Sword Sovereign of the Celestial Emperor

"What is the purpose of your visit this time?"

Ye Feiying asked with slight hesitation. He understood most of the disciples at Sword Peak were prodigies of the Twelve Family Alliance. This incident might even cause a rift within the alliance.

"I heard that Ye Qing, the ancestor, is living in seclusion near Sword Peak. I came to ask if he saw anything on that day?"

Tuoba Gu asked directly.

"I will go inquire immediately."

Ye Feiying did not delay and he stood up, preparing to leave.

"Thank you, Brother Ye."

Tuoba Gu clasped his hands together to express his gratitude.

"No problem."

Ye Feiying waved his hand and walked towards the back mountain of the City Lord's Mansion.

Tuoba Gu sat quietly in the main hall, waiting. His mind was racing with thoughts on how to handle the fury of the Tuoba family ancestor.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Ye Feiying's figure appeared in his view, his expression somewhat unnatural. Tuoba Gu quickly stood up to greet him, simultaneously asking.

"Does Ancestor Ye Qing know who killed Tuoba Rong'Er on that day?"

Ye Feiying sat on a beast-skin chair, lifted the fragrant tea, took a gentle sip, and then said, "The ancestor said he had been in seclusion for this past month and only came out today. Therefore, he does not know who the murderer is."

Ye Feiying squinted his eyes, looking at Tuoba Gu. He was not a fool; on the contrary, as the patriarch of the Ye Family, he was exceedingly shrewd.

Ye Qing chose to be in seclusion at just that particular time. It was clearly an excuse. He was expressing that he did not want to get involved in their feud.

"This..."

Tuoba Gu naturally understood this implication, but thinking of his own ancestor, he couldn't help but shake his head. Once their ancestor came out of seclusion and learned of Tuoba Rong'Er's murder, the Tuoba Family would undoubtedly be thrown into chaos.

"Although I do not know who the murderer is, I heard that Tuoba Rong'Er had a confrontation with someone in Ye City."

Seeing Tuoba Gu struggling, Ye Feiying felt a pang of guilt. Suddenly, his eyes brightened, he spoke slowly.

"Who?"

Tuoba Gu asked.

"Chu Ming!"

Ye Feiying answered truthfully. In fact, he had heard about the street conflict between Chu Ming and Tuoba Rong'Er on that day, but he hadn't paid much attention to it.

"Chu Ming?"

Various families flashed through Tuoba Gu's mind, but he found no family with the surname Chu.

"He isn't part of the Twelve Family Alliance?"

Tuoba Gu continued to ask.

"He is not part of the Twelve Family Alliance, but he is a prodigy of the Celestial Travel Sect. He probably passed through here on his way to the Tea Ceremony, which brought him to Sword Peak."

Ye Feiying answered truthfully.

"So..."

Tuoba Gu pondered, feeling somewhat cornered. If Chu Ming were alone, he would immediately capture him and bring him back to the Tuoba Family for the ancestor to deal with.

However, with the powerful Celestial Travel Sect standing behind Chu Ming, even though the Twelve Family Alliance could rival the sect, the alliance represented the interests of twelve families.

If the Tuoba Family provoked the Celestial Travel Sect over their personal feud, Tuoba Gu didn't need to think twice to know that the Tuoba Family would surely be abandoned.

"We have no choice."

Thinking of his ancestor, Tuoba Gu gritted his teeth, making a decision in his heart. He turned to Ye Feiying and asked, "When will they come out of Sword Peak?"

"In two days."

Ye Feiying replied.

"Then, Brother Ye, please inform me when the time comes. I will be extremely grateful."

Tuoba Gu clasped his hands together once again.

"No problem."

Ye Feiying laughed heartily, immediately agreeing.

...

Clang clang clang clang.....

In a small space within Sword Peak, two blurred figures clashed fiercely, sparks entwined and flew from the point of collision, sword light shattered, sword shadows layered.

Pu!

Chu Ming's eyes turned cold, slashing to the left side of the shadow in an instant; the sword light was incredibly swift, as fluid as water.

Clang!

However, the shadow's counterattack was equally quick, deflecting Chu Ming's sword light in a flicker, stabbing at Chu Ming's left chest with a sword aura of two feet. If struck, it would surely cause severe injury.

Chu Ming and the shadow had already fought a thousand moves. His clothes had many light blood stains, with crimson blood seeping through. The shadow was also not unscathed; its body was dim and its actions were slower compared to the start.

Whoosh!

The shadow attacked again. The pressure from the shadow caused Chu Ming's Soul Power to gradually increase. Previously, his Soul Power was stronger in quantity but lacked in intensity, which was more important for utilizing its effects and understanding things faster.

Pu!

Chu Ming's wounds multiplied, blood dyed his clothes. The fight became increasingly fierce with both sides risking mortal injuries. But each time, Chu Ming narrowly escaped death, showcasing extraordinary willpower and unwavering determination.

Gradually, the shadow's sword became predictable, following a specific trajectory.

The shadow seemed to sense Chu Ming growing stronger, attacking more ferociously. Its Swordsmanship Realm slowly reached a higher level, each swing leaving only a shadow in the air.

"Kill!"

A shout without any feelings erupted, the shadow's essence and energy fully unleashed in this pinnacle strike. This swing severed everything around—Swordsmanship, Sword Dao, even Chu Ming's soul wavered like a drifting leaf in the wind.

Boom!

A burst of light in his mind, Chu Ming suddenly understood.

"Is this... Heart Sword Realm?"

The Star Trace Sword in his hand swung plainly but effectively, decapitating the shadow. Simultaneously, his left chest bore another deep, bone-revealing wound. Though he comprehended Heart Sword, the shadow's sword light was so fast that he had no time to evade.

As the shadow's head dropped, the surrounding darkness receded, and Chu Ming found himself back in the stone chamber filled with Stone Swords.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Purple smoke filled the chamber as the remnant soul of the Ancient Sword Emperor appeared before Chu Ming, filled with admiration. Witnessing Chu Ming defeat the shadow under such conditions, his Sword Dao talent was beyond just top three among the prodigies he had seen.

Now, he was confident that the Sword Scripture would not be wasted in Chu Ming's hands.

"You have passed the Second Layer of the test. Rest for an hour, then we will begin the Third Layer."

The Ancient Sword Emperor said calmly.

Hearing this, Chu Ming immediately took out Healing Elixirs from his Storage Ring, stuffed a few into his mouth, and began cultivating his Cultivation Technique to heal.