Tian Po Sword flared with genuine rage. Its voice turned cold and cutting.
"Patriarch of the Yu family, you should know that the Sword Tomb has never belonged to your clan. What right do you have to offer it to another sect? I had hoped we could part ways with some dignity. But if that's not possible, then I see no need for courtesy. Let's see if you truly think you can keep me and Young Master here!"
The blade of the Tian Po Sword glowed a fiery red, gathering a massive surge of energy that looked ready to explode at any moment.
Mu Lan's expression changed slightly.
The intensity of that energy...
He had thought that, as someone in the Mahayana stage, he could easily suppress the situation. But now it seemed, perhaps, even that wasn't enough.
"Who here dares to stand in the way of Young Master?" Amid the swirling sand and roaring wind, the voice of the Tian Po Sword rumbled low, each word heavy with menace.
"Senior Tian Po, don't be reckless! Please don't act on impulse!" Yu Lin wiped the sweat from his forehead, quickly ordering his people to retreat.
He stole a cautious glance at Mu Lan.
He had done what he could.
But at this point, the situation had clearly spiraled beyond what the Yu family could control.
If the Tian Po Sword went berserk, it could easily raze the entire Yu estate to the ground.
Mu Lan spoke in a deep voice. "Senior Tian Po, your might is truly impressive. But can such overwhelming force last forever? Even if you've gathered some energy over the past thousand years, it must still be finite. Once it runs out, what then?"
His reinforcements from Yuehua Sect were about to arrive.
All he needed was a little more time.
Whether it was this giant sword or Yun Jin, none of them would be able to escape. When Yuehua Sect set its sights on something, there had never been an exception.
The Tian Po Sword grew more agitated, the red on its blade intensifying like a roaring blaze. A terrifying aura swirled in from all directions, converging upon the sword. It looked as though it was about to erupt in flames and obliterate everything in sight.
Yun Jin was momentarily startled. She hadn't expected the Tian Po Sword to have such a temper.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, his voice echoed in her consciousness.
"Young Master, you don't need to be afraid. I'm just buying some time and giving them a scare. If I'm not mistaken, the owners of the four keys should be arriving soon. With representatives from the Four Holy Lands present, Yuehua Sect won't be able to stir up much trouble."
In the Tian Po Sword's view, the Four Holy Lands and Wushuang Sect were still allies. Naturally, they would aid Young Master in rebuilding Wushuang Sect.
But Yun Jin wasn't nearly as optimistic. Still, since everyone seemed keen on delaying, she might as well play along.
Mu Lan couldn't guess the sword's true intentions. Right now, he was fully focused, prepared to strike at any moment.
Under this silent standoff, wind howled and dust surged in the air, making for a dramatic scene. The Tian Po Sword, meanwhile, continued drawing in energy without making a move.
Mu Lan felt something was off, but it suited him just fine. He only grew more alert.
Suddenly, a ripple of spiritual sense washed over him. His eyes gleamed with joy.
Dots appeared on the distant horizon, quickly growing clearer.
A group of cultivators in Yuehua Sect robes descended gracefully from the sky.
At the lead was a cold-faced woman.
She spoke with indifference. "Who dares to take what belongs to Yuehua Sect?"
"You've come at the perfect time, Xue Han," Mu Lan said eagerly. "This Sword Tomb belongs to Yuehua Sect, yet this junior here seeks to take it away. It concerns the honor of the sect. We cannot let them leave. Let's join forces and ensure this sword remains behind."
Fairy Xue Han had already heard about the events unfolding on her way here. Upon hearing Mu Lan's words, she stepped forward, her gaze icy as she stared at the Tian Po Sword.
"Impressive presence," she said. "But you're already a spent arrow. You won't last long. Here's what I propose. Come quietly with us back to Yuehua Sect, and we'll overlook what happened here today. Otherwise, don't blame us for using force."
A long, slender sword of glimmering ice appeared in her hand, its frigid aura biting, its sheen menacing.
"Oh? Force?" the Tian Po Sword sneered. "I'd love to see what kind of force you think you can use."
Back in the day, when he served his master, even Mahayana cultivators had fallen to his blade more than once.
Now, it seemed the tiger had fallen from the mountain, and every dog dared bark in his face. It wasn't fear that kept him from attacking. He simply hated to waste energy.
Did they really think he was afraid?
Just as the Tian Po Sword was about to strike, Qin Ping stood up with a calm smile.
"Isn't Yuehua Sect being a little too overbearing? Even I find this hard to stomach."
Mu Lan gave him a frosty glare. "Qin Ping, before meddling in someone else's affairs, make sure you have the strength to do so. Otherwise, you might just throw your own life away."
It was a blatant threat.
Qin Ping acted as if he hadn't heard it. "Treasures have spirits and choose their own masters. This has always been true. History is full of such cases. I've heard that the so-called demonic sects, driven by greed, often try to seize treasures against their will. Tell me then, how is Yuehua Sect's current behavior any different from those so-called demonic factions? You've opened my eyes today."
"Qin Ping, do you realize the consequences of slandering Yuehua Sect like this?" Fairy Xue Han turned her cold gaze on him. "Or is it that you wish to claim this treasure yourself? If you want to fight, then fight. But if Canglan Kingdom suffers because of you, you'll go down in history as the one who brought calamity upon your people!"
Qin Ping's eyes narrowed. His tone turned sharp.
"Oh? So just for speaking the truth, you threaten me and plan to bring harm to Canglan Kingdom as well? Fine. Very well. What a glorious super-sect Yuehua Sect is. Lin City has long been our Kingdom's land, yet you've occupied it for years. That alone is shameful. And now you still want to act high and mighty? Do you think I fear you?"
With a cold snort, a glowing scroll appeared before Qin Ping.
This was his life's work.
Each contribution he made added a new layer to it. After a thousand years, the scroll was now as thick as a brick and glowed with a steady golden light. It was clearly no ordinary artifact.
Both Mu Lan and Xue Han's expressions shifted slightly.
They had dared threaten Qin Ping because they knew that Imperial cultivators valued the lives of common people and typically acted with great restraint.
In theory, with his temperament, Qin Ping wouldn't have gone this far over the Sword Tomb.
But now?
He had brought out his very soul-bound artifact. That meant he was ready to risk everything.
Imperial cultivators were cautious by nature, but when they chose to act, they carried the Luck of a nation. They were never easy to deal with.
"Qin Ping, it's still not too late to back down. You don't need to involve yourself in this mess," Mu Lan warned.
Qin Ping replied without emotion, "Enough talk. If you want to fight, then fight."
There was no hesitation in him.
This time, both Mu Lan and Xue Han began to feel a real headache coming on.
And it wasn't just them.
Even Feng Linglong looked at her master in surprise.
In the past thousand years, her master had always kept a low profile and avoided unnecessary conflicts.
But now, for the sake of Yun Jin, he was willing to stand against Yuehua Sect?
Feng Linglong couldn't help but glance at Yun Jin, trying to understand what it was about this girl that made her master go to such lengths.