Seeing how readily Ian Song agreed, Heaven‑Sword Elder instantly realized he’d fallen for this kid’s tricks again. Annoyed, he thrust out his hand and snapped, “Hand it over!”
“What?” Ian feigned confusion.
“Kid, don’t test my patience!” Heaven‑Sword Elder gritted his teeth.
“Don’t take it so seriously, Elder! I was just joking.”
As he spoke, Ian took out a jade slip and tossed it to Heaven‑Sword Elder, who solemnly caught it. The elder probed it with his divine sense, and his expression instantly turned excited again.
After skimming through the Five‑Elements Sword Canon, his face showed utter shock. This manual was far stronger than his Heaven‑Sword Canon, and could even be cultivated all the way to late Tribulation stage.
If he switched to this sword canon, he was sure his strength at the same realm would multiply several times over.
Thinking this, he felt a pang of regret—if only he’d gotten the Five‑Elements Sword Canon sooner. With it, he might have beaten the Black‑White Sword Immortal and become a legend himself.
Unfortunately, the Black‑White Sword Immortal died in Evil Dragon Abyss. Even if he mastered the Five‑Elements Sword Canon now, he’d never get another chance to defeat his old rival.
Putting away the Five‑Elements Sword Canon, Heaven‑Sword Elder said to Ian, “Kid, I’m planning to go into closed‑door seclusion to study this sword canon. Don’t bother me unless it’s important!”
Ian quickly said, "Wait, Elder! I have one more thing I’d like your help with. After it’s done, you can go into seclusion whenever you like!"
Heaven‑Sword Elder originally meant to refuse, but thinking of the Five‑Elements Sword Canon he’d just obtained, he could only agree. After all, the manual’s value was so high that if he’d known its worth earlier, he would’ve agreed to be Ian’s bodyguard for a hundred years without hesitation.
A short while later, in a secret chamber, only Ian, Heaven‑Sword Elder, Sam Li, and Bada were present.
After half an hour of plotting, Heaven‑Sword Elder stormed out of the Fourth Prince Residence, looking furious.
Anyone paying attention instantly understood: Ian must have refused Heaven‑Sword Elder’s demand for the Ink‑Black Sword.
Soon after, Heaven‑Sword Elder publicly announced that anyone who could deliver the Ink‑Black Sword to him would earn two personal interventions on their behalf.
The news shook the entire Royal Capital.
Sixth Prince Residence.
Lucas Li laughed gleefully, “Ian Song really doesn’t know what’s good for him—he actually dared to refuse Heaven‑Sword Elder. Now that the elder’s made his offer, Ian won’t be able to set foot in the capital!”
Beside him, Shen Xuanji said nothing, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off—though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Second Prince Residence.
When Nathan Li heard the news, he also laughed. Now that Ian Song had offended a top expert like Heaven‑Sword Elder, even if Nathan didn’t lift a finger, plenty of other masters would scramble to take Ian down.
As long as Ian wasn’t helping Victor, there might still be a way to topple the Fourth Prince. Thinking of this, Nathan felt even better, summoned two of his consorts, and planned a proper celebration.
Prime One Church.
When Lila Li heard the news, her face paled and her eyes filled with worry.
“No, I have to go see him!”
But as soon as she stepped out of her courtyard, two late Divine Transformation disciples from Prime One Church blocked her way. “Sorry, Saintess, the sect master has ordered that without his permission, you can’t leave the compound.”
Lila’s face turned ghostly pale. Clearly, her secret meetings with Ian Song had been exposed to her master. All she could do was silently pray: "Please, let him be safe!"
One day passed.
Two days passed.
Three days passed.
Ian Song stayed inside the Fourth Prince Residence the whole time, never showing his face. Those cultivators hoping to curry favor with Heaven‑Sword Elder couldn’t find a chance to act.
Finally, on the fourth day...
Word spread: Ian Song would leave the Fourth Prince Residence and depart the Royal Capital today.
Hearing this, all those planning to assassinate him or seize the sword grew wildly excited.
At noon that day...
A carriage rolled out of the Fourth Prince Residence, driven by Old Man Tanner.
As soon as they saw Old Man Tanner, the hidden cultivators were almost certain Ian Song was inside the carriage.
But since this was still inside the Royal Capital, they didn’t dare make a move and had to suppress their restless urges.
The carriage rolled out of the palace, and after a short while, left the inner city and entered the outer city.
At last, someone couldn’t hold back any longer.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Several figures flashed out, landing around the carriage.
Old Man Tanner quickly reined in the carriage, eyeing the roadblockers warily. There were nine of them, all early Divine Transformation experts, each shrouded in black mist to hide their identities.
“A bunch of sneaky cowards—get lost!” Old Man Tanner barked coldly.
“Old Man Tanner, we only want the Ink‑Black Sword from Young Master Song. As long as he hands it over, we guarantee not to harm him!” one of the men said.
“Nonsense! My young master’s treasured sword isn’t something you lot can covet. Get out of the way, or don’t blame me for being rude!” Old Man Tanner shouted angrily.
The man replied, “Old Man Tanner, you may be mid Divine Transformation, but there are nine of us. You’re no match. Think carefully—Young Master Song has offended Heaven‑Sword Elder and now has to flee the capital like a stray dog. Why get dragged down with him?”
Old Man Tanner snorted, “Hmph! I’m my young master’s bodyguard now—my only job is to keep him safe. I don’t know or care about anything else.”
“Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! I’ll ask you one last time—are you moving or not?” the man snapped, his voice thick with menace.
"You little minnows dare threaten me?" Old Man Tanner spat, voice dripping with contempt.
"Courting death! Everyone, attack—take down this old man first!"
With a furious shout, all nine early Nascent Divinity experts attacked at once.
Magic treasures, flying swords, Dao arts, and divine powers surged forth in a torrent of attacks, overwhelming Old Man Tanner.
"Heaven-Hate Fist!"
At that moment, Old Man Tanner struck—a surge of power erupted from within him as he punched out toward the incoming attacks.
His fist’s shadow shook the void!
Pop!
Like shards of glass, the torrent of attacks shattered under a single punch. Old Man Tanner soared into the sky, unleashing nine consecutive strikes.
"Ninefold Heaven-Hate Slaughter!"
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!
With muffled groans, all nine early Nascent Divinity experts were sent flying by a single punch.
Old Man Tanner floated above the carriage, his robes billowing, radiating authority. He swept his stern gaze over the nine men and said slowly, "I’ll spare your lives for now. Try again, and I’ll show no mercy!"
As he spoke, Old Man Tanner’s gaze swept across the street—not just at the nine men, but at all the hidden onlookers.
The nine experts didn’t dare meet Old Man Tanner’s eyes, stunned by his breakthrough to late Nascent Divinity.
His strange and skillful fist technique shattered their fighting spirit. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so easily defeated.
Many witnessed the battle on the long street of the outer city, but after the carriage left, no one dared to intercept it again.