Embers of Sword

Chapter 685 A Thousand Machines
Of course, the Lord of Forget-Worry Island would never actually "teach" Xie Xuanyi a lesson.

But after all, he was the only son in his family, and his precious son had been abducted to the Great Sui Sword Palace... Now everyone knows that Duan Zhao is Xie Xuanyi's disciple, and this news has even spread to the overseas Forget-Worry Island... How could he, as the father, not be angry? Although Forget-Worry Island is not as big and powerful as the Great Sui Sword Palace, it is still a top-level holy land.

This only son will inherit the mantle!
"I told you to teach however you wanted... and this is how you teach?"

Looking at the figure sitting cross-legged on the mountaintop, the Lord of Forget-Worry Island said irritably, "Once you truly comprehend the Dao, how will you continue to be a martial artist?"

"The second path of swordsmanship allows one to cultivate martial arts as well."

Xie Xuanyi said sincerely, "The great principles of the world... are not limited to the sword, nor are they limited to martial arts?"

These words startled the Lord of Forget-Worry Island.

"..."

The island owner's expression became complicated.

He scrutinized the young man before him once more. Considering the ten years since Beihai's defeat and disappearance, Xie Xuanyi was only in his thirties at the moment...

In the world of cultivation, this age is really young.

But the words he spoke had the air of a master.

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island subconsciously thought of Zhao Chunyang from back then...

He longed for his son to practice martial arts and inherit his mantle, but the great path of the world is not divided into left and right, and is not limited to swordsmanship.
How could I, a dignified Yang God, not understand this principle?
"Although I have accepted him as my disciple, I will not confine him to Lotus Peak."

Xie Xuanyi paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Duan Zhao is free... He can return to Forget-Worry Island at any time if he so desires. The back mountain of the Great Sui Sword Palace has never imprisoned its own people."

This statement is somewhat of a veiled reference to Taoism.

What Chongkan has done in Taoism over the years... is known to everyone in the world.

Hearing this, the Lord of Forget-Worry Island's expression softened considerably, but he still snorted coldly, "You're smart enough to know what's good for you."

Just these two sentences.

The anger in the heart of the Lord of Forget-Worry Island was naturally impossible to dissipate.

Xie Xuanyi chuckled and looked towards the other side of Xuanzhuo Cave Heaven, saying in a soothing tone, "Island Master Duan, there's no need to be too angry... You might want to take a look; this cave heaven is called 'Thousand Machines'."

"Ok?"

Although the divine sense of the Lord of Forget-Worry Island covered the Thirty-Three Grotto-Heavens.

However, he had been focusing his attention solely on his son until Xie Xuanyi reminded him, at which point he finally looked away.

"……This is?"

The island owner narrowed his eyes.

Thousand Machine Cave Heaven is connected to Mysterious Clumsy Cave Heaven, but the terrain is completely different. There are not many mountains here, and the entire cave heaven is extremely narrow, only a hundred feet in diameter. The Daoist stele hangs high, and all around are towering stone walls that fit together perfectly to form a Daoist temple.

Inside the temple stood rows of armored puppets.

If……

Xuanzhuo Cave Heaven is the ultimate in "stillness".

Then the Thousand Machine Cave Heaven is the ultimate "movement".

These armored puppets, as if possessing spirits, united to carry out the extermination.

Within the grand formation, a young and beautiful figure was wielding a sword and fighting amidst the armored puppet formation, charging left and right with extremely fierce and powerful moves.

"This is the daughter of the Xu family from Bingzhou."

Xie Xuanyi said softly, "It was also Senior Sister Duan Zhao... The two of them entered the Thirty-Three Heavens together and began their cultivation together."

"The Xu family of Bingzhou?"

The island owner raised his eyebrows, and upon hearing this, the old scoundrel's expression immediately changed.

These past two years.

Although Duan Zhao was away from home, he would often send messages to Forget-Worry Island through the Wind and Thunder Bracelet, mostly to let people know he was safe, but occasionally he would mention some important people around him.

The one mentioned most often is Xie Zhen.

The second most...

This is "Senior Sister Xu".

"In the past six months, the two of them have been adventuring together in the Thirty-Three Grotto-Heavens."

Xie Xuanyi said meaningfully, "The two of them joined forces to fight against a peak-level demon in the Cave Heaven... Later, Duan Zhao came to this 'Xuanzhuo Cave Heaven' to cultivate in seclusion, while Xu Nianning comprehended the Dao in the Thousand Machine Cave Heaven. Every now and then, the two would meet, which could be considered as looking after each other." "Looking after each other? The Thirty-Three Cave Heavens are inherently dangerous, so it should be like this..."

Island Master Duan feigned composure and said, "This little girl surnamed Xu looks clever and charming, but I wonder how good her swordsmanship is? Let me take a look..."

Say it.

The divine sense descended silently towards the Thousand Machine Cave Heaven.

He had long been curious about who this Senior Sister Xu, whom his son often mentioned, was.

The divine sense of the Yang God Realm descended.

Xu Nianning, who was fighting the armored puppet in the Thousand Machine Cave, naturally couldn't detect it.

She continued to fight.

Before long, the young woman, with her powerful and sweeping moves, unleashed her sword energy within the formation, slicing through the formation like vegetables, shattering the armored puppet formation of Thousand Machine Cave Heaven into pieces...

"Yo ho?"

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island never expected that Xu Nianning would have such a decisive and ruthless style.

The Yang God's vision is incredibly sharp.

With the realm of the Lord of Forget-Worry Island, he only needs to stare for a moment to see through the other party's "disguise".

From the aura of the soul to the essence of the Great Dao...

These things best reflect the essence of a person's soul.

For example, the White Ghost, such evil spirits and demons, cannot be seen by people. Their souls are naturally filthy. Even if they have magical artifacts to cover them up or use secret techniques to disguise themselves, they cannot hide from the Yang God's perception.

Duan Zhao was kind-hearted and possessed great skill without artifice, which is why he comprehended the heavy sword technique in the Xuanzhuo Cave Heaven.

Xu Nianning's personality complements Duan Zhao's.

Intelligent, quick-witted, and agile.

The Thousand Machine Cave was the perfect place for her to retreat and seek enlightenment.

"The moves are fierce, and the methods are swift..."

After scrutinizing her for a while, the Lord of Forget-Worry Island couldn't help but praise, "As expected of my son, you have excellent taste. This girl is quite good, very good indeed."

The old man looked at Xu Nianning with eyes full of admiration for his future daughter-in-law.

"..."

A warrior really doesn't know how to hide his true colors.

Xie Xuanyi fell silent for a moment, vaguely sensing that the Lord of Forget-Worry Island was likely already planning to propose marriage to the Xu family.

That's exactly what the Lord of Forget-Worry Island thought.

"cough……"

After a moment of distraction, the island owner clenched his fist and coughed lightly.

He smiled contentedly and said, "Alright, alright, knowing that this brat is doing alright in the Sword Palace... I can finally relax. I've met the legendary Miss Xu today. These two young men will probably be in seclusion for a while longer. Please ask Mountain Master Xie to pass this on to me."

Say it.

The old man took out a golden elixir bottle from his bosom.

"This is?"

Xie Xuanyi took the pill bottle, scanned it with his divine sense, and sensed the rich and powerful vitality inside.

"The Golden Body Elixir refined by my wife."

The island lord said with a smile, "It's just a small token of my appreciation. You can give it directly to Miss Xu. Cultivation in the Thousand Machine Cave Heaven is bound to have its ups and downs. With this golden core, her progress will be faster."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi reluctantly agreed.

"By the way, my wife heard that Master Xie's childhood sweetheart encountered some trouble during the 'Heart-Questioning Tribulation'..."

The island owner, whose wish had been fulfilled, was clearly in a much better mood.

He changed the subject and brought up the important matter, saying, "Why don't you explain in detail, Master Xie? Perhaps Forget-Worry Island can be of some help."

(End of this chapter)