A Blind Swordsman's Sword Coffin-Chapter 456 - Chu Menglan

Buzz!

The space within the valley distorted wildly. The old woman, Li Guanqi, and the other disciples were teleported into the Profound Phoenix Sect’s true spatial domain.

Li Guanqi regarded his surroundings with great interest. They were enveloped in an emerald light.

This was his first time encountering an Illusory Refinement Realm cultivator with wood-type powers.

He looked up at the barrier, examining its structure. “To be honest, I’m not fond of how the Profound Phoenix Sect treats their guests.”

The old woman snorted and struck her dragon-headed cane against the space beneath her feet.

Boom!

“No one has ever treated Profound Phoenix Sect with such contempt! Tell me, who sent you?!”

Li Guanqi looked at the old woman. “I wanted to go to the Taiqing Territory and happened to hear about the situation, so I came here. But none of that really matters now, since you’re bent on attacking me.”

As he spoke, the surrounding thorns crept toward him, about to touch him. He sensed, however, that the old woman hadn’t opened with a lethal move. She intended to capture him alive.

Outside the barrier, the Profound Phoenix Sect disciples could see everything unfolding inside. Many covered their mouths, exclaiming in shock.

“Heavens! What happened? The Grand Elder is personally dealing with him?!”

“Who is he? I heard he defeated Senior Sister Li Wen and the others.”

Then the old woman’s eyes widened. A gigantic black sword box had materialized behind Li Guanqi.

Boom!

Sword intent shot skyward. The box opened, and the Red Lotus Sword shot into his hand.

Lightning sword light shot out in all directions, shattering the countless vines and tree trunks in the sky.

Li Guanqi slashed fiercely, tearing a hundred-zhang gap in the barrier of her domain, as if there were no difference in their cultivation realms at all.

The old woman’s knuckles went white around her staff. She regarded him gravely, then huffed. The gap sealed itself instantly.

Several warriors made from ancient trees gathered around her, their numbers multiplying. Li Guanqi’s expression darkened as he assessed them. Each tree warrior emanated an aura equivalent to an early Illusory Refinement Realm cultivator.

This old woman is terrifying.

He exhaled slowly. “Guess I’ll have to get serious.”

He removed his top, revealing lean muscles and a web of gruesome scars. As his blood surged, his strength reached its peak. He gripped the sword in his left hand. “Soul Dissolution, Red Lotus.”

Boom!

Li Guanqi vanished, and the space beneath his feet collapsed. Sword light filled the sky as tree warriors exploded one after another.

After three breaths, he was standing three chi away from the old woman, his sword aimed at the center of her forehead. “Do you still want to continue?”

She remained utterly calm. Her dragon-headed staff was aimed at his throat, though it fell short by one chi.

Then a woman in a luxurious golden dress appeared within the domain.

Li Guanqi frowned, his chest tightening. He hadn’t sensed her approach at all.

The woman was tall and looked like she was in her twenties. Her beautiful figure was captivating, and her twin peaks could make one’s soul tremble.

She had an oval face, a high nose, brows shaped like willow leaves, and cherry-red lips.[1] She wore a fengguan[2], and her demeanor was noble and dignified.

Her gaze was piercing, as if she could see through people’s hearts. The moment she appeared, the old woman sighed in relief and bowed.

“Pavilion Master.”

Chu Menglan nodded slightly, then turned to Li Guanqi. Her voice was crisp, like snowmelt in early spring.

“Yanluo Sword, Li Guanqi?”

He gave a small smile, then removed the Face-Changing Bug to reveal his features. He clasped his hands in a fist salute. “Indeed, that’s me. Apologies for the bad impression. I hope you’ll forgive me for causing trouble, Pavilion Master Chu.”

The woman before him was the pavilion master of the Profound Phoenix Pavilion, Chu Menglan, said to be half a step into the Combined Body Realm.

Chu Menglan studied him for a long moment. “Indeed, heroes come from the young. You’re an outstanding talent, Mr. Li.”

Almost every faction on the Soaring Heavens Continent had received news about the Hell Rivers’ disappearance. Few, however, knew the deeper story. She was one of them. Although she didn’t know everything, she could infer that Li Guanqi was not to be provoked.

The old woman frowned, glancing at Li Guanqi with a mix of surprise and confusion. She, too, had heard his name. He’d killed Ming Xiao with his sword and defeated Xuan Lin with his fists—a vicious character.

Chu Menglan glanced around, and the old woman raised her hand to retract the domain barrier.

Li Guanqi finally got to see the Profound Phoenix Pavilion’s actual sect grounds.

The spatial domain stretched at least a hundred li in radius. They were surrounded by tall, lush mountains that extended into the clouds, their peaks connected by levitating boulders and faintly visible sky bridges. The cries of immortal cranes filled the air.

“Truly magnificent sect grounds,” Li Guanqi said.

Chu Menglan turned around. “Let’s talk in the pavilion.”

With the barrier retracted, the surrounding female disciples finally saw Li Guanqi’s face clearly. They shrieked in surprise.

“Ahhh! What a handsome sword cultivator!”

“Heavens! He’s Li Guanqi from the Azure Cloud Continent!”

“Li Guanqi? Is he supposed to be famous? Why haven’t I heard of him?”

“He’s powerful! You could even consider him the strongest person on the Azure Cloud Continent. But now he’s also number one on the Soaring Heavens Continent.”

“What? He’s that strong? But he looks the same age as us!”

“I heard he isn’t even twenty yet! He’s extremely talented in the sword Dao!”

Chu Menglan’s lips curved teasingly. “It looks like you’re quite popular.”

“I have no choice.” Li Guanqi shrugged. “I’m strong and handsome. It’s difficult not to be liked.”

Her eye twitched. “You’ve got pretty thick skin.”

Creak—

The three of them entered the main pavilion’s hall. Li Guanqi took a seat, then sipped his tea with equal calm.

“Good tea,” he murmured, savoring the sweetness lingering on his tongue.

Chu Menglan sat opposite him, hands on her knees. “Tell me, where did you get this information? I made sure this was kept secret. No one in the outside world should know.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I heard about it by chance. I came to take a look, though I’m not entirely sure I can help.”

Chu Menglan didn’t press further. “State your terms.”

“If I solve the problem, I want you to activate the trans-territory transport array so I can reach the Taiqing Territory.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

“Alright. Deal!”

1. Willow leaf-shaped eyebrows and cherry lips are desirable features in Chinese culture, as they make a woman appear graceful and demure. ☜

2. A type of guan for women, also known as a phoenix coronet or phoenix hat. It was worn mainly by noblewomen for ceremonies or official occasions. It is also traditional bridal headgear. ☜