Chapter 15: Erasure, the Sword Tomb Opens...A Fine Sword?

"Your son insulted me and revealed your misdeeds. It seems he’s eager for you to join him down below..." If Sun Qiang hadn't been shielded by his father, he would likely have died long ago. Ling Tian's words were not unjustified.

"I have contributed to the Sanctuary for so long. Can my son not have even this little privilege? Those women are of mediocre talent—what does it matter if they are treated like this? Surely you don’t believe there’s true fairness here?" Sun Dehai's face was twisted with resentment as he laid bare all that was on his mind, his words unvarnished and direct.

He understood that in this Sanctuary, to even dream of killing the disciple of the Grand Elder was utter folly. The Emperor's divine sense was vaster than anyone could imagine—she knew every occurrence within the Sanctuary. She simply chose not to intervene, as it had yet to warrant her attention.

"Perhaps you’re right. Still, to me—consider this a transaction," Ling Tian said quietly, glancing at the spirit stone in his hand, giving himself a reason to act.

This echoed a memory from his past. He never knew the other person's motives back then, but found this method of resolving things rather agreeable. If his sisters were humiliated, that was fate—and it had to be accepted. Accepting this transaction was also fate—and it too had to be acknowledged.

Had he not passed by that place, perhaps none of this would have happened. But fate had brought him there, and left him with no choice but to act.

Does Ling Tian believe in fate? Perhaps, in his heart, he does.

"How laughable—a single spirit stone! Ha! Hahaha..." Realizing Ling Tian would not negotiate, Sun Dehai's laughter suddenly turned to fury as he struck at Ling Tian.

With a soft sound, Sun Dehai was reduced to ashes, still some distance from Ling Tian.

Ling Tian blinked. That was a swift kill—almost too easy for him. In truth, even without help, he could have dealt with it himself. With so many treasures at his disposal, any one of them would have sufficed. Family background is a form of strength, after all. Some people are born in Rome.

Feeling the oppressive aura vanish, Yan Chen let out a long breath before slowly rising to his feet, his expression complicated. Seeing Xiao Linger looking at Ling Tian with admiration made a fire burn in his chest.

Damn this kid—so young, yet so cunning! He could have handled things easily, but deliberately orchestrated it to make me look foolish! After suffering this loss, Yan Chen reflected and realized he had underestimated Ling Tian. He could no longer treat him as a mere child.

Even though he now hated him to the core, Yan Chen naturally learned to endure. All geniuses have their own strengths; when others suffer setbacks, they might go mad with retaliation until they destroy themselves. But a true genius, even after making mistakes, faces them, learns patience, and waits for the chance to strike back with deadly precision.

A genius? Only those who survive and grow strong are called geniuses. Those who destroy themselves become jesters.

Ling Tian glanced at the now silent Yan Chen and withdrew his gaze. If Yan Chen had started making a scene, it would have been disappointing. At least he had some sense.

"You were amazing just now! That bad man didn’t even dare struggle in front of you—you’re incredible!" Xiao Linger's eyes sparkled as she waved her fist at Ling Tian.

"He wasn’t afraid of me, but of those behind me," Ling Tian replied, moving to the table and picking up a piece of food, eating on his own. Since he hadn’t acted himself, he wouldn’t claim the credit.

Seeing this, Xiao Linger placed a small pile of food before him, indicating he should eat this instead.

"I’m a bit tired of this," she said, blinking her large, innocent eyes when Ling Tian looked at her with curiosity.

Ling Tian was momentarily speechless.

Before long, Xiao Linger became familiar with Mei Ruoxi, and after taking a spirit pill, Mei Ruoyun’s bleeding stopped.

"You two should stay here for now. Keep her company," Ling Tian said to Mei Ruoyun as he watched the two girls playing together.

Mei Ruoyun was overjoyed. She knew Ling Tian had the authority to say that. She hadn't expected him to be the Emperor’s disciple, whose name was known throughout the entire Dao Domain!

Ling Tian walked by, never even glancing her way.

Yan Chen watched Ling Tian’s departing figure and clenched his fist. "The tides turn over thirty years..." But remembering Ling Tian’s age, bitterness welled up in his throat.

In the days that followed, Ling Tian devoted himself to cultivation. No one questioned the matter further.

Several days later, Luo Qingqiu, dressed in a blue gown, appeared before Ling Tian.

"Do you remember the instructions given to me by the people of the Sword Pavilion?"

"You mean the Sword Tomb, Sister?" Ling Tian nodded, recalling the matter, and gave Luo Qingqiu’s attire an appreciative look.

"Yes. The Sword Tomb is now open. What fortune you gain inside depends on your ability." Luo Qingqiu rapped Ling Tian on the head and shook her head. This boy was always so bold.

Before Ling Tian could reply, in a blink, they arrived at the Sword Pavilion.

Elder Qiao and Elder Xu were already waiting before the Sword Tomb.

"It has only been a few days, yet your aura has grown even stronger. Truly a peerless talent—how enviable!" Elder Qiao stroked his beard and showered Ling Tian with shameless praise.

Elder Xu sighed. Flattery, he thought, was a talent in itself. To fawn over such a young child made him uncomfortable. He couldn’t even fathom how Elder Qiao uttered such words—how lamentable it was to lack literary skill when it was needed!

All Elder Xu could do was stand in the background.

"If you keep going, the Sword Tomb will close!" Elder Xu, seeing Elder Qiao still babbling, poked him in exasperation. He was afraid Qiao would talk his tongue off. Couldn’t he see Ling Tian was already losing patience?

Reminded, Elder Qiao was momentarily embarrassed. Once he started, it was hard to stop.

"Ahem. With your talent, there’s no need to enter the Sword Tomb itself. Just release your sword intent at the entrance, and the swords will come to you," Elder Qiao said, finally getting to the point.

As soon as he finished, Ling Tian approached the entrance to the Sword Tomb. With a thought, he entered the state of unity between man and sword.

Word hadn’t spread, and most of those present were disciples of the Sword Pavilion. All were eager to see what kind of sword the much-rumored disciple of the Emperor would receive.

"It’s the Holy Sword, Wavechaser!" cried one of the core disciples, spotting a sword flying from the tomb. He had been wounded by that very sword when he entered before. Who would have thought the temperamental Wavechaser would now rush forward so eagerly?

In truth, everything has a passionate side—it simply chooses not to show it to you.

Ling Tian looked directly at it. The sound of waves crashed in his ears as he beheld the sword, shimmering blue in the sunlight. He couldn’t help but praise, "Ah, what a fine sword..."