Chapter 1386: Chapter 1: Peace Is Not Easily Won

"Peace is not easy."

"The Northern Border Great Wall has seen an entire year without a demon tide invasion."

"This year..."

"Went by so quickly."

At the Lotus Peak of the Da Sui Sword Palace, a young man sat atop the mountain, resting his cheek on his hand, staring into the distance.

Everyone knew that peace at the Northern Border Great Wall was only temporary. The next great battle might erupt soon, but for the Da Chu Dynasty, this brief peace was crucial... The dynasty was in ruins and needed this breath of time for recovery.

This year was truly a "life-saving" one, with Yang God Great Divine Power Users stationed at each territory pass, while young disciples from various holy lands got to rest. The Taoist sects began repairing the back mountain, and the Da Sui Sword Palace no longer needed to post so many cultivators at Xuantie Pass.

Of course, everyone knew that this fleeting peace couldn’t be separated from one person’s efforts.

The new Sword Palace Master, Xie Xuanyi.

"It’s been more than a year."

"I wonder how Master is doing in the Demon Country..."

The young man, chewing on a dogtail grass, stared blankly.

After slaying the Sun Eater Venerable.

Xie Xuanyi completely vanished from sight and sound.

Rumors spread far and wide.

Some said Xie Xuanyi had safely returned to Da Chu and was now in seclusion in the Lotus Forbidden Land, receiving the last Sword Qi inheritance from Xuanshui Cave Heaven. This inheritance was likely related to the legendary [Annihilation Chapter].

Others claimed Xie Xuanyi was trapped in the Demon Country, grievously injured after slaying the Sun Eater, with his life uncertain and whereabouts unknown.

These are the two most widely circulated and believed rumors in the market.

But Duan Zhao knew both rumors were wrong, and by a significant margin.

The inheritance of the Da Sui Sword Palace did not hold many secrets.

As Xie Xuanyi’s direct disciple, Duan Zhao had almost visited every place in the Sword Palace and seen every inheritance... This millennia-old Sword Qi holy land never had the habit of concealing anything. The legendary [Annihilation Chapter] existed only in the beautiful imaginations of people.

If the [Annihilation Chapter] existed, perhaps the Master Ancestor would not have "died," right?

Some time ago.

The Master of Law Ancestor returned silently for a while, and Duan Zhao heard Master Qi Lie say that the Master of Law alone erected a stone tablet in the Sword Forest of Golden Turtle Peak. The inscription of the Master Ancestor’s name on this stone tablet signified something that Duan Zhao understood all too well.

The change of eras is always like this. Countless people marvel at Xie Xuanyi’s Harmonization, countless envy the rise of the Da Sui Sword Palace’s Fortune, yet few notice that the once-invincible Pure Yang Sect Leader chose to depart quietly and silently, not even causing a ripple in this great tide.

The young man, lost in thought and absent-minded.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a sound broke through the air from afar. Two strands of Sword Qi entwined and fell from the clouds, rushing toward Lotus Peak. Just before hitting the cliff face, these two strands of Sword Qi deftly changed direction, trailing one after the other, swiftly skyrocketing upwards, breaking out against the waterfall of Lotus Peak.

Clang clang!

Sword Qi clashed in the void, two strands collided violently at high speed, instantly delivering hundreds of nearly a thousand slashes, ultimately ending in a draw. The two Sword Masters each took a step back, landing on opposite ends of the Lotus Peak arena.

The Sword Qi dispersed, and the Dao Domain followed suit.

The light mist and water drops were blown away by the wind, revealing two young, bright figures.

"Miss Xu, Master Xin Ancestor."

Duan Zhao quickly stood up, his gaze swept over, and he bowed respectfully towards the latter’s location.

In terms of age.

This young lady was almost his peer, perhaps he was slightly older.

In terms of seniority.

Xin Rui was two generations ahead.

After being brought back to Da Sui Sword Palace by Xie Xuanyi, Xin Rui resided at Lotus Peak, which was only fitting... She was originally the previous master of Lotus Peak. However, her Divine Sea was rather peaceful, with no sign of Soul Sea awakening. This "Lian Venerate," in reincarnation, had practiced at the Ancient Tree Cave Heaven since childhood and wasn’t exactly well-acquainted with swordsmanship. Zhao Tongtian wanted to personally instruct her, but the Northern Territory had him tied up in warfare, so he had to delegate the duty to Huang Su.

For Huang Su, it was truly an arduous and thankless task.

She never liked accepting disciples or teaching.

Were it not out of respect for the Pure Yang Sect Leader, she wouldn’t even care for the hollow title of Lotus Peak Mountain Master... The Master of Law’s favor couldn’t be declined, so she had to delegate the responsibility once more.

It seemed only fitting.

The "burden" of teaching Xin Rui sword cultivation fell on Xu Nianning and Duan Zhao.

"Xin Rui."

Xu Nianning shook her sleeve, dispersing the Sword Qi, looking at the girl not far away, and, unlike Duan Zhao, did not hold back, but seriously criticized: "Your swordsmanship is far too careless! The ’Lotus Sword Technique’ I taught you the other day wasn’t fully remembered!"

The pair’s previous sparring seemed evenly matched.

But in reality.

What Xin Rui used were the "old methods" from the Ancient Tree Cave Heaven. Due to her reincarnation, even without a teacher, her combat abilities were extremely strong. In this duel with swords formed from the "Water Path," she was nothing inferior to Xu Nianning.

"This can’t be blamed on me."

The young girl didn’t put on airs of being a master ancestor, scratching her head, somewhat guiltily mumbling: "I seriously memorized that Sword Technique, but it’s too complicated and cumbersome to be practical. You said before we were going to fight, and when fighting, it is naturally how one feels comfortable."

"..."

Xu Nianning, seeing this, was somewhat helpless as well.

The Master wanted her to teach this reincarnated young master ancestor well, and she was earnest about it.

The bigger the world, the bigger the fist.

In Xu Nianning’s view, the simplest way to teach this master ancestor sword cultivation was to "beat her into submission" first.

By chance, she’s gained many insights during a retreat in the Thirty-three Cave Heavens.

Henceforth.

Originally intending to "subdue" with the sword, Xu Nianning invited Xin Rui for a spar, the two boldly setting the stage and commenced the battle.

No one knows until they fight; she was startled after they fought.

Xu Nianning never expected that even someone like Xin Rui, who began cultivation from the womb, with at most a decade of experience, could match her in combat... They agreed not to win by realms, but only by fists and Sword Qi.

Xu Nianning planned to take down the "master ancestor" in ten moves.

But after over a hundred rounds, they still couldn’t tell the victor.

Is this the prowess of a reincarnated great cultivator?

Xu Nianning was secretly shocked.

It must not be her own talent.

Rather... the foundation left by Lian Venerate was too solid.

Thus.

An awkward situation arose.

If the fist isn’t big enough, then arguments don’t hold.

Faced with Xin Rui’s reasoning, for a moment, Xu Nianning found herself speechless.

"How about..."

At this moment, someone suddenly spoke.

The young man scratched his head, a bit shyly and cautiously opened his mouth: "I exchange a few moves with Master Ancestor? Spar a bit?"

...

....

(PS: 1. It’s the last volume; there are many things to wrap up, requiring earlier exposition, hope everyone understands. 2. Another update tomorrow at noon. 3. Thought for a long time, the volume should be named "Final Ember," which corresponds to the first volume’s "New Fire," mistakenly written, changes seem to require time, probably need to wait till tomorrow to amend.)