Chapter 104: Do you want to become stronger?
[Nameless Sword] | [Rank: Elite (Evolving)] | [Description: An extremely sturdy sword. Can return to its owner by consuming Qi. Can split into ten copies].
"Oh? It seems that the sword has absorbed so many enemies that it has evolved to this extent," thought Xie Qing, taking the sword in his hand: "Split."
With one simple command, the sword flashed, and ten copies appeared, identical in appearance and seemingly possessing the same abilities, which was good.
Xie Qing tried out the sword and gutted the corpse, then whistled in surprise.
"The armor on this guy is spiritual and damn strong. I guess my sword has become sharper and stronger," Xie Qing thought: "Moreover, the copies seem to retain their strength. This is great."
The commotion about the devilish cultivators and their disrupted plan was still ongoing. However, Xie Qing was not worried about it.
***
"Wow, there are so many different recipes, and they all look complex," he thought as he browsed through today's lesson material.
There were still four people with him who, for some reason, were shyly avoiding him, as if the young man was not some attractive embodiment of immortality, but a devil from the Yellow River.
"Rude," Xie Qing thought, clicking his tongue: "I'm restraining my aura, so what are they afraid of?"
In the world, there is the concept of karma, which is divided into many subcategories, but people mainly know about the karma of good and the karma of killing.
And Xie Qing's karma of killing was off the charts. If he didn't restrain himself, his opponent felt as if they were in the mouth of a lion. However, they were not afraid of him because of this.
Although many did not know what this Xie Qing looked like, it was no trouble for rich and influential people to obtain his portrait... which was being printed like crazy by some hidden group called "The Dawn."
They, like some kind of cult, distributed his photographs and even gave out recordings of what had happened, trying to increase Xie Qing's fame. It was mainly because of them that the young man received so much attention.
"Ugh... another strange group. Xu Mei says she has no information about their leader, and they look harmless, so she didn't touch them," Xie Qing recalled, then suspiciously narrowed his eyes: "And she was hiding something behind her back. Some kind of photo frame."
He sighed and decided to ignore the whispering students. Either way, it was more advantageous for him, there would be fewer people who would want to bother Xie Qing.
"And so, today's lesson is over. I ask you to be careful in these days, as the activity of devilish cultivators has become the main topic of discussion," said Lu Yin with her usual gentle smile, refining her refined and caring aura: "Take care of your safety. Good luck."
"Thank you for the lesson, Healer Lu!" the students exclaimed in chorus.
Xie Qing also began to gather and put aside a hundred bottles of pills of various kinds. Either way, he always left what he did for the Nine Pills Sect, because he didn't need them.
"Xie Qing..." Lu Yin's gentle voice sounded, and Xie Qing came to his senses. He raised his head and looked at the girl who was politely smiling at him with half-closed eyes. Her eyes brightly shone when she looked at him, making even the usually audacious Xie Qing feel uncomfortable.
"What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The whole cultivation world is talking about your achievement! It seems that you have achieved something great, you were able to make the devilish cultivators lose their leverage!" the girl said with a smile, then added: "I was also asked to contact you, so could you come with me to the Lu family in your free time? I promise that no one will harm you!"
"Huh? I'm not against it... but I don't understand why I need the Lu family," Xie Qing was puzzled and narrowed his eyes: "If it's about joining your family, I can't because I have my own family that I plan to develop."
"Ah, you guessed it, yes... in fact, there were voices that shouted about the need to get you into their hands," Lu Yin said with a smile, but there was embarrassment on her face. She fake cleared her throat and continued: "Cough... but, um, the status of the Sword Princess's disciple itself makes you equal to the major families, so my family is now in a stupor."
"You say they're in a stupor," Xie Qing repeated and thought for a moment, then put forward one idea: "Soon I will enter the struggle for the status of the heir, and after that, I want to usurp the status of the family head. There will be a lot of blood, and I would like to secure reliable allies. If your Lu family is willing to assist me, then I will consider it a favor and help you in the future."
"Oh..."
Lu Yin thoughtfully looked at Xie Qing, considering his words. At the moment, his power at the Soul Formation level was not good enough for the Lu family to try to please him, however, his status as a disciple of the Sword Princess increased his value.
Moreover, Lu Yin sincerely believed that the Soul Formation for Xie Qing would be just the beginning and that in the future, he would become several times stronger.
"I'm sorry, I can't give a definite answer, as it's not within my power to decide everything for the Lu family. But I will answer as soon as possible," said Lu Yin with a regretful expression added: "But don't worry, even if the Lu family doesn't agree, I will be only too happy to help you, I also have quite a bit of influence."
"I will be grateful, Miss Lu," Xie Qing said with a smile, and his eyes narrowed.
***
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Loud sounds of metal colliding made the blood in the veins of passing people freeze. The backyard of the inn located inside the Nine Pills Sect was always empty, as respected guests liked to spend their time either studying alchemy or meditating. However, today it was noisy, making some unable to meditate properly.
Clang!
"Mom, you're holding the strike poorly. Is that how you should strike? I didn't even feel a tremor in my wrist, you understand?" Xie Qing scolded his mother and looked maximally serious when he easily blocked the sword strike of Xie Meiling with one hand.
"Ugh... son, you should know that my fighting style is different. I treat the sword only as an additional weapon," Xie Meiling complained, and her hands were trembling. In her mind, she was shocked: "I'm at the third stage of Soul Formation, and my power should be greater, but I can't even make his wrist tremble. Is this the difference between a genius and an ordinary person?"
Xie Qing smiled and, applying a little more force, easily pushed the sword he was blocking into the air, then with the help of the Sword Aura and Qi, he gained control of the sword and made it float behind Xie Meiling's head, directing the blade of her sword at her. And he put the blade closer to her throat and smiled triumphantly.
"There you go. You see? This is our difference, you use your power too clumsily and incorrectly distribute pressure, so this happens!" explained Xie Qing, and he felt self-satisfied, highly raising his nose: "But don't worry, Mom, I'm a noble person, I'll teach you everything."
"Hmph..."
Xie Meiling snorted and grabbed the sword floating in the air, not paying attention to the sharp and overwhelming energy of the Sword Aura, which miraculously disappeared as soon as she reached out her hand.
"Be careful," Xie Qing warned and rolled his eyes: "If I hadn't removed the Sword Aura, you could have burned yourself. How would I feel if your beautiful white skin was covered with a terrible burn?"
"Really?" Xie Meiling frowned and, taking a step forward, found herself next to Xie Qing and stretched out her hands, stretching his cheeks in both directions: "And who is behaving so arrogantly?"
"Ugh... your grip is as strong as steel. That's how you should learn! Hahaha!" Xie Qing reacted with laughter. Although this grip of Xie Meiling could tear an ordinary person's face in two, Xie Qing's skin was thick from birth, especially thick it was in the face area, since he could say nonsense without blushing.
While Xie Qing was smiling and laughing with his mother, for some reason he felt as if an illusory arrow had pierced him.
Two days later...
"Miss Lu, I must continue my journey and return to the Northern Continent," said the young man, gently squeezing her hands, not paying attention to the jealous look of Xu Mei and the red face of the healer.
"Ah, yes... o-okay," Lu Yin smiled awkwardly and nodded, then added: "My family has refused your offer, but I am willing to help you with this matter. Don't worry, I'm doing this as a thank you for helping the cultivation world."
"I'm flattered. Thank you for the lessons, I will return to the Western Continent when I finish my business," the young man smiled.
"I was happy to help."
Xie Qing waved goodbye to Lu Yin, who was seeing them off, standing in front of the gates of the sect, and finally turned to Xie Meiling, who was burning a hole in him with her gaze.
"What?" he asked with a bright smile.
"Hmph!"
Xie Meiling snorted and shook her head, turning away from him. Xie Qing only smiled, looking out the window of the carriage.
"She's jealous, yes..." the young man thought and looked at his mother out of the corner of his eye, who was sweetly dozing. He narrowed his eyes and looked to the left, where his oath, made to the Heavens, was calling him.
For just one second... almost a moment... his eyes filled with a golden glow. And everyone who was the target of the oath...
They felt their soul tremble.
Xie Qing smiled, but his smile did not look kind at all, similar to a demonic one - distorted and filled with malice.
"You're looking forward to it, aren't you? Xie Hui and Xie Hai... you don't have long to live. I will... gut you, bastards."
***
A week later.
Northern Continent, Yuanguan City, Xie Family Estate.
There was a mess in the head of the family's room. Various books were scattered on the floor, making the room look like a tsunami had passed through it. Helplessly on the table of the head of the family lay a middle-aged man - Xie Hui. His eyes were filled with darkness, and his heart was beating loudly.
Fear.
That's what he felt. His six senses were screaming that death was near. Since the name of Xie Qing had spread across all continents, gloomy weather had not left the city of Yuanguan. It was always raining, and thunder was rumbling as if the Heavens were cursing this place, which was once considered one of the most fertile lands.
Although there was no pressure from competitors, Xie Hui was not happy at all. His former allies were silent, there was no benefit for them in supporting Xie Hui, so he was left alone. "Even... the ancient treasure doesn't attract them. And we've kept it for centuries..." thought Xie Hui, heavily sighing. He was completely exhausted, all gloomy and dark: "Xie Qing...
the curse of our family... the freak who has always interfered with me..."
And then...
Dead silence. At one point, there was a sound... a creak.
And a calm, seductive voice.
"Do you want to become stronger?"