First Immortal of the Sword

There was one thing Su Yi knew for sure. The Celestial Demons controlling River Ancestor Lu Shu and River Ancestor Shen Xiao were peak experts of the Void.

The atmosphere was stifled and oppressive.

River Ancestor Lu Shu had taken River Empress Peacock and Star Toad hostage, while River Ancestor Shen Xiao stood to the side, clearly enraged.

River Ancestor Sparrow was too afraid that he’d kill the hostages to intervene.

“If you know our origins, you ought to understand that you’d best not try any funny business,” River Ancestor Lu Shu said gravely. “If anything happens to us, the bodies we’re occupying will die, too.”

He glanced at River Empress Sparrow and Star Toad. “Of course, that goes for them, too.”

Su Yi fiddled with the Medallion of Past Karma, then asked leisurely, “Why not chat for a bit first?”

River Ancestor Lu Shu said coldly, “Are you worthy of conversing with us?”

River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s expression was hideously contorted. “We can chat if you like, but only if you kowtow and give us all of your treasures first. If we’re in a good mood, we might even...”

But before they could say anymore, Su Yi waved his sleeve through the air, and Innocence appeared out of nowhere. “Do you recognize her?”

River Ancestor Lu Shu and River Ancestor Shen Xiao froze, stunned. Then, their expressions shifted dramatically.

“Your Highness Xin Cheng!” River Ancestor Lu Shu cried out excitedly. “Demon Sovereign Xuan Shang was right. You... really are alive!”

But River Ancestor Shen Xiao looked uncertain. “Your Highness, is Su Yi threatening you?”

They obviously both recognized Innocence!

Su Yi couldn’t help but mull that over. He’d taken her out just to see what happened. He hadn’t anticipated that they’d actually recognize her. Moreover, the way they addressed her was unquestionable proof of her extraordinary status among the Outsider Celestial Demons!

Innocence stood there quietly, her brow furrowed. “Master, what’s going on?”

“Master?” River Ancestor Lu Shu was instantly shocked and furious. “Your Highness, how could one as lofty as yourself call a lowly human cultivator ‘Master?’”

River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s expression was unsightly, too. “Your Highness, isn’t that scum threatening you? That has to be it! Otherwise, there’s no way you’d say something so unbefitting of your status!”

The others were completely baffled. A title, that’s all. Why are these two mysterious heart devils losing their cool over something so trivial?

What they didn’t know was that a strict hierarchy existed among the Outsider Celestial Demons. Uncrossable barriers existed between ranks. Titles were a symbol of rank and status, and they were extraordinarily exacting. Every Outsider Celestial Demon had to respect their hierarchy, as those who didn’t were executed. It was for this reason that they were so sensitive to the way Innocence addressed Su Yi.

Unfortunately for them, Su Yi wouldn’t have cared even if he’d known. Innocence knew, but she hated the Outsider Celestial Demons too much to care for such things, either.

Su Yi casually explained the situation to her. She nodded in understanding. “Do you need my help, Master?”

“If doable, yes,” said Su Yi. “If not, don’t push yourself.”

“Mm!” said Innocence. She turned to look at the two River Ancestors, her eyes glowing with blood-red light and her tone suddenly imposing. “If you still acknowledge my rank, leave immediately!”

The River Ancestors exchanged glances. Both were hesitant.

Innocence snorted coldly, her brow furrowing. “What, do my words really carry so little weight?”

River Ancestor Lu Shu said hurriedly, “Please don’t be angry, Your Highness. We came here on Demon Sovereign Zi Yu’s orders. It’s not that we’re disregarding your commands, but rather, that we dare not ruin Demon Sovereign Zi Yu’s plans!”

Demon Sovereign Zi Yu!

A cold look appeared on Innocence’s face. “Are you trying to use that old bastard’s name to scare me?”

River Ancestor Lu Shu shook his head. “We absolutely wouldn’t dare.”

Innocence’s gaze was cold and indifferent. “I can tell that my words are of little use, but no matter. I’ve long since lost all faith in the Celestial Demons. All I can tell you now is, if you don’t leave, both of you are doomed!”

River Ancestor Shen Xiao couldn’t help but object. “Your Highness, we now have an absolute advantage. Rest assured that it doesn’t matter why you’ve chosen to help Su Yi. We promise to bring you home!”

River Ancestor Lu Shu nodded. “That’s right!”

Innocence gnashed her teeth. Are they both stupid? Can’t they see that I’ve made up my mind?

She took a deep breath and was just about to say something when Su Yi said, “What will you do if this turns into a fight?”

Innocence’s heart shook. Su Yi had asked her a similar question the last time the two of them stood near the well. He also said that she didn’t need to rush to reply, and that she could take her time to consider her answer first. But now, Su Yi had asked her the same question in the middle of a stand-off. Innocence realized that the time had come for her to give him a definite answer!

She pursed her lips, then lowered her head and said calmly, “Master, your attitude is my attitude. That was true before, it’s true now, and... it will be true in the future, too!”

Both River Ancestors were shocked and furious. They couldn’t even imagine how someone as lofty as Her Highness Xin Cheng could say such a thing to a human cultivator. They were even starting to question whether or not she’d really been forced to do this.

“Good. Step aside for now. No matter what happens next, all you need to do is watch,” Su Yi ordered casually.

“Understood!” said Innocence. She then took a step back and said nothing more.

River Ancestor Lu Shu could no longer take it. He growled, “Su Yi, give up Her Highness, and in exchange, we’ll let all of our hostages go!”

River Ancestor Shen Xiao seethed with murderous intent. He added, “Refuse, and all of them will die!”

The atmosphere was stifled and oppressive.

River Ancestor Sparrow got a headache just watching it. He had no idea how anyone was supposed to resolve this situation. After all, River Ancestor Lu Shu and River Ancestor Shen Xiao were being controlled. Even if they fought and won, the two River Ancestors would die.

It was highly likely that River Empress Peacock and Star Toad would get swept into this, too. How was Su Yi supposed to fight under the circumstances? It seemed impossible... unless he disregarded the hostages’ safety!

Su Yi, however, wasn’t the least bit frantic. He said casually, “Before we fight, there’s something I don’t understand. You must have paid an enormous price to squeeze through that rift. Why go to all that trouble?”

River Ancestor Lu Shu said coldly, “Give us Her Highness Xin Cheng, and I’ll tell you!”

Su Yi pondered briefly, then said, “Go over for now. I’m afraid that otherwise, they’ll die before they get the chance to answer my questions.”

Innocence blinked in surprise, then agreed. She promptly walked over to the two River Ancestors and said, “You can answer my master’s questions now.”

Everyone was caught off guard. They found the situation absurd.

One dared issue orders, the other dared to obey. The whole thing was entirely outside of the two River Ancestors’ expectations.

River Ancestor Lu Shu couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, you...”

“Answer the question!” Innocence said coldly.

River Ancestor Lu Shu paused, then probed, “Your Highness, would you permit us to seal you temporarily? Rest assured that we’ll return your freedom as soon as we’ve gotten you out of here!”

He was obviously worried that something had gone wrong with her.

Innocence was visibly enraged, but when she saw that Su Yi had no objections, she swallowed her anger and nodded her agreement.

River Ancestor Lu Shu felt a massive weight lift from his shoulders. He raised his finger, and a strange blood-red seal shot forth and embedded itself in Innocence’s forehead.

Her body stiffened, and she fell silent.

River Ancestor Sparrow watched all of this happen in a daze. He couldn’t even imagine what Su Yi was playing at. How could the answer to his question be more important than Her Highness Xin Cheng?

Su Yi said, “It’s time you answered my question.”

River Ancestor Lu Shu burst into laughter. “We’ve already rescued Her Highness. Why should we answer your question now?”

River Ancestor Shen Xiao laughed, too. “I’ve never seen anyone so stupid in all my days! Our terms have changed. Kneel and come quietly, or we’ll kill everyone here!”

River Ancestor Sparrow’s heart sank. It’s true; you can’t scare a dog off by throwing meat buns at it. Try it, and you’ll only lose your bait!

Don’t tell me Destiny’s Chosen was unaware that Outsider Celestial Demons are famously capricious and that their promises are worth no more than farts?

Innocence pursed her lips but said nothing. She understood Su Yi well enough to know that he wouldn’t have done this if he didn’t have reason to be confident.

Indeed, Su Yi smiled and said, “Innocence, you didn’t disappoint me.”

Innocence blinked. Was all of that just a test?

That thought had only just occurred to her when her heart clenched. She was suddenly overwhelmed with instinctual terror. This was the terror of one on the verge of drowning. She could practically smell her imminent demise!

Practically simultaneously, River Ancestors Lu Shu and Shen Xiao stiffened. They, too, sensed an impending lethal threat.

Their minds buzzed. It was as if they’d been plunged into endless, stinging radiance. It was as blazing hot as the sun, endless, and immeasurably powerful.

“Noooo!” The two River Ancestors cried out in terror.

But it was that their awarenesses and personalities reawakened within the landscapes of their hearts. They each then saw an utterly dazzling divine seal, like a blazing sun descending from the nine heavens.

Each blazing sun pinned and suppressed an external invader. These were the Outsider Celestial Demons who’d invaded their hearts!

The two figures were instantly ground away into nothingness. Not even vestiges remained!

Both River Ancestors were overcome with astonishment. Chills coursed down their spines. What kind of secret art is this?

Practically simultaneously, the radiant seals vanished from their hearts, as if they’d never existed in the first place.

Su Yi’s voice transmitted directly into their ears. “You’re safe now. The two Celestial Demons are dead.”

Only then did the two River Ancestors come to their senses and realize what had transpired.

The onlookers were visibly overcome with astonishment. Our enemies.... Are already dead?

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