Hearing Ye Xuan’s words, Taichu Zhen smiled and said no more.
Ye Xuan glanced at her, shaking his head with a smile.
This woman was truly sharp as a tack!
At first, she had pointed out the value of the sword manual to do Li Banzhi a favor, and now she was reminding him to return the favor to him!
Navigating both sides flawlessly!
In that moment, he suddenly realized this was the kind of intelligence a major clan should have.
The ones he’d encountered before… what were they even?
Getting worse with time!
Soon, Ye Xuan and Taichu Zhen followed Li Banzhi to a small courtyard. The courtyard was simple, with only a wooden table, on which lay a few ancient books.
Li Banzhi glanced at the two and smiled, “This is where I like to spend my time. You’re both my people, so make yourselves at home!”
Taichu Zhen smiled, sat to the side, and said, “Banzhi, are you participating in the territory division this time?”
Li Banzhi shook her head, “No!”
Taichu Zhen nodded slightly and said no more.
At that moment, Li Banzhi suddenly smiled, “But if Young Master Ye wants to participate, my Li family can assist you!”
Taichu Zhen glanced at Li Banzhi, silent.
Ye Xuan didn’t speak.
Li Banzhi smiled, “Young Master Ye, am I being too blatant in trying to build ties with you? Does it make you uncomfortable?”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Miss Banzhi, I’m not uncomfortable, but what have I done to deserve such high regard from you?”
Li Banzhi laughed, “Young Master Ye, don’t underestimate yourself.”
As she spoke, a delicate-looking woman approached, holding a thick ancient book.
Li Banzhi handed the book to Ye Xuan, smiling, “This is the sword manual my ancestor left behind. Young Master Ye, take a look!”
Ye Xuan nodded slightly, “Then I won’t be polite!”
He picked up the sword manual and opened it. Instantly, a streak of sword light entered his forehead, and a flood of information poured into his mind.
Divine Sword Art!
The manual contained one cultivation method and three flying sword techniques.
Ye Xuan was quite shocked.
Two of the flying sword techniques: the first was Human-Sword Unity, using the body as a flying sword, surpassing the limits of both body and sword to achieve true unity. This one he no longer needed to practice, as he had mastered it long ago!
The second one, however, stood out!
Borrowing the Sword!
Borrowing the sword of the cosmic starry sky, a unique skill of the Heavenly Knowledge Realm. Those in this realm could harness the momentum of the universes and starry skies. This Li family ancestor had integrated the cosmic starry sky’s momentum into his sword. One strike carried the force of millions of universes, and with this sword, he had once slain three Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts!
At that moment, Taichu Zhen suddenly said, “Young Master Ye, may I take a look?”
Ye Xuan was slightly taken aback, then looked at Li Banzhi, who smiled, “It’s yours now!”
Ye Xuan smiled and handed the manual to Taichu Zhen.
After a moment, Taichu Zhen said, “Banzhi, if I speak honestly, you won’t be upset, right?”
Li Banzhi smiled, “Not at all!”
Taichu Zhen shook her head, “Banzhi, you’re underestimating both Young Master Ye’s backer and Young Master Ye himself!”
Li Banzhi blinked, “How so?”
Taichu Zhen looked at Ye Xuan, smiling, “What do you think? Be honest!”
Ye Xuan was silent for a moment, then said, “Average!”
Taichu Zhen laughed, “For a Heavenly Knowledge Realm expert, this sword technique is definitely above average. One strike could easily kill three ordinary Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts! But for Young Master Ye, I think you wouldn’t care for this technique, right?”
Ye Xuan shook his head with a smile, “Miss Zhenzi, this sword technique still offers much for me to learn and draw from!”
Taichu Zhen looked at Ye Xuan, “Do you know what the most terrifying martial technique is?”
Before Ye Xuan could answer, she continued, “Holy Martial Technique!”
Ye Xuan frowned, “Holy Martial Technique?”
Taichu Zhen smiled, “It also borrows the momentum of the cosmic starry sky, but the difference is, Holy Martial Techniques don’t require the approval of the Dao Sect’s Cosmic Star God! Normally, when Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts use divine abilities or martial techniques, they need the Cosmic Star God’s permission. If the Star God disagrees, you can’t borrow a thing! So, typically, Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts must register with the Dao Sect. You can fight and borrow the cosmic starry sky’s momentum, but only with the Dao Sect’s permission! It’s like a filing system in the mortal world!”
She smiled and continued, “These are the legally recognized Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts allowed by the Dao Sect. But there’s another kind, who borrow the cosmic starry sky’s momentum without needing the Dao Sect’s approval. They’re called Holy Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts. Of course, such experts are rare—maybe not even ten among a million Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts! Their techniques are called Holy Martial Techniques, enough to drive countless top forces wild! Because the emergence of Holy Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts often stems from Holy Martial Techniques. These techniques aren’t created by Holy Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts; rather, Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts become Holy Heavenly Knowledge Realm experts after acquiring them!”
Li Banzhi sipped her tea, silent.
How could she not understand Taichu Zhen’s meaning?
Taichu Zhen was reminding her that trying to win over Ye Xuan with an ordinary sword technique wouldn’t work.
Ye Xuan’s backer could slay the Cosmic Star God, meaning they were at least a Holy Heavenly Knowledge Realm expert, so Ye Xuan likely had Holy Martial Techniques. He just didn’t know it.
Taichu Zhen was waking her up and also enlightening Ye Xuan!
Ye Xuan smiled, “Miss Zhenzi, are you a Holy Heavenly Knowledge Realm expert?”
Taichu Zhen shook her head, “No!”
Ye Xuan was slightly taken aback, “No?”
Taichu Zhen nodded, “But my sister will definitely become one in the future!”
Ye Xuan was puzzled, “Why?”
Taichu Zhen laughed, “She has the Taichu Divine Body. Once fully matured, her physique itself is the most powerful martial technique. You know, our ancestor also had the Taichu Divine Body and was a Holy Heavenly Knowledge Realm expert! So, once my sister fully unlocks her physique’s secrets, she’ll probably beat me to death!”
Ye Xuan thought for a moment, then said, “Your sister may be stronger, but her management skills likely aren’t as good as yours. If you sisters join forces, I believe the Taichu Clan will become even stronger under your leadership!”
Taichu Zhen laughed, “I killed her once, so do you think she’ll let me off?”
Ye Xuan was silent.
Taichu Zhen shook her head with a smile, “Having one super genius in a family is a blessing, but two at the same time? That’s not good! Our clan’s previous leader lacked the ability to manage and restrain, leading to the current situation! If my sister and I fight in the future, the Taichu Clan might collapse! Because, as it stands, my sister definitely doesn’t acknowledge the clan. If she acts, she’ll take me and the clan down together! The best time to kill her was when I first met her, but she was with you then, and I couldn’t kill her…”
She gave Ye Xuan a sidelong glance, “If I get killed in the future, Young Master Ye, you bear some responsibility!”
Ye Xuan was speechless.
Li Banzhi suddenly laughed, “Let’s change the topic! Young Master Ye, I’m sorry, this sword manual… I hope it didn’t make you laugh!”
Ye Xuan shook his head with a smile, “Not at all. This manual is still very helpful to me!”
Li Banzhi smiled, “That’s great!”
She glanced at the sky, then said, “You two, more friends have arrived! I’ll go greet them! Take your time chatting!” With that, she got up and left!
Ye Xuan glanced at the departing Li Banzhi, then said, “Miss Zhenzi, you said the Li family doesn’t get involved in any world’s conflicts?”
Taichu Zhen nodded, “Yes!”
Ye Xuan said softly, “Are they aiming for something bigger?”
Taichu Zhen’s lips curved slightly, “I must say, Young Master Ye, you’re really sharp. I enjoy dealing with smart people like you!”
Ye Xuan was curious, “What are they aiming for?”
Taichu Zhen blinked, “Connections!”
Ye Xuan frowned.
Taichu Zhen laughed, “First, they stay in the Longevity Realm, not competing with external forces, so they have no conflicts with anyone! Don’t be fooled by their lack of competition—they’re no less influential than any other force! Because every force gives them face!”
Ye Xuan was puzzled, “Why?”
Taichu Zhen smiled, “Because every gathering is held in the Longevity Realm, and they’re the hosts!”
She took a sip from her teacup, then continued, “For example, if I wanted to destroy a force, the Longevity Realm would be a perfect opportunity. Those attending the gathering can’t bring many strong followers. If I set up an ambush here in advance…”
Ye Xuan was silent.
Taichu Zhen laughed, “The territory divisions each year aren’t always harmonious. Of course, outright fighting is rare! But if it happens? Besides, the Li family has members in high positions within the Dao Sect, which gives them a somewhat transcendent status. They use this to profit across various places. For instance, while they don’t fight for territory, they recruit people and do business in various universes. You may not know, but the Li family’s business is massive, spanning countless universes! Right now, their business dwarfs your Guanxuan Universe’s Immortal Treasure Pavilion by countless times. Of course, in the future, they won’t surpass your Immortal Treasure Pavilion!”
Ye Xuan was puzzled, “Why not?”
Taichu Zhen laughed, “That Miss Qin Guan of yours is too good at business! Her business model is too advanced! Surpassing the Li family is only a matter of time! But she’s growing with your Guanxuan Academy. The bigger you get, the bigger she can get! Otherwise, it’d be hard for her to expand beyond the Guanxuan Universe. If she steps out, she’ll likely be suppressed by the Li family!”
She smiled faintly, “In fact, you and the Li family are competitors! You’ll inevitably clash someday!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Yet they’re still trying to win me over!”
Taichu Zhen shook her head with a smile, “Young Master Ye, you’re very smart sometimes, but other times, you’re like a fool! Do you really think she’s trying to win you over? If she truly wanted to, she’d have offered a half-Holy Martial Technique just now, not that trashy sword manual! From start to finish, she’s only been testing you. And the result? She’s gauged your strength—not fully, but she has a rough idea. For example, she knows you definitely have a Holy Heavenly Knowledge Realm expert with Holy Martial Techniques behind you. And you have ambitions for expansion!”
She took another sip of tea, then said, “Just watch. Soon, trouble will come your way, and on the surface, it’ll seem completely unrelated to the Li family. She might even step in to play the good guy…”
Ye Xuan looked at Taichu Zhen, “Why are you telling me this?”
Taichu Zhen set down her teacup and smiled, “Fool, she has a conflict of interest with you. I don’t!”
Ye Xuan laughed, “No! We do! And it’s bigger than theirs!”
Taichu Zhen laughed, “My sister?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
Taichu Zhen shook her head with a smile, “Young Master Ye, you’re thinking too simply of me!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
