Chapter 137 - The Sound of Shattering Fills the Entire Mausoleum
Chapter 137: The Sound of Shattering Fills the Entire Mausoleum
Many people did not want Xuanyuan Taihua to return. This was especially true for the Main Path Guild. This was because Xuanyuan Taihua’s return would destabilize the Main Path Guild’s status as the First Guild of the Tang Dynasty.
Besides that, the embarrassing scene that was happening was also directly related to her undesired return.
Even if everyone in the Main Path Guild did not want First Sword Taihua to return, the sword that she stuck in a stone tablet in the Main Path Mausoleum was like something stuck in their throat. The initial plan was for Fang Lang to quickly withdraw the sword. In the end, they needed to stop Fang Lang from retrieving the sword.
When one thought about it, it was almost comical. They could not help but laugh.
As time slowly passed, seven days were up almost without anyone noticing.
At the foot of the mountain, Zhao Zhenshi and the others continued to look up into the night sky. They seemed almost able to sense the passing of time. As soon as the time was up, Zhao Zhenshi would immediately stop Fang Lang and chase him out of the Main Path Mausoleum so that he would no longer be able to retrieve the sword.
At the foot of the mountain, the atmosphere seemed to become tense. Huang Zhihe, who Ni Wen was supporting, narrowed his eyes. The aura over his body rippled slowly.
He planned to fight to buy Fang Lang sometime to withdraw the sword.
The sky was pitch black. The Thousand Cloud Stairs were shrouded in darkness. On the peak of the mountain, there seemed to be dark clouds that hid everything from sight.
…
In the depths of the Main Path Mausoleum, it was completely silent before the unfinished stone tablet.
The blue-robed Main Path Guild disciples were crowded together on the narrow mountain path. Their eyes were filled with disbelief and shock as they stared at the youth holding onto the hilt of the Reincarnating Lotus Sword.
The Reincarnating Lotus Sword had a mysterious power. They had all attempted to withdraw the sword but no one was able to do so. This was because the sword was as heavy as the entire world. It was impossible to move.
Hence, the disciples were all curious to know Fang Lang would be able to retrieve it. What was it about Fang Lang that distinguished him from them?
Even though Fang Lang was a sword disciple, many Main Path Guild disciples also studied sword mastery. For example, An Fan was a third-class sword disciple.
When they touched the sword hilt, it felt like they were faced with a vast world. It was exactly like when they faced the stone tablet left behind by the first sect leader of the guild. If they wished to obtain the gift, they had to solve the tablet mystery.
Due to this, they believe that even if Fang Lang could withdraw the sword, he would be unable to do so in such a short amount of time.
However, they soon discovered that they were wrong.
In front of the unfinished stone tablet, Fang Lang held the hilt of the Reincarnating Lotus Sword. The sound of the sword’s cry tore through the silence of the mausoleum. Then, the Reincarnating Lotus Sword that was plunged into the unfinished stone tablet was slowly withdrawn.
Time seemed to slip past just like the sand in an hourglass. As the sword was drawn from the tablet, it seemed like the fallen grains of sand were slowly returning to the top of the hourglass.
This sword seemed to have rewind time.
Everyone was stunned. As Fang Lang withdrew the sword, it seemed as though countless years had passed all in that one moment!
As the person withdrawing the sword, Fang Lang felt the effect most powerfully.
The blade energy that he had collected from 360 stone tablets was like a volcano that had been dormant for thousands of years, only to erupt suddenly as it was awakened!
The 360 gusts of blade energy surged out of Fang Lang’s energy center and streamed into the Reincarnating Lotus Sword. It was like a lost soul returning to its body!
Boom Boom Boom!
Fang Lang sensed the ground moving. It seemed like everything in the world was shifting.
A mysterious sword intent formed an image in Fang Lang’s consciousness!
…
Fang Lang slowly drew the Reincarnating Lotus Sword from the unfinished stone tablet.
As soon as the sword tip of the Reincarnating Lotus Sword left the unfinished stone tablet, sounds of spark could be heard. It sounded like the sound of beans popping in the frying pan, ringing out non-stop. In the Main Path Mausoleum, cracks appeared on every stone tablet.
It was like a single sword had instantly sliced through all 360 stone tablets!
…
An illusion. The Reincarnating Lotus Sword was showing him an illusion!
However, as Fang Lang recalled the scene of countless stone tablets covered in cracks, he felt like his heart was breaking inside.
If he withdrew the sword, it would destroy the entire mausoleum. If this continued, would Fang Lang be able to walk out of the Main Path Mausoleum safely?
Xuanyuan Taihua had used 360 stone tablets to nurture the Reincarnating Lotus Sword. This was chopping off the foundational root of the Main Path Guild.
However, Fang Lang was past the point of no return. He had to retrieve the sword. There was no other way.
Swish!
The sword was withdrawn from the unfinished stone tablet, like a mighty tree being plucked out of the earth in one go!
Numerous tree roots were torn apart!
Each of those roots was connected to a stone tablet in the Main Path Mausoleum!
A clear sound rang out as Fang Lang removed the Reincarnating Lotus Sword with both his hands. He pointed the sharp sword tip towards the sky.
Outside the stone tablet hut, the blue-robed Main Path Guild disciples looked at Fang Lang withdrawing the sword with ease in absolute shock!
Fang Lang retrieved the Reincarnating Lotus Sword, which seemed as heavy as though it contained an entire universe as easily as if it were merely stuck in loose soil.
The gap between their strength was huge!
Instantly, a bright light filled the place. At that moment, the Reincarnating Lotus Sword shone as bright as the brightest star in the universe. Its glow shone over the entire earth!
The entire summit of the mountain was enveloped in this brilliant light.
At the foot of the mountain, they could see that the mountain peak was shining so brightly that the entire night scene was lit up!
The Main Path Guild disciples in the hut could sense a threatening feeling that seemed like the end of days was upon them. It was like the entire Main Path Mausoleum was about to be destroyed.
Fang Lang’s forehead was covered in a cold sweat. He could see a sword intent swirling from within the Reincarnating Lotus Sword. This sword intent spread across the entire mausoleum like a cool breeze.
This was the sword intent of the Reincarnating Lotus Sword.
Fang Lang could vaguely see a phantom appear behind him. It was the phantom of Xuanyuan Taihua. With a curve of her fingers, the Reincarnating Lotus Sword trembled slightly.
It was like time had reversed as the sword intent returned to the Reincarnating Lotus Sword.
All the cracks, all the collapsing structures, the destruction of the mausoleum all came to a halt in an instant as the sword intent seemed to reverse time.
This sword had caused time to rewind.
Everything returned to its original state. The only sounds that could be heard were the rainfall and bamboo leaves swaying in the breeze.
The Reincarnating Lotus Sword returned to looking extremely ordinary as it hid everything extraordinary about it. However, the fighting power contained within it made Fang Lang’s heart race.
The icy-cold rain beat down on Fang Lang’s skin, causing him to shiver. He swept his eyes over his surroundings.
Everything was perfect. None of the stone tablets were destroyed because he withdrew the sword.
Was it all merely an illusion?
However, Fang Lang felt as though… things were not as they seemed!
He stared at the Reincarnating Lotus Sword in his hand. It looked very ordinary. The difference between the Blooming Lotus Sword and the Reincarnating Lotus Sword was that the Reincarnating Lotus was covered in tiny cracks that looked like carvings.
However, Fang Lang could now see a mercury-like substance slowly fill up these cracks starting from the sword hilt. It was like sand that represented time flowing down an hourglass.
It was like a… countdown!
Fang Lang’s eyes froze. Goosebumps appeared all over his skin. He needed to leave the Main Path Guild as quickly as possible. As long as he could run fast enough, he would not be the cause of the destruction of the mausoleum.
Fang Lang kept the Reincarnating Lotus Sword in his scabbard. He maintained an indifferent expression, looking as calm as water as he stepped out of the hut of the unfinished stone tablet.
An Fan and the group of Main Path Guild disciples all looked stunned. They felt as though they had just witnessed something terrifying. However, in an instant, that huge terror disappeared.
“The sword has been retrieved. Even if there’s anything else to say, I should make my leave now and head to the next destination.”
Fang Lang maintained a calm and collected expression as he clasped his hands towards the Main Path Guild disciples. After that, he made large strides and rushed quickly down the stone steps, leaving the mausoleum in a hurry.
On the narrow mountain path, An Fan and the other disciples stood under the hazy night sky wearing complicated expressions as they stared at the unfinished stone tablet.
…
The breeze blew, causing the bamboo leaves to rustle non-stop.
At the foot of the mountain, Zhao Zhenshi frowned and looked up. According to his calculations, seven days were up. It was like the final grain of sand in the hourglass has dropped.
Zhao Zhenshi’s eyes narrowed as his robes fluttered gently. After that, his body shot up into the sky and ascended the cloud steps. It was a demonstration of top-class Qinggong[1]. It only took him three steps to ascend the Thousand Cloud Stairs!
However, as he was about to enter the Main Path Mausoleum to chase Fang Lang out, he noticed Fang Lang’s figure darted out of the mausoleum entrance.
The cool breeze and the drizzle continued into the night.
Fang Lang was dressed in white robes and had his scabbard on his back. In the night sky, he stood out.
Zhao Zhenshi did not expect Fang Lang to make his way out of the Main Path Mausoleum now. He stared intently at Fang Lang. Then, his gaze shifted to land upon the scabbard on his back.
He saw the familiar hilt of the Reincarnating Lotus Sword!
That sword had been stuck in the unfinished stone tablet for over ten years. There was no way that Zhao Zhenshi could be mistaken!
“You’ve retrieved the sword?” asked Zhao Zhenshi.
Had Fang Lang really managed to retrieve the sword that had been lodged in the Main Path Guild like a fishbone in the throat for over ten years in less than 15 minutes?
Was this all set up by Xuanyuan Taihua?
Only the person fated to do so would be able to withdraw the sword?
Was this all part of Xuanyuan Taihua’s plan?
Zhao Zhenshi stared at Fang Lang. An inexplicable fire surged inside him. How could the great Main Path Guild be tampered with by Xuanyuan Taihua like this?
“Yes, I’ve retrieved the sword,” answered Fang Lang.
Zhao Zhenshi looked straight at Fang Lang. The cool wind caused their robes to billow in the wind.
The sword that had been stuck in the Main Path Guild for over ten years had been retrieved by the youth before him. It was like he was predestined to retrieve the sword.
Zhao Zhenshi stared intently at Fang Lang. He was currently going through an internal conflict.
The sect leader Zhao Longshi was not around. Should he let Fang Lang take the Reincarnating Lotus Sword and leave the Main Path Guild?
At this moment, he was not far from Fang Lang. If he acted, Fang Lang would definitely be unable to escape. He’d be able to suppress Fang Lang’s power and capture him!
Fang Lang looked at Zhao Zhenshi and worked to keep his heart rate steady.
The two of them stared at each other. Their gaze was like two dragons behind the clouds, tearing through the mists and were now roaring at each other.
Zhao Zhenshi broke off from the gaze first. He looked towards the Main Path Mausoleum which was shrouded in clouds as though he was trying to see if there were any negative effects on the mausoleum after the sword had been withdrawn.
“Xuanyuan Taihua has left her sword in the sacred land of the Main Path Guild for many years. However, we’ve been unable to discover her reasons for doing so. Tell me, why did she do it?” asked Zhao Zhenshi.
Fang Lang smiled. “As her disciple, how could I know the reasons for my master’s actions?”
“I only know that my master has instructed me to come and retrieve the sword. That’s why I’m here.”
Zhao Zhenshi remained silent for a long time. He then moved slightly to the side.
Fang Lang bowed and said, “Thank you very much, Senior.”
After that, he strode out of the Main Path Mausoleum area and headed down the cloud stairs in front of all the Main Path Guild disciples at the foot of the mountain.
Zhao Zhenshi did not follow Fang Lang. He instead turned to look at the many disciples that walked out of the Main Path Mausoleum.
He looked towards An Fan who acted as the leader and asked, “Are there any strange changes to the Main Path Mausoleum on the inside?”
An Fan bowed and shook his head. “There’s no strange changes to the Main Path Mausoleum on the inside. Everything is fine, except that… the sword has been taken.”
Zhao Zhenshi was shocked.
Was it possible that Xuanyuan Taihua had not done anything the whole time that the sword was stuck in the Main Path Mausoleum?
That was impossible!
Zhao Zhenshi frowned.
Fang Lang arrived at the bottom of the mountain. The Main Path Guild disciples looked at him with complicated gazes. This was the youth who managed to defeat more than half of the disciples of the Main Path Guild, causing the entire guild to quake!
Ni Wen supported Huang Zhihe and looked towards Fang Lang, who was walking over through the crowd. Huang Zhihe was beaming from ear to ear.
Fang Lang also wore a smile as he walked towards them.
“Let’s hurry up and leave,” said Fang Lang in a low voice with a smile on his face.
Huang Zhihe was stunned. His face that looked like an ancient tree bark quivered. His eyes turned towards Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji understood right away. He summoned the horse carriage and Ni Wen helped Huang Zhihe into the horse carriage. Fang Lang clambered into the carriage calmly.
“Drive!”
Zhao Wuiji did not hesitate. He quickly snapped the reins. The horse carriage did not immediately fly into the skies. The wheels turned and slowly moved forward on the ancient limestone steps.
At the top of the Thousand Cloud Stairs.
Zhao Zhenshi put his hands behind his back as he watched the horse carriage slowly drive out of the Main Path Guild mountain entrance. Even though it was driving down stairs, it seemed to travel smoothly as though it were driving on level ground.
All of a sudden, Zhao Zhenshi said, “It’s late now. Why don’t you stay at the Main Path Guild. Allow us to show you hospitality as hosts.”
Huang Zhihe’s laughter rang out from the horse carriage.
“There’s no need for that.”
Zhao Zhenshi frowned. He felt uneasy. He should not have let Fang Lang leave so easily after retrieving the sword.
Furthermore, Fang Lang and the others seemed to be in a rush, as though there was a problem.
The third time Zhao Zhenshi turned his head and he looked into the Main Path Mausoleum. He walked into the mausoleum then continued to the stone steps. Very quickly, he arrived at the first stone tablet.
He looked at the stone tablet left behind by the first sect leader and reached out his hand to gently touch it.
Creak!
As soon as he touched it, a pair of eyes seemed to open within the smooth surface of the stone tablet. A trace of sword intent was overwhelmed by the realization of terror. Zhao Zhenshi’s spiritual sense subconsciously trembled.
After that, the sound of something cracking rang out in the hut accompanied by the sound of the breeze and the bamboo leaves.
The stone tablet fell apart.
The cracks traveled from top to bottom and stopped where Zhao Zhenshi’s hand rested.
Zhao Zhenshi quickly withdrew his hand as though he had touched something scalding hot.
It was not me!
Zhao Zhenshi’s eyes flashed with disbelief.
After that, he ran frantically out of the hut, looking up at the Main Path Mausoleum in the night sky.
Crack, crack, crack…
Across the horizon, cracks began to appear on all the stone tablets under the huts. It was like all he could see were shattered stone tablets!
Zhao Zhenshi panicked! Did all this happen because he touched the first sect leader’s stone tablet?
No!
Every muscle on Zhao Zhenshi’s body was trembling.
He took a step out, seemingly shrinking the earth as he left the Main Path Mausoleum in an instant. His eyes were filled with madness and anger.
He glared down at the horse carriage below the mountain, driving leisurely out of the Main Path Guild entrance.
“Please stay where you are!”
His voice exploded and reverberated among the mountains.
That horse carriage that had been driving slowly instantly sped up drastically as soon as it heard Zhao Zhenshi’s words, driving at high speeds towards the exit of the mountains.
[1] 轻功 Qinggong. Also known as Lightness spell.