SWNOVELXO Chapter 142: The End at the Beginning
Chapter 142: The End at the Beginning
With a flick of his hand, Xu Lian summoned the Sword of Destruction. As he drew it slightly from its sheath, the day turned into night. The sky filled with massive crimson lightning bolts, and an overwhelming sword aura filled the desolate area.
This meant that the battle was over… The fully armed young man was terrified, his legs giving out as he collapsed to the ground. The exotic beasts carrying the young men and women were also terrified, some even losing control and fleeing in panic, nearly throwing their riders off their backs!
“Hahahahaha!” Jiang Yiming burst out laughing.
Jiang Yunyan couldn’t help but laugh as well.
Even Jiang Xianyu, who rarely smiled, showed a hint of amusement.
“…” Xu Lian had not expected the geniuses from Qingzhou Prefecture to be so… fragile.
Of course, it was possible that as the master of the Sword of Destruction, he didn’t feel the terror it exuded. If he had been on the receiving end, he might have understood their fear.
Xu Lian sheathed the Sword of Destruction, and night returned to day. The sunlight returned to the earth, the crimson lightning disappeared, and everything returned to peace.
Only the terrified young man on the ground and the chaotic scene of young men and women with their panicked beasts remained as evidence of what had just happened.
Once they had calmed down, the young man, the youth, and the others all turned red with embarrassment. The situation had been extremely humiliating.
“So, are we still fighting?” Jiang Yiming teased.
Still shaken, the young man looked at the sword in Xu Lian’s hand and simply said, “I admit defeat.”
The youth’s face darkened, but there was nothing he could do about it. “You win. I’ll keep my promise and not go after the Yao family’s daughter.”
Jiang Yiming smiled faintly. “Good. Maybe when the Yao family’s daughter gives birth to my child, I’ll let the child call you ‘Uncle’.”
Such a sharp tongue… Xu Lian had once experienced the joys of being a brash teenager, though that was mostly thanks to Pei Zhaoxi, the little chili pepper.
“Let’s go,” the youth said, giving Xu Lian a deep look before hurriedly leading the group away.
On the way back to the Thirteen Clans Residence, Jiang Yiming couldn’t stop grinning.
Jiang Yunyan said, “Now that the Pang Family heir has withdrawn, you should propose to Miss Yao as soon as possible to prevent other suitors from appearing.
“I understand,” Jiang Yiming replied before rushing off to find his grandfather and parents.
Jiang Xianyu looked at Jiang Yunyan. “Sister, I have found my partner, and Yiming is about to get engaged. You are the only one left in the younger generation of the Jiang family. You should think about your own marriage.”
Jiang Yunyan shook her head. “I’m in no hurry. As the leader of the younger generation of the Jiang family, I should focus on cultivation for now.”
Jiang Xianyu said, “Marriage doesn’t have to interfere with cultivation.”
Xu Lian joked, “If you really can’t find someone suitable, you can always try your luck at Ghost Child Ridge. The destined marriages there are quite accurate.”
Jiang Yunyan glared at him. “Stay out of my business.”
With that, she stormed off.
Xu Lian was baffled, unsure of what he had said wrong. He had only made a suggestion, half in jest.
Deep in thought, Jiang Xianyu watched her tall figure walk away. “Husband, I think my cousin might already have someone in her heart.”
Xu Lian suddenly understood. “No wonder she got angry when I suggested Ghost Child Ridge.”
Jiang Xianyu looked at him. “That person could be you.”
“…” Xu Lian stumbled, nearly losing his balance. “Don’t say such things. If it gets out, it could harm her reputation.”
Jiang Xianyu was only speculating based on intuition and couldn’t be sure, so she didn’t press the matter.
Xu Lian stayed with the Jiang family for a few more days before saying goodbye and preparing to return to Pingyang County.
Jiang Xianyu’s favorability towards him had reached 93/100. It would be difficult to increase it further in the short term, so staying longer was pointless… He had to find new ways to grow.
The members of the Jiang family stood on the deck of the battleship and watched as Xu Lian boarded a small boat.
Jiang Xianyu’s beautiful eyes were filled with tears as she waved goodbye to Xu Lian, reluctant to see him go.
“Xianyu, I’ll come to see you often,” Xu Lian said, his heart also heavy with reluctance. But he couldn’t stay here for long, nor could he stop striving to improve his strength.
In this world, it was like rowing against the current. If you didn’t move forward, you would eventually be pushed into the abyss and trampled by various powers and monstrous beings.
Life was as fragile as grass, and strength was paramount.
“Whoosh!” Xu Lian used his inner energy to propel the boat, enjoying the sensation of rowing without an oar.
Just as his boat was about to leave the residence of the Thirteen Clans, another small boat quickly approached from behind.
He turned around and saw that it was Jiang Yunyan. “Sister, are you heading out to take care of some business?” he asked.
Jiang Yunyan’s face flushed slightly. “I’ve thought it over these past few days, and I think your suggestion makes sense.”
Xu Lian was momentarily stunned before he remembered that he had jokingly suggested that she go to Ghost Child Ridge to find her destined partner. “I was just joking, sister. Don’t take it seriously.”
Jiang Yunyan replied, “But I’ve already taken it seriously. Xianyu found her destined partner at Ghost Child Ridge. Why can’t I?”
Well… Xu Lian thought about Jiang Xianyu. “Does Xianyu know that you’re going to Ghost Child Ridge to find your partner?”
Jiang Yunyan nodded. “Of course she knows. It was her persuasion that finally made me decide to go to Ghost Child Ridge with you.”
Xu Lian was confused. “I’m going to Pingyang County, and you’re going to Ghost Child Ridge. We’re not on the same path.”
Jiang Yunyan snapped, “Ghost Child Ridge is between Pingyang County and Yanfu County. Can’t I go to Pingyang County first?”
Xu Lian thought about it and realized that she was right, so he didn’t say anything more.
Thus, the two of them left the Thirteen Clans Residence together.
They hired a carriage pulled by an exotic beast.
Xu Lian said to the driver, “First, take us to the biggest place in Taizhou Prefecture that sells cultivation materials. Then we’ll go to the Hundred Spirits Inn, and finally to the altar.”
The driver replied with a cheerful “Alright!”
Jiang Yunyan asked, “Are you planning to buy some cultivation materials to take with you?”
Xu Lian nodded. “That’s right.”
After that, the two of them fell into silence. As they sat alone in the carriage, the atmosphere became a bit awkward.
Soon, the carriage stopped. The driver said, “This Linjiang Pavilion is the largest place in Taizhou Prefecture that sells cultivation resources.”
Xu Lian and Jiang Yunyan got out of the carriage and went inside. For some reason, a hint of mischief flashed in Jiang Yunyan’s autumn-like eyes, and the corners of her lips curled slightly.
As they entered, upon seeing Jiang Yunyan, the female shopkeeper and the saleswomen immediately bowed and greeted her, “Greetings, Young Miss.”
“…” Xu Lian was speechless. So Linjiang Pavilion was owned by the Jiang family. He looked at Jiang Yunyan. “Sister, why didn’t you say this earlier? You just watched me make a fool of myself.”
Jiang Yunyan snorted. “You didn’t ask.”
Xu Lian replied, “How could I have known? I couldn’t have predicted that this place belonged to the Jiang family.”
Seeing this young man call Jiang Yunyan “sister,” the shopkeeper and the saleswomen were all surprised, wondering who he was.
Xu Lian asked, “Do you have any Joint Grass in stock?”
The shopkeeper smiled and said, “We do.”
Xu Lian quickly calculated in his mind. Jiang Xianyu had previously given him several dozen stalks from the Jiang family’s storeroom, but he still needed four hundred and fifty more to gather enough materials to advance from the third to the ninth stage of the Transformation Strength Rank. “Give me four hundred and fifty stalks,” he said.
“This…” The shopkeeper hesitated. Each stalk of Joint Grass was worth three thousand Spirit Stones, so four hundred and fifty stalks would amount to one million three hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones. This was no small sum, and she wasn’t sure whether the young man intended to “buy” or “take” them.
If he was buying, he would have to pay for it in spirit stones.
If he was taking it, it would be a gift.
She could only turn her gaze to Jiang Yunyan for guidance.
Jiang Yunyan asked, “Why do you need so much Joint Grass? For most cultivators at the level of Transformation Strength, one hundred stalks would be more than enough.”
Xu Lian replied, “Am I an ordinary Transformation Strength Rank cultivator?”
Jiang Yunyan thought about it and realized that he was right. A seventeen-year-old Transformation Strength Rank cultivator was indeed extraordinary, especially one who had gained the recognition of the Sword of Destruction and the Sacred Spirit Record. She turned to the shopkeeper and said, “Then give him four hundred and fifty stems.”
The shopkeeper acknowledged the order and went to the back to get the goods.
After a short wait, the shopkeeper returned with a large bundle of Joint Grass.
Xu Lian checked the quantity to ensure that it was correct, and then stored it in his spatial bag. Since Jiang Yunyan didn’t mention anything about payment, he certainly wasn’t going to bring it up either… effectively saving himself over a million Spirit Stones.
After leaving Linjiang Pavilion, they boarded the exotic beast carriage.
Xu Lian felt that he should at least express his gratitude. “Thank you, sister. You’re very generous.”
Jiang Yunyan snorted. “We have already given you the Sword of Destruction and the Sacred Spirit Record. What are a few Spirit Stones compared to that?”
When they arrived at the Hundred Spirit Inn, they picked up Xiao Xixi.
Xu Lian introduced Jiang Yunyan to her. “This is Miss Jiang Yunyan, Xianyu’s cousin.”
“Isn’t Xianyu coming back with you?” Xiao Xixi asked confusedly. Jiang Xianyu wasn’t here, but her cousin was, which felt a bit unusual. A woman’s intuition told her that there was more to this.
Xu Lian explained, “Xianyu spent over three years with the caravan, which delayed her cultivation. The Jiang family won’t let her leave now. They’ve ordered her to go into seclusion to make up for the lost time.”
Xiao Xixi didn’t push any further.
The three of them boarded the carriage and headed to the altar.
When they arrived at the altar, they joined the line.
When it was their turn, Xu Lian instinctively glanced at Jiang Yunyan.
Jiang Yunyan glared at him. “Why are you looking at me? Do you expect me to pay the teleportation fee? You received twelve million spirit stones as a gift from our Jiang family. Why are you so stingy?”
“Twelve million spirit stones?” Xiao Xixi was shocked. The great clans were truly extravagant. Just getting married had earned him twelve million spirit stones, a sum she could never hope to earn in several lifetimes.
The people lining up to use the altar couldn’t help but stare at Xu Lian.
“Sister, could you lower your voice? Wealth shouldn’t be flaunted, you know,” Xu Lian said hurriedly as he took out the spirit stones and placed them on the altar, paying the teleportation fee for the three of them to Pingyang County.