Remould the Glory of Sword Art

"Princely Heir, Huang Su has gone to Xie Zhen's residence."

"Your Highness, Huang Su has left."

"Your Highness, Qi Lie has taken the people of Golden Turtle Peak to..."

Prince Jiangning sat in the quiet room of his residence, casually flicking chess pieces by the lamplight as servants came one after another to report, gently calling out through the door before leaving.

Sitting opposite him at the chessboard, the Incense Fire Pavilion Master smiled without speaking.

This time, outside the quiet room, it remained silent for quite a long time.

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master, gazing at the edge of the chessboard, opened his mouth with a sense of lamentation, "Your Highness, this move of yours was unexpected and impressive."

"Impressive?"

Xie Sheng continued to play chess, self-mockingly saying, "Pavilion Master speaks too euphemistically. Shouldn't it be a great disappointment?"

"Those destined for great achievements need not concern themselves with trivial matters."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master said solemnly, "Since you want to win, you naturally must not hesitate to use any means necessary."

Xie Sheng looked up in astonishment at the Taoist from Incense Fire Pavilion, whom he had known for only a few days.

The Taoist sects have always been known for their purity and lack of desire.

The Pavilion Master's surrender had been unexpected.

The style of this Pavilion Master was even more surprising to Prince Jiangning… The words he had just spoken didn't sound at all like something a Taoist would say.

"However, Your Highness, focusing on Xie Zhen and exerting so much effort seems somewhat of a waste."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master smiled, extended his finger, and meaningfully pointed at several places on the chessboard, "In my opinion, the general outcome of the situation does not depend on Xie Zhen. This man's destiny is shallow and not worth fearing... Your Highness need not worry about him."

"You think I truly fear Xie Zhen?"

Prince Jiangning let out a derogatory laugh.

He had naturally read the Qing State case files, but after merely glancing at them, discarded them as useless.

The real reason Xie Sheng harbored apprehensions was due to the parting prophecy left by the Pure Yang Sect Leader, and the vague sense of danger he perceived in the depths of his Sword Cultivator's Heart Lake.

When he had first met Xie Zhen, his Heart Lake was calm, only faintly hinting at a brewing storm.

This was also why Xie Sheng had invited Xie Zhen to join Jiangning at the mountain gate—

But after they parted, the unrest in his Heart Lake not only increased but also grew increasingly uncontrollable.

"This mere Dark Child of a book pavilion, coming out of hiding after over a decade, why did he come to Da Sui Sword Palace?"

Xie Sheng spoke coldly, "If he truly had a clear conscience and simple desires, that misunderstanding at the mountain gate would never have happened. Xie Zhen entered the Sword Palace for less than two hours before visiting the forbidden area of Jade Screen Peak, then resided at the base of Lotus Peak, and the next day he 'swaggeringly' took a Lotus Jade Token and went to the Book Collection Pavilion to read. Is he seeing himself as a disciple of the Sword Palace? The Sword Palace has complaints against me, I am well aware, but to elevate this person to this position just to suppress Jiangning, should I continue to retreat and endure in silence?"

Following their separation at the mountain gate.

He sent out several covert envoys to scatter within the Sword Palace, keeping an eye on every move of Xie Zhen, all under his control.

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master quietly observed this scene, silently sensing the resentment of the Prince Jiangning before him.

Xie Sheng was still too young.

"Your Highness, you do not necessarily need to see him as an enemy."

The Taoist said slowly, "With the power of Jiangning, perhaps he could be persuaded."

Xie Sheng still scoffed and waved his large sleeve.

The implication couldn't be clearer.

Xie Zhen, worthy?

At their first encounter at the mountain gate, he had already attempted to win him over. In the presence of the entire world, Xie Zhen had cleanly refused.

Such a gesture of respecting the talented could be performed by Xie Sheng once.

But never a second time.

"They say that the Law Enforcer of Da Sui takes rules very seriously, and Qi Lie, being the future mountain master of Golden Turtle Peak, surely cannot indulge in favoritism."

Prince Jiangning said expressionlessly, "In the upcoming major Sword Qi ceremony, let's proceed according to the rules and deal with the situation accordingly. Chen Jingxuan backs Xie Zhen, we cannot reach into Da Sui, you agree...right?"

"It's just a jade token, why be so fixated?"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master still sighed softly and shook his head.

The bitterness of youth.

He didn't quite understand.

But the next moment, he narrowed his eyes to assess the strategic situation on the chessboard.

"One jade token is not much, even in the hands of Xie Zhen, it doesn't matter."

Xie Sheng spoke solemnly, "I previously said, what concerns me is not Xie Zhen, but the attitude of the Sword Palace. Since Golden Turtle Peak has publicly stated that the upcoming Sword Qi ceremony will emphasize fairness and justice, I demand fairness and justice... Xie Zhen should participate in the ceremony, should stand opposite me, and should personally compete with me in swordsmanship!"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master understood the intention of Xie Sheng at that moment.

"The case files compiled by Fang Yuan Pavilion spread far and wide, claiming these so-called prodigious Sword Cultivators are merely 'a mob'."

Prince Jiangning sneered, "The highest among them is merely in the third heaven of the Grotto Realm. Are you saying in this major Sword Qi ceremony, I should play against the young miss of Xu Family from Bin State, even if I win, what honor is there?"

He stood up.

With a thunderous sound.

A splendidly resplendent majestic Red Sun Cave Heaven appeared behind him in the quiet room!

This was a giant red sun.

Twelve Flying Swords circled around the giant red sun.

This Cave Heaven was nearing perfection, with the sound of thunder and ringing bells emanating within this great sun, faintly revealing an ethereal and lofty divine form seated in front of the great sun.

The candlelight in the quiet room was scattered by the Sword Qi, and under the cover of this majestic Cave Heaven, the Incense Fire Pavilion Master looked up, filled with respect.

This majestic Cave Heaven.

Was the first he had seen in his decades of wandering the wilds.

After Xie Xuanyi's death.

The Jiangning Xie Family had produced another genius.

Prince Jiangning, Xie Zhisui, spent countless precious materials to temper his son's muscles and bones, enhance his Divine Soul, and activate his energies… Xie Sheng was born lucky, possessing not only extraordinary talent but also ample family resources. From a young age, he had access to unlimited elixirs and the best resources. Whenever he encountered difficulties in cultivation, elite swordsmen from the Imperial City would personally come to instruct him, meticulously nurturing him.

Whenever he traveled, revered Yin God protectors ensured his safety, ensuring he encountered no dangers whatsoever.

So many were protecting and escorting him.

He did not disappoint Jiangning's expectations, advancing steadily along his cultivation journey, breaking one record after another in the cultivation world.

Such a person.

A man standing at the forefront of secular opinion and controversy.

Carrying such a great reputation, it was inevitable that people would assume he might not be as strong as imagined; after all, he was young, and a Sword Cultivator, possibly prone to unstable Qi and blood, and perhaps his strength had increased too rapidly, leading to an unstable foundation.

But today, having seen this Red Sun Cave Heaven, the Incense Fire Pavilion Master knew...

Those who underestimated Xie Sheng were likely to be disappointed.

The Qi and blood in this Cave Heaven were so profound they were terrifying.

He truly was a favored son of heaven, marked by the celestial dragon.

"Boom, boom, boom."

The thunder slowly ceased. Prince Jiangning sat down again, regaining his composure, lifted his teacup, and casually took a sip.

"So... having Golden Turtle Peak retract Xie Zhen's jade token was merely to enable him to participate in the Great Sword Qi Ceremony."

Xie Sheng said coldly, "I want to see just how capable this Xie Zhen really is!"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master wanted to speak.

At that moment, a voice reporting from outside the chamber came again.

"Your Highness, Qi Lie from Golden Turtle Peak has left."

Xie Sheng raised an eyebrow.

"And then?"

"And then..."

The servant hesitated a moment, his voice growing complex, "Xie Zhen is still living in that mansion, it seems like nothing happened."

"???"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master's expression grew intrigued.

Xie Sheng looked incredulously toward the direction outside the chamber and asked sternly, "What did you say?"

"Qi Lie left, and Xie Zhen personally saw him off... and also hung the Lotus Jade Token at a conspicuous place by his waist."

The servant whispered, "I saw it with my own eyes, every word is true."

The Lotus Jade Token wasn't taken away?!

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master spoke softly, "After Qi Lie went to Xie Zhen's mansion, what exactly happened? Could you detail it?"

"Actually, it's quite simple."

The servant composed himself, recalling the scene, and murmured, "Qi Lie brought a group of people to Xie Zhen's mansion... and afterwards, the other disciples from Golden Turtle Peak were 'asked' to leave."

"Asked to leave?" the Incense Fire Pavilion Master raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Inside the mansion, it was only Qi Lie and Xie Zhen."

The servant said earnestly, "A short while later, it was Xie Zhen himself who sent Qi Lie off… He seemed to be aware that someone was watching the mansion."

"Nonsense!"

Prince Jiangning scolded, "Golden Turtle Peak even brought people to retrieve the jade token, he isn't a fool, how could he not know someone was watching?"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master smiled and asked, "Did you manage to see what Qi Lie's expression was like when he left?"

"Qi Lie is usually stern and severe, showing hardly any change,"

The servant struggled, thought for a long time, and said uncertainly, "But when he left, his expression seemed slightly more relaxed than when he came?"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master nodded upon hearing this.

Prince Jiangning was about to stand up.

A large hand slowly stretched out.

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master gently held Prince Jiangning's shoulder through the air and said with a smile, "Your Highness, the celestial dragon symbol represents immense wealth and fortune, but one must control one's emotions; this little incident is but a passing cloud. To get angry over it is really not worth it… There is a reason behind every event; hence, it is better to think ahead."

With a gentle pat,

Xie Sheng felt the anger in his heart dissipate substantially.

He sat down again.

Today, a spy planted in the Book Collection Pavilion saw Xie Zhen heading there; not only did he see Qi Lie, but he also spread this news...

Now, many in Da Sui Sword Palace were discussing,

Who exactly is this Xie Zhen?

How did he manage to get "backdoor" privileges at Lotus Peak?

"Qi Lie is an upright person, and since he went to investigate Xie Zhen in front of numerous people, there certainly will be a result,"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master extended a finger, gently pointing to the ceiling, and spoke softly, "He must prove himself to the mountain visitors of Da Sui Sword Palace, to Golden Turtle Peak, and most importantly… to the acting 'Tongtian Law Enforcement' of Da Sui Sword Palace."

Xie Sheng pondered, as Heart Lake gradually calmed.

Looking at the servant outside the door, he coldly asked, "Besides this, is there anything else?"

"There is... indeed something else,"

The servant replied nervously, "It's just that I don't know if I should speak of it."

Xie Sheng took a deep breath, "Speak."

"Your Highness, the spy you sent to monitor the mansion might have been caught by Xie Zhen."

The servant gave a wry smile, "After the Law Enforcers from Golden Turtle Peak left, Xie Zhen did not return to the mansion but instead sent a message to our hiding spot."

Xie Sheng frowned, "What did he say?"

"He said..."

The servant cautiously said, "He said… Your Highness need not hide and seek, nor resort to underhanded tactics. A Sword Cultivator should act openly and honorably. If Your Highness truly wishes to challenge with a sword, he is always welcome at the Lotus Mansion."

"???"

The previously calmed Heart Lake in Xie Sheng's heart suddenly stirred once again.

He abruptly stood up.

Mighty Sword Qi, appearing out of nowhere, instantly overwhelmed the entire courtyard.