Eternal Saber

Chapter 576 - 182: Heaven and Earth Cage

"I don’t know either."

The Sword Sect Master smiled and said, "That’s why I chose to avoid meeting him."

"Actually, this old thing doesn’t have much ambition."

The Sword Sect Master said, "He neither wanted to be Emperor nor to dominate the Jianghu."

Ye Xuan frowned and said, "Then why did he go this far?"

The Sword Sect Master said, "For revenge."

Chen Tang and the others were stunned for a moment.

All that the Drunken Elder did was merely for revenge?

Who was he seeking revenge against?

The Sword Sect Master said, "Long ago, when the Divine Land was not divided into North and South, during the Great Xia Dynasty, the He Family was involved in court power struggles and was defeated and exterminated by Emperor Xia, leaving only his ancestor to survive, hiding, and living with caution."

"It wasn’t until his generation that the family gradually prospered, gaining the ability for revenge."

Ye Xuan suddenly understood and said, "For a century, Emperor Xia suffered many violent deaths, actually the joint work of him and Empress Dowager Yu. Empress Dowager Yu acted in the palace, while he provided the poison!"

Chen Tang also understood.

The Drunken Elder wanted to use the power of the Profound Celestial Sect to wipe out the Xia Clan and avenge the blood feud of those exterminated families.

No wonder, during the Martial Arts Assembly, when someone mentioned the extermination of families, the Drunken Elder’s reaction was so intense, suddenly becoming murderous.

Everyone fell silent as they heard this old grudge.

Such grievances, tracing back hundreds of years, who could truly discern right from wrong?

The Sword Sect Master took the wine gourd that the Drunken Elder had given him before his death and removed the bamboo tube hanging on it.

He opened the lid and took out a letter from inside.

"This old thing had long anticipated this day might come and even left me a good pot of wine."

The Sword Sect Master read the letter, muttered softly, and then tied the wine gourd to his waist.

"You seem to be unsettled?"

The Sword Sect Master seemed to perceive something, looked at Ye Xuan, and suddenly asked.

Ye Xuan, seeing he couldn’t hide it, said, "In this operation against the Profound Celestial Sect, it was clearly my uncle who planned and contacted allies, held off Empress Yin, and the Sword Pavilion killed the most enemies. But in the end, it was Uncle Wang and Xia Daozi who gained the fame."

"For a century, my Ye Family has shielded Nanxia from numerous disasters, yet we’ve gained not a bit of trust in return."

Chen Tang remained silent.

In the Battle of Xiajiang, the Sword Sect Master used one sword to cut across the river, intercepting Emperor Wu.

Ye Xuan emerged from the mountains, gathered heroes from the Jianghu, and temporarily assembled a Northern Expedition Army to stop the Hu Ben Army and Dragon Soaring Iron Cavalry of Wu Dynasty.

Yet in the end, they were stripped of their military power and forced to return to farming.

And now, it’s happened again.

The Sword Sect Master and his nephew both injured, the Sword Pavilion suffered heavy casualties, but even the glory was stolen. It’s truly disheartening.

Anyone in their position would feel bitter.

Ye Xuan suddenly said, "I was just thinking, it might have been better to let the Profound Celestial Sect destroy this Nanxia Court, then our Sword Pavilion would annihilate the Profound Celestial Sect, quell the rebellion, and establish ourselves, which wouldn’t be considered treason against Xia, and would be rightful to the country, with a clear conscience!"

Chen Tang clicked his tongue in amazement.

The thought was bold.

And indeed, with the strength and prestige of the Sword Pavilion, and the Sword Sect Master in charge, there was a great chance of success!

"Haha!"

The Sword Sect Master laughed heartily and said, "Fame and fortune are fleeting, let it be. In another hundred or thousand years, not to mention Nanxia and Beiqian, even the Ye Family will decline, becoming no different from ordinary folk."

"In all things, nothing lasts forever. A nation’s fortune has its decree, it flourishes and perishes suddenly."

Chen Tang felt a sense of admiration.

He had long heard that the Sword Sect Master did not chase fame and fortune and had a carefree nature. Seeing him today, he truly sensed this transcendence beyond worldly wisdom and broad-mindedness.

The Sword Sect Master seemed to ponder something and sighed, "Even if the Ye Family replaces them, who can guarantee it would do better than Nanxia? Even if we become the rulers of the world, with unparalleled civil and military achievements, can we escape the cage of heaven and earth?"

Chen Tang felt that the Sword Sect Master was implying more than he said but dared not inquire rashly.

The Sword Sect Master looked at Chen Tang and suddenly asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

Chen Tang thought for a while and said, "I might go back to Beiqian for a look."

"Hmm, going back is good."

The Sword Sect Master nodded and said, "With the Profound Celestial Sect gone and the Drunken Immortal Tower collapsed, you’re in a precarious position, with enemies plenty. Staying here, unless you choose to remain in the Sword Pavilion, may not be safe."

Throughout the journey, Chen Tang had also considered this matter.

After the battle in the Capital City, Xia Daozi’s power became greater, and he would not let him go.

Although the Profound Celestial Sect was gone, there were still three Grand Sacrificial Officers alive.

With the Drunken Elder and his son dead, the Jianghu was full of people and sects who, over the years, had good relations with the Drunken Immortal Tower and were indebted to the Drunken Elder.

These people might also cause him trouble.

Besides, after being away for two years, he indeed missed some old friends in Beiqian and wanted to return for a visit.

"Judging by your state, you should be about to break through to the Third Grade Meridian Passage."

The Sword Sect Master said, "However, it’s still not enough. Upon returning to Beiqian, you must exercise extreme caution."

Chen Tang remained silent.

In the Fourth Grade Awakening Realm, he could easily kill ordinary Third Grade Martial Artists.

Upon activating Divine Illumination, even if he cannot defeat a Second Grade Innate Expert, he could at least put up a fight and ensure self-preservation.

This calculation suggests that if he can break through to the Third Grade, he should be able to kill a Second Grade Innate.

Even if encountering a Grandmaster level expert, with his many trump cards, he should be able to protect himself.

As for a Grandmaster of Transformation Realm, there were only a few, and they wouldn’t bother to trouble him personally.

"Are you thinking that once you step into the Third Grade, you can protect yourself even when encountering a Grandmaster?"

The Sword Sect Master surprisingly guessed Chen Tang’s thoughts and asked with a smile.

Chen Tang awkwardly smiled, tacitly agreeing.

The Sword Sect Master shook his head and said, "Your greatest reliance for killing above your level is Entering the Divine State. In the Divine Illumination State, your reactions and moves reach the level of a Grandmaster."

"But you forgot one thing; this reliance of yours is useless in front of a Grandmaster."

Chen Tang was enlightened by the Sword Sect Master’s words, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Entering the Divine State was originally the capability and hallmark of a Grandmaster.

His Entering the Divine State could only last for ten breaths of time.

While a Grandmaster could maintain the Divine Illumination State for a long duration, and with their vision and experience, in this aspect, they were much stronger!

In other words, no matter how fast his Burning Wood Saber was, it couldn’t threaten a Grandmaster.

Even stepping into the Third or even Second Grade, his reliance on Entering the Divine State would be useless against a Grandmaster.

Moreover, Grandmasters had terrifying means such as Phenomenon.

Even with the Flood Dragon Armor and Vajra Indestructible, it might not withstand a Grandmaster’s strike!

In his previous life, watching others transmigrate, their golden fingers grew stronger and bigger.

But his golden finger, as his cultivation improved, became less effective.

Damn it!

It ended up being weakened...

Chen Tang sobered up, realizing the gravity of the matter.

Of course, with his current cultivation methods, he still guaranteed invincibility against opponents of the same grade, with virtually no rivals.

Once stepping into the Third Grade, even confronting a Second Grade Innate Martial Artist, he could handle it with ease.

But if facing a Grandmaster, it might only lead to death.

No wonder the Sword Sect Master said his cultivation was still insufficient.

Chen Tang, having associated with several Grandmasters, quickly responded with a salute, saying, "I humbly ask for the senior’s guidance."