Chapter 796: Raising Troops to Demand Accountability? The Old Sword Immortal Teaches You How to Be a Person

Xiao Wanfeng: ???

For a moment, he thought he was hallucinating. The voice of the Boundless Sword Spirit contained an uncontrollable hint of agitation and fierce determination. It was just like a child who, after being beaten by peers, would return home seeking their father's help to get revenge. As this thought crossed Xiao Wanfeng's mind, he immediately stopped himself, drenched in a cold sweat.

"Xiao Wanfeng, oh Xiao Wanfeng, you really dare to think that way. 'Seeking a father'? Are you tired of living?" he berated himself inwardly.

The fact that the Boundless Divine Sword's spirit chose him was something he wouldn't even dare to dream of. As Xiao Wanfeng considered the spirit's request, he vaguely felt he understood something. That night, Saint Servant Xu Xiaoshou, as a wielder of the Four Swords, had suppressed the Boundless Divine Sword, and its spiritual energy hadn't dissipated since? This was an extremely naive thought. Xiao Wanfeng remained reserved about whether this was truly the case. But listening to the Boundless Sword Spirit's tone... If it were true! (Just saying "if," of course...) Xiao Wanfeng thought that if it were true, Saint Servant Xu Xiaoshou would be too strong. How could he force the Boundless Divine Sword to such a desperate state?

Everyone has a sense of self-importance. However, beyond that, it was more important for Xiao Wanfeng to know his own limitations; he possessed a strong sense of self-awareness. His own aptitude, at best, was only enough to draw an extra glance from Mr. Si Ren. Why would the Boundless Divine Sword choose him? Besides, it was currently on the back of Rao Yaoyao, one of the Seven Sword Immortals. And across from them was Mr. Si Ren, an elder among the Seven Sword Immortals. Wouldn't it be better to choose one of them instead of me? Am I really that important?

Suddenly, Xiao Wanfeng recalled the Boundless Sword Spirit's previous words. He eagerly asked, "Senior, if I understand correctly, besides Elder You Tu and the Eighth Sword Immortal, is there no one else in this era who can communicate with you?"

The Boundless Sword Spirit: "There is."

Xiao Wanfeng froze, thinking, "As expected..." He had been too presumptuous. The Boundless Divine Sword was simply desperate. There was no "I'm special, I'm the chosen one" narrative here.

The Boundless Sword Spirit: "And you."

Click.

Xiao Wanfeng instantly turned to stone. He quickly recovered from his petrified state, his lips trembling slightly, eyelids twitching wildly, and fingers cramping. His entire body, except for the hand clutching the wooden sword which remained steady, seemed to seize up and spasm as if having a fit.

"Hoo..."

After a long, deep exhale, Xiao Wanfeng regained his composure and solemnly replied in his mind, "Senior, wait for me." He said nothing more. He wasn't like others who, chosen by a divine sword, would excitedly exclaim, "Why wait for me to ascend the Holy Mountain? Can't you acknowledge me as your master now?"

Xiao Wanfeng had always been a person with strong opinions and a healthy self-perception. It had been like this for over a decade. He knew that Sword Immortal Rao still had a mission at hand. The Boundless Divine Sword, having been summoned from the Holy Divine Palace, undoubtedly had its own mission as well. Furthermore, he was currently insignificant, and with his sword concealed, he didn't even possess a shred of combat power. For the Boundless Divine Sword to extend an invitation at this moment was already a choice beyond its usual standards. As the sword spirit said, he was the third person to be invited in this era.

Xiao Wanfeng didn't believe he possessed the formidable cultivation of Elder You Tu, who used seven swords to decapitate the former Palace Lord of the Holy Divine Palace. Nor did he think he had the prodigious talent of Ba Zun'an, who achieved the miraculous feat of innate mastery in three breaths and became a Sword Immortal in three years. It had taken him over a decade just to cultivate his sword, mastering the nine great sword arts through self-realization. He wasn't a genius! But he had tenacious perseverance. Perhaps that was why the Boundless Divine Sword had favored him.

Xiao Wanfeng, unlike You Tu or Ba Zun'an, did not choose to reject the Boundless Divine Sword. Only a fool would do that! He didn't know the full story between the divine sword and those two. But Elder You Tu's rejection was certainly because it was no longer necessary for him; Ba Zun'an's rejection was because he already possessed the ominous Four Swords. Xiao Wanfeng didn't think the Boundless Divine Sword had also invited You Tu and Ba Zun'an when they were young. Otherwise, they couldn't possibly have refused such an immense temptation. But he was different.

Rao Yaoyao had brought the sword out of the Holy Divine Palace, carried it to the First Heavenly Tower, and visited Mr. Si Ren. At the same time, his desire to take the night shift was purely on a whim. All of this was coincidental, with not even a shred of guidance from the Boundless Divine Sword itself. And it was precisely because of these coincidences that the Boundless Divine Sword was able to notice him.

Xiao Wanfeng had rejected Mei Si Ren's invitation to take him as a disciple because Mr. Si Ren wanted him to follow his path. But swords were different. In this world, swordsmen and swords always existed in mutual recognition and support, with no distinction of hierarchy, let alone a master-disciple relationship. Just like Ba Zun'an's Azure Dwelling, Xu Xiaoshou's Four Swords, and my Xiao Wanfeng's... Thinking this, Xiao Wanfeng's lips curled into a slight smile, but he didn't continue the thought. At this moment, he even felt that connecting his name with the Boundless Divine Sword using the particle "of" would be sacrilege.

But!

"It has acknowledged me..."

Under the night sky, Xiao Wanfeng's eyes gleamed as he looked up at the Sky City. He felt as if he had already seen the foundation for becoming a Saint. Young Master Xu's encouragement, Mr. Si Ren's praise. In the end, none of it was as important as a single word of recognition from the Boundless Divine Sword. Because for the former two, Xiao Wanfeng would still view them as mere verbal encouragement from others, and whether he felt disdain or not was another matter entirely. Only the Boundless Divine Sword truly believed that his path had reached a height comparable to that of Ba Zun'an and Elder You Tu. Regardless of how many steps he had taken on this path, as long as the end of the road led to an insurmountable height, that was what every swordsman desired.

The evening breeze rustled, the night was desolate. It made the tattered linen robe of the young man rustle. The naivete of sixteen years still carried a sense of confusion about the world.

"Can I really do this?"

Xiao Wanfeng hesitated for a long, long time before reaching out and pinching his cheek, twisting it hard. He felt his face start to burn. But it wasn't enough. So he clenched his fist until his fingernails dug into his palm. He opened his hand. Dark red bloodstains. Xiao Wanfeng smiled.

"It hurts..."

In mid-air.

The two Sword Immortals, positioned high above, were clearly unaware of the private communication between the Boundless Sword Spirit and Xiao Wanfeng. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two got straight to the point.

"Sword Immortal Rao, your visit this time shouldn't be merely a social call, should it?" Mei Si Ren smiled. "Speak plainly, what does the Holy Divine Palace want with this old man?"

Rao Yaoyao's pretty face grew solemn. Without beating around the bush, she went straight to the point: "That night, when Mr. Si Ren intervened, it seemed you intended to help Saint Servant Xu Xiaoshou?"

"Oh?" Mei Si Ren remained impassive, his folding fan pausing in his hand, a slight curve to his lips. "Do you believe this old man and You Tu have sided together?"

The conversation escalated too quickly, instantly reaching a critical level. The void immediately grew somewhat menacing. Rao Yaoyao was slightly taken aback by this. She didn't rush to deny it. Instead, after a moment of contemplation, she went along with the implication.

"Yes!"

The single word settled the matter. Xu Xiaoshou, sleeping under a blanket in the cultivation room, and Xiao Wanfeng, standing guard at the main entrance downstairs, both sensed that the atmosphere was amiss. The two who had just been conversing cheerfully suddenly became confrontational. It seemed the issue of "stance" was extremely sensitive. Could Mei Si Ren's choice truly influence the high-level strategies?

The night sky remained silent for a long time. After gazing at Rao Yaoyao for a small moment, Mei Si Ren's serious expression finally melted like ice and snow. A subsequent smile made one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. He resumed fanning himself, sighing:

"You Tu is old! This old man has never stood with him. As for what stance I hold, I believe the Holy Divine Palace knows better than outsiders. And Saint Servant Xu Xiaoshou, he is merely a student under my tutelage. His aptitude is indeed good, but looking across the five regions of the continent, I myself cannot count how many students like him there are. When a student asks, a teacher answers. That's all."

Mei Si Ren answered with a calm demeanor. Rao Yaoyao's heart tightened, and she narrowed her eyes, secretly preparing herself. Then she questioned, "Mr. Si Ren, knowing the Saint Servants' stance, why did you choose to approach them at such a critical moment? Don't you think your attitude towards the Saint Servants is a little... overly close?"

"Overly?" Mei Si Ren looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through hearts and souls. He stated solemnly, "Now, even if this old man takes one extra step on the ground, does the Holy Divine Palace need to inquire?"

Rao Yaoyao took a step back, enduring immense pressure, and said resolutely, "You yourself said it, you took an extra step!"

"So what?" Mei Si Ren took a step forward.

Rao Yaoyao lowered her head: "That step was an overstep!"

"Hahahaha..." Mei Si Ren laughed loudly. After a long time, his laughter subsided, and he turned his head to ask, "So, is the Holy Divine Palace going to issue a martial ban to this old man? Or if a martial ban isn't enough... a house arrest order?"

Rao Yaoyao's pores prickled open, as if she were being stalked by a lion or tiger, her hair standing on end. "I wouldn't dare," she replied.

"Wouldn't dare?" Mei Si Ren shook his head with a wry smile, his eyes showing a hint of indignant memory: "Over a hundred years ago, you forbade this old man from brewing tea and discussing the Dao with You Tu, claiming he was involved with dark forces. This, I acknowledge, and I cut off ties with You Tu from then on. Fifty years ago, you forbade this old man from discussing swords by the wind with Feng Tingchen, slandering him as being connected to ghost beast forces. There was no clear evidence for this, but this old man also severed ties with him... even correspondence. Now, as a teacher imparting knowledge and resolving doubts, this old man took a normal step, didn't even make a move, just a few words of interaction, and you think this old man overstepped?"

Taking another step, Mei Si Ren's voice deepened, pointing his folding fan forward and roaring, "Tell me, where is the 'boundary,' then how can we speak of 'overstepping'?!"

Rao Yaoyao's scalp tingled, and she repeatedly retreated, her mind somewhat dazed by such thunderous words. She had never seen the usually good-tempered Mr. Si Ren behave like this. Her aura was completely suppressed.

"I..."

"Have you touched the Saint Path?" Mei Si Ren flicked his folding fan, cutting her off directly.

"I haven't..."

"Then has Hua Changdeng touched the Saint Path?" Mei Si Ren took another step forward, gazing intently.

This time, there was no need for a response. A deep, resonant thunder rumbled above the nine heavens, unseen by mortals, but the two Sword Immortals simultaneously looked up. Calling out a Saint's name directly was disrespectful! Rao Yaoyao didn't answer yes or no, but the answer was obvious.

"Good!" Mei Si Ren, however, ignored this, his eyes wide and face full of anger. "Go back and tell Hua Changdeng, if this is his directive, to come find this old man himself! Don't just sit there all day holed up in Gui Zhe Holy Mountain, paralyzed behind screens and candlelight, indulging in self-pity!"

Rao Yaoyao's pretty face turned pale with fright, filled with disbelief. Mr. Si Ren had gone mad? The first time he called a Saint's name directly might have been unintentional. But the second time, calling names and cursing directly to his face, that was truly singling him out.

Boom! Rumble—

Thunderous roars erupted from the void. Before Rao Yaoyao could stop Mei Si Ren's reckless action, she saw the old man join two fingers and point upwards.

Bang!

A surge of green holy power shot skyward, instantly dispersing the tribulation clouds. Rao Yaoyao's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"Holy power?" Mr. Si Ren had already touched the Saint Path? She could tell that this sword-finger's green light wasn't pure holy power; it also contained the mundane Heavenly Dao power. But as one of the Seven Sword Immortals, as long as he had touched the Saint Path and reached that threshold, that meant it wasn't far off! So, he dared to curse because he already had one foot inside that door... Rao Yaoyao suddenly understood.

The Saint Tribulation was dispersed and did not reform. Hua Changdeng, as a junior, even if he had stepped through that threshold before Mei Si Ren, had still received guidance from "Mr. Si Ren" in his youth. After the Saint Path Tribulation naturally formed, even though he was far away in the Central Region, he had clearly noticed the commotion here. After experiencing Mei Si Ren's single finger, he no longer paid attention. And since the Saint himself didn't intend to interfere in this matter, the Saint Tribulation naturally couldn't form again.

Mei Si Ren had maintained his dominant position in the conversation, never backing down. Now, with his emotions reined in, he returned to a serene state, softly saying: "Let me give the Holy Divine Palace a piece of advice... Too much is as bad as not enough; know when to stop."

Rao Yaoyao closed her beautiful eyes, knowing that her visit this time would likely be fruitless. She had come to demand an explanation. However, Mei Si Ren was completely different from the impression she had of him in her childhood memories. After all he had said, coupled with the display of holy power from a single finger, what could she do even if she carried the Boundless Divine Sword? An old Sword Immortal was indeed an old Sword Immortal. Even if it wasn't his era anymore, time might leave wrinkles on a person, but it couldn't erase the mark a person left on the world. As a Sword Immortal from the era before last, Mei Si Ren could comply if he wished, or he could stand firm and break half the cassia trees on the Holy Mountain if he didn't.

"Did I overstep..." Rao Yaoyao suddenly fell into deep thought. She felt that Mr. Si Ren had a point. It seemed he hadn't overstepped, but for the past few centuries, had the Holy Divine Palace been too overbearing towards neutral parties? Too much is as bad as not enough; know when to stop...

"I have learned a lot," Rao Yaoyao said, bowing.

Mei Si Ren opened his folding fan, his hand movements swift. The wind rustled his beard, making him look like an old man who, after losing his temper, chose to suppress it. "Little lass, go back. This isn't your fault! This old man isn't angry with you. Go complain to your superiors, oh, and speaking of which..." Waving his hand as he spoke, Mei Si Ren seemed to recall something, then looked towards the Central Region and said: "Gui Zhe Holy Mountain, I will personally visit later. At that time, have the elders on your Holy Mountain come out to greet me. As for those youngsters like Dao Qiongcang and Hua Changdeng, they needn't show their faces; they're an eyesore! Understand?"

Rao Yaoyao listened to these words and numbly raised her head to look at the old man in front of her. In that instant, it was as if she had returned to her childhood memories. The person in front of her was still an adult, and she was still a little girl who hadn't grown up. And indeed. Only when the old Sword Immortal threw a tantrum and acted on his whims did she suddenly realize that all the interrogation methods she had prepared beforehand were useless. His status was more than a cut above hers. For a young person like herself to come here, after visiting the elder, she was merely lectured and didn't even have the right to say an extra word. As for fighting back if she couldn't win with words... What a joke?! He was called an "old Sword Immortal" for a reason. Was he someone the younger generation could easily defeat?

"You may leave now. Don't disturb this old man again," Mei Si Ren waved his hand, ushering Rao Yaoyao away as if shooing a sheep.

"Oh." Rao Yaoyao flinched, turned around, and left.

"Such a good little girl, how did she become an eyesore after growing up? Alas," Mei Si Ren muttered to himself, full of melancholy.

Rao Yaoyao disappeared in a blink, without a sound, vanishing from sight.