Chapter Fifty-Four: The First Pavilion in the Wildlands
Suddenly, she shifted the conversation, her voice full of surprise, “Why have you come to seek out my father? What business brings you here?”
Ah…
Ling Yan sighed helplessly, glancing at Bai Mu out of the corner of her eye, and forced a bitter smile, “I’ve come to find the God of War mainly to report the theft of the Demon Transformation Bottle…”
Dong… dong dong…
A series of resounding bell chimes echoed from the left mountain ridge of the Returning Immortal Cliff. The unexpected urgency of the sound made Bai Mu’s heart tremble in fear.
This is bad!
Xi Yan’s delicate brows arched as she said urgently, “There’s no time for idle talk—the Meridian Bell on the mountain has suddenly rung. Something major must have happened in the hall!”
“If you wish to find my father, head straight to the Flying Immortal Rock in the rear mountain. He’s there now!”
After speaking, she cast Bai Mu a glance laden with meaning, then swiftly floated across the Returning Immortal Cliff toward the left mountain ridge. Her snow-white dress ribbons danced in the mountain breeze, accentuating her angelic beauty. She disappeared amid the woods in the blink of an eye, so swift was her departure.
“Have you never seen a beautiful woman before?” Ling Yan, standing beside him, scolded with a hint of annoyance.
“N-no, never…” Bai Mu hastily withdrew his gaze.
He then changed the subject, “Your blue phoenix is amazing—it felled Xi Yan in just two moves. If it hadn’t shown mercy, Xi Yan might have had her head scratched open!”
“That’s no phoenix!” Ling Yan murmured with a frown. “That’s a bluebird from the Kunlun Glacier, not the same species as a phoenix, though its power rivals one.”
“As for why it defeated Xi Yan so quickly today, it’s because the bluebird is peerlessly swift, and I knew her Remnant Snow Sword possessed an icy attribute. Using the glacier bluebird against her was essentially turning her own strength against her. Otherwise, if it had been a fair fight, I would have certainly lost!”
“Really?” Bai Mu asked in disbelief, “Your cultivation is already so high—could Xi Yan really be stronger than you?”
Of course!
“She’s the daughter of the God of War, and has trained with Brahma Immortal for years. Her sword techniques have reached an unimaginable level.”
“If she hadn’t been careless today, I might not have beaten her.”
“But…”
“No 'buts'!” Ling Yan impatiently interrupted Bai Mu, then focused her gaze on the cliff ahead, speaking softly, “Once we cross this Returning Immortal Cliff and hurry forward for several miles, over the Sword Pavilion Mountain, we’ll reach the Flying Immortal Rock. Once you master the Heavenly Saint Sword Technique, you’ll be able to freely use the ancient energy within the Azure Dragon Sword and no longer be afflicted by its wounds!”
“We mustn’t delay—let’s go!”
Bai Mu, delighted, stole a glance at Ling Yan, then leaped across to the opposite side of the mountain cliff. The two hurried shoulder to shoulder toward the Sword Pavilion.
The Floating Jade Mountain Sword Pavilion.
The legendary first pavilion of the Wildlands.
It was called the first pavilion because it housed no fewer than ten thousand weapons, with at least several hundred of them at the spirit artifact level or above—a veritable treasure trove.
The two circled past the grand main hall at the front and rushed toward the sword pavilion in the rear mountain. Before long, a grand hall appeared before them, nestled at the foot of Floating Jade Mountain’s rear slope.
Massive vermilion pillars, black tile roofs, and blue bricks formed an expansive structure. From the front, it was clear there were no guards, nor any visible mechanisms—a stark contrast to the tightly defended main hall.
Standing at the base of the nine-tiered steps, Bai Mu looked up at the building and asked with awe, “Ling Yan, is this the Sword Pavilion?”
Indeed.
Ling Yan nodded without hesitation, “This is the Floating Jade Mountain Sword Pavilion, known as the first pavilion of the Wildlands, and a treasury of divine weapons!”
“The first pavilion of the Wildlands?”
“But the building doesn’t seem particularly large. Its architecture is ancient and simple, but it’s not as luxurious as the grand main hall we just passed.” Bai Mu scratched his head, murmuring curiously.
“You don’t understand,” Ling Yan replied, casting a deep and meaningful glance at the pavilion, sighing, “Do you know where my Jade Cold Flute comes from?”
“No, I don’t!” Bai Mu answered quickly, “Your flute is powerful and comes with its own Sword Array. It’s a rare treasure, so its origin must have a fascinating history—but what does that have to do with the Sword Pavilion?”
“Everything,” Ling Yan grinned with pride. “The Jade Cold Flute was chosen by my father from the Sword Pavilion as his personal weapon. As his cultivation advanced, he reached a point where he was no longer constrained by objects or appearances, so even the finest weapons lost their usefulness to him.”
“When I had achieved success in my training, he gifted me this flute so I could venture into the Wildlands and defend myself alone.”
Oh…
Bai Mu mused, half-understanding, “But why would there be treasures like the Jade Cold Flute in the Sword Pavilion?”
“That’s a long story,” Ling Yan hesitated, glancing at Bai Mu and then surveying the mountain’s base. Seeing nothing amiss, she assumed the disciples of the Returning Ruins hadn’t discovered their presence in the rear mountain, so there was no need to hurry.
She composed herself and said calmly, “The Jade Cold Flute originally belonged to a princess of the demon clan named Xuan Qiu, sister to the Demon Emperor Ni Qin. She was a peerless beauty and a remarkable woman.”
“With her exceptional talent, she defeated many ancient masters when she first emerged, gaining tremendous renown.”
“Her beauty was unmatched, making her one of the most celebrated figures in the Wildlands of the ancient times—only the Glazed Fairy of the Kunlun Secret Realm and the God of War Brahma Immortal surpassed her in cultivation and reputation.”
“But Xuan Qiu was proud and never easily conceded in matters of cultivation. Hearing that Brahma Immortal was famed as the God of War, she boldly ventured to Floating Jade Mountain to challenge him before the Sword Pavilion.”
“As expected, the proud and aloof Princess Xuan Qiu suffered a crushing defeat at Brahma Immortal’s hands, and her heart was captivated by his brilliant presence.”
“After that battle, feeling humiliated by her loss, Xuan Qiu threw her Jade Cold Flute into the Sword Pavilion, vowing to one day defeat Brahma Immortal and reclaim her flute openly…”