
The stench was split in two, the Sword Qi remaining concentrated and unwavering, completely preventing the noxious fus from recombining.
This scene dumbfounded the Dung Beetle, who was busy making Stinky Tofu. Good heavens! Is this what facing a World Boss feels like?
He scooped up a piece of Stinky Tofu and ate it to calm his nerves, then quickly sent a ssage up the mountain.
Zhao Qixian and Kong Qingquan walked side by side, with Shen Rongyin and her retinue following closely behind. The gentle presence of the Confucian Sword Qi made everyone feel relieved as they ascended. If Zhao Qixian had been the one to act, their ascent would likely have been marred by injuries from his more aggressive Sword Qi.
As the approaching group drew nearer, the Dung Beetle turned, picked up his Cyan Dragon Crescent Moon Saber, and eyed them warily.
Everyone was surprised to see that the source of the overpowering stench was a pot. What in the world could be in there to sll so foul?
Kong Qingquan stepped forward and greeted him. "I am Kong Qingquan from Little Sage Manor, here to pay respects to Sect Leader Xu of the Profound Yellow Sect. Please announce our arrival."
Seeing they hadn’t co to cause trouble, the Dung Beetle was montarily stunned. After a brief hesitation, he began, "I’ve already notified them. You..."
Before he could finish, a dense crowd of figures surged down from the mountain—the First Test Players and Second Test Players had all arrived.
"Where’s the World Boss? Let see!" one shouted.
"Why didn’t I get the task? Dung Beetle, are you ssing with us?!" another yelled.
"Wasn’t there supposed to be a World Boss? Which one of these guys is it?"
"Are you trying to stir things up, Dung Beetle? Are you?"
A chorus of similar complaints erupted.
Junlin glanced at the few people at the foot of the mountain, feeling sowhat disappointed and about to turn away. A World Boss? How could such an entity just randomly show up here?
But just as he was about to leave, Neighbor Six said thoughtfully, "Brother Junlin, you should take a look at the path leading up the mountain!"
The path up the mountain? Junlin looked back.
At that instant, visible Sword Qi churned back and forth on either side of the Stone Steps, like a giant, terrifying at grinder.
Sword Qi! That’s actual Sword Qi! Which player didn’t dream of wielding Sword Qi to show off? Currently, they could barely execute a few sword forms; manifesting Sword Qi would require reaching the Grandmaster Realm, wouldn’t it? Yet, the Sword Qi before them, resembling a at grinder, was utterly terrifying. Is this really a World Boss encounter?
"Holy crap, that’s Sword Qi! Who actually produced that?"
"I’ve decided! I’m not practicing the saber anymore; the sword is definitely for !"
"If there’s Sword Qi, does this an we’ll be able to achieve Sword Flight later on, or summon a Flying Sword to take soone’s head from a thousand miles away?"
"Say no more! I’m so hyped! I’m going to practice swordsmanship right now!"
The Players buzzed with excitent.
Hearing the Players’ comnts, Zhao Qixian nodded in satisfaction. They like swordsmanship? Good! Excellent! These disciples of the Profound Yellow Sect are discerning enough to recognize the advantages of the sword. To even forsake other weapons to dedicate themselves solely to swordsmanship—they have true potential!
The Dung Beetle, excited by the praise for swords, perhaps, eagerly scooped out another spoonful of dark Stinky Tofu.
Seeing him so openly indulging, all the Players blanched. This guy is truly beyond saving.
Once he’d cald down, the Dung Beetle said, "They want to see the Sect Leader. It would be best if you all accompany them up the mountain. I’ll continue my research on Stinky Tofu!"
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