The Shadow Swordsmen was a cla.s.sified division of the Sword Tribe.

Their only function was to a.s.sa.s.sinate cultivators who posed a threat to the Sword Tribe or sky-prides of other orthodoxies.

There were three Shadow Swordsmen summoned by the Sword Tribe Leader, and each of them possessed a set of remarkable skill sets.

"Your target in this mission is Chu Kuangren. His combat strengths are unordinary, and he's capable of slaying Boundary Emperors. I don't care what methods you use, just kill him and bring the Divine Emerald Lamp back to the Sword Daoist," the Sword Tribe Leader instructed.

"Affirmative."

The trio received their instructions and vanished into the shadows.

After they left, the Shadow Swordsmen arrived within a lofty forest.

"What are your plans for this mission?"

One of the swordsmen took off his hoodie and revealed a frail face beneath. His cheekbones were palpable off his skin while his eyes were sinking into his sockets. He looked very grim.

He was known as Swordsman Yan, one of the most highly skilled experts even within the ranks of Shadow Swordsmen.

His abilities were even comparable to the leader of several past ancient orthodoxies.

No matter where people like him went, they were always hailed as distinguished guests in all orthodoxies they visited. Yet, he was considered an ordinary member of the Shadow Swordsmen.

One could only imagine just how formidable the Sword Tribe was.

"The swordsmen have always fought their own battles, and this is no exception. Kill Chu Kuanregn to each their own."

Another swordsman said calmly.

His voice was deep and composed.

"Swordsman San, Chu Kuangren is capable of slaying Boundary Emperors. Are you confident about this strategy?"

"Even if I can't defeat him, I'm sure I can protect myself."

Swordsman San was rather confident of his own abilities.

Besides, he had his own reasons. Chu Kuangren possessed the Exquisite Nine Orifices Sword Heart. If Swordsman San could kill him, he would earn the Sword Tribe's approval and benefit from it. He did not wish to share such a reward with another person.

After all, the Sword Tribe Leader only wanted the Divine Emerald Lamp.

He had said nothing about other items.

This implied that the swordsman could h.o.a.rd all of Chu Kuangren's items for his own.

He could not imagine how much treasure Chu Kuangren had in his possession after killing multiple past ancient orthodoxies' leaders!

Just the amount of soul emblems itself was enough to make him drool.

Similarly, Swordsman San wished to have all of that to himself.

"If that's the case, each to their own then." Swordsman Yan had a similar idea to Swordsman San.

Then, the swordsmen looked at the last remaining member.

"Swordsman Mei, what's your plan?"

"Seniors, both of you have been in the Shadow Swordsmen's ranks longer than I did. Your experiences are more impeccable. I shall follow whatever plans that have been set."

It was the gentle voice of a lady.

One would wonder just what else the lady with the charming voice could offer.

"Heh, Swordsman Mei, you're flattering us. With your talents, you'll become stronger than us in no time. The Shadow Swordsmen's operations are probably just a training ground for you. But since you've put it that way, then let us make the first strike. We'll regroup if we fail the operation."

"Alright," Swordsman Mei nodded.

With that, Swordsman San and Swordsman Yan vanished into the shadows.

Swordsman Mei took off her hood, revealing her alluring features beneath.

Her cheeks were smooth as silk, her features delicate, and her vivacious eyes highlighting her coquettishness.

"Want to hog all the credits to themselves? Fine by me. It's good that someone is willing to test the waters for me."

Swordsman Mei's eyes were cold. "Chu Kuangren, there can only be one Exquisite Nine Orifices Sword Heart, and that's my Master Daoist. Anyone who tries to stop Master Daoist from ascending to the pinnacle of Sword Dao must face death!"

Very few in the Sword Tribe knew that Swordsman Mei was a diehard fan of the Sword Daoist.

She was willing to do just anything for the Sword Daoist.

Her talent would have initially allowed her to become one of the most remarkable sky-prides in the Sword Tribe, second only to the Sword Daoist.

However, for the Sword Daoist, Swordsman Mei decided to forgo all hopes of becoming the best sky-pride and went into the shadows to become a Shadow Swordsman. She was willing to fight for the Sword Daoist in the dark and eliminate all forms of threat on his behalf.

"As the saying goes, the Shadow Swordsmen is one of the swords in the Sword Tribe's possession, and I shall become the deadliest sword of my Master Daoist!"

"I will kill for him!"

Swordsman Mei muttered and proceeded to vanish into the shadows.

…

"Sect Leader, is there any news?"

Shang Qingxue asked Chu Kuangren in a teahouse.

Chu Kuangren shook his head and said, "Nope, I still can't reach out to the others."

"It looks like our only choice is to head to the Emperor Mountain, the final destination of Emperor Road. All of the sky-prides will be there eventually."

Shang Qingxue said.

"Hmm, that's right." Chu Kuangren nodded.

He looked into the teacup in his hand and yelled, "Waiter, refill please."

"Coming up."

A waiter arrived at the table and began to refill Chu Kuangren's tea. "Are both of you heading to the Seven Chord City?"

"Seven Chord City? What's there to visit?" Chu Kuangren asked curiously.

"Eh, didn't you know? A guqin Emperor Weapon has recently been discovered in the city, causing many orthodoxies to fight over it. However, none of them were able to tame the guqin, so they decided to throw an Infinity Guqin Banquet and invite every guqin master of this world to see who's fated to gain the guqin's acknowledgment."

The waiter had finished pouring his tea at that point.

Upon hearing that, Chu Kuangren's interest was aroused. "A guqin Emperor Weapon?"

"That's right. It's said that when the guqin was discovered, dark thunderclouds shadowed the world from the Sun, lightning flashed, and thunder rang for three straight days."

"That surely seems interesting."

Chu Kuangren said, "I certainly wouldn't mind checking this place out. Do you know the direction to the Seven Chord City?"

"Just walk South from here until you reach the fort, where you can complete the remaining distance by a Fairy boat. The customers I've served in the past few days were all heading there. I just a.s.sumed you were part of them." The waiter chuckled and left the table.

"Guqin… Sect Leader, I recall you can play the instrument, right?"

"Just a little." Chu Kuangren nodded.

Well, he was just fluent in the Emperor Technique, the Eight Celestial Demonic Chords, and was just one of the best guqin players in Firmament Star. Nothing impressive about that.

'Let's head to the Seven Chord City after this tea.'

Chu Kuangren thought.

Suddenly, Chu Kuangren frowned when he sensed a strange ripple in the air.

Not far away, a figure with a blurry face appeared. He was dressed in a set of black robes.

With each step he took, the air around became strangely dense.

By the time he was before Chu Kuangren, the surrounding air had turned unbearably oppressive.

Most of the customers in the tea house were already pressed into the ground as they stared at the figure in terror.

"Are you Chu Kuangren?"

The black-robed figure came before Chu Kuangren and asked.

"You already know the answer." Unfazed, Chu Kuangren proceeded to sip from his teacup.

"It looks like I've come to the right person. I'm Swordsman San of the Sword Tribe, and I'm here to… kill you!"