Volume One: Youths Meet in Humble Times Chapter Seventy-One: The Gathering of Titans (Part Two)

Under the cultivation hierarchy led by the Imperial Zenith Palace, the Great Sword Green Mountain and the Li Family of Cloud Tomb Heavenly Mountain had long stood as evenly matched adversaries, each holding their own with unspoken accord: neither provoking the other, each content to leave the peace undisturbed. Such a scene as this—where neither side would yield and both demanded an explanation—was a rare occurrence indeed.

Originally, Zhang Helun, perched comfortably in the host's seat, watched the unfolding drama with great interest. He had never cared for the Li Family’s manner—aloof, self-assured, seldom acknowledging the worth of other cultivation sects. One could only wonder whence their unfathomable sense of superiority arose.

As he watched the situation spiral out of control, Zhang Helun, as the Lord of Tianmen Town, could not in good conscience ignore it, even if he secretly wished to see Green Mountain fiercely put the Li Family in their place. After all, these visitors had not traveled all this way to Tianmen Town merely to quarrel; matters of far greater gravity required their united effort.

With a serene smile, Zhang Helun spoke, “Enough, everyone—let us hold our tongues. Allow me to clarify things for you. There is a master residing at Another View Temple, a man of formidable strength and ill temper. Just how formidable? I daresay everyone here has heard the rumors. Suffice it to say, with immortals withdrawn from the world, few could rival him. If any among you wish to challenge him, I will not stand in your way. But should such actions delay the important affairs to come, do not expect me to bear the consequences.”

Most present understood well enough the kind of old monster who lived at Another View Temple; Zhang Helun’s words brought no surprise. In truth, after learning of the temple’s mysterious and mighty inhabitant, some had indeed tried to investigate discreetly. Yet, curiously, they saw ordinary folk—like the Shen siblings or Xu Kaijiang, who had offended the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect—enter and leave freely, while any attempt by cultivators to probe was met with an unyielding barrier that cast them out immediately. Even magical probes sent in vanished without a trace.

They had never considered seeking information from ordinary people, constrained as they were by Tianmen Town’s laws forbidding harm to its residents. Besides, what could mere mortals know of the temple’s secrets?

Thus, stymied by the master’s strength, the law, and a lack of suitable agents, they could only sigh in frustration.

Now, hearing Zhang Helun bring up Another View Temple, some grew restless; perhaps, at last, this was their chance to learn its secrets. They did not know, but perhaps Zhang Helun did.

Most eager among them was Elder Lian of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, whose disciples had suffered no small losses at the hands of the temple’s young master. He had inquired after Li Yu and attempted his own investigations, but even his abilities yielded only the sense of unfathomable depths. Curiosity unsatisfied, he could only return in defeat.

Seizing the moment, Elder Lian asked, “May I inquire, Lord of the Town, is there some spiritual treasure or divine artifact within Another View Temple?”

Zhang Helun looked at him meaningfully and chuckled. “Forgive me, but I am of little standing and have yet to be honored with an invitation to visit Another View Temple. As to what lies within, I know nothing. Should the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect ever be so favored, I hope you will enlighten me as well—I am most curious.”

Inwardly, Zhang Helun mused, “To think you could learn of Another View Temple’s secrets from me—wishful thinking indeed.”

Elder Lian had not expected such a blunt refusal and felt humiliated, his face flushed darkly. Remembering the junior disciples seated behind him, his embarrassment only grew.

Although Zhang Helun was merely the lord of a small town, he had been placed there by the Dacheng Sect, indicating his significant standing. Only someone deeply trusted by Dacheng would be stationed at such a crucial locale.

Elder Lian bowed respectfully, admitting, “I was too forward. I hope Lord Zhang will not take offense.”

Zhang Helun found the elder’s ability to bend and yield rather amusing. Turning to Lu Ming, he said with a smile, “Sword Immortal Lu Ming, you are fortunate to have earned the master’s regard and to have studied under him. He is not easily approached—few are worthy of his notice. I believe you will remain in Tianmen Town for some time yet; should you gain his guidance, count it a great blessing.”

Lu Ming felt uneasy at these words. He had worked hard to distance himself from the matter, yet now Zhang Helun singled him out, emphasizing the master’s favor—as though placing him under the scrutiny of all present.

He frowned and replied stiffly, “Lord Zhang overestimates me. I do not believe I possess any special qualities to warrant such regard. Besides, fortune is a matter of chance, not something to be sought or counted upon. For cultivators, to covet more than one deserves is a grave error. Contentment is the way; acceptance of fate, the path we follow.”

His words were impeccable, leaving no room for reproach. Zhang Helun merely laughed. “A good temperament, indeed—no wonder Green Mountain values you so highly.” He then raised his cup to Elder Xie, saying, “Elder Xie, your disciples are truly well taught.” Elder Xie, with a gesture of his cup, accepted the compliment without fuss.

With these remarks, the topic of the master at Another View Temple was put to rest, and the lord turned the conversation to lighter matters, inviting all to drink.

Under the town lord’s hospitality, the guests exchanged toasts and banter. Though they were cultivators of high standing, long since freed from mortal needs, they indulged in spirit wine and delicacies, as though the earlier discord was forgotten. Laughter and conversation filled the hall, everyone wearing the appropriate smiles, creating an illusion of warmth and camaraderie.

Lu Ming found such posturing distasteful, and Elder Xie felt much the same. Yet, perhaps owing to age and experience, Elder Xie navigated the social currents with greater ease. Still, compared to Lu Ming, their sect—the Great Sword Green Mountain—was known for its forthrightness, prizing candor and righteous action above all. They disdained such empty formalities.

At another table, several younger members of the Li Family eyed Lu Ming in secret. Li Xiyan, in particular, brimmed with fighting spirit. He longed to challenge Lu Ming, to see whether a newly initiated Sword Immortal or a veteran Spirit Master who had lingered at the ninth realm for years was stronger.

Li Xiyan had long heard that, in terms of combat prowess, sword cultivators ranked among the strongest. Of course, his family’s path of Spirit Mastery was no less formidable, but the two paths had never truly been compared. There was no consensus as to which was superior.

Given his current cultivation, Li Xiyan could only test himself against a newly initiated Sword Immortal. To attempt a challenge against one of higher rank was beyond his confidence. Thus, Lu Ming was the ideal opponent—neither too strong nor too weak, allowing Li Xiyan to exert his full ability.

Lu Ming, for his part, had spent most of his time training in the mountains, rarely venturing into the world. On the one occasion he did—seven years ago, on a mission with several other sect members—rumors soon spread that he had broken through two realms in those seven years, reaching the final threshold before entering the Dao. His progress through the tenth realm had been nothing short of meteoric.

This led many to speculate: had they encountered some extraordinary stroke of fortune during their expedition? Why else would all three—Lu Ming and his companions—reach the threshold of the Dao in such a short time?

Curiosity gripped the cultivation world, but the trio, upon returning to their sect, remained secluded, stabilizing their new realms and seldom venturing forth. This secrecy only heightened others’ interest.

It was during this time that it became known Lu Ming was a legendary Innate Sword Embryo.

None were ignorant of what that meant. For the Great Sword Green Mountain to possess another Innate Sword Embryo was viewed by others as a significant future threat.

Thus, every sect grew restless, eager to gauge the abilities of this fabled Sword Embryo, to see just how far his strength had reached.

What most concerned them, however, was the nature of the fortune encountered during that fateful journey. In a world where equality was valued—where no one outstripped their peers by too great a margin—peace could be maintained. But if one surged far ahead, it would not be so easily overlooked.

Now, with Lu Ming present, how could others not harbor ulterior motives?

Yet, not everyone’s intentions were so straightforward—especially Li Xiqing, whose eyes gleamed with a greedy light. When he looked at Lu Ming, he saw not a peer, but the key to the secrets of Another View Temple. To him, Lu Ming’s denial meant only that he was hiding something. If he could uncover the temple’s secrets, he would not only reclaim his pride from Li Xiyan but also rise in standing within his family.

He could not forget his grandfather’s words about the hidden opportunities of Tianmen Town. In his mind, Lu Ming was the opportunity he had been waiting for. Unfortunately, he had only half-listened, forgetting the latter warning: opportunity and crisis are twins, and Tianmen Town’s waters run deep—caution and self-preservation above all.

Later, when he encountered Li Yu, he saw only his own greed, never realizing it was that very greed that would bring about his downfall in Tianmen Town.