Upon hearing Granny Zhushan's words, Qian Lingwu was surprised, "Master, is the situation really that serious?"
"Yes, it's very serious. Heavenly Sword Mountain has attracted many people, and there's an even more important matter, so a lot of people have come. Some conflicts and wars are unavoidable. The war initiated by the White Tiger Saint Clan is just the beginning; the more intense battles are yet to come," Granny Zhushan said.
Hearing Granny Zhushan's words, worry appeared in Qian Lingwu's eyes. Leaving aside everything else, if the Nether Martial Continent attacked the Saint Martial Continent, the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan would be the first to bear the brunt. If something happened to the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan, Qin Chu would not be able to stay out of it and would definitely fight alongside the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan until the end.
"Don't worry too much; things aren't as simple as you think. Twenty years ago, under such circumstances, the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan was not annihilated, which means their luck had not run out. Now, they are rebuilding after destruction. How could Qin Zhanye, who could fight his way in and out of Profound Martial Saint Mountain, be weak? And there's also Zhen Xueyan; she didn't die, which is a big variable. If that person no longer cares about Karma, both Qin Zhanye and Zhen Xueyan will join the war," Granny Zhushan said.
"Disciple is just a bit nervous. The Vermilion Bird Saint Clan has only recently re-entered the Jianghu and might not be able to withstand such turmoil! You also said that Shang Ruoyu, the Emperor of the White Tiger Saint Clan, is a hegemon of the Nether Martial Continent. Her targeting of the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan poses a great crisis for them," Qian Lingwu expressed her worries.
Granny Zhushan smiled, "Unless absolutely necessary, Shang Ruoyu will not act. She also has worries and concerns. When the Longevity Sword Venerable was dominant, didn't she also have to retreat? The Longevity Sword Venerable has disappeared, not fallen. What if he appears one day? Bullying the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan isn't a big deal, but if anyone dares to destroy the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan, then they should prepare for crazy retaliation! Whoever he targets, that person will die."
"Master, are you saying that the Longevity Sword Venerable from the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan is not dead?" Qian Lingwu's beautiful eyes were filled with shock; this news was too astounding.
"Who said he died? No one knows the Realm he reached later, and naturally, no one knows his Lifespan. People who reach his Realm cannot be judged by common sense. Why did that person save Qin Zhanye? Appreciating talent is one aspect, and it's also to forge a good relationship with the Qin family. Some things, even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand," Granny Zhushan took a sip of tea and then went into the inner room to rest.
Qian Lingwu's heart could not calm down for a long time. She felt that although she was a sixth-rank King Realm Cultivator, she was merely a frog in a well. While she could dominate in Southern Flame State, in Central State, she was just a grain of sand. This might sound exaggerated, but she was indeed not enough to be considered significant.
Qin Chu stayed in his room to heal his injuries. The seventh-level Sword Intent was extremely sharp. He had withstood the damage, but the injuries to his body were still considerable.
Because his Bloodline Power was strong, Qin Chu's injuries recovered very quickly. All the areas in his body that were damaged by the impact of the Sword Intent had healed.
After recovering, Qin Chu brewed himself a pot of tea, then pondered and organized the recent events. Heavenly Sword Mountain held a great secret, involving the Legacy of the Sword Emperor, which all Sword Cultivators in the world desired. Therefore, there would be a wave of wars involving Heavenly Sword Mountain. It was still uncertain which forces would participate, but it was confirmed that the White Tiger Saint Clan and forces from the Nether Martial Continent would be involved.
Qin Chu was certain that as long as the White Tiger Saint Clan's forces acted, the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan would find it difficult to stay out of it. The White Tiger Saint Clan did not want the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan to revive, and similarly, the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan would not give up their past blood feud.
With experts from all sides gathered, Qin Chu felt a headache just thinking about it. Leaving aside everything else, the White Tiger Saint Clan had already targeted him. The assassins from the Xileng branch of the White Tiger Saint Clan were difficult to deal with. Although one had been killed, they could send a second if they sent a first. He was already in danger.
However, it wasn't without good news. For Qin Chu, the biggest good news was that both his parents were safe, but due to certain rules and moral influences, they couldn't act freely. The person who saved his father was a strong practitioner from Immortal Saint State, and having this information made it easier to investigate.
Qin Chu was also very conflicted about Granny Zhushan's request. Marrying Qian Lingwu... that was impossible, because he already had Shang Shuyu. Qin Chu felt that sometimes, things happened by a strange twist of fate, and Qin Chu did have feelings for Qian Lingwu.
After thinking for a while, Qin Chu shook his head and began to Cultivate again. He needed to Cultivate both the Vermilion Bird Sacred Fire and the Prison Suppressing Fist.
After the battle with the White Tiger Saint Clan assassin, Qin Chu realized the importance of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Fire and the Prison Suppressing Fist. Having more skills was always better. Just like the first assassination attempt, he would have been in trouble without the Prison Suppressing Fist. This second time facing an assassination, he used the Vermilion Bird Sacred Fire for protection. Although he was still not their match, he was no longer as passive.
After finishing his fist techniques, Qin Chu continued to Cultivate the seventh-level Sword Intent. He couldn't use the seventh-level Sword Intent casually because it was a double-edged sword, increasing his combat power while also harming himself. Prolonged use was definitely not feasible.
Through continuous exploration and experimentation, Qin Chu found a balance point suitable for himself, somewhere between the sixth-level Sword Intent and the seventh-level, a position where he could suppress the sixth-level Sword Intent without being overwhelmed by the seventh-level Sword Intent—half-step seventh-level Sword Intent.
Just like the last time he mastered half-step sixth-level Sword Intent, Qin Chu found what suited him.
With half-step seventh-level Sword Intent, Qin Chu's sword technique power increased by another level, which greatly impressed Qian Lingwu. She had Cultivated longer than Qin Chu and achieved success earlier, but in the Cultivation of Concept, Qin Chu had surpassed her.
Granny Zhushan was also very surprised that Qin Chu had found his suitable balance, as it was very difficult, especially in such a short period of time.
Qin Chu paid his respects to Granny Zhushan, but Granny Zhushan refused to discuss Jianghu matters, which left Qin Chu feeling helpless. He could only focus on his Cultivation.
Besides Cultivation, Qin Chu also continued to refine Medicinal Pills. Lang Lang would be busy for a while every day, helping Qin Chu exchange Medicinal Pills for Spirit Stones and Materials. He didn't care about compensation, but Qin Chu was discerning in his actions, never shortchanging Lang Lang what was due. This situation enriched Qin Chu and made Lang Lang prosperous.
Every now and then, Qin Chu would go to Heavenly Sword Mountain. He would use Sword Intent to protect himself, and then use Sword Intent to strengthen and temper his Battle Intent. He needed to improve his Battle Intent, as Battle Intent could enhance the power of Sword Intent, and most importantly, it could assist the Prison Suppressing Fist.
Qin Chu was no longer subjected to assassination attempts. The White Tiger Saint Clan had already realized some things; they knew that there were experts present in Heavenly Sword City.
The Saint Martial Continent's search for rebels and outsiders had made no progress. The White Tiger Saint Clan had operated in the Saint Martial Continent for a long time, and if they wanted to hide, they were indeed very difficult to find.
Under this oppressive atmosphere, time slipped away little by little. The war did not come as directly as everyone had imagined; it seemed to still be brewing.
Three months passed, and Qin Chu's cultivation had increased by one level, reaching the fifth-level of the Fifth-rank Heavenly Origin Realm. Most importantly, his Battle Intent had improved considerably. Qin Chu felt that if he encountered assassins again, he would not be as passive as last time.
