Chapter 127

Chapter 127: The Appointed Time Draws Near

Lou Yun fell completely silent. Everything Chang Xiang had recounted was far too astonishing, utterly overturning the history of the Lou Family that he knew in his heart. He truly hadn’t expected his entire clan to possess such a formidable background, perpetually existing under threat while also bearing this deep, blood-curdling feud.

"Do the people of the Nine Clans still follow the ancestral decree to kill every person surnamed Lou under heaven? Have they been relentlessly hunting our Lou Family?"

Chang Xiang nodded. "I believe so. Remember ‘Helian Sword, Huangfu Qin, sword courage and qin notes hasten life’s end?’ Both the Huangfu Family and the Helian Family are among the Nine Clans. And they finally discovered traces of your Lou Family— why else would that Huangfu character seek you out last time?"

Chang Xiang had previously mentioned some enmity between the families to Lou Yun, but now, finally understanding the full truth, Lou Yun shook his head. "Why exterminate everyone surnamed Lou? The ancestral patriarchs died at their hands. Even if there was hatred, shouldn’t that debt be paid? How could the Lou Family possibly pose a threat to them now? Why are they so insistent on wiping us out?"

"They covet that Divine Heavenly Weapon. Although it flew into the Ninth Heaven back then, they fear it might still return to the hands of a Lou."

Lou Yun was puzzled again. "The Divine Heavenly Weapon flew away. The ancestral patriarchs died. The Lou Family was exiled to the Spirit Weapon Star. How could the Divine Heavenly Weapon possibly return to the Lou? Could it be… that weapon only recognizes members of the Lou lineage?"

Chang Xiang nodded. "Precisely. It is a Divine Heavenly Weapon, after all, unique beyond compare. Unlike ordinary common weapons, once a Divine Heavenly Weapon acknowledges a master, it forms a bloodline-locked covenant. Simply put, this covenant follows the bloodline, passed down through the descendants for generations. As long as even one descendant remains, the Divine Heavenly Weapon will still recognize them as master."

"So that’s it!"

"After the Lou Family departed, their world effectively became the domain of the Nine Clans. Yet they also understood that their own Divine Heavenly Weapons were not the strongest. Should that supreme Divine Heavenly Weapon reappear, their ruling position would be imperiled. As long as they hadn’t secured that weapon, they could never rest easy. Only two methods could assuage their fears: one, seize the Divine Heavenly Weapon themselves— even if they couldn’t wield it, sealing or guarding it could suffice— and the other… kill every Lou."

"Divine Heavenly Weapons are rare treasures born of heaven and earth. How could they expect to just claim one as they please? So they had no choice but to opt for the second method: exterminate all surnamed Lou! It was the most fundamental, enduring solution. Once every Lou was dead, even if the Divine Heavenly Weapon emerged, they needn’t fear. Deprived of its bloodline-bound master, it would revert to being masterless. If someone else obtained it later, they would have no cause to feud with the Nine Clans."

Lou Yun nodded slowly. "So, as long as any Lou remain alive, the Nine Clans will never relent. They will never let us live in peace?"

"Correct."

"Alright. I understand." Lou Yun lifted his head, closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them. Two cold beams of light bored into the space before him as he spoke. "Since I cannot escape… then I must face you head-on. Nine Clans… I’ll give it a try! Let’s see who destroys whom first— whether you destroy my Lou Family, or I, Lou Yun, destroy you!"

Fire rises over the Fusang, the Nine Clans meet their demise!

This saying passed down through generations by the Lou Family… perhaps it was truly destined to be fulfilled through Lou Yun.

Lou Yun’s reaction drew a faint, satisfied smile from Chang Xiang. This was precisely the effect he sought. He had initially worried that Lou Yun, upon learning the full truth, might feel fear or be tempted to hide. Now, it seemed that concern was unfounded.

Suddenly, Lou Yun turned, looking at Chang Xiang with deep curiosity. "Brother Chang… how do you know all this?"

Chang Xiang appeared momentarily caught off guard, then smiled, his expression seeming guarded. "These matters… they were long ago spread far and wide across that world by busybodies. Everyone knows them, from white-haired elders down to young children!"

"Oh," Lou Yun didn’t press further and changed the subject. "Another question, Brother Chang. Earlier you mentioned that when people from your world arrived here, they concealed the true cultivation method. What did you mean by that? Are the cultivation methods we practice now all wrong?"

Chang Xiang nodded. "Everyone else’s methods are flawed. Only yours is correct. Because the true method from that world requires practicing both magical and ordinary skills!"

"Practicing both? Cultivating both magical weapons and common weapons?" Lou Yun was astonished. "On the Spirit Weapon Star, cultivating magical weapons is considered the true royal path. Cultivating common weapons has always been seen as inferior, fundamentally incapable of reaching the peak."

Chang Xiang’s face displayed unconcealed disdain. "And you think cultivating magical weapons can reach the ultimate pinnacle? The apex of cultivation realms on the Spirit Weapon Star, the Weapon Emperor… hasn’t that been considered only a legend for countless years? The reason lies right here! Your cultivation methods are fundamentally flawed— of course, reaching the ultimate realm of the Weapon Emperor is impossible!"

Lou Yun thought for a moment. "But Weapon Emperors must have existed. Otherwise, how would people even know about that realm?"

"Of course they existed! When people from that world first arrived on the Spirit Weapon Star, they surely practiced the true method concurrently cultivating common and magical weapons. That’s how they could cultivate Weapon Emperors. But something happened later— or perhaps for some reason— prompting them to hide the real method. Instead, they passed down this erroneous one."

The reason behind this, Lou Yun certainly didn’t know. Chang Xiang did, but he wasn’t yet prepared to reveal it. As he put it, the time wasn’t right. Lou Yun needed to grow stronger before being burdened with more secrets; knowing too much now would benefit him little.

Regardless, Lou Yun was evolving at an astonishing speed. Chang Xiang believed that before long, his strength would be sufficient to handle deeper truths.

Lou Yun’s progress was rapid. With advancements in his magical weapon realm, he had now ascended to the rank of a senior one-star magical weapons master. He settled comfortably into Yulu Mountain Manor, finding it an ideal cultivation environment: secluded from disturbances and abundant in spiritual energy. Furthermore, Beichen Ming, dedicated to helping Lou Yun enhance his weapon-forging skills, provided all necessary materials without reservation.

Time slipped by as Lou Yun practiced diligently. Over two months passed swiftly. Then, one day, Lou Yun suddenly recalled the promise he had made to his sworn elder brother, Leng Cangqiong. They had agreed to meet on the border of the Gu Feng Nation three and a half months hence… and that time now fast approached the last two weeks.

Additionally, while Beichen Ming had pledged his aid regarding the Lou Family situation, Lou Yun hadn’t seen him in action and felt uneasy leaving it entirely to him alone. He decided to first go see Wan Huier at Granny Bai Cao’s place, then proceed to the Gu Feng Nation to link up with Leng Cangqiong, and finally make a trip home to assess the situation firsthand. With roughly three months remaining until the forging conference was scheduled to begin, he resolved to calculate timelines meticulously to ensure he reached the conference venue on time.

This thought solidified his decision. He could no longer sit idly. Springing to his feet, he hurried to find Beichen Ming and outline his plan. Upon hearing it, Beichen Ming was naturally reluctant for Lou Yun to leave at this juncture. "Lou Yun," he began gently, "it’s not that I want to stop you… but the forging conference begins in just three months…"

Having already lived at the manor for close to three months, and deeply indebted to Beichen Ming for his hospitality, Lou Yun felt uncomfortable issuing a flat refusal. After a moment’s thought, an idea struck him. "Elder Bei," he said respectfully, "Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t mind missing an appointment… but my elder brother has a… peculiar temper. I fear that if he waits in vain, anger might drive him to some irrevocable act."

Truthfully, Lou Yun wasn’t lying. Leng Cangqiong’s character was notoriously cold and ruthless. If he arrived at the designated time and place to find Lou Yun absent, his rage could indeed be catastrophic. The potential fallout was unpredictable—he might even level the entire royal court of the Gu Feng Nation!

However, Beichen Ming found such warnings somewhat unconvincing. Were it uttered by anyone else, he might have scoffed openly. But this was Lou Yun, the talented youth he held in high regard. Suppressing any dismissiveness, he inquired lightly, "And who is this brother of yours?"

"Leng Cangqiong."

At the mention of that name, Beichen Ming’s pupils visibly constricted. Shock washed over his face. He sprang to his feet, staring intently at Lou Yun for a lengthy moment—easily half the time it took an incense stick to burn—before asking in a tone laced with disbelief, "Leng Cangqiong, the White-haired God of Death?"

"Yes."

Beichen Ming’s stunned reaction spoke volumes. His position and strength placed him among the Spirit Weapon Star’s apex figures. Therefore, if even he displayed such pronounced awe upon hearing Leng Cangqiong’s name, the sheer magnitude of the White-haired God of Death’s reputation became undeniable.

Having received Lou Yun’s confirmation, Beichen Ming felt momentarily lightheaded. He swayed slightly, steadying himself before asking further, "He… he’s been dead for years, hasn’t he? How… how could he become your sworn brother?"

Lou Yun offered a small, knowing smile and briefly recounted his experiences on the Great Snowfield.

Upon hearing this tale, Beichen Ming couldn’t suppress another wave of deep astonishment. "Incredible," he murmured. "The White-haired God of Death… secluded himself within the Great Snowfield for over fifty years for the sake of his sister? It seems… he may not truly be the cold-blooded slayer his legend paints him to be. Perhaps much of his notorious reputation stems from misunderstandings."

These unconscious words of commendation regarding Leng Cangqiong struck a deep chord within Lou Yun. After all, he held a genuine, brotherly regard for the man.

"That settles it, then," Beichen Ming conceded, a touch of forced resignation in his voice. "Since you pledged your word to Leng Cangqiong, I dare not press you to stay longer. Evidently, even I should avoid angering this White-haired God of Death!" He managed a wry chuckle. "I will have a steed prepared for you and see you off this very day!"