Chapter 878

Ni Dongmei's thoughts leapt wildly, suddenly connecting to some conspiracy, and she hastily pulled her tail behind her.

This made Fang Yue smile wryly.

But indeed… given his current outward display of strength, it was absolutely impossible for him to defeat the Rain-level master of the Tianjian Sect.

And as the Tianjian Sect's treasured artifact, the divine weapon in Jian Wufeng's hands could never, under normal circumstances, end up in Fang Yue's possession.

The only scenario that could explain this situation was if Fang Yue had been bribed and had gained Jian Wufeng's immense trust, thereby acquiring the Tianjian Sword.

Because the alternative scenario was simply too incredible, too implausible.

But… the tail suddenly slipped past Ni Dongmei's protection and gripped Fang Yue's hand, asking slowly.

"Ye Ge, has Jian Wufeng already been killed by you?"

Fang Yue was slightly surprised, then nodded slightly and smiled: "Yes, he's dead. That's why I have his Tianjian Sword. For now, you don't need to worry about pursuers."

The weight of a Rain-level expert, even in Jingcheng, was enormous!

The death of a Rain-level expert would be enough to shake Jingcheng and become major news.

No matter who the Tianjian Sword was acting for, the person behind it would have to seriously consider whether it was necessary to continue opposing an enemy capable of slaying a Rain-level expert.

"What?! You truly killed Jian Wufeng of the Tianjian Sect? How did you do it?"

Upon hearing Fang Yue's words, Ni Dongmei reacted violently, startled out of her wits, her whole body stunned.

Unlike the tail, Ni Dongmei knew very little about Fang Yue's affairs.

Seeing Fang Yue claim to have killed Jian Wufeng, she was utterly uncertain… that was the Tianjian Sect's Sect Master, a formidable Rain-level expert!

But the tail was different—she had intelligence on Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu.

She knew Fang Yue had displayed astonishing combat power when saving Gu Yue Cun and Qingsi County.

That was why the tail trusted Fang Yue so completely—when she saw him holding the Tianjian Sword, she didn't think he might have betrayed them, but that he might have slain Jian Wufeng.

Yet even so, upon hearing Fang Yue confirm it himself, the tail was still greatly shocked.

"Ye Ge… you're truly formidable…"

The tail was dazed; it had been about two months since she left Mo Cun.

The tail had been diligently cultivating and felt her own progress.

But indeed… Ye Ge was still Ye Ge, always far ahead, leaving her only able to look up at his back.

Yet her fierce cultivation had never been meant to surpass Fang Yue, but… to close the distance between them.

At least enough to fight side by side, stand as equals, and have a chance to repay him two or three times for the kindness he showed her in Gu Yue Cun.

Now it seemed she was still far behind.

Fang Yue and the tail used their friend system to privately message each other, briefly explaining the situation.

The information they received from Ni Dongmei was limited.

"This isn't a place to talk. Let's return to the Jibing Sect first, then discuss further."

This suggestion received unanimous agreement from the two women.

The three quickly accelerated away, following the Official Road toward the Jibing Sect.

…

Tianjian Sect, Jianmu Lin.

An old man swept the Jianmu tombstones.

Each sword planted upside-down in the ground represented a Jianmu.

Only those who made outstanding contributions to the Tianjian Sect—or who held the rank of former Sect Masters—were eligible to leave their own Jianmu in Jianmu Lin.

A Jianmu was typically a special tomb where the deceased's personal sword was buried with them.

But the former Sect Masters were different.

Their Jianmu were constructed on the very day they inherited the position of Sect Master.

The sword buried within was not the Tianjian, but the precious blade they had worn at their side before obtaining the Tianjian.

Jianmu possessed spirit.

Once the sword entered the tomb soil, it formed a unique bond with its master.

And now, the Jianmu representing the current Sect Master cracked with a sharp "crack" and split in two.

The sword breaking meant the man was dead!

The Jianmu Laoren, guardian of Jianmu Lin, paused for a moment, then his face darkened as he walked out.

With each step he left behind, an array of sharp, unstoppable invisible sword intent surged over the Jianmu Laoren's body.

"The Sect Master is dead!"

Arriving at the Jianmu gate, he struck the bell ten times in succession, then looked up toward the distance.

The direction where the Sect Master's aura had last vanished was precisely that direction.

As the Jianmu Laoren thought this, the entire Tianjian Sect erupted into chaos from the sudden ten bell strikes.

Ten consecutive bell strikes in the Tianjian Sect signaled a sect-destroying assault… or the death of the Sect Master!

The entire Tianjian Sect, from top to bottom, scrambled together in panic, yet most were utterly bewildered by the situation.

When Tian Ruichi returned to the sect in a daze, he saw five Elders and the Jianmu Laoren awaiting him solemnly in the great hall.

"Elders, what's going on?"

The gathered junior disciples and the Elders' unprecedentedly grave expressions made Tian Ruichi uneasy.

After parting from his master, he had gone to search for the Seventh Prince again but found no trace of him; after confirming Jing Yan's safety, he had temporarily returned to the Tianjian Sect, planning to wait for his master's return.

If his master had captured Fang Yue alive, he could plead for mercy and ask his master to spare Fang Yue's life.

Considering their years of master-disciple bond, Tian Ruichi believed his master would allow this small whim of his.

But this situation before him left him stunned.

The elders exchanged a glance at Tian Ruichi's reaction, then looked toward Jianmu Laoren. Only after the latter gave a slight nod did the Grand Elder slowly speak.

"Tian Ruichi, do you know that the Sect Master is already dead?"

What?!

His mind buzzing, Tian Ruichi froze on the spot.

Flashes of every moment with his master raced through his mind—cultivating together, being looked after by his master, receiving guidance—scenes flickering past like a revolving lantern.

"How could that be?! The Sect Master was a Rain-rank powerhouse!"

"Exactly, the Sect Master wielded the Heavenly Sword—even against a Rain-rank powerhouse, he had the ability to retreat unscathed!"

This news had clearly been sealed off; it was only truly announced now, during the interrogation of Tian Ruichi.

The scene instantly erupted, the crowd buzzing with discussion, falling into utter chaos.

If they could, the elders wouldn't have wanted to make such a fuss, but the problem was, something like this couldn't be hidden.

"H-how did this happen? How could Master be dead?! Who killed my Master?! I will definitely avenge him!"

Coming back to his senses, Tian Ruichi trembled all over with agitation, clenched his fists, his eyes reddened, and like an enraged lion, roared out.

(End of chapter)