Chapter 217: Sword Core

Lian Mu recognized the voice immediately. She looked up and, as expected, it was Shang Liu, the esteemed elder from the Azure Profound Sect.

“It’s you again.”

Mei Chengyu narrowed her eyes, glancing coldly before shaking off his hand and turning to leave.

Lian Mu said, “Elder Shang, what a coincidence.”

Shang Liu, with a stern expression, looked down at her. “Didn’t Murong Yi tell you to stay away from that lunatic?”

Lian Mu glanced around and saw that Mei Chengyu had already walked away. Lowering her voice, she said, “Elder Murong did mention it.”

Her guilty demeanor made Shang Liu pause for a moment. “You know, yet you still dare to accept her jade?”

Lian Mu touched the plum blossom jade in her pocket. “It looks valuable. Why not take it if it’s free?”

Shang Liu was momentarily speechless. “As an elder, I advise you to stay as far away from that madwoman as possible. Don’t accept anything from her. If you get entangled with her, it won’t end well for you.”

Lian Mu sensed something amiss. “Does Elder Shang have a story to share with me?”

Shang Liu replied, “No, just a word of caution.”

“Oh.” Lian Mu lost interest immediately. “Elder Shang, when is your sect’s former Chief Disciple returning? I do miss him.”

She wondered what the Azure Profound Sect was up to behind the scenes. She hoped they wouldn’t find a way to break the Sword Contract before she did.

Shang Liu’s expression shifted as he looked at her meaningfully. “You miss him? Since when have you been so concerned about him?”

Lian Mu grinned cheekily. “Last time I visited him, he gave me a sachet. It was quite pretty, and I’ve been meaning to return the favor. Just don’t know when he’ll be back.”

Shang Liu’s temple twitched. “Xiao You gave you…?”

He quickly suppressed his unsettled feelings and said coldly, “He’ll be back for the next match. You won’t have to wait long.”

Lian Mu said, “I can’t reach him. Could you please pass on the message that I hope to see him soon?”

Shang Liu nodded. “Understood. You should head back.”

After thanking him, Lian Mu hurried back to the Returning Immortal Sect camp. Watching her retreating figure, Shang Liu frowned.

“…”

So that’s the kind of relationship they have?

For every match of the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, he had followed Elder Xie’s instructions to keep a close eye on Xiao You. When did this all start…

Shang Liu’s doubts only deepened.

If it’s true, no wonder Elder Xie suddenly approached him, advising him to stay out of Lian Mu and Xiao You’s affairs.

But why would Xiao You like someone so obviously untrustworthy? Someone who even received a sachet from him.

As far as he knew, the Azure Profound Sect’s miscellaneous hall didn’t sell sachets. It was likely Xiao You embroidered it himself. He had seen the leftover needle and thread in his room just days ago.

In that moment, Shang Liu felt a strange discomfort, like a cabbage he had tended for ten years in his garden was quietly stolen by someone who didn’t appreciate its worth.

He looked towards the Returning Immortal Sect’s direction, lost in thought.

…

Returning Immortal Sect camp.

As soon as Lian Mu returned, she was greeted by the aroma of soup. Xu Xianxing and a few others were gathered around a pot, serving themselves.

“I have some news. Want to hear it?” Lian Mu snatched Xu Xianxing’s bowl for herself.

Wen Yun urged, “Spill it.”

Lian Mu announced, “Ying You is coming back for the next match.”

Ji Mingyue responded, “Oh.”

Xu Xianxing said, “Hmm.”

Baili Que added, “That’s good.”

Lian Mu was puzzled. “Why aren’t you surprised? Did you already hear about it?”

Xu Xianxing poured another bowl of soup, sipping as he spoke. “You’re behind the times. It’s not that we knew in advance, but anyone who knows a bit about Ying You could guess. The Azure Profound Sect didn’t let him participate this time mainly to protect him. His injuries have long healed.”

“The Shifang Nether soil is heavy with Demonic Qi, and his sword core is still unstable, prone to backlash. It’s not the best place for him,” Xu Xianxing explained. “Qian Songshi was a disciple called back from his travels for this match. Afterward, he’ll continue his journey. That’s why he declared he would challenge the three strongest Chief Disciples in this match, as he can only substitute for one.”

Baili Que speculated, “Qian Songshi seems to dislike Ying You. He might deliberately provoke Ying You during the handover, refusing to step down. It’s possible. We suspect the Azure Profound Sect plans to have him return for the next match, but whether he’s willing is another matter.”

“By the way, Lian Mu, what’s your relationship with Ying You?” Ji Mingyue asked. “You injured him, yet the Azure Profound Sect hasn’t come after you.”

Lian Mu touched her nose, feeling inexplicably guilty. “Well… it’s complicated. He seems to like me.”

She could tell that Ying You had been hinting at it. Although she pretended to be oblivious, she understood what he was trying to convey.

Whether his feelings were genuine or not, she couldn’t be sure.

As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Xianxing nearly choked on his soup. “Cough, cough… He, he… what?”

Baili Que pondered for a moment. “Ah, this…”

Ji Mingyue was equally shocked. “Has Ying You lost his mind? You’ve only met a few times, and he’s that impulsive?”

Only Wen Yun encouraged her, “I think Ying You is quite decent. He’s not bad-looking either. Could be a nice distraction.”

Lian Mu said, “I’ll keep observing. He hasn’t caused me trouble yet, but I have a feeling trouble is on its way.”

Once this Illusion Realm ends, she’ll search for a way to break the Sword Contract.

Xu Xianxing cautioned, “Even if it’s Ying You, be cautious. He’s still from the Azure Profound Sect.”

“I know.” Lian Mu nodded, then changed the subject. “By the way, when I got off the silver kite, I heard Elder Murong arguing with Elder Cheng Ling from the Crimson Sky Sect. Do they have some kind of grudge?”

“I know!” Guan Shize raised his hand immediately. “I heard from a Crimson Sky Sect disciple. Elder Cheng Ling has always liked our Elder Xin, but Elder Xin isn’t interested in him. He thinks Elder Murong is the reason and has always disliked him.”

“You might not know this, but when Elder Murong participated in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, he was the Team Leader of the Chief team, and Elder Xin was his junior sister, in the Second Seat. They’ve known each other for a long time and often practiced swordplay together.”

Guan Shize sighed, “It’s a pity. During the battle at the Shifang Nether Soil, Elder Murong was tricked into the Withered Bone Swamp while trying to save a fellow disciple from the demon race. He was ambushed and severely injured, with all his meridians shattered. Barely escaping without his sword, he encountered a High-tier Demonic Beast on the way, and his hands were crushed by the beast.”

Lian Mu had heard from Feng Tianche about Murong Yi’s ruined hands, but hadn’t expected the story to be so tragic.

“So, Elder Murong doesn’t use a sword anymore because his hands are crippled?” Lian Mu asked.

Guan Shize replied, “The issue with his hands could have been resolved. At the time, Master Feng was still alive, and he could have healed them with medicine. But the real problem was that Elder Murong used his sword as bait to lure away the demon race, and his Sword Core was lost along with the sword. Without the Sword Core, he could no longer resonate with any other sword.”

Xu Xianxing added, “Sword Core… that’s something from centuries ago. Back then, swords and their wielders resonated through the Sword Core, sealed with a blood pact. Without breaking the blood pact, one couldn’t use other sword-type Spirit Artifacts. Later, Master Tang removed the Sword Core and improved it with a spiritual power contract, solving the issue of losing the Sword Core.”

Unfortunately, those who lost their Sword Core before this change were still helpless.

“It’s said that Elder Murong’s Sword Core hasn’t dissipated. All these years, it has continued to draw on his spiritual power through the blood pact, but it can’t be found. It’s quite troublesome,” Guan Shize explained. “Elder Xin chose to guard the Shifang Nether Soil partly to help Elder Murong recover his Sword Core. Elder Xin often received guidance from Elder Murong in his youth and wanted to repay that debt, but it was misunderstood by Elder Cheng Ling.”

After hearing this, the atmosphere turned somber, and none of them could muster a smile.

Ji Mingyue furrowed her brow, “Even someone like Elder Murong… was so gravely injured by the Demonic Creatures of the Shifang Nether Soil.”

At the time, he was even a Heavenly Spiritual Root Chief Sword Cultivator.

“It seems we’ve underestimated the danger here,” Baili Que said, feeling somewhat relieved that their team had chosen the safest route as recommended by their senior brother.

Lian Mu felt it necessary to warn them, “The five scenic spots you’re planning to visit are actually five deadly places. Elder Mei of the Crimson Sky Sect said many who sought to witness their beauty perished there. Even in the Abyssal Circle, you can’t let your guard down.”

Xu Xianxing questioned, “Wasn’t the area around the Fish Demon Skeleton cleared out long ago? There shouldn’t be any demon race there, right?”

Lian Mu mimicked Pei Yunshang’s tone, “Whether there are or not, you’ll only know by trying.”

Xu Xianxing sighed, “Tomorrow, I’ll suggest to Brother Gongxi that we change our route.”

“In any case, there are some places we shouldn’t tread now. Gaining knowledge is important, but life is more precious.”

Wen Yun scrutinized her with a hint of suspicion, “Lian Mu, you’re telling us not to go, but don’t let us catch you sneaking off to even more dangerous places.”

Lian Mu paused, “…”

Wen Yun had guessed correctly.

However, her quest for the Heavenly Return Palace was purely for survival.

Xuan Che had said that if she could enter the Heavenly Return Palace, the Rainbow Spring Stone would be hers.

Without the Rainbow Spring Stone, she couldn’t leverage Feng Yunyi, and aside from Feng Yunyi, she had no one else to help her infiltrate the Feng Family Library Pavilion.

Without resolving her dantian issue, she would eventually run out of spiritual energy and die.

“Don’t worry, I value my life,” Lian Mu said with a smile.

It was precisely because she valued her life that she had to take this risk. Others didn’t need to gamble because they had a way out. As long as they lived, there was hope. But for her, survival meant risking everything for a slim chance.

Lian Mu avoided the gazes directed at her and looked toward the distant blackened soil.

This land, shrouded in Demonic Qi and the scent of blood, had claimed too many lives. Though there were elders secretly protecting them, who could guarantee there wouldn’t be accidents?

This journey was not only an exploration but also a test of courage and strength. Only those who survived could be called true strongmen, and the Immortal Sects needed such strongmen the most.

Rather than a trial before entering the sect, it was more like a selection process.

The young beasts in the pen were finally about to face the dangers of the wild.

When the next Illusion Realm officially begins, who will emerge unscathed, and who will remain forever in this haunted soil?