Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The Youngest Peak Master

Time flies like a shuttle, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.

In the courtyard of the Jade Purity Hall.

Ye Wuchen and Yao Xi slowly awoke.

Realizing they were still alive, both felt a sense of relief.

Yao Xi glanced up at the westward-slanting moonlight, then looked at Jian Xuan and the deputy sect leader Jian Yun, who had their backs turned to her. She seemed to have guessed their intentions.

“Awake?” Jian Xuan approached slowly, breaking the silence first. He turned to look calmly at Yao Xi and asked, “Was it you who unleashed that Heaven-Opening Sword Intent back then?”

“Do you realize how much damage your actions seven days ago caused to the Sword Soul Sect? Shouldn’t you bear responsibility for this?” Jian Xuan questioned sternly.

Faced with his interrogation, Yao Xi frowned slightly. Could it be that Jian Xuan had no intention of letting her off?

“It was me,” Yao Xi replied directly. “If they had wanted to kill me and I hadn’t fought back, I might have been the one dead.”

Hearing her candid admission, Jian Xuan’s demeanor faltered slightly.

It was hard for him to accept.

What unsettled him even more was the young girl’s temperament. At such a tender age, she could face two major sect leaders without flinching. Even the heir of the Sword Soul Sect, Dao Yi, would feel a twinge of fear in their presence. He truly didn’t know whether this little girl was fearless out of ignorance or possessed a temperament far beyond that of ordinary children.

Could she be someone from the higher realms?

Otherwise, how could she unleash such a powerful sword intent?

It was truly baffling.

“Hmm.” Jian Xuan’s mind churned. The scene of the Heaven-Opening Sword had replayed in his mind like a nightmare, refusing to fade away.

Though he didn’t understand how a mere girl could wield such formidable sword techniques, it did not diminish his desire to recruit Yao Xi into the Jade Purity Hall for training. “What is your name?”

“Master, my name is Yao Xi. I have no parents since childhood. It was Leng Qiuyue, the peak master of Falling Moon Peak, who found me at the foot of the mountain and raised me,” Yao Xi answered truthfully, also making her stance clear to Jian Xuan.

In the Sword Soul Sect, talent and strength determine one’s destiny.

She understood this very well.

Now that she had survived, she knew it was because Jian Xuan admired her and had protected her. Such an opportunity was something she must cherish.

“Good!” Impressed by Yao Xi’s boldness, Jian Xuan was shaken, but Jian Yun beside him, showing a remarkably perceptive nature, spoke up, “Your sword spirit—”

“Senior, this is Yao Xi’s secret,” Yao Xi interrupted gently, sensing what Jian Yun was about to ask. “Next time I release it, I will be careful not to affect the Sword Soul Sect.”

Yao Xi frowned slightly.

Though Jian Yun was not entirely satisfied with the explanation, at least it confirmed that the sword intent was not a one-time occurrence.

This girl could unleash it again.

Truly a clever little one. Jian Yun didn’t press further and nodded instead, “I respect your secret. Now, may I see your sword spirit?”

“Mm.” Yao Xi nodded, channeling her spiritual power to flip her right hand. Instantly, a purple immortal sword appeared in her palm, surrounded by a red halo swirling along the blade.

---

The moment the sword intent was released, a powerful pressure emanating from a divine-level sword intent immediately struck Jian Xuan’s eyes.

His gaze sharpened.

“A spirit ring!”

“A genuine hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!”

Jian Xuan and Jian Yun were moved.

Even the sword spirits on their own bodies felt suppressed.

Divine-level sword intent!

It had to be a divine-level sword spirit. Could it be that this girl had received the Sword God’s inheritance?

Otherwise, how could she unleash such sword arts?

Jian Xuan and Jian Yun were the closest to that level of power, so they were particularly sensitive to divine forces.

A hundred-thousand-year halo.

Divine-level sword intent.

The sword was two feet one inch long, seemingly forged from mysterious black iron, with faint red light shimmering through the blade. The blade was slender and emitted a subtle chill, starkly contrasting with the faint blue light of the sword intent Ye Wuchen had just used—after all, he hadn’t wielded a sword but only Yao Xi’s jade hairpin.

The hilt was carved with a golden dragon pattern, exuding immense majesty. The blade was extremely sharp, truly as keen as autumn frost.

“Excellent,” Jian Xuan was moved, speaking softly, “Yao Xi, are you willing to apprentice under me?”

Hearing Jian Xuan’s words, Yao Xi was momentarily stunned.

To become a disciple of the Sword Soul Sect’s sect leader?

If she became Jian Xuan’s apprentice, who would dare to slander her again?

Her heart stirred with desire.

“Wait...” Just as Yao Xi was about to agree, Ye Wuchen interrupted immediately.

“Senior, what’s wrong?” Yao Xi transmitted her voice.

“Anywhere is fine, just not here,” Ye Wuchen said.

Although he couldn’t explain why, he had a bad premonition.

“This...” Yao Xi was taken aback by Ye Wuchen’s words.

She knew he wouldn’t speak without reason and respected his warning.

“Thank you, Master,” she said, then immediately cupped her hands toward Jian Xuan and spoke frankly, “The Law Enforcement Hall is currently vacant, with no one to fill its position. Having suffered slander from fellow disciples, Yao Xi wishes to become the peak master of the Sword Punishment Peak, to contribute to the sect by purging all corrupt practices. I ask for your approval, Sect Leader.”

Her words left not only Jian Xuan and Jian Yun stunned but even Ye Wuchen speechless.

How had they not realized just how capable Yao Xi was before?

However, Jian Xuan was not angry.

---

This girl was ambitious! Her temperament bore some resemblance to his own.

She actually wanted to become the peak master of Sword Punishment Peak?

One must understand that the Law Enforcement Hall’s authority was no less than that of any other peak master, overseeing the sect’s rules and discipline.

One had to admit, Yao Xi was shrewd to bring this up at this moment.

This little girl was not only extraordinary in temperament but also possessed a strong individual will.

No wonder Jian Xuan was impressed.

His eyes were filled with admiration for Yao Xi; she was destined for greatness.

But Jian Xuan did not immediately agree. Instead, he asked, “Oh? Give me your reasons.”

“Teacher, in my view, the significance of the Law Enforcement Hall to the sect is profound and vital,” Yao Xi steadied her nerves and explained, “The strength of a sect depends on the efforts of its disciples, but they must also engage in healthy competition. If some resort to improper conduct, wasting resources and currying favor, their hearts become restless and distracted. How can the sect grow strong like that?”

“Moreover,” she continued, “the deepest meaning of the Law Enforcement Hall lies in maintaining order and peace throughout the sect. When irreconcilable conflicts arise between disciples, it is the Law Enforcement Hall’s responsibility to intervene.”

“All these are common benefits everyone knows.”

“But I believe the greatest significance of the Sword Soul Sect is not merely these things.”

“Rather, it is to rise powerfully, become a top-tier sect, and unify as a whole—that is the fundamental and enduring responsibility of the Sword Soul Sect.”

...

Yao Xi spoke at length.

Jian Xuan’s emotions shifted from initial admiration and recognition to joy and finally to shock.

This girl—

She truly had such vision!

“Hahaha! Very well, I will make you the peak master. Obey orders, don’t question them!” Jian Xuan laughed heartily.

“Senior brother,” Jian Yun nearby was startled, “This little one is only sixteen years old, and you—”

“No need to say more. I have my reasons,” Jian Xuan cut her off, thinking she must be out of her mind.

Sixteen years old—so what?

The fact that she could unleash such powerful sword techniques at such a young age was the real point of concern.

Now Jian Xuan was beginning to suspect that Yao Xi might be the reincarnation of the Sword Saint.

Such a peerless prodigy, capable of offering the Sword Soul Sect an infinite future, must be courted at all costs.

Though the position of Law Enforcement Hall peak master was extraordinarily prestigious, rivaling the young generation and even the heir, it was far better than having a formidable enemy arise within the sect later.

In this world where strength ruled supreme, power was everything.

Why should her age matter?

“This girl has gained fortune from misfortune, becoming the youngest peak master in the Sword Soul Sect’s history!” Ye Wuchen was equally stunned.