Chapter 678 – Huarong Sword Venerable!

　　“Too late.” Daoist Ling Qi lightly swept his gaze over Rong Zhishui. “When a Grandmaster gets angry, who dares to fight?”

　　Dozens of long vine snakes slithered forth from all directions, trying to smash that nine-story tall library into rubble. Many disciples’ hearts tightened anxiously at the sight.

　　Suddenly, a golden teal sword light lit up in the air above the library, splitting into many smaller beams of light. Then, they bloomed like golden lotuses as they surrounded the library and struck towards those vine snakes coiled around the building with the momentum of a power that could devour mountains and rivers. Unexpectedly, the momentum from this attack actually didn’t lose out to the attack from Daoist Ling Qi, who was at Grandmaster Stage. The golden lotuses cut down all the long snakes before they could reach the library, not letting a single one go.

　　AD

　　The severed vine snakes let out sorrowful sounds as they fell all over the ground, smashing all the pavilions and trees around the library. Dust flew everywhere, a white fog filled the area, and pieces of rubble were all over the ground. The wind rushed to the sky, lifting into the air many disciples who were hiding and watching in the distance — for a moment, there was turmoil and chaos.

　　The so-called “broken and ruined walls” was precisely this.

　　People saw a man dressed in white with hair as dark as ink flying down while holding a slender and thin teal longsword. Although slender, the sword looked full of vigorous character.

　　Like a feather, the man landed in front of the Rong family’s elders.

　　“Who are you?” Daoist Ling Qi’s eyes suddenly widened. He stared unblinkingly at this man who looked just like a celestial being, detached from the mortal world.

　　Lin Xuanzhi cupped his hands. His temperament was cold and clear; his voice was like broken jade as he spoke without being servile or overbearing, “Myriad Dao Academy’s Lin Huarong has come to ask Daoist for advice.”

　　“You are Huarong Sword Immortal?” Daoist Ling Qi was very surprised, and his eyes widened greatly. “You were only in the Major Perfection Stage two years ago, but to think you’ve actually reached the Grandmaster Stage already!”

　　Lin Xuanzhi replied nonchalantly, “It’s nothing more than a lucky coincidence. I happened to receive a fortuitous encounter in the Tomb of Youshan. Now I’m merely in the minor attainment phase of Grandmaster Stage.”

　　His words actually admitted that he was indeed in the Grandmaster Stage!

　　Someone gasped. “Impossible! Nobody can reach the Grandmaster Stage in two years! This is absolutely impossible!”

　　“It’s possible to enter the Dao overnight, so how can this be impossible?” Sword Saint Tianshu, who had fought for a while, sheathed his sword and stood behind Lin Xuanzhi. He continued coldly, “Don’t get so worked up by your narrow-minded knowledge — it’s unfit for an elegant hall. You ignorant thing, so shameful!”

　　“…”

　　Daoist Ling Qi was shocked. Countless thoughts had already flashed through his mind in a single instant. The reason he dared to ruthlessly attack was to test whether the current Myriad Dao Academy still had guardian elders who could fight on equal ground with him. However, according to the information he received, Myriad Dao Academy’s previous Grandmaster Stage powerhouse had long since either died in seclusion or failed his ascension, suffering a decrease in cultivation, so that person wouldn’t be his match.

　　If it wasn’t for this, Daoist Ling Qi really wouldn’t have attacked so ruthlessly.

　　But unexpectedly, the Grandmaster Stage powerhouse who slaughtered his way out was actually so young and even had many fortuitous encounters. Daoist Ling Qi secretly clenched his fist and sized up Lin Xuanzhi. “The younger generation is to be feared.”

　　Lin Xuanzhi replied, “Senior is to be feared even more, wanting to destroy Myriad Dao Academy’s ten-thousand year old foundation as soon as he attacks. It is perhaps too impulsive.”

　　Fairy Bi Yun was stunned and immediately shouted, “First Eld–”

　　Daoist Ling Qi ignored her and spoke directly to Lin Xuanzhi. “Who would’ve thought that Myriad Dao Academy could still get someone with great fortune like you. This one was rude today.”

　　Lin Xuanzhi said, “I don’t dare. I assume the Rong family elder personally came here for the scroll. It’s unlikely for the two sides to start a feud over this. It’s better to discuss how to resolve it.”

　　The implication behind Lin Xuanzhi’s words were very clear — “Your Rong family only had one excuse for starting a fight: the stolen and destroyed scroll. The fact that it involved some sect disciples was just a trivial matter. Don’t use this as a pretext to make a big fuss over a minor issue.”

　　Daoist Ling Qi’s original goal was not to destroy Myriad Dao Academy — he didn’t actually want the Rong family to become the public enemy of all the Nine Lands’ Divine Clans, nor did he want to give the other eight families ammunition on the Rong family. His ultimate goal in attacking the library was merely to determine whether Myriad Dao Academy still had a Grandmaster Stage powerhouse, and whether the sect could really continue to sit firmly in the position of the leader of the Daoist sects in the cultivation world.

　　It was rumored that those in Earth Realm’s Small Perfection Stage could split open a mountain and establish a sect, those in the Major Perfection Stage could become a sect’s guardian elders, and those in the Grandmaster Stage would truly be able to create millions of corpses if angered. Those in the Grandmaster Stage were existences that could produce clouds and rain with a wave of the hand and could determine the future of the Nine Lands.

　　Although Myriad Dao Academy had ample amounts of wealth and a long history, it would still be helpless if it didn’t have the protection of a Grandmaster Stage expert. What can they do, even if they had ten thousand years of foundation? They would still fall to a lowly status.

　　In fact, this would be the Rong family’s greatest revenge on Myriad Dao Academy.

　　And the reason Daoist Ling Qi dared to act so ruthlessly was because he was 80% to 90% sure that the former Sect Master, who had been in seclusion for 500 years, was already dead — the longer a Grandmaster Stage powerhouse spent in secluded cultivation, the more likely the fact that they were already dead.

　　After all, the Grandmaster Stage experts nowadays had an unwritten rule, which was — the opportunity to break through Earth Realm’s Grandmaster Stage and successfully ascend to Sky Realm would never appear in closed-door meditation. Instead, it would be found in some corner of the Nine Lands.

　　Thus, they must abandon their previous advancement methods and travel the Nine Lands in order to look for great opportunities and fortuitous encounters. However, whether or not the former Sect Master was still alive no longer seemed as important. Even if Myriad Dao Academy didn’t have the former Sect Master’s protection, there was still a newly-advanced Grandmaster Stage expert like Lin Huarong defending the sect. This announced to the world that Myriad Dao Academy could still sit at the stop of Daoist sects and couldn’t be casually provoked.

　　Daoist Ling Qi narrowed his eyes. “Since Huarong Sword Venerable has already spoken, this one will give Huarong Sword Venerable some face this time. Regarding the scroll, you know in your hearts who’s right and who’s wrong. I can stop pursuing the matter of the stolen scroll, but I must personally ask Rong Zhishui and Yan Tianhen some questions. Huarong Sword Venerable wouldn’t deny me even this face, right?”

　　“Rong Zhishui is the Rong family’s younger generation. If the Rong family wants to ask him, this Venerable cannot control that,” Lin Xuanzhi said indifferently.

　　Rong Zhishui opened his mouth and almost kowtowed to Lin Xuanzhi for help.

　　“However, since he has been studying in my sect, the sect is responsible for him.” Lin Xuanzhi swept a glance over Rong Zhishui. “Daoist is probably more knowledgeable than I am about the darkness inside the Rong family. Due to the Rong family’s previous attitude towards its disciples, this Venerable believes that if he is to be questioned, it is more appropriate to do so in public and inside the sect.”

　　The words pierced Fairy Bi Yun’s ears. “Lin Huarong, what kind of thing are you? Since when was it your turn to criticize my Rong family and make thoughtless remarks?”

　　As soon as Fairy Bi Yun stopped speaking, someone slapped her.

　　Everyone was surprised; they all looked towards Rong Shengxiao, who had been sloppily standing in the back from beginning to end. Rong Shengxiao shook his hand and said unhappily, “How dare you call Huarong Sword Venerable directly by his surname? It’s simply disgraceful and rebellious!”

　　Fairy Bi Yun’s face turned green and red. For a moment, she was so humiliated that she became speechless.

　　Rong Shengxiao turned and cupped his hands at Lin Xuanzhi. “This woman from my clan has never seen the world before. Huarong Sword Venerable, please forgive her.”

　　Only those whose cultivation was at Grandmaster Stage could be referred to as “Venerables”. Even if they were young and of low seniority, they were still popular existences that people worshipped. Anyone who dared to mock them was trying to start a feud!

　　As the Rong family’s Patriarch, Rong Shengxiao naturally wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.

　　Even if they had any conflicts, those should still be resolved in secret — whoever dared to openly annoy Grandmaster Stage cultivators would become the world’s enemy!

　　Normally, Fairy Bi Yun would never make such a mistake. However, Lin Xuanzhi had just revealed his Grandmaster Stage cultivation, and he also normally kept an extremely low profile, so Fairy Bi Yun naturally underestimated him.

　　Lin Xuanzhi said, “No harm. What does Daoist think of my suggestion just now?”

　　Daoist Ling Qi narrowed his eyes. “Huarong Sword Venerable truly cherishes the sect’s disciples. In that case, I’m relieved to entrust the Rong family’s future Patriarch to the sect.”

　　When the Rong family people heard his words, their expressions changed one after another. They all had different expressions, but most were full of shock and disbelief. Rong Xia’s expression was the most obvious, while Rong Shengxiao merely curled his lips into a distinguished smile.

　　Rong Zhishui also stared blankly in surprise, then kowtowed to Daoist Ling Qi on the spot.

　　Daoist Ling Qi looked at the Rong family’s Young Master and continued, “It’s nothing more than questions regarding the scroll. Since Sword Venerable is worried, I can ask the questions here.”

　　Lin Xuanzhi replied, “Many thanks to Daoist’s leniency.”

　　Daoist Ling Qi looked around and asked, “But where is Yan Tianhen? No matter what, he still owes my Rong family an apology. What does Huarong Sword Venerable think?”

　　Those who had already reached Grandmaster Stage would no longer put anyone besides other Grandmasters in their eyes. So what if Yan Tianhen was the second successor to the Qianyuan Dynasty?

　　Even the Emperor had to retreat somewhat when standing in front of a Grandmaster to show respect!

　　Lin Xuanzhi lowered his eyes slightly. “My wife is stubborn and frank, but he doesn’t have a bad heart. This Venerable has already confined him to Little Penglai and personally disciplined him. He is still in the middle of his punishment right now. I’m afraid it will take ten days to half a month for him to get out of bed and go out. Regarding my wife’s mistakes, Huarong will bear them for him.”

　　Everyone was in an uproar. Some even doubted their eyes.

　　“Wife?” Rong Shengxiao couldn’t help exclaiming.

　　What was wife?

　　The term meant both the identities of a legitimate wife and a Dao companion, all rolled into one!

　　As the Light of Daoism and a newly-advanced Grandmaster, Lin Huarong actually addressed the future Emperor as “wife”! What a shocking and unbelievable event this was!

　　Daoist Ling Qi, on the other hand, was still calm. Not even his eyelids twitched.

　　His calm appearance formed a sharp contrast with the rest of the Rong family. After all, he was someone who had experienced big waves already. However, he thought, To refer to the Yan family’s Heir Apparent as “wife”, did those people in the Yan family accept this? Looks like there will be an exciting show in the future.

　　Daoist Ling Qi also didn’t insist upon it. He waved his hand and said, “Since he has such a relationship with Huarong Sword Venerable, forget it. However, if Venerable’s wife has any information related to the scroll, please tell me. This matter is of the utmost importance — I’m afraid it will affect the Nine Lands’ future stability. Otherwise, this one wouldn’t leave seclusion to personally intervene in this matter.”

　　Lin Xuanzhi nodded. “Thank you, Daoist. If there is any news, Huarong will offer it personally.”

　　Daoist Ling Qi nodded and settled the matter. He turned to Rong Zhishui and ordered, “Show me the scroll.”

　　Rong Zhishui hurriedly handed over the scroll.

　　Daoist Ling Qi carefully held the scroll in his hands and sent a thread of spiritual Qi inside. A moment later, his expression changed. “The seal on this scroll has been broken!”

　　“What?”

　　“Impossible!”

　　“This seal was made by Ancestor Cang Rong himself. It’s impossible for anyone from my Rong family to break it!”

　　Lin Xuanzhi’s eyes sank slightly and he immediately remained silent.

　　Daoist Ling Qi narrowed his eyes. “Zhishui, who has touched this scroll?”

　　Rong Zhishui swallowed with difficulty and answered, “Almost all the sect elders present have touched it.”

　　Daoist Ling Qi, “…”

　　Daoist Ling Qi took a deep breath and gripped the scroll tightly. He gritted his teeth and said, “This scroll was made by Spirit Emperor Cang Rong himself. The seal on it can only be opened by those who are destined, but now it’s been broken. Who is it? Just who is it?”

　　Rong Zhishui opened his mouth, but he suddenly remembered the blinding golden light from the scroll when Yan Tianhen’s hand touched it inside the cave. Suddenly, he seemed to understand something.

　　But he immediately lowered his head and dared not let out the secret.