Outside Qianfeng City, a lavishly decorated carriage sped along a winding mountain path, its wheels breaking the silence of the hills and woods.
Inside, the thick edelweiss carpet was fragrant with Ning Rongrong's scent, but the comfort could not ease her shame or anger. She curled up on a soft cushion, gripping her skirt hem, fists white with tension. Her delicate face flushed, eyes burning with rage.
"Chen Yi… Chen Yi!"
She nearly spat his name out, voice trembling with emotion.
"How could you—how dare you humiliate a woman like this! If I don't get revenge, I'd rather die than live with honor!"
That seemingly insignificant purple-gold arc was far from the "light punishment" she'd expected.
It had left her with the most unbearable humiliation of her life—wetting herself in public. The dampness hadn't faded, a devastating shame for the proud and strong-willed princess.
"Damn thief! Despicable! Shameless!"
The more she thought, the angrier she became, pounding the cushion and muttering curses, though she soon ran out.
"Relying on a bit of ability and background, bullying others—one day I'll tear you to pieces and feed you to the dogs!"
She vented, but it brought little relief. She recalled the strange looks and suppressed laughter from the Wind Sword guests and Chen Yi's cold, hateful face. She felt as if countless ants were crawling over her, on the verge of exploding from shame and anger.
Why? Why was Chen Yi so arrogant, when even her own father and grandfather feared the Body Sect? The thought brought tears to her eyes as she flung open the carriage window and cried out to those riding outside:
"Grandpa Sword, Rongrong was bullied by that bastard and you… you're just watching? Can't you teach him a lesson—even just to scare him?"
Her voice choked, her eyes red, trying to win sympathy as she usually did.
There was no driver in front. The four horses moved as if guided by an invisible force. In the shadows atop the carriage stood a white figure who blended with the surroundings: Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
He listened to her wailing and replied with a cold, solemn voice, tinged with helplessness.
"Rongrong, today's problem was caused by your own reckless provocation. Chen Yi's methods are… unusual, but this is a deep lesson for you. Remember, there's always someone stronger, and the sky is vast—so mind your words and never act rashly again."
His tone was calm, but he didn't agree to "teach Chen Yi a lesson."
Ning Rongrong's mouth puckered, eyes redder, voice rising:
"Sword Grandpa! Why are you siding with outsiders? I was just curious—he really did humiliate me!"
"Usually, you like Rongrong best, but now you don't care? Don't you love Rongrong anymore?"
Normally, her tears would melt Chen Xin's heart, and he'd at least comfort her and maybe reprimand her bully.
But today, Chen Xin remained silent.
Outside, only the wind and hooves could be heard. Ning Rongrong waited in vain for a reply, her resentment growing deeper.
In truth, Chen Xin hadn't wanted to ignore her, but a terrifying spiritual power had suppressed his soul force the instant he tried to act—so he did not.
….
…
Behind Saint Soul Village, by the waterfall, Yu Xiaogang, stood beside a boy with a strange, gloomy face.
"Xiao San, is this really the place your father told you about?"
Yu Xiaogang gazed at the roaring waterfall, frowning. Other than the sound of water, the mountain and forest showed no sign of hidden relics.
Tang San nodded calmly. "Teacher, this is the spiritual trace left by my father. The final place is behind this waterfall."
Master and disciple said no more, each using soul power to withstand the impact of the waterfall and cling to slippery rocks like spirit monkeys, climbing upstream. Yu Xiaogang's soul power was low, but Tang San helped with his vines, moving smoothly.
Soon, they reached a sunken platform hidden behind the water curtain, with a shallow cave at its center.
But the sight before them made Tang San's heart sink. The cave entrance was blocked by debris.
"This!"
Tang San exhaled lowly, panic flickering in his eyes. He summoned his Clear Sky Hammer and struck the rocks blocking the way.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The dull impacts were drowned by the waterfall's roar. The powerful Clear Sky Hammer shattered the hard stone like tofu, quickly clearing the path.
He rushed inside, Yu Xiaogang following.
The cave wasn't deep or spacious. Sunlight filtered through the gaps at the entrance, illuminating the interior. There were no relics or soul bones, nor any sign of recent occupation—only fragments of stone and thick dust.
"How could this be… How could this happen?!"
Tang San's face turned pale, body trembling slightly. His father had told him something was left here—his mother's relic, an important soul bone! How had it vanished?
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened as he surveyed the empty cave. "Judging by these marks, the cave was destroyed by an external force, causing the entrance to collapse."
"The time wasn't recent—the items were likely taken away long ago."
"Taken away?!" Tang San turned sharply, purple light flashing in his eyes as he used his Purple Demon Eye to scan every corner.
Suddenly, he squatted and picked up a stone with a smooth edge from a pile of rubble.
Tang San held up the stone, his Purple Demon Eye running at full force.
"Sword intent!"
He spat out the words coldly. As a former assassin, he was familiar with sword intent.
"Sword intent?" Yu Xiaogang was confused.
Tang San stood up, gazing at the sharp cracks in the cave wall, and spoke slowly.
"This cave was destroyed in one blow. The sword intent here is condensed and pure, with killing intent subtly restrained—only destroying the cave's structure, leaking nothing excessive. The one who left this sword intent is no ordinary Soul Douluo, but a top powerhouse steeped in swordsmanship."
"Killing intent? Sword intent? Top powerhouse?"
Yu Xiaogang murmured, and an image of a famous swordsman appeared in his mind. His body trembled as he blurted out:
"Sword Douluo, Chen Xin!"
He looked at Tang San, his tone firm.
"Of all who fit these conditions, the most likely is Sword Douluo Chen Xin, the guardian of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. His Seven-Kill Sword, its sharpness and killing grandeur, are renowned."
Tang San's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on the sword-intent stone until his knuckles whitened.
Yu Xiaogang continued in a low voice, "Xiao San, after your father's accident, the major powers surely sent people to investigate secretly… Chen Xin's strength is extraordinary. If he came here, found this hidden cave, took the contents, and buried the traces, it's entirely possible."
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect… Chen Xin…"
Tang San repeated the names, the purple light in his eyes growing demonic and his face slightly twisted.
At that moment, he saw in his mind's eye the aloof, white-robed swordsman at the pinnacle of swordsmanship, slashing open the cave with the Seven-Kill Sword and stealing his mother's relic.
Yu Xiaogang, seeing his state, pressed his shoulder and said in a low voice, "Xiao San, calm yourself. I know you have grievances, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is powerful, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin is a famed Titled Douluo—his strength is immeasurable. Besides, the Glazed Sect and Clear Sky Sect are now crucial allies. Don't act impulsively!"
Tang San's chest heaved violently as he struggled to suppress his killing intent. He nodded to Yu Xiaogang, his voice hoarse but calm:
"Teacher, I understand. For now—the time has not yet come."
He gripped the stone bearing the "Sword Douluo's Intent," eyes full of murderous resolve and awe.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Chen Xin.
….
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