Chapter 959: A One-Person Celebration

Bai Lian thought for a moment, realizing this was one of the "opportunities" his master had mentioned. So, instead of acting, he replied amicably, "Hello. Are you... also stowaways?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Bai Lian suddenly realized he hadn't detected their presence, yet they had been there all along. This meant they must have overheard his previous conversation with his master and knew he was a Holy Palace envoy.

This realization made Bai Lian feel deeply embarrassed – he had just been planning to pretend to be a stowaway to avoid a fight!

To his surprise, a relaxed, yet clearly self-deceptive, reply came: "Ah, yes, yes, are you also stowaways? That's wonderful! Since we're all hiding within the Heavenly Dao, then... let's keep to our own affairs and not interfere with each other, how about that?"

"Are they trying to bury their heads in the sand?!" That was Bai Lian's immediate thought.

But on second thought, it was the other party who seemed panicked, and he was the one who had initiated the friendly overture. How could they dare to forcefully act, knowing he was a Holy Palace envoy and that his master, Mu Lin, was also present? Bai Lian understood the logic...

Yet, at this moment, his heart was incredibly conflicted. "Has this world gone mad? I, a Holy Palace envoy, am siding with stowaways?"

After a long deliberation, seeing no sign of his master taking action, Bai Lian knew how he should respond. He suppressed the turmoil in his mind, organizing his thoughts into what felt like an impossibly complex response, which finally condensed into two simple words: "Absolutely!"

On Solitary Sound Cliff.

The uncle, standing alone with a sack slung over his shoulder, suddenly felt a pang of loneliness. "Those two clearly saw me... Jìnzhào Báiyán? Are they from the Holy Palace's Jìnzhào lineage? The one without eyebrows must be Mù Lín... Why are they ignoring me?"

The scruffy uncle was utterly bewildered. His first thought was that the two were here to rescue Xu Xiaoshou, but wouldn't that be too obvious? Furthermore, the Holy Palace and the Holy Slaves were naturally opposed. Upon seeing him in the guise of the Eighth Sword Immortal, they shouldn't have ignored him; they should have drawn their swords.

Their opposing stances forced the scruffy uncle to be wary and ponder their deeper intentions. He suspected that their immediate choice to conceal themselves might signify a larger conspiracy!

With both Holy Palace envoys' whereabouts unknown, though they hadn't necessarily left the scene, remaining on the deserted Solitary Sound Cliff would make him stand out significantly.

Being in the spotlight, a target for all. After some thought, the scruffy uncle decided not to proceed. He knew the two Holy Palace members might have chosen to hide within the Heavenly Dao, awaiting developments, and if he remained within the Sword Dao, the situation would become very awkward.

*Rip!* With a flick of his fingers, the uncle tore open a rift in the void. Compared to hiding within the Heavenly Dao, he felt that concealing himself within the spatial turbulence at this moment was a better option. Without delay, he stepped into the spatial rift. His numerous, somewhat desperate escapes over the years had given the uncle a sense of familiarity, almost like coming home, to the treacherous spatial turbulence.

As the spatial rift closed and repaired itself, the uncle, still carrying the sack, let out a small sigh of relief. "They're hiding, and I'm hiding. If the enemy doesn't move, I don't move. Awaiting developments..."

He hadn't even finished exhaling. Within the turbulent spatial currents, a massive dark mass appeared not far away, looking utterly out of place in the enclosed spatial flow. "Who?!" the uncle exclaimed, startled. There was someone else hiding in this spatial turbulence? The uncle tightened his grip on the sack, ready for anything.

He didn't wait for the other party to act. After calming himself and observing, he finally caught a glimpse of the hidden person. Dressed in a black feather robe, blending seamlessly with the darkness of the spatial turbulence, the figure had a three-legged black owl perched on their shoulder, its eyes as dark as ink, like the gaze of death itself. "Night Owl?"

The uncle immediately recognized the identity of the person opposite him. He recalled the feeling of being constantly watched while he was running earlier and immediately called out, "So, you've been following me this whole time?" Unfortunately, sound couldn't travel within the spatial turbulence. Realizing this, the uncle stopped speaking and simply watched the other person intently.

The other party was also stunned. After such a long time, they still hadn't reacted. Night Owl had truly not expected the usually arrogant Eighth Sword Immortal to be so startled by just two Holy Palace envoys that he would stop and hide in the spatial turbulence. She was well aware that in a one-on-one fight, no one in the world could defeat the Eighth Sword Immortal.

But the other party was watching intently, guarding against her next move. Night Owl didn't want to make a move, nor did she dare to act rashly. She feared that any casual action on her part would be perceived as a provocation, leading to an unnecessary fight within the spatial turbulence. And so... there was nowhere to retreat. The two simply stared at each other, recognizing each other, yet remaining silent, both unwilling to make a move.

In the heavy, solidified atmosphere, only the three-legged black owl on her shoulder paced back and forth nervously, producing sound in the silence. "Gak, gak, gak—" "Whoosh! Whoosh!"

On the Solitary Sound Cliff, which was remarkably strange yet locked in a peculiar, constrained balance, two more figures swiftly arrived moments later. This time, they were traveling by sword.

"Senior Brother, I have a bad feeling about this. We've collected six Holy Power treasures along the way, and even a 'Holy Source Crystal' at the end... To me, it seems like an enemy has set a trap, luring us deeper step by step... There's definitely danger ahead!"

Gu Qing'er, who had a sword wheel on his back with nine swords embedded in it—the central one being the 'Stunning Enchantress' blood sword, ranked second on the famous sword list—landed on Solitary Sound Cliff with extreme caution. After confirming that the cliff edge and the surrounding terrain were free of danger, special formations, or ambushes, he nodded to his senior brother, signaling that he could dismount his sword.

Gu Qingyi tapped his foot, and the Evil Sword, Yue Lian, returned to his embrace as he landed on Solitary Sound Cliff with a mix of surprise and vigilance. "There's no one here..." Gu Qing'er walked around the cliff edge, seeing no one, and said with a slightly relaxed tone, "We truly are children of destiny. Only we could receive such a special guidance."

Gu Qingyi was silent for a moment, then said doubtfully, "It's a bit too quiet..." "If there's no one here, isn't quiet normal? It'd be spooky if there were sounds," Gu Qing'er grumbled, pulling out the 'Holy Source Crystal' he had just acquired. "Senior Brother, is this the... source of sanctification that the Eighth Sword Immortal spoke of? How do you use it? If I eat it now, can I become a Sword Saint?" he asked.

Gu Qingyi glanced at him. "So, with Junior Brother not here, you're taking over his empty-headedness, are you?" Gu Qing'er fell silent. He shook his head, put away the 'Holy Source Crystal,' and pouted, "So, Senior Brother has times when he doesn't know things either..."

Gu Qingyi didn't bother to argue with his junior brother. The unusually quiet surroundings made him very wary. There were clear signs of a struggle on Solitary Sound Cliff, yet now, everyone had vanished...

With extreme caution, Gu Qingyi walked to the edge of Solitary Sound Cliff, simultaneously verifying his suspicions. *Whoosh—* The eerie, supernatural wind whimpered ceaselessly, as it did all year round. Gu Qingyi crouched down, rubbing the scattered stones by the cliff's edge, a light in his eyes. He beckoned, "Come here."

Gu Qing'er immediately trotted over and squatted down. "Senior Brother, what is it?" "Touch it." "I touched it. Now what?" "What did you feel?" "...Sword intent?"

"Whose sword intent?" "This..." Gu Qing'er paused, realizing the sword intent was peculiar. After careful discernment, he said in alarm, "The Eighth Sword Immortal's sword intent! This... is the residual power of the 'Great Buddha's Slash'?"

Gu Qingyi nodded. "Not bad, you've made some progress. At least you're not dull when it comes to the sword dao." Gu Qing'er was still surprised. He thought of what his senior brother had just said and cautiously asked, "The Eighth Sword Immortal was here?"

Gu Qingyi immediately fell silent for a while, then said in a hoarse voice, "Your brain still isn't working well, is it? This is clearly the origin point where the Eighth Sword Immortal summoned the City of the Sky!" "Oh, oh." Gu Qing'er didn't know what significance this discovery held, but he was impressed nonetheless. "So, Senior Brother, what now?"

"Down." Gu Qingyi pointed to the bottom of the cliff. "Down?" Gu Qing'er was startled. The cliff bottom looked immensely dangerous; how could they go down there? He casually picked up a stone and threw it, but after a long wait, he heard no echo... He didn't know how to interpret this finding.

"Unfathomably deep," Gu Qing'er finally managed to say after a long pause. "You needed to tell me that?"

Gu Qingyi shot him an annoyed look, then returned to the main topic. "That special guidance aligns with Master's new instructions. Since there's no answer at the cliff edge, I plan to go down and investigate."

Gu Qing'er's face immediately fell. "Senior Brother, is there any need to take such a risk? What if you slip and fall, getting crushed to pieces..." "Go back and find Junior Brother, and protect Junior Sister with him. I'm always worried about him being alone," Gu Qingyi said calmly.

"No, I'm not backing down. I just think going down the cliff is too dangerous, but it might not be impossible to try," Gu Qing'er said, quickly changing his tune as he recognized his senior brother's intention to send him away. "I'm not sending you away, I'm serious," Gu Qingyi said with a smile. "We are legitimate trialists; we can go anywhere... If it weren't for Junior Brother causing that incident that prompted the Enforcers to issue a regulation targeting ancient sword cultivators, this place wouldn't pose any danger to us at all."

"But down there, it's different!" Gu Qingyi said, pointing to the bottom of the cliff, his voice deepening. "With unknown dangers, I'll go down first to investigate. If there's an opportunity, I'll call you both immediately." "I'm not going back," Gu Qing'er insisted, shaking his head like a rattle. "Junior Brother's strength isn't weak now; he's enough to protect Junior Sister by himself. I'd be too bored going back."

"Didn't you also clamor to protect Junior Sister earlier?" Gu Qingyi's face was filled with amusement. "Well, he snatched that chance away, didn't he..." Gu Qing'er muttered silently.

Gu Qingyi chuckled and shook his head, saying no more. He deliberated carefully, gazing at the sea of clouds in the chasm, sensing the unknown risks within, his eyes reflecting newfound resolve.

"Since you won't go back, stay here and wait for me, so there's someone to look out. Remember, don't come down and don't leave unless I send a message. If I don't return within an hour, you... send a message to Master, tell him I'm dying, and force him to come save me."

Gu Qingyi paused here, looking down at the cliff bottom. "I'll be right back." Before Gu Qing'er could blurt out, "Isn't that a bad idea?", he watched as his senior brother leaped into the air, directly plunging into the sea of clouds in the chasm, beginning a freefall without explanation. "No!"

He reached out, but couldn't stop his senior brother's actions. He just went down like that? The various groups of people hiding within the Heavenly Dao and the spatial turbulence watched the young sword cultivator's reckless move, each falling into a state of shock.

On Solitary Sound Cliff, Gu Qing'er, similarly petrified at the cliff's edge, took over ten breaths to regain his composure. "He just... left?"

Suddenly finding himself alone, Gu Qing'er felt a sense of desolation. He hunched his shoulders, pacing anxiously at the cliff's edge. Before long, he drew the Stunning Enchantress, his expression turning vigilant.

Without his senior brother's protection, his spiritual senses sharpened significantly. He felt as if countless eerie eyes were watching him from all around, sending shivers down his spine. "Heh heh, everyone, do you really think I, Gu Qing'er, haven't noticed you? Come on out!"

This single sentence startled all nine individuals. Before the nine people hiding in the Heavenly Dao and spatial turbulence could react, they watched as the extremely vigilant young sword cultivator, seeing no response, let out a huge sigh of relief: "Good, good, there's no one here..."

"This idiot!" All nine individuals were speechless. After his moment of relief, Gu Qing'er walked to the very edge of the cliff and casually glanced towards the sea of clouds. He pondered for a long time. "Senior Brother!!!" He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted loudly. But after a long wait, there was no response. "He's really gone..." Gu Qing'er frowned.

At this point, he again felt that chilling sensation of being watched, and this time, it seemed to carry hostility... Gu Qing'er grew slightly nervous. "Hah!" He brandished his sword wildly, then sensing something was still amiss, he raised his hand and summoned the other eight swords from his sword wheel, forming a 'Demon-Slaying Sword Array' to protect himself. The swords plunged into the ground with a clang. Feeling much safer, Gu Qing'er smirked as he surveyed the air around him and declared loudly:

"I am Gu Qing'er, a sword dao genius, who became a Sword Dao King at just twenty-one! I am the second disciple under the Seven Sword Immortals' Wen Ting, the direct successor of the Sword Mausoleum, unrivalled! Who dares provoke me?!"

He slashed with his sword fingers, and the 'Demon-Slaying Sword Array' rose into the air, radiating green sword energy. "Gods and demons shall not infringe, all evil shall disperse, by decree!" *Buzz, buzz, buzz.* The sword array vibrated violently. But the air... still offered no response.

Gu Qing'er's face flushed. Fortunately, this attempt still hadn't drawn anyone out, which meant there truly was no one around, and everything was just his imagination. "It's best if no one saw..."

Gu Qing'er waited a while longer, but his senior brother still didn't return. He calmed himself, thinking that since Junior Brother was wasting time protecting Junior Sister, and Senior Brother was also wasting time exploring the unknown, this waiting period was a perfect opportunity for him to surpass them both! "Heh heh."

Gu Qing'er then sneered and began practicing his sword techniques, even performing his self-created 'Peerless Sword Dance,' which neither his senior brother nor junior brother had ever witnessed. After practicing for a while, no one else arrived at Solitary Sound Cliff, and his senior brother still hadn't returned. Gu Qing'er stopped his sword dance.

A strange expression suddenly appeared on his face. Realizing this was his own private celebration, he promptly ran to the cliff edge and, hands on his hips, burst into wild laughter at the sea of clouds: "Hahahaha, Junior Brother, do you really think you can surpass your Second Senior Brother with just a 'Supreme Sword Dao Physique'? Dream on! You'll never guess that the Nine Sword Arts were just a cover-up; I secretly consulted Master and secretly practiced the Ten Thousand Sword Arts! This is my main cultivation method!"

With that, he drew the Stunning Enchantress again, pointing it at the sea of clouds with an arrogant and unrestrained posture: "Senior Brother... no, Gu Qingyi! One day, I will make you, Gu Qingyi, realize that in this world, the Nine Sword Arts and the Ten Thousand Sword Arts are the most powerful! One day, you will surely be defeated by my sword!"

"One day, I will oversee you as you transcribe the 'Sword Scripture'..." Gu Qing'er's voice trailed off here, and he suddenly reined in all his emotions.

Under the astonished gaze of the nine individuals hidden in the Heavenly Dao and spatial turbulence, he paused for three seconds, then suddenly burst out: "Three hundred times! I want you to transcribe the 'Sword Scripture' three hundred times! Hahahaha, hahahaha... *cough cough!* Haha haha..."