Longevity, starting from traveling and telling stories

Chapter 227 Drawing the Sword
Inside the alchemy furnace, Ye Beixuan followed Ye Yaoyao's hand gestures to control the flames. This time, he concealed only a wisp of Nanming Li Fire within the alchemy fire.

This greatly shocked Ye Yaoyao. The refining process of the Spirit Replenishing Pill went exceptionally smoothly this time, or rather, her alchemical fire and Ye Beixuan's alchemical fire complemented each other perfectly.

Even when she was lacking in firepower, Ye Beixuan would unconsciously increase his firepower to help her. For a moment, she felt as if she and Ye Beixuan were telepathically connected.

Indeed, those who ascend from the mortal realm are all unparalleled geniuses.

As the two completed the final incantation, the furnace lid slowly opened automatically, and a beam of light fell vertically into the pill from the top of the furnace. In an instant, the Spirit-Replenishing Pill stood in mid-air, displaying profound pill patterns.

"Superb quality..." Ye Yaoyao couldn't help but exclaim, her heart filled with extreme shock.

In the past, it was extremely rare for me to refine even top-grade mid-level pills, let alone super-quality pills. Could it all be because of Ye Beixuan?
After a few pills with shimmering tails fell into the jade bottle, Ye Beixuan breathed a long sigh of relief.

He realized that he had underestimated the complexity of alchemy. Without Ye Yaoyao's spiritual power and cooperation, he would have had difficulty refining intermediate-grade pills on his own, as his own strength was still too weak.

Ye Yaoyao put away the jade bottle, smiled, cupped her hands, and said, "Thank you, Junior Brother Ye. With this bottle of top-grade pills, I am much more confident that I can escape unscathed this time."

"Draw your sword?" Ye Beixuan frowned slightly, looking puzzled, and asked, "Why must you retreat unscathed after drawing your sword?"

"Sigh..." Ye Yaoyao sighed softly and recounted in detail how Ye Xiaofan had come to coerce her into drawing her sword.

Then, she pretended to be nonchalant and instead smiled to comfort Ye Beixuan: "It's alright. If I can escape unscathed after drawing my sword this time, I'll teach you alchemy properly later."

"I have other matters to attend to. You should study this intermediate alchemy manual thoroughly. I'm going back to rest and recuperate."

After saying that, she gently patted Ye Beixuan's shoulder and turned to leave.

Watching her carefree figure as she walked away, Ye Beixuan murmured to himself, "The sword of Lord Suifeng? What a coincidence!"

Just then, a young boy's voice suddenly rang in Ye Beixuan's ears.

"Stop looking! Your eyes are going to pop out if you keep staring." Ye Beixuan turned his head and saw Xiao Hu looking at him with a half-smile and a lewd expression. He said, "Sister Yaoyao is not even forty years old yet. She's still considered a child in the Immortal Realm. She might even be the reincarnation of a celestial being who returned recently! Don't be an old cow trying to eat young grass!"

"Don't want to hear the story anymore, huh?" Ye Beixuan rolled his eyes, speechless. I'm only sixty, okay? I'm only forty, which seems to be around the time when I started my ascension to godhood.

"No, no, no, Brother Ye, I was wrong..."

Time flies, and two days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Today is the day Ye Yaoyao draws her sword. Early in the morning, she came to the thatched hut behind the mountain and took the opportunity to bring Ye Beixuan to the main hall, preparing to have him officially join the Tianyan Sect.

"I really don't understand why you would hide your identity as someone who ascended from the lower realm?" Ye Yaoyao looked at Ye Beixuan, who seemed completely unconcerned, and earnestly tried to persuade him, "Do you know that over the past tens of thousands of years, which of those who ascended from the mortal realm didn't later become famous throughout the immortal realm?"

She was very curious as to why Ye Beixuan was unwilling to reveal his identity. Logically speaking, this identity should have made him the center of attention and earned him special training.

"Please keep this a secret, young lady," Ye Beixuan said, cupping his hands in greeting.

How could I compare to them? I couldn't outmaneuver them, I wasn't as cunning, and I was far inferior in terms of ruthlessness. They were all seasoned and shrewd transmigrators. What did I have to compete with them? My silver tongue when it came to women? Those people were not only silver-tongued, but their hands were as nimble as snakes.

The two stopped talking and soon arrived at the main hall of the Tianyan Sect.

Upon entering the hall, Zhang Tong sat in the main seat, while Ye Xiaofan, who was next to Ye Yaoyao, frowned deeply when he saw Ye Beixuan beside Ye Yaoyao.

This person has an ordinary appearance and ordinary cultivation level. Who exactly is he? Why did Yaoyao bring him here?
"Master, Young Master Ye, all my senior uncles and elder brothers, Yaoyao greets you." After bowing to her elders, Ye Yaoyao introduced, "This is Ye Dazhuang, my long-lost elder brother from the same clan. After our clan fought against the Blood Sea, I thought I was all alone. Now that I have met my elder brother again, I hope Master will take me in."

"Brother!" Ye Xiaofan breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought it was some kind of special relationship! Miss Yaoyao is just kind-hearted.

“It’s alright. Since he’s your cousin, then let him stay!” Zhang Tong nodded in agreement without any doubt, then smiled and asked, “Yaoyao, how is your recovery? Are you confident you can help the young sect leader pull out the sword?”

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Ye Yaoyao, their eyes filled with anticipation.

The reason is simple: although the Heavenly Sword is a divine sword, they cannot use it. If they can exchange it for a large amount of resources, the Heavenly Evolution Sect can get rid of its current predicament.

"Reporting to Master, Yaoyao has fully recovered. Although I am not entirely confident in drawing the sword, as long as Young Master cooperates properly, retrieving the sword should not be a problem," Ye Yaoyao said calmly, cupping her hands.

In truth, she longed to draw the sword, but though it did not harm her, it consistently refused to let her pull it out, leaving her utterly perplexed.

"Good, good." Zhang Tong said "good" twice, stood up happily, and cupped his hands to Ye Xiaofan, saying, "Young Sect Master, shall we go to the Sword Tomb to retrieve the sword now?"

Ye Xiaofan's gaze never left Ye Yaoyao. Looking at the woman he admired, he felt he couldn't lose face, so he pretended to be nonchalant and said with great magnanimity, "In that case, please lead the way, Sect Leader Zhang."

"please."

"Brother Ye, you'd better not go, lest you get hurt by the sword energy." Ye Xiaofan looked at Ye Beixuan and reminded him kindly.

His original intention was to use this opportunity to get closer to Ye Yaoyao and show that he was taking care of the newcomer.

But this made Ye Beixuan curse inwardly. He had wanted to see it for himself anyway, and besides, the old man Sui Feng Tianjun had taught him everything, so the sword was rightfully his.

Seeing Ye Beixuan's helpless expression, Ye Yaoyao softened her tone and cupped her hands, saying, "Young Sect Master, I can guarantee that my cousin will not disturb you from drawing your sword. Please let him go and see for himself."

Oh! This girl is willing to speak up for me. Ye Beixuan was secretly delighted. Maybe he could save her life at a critical moment.

"In that case, Brother Ye, you'd better take care of yourself." With that, Ye Xiaofan turned and left.

To him, Ye Beixuan was nothing more than an insignificant ant with no background whatsoever. If it weren't for Ye Yaoyao's sake, he wouldn't even bother to give him a second glance.

Led by Zhang Tong, the group quickly arrived at the gate of the back mountain.

The moment he stepped inside, a gust of air surged forth, making his sleeves flutter wildly, and the wind and clouds changed color in an instant.

Everyone nervously looked around, and seeing that there was nothing else unusual, they were slightly relieved and followed Zhang Tong inside.

After passing through a winding path, you are suddenly enveloped in mist and clouds, and a towering sword mountain comes into view.

Sword Mountain is bluish-gray in color, and its body is covered with sharp blades, each of which is a peerless sword and exudes a chilling sword intent.

Looking up, atop the mountain peak, the tip of a three-foot-long green sword was firmly planted, silent and still.

"Young Sect Master Ye, this is the Sword Tomb," Zhang Tong said, cupping his hands and beaming with a smile.

Ye Xiaofan returned the greeting with a cupped hand, then carefully examined each of the precious swords on Sword Mountain.

These swords, tempered day and night by the Heavenly Sword, had long since become unparalleled divine weapons. He involuntarily stepped forward.

"Young Sect Master, you mustn't!" Zhang Tong hurriedly tried to stop Ye Xiaofan when he saw him barging in, but it was too late. As soon as Ye Xiaofan stepped into the Sword Mountain area, a powerful sword pressure surged forth, shattering the protective spirit pendant on his chest. He was shaken and staggered backward, his head buzzing.

Zhang Tong dared not be careless. He immediately released a protective aura around his body and flew in.

In an instant, the sword pressure that lingered on the sword mountain, like thousands of flying swords cutting through his protective aura, ripped him apart.

But he couldn't care less about that, and risked getting injured to bring Ye Xiaofan out.

The two who had escaped danger were ashen-faced, and Ye Xiaofan even felt a sweet taste rising in his throat.

"What a domineering sword pressure!" Ye Xiaofan said, his voice trembling slightly. "Thank you, Sect Leader Zhang, for saving my life."

Ye Beixuan's pupils contracted slightly. The intense pressure from the sword just now gave him a familiar feeling.

“It’s alright…” Zhang Tong gestured, coughed a few times, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, but he still pretended to be nonchalant and said, “Only Yao Yao can approach this Sword Mountain. If she hadn’t led the way to dispel the sword pressure, even a celestial being would have been killed on the spot.”

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Junior Sister Yaoyao." Ye Xiaofan cupped his hands and bowed to Ye Yaoyao.

He had heard the Palace Master mention this sword before; even the Palace Master, a peak Great Luo Golden Immortal, could not draw it, and it was said that only a destined person could pull it out.

Ye Xiaofan considered himself a genius of unparalleled talent, one in ten thousand, which is why he volunteered to collect the Breaking Illusion Pill this time.

"It's alright. Please stay close to me, Young Sect Master. Although the sword pressure here can't hurt me, it still drains my spiritual energy. If my spiritual energy is exhausted, I will still be killed by the sword pressure. You must not be careless."

"Then I'll have to trouble you." After saying that, Ye Xiaofan obediently stood behind Ye Yaoyao. It was the first time he had been protected by a woman, and he felt quite uncomfortable.

Ye Yaoyao nodded, and a protective spiritual aura emanated from her body, enveloping the two of them. Then she began to head towards the back mountain.

When those wandering swords touched her protective spiritual energy, they actually took the initiative to avoid it.

She moved slowly, step by step, towards the summit. It was already difficult for her to enter alone, but now, protecting two people, the pressure was immense. Moreover, the closer she got to the summit, the stronger the gale became; as the wind whipped her hair across her forehead, a faint sword mark appeared.

"Miss Yaoyao, I have some Spirit-Replenishing Pills here. Why don't you take one to recover?" Ye Xiaofan felt a little embarrassed because he had been slacking off, so he took out the pills to make amends.

"No need, Young Sect Master, Yaoyao has already prepared the pills before we came." With that, she took out a jade bottle from her bosom, took out the pills, and swallowed them.

Superior-grade pills? Ye Xiaofan awkwardly put away his pills.

I thought my top-grade pills were already pretty good, but I never expected that someone in this poor place could refine super-grade pills.

When I get back, I must bring this person back to the palace and train him properly.

In silence, the two had reached the mountaintop, just a few steps away from the quiet, divinely ordained sword.

"Young Sect Master, you'll have to rely on yourself from now on. If you can't hold on, let go, and I'll take you back," Ye Yaoyao said gently, looking at the Heavenly Sword so close to her.

She didn't understand why the Heavenly Sword never harmed her, yet she was never allowed to draw it; it was truly perplexing.

"Thank you." Ye Xiaofan, sheltered by Ye Yaoyao's protective spiritual power, walked to the Heavenly Sword. Looking at the ancient and weathered sword, he took a deep breath and slowly reached out to grasp the hilt.

The moment he touched the hilt of the sword, the world suddenly changed, with lightning and thunder. A powerful hurricane erupted from Ye Xiaofan, causing his robes to flutter and his hair to dance wildly.

At the same time, thousands of sword intents surged out like a raging tide, even affecting areas outside the Sword Mountain.

"Not good." The Grand Elder's dragon staff emitted a protective golden light, attempting to block the overflowing sword pressure.

With a crisp "crack!", the coiled dragon staff shattered.

"Retreat quickly!" Everyone hurriedly retreated to a distance of over a hundred feet before escaping the influence of the sword's pressure.

However, at this moment, Ye Yaoyao was surrounded by a moon-white halo, and the sword mark on her forehead emitted a dazzling white light.

A mouthful of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth, but she was completely unaware of it.

Due to excessive exertion, her hair gradually turned white, but she had only one thought in her mind: she must protect the young sect leader's safety, otherwise the Tianyan Sect would be completely finished.

Ye Beixuan looked at Ye Yaoyao, who was in danger, and was extremely anxious, thinking about how to rescue her.

Should he really expose himself? Just watch her die? After all, she was his savior; if he didn't help her, he wouldn't be able to rest easy.

He had barely taken a step outside when the violent sword pressure, powerful enough to crush even celestial beings, surged towards him.

However, the sword pressure did not harm him; instead, it gently lingered around him like a docile breeze.

Just then, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind: "Master... Master..."

At the summit, the Heavenly Sword suddenly went berserk again. Ye Xiaofan watched this scene with bloodshot eyes, his sword-wielding hand was covered in blood, and Ye Yaoyao had also reached her limit.

Looking at the Heavenly Sword atop the mountain, Ye Beixuan subconsciously asked, "You acknowledge me as your master?"

The Heavenly Sword let out a joyful cry, like a child who had done something right and was asking for a reward.

"In that case, stop your rampage. These people are my friends." Ye Beixuan tried to convey the command to it.

However, the Heavenly Sword seemed unwilling, and a voice suddenly appeared in Ye Beixuan's mind: "I don't want to be held by others."

"Then stop your rampage and let that girl hold your hand, okay?" Ye Beixuan ordered again. "I can't hold your hand for now. If you don't obey, I'll have to leave."

The Heavenly Sword atop the mountain peak seemed reluctant, suddenly unleashing a powerful sword pressure that blasted Ye Xiaofan away before flying directly to Ye Yaoyao's side.

"Yaoyao, quickly grab the sword." Ye Yaoyao had reached her limit, but suddenly the pressure decreased greatly. Seeing the Heavenly Sword flying towards her, she had no choice but to reach out and grab it.

In an instant, the world returned to calm, and everything returned to normal.

Ye Xiaofan stared incredulously at Ye Yaoyao holding the Heavenly Sword, his heart filled with self-doubt: I am of such noble birth, and I am the direct disciple of the Wind-Following Heavenly Lord, so why am I not as good as a disciple of a subordinate sect?

"Master..." another voice echoed in Ye Beixuan's mind, saying, "I will obey, please don't abandon me."

With such a powerful weapon, only a fool would abandon it! But he still asked curiously, "Since I am your master, why don't you refuse this young lady?"

(End of this chapter)