Chapter 156: Blade King, Dragon King

The battle between the Saber Emperor and the Dragon King is undeniably the most sensational event currently in Qingzhou's martial arts world, bar none. It has not only stirred up a huge reaction in Qingzhou but also in the neighboring Yunzhou and Hongzhou. Many martial artists have been flocking to Qingzhou recently, eager to witness this Grandmaster-level battle.

This decisive battle is different from Gu Mo's previous fight with Meng Qingkong. That earlier clash had no prior warning, and despite also being a Grandmaster-level fight, it didn't cause much of a stir.

Furthermore, Gu Mo and Meng Qingkong's reputations in the martial arts world are nowhere near that of Ye Jinglan and Chu Tianqing. Meng Qingkong had been inactive for many years, and Gu Mo's fame spread relatively quickly.

However, while Ye Jinglan and Chu Tianqing are quite famous, their influence is still limited, primarily to Qingzhou and the two adjacent regions of Yunzhou and Hongzhou. The commotion caused by their decisive battle is confined to these three provinces. If it were the battle between Master Dingchan and Qi Tianshu, the excitement would be far greater, undoubtedly becoming an event that would shock the entire Qian Dynasty.

Nevertheless, the excitement is already considerable. As the day of the decisive battle approaches, more and more people are heading to Soul Severing Cliff.

Soul Severing Cliff is a geographically unique location, situated on a river not far from Qingzhou City.

The river, called Mingjiang, is one of the largest rivers in the Qian Dynasty, flowing through both Qingzhou and Yunzhou. Outside Qingzhou City, there's a confluence where the river surface is vast, stretching for dozens of miles from left to right, with an isolated island in the middle named River Heart Island. Due to the immense breadth of the Mingjiang's confluence, River Heart Island appears from a distance like a massive, solitary rock slanted into the river. One end is submerged, while the other is a hundred-zhang-high cliff, below which the river water is extremely turbulent. Countless martial arts masters have dueled and fallen here, which is why this end earned the name "Soul Severing Cliff."

On the morning of May 15th, Gu Mo and Gu Chudong were still having breakfast at the inn when Lin Qixia arrived with a group of Xuan Nü Palace disciples to invite them to Soul Severing Cliff to watch the battle. Gu Mo readily accepted.

Although Gu Mo had learned from Master Dingchan that Xuan Nü Palace's Patriarch Yuxu, Yan Xianmei, might be plotting to acquire his Gouchen Saber, the event hadn't actually occurred, and it was only Master Dingchan's personal speculation. Gu Mo naturally couldn't fall out with Xuan Nü Palace over this, much less sever ties completely. It would be foolish to take out anger on others for something that hasn't happened and might not even happen. Moreover, for now, everyone in Xuan Nü Palace has shown him great respect and courtesy.

Xuan Nü Palace arranged a large ship, and over a hundred of their disciples came, including Patriarch Yuxu Yan Xianmei, Palace Mistress Su Yunjiao, and Grand Elder Mu Baifeng. Along the way, Gu Mo exchanged martial arts insights with them, and they chatted very pleasantly, with many Xuan Nü Palace disciples gathering to listen. After traveling on the river for nearly an hour, the ship arrived at River Heart Island.

From a distance, River Heart Island seemed as large as a house, but upon closer inspection, it was actually quite vast, spanning three to four li in circumference, and not as regular in shape as it appeared. Moreover, Soul Severing Cliff is separated from River Heart Island by a valley. However, everyone remained on River Heart Island, as no one dared to venture to Soul Severing Cliff to watch the battle.

By the time they arrived, the island was already swarming with martial artists, including lone cultivators and members of major sects. Their sheer numbers were countless. However, the best vantage points were almost entirely occupied by major sects, and Xuan Nü Palace naturally had an excellent viewing area on a large stone platform. Gu Chudong looked around from the platform and spotted many familiar sects, such as Yunzhou's Canglan Sword Sect and the Wu family, and Qingzhou's Shennong Gang and the Shi family. People from Divine Weapon Manor also arrived. Nangong Qun had finally emerged from seclusion; no matter how obsessed he was with forging weapons, he couldn't remain indifferent to his daughter's life or death.

At this moment, the island was bustling with noise and commotion, as everyone eagerly awaited the start of the battle. Lin Qixia was introducing the major sects and renowned martial arts veterans who had come to watch the battle to Gu Chudong. Gu Mo, meanwhile, sat next to Yan Xianmei, chatting casually, with him and Su Yunjiao seated on either side of Yan Xianmei.

Gu Mo's presence seemed a bit out of place, as Xuan Nü Palace consisted entirely of women, and he was the only man. This drew frequent side glances from many martial artists present, who speculated about his identity.

However, Gu Mo's identity was quickly revealed. The leaders of several major sects from Yunzhou, including the Canglan Sword Sect and the Wu family, all came forward to pay their respects to Gu Mo, naturally unveiling his identity. When they learned he was Gu Mo, a Grandmaster, the Great Hero of Yunzhou, and the second-ranked on Yunzhou's Heavenly Ranking, no one was surprised. However, many people discussed whether, following Ye Jinglan's marriage, another Xuan Nü Palace disciple was about to marry a Grandmaster.

"Great Hero Gu, your reputation in Yunzhou truly impresses this old woman," Yan Xianmei remarked, surprised to see that every single representative from the major sects who had come from Yunzhou to watch the battle came to pay their respects to Gu Mo without exception. Gu Mo smiled slightly and replied, "It's merely the kindness of my martial arts comrades."

Gu Mo understood why the various Yunzhou martial arts sects showed him such reverence; it wasn't truly heartfelt for everyone. Although he had indeed been benevolent to the righteous martial arts world of Yunzhou during the encirclement and suppression of the Demonic Cult in Dongping Commandery, not all sects had received his kindness, and some even held grudges. However, with the subtle support of major sects like the Canglan Sword Sect and Qiushan Sword Manor, as well as the Six Doors, he had acquired the title of "Great Hero of Yunzhou." The symbolic significance of this title was immense, representing absolute justice. Therefore, no matter what the Yunzhou martial arts sects truly felt, they had to show the utmost respect to him—or more precisely, to the title "Great Hero of Yunzhou"—on the surface. Otherwise, they would easily be cursed by others and exploited by hostile forces. Of course, besides that, there was another reason: Gu Mo himself. Not only was he the Great Hero of Yunzhou, but his status as a Grandmaster was also steadily rising, with many believing he had the potential to become the next greatest martial artist under heaven.

Yan Xianmei, always with a benevolent smile on her face, asked, "Great Hero Gu, do you have any thoughts about starting a family?" At this question, the surrounding Xuan Nü Palace disciples all turned their heads away. Gu Mo smiled and said, "Not for now, I'll let fate decide!" Yan Xianmei nodded, saying, "Matters of the heart truly depend on fate; one cannot force them. Sometimes, one might accidentally be trapped by the word 'love' for an entire lifetime." Gu Mo asked with interest, "Was that the case for Senior Yan too?" Yan Xianmei chuckled softly, "At my age, how could I still remember such things?"

Gu Mo smiled, and just as he was about to speak, he suddenly frowned. He sensed a saber intent, an extremely powerful one.

And just then, a sudden commotion erupted from the crowd, as Ye Jinglan made his appearance. Everyone looked toward the valley between River Heart Island and Soul Severing Cliff, where a large ship appeared, with a Heavenly Saber Gate flag fluttering in the wind. On the deck stood a proud, solitary figure in a green robe, his sleeves fluttering, seemingly merging with the strong winds. It was none other than the legendary Saber Emperor Ye Jinglan, third on Qingzhou's Heavenly Ranking. Ye Jinglan held a long saber in his hand; its blade was as black as ink, yet its edge gleamed with a chilling cold light. This saber, named "Startling God," was a rare divine weapon. His saber was already unsheathed. He lightly leaped off the ship, dragging his saber as he walked. Under the gaze of countless eyes, he moved very slowly, taking a long, long time to reach Soul Severing Cliff.

On Soul Severing Cliff, the wind howled like blades, kicking up sand and stones as if to tear everything in heaven and earth to shreds. Below the cliff, the roaring waves surged, like thousands of galloping horses. Ye Jinglan plunged his saber into the rock and sat beside it, his gaze seemingly oblivious to the countless martial artists who had come to watch below the cliff. The island remained bustling with noise, yet he appeared to hear nothing.

Time slowly passed. At noon, the sun hung high in the sky. The scorching sunlight poured unobstructed onto the river surface, shimmering and dazzling.

Just then, a voice like a great bell suddenly rang out from the river. "Ye Jinglan, I've arrived!" The voice seemed to carry immense power, as if a true dragon roared from the river depths, its rolling sound waves causing the ears of the martial artists on the island to ache and their minds to reel.

As everyone eagerly craned their necks, a fast boat, like an arrow shot from a bowstring, cut through the waves and stopped in the gorge. Standing at the bow was none other than Chu Tianqing, the Dragon King of Nine Rivers. Chu Tianqing wore a dark practical outfit, its edges fluttering in the river wind. His face had sharp features, his sword-like eyebrows swept up to his temples, and his eyes were deep and sharp, gleaming like cold stars, exuding an imposing aura without even needing to be angry. He held a long spear; its shaft was dark and heavy, with a chilling sheen, and its red tassel flickered like fire, wildly twisting in the wind. A powerful aura of rage emanated from him, as if it could suppress the surging river waters themselves.

Instantly, the island erupted into a complete uproar. The Dragon King and the Saber Emperor had finally both arrived. The two Grandmasters, second and third on Qingzhou's Heavenly Ranking, were about to duel. At once, everyone's gaze shifted back and forth between the two figures.

Ye Jinglan, who had been sitting on Soul Severing Cliff for a long time, now seemed to wake up, slowly opening his eyes and revealing a playful smile as he spoke: "Junior Brother, it's been years. Have you managed to create the Thirteenth Strike of your Coiling Dragon Spear?"

"Enough nonsense!" Chu Tianqing stood at the bow, glaring at Ye Jinglan, and shouted, "Where's what I want? The Creation Sacred Pill!"

Ye Jinglan smiled faintly and said, "I don't have it."

Chu Tianqing roared, "How can you not have it? You killed Qi Miaoxuan; don't you have his belongings? How can you not have it? Ye Jinglan, don't test my patience. I'm saying this one last time: give me the Creation Sacred Pill, or I won't hesitate to kill Nangong Yuexi before dueling you!"

As Chu Tianqing's words fell, Nangong Yuexi was led out from the ship's cabin by two female disciples of the Nine Rivers Alliance. It was apparent that although Nangong Yuexi had been kidnapped for several days, she hadn't been mistreated; aside from looking a bit haggard, there were no other changes.

Chu Tianqing stated in a deep voice, "Ye Jinglan, as long as you hand over the Creation Sacred Pill, I will release Nangong Yuexi. I guarantee I will not harm her. Furthermore, these past few days, I've had only my Nine Rivers Alliance female disciples guard her, ensuring there has been no disrespect whatsoever."

Ye Jinglan suddenly chuckled and said, "Junior Brother, after all these years, you still don't know how to be a villain? If you continue to navigate the martial arts world like this, you'll truly suffer greatly."

Chu Tianqing angrily retorted, "Stop with the nonsense, quickly..."

Just then, Nangong Yuexi suddenly tilted her head back and cried out, "Jinglan, don't worry about me! In my next life, I'll marry you again..." Before she could finish her sentence, a trickle of blood flowed from the corner of Nangong Yuexi's mouth. Her face instantly turned pale, and with a faint smile, her body went limp and she fell backward. The two female disciples of the Nine Rivers Alliance quickly supported Nangong Yuexi. One of them swiftly checked her heart pulse and then exclaimed in shock, "Alliance Leader... she severed her own vital heart points... she's dead!"

Chu Tianqing, whose face had just been contorted with rage, now stared with wide eyes, his face filled with panic. He stammered, "I... I never intended to really kill her..."