Chapter 70: Two Years

After a long while, Yin Tianfang rose from the ground, his soul seemingly lost, and began to walk away step by step into the distance. The Sword Demon watched Yin Tianfang’s departing back, considered for a moment, then hurried after him.

A thunderous boom echoed as rocks exploded and dust billowed across a barren hill. When the haze settled, a pitch-black cavern gaped at the mountainside. Yin Tianfang’s figure flickered and vanished into the cave. Countless fragments of stone were drawn together to seal the entrance, and the surroundings fell into quiet once more.

Time slipped by, day yielding to night, months to years—one month, two months, half a year, a year, two years. Unnoticed, two years passed. Outside the cave where Yin Tianfang secluded himself, the stones once haphazardly piled had become overgrown with climbing plants, blanketing every inch. The once barren hill was now lush, covered with vegetation and grass; even if one ventured close, it was hard to detect its secret.

Over two years, the place had become a refuge for wild beasts of the mountains, even attracting some rare spirit beasts who often lingered near the cave, breathing in and out.

One day, two streaks of rainbow light crossed the sky; a man and a woman, riding sword-light, descended. The lead was a man in middle age, clad in black, his gaze sharp as lightning, hovering midair with an aura as ethereal as an immortal. Beneath his feet, a small green sword shimmered with a chilling brilliance that inspired awe.

“Senior Brother, help me choose a spirit beast with a bit more intelligence this time—and make sure it’s pleasing to the eye. Next month is the contest for the quota to enter the back mountain. If my spirit beast becomes a sword spirit with its soul, I’m sure I’ll win.” Beside the man stood a woman, her visage delicate and lovely, teeth like jade, lips red as vermilion, her voice pure and melodious.

The man’s expression grew distant; after a long pause, he slowly returned to himself and nodded hurriedly. “Junior Sister, rest assured. I’ll make sure you get a spirit beast soul brimming with intelligence so you can enter the back mountain. Once you’re inside, I’ll also retreat for some cultivation.”

At his words, the woman smiled radiantly and affectionately took his hand, speaking sweetly, “Then thank you, Senior Brother.”

Her intimacy made the man’s breathing quicken, his face alight with joy.

“Senior Brother, look at this place. I remember two years ago it was nothing like this. How, in just two years, have so many exotic beasts gathered here, breathing and cultivating?”

The man glanced downward, surveying the area, and mused, “This place is odd. Two years ago, a surge of spiritual energy drew many exotic beasts here. Since then, the spiritual energy has steadily increased, so the beasts linger and refuse to leave.”

Hearing this, the woman’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Senior Brother, could there be some treasure here?”

The man chuckled, “Some elders suspected a treasure and came to investigate, but found nothing. Just ordinary happenings—no treasure at all.”

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The woman sighed in disappointment, murmuring, “What a pity. If only there really was some treasure.”

The man laughed wryly. “Enough, it’s getting late. Once I catch a spirit beast with a higher intelligence and take its soul, we’ll return.”

With that, the man swept his divine sense over the ground, searching the wild beasts for several spirit beasts and observing them one by one.

Suddenly, all the beasts breathing and cultivating below were startled, erupting in agitation; some even uttered low growls.

Gradually, the growls multiplied until every beast was roaring, all directed toward a moss-covered cliff.

A clear ringing sounded, followed by an explosion of rocks. From beneath the rubble, a longsword soared skyward, radiating dazzling light.

“What’s all this racket? Can’t a person get any sleep?” An irritable voice echoed. On the gleaming blade, light flowed, and a figure slowly emerged from within the sword, grasped it, and rested it on his shoulder.

“Who are you, and why are you disturbing my rest?” The Sword Demon, sword on his shoulder, eyed the man and woman suspiciously, his gaze lingering on the woman’s face with a slight frown.

The man was stunned, still holding the woman’s hand, staring at the Sword Demon—especially his bizarre appearance—with a face drained of color.

The woman, upon seeing the Sword Demon, went pale, the sword light beneath her feet dimming and dropping to the ground. She cried out in alarm, and if not for the man’s quick reflexes, she would have fallen.

“Junior Sister, what’s wrong?” The man held her, landing on the ground, concerned.

“N-nothing,” the woman replied evasively, though inside, a storm raged.

“He’s supposed to be dead—I killed him myself. How can he still be alive?” Her mind was in chaos. At the sight of the Sword Demon’s face, she was terrified, as if her soul had fled.

“Who are you?” The Sword Demon frowned at the woman, feeling a sense of familiarity but unable to recall anything, which only frustrated him further.

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Hearing the Sword Demon’s question, the man immediately clasped his hands in respect. “We are disciples of the Profound Dao Sect. My name is Xu Fei. I did not know senior was cultivating here—please forgive our intrusion.”

The woman quickly composed herself, suppressing her unease, and added respectfully, “I am Xu Rong, also of the Profound Dao Sect.”

The beasts on the ground continued their low growls. The Sword Demon’s brows furrowed as he stared at the woman’s face, murmuring her name. She seemed so familiar, yet nothing would come to mind, which vexed him greatly. The beasts’ howling only added to his annoyance.

“Stop that racket, or I’ll slice you all to pieces!” A terrifying aura erupted from the Sword Demon, sweeping across the area. Violent winds surged, and the beasts instantly fell silent, motionless and trembling in fear.

“Profound Dao Sect.” A hoarse voice slowly echoed from the surroundings, its tone unreadable.

The man was taken aback, inwardly cursing. Another person had appeared. If he were alone, he could flee at the first sign of danger, but with his junior sister present, he could not abandon her—his master would certainly pursue him for it. Now, he could only hope their proximity to the Profound Dao Sect and their lack of transgressions would spare them.

Yet after speaking, the newcomer fell silent. The man’s heart pounded, and he bit his lip in desperation, deciding that if their lives were threatened, he would save himself first.

Xu Rong’s forehead was beaded with sweat, anxiety gripping her; seeing her usually composed senior brother so pale only deepened her terror.

“You say you’re disciples of the Profound Dao Sect?” The hoarse voice, tinged with hesitation, asked, “Does the Profound Dao Sect still exist?”