Chapter 507: The Battle Between the Elder and the Dao Child (5K2)

"Elder Liu, hold your hand!"

Within the Heavenly Sword Sect, several figures swept across the sky, each carrying an utterly terrifying aura.

The eight elders were at least Bai Yujing cultivators who had opened two Dacheng, and the two at the top of the list, like Liu Xingshan, possessed the strength to open a third Supreme Dacheng.

For experts of this caliber, there were very few things in the world that could stir their hearts and minds.

But a Dao Child and a sect elder turning on each other under the same roof could absolutely count as one of them.

"Me?!"

Inside the light screen, Liu Xingshan nearly failed to catch his breath.

Hold his hand? He had watched helplessly as his cave abode was destroyed—where was the chance to make a move!

Given his impatient temperament, if the ones outside had been anyone else, he would have long since summoned the Dacheng phantom and taken out his Dao Soldiers to charge out.

But when it came to impatience, no one in the entire Heavenly Sword Sect could surpass that woman.

Liu Xingshan knew very well that neither the Sect Master nor the other elders would possibly stand by and watch this duel take place.

No matter how lofty Su Hongxiu's status was, at least for now she was still only a Dao Child.

Sure enough, it was just as he had predicted.

The several elders who had rushed over in haste, after letting out that cold shout, called out Liu Xingshan's name with their mouths, yet their bodies subtly surrounded Su Hongxiu.

"Hongxiu, you calm down too. Whatever the matter is, put away the Hongmeng Heavenly Soldiers first before we talk."

A situation like this had happened once many years ago. Back then, Liu Xingshan had truly nearly lost half his life, and while Su Hongxiu had won by a narrow margin, she had not fared well either.

But the reason that time was that Liu Xingshan had challenged her position as Dao Child.

Put harshly, it was a struggle over the Dao-Comprehending Nanyang Baodi.

After that battle, Liu Xingshan absolutely could not have any further chance of obtaining the inheritance of the Heavenly Sword Nanyang Baodi.

Therefore, the several elders truly could not figure out what on earth had happened to bring this familiar scene back to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"Are the few elders trying to teach me how to handle things?"

Su Hongxiu swept her gaze sideways over her surroundings, her five fingers gripping the sword hilt. Along with her words, that warm, lustrous blade lazily rose and pointed off to the side.

A faint smile touched her lips as she said playfully, "You all want to spar too, is that it?"

That Bai Yu sword blade swept leisurely through the air, and every elder it pointed at instinctively raised their brow tips, a sliver of retreat rising in their hearts.

For a moment, the entire scene fell into a deathly silence.

This sudden upheaval involved the Heavenly Sword Dao Child and the eight elders. Such a huge commotion—let alone the Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators—even those forces from various places who had been invited to attend the Seven Children Assembly could not help but feel uneasy within.

What did this mean?

Had internal strife broken out within the Heavenly Sword Sect?

Disagreements between Dao Children and elders actually occurred in over ninety percent of Xian Sects. After all, they were all at the Bai Yujing realm, and enormous interests were at stake. But one that became known to everyone, utterly unhidden, was truly quite rare.

"This…"

Su Yushang, who had rushed over in a fluster, after clearly seeing the scene before her, could not help her expression shifting slightly as she froze on the spot.

She believed her sister was definitely not being unreasonable—whatever she did, she had her reasons.

But why had things escalated to such a point? Was there really no better way?

Baohua Xianzi stood obediently behind Su Yushang. Although she loved a good show, she could tell what mattered. Today's matter was clearly not something a cultivator at the sixth layer of Return to Void like herself could get involved in.

Swoosh swoosh—

Accompanied by a sudden gust of wind.

Just then, a sky-covering phantom suddenly appeared in the heavens, rippling like water, with only the most basic outline discernible.

This phantom gazed down upon the mortal world, its voice like a great bronze bell, echoing through the Inner Gate.

Only those familiar with him could detect the trace of helplessness contained within.

"You feel he did something, but you can't find evidence, so you're throwing a tantrum here?"

Within the Dao-Comprehending Nanyang Baodi, only one person could command heaven and earth.

If the Seven Children of Yu Nanhong shared life and death as one body, then Nanyang Sect was the soul of the Seven Children, bearing the duty of issuing commands, while the Heavenly Sword Sect was the blade in its hand, needing only to concern itself with whom to kill.

As the master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, a towering figure of the Dao-Comprehending realm.

He rarely showed such a mild manner.

Yet Su Hongxiu did not take the offered step and back down. Instead, she raised her head and nodded seriously: "Yes."

She was going to throw a tantrum—no explanation needed.

Upon hearing these words, the other elders' expressions shifted slightly. Within the remaining half of the light screen, Liu Xingshan finally could no longer hold back and leapt out, roaring furiously: "Again and again, utterly unreasonable, willful and unrestrained! Where on earth do you look like a Dao Child?!"

Those words were rather harsh.

They even carried the implication of inciting the other elders to jointly strip Su Hongxiu of her position as Dao Child.

Yet the phantom in the sky seemed as if it had heard nothing.

Its features solidified slightly, and those eyes gazed at Su Hongxiu intently. Only after a long while did it say softly, "The Heavenly Sword Sect is not a place for you to throw tantrums… You are not permitted to open the third Dacheng, not permitted to take lives, and afterward, present the evidence to your master."

"…"

Once these words were spoken, let alone the Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators, even the outside forces from other sects were stunned on the spot.

Present the evidence afterward? There was actually such a thing in this world.

This was practically a bare-faced declaration that Su Hongxiu's future position as Sect Master was unshakable.

What kind of heaven-gifted prodigy could it take to earn such indulgence from a towering figure of the Dao-Comprehending realm?

"I…"

Liu Xingshan was also left dumbfounded, suspended on the spot.

Then his old face gradually flushed red as he cast his gaze toward the distant figure.

He had actually long foreseen that the Dao Child position could not be changed, so he was not too disappointed. After all, there was now the additional option of the Nanyang Nanyang Baodi—there was no need to gnaw on a harder bone.

What truly enraged him was the Sect Master's words: "Do not open a third city..." — clearly meant only for Su Hongxiu, not including himself.

After all, even back then, he had merely lost by a hair's breadth.

He dared to step forward and contest the Dao-Union sacred land because, before becoming an elder, Liu Xingshan had been just as outstanding as Su Hongxiu!

How dare you look down on me so… Liu's breathing grew heavy.

Does losing once truly mean you'll lose forever?!

His eyes flickered; he raised his sword finger and gently pressed it against his third eye.

The next instant — a long rainbow pierced the sun!

Thick immortal clouds piled high; the Great City of Long Han stood firm. As its vermilion gates opened, purple auroras surged upward.

Primordial Heavenly Soldier: Three Yang Exterminating Evil Sword!

Chimingcheng opens; azure phoenix qi swirls like morning mist — Tiger Swallowing Cloud Armor!

In an instant, Liu Xingshan transformed from a robed Xian Sect elder into a fearsome, armored general of ruthless slaughter.

Yet his fingertip remained pressed against his third eye.

The rainbow extended further; the third Upper Imperial City slowly opened its gates — no purple aura, no blue smoke, only a faint white light, indicating this was merely the most ordinary spiritual weapon.

But the very act of opening the Upper Imperial City was enough to shock most beings in Yu Nanhong.

When the white light faded, a four-winged spirit beast — neither horse nor horse — appeared beneath Liu Xingshan, lifelike, save for its frozen eyes, proving it was still an inanimate object.

"Just… just practice."

Liu Xingshan's expression was still, his voice utterly flat. He finally lowered his hand, mounted his sword and steed, yanking the spirit beast's forelegs high into the air — it let out a thunderous neigh!

Before him, Su Hongxiu's figure appeared frail by comparison.

Her black silk hair flowed smooth and glossy; her crimson robe flared like a wedding gown, its sleeves swirling as they unleashed boundless sword intent.

She lifted her gaze toward the majestic Liu Xingshan, paused, then couldn't help but cover her lips with the back of her hand and let out a soft laugh: "Chirp."

Her previously cold, hard features suddenly became stunningly beautiful.

To others, the same laugh made them pause instinctively — but to Liu Xingshan, it caused his deliberately indifferent features to twitch slightly.

That laugh instantly dragged him back to his past humiliation, and the instinctive tremor within his heart through the years.

Lost by a hair's breadth — yet feared for so many years.

Liu Xingshan didn't understand: On what grounds did she dare destroy his cave with a single sword, without a shred of evidence?

Even when he sought to contest the sacred land, he chose Nan Yang Sect, not the closer Tianjian Sect — deliberately avoiding this Daozi.

Doesn't this woman fear me at all?! On what grounds?!

"Kill!!"

Liu Xingshan roared fiercely; the four-winged spirit beast reared its hooves. The golden-glowing longsword in his hand shone like a suspended sun, blinding to behold.

A duel between two Bai Yujing cultivators, both wielding Primordial Immortal Swords — even the residual aura of their strikes shook heaven and earth!

Yet the moment Su Hongxiu's crimson sleeve lifted, his charging figure was swallowed by pure white swordlight.

A scene identical to many years ago.

Without hesitation, the elders joined hands to shield the surroundings; potent heavenly and earthly spiritual energy wrapped the area beyond the light barrier, swiftly evacuating all disciples, attendants, and even outer sect elders to the inner sect's edge, far from this place.

The next instant — a piercing sword cry exploded.

Gold and white light surged violently, expanding in a breath and scattering heavenly and earthly spiritual energy in torrents.

The celestial shadow gazing down upon the mortal realm finally raised its hand, casually clenching it — and drew the scattered swordlight back in.

Precisely because of this, even the most powerful elders, straining their vision, could not see through the swordlight to discern what lay within.

They could only feel the mingled golden-white aura grow fiercer, until it reached a level that induced trembling.

Until a spirit beast's mournful howl echoed all around.

Finally, spiritual light shattered and surged into the Upper Imperial City; the gates slammed shut, vanishing into mist and clouds.

"..."

The elders fell silent for a moment, glancing at each other — all saw the shock in each other's eyes.

They knew Su Hongxiu was stronger than Liu Xingshan… but never imagined she was this much stronger.

At this moment, the celestial shadow let out a faint sigh: "Ah."

Then he waved again, dispersing the sky-filling swordlight.

Outside the barrier stood a slender figure, sword in hand, her crimson robe torn to shreds, her Bai Xi face stained with blood at the corner of her lips; beneath her lashes, her eyes held mockery as she gazed downward.

Her hands held nothing — the warm jade sword had long shattered; she merely clutched at empty air.

But Liu Xingshan knelt half-bowed, as if a real sword truly rested upon his neck.

He braced his trembling body with both hands, his crown fallen, his black-and-white hair disheveled — though his injuries seemed lighter, his eyes bulged, veins swollen, lacking even the courage to lift his head.

"Do you know why you lost?"

Su Hongxiu tilted her head slightly, glancing sideways: "Old man, because your ruthlessness is fake — mine is real."

Though mocked to his face, Liu Xingshan offered no retort — the moment he instinctively bowed, his Dao-heart had already shattered nearly completely.

He merely clenched his teeth tightly, bloodshot veins thickening in his eyes: "I did nothing! I did nothing! This is sect-mate murder!"

Hearing this, Su Hongxiu licked her crimson lips, her expression sharpening with mockery; she grew languid again: "Before you said that, I wasn't certain whether you were involved."

"Then you—!" Liu Xingshan suddenly lifted his head — then froze. Only now did he realize how dire Su Hongxiu's condition was.

"My intuition rarely fails."

Su Hongxiu's smile vanished; her voice turned cold: "I thought your involvement likely. Better to cripple you now, so you can't reach out your claws — that's always safe."

"I…" Liu Xingshan finally bowed his head, exhaling slowly: "About the Xuan Feng… I did notice something. But I was angry, so I kept quiet."

At these words, the remaining elders' gazes turned sharp.

The chaos caused by that crimson-eyed Xuan Feng was no small matter — it sparked direct conflict between Prince Nanlong Palace and Tianjian Sect, and nearly cost the Daozi his life.

However, Su Hongxiu turned as if she had heard nothing, saying lightly, "What I said was not about that."

As her words fell, Liu Xingshan suddenly stiffened all over.

Fortunately, Su Hongxiu had no intention of continuing the argument; leaving only one sentence, she stepped away toward the distance: "If you dare to place your gaze on that place again, next time I will let you witness my third Dao weapon. If you can withstand one move without dying, I will yield the Dao Son title to you."

"..."

The remaining elders watched Liu Xingshan, noticing that the other's action of bowing his body in greeting seemed much more sincere.

Sometimes, holding a fellow disciple's leverage also counts as a special way of controlling people.

Just then, the Dao tokens of everyone present lit up almost simultaneously.

Even that shadowy figure in the sky slowly turned its gaze toward outside the sect.

"The Southern Long Gong has sent an envoy to inquire."

"Fifth Prince Ke Shiliang and Fourth Dragon Grandson Ke Xuan'ao's forces, totaling seven Great Demon Generals, over four hundred elite soldiers, and involving more than ten water-tribe experts, were slaughtered, nearly to the point of extermination."

"May I ask if this matter is related to the Seven Sons of Southern Hong?"

The relationship between the Southern Long Gong and the Seven Sons of Southern Hong was still subtle, falling within the scope of minding one's own business.

Even if there were conflicts, they were mostly resolved privately to avoid escalating the situation.

Such an official posture, once it appears, must be an irreconcilable major incident.

But anyone could understand why the Southern Long Gong would suddenly come knocking.

Because the name mentioned on that register... had only appeared in the Cloud Pavilion a few days ago, and had even met their own Dao Son.

"The Southern Long Gong wishes to ask: Fifth Prince and Fourth Dragon Grandson came to the Xian Sect to reason, with no intention of offense."

"An agreement was also made afterward."

"So, is the Xian Sect now deciding not to follow the rules?"

Almost at the same time, all gazes converged on Su Hongxiu.

Whether judging by motive or by strength... well, perhaps relying on her alone is not enough; after all, regarding the matter of entering the water to kill demons, the most dangerous part is not "killing demons," but "entering the water," but if we add Wei Yuanzhou and Bai Wu, who were also present that day, it is barely plausible.

"..."

Su Hongxiu remained silent for a long time, then slowly turned around.

In a place no one noticed.

Confusion and surprise also rose in her eyes.

After Ke Shiliang and Ke Laosi led troops to surround the Cloud Pavilion, was the entire family treasure swept clean?!

Moreover, the Southern Long Gong did not even find traces of the culprit, yet still made a special trip to the Seven Sons of Southern Hong to ask a question.

Counting across the land and water of Southern Hong.

Those with such strength are actually truly few.

Let alone others, even Su Hongxiu felt this matter was most likely done by herself.

"Is it you?" The shadowy figure in the air turned its gaze over.

Su Hongxiu shook her head: "No."

Before her words ended, the others were already completely bewildered; with the arrogance of the Heavenly Sword Dao Son, how could she dare to do it but not admit it, especially on her own territory.

Judging by strength, nothing could be concluded.

Judging by motive... besides the three Dao Sons, who else would be so enraged by the Cloud Pavilion incident that they would slaughter so many water-tribe members to vent their anger?

Moreover, the retaliation came so ferociously and swiftly, fully displaying ruthlessness!

It was simply unimaginable.

Someone suddenly raised their head, so everyone began to look at each other.

They seemed to have ignored, in the Cloud Pavilion incident, who was the one who truly needed to regain their dignity; mainly, that place's presence was really not very high, and even in others' impressions, it seemed somewhat unworthy of the phrase "the might of the Xian Sect cannot be offended."

Southern Yang Sect.

Su Hongxiu also seemed to have thought of this; she silently turned her gaze toward outside the sect.

At the same time, Bai Wu of the Qingyue Sect and Wei Yuanzhou of the Lingyun Sect also made the same movement.

These three are the Dao Sons who understand the Southern Yang Sect the best.

If it was truly the Southern Yang Sect that acted.

Then most likely... it was Shen Yi.

"Really or fake?"

Su Hongxiu raised an eyebrow with a strange expression, finding it somewhat hard to believe.

She indeed held high expectations for that young Shen Zongzhu and was grateful that the other had saved her sister's life, but that did not mean she could believe Shen Yi could accomplish something even she felt was strenuous.

Over four hundred elite soldiers, seven Bai Yujing generals, plus many water-tribe experts.

Even if all of them were changed into pigs, a few would still manage to run away.

All killed?

"What kind of joke is this? If he had such ability, would Ke Shiliang have the courage to block his Cloud Pavilion?" Inside the Qingyue Sect, Bai Wu shook her head, dispelling this unrealistic thought.

"..." Wei Yuanzhou did not speak.

He was the first among all the Dao Sons to come into contact with Shen Yi.

The strength the other displayed changed with earth-shattering shifts every time.

Before truly seeing Shen Yi, Wei Yuanzhou would not easily draw a conclusion.

Of course, there is the simplest way: check whether this Shen Zongzhu is actually in the sect; with the Seven Sons Conference approaching, unless there is an urgent matter, the other most likely would not leave.

At the same time, inside the Southern Yang Sect.

Li Qingfeng was receiving the officials sent by the Qi Sect to discuss the conference matters.

Yet he saw the jade slips at these people's waists flashing nonstop.

The next moment, they all raised their heads together. After a long silence, one person suddenly asked softly, "May I ask if Shen Zongzhu is ready?"

"..."

Li Qingfeng paused, then forced a smile: "Of course, he is ready."

That person cleared his throat and said cautiously, "Then where is Shen Zongzhu now?"

"This... this..."

Li Qingfeng's smile grew even more stiff. Where? How the hell would he know!

In the entire Nanyang Sect, who could control Shen Zongzhu?

At least one thing was certain.

He was definitely not in the Nanyang Sect!

(End of this chapter)