Chapter 965: The Burial Ground Of Swords

To their surprise, despite the urgency of the situation, their ancestor burst into laughter after hearing the news.

"Ancestor, why are you laughing?" Qin Zhiyu asked anxiously, even with a hint of reproach. "We're in grave danger. My eldest brother risked his life to save us, and instead of being worried, you're here laughing."

It was no wonder Qin Zhiyu was so anxious. In the Four Directions Array Box, they were counting every second. Moreover, since Qin Lan had helped them break the seal, they believed that Qin Nan was likely in mortal danger.

"Hahaha," Qin Lan laughed even louder upon seeing Qin Zhiyu's expression. "Don't worry about your eldest brother. He's doing just fine."

"What?" Qin Zhiyu exclaimed in surprise. "Ancestor, are you serious? Is my brother really okay?"

"Not just okay," Qin Lan said, his voice tinged with a hint of envy. "That boy is about to become a Saint—a Saint whose celestial phenomena are even more powerful than mine."

"What? A Saint?"

"Ancestor, are you sure?"

Qin Zhiyu and the others were in disbelief. They couldn't comprehend how Qin Nan not only survived but was also on the verge of becoming a Saint.

"Because the young man surnamed Yi that you encountered is none other than the benefactor of our Qin family—the very one who led our family to glory!" Qin Lan explained solemnly.

"What?"

This shocking revelation struck them like a thunderbolt.

In their minds, they couldn't help but recall the image of the white-robed young man leisurely riding a snail.

"He... he was that senior?!" Qin Zhiyu's face froze in astonishment. She never expected that Yi Feng was the very person they had been searching for.

Qin Lan then recounted everything that had happened afterward, and they finally understood why Qin Nan was able to become a Saint.

"Zhiyu," Qin Lan suddenly asked, his eyes narrowing slightly, "do you resent your eldest brother?"

"You must know, if he hadn't sealed you in the Four Directions Array Box, it might have been you who became a Saint."

"Ancestor, you jest," Qin Zhiyu replied respectfully. "My brother sealed us in the array box to protect our lives. At the time, he didn't know the senior's true identity. How could I resent him? My brother's safety and his ascension to Sainthood are well-deserved. I am only happy for him."

"What a good child of the Qin family," Qin Lan said with a pleased smile, gently patting Qin Zhiyu's head. "Don't worry. After your brother becomes a Saint, all the excess resources will be transferred to you. The family will spare no effort in nurturing you, hoping that one day you may catch up to your brother's footsteps."

"Thank you, Ancestor," Qin Zhiyu said, kneeling in gratitude.

"Good child, rise now. You've all worked hard this time," Qin Lan said, helping Qin Zhiyu to her feet. He then turned to the others and declared, "Everyone will be heavily rewarded. For those who perished, their families will receive special compensation. Whether they were direct descendants of the Qin family or not, their families will be under the Qin family's protection for generations!"

"Thank you, Ancestor," the crowd knelt in unison.

...

While the Qin family was immersed in joy, Yi Feng, feeling despondent, prepared to head to the Sword Valley.

Just then, a jade slip that had been silent for a long time suddenly glowed.

Yi Feng waved his hand, and the message entered his mind.

It was from Piaomiao Hong.

"Greetings, Sir.

I hope all is well for you on Heavenly Poison Island. There have been new developments regarding the Nine Realms Saint. Recently, there have been frequent celestial phenomena in the Nine Realms, accompanied by various tribulation clouds. It seems the Saint has awakened. According to our intelligence, the Saint is a woman named Bai Huang, a native of the Nine Realms, and she is likely within the Nine Realms Alliance.

If things are going well for you on Heavenly Poison Island, that's excellent. If not, you may proceed directly to the Nine Realms.

Additionally, the curse on me has reached its final stage. After sending this message, I will enter the Sword Valley's Burial Ground of Swords to await my end. Therefore, there is no need for you to come to the Sword Valley to find me.

In the future, if you master your divine skills, I hope you will remember me and lend a hand to the Sword Valley if needed. I would be eternally grateful.

I wish you success in all your endeavors.

Farewell, Sir."

After reading the message, Yi Feng's emotions were complex.

He couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

It was ironic—those who wished to die couldn't, while those who shouldn't die were plagued by curses. Truly, fate was cruel!

Throughout his journey, although Yi Feng hadn't died, he had to admit that Piaomiao Hong had helped him immensely. At the very least, she had prevented him from wandering aimlessly like a headless fly.

"Miss Hong, your kindness will not be forgotten. No matter what, if the Sword Valley ever faces trouble, I, Yi Feng, will not stand idly by.

Also, Miss Hong, please don't give up. Stay calm and believe in yourself. You will be fine. You will survive."

Yi Feng's heart was heavy as he sent this reply through the jade slip.

He didn't know what else to say, so he could only offer words of comfort.

Originally, he had planned to visit the Sword Valley to see Piaomiao Hong, but upon further thought, he realized that his presence would only burden the Sword Valley without serving any real purpose.

With a long sigh, Yi Feng put away the jade slip and changed direction, heading toward the teleportation island to return to the Nine Realms.

Meanwhile, in the Sword Valley...

Tens of thousands of Sword Valley disciples sat in silence on the plaza, their expressions solemn.

At the center of the plaza stood a woman in white.

She was barefoot, her long hair flowing, her face flawless, and her entire body radiating a spiritual light. She wore nothing but the white robe, appearing like an immortal untouched by the mortal world.

Behind her was the Burial Ground of Swords—a place where countless swords were buried, and also the final resting place for the Piao family.

Every member of the Piao family would eventually return here.

Beside her stood a middle-aged man.

Though middle-aged, his hair was already white, and his eyes were red with sorrow.

He was the current Valley Master of the Sword Valley, Piaomiao Hong's uncle, and the oldest and most senior member of the Sword Valley.

The reason he had lived so long was that he was not a direct descendant of the Piao family but a collateral relative, so the curse's effects were much weaker on him.

"Offer the sword!" he shouted.

The sword on the altar before Piaomiao Hong seemed to come alive, emitting a mournful hum as if expressing its unwillingness.

Piaomiao Hong gently caressed it, her heart filled with reluctance.

This was her lifelong companion, a sword passed down to her by her father since childhood.

According to the Sword Valley's traditions, when a master was about to pass, their sword would be sealed away with them, never to see the light of day again.

"Go," Piaomiao Hong finally said, waving her hand.

The sword soared into the air, circling the plaza before flying into the Burial Ground of Swords and plunging downward.

"Everyone, take care," Piaomiao Hong said, bowing to the crowd.

The tens of thousands of disciples stood and bowed in return, many with tears in their eyes.

"Uncle Zheng, take care," Piaomiao Hong turned to the middle-aged man beside her and bowed.

The man's eyes reddened, and he could no longer hold back his tears.

Years ago, he had watched Piaomiao Hong's grandfather walk alone into the Burial Ground of Swords.

Later, he had personally sent off Piaomiao Hong's father and mother.

Now, he was about to witness Piaomiao Hong enter the same place.

Why was fate so unfair?

When would the Piao family finally break this curse?

Piao Zheng's heart was filled with grief and indignation, a deep sense of injustice burning within him.

Everyone watched as Piaomiao Hong walked alone toward the Burial Ground of Swords.

A lone bird cried in the distance.

Dead leaves scattered in the wind.

At the entrance, Piaomiao Hong took out the jade slip she had hidden on her person. After reading the message, she smiled softly.

Having settled her final thoughts, the jade slip crumbled into dust.

She turned for one last look, then stepped into the Burial Ground of Swords.

Inside, the ground was littered with bones and countless swords, each representing a fallen ancestor of the Piao family.

As Piaomiao Hong walked in, the swords began to hum in unison, as if mourning the loss of another Piao family member.

Piaomiao Hong walked to her own sword, sat down cross-legged, and closed her eyes...

After a long while, the Burial Ground of Swords finally fell silent.