Chapter 21

Yet after Jiang Xuan spoke these words, a single thread of arrogant voice rang out.

"Hmph, what a big tone."

Accompanying this voice, three figures walked slowly from a passage within the spacious stone cave.

The arrivals were three youths; one wore short wavy hair, draped in a red cloak, appearing heroic and powerful, only his face exuded a cold indifference; the middle youth was gentle and refined, a friendly smile beneath his handsome exterior; the last was equally heroic, only the gloom between his brows that could not be dispelled appeared somewhat abrupt.

The speaker was precisely this gloomy youth.

Jiang Xuan raised his brow to look, not the least bit surprised by the arrivals, and slowly smiled:

"In my eyes, the people and martial arts of this world that can be rated as not bad are few and far between; my such evaluation is not an insult, but praise."

The approaching gloomy youth was already quite dissatisfied with Jiang Xuan's commentary; upon hearing Jiang Xuan's words, his face changed:

"Arrogant words; South Sword Saint, North Sea Mad Blade, the whole martial world knows both their martial arts are peerless, yet in your eyes they are merely not bad; I want to see if your skill is as formidable as your mouth."

"Duan Lang, forget it; this little brother must have spoken without intent."

Yet just as the man called Duan Lang was preparing to act, the gentle man hurriedly pulled him back, giving Jiang Xuan an apologetic gaze.

As he cupped his fists toward Jiang Xuan, he happened to see the long saber in Jiang Xuan's hand — it was precisely the saber he had seen in Nie Renwang's hand in his childhood.

"Here, your family heirloom treasured saber."

Without any visible exertion, the long saber in his hand slowly shot straight toward Nie Feng.

This Snow Drinking Mad Saber is said to be forged from the divine stone of the Fengyun World, but in Jiang Xuan's view it was nothing more than so-so; the material was merely not bad, possessing weak spirituality, and after refining once it could become a spiritual artifact magic treasure.

For Jiang Xuan, it did not count as any opportunity.

Nie Feng leapt up, caught the treasured saber in mid-air, his eyes fixed on the blade, his mood seeming excited yet also low.

"Many thanks, little brother."

To Nie Feng, the Snow Drinking Mad Saber was not merely a divine weapon; this saber also carried his longing for his father Nie Renwang; when he was young playing in the courtyard, he often watched his father practice the saber.

Nie Renwang often held young Nie Feng in his arms, saying that when he grew up he would pass on all his martial arts and the treasured saber to him; only now the treasured saber was found, yet his father had perished in the Fire Qilin's mouth.

Thinking of this, Nie Feng could not help but feel somewhat gloomy.

Regarding Jiang Xuan's act of returning the treasured saber, both the cold youth and the gloomy youth were astonished; a world-famous treasured saber tossed so lightly to Nie Feng — did he not know its value, or was it nothing to him?

"Bu Jingyun, Nie Feng, Duan Lang"

Under Jiang Xuan's Primordial Spirit scan, he naturally knew of the three's arrival long ago, so he felt no surprise; rather, he actively waited for them to come.

Different from the original trajectory, the three were currently drawn by the sound of Jiang Xuan practicing the Ao Han Six Decisions, whereas in the original trajectory Nie Feng and Duan Lang went together to Lingyun Grotto to pay respects to Nie Renwang and Duan Shuai, Bu Jingyun followed on Xiong Ba's orders, and the three did not enter the cave.

"Hmm, you know us?"

The cold youth's face changed slightly; his always tilted head turned to look at Jiang Xuan; the man called Duan Lang was also startled.

But they did not think much of it; the Tianxia Association swept the world with overwhelming force, making all major sects submit; the names of Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng were known to everyone in the martial world; it was nothing strange for this person to know their names.

Rather, Duan Lang at this time was merely a sweeping disciple in the Tianxia Association, yet someone called out his name — very worth pondering.

"On the wall is your family's saber art, the Ao Han Six Jue; the Blood Bodhi on the vines has the effect of increasing internal force; you may also take them yourselves."

"The third cave turning left, inside there is a dry bone; before the dry bone lies a Huanghuo Sword."

Without waiting for them to ask how this youth knew the three, Jiang Xuan's next two sentences caused the three's expressions to change greatly; Duan Lang even rapidly ran toward the cave Jiang Xuan indicated.

Regarding this Duan Lang, Jiang Xuan held some appreciation.

Unrelated to character or morality, merely appreciation for this person whose life is as thin as paper yet possesses an unyielding heart.

Jiang Xuan was willing to give him a chance.

Seven-year-old Duan Lang came to Lingyun Grotto every day to measure the water level, the purpose being to wait for the moment the water submerged the Great Buddha's knees so he could search for his father in Lingyun Grotto.

After entering the Tianxia Association, Duan Lang made an appointment to fight with some bratty kids; Xiong Ba happened to pass by; the bratty kids all knelt upon seeing Xiong Ba, yet only Duan Lang kept his backbone straight.

Xiong Ba accepted Wind and Cloud as inner disciples; upon hearing this Duan Lang was very unconvinced, daring to question publicly.

Fate is so unfair; just because the Mud Bodhisattva's written prediction for Xiong Ba did not mention Duan Lang, the matter of accepting disciples uniquely left out Duan Lang.

Wen Chou Chou most could not stand this unruly child, dealing a heavy blow to young Duan Lang right on the head; facing the threat of death, Duan Lang still lowered his proud head to fate, from then on sinking into a sweeping disciple of the Tianxia Association.

But the pride in his heart did not vanish because of this; as a menial worker Duan Lang did not give up on himself; seeing Xiong Ba imparting earth-shaking martial arts to three disciples, he was shocked beyond measure, yet all of it had nothing to do with him.

By day he worked as a menial, by night he diligently practiced.

"I, Duan Lang, acknowledge you as my friend, but even to you I will not admit defeat; one day I will rely on my own strength to fight my way out."

Duan Lang is absolutely the most inspirational character in the Fengyun World; although unlike Wind and Cloud he lacks a protagonist halo, good luck, and constant miracles, he relies on himself, step by step, working hard to gain a decent body of martial arts; alas, misfortune specially picks the wretched, and all his efforts ultimately become a bamboo basket drawing water — all in vain.

Jiang Xuan stood with hands behind back, carefully comprehending the saber intent of the Ao Han Six Decisions; he would integrate this saber art into his own Dao.

Clearly without any movement, the momentum on Jiang Xuan grew ever more intense; at times like violent wind and rain, at times like thunder and lightning, at times like the inclusiveness of heaven, earth, mountains and rivers.

Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun were shocked in their hearts, feeling as if they were a leaf boat in the great sea, liable to capsize at any moment.

Duan Lang, returning excitedly holding the Huanghuo Sword, was even more pressed by this momentum until his face turned pale.

"This aura. far surpasses Xiong Ba."

Clearly the other party was merely standing still, yet it made the three instantly feel as if they were mortals facing a celestial god.

Duan Lang, whose mind was originally quick-witted, immediately clasped the sword with both hands:

"Duan Lang has eyes but fails to recognize Mount Tai; I did not know Senior's divine might; my words were lacking, please forgive me, Senior."

Just as he finished speaking, suddenly.

Boom—!

Lingyun Grotto seemed to suffer an earthquake; the entire cave shook, basin-sized boulders tumbled down.

Roar!

From the depths of the cave came a huge roar like a dragon's chant and tiger's roar, thunderous, resounding through the clouds.

A heat wave rushed the face; the air seemed ignited by raging fire, temperature rising rapidly, emitting a scorching breath.

"Not good, it's the Fire Qilin, run!"

"Senior, run!"

The expressions of Feng Yun, Duan Lang, and the third man changed drastically, and they were about to circulate their lightness arts and fly out of Lingyun Grotto.

Nie Feng harbored kind intentions, and Duan Lang, grateful to Jiang Xuan, quickly reminded him in an urgent tone.

Leave? You've come all this way!

Jiang Xuan felt the heat wave flood surging toward him, his hair dancing, his silhouette standing still, as he let out a light laugh.

"Delivered to my door, saving me the trip to go myself."

Finished speaking.

He stepped out, his eyes slightly raised, falling upon the direction of one of the caves.

Waiting for this ferocious beast to appear!

In less than one breath's time.

Suddenly!

That residual violence, rampant roar came again, the incomparably violent flame like a magma flood surging out, shaking the entire space.

A house-sized ferocious beast came colliding swiftly as thunder, its washbasin-sized eyes filled with bloodthirsty killing intent.

A Fire Kirin?

Let's see if you deserve the name of a divine beast.

Jiang Xuan clenched his fist with five fingers, swinging out a punch.

(Chapter End)