Chapter 80: Lure Him Out

In the Aura Mansion, Xia Jiuxuan withdrew his spiritual sense. A mighty cultivator at the Sea-Cleaving Realm was about to arrive; facing him head-on was simply unrealistic. Yet Xia Jiuxuan had his own solution.

"Open!"

With a low command, a secret door to a hidden chamber swung open. To others, this chamber seemed completely empty. But in Xia Jiuxuan's eyes, it was woven with countless silver threads—these were the foundational threads of law that constructed the Aura Mansion itself.

What Xia Jiuxuan intended now was to modify the spiritual artifact mansion. However, such a modification would consume vast amounts of spirit stones. He checked his storage artifact; there were still several thousand spirit stones left, barely enough.

...

An hour passed.

Outside the Aura Mansion, Du Jiuli and his companions had been lingering for quite some time. He dared not launch a rash attack, instead observing carefully.

"As expected, it's not simple," Du Jiuli muttered, his expression grave. This spiritual mansion was exceedingly peculiar—even his spiritual senses couldn’t fully penetrate it, only revealing a misty haze within.

"Master Jiuli, are we taking action or not?" One of the imperial guardians grew impatient. They had waited for more than half an hour, yet Du Jiuli still hesitated. What exactly was he afraid of?

"Act? When the situation inside is unclear? No. We must investigate thoroughly first." Du Jiuli was extremely cautious; after surviving countless life-and-death struggles, caution had become his habit. Consider this: a youth from a region of mortal warriors, accompanied by a formidable sword maiden, master of a great barrier, and owner of a mansion crafted from a spiritual artifact—could he be an ordinary person?

Even a fool would know otherwise! To charge in recklessly would be to risk falling into a deadly ambush.

Boom, boom, boom...

Suddenly, the Aura Mansion trembled, emitting a dull knocking sound.

"How shrill! It feels like someone is ringing a bell inside my skull," grumbled one of the imperial guardians. Even Du Jiuli, at the Sea-Cleaving Realm, felt the same discomfort, making him all the more wary.

"You—go summon the Headmaster of Taixuan Academy. Force him to attack the mansion and draw out that brat!" Du Jiuli pointed at one of the guardians.

"Understood," the guardian replied and flew off toward Jiang Qingyang’s residence.

After about a quarter of an hour, Jiang Qingyang arrived, his face stricken with anxiety as he faced Du Jiuli.

"My lord..." Jiang Qingyang felt the abyssal pressure emanating from Du Jiuli and was utterly at a loss. He could only bow respectfully.

"Principal Jiang, this is Master Du Jiuli of the Blood Tiger Sect. He's come to help our empire eradicate the traitor Xia Jiuxuan. You must provide your utmost support—is that clear?" the guardian said coldly.

Jiang Qingyang's heart sank. He had already heard of the events at the Prince’s Mansion. When he learned that Xia Jiuxuan’s maidservant had, with supreme swordsmanship, slaughtered everyone in the Prince’s Mansion—including several imperial guardians—he had been so terrified he could hardly eat or sleep, preparing to flee the city at any moment.

Yet before he could escape, he was intercepted by a powerful Saint-level cultivator—the very guardian before him now. Facing such strength, Jiang Qingyang dared not refuse and was forced to comply.

"May I ask, Master, how can I be of service?" Jiang Qingyang asked, bowing deeply.

Du Jiuli swept his gaze over Jiang Qingyang and said slowly, "It's quite simple. All you need to do is break open this mansion."

Jiang Qingyang trembled inwardly. With so many experts present, why make him attack Xia Jiuxuan’s mansion? He was terrified.

"This... I'm afraid that's beyond my ability. Surely, given your keen judgment, you can see that I, with my paltry Mortal Departure cultivation, simply lack the power to shatter a spiritual artifact mansion. I beg your pardon," Jiang Qingyang declined tactfully.

"Hmph." At these words, the guardian snorted coldly. "Principal Jiang! That boy is from your Taixuan Academy. He broke into the Prince’s Palace and slaughtered everyone. By law, you are complicit and should be sentenced to death by a thousand cuts!"

Jiang Qingyang turned deathly pale, bowing and trembling. "My lords, I am wronged! All of the capital knows that Xia Jiuxuan and his maid killed eight of my deans. I myself only escaped with the help of the imperial guards. I beg you to see the truth!"

"Enough nonsense. If I say you’re guilty, then you’re guilty," the guardian replied coldly.

"You..." Jiang Qingyang was furious, yet powerless to object. The humiliation was unbearable.

Du Jiuli paced slowly, gazing at Jiang Qingyang’s stricken face. "Don’t be afraid. With me here, I guarantee your life."

Jiang Qingyang bowed hastily. "Master, I truly am weak—"

"No matter," Du Jiuli interrupted with a wave of his hand. "I can lend you a few divine weapons. Do you prefer the sword or the spear?"

At this, Jiang Qingyang quickly replied, "I practice the Giant Axe technique! It seems, Master, that you don’t have just the right weapon for me."

Du Jiuli shot him a cold glance and, with a flick of his wrist, produced a giant axe covered in spiritual runes.

Jiang Qingyang's face went ashen. He hurriedly amended, "I’ve only dabbled in the way of the axe. My main cultivation is in fist techniques."

Smack!

One of the guardians slapped him hard. "Old fool, are you playing games with a child? Will you act or not? Try stalling again and I’ll take your head!"

Jiang Qingyang clutched his stinging cheek, his jaw tight. He had never imagined he’d be brought so low, treated like a dog beneath their feet.

"Fine, I’ll do it!"

He had no other choice but to comply. "May I ask, Master, to lend me a spiritual sword?"

Clang!

A purple-green spiritual sword floated before him. Jiang Qingyang took hold of it at once—a truly exceptional blade! The moment his hand touched the sword, even his soul trembled. The sword intent within him surged like a river toward the weapon.

"Xia Jiuxuan! By order of the Headmaster, I command you to come out and face death within three breaths!"

Sword in hand, Jiang Qingyang flew to the main gate of the Aura Mansion.

"Don’t waste time—just attack," Du Jiuli called from behind, retreating with the other guardians and activating their strongest defenses.

He was afraid too—afraid that a sudden sword strike might descend and cut him down.

"Xia Jiuxuan, you cowardly turtle! If you have any courage, come out here!"

Jiang Qingyang had no choice but to channel his sword intent into the blade and strike. The sword, empowered by his intent, multiplied in might.

Clang!

The sound rang out like a great bell, yet the fierce sword energy did not so much as scratch the bronze doors. Instead, it was deflected.

"Keep attacking! Strike while shouting his name—force Xia Jiuxuan out!" Du Jiuli commanded, all the while secretly fortifying his defenses.

"Xia Jiuxuan, you coward! Show yourself if you dare!" Jiang Qingyang hacked twice more at the doors.

With a thunderous crash, the gates of the Aura Mansion swung wide.

"Who’s barking out there? Du Jiuli, get in here and meet your death!"

A tall figure appeared, shrouded in mist at the threshold, sword in hand, as if emerging from the darkness of the underworld.