Chapter 923: World Turmoil, Senior Brother of Can Yue Immortal City

“The Path of Sainthood is real…”

“Spirit Cultivators, come find me in Sky City…”

“My name is Bazun An…”

Throughout the Five Domains, a resounding echo vibrated.

Almost everyone in the Spirit Cultivation world, from Houtian and Xiantian to Dao-Slayers and Grand Void cultivators, heard this message. It was plain and direct, without a single ancient word, making it easy for all to understand.

It concisely stated the most coveted treasure, effortlessly stirring the desires in the hearts of all spirit cultivators.

Just as some were still doubting the truthfulness of the message, the final phrase, “My name is Bazun An,” extinguished countless people’s suspicions.

The Eighth Sword Immortal?

Indeed, only the legendary Eighth Sword Immortal could project his voice across all Five Domains. He truly had not perished.

And if it was the Eighth Sword Immortal speaking, then it was almost certainly true!

The voice also contained the power of a Saint Emperor. Given its brevity, unexpectedness, and initial disregard, no one was able to exert power to intercept the sound as it spread.

“So, this was your ultimate goal…”

Dao Qiongcang stopped before the shattered Dragon Orb, silently gazing at all the Saint Emperor power that had faded into nothingness after a brief burst of glory, a sigh rising in his heart.

He had not understood why Bazun An had taken such a roundabout path in this grand scheme. With Saint Emperor power interfering, he couldn’t use heavenly divination to predict it in advance.

He had thought it might be "revenge," a "test," or an "outlet"…

Regardless, Dao Qiongcang had tried his best to stop it. At the last moment, he had even considered a mutual destruction, intending to crush the Demon Emperor Black Dragon’s lingering thoughts and the potential harm from the Dragon Orb, regardless of the opponent’s plan.

But in the end, he was a step too slow. The idea of “total annihilation” was good, but there was still an order of precedence.

Perhaps, if he had first thrown the “Nine Arrows Nail God Array” at the Dragon Orb, and then used his Saint Thought illusory form to pursue the lingering thoughts of the Demon Emperor Black Dragon, it would have been a better choice.

However, Dao Qiongcang knew he was skilled at planning, but not at successful short-term interception. If he had truly chosen that path, the Dragon Orb might have shattered prematurely, and Bazun An’s plan might have failed. But it was more likely that his Saint Thought illusory form wouldn’t have been able to keep up with the lingering thoughts of the Demon Emperor Black Dragon, leading to the opponent genuinely leaving behind a source of trouble for a resurgence on the Saint Spirit Continent.

“An open scheme?”

Dao Qiongcang chuckled to himself.

The battle was over. His Saint Thought illusory form, along with the Ten Epoch Saint Spirit Array, slowly faded above the Yunlun Mountain Range, leaving behind only a silent admiration.

“Bazun An, you truly are something…”

In the Eastern Domain, including the One Hundred and Eight Realms within the Eastern Heavens, Bazun An’s voice echoed in every corner. At that moment, countless sword cultivators, swordsmen, and spirit cultivators who admired the sword path but had unwillingly embarked on the path of spirit cultivation were stirred, creating a great uproar.

“By the Sword God, what did I just hear? Is that the Eighth Sword Immortal’s voice?”

“Heavens, what happened in the Eastern Heavenly Royal City? Wasn’t the Eighth Sword Immortal already dead decades ago? I still remember the legend of that battle outside the City of Death, where the Seven Sword Immortals, Hua… Sword Immortal, beheaded the Eighth Sword Immortal with three swords, upholding the reputation of ‘Sword Dao’s Strongest.’” Someone exclaimed passionately.

“What nonsense! Bazun An mastered nine great sword arts. There must have been something fishy about that incident, otherwise the Eighth Sword Immortal wouldn’t have fallen so easily. Even if the Eighth Sword Immortal truly perished, for ‘Sword Dao’s Strongest,’ we still have our Elder Yu Tu!” This was clearly a fervent worshipper of the Eighth Sword Immortal.

“Heh, Elder Yu Tu is Sword Dao’s Strongest? He disappeared ages ago! Look around, in today’s world, you can still casually call Elder Yu Tu, but Sword Immortal Hua… can no longer be addressed by his given name. What does that mean? Think with your foolish head!” Someone sneered.

“It means you’ve betrayed your faith, you scumbag! Elder Yu Tu must have already achieved sainthood, but he doesn’t care if we devout sword cultivators call him by his name. He’s approachable, he’s the best elder in the sword dao! What about others? Look at Hua Chang… Sword Immortal Hua, as soon as his power grew, his temper soared too… Oh, he won’t even let us call him by his name anymore, how noble!” The fervent worshippers of the Eighth Sword Immortal all had the fiery temper of the young Eighth Sword Immortal, speaking sarcastically and unable to contain their anger.

But as soon as he spoke, others who were slightly calmer turned pale with fright.

“Shh, you can continue to worship the Eighth Sword Immortal, but you absolutely must not disparage other Sword Immortals. Sword Immortal Hua is formidable, isn’t he? His battle record is terrifying too.”

The person who refuted the fervent worshipper of the Eighth Sword Immortal was also scared, and stammered, “You, you, you… unreasonable!” With that, he flicked his sleeve and left. After all, if such words alarmed a Saint and brought down a Saint Punishment, he might also be implicated.

Semi-Saints obviously didn't have the leisure to use Saint Punishment to execute such insignificant beings.

However, sword cultivators throughout the Eastern Domain were still overwhelmingly shocked by the astonishing news of “Bazun An’s emergence” and “The Path of Sainthood is real,” among other revelations.

Bazun Realm.

As one of the One Hundred and Eight Realms under the Eastern Domain’s Sword God Heavens, Bazun Realm still had its former name, Dongyue Realm, just over thirty years ago. However, with the emergence and growth of Tsan Yue Immortal City, it subtly began to show signs of taking over the mantle of the Eastern Domain’s top sword cultivation force from the Sword Burial Mound.

This Dongyue Realm completely became a gathering place for the fervent worshippers of the Eighth Sword Immortal, collectively renamed to the most revered title in their hearts, in commemoration — Bazun Realm!

Bazun Realm, Tsan Yue Immortal City.

This was an enormous city, spanning a vast eight hundred and ten thousand *li* of land, boundless in scope, formed by connecting nearly a hundred pre-existing county cities in Dongyue Realm. The person who accomplished this feat called himself a registered disciple of the Eighth Sword Immortal, named Xiao Kongtong. Likewise, he was currently the Senior Disciple Brother of Tsan Yue Immortal City, and recognized by all sword cultivators in the Eastern Domain as the number one worshipper of the Eighth Sword Immortal.

Tsan Yue Immortal City was structured into nine main sections, each serving as a main city corresponding to a type of sword art. Those who practiced Illusionary Sword Art resided in Illusionary Sword City; those who practiced Nine Sword Art resided in Nine Sword City… Following this pattern, there were also Myriad Sword City, Silent Sword City, Heart Sword City, Formless Sword City, Love Sword City, Ghost Sword City, and finally, Hidden Sword City.

Tsan Yue Immortal City did not reject multiple beliefs. For instance, residents of Love Sword City not only admired the Eighth Sword Immortal but were also infatuated with Rao Yaoyao, the world’s foremost female swordswoman, though their devotion to her was slightly less than for the Eighth Sword Immortal.

Ghost Sword City had the smallest area and population for one reason: Hua Changdeng, who primarily practiced Ghost Sword Art, was also the culprit behind the Eighth Sword Immortal’s “demise.”

It's worth noting that among Tsan Yue Immortal City’s nine main cities, the strongest was not Illusionary Sword City, which corresponded to the Illusionary Sword Art that the Eighth Sword Immortal primarily practiced, but rather Hidden Sword City. Hidden Sword City was home to a large number of mortals, elders, youths, and people with missing limbs… Without exception, they all carried swords. Their swords were of very low quality: some were wooden swords, some were withered branches, and some even used their own fingers as swords.

Yet, in the Eastern Domain, it was widely acknowledged as the city least to be provoked. This was because among the nine great sword arts, Hidden Sword Art was the most difficult to study, the least practiced, and had the weakest combat power. Anyone who wished to practice Hidden Sword Art either had their brains kicked by a donkey or had thoroughly mastered the other eight great sword arts and wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Eighth Sword Immortal. And there was hardly a single foolish person residing in Tsan Yue Immortal City.

Thus, a saying circulated within Hidden Sword City:

“You mustn't provoke normal people, you mustn't provoke elders with missing limbs, and you absolutely mustn't provoke those little brats who seem easy to bully… The first are geniuses, the second are hidden masters, and the last are peerless prodigies!”

The city was filled with talents dedicated to Bazun, and hidden masters were everywhere! This saying referred specifically to Hidden Sword City.

At this moment, inside Hidden Sword City, in an unremarkable courtyard, the gate was pushed open. A limping old man, missing his left arm and carrying nine peach wood swords, hurried in, hopping towards the main hall. Such an undignified display caused the boy and old woman playing chess under the phoenix tree nearby, as well as the young man sweeping fallen leaves, to frown.

“Xiu Yuanke,” the boy’s tender voice piped up, “Hidden Sword Art conceals spirit, form, and intent. Senior Disciple Brother has told you countless times not to show your emotions. Why are you still so anxious?” With a small hand, he picked up a black piece and slapped it onto the board. The sword qi shook leaves from the phoenix tree, making the young man sweeping freeze, his lips parting as if to speak, then closing.

As if to comment, the young man seemed to hear Senior Disciple Brother’s patient guidance in his ear: “One who hides the sword also hides their nature; joy and anger do not show on the face, sorrow and fear do not flow to the surface… Ten years without a sound, then a startling display.”

‘I’ll endure…’ So the young man took a deep breath, said nothing more, and continued sweeping leaves. The old woman withdrew her gaze, a slight curve on her lips. Without a word, she made her move.

The limping old man with one arm, called Xiu Yuanke, cursed, “You lot must have cultivated Hidden Sword Art until you got sick! Our teacher has been resurrected and appeared in the world. Such a huge event, and you’re still hiding it? Are you going to hide until you’re in your coffins?!”

Tsan Yue Immortal City had only one recognized leader, Xiao Kongtong. However, though Xiao Kongtong imparted teachings on behalf of his master, he did not assume the master’s title; instead, he was merely the Senior Disciple Brother of Tsan Yue Immortal City. All ancient sword cultivators residing in Tsan Yue Immortal City recognized only one teacher: the Eighth Sword Immortal. However, without the Eighth Sword Immortal’s acknowledgment, they didn’t even dare to directly call him ‘Master.’ They could only humbly address him as ‘Teacher,’ a term that sounded much more distant.

But that was enough. To be able to reside in Tsan Yue Immortal City and address the Eighth Sword Immortal as ‘Teacher’ was already a tremendous honor in the minds of many sword cultivators.

Xiu Yuanke rushed into the main hall, not bothering with further conversation with the three in the courtyard. In his eyes, their teacher having “resurrected” and publicly delivered a speech across the Five Domains of the Saint Spirit Continent was the most important event in the world.

“Senior Disciple Brother!”

“Kongtong Senior Disciple Brother, come out, where are you?”

“Teacher is alive! Teacher is alive!”

He shouted loudly, his tone a mix of excitement and alarm, which to outsiders might sound more like “Teacher has risen from the dead! Teacher has risen from the dead!” This, of course, displeased the three in the courtyard.

“Do you think Senior Disciple Brother Kongtong wouldn’t hear a sound that you can hear?” the old woman said calmly, placing a piece, seemingly unconcerned.

Xiu Yuanke froze for a moment, then immediately returned to normal, roaring back, “Teacher is alive, Senior Disciple Brother Kongtong must be incredibly happy! Happiness needs to be shared, so I came early to share his joy. Who knows, if he’s happy, he might teach me ‘Sword Thought’…”

“Pfft!” The boy drinking water couldn’t help but spit it onto the old woman’s face opposite him, slapping his thigh with laughter. “Xiu Yuanke, are you crazy? Without Teacher’s permission, Senior Disciple Brother can’t possibly transmit Sword Thought.”

Xiu Yuanke yelled, “But Teacher had already ‘fallen’ before! He couldn’t possibly speak to Senior Disciple Brother or give permission. If this continues, and Senior Disciple Brother dies unexpectedly, wouldn’t Sword Thought be lost forever? This is a vicious cycle! I, Xiu Yuanke, must take on the important task of revitalizing the sword dao!”

“You’re already this old…” The old woman sighed upon hearing this. “But I have to say, your passion is worthy of respect from all young people.”

The young man sweeping leaves, meanwhile, looked up at the sky with a devout expression: “I have always firmly believed that Teacher did not fall; he has always been watching me…”

The boy couldn’t help but slam a chess piece down on the board: “Hey! When you say things like that, could you please not look at the sky?”

Amidst the commotion, a figure turned from the direction of the side courtyard.

“Who’s cursing me to die?” a gentle voice asked.

The four looked over and saw a man approaching from not far away. He wore a white swordsman’s robe, had a well-proportioned physique, an elegant demeanor, and a perpetually gentle smile on his face.

“Senior Disciple Brother!”

“Kongtong Senior Disciple Brother!”

The four quickly stood up and bowed, speaking with great respect. The person before them was indeed the Senior Disciple Brother of Tsan Yue Immortal City, Xiao Kongtong. It was this man who, single-handedly, over thirty years, forged Tsan Yue Immortal City into a world-class top sword cultivation force from nothing in the Eastern Domain’s Sword God Heavens.

The Sword Burial Mound was famous throughout the world because it originated from ancient times, and each successive heir only needed to cultivate systematically; as long as their aptitude was decent, they could almost all reach the Saint Realm. Tsan Yue Immortal City was famous throughout the world because of… Xiao Kongtong!

Xiao Kongtong was not among the Seven Sword Immortals, yet in terms of ancient sword cultivation heritage and his achievements in the sword dao, no one of his age could compare. He possessed the talent of Bazun An, and moreover, monumental achievements in teaching and imparting knowledge that Bazun An had never had.

However, he never took credit or became arrogant. Facing the reverence of the world, he always stepped back to the last position, responding with humble moderation: “These are all my teacher’s teachings. You should not thank me; if you must thank someone, thank the Eighth Sword Immortal.”

“Senior Disciple Brother, Teacher is alive!” Xiu Yuanke exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Xiao Kongtong appear.

“Teacher never perished. I heard that voice just now as well,” Xiao Kongtong replied with a nod.

“Senior Disciple Brother, are you happy?” Xiu Yuanke clenched his fists, his aged eyes shining brightly.

“I am very happy, exceedingly joyful, because our teacher has finally deigned to appear,” Xiao Kongtong smiled.

“Then…” Xiu Yuanke vigorously waved his arm, “Happiness needs to be shared, and I also want to be happy. Can you teach me ‘Sword Thought’ now?”

A swordsman, quite direct!

The other three in the courtyard were collectively speechless, displaying expressions that said, “Just as expected.” Xiao Kongtong also wore a helpless expression, but his temper was clearly excellent; otherwise, Xiu Yuanke wouldn’t dare speak to him like that. He merely shook his head and said, “As I’ve said, all of this requires Teacher’s permission. If he nods, I could even teach you the ‘Sword Contemplation Scripture,’ but alas…”