Chapter 40: Night Intrusion into the Sword Pool

But Duan Fengyun was never one to sit still; Sword Casting Villa had always been a mysterious place in the Fengyun World, and he wanted to study it properly.

So he walked out of his room and began to stroll around Sword Casting Villa.

He walked outside the courtyard and saw a mural on the wall, so he stepped closer to examine it.

He saw that the mural depicted a man with an appearance strikingly similar to Bu Jingyun, holding a strange sword and riding a Fire Qilin, looking incredibly imposing.

Just then, Lady Ao walked out and said, "Young Master Duan, instead of taking the time to rest and recharge, are you running around looking at this mural?"

Without waiting for Duan Fengyun to answer, Lady Ao continued, "The painting before you is actually a legend. It is said that in the future, a Qilin Demon will harm the people of the Human Realm, and the divine sword in the mural is exactly what will subdue the Qilin Demon. For the sake of this legend, my Sword Casting Villa has spent a hundred years and the efforts of several generations to forge this Peerless Sword."

Duan Fengyun laughed, "Is it worth it for a legend? And it takes a hundred years to forge one sword; Sword Casting Villa is nothing special."

Just as the two were talking, the sycophant Jian Mo walked out.

Jian Mo had long admired Lady Ao in his heart; in his eyes, Lady Ao was already his for the taking, and he would not let any other man be alone with her.

When Lady Ao saw Jian Mo, it was like a mouse seeing a cat, and she left immediately.

Seeing Lady Ao leave, Jian Mo glared fiercely at Duan Fengyun as if guarding his food and said, "Duan Fengyun, what did Lady Ao just tell you? Tell me quickly."

Duan Fengyun would not indulge a sycophant like Jian Mo; he thought for a moment and then said to Jian Mo:

"Oh, you mean just now? Lady Ao said I am a young hero who will surely become famous in the martial arts world one day. She said she likes me very much and asked if I would be willing to marry into Sword Casting Villa to become the Villa Master, but I refused."

Upon hearing this, Jian Mo was furious. He knew Lady Ao was not that kind of person, but he was also angry at Duan Fengyun for slandering her.

Jian Mo shouted angrily, "Duan Fengyun, I will fight you to the death."

Just as Jian Mo was about to start a fight, Aotian walked out and said to Jian Mo, "Master, the Sword Sacrifice will begin in a while; whatever the matter, let's discuss it after the Sword Sacrifice."

His words were firm; the Peerless Sword was about to undergo the Sword Sacrifice, and Aotian would not allow any accidents to happen.

Aotian then said to Duan Fengyun, "Duan Fengyun, the Sword Sacrifice is about to begin. You should return to your room to rest and wait for my notification to head to the Sword Pool together."

Seeing that the person in charge had spoken, Duan Fengyun found it difficult to say anything more and had to leave sullenly.

Aside from Jian Chen, the people in the guest rooms were undoubtedly old hands in the martial arts world, each harboring their own ulterior motives and considering their next moves.

Jian Tan, that old schemer, was just as his name suggested—greedy. He could not wait until the hour of the Rat and prepared to head to the Sword Pool first.

Jian Chen, in the room next to Jian Tan, had not rested; he had been keeping an eye on Jian Tan's movements. Jian Chen knew well that Duan Fengyun and Bu Jingyun were ruthless and not kind-hearted, but they were both true men who would not engage in such petty, underhanded behavior.

On the other hand, Jian Tan gave Jian Chen an uncomfortable feeling, so when the rooms were assigned, Jian Chen requested the room next to Jian Tan's in order to monitor him.

Jian Chen heard sounds coming from Jian Tan's room and, through a crack in the door, saw Jian Tan climbing over the wall to leave.

Seeing this, Jian Chen hurriedly grabbed the Hero Sword and chased after Jian Tan.

Jian Tan traveled rapidly and arrived outside the Sword Pool. By this time, the temperature of the Sword Pool was something ordinary people could not withstand; Jian Tan had to circulate his True Qi to enter.

Jian Chen followed Jian Tan the whole way and also circulated his own True Qi to enter the Sword Pool.

The scene of the Sword Pool that met Jian Tan's eyes was magnificent; in the center of the pool stood a massive, oppressive Peerless Sword, and this enormous Peerless Sword was bound with huge chains.

Around the giant sword, countless Peerless Swords were stuck in the ground; all the Sword Embryos of the Peerless Sword that Sword Casting Villa had forged over the past hundred years were here.

Jian Chen, who arrived shortly after, saw this scene and could not help but be shocked; the sight before him was simply too spectacular.

Jian Tan had actually long discovered Jian Chen following him. He turned around and chuckled at Jian Chen, "Kid, I discovered you were following me long ago. With your level of skill, how do you expect to survive in the martial arts world?"

After speaking, Jian Tan walked toward the center of the Sword Pool. Jian Chen ignored his words and also walked toward the center of the Sword Pool.

Just as the two walked into the center of the Sword Pool, a man lunged at them with a sword.

The two hurriedly retreated to dodge. The man stood before the massive Peerless Sword and said to them, "The Sword Sacrifice has not yet begun; those who approach the Peerless Sword shall be killed without mercy."

Jian Tan asked, "Who are you to dare interfere with my business?"

The mysterious man replied, "I am Wen Nu, the Sword-Guarding Slave of Sword Casting Villa, specifically tasked with guarding the Peerless Sword under construction."

At this moment, an old man with long gray eyebrows walked out and said to Wen Nu, "Wen Nu, do not be rude. Master Jian Tan is a distinguished guest of our Sword Casting Villa."

Jian Tan retorted, "Who are you? Why do you recognize me?"

The old man smiled, "I am Zhong Mei, a sword smith of Sword Casting Villa. My lineage has been forging this Peerless Sword here for a hundred years. In this world, besides Master Jian Tan, I really cannot think of anyone else who cannot even wait a few hours."

Zhong Mei looked at Jian Chen and said, "This young hero has a refined appearance and an aura of righteousness; he must be from a prestigious family. Please forgive this old man's lack of recognition, may I ask for the young hero's name?"

Upon hearing this, Jian Chen held his sword, cupped his hands, and replied, "I am Jian Chen. Greetings, Senior Zhong."

Zhong Mei nodded at Jian Chen's greeting. When his eyes shifted to the Hero Sword in Jian Chen's hand, he became a bit unsettled and asked:

"Young Hero Jian Chen, is that the Hero Sword once used by the Martial Arts Myth, Wuming?"

Jian Chen replied, "Senior has a sharp eye; this is indeed the Hero Sword once used by my master."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Mei said to Jian Chen, "Oh, so Young Hero Jian Chen is a disciple of the Martial Arts Myth, Wuming. No wonder you have such an aura of righteousness. May I borrow the sword for a look?"

Jian Chen did not even think about it and said directly, "Of course, please take the sword."

With that, Jian Chen threw the Hero Sword directly to Zhong Mei.

Zhong Mei caught the Hero Sword and said to Jian Chen, "Young hero, you have great courage; you are worthy of being a disciple of the Martial Arts Myth."

After speaking, Zhong Mei drew the Hero Sword and looked at the cold light shimmering on the blade, saying, "A good sword! It is worthy of being a divine weapon of the Righteous Path; its righteous aura is natural and innate. It can be considered a divine weapon."

With that, Zhong Mei threw the Hero Sword back into Jian Chen's hand.

Seeing that enough small talk had been made, Zhong Mei decided it was time to get to business. He said to Jian Chen and Jian Tan, "Gentlemen, there is still one hour until the Sword Sacrifice of the Peerless Sword begins. Please move outside the Tianchi to wait, otherwise, please forgive this old man for being rude."

Wen Nu, standing to the side, also drew his sword and looked at the two.

Upon hearing this, Jian Chen glanced at Jian Tan and said, "Master Jian Tan, please."

Hearing this, Jian Tan had no choice but to temporarily avoid the edge and head out first.

Just as the two were about to leave, an echo came:

"Gentlemen, no need to leave; we have arrived."