I Have a Sword

Asura Civilization, Supreme Scholar Academy.

Ye Guan and Xin Yu were sitting next to each other.

Taia Tian, Dai Zong, and an elderly man were sitting before them. The elderly man was Dai Qing, the ruler of the Junlin Civilization and Dai Zong's father.

The elders of both the Asura Civilization and the Junlin Civilization were present as well.

These two civilizations had been seeing each other as mortal enemies, but the threat of the Arcanist Civilization's revival meant that they could no longer afford to think like that anymore.

Now, they regarded each other as the closest of allies.

Xin Yu broke the silence, saying, "Speak freely, everyone."

Dai Qing went straight for it. "There is no choice but to fight."

His words made everyone fall silent. The prospect of going to war with a Tier Four civilization was daunting and filled them with concern. Even if the Tier Four civilization wasn't at its peak, a Tier Four civilization was still a formidable opponent.

Dai Zong said in a low voice, "We can't entertain any delusions. They come with hostile intentions, and we have no choice but to fight them."

Xin Yu nodded. "I concur."

The others also nodded in agreement. In reality, if they had a choice, they would not go to war with the Arcanist Civilization.

After all, the Arcanist Civilization was a Tier Four civilization. Unfortunately, the Arcanist Civilization's plans meant that they had no option but to fight each other. The Arcanist Civilization's hostility was blatant as well.

Dai Zong said, "Father, prepare the Junlin Army."

Dai Qing looked at him and said blandly, "You think I need you to tell me that?"

Dai Zong was at a loss for words.

Dai Qing then looked at Taia Tian and Xin Yu. He sounded solemn as he said, "The first battle with the Arcanist Civilization will decide which side the scales of victory will tip toward, so it's best if neither of us holds anything back. Once the fighting starts, we have to fight for our lives."

Xin Yu nodded slightly. "Rest assured, the Asura Civilization will not play any tricks at this point. We're not going to sabotage ourselves."

Dai Qing nodded. In truth, he wasn't fearful of war with the Arcanist Civilization. Winning was great, but losing wouldn't be the end, either.

After all, history was written by the ultimate victors.

The Junlin Civilization had destroyed other civilizations before, so Dai Qing could accept losing.

What he feared was the Asura Civilization jumping ships, stabbing them in the back to help the Arcanist Civilization.

To die at the hands of an enemy meant that one's skill was lacking, but to die at the hands of a teammate was just frustrating.

Dai Zong looked at Ye Guan and asked, "Brother Ye, what about you?"

Everyone stared at Ye Guan. At this point, everyone present was already aware of Ye Guan's identity.

Even the Junlin Civilization knew of his powerful backers. After all, Ye Guan was the reason behind the Guyan Civilization's destruction.

Xin Yu and Taia Tian also looked at Ye Guan with eyes full of anticipation.

If Ye Guan could call upon his powerful backers for help, it would be great. They could still vividly remember the strength of that white-robed swordsman.

In the face of everyone's expectant looks, Ye Guan shook his head with a smile. He knew what they were hoping for, but he truly couldn't do anything about it.

After all, he had no way of contacting his uncle! He could only hope that the mysterious figure would brag about being invincible.

For some reason, the Unfettered Swordsman was pretty sensitive about those daring enough to claim that they were invincible.

Dai Zong smiled and said, "Brother Ye, at this point, you can't hold back anymore. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to meeting your backers."

Ye Guan shook his head and said, "Actually, I don't really want to call for help."

Xin Yu sighed softly.

Ye Guan added, "Of course, I understand that once the Arcanist Civilization has destroyed you guys, they'd destroy my Guanxuan Civilization as well, so rest assured, I'll stand with everyone through this ordeal."

He then looked at Xin Yu and Taia Tian and added, "To put it simply, as long as I'm here, the Asura Civilization will remain safe."

Taia Tian was visibly moved by Ye Guan's reassurance. He stood up and bowed deeply to Ye Guan. "On behalf of the Asura Civilization, many thanks, Young Lord Ye."

Meanwhile, both Dai Zong and Dai Qing were stunned.

Taia Tian was at the peak of the Transcension Realm, but he was bowing to a young man upon receiving the latter's words of assurance? Could Ye Guan's backers be Path Creation Realm experts?

Dai Zong glanced at Ye Guan with a complicated gaze, realizing that he had underestimated the latter.

Nonetheless, he was relieved—grateful even—that he hadn't rashly made an enemy out of Ye Guan. Otherwise, the Junlin Civilization would be stuck between a rock and a hard place right now.

Just then, Taia Nan appeared among them. He swept his gaze across everyone and said gravely, "The Arcanist Civilization is planting a tree."

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Xin Yu frowned and asked, "Planting a tree?"

Taia Nan nodded. "Yes. In the middle of outer space."

Ye Guan said, "They must be trying to resurrect the Immortal Dao Tree."

Xin Yu and Dai Zong's expressions fell. They could still remember the mysterious figure mentioning a so-called "Immortal Dao Tree" in those ruins.

The fact that the ancient character could survive the destructive power of the Tianxing Flame meant that it was extraordinary.

Dai Zong immediately said, "We have to stop them."

"We can't just sit and wait. We need to strike first." Xin Yu nodded.

Dai Zong stood up and said, "Tomorrow, our armies will gather and settle this once and for all."

"All right," replied Taia Tian.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," Dai Zong said with a cupped fist. He then turned to Ye Guan and added, "Brother Ye, see you tomorrow."

Ye Guan replied, "See you tomorrow."

Dai Zong and Dai Qing led their people away and left.

Xin Yu looked at Taia Tian and said, "Clan Leader Tian, go ahead and prepare."

Taia Tian nodded and then left.

Soon, powerful auras surged crazily to the starry sky above the Asura Civilization.

Xin Yu gazed at Ye Guan and smiled. "Young Lord Ye, why do I feel like you're reluctant to get involved in this mess?"

"It's not like that," Ye Guan said, shaking his head. "As I said, once the Arcanist Civilization has destroyed you guys, they'll definitely attack my Guanxuan Civilization afterward. Even if I stay put, I'll eventually have to make a move later. Since that's the case, why not establish an alliance with you guys and fend them off together? Wait, we're already allies."

Xin Yu said, "Young Lord Ye, there's something I'm quite curious about. Can you enlighten me?"

Ye Guan blinked. "Can you not ask me that question?"

"No, I have to ask you this question."

"Alright, ask away."

"The person who crafted your sword, your aunt—just how powerful is she? Tell me, and I promise I won't tell anyone."

Ye Guan fell silent as Xin Yu's expectant gaze bore into him.

Eventually, Ye Guan smiled and answered, "Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

Xin Yu replied, "Of course, I want to know the truth."

"The Arcanist Civilization—even at its peak—will not be able to withstand one sword strike from my aunt."

Xin Yu was stunned.

Ye Guan grinned and went silent as he turned around and left.

Xin Yu said, "I believe you. Really."

Ye Guan laughed out loud.

***

The decisive battle between civilizations would happen tomorrow, so the Asura Civilization was busy mobilizing their armed forces.

A myriad of experts in closed-door cultivation came out early, while those who were away somewhere were forced to return to the Asura Civilization.

A stream of powerful auras surged endlessly into the Asura Civilization.

Meanwhile, Taia Tian and Xin Yu were busy with their contingency plans.

They sent some of their talented younger generation to the Guanxuan Universe. It wasn't that they had no faith in Ye Guan; they simply wanted to ensure that their civilization would continue in the worst-case scenario.

Tonight was bound to be a sleepless one for the Asura Civilization.

On the other hand, Ye Guan brought Yi Nian to the starry sky they had once visited.

The starry sky was as beautiful as before, but it was now eerily quiet, unlike last time, and there were only a few people around.

The two sat by an ancient tree, and Ye Guan was planning on roasting an entire lamb instead of just a chicken.

Yi Nian sat down beside him, licking a candied hawthorn. Even though there was candy in her hands, she was still drooling uncontrollably while staring at the rotating lamb.

Ye Guan laughed heartily at the sight. It turned out that Yi Nian was even more of a glutton than Erya and Little White.

Yi Nian remarked, "I've never eaten anything so delicious before."

Ye Guan asked, "Really?"

Yi Nian nodded.

"How come?"

"I don't know. It's always been like that."

"Yi Nian, where are your parents?"

"I don't have any."

"You're an orphan?"

"I just don't have any parents."

"You mean, you never had parents? I mean, how would that even work…"

"My hometown is different from this place. People in our place aren't born from other humans."

Ye Guan frowned. "Not born from other humans? How do you guys give birth then?"

Yi Nian answered, "We're born from a fruit."

Ye Guan stiffened, and he gulped, "You came out of a fruit?"

Yi Nian nodded. "Everyone in my hometown comes out of fruit, but it seems like people here are born from women's bellies…"

"Why can women's bellies have babies? It's so strange..." Yi Nian muttered while touching her own belly.

Ye Guan was silent. This was a difficult question to answer, so he changed the topic. "Do people in your place not get married at all?"

Yi Nian shook her head. "No, if someone wants a child, they go and get a fruit. Of course, there are good and bad fruits."

"If I want to have a child in my belly, how can I do that? Is it hard?"

Ye Guan was at a complete loss for words.