Chapter 2374: The Aloof Sword Cultivator and His Natal Sword Spirit 18

Heaven Derivation Sect, No-come Peak main hall.

Inside the hall, spiritual energy mists, yet cannot suppress the surging of an invisible dark current.

The news that Xie Qingmo's natal destiny sword had given birth to a sword spirit had long spread, and he was about to break through late Golden Core—a crucial step for a cultivator's rebirth, extremely dangerous, often taking months or even years.

Sect Leader and several peak masters came to No-come Peak together, their gazes focusing on the tall, deep-as-the-sea aura man in dark robes standing beside him.

The legendary ancient sword spirit, Jin Chen.

Sect Leader's countenance was stern, his eyes deep, and he spoke first: "Qingmo, this seclusion is no trivial matter; are the needed items all prepared? If you have any requests, the sect will fully support you."

The other peak masters also nodded in agreement.

Reports that this sword spirit instantly slew a great demon, forcing it to kneel and beg for mercy, had already stirred a huge uproar in the cultivation world.

Now, he is undoubtedly Tianyan Sect's invaluable asset.

Lingxu Zhenren, as Xie Qingmo's Master, sat beside the chief seat, his face showing a hint of pride, yet also somewhat complex due to several fellow disciples' excessive attention to Jin Chen.

No one expected that, amidst this seemingly harmonious atmosphere that actually hid hidden tensions, a voice of accusation suddenly rang out.

"Since you all have come, perfect." Jin Chen opened with an accusation: "This person named Liu Qingcheng, earlier in the Myriad Demons Valley, intended to take advantage of the chaos to attack and kill my sword master, Xie Qingmo."

"This matter, Tianyan Sect, how do you intend to handle it?"

The hall fell dead silent in an instant, so quiet that a dropped pin could be heard.

The Sect Leader's and peak masters' gentle expressions froze instantly; they stared in astonishment at Jin Chen, then turned to Liu Qingcheng, whose face had suddenly turned ashen as paper.

The Sect Leader gazed over sternly, "What's going on? Is this true?"

Liu Qingcheng never expected that this sword spirit would actually, in such a setting, accuse him to the Sect Leader and all the peak masters' faces.

His legs went weak and he knelt on the ground, "Sect Leader, please discern! All peak masters, please discern! Disciple is wronged! Disciple absolutely dare not harbor murderous intent toward my second senior brother! It… it's the sword spirit… he… he misunderstood! Disciple merely wanted to help… yes! I wanted to help fend off the demon beasts, perhaps I moved too much."

Liu Qingcheng spoke incoherently, tears pouring down, trying to hide his inner turmoil with a pitiful appearance.

Jin Chen let out a cold snort, "Hmph, you're still lying, your heart is vicious, your methods despicable, truly terrifying."

Liu Qingcheng was so choked he could barely catch his breath.

He crawled a few steps, clutching Yun Che's sleeve tightly, lifted his tear-streaked face, and sobbed, "Senior Brother! Senior Brother, say something! You know me! How could I harm my second senior brother? Help me, please…"

Yun Che's body stiffened as he looked at Liu Qingcheng gripping his sleeve; the force was so great his knuckles turned white.

His heart was torn, he opened his mouth, his gaze complex as he looked at the silent Xie Qingmo, and he struggled to speak, "Xie Qingmo, this matter…"

Xie Qingmo raised his eyes, "Senior Brother, should we plead for him?"

Before he finished speaking, Xingyan stepped forward and, without changing expression, pressed down on Yun Che's arm.

Xingyan lowered his voice, speaking quickly, "Senior Brother, speak with caution. At that time, both you and I were engaged in combat, our vision obstructed, and we did not personally see whether Junior Brother Liu actually struck."

"This matter… is better left to the Sect Leader and the peak masters to decide clearly; we… should not jump to conclusions, nor should we interfere."

The Sect Leader took in everything at a glance, his mind already clear.

Having managed the Tianyan Sect for many years, how could he not see through it?

Jin Chen didn't care at all about Liu Qingcheng's pleas; what he cared about was the Tianyan Sect's attitude toward Xie Qingmo.

The Sect Leader's thoughts raced, instantly weighing pros and cons.

One is Xie Qingmo, whose extraordinary talent promises to impact the Nascent Soul realm, plus an ancient sword spirit of unfathomable strength.

Its value far surpasses that of Liu Qingcheng, whose intentions are not upright and who may even harbor strange secrets.

"Enough!" the Sect Leader said in a low voice, his solemn tone instantly suppressing all noise in the hall.

His eyes flashed like lightning as he stared at Liu Qingcheng kneeling on the ground, "Liu Qingcheng, regardless of your motives, harboring murderous intent toward a fellow disciple, even acting on it, already violates the sect's ironclad rules! Considering this is your first offense and no major disaster has yet occurred, the death penalty can be waived, but a living punishment is unavoidable!"

"Effective immediately, you are confined to the Reflection Cliff for three years. During this period you may not step half a step off the cliff's summit; each day you must copy the Heart-Clearing Curse one hundred times. After three years, the Law Enforcement Hall will reassess your character and then decide."

"Sect Leader!"

Liu Qingcheng was struck as if by lightning, crying out in shock.

Three years of confinement on Reflection Cliff, cut off from cultivation resources—this punishment is practically worse than abolishing his cultivation!

The Sect Leader no longer looked at him, turning to Xie Qingmo with a gentle smile, "Xie Qingmo, you are about to enter seclusion; this is a major affair for the sect. I have a few little trinkets here that might aid you."

He waved his hand, and several radiant, spirit-energy-filled treasures hovered before Xie Qingmo: a Jade Pendant that steadies the mind, a spirit-gathering formation disk, and elixirs exuding pure vital energy—each a precious item.

Xie Qingmo rose, bowed, and received them, "Thank you, Sect Leader, for your generous gift."

The Sect Leader nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Jin Chen, his smile deepening, "Jin Chen, guarding the sword master, you have labored greatly. During Xie Qingmo's seclusion, throughout No-come Peak and even the sect's forbidden grounds, if needed, you may pass freely."

This practically elevated Jin Chen's status to that of a peak master.

The several peak masters beside him also understood, speaking up one after another, their words full of intentions to win him over.

"Xie Qingmo, my junior nephew, possesses heaven-defying talent; if you have need, after your seclusion you may come anytime to my Danxia Peak for quiet cultivation, and my alchemy furnace's spiritual fire also works wonders for refining the Nascent Soul."

"My Tianjian Peak's sword-washing pool is the ideal place for sword cultivators to consolidate their realm; Xie Qingmo, my junior nephew, you should consider it."

"My Bibo Peak may not excel in offense, but its tranquility and moist, nourishing spiritual energy make it most suitable for post-seclusion mental adjustment; Xie Qingmo, my junior nephew, if you find No-come Peak too noisy, you might consider moving there."

A female peak master also spoke with a smile, her gaze sweeping over Lingxu Zhenren carrying a hint of teasing.

Lingxu Zhenren heard his fellow disciples exchanging words, right in front of him they were poaching his wall; his face instantly turned as black as a pot bottom, he could no longer sit, and he sprang to his feet.

"No! Xie Qingmo is my personal transmitted disciple of Lingxu! Naturally he cultivates on No-come Peak; why go elsewhere?"

The Sect Leader gave him a meaningful look, "Oh? You also know he is your personally transmitted disciple? Then you should take even better care of him, and not let any improper thoughts disturb Xie Qingmo's tranquility."

This is the sword master of an ancient sword spirit!

These words hit home; Lingxu Zhenren was choked, his face red and ears burning, stammering unable to speak.

The Sect Leader said no more, then exchanged a few pleasantries with Jin Chen, his words laced with probing.

Jin Chen responded selectively; sensing the probing, he released a surge of sword qi that shook everyone's hearts and minds, leaving none daring to slight him.

The result of the probing left the Sect Leader firmly resolved, more satisfied with Tianyan Sect's future reliance.

After the Sect Leader and the peak masters departed, only a few people from No-come Peak remained in the hall.

Liu Qingcheng was taken away by an expressionless law-enforcement disciple; before leaving, he resentfully glanced at Xie Qingmo and Jin Chen.

Yun Che looked at Xie Qingmo with a complex expression, finally just sighed and silently left.

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -8, total 44!】

Xie Qingmo noticed their fingertip was hooked, lowered their gaze and saw Jin Chen's sleeve resting in front of them.

He curled his fingers and returned the grip.