Chapter Three: Trouble

It is well known that a genius with seven meridians open in the Condensation Qi stage is highly sought after anywhere, and since Jade Sword Sect is merely a third-rate sect, such a talent would naturally be regarded as a key figure to nurture. Long Yun was secretly puzzled—he knew that he had nine meridians open, so why did his second senior brother claim he had only seven? Still, he did not bother to explain further; after all, the emergence of a nine-meridian genius would surely cause a great stir, very likely drawing the attention of Divine Dragon Island prematurely and jeopardizing his plans for vengeance.

“We’ll discuss that later! Second senior brother, what brings you here in such a rush?” Long Yun turned to Chen Jie and asked.

Only then did Chen Jie recall his purpose, slapped his forehead, and said, “You’d better go over quickly. Those two troublemakers are back again, and they’ve brought three disciples from the Human Sword lineage with them—‘Mortal World Sword’ Pei Yue among them. Looks like they’re here to cause you trouble!”

Long Yun frowned. Persistent as ever! A year ago, when he had just entered Jade Sword Sect, he’d gotten into a dispute with two disciples from established clans because of a female disciple. Unexpectedly, within three months of joining, those two had transferred to the Heart Sword lineage. Relying on their prior foundation, they quickly advanced to the Subtle Realm and sought to trouble Long Yun.

At that time, Long Yun had only just broken through to the Subtle Realm as well. Although their cultivation was equal, he relied on the intense training and countless life-and-death experiences from Divine Dragon Island, which had honed his combat prowess. He had given them a thorough thrashing then. He hadn’t expected them to return now, this time bringing the renowned “Mortal World Sword” Pei Yue with them.

“What a nuisance!” Long Yun’s brows knitted tightly.

Chen Jie hurriedly added, “Long Yun, you should go right away. Pei Yue’s cultivation surpasses even our senior brother’s. When I left, things were already tense—they’re about to fight!”

Even before Chen Jie finished speaking, Long Yun had already set off, his movement technique propelling him swiftly toward the Heart Sword lineage!

On the Heart Sword lineage’s training ground, two groups faced off, swords unsheathed, the atmosphere tense.

Pei Yue, hearing Yuan Chen’s words, smiled indifferently. “Senior brother Yuan Chen, have you considered? Bring out that fellow—have him apologize to my three junior brothers and sisters, and this matter will be resolved. If not, don’t blame me for turning hostile.”

Arrogant! Yet Pei Yue had every reason to be so.

As a minor prodigy with four meridians open in the Condensation Qi stage, he had caught the attention of the elders of the Human Sword lineage, especially Duan Tianyi. In just one year since entering the Condensation Qi stage, he had reached its peak and even broken through to the Gathering Essence stage.

Yuan Chen, in contrast, was only at the Condensation Qi stage and not Pei Yue’s match. Moreover, the Heart Sword lineage had no outstanding sword techniques, which was why its disciples were so often looked down upon within the Jade Sword Sect.

“The Heart Sword lineage does not welcome you. Please leave!” Yuan Chen forced down his anger and coldly ordered them to go.

Pei Yue only burst out laughing. “Why so irritable, senior brother Yuan Chen? Is it because you can’t break through? As your junior, let me offer you some advice: as a disciple of the Heart Sword lineage, you should accept your lot. Don’t dream impossible dreams!”

Behind Pei Yue, Wang Bing and Liu Ping wore expressions of arrogance. Both had been defeated by Long Yun last time and still bore the humiliation. Despite their rigorous training, they still couldn’t break through to the Meridian Unblocking stage, so they’d egged Pei Yue on to come and cause Long Yun trouble.

Now, hearing Pei Yue mock the Heart Sword lineage’s senior brother, Yuan Chen, Wang Bing felt emboldened and laughed loudly, “Tenth senior brother, why waste words with them? Drag that kid out and let us vent our anger!”

Yuan Chen’s face flushed and paled. His gaze flickered as he replied, “Pei Yue, let me tell you: though our Heart Sword lineage has fallen on hard times, we are not to be bullied at will. You’d best leave now, or don’t blame me for being rude!”

At these words, Pei Yue’s expression turned cold. With a sharp wave of his hand, he said icily, “Let’s see how rude you can be to me!”

“Bastard—do you really think there’s no one in the Heart Sword lineage?” The third senior brother, Xu Lie, quick-tempered as ever, bellowed and was about to charge forward.

But Yuan Chen stopped him—not out of fear, but concern for his junior brothers’ safety. Pei Yue alone could sweep the fifteen Heart Sword lineage disciples present. What’s more, the other side had three newly advanced disciples in the Subtle Realm. Though their breakthroughs were recent, with the sword arts of the Human Sword lineage, they would still outclass his fellow disciples.

So at that moment, Yuan Chen hesitated.

Seeing Yuan Chen’s reluctance, Pei Yue grew even more arrogant, laughing loudly. “Yuan Chen, one last chance—hand over Long Yun, or today will be a day of disgrace for the Heart Sword lineage!”

A chill swept the field; a murderous aura spread.

“To think there’d be this kind of infighting within the Jade Sword Sect—it’s quite disheartening, isn’t it?” The voice wasn’t loud, but it was steady and calm.

At the same time, a figure walked in, heading straight toward the Heart Sword lineage disciples.

“Junior brother Long Yun—” As Long Yun suddenly appeared, Yuan Chen’s heart clenched and was instantly filled with worry. He blurted out a warning.

Long Yun walked up to Yuan Chen, and the cold arrogance vanished from his face, replaced by a gentle smile. He said, “Senior brother, thank you. Let me handle this matter today.”

His voice was not loud, but it was firm and decisive.

Looking at Long Yun’s somewhat thin back, the sixteen Heart Sword lineage disciples were all stunned, gazing at him in disbelief.

“Condensation Qi stage? He’s already at the Condensation Qi stage? He’s broken through again!” Senior brother Yuan Chen stared in astonishment at the aura naturally emanating from Long Yun.

At this moment, Long Yun stepped forward, facing Pei Yue, the “Mortal World Sword,” and showed not the slightest trace of fear.

It must be known that Pei Yue was at the fourth level of the Postnatal Eight Realms, the Gathering Essence stage, and with the powerful Human Sword lineage technique “Mortal World Piercing Sword,” his combat strength was formidable.

Long Yun’s gaze did not linger on Pei Yue’s face, but instead landed on Wang Bing and Liu Ping behind him. He asked quietly, “What will it take for you to let this go?”

Under Long Yun’s cold gaze, both men’s breath caught, a chill seeping from their hearts. But remembering that mighty tenth senior brother Pei Yue stood before them, they straightened their backs.

“Let it go?” Liu Ping snorted. “Kneel and admit your mistake—maybe, for the sake of our shared sect, we’ll let it slide. Otherwise, you won’t have an easy day today!”

A smile flickered across Long Yun’s face. “It seems you misunderstood. I’m not asking what it would take for you to spare me. I’m asking—how many more times will this happen? I don’t want to keep swatting away flies like you.”

Liu Ping was left speechless; the barbed words he’d prepared had no place to land.

Pei Yue’s face also turned cold at these words. His eyes narrowed as he regarded Long Yun. Condensation Qi stage? Three levels in a year—a likely talent. But clearly, he’d trained for too short a time.

A sapling that grows too quickly breaks easily! With such an arrogant temperament, he’d suffer sooner or later. Better to teach him a lesson now.

With this thought, Pei Yue smiled faintly. “Long Yun, do as junior brother Liu says, or you know the consequences.”

Hearing the threat in Pei Yue’s tone, Long Yun only laughed lightly. “I am not at fault—why should I admit to one? The Human Sword lineage is really going too far.”

“Whoever has the stronger fist is right. If you can defeat me, you can make me do as you wish,” Pei Yue replied, his confidence clear to see.

Long Yun sneered, “You? I only worry that if I beat you, your senior brothers will come looking for trouble again. I’m busy with cultivation and have no time for such nonsense.”

“Very well!” Pei Yue’s eyes flashed with the light of battle. “Your arrogance is impressive. But it comes at a price. Today, as your senior, I’ll teach you a lesson about respecting your elders.”

With a cold snort, Pei Yue stepped forward. His long sword flashed from its scabbard, chilling sword energy filling the air. The peerless technique of the Human Sword lineage, “Mortal World Piercing Sword,” sent icy currents sweeping outward.

At the same time, a cold arc curled on his lips. His eyes flashed with a fierce light as he sneered, “Junior brother Long, swords do not have eyes—you’d best be careful!”