The First Sword of the Universe

Chapter 433 Madam, please leave your daughter behind!
The Ding Chunqiu of this world is far more terrifying and frightening than the Ding Chunqiu of the book.

His poison skills are unparalleled!

The "Dissolving Power Technique" was so feared that it terrified and terrified people all over the world.

Countless martial arts masters died at his hands, or had their martial arts skills crippled by him.

His fame was built entirely on the corpses of his enemies.

Even someone as stubborn and arrogant as Madam Wang couldn't help but feel her heart tremble and her hands and feet turn cold when she heard that her father's wicked disciple was Ding Chunqiu.

Wang Yuyan had also heard of Ding Chunqiu's name. Her gentle, watery eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, "Oh dear, my grandfather's enemy is that terrible villain? Even my cousin looked quite serious when he mentioned him. What should we do?"

Seeing that Madam Wang was shocked and silent, Xu Xingchen paused her story to give her a moment to catch her breath before speaking again.

"The third successor of the Free and Unfettered Sect is your mother, Li Qiushui."

"The martial art she cultivates is the Lesser Formless Skill. Once mastered, it allows her to mimic the martial arts of various schools and sects without worrying about going astray."

"In fact, the martial arts used with the Lesser Formless Skill are even more powerful than those used by the most authentic successors of all the sects and schools in the world."

"Back then, Wu Xingyun, the senior disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, and your mother, Li Qiushui, both fell in love with Wu Yazi."

"Wu Yazi chose to stay with your mother, and then they lived in seclusion together at the bottom of the Sword Lake Palace in Wuliang Mountain until your birth."

"You already know what happened next."

"Your father went out on an errand, but was ambushed by his wicked disciple Ding Chunqiu, knocked off a cliff, and became paralyzed. He can only hide and eke out a living."

"Your mother, Li Qiushui, is a woman of strong character. She thought your father had fallen for another woman and abandoned you and your mother, never to return."

"As a result, his temperament changed drastically, and he began to harbor resentment towards all members of the Free and Unfettered Sect, wishing he could kill them all."

"The reason your mother didn't expect your father, Wu Yazi, to be assassinated is because as the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, his martial arts skills were so high that even if there were people in the world who could rival him, they would never be able to defeat or kill him."

"In your mother's opinion, the only reason your father hasn't returned after leaving is that he's changed his mind."

"Later, for some unknown reason, your mother suddenly transformed into a royal concubine of King Li Yuanhao of the Western Xia Kingdom, and now she is the Empress Dowager in the Western Xia Palace, holding a supreme position."

As Xu Xingchen calmly and slowly recounted his story, Madam Wang's emotions fluctuated wildly, like surfing on the sea.

Whether it was her father's tragic fate or her mother's glamorous transformation, these things were completely unexpected and difficult for her to accept for a while.

Because Wang Yuyan had never met her maternal grandparents, her emotions were not as intense as those of her mother.

Holding the teacup to her lips in her two small hands, she listened intently, forgetting even to drink her tea. Only one thought lingered in her mind: "My grandmother has actually become the Empress Dowager of the Western Xia Kingdom? This...this is too...too unbelievable!"

In the silence between the two, Xu Xingchen's voice rang out once again.

"The fourth successor of the Free and Unfettered Sect is your mother Li Qiushui's twin sister: Li Canghai."

"After mastering her skills, she began to travel the world, frequenting famous mountains and rivers; she also went overseas to see the diverse customs and cultures of different lands."

"I met her by chance and learned that she was the youngest disciple of the Free and Unfettered Sect, and also its Holy Maiden."

"My life's duty is to remain anonymous and stay outside the Free and Unfettered Sect."

"In the event of a major upheaval within the Free and Unfettered Sect, the sect's martial arts will be passed down."

"After I met the saint, she told me..."

"Currently, there are deep-seated conflicts and great grudges among his three senior brothers and sisters; as a reclusive preacher, she is unable to step forward and mediate their conflicts."

"So they asked me to come out of seclusion and see if I could do something."

"This is why I came to Suzhou and built Xiaoyao Manor."

Madam Wang remained silent as she listened to Xu Xingchen's account, which was mostly true and partially false.

But from her tightly clenched fists under her clothes and her slightly heavy breathing, it was clear that she was not at peace.

Wang Yuyan quickly came to her senses, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, and said, "Doesn't the plaque outside your manor say 'Big Fish Manor'? The word 'Xiaoyao' is only in the footnote, so it shouldn't be considered Xiaoyao Manor, right?"

Xu Xingchen turned his gaze to Wang Yuyan, who was looking at him with curiosity, and smiled gently: "The big fish is the Kunpeng; as the saying goes, there is a fish in the Northern Sea named Kunpeng; it is so big that it cannot be stewed in one pot." Wang Yuyan was a little surprised when she heard his interesting words, and then she chuckled.

Xu Xingchen regained his serious demeanor and said earnestly, "The leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, Wuyazi, cultivates the Beiming Divine Art, which is related to Zhuangzi's 'Free and Easy Wandering,' and naturally also has a very close connection with the Kunpeng."

"And the common name for the Kunpeng is Big Fish; therefore, I named this place Big Fish Manor."

At this moment, Madam Wang finally managed to suppress her turbulent emotions and regain her composure. She stared at Xu Xingchen for a long time, then frowned and said, "When I listened to you speak, I didn't hear any respect from you for the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect?"

Xu Xingchen picked up the white porcelain teacup on the table beside him, took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and said, "Your feeling is correct. I have only met the Holy Maiden of the Free and Unfettered Sect, and have not yet met the other three; therefore, I do not have much respect for them."

"However, since the Holy Maiden has asked me to come out of seclusion to mediate the conflict among those members of the Free and Unfettered Sect, I can't help but do my part."

At this point, Xu Xingchen smiled at Madam Wang again and asked meaningfully, "I have told you about the Xiaoyao Sect and about your parents. Do you regret your previous decision now?"

Madam Wang gritted her teeth and shook her head, saying, "I don't regret it. At least I know what happened to my parents."

"Besides, aren't you, the successor of the Free and Unfettered Sect, still here?" Madam Wang stared intently at Xu Xingchen at the head of the table. "Since the Holy Maiden entrusted you with resolving the Free and Unfettered Sect's affairs, she must have acknowledged your martial arts prowess."

"I am just a weak woman with no special skills. I only hope that when Master Xu mediates the matter of the Free and Unfettered Sect, I can see my father and mother."

"My daughter and I are extremely grateful!"

Xu Xingchen chuckled: "I thought you were a proud and arrogant person who would never ask for favors; I didn't expect you to be able to say such sweet words. It's rare! Truly rare!"

Madam Wang sighed and said helplessly, "I can't defeat that Star Immortal Ding Chunqiu, and I'm even more afraid of his Dissolving Power Technique, so naturally I can only place my hopes on you."

Xu Xingchen nodded and said, "Ding Chunqiu is nothing in my eyes, and I am not afraid of his Huagong Dafa or his poison skills; now that you two know about the Xiaoyao Sect, you can no longer escape its influence."

"Madam Wang, if you wish to be protected by me, you must agree to one thing!"

Madam Wang's eyes flashed, and she tentatively asked, "What is it?"

Xu Xingchen's gaze fell on Wang Yuyan, and he said, "I promised the Holy Maiden that I would find a successor for her to continue the lineage of the Free and Unfettered Sect; I believe your daughter is that person."

Wang Yuyan exclaimed in surprise, "Me? A preacher?"

Madam Wang's eyes narrowed as she stared intently at Xu Xingchen's face. After scrutinizing him for a long time, unable to discern anything from his expression, she asked in a cold voice, "Master Xu, what do you mean by that? Could it be that you're plotting against my daughter?"

Xu Xingchen chuckled, then nodded and said, "You're not wrong to say that; your daughter is young and has never practiced any internal energy cultivation techniques, making her perfect for inheriting the divine skills of my Free and Unfettered Sect."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang was taken aback for a moment, then relaxed and said, "I see! However, I also know the Lesser Formless Skill, so there's no need for you, Master Xu, to trouble yourself."

Wang Yuyan frowned slightly and said, "Master Xu, Mother, I don't want to cultivate martial arts, much less fight and kill; isn't it better to live a peaceful and joyful life?"

Madam Wang turned to look at her daughter and said in a deep voice, "Before, whether you practiced martial arts or not was up to you, and I never forced you."

"But today, you've heard about the secrets of the Free and Unfettered Sect. As your mother, I advise you to reconsider practicing martial arts!"

"Your grandfather's enemy is so powerful. If he knew who we were, who knows what evil things he might do?"

Xu Xingchen agreed, saying, "Miss Wang, even if we don't mention your grandfather's enemies or dwell on the grudges and feuds of the Xiaoyao Sect's generation..."

"You should also know that you are born with a beautiful face and are extremely beautiful."

"As you've seen, many men in Suzhou were completely captivated and infatuated simply by seeing the jade statue of the Holy Maiden."

"With your looks, if you were to venture into the martial world and lack superior martial arts skills to protect yourself, I fear your fate would be fraught with misfortune, and you would meet a tragic end."

Wang Yuyan was so frightened that she opened her rosy lips wide and stared blankly at Xu Xingchen for a long time before saying resentfully, "If it weren't for you, Master Xu, placing the jade statue on the lakeside outside Suzhou for people to admire and worship, I wouldn't have all these troubles."

Madam Wang remained remarkably calm as she said to her daughter, "Master Xu is right; Yuyan, starting tomorrow, I will teach you the Lesser Formless Skill, and then you can practice other martial arts."

"Mother!" Wang Yuyan called out sweetly, but seeing that her mother's eyes were firm and unmoved, she could only helplessly turn her gaze to Xu Xingchen.

Xu Xingchen completely ignored the resentful look in Wang Yuyan's eyes and shook his head at Madam Wang, saying, "Madam, I think you should leave your daughter with my Dayu Manor and let me teach her martial arts."

"Your martial arts skills are too poor; you haven't even mastered them yourself, so how can you teach others?"

Faced with this harsh comment, Madam Wang's eyes widened in anger once more, her chest heaved violently, and her breathing became heavy.
(End of this chapter)