Chapter 55: [Catching the Sword: 1/10]

After receiving “clear instructions,” Zhao Qian immediately ordered the various prefectures and states of Tianyan Kingdom to investigate the missing persons cases of recent years, focusing on the ages seventeen to twenty.

Luo Xing and his companions stood up to leave, planning to start their investigation after the Tianyan royal family clarified matters.

But Zhao Qian asked them to stay, saying he had set up a banquet in the palace and invited Luo Xing and the others to grace it with their presence, to fulfill his duties as host.

Luo Xing: “…”

‘A thousand-year-old fox playing tricks with me?’

The banquet was real, and so was the host’s duty, but his real goal was probably to find another powerful backer.

If he wasn’t mistaken, at this so-called banquet, he would most likely summon all his princes and princesses, gambling on whether one or two could be taken to the Xuantian Sect.

Or gambling on whether Luo Xing, Luo Han, or Dai Zifu would take a liking to one of the princes or princesses, even as a concubine or a kept man.

After all, marriage alliances were a royal tradition.

Luo Xing shook his head and politely declined, using his eyes to stop Zhao Chengyun, who was about to speak.

‘You helped cover for me today, and I appreciate it, but don’t push your luck.’

Understanding this, Zhao Chengyun didn’t speak further, only explaining to Zhao Qian that they weren’t used to mortal food, which made Zhao Qian relent.

…

“Immortal Luo, I’m truly sorry.”

On the way, Zhao Chengyun, who was responsible for escorting Luo Xing and the others out of the palace, smiled helplessly. “My father means no harm, but…”

“I know.” Luo Xing also smiled slightly. “That’s why I only held back for your sake.”

Although Hong An had said to change his mindset and break free from a mortal’s mentality, Luo Xing still wanted to uphold the traditional virtue of “respect me an inch, I’ll respect you a foot.”

Hearing this, Zhao Chengyun’s face beamed with gratitude, and then he lowered his voice. “Immortal Luo, I have a few relatively young close female friends who are also very interested in cultivation. Might they have the honor of discussing it with you?”

Luo Xing: “…”

‘I just praised you, and now you’re being tactless?’

‘What do you mean by “relatively young close female friends”?’

‘Explain yourself clearly!’

“Third Royal Brother!”

Just as Luo Xing’s face darkened and he was about to lose his temper, a crisp female voice suddenly rang out.

Luo Xing looked up and saw a sweet-looking girl in a pink silk dress walking toward them, followed by several palace maids.

The girl came before them, first bowing to Zhao Chengyun. “Your sister greets Third Royal Brother.”

Then she looked at Luo Xing and the other two, smiling. “Third Royal Brother, who are these distinguished guests?”

“Uh…” Zhao Chengyun, who seemed to know something, looked troubled and said awkwardly, “Fourth Royal Sister, these three are Immortal Luo Xing, Fairy Luo, and Fairy Dai of the Xuantian Sect.”

Then he introduced to Luo Xing and the others, “Everyone, this is my fourth royal sister, Zhao Chengning.”

“Oh! So you are the Immortal and Fairies from the Xuantian Sect!” Zhao Chengning immediately showed excitement and surprise, then bowed gracefully again. “Chengning greets the Immortal and Fairies. I was rude just now; please forgive me.”

While speaking, she kept casting shy, amorous glances at Luo Xing.

Luo Xing: “…”

‘Fine! You won’t eat at your place, so you pull this stunt?’

“Ahem, Chengning, you should withdraw.” Sensing Luo Xing’s displeasure, Zhao Chengyun quickly spoke. “The Immortal and Fairies still have important matters to attend to.”

Zhao Chengning’s expression froze…

‘Huh?’

‘But Father said…’

Seeing that his sister still wanted to say something, Zhao Chengyun quickly signaled her with his eyes to leave.

Zhao Chengning had no choice but to give up…

“Immortal Luo…” After sending Zhao Chengning away, Zhao Chengyun smiled awkwardly. “I’m really sorry, this should be my father’s…”

“Third Royal Brother!”

However, before he finished, a clear voice rang out again.

Zhao Chengyun looked over with a wry smile and saw his seventh royal brother, Zhao Chengche, walking toward them…

…

After enduring three princes and four princesses, even Zhao Chengyun was numb.

‘Forget it, just let it be. Whatever happens, happens.’

‘After all, Father only needs to summon his sons and daughters, but he has much more to consider…’

“Are you a cultivator?”

The moment those words were spoken, Zhao Chengyun was greatly alarmed.

He thought his second royal brother was already invincible, but unexpectedly someone was even bolder?

‘Which brother of mine is this?!’

Zhao Chengyun looked up and saw a young man in dark gold brocade robes with his hair tied high, standing before Luo Xing. His handsome features showed no reverence, but rather surprise and excitement as he said, “Can you spar with me?”

Upon seeing who it was, Zhao Chengyun instantly relaxed.

‘Oh, it’s the second royal brother. No wonder, no wonder.’

The second prince, Zhao Chengyan, was cheerful, warm-hearted, and martial.

“Spar?” Luo Xing, who had been blocked repeatedly, was now a bit irritable, his smile carrying a hint of coldness. “Are you sure?”

He had clearly expressed refusal in the hall, and now the Tianyan monarch pulled this stunt…

‘Was he intentional or accidental?’

“Mm!” Zhao Chengyan nodded vigorously, his smile revealing excitement. “I’ve always wanted to spar with a cultivator, but I never had the chance.”

“Alright, what do you want to spar in?”

“Do you know how to use a sword?”

Luo Xing was taken aback. “Sword?”

“That’s right.” Zhao Chengyan nodded. “I’ve practiced swordsmanship for twenty years. I want to know if cultivators’ sword techniques are truly powerful. But are you a sword cultivator?”

Luo Xing: “…”

‘Heh… Isn’t this right up my alley?’

“Third Prince.” Luo Xing turned to look at Zhao Chengyun. “What do you think?”

“If the Immortal is willing to offer guidance…” Zhao Chengyun smiled bitterly. “I thank the Immortal on behalf of my second royal brother…”

‘Father, Father!’

‘Think things through!’

‘Calling everyone else is one thing!’

‘But why did you call the second royal brother too?!’

“Little brother.” Luo Han thought Luo Xing was angry and spoke up. “Don’t be like this…”

She didn’t know why they kept encountering so many princes and princesses along the way, so she thought Luo Xing was provoked by the challenge and wanted to calm him down.

After all, he was still just a child…

“It’s fine.” Luo Xing smiled at his sister. “I’m just going to spar with him a little…”

‘If one sword strike doesn’t fell him, then I, Luo Xing, am an idiot!’

…

Before long, they arrived at an open space.

“Immortal!” Zhao Chengyan held his sword and smiled. “Where’s your sword?”

Luo Xing didn’t reply. With a flip of his palm, the Spirit Sword was taken out from the Storage Ring.

Seeing the Spirit Sword, Zhao Chengyan’s eyes lit up. “Wow! Immortal! What a fine sword!”

Luo Xing: “…”

‘If you hadn’t paused, I’d slice you into mincemeat today!’

“You go first.” Luo Xing said coldly. “Otherwise, they’ll say I’m bullying you.”

‘After being suppressed by that woman Ye Li for so long, today I finally get to reclaim some face!’

‘Everyone step back! He’s about to show off!’

“Good!” Zhao Chengyan didn’t hesitate. He gripped his sword, his expression turning serious. “Immortal! Here I come!”

With that, he kicked off the ground, his body turning into a blur as he charged toward Luo Xing.

In ordinary eyes, his speed was just a black shadow, but in Luo Xing’s eyes…

His movements were as laughable as his decision to spar with Luo Xing.

It was complete slow motion. If Luo Xing wanted to dodge, he’d have time to take a bath, eat a meal, drink a cup of tea, and then think about what pose to use for dodging.

But he wouldn’t dodge. He, a cultivator at the early Foundation Establishment stage, avoid the edge of a mortal?

When Zhao Chengyan was only three steps away, Luo Xing raised his sword, planning to split his opponent’s sword vertically in two, then press the blade to his neck.

One move, end the fight.

But just as he brought his sword down, an accident occurred…

*Crack!

*Thud!

Zhao Chengyan suddenly threw away his sword, raised both hands above his head, palms pressed together, and precisely caught Luo Xing’s blade with his bare hands. At the same time, he bent his knees and fell to the ground with a thud, kneeling before Luo Xing.

That smooth and fluid motion seemed as if he had practiced it countless times before.

This sudden scene left everyone present dumbfounded…

Including Luo Xing, who was holding the sword…

‘Wait?’

‘He… caught it?’

‘He caught my sword?’

‘And barehanded?’

‘This…’

Just as he was stunned speechless, a skill in his mind suddenly changed…

[Catching the Sword: 1/10]