I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

The scarred man's ghost-headed blade was already at Li Bai's head, the force of the blade making Li Bai's breath catch in his throat. The judge's pen at his side, like a venomous snake's tongue, aimed straight for Xiao Lian's back. On the brink of life and death, a resolute glint flashed in Li Bai's eyes. Without hesitation, his left hand changed its sword technique, and the illusory blue lotus that had been nurtured in his dantian for many days suddenly shone brightly! A clear, resonant sword cry rang out from within him, piercing the night sky and overwhelming all the blade winds and shouts. Xiao Lian in his arms felt an indescribable sharp aura erupt from Young Master Li, as if a divine sword that had slumbered for a thousand years had awakened at this moment.

"Buzz—"

The sound wasn't heard through the ears, but resounded directly into the depths of the soul. Clear and melodious, it carried an indescribable rhythm, like the first ray of light piercing through chaos at the dawn of creation. The moonlight seemed to dim at that moment, and all the men in black froze for a fleeting instant.

The scarred man's sinister grin froze. He saw a stream of azure light slowly emerge in Li Bai's left palm—initially just a tiny speck of light the size of a grain of rice, but in the blink of an eye, it expanded and extended, transforming into the outline of a three-foot-long sword. The blade was entirely a warm, jade-like color, with lotus petal-like patterns naturally flowing along its spine, and a faint, budding azure lotus phantom appearing and disappearing at the hilt. The sword lacked the coldness of metal, instead exuding the fresh scent of grass and trees, yet it contained a sharpness that made even the soul tremble.

"What...is this?" the scarred man murmured unconsciously.

Li Bai did not answer.

He released the broken Azure Sword with his right hand, letting the ordinary iron sword that had accompanied him for many years fall to the ground with a dull "clang". He raised his left hand, his five fingers loosely clenching – and the jade longsword flew into his palm as if it had a spirit.

It feels warm and smooth to the touch, like holding a piece of warm jade.

But in the next instant, a surge of immense power flowed from the sword into his body, resonating with the illusory blue lotus in his dantian. Li Bai felt his entire body's meridians tremble, his true essence surging at an unprecedented speed, like a river bursting its banks, breaking through previously blocked acupoints. His vision became incredibly clear; he could see every minute scratch on the scarred man's blade, the flowing trajectory of the pale blue venom from the tall, thin judge's pen, and the trembling of a night bird's feathers as it took flight from the reeds twenty feet away.

Time seemed to slow down.

The scarred man's dagger was still three feet above his head.

The tall, thin judge's pen was still two feet away from Xiaolian's back.

Li Bai made a move.

He didn't retreat, nor did he dodge. Instead, he stepped forward to meet the flashing blade. The earth beneath his feet exploded, and his figure shot forward like an arrow released from a bow! The Azure Lotus Sword drew a graceful arc in his hand, its tip trembling slightly. A phantom of a blue lotus flower bloomed on the tip of the sword—not just one, but layer upon layer, blooming nine times in an instant.

"The first bloom of the blue lotus."

Li Bai's voice was soft, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

The scarred man's pupils constricted sharply. He saw the blue lotus flower drifting towards him, its speed slow, even gentle, like willow catkins falling in the spring breeze. But at that moment, every hair on his body stood on end—the most instinctive warning a martial artist feels when facing deadly danger!

"Playing tricks!" he roared, suppressing his fear. The ghost-headed saber moved even more fiercely, tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound. He intended to overcome skill with brute force, to shatter this seemingly delicate lotus flower with this precious saber, weighing forty-eight pounds and having claimed the lives of seventeen people!

The knife and the lotus clashed.

There was no earth-shattering noise.

There was only one crisp "click".

Like breaking a withered branch, like crushing a piece of thin ice.

The scarred man's expression froze. He saw that the moment his ghost-headed saber, forged from a hundred-times-refined steel, touched the blue lotus, a fine crack appeared, starting from the blade. The crack spread rapidly, crawling across the entire blade like a spiderweb, and then—

"Splash!"

The knife shattered.

It wasn't severed, but rather disintegrated from within by some incomprehensible force, turning into countless fingernail-sized fragments that gleamed with a cold metallic light under the moonlight, raining down like rain. The scarred man was left with only a bare hilt of a knife; his hand was cracked from the impact, and blood dripped from between his fingers.

But he didn't have time to feel the pain.

Because that blue lotus flower is still moving forward.

The lotus flower, passing through the broken blade, floated lightly onto his chest.

The scarred man felt a gentle force, like being lightly pushed. He didn't even feel pain, just a slight chill in his chest. He looked down—

The blue lotus flower disappeared.

But a wound appeared on his chest.

A deep, slashing wound ran diagonally from the right shoulder to the left rib, exposing the bone. The flesh was torn open, revealing the stark white ribs beneath. After a brief delay, blood gushed forth like a fountain, drawing a poignant red line in the moonlight. The edges of the wound were smooth and clean, as if cut by the sharpest blade, yet they also bore a strange, lotus-like pattern.

The scarred man opened his mouth as if to say something, but only spat out a mouthful of blood. He staggered backward, his legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground, clutching his chest tightly with both hands, trying to stop the bleeding, but blood still gushed out from between his fingers, quickly staining the soil beneath him red.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

From the moment Li Bai took his first step to the moment the scarred man knelt down, only two breaths had passed.

The tall, thin judge's pen was still half a foot away from Xiaolian's back.

He saw the horrific state of his companions, the eerie jade sword, and Li Bai's terrifyingly calm eyes in the moonlight. A chill ran down his spine, instantly spreading throughout his body. He wanted to withdraw, to retreat, but his body had already moved too fast, and inertia prevented him from stopping immediately.

Li Bai did not look at him.

With a flick of his left wrist, the Azure Lotus Sword traced a blue arc of light.

"Ding!"

A soft sound.

The tall, thin man felt a sudden lightness in his right hand. Looking down, he saw that the judge's pen in his right hand had been neatly shaved off an inch, starting from the tip. The cut was smooth as a mirror, and drops of eerie blue venom dripped to the ground, sizzling and emitting white smoke. The remaining force of the azure arc of light grazed his left shoulder.

"Sizzle—"

His sleeve ripped, and a searing pain shot through his shoulder. A deep, bone-revealing sword wound appeared on his left shoulder, blood instantly staining half his body crimson. The tall, thin man groaned, staggering back three paces, his face ashen, his eyes filled with horror.

He stared intently at the Azure Lotus Sword in Li Bai's hand, his voice trembling: "You...who exactly are you?"

Li Bai did not answer.

He held his sword in his left hand and wrapped his right arm around Xiaolian's waist, protecting her to his side. The Azure Lotus Sword pointed diagonally at the ground, a drop of blood slowly sliding from its tip, dripping into the soil and spreading into a small red plum blossom. Moonlight shone on him, his green robe fluttering, his long hair flying, and the sword gleaming with a warm, blue light. He seemed like a sword immortal who had stepped out of a painting.

The men in black around them all froze.

They stared at the scarred man kneeling on the ground, blood gushing from his chest; at the tall, thin man with a wounded shoulder and a pale face; at the jade sword radiating a terrifying aura; and at the scholar in blue robes standing in the moonlight, sword in hand. An invisible fear spread through the crowd; some began to back away, their hands trembling as they gripped their swords.

"He...he's not human..."

"What kind of sword is that?"

"Let's retreat...let's retreat..."

Whispers arose, and morale began to waver.

The tall, thin man gritted his teeth and shouted, "What are you afraid of! He's alone! Let's all attack together and wear him down!"

But no one moved.

Li Bai slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the men in black around him. His eyes were calm, devoid of murderous intent or anger, only displaying a condescending indifference. Yet it was precisely this indifference that sent chills down everyone's spines—it was a gaze that regarded them as ants.

"Make way," Li Bai said, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.

No one moved.

Li Bai fell silent.

He raised his left hand and gently swung the Azure Lotus Sword.

There were no sword moves, no sword stances, just a casual swing.

A streak of azure sword energy shot from the tip of the sword, about three feet wide, as thin as a cicada's wing, almost transparent in the moonlight. The sword energy sliced ​​through the night sky silently, but as it passed a willow tree about three zhang (approximately 10 meters) thick—

"Click."

The willow tree snapped in two, the upper half of the trunk slowly sliding down before crashing to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. The break was smooth as a mirror, the growth rings clearly visible.

The entire room fell silent.

All the men in black stopped breathing.

They stared at the willow tree, severed in half, at the smooth cut, and at the azure sword energy dissipating into the night sky. A chill ran from their feet to the top of their heads—if that sword had struck a person…

"Get out of the way," Li Bai said again.

This time, the crowd parted like a tide.

No one dared to stand in front of that sword, no one dared to look directly into those eyes. The men in black parted to make way for it, stretching all the way to the edge of the reeds. Some even dropped their knives, their legs trembling, almost unable to stand.

Li Bai did not look at them.

He held his sword in his left hand and Xiaolian in his right, striding forward. His steps were steady, each step landing softly on the earth. The Azure Lotus Sword pointed diagonally at the ground, its azure light flickering with each step, like the rhythm of his breathing.

Xiao Lian hugged his waist tightly, burying her face in his chest. She could hear Young Master Li's steady heartbeat, smell the faint scent of grass on him, and feel the warmth emanating from the jade sword. The fear gradually subsided, replaced by an indescribable sense of security—as if, under the protection of this sword, no danger in the world could harm her.

The two of them walked through the crowd and headed towards the reeds.

No one dared to stop them.

The tall, thin man watched Li Bai's retreating figure, a flash of resentment in his eyes, but ultimately lacked the courage to chase after him. He clutched the wound on his shoulder, blood seeping from between his fingers and dripping to the ground. He knew that tonight's mission had been a complete failure—not only had he failed to retrieve the letter and kill Li Bai, but he had also lost a skilled fighter and terrified more than twenty elite soldiers.

Even more terrifying, they saw the sword.

That sword should not exist in the human world.

Li Bai led Xiao Lian into the reed marshes.

The reeds were very tall, easily over a meter high, densely packed, like a blue ocean. The night wind blew, and the reed leaves rustled against each other, making a soft "shush" sound, like countless people whispering. Moonlight was fragmented by the thick reed leaves, scattering on the ground and creating dappled light and shadow.

After walking about half a mile, Li Bai stopped.

He released his grip on Xiaolian's hand and gently swung the Azure Lotus Sword in his left hand. A flash of sword energy swept across, snapping a patch of reeds at the roots, revealing a clearing two zhang in diameter. He sheathed the Azure Lotus Sword; the blade transformed into a streak of azure light, disappearing into his palm.

Only then did Xiaolian dare to raise her head.

She noticed that Young Master Li's face was somewhat pale, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead, and his breathing was more rapid than usual. She quickly supported him and asked with concern, "Young Master Li, are you alright?"

Li Bai shook his head, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing.

The battle just now, though seemingly easy, was actually incredibly taxing. The Azure Lotus Sword was incredibly powerful, but its consumption of true essence far exceeded expectations. Just the three actions of drawing the sword, swinging it, and sheathing it consumed nearly forty percent of the true essence in his dantian. If it weren't for his solid foundation and the Azure Lotus phantom nurturing him for many days, he probably wouldn't have been able to even unleash a single strike.

What alarmed him even more was the power of the Azure Lotus Sword itself.

He had anticipated the sword's actions: severing the ghost-headed blade, severely wounding the scarred man, cutting through the judge's pen, and severing the willow tree. After all, this was an ancient immortal sword obtained from the Shu Mountain Secret Realm, far superior to ordinary iron. But what truly unsettled him was the "intent" contained within the sword.

That wasn't murderous intent, nor was it malevolent energy; rather, it was a lofty and indifferent "Tao."

As he drew his sword, he felt as if he were no longer Li Bai, but rather the representative of some higher being. That indifference that viewed all living beings as ants, that decisiveness that cut through all obstacles, that unquestionable majesty—these emotions did not belong to him.

Or rather, he doesn't belong to the person he is now.

"This sword... is too powerful." Li Bai opened his eyes and muttered to himself.

Xiao Lian squatted down beside him and asked cautiously, "Young Master Li, what was that sword... just now?"

Li Bai remained silent for a moment before saying, "A sword that shouldn't be here."

He didn't explain further, and Xiaolian didn't dare to ask any more questions. She simply took out a handkerchief from her bosom, intending to wipe the sweat from Li Bai's forehead, but stopped halfway through, withdrawing her hand somewhat embarrassedly.

Li Bai glanced at her, took the handkerchief, wiped his sweat, and then took out the Qingming Broken Sword from his bosom.

Under the moonlight, the notch on the broken sword was clearly visible. The size of a grain of rice, it lay in the center of the spine, like an ugly scar. Li Bai gently touched the notch with his finger, and could feel the damage to the sword's internal structure—not just surface damage, but a crack in the metal structure inside the blade.

"What a pity," he sighed softly.

This sword had been with him for many years. Although it was made of ordinary iron, it had long since acquired a spirit after being nurtured by his true essence. Last night, it fought dozens of times with the black-clad swordsman without any damage, but today, the scarred man chipped a dent in it with a single blow—not because the sword was not good enough, but because the opponent was too strong.

That scarred man's strength is definitely above the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

If it weren't for the unexpected attack of the Azure Lotus Sword, we would probably have been defeated here today.

Li Bai sheathed his broken sword and checked his condition again. His true energy was more than half depleted, and his meridians were slightly swollen and sore, but nothing serious. The Azure Lotus Sword, now back in his dantian, was slowly absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to replenish its energy. At this rate, it would take approximately three hours to fully recover.

But time waits for no one.

He must reunite with Duan Qiniang as soon as possible.

"Can you walk?" Li Bai asked Xiao Lian.

Xiaolian nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

Li Bai stood up and checked his bearings. The second rendezvous point arranged by Duan Qiniang was an abandoned fishing hut deep in the reeds, about two miles away. He took Xiaolian's hand and walked back into the reeds.

This time, he walked very slowly and carefully.

The Azure Lotus Sword can no longer be used—at least not for the time being. It consumes too much true energy, and the noise it makes when drawn is too great, easily revealing his position. He can only rely on his agility and experience to move through the reeds.

The night grew deeper.

The moonlight gradually slanted westward, and the starlight dimmed. A few barks of dogs drifted from afar, and further away, the sound of a night watchman's clapper echoed in the silent night air. The reed beds were quiet, with only the rustling of the reeds in the wind and the soft thuds of the two people's footsteps on the muddy ground.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a faint light appeared ahead.

It was the light of an oil lamp shining through the window of a low wooden house. The house was old; the thatched roof was rotten, and vines climbed the walls, making it look long abandoned. But the light coming from the window was steady, indicating that someone was there.

Li Bai stopped and gestured for Xiao Lian to be quiet.

He listened intently.

The cabin was quiet, without any talking or walking sounds, except for the faint crackling of the oil lamp wick. He then used his divine sense to investigate—there was only one person in the cabin, whose breathing was steady and long, indicating that he was a martial artist, but not very strong, probably at the late stage of Qi Condensation.

It was someone arranged by Duan Qiniang.

Li Bai breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Xiao Lian toward the wooden house.

He knocked gently on the door, three long knocks followed by two short knocks—the agreed-upon code.

The door opened.

The man who opened the door was a middle-aged man, short and stocky, with dark skin and a scar on his face, looking like an old fisherman. When he saw Li Bai, his eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Young Master Li? Come in quickly!"

Li Bai led Xiao Lian into the house.

The cabin was very simple, containing only a broken wooden bed, a table, and two chairs. An oil lamp burned on the table, its flame flickering and casting swaying shadows on the wall. The air was filled with the smells of fish and mildew, mixed with the smoke from the burning oil lamp.

The middle-aged man closed the door, bolted it, and then turned to Li Bai, bowing respectfully: "Young Master Li, I am Wang Laowu. Miss Duan arranged for me to meet you here. Half an hour ago, Miss Duan sent someone to say that it was safe on her side and that you should stay here temporarily until dawn to arrange your departure from the city."

Li Bai nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

Wang Laowu waved his hand, "You flatter me. Miss Duan saved my family's life; this is nothing." He looked at Xiaolian, then at Li Bai's pale face, and asked, "Is Young Master Li injured?"

"I'm fine, just a little tired." Li Bai sat down in the chair and asked, "Did Miss Duan say anything else?"

Wang Laowu thought for a moment and said, "Miss Duan said that the pursuers are from the Li family. The two leaders are called 'Ghost Blade' Liu Meng and 'Poison Pen' Sun Wuchang. They are both assassins kept by the Li family and have many lives on their hands. She also said that Young Master Li made too much noise tonight and has probably alerted some people. She told you to be very careful."

Li Bai's heart sank.

Sure enough, once the Azure Lotus Sword was drawn, it was impossible not to attract attention.

That scarred man, "Ghost Blade" Liu Meng, is incredibly powerful and likely holds a high position under Li Linfu. Having been severely injured by him tonight, Li Linfu will certainly not let it go unpunished. Moreover, the power of the Azure Lotus Sword is astonishing; once news of it spreads, countless people will covet it.

Every husband is not guilty, and he is guilty of his crime.

He understands this principle.

"I understand." Li Bai took a deep breath and looked at the sky gradually turning white outside the window. "After dawn, please ask Brother Wang to escort us out of the city."

Wang Laowu nodded: "Young Master Li, rest assured, I have already made arrangements. There is a vegetable transport team in the west of the city that leaves the city at dawn every day. I am familiar with the driver, and I can arrange for you two to hide in the vegetable baskets and sneak out."

Li Bai cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you."

Wang Laowu waved his hand repeatedly, then said, "Young Master Li, please rest first. I'll go and keep watch outside." After saying that, he pushed the door open and went out, gently closing it behind him.

Only Li Bai and Xiao Lian remained in the wooden house.

The glow of the oil lamp flickered on the wall, casting long shadows of the two people. Xiaolian sat on the edge of the bed, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her dress, head bowed and silent. Li Bai looked at her, recalling her courage in the face of death, and a warmth welled up in his heart.

"Are you scared?" he asked.

Xiao Lian raised her head, her eyes a little red, but shook her head vigorously: "I'm not afraid. With Young Master Li here, I'm not afraid."

Li Bai smiled, took out the risk-stained letter from his bosom, and unfolded it under the oil lamp. Yang Yuhuan's handwriting came into view, delicate yet with a hint of stubbornness, just like her. He had already read the contents of the letter, but reading it again now still stung his heart.

The fifteen-year-old girl, sent to Chang'an by her family as a stepping stone to advancement, was filled with fear of life in the deep palace, yet she had to feign composure and write to him, urging him not to take any risks. She copied down the poem he had once given her, adding the line, "This love can only be cherished in memory, for at the time it was already lost."

This is not just a quote, but a reflection of her state of mind.

Li Bai closed his eyes, pressed the letter to his chest, as if he could feel the warmth and tears of the writer as he put pen to paper. After a long while, he opened his eyes, carefully put the letter away, and placed it in his bosom.

Outside the window, the sky was gradually brightening.

The first rays of dawn shone through the tattered paper window, falling on the oil lamp, making its flame appear dim in the morning light. In the distance, the crowing of roosters echoed, one crow after another, announcing the start of a new day.

But Li Bai knew that the beginning of this day meant that an even greater danger was approaching.

The Azure Lotus Sword has been drawn, and the secret has been revealed.

From now on, he will no longer face ordinary pursuers, but the most powerful forces, the most greedy eyes, and the most insidious schemes in the entire city of Chang'an.

He must fight his way out of this vortex.