* Taboo Tower *
The structure spiraled endlessly upward like the Coiling Dragon Steps. Two figures ascended step by step until they reached the highest level. One figure was clad in purple, the other in black—they were none other than the Son of God and his protector, Xiao He.
"Why are you still wrapped in that bandage over such a minor wound?" Xiao He glanced at the Son of God, his tone teasing. "Are you trying to make it an aesthetic statement?"
"It's nothing," the Son of God replied with an embarrassed smile. Deep in his gaze, however, was a flicker of pain and struggle, as though a venomous hatred burned in his chest.
He chuckled coldly. "That Sword Cloud Sword Lord… is truly amusing."
"Lucky for him that his ancestors groveled for mercy. If they hadn't, Sword Cloud would've been razed to the ground by now," Xiao He said with a sneer.
The Son of God gave a faint smile but winced slightly, not wanting to draw too much attention to the soreness on his face. "Teacher Xiao, I heard that Sword Cloud's elders reached some kind of secret agreement with us?"
"Yes," Xiao He confirmed. "The Tower Lord decided to grant Lin Qingfeng a final chance, as a favor to Xiao Yu's lineage. If he makes another foolish move, the Sword Cloud Sect will be handed over to its elders for management."
"We should just absorb them directly into Taboo Tower," the Son of God suggested with a sly grin. "Make them one of our subordinate organizations and be done with it."
Xiao He raised an eyebrow. "Such ideas are best kept to yourself. And don't let slip anything about that secret treaty either."
"Don't worry, Teacher Xiao. I know my limits," the Son of God replied, his expression turning dark. "But what about that Lin Qingfeng? Doesn't he have only one person, Yun Xiao, standing by him now? Will he survive?"
Xiao He sneered. "That weakling is hosting his sword ceremony today. He'll have to fend off assassination attempts from every faction in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea. And us? We don't even need to act. The taboo kill command is enough; everyone else will fight to end him."
"That boy thinks the Ten Thousand Swords Sea's factions are opportunities for alliances," the Son of God scoffed. "He has no idea they all revere the Taboo Tower as the sacred pinnacle of swordsmanship. He's delusional if he thinks he can defy us."
"Naïve indeed," Xiao He said flatly.
"Teacher Xiao, how long do you think he can last?" the Son of God asked, unconsciously touching his ear.
"Three days at most. If he survives past that, I'll kill him myself," Xiao He said coldly.
"With your skills, Teacher, killing him would be like crushing an insect," the Son of God replied, more at ease. He added slyly, "The sooner he's gone, the better for me."
At this point, they reached a towering black gate. The gate was shut tight, and a faint, sinister sound emanated from within—like a slumbering beast awakening.
"Ye Guying…" the Son of God murmured, peering through a crack in the door. His face showed unease. "The Tower Heart Inheritance… terrifying. In just three days, he'll emerge stronger than ever."
"Possibly even stronger than me," Xiao He admitted. "A rare genius, envied by all."
The Son of God sighed. "Compared to him, I don't even deserve the title of Son of God."
Xiao He chuckled, patting his shoulder. "No need to worry. I've heard the Tower Lord plans to name Ye Guying the 'Young Tower Lord' once he emerges. That's a position of true authority—above the Sword Cloud Sword Lord, above everyone in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea."
"A fitting title," the Son of God muttered. "He truly deserves it."
Xiao He nodded. "Ye Guying is a miracle. From a mere particle of dust, he has risen to wield dual Sword Souls—a perfect talent! That Yun Xiao, on the other hand, is just a child grasping at straws."
The Son of God chuckled. "Ignorant indeed."
"The Tower Heart Inheritance is no ordinary blessing," Xiao He continued. "In 300 years, only two have ever received it, including Ye Guying."
The Son of God's expression turned grim. "And the other? The saintess… What has she been up to lately?"
"She's preparing," Xiao He said with a meaningful look.
"Preparing for what?" the Son of God asked, uneasy.
"To ascend to Heaven," Xiao He replied with a sharp glint in his eyes. "This time, the Ten Thousand Swords Sea has three quotas to send individuals to Heaven. One was given to Sword Cloud, likely Lin Chen. The other two are for Ye Guying and the saintess."
The Son of God's lips quivered. "Heaven… To participate in the Deva's First Immortal War… That's the stuff of legends."
"The Favor of God, Who Wouldn't Desire It?"
The Son of God, exclaimed in awe. But Xiao He smacked him lightly on the head and said sternly, "Are you an idiot? Empress Shen Xi is only 15 years old this year. Don't you know that?"
The Son of God froze as if struck by lightning.
"Fifteen years old?! That delicate, tender…"
His voice trailed off, leaving the room in a tense silence.
*Sword Cloud – Jade Yang Pavilion*
Ning Yan brought Yun Xiao to the Jade Yang Pavilion, with Lin Lin trailing closely behind. The Azure Kite was about to be inherited, and Ning Yan was preparing to announce the results of the sword ceremony.
The Jade Yang Pavilion was the hub of information for Sword Cloud; any news discussed here would spread across the sect in no time.
As Yun Xiao stepped into the pavilion, dozens of sharp gazes immediately locked onto him.
"Isn't he supposed to be dead?" Low murmurs rippled through the room, the voices cold and tinged with disbelief.
That Yun Xiao was still alive was clearly a surprise to everyone present.
"Boy, after the sword ceremony, what's the result?" A handsome middle-aged sword cultivator asked. He was seated in a position of authority, holding a teacup delicately in his hand. His sharp, sword-like eyes bore down on Ning Yan and Yun Xiao.
This man was Ning Que, the current head of the Ning family and Ning Yan's elder brother.
"What else could it be? He must've lost terribly!" Lin Lin scoffed, shooting Yun Xiao a mocking look as she rolled her eyes disdainfully.