Remould the Glory of Sword Art

The carriage shattered, the dragon horses alarmed.

Two Yin God Guardians fell seated in the stream, drenched to the bone, pale-faced, wanting to rise but unable to move due to an oppressive force weighing down upon their heads.

So, they could only watch helplessly as the Master of World Pavilion took her female disciple and leisurely departed into the distance.

Moments later.

Xie Sheng let out a soft sigh and said, "It was tough for the two of you to accompany me."

The two venerable Yin Gods, their faces grim, waited until Tang Fengshu completely disappeared from sight, only then did the majestic pressure upon their heads slowly dissipate.

Rustle rustle...

The two Protectors awkwardly rose from the stream.

"Princely Heir, what should we do with this stream and forest?"

One Protector took a deep breath, looking back at the grove and asked, "Are we truly going to just leave it here?"

"Of course, we'll leave it."

Xie Sheng, dusting off his clothes, said with a faint smile, "Didn't you just hear what Pavilion Master Tang said? If anyone dares to disturb it... she will truly take action."

The two Protectors looked at each other, at a loss.

"The two of you may return to the residence first."

Xie Sheng emerged from the collapsed rubble of the carriage.

He reached out to pat the two dragon horses kneeling on the ground and softly said, "Do not spread word of today's events."

The two Yin Gods quietly departed without further conversation.

But Xie Sheng remained standing there.

It was just that the stream lay before him, as distinct as chalk from cheese; he stood on this side of the stream, silently observing the fluttering leaves in the distance.

The great formation arranged by Tang Fengshu enveloped the woods.

The wind blew and the grass stirred without interruption.

Even ordinary people entering would not be hindered by the formation.

But if a Cultivator stepped in, the formation would immediately react... The murderous intent of the formation would erupt instantly upon the intrusion of external Primordial Energy.

"Come out, they've all gone far away."

Xie Sheng stood before the stream, having dusted himself off, and spoke faintly.

Behind Xie Sheng, light twisted and a brilliant line of azure fire burned forth, sketching out a square portal of void, from which a black-robed Daoist slowly emerged with an umbrella in hand.

"Princely Heir."

The Daoist came to stand beside Prince Jiangning, halting together at the front of the stream.

He said with a smile, "I've mentioned before, Tang Fengshu is unreasonable, one cannot measure her by common sense. Do you believe it now?"

"Seeing is believing."

Xie Sheng laughed and said, "Pavilion Master Tang... is indeed somewhat extraordinary."

Though the Xie Family could not compare with the Taoist sects,

it was still a powerful noble house of the first rank within Da Chu.

A Sword Qi Bell Diagram was nothing difficult for the Pavilion Master of World Pavilion, it would only require a bit of effort to form a good relationship with Jiangning.

But such a trivial matter,

was outright rejected by Tang Fengshu, and the refusal was quite discourteous.

"World Pavilion does not care for karmic ties or the incense offerings beyond its mountains,"

said the Daoist leisurely. "Tang Fengshu and Xie Xuanyi are very close friends, and it was bound to be a cold reception when you approached her like this."

"If Pavilion Master Tang is unreliable, isn't there another Pavilion Master?"

Xie Sheng shrugged nonchalantly, "Being able to contact Master through Fang Yuan Workshop is a fortunate event in itself."

"In my heart, whether it's in terms of cultivation level or fighting skills, I am no match for Tang Fengshu."

The Daoist sighed lightly, "Indeed, the younger generation is to be feared. Tang Fengshu single-handedly slew the semi-Yang God You Hai King in Qing State. Looking at this, across Da Chu, there are but a few who can fight her on equal terms."

Xie Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this.

"But when it comes to the art of talismans, it's uncertain who would prevail."

The Daoist bowed slightly, offering a salute, "World Pavilion is most adept in offensive strikes, but Incense Fire House is quite different. We of the Pavilion are pure in heart and desire and excel in meditative cultivation. It can be said that we are the branch of the Taoist sects that is best at Drawing Talismans."

Xie Sheng took two steps back and also courteously returned the salute, "Then the matter of the array diagram is something I must trouble Master with."

"Your Highness flatters me,"

said the Incense Fire Pavilion Master warmly. "A Ninth Grade Law Sword is of little concern to me. I've seen the scenery of Xuanshui Cave Heaven many years ago."

"Oh?"

Xie Sheng feigned surprise: "For Master to come all this way to Jiangning and assist greatly like this..."

"The word 'incense' carries a long and enduring legacy,"

said the Incense Fire Pavilion Master meaningfully. "I've long heard that Prince Jiangning is exceedingly gifted, bearing the 'Heavenly Dragon' sign. Now that I've seen you, you truly stand out. I seek nothing on this trip, I only wish to form a good karmic connection with Your Highness."

"A journey of a thousand miles, merely for the sake of good karma?"

Xie Sheng sighed, "Aren't you being a tad too courteous, Master?"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master said with a smile, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, I too would like to ascend Lotus Peak and see the future fortunes of Sword Palace from the highest point."

"I certainly don't mind,"

Xie Sheng thought for a moment and, smiling, asked, "But wouldn't it be somewhat beneath Master's dignity as a Taoist sect leader to observe the fortunes of another sect atop Lotus Peak?"

Throughout Jiangning, throughout Da Chu, everyone knew—

This time Sword Palace was opening its doors,

and their Princely Heir Xie Sheng was going to ascend Lotus Peak to become the new master of Xuanshui Cave Heaven.

"Incense Fire House doesn't care about such matters,"

said the Daoist again bowing lightly, speaking gently, "Should Your Highness agree, this good karma shall then be established."

Xie Sheng stared at the Master of Incense Fire Pavilion for a long while and then slowly nodded, letting out the word with a smile.

"Good."

...

...

In the Imperial City, heavy snow lasted for days, followed by several days of downpour.

Such capricious weather was disheartening.

Jiang Qihu put away his paper umbrella, standing under the eaves of the bookloft, gently tapping the ground with the tip of the umbrella, his eyes wary as he watched the converging torrents fall from the rooftop, spread along the tip of the umbrella, and finally form a winding stream in front of his feet. After fooling around for an hour, this slow-witted tiger never mustered the courage to push the door open and face the Master inside the bookloft.