Chapter 355: Renegades

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Xiao Nan has arrived. The prodigy of the Xiao Sect stands protectively in front of Liu Jin as his aura radiates his unshakable strength across the Dead Plains.

Renegade Realm, Level 9.

Liu Jin’s heart soars. One level. That is all that separates him from the domain of the Emperors. Just one level.

“I apologize, Elder Brother,” Liu Jin says. The smile on his face refuses to dim. “The decisions I have made as of late have been risky.”

“That is completely understandable, Little Brother,” Xiao Nan says. “All your role models, including this dashing Xiao Nan, have been notorious risk-takers.”

“You took far too long to notice us,” Bai Wen says, appearing beside Xiao Nan. “What in the eighteen hells possessed you to think entering the True Dead Plains was a good idea?”

“Like I said, I am a notorious risk taker,” Xiao Nan proclaims, patting himself on the chest and smiling broadly. “It seemed sensible enough when I thought of it, and I was right, so clearly, it was the correct choice.”

He laughs loudly. The look Bai Wen gives him is cold beyond words. Liu Jin finds himself shivering when that cold gaze turns to him for some reason.

“Are you quite done?” Somber Edge asks them. Ever since Xiao Nan appeared, he has not attempted to attack them. Liu Jin would like to say it is because Xiao Nan’s sudden blow left him stunned, but that does not seem to be the case. There is not one sign of hostility emanating from Somber Edge. His finger just impatiently taps the pommel of his sword.

He really is just waiting for them to finish talking.

“Since you have not met in some time, I thought it would be courteous to allow you a few moments,” Somber Edge says. “However, I am afraid patience is a quality that was left in my other half. I already wasted enough time looking for you. I’d hate to waste more.”

Looking for…Oh.

Liu Jin’s eyes grow as he realizes the truth of this encounter. Somber Edge said it from the start. He is here because his other took a disciple. That is what Bright Sword called Xiao Nan. Liu Jin assumed that it was a cruel joke at their expense, but what if the words were genuine?

They did not encounter Somber Edge here because he’d been looking for them. They’d encountered each other because they had both been looking for Xiao Nan. Now that Liu Jin thinks back on it, Somber Edge’s Qi had been unusually loud during the fight. He must have been doing that deliberately to try to draw Xiao Nan’s attention.

Liu Jin’s gaze then shifts to Big Sister Bai. She had also allowed her aura to flare beyond the norm. He’d assumed it was due to the threat presented by Somber Edge, but perhaps she had realized what Somber Edge was doing and imitated him when she realized it served their purposes.

“I don’t really care for anything you want,” Xiao Nan says. “To be honest, the idea of making you waste time holds some appeal. After all, you already wasted enough of mine. Why shouldn’t I waste yours?”

Somber Edge sighs.

“That fool,” he says, shaking his head. “Why did he bother raising such a troublesome disciple like you?”

Xiao Nan narrows his eyes. His Qi spikes dangerously. Something about it makes Liu Jin’s instincts wary in a way even Emperors don’t. The power of a Renegade is naturally wild and volatile, an explosion waiting to be unleashed.

“That joke has gone on far too long,” Xiao Nan says. The air screeches as the space around him becomes distorted. “I’ve never been your disciple.”

“You may not like it, but the truth cares not for being liked,” Somber Edge replies. “You spent years with my other in the Sacred Bottomless Pearl. Do you think he has that just so he can torture people? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s a priceless relic, the only one of its kind. It is because of it that you are now one mere step away from joining the ranks of Emperors. Even for someone of your talent, that would have normally taken you decades. My other put you there for a reason.”

“The preservation of humanity, right?” Xiao Nan says. “He kept mentioning that every now and then. The bastard was always cryptic.”

“He was perfectly clear. You merely lack context,” Somber Edge says. To Liu Jin’s surprise, he points a finger at him. “He could tell you all about it.”

Xiao Nan does not turn around to look at him because Xiao Nan is too sensible to ever take his eyes away from a threat as significant as Somber Edge. Nevertheless, Liu Jin feels how Xiao Nan’s attention suddenly focused on him in a way it wasn’t before.

“You’re talking about the barrier,” Liu Jin says. It doesn’t take him long to make the connection. Considering everything that has been happening lately, it is the only thing that makes sense.

“The purpose of the Peerless Heavenly Sword Peak is to ensure the survival of humanity,” Somber Edge says. “To that end, we exterminate any demons that happen to arise on these lands. We take that duty extremely seriously.”

That would explain why Bright Sword, a member of the Peerless Heavenly Sword Peak, was in charge of eliminating any demons that appeared on this side of the Dead Plains.

“However, that’s only a minor measure. Beyond the barrier that surrounds the continent, there are hundreds of millions of demons. Maybe thousands of them. They try to break through every now and then. Did you know that? Of course, none of them have the courage to make the necessary sacrifice to truly accomplish that.”

“However,” Bright Sword continues. “Should the barrier ever fall, we must be ready. It is our duty to raise as many strong cultivators as possible. That’s the purpose of the Sacred Bottomless Pearl. The one appointed to this side has it in case he finds someone suitable. The harsh environment makes up for the natural disadvantage of having been born here. My other saw potential in you to become stronger than even our most talented disciples. I am here to ensure that it comes to pass. You will come with me.”

Liu Jin blinks. He’s not the only one.

“You really mean that,” Xiao Nan says with gradual realization. His senses probe Somber Edge’s aura for any sign of falsehood, but he finds none. “You are inviting me to join the Peerless Heavenly Sword Peak?”

“It is the most proper path for you,” Somber Edge says. “If you stay here, you will become an Emperor. There is no denying that. However, you may yet reach even greater heights with us. In a few centuries, you may break into the realm reserved for the chosen few.”

A Divinity.

Somber Edge is saying Xiao Nan is someone with the talent to become a Divinity.

“That’s a tempting offer,” Xiao Nan says, crossing his arms. “But what about the rest of them? You were being violent to my Little Brother just now. I do not appreciate that.”

Somber Edge snorts.

“I will not bother with lies. The rest we can overlook, but that one is nothing but trouble,” he says, pointing at Liu Jin. “His master was trouble, too. He made several enemies, and that got him killed. For the safety of the barrier, it is best if he is killed. I will not do it now because he is not here, but it will be done. If not by a disciple of the Peerless Heavenly Sword Peak, it will be someone from the Temple of the Thousand Shadows. The only ones who want him alive are the Death Fashioning Scripture, and alive is a very generous descriptor when talking about that lot.”

Xiao Nan chuckles. “Yes, yes. I figured it would be something like that.”

Suddenly, his Qi spikes. Liu Jin and Bai Wen take a step back as his angry intent washes over the plains.

“Did you really think I would accept that?!”

“No,” Somber Edge says, unbothered by the angry energy washing over him. “I never imagined it could be that simple. After all, violence is always the easiest path forward. I just thought that, in light of what you have gone through, I should try talking first, my disciple.”

Xiao Nan’s aura grows.

“You are going to regret ever calling me that.”

“I already do,” Somber Edge replies, sounding more annoyed than angry.

The black sword is drawn once more, and though Somber Edge stands several yards away, Liu Jin feels as if the blade were mere inches away from his throat.

‘Be very careful,’ Xiao Nan says, using Qi to communicate his thoughts to the rest of them. ‘If you try to sense his Qi, it only feels as if he’s in the higher levels of the Heaven realm, but that’s an illusion.’

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Liu Jin tilts his head. Until Xiao Nan said it, he barely put any thought into it. Though Somber Edge has been fighting Big Sister Bai, someone already on the Ninth Level of the Heaven Realm, his exact level of cultivation remains unclear. That should be impossible for someone in the Heaven Realm.

Bright Sword had been similar. He was also supposed to be in the Heaven Realm, yet he managed to fight the Renegade Realm Xiao Nan in the Storm Dragon Palace. Liu Jin vaguely remembers noticing something unique about him when he had been the Storm Dragon, but it is hard to recall it now. Everything but the Wandering Wind seemed so completely inconsequential back then.

‘When I was inside that pearl, I fought Bright Sword countless times, but I never once won,’ Xiao Nan continues. ‘Even becoming a Renegade did not change this. I used to think he was using a special item or technique to hide his cultivation, but now that this guy is in front of us, I realize the truth. Whatever he did to split himself led to his cultivation feeling like it does. He is not whole, so we cannot feel his full power. However, he is either on the very highest level of the Renegade Realm… or he’s an Emperor.’

A low, almost inaudible whine leaves Big Nose Li’s mouth. Liu Jin can relate. He is arguably the strongest fighter of his generation, but an Emperor Realm cultivator is not a foe he can face. Even a Renegade would be too much.

‘If he’s an Emperor, we stand no chance,’ Xiao Nan says, echoing Liu Jin’s thoughts. ‘You should flee while I distract him. It’s me he’s after. He’s unlikely to waste time chasing you.’

‘Unacceptable,’ Liu Jin replies. ‘We came here for you. I’ll not abandon you now.’

‘Reckless as he sounds, I agree,’ Bai Wen says. ‘Right now, our best chance is to face him together.’

Xiao Nan laughs.

‘I assumed you’d say that. Very well, then!’

He slams his hands together.

[Void Fist]

Liu Jin has seen the Xiao Sect’s signature move dozens of times by now. However, the [Void Fist] unleashed by Xiao Nan is easily superior to even Xiao Fang’s strongest moves during the Crimson Cloud Tournament. Space is ripped, and the earth is torn asunder. Such is the difference between the Earth Realm and the Renegade Realm.

Somber Edge’s dark blade slashes through the air.

It is an odd thing to watch. The air ripples like water as his blade passes by. The technique that should be assaulting his body flows around him instead. It is the same thing that happened with Big Sister Bai’s technique. Somber Edge is cutting space itself to divert their attacks.

“All springs from Emptiness. It is the beginning of everything,” Xiao Nan intones. “It cannot be cut because it is not there.”