Jason Chu stood in mid-air, an expression of faint amusement on his face, yet his blank eyes, devoid of sight, made him appear somewhat wooden. But to the two Heavenly Gate Grand Elders watching him, this youth stirred an overwhelming shock in their hearts.
They had expected to encounter a hidden powerhouse within Shushan.
But… a blind man?
How could their adversary possibly be a blind man?
Across from him, the red-haired elder was utterly stunned. He'd studied all the intelligence Langya Sword Sect had gathered and immediately recognized this blind youth as their target!
Coming here, he had a detailed understanding of the blind man in the Swordmaking House—a tragic figure from Shushan Sword Sect who'd lost both parents.
Since the beginning, he had anticipated many things, but he had never taken this blind man seriously. After all, a man who was merely fortunate enough to live five hundred years might at best be at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Why would a Heavenly Gate Grand Elder who'd cultivated for thousands of years even care?
Yet here they were, having easily infiltrated the Swordmaking House, only for this target himself to confront them?
"Is this a trap?"
"Could it be Shushan's trap, baiting us to reveal ourselves?"
"No, that's impossible!"
"The Swordmaking House lineage has long withered—Shushan wouldn't even know of this legacy's secret!"
Countless thoughts flashed through the red-haired elder's mind, but none provided clarity; he couldn't comprehend the truth behind this encounter.
"Since last time, I've realized there's no way to have a decent conversation with you guys," Jason's bored voice interrupted their thoughts, deepening their unease.
A palpable sense of oppression radiated from Jason, a pressure that made them feel as though they were facing a truly invincible elder of the Heavenly Gate Ninth Layer!
But that was impossible.
They couldn't believe it. And what was he talking about? Last time? What nonsense was this about a 'last time'? This was their first encounter! Who would have a casual conversation with someone who just sliced their body into thousands of pieces?
"Brother Qishan, this reeks of danger. Let's retreat!" the red-haired elder urgently transmitted to his companion.
He was on high alert, and with their cultivation level, they had an instinctive premonition of mortal danger. Though loath to flee, he immediately sensed that Jason's strength exceeded anything they could have imagined.
"Be careful, Brother Qishan!" The elder known as Kai Qi received the transmission, feeling a chill run down his spine as he turned to flee.
Jason looked on with some surprise, noting the decisiveness of their escape. "As expected of Heavenly Gate cultivators; they know when to run."
He didn't mind. His earlier reference to a 'last time' had been about his encounter with Justin Shang. At that time, he'd realized a flaw in his approach—he would never get the information he wanted through conversation.
Thus, he'd diligently practiced a soul-searching technique called the Soul-Grasping Technique. It wasn't something he'd acquired through his system sign-ins, but rather from Shushan Sword Sect's Sutra Library. Although it wasn't on par with his usual cultivation techniques, it was at least a Ninth Rank of the Heavenly Stage technique, a testament to Shushan's deep reserves.
"Dragon-Slaying Celestial Sword."
Jason moved.
With robes fluttering, he became a living sword, his sharp aura tearing through the heavens. Had the Sword Demon been alive to witness this, he would have been gratified, for Jason had fully comprehended the essence of Dugu's Celestial Sword and had even begun to forge his own unique path in swordsmanship.
A colossal Heavy Profound Sword materialized in the sky, splitting in two as it hurtled toward the fleeing elders.
This strike resembled the Dragon-Slaying Sword Technique but was infused with Jason's personal understanding, blending seamlessly with the Heavy Profound Sword.
Boom!
Boom!
Two muffled sounds reverberated through the void.
Despite the Grand Elders' best efforts, unleashing all sorts of powerful artifacts to defend, it was futile. The heavy sword shattered their defenses like paper, reducing them to a pulp of blood and flesh.
But Jason hadn't killed them outright. He had skillfully controlled his power, leaving them gravely injured and devoid of combat strength, but clinging to a thread of life.
This precise control over his strength showcased Jason's mastery in swordsmanship.
"How can he be so strong?! Is he some reincarnated being from the Upper Realm?" Kai Qi despaired as he saw Jason advancing toward him.
"You want to know something? I'm willing to talk," Kai Qi said, feigning sincerity to buy time. As a Grand Elder of the Heavenly Gate, he knew that a single moment could spell the difference between life and death.
"No need," Jason replied, abandoning any intent of conversation.
Approaching the elder, he extended his palm, summoning a mysterious green light that descended upon Kai Qi's head.
The Soul-Grasping Technique!
The green energy coiled like a domineering dragon, plunging straight into Kai Qi's soul.
"Agh!"
A blood-curdling scream rang out as the once-formidable elder's soul was pried open, surrendering all its secrets to Jason.
"So that's it."
"Master Dustbound was indeed the founder of the Swordmaking House. He even ascended to the Upper Realm, someone who must have surpassed even the Sword Demon in talent."
"To think he left behind a legacy."
"The key is the combination of the Xuan Yuan Sword Forging Technique and the Crimson Shade Sword Forging Technique of Langya Sword Sect?"
Jason nodded slowly, piecing together fragments of information. His previous doubts faded as he absorbed the secrets from the elder's soul.
He now understood the Grand Elders' motives and realized why Master Zhao had insisted on passing down the Xuan Yuan Sword Forging Technique, even though he doubted Jason's potential.
It turned out this seemingly ordinary sword-forging technique held a monumental secret.
"Unfortunate for you, though. You don't actually know the Crimson Shade Sword Forging Technique." Jason stood over him, like a god above mere mortals.
The elder known as Kai Qi was nearly on his knees, his soul quivering in fear. Jason hadn't found the Crimson Shade Sword Forging Technique within Kai Qi's memories. With a hint of disappointment, he crushed Kai Qi's soul, his gaze turning toward the other elder.
Jason had no qualms about eliminating them. He was no saint, and from what he had gleaned, it was clear that these two had come specifically to cause him trouble. If he had been weaker, his fate today would have been far worse.
Turning to the other elder, who lay incapacitated, Jason began to approach.
"No!" Elder Qishan's extensive experience had allowed him to witness Jason's soul-grasping technique on his companion.
Now, it was his turn.
With steely resolve, Qishan made a shocking decision.
Boom!
An earth-shaking explosion erupted!
The proud Grand Elder had self-detonated to prevent Jason from extracting the Crimson Shade Sword Forging Technique from him.
The terrifying force of a Grand Elder's self-destruction had the power to raze the surrounding landscape for miles. And Jason was right in its path.
"Why would he self-destruct like that?"
Jason was baffled. He hadn't expected such a move! Now, where would he find the Crimson Shade Sword Forging Technique? According to the memories he'd extracted, there were only a handful of individuals who knew the technique.
As he pondered, the immense force of the elder's explosion approached.
"Begone."
Annoyed, Jason swiped his hand.
Countless destructive sword intents surged forward, instantly obliterating the explosion's force.
"Hmm?"
As the smoke cleared, Jason's eyes narrowed, then he chuckled.
"So it was just a ruse to escape. Nearly fooled me."
He stamped his foot on the ground, following the faint trace of the elder's energy as he pursued.
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