Chapter Forty-Four: Entering the Eastern Qian

Bang!

With a dull, thunderous crash, the enormous sword blade smashed violently onto the ground, sending up a shower of shattered earth.

Xu Zhe had already retreated dozens of meters away, standing just before the sword’s tip, a faint smile lingering on his lips.

“I take back what I said earlier. You are indeed a magical artifact, but you look down on me and refuse to follow. I understand,” Xu Zhe nodded slightly, acknowledging the giant sword.

The sword emitted a low, resonant hum, as if responding to him.

“When I return to the realm of the Immortal Emperor, or reach even higher, I hope you won’t regret it. I'm leaving now.”

With that, Xu Zhe turned and strode deeper into the cavern.

The sword lay quietly on the ground, unmoving. After a few breaths, it soared into the air—the massive blade swept overhead like a colossal ship, its shadow enveloping everything within dozens of meters.

Xu Zhe found himself shrouded in darkness, a biting chill suddenly invading him, countless unseen icy rays sweeping madly across his body.

“To command an entire domain… truly an interesting artifact,” Xu Zhe remarked with a smile.

After all, his body had been tempered to the strength of bronze, impervious to such cold. He only worried his garments might be torn, so he released a shield of righteous energy, keeping all the icy rays at bay.

Yet as soon as this righteous energy appeared, the sword, which had been about to speed away, suddenly paused mid-air. Its tip turned, flying toward him and landing with a crash, blocking Xu Zhe’s path.

A gust of even more piercing cold transformed into a violent wind, surging straight at him.

Xu Zhe’s expression shifted slightly. He clenched his fist and punched forward, rapidly retreating at the same time.

Boom!

A surge of energy collided with the gale, exploding with a muffled roar in the air.

The great sword blade seemed suddenly exhilarated, emitting a series of shrill tremors, its body undulating up and down in the air.

“You wish to test me?” Xu Zhe frowned, waving his hand in refusal. “No need. I can't defeat you now. Go find your next master—we are destined not to be.”

With those words, he stamped the ground and his figure blurred, shooting rapidly ahead.

The sword vibrated wildly, its strong metallic resonance echoing far and wide.

It changed direction, compressing its form in mid-air until it shrank to a fist-sized streak of light, madly pursuing Xu Zhe.

“Stop following me. We are not suited. I do not intend to walk the path of the sword cultivator. If you stay with me, your brilliance will be wasted. It’s not worth it,” Xu Zhe shouted as he sped along.

But the sword would not give up, chasing relentlessly.

“Sigh, foolish child!” Xu Zhe was deeply moved by the scene, sighing inwardly.

He regretted provoking the thing, or perhaps regretted changing his tune earlier.

He should have continued to speak his mind: you're ordinary, a broken, rusty sword, unworthy of me, Xu Zhe.

But his cultivation was still shallow; he truly couldn't defeat it, so he dared not speak so bluntly now.

“Fine, come here then.”

Xu Zhe finally stopped, beckoning the sword light over.

The streak of light transformed from the blade, immediately emitting a jubilant tremor, darting straight into Xu Zhe's palm.

The brilliance faded, revealing a slender, miniature bronze sword, lying quietly in his hand.

“One sword, one seal, both from the same owner—seems to have belonged to a cultivator above the Golden Immortal realm, but perhaps never reached the Immortal Emperor stage. Very well, follow me from now on. When I return to Immortal Emperor—”

As Xu Zhe spoke, the miniature bronze sword suddenly leapt from his hand, landing on the ground. Sword light flashed as it scribbled a few lines of text.

“Shut up, damn it! You’re just at the Foundation Establishment stage, always babbling about Immortal Emperor. If the seal hadn't gone with you and said there’s some benefit, I wouldn’t bother with you at all.”

Xu Zhe’s smile remained, though he was surprised inside.

The sword could write! But what script was this?

It seemed familiar, yet wholly unfamiliar…

“Wait, one of these characters—I’ve seen it in an ancient book!” Xu Zhe stared closely, pondering.

After a moment, inspiration struck, recalling a page in the library of the Immortal Emperor clan in his past life.

In the annotation of that ancient book, one symbol matched the sword’s writing.

“Emperor—that’s the character for ‘Emperor’.”

Xu Zhe was astonished—the bronze sword had written in ancient divine script.

According to the records, this was the language used by gods in antiquity.

The sword’s origin… was anything but ordinary.

“Though I can’t decipher the text, seeing the character for ‘Emperor’ must be encouragement to reclaim the Immortal Emperor realm. But alas, I am no sword cultivator. If I have the chance, I might trade it for a more suitable artifact.”

With that thought, Xu Zhe beckoned the bronze sword again.

The sword hesitated, then flew into his hand, and he tucked it into his sleeve.

He set out once more, heading deeper into the cave.

Soon, he spotted a tunnel entrance ahead and entered directly.

“Hm?” As he stepped inside, a battered stone wall appeared, blocking the path.

Xu Zhe paused, as if a thought had struck him. He turned to look—behind him, the vast cavern was gone, replaced by a narrow, shadowy tunnel.

“So I really wandered into some strange place…” Xu Zhe smiled, stepping to the stone wall and forming a series of seals with his hands.

If nothing went awry, this wall would be the dead end those auxiliary disciples of the Youji Hall had spoken of.

Thud!

With a muffled sound, the marks activated, and circles of array patterns lit up on the wall, spreading rapidly.

This time, no glass surfaces appeared—just an opening, steadily widening.

A shaft of dazzling sunlight streamed through.

Faintly, the hubbub of a busy market drifted from afar.

Xu Zhe stepped forward, feet on solid ground, emerging from the tunnel.

Behind him, the entrance closed instantly, vanishing into an ordinary wall.

Now Xu Zhe surveyed his surroundings, assessing the general environment.

He was still in a narrow alley, the ground paved with blue stone slabs.

Around him stood ancient buildings with blue-tiled roofs, only two or three stories high, much like those in Tianhe City.

But from this alley, gazing into the distance…

He saw several skyscrapers in unmistakably modern Earth style, towering into the clouds, strikingly out of place, with cloud rails suspended high above, connecting the buildings.

Now and then, cultivators with long hair and ancient robes zipped past on bicycles in midair.

Some rode even more extravagant vehicles—a flying vessel resembling a small boat, others soared on skateboards, or more traditional methods, standing atop broad swords or commanding massive blades.

Varieties abounded, dazzling the eye.

Xu Zhe was momentarily entranced.

“So this is Eastern Qian Continent? It truly is nothing like Tianhe City,” he murmured, marveling at how his old classmates had stirred things up.

…

“Father, I truly know nothing about those condemned prisoners! I just took money and did my job, I swear I know nothing. Save me, please save me!”

From outside the alley came a piercing, desperate wail, mingled with the clamor of a crowd.

Xu Zhe paused, walking toward the alley’s mouth.

A dense crowd blocked the way, and ahead lay a broad avenue.

Several women in blue robes, with the word “Enforcement” embroidered on their chests, dragged a man bound in iron chains, hauling him forward.

The man wept and screamed, begging an elder who followed behind.

The elder wore a black robe, the same “Enforcement” character on his chest, following slowly.

His eyes were faintly red, but his expression was resolute, unmoved.

“Enforcement Hall is handling a case. Irrelevant persons, clear the way, or you’ll be treated as aiding a prisoner and detained.”

Ignoring the man’s cries, the elder barked sternly at the chaotic crowd.

The crowd recoiled in fear, Xu Zhe swept along with them, pressed into the throng.

Just then, the bronze sword in his sleeve emitted a sudden tremor, transforming into a streak of light.

“Return!” Xu Zhe commanded immediately.

The bronze sword halted, hovering in midair—but its position was ill-chosen, blocking the path of the Enforcement Hall women.

Instantly, the entire scene fell silent, not a sound to be heard.

All eyes turned to Xu Zhe.

…