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Chapter 32 - the depth of Old Ancestor's cultivation was truly profound.
Chapter 32 - the depth of Old Ancestor's cultivation was truly profound.
Chapter 32: Was just to disgust, and the depth of Old Ancestor’s cultivation was truly profound.
Ling Jian’s expression turned frigid and distant as he gazed down from an elevated position. Within the Lingxu Sword Sect, he had reclaimed his former arrogance and was unafraid of Su Changsheng. Regardless of Su Changsheng’s strength, could he really infiltrate the Lingxu Sword Sect and carry out a rampage?
“Lingxu Sect Master, the Su family is showing great sincerity. They’re willing to offer double the price or two eighth-grade holy medicines in exchange for the Heaven Crossing Lotus,” a powerful Su family member stated solemnly. Bestowed by the system as a protector, this peak-level Eternal Realm expert had come to negotiate.
“That’s out of the question. The Heaven Crossing Lotus is a treasure of the Lingxu Sword Sect, and I won’t entertain such an offer,” Ling Jian’s tone remained icy and dispassionate.
“The Lingxu Sword Sect has already taken a third of the resources from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect this time. The Supreme Ancestor left behind those resources, and our Su family can overlook it. Furthermore, we’re prepared to triple the price. How does that sound?” the Su family member proposed, his expression troubled as he persisted.
“Heh, taken? The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect’s territory isn’t under the Su family’s control. Are we not allowed to occupy it as the Lingxu Sword Sect? Moreover, is Sage Longevity’s influence that overwhelming?” Ling Jian’s face twisted into a smirk mixed with disdain. He shifted his demeanor, intense determination in his gaze as he exuded dominance. “Or could it be that your Su family is ready to wage war against the Lingxu Sword Sect?!”
As the foremost powerhouse of the Lingxu Sword Sect, Ling Jian doubted that Su Changsheng would dare to engage them in warfare just for the sake of a Heaven Crossing Lotus.
“Very well, the Su family will remember this!” The Su family member’s gaze lingered on Ling Jian, his tone turning chilly before he turned and left.
“Absurd!” Ling Jian scoffed. Remember? Was that meant to be a threat? Did they believe the Lingxu Sword Sect was merely a nouveau riche force like the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect? In its prime, the Lingxu Sword Sect had been nearly comparable with ancient clans, nearly reaching their echelon. Though it had somewhat waned now, it still boasted three Great Sage Ancestors and a profound foundation. A mere Su Changsheng didn’t inspire fear.
“Su Changsheng… hmph!” Ling Jian muttered, recalling the encounter in Tianyuan City, an undercurrent of resentment and discontent stirring within him.
He bore no grudge against Su Changsheng. If it were a formidable saint from another force, he wouldn’t target them this way, needlessly provoking adversaries for the Lingxu Sword Sect. However, Su Changsheng was different. They hailed from the same era, or rather, Su Changsheng predated him by a thousand or more years. Moreover, his talent exceeded Su Changsheng by far. Possessing the Sword Dao Divine Body, he should have ascended to the saintly realm. Yet, even after over seven millennia, he remained confined to the Half-Saint level, unable to take that last step. Contrastingly, Su Changsheng succeeded. Not only did he become a saint before Ling Jian, but his combat prowess was astonishing, even wiping out the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. This brewed jealousy within Ling Jian. The more exceptional Su Changsheng proved the more envious Ling Jian became.
“Su Changsheng, while I might not be able to act against you, I can surely make you uncomfortable!” Ling Jian sneered, relishing the thought of the vexed expression that might cross Su Changsheng’s face.
Regardless of his strength, what did it matter? In this realm, heritage and social connections still held sway.
“Ah, come to think of it, I’ve yet to capture that young beauty from the Baiyun Dynasty. She undoubtedly harbors a remarkable secret!” At that moment, Ling Jian raised an eyebrow, recollecting the alluring maiden he had encountered at the wedding celebration, a being as elegant as a moonlit elf. Avarice flashed in his eyes. Intuition whispered that the Baiyun Dynasty’s princess concealed a great secret that might propel him to sainthood. And even if not, her exquisite allure alone fascinated Ling Jian.
“It’s time to apprehend her. Hmph, a minor Baiyun Dynasty dares to defy me!” Ling Jian muttered, reminiscing about the instance he had been snubbed by the Baiyun Ancestor, his gaze chilling.
In the past days, he had refrained from annihilating the Baiyun Dynasty to seize the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect’s resources and domain. Now that this was accomplished, the hour had come to capture Bai Yuege.
“No time to waste. I’ll lead our sect’s experts to obliterate the Baiyun Dynasty!” Ling Jian declared, rising from his seat, prepared to marshal the sect’s potent members to attack the Baiyun Dynasty.
“Not so fast!” Yet, shortly after his stand, he hesitated, brows furrowing as he muttered, “The Baiyun Dynasty lies perilously close to the Su family. Crossing paths with Su Changsheng unintentionally would be unwise!”
The Baiyun Dynasty’s territory was close to the Su family, and the imperial capital was only a few thousand miles away from Tianyuan City. This distance might be vast and incredibly long for regular experts, but for saint-level experts, it would only take a few moments to cross it.
There was a high chance of encountering Su Changsheng in such a nearby area. It was important to note that Ling Jian made an offensive comment at the Su family’s wedding celebration, and Su Changsheng might remember it. Moreover, he had turned down Su Changsheng’s exchange terms.
The combination of recent and past grievances was risky. If they happened to cross paths, Su Changsheng might attack him and potentially end his life. Even if the Lingxu Sword Sect held great power during that time, it wouldn’t dare to provoke Su Changsheng for a deceased individual.
“No, I need to send my followers. They’re only dealing with an old ancestor of the Baiyun Dynasty. It should be doable with a few Half-Saints!” Ling Jian muttered.
As the Sect Master, leading the Lingxu Sword Sect for centuries, he naturally built his own substantial force with many loyal followers. Some of them were Half-Saints.
Boom!
After a while, following Ling Jian’s instructions, three disguised Half-Saints discreetly left the Lingxu Sword Sect and headed toward the Baiyun Dynasty…
In the Su Family, Su Yun informed Su Changsheng of the marriage proposal of Princess Bai Yuege.
“Oh, you mean the Baiyun Ancestor intends to marry Bai Yuege to me?” Seated on the main throne in a palace, Su Changsheng’s face displayed some astonishment.
Su Yun stood respectfully beside him, looking obedient like a disciple.
“Yes, Ancestor!” Su Yun respectfully replied. He said, “But since I wasn’t aware of your thoughts, I refrained from deciding on the Ancestor’s behalf and didn’t respond directly!”
“Interesting.” Su Changsheng rubbed his chin, a playful look on his face. He initially thought the Baiyun Ancestor wanted to wed a younger member of the Su family to salvage the dynasty from ruin.
Yet, he hadn’t expected that the intended spouse would be him!
It must be acknowledged that the Baiyun Ancestor possessed an ingenious plan and the audacity to make such a choice, offering an exceptionally talented individual to him.
Initially, he had planned to take action himself. Unexpectedly, the other party came seeking him.
As for the Baiyun Dynasty? He dismissed a mere territory of tens of thousands of miles. He could conquer other lands instead.
After all, the next step for the Su family was expansion. At that point, utilizing the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect as a stepping stone, he would use the pretext of warring with other prominent forces. Did they genuinely believe he would sit passively as the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect was divided among various forces?
All these opportunities were perilous. The forces that had acted during this period would be addressed systematically in the future.
“Inform them that I agree. As for the wedding, let’s schedule it for three months from now!” Su Changsheng nodded.
“Yes, I’ll take care of it, Ancestor!” Su Yun’s heart trembled. He secretly realized it was a good thing he hadn’t outright refused earlier and had retained some flexibility.
Simultaneously, he contemplated whether he should locate more high-caliber goddesses, enchantresses, and similar figures for the Ancestor.
“They must possess a divine physique or extraordinary talent to capture my interest!”
As if interpreting Su Yun’s thoughts, Su Changsheng’s composed voice resonated.
Divine physique?
Su Yun’s heart quivered.
Was this the Ancestor’s level?
Indeed, it was profound and enigmatic. It wasn’t something that he, a regular mortal, could understand!
“I comprehend, Ancestor!” Su Yun respectfully withdrew and went to answer the message from the Baiyun Dynasty.
“What’s this youngster scheming?” With a single glance, Su Changsheng discerned the other’s intentions, feeling somewhat entertained and resigned.
The reason for asking for a divine physique was merely a standard set by the system. However, since he had chosen this path of matrimony and concubinage, he naturally disdained any pretense.
“Ancestor, the Lingxu Sword Sect has declined your terms!” At that instant, a formidable member of the Su family entered and reported to Su Changsheng. He was the pinnacle expert of the Eternal Ancient Realm who had gone to negotiate with the Lingxu Sword Sect.