Chapter 261 - 32: Celestial Sword Kill Order
"Hmm?"
Elder Jian’s brow twitched slightly.
This Sword Intent wasn’t wide and sweeping like a typical Swordsman’s, nor was it sinister and vicious like that of a Demonic Blade Cultivator.
It felt pure, the embodiment of absolute destruction.
It was as if its sole purpose was to slaughter, to sever all things.
’Interesting.’
Elder Jian stood up, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
"Xiao Zhanbai must have fought a fierce battle with the killer here. She was outmatched, severely injured, and then crushed her Help Jade Scroll."
Elder Jian’s tone was calm.
"As you were urging the Fierce Tiger Sword over to provide support, the killer broke through Xiao Zhanbai’s Protective Spiritual Artifact and was about to strike a fatal blow."
"But Xiao Zhanbai must have seen the Fierce Tiger Sword arriving and let her guard down. The killer seized that fleeting opportunity and beheaded her with a single strike."
"By the time your Fierce Tiger Sword’s attack landed, the killer had already succeeded and fled the scene."
Elder Jian’s analysis almost perfectly matched what Jian Wuchen had sensed through the Fierce Tiger Sword.
"So you’re saying," Jian Wuchen’s gaze grew even colder, "that the killer knew I had already made a move, yet still forced the kill on Junior Sister Zhanbai?"
"Yes." Elder Jian nodded.
"Good. Very good!"
Jian Wuchen laughed, his fury reaching its peak. The killing intent erupting from his body could no longer be suppressed, soaring into the sky.
Under this terrifying killing intent, the surrounding disciples turned pale, unable to even stand steadily.
"Zhao Qian!" Jian Wuchen suddenly barked.
"Disciple is here!" Zhao Qian jolted and quickly took a step forward.
"You are now in full charge of this case. I want you to find out everything there is to know about that killer! Immediately! Right now!"
"Yes!" Zhao Qian dared not delay for even a moment. He immediately turned, mounted his sword, and flew toward Qingzhou Prefecture City.
Celestial Sword Manor’s efficiency was astonishing.
In less time than it takes to eat a meal, Zhao Qian returned, holding a newly compiled dossier in his hand.
"Reporting to the Young Manor Master and Elder Jian!"
Zhao Qian reported, "Based on the testimony of the White Bone Mountain disciple from the interrogation room, the statement from the Yuelai Inn’s shopkeeper, and the records at the city gate, we have essentially confirmed the killer’s identity!"
"The killer’s name is Chen Ye. He’s from Yu Huo County, a Loose Cultivator. His recorded cultivation... is... the Unobstructed Realm."
As he finished, Zhao Qian’s voice was tinged with uncertainty.
The result was simply too incredible to believe.
’An Unobstructed Realm brat killed an Elder from White Bone Mountain, and then killed Celestial Sword Manor’s elite disciple, Xiao Zhanbai?’
’Who would believe that?’
Just as expected, when Jian Wuchen heard the words "Unobstructed Realm," his brow furrowed sharply, a look of surprise and confusion on his face.
"Unobstructed Realm? Are you sure?"
"Th-that’s... what’s written in the dossier..." Zhao Qian replied, steeling himself.
"Hmph, a bunch of useless fools!" Jian Wuchen snorted, clearly displeased with this result.
But Elder Jian, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.
"He’s not in the Unobstructed Realm."
All eyes focused on him.
Elder Jian said slowly, "Judging from the Sword Intent lingering in this wound, this person’s True Essence is vigorous, domineering, and unending. It’s absolutely not something an Unobstructed Realm Cultivator could possess."
"He must have broken through during his chase with Xiao Zhanbai, stepping into the Sea Condensation Realm."
"Moreover," a grave look flashed in Elder Jian’s eyes, "his grasp of combat opportunities and the ruthlessness of his Heart Nature far exceed that of an ordinary person. The fact that he could decisively strike the moment Xiao Zhanbai’s guard wavered, killing her in one blow, is a testament to his rich combat experience and resolute will. He is by no means an ordinary person."
Elder Jian paused, then delivered his assessment: "This man is a ruthless opportunist!"
It had been many years since someone worthy of being called a ruthless opportunist by Elder Jian had appeared in the Qingzhou region.
"However, no matter who he is or how capable he may be."
Elder Jian’s tone shifted, his gaze instantly turning icy and sharp.
"To dare kill a disciple of my Celestial Sword Manor outside Qingzhou City is to court death!"
"Relay my order!"
His voice wasn’t loud, but it was filled with an unquestionable authority.
"Issue the Celestial Sword Kill Order! Any disciple of Celestial Sword Manor who sees this man is to kill him without mercy!"
"Whoever brings me his head will be rewarded with one Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact, ten bottles of Elixir Pills, and ten thousand Sect Contribution Points!"
The Celestial Sword Kill Order was the highest-level kill order in Celestial Sword Manor and hadn’t been issued in nearly a hundred years!
The last time it was issued was to hunt down an Inner Realm Demon who had annihilated an entire family affiliated with the Manor!
To now use the Kill Order for a Little Swordsman who had just entered the Sea Condensation Realm showed that the Manor was truly enraged.
"Elder, I will personally lead the pursuit!" Jian Wuchen suddenly offered.
"That won’t be necessary." Elder Jian stopped him with a wave of his hand.
"I know you’re indignant, but remember, a superior must maintain the dignity of their station. Why would you need to act personally against a Little Swordsman who just broke through to the Sea Condensation Realm? Your subordinate disciples are more than enough. You can remain in Qingzhou to command and coordinate."
Hearing this, Jian Wuchen suppressed his impulse and nodded.
"Furthermore," Elder Jian added, "lock down all major transportation routes within a five-hundred-li radius of Qingzhou Prefecture City. Issue a sea arrest warrant, and coordinate with the major sects and the Government Office to hunt this man down with all our might! I refuse to believe he can just sprout wings and fly away!"
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
At that moment, a Celestial Net of Heaven and Earth was officially cast for Chen Ye.
And just then, a red figure came stumbling through the sky toward them, its mournful cries echoing through the air.