Chapter 266: May I See the Ancestral Swordmaster Once More?

Laughter pierced the rain curtain, spreading outward, turning raindrops instantly into fine mist.

The Beast God clan stared in stunned silence at the laughing Beast God, even the endless sorrowful aura seeming scattered by his laughter.

The mournful wailing that filled heaven and earth was completely drowned out.

What's wrong with the Beast God?

Not just the Beast God clan—even the human race was utterly bewildered.

It's just a rainstorm, albeit somewhat unusual, but you've been shattered so many times already—what's so funny?

Long after, the Beast God's laughter finally ceased.

He looked at Kui and praised:

"Remarkable!"

These outsiders actually managed to extract and crush Hun Tian Yi.

"Though I had already overestimated you, your actions still surpassed my expectations."

"If I'm not mistaken, your original target was Him all along."

"That's why you repeatedly let me and Him depart."

Many things once unclear—or misled—were now finally understood.

These five outsiders, if they had wished, could have seized me outright during our first clash.

"Correct."

Kui did not deny it.

At this moment, he had no urgency to act—his comrades had already dealt with Hun Tian Yi; the fate of this realm was sealed!

"So indeed, that despicable Hun Tian Yi didn't lose unfairly!"

Long before that ancestral swordsmaster slashed his blade, they must have already probed my condition thoroughly.

At that moment, they had already devised their plan.

"I didn't lose unfairly either."

The information gap, plus the fact that every single outsider here was my equal in realm.

Even if I had regained my full strength after separating from Hun Tian Yi, I might only match one of them—or even fall short?

Not unfair, truly not unfair!

At that moment, several beams of light fell from the rift torn in the night sky.

Hum~!

Sword light flared violently, striking upward toward heaven.

Boom!

Boom—!

As if ten thousand myriads of thunderclaps exploded, blinding white light illuminated heaven and earth, rendering eyes unable to open.

When all settled, the night sky revealed countless stars and a silver moon hanging high; the torn hole had already healed.

The torrential rain had ceased, and the mournful wailing echoing through heaven and earth was utterly extinguished.

Around the Beast God, besides Kui, now stood Huo, Master Mei Zu, Xiang Yuanjun, and Bie Xuening—all having just finished Hun Tian Yi.

This realm's Hun Tian Yi was far inferior to that of the Xuan Realm; though its scale equaled a True Immortal's, once detached from this realm, it grew even more fragile, with nearly no resistance—no need to waste time or effort to split and seal it.

With the combined power of four Immortals, eradicating and killing it was not difficult.

At this moment, Bie Xuening's longsword still carried unspent sword intent upon its blade.

Clearly, that swordlight had been her doing.

After all, that wailing was truly disturbing the peace.

"Any last words?" Huo asked bluntly.

"..." The Beast God fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Could you, perhaps, leave a spark for my people? I will send them out of this realm."

Ten thousand years ago, he was far weaker than now, yet he had never felt as powerless as he did now.

"This is not for us to decide—it depends on what the human race of this realm chooses next," said Xiang Yuanjun.

The human race of this realm's own choice?

The Beast God paused, his gaze sweeping over the remaining Beast God clan, the surviving humans, and this world.

Finally, he dropped the matter and looked at Kui: "That previous outsider—the Ancestral Swordmaster—could I see him one last time?"

Hm?

What strange request is this?

"If possible, I wish to try one more sword strike!" After these words, the Beast God fell silent.

Whether you agree or refuse—it doesn't matter.

At this final moment, he truly wished to see once more the Ancestral Swordmaster who had brought about this outcome.

Even a mere divine thought's slash had held such power—what if he wielded the blade himself?

He had ascended to this realm only because of that despicable Hun Tian Yi, and had yet to fully comprehend it.

But at the end, he still wished to glimpse the view from higher up.

…………

In the Qing Xu of the Xuan Realm.

Xu Xing was speaking with Ning Ruo.

Mainly, in that transcendent world of the Ten Thousand Tribes' struggle for supremacy, the third Void-Refining cultivator had successfully ascended and stabilized his realm.

In worlds where the highest cultivator level is Void-Refining, two Void-Refiners guarding the throne prevent its overthrow; now that a third Void-Refiner has emerged, one of the human race's guardians is finally preparing to ascend.

After all, beyond this role, he is also a cultivator.

!

Seeking the Dao is not the pursuit of every cultivator, but it is certainly the pursuit of most.

He is still in the process of handing over his duties.

Once he has completed the handover, he will ascend here.

The Xuan Realm must also make certain preparations.

"Xu Dage, rest assured—I've already moved the central hub of the Ascension Platform out of the Secret Realm."

That location within the Secret Realm is indeed unsuitable for receiving ascenders.

Ning Ruo has designated a separate area outside the outer gate, preparing to build an Ascension Hall.

After all, it is nominally the Immortal Realm; though these details aren't the most critical, they shouldn't be too shabby.

"Moreover, the second central hub, serving as a Dao marker, is already under construction. Once completed, I'll send one first to the Sword Sect."

On the screen, Ning Ruo smiled warmly and continued before Xu Xing could speak:

"After all, this plan owes much to the Sword Sovereign's help; I'm sure none of the fellow cultivators will object."

The reasoning was sound; Xu Xing had no further objection.

"Then thank you."

Ascenders are exceedingly rare in any realm, and they always possess excellent virtue; taking them into the sect is purely beneficial.

Though not every ascender will choose to join.

But proximity still grants advantage.

"You don't need to be so formal with me, Xu Dage," Ning Ruo paused, then added, "But the affairs of the Beast God Realm should proceed without incident—the first and second Ascension Platforms have already been deployed; you needn't remain in Qing Xu indefinitely."

"Why not come to Ling Yin Fang? I recall this ascender received instruction from your Sword Intent Spiritual Body—your presence might help him adapt to the Xuan Realm more quickly."

Hmm…

That does make sense.

Yue Ying stood beside him, watching the screen of Xu Xing's mobile phone, her expression unreadable.

Xu Xing was about to accept Ning Ruo's suggestion…

But suddenly, his heart stirred.

A thread of karmic connection appeared—thin and delicate, one end entwined around his ring finger, the other lost into the void.

This was left by Xiang Yuanjun.

Should any incident arise in the Beast God Realm, merely touching this thread would allow him to draw his sword and lend aid.

"What's wrong?" Ning Ruo noticed his unease.

"It's about the Beast God Realm."

"Has something happened there?" Ning Ruo frowned slightly.

With five fellow cultivators together, according to Xu Dage's description, there should be no incident.

"It's not exactly an incident," Xu Xing rose to his full height.

The Beast God does have a certain air of grandeur. (End of chapter)