Chapter 347: Chapter 343: Returning to the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon
"Hm?"
Ning Jiang looked over. The aura was coming from the altar, but it had nothing to do with the eyeball on top of it.
’It’s coming from beneath the altar.’
Ning Jiang focused his senses. The aura was coming from beneath the altar, and it was extremely faint.
The intense fluctuations from his battle with the eyeball had masked everything, so he hadn’t noticed it before. Now that things had calmed down, he could sense it.
"What are you doing?"
the eyeball asked coldly.
Ning Jiang ignored it. After a moment of observation, he struck.
RUMBLE.
He blasted a large hole in the ground, revealing something faintly visible underneath.
"This is..."
...
’Why isn’t he out yet?’
Outside the cave, Ning Yu’an and the others were fraught with worry, unable to remain calm.
A moment ago, an incredibly oppressive aura had suddenly emanated from the cave, accompanied by the sounds of dull, heavy impacts.
Everyone guessed that a battle must have broken out inside.
The unknown is often the most terrifying thing. Who could say whether Ning Jiang had the upper hand in the battle?
Even though they had always been confident in Ning Jiang, they couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
TAP... TAP... TAP...
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from inside.
"He’s coming out."
All eyes turned to see Ning Jiang walking out slowly. His clothes were somewhat tattered, but thankfully, he appeared to be uninjured.
"Ning Jiang, are you alright?"
Ning Yu’an was the most worried. She immediately went to Ning Jiang’s side, anxiously looking him over.
"I’m fine. You don’t need to worry, Sister An."
Ning Jiang shook his head. After reassuring her, he said to Yue Wenfu and the others, "Get ready. In seven days, we return to the Myriad Swords Sect."
"Yes."
For the next three days, Ning Jiang remained in the Cyan Cloud Country, spending time with Ning Yu’an and the others.
He planned to bring Ning Yu’an and the others with him on this trip back to the Myriad Swords Sect, but the Cyan Cloud Country held many memories for him and her.
This was his homeland, the place of his rebirth, so it held a special meaning for him.
Therefore, before they left, he and Ning Yu’an toured the Cyan Cloud Country one last time, visiting some of the places they used to frequent.
From Crescent Lake in Baiquan Town to Star Moon Lake in Luoyang City...
Traces of him and Ning Yu’an could be found in all of these places.
「Seven days passed quickly.」
Within the Demon Mist Mountain Range, the group was assembled and ready to depart.
"Sad to leave, Sister An?"
Ning Jiang looked at the purple-robed woman beside him. She was growing more beautiful and otherworldly, truly worthy of the title Purple Moon Fairy.
Right now, her beautiful eyes held a trace of wistful sorrow at their departure.
"Yes, I am a little sad to leave," Ning Yu’an admitted with a nod. Then, she broke into a smile. "But if you weren’t here, there would be nothing to miss. The only thing I’m nostalgic for are the memories I made with you."
To her, the most important thing was Ning Jiang.
She was only sad to leave because this place held her memories with him.
But since Ning Jiang was leaving, she would also depart without the slightest hesitation.
Besides, if she stayed in the Cyan Cloud Country, she wouldn’t be able to keep up with Ning Jiang. The country was too small—even a few minor sects could come here and act like tyrants, completely unopposed.
Only in the world outside could she improve and keep pace with Ning Jiang!
"Everyone, let’s set off!"
Ning Jiang’s gaze swept over the others.
Sword King Chu Bai, Sword King Duan Wuya, Vajra King Meng Bubai, as well as Wei Yanran, Du Wanqing, Li Shiyu, Yan Shuangying...
All of his old acquaintances were following him, leaving for the Myriad Swords Sect to pursue a greater path in life.
Excitement and longing could be seen in everyone’s eyes.
’Liu Xianyu, I will find you.’
Retracting his gaze, Ning Jiang murmured to himself. Among all these old acquaintances, only Liu Xianyu was missing.
During the past seven days, the many experts of the Myriad Swords Sect had not been idle. Following Ning Jiang’s orders, they had searched the entire Cyan Cloud Country, but they had not found Liu Xianyu.
There was only one possibility: Liu Xianyu had left Cyan Cloud Country and was no longer here.
Otherwise, she would have surely appeared to meet him upon hearing of his return. Why else would there be no word from her?
’Liu Yuanlong, rest assured. As long as she is still in the Six Eastern Provinces, I will find her, no matter where she is.’
Ning Jiang looked up at the sky, then gave the command: "Let’s go."
The group set off.
"Farewell, Young Master Wushuang!"
"Farewell, Master of the Myriad Swords Sect!"
"A gentleman on the road, as flawless as jade; the Young Master is peerless in this world. To have seen Young Master Wushuang once in this lifetime means I can die without regret."
Behind them, a thunderous roar like a mountain collapsing or a tsunami crashing rose from the crowd.
Just as it had been two years ago when Ning Jiang left the Cyan Cloud Country, countless Martial Artists lined both banks of the Qingjiang River to see him off.
This time, however, the scene was even more spectacular. A dense crowd of people bowed with clasped hands—it was as if the entire nation had come to see him off.
"To think that our humble Cyan Cloud Country could produce a peerless figure like Young Master Wushuang."
"This is a great fortune for our Cyan Cloud Country. With Young Master Wushuang as a shining example, the younger generation will surely idolize him and strive to follow in his footsteps. It’s foreseeable that a new generation of talent will emerge in the Cyan Cloud Country!"
"Well said. Any era with an outstanding leader is destined to be a golden age."
"In any case, we have to work hard! If we can pass the trials Young Master Wushuang left behind, we can join the Myriad Swords Sect and see a much wider world!"
"The Myriad Swords Sect... a place to truly aspire to!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, now seeing the Myriad Swords Sect as a sacred place of pilgrimage.
As for the trials they spoke of, Ning Jiang had left them within the Demon Mist Mountain Range.
He had set up three arrays in the Demon Mist Mountain Range. Anyone who could pass through all three would be able to enter, obtain an Identity Jade Token, and use it to join the Myriad Swords Sect.
It was predictable that his trial would incite a frenzy among the younger generation of the Cyan Cloud Country.
What young person isn’t proud and ambitious, wanting to go further on the path of Martial Arts?
It is only natural for people to strive for greater heights.
"I’m going to try the trial Young Master Wushuang left behind."
After Ning Jiang left, some of the most powerful young people, unable to contain their curiosity, rushed into the Demon Mist Mountain Range.
When the older generation of Martial Artists saw this, they exchanged glances and said, "We’d better work hard, too. It wouldn’t be a pleasant feeling to be surpassed by these youngsters."
"Haha, Young Master Wushuang’s trial has no age requirement. I think I’ll go give it a try as well."
That day, the Demon Mist Mountain Range was thrown into a complete frenzy.
...
「One day later.」
"So this is the Myriad Swords Sect?"
Sword King Chu Bai was utterly stunned when he saw the Myriad Swords Sect, which was built inside the Death Mountain Range.
"Just as I thought. The Cyan Cloud Country is too small. There are so many powerful auras here!" A strong fighting spirit gleamed in Duan Wuya’s eyes.
"In the Cyan Cloud Country, we were at the pinnacle. But here, we’re just nobodies. One day, though, we will catch up!" Meng Bubai said with determination.
Meanwhile, Ning Jiang was not with them.
He had appeared in a famous grand canyon in Qing Province.
The Celestial Sword Grand Canyon!