Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 608 Seizing the Sword
"Who are you?" Xiahou Jian asked in a deep voice, his voice slightly hoarse from his vigilance.

The raging heat of the subterranean fire blasted out, baking the entire valley like a steamer.

Crimson lava churned in the abyss, occasionally erupting with terrifying explosions. Wisps of black smoke mingled with the flames, writhing and twisting like living things, stirring up the deepest evil thoughts within any creature that approached.

The swordsman stood at the edge, his black outfit exceptionally dry, ensuring his attacks wouldn't be affected. At his level, martial artists could control their pores as if it were second nature.

His right hand gripped the sword hilt tightly, his knuckles turning white, as he tried to suppress the increasingly intense killing intent in his mind.

Xu Xuan didn't have so many subtle changes; in fact, if he didn't let go of all his mental defenses, he wouldn't be able to perceive the so-called influence of evil thoughts.

One who is near vermilion gets stained red, and one who is near ink gets stained black; a harmonious sound produces a clear echo, and a straight shape casts a straight shadow.

He comprehended the profound laws of the world, transcending the world and entering the world, becoming a demon and transcending the demon, all in a single thought.

Observing the changes of good and evil with an infinitely tolerant heart, this overflowing evil energy passes through the lungs as easily as breathing.

"I am Xu Xuan, the instructor of Chongqi."

The answer was very proper and in line with the current image.

I casually asked Brother Xiahou if he knew what was inside this earth fire, so we could have a friendly discussion.

Sunshine, brilliance, and serenity.

Xiahou was in a bad mood.

Friendly exchange my ass! I'm a ruthless swordsman, okay? The cool and arrogant kind.

Moreover, although their styles are completely different, Yan Chixia is just as composed, and the two are inexplicably somewhat similar.

The restlessness in my heart was becoming uncontrollable.

Sensing what the humans beside it were craving, the evil thoughts unleashed an even more ferocious power of seduction, stirring up various negative emotions in an attempt to take over.

As a swordsman who pursues fame and fortune, a swordsman who pursues victory, a swordsman whose heart is filled with the three poisons, all kinds of evil thoughts are boiling under the influence of evil thoughts.

The reason I haven't drawn my sword to fight to my heart's content is because the scholar opposite me is abnormal.

He was about twenty-four or twenty-five years old and had a handsome appearance.

His face was as handsome as jade, and his eyebrows and eyes as exquisite as a painting. His two sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards his temples, not showing any sharpness but rather revealing a scholarly and refined air. His eyes were especially beautiful, as clear as black lacquer, bright and spirited, with slightly upturned corners, giving him a gentle and smiling air even when he wasn't smiling.

He wore a square scarf on his head, a slightly worn indigo robe, and a jade pot hanging from his waist.

Despite his humble attire, he possessed an air of refined elegance. His clothes fluttered as he walked, and his every gesture exuded a composed and confident air.

If you happen to meet him outside the academy, you can nod and greet him, calling him "Teacher".

It would be rather absurd to encounter it near the fire at the foot of Qinxi Mountain.

The killing intent of a top swordsman is extraordinary. Even ordinary masters would turn pale and break out in a cold sweat upon witnessing him, while commoners would die of fright.

However, when it lands on the other party, it disappears without a trace, like a mud ox sinking into the sea.

Even one's own evil thoughts seemed to be swallowed up, and this strange change maintained a delicate balance.

Faced with the scholar's question, Xiahou Jian closed his eyes slightly and issued a final warning.

It seemed as if he was reassuring himself, or explaining his determination to the mysterious person in front of him.

"I, Xiahou, began learning swordsmanship at the age of three, killed someone at ten, comprehended the way of the sword at sixteen, and by twenty-three had thoroughly studied all the sword manuals in the world. I roamed the martial world unchallenged."

He rambled on and on about his life experiences, which can be summarized as a kendo genius who started out with great bitterness and resentment, but through tireless efforts and powerful talent, he achieved a remarkable turnaround in his life.

However, the more Xu Xuan heard it, the more it sounded like the kind of tragic third male lead who painstakingly cultivated, made a name for himself upon his debut, but didn't live to see the end.

"Ever since I was defeated by the number one sword in the world, I have traveled all over the famous mountains and rivers in search of a famous sword."

"I am determined to settle the score with him."

At this point, Xu Xuan understood a bit more; the divine sword that Xiahou the swordsman was looking for was hidden within the earth fire.

If there really is evil energy at the foot of Qinxi Mountain, then it can only be used for swords.

The Divine Weapon Society will emerge in response to this need.

King Zhao of Chu lay in his palace. When he awoke, he saw a cold glint beside his pillow. Looking closer, he found a precious sword. A wise and capable ruler keeps the sword by his side, and the nation prospers. An incapable ruler throws the sword away, and the nation falls into ruin.

This was the first step for Zhanlu to break away from King Fuchai of Wu and become the sword of benevolence.

Liu Ji reigned for twelve years. In the thirty-fourth year of Qin Shi Huang's reign, he obtained an iron sword in the Southern Mountains. It was three feet long and inscribed with the words "Chixiao" in the Great Seal Script.

At that time, Emperor Gaozu of Han was still a middle-aged rogue, but he still had a divine sword to rely on, which was the sword of imperial way.

The same process applies to demon soldiers.

For example, when Gan Jiang and Mo Xie were first born, they summoned an unnamed swordsman to assassinate the king and erected the Tomb of the Three Kings.

The second time, it was through Zhang Hua that the tomb of King Yan Zhao was broken open, and it eventually passed into Xu Xuan's hands, where it was further refined and made even more demonic, before finally ending up in Xiao Qing's hands.

The legendary Shulou sword is another example.

First, it fell into the hands of King Fuchai of Wu, which led to the story of King Fuchai of Wu ordering Wu Zixu to commit suicide by carving a stone.

The death of Dr. Lie added the first mark to this deadly weapon.

Later, it fell into the hands of King Goujian of Yue, who then bestowed the sword upon Wen Zhong, saying: "You taught me seven strategies for attacking Wu. I used three of them and defeated Wu. The other four are with you. You will serve me and have them tested by the late king."

Wen Zhong obtained the sword and committed suicide, fulfilling Fan Li's saying: "When the high-flying birds are all gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked."

Two lives lost, two parables passed down through the ages, forged the ominous reputation of Shu Lou.

Therefore, the experience of becoming a fierce or demonic weapon is not much worse than that of a divine weapon.

So what is being brewed within the earth's fire at this moment is a ferocious sword, a sword that emerges with the rise of demons as the Dao declines.

To emerge from such a calamity, how terrifying must it be?
Such evil weapons, if they fall into the hands of others, will either be a waste of their potential or bring chaos to the world. Only when they fall into the right hands can they be developed and brought to their full potential.

So who can endure this torment to subdue the evil army?

The Holy Father initially refused; who wouldn't want to wield a dazzling divine weapon and garner admiration in the eyes of the world?

But Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said, "If I don't go to hell, who will?" Under the influence of Buddhism, he could only put aside his resentment and accept the weapon, even if it meant taking a loss.

While lost in thought, Xu Xuan had already arranged a seemingly elaborate mental journey for the righteous role model.

Xiahou was still rambling on and on. I never realized this guy was so talkative. Wasn't he supposed to be a cold-blooded swordsman?

Just then, the ruthless swordsman finished speaking the key information.

"There is an extremely powerful and evil sword in the fire, and I am determined to get it."

"If you want to take the sword and kill me."

Xiahou's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and he also pushed his sword spirit to its limit by speaking.

This ritualistic approach, akin to self-sacrifice, was only used when dealing with Yan Chixia, demonstrating the immense pressure Xu Xuan exerted on him.

After completing the ceremony, Xiahou also abandoned the warning from the sword heart.

At this moment, no matter how terrifying the demons, monsters, or saints are on the other side, nothing can stop his determination to draw his sword.

The evil thoughts within the subterranean fire also continuously fueled the killing, regardless of who died.

Xu Xuan then asked a question that was enough to prove that he was Teacher Ji Rui: "Do you think the difference between you and Yan Chixia lies in swordsmanship?"

This is a question.

It could also be a question.

Sanqi behind him took a few steps back; the teacher was still the teacher.

The hottest thing in the arena right now is the ground fire, and the second hottest thing is the second swordsman's rationality, which has ignited Xiahou.

"Death!"

With a sharp shout, the longsword was finally drawn.

Clang!
The sword light was like the wind, like snow, like rain, like a dragon, drawing countless chilling arcs in the air, heading straight for the scholar.

(End of this chapter)