Chapter 32: The Dispute Over the Continent's Premier Support Spirit, Mother Ye Requests Li Zhexian to Enter the Fray

Page (1/3) — Li Zhixian, the Peerlessly Sharp

“The Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest?”

Li Zhixian’s gaze narrowed slightly.

Madam Ye’s cool voice flowed like a stream gliding over a rocky ravine.

“The so-called Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest is a competition held once every three years between the Nine-Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, each striving to claim the title of ‘the finest auxiliary martial soul on the continent.’”

“The current heirs of both clans each choose a Battle Soul Master to support.”

“The victor determines who shall possess that title.”

Li Zhixian furrowed his swordlike brows.

Judging from Madam Ye’s words, the Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest must be a grand event watched by countless powerful figures.

But why had the original story never mentioned it?

He asked at once, “The Nine-Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda are both renowned as the continent’s finest auxiliary martial souls.”

“Why, then, have I never heard anyone speak of this Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest?”

A hint of gloom passed through the depths of Madam Ye’s pale-violet eyes.

“Because…”

“The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has that man known as the ‘First Attack Douluo,’ Chen Xin, standing guard over it.”

“With Chen Xin present, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is destined to remain undefeated in the Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest.”

“This contest… has lain dormant for more than a dozen rounds.”

“So long that… the world has already forgotten it.”

Li Zhixian nodded in understanding.

If that was the case, then it made sense that the original story had never mentioned it.

First there had been Sword Douluo Chen Xin sweeping all opposition aside, and afterward, the other six monsters of Shrek had offered their assistance.

The so-called Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest had long since become a hollow name.

Even if the Ye Clan forcibly revived it, they would merely be inviting humiliation.

“Wouldn’t that be unfair?”

After pondering for a moment, Li Zhixian asked in confusion, “If the two sides truly wish to compete for the title of the greatest auxiliary martial soul, then the Battle Soul Masters they support should be comparable in strength.”

“Where in this world has true fairness ever existed?” Madam Ye replied.

“Besides, being able to form connections with top-tier Battle Soul Masters is itself part of an auxiliary soul master’s ability.”

At that point, how could Li Zhixian fail to understand why Madam Ye had invited him?

“So…”

“The head of the Ye Clan invited me here…”

“Because you want me to represent the Ye Clan in the next Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest?”

Madam Ye looked at Li Zhixian.

Upon that beautiful face, which had always been cool and tranquil, there finally appeared a trace of warm expectation.

“That is correct.”

“But not the next one, because there is only a little over a year remaining before the next contest.”

“The Ye Clan does not expect to defeat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect within a mere few years.”

“We can afford to wait. We can wait for you, Young Master Zhixian, to grow.”

“In you, I see hope of defeating Chen Xin.”

“Your sword is sharper than Chen Xin’s.”

The usually aloof and dignified clan head now wore an almost fanatical expression upon her beautiful face.

“My Ye Clan’s Nine-Heart Begonia permits only two flowers of the lineage to exist in this age.”

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“When a new bud first blossoms, the old flower must wither.”

A tremor she could barely suppress leaked into her cold voice.

The begonias in the garden seemed to sense her surging emotions and silently lowered their heads.

Fallen petals drifted down with a soft rustle, covering her shoulders and hair, like a solemn and wordless mourning.

“I have personally seen two generations of Nine-Heart Begonia heirs pass away…”

“I watched helplessly as my blood relatives withered in the prime of their lives.”

“Even so… even though the Nine-Heart Begonia is so powerful that it is envied by Heaven itself, the title of ‘the greatest auxiliary martial soul’ in the hearts of the world still belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.”

“As the current head of the Ye Clan, I bear the long-held wishes of countless departed members of our family.”

“I seek nothing else. I only wish to restore the good name of my Ye Clan’s Nine-Heart Begonia.”

She raised her hand.

From her hair, she removed a delicate jade hairpin.

Three streams of light floated out from within it. Amid a hazy halo of shifting colors, three soul bones of different shapes hung silently in the air, radiating vast and pure energy.

“These are the three soul bones treasured by the Ye Clan.”

Madam Ye had regained some of her composure. She spoke solemnly.

“If Young Master Zhixian agrees to represent the Ye Clan in the Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest in the future, all three will be yours.”

Looking at the three soul bones that could drive any soul master to madness, Li Zhixian could not help but sigh.

“To offer soul bones coveted by every soul master at the very first move…”

“The Ye Clan certainly has deep pockets.”

The corners of Madam Ye’s lips lifted slightly, like snow and rain melting to reveal a radiant spring.

She firmly believed that no one could refuse such priceless treasures.

However—

“But I’m not interested.”

Li Zhixian’s voice remained calm and unruffled.

The smile vanished from Madam Ye’s face.

“Is it not enough?”

“As long as you help my Ye Clan defeat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and seize the title of the greatest auxiliary martial soul…”

“The Ye Clan’s accumulation over the past century can all be yours.”

“Lingling is the next clan head. Contributing to the family is only right and proper.”

Madam Ye turned her gaze toward the daughter beside her, her tone cold and utterly devoid of emotion.

“When the time comes, she will support you… and Lingling may marry you as well.”

Her words were so obsessive, almost pathological, that she was even treating her own daughter as a bargaining chip.

Li Zhixian could not help looking toward Ye Lingling, who had remained silent all this time.

The girl kept her head lowered.

Her lashes cast shadows over her pale, lovely face, obscuring her deep-blue eyes.

She was so quiet that she seemed like a soulless puppet dangling from strings.

Li Zhixian fell silent.

A dead father, an obsessive mother, and shackles of fate from which she could not break free—these were the roots of Ye Lingling’s present state.

But—

“Clan Head Ye does not understand me.”

Li Zhixian spoke with a languid expression.

“Material wealth is nothing more than an external possession to me. As long as it can buy a few jars of cheap wine, that is enough.”

“All I seek is freedom.”

“One man, one sword, and one jar of wine—that is all I need to roam the ends of the earth.”

“I have no interest whatsoever in the entanglement between the Ye Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.”

The day he left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had already severed that connection.

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Now, in his eyes, everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was merely a passerby.

No gratitude, and no enmity.

If he agreed to involve himself in the struggle between the Ye Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect merely because of their past entanglements, that would not be carefree joy. It would be narrow-mindedness—a sign that he had never truly let go.

That would run contrary to his unrestrained nature and his clear, immaculate sword heart.

If one day in the future he truly agreed to fight for the Ye Clan in the Heaven-Healing Sacred Tower Contest, it could only be because the Ye Clan itself had moved him, not because he harbored thoughts of revenge.

Otherwise, both his sword and his heart would be stained.

“If Clan Head Ye has nothing else, then Zhixian shall take his leave.”

Li Zhixian cupped his hands and leisurely stepped onto the path leading outside.

Dappled shadows from the flowers veiled his plain white robes.

Just as his figure was about to disappear from the sight of the mother and daughter, the young man’s clear voice drifted toward them on the wind.

“Clan Head Ye, allow me one more word…”

“Before making another decision that concerns your daughter’s entire life, why not ask her first whether she is willing?”

When his voice faded, Li Zhixian hummed an off-key tune, and his figure vanished completely into the depths of the flowers and trees.

Ye Lingling’s lowered lashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

Deep within her shadowed blue eyes, faint ripples seemed to stir.

“Heh…”

Madam Ye was only slightly startled before murmuring, “A prodigy naturally possesses pride. I knew he would not agree so easily.”

“Back then, Chen Xin was being hunted down. Ning Fengzhi rescued him, and out of gratitude, he joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.”

“Lingling…”

She turned her head, her gaze sharp as a blade as it fixed upon her daughter.

“Opportunity vanishes in an instant.”

“That boy, Li Zhixian, is a hidden dragon lying dormant in the abyss.”

“Before he takes flight into the nine heavens, you must carve the mark of our Ye Clan into his heart!”

“You must remember this: the hundreds of years of honor and disgrace, rise and decline, of the Nine-Heart Begonia Ye Clan all rest upon your shoulders!”

Li Zhixian’s words fell upon deaf ears.

The weighty reputation of a century-old clan was forced upon the girl’s frail shoulders without so much as a by-your-leave.

Ye Lingling continued to keep her head lowered.

Only after a long while did she softly utter three words:

“I understand.”

…

After returning to the Icefire Yin Yang Well, Li Zhixian cast aside those miscellaneous concerns.

He settled his mind and began brewing the Frostflame Immortal Dew.

“All those tangled disturbances are less real than making myself stronger.”

“Until I forge the Frost-Melting Spirit Veins Physique and comprehend the second form of the Azure Lotus Sword Song, I, Li Zhixian, will not emerge from seclusion.”

I’m completely exhausted. The author only gets two hours of sleep before having to go back to being a wage slave.

I’ve already written most of the next chapter. I’ll continue writing at my workstation, and I’ll definitely finish it before noon.

Thank you all so much for your support. This humble author bows to you all!!!

Hehe, may I ask the honored readers for a few votes…