Chapter 339 Past Misdeeds, A Triumphant Return: Five Sects Seek Alliance, Emerging from the Dragon's Heart

The medicinal broth, simmered for thousands of years, has accumulated numerous potent effects, including strengthening the body, nourishing the five internal organs, firming the skin, harmonizing yin and yang, and prolonging life. Its rich and potent flavor is evident in the wisps of purple mist that gently veil the faces, giving them a rosy glow. Surrounded by jade bricks and red tiles, exquisite porcelain and fine artifacts, and the gentle murmur of flowing water, the scenery is impeccable, tranquil and undisturbed.

It was nothing like a tomb, but rather like the secluded chamber of the Hall of Relief from Worries, a place of blissful beauty, a paradise unto itself, a place of joy untouched by the outside world. Wen Caishang was capricious, and in the past, as a tamer of her husband, she often whipped him with a sword, punishing him in anger or joy, injuring his body, and even practicing the "Heart-wrenching Sword," which caused unbearable pain. From childhood, she had been of extremely high status, with impeccable manners. Even when tearing flesh and blood and taking lives, she would always maintain a few words of propriety, her etiquette and demeanor elegant. Shouting, losing control, panic... were rarely seen in her.

But the sins of the past must be repaid today. Li Xian did not use his sword to stab her, but thought, "Things have come to this point, if I don't show my true colors, wouldn't that embolden the lady? I'll collect the interest today, and when I surpass her in the future, I'll take back the principal." He grabbed Wen Caishang.

Wen Caishang's ankle was gripped, and she thought, "My martial arts and internal energy are useless now. This kid saw this and took advantage of it to bully me." She turned around and splashed water, countless water droplets flying towards her. The water contained many profound sword techniques, and although it had no killing intent, if it hit her, she would inevitably feel pain.

Li Xian waved his hand, and his Pure Qi Robe swirled in the air, gathering the water into a ball before flinging it back into the medicinal soup. Wen Caishang was both ashamed and furious. Her once obedient husband had now rebelled and deceived her. She had expected this, but the feeling was extremely strange. She kept scolding him in a coquettish voice, "You little rascal, you...you've gone too far!"

Li Xian laughed and said, "You think I'm allowed to bully you but not resist? There's no such logic in this world. This is a rare opportunity; it would be a pity to miss it. You should obediently surrender, Madam."

Wen Caishang scolded, "Fine, you heartless little devil, it seems you've been wanting to bully me all along, telling me to surrender. Humph, you'll have to get past the sword in my hand first." Her tone wasn't fierce, though. She flipped her hand, and a "White Snake Soft Sword" appeared out of thin air underwater, stabbing towards Li Xian.

Her White Serpent Sword moved nimbly and unpredictably underwater, its blade shifting between sharp and resilient strikes, showing no intention of harming Li Xian. She was merely protecting her dignity, maintaining a defiant stance, determined not to allow Li Xian to turn the tables. Her sword technique, named "Waist-Entangling Life-Taking," aimed to use a supple sword to entangle and wrap around the opponent's waist; it was a unique and exquisitely crafted swordsmanship.

Li Xian, with his keen eyesight, swiftly gripped the soft sword, stopping it just three inches from its blade. Wen Caishang was secretly astonished: "His double pupils and sharp eyesight are truly extraordinary. This little wolf cub is becoming increasingly difficult to control as he grows up; this time he's really biting me." She twisted her wrist, and the white snake-shaped soft sword coiled around Li Xian's wrist.

Li Xian unsheathed his sword, and the two exchanged several blows, the water rippling. Though there was no real danger, it was certainly a contest. Li Xian possessed immense strength, yet his skill was exquisite. Combined with his double pupils and perfect form, he could discern flaws in every move. Wen Caishang, experienced and shrewd, displayed a multitude of techniques. With only the White Snake Soft Sword, a Mustard Void Demon Robe, and the basic White Snake Sword Technique, she could wield it with dazzling skill. Though the soft sword had no sharp edge, its movements—entwining, striking, circling, feinting, and solid—were unpredictable and ever-changing.

The sword slapped against the water, and Wen Caishang gradually felt the strain. The sound of the bell here was affecting her, and ultimately she couldn't defeat Li Xian. Suddenly, Li Xian used his "Pure Qi Robe" to deflect the water, wielding it with immense force. The Pure Qi Robe caused the water in the pool to surge wildly, knocking Wen Caishang off her feet. Moreover… although her words of resistance were forceful, her will to resist was not tenacious. She even unconsciously harbored anticipation and curiosity: "If Li Xian really wins, what kind of fate will she suffer for always bullying him?"

Taking advantage of the situation, he made a mistake and naturally lost the fight, with Li Xian grabbing his wrist at close range.

Li Xian laughed, "Madam, you've lost." She bit her red lips tightly, unable to break free. The effects of the medicine had left her feeling swayed, and she was now powerless to resist. She said, whether out of anger or joy, "You...you have guts! You really...you really found an opportunity. I'm now in your hands. Do with me as you please."

Seeing that the once venomous and vicious woman was now surprisingly docile, though she verbally scolded and cursed him and put on a tough front, Li Xian's eyes were actually filled with flirtatious glances, adding to her affectionate and coquettish demeanor. He couldn't help but recall their escape from danger, when Wen Caishang seemed angry but actually quite receptive to this act of turning the tables, enjoying it without realizing it.

Li Xian said, "Fine, then I'll really let you taste the agony of being torn apart." Wen Caishang felt strange, though she seemed annoyed. She retorted defiantly, "Little thief, do you think I'm afraid of you? Bring it on!"

...

...

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, having endured many hardships, spent two days recuperating from their injuries. Fortunately, the women took good care of them, and their energy and vitality recovered quickly. They were all able to move freely again and fight with their swords.

Xiao Wanjian, Hu Yueyue, and other leading elders gathered under a banyan tree, surrounded by ordinary elders, to discuss arrangements for the aftermath. Each faction spoke, expressing their views and plans. They largely reached a consensus.

Now that we know who the real culprit is, the grievances should be settled and the debts repaid. However, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance has no one proficient in tomb raiding. They were able to get here entirely through their profound martial arts skills, overcoming dangers and obstacles. They have suffered many hidden losses. Although most of the traps on their way here have been solved, it is hard to say what they will encounter if they return the way they came.

Moreover, the tolling of the bell had a profound influence, making it difficult for the martial arts practitioners to utilize their skills. Their martial arts evolution and internal energy cultivation were all lost. After being severely defeated by Li Xian single-handedly, their morale was greatly dampened, and they should be even more cautious.

Hu Yueyue said, "This place is strange. The most urgent thing is to leave this tomb. There must be many treasures hidden in this tomb, but they are not for us to touch. Protecting the lives of our disciples and getting out of danger as soon as possible is the best course of action."

Xiao Wanjian said, "He Wentian is a man of deep thoughts. He disappeared early on, probably because he realized that his whereabouts had been exposed and was afraid that we would take action to capture him, so he secretly left. If we turn back now, we will surely be ambushed by him."

Wang Zongheng said in a deep voice, "Although the disciples are not seriously injured, there are only a few hundred of them. If He Wentian takes advantage of the terrain to deploy troops and ambush key points in advance, it will be extremely difficult for us to break through."

The elders of the Sword Sect fell silent, facing yet another perilous situation. Duan Yixin said, "If it weren't for the bell's influence, although our Sword Sect has few disciples, why would we be afraid of He Wentian? Not to mention He Wentian, even that... that lady and that young man, we need not be afraid."

Hou Yuande said, “Brother Duan, why bother with all that? The most important thing right now is to devise a foolproof plan. Assumptions and hypothetical discussions can wait until we’re out of the tomb. He Wentian is extremely cautious, but he’s not familiar with the main hall. I reckon that even though he has a large army, he wouldn’t dare to enter the hall rashly. We have plenty of time and there’s no immediate danger, so we can discuss our strategy slowly.”

Hu Yueyue said, "That's good. I've already sent my disciples to catch some grass snakes, wild fruits, and wild herbs along the way to cook. I think that should last for several days."

Xiao Wanjian said, "It's a pity that our sword sect has too upright a tradition and disdains tomb raiding. Including myself, we know nothing about this." Hu Yueyue suddenly said, "If we're talking about expertise in tombs, I'm afraid none of us are as good as that person."

The elders exclaimed in unison, "It's her?" Thinking of the woman in the white dress, they felt a strange unease. Xiao Wanjian said, "Hmph, although the matter has been clarified, it's not so easily forgotten. Why did you bring her up for no reason?"

Hu Yueyue said, "Let's put that matter aside for now. He Wentian is also a threat to her. Perhaps we can put aside our past grievances for now and work together to overcome this difficulty. We can sit down and discuss a solution later."

Xiao Wanjian flicked his sleeve and said, "I have nothing to say to that slut." Wang Zongheng pondered for a moment and said, "Elder Hu, Wen Caishang is no good person. We know very little about her. Cooperating with her is probably like asking a tiger for its skin. If we are harmed by her, she may be far more vicious than He Wentian."

All the team leaders and accompanying elders nodded repeatedly. Wang Tiexin said, "There are complicated matters at play, which are difficult to discuss. This person's thoughts are hard to fathom, and he is definitely not a suitable partner."

Hu Yueyue said, "This Wen Caishang is certainly not a good man, but..." After hesitating for a moment, she said, "The young man Li Xian beside her seems quite nice."

It turns out that Hu Yueyue was the Dingjian Elder of the Hushan Sword Sect. He Wentian's treacherous deeds had caused heavy losses to the Hushan Sword Sect, with all its elders and disciples missing. Now that they had been recovered, she felt deeply apologetic and comforted the sect's disciples. During their conversations, she often talked about Li Xian, and her opinion of him gradually changed.

Xiao Wanjian said in a deep voice, "This boy is no better. At such a young age, his methods are strange, and he has no humility whatsoever!"

Duan Yixin said, "His origins and identity remain a mystery. His real name is Li Xian, and it is true that he saved the women. It is also true that he used the alias 'Hua Wucuo' and made a name for himself in the Flower Cage Sect. Although the women were not captured by him, can his identity alone make him innocent?"

Wang Zongheng said, "I have a different opinion. This young man's background is certainly not innocent, but he doesn't seem like a wicked person." Hou Yuande nodded and said, "That's true."

Xiao Wanjian disliked Li Xian intensely. Hearing others praise him, he couldn't help but feel slightly displeased. "Even so, what use is this kid other than his immense strength, which can help us resist powerful soldiers? When we face thousands of powerful soldiers and hidden arrows, even if he is powerful, can he turn the tide?"

Hu Yueyue said, "That's not the case. Rather than cooperating with Li Xian, it's more accurate to say we should cooperate with Madam Wen. Li Xian is more amiable, and if he acts as the middleman, Madam Wen, who is an expert in tombs, might be able to cleverly use the tomb's mechanisms to eliminate the enemy's forces. Or we could find another way to avoid the many dangers. In the current situation, if this lady is willing to help, our chances of escaping this predicament can increase by 30%."

The elders were all intrigued by this suggestion. Duan Yixin added, "That Madam Wen seems quite fond of him. If he were to mediate, perhaps things could really work out." Wang Zongheng clapped his hands in approval, saying, "I think it's quite feasible. Don't be fooled by Madam Wen's formidable appearance; I can tell she'll listen to Li Xian's advice. If Li Xian helps, even if Madam Wen dislikes us, she might not necessarily go against our wishes. That way of calling us 'Young Master Li' and 'Little Master' makes our hearts melt."

Hou Yuande said, "I never imagined that this Lady of Broken Swords would also possess a sword that is difficult to break. Yet she is willing to become a sheath herself to nurture a sharp and precious sword."

Seeing this, Xiao Wanjian said calmly, "Since that's the case, it's not impossible to seek cooperation with him. But I'm afraid the two of them will mistakenly think we're chasing after them."

Hu Yueyue said, "That's fine, we can just send our female disciples." Duan Yixin said, "No, no. If that lady is jealous, will she still listen to Li Xian? Such a fierce woman loves to be jealous, and when she's jealous, even Li Xian will suffer."

Wang Zongheng said, "How about this, each elder should take a few people and search the vicinity. During the search, they must be respectful and polite. If they meet someone, they should immediately state their purpose and not delay for even a moment."

Wang Zongheng said strangely, "I'm afraid we'll disturb the two of them..." The elders discussed and decided that the elders of each sect would form teams and search the hall separately. Xu Hu of the Yangshan Sword Sect led five disciples of the same sect and first searched deeper into the garden landscape.

He searched for half a day without finding him. He then told his disciples to sit on the boulder and rest. He called out, "You're lucky to have run into me. I've secretly stored some dry rations; take them and share them!" He took out a piece of oiled paper containing five coarse flatbreads.

The bread was glistening with sweat. Having been inside the tomb for so long, the coarse bread had become soaked and dried from the sweat. After being soaked in water, it barely maintained its shape, and the taste was no longer pleasant. But the disciples were extremely hungry, and they all grabbed the food to eat.

They quickly devoured the flatbread, finding it delicious, and even asked Xu Hu if there was any left. Xu Hu chuckled and scolded his disciples, then finished his own flatbread, dusted himself off, and went back to searching.

Xu Hu was a rough and uncouth man, not particular about finding people. He just looked around and shouted loudly. Lost in his confusion, he had no idea where he was. Suddenly, a disciple trembled and pleaded, "Elder Xu...this place is unclean, let's go...let's go!"

Xu Hu glared at him and said, "Nonsense, where is it unclean? It looks perfectly clean to me." The disciple said, "I...I think I heard some strange noises."

Xu Hu asked curiously, "Oh?"

The disciple said, “I possess the ‘earlobe feature,’ which makes me extremely sensitive to sound. Although I can’t hear clearly, I can sense it in my mind and know that it is there.” After he finished speaking, he turned his head and saw that his ear was unusual; his earlobe was a fleshy bead.

Another disciple said, "Perhaps it's those two making a sound?" Xu Hu was filled with apprehension and said, "That's quite possible. You lead the way, and we'll go take a look. If there really are ghosts or monsters, we'll turn around and run."

The group followed the sound, winding their way deeper into the area, yet growing increasingly uneasy. The surrounding vegetation was lush, and the buildings stood tall and imposing, but the lack of human presence made them feel eerie and oppressive.

Xu Hu was rough in appearance and spoke boldly, but he was actually quite brave. The disciple was initially terrified, but gradually his face turned redder, his fear subsided, and he walked faster and faster. Xu Hu cursed, "Damn it, is he possessed? He's even braver than me!" He quickly followed.

The disciple led the way to a room and whispered to Xu Hu and the others, "Don't speak, don't speak, I'll scout it out first." His tone was surprisingly excited. He pressed his face against a paper window, moistened his finger with saliva, and poked a hole in the paper. He immediately covered his eyes to observe, the action completed in one swift motion. He saw that the room was exquisitely luxurious, with a purple bathing pool filled with fragrance and white mist.

The scene he had imagined was nowhere to be seen; the bathing pool was deserted and silent, without a trace of human presence. The disciple shuddered, as if waking from a dream, his excitement turning into a mixture of surprise and doubt. It turned out… this disciple was a lecher. He possessed the "earlobe feature," with a fleshy bead hanging from his earlobe, allowing him to hear and sense sounds from the shadows. In the prime of his youth, he couldn't suppress his arousal, and whenever he heard sounds from his room, he would follow the sound, peeking from a distance.

He had faintly heard strange noises earlier, and because the tomb was eerie, he assumed they were the sounds of ghosts and monsters, which terrified him. He followed the sound as he walked, listening to its continuous, eerie, and undulating rhythm. His heart raced; he had never heard such a dramatic sound before. He thought to himself, "This sound is like a song, beautiful and melodious, like ascending to paradise! Ah, it would be such a pity not to go and see it!" So he walked faster and faster, his fear gone, replaced only by an irrepressible curiosity.

Upon arriving at this place, he heard neither strange noises nor saw anyone. A chill ran down his spine, and his earlier boundless fantasies turned into a bone-chilling cold. He felt a light emanating from his back, and his legs went weak, causing him to collapse. Xu Hu pulled him away and also covered his eyes to peek. He said, "If I'm not mistaken, this is the place where emperors bathe. The misty atmosphere is indeed strange."

The disciple exclaimed, "Ah! This was originally a bathing place, then...then there's no doubt about it! It's definitely...definitely a ghost!" Xu Hu frowned and asked, "What did you hear? It's strange, tell me quickly. If you keep stammering, I'll slap you to death." The disciple hurriedly said, "That's right, that's the sound. Since this place was the emperor's bathing place, could it be that their ghosts returned here to enjoy themselves after they died? I heard it in the dark, and then followed them all the way here..."

Xu Hu suddenly felt a chill. A cold wind blew by, and he dared not stay there any longer. He said, "That's strange... very strange. I don't think those two are here. The pool is empty and the water looks like it contains deadly poison. Let's leave quickly and go investigate elsewhere."

The group fled the area on foot. Once they were far away, bubbles appeared on the surface of the pool.

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Two days later.

[You have diligently practiced the third level of swordsmanship, gaining profound insights, feeling triumphant and exhilarated. Proficiency +321]

[Your proficiency increases by 231 when using medicinal bath.]

【The Sword of Setting Sun and Decaying Blood - Third Layer】

[Proficiency: 5831/8000 Minor Mastery]

The effects of the Mandarin Duck Purple Smoke Soup were completely absorbed. Beside the Misty Clear Pool, on a futon, Li Xian sat cross-legged in meditation, instantly feeling the surging medicinal power and benefiting immensely. However, the medicinal properties were extremely mixed, with many precious, good, and wondrous medicines blended together in the pool, making it difficult to describe the specifics at the moment.

In a single day, Li Xian accumulated 4000 proficiency points in the third level of the Sunset Blood Sword, gaining considerable benefit and gaining a deeper understanding of the mysteries of Yin and Yang and the principles of martial arts. Feeling refreshed, Li Xian looked at the serene scenery outside and suddenly thought, "If this place weren't so isolated from the world and sparsely populated, it would be quite suitable for long-term residence."

On the east side of the Mengqing Pool was a silver mirror. Li Xian glanced at it casually and thought, "This medicinal bath seems to have made my skin more delicate and supple." After observing for a moment, he realized that he was barely clothed. He jumped into the pool to retrieve it.

They quickly found the lady's white boots, poured out the medicine, and tossed them onto the pond. Next came her stockings, white skirt, undergarments, and personal clothing. Li Xian's clothing was very simple, and they quickly gathered everything they needed.

They then gathered more branches and leaves to start a fire, drying the clothes in the heat. It turned out that Xu Hu and his men hadn't missed their target; they had almost stumbled upon their private affair. Li Xian's hair had worked wonders, sensing someone was looking for her and allowing her to hide in the water beforehand. She then sank the changed clothes into the pool, completely concealing her whereabouts.

Wen Caishang complained, "You little rascal, if you lose those hairpins and ornaments, it'll be your fault." Her long, flowing hair had been greatly diminished that day. Although she was beautiful, she never forgot to adorn herself. Hairpins, jade anchors, and hair ornaments... all were her personal accessories that enhanced her beauty. But they had all been washed away by the water and lost.

Li Xian smiled and agreed, then dived back into the pool and retrieved all the lost hairpins, hair ornaments, jade anchors, and beaded necklaces. With everything settled and the clothes dried, Wen Caishang, wearing a white dress, carefully arranged her long hair and handed the hairpins, hair ornaments, jade anchors, and other hair accessories to Li Xian, who would then help her add more ornaments.

Under her tutelage, Li Xian became quite skilled in this art. Inserting hairpins, setting anchors… the lady appeared dignified and beautiful, as always, her brows now even more alluring. Li Xian observed herself in the mirror and suddenly said curiously, “Madam, you must look extremely beautiful with your hair up.”

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Since you're curious, then you can style it." She removed the hairpin that was holding her hair in place, and her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, its fragrance tantalizing her nose. Li Xian's skillful hands helped Wen Caishang style her hair, making her look more dignified and mature than ever before.

Li Xian supported her right hand, using his strength to lift her up. Wen Caishang leaned slightly, using the support to stand up. She glared at Li Xian fiercely and spat, "You little rascal, always tormenting me." She walked slowly.

Li Xian said, "I don't think Madam is resisting." Wen Caishang glared and scolded, "I can't do anything to you, otherwise how could I tolerate you... Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore. I'll find a way to punish you later and get my revenge."

Wen Caishang said, "Alright, there's probably nothing more to be gained in this tomb. Let's get ready to leave." Li Xian casually said, "I never imagined that being in a tomb could bring such romance. Madam, why don't we stay here and live in seclusion?"

Wen Caishang laughed and said, "Do I not know you? If you were really so sure of your fate, you wouldn't have run away in the first place. You just know how to talk to make me happy."

She said, "I've thought it through. Last time I ran away, it was because I forced you to gouge out my eyes, which scared you away. I won't do that again, Li Lang... If that's the case, will you listen to me and stay with me forever?"

Li Xian said, "Even if my wife were to gouge out my eyes, I would still stay by her side. My wife taught me martial arts and knowledge. In my heart, my wife will always be the only one."

Wen Caishang laughed and said, "You've probably said those words to any woman. I don't believe it. But it's quite rare that we can open our hearts to each other and break down our barriers."

Li Xian said, "Madam is so understanding, it really makes me..." Wen Caishang joked, "Do you want me to ask you to stretch out your hand and stab you a few more times with the Heartbreaking Sword?"

The two walked at a leisurely pace, chatting and laughing as they returned to the pavilion in the middle of the lake. The five sects were nowhere to be seen. Wen Caishang smiled and said, "They sent people looking for us earlier, probably because they knew we were surrounded by He Wentian and wanted to seek our cooperation."

"Unable to find us, they naturally took risks to try to save themselves."

Li Xian thought of Lin Aoshan, Zhao Chunxia, ​​and other women. Although they had only known each other for a short time, he did not want them to be in danger. Wen Caishang asked, "Are you worried about them?" Li Xian replied, "No, I have no connection with the Five Mountains Sword Sect. Whether they are injured or killed, I don't care."

Wen Caishang thought to herself, "But you care so much about the beautiful women of the sword sects." She said softly, "The five major sword sects are established in the martial world, so they must have some ability. They don't need you, little rascal, to take care of them every time."

Li Xian thought to himself, "That makes sense. Madam has been through a lot in the martial world, and her knowledge is far beyond mine. We should listen to her. Let's get out of the cave first, and then think about what to do next."

Wen Caishang said, "The Nine Apertures Dragon Heart Cave has a complex and intricate network of paths. Although He Wentian has occupied the cave for a long time, he may not be as familiar with it as I am. Let me observe for a while, and I will be able to find a passage that is rarely disturbed by people to leave."

(End of this chapter)