Chapter 70

In the City Lord's Mansion of the Mountain and Sea Never Sleeps City.

There is never night in the City of Mountains and Seas, and this is especially true of the City Lord's Mansion located in its center.

Thousands of lanterns hung down, creating a magnificent and resplendent scene.

Especially today, a buzzing sound came from the pavilion in the very center called "Xuanzhu". Qi Baiya stood in the center, and with a wave of his hand, a light long sword emerged from his divine sense.

The sword is long and slender, with the color of ancient goldwood, which inspires awe in those who see it.

Elders from other sects around couldn't help but exclaim, "This sword truly deserves the name 'Hidden Autumn'."

Autumn is associated with solemnity and desolation, yet it "conceals" itself without revealing its true nature.

Upon hearing this, Feng Xiaosheng inwardly scoffed.

It's just a way to fool outsiders.

Upon closer inspection, one will find that the seemingly ancient and imposing sword blade is already covered with fine, dense cracks.

The Sword Master of Cangqiu, who once became famous for slaying a hundred demons in a single day, is now old and frail, having long since abandoned his Daoist beliefs.

Qi Baiya said in a deep voice, "Rise!"

In an instant, the pavilion and all the elders and cultivators from various sects on it were suspended in the air, surrounded by clusters of spiritual energy, like countless stars bowing down and surrounding them.

A gentle breeze brushes against the curtain, and the dark candle flickers dimly.

The pressure and spiritual energy of the Heavenly Pivot Realm spread out, and all the elders present, regardless of their status, held their breath and focused their attention.

Feng Xiaosheng was positioned at the head of the table, looking down with her phoenix eyes darting around. Someone noticed her expression, stepped forward, and said loudly, "Lord Qi, some people have not yet arrived. Isn't it a bit too early to activate the formation now?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Baiya remained unmoved and said, "Looking around, I see that there are numerous sects from the fourteen continents and heroes from all walks of life here. I wonder if there is anyone you mentioned who has not yet arrived?"

Everyone remained silent, but many who knew some of the inside story had the same name pop into their minds.

These days, the demonic seed has been acting strangely, and puppet barriers have been appearing frequently in various places. Although many cultivators in the cultivation world have chosen to join forces with demonic cultivators before due to the appearance of puppet barriers, this is the first time it has been done so openly.

It's one thing to do it in private, but it's quite another to openly allow demons to enter the house.

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp gust of wind swept in from the southwest. It seemed gentle and harmless, but it actually cleaved through the formation set up by Qi Baiya and the others around him. The elder of the Crimson Flame Sect abruptly stopped talking, rolled to the side, and barely avoided the attack.

But while this dodge avoided the attack, it also resulted in a complete loss of face.

Not to mention, anyone could see that this evasion was not due to the high cultivation level of the Crimson Flame Sect elder, but rather that the other party had simply let him go lightly.

No one dared to make a sound.

Above the myriad lights of the city, a figure in white gently descended.

Her clothes fluttered in the breeze as she strolled leisurely through the courtyard.

Xie Qianjing calmly said, "It seems that I have arrived at the perfect time."

Everyone present stared at him in disbelief.

She was otherworldly and refined, with a pure and elegant appearance, like a celestial being.

Almost everyone was wondering who this celestial lord was.

Seeing this, Feng Xiaosheng couldn't help but laugh. The noble young lord stood up and looked down at him, saying, "Demon Lord, you're a little late."

Although it was a verbal reprimand, the mere act of getting up was enough to give Xie Qianjing face.

"The Demon Lord?!"

Inside Qingyi Academy, the cultivators who had previously interacted with Xie Qianjing stared blankly at the person in front of them, muttering incessantly, "How could this be... how is this possible?!"

Feng Xiaosheng said, "I should thank the Demon Lord for eliminating the puppet chaos around Qingyi Academy and saving us a lot of trouble."

That was the final word.

The group exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts.

Xie Qianjing nodded: "Young Master's righteousness is truly admirable, and I will naturally do my utmost to assist you."

Yuan Bushu couldn't show too much intimacy, so he just exchanged a glance with Xie Qianjing. However, someone in the crowd sneered coldly and said in a rather sarcastic tone, "The Demon Lord is so busy with his affairs, but he still thinks highly of the Thousand Mountains Trial and is willing to do me the honor of watching it."

Everyone turned around and gasped in shock.

It was actually Yan Ruchao, the master of Guicanglou! What was he doing here?

Immediately afterwards, their gazes fell upon the woman in purple beside him, and everyone understood.

It turns out they came with the leader of the Thousand Poison Cave.

But this statement...

That's incredibly bold and provocative!

Even Feng Xiaosheng secretly raised an eyebrow.

Although they had previously said not to act like they knew each other well in front of others, Feng Xiaosheng didn't believe that Yan Ruchao's remarks weren't driven by some personal grudge.

Everyone was watching to see how Xie Qianjing would respond, but he smiled slightly and said gently, "Lord Yan, you have come from afar; it must have been tiring."

Yan Ruchao lazily raised his head and said meaningfully, "Isn't it because a few days ago, someone spread rumors in my Ghost Cang and took advantage of the chaos to steal the spiritual bone, along with that damned 'reincarnation'... Don't you think so, Patriarch Chu?"

Haha! Just a few words, and it's all juicy gossip!

When everyone looked again, they saw that the head of the Chu family was located on the southwest side, his face dark and very ugly under everyone's watchful eyes.

"None of the items mentioned by the Master of the Banquet are in the Chu family."

Yan Ruchao naturally knew that Chu Jiye was not there, and his mention of it at this moment was just a casual way of causing trouble for Chu Jiye.

Feng Xiaosheng thoroughly enjoyed watching the play.

However, at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Speaking of which, I have heard that the Demon Lord has a beloved person who is also in Qingyi Academy."

An elder from the Nine Heavens Pavilion spoke up, a malicious smile on his face, his tone carrying a deeper meaning: "I've heard that the female disciple's appearance seems to resemble that of the one in the rumors. I wonder if the Demon Lord is in close contact with her every day—"

"Please be careful with your words."

A woman's voice came from beside Yuan Bushu, but even faster than her was a black demonic aura.

This demonic energy was like a ribbon, floating lightly in the air as if it were nothing, yet it was as fast as lightning. Almost instantly, it pierced through the protective spiritual power of the Nine Heavens Pavilion elder and struck his heart accurately.

In an instant, blood stained the black demonic energy, adding irregular patterns to the night-like "silk".

The elder of the Nine Heavens Pavilion trembled violently. The meaningful expression on his face had not yet completely faded, and an incredulous look appeared in his eyes. He opened his mouth, but before he could utter a single word, black blood dripped from the corner of his lips.

He slowly collapsed.

In an instant, the entire room fell into dead silence.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

They actually killed an elder from eleven sects so easily?!

The Nine Heavens Pavilion Master, Yu Qinqiu, frowned: "What does the Demon Lord mean by this?"

Xie Qianjing turned his head.

He remained calm, and at first glance, he looked like a handsome young man.

Yet, with such an indifferent face and a cold tone, he uttered words that infuriated people: "I have heard that the Nine Heavens Pavilion is skilled in music, but I never expected to have such a hoarse and nauseating sound."

"What the Demon Lord says is true."

"I believe that the Demon Lord is absolutely right."

Before Yu Tanqiu could even get angry, two women's voices rang out at the same time. One of them was Madam Xiang, who was standing next to Yuan Bushu. In a daze, everyone remembered that the female disciple of Qingyi Academy was rumored to be Madam Xiang's sister.

A green-robed figure gazes upon the fragrant clouds, while white bones grow flesh, making even the King of Hell seem unbearable.

This lady not only blends a fine incense, but she is also said to be highly respected in Yunwang Palace, and all the disciples admire her.

Faced with Uehara's cold gaze, everyone immediately looked away, not daring to look again.

But just now...

There seems to be another person?

"The Nine Heavens Pavilion is skilled in music, but not in virtue, which is why it allows such a person without virtue or talent to spout nonsense."

If the Demon Lord Xie just now was being dismissive, then this one is now pointing his finger at me and cursing me!

However……

"I'm not seeing things, am I?" an elder whispered to the surrounding Daoists, "Is that the leader of the Thousand Poison Cave?"

Who in the world doesn't know or recognize that the Bright Moon Sword Master caused her to betray the Nine Heavens, and there is no possibility of her body recovering?

It doesn't sound like it at all!

Unexpectedly, a piece of gossip from the past flashed through someone's mind.

like……

It seems that this Sect Leader Han did indeed say that she never hated the Bright Moon Sword Master.

But ultimately...

"The Pavilion Master of Nine Heavens Pavilion is her father!" an elder sighed. "With Sect Leader Han like this, it puts his father in a difficult position!"

As expected, after Han Yuyi finished speaking, the face of the Nine Heavens Pavilion Master turned pale. Feng Xiaosheng, who was at the head of the table, finally had enough of the show and raised his voice: "The time has come. If you all have no objections, why don't you invite the direct descendants of the eleven sects to come forward and start this Thousand Mountains Trial with me?"

The leaders and elders of various sects and factions from the fourteen continents present all felt envious upon hearing this.

"Where is Immortal Master Rong Que?"

Feng Xiaosheng frowned. Clearly, Rong Que had been there earlier, saying goodbye to her before heading to the underground gathering place for the disciples.

Could it be such a coincidence?

Feng Xiaosheng had some doubts, but the probability was so small that she didn't even believe it would happen.

With thousands of cultivators gathered together, amidst the cacophony of voices, how could one possibly recognize a single person?

Not to mention that Rong Que himself has poor eyesight, and he himself has admitted that he has "blurry vision," but Sheng Ningyu is also wearing a mask!

Just then, a disciple dressed in the blue and white robes of the Sword Pavilion jogged forward, bent down, and presented something with both hands.

He gasped for breath and said, "Reporting to Young Master, the acting Pavilion Master said that the Thousand Mountains Trial has not been held for a long time. Nowadays, people's hearts are restless and the world is in chaos. He was worried about the safety of his disciples, so he suppressed his cultivation to go there. He has already told City Lord Qi about this matter."

Feng Xiaosheng turned around abruptly, his eyes sharp as he looked at Qi Baiya: "Lord Qi did not inform me of this matter beforehand."

Qi Baiya said frankly, "Nowadays there are many rumors involving the Sword Master. I am also afraid that someone will take the opportunity to cause trouble. After thinking it over, only the acting Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion can quell all the turmoil."

If you were to ask who in the world would not harm Sheng Ningyu, almost everyone would say the name "Rong Que".

Feng Xiaosheng naturally understood this principle, but she trusted Sheng Ningyu more than the principle itself.

Since waking up, Sheng Ningyu has never thought of returning directly to the Sword Pavilion, let alone going to see Rong Que, which is naturally a bit strange.

The oppressive aura spread silently.

The disciple trembled and bent over even lower.

However, at that moment, another light, mocking laugh rang out.

"Is that the sword 'Qinggui' that your little disciple is holding, the natal sword of your family's acting sect leader?"

As he spoke, everyone's gaze fell on the object that the young disciple was holding.

The young disciple said in a trembling voice, "Yes, the Pavilion Master has contained spiritual energy within it, which can also activate the Thousand Mountains Trial Array."

However, Feng Qingli was not satisfied with this answer.

He chuckled softly, propping his head up with his hand, the long, crimson gauze sleeves falling over his body, layer upon layer like a scroll of mortal dust.

The sect leader of Qingniao Yiyehua squinted at the center, his posture languid and satisfied: "He said he was going to provide protection, but he didn't even bring the Qinggui Sword. It seems the acting sect leader really has confidence in himself. But the Qinggui Sword recognizes its master, and there are no other elders of the Sword Pavilion present, so how can its spiritual power be activated?"

Almost instantly, everyone's eyes fell on Qi Baiya.

Everyone knows that Yan Ruchao has now entered the Ghost Path and has even said that he has "no longer any connection with the Sword Pavilion".

As everyone knows, Lady Ning Jiao, the wife of Lord Qi, is the youngest female disciple of the Sword Pavilion.

The demons were naturally not among the eleven sects, but Xie Qianjing had a special status. He was at the highest point, looking down at everything, and naturally did not miss Qi Baiya's astonished gaze.

The city lord's pupils suddenly contracted.

Qi Baiya understood what had happened almost instantly, but he didn't expect that he was also a part of all these schemes.

He waved his hand and finally said with a wry smile, "Please invite Madam here."

Before long, someone bowed and said, "Madam has arrived."

A pretty young girl came into everyone's view.

Surprisingly, Ning Jiao was not at all the spoiled person everyone had imagined.

She trailed her long skirt, holding it up with both hands, and walked rather quickly, ignoring everyone, heading straight for Qi Baiya.

"Husband, what happened?"

Ning Jiao's watery eyes were filled with worry.

Qi Baiya glanced at her, dispersed the surrounding pressure, and explained the whole story.

Feng Xiaosheng disdainfully looked away.

It's one thing for her to dislike Chu Jiye, but it's quite another that Ning Jiao and Chu Jiye were once entangled.

In Feng Xiaosheng's eyes, all of this was a betrayal.

Han Yuyi sighed softly and said no more. On the other side, Yuan Bushu frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over Ning Jiao, a hint of something deeper in his eyes.

He wasn't as talented as his younger brother Yuan Shuhe in making pills and medicines, but he was quite remarkable in observing changes in a person's physical constitution.

For example, when it came to Xie Qianjing, Yuan Bushu noticed something was wrong with him, but with Sheng Ningyu, it was because of Bieyun's heart's blood protecting her that Yuan Bushu did not notice anything unusual.

And the person in front of me...

Yuan Bushu frowned slightly.

Why does this Lady Ning, who doesn't seem to have incomplete spiritual bones, also suffer from blocked meridians?

On the other side, after listening to Qi Baiya's words, Ning Jiao replied without hesitation, "I can wield Second Senior Brother's sword."

"Just as I expected."

"Yes, I heard that back then, the acting sect leader doted on this junior sister the most."

"Eh? Isn't the acting sect leader supposed to be on very good terms with...?" The elder stopped abruptly, carefully replacing his words, "...with that person?"

"Ha, that's all from so many years ago!"

"Yes, back then, wasn't Madam Ning not yet a disciple of the sect?"

"That person is always traveling, and we probably only see him a few times a year. How can there be any sect friendship between us?"

Amidst the murmurs and speculations, Xie Qianjing smiled gently.

He parted his lips slightly: "Jing."

In an instant, all was silent. Some people didn't have time to stop talking, and their expressions were frozen into a comical look.

Words become law; has it really reached such a level? I wonder how many people must have been killed to achieve this?

The elders of the eleven sects were all shocked and glanced at the Demon Lord with apprehension.

At the same time, the myriad star lanterns outside the Xuanzhu Hall slowly rose and drifted into the air, resembling a landscape of mountains and valleys, a scene of a fairyland.

"The Trial of a Thousand Mountains, Begins."

...

After saying that, Sheng Ningyu looked at Xie Qianjing's face, which always had a faint smile, with great interest, and then revealed an almost astonished expression.

In an instant, the ice and snow melted, revealing a myriad of unique and beautiful colors.

"Alright, I'm leaving. If you have something to say, come out and say it."

Sheng Ningyu rarely spoke so frankly, and felt a little embarrassed. However, she was used to maintaining a carefree demeanor, so on the surface, she remained calm and composed, showing no sign of anything amiss. She waved her hand and turned her head, but in an instant, she was pulled back and bumped into a slightly cool embrace.

Sheng Ningyu tilted her head back, raised her eyebrows, and looked at Xie Qianjing with a grin, jokingly saying, "Don't want me to leave?"

The next second, his eyes were covered, with only slivers of sunlight peeking through his fingers.

He was still considering her feelings at that moment.

Something landed on her brow.

It was a kiss, yet it was as cold as a tear.

Sheng Ningyu's casual smile froze on her face, and her whole body stiffened.

The wind howled in her ears, then fell silent in an instant. It seemed as if someone was shouting something in the distance. Sheng Ningyu could hear it clearly, but she couldn't make out a single word.

Sheng Ningyu thought that if she were asked to perform a sword dance right now, let alone the "Ninefold Sword," she wouldn't even know how to raise her hands.

Only when the heart beats like a drum.

"...I can't tell if what you're saying is true or false." The person leaned close to her ear, their cool breath brushing against her earlobe, their voice as soft as a piece of white silk.

"Sheng Ningyu, stop lying to me."

A few seconds later, the hand that had been blocking her vision disappeared, and Sheng Ningyu walked into the crowd in a daze, quickly putting on a smile again.

"It's been a long time, everyone."

When the disciples of Qingyi Academy who were on good terms with her saw her, they all came forward to greet her. Many of them had previously used the pills and talismans from Yunwang Palace. At this moment, they kindly told her many of the academy's rules. Sheng Ningyu naturally would not refuse their kindness, even though she already knew these rules.

Instead, the disciples sensed something was wrong. They exchanged glances and looked hesitantly at Sheng Ningyu: "Fellow Daoist Wang, why are you smiling so happily?"

Sheng Ningyu touched her face and asked suspiciously, "Really?"

Everyone nodded in unison: "Yes!"

Sheng Ningyu coughed lightly, feeling especially grateful for the confusing array that Yan Ruchao had set up on her.

Unless she greets someone herself, no one else would recognize her.

Thank goodness, otherwise if others had seen this, I would have lost all face.

Sheng Ningyu deftly smoothed things over: "It's probably because it's been a long time, isn't it? Every time I see everyone, I feel very happy and I'm always smiling."

These words sounded somewhat frivolous at first glance, but Sheng Ningyu had the ability to make them sound very real.

Especially with his genuinely smiling eyes, many people believed him.

But some people disagree.

While everyone was catching up, Ji Qingwu leaned close to her, stood on tiptoe, and whispered, "It's different."

Even with a mask on, the smile still emanated from the Sword Master's eyes.

The young girl had gradually accepted Sheng Ningyu's identity over the past few days. Comparing Sheng Ningyu's smile to her own, she boldly guessed, "Did Senior Xie give you something?"

Suddenly struck by a reflex, Sheng Ningyu almost instinctively denied it: "What does it have to do with him?"

Realizing she was being a little too hasty, she coughed lightly, winked at the little girl, leaned down, tilted her head, and looked somewhat aggrieved. The hairpins and hair ornaments on her head didn't move. "It seems I'm still a bit fierce usually and haven't smiled at you enough."

Ji Qingwu had already suspected it.

No matter how gentle the seniors are, even when they are joking and laughing with them, there is always a sense of distance between them.

This sense of distance was not something Sheng Ningyu deliberately created, but rather an innate quality of hers.

The more time Ji Qingwu spent with him, the more she understood the meaning of "Bright Moon Sword Master".

Sheng Ningyu is like the bright moon in the sky.

At first, everyone was gazing into the distance, but later, because of those eyes that were full of affection even when she wasn't smiling, some people felt that she wasn't so far away after all.

This bright moon seems within reach, as if... it could fall into one's arms. So some people may have delusional thoughts, but in the end, they are bathed in moonlight, yet see no moon shadow.

It was all for nothing.

But the senior didn't act this way towards Xie Qianjing.

“It’s so realistic,” Ji Qingwu blurted out. “It seems like you and Senior Xie have your own protective barrier.”

Whenever Senior Sword Master and Senior Xie make eye contact, the former blinks and the latter understands her meaning. Sometimes he will shake his head, but most of the time he will smile gently.

Jin Xianyao, who had come over, felt that he had more authority to speak on this matter.

"Senior Xie never smiles at us." He recalled the excitement he felt when he suddenly learned about his background and the indifferent gaze Xie Qianjing gave him, and couldn't help but shudder.

“I always felt that in Senior Xie’s eyes, we were no different from the dead.”

Sheng Ningyu smiled and said cleverly, "Isn't that right? For us cultivators, unless we have achieved the Great Dao and seen the Ninth Heavenly Pivot, who in this world doesn't live towards death?"

The disciples had no chance against Sheng Ningyu, the once most skilled at spreading rumors and deceiving the masses. In just a few words, she brainwashed them, making them even more convinced that Xie Qianjing was actually a kind-hearted senior with great love in his heart.

"I heard that the champion of this Thousand Mountains Trial will receive a spiritual herb that was once illuminated by Meng Po's light." A disciple said mysteriously, "It is said that this spiritual herb was originally intended by Senior Qi of the Mountain and Sea Never Sleeping City to buy the Sword Venerable Spirit Bone, but later the Ghost Cang Tower was closed in an emergency, and the spiritual herb was not spent. Since the Thousand Mountains Trial was hastily scheduled, City Lord Qi used it to give to the champion among them."

Um?

Now, Sheng Ningyu remembered that someone had mentioned "Meng Po's Light" when they made a bid that day.

It turned out to be just a spiritual herb that had been illuminated by Meng Po's light.

This medicinal herb is naturally useless for Yang Xiuzhu and Han Yuyi's illness.

but……

Sheng Ningyu: "Is this really true?"

Yao Youling was somewhat impatient, but when he turned around and saw that it was Sheng Ningyu who asked the question, he immediately nodded hurriedly: "It's all been spread!"

Just then, someone else spoke at the same time as him: "Of course it's true."

Sheng Ningyu's eyes flickered, and she looked in the direction of the voice, where she saw a familiar face.

Embroidered silk and satin, a jade flute slung at her waist.

The young master of Jiuxiao Pavilion, Yu Wusheng.

He was followed by a large number of Nine Heavens Pavilion disciples, making him appear quite imposing. Because of the confusion spell, Yu Wusheng did not pay attention to Sheng Ningyu; his gaze fell on Yuan Shuhe.

"This must be the second young master of Yunwang Palace?" Yu Wusheng cupped his hands and said, "I hope you will not hesitate to give me your guidance during the trial later."

Greeting one's opponent so calmly before the trial shows a certain grace.

Many people nodded in agreement, but unfortunately, Yuan Shuhe had already learned Yu Wusheng's true colors through Yao Youling and the others.

After observing for a while, Sheng Ningyu roughly understood what Yu Wusheng was thinking.

It's just a publicity stunt.

"...and the remains of the Sword Master's natal sword." Yu Wusheng said loudly, "The Sword Master of Bright Moon is truly remarkable, and I admire him greatly."

But now, she has changed her mind.

A familiar voice came from above.

"quiet."

Everyone fell silent instantly, some with fear in their eyes, but Sheng Ningyu remained calm.

She smiled slightly, looked up at the person above, as if looking at someone.

"The Trial of a Thousand Mountains, Begins."

...

Sheng Ningyu entered the trial.

This was a place she knew well, and Sheng Ningyu's purpose in coming here was not to compete, but to test the waters and see if the remains of her flawless sword were truly within the formation.

I don't know if it's just my imagination.

Before long, before Sheng Ningyu could kill a few more of the demons that had run into her hands, she noticed a strange gaze.

It seems someone is watching her?

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Author's note: Who is it?.jpg

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