劍問蒼天 - 第63章 冥王 - 清風書屋

Bili was startled, but the man called Xiao Zhou also shuddered, his gaze turning toward the shadows. His eyes shot out a wary light, and he said in a low voice, "Who is this, to speak such nonsense? I am a disciple of the Blood Refining Hall of the Holy Cult—are you going to slander me merely because I spoke up for justice?"

Zhang Qingyue and Tian Lingsu were also taken aback, not having expected such a turn of events. But Zhang Qingyue felt an added layer of doubt: the voice of that figure whose face could not be seen sounded somewhat familiar, though he could not place where he had heard it before.

The man standing in the shadows said mildly, "The Blood Refining Hall lineage was indeed the leader of the Holy Cult eight hundred years ago, unparalleled and overbearing. But it has long since declined. Judging by your cultivation, Elder Nian is still no match for you—how could he have taken you on as an ordinary disciple? If he truly had such ability, the Blood Refining Hall would have turned its fortunes around long ago."

Xiao Zhou gave a cold laugh. "You have not even seen me make a move—how do you know the depth of my cultivation?"

The man seemed to smile. "Why should I need to see you cast a spell to know the depth of your cultivation? Just now that old Daoist Cangsong used the Tai Chi Mystic Pure Way to force sound into the stone, shaking the mountain range to establish his authority. Those of lesser cultivation had their hearts and souls shaken and could not keep their footing—even Elder Nian could not avoid it. Yet you were as though nothing had happened. The relative depth of cultivation is plain at a glance—what difficulty is there in that?"

Xiao Zhou's expression changed. He stared at the man in the shadows for a long while. "There are indeed hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the Demonic Cult. Just who are you, sir?"

Bili gave a sharp cry, flew up into the air, and shouted angrily, "Prepare to die!"

Suddenly, within this originally gloomy cave, white light flashed and faint fragrance drifted on the air. Before Bili, white blossoms danced in a flurry like frost and snow, swirling without cease. Yet bright as this white light was, it seemed unable to penetrate that man's shadow, and the others still could not see his face clearly.

Xiao Zhou did not dare be careless. He stepped back, reached out and grasped at the empty air, and with a ceaseless "hiss, hiss, hiss," he actually pulled a bright, dazzling immortal sword out of thin air. Most striking of all, upon the blade that shone like autumn water were seven brilliant stars, carved into the steel.

The man in the shadows suddenly said in a low voice, "The Seven Stars Sword!"

No sooner said than done—Bili and Xiao Zhou were already locked in combat. The two flew into midair, and there was only a blur of blossoms coming and swords going. The vast space, once these two fought within it, suddenly seemed much smaller.

Zhang Qingyue listened from the side and understood that this Xiao Zhou was most likely also a follower of the righteous path, and he felt some worry for him. But as he watched the two duel, his gaze kept straying to Bili. His heart was truly conflicted; he only hoped the two would fight to a draw and end it quickly, and that Bili would hurry and flee.

Just then, however, Tian Lingsu, beside him, suddenly whispered, "That Xiao Zhou—I suspect he is most likely a disciple of our Canglan Sect."

Zhang Qingyue was startled. "What? You recognize him?"

Tian Lingsu shook her head, glanced at the field of battle, and said softly, "I remember hearing my mother say before that the Seven Stars Sword is a famous divine sword of the Jietian Peak lineage of the eldest branch—Uncle-Master Daoyan used it in his day. Later I heard it was passed on to—"