Saint Who Lay Low

Outside the south gate of the Tai Xuan Sect's outer city.

"Sword Master of the Dao, if you do not show yourself within one incense stick's time, I shall carve two more characters on the Heaven Mending Platform!" Han Ming's voice thundered like rolling clouds, echoing through the heavens for all to hear.

His words stirred murmurs among the crowd. Though many of the Tai Xuan Sect disciples frowned, none dared insult him; after all, he had acted with propriety before issuing a challenge.

After a month of anticipation, with no appearance from the Sword Master of the Dao, even the disciples of Tai Xuan Sect felt a tinge of disappointment.

On the city wall, Zuo Lin let out a sigh of relief. Deep down, he felt Han Ming wasn't a match for the Sword Master of the Dao, but after spending a month with Han Ming, he sincerely hoped no harm would come to him.

Zuo Yijian, however, gazed into the distance. His instincts told him that the Sword Master of the Dao would definitely show up.

The commotion within the city grew louder by the moment.

On the gourd-shaped flying artifact, Jiang Qiong spoke softly, "Could it be that the Sword Master of the Dao is truly the sect master?"

"It's possible," Hu Mo mused. "Though Han Ming is not much stronger than Chu Xian, for the Sword Master of the Dao to defeat him, he would have to reveal his true form. That's probably why he's staying hidden."

"If the Sword Master of the Dao really is the sect master, it would be quite the spectacle—people would think this whole duel was just a staged performance..." Hu Mo's voice carried a mocking tone, and his expression was one of disdain.

The gourd artifact glowed faintly, a restraining force isolating them from the outside world.

Just as Jiang Qiong was about to speak again, a sudden surge of powerful sword intent exploded from the south gate. Immediately following it, an unimaginable pressure swept in from the southern horizon.

Jiang Qiong's head snapped up in shock, and Hu Mo's expression shifted as well.

Before the south gate.

Han Ming grabbed his sword box and stepped forward a hundred zhang, planting the box into the ground. The base of the box sank into the earth as the lid sprang open, sending two treasured swords flying out to either side.

Han Ming placed his right hand atop the sword box, and a boundless wave of sword intent erupted from him, shaking all the spectators.

Before most onlookers could even track his movements, a sword energy streaked toward him from the farthest reaches of the horizon, mowing down everything in its path.

In the blink of an eye, the sword energy collided with Han Ming's immense sword aura.

His sword aura formed a vast blue screen of light, towering nearly two hundred zhang high—a breathtaking sight. However, when the mysterious sword energy struck, the blue sword aura was torn apart, as if it had been shredded in an instant.

Han Ming's eyes widened as he looked upward, his pupils reflecting a single falling leaf.

Boom—

The leaf swept over Han Ming's head, blowing his black hair into disarray as he stumbled back two steps.

On the city walls, every cultivator's face turned pale. Zuo Yijian instinctively raised his arm to shield his son. Through the chaos, he caught a glimpse of something hidden within the sword energy.

Another thunderous boom resounded as the city walls trembled violently, though they did not collapse.

When the fierce winds and sword energy finally subsided, a single leaf could be seen embedded in the wall, surrounded by spiderweb-like cracks.

Han Ming steadied himself and stepped forward again, drawing the remaining two swords from the sword box. His eyes turned toward the distant horizon.

The leaf had flown past, but the gale it left behind continued to roar, as if trying to uproot everything in its path.

Han Ming stood unflinching, his robes billowing behind him, accentuating his strong frame.

He stared intently at the horizon, his demeanor like that of a warrior facing an imminent battle. Around him, the onlookers, both within the Tai Xuan Sect and outside, held their breaths.

The Sword Master of the Dao had arrived!

"Wow! Master, that was amazing! What was that sword technique? I want to learn it too!" An Hao exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down after snapping out of his brief daze.

Gu An picked up the leaf from An Xin's hand, causing her to look up at him with wide eyes.

"It's the same technique I taught you earlier. Once you master it, you'll be able to perform just like I did. However, true mastery of the sword lies in returning to simplicity. A true sword cultivator can unleash immense power without such grand displays."

Gu An's voice was calm as he spoke, and then he threw An Xin's leaf.

An Hao and An Xin watched as the leaf floated gently for ten steps before suddenly accelerating, flashing through the air like a streak of lightning.

This time, the leaf didn't cause the same deafening commotion. It appeared ordinary, but its speed was astonishing.

An Hao chuckled and said, "I like it when things are loud and flashy—it's more intimidating!"

Gu An placed his hands on their shoulders, and in the next instant, they vanished from where they stood.

Fifteen thousand miles away, before the south gate of the Tai Xuan Sect's outer city.

Han Ming stood, gripping his twin swords tightly, prepared for anything.

The world fell silent.

Everyone was waiting for the Sword Master of the Dao's next move.

Suddenly, Han Ming's pupils shrank. He immediately released his swords and began forming hand seals. The last sword remaining in his sword box unsheathed itself, joining the other two as they began circling around him. With a flick of his right hand, the three swords lifted their tips and shot forward.

The three swords intertwined, their combined sword aura transforming into three massive dragons of energy, tearing through trees and sending dust clouds into the sky. The ground trembled beneath their might, and cultivators flying overhead were thrown off course by the violent winds. It was a spectacle beyond imagination.

From the horizon, a cold gleam shot forth—it was another leaf, this one encased in swirling sword energy.

It was coming!

Han Ming's eyes were locked on the approaching leaf. Although it didn't carry the same oppressive force as the first one, his instincts screamed that this time, it was even more dangerous.

The leaf suddenly accelerated.

It transformed into a streak of cold light, tearing through Han Ming's sword energy in an instant. His three swords were knocked aside, and before they could steady themselves, the leaf was already in front of Han Ming.

So fast!

Damn it!

Han Ming's face drained of color as he instinctively pushed out a palm, the robes on his body glowing with a burst of golden light, forming the shadow of a protective bell around him.

Boom!

The leaf shattered the golden bell and pierced into Han Ming's right shoulder. The force was so overwhelming that he couldn't resist—it dragged him backward, shattering the ground beneath his feet.

Han Ming's body was sent flying, slamming into the city wall with enough force to crack the stone, though the wall itself remained standing.

The reason it didn't collapse wasn't because the wall was particularly strong, but because Gu An had purposefully controlled the impact.

Han Ming now hung from the wall, blood pouring from his mouth, his head drooping as if lifeless.

"Master…" Zuo Lin clung to the shaking city wall, shouting in panic.

Countless cultivators gasped in shock. The legendary Mad Sword of Great Yu had been defeated by the Sword Master of the Dao using just two leaves?

How vast was the gap between their abilities?

"Flying Leaf Sword Immortal! The Sword Master of the Dao is the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal!" a disciple of the Tai Xuan Sect shouted in excitement.

Though there was no need for such a revelation—everyone watching had already realized it.

On the gourd artifact, Hu Mo opened his mouth but couldn't find any words.

Ye Lan gazed at the residual sword energy in the sky, her eyes filled with admiration.

What kind of cultivation level must one reach to wield such god-like power?

Shen Zhen leaped over the city wall and landed on the ground. She quickly took out a brush and paper, sketching Han Ming's figure as he hung from the wall.

Beneath the clear blue sky, in the wilderness near a small town by a vast lake.

"Remember, if anyone asks about you, don't mention me. Just say you're children from this town," Gu An transmitted his voice to An Hao and An Xin as they landed on the ground. Instinctively, they turned to look back, only to find that Gu An had already disappeared.

The two stood in a narrow alley, moss-covered walls rising on either side.

An Xin was about to speak when An Hao quickly covered her mouth and said, "Sister, let's go catch some frogs."

He shot her a look, and only when An Xin nodded did he remove his hand.

Together, they walked out of the alley, their faces lighting up with smiles as they were drawn to the bustling street.

After all, they were still children.

Elsewhere.

Having removed his mask, Gu An now donned a blue Daoist robe as he stepped into an inn.

Since he was out and about, he figured he might as well enjoy the mortal world's pleasures.

Gu An made his way to the second floor of the inn, choosing a table by the window. He ordered the inn's finest wine and food, then gazed out at the lively street below.

Merchants called out from both sides of the street, and travelers from the martial world walked back and forth. Gu An even sensed a few cultivators in the crowd, though there weren't many.

The conversations of the inn's other patrons revolved around martial world rivalries and grudges, giving Gu An a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he had traveled through time once more.

Before the food arrived, Gu An felt a powerful divine sense sweep across the town.

So, they've come looking for me.

The divine sense disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, and after that, it didn't reappear.

Gu An wasn't worried. He planned to take this time to fully relax.

When his food and wine arrived, he quietly ate and drank, enjoying the view of the ancient streets below.

As the sun set and the moon rose, the town remained lively, red lanterns lighting up the buildings. Small rivers flowed through the town, reflecting a soft glow.

Gu An wandered onto a stone bridge, raising an eyebrow.

He sensed a wisp of demonic energy slipping into the town.

It wasn't very strong, likely no more than a second-tier demon—about the level of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Since he planned to return to the Tai Xuan Sect tomorrow morning to bask in the praise for his victory, Gu An wasn't in any hurry. He wanted to see what this demon was up to.

As he walked toward the source of the demonic energy, he passed by a courtyard.

A voice called out to him.

"Brother Gu!"

The voice was old, tinged with surprise and hesitation.

Gu An turned to see an old man standing in the courtyard, looking at him.

The man had white hair and a hunched back, and he appeared to be in his seventies or eighties.

Gu An frowned, suddenly recalling something. Hesitantly, he asked, "Brother Zhang?"

Zhang Chunqiu!

It had been so long since he'd seen Zhang Chunqiu that Gu An had almost forgotten his aura. Zhang Chunqiu's appearance had changed so much that he was almost unrecognizable.

The old man hurried out of the courtyard, excitement shining in his eyes as he exclaimed, "It really is you! I thought the figure on the bridge looked like you from the second floor, but I wasn't sure. Brother Gu, what brings you here? Are you on a mission now that you've become an outer disciple?"

Gu An nodded. "Something like that. And you, Brother Zhang? What are you doing here?"

This is quite the coincidence.

Zhang Chunqiu laughed. "This town is the richest near the Tai Xuan Sect. I've decided to retire here."

That made sense.

Gu An had chosen this town for its popularity, knowing it would be safer with more people around.

Zhang Chunqiu grabbed Gu An's arm, smiling as he said, "Come inside and chat for a while. You're not in a rush, are you?"

"I'm not in a rush," Gu An replied, though his mind lingered on the absence of any other presence within the courtyard. He was curious about Xiao Lian.

He had overheard Zhang Chunqiu muttering to himself about a girl named Xiao Lian before, and he knew that Zhang Chunqiu had come down the mountain for her.