Remould the Glory of Sword Art

"Roar!"

From above the mansion, there came the sound of thundering roar.

The aura of Prince Jiangning enveloped the residence.

An overwhelming suppressive force bore down, causing the servant responsible for bringing news to prostrate on the ground, pale-faced, not daring to raise his head. Upon hearing the deep growl from the quiet room, he scurried away as if pardoned.

Inside the quiet room, the candle flames wildly flickered.

The black and white pieces on the chessboard had already been scattered all over the floor.

The hand of the Incense Fire Pavilion Master rested on Prince Jiangning's shoulder.

Talisman after talisman fluttered from the Daoist's wide sleeves, densely covering the entire quiet room. Eventually, the suppressive force enveloping the mansion was tightly wrapped, falling entirely upon the body of the Pavilion Master.

"Your Highness..."

The Pavilion Master slowly uttered two words, "Control anger."

Xie Sheng's complexion turned crimson, trying to rise, but the withered, emaciated palm seemed to contain the weight of a thousand catties, pressing down so he couldn't move.

Inside the heart lake, there seemed to be a flame, constantly burning.

Joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure, all were but ashes.

This flame only required a bit of emotion as fuel to burst into a blaze in an instant.

"Control anger," how effortlessly said?

But to achieve it, how difficult indeed?

Veins on Prince Jiangning's neck bulged as he struggled with all his might to break free from the Pavilion Master's suppression... And at that moment, a wisp of red light flickered between his brows.

"Hm?"

The Pavilion Master uttered a soft "hm?"

Sitting with a straight spine, stern and solemn, he intently studied the flare of red light burning between the prince's brows.

A speck of red light appeared, and then hundreds, thousands of wisps of red light ignited—

The deep sound of a dragon's chant resonated within the quiet room. The talismans hanging in the air fluttered noisily from the dragon's chant, nearly falling.

Light sparked in the Pavilion Master's eyes.

He saw the red light converge from the bottom upwards, assembling into a robust-bodied, crimson "Red Dragon". The dragon climbed up, coiling around the waist and abdomen, entwined around the arms, its claws clasping the shoulders. It continued to devour blood and qi, until finally, the dragon's head phantom hovered at the location of Prince Jiangning's forehead, almost merging into one with the frail man.

"Heavenly Dragon... Heavenly Dragon..."

The Pavilion Master murmured to himself, "So that's how it is."

Since childhood, Prince Jiangning had consumed heaven and earth treasures to strengthen his blood and qi, but he remained physically frail.

For this "blood and qi" cultivated by these treasures was consumed by the Red Dragon. Naturally, the Heavenly Dragon Dharma Form was a top-tier Qi Fortune Dharma Form; however, before maturing, it required the consumption of countless spiritual medicines, drawing from untold sustenance... Most importantly, the Heavenly Dragon has an inherently fierce nature, this dharma not only draws a cultivator's blood and qi but also affects the cultivator's heart lake.

Prince Jiangning had always had everything his way since childhood.

Under the nourishment of heaven and earth treasures, the Red Dragon grew swiftly, hence there was Xie Sheng, who achieved Perfect Cave Heaven at just over twenty years of age.

However...

With the Red Dragon's rapid growth, it also engraved the hostility innate to the dragon's image deeply into Xie Sheng's heart lake.

Over the years, the Jiangning Xie Family spared no effort to elevate Xie Sheng onto a high pedestal.

Because of the dormant Red Dragon within.

Xie Sheng lived up to the expectations, defeating all of his contemporaries early on.

Beneath this overwhelming prestige, the Xie Family did everything possible to create a "perfect man" in the public's eye from the young "Xie Sheng".

Therefore, everything Xie Sheng did had to be good, beautiful, right.

Because of the Red Dragon Hostility.

The manor of the Prince Jiangning was always shrouded in "dark clouds."

Every year, Prince Jiangning had to pay out a substantial amount of "compensation gold," because when the hostility surged, Xie Sheng's actions often became uncontrollable. He had committed many cruel and tyrannical acts, such as whipping maids to death, servants... But these incidents never spread outside, and the domestic servants of the manor were replaced in batches. No one cared if the number of servants had decreased compared to before.

Because of the prestige of the Xie Family, countless people were desperate to enter the Prince Jiangning's manor.

Inside the quiet chamber, Xie Sheng relied on the Red Dragon Dharma Image, struggling to break through the talisman of the Incense Fire Pavilion Master.

However, whether the Red Dragon thrusted left or right, it could never break through.

And so it continued for half a stick of incense.

After half a stick of incense, the rolling qi dissipated, and the quiet chamber returned to peace.

Xie Sheng's back was soaked with sweat, and his Heart Lake gradually returned to calmness. His voice was hoarse as he said,

"My thanks, Master."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master had maintained his posture from beginning to end, always sitting cross-legged to suppress Xie Sheng, but there was also a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

This Red Dragon truly was formidable.

If he were to let Xie Sheng advance to Yin God, he probably wouldn't be able to handle it as easily as he did today!

"No need for thanks..."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master asked in confusion, "Has Your Highness always been like this?"

Prince Jiangning straightened his clothes, took out a piece of brocade to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and laughed at himself, "It's been this way since childhood. How can I reach the top of Dachu without enduring hardships?"

"..."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master was silent for a moment, then asked, "With so many experts in Prince Jiangning's residence, is there no one to suppress the Red Dragon for Your Highness?"

"Suppress the Red Dragon?"

Prince Jiangning raised an eyebrow, looking at the Incense Fire Pavilion Master with a hint of sarcasm, "Why should I suppress the Red Dragon?"

With this question,

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master was somewhat taken aback.

"Although the Red Dragon is a great blessing, a great opportunity, ignoring it and letting it grow out of control will instead attract 'disaster,'" said the Incense Fire Pavilion Master with a frown. "With the Jiang Family's residence full of strong figures, Your Highness should have been aware of this."

"Ha..."

Xie Sheng gathered his sleeves, smiling indifferently, "To be frank, I have long been aware of the so-called 'Heavenly Dragon Dharma Form.' These words you're saying now, I have heard them long ago."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master was startled once more.

"Now in the entire Dachu Dynasty, they say I am even more talented than Sword Immortal Xie Xuanyi... If I were to suppress the Red Dragon, how would I have reached the point I am at today?"

Xie Sheng laughed out loud, "To attain Perfect Cave Heaven at seventeen, and to perfect it at twenty. With such talent, let alone Xie Xuanyi, is there anyone in the whole Dachu who has progressed as fast as I have in the past one hundred and twenty years?"

"But the Red Dragon Hostility..."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master muttered, "How will you manage it?"

"Just like this."

Xie Sheng's smile faded as he spoke expressionlessly, "Killing some people will do."

If just now the Incense Fire Pavilion Master hadn't intervened,

Then... the servant responsible for reporting would have become a vent for the Red Dragon Hostility.

Clearly,

Scenes like today's had occurred more than once.

"But this is not the royal mansion; this is the Da Sui Sword Palace," said the Incense Fire Pavilion Master, his expression complex.

"Da Sui Sword Palace, so what?"

"True Hidden Peak is a good place; being able to rest here for eternity isn't really unjust."

Prince Jiangning calmly said, "Don't forget how many people were here before the delegation arrived and how many were left after they left... it was I who decided."

Killed and buried.

It was as if none of this had ever happened.

"Actually... deep down, I'm not cold-blooded and heartless."

Xie Sheng slowly picked up the cooled tea and said softly, "It's just that the Red Dragon Hostility acts up beyond my control, just like this seemingly gorgeous but actually absurd fate. I have never had much choice from the beginning to the end. I'm still very grateful that the Pavilion Master was willing to help me suppress the hostility today."

"You're too polite."

"If possible, it's best to keep the Red Dragon Hostility under control... to prevent it from overpowering you later on, giving rise to a Heart Demon within your Heart Lake," the Incense Fire Pavilion Master earnestly said.

At that moment, the quiet room gradually dimmed, and the Red Dragon Dharma Image slowly dissipated.

Darkness reigned, the room a complete mess.

"Heart Demon..."

"Heart Demon..."

Xie Sheng looked up slightly, gazing at the pitch-black ceiling and chuckled, "I say I'm not afraid of the Red Dragon, do you believe me, Pavilion Master?"

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master shook his head.

He didn't really understand the meaning behind Xie Sheng's words.

The pitch-black ceiling transformed into a canvas of sky. Xie Sheng's gaze went vacant, staring blankly at the darkness above, as black as his own Heart Lake.

There.

He saw his Heart Demon...

Not the Red Dragon.

But a man who had died many years ago, completely incomparable yet constantly compared, with no means to compare.

"Forget it... speaking out won't make anyone understand, I fear even fewer would believe."

Prince Jiangning chuckled softly, retracting his gaze and tossed out an interesting question, "Does the Pavilion Master think I should make a trip to the residence at the foot of Lotus Flower Mountain?"

The outcome of Golden Turtle Peak's enforcement was unexpected.

The sentence sent by Xie Zhen was even more surprising to the Incense Fire Pavilion Master.

He was certain... he hadn't misjudged Xie Zhen.

At best, he was a newly risen Perfect Cave Heaven.

With such strength, how dare he invite Prince Jiangning to challenge him with a sword?

Who gave him the confidence?

Or could it be that Xie Zhen had an unknown card up his sleeve?

"Your Highness wants to hear the truth?"

After a moment of contemplation, the Incense Fire Pavilion Master stared at Xie Sheng, who smiled and nodded.

The Pavilion Master took a deep breath and said, "I dare say, Your Highness should not go."

"Not go... But why?"

"Xie Zhen comes from the library, and behind the library is Chen Jingxuan."

"I have someone supporting me too," Xie Sheng said with a smile. "I don't care about Chen Jingxuan."

"That's not the point."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master slowly said, "Chen Jingxuan is most skilled at divination and strategizing. Since Xie Zhen is under the library, he can't be someone without plans..."

At this point, his expression turned a little embarrassed.

Because a member of the Jiang Family known for playing the fool under the library's command was just too famous.

Xie Sheng laughed.

He waved his hand, indicating the Pavilion Master didn't need to say more.

"Actually, I know what kind of intentions Xie Zhen had when sending someone to pass the message."

Prince Jiangning said indifferently, "Reporting the matter is ultimately a petty move... If I were to go, it would seem to confirm that Golden Turtle Peak's enforcement was manipulated by the Jiangning Xie Family from behind the scenes. But if I don't go, that message just then would more or less plant a shadow in my Heart Lake, leaving behind the notion of 'fear to battle.'

"That's right."

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master nodded and said, "But surely Your Highness won't take such a simple transmission to heart, will you?"

"Why not... Why wouldn't I?"

Xie Sheng's questioning with lowered eyes and lashes left the Incense Fire Pavilion Master without a response.

Since the moment he set foot in the mountain gates,

A trace of foreboding had quietly taken root in his heart.

The case files of Qing State's turmoil, the pure Yang Sect Leader's prophecy, the encounter on Jade Screen Peak, and the distribution of the Lotus Jade Medallion... all these pieces of information connected in his heart, ultimately pointing to a reality that Xie Sheng was reluctant to believe, yet was highly likely to occur.

About the identity of Xie Zhen.

A "guess" had already formed in Xie Sheng's heart.

Whether this guess was right or wrong didn't matter—

The moment the thought arose,

His Heart Lake would no longer be still.

He wasn't afraid of the backlash of the Red Dragon Hostility but feared losing to that already deceased "Xie Xuanyi."

In every aspect,

Over the years, he had always stood at the highest point illuminated by the light, ascending to the top by stepping on the posthumous fame left by "Xie Xuanyi."

But the higher he stood, the more fear lurked within him.

For this reason... he practiced desperately, breaking one after another record left by Xie Xuanyi.

Not just records.

No matter what Xie Xuanyi had left behind...

He had to shatter it.

The Incense Fire Pavilion Master asked curiously, "Your Highness, how do you plan to proceed?"

"Don't worry."

"I won't be foolish enough to visit personally at such a time... but that doesn't mean this matter is at an end," Xie Sheng said indifferently.

"As things stand now, the Da Sui Sword Palace has countless eyes, all watching Xie Zhen."

"Surely, there are also many who want to witness Xie Zhen's true strength.

Xie Sheng took out a Communication Token, slowly caressing it and said leisurely, "Long before the mountain gates were opened, I used the convenience of Fang Yuan Square to contact many of my 'peers.' Tonight... It's just the right time for everyone to enjoy the spectacle."

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(PS: It might be because of the college entrance exams, but around this time every year, the comment section at Qidian gets locked. However, bear in mind that your comments can be seen on the backend, and any mistakes will be corrected immediately~)