Chapter 186: Chapter 183: Pavilion Master of Tianya Pavilion, an Invitation from a Sect

The great river flows east.

The might of this sword strike was comparable to a blow from a Spirit Realm Master, possessing an unstoppable force.

Ten years to sharpen a sword, its edge revealed in a single moment.

With this single strike, Chu Bai’s position as the Sword King should have remained unshakable.

Unfortunately for him, he had met Ning Jiang.

Before a Venerable, this seemingly irresistible strike was unable to achieve its purpose.

The three-hundred-zhang-long cyan Sword Aura crumbled inch by inch, dissipating in all directions.

"I have lost."

Chu Bai sighed. His strongest strike had still been defeated by Ning Jiang. He was utterly and willingly convinced of his loss.

"That was a satisfying battle. But that last strike of yours... was that Sword Intent?"

Sword Intent. He had only ever heard of such a thing, never seen it. But from the way a hundred swords had hummed in unison when Ning Jiang struck, it greatly resembled the legendary Sword Intent.

"Yes and no," Ning Jiang said.

"What do you mean?"

"To be precise, it should be called Half-Step Sword Intent. It’s not complete."

Sword Intent was something that required comprehension.

In his past life, Ning Jiang had been a Venerable who reached the apex of power. However, he had cultivated the Myriad Stars Flying Immortal Technique and had not dabbled in things like Sword Intent.

Thus, Sword Intent was also something new to him, something he needed to comprehend.

Of course, with his breadth of knowledge, comprehending Sword Intent wasn’t difficult.

He had only managed to comprehend this Half-Step Sword Intent after spending three days on it, starting right after he heard of Chu Bai’s challenge.

If word got out that he had comprehended Half-Step Sword Intent in just three days, it would probably shake the entire Six Eastern Provinces.

Other Sword Cultivators, even top-level geniuses, would need at least three years to comprehend Half-Step Sword Intent.

’Comprehending full Sword Intent probably won’t even take me a month.’

Ning Jiang thought to himself. Half-Step Sword Intent was incomplete.

Many people remained at Half-Step Sword Intent their entire lives, never able to achieve complete Sword Intent.

After truly comprehending Sword Intent, there were still many more realms to master, each requiring step-by-step comprehension.

The Sword Dao was a long and arduous path that required a great deal of time.

"Half-Step Sword Intent?"

Chu Bai shook his head with a wry smile. Even if it was only Half-Step Sword Intent, it was far stronger than his Sword Momentum.

"I have gained much from this battle. You have shown me a higher Sword Dao Realm. After this, I am confident I can comprehend Half-Step Sword Intent within five years," Chu Bai said gratefully.

Why had he challenged Ning Jiang? He wanted to temper his Sword Dao, to use Ning Jiang’s strength to help him achieve a breakthrough.

Now, his goal had been achieved.

Half-Step Sword Intent. That was his next objective.

"The Sword Dao is endless. Cyan Cloud Country is ultimately too small. If you wish to pursue a stronger Sword Dao, you must venture out," Ning Jiang advised.

"I will," Chu Bai nodded.

"Sigh... To think that even Sword King Chu Bai lost."

"That last strike was terrifying! Our own swords actually flew out of our hands."

"In the future, any Sword Cultivator who fights Young Master Wushuang is in for a world of hurt. In the face of Sword Intent, even Treasure Swords are pulled and become uncontrollable. How could anyone fight against that?"

The crowd marveled, retrieving the swords that had been sent flying.

"We pay our respects to the Sword King!"

Just then, a roar like a crashing tsunami echoed as countless people in the audience bowed to Ning Jiang.

With Chu Bai’s defeat, the title of Sword King naturally passed to Ning Jiang.

"It’s well-deserved. Congratulations."

Chu Bai offered his congratulations. He didn’t seem to mind much. For him, the greatest gain was the experience of fighting against Half-Step Sword Intent.

"It is but an empty title."

Ning Jiang shook his head, showing no pride. In his eyes, a title like King was only effective within Cyan Cloud Country. Once he went outside, who would acknowledge him as the Sword King? 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

In the Great Thousand Realms, only a Martial Artist who reached the Celestial Martial Realm could be called a King.

The Innate Realm was too weak; it was merely a starting point.

Only after entering the Spirit Realm could one be considered to have crossed the threshold.

’It’s about time I left this place.’

Ning Jiang’s gaze drifted toward the distant sky.

Below, Ning Yu’an seemed to sense something, a hint of reluctance flashing in her beautiful eyes.

"Young Master Wushuang, the Pavilion Master would like to see you."

A voice rang out. It was Cao Tiangang of Tianya Pavilion.

"Very well. Lead the way."

The people of Tianya Pavilion had not missed this grand event. They were stationed on a luxurious ship on the Qingjiang River.

"I wonder who the Pavilion Master of Tianya Pavilion is?"

"I don’t know either. Their identity seems to be a mystery. They never show their true face, and even the members of Tianya Pavilion itself don’t know who they are."

Amidst the crowd’s discussion and speculation, Ning Jiang boarded the ship.

As soon as he stepped on board, the sound of a zither began to play.

The melody was graceful and flowing, like a stream trickling under a small bridge. It was pleasing to the ear, and every note was intoxicating, drawing the listener in.

The many Martial Artists present immediately showed expressions of enjoyment.

Even a figure like Sword King Chu Bai closed his eyes to listen quietly.

"It’s her!"

Liu Shiyi, who was well-versed in the way of the zither, widened her beautiful eyes, having guessed the player’s identity.

"Young Master Wushuang, the Pavilion Master is inside. I shall take my leave."

After leading Ning Jiang to the door, Cao Tiangang withdrew.

Ning Jiang pushed the door open. Inside, a sweet fragrance lingered in the air. A woman in a red dress with an enchanting figure was gently plucking the zither strings with slender, jade-like fingers whiter than frost and snow.

Yue Lianxi!

"Please, have a seat, Young Master."

Seeing Ning Jiang, Yue Lianxi smiled faintly, her peerlessly bewitching face becoming even more alluring.

Ning Jiang sat down and listened quietly until the piece was finished.

"Do you think my playing has improved, Young Master?" Yue Lianxi’s beautiful eyes were like water, her every smile exuding boundless charm.

"Your music contains two emotions: happiness and apprehension. If you have something to say, just say it directly."

Ning Jiang’s demeanor was always as tranquil as an ancient Buddha. Facing this peerless beauty, he remained aloof and indifferent.

Yue Lianxi had long since grown accustomed to his attitude and didn’t mind. "You have a discerning eye, Young Master. In all the world, you are the only one who can fully understand my music. I am happy because I was right about you. You truly are a man of great potential, soaring to the heavens, unrivaled."

At this, she paused. Seemingly aware that Ning Jiang disliked beating around the bush, she continued, "As for my apprehension... I have an audacious request, and I wonder if you would be willing to grant it?"

"Let’s hear it," Ning Jiang said, flicking his fingernails.

"To be honest, I am not from Cyan Cloud Country. I come from a Sect called the Yanyue Sect."

Yue Lianxi dropped her flirtatious demeanor and became serious. She said slowly, "I would like to invite you, Young Master, to join the Yanyue Sect!"

"Join a Sect? As a mere disciple?" Ning Jiang asked with a half-smile.

"Not as a disciple. I wish to invite you to become an Elder of the Yanyue Sect!" Yue Lianxi’s words were astonishing.

The position of an Elder was extraordinary. In their Yanyue Sect, there were no more than ten Elders, each one holding a distinguished status.

Generally speaking, someone of Ning Jiang’s age could only be a disciple within a Sect.

Disciples were categorized as Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, and Core Disciples. Ning Jiang could have been a Core Disciple.

But for Yue Lianxi to directly offer him an Elder position was an incredibly bold decision.

"The position of Elder... are you qualified to offer it to me?" Ning Jiang asked.

"The Sect Leader is my grandfather. I still have that much authority," Yue Lianxi said proudly.

At the same time, she understood in her heart that someone like Ning Jiang would be difficult to win over. But given the potential he had displayed, she felt she had to secure him.

She was already prepared to pay a huge price to ensure Ning Jiang joined the Yanyue Sect.

’If I’m not mistaken, he’ll probably bargain with me now to get some benefits, right?’

"Alright," Ning Jiang nodded.

"It’s alright if you don’t agree. As long as you join, the Sect can give you... huh?" Yue Lianxi stopped mid-sentence, stunned.

He agreed?

He agreed just like that?

Without making a single demand? What was going on? This was completely different from what she had expected.

"You just agreed? You don’t want anything?"

Yue Lianxi was in disbelief. In truth, even if Ning Jiang had asked for Cultivation Techniques, Spiritual Artifacts, Spirit Stones, or other precious resources, she could have satisfied his requests.

Because Ning Jiang’s potential was simply too immense. He had comprehended Half-Step Sword Intent!

"I don’t," Ning Jiang shook his head.

Yue Lianxi looked at Ning Jiang as if he were an idiot. "Do you have any idea how much you could have gotten if you had just made some demands?"

"How powerful can the Yanyue Sect be? Is it one of the Seven Great Super Sects? What could it possibly have that I would want?" Ning Jiang said faintly.

’Why would a dignified Venerable care about the possessions of a minor Yanyue Sect?’

If it were one of the Seven Great Super Sects, he might have been a little interested. With the resources of a Super Sect, there would surely be plenty of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

"Alright. Before I leave Cyan Cloud Country, I still have some arrangements to make. I’ll take my leave now."

Ning Jiang stood up, about to depart.

"Why?" Yue Lianxi couldn’t help but ask.

Ning Jiang stopped in his tracks and said lightly, "I owe you a favor."

A favor. That was all.

Back when his arm was severed at the Treasure Herb Hall, it was Yue Lianxi who had sent him a Bone Shaping Pill, solving his urgent problem.

Afterward, Yue Lianxi had also given him the ten million Primordial Stones she had won from the gambling den.

It could be said that Yue Lianxi had shown him kindness.

He was a Venerable. Kindness must be repaid!

One hundred thousand years ago, as a Venerable, Ning Jiang fought a Great Emperor who was a realm above him. It was a battle that even he couldn’t be certain of winning, yet he fought it anyway. For a full ten years, he battled until the heavens and earth sundered and the four seas overturned. It was his most arduous fight.

And the reason for that battle could be summed up in two simple words: repaying kindness!

Ning Jiang valued sentiment and righteousness.

If one gives me a drop of kindness, I shall repay them with an entire ocean.

"A favor... so you still remembered."

After Ning Jiang left, Yue Lianxi murmured to herself, her face breaking into the happiest of smiles, radiant and captivating.

She knew she had bet on the right horse. Here in Cyan Cloud Country, she had found someone she could trust!

"Hmph, easy for him to say. Who knows if he’s just after you, milady."

Beside her, the Little Maid Qiu Yue grumbled.

With Yue Lianxi’s beauty, countless men in the world secretly schemed to win her over. So far, she had never seen a man who could remain indifferent after meeting Yue Lianxi.

She refused to believe that Ning Jiang didn’t have the slightest interest in Yue Lianxi.

"After me?"

Yue Lianxi recalled Ning Jiang’s clean and clear eyes and shook her head with a wry smile. "If he really were after me, I would actually be happy. It would mean my charms could at least move his heart. Unfortunately, a man like him won’t be swayed by lust."