Chapter 1137: The Crisis from the Sword Sect

Two elders of the Tianchi Sword Sect were severely injured, and the remaining two were intimidated by Happy’s Wind-Filling Sky technique, remaining above the Sword Pool and refraining from attacking.
Happy vs. the Four Elders of Tianchi—He utterly defeated the Four Exquisite Sword Formation!
“The Four Elders of Tianchi are defeated! Should the head of the Tianchi Sword Sect come out to meet us?” Happy no longer glanced at the Four Elders. His clear voice echoed from above the Sword Pool, and the wind on the peak ceased once again; his voice could be heard clearly throughout the world.
Thud!
Thud-thud-thud-thud…
Rapid and frequent footsteps came from the entrance of the Tianchi Sword Sect.
His gaze sharpened…
Happy quickly noticed countless disciples of the Tianchi Sword Sect rushing out with fierce sword lights, each face filled with hostility.
In an instant, the Sword Pool was surrounded by thousands of their disciples.
Swish!
Swish-swish!!
The thousands coordinated seamlessly to form a formation around the Sword Pool, creating a massive sword formation around Happy. Just this display of power caused the clouds to move and the world to change.
Though they hadn’t launched an attack yet, the thousands of swords pointed at him gave Happy the sensation of being pierced by countless blades! The intent in their eyes was astonishing, and in just an instant, cold sweat broke out on his back.
At this point, Happy finally felt a hint of fear and regret—he had underestimated the strength of the Tianchi Sword Sect after all.
This massive formation was likely the sect’s ultimate weapon; its power probably rivaled the 108 Arhat Formation of the Shaolin Sect. Indeed, charging into a sect alone was rather reckless.
But…
Trying to defeat Happy with sheer momentum was clearly delusional!
“Hmph!”
A cold snort echoed, and his robes rustled as if in a breeze.
His cultivation level was fully unleashed! His protective aura and true energy field activated!! The Qi Strengthening Technique was also activated! True energy flowed throughout his body! An unyielding cold glow burst from his eyes, along with unprecedented fighting spirit and murderous intent.
Seeing this, the Four Elders of Tianchi paled.
The Tianchi Sword Sect’s ultimate formation was only deployed when the sect faced extinction. Once activated, its pressure from the laws of heaven could easily suppress enemies—even those at the peak of the Mythical Realm couldn’t resist…
A boy at the Unyielding Realm was acting as if nothing had happened despite the formation’s pressure, instead bringing them an even greater sense of crisis.
“Withdraw the formation!!”
Just as the elders of the Tianchi Sword Sect were about to speak, suddenly a graceful purple figure appeared in the air, heading toward the entrance. Her voice reached them before she did, drawing everyone’s attention.
Whoosh!

The speaker’s words carried an unchallengeable authority.
The disciples of Tianchi Sword Sect present promptly ceased their combat stances and sheathed their swords!
Huh…
The situation changed rapidly!
The murderous intent and imposing aura atop the peak vanished in an instant.
Hmph!
Kai Xin let out a low hum of displeasure.
Without the suppression of the powerful forces of heaven, a strong sense of emptiness surged into his body, causing his vital energy to surge wildly. If not for his resilient meridians, the impact of this aura would have inflicted severe internal injuries on him.
“Indeed formidable.”
Though the grand array had been dispelled, Kai Xin’s sense of shock only grew stronger.
He had thought his strength was sufficient to challenge a major sect, but it seemed he had underestimated these deeply rooted great sects—and even the heroes of the world!
Immediately, while calming his turbulent vital energy, Kai Xin stared coldly at the woman approaching from afar, his gaze gradually softening…
It was still her—the former master of the Purple Bamboo Forest and current head of Tianchi Sword Sect.
Graceful and elegant, her charm remained intact!
…
Thud!
Under the gaze of everyone present, the head of Tianchi Sword Sect landed calmly on the Sword Pool surrounded by her disciples, opposite Kai Xin. With a serene expression, she nodded slightly:
“I am Qing Xue, head of Tianchi Sword Sect. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“I am Kai Xin, a lay disciple of Shaolin, trained under Master Xuanzhi.”
“So you’re a descendant of the compassionate Master Xuanzhi. Qing Xue thanks you, Young Master Kai Xin, for being lenient along the way…” As the head of a major sect, Qing Xue’s manners were graceful and appropriate, making it hard to feel resentment toward her.
“…I’m ashamed.”
Kai Xin clasped his hands together and stepped forward slightly: “I came to Tianchi Sword Sect out of necessity. I hope you can forgive me.”
“…Young Master, you should know that Tianchi Sword Sect doesn’t easily interfere in the martial world. As long as it doesn’t violate Qing Xue’s principles, she’s willing to help you.”
“I’ve come to your sect this time only to ask about the whereabouts of one item.”
“…”
Hearing this, Qing Xue frowned slightly.
“Our sect has already heard that the leader of the Sword Sect fell at Young Master Kai Xin’s hands. You’re here because of the whereabouts of the Sky Crystal.”
“I knew it. Nothing related to Tianchi can escape your sect’s attention. Besides, the leader of the Sword Sect was in Tianchi for three years—surely you must have heard something.” Kai Xin looked into Qing Xue’s eyes. “Someone stole the Sky Crystal right under the leader’s nose, ruining my plans… Tianchi Sword Sect has been locked away for years. The head knows exactly how many people are here. I can only turn to you for help, hoping you’ll hand over that person.”
“Do you think it was someone from Tianchi Sword Sect?”
“Kai Xin just wants to get the Sky Crystal back.”

Kai Xin was not moved by Qing Xue’s words: “If this has nothing to do with the Tianchi Sword Sect, please tell me, Master—who is the one who took the Sky Crystal?” He stared straight into Qing Xue’s eyes as he said the last two words, slowly and seriously.

With any other sect, Kai Xin’s persistent questioning might have gone nowhere, but the Tianchi Sword Sect was a secluded sect, with all paths leading to Tianchi tightly guarded by its disciples. Anyone who entered and stayed for an extended period would inevitably draw the sect’s attention.

Either the one who stole the Sky Crystal was the master of the Tianchi Sword Sect, or… the sect had to give a name…

With just one sentence, Kai Xin hit Qing Xue’s weak point!

Qing Xue frowned and hesitated for a moment. “Please tell me, Master!”

Kai Xin stepped forward. His vitality, damaged by the Tianchi Sword Sect’s formation, had fully recovered, and his energy had reached its peak, causing Qing Xue’s gaze to tighten slightly.

“Young Master Kai Xin, do you know who has the most formidable stealing skills in the martial world?” After pondering for a while, Qing Xue finally spoke…

Hearing this, Kai Xin was momentarily stunned before seeming to understand. He replied, “The art of theft—traditionally a marginal skill in the martial world—yet there are sects like the Divine Thieves Sect, the Skillful Hands Sect, the Empty Hands Sect, and even the Beggars’ Guild that are involved in it…”

“That’s right. The stealing skills of these three major theft sects are the most troublesome. Even the seven major sects in the martial world have suffered losses at their hands. That’s why they don’t have fixed headquarters, and their disciples move around incognito, never showing their true faces…” At this point, Qing Xue sighed slightly. “Actually, when the Sky Crystal was stolen, I noticed that one of my disciples had disappeared. But I never imagined that this person had been lurking in my Tianchi Sword Sect for years, possessing remarkable stealing skills and extraordinary lightness of footwork—so fast that even I couldn’t catch up to him…”

“…”

Kai Xin was stunned. Qing Xue’s method of flying had been incredibly mysterious, likely at the pinnacle of mythic realms. His expression grew grave, and his tone darkened: “Who is this person?”

“When he was still in my sect, his name was ‘Chu Xiang.’ I remember his lightness of footwork—it seemed to be the lost art ‘Divine Dragon’s Hundred Steps’ from the martial world…” Qing Xue hesitated for a moment before continuing, “When he left our sect, he stole a precious treasure from us. If Kai Xin wants to track him down, he can seek help from the greatest detective in the martial world, ‘Lu Xiaofeng,’ to find the thief’s whereabouts…”

“You want me to help retrieve your Tianchi Sword Sect’s precious treasure?” Kai Xin reacted quickly.

Qing Xue nodded slowly.

“Yes, as a reward, I’m willing to share one of our sword formation techniques…”
“Oh?”
“You’ve already seen this sword formation technique, Young Hero Kaixin—it’s the ‘Four Exquisite Sword Formations’ demonstrated by the four elders of Tianchi. I believe you’ve grasped its intricacies by now.”
“Deal!”
Hearing that it was the Four Exquisite Sword Formations used by the four elders of Tianchi, Kaixin agreed to the Tianchi Sword Sect’s leader’s request without waiting for the system’s prompt.
Ding!
System notification:
“Clue to the Heavenly Crystal obtained!”
“Task assigned by the Tianchi Sword Sect’s leader: Find the greatest detective in the jianghu, Lu Xiaofeng, to retrieve the Heavenly Crystal and the stolen treasures of Tianchi Sword Sect.”
…
When leaving Tianchi Sword Sect, Kaixin assigned the task of finding Lu Xiaofeng to Bai Xiaosheng. But before he could make any guesses, Bai Xiaosheng brought some bad news.
“Kaixin, killing the Sword Sect’s sect master has gotten us into big trouble.”
“Oh?”
Kaixin was stunned.
Bai Xiaosheng quickly replied, “The Sword Sect isn’t a minor sect. Though it’s not among the seven major sects of the jianghu, its foundation is no less strong than that of Shaolin or Wudang. With the death of its sect master, not only has the entire Sword Sect turned hostile, but its supreme elder and former sect master have also emerged. Do you know what level of cultivation he’s at…?”
“Could it be another Heavenly Dao expert?”
Kaixin’s reply sounded indifferent, but he had already guessed something from Bai Xiaosheng’s words.
“You’re right. The new sect master of the Sword Sect is an ancient expert at the Unity of Heaven and Man level. He’s already on his way to hunt you down.”
Bai Xiaosheng’s answer confirmed Kaixin’s suspicions, but the fact that the sect master had actively come out to hunt him was somewhat unexpected.
“Now everyone outside is spreading rumors that you killed the Sword Sect’s sect master and must have gained a lot from him… Coupled with the news about the Heavenly Crystal, many people are focusing on the sect masters of various major sects. If the system doesn’t impose strict punishments, chaos will surely ensue in the jianghu… You need to be extremely careful. The Sword Sect’s sect master will find you within three days.”
“Three days… Three days…” Although he had long guessed that only a Heavenly Dao expert could shock Bai Xiaosheng, Kaixin remained calm, showing no signs of tension or worry.
Though Heavenly Dao experts are powerful, they can also bring great opportunities! At least fighting them can greatly accelerate one’s cultivation progress and improve the level of the “One Yang Finger” technique.

“I don’t need to worry about the Sword Sect’s leader; I need to know Lu Xiaofeng’s whereabouts now.”