Celestial Dragon Sword Venerable-Chapter 22: I Welcome You to Hunt Me Down

Ye Tianling’s realm barrier shattered. The Dragon Blood in the second region of his body ignited, and he began the process of Washing Marrow and Sinews. He instantly condensed his Sword Qi, converting it all into Dragon Qi!

At the same time, after stepping into the First Heaven of Sword Qi realm, his cultivation advanced unstoppably. He instantly broke through three layers, reaching the Great Success Realm of Sword Qi Third Heaven in a single stroke. Afterward, he once again encountered a realm barrier.

After the Sword Qi Third Heaven was the Sword Essence Realm.

Although it was only a single realm apart, the difference was immense. One was Sword Qi, the other Sword Essence. To advance, one had to condense and compress Sword Qi until it became liquid Element Power.

Therefore, while the gap was only a Small Realm, the difference in Battle Power was as vast as heaven and earth!

With his realm transformed, Ye Tianling felt clear-headed and refreshed, his entire body suffused with a sense of well-being. It was as if he had obtained the Yin Yang Harmony Dao Rhyme and mastered the Chaos Supreme Dao.

Both the Dragon Soul Inheritance and the cultivation techniques and memories inherited from Dugu Qiubai also became far more profound.

Ye Tianling didn’t dwell on it, however. After his instantaneous breakthrough, every aspect of his abilities had grown even stronger!

So, when he looked at Ye Yueling, he was no longer holding back.

...

That night, in the Cold Pool Cave, Ye Tianling fought three great battles.

After nearly a full three hours, dawn had already broken.

After the third battle, Ye Tianling clearly noticed that the height of Ye Yueling’s Qi Sea Pillar had doubled, and its nodes had grown to number Near Nine.

Her Talent hadn’t been lost; on the contrary, it had improved.

If she couldn’t be sure before, she was certain now, after the third time. She knew clearly that Ye Tianling had taken her most precious possession, yet it had made her Talent even better.

Her mind and Soul rejected it, but her instincts...

’I’ve never felt so despicable.’

...

Ye Tianling put on his Battle Armor. He was content in body and mind; even his Soul felt exceptionally light.

His power had become deeper and even stronger.

"You don’t have to thank me. My Talent Bloodline has a passive Ability that enhances the Talent of my partners. So, feel free to battle me more often in the future. The benefits are tremendous."

Ye Tianling said this casually, his tone unconcerned.

Ye Yueling said nothing. Though her feelings were a tangled mess, her current situation was, in the end, the most painful thing she had ever experienced.

As she gradually emerged from her dazed state, she realized her physical constitution, Battle Power, Realm, and more had all skyrocketed.

She had broken through several Realms in succession, even condensing her own Sword Qi and stepping into the Sword Qi First Heaven Heaven Realm.

And yet, she felt no emotion, only a profound sense of despair.

The more her Soul had felt lost in a dreamlike fantasy before, the more unforgivable she felt now that she was clear-headed.

"Tsk tsk, what’s wrong? Feeling wronged? Utterly hopeless?"

Ye Tianling said coldly.

Ye Yueling still didn’t answer.

"Search your conscience. Is Ye Tianyun really so great? And me? Was I, Ye Tianling, not good to you before? I practically worshiped the ground you walked on! If you had just told the truth when you were facing Ye Wannian, if you hadn’t colluded with those three bastards including Ye Tianxing, I would have never come after you!

This outcome, you brought it on yourself!"

Ye Tianling said in a low voice.

Ye Yueling sighed and said softly, "You’re right. To end up like this... I deserved it."

Hearing her say that, Ye Tianling was momentarily at a loss for words.

Ye Yueling sighed again. "You’ve caused a huge stir. Ye Tianyun’s older brother, Ye Tianfan, has already left the Celestial Sword Sect to deal with this. He’s an Inner Sect Disciple who is highly regarded by an Inner Elder; he’s very powerful. You should leave quickly."

Ye Tianling gave Ye Yueling a strange look. "Are you worried about me?"

Ye Yueling’s expression was as calm as ever, her eyes just as dull and lifeless. "Just go, before it’s fully light out. And don’t ever come back to the Ye Race. After something like this, the entire clan will be on high alert; they won’t give you another chance! Besides, you don’t understand Arrays. If you get targeted by a Restriction Talisman, your fate will be sealed."

Ye Yueling’s soft words, tinged with despair, unexpectedly stirred something in Ye Tianling’s heart.

Ye Tianling’s expression flickered, and he leaned in closer.

Ye Yueling didn’t shrink away, nor did she react in any way.

Ye Tianling gave her a fleeting, feather-light kiss.

A moment later, he said with a complex expression, "I’ve hit your pressure points. They’ll release on their own in about half an hour. You... take care."

Ye Yueling replied, "Mm. Fifteen years ago, your father saved me. That’s the only reason I’m alive today. Before... you were truly good to me. I was blind not to see the pearl I had in you. I ignored your kindness and instead fell for a truly despicable scoundrel like Ye Tianyun. This, too, is what I deserve. From now on, I’ll let the heavens decide my fate. If I die, then we’re even. We’ll owe each other nothing."

Ye Tianling was taken aback, but he didn’t feel much of anything, nor did the thought of stopping her from taking her own life cross his mind.

"And if you don’t die?"

Ye Tianling asked.

Suddenly, a blazing hatred filled Ye Yueling’s words. "I have now repaid my debt to you and your father. If I don’t die, then you just wait for my unending vengeance!"

Ye Tianling replied, "Oh? I have a feeling you won’t die, so I welcome you to hunt me down and get your revenge! When you do, I’ll just have to make you ’die’ a few more times."

With that, Ye Tianling let out a great laugh.

Then, he left Forbidden Moon Cliff.

The Ye Clan People had been searching all night to no avail.

It was still very early, with only the first hint of dawn in the sky. The Blood Moon had already set, making the surroundings even darker than before.

Ye Tianling was fearless. He didn’t bother hiding or sneaking around.

He swaggered down a deserted path, disguised as Ye Tianxing. Arrogantly projecting rage and killing intent, he simultaneously released the aura of the Sword Qi Third Heaven Realm, pretending to search everywhere for Ye Tianling!

In this way, Ye Tianling left the grounds of the Ye Race with incredible ease. No one he passed suspected a thing—even though he came across a total of seven Ye Race disciples and one Elder.

...

Long after Ye Tianling had gone, Ye Yueling finally began to sob, though no sound came out.

「Half an hour later.」

Ye Yueling’s pressure points released. Her Sword Qi Realm transformed once again, achieving a perfect breakthrough into the Sword Qi Second Heaven Heaven Realm.

But she was in no mood to celebrate.

She left the cave and leaped into the Cold Pool.