Chapter 228

Chapter 228: Er Ya, Xiao Bai!

A cyan robe and long gown!

　　As this man appeared, many people in the scene were filled with confusion, but the young lord Xin’s expression instantly changed, followed by overwhelming excitement.

　　Hum!

　　In the scene, one sword cry after another suddenly rang out between heaven and earth, and then countless top-tier sword cultivators of Guanxuan Domain transformed into streaks of sword light cutting through time and space, arriving before the cyan-robed man, all of them holding their swords and bowing respectfully, “Greetings, Sword Master!”

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master!

　　The founder of the Yang family, and also the strongest person in the Yang family today.

　　No one had expected this Cyan-Robed Sword Master to actually appear.

　　Upon learning the identity of this Cyan-Robed Sword Master, all the powerful figures of Guanxuan Domain and Xianbao Pavilion hurried forward to bow respectfully.

　　The powerful figures from other universes were also curiously watching this Cyan-Robed Sword Master. They only knew that the Cyan-Robed Sword Master was the founder of the Yang family, but just how strong he was, no one knew.

　　So just how strong was he?

　　On the other side, Old Yang was also watching the Cyan-Robed Sword Master, his eyes filled with deep wariness.

　　And Jidian was also staring fixedly at the Cyan-Robed Sword Master at this moment — this was the master of that sword.

　　This was Yang Ye!

　　This was the person Jidian intended to defeat.

　　Jidian’s eyes were fixed on the Cyan-Robed Sword Master like nails, and at this moment, the resolve in his heart grew stronger and stronger, more and more unwavering.

　　In that dark and lightless void, when Ye Tianming saw this Cyan-Robed Sword Master, he did not draw his sword again, because he knew that even if he did, it would be meaningless.

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master was also looking at him now, the two of them meeting each other’s gaze.

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master wore a faint smile, while Ye Tianming’s face was expressionless, without a trace of fear in his eyes.

　　To him, losing, winning, or dying — all were acceptable.

　　He could accept everything going against his wishes.

　　This was what his teacher had taught him.

　　Neither of them said anything.

　　Because there was no need.

　　They were both adults, and both understood.

　　Ye Tianming did not question or lecture anyone, saying nothing about whether Yang Jia had broken any rules, because when you lack absolute strength, trying to reason with others is nothing but humiliating yourself.

　　When someone’s fist is harder than yours, why would they bother reasoning with you?

　　Ye Tianming sheathed his sword and turned to leave.

　　No complaints, no fury, and no resentment.

　　But after taking two steps, he stopped again.

　　The reasoning, the essence of it — he understood all of it.

　　But this anger just wouldn’t go away!

　　Damn it!

　　Ye Tianming turned to look at the Cyan-Robed Sword Master, “I’ve heard that you also rose from nothing, and never lost a single fight at the same level. As it happens, so have I. Shall we fight at the same cultivation level?”

　　Whoosh!

　　An uproar swept through the scene.

　　He was challenging the Cyan-Robed Sword Master?

　　Jidian stared fixedly at Ye Tianming, and in this moment, it wasn’t just that he thought Ye Tianming was a decent person — it was an unprecedented sense of recognition.

　　Recognition of the Dao!

　　Recognition of character!

　　Damn it!

　　He had finally met a man with as much guts as him, Jidian.

　　Nearby, Old Yang was also somewhat surprised — he hadn’t expected Ye Tianming to actually challenge this Cyan-Robed Sword Master.

　　Same level!

　　Ye Tianming was clearly still rational — the challenge was at the same level, not against the Cyan-Robed Sword Master as he was now.

　　Hearing Ye Tianming’s words, the cyan-robed man smiled, “You’re challenging me?”

　　Ye Tianming nodded.

　　The cyan-robed man smiled and said, “The way you are now, you’re not ready yet. I’ll give you a little more time.”

　　His tone was gentle, without condescension or contempt, but very sincere.

　　Ye Tianming thought for a moment, then nodded, “Alright.”

　　With that, he turned to leave.

　　”Wait!”

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master suddenly spoke.

　　Ye Tianming stopped and turned to look at the Cyan-Robed Sword Master, who smiled and said, “Today I protected him — that’s very unfair to you……How about this, let’s make a bet. If you win, I’ll give you all the justice you deserve.”

　　Ye Tianming stared at the Cyan-Robed Sword Master, “All the justice?”

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master nodded, “For instance, this order that my son and grandson established — I’ll destroy it with my own hands. Every person who has shed blood from your Ye family, I’ll eliminate with my own hands……”

　　As he spoke, he pointed at Yang Jia nearby, “Including him.”

　　Ye Tianming narrowed his eyes slightly, “Are you serious?”

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master smiled, “Of course I’m serious.”

　　Ye Tianming said, “And if I lose?”

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master said, “I’ll still give you your justice.”

　　After a moment of silence, Ye Tianming said, “What are we betting on?”

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master glanced at Yang Jia nearby, whose face was still as pale as paper, and smiled, “Three years from now, the two of you fight again.”

　　Ye Tianming looked at him, “You’ll personally train him.”

　　The Cyan-Robed Sword Master smiled, saying nothing.

　　Ye Tianming gave a slight nod, “Three years from now, I’ll fight him again.”

　　With that, he turned and left.

　　Watching Ye Tianming walk away, the Cyan-Robed Sword Master smiled, “Interesting.”

　　Then he glanced around, “Disperse.”

　　Around him, the sword sect powerhouses, along with those from Guanxuan Domain and Xianbao Pavilion, immediately scattered.

　　On the other side.

　　Ye Tianming had just left Xuanjie when Xiao Hun said, “Young Master, I need to go take care of something.”

　　Ye Tianming smiled, “Alright.”

　　Xiao Hun said, “Aren’t you curious what I’m going to do?”

　　Ye Tianming said, “You are your own person, with your own freedom.”

　　After a brief silence, Xiao Hun giggled, “Young Master, you’re so kind, just as kind as Master Xuan and Master Guan.”

　　Saying this, she hesitated, then said, “I still think of them as my masters — will you……”

　　Ye Tianming smiled, “If I were to fight with these two masters of yours who treated you so well, who would you help?”

　　Xiao Hun was briefly stunned, then quickly said, “That won’t happen, it absolutely won’t happen, they’re all good people.”

　　Ye Tianming smiled and didn’t continue the topic, “Go on then.”

　　Xiao Hun said, “Okay!”

　　With that, she transformed into a streak of sword light and vanished at the end of the starry river.

　　After Xiao Hun left, Ye Tianming was silent for a long while, then shook his head with a smile. He found Canghan and took her hand on his own initiative, “Let’s go home.”

　　Canghan smiled sweetly, “Okay.”

　　Along the way, Canghan tilted her head and asked Ye Tianming, “Teacher, are you not going to kill that young lord? I could tell you really wanted to!”

　　Ye Tianming said, “Teacher couldn’t beat his grandfather, and his older brother stepped in…….”

　　Canghan was indignant, “That’s not fair — why is it that when he loses he can call for help……but if Teacher lost, no one would help you, and you’d just get beaten to death by him!”

　　Ye Tianming gently ruffled her little head and smiled, “Teacher will work harder from now on, and try not to let people bully us like this anymore.”

　　Canghan said earnestly, “I’ll work hard in my cultivation too. I want to help Teacher in the future — whoever bullies Teacher, I’ll beat them up!”

　　Ye Tianming laughed heartily, “Good, good!”

　　Xiao Hun arrived above a stretch of void.

　　Not far away stood a blood-red woman — it was Sword Ancestor in her transformed form.

　　Xiao Hun looked at Sword Ancestor, “Thank you.”

　　In truth, it was only after her breakthrough that she understood — Sword Ancestor had held back. Although she was a primordial being and would not die as long as all living things endured, Sword Ancestor had the ability to shatter her spirit.

　　And yet Sword Ancestor had not done so.

　　Sword Ancestor said, “It’s nothing.”

　　She would naturally never truly strike to kill Qingxuan. Of course, when it came to Xingdao, she would definitely go for the kill if given the chance.

　　But Qingxuan was different.

　　Qingxuan had followed the Yang family for two generations — she was a true member of the Yang family.

　　Xiao Hun said, “I will definitely defeat you someday!”

　　This time, she wasn’t just saying it — she was serious.

　　Sword Ancestor said, “I’ll be waiting.”

　　Xiao Hun turned to leave.

　　”Wait!”

　　Sword Ancestor suddenly called out to Xiao Hun.

　　Xiao Hun stopped and turned to look at Sword Ancestor, who said, “You must remember — you are now the Sword of Tianming. You have only one master, only one. Do you understand?”

　　Xiao Hun was stunned, “But Master Xuan and Master Guan…….”

　　Sword Ancestor shook her head, “You must remember — we who are swords can only have one master. You may cherish the kindness they showed you, and remember them forever, but you must always keep in mind that your master now is only one person, and that is Ye Tianming.”

　　Xiao Hun began to understand.

　　Sword Ancestor continued, “In your master, I sense the shadow of my own master. At their core, they are both extremely proud people, and also incomparably, incomparably lonely people. My master’s loneliness drove him to the extreme of being radical, while your master’s loneliness drives him to the extreme of being rational……”

　　As she spoke, she paused, then continued, “Extreme rationality means that he allows everything to happen — including your departure.”

　　Xiao Hun suddenly felt a wave of panic, “I won’t leave him, I want to stay by his side always……”

　　Sword Ancestor said, “Go. He is a good person, worthy of your loyalty.”

　　With that, she turned and left. After two steps, she suddenly stopped again, “Xiao Hun, remember — you must work hard, because every relationship is one of mutual growth, and the bond between sword and person is no different. Don’t become a burden. Once you can no longer keep up with your master’s pace, you will become nothing more than a passing presence in his life……”

　　With that, she transformed into a streak of sword light and shot into the sky, vanishing at the end of the starry river in the blink of an eye.

　　Left alone, Xiao Hun was silent for a moment, then let out a deep sigh, a wave of helplessness rising in her heart.

　　Whether it was Master Xuan or the later Master Guan……she had never been able to keep up with their pace.

　　A sword becomes extraordinary because of its person.

　　But why couldn’t both be extraordinary?

　　Xiao Hun took a deep breath, turned, and transformed into a streak of sword light that vanished at the end of the starry river.

　　On the other side.

　　In the starry sky, Yang Jia stood in place, his face as pale as paper, a look of bewilderment on his face. Even now, he had not recovered from his defeat, and the biggest reason was that at the most critical moment, the Yang family’s fortune had vanished from him.

　　The disappearance of his fortune meant that he had been abandoned by his forebears?

　　He had always hoped to earn his father’s recognition. All his efforts had been for that recognition, hoping to surpass those who came before him. But now, the disappearance of his fortune had dealt him a devastating blow.

　　How could this be?

　　Yang Jia stood there as if his soul had left him, looking at the cyan-robed man standing not far ahead, “Great-great-grandfather…….”

　　Crack!

　　At that moment, the space beside the cyan-robed man suddenly split open, and then a little girl in a short-sleeved shirt came running out. On her shoulder sat a small fluffy white creature.

　　It was Erya and Xiaobai!

　　After rushing out, Erya crossed the distance to Yang Jia in a single stride, her face as cold as ten-thousand-year ice, “So you’re the one who called Tower Grandpa a Yang family slave?”

　　With that, she swung a fierce slap across Yang Jia’s face.

　　Smack!

　　Yang Jia’s face instantly swelled red.

　　And at that moment, Xiaobai also charged forward and swiped a paw across Yang Jia’s already-struck face.

　　Seeing this, the young lord Xin standing not far behind Yang Jia instantly darkened his expression.