Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Sword God’s Sanctuary

“Elder Long, you don’t need to hold onto me. I can control the sword myself.” Ye Sansi was hanging in the air, his clothes gripped tightly by Long Xian, which was quite uncomfortable. Upon hearing Ye Sansi's words, Long Xian quickly let go.

Ye Sansi descended smoothly. With the Heavenly Wrath sword flying out, he stood steadily upon it and soared into the sky. Within five breaths, he caught up with Long Xian.

Seeing that Ye Sansi was so formidable, controlling the sword faster than himself, Long Xian laughed, “Young hero Ye, I never expected that you would master sword control so well after only a few days of training. You will surely complete this reconnaissance mission with ease.”

“Elder Long, since it’s just the two of us now, if there is anything you wish to say, just be straightforward. Where exactly are we headed? No need for further concealment.”

“How… how could that be?”

“I already told you, there’s no need to hide anything from me. The Sword God Sect saved my life, so no matter how dangerous the task, I am willing to undertake it. But if you won’t speak the truth and don’t treat me as a friend, I’ll turn back now and no longer assist you.”

Long Xian was startled. “Young hero Ye, what do you mean by this?”

“Elder Long, the story you told me about the Extreme North — that’s a fabrication, isn’t it?”

Long Xian was firmly convinced of the lie about the frigid land; after all, it was an order personally issued by the Sect Leader, with reasons that seemed logical. How could a naive boy like Ye Sansi see through it?

Seeing Long Xian’s incredulous expression, Ye Sansi smiled and said, “Elder Long, this lie might fool my master, but I have had prior contact with members of the Sword God Sect. I understand your ways and mannerisms well enough to recognize this as a ruse.”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Long Xian hurriedly blocked him. “Young hero Ye, please don’t. I admit I deceived you, but it was under the Sect Leader’s command… But how did you know I was lying?”

High above the clouds, Ye Sansi flew swiftly with Long Xian. He had long suspected Long Xian’s story but dared not expose it openly. He also knew that the Sword God Sect would not harm him, given their lifesaving debt. Thus, Ye Sansi was not angry at Long Xian’s deception.

Long Xian nodded and laughed, “Indeed, our sect has a strict rule: unless absolutely necessary, we cannot seek help from outsiders. So when I said we needed a disciple to do the sect’s work, you immediately suspected me?”

“That’s part of it, but not the whole story.”

“How so?”

“I know an elder of your sect personally. He is kind and hospitable, often treating me to delicious food and wine. He even saved my life and helped me out of trouble. When I thanked him, he said I was a friend of the Sword God Sect and needed no thanks. I told him many times that if the sect needed anything, I would do my utmost to assist. He only nodded, clearly not wanting me to take unnecessary risks. From this, I understood the sect’s rules and great selflessness…”

Long Xian scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. Ye Sansi continued, “I am the only new disciple who has just started and can already control the sword. When the master mentioned me as suitable, your eyes didn’t doubt my ability but rather showed pride, as if you had already anticipated this outcome. The master would not allow me to take risks; although you seemed calm and pretending to consider other plans, you were anxious inside, afraid this mission would be in vain. Elder Long, am I right?”

Long Xian stared at Ye Sansi in disbelief, speechless. He could not believe that such a young boy could see through his thoughts so precisely. Now he understood why the Sect Leader had specially sent him. Upon learning that Ye Sansi was training on Fangcun Immortal Island, he was dispatched to find him. Indeed, upon meeting, he sensed Ye Sansi was extraordinary.

“Did I give away some clue again?” Long Xian asked.

Ye Sansi laughed, “Elder Long, you are too eager when lying. All the selection criteria were focused on me. It’s impossible for me not to be suspicious, haha.”

An hour later, as they talked, Long Xian pointed to a lake ahead and said, “Young hero Ye, we have arrived.”

Ye Sansi feared the lake might be an illusion, so he cast the Eight Treasures Spell and looked closely. To his surprise, the lake was solid, not a magical trick. He asked, “Elder Long, where is the Sword God Main Hall? I see nothing.”

Seeing Long Xian remain silent, Ye Sansi continued, “Elder Long, do you know what the Sect Leader has tasked me with?”

Long Xian shook his head, “I do not. We are about to reach the main hall. You will meet the Sect Leader personally, and he will explain everything. My duty is only to bring you safely here.”

Ye Sansi nodded carefully and controlled the Heavenly Wrath sword, following Long Xian as they passed through a whirlpool in the lake.

The vortex was inscrutable, without any discernible pattern. After half an incense stick’s time, they emerged beneath the lake to find an underground chamber.

“You just follow me,” Long Xian said, diving deeper, with Ye Sansi close behind.

Just ten steps away, the lake’s surface churned with a swirling vortex that grew wide enough for ten people to pass. Long Xian called out, “Young hero Ye, keep close to me. Don’t get swept away by the whirlpool!”

Ye Sansi nodded. As they descended, the Heavenly Wrath sword naturally returned to Ye Sansi’s back. They walked forward and crossed a bridge, where two rows of soldiers clad in black armor stood in formation, holding long spears. Their discipline was impeccable, silent and imposing, so much so that even their breathing seemed inaudible, filling the air with pressure.

Feeling uneasy in this atmosphere, Ye Sansi broke the long silence and asked Long Xian, “Elder Long, are you an immortal?”

Though underground, the place was vast, larger than any city, built with palaces. Looking down, Ye Sansi saw it stretched beyond sight. He exclaimed, “Is this the Sword God Sect’s main hall? At first glance, this cavern is a thousand fathoms deep, and its breadth boundless. There are no fewer than a hundred palaces here—truly magnificent!”

Long Xian laughed heartily, “Of course! Our Sword God Sect has existed for centuries, with disciples all over the world, including wealthy merchants, nobles, and officials. We lack nothing in wealth, and these halls are the accumulation of countless years. No time to waste—let’s hurry to meet the Sect Leader.”

Long Xian laughed again, “Young hero Ye, look.” He lifted his foot, and Ye Sansi saw a short sword embedded in the sole of his shoe.

Lowering his foot, Long Xian chuckled, “It’s not only immortals who can ride the clouds. I don’t quite understand the secret myself, haha. I just don’t like carrying a long sword everywhere—it’s inconvenient—so I figured out this method, embedding the sword in my shoe for ease.”

“That’s not true. Why do you say that, young hero Ye?”

“Just curious. I heard only immortals can ride the clouds, but you don’t need to control the sword and yet can still…”

“You can’t say it that way. The Sword God Sect’s reputation is very illustrious and respected by the world. Even my master said that since the sect sends an envoy here, it shows great respect to Fangcun Immortal Island. If there is any need, we will answer the sect’s call without hesitation. This is what people mean by ‘a humble abode is not humble,’ I suppose.”

“Young hero Ye, the Sect Leader is inside the hall. You may go in alone. He has important matters to discuss, and I cannot stay. I’ll take my leave now.” With that, he turned and left.

Ye Sansi looked ahead to see a towering palace with wide-open doors. Standing beneath it, he felt small. He marveled, “I thought the bustling Tianhai Village was lively, more fun than the mountain. Then the prosperous Qingyang City, and the grand halls of Fangcun Immortal Island. Now, standing before the Sword God Sect’s main hall, I finally understand the meaning of ‘there is always a higher heaven.’”

Long Xian smiled, “You praise our halls as magnificent and grand, but after all, they are built underground, hidden from the world.”

Inside the palace, though illuminated by a glowing pearl hanging from the ceiling, there were also many candles lit on stands. Ye Sansi approached and observed closely, noticing something odd. He muttered, “Could these candles have just been lit? Why is there no dripping wax? Strange indeed.”

“Ha ha ha, it’s just an illusion. Young hero Ye, how could you not detect it?” Long Xian chuckled.

Ye Sansi stepped further inside the spacious palace, supported by columns without beams. The ceiling held a glowing pearl, lighting the entire hall clearly. At the front stood a stone statue of a giant sword, six zhang tall, with simple but majestic engravings along the blade.

The palace was built unusually; the columns were broad and smooth, unlike the dragon-engraved pillars of the Qian Kun Hall. Normally, such a hall would have a plaque above the door to identify it, but this one was conspicuously blank, which Ye Sansi found unfamiliar.

The young man nodded in acknowledgment. Ye Sansi hurried forward, bowed respectfully, and said, “Eleventh generation disciple of Fangcun Immortal Island—Ye Sansi, pays respects to the Sect Leader.”

The young man smiled, helping him to his feet, and asked, “Do you recognize me by appearance? How can you be so certain I am the Sect Leader?”

Hearing the voice and looking over, Ye Sansi saw a youth about his own age, with delicate and handsome features, free of any malice. Hearing this, Ye Sansi cast the Eight Treasures Spell again, and the candlelight illusion vanished, revealing cold, unlit candles.

“Did you cast this illusion?” Ye Sansi asked the youth.

“Second,” the youth replied. “This candlelight illusion is profound. Normally, I wouldn’t need the spell to see through it, but whoever cast it must have considerable cultivation. And judging by your youthful appearance, you couldn’t possibly be so skilled.”

“Second?”

“First, Elder Long said the Sect Leader would meet you inside, yet looking around, you are the only one here.”

The youth laughed, “Correct, correct. Old Five’s recommendation was excellent—you are a talent. My name is Huang Tian, the Sect Leader of the Sword God Sect. I summoned you for an important matter. Our sect’s rules forbid seeking help outside the sect, firstly to avoid involving outsiders, and secondly for the sect’s security. But this time, there’s no other choice; external aid is necessary. Old Five recommended you, praising your courage, character, martial skill, and cultivation as outstanding. So here you are…”

“Sect Leader Huang, please rest assured. I will not reveal this journey to the Sword God Sect’s main hall to anyone, not even my master or close friends. Whatever the matter, no matter how dangerous, Sansi will do his utmost without hesitation.”

…