Chapter 133: Master and Disciple, Part 2
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"Master, where are we going?"
Duan Zhao sat atop the broad blade of the great sword, his hands resting on his knees, robes fluttering in the wind.
He had already reached the eighth realm of the Cave Heaven, and the heavy sword he carried was nearly united with his will.
This sword was entirely opposite of Chen Ke's, extremely wide and large, enough for two people to stand comfortably.
"First to the True Hidden Peak."
Xie Xuanyi spoke softly, and in mere breaths, they arrived at the True Hidden Peak from the Lotus Peak.
This was the residence of the Guest Elders of Da Sui Sword Palace.
If visitors came by on ordinary days, True Hidden Peak would be responsible for receiving them, while also handling various affairs such as artifact refining and alchemy.
These recent days.
The great array was damaged.
The disciples of True Hidden Peak and Xiao Chong Mountain were busy repairing the great array, leaving the mountain empty.
"Master, True Hidden Peak... I've been here before."
Duan Zhao scratched his head, puzzled by his master's intentions; he had practiced at the Sword Palace for almost two years, where hadn't he been?
"It's different."
Xie Xuanyi shook his head, giving no further explanation.
Two flying swords, one large and one small, landed atop the peak, immediately prompting thick voices to resonate amidst the clouds.
"Xie Mountain Master."
"Greetings to Xie Mountain Master."
The two Guest Elder guardians of True Hidden Peak, one stout and one thin, promptly came forth to greet.
They looked at Xie Xuanyi without much change in demeanor, but when glancing at the young man behind Xie Xuanyi, they exchanged a look filled with deeper meaning.
"I need a 'Lotus Token'."
Xie Xuanyi said in a warm tone, "The kind that allows entrance to the Thirty-three Cave Heavens."
At these words.
The two Guest Elders immediately bowed their heads, cautiously saying, "Xie Mountain Master... this token is..."
"Of course, it's for my disciple."
Xie Xuanyi chuckled, "I don't need a token to access the Thirty-three Cave Heavens myself."
With the mention of the word disciple...
Duan Zhao vaguely grasped Xie Xuanyi's intention.
He had indeed practiced at the Sword Palace for two years.
And indeed visited many places.
But... some places in Da Sui Sword Palace were not open to disciples.
The Thirty-three Cave Heavens were only accessible to successive Mountain Masters and their direct disciples.
Xie Xuanyi bringing him to True Hidden Peak was not only to get this Lotus Token.
It was to inform everyone.
Duan Zhao was his disciple.
"Xie Mountain Master, please wait a moment."
The thin Guest Elder turned towards the mist.
The stout Guest Elder secretly transmitted, "Kid, you're truly fortunate."
Duan Zhao's background from Wangyou Island was known to very few in Da Sui Sword Palace—only the likes of powerful figures like Huang Su in the Fifteenth Realm knew; most Guest Elders merely considered him a mountain wanderer loose cultivator of some talent, good enough to rank on the Heavenly Pride List, but far from being worthy of becoming Xie Xuanyi's disciple based on those achievements.
After the recent grand battle concluded.
Everyone in Da Sui Sword Palace knew that Xie Xuanyi was the future Sword Palace Master!
Being chosen as the direct disciple of the future Master...
Shouldn't he be called the future's future Master?
"Hehe..."
Duan Zhao scratched his head, conveying in reply with a silly smile, "Indeed, a bit of luck."
Soon.
The thin Guest Elder emerged from the mist, holding the token in both hands, approaching the young lad, and warmly said, "Nephew Duan, keep it well. Normally, the Golden Lotus Token used for entering the Thirty-three Cave Heavens is only worn by a Mountain Master..."
This is the token a Mountain Master wears, qualified to gift it only by the Law Enforcement and Sect Leader.
Now Xie Xuanyi had become akin to such an existence.
Zhao Chunyang was absent.
In a sense, he was acting as the Sect Leader.
"Alright. I'll remember."
Duan Zhao's expression grew solemn as he gently pinched the token.
This token, of unknown material, weighed less than an ounce yet felt heavy in hand.
The flying sword departed from True Hidden Peak, heading toward Golden Turtle Peak.
"Master, where to next?"
Duan Zhao, holding the Golden Lotus Token, full of joy, asked cautiously.
"Visit each main peak."
Xie Xuanyi said, "To say a few words."
After the grand battle concluded, Xie Xuanyi was supposed to take charge of the Sword Palace's affairs...but he first went to the Imperial City. After completely quelling the chaos, completing the arrangement of 'Sending the Phoenix,' he returned to the Sword Palace. Now it was time to have a talk with the elders and Guest Elders in charge of each main peak's internal affairs.
In the following half incense stick duration.
The two flying swords traveled from True Hidden Peak to Xiao Chong Mountain, then to Golden Turtle Peak, eventually landing on Jade Screen Peak.
During Xie Xuanyi's absence, the Sword Palace remained orderly.
These conversations were largely for Duan Zhao to 'make an appearance.'
Xie Xuanyi's real destination on this trip was still Jade Screen Peak.
To be precise.
It was the Thirty-three Cave Heavens.
The Sword Qi Mountain Steps of Jade Screen Peak, which should have had invisible pressure flowing, were now greatly diminished.
Since Jiang Miaoyin began her retreat, this place was guarded by Qi Lie.
After the battle, with the Law Enforcement injured, Qi Lie resigned from his role at Jade Screen Peak and moved to Golden Turtle Peak's Grotto Heaven, to watch over his Master.
Thus, Jade Screen Peak fell into a brief 'ownerless' state.
Xie Xuanyi did have an excellent candidate in mind, Jade Screen Peak comprised female cultivators, Little Junior Sister Huang Su preferred quiet cultivation, perfectly fitting here... The guarding of the Thirty-three Cave Heavens was no trivial matter, he needed to consult Little Junior Sister and confirm Jiang Miaoyin's retreat status.
The flying sword landed slowly.
"You should know what the 'Thirty-three Cave Heavens' are like."
Xie Xuanyi said, "It's the Sword Palace's Cave Heaven and Blessed Land ranking just below the 'Lotus Forbidden Land,' where successive sages of the Sword Palace have erected Dao Steles. Talented cultivators of the Cave Heaven Realm who can retreat here will soon be able to condense their own 'Taoist Intent.'"
Now Duan Zhao had reached the Eighth Heaven.
This was already the stage at which he could condense Taoist Intent... By securing the Golden Lotus Token for Duan Zhao, Xie Xuanyi intended for him to enter the Thirty-three Cave Heavens.
This kid.
If he could cultivate a second Sword Dao, using the 'Martial Arts Divine Embryo' to enter the Yin God Realm, he'd surely be a valuable prospect.
The next update of the Heavenly Pride List at Fangyuan Square.
Duan Zhao might at least rank in the top ten... potentially even crack the top three!
"Master... so we really came."
Before the Sword Qi Stone Steps of Jade Screen Peak.
Duan Zhao spoke heavily, his voice trembling slightly.
Clearly, he was very nervous.
"What's the matter?"
Xie Xuanyi glanced at the little fellow, unclear as to why Duan Zhao was anxious.
The previous instructions of his.
This kid seemed not to have listened intently.
"I suspected Master would come here..."
Duan Zhao sighed deeply, complicated emotions showing as he said, "Actually, back at Lotus Peak, I intended to apologize."
"...Apologize?"
Xie Xuanyi was stunned, frowning.
"Regarding what I previously called Deng Baiyi sister 'Little Master's Wife.' "
Duan Zhao took a deep breath, his expression immensely serious: "This disciple was wrong in that matter—I shouldn't have called Sister Baiyi 'Little Master's Wife.'"
"???"
Xie Xuanyi was utterly dumbfounded.
"Actually, I shouldn't be entirely blamed."
Duan Zhao lowered his voice, slightly guilty: "At that time, nobody knew you were Xie Xuanyi... I just thought it would be good to build a good relationship with the Little Master's Wife first...."
"Alright!"
Xie Xuanyi's face turned ashen, quickly interrupting, "You rascal, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Master is planning to take me to see Miao Yin Master's Wife next, right?"
Duan Zhao patted his chest, stood tall, and said earnestly, "Master can rest assured—I won't breathe a word about you and Sister Baiyi's matter."
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(PS: This volume is nearing the end; at the end of this update, allow me to use a verse I previously wrote for the State Preceptor and Daoist, to pad the word count slightly.
Daoist robe still bears creased lightning marks.
As yet, gold lines persist untied, fate a curse.
Grey life once promised in palm's divination, token of beauty betrayed.
Bare query endured; regretful?
Readers encounter across distant ocean, even when meeting dare not grasp hands.
Screen ripped, tea stone cold.
Roundness Instrument dormant, timeless landscape.
Laugh at past, dared to steal heavenly secrets, aimed to change life's duration.
Who thought love would set heart ablaze long, burning celestial armor to ashes.
Even State Preceptor, hard to resist waning fate. If abandoning blue robe for holding hands, willing body to shatter as crossing calamity vessel.
Human tribulation, most certain.)