First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 1243 - The Familiar Ringing of a Bell

The starlight was radiant, and a night breeze blew past.

The shore of a mountainside lake.

Su Yi sprawled out in a wicker chair and relaxed completely.

“Many thanks for acting in the name of righteousness. The Shang Family will remember your benevolence for the rest of our days, senior!” Shang Wenzheng bowed in greeting.

Gratitude was written all over his face. He’d even changed how he addressed Su Yi!

Shang Qingping and Yao Xue hurriedly bowed and thanked him too. The girls’ attitudes had changed. They now treated Su Yi with reserved awe, as if they were gazing upon a god!

They no longer dared view him as a member of the same generation.

“I’m just doing what I ought to do,” said Su Yi. He took out a jug of wine and had a sip. “When you return to your family estate, burn a stick of incense for Shang Jianlou on my behalf, and pour out a jug of wine for him.”

Shang Wenzheng quivered, then said with disbelief, “Senior, don’t tell me you’re acquainted with my grandfather?”

Su Yi subtly shook his head. “All of that is in the past. No need to discuss it.”

Shang Wenzheng’s heart churned with emotion. He dared say with certainty that as young as Shen Mu seemed, he almost certainly had an extraordinary connection to the Shang Family’s long-dead ancestor!

Su Yi took a jade bottle from his sleeves and passed it to Shang Qingping. “Before you prove your Dao and become a World King, refine all ten catties of Serene Profound Ambrosia.”

“When you step into the World King Realm, you can visit the Divine Martial Star Realm’s Purple River Sword Court. Your great-grandfather left the sword sutra he took the most pride in there. You too bear Nine-Yin Profound Meridians. So long as you make it there, you’ll be able to inherit this legacy. Don’t leave Purple River Sword Court until you’ve mastered all of its profundities.”

Su Yi’s voice was gentle, and he seemed extraordinarily patient as he earnestly instructed Shang Qingping.

“Your great-grandfather was able to traverse the stars freely primarily because he forged his own path. I hope that you can take your great-grandfather’s path, make it your own, and surpass him.

“If you do, that’ll be enough to comfort his departed soul,” said Su Yi. Inwardly, he added, And that way, I’ll no longer have to carry this regret...

In his past life, he only accepted one apprentice, Qing Tang.

However, his admiration for Shang Jianlou’s talent came straight from the heart.

Otherwise, why would he have personally led the Imperial Apex Realm Shang Jianlou to the Nightmare Winds Belt in search of Serene Profound Ambrosia?

And why would he have earnestly guided his pursuit of the Dao of the Sword?

Alas, Shang Jianlou was dead.

He’d died in one of the starry skies' seven great forbidden grounds, Myriad Demon Ridge.

When Su Yi first heard this terrible news, he fought his way into Myriad Demon Ridge, slaying a hundred thousand demons to avenge Shang Jianlou’s death. However, no matter how many he killed, he couldn't bring Shang Jianlou back to life.

This was one of his few regrets.

Now, when he met Shang Jianlou’s descendants, especially Shang Qingping, who shared his Nine-Yin Profound Meridians, it was hard not to care for her by extension.

“When I become a World King, I’m to visit the Purple River Sword Court... Great-grandfather’s most prized sword sutra.... Making his legacy my own and surpassing him...” Shang Qingping stood there in a daze. So, this senior has already made arrangements for my future path of cultivation!

Shang Wenzheng’s heart filled with excitement. He whispered, “Lass, don’t just stand there. Why haven’t you thanked him yet?”

Shang Qingping reacted as if awakening from a dream. She was just about to bow in gratitude when Su Yi waved dismissively. “I said it already. All I ask is that you don’t let your Nine-Yin Profound Meridians go to waste. That’s thanks enough already.”

Shang Qingping took a deep breath and solemnly agreed.

Su Yi then gazed at Shang Wenzheng. “After what happened tonight, no faction of the Violet Dome Star Realm can threaten the Shang Family. However, although I helped you this time, I cannot help you forever. You’ll have to walk the path ahead on your own.”

Shang Wenzheng solemnly bowed. “Junior Shang Wenzheng shall adhere to your guidance, Senior!”

It was then that Meng Changyun and Zhuang XIaoyun shot over from afar.

“Senior, it’s already been resolved.” Meng Changyun walked over and delivered his report.

Su Yi subtly inclined his head, then glanced at Zhuang Xiaoyun. “Why’d you come along?”

“Uh...” Zhuang Xiaoyun hurriedly explained, “I came to greet you before I return to the clan.”

“Okay, you can leave now,” said Su Yi.

Zhuang Xiaoyun smiled dryly. “Before I go, might I ask you something, Senior?”

Su Yi glanced at him. “I know you’re curious about who I am. Go back and ask your great-grandfather. He might well be able to give you answers.”

Zhuang Xiaoyun was obviously a bit disappointed. “Oh... Okay then.”

A moment later, he smiled and said to Shang Wenzheng, “I already understand what happened here today. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, don’t be shy.”

He then plucked a command token from his waist and handed it to Shang Wenzheng. “These are the marks of main-branch members of my clan. Please, take good care of it.”

Shang Wenzheng was instantly grateful, but also startled.

He subconsciously glanced at Su Yi, who smiled faintly. “Trying to get in my good books by doing him a favor in front of me? Fine, I’ll give you this opportunity, kid. Go ahead and accept it.”

Only then did Shang Wenzheng put the token away.

Zhuang Xiaoyun felt a massive weight lift from his shoulders. He smiled and clasped his fist. “I shan’t disturb you any longer, then. Farewell!”

With that, he turned and left, as if afraid of provoking Su Yi’s displeasure.

Meng Changyun sighed. “And here I thought the kid unfettered, brazen, and ignorant of worldly affairs. It turns out he’s actually quite perceptive!”

Even he was impressed by Zhuang Xiaoyun’s choice to give Shang Wenzheng that medallion.

It seemed as if he were doing the Shang Family a favor, but wasn’t he also making the Temple Master see him in a new light?

It was an artful move!

“The scions of prominent clans are brazen and wantonly prideful, but they only ever display it in front of those weaker and of lower status. When the other party’s strength and position surpass theirs, they’ll instantly lower themselves and become warm, respectful, and modest,” said Su Yi calmly. “This is their advantage, but also a terrible habit.”

With that, he rose and put away his wicker chair. “I’d best get going.”

Shang Wenzheng hurriedly tried to keep him, but Su Yi refused.

Before long, he and Meng Changyun were soaring through the sky.

“Father, do you know who that senior was?” Shang Qingping couldn’t help but ask.

Yao Xue pricked up her ears

Shang Wenzheng grimaced and shook his head. “I can’t see through him either.”

But a moment later, his face filled with respect. “But I dare say with certainty that Senior Shen Mu knew your great-grandfather, and that they had an extraordinary bond!”

Yao Xue said sheepishly, “And here I took that senior for another of Qingping’s admirers. I spoke with extreme disrespect, but he never took me to task. Looking back on it now, I’m truly ashamed of myself.”

Shang Wenzheng thought to herself, How could someone capable of slaying Oneness World Kings with ease make trouble for a little girl like you?

......

A flat boat shuttled through the cold, boundless void.

Su Yi used his arms as a pillow as he lay at the tail end of the boat. As he watched tens of thousands of stars whooshing past him, he relaxed completely.

“Young lord...” Along the way, Meng Changyun hesitated, then said softly, “I...would like to return to the sect and visit my loved ones. Bid them farewell, as one does.”

It was a bit awkward to discuss, but back then, the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect and other top powerhouses of the stars joined forces, sending their experts to attack the Dark and Gold Star Realm.

But in the end, practically everyone they sent was wiped out.

Meng Changyun had gone to the Dark and Gold Star Realm, alongside the forces of the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect. Then, in the Graveyard of Fallen Immortals, he pledged himself to Su Yi’s cause.

Meng Changyun didn’t consider himself a traitor.

After all, he wasn’t a member of the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect. Rather, he was a World King they’d summoned from one of their subordinate factions to send into battle.

Besides, it was the Temple Master he’d submitted to!

Meng Changyun didn’t feel at all guilty about this. On the contrary, he celebrated his decision and took pride in it. This was enough to net him a lifetime of bragging rights!

Still, Meng Changyun wasn’t without his attachments. He had his sect, and his friends.

Now that he’d returned to the stars, he wanted to visit and bid them farewell. Then, he could follow Su Yi with his heart at peace.

Su Yi thought for a moment. “Alright. I’ll go with you.”

Only two months had passed since they’d left the Dark and Gold Star Realm. There was plenty of time left before he had to visit the Nine Heavens Pavilion.

Furthermore, it just so happened that they’d pass through the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect’s Thousand Opportunities Star Realm on their way to the Nine Heavens Pavilion. This delay wouldn’t hold them up much at all.

That aside, Su Yi recalled A’Cai, the mysterious young woman manifested of a golden silkworm.

At the same time, Su Yi most certainly hadn't forgotten that the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect had sent its forces to the Dark and Gold Star Realm to kill him and seize the secrets of reincarnation!

If he really wanted to nitpick, back before the Tree of the Ten Thousand Worlds of Samsara, Qing Xiao, an expert of the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect, had shot and injured Old Ghost Coffin-Bearer!

“You want to come with me, Your Excellency?” Meng Changyun seemed to find this difficult to believe. His face filled with surprise and delight.

Su Yi laughed. “Consider it sightseeing. While we’re passing through... I’d like to stop by the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect, too.”

He spoke casually, but Meng Changyun’s heart quivered. A wave of astonishment coursed through him.

Is His Excellency the Temple Master planning to turn his sword against the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect!?

Luckily, this didn’t actually change their plans all that much.

Half a month later, after passing through a stretch of stars known as the Dark Sea of Stars, Su Yi suddenly stood up in their flat boat.

He’d just heard the strange ringing of a bell emanate from deep within the Dark Sea of Stars. It was faint, to the point that he could only just barely discern it.

“How could the pawn shop possibly appear here?” Su Yi was stunned.

The ringing of the bell was extremely familiar to him; there was no mistaking it. It obviously originated from the Pawn Shop of the Heavens!

Meng Changyun’s gaze focused and he asked in a whisper, “Young Lord, did you perhaps sense something?”

The Dark Sea of Stars.

This was a famous, tumultuous stretch of stars as vast as an entire star realm. Yao and demons ran rampant, pillaging and murdering. It was a place of danger and upheaval.

Order had collapsed. It was like a blood-stained purgatory.

Never mind ordinary cultivators; even experts of top factions dreaded this place and dared not enter it lightly!

To the best of Meng Changyun’s knowledge, over the years, no small number of World Kings had perished in the Dark Sea of Stars!

“Ol’ Meng, head that way.” Su Yi didn’t explain anything. He just pointed in the direction of the ringing of the bell.

It was deep within the Dark Sea of Stars, a place shrouded in dense layers of mist.