Chapter 85: The Supreme Sword Sect

“How do you know about the Violet Radiant Eye?” Nangong Rou was no longer calm, her face full of shock and suspicion. “Across the Great Hong World, I’m certain even the Human Emperor might not know about it, let alone recognize it! Could it be some record from the Lifeless Sword Sect? That seems unlikely.”

“So you’ve seen through my inheritance after all!” Jiang Fan’s eyelids drooped as he smiled and sat down again. “Cousin, you must have, like me, received an unexpected immortal opportunity, right? Otherwise, based on what I know of Hundred Flowers Valley, you could never have cultivated the Violet Radiant Eye!”

“You already know, so what’s the point in saying more?” Nangong Rou had regained her composure. Now, as she regarded Jiang Fan, her gaze was tinged with curiosity and something else. “How much do you know?”

“The moment your eyes flashed with violet light, I felt as if my whole body was laid bare under your gaze. A sudden inspiration struck me, and I recalled some obscure records about this divine eye,” Jiang Fan said without hesitation. “There are also some accounts saying those who cultivate the Violet Radiant Eye excel at divination. Cousin, is that accurate?”

“Indeed!” Nangong Rou nodded. “I originally intended, upon leaving the mountain, to travel the world and broaden my experience. But when I returned home, I heard rumors of river monsters besieging the city and calamity befalling the Jiang family. Grandfather wanted Father to come investigate, but I had a sudden intuition that some opportunity might arise here, so I volunteered, and took the chance to visit Aunt as well.”

“An opportunity?” Jiang Fan pondered.

Nangong Rou continued, “After arriving, I didn’t discover anything, but sensed that this beast siege was unusually odd, with demonic forces involved, nearly slaughtering the entire city. Clearly, something was amiss. Demon gods, evil spirits, and there must have been insiders cutting off communications. Such a commotion would surely anger the Human Emperor—unless there was an astonishing goal, it wouldn’t have happened. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I tried divining, I found nothing, so I stayed on.”

“Two months ago, Grand Elder Ji Changkong from the Inspection Bureau appeared suddenly and fought a demon from the Blood Fiend Abyss above the city. I became certain there was a shocking secret hidden here.”

“Sadly, I was powerless to uncover it!” Nangong Rou spoke sincerely and honestly. “Cousin, we are close kin; as we ascend the immortal path, we must support each other, so I speak openly, hiding nothing. As for the earlier attempt to probe you—it was pure curiosity. After all, you’ve advanced so far in just nine months; anyone would be curious.”

“Since we’re at this point, cousin, let’s leave it behind us!” Jiang Fan laughed. “Cousin, with your abilities, can you truly not divine the strange events in the city?”

“I cannot. But seeing you, I think I understand!” Nangong Rou’s gaze burned brightly. “The inheritance from the Lifeless Sword Sect—what a great immortal opportunity!”

“No matter how great, it’s still just a sect’s legacy. How could it provoke demon gods and evil spirits to massacre a city?” Jiang Fan shook his head. “Cousin, you’re trying to mislead me again!”

“I am speaking plainly. Besides that, I really can't think of any other benefit—after all, this is only a county city!” Nangong Rou smiled bitterly.

Jiang Fan sneered, “Cousin, you must know I’ve spent these past months outside!”

“Only you know for sure!” Nangong Rou’s tone shifted. “Are you aware of why the Lifeless Sword Sect was destroyed?”

“You know?”

“I happen to know a bit.”

“Please, tell me!”

“Do you know which is the greatest sword sect in the world today?”

“Of course, it’s the Supreme Sword Sect! Cousin, are you saying the Lifeless Sword Sect was destroyed by the Supreme Sword Sect?”

“Though it’s a hidden matter, I am almost certain—the Lifeless Sword Sect was indeed destroyed by the Supreme Sword Sect. Over a thousand years ago, the two great sword sects vied for supremacy, their rivalry fierce, though the deeper reasons are unclear to me. According to the records, the Lifeless Sword Sect was wiped out overnight and struck from the annals.”

“If the Lifeless Sword Sect could compete with the Supreme Sword Sect, wouldn’t it be hard to eradicate them so easily?”

“The exact cause is unknown! Now that you carry the Lifeless Sword Sect’s legacy, you will surely attract the attention of the Supreme Sword Sect’s disciples. Be careful!”

“The Supreme Sword Sect?” Jiang Fan ground his teeth.

He possessed the Lifeless Sword Sect’s inheritance, found in the study within the inheritance space—the Sword Canon—which he had studied to use as an immortal opportunity, masking his true legacy.

He never imagined the Lifeless Sword Sect had such secrets.

“Do you know the true origins of the Supreme Sword Sect?” Jiang Fan asked.

“The Supreme Sword Sect is shrouded in mystery. They specialize in swordsmanship; each disciple is obsessed with the sword and incredibly powerful. Rumor has it their legacy comes from the Immortal Realm!”

“The Immortal Realm?”

“The Immortal Realm truly exists, no need to doubt!”

“It’s not a doubt, but the origin of the Supreme Sword Sect is overwhelmingly vast!”

For some reason, Jiang Fan felt a strong premonition: Supreme—could it be that Supreme?

“If disciples of the Supreme Sword Sect come, what will they do?” Jiang Fan’s tone lowered.

“They’ll demand you hand over the Lifeless Sword Sect’s legacy, perhaps cripple your cultivation, and if you refuse—they will cut you down while you’re still weak. Cousin, this isn’t meant to scare you; when it comes to sword rivalry, lives are truly at stake!”

“Please, show me a path forward, cousin!”

“Find a powerful supporter as quickly as possible!”

“You mean, join a sect not inferior to the Supreme Sword Sect?”

“No! You have already embarked on the path, possess cultivation and inheritance; even if you join a sect, you won’t be valued, only used as a pawn.”

“Then…?”

“Cousin, tell me—which is the greatest power in this world?”

“The Human Emperor!”

“Exactly—the Human Emperor. The current Human Emperor is peerless, and the Inspection Bureau he established surpasses any sect. If you join the Inspection Bureau and rise through the ranks, what need have you to fear the Supreme Sword Sect? And don’t worry—the Inspection Bureau prefers those with unconventional backgrounds, free from complicated entanglements. With your family behind you, and our Nangong clan being staunch supporters of the court, the Inspection Bureau will not reject you, and may even nurture you heavily.”

“But if I join the Inspection Bureau, I’ll lose my freedom!”

“Freedom? Where in this world is there freedom? Even the Human Emperor, standing atop the world, is said to have long been able to transcend the void and ascend. Yet such a supreme being is still bound by unseen cords. Still, rest assured—the Inspection Bureau is relatively free, and won’t interfere too much.”

“Cousin, you seem determined to get me into the Inspection Bureau!”

“Of course! The Inspection Bureau is the greatest power and has the strongest intelligence network, but it’s hard for sect disciples to gain trust and access the core. If you join, it’s different. With my help, your rank will rise quickly. Then, we, as cousins, can support each other and the immortal path will be smooth. As for the Supreme Sword Sect—if they cause trouble, don’t hesitate, kill if you must.”

“You have connections?” Jiang Fan squinted.

Nangong Rou smiled confidently, “I’m sure I can recommend you for evaluation. With your intellect and strength, passing will be a breeze!”

“Let me think it over!”

“The sooner, the better! Cousin, from tomorrow onward, you’ll likely find no peace. If disciples of the Lifeless Sword Sect come again and you hesitate, you’ll stumble sooner or later.”

“That’s all because of you!” Jiang Fan grumbled.

Nangong Rou giggled, “Who told you to show up right when I was looking for clues? That’s why I let you take my place in the duel with Yuan Kun. Besides, isn’t it natural for a brother to help his sister?”

“You leave me speechless!”

What more could Jiang Fan say?

The moonlight shifted, dew thickened as the night deepened.

Nangong Rou drifted away, thinking, “This cousin has really changed—a steady maturity, unwavering resolve, decisive when needed, and blessed with great fortune. A good ally, but far too cautious!”

Jiang Fan watched her departing form, hands clasped behind his back, eyes narrowed. At last, he laughed freely, looked up, and saw the sparse stars and bright moon, the vast heavens unfolding before his eyes.