Marrying Wives and Attaining Immortality in a Chaotic World

Chapter 312: The New Sword Emperor

Xu Lian emerged from the Sword Emperor’s Mausoleum with a less than pleased expression. He had gained nothing from his time inside, and after engaging in such a prolonged mental battle with a dead person, he inwardly cursed his misfortune.

“He’s out!”

“He’s here!”

The clan heads and elders of various families all bowed deeply, their faces adorned with kind and benevolent smiles, careful not to leave a bad impression on the new Sword Emperor.

The Sword Emperor was the true master of the Sword Pavilion. In a sense, everyone else-aside from the Sword Emperor and his wife-were merely subordinates. Who would dare to act arrogantly in front of the supreme commander? Were they not afraid of retaliation later?

Sheng Tianyun and others who had yet to leave also focused their gazes on Xu Lian, eager to know whether he had truly obtained the Sword Emperor’s inheritance.

Seeing this scene, Xu Lian came up with a clever idea.

If he simply claimed that he had obtained the Sword Emperor’s inheritance, then he would be recognized as the new Sword Emperor. After all, no one else knew what had happened inside the tomb.

Even if he were to be exposed soon, it didn’t matter. Pretending to be the new Sword Emperor for a day or two would be enough. During that time, he could utilize the cultivation resources of the Sword Pavilion to rapidly advance his cultivation.

By the time he reached the pinnacle of power, even if he wasn’t officially the Sword Emperor, who would dare to question him? Anyone who dared to say otherwise would be crushed under his heel!

With this in mind, Xu Lian’s gaze swept over the faces of the clan leaders and elders of the Sword Pavilion. He gave a slight nod to each of them, formally acknowledging them.

His expression calm, he spoke, “Honorable clan heads and elders, there is no need for such formalities. I have just received the Sword Emperor’s inheritance, and I need some time to fully comprehend and master the Sword Emperor’s supreme Sword Dao.

“I am still young, having cultivated for less than a hundred years, and my understanding of the affairs of the Sword Pavilion is limited. In the future, I will rely heavily on your support, esteemed clan leaders and elders.

“I hereby declare that all positions within the Sword Pavilion will remain unchanged, and everything will continue as usual. From this day forth, I take it upon myself to restore the honor and glory of the Sword Pavilion. Together, we will revive its former prestige and magnificence,” 

Upon hearing these words, the clan chiefs and elders of the various families were visibly shaken. His statement clearly implied that he had indeed obtained the Sword Emperor’s inheritance and had become the new Sword Emperor!

The Elder Patriarch and the elders of the Huo Clan were especially elated. It was done-he had succeeded!

The clan heads and elders exchanged subtle glances before kneeling down.

“Clan Head Mo and the elders pay their respects to the new Sword Emperor!”

“Huo Clan Head and elders pay their respects to the new Sword Emperor!”

“Clan Head Xiao and the elders pay their respects to the new Sword Emperor!”

Their voices rang out loud and clear, echoing throughout the Sword Pavilion.

The whole Sword Pavilion was electrified.

Upon hearing the news, millions of family members from various clans – men, women, young and old – all hastily knelt down and bowed respectfully toward the new Sword Emperor.

The title of Sword Emperor – Emperor of the Sword Dao – was not an empty phrase. Who would dare to show disrespect?

Ah… this feels good. Xu Lian smiled inwardly. He felt as though he were seated upon the lofty throne of the Sword Emperor, basking in the adoration of countless people. The feeling was intoxicating.

However, at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease, his scalp tingling slightly. If the truth that he hadn’t actually received the Sword Emperor’s inheritance was ever revealed, wouldn’t the various families of the Sword Pavilion tear him apart?

But at this critical moment, he couldn’t afford to falter.

Thus, he raised his arm and called out in a voice amplified by his Origin Tracing Realm Stage 7 cultivation, spreading his words across the entire Sword Pavilion: “Esteemed clan leaders, elders, and clansmen, rise! For the sake of the Sword Pavilion, for the sake of the Sword Dao, let us strive together!”

The Sword Pavilion fell silent for a moment before erupting into thunderous cheers.

“For the Sword Pavilion, for the Sword Dao, let us strive together!”

“For the Sword Pavilion, for the Sword Dao, let us strive together!”

Many clansmen’s eyes welled up with tears, their hearts swelling with emotion. At that moment, all intrigues and rivalries were cast aside, replaced by a shared sense of purpose, dreams, and honor for the Sword Pavilion.

Since the passing of the Sword Emperor countless years ago, the Sword Pavilion had been without a leader, even without a Supreme. Its position among the top-tier powers had become increasingly precarious, forcing it to endure humiliation and retreat. Now, at long last, the Sword Pavilion had welcomed a new Sword Emperor – a new pillar to uphold its legacy and restore its dignity.

Even Xu Lian himself felt a lump in his throat, moved by his own performance. He had become so immersed in the role that he almost believed himself to be the real new Sword Emperor.

“Please, new Sword Emperor, present the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass to prove your legitimacy as the Sword Emperor.”

Suddenly, an untimely voice rang out – it was Xiao Xiang’er, who was still unwilling to accept the situation.

Her words made the clan chiefs and elders of the various families turn pale. This was a direct challenge to the authority of the new Sword Emperor.

Although many harbored doubts themselves, no one dared to voice them. Were they not afraid of future repercussions? To provoke the displeasure of the new Sword Emperor could lead to the complete annihilation of their entire family. Who would dare to ask such a question?

“Xiao Xiang’er, you insolent fool!”

Before the elder patriarch of the Huo Clan could explode in anger, the clan head of the Xiao Clan beat him to it, his heart racing as he silently cursed Xiao Xiang’er for her stupidity.

It was one thing for someone from another family to have doubts, but the Xiao Clan absolutely could not.

The chosen disciple of the Xiao Clan, Sheng Tianyun, was already in direct competition with Xu Lian. If the Xiao Clan questioned the new Sword Emperor now, wouldn’t it appear as though they were openly opposing him?

Such an act would surely have dire consequences. How could Xiao Xiang’er not understand such a simple truth? The clan chief of the Xiao Clan was furious.

Xiao Xiang’er, a direct descendant of the Xiao Clan, had been meticulously groomed since childhood. She should have understood this basic principle. Accustomed to smooth sailing, however, she had acted impulsively after suffering a setback, allowing her emotions to cloud her judgment and overlook the potential ramifications.

Fortunately, the head of the Xiao clan quickly distanced himself from Xiao Xiang’er, making it clear that the family’s stance was aligned with the new Sword Emperor, not with her.

“Kneel down and beg forgiveness from the new Sword Emperor!”

The clan chief of the Xiao clan scolded Xiao Xiang’er harshly.

The elder patriarch of the Huo Clan inwardly cursed the head of the Xiao Clan for being such a sly fox, but he held his tongue. Despite claiming to have obtained the Sword Emperor’s inheritance, Xu Lian was still only at Origin Tracing Realm Stage 7 and lacked the strength to truly take control of the Sword Pavilion. His position was unstable, and he needed the support of the various families. At this critical juncture, it wouldn’t do to antagonize the Xiao Clan, which possessed a quasi-supreme expert and held significant sway within the Sword Pavilion. Since the head of the Xiao Clan had expressed his support for the new Sword Emperor, it was best to maintain harmony.

Seeing the head of the Xiao Clan react so strongly, Xiao Xiang’er was startled, breaking out in a cold sweat as she finally came to her senses. Realizing how reckless it had been to question the new Sword Emperor, she hurriedly knelt down and begged Xu Lian’s forgiveness.

“I just wanted to see the new Sword Emperor present the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass. I had some doubts, but I humbly ask the new Sword Emperor to forgive me.”

Xu Lian gazed at her with a calm expression on his face. “Will you teach me how to behave?”

Xiao Xiang’er trembled. “This disciple would never dare.”

Xu Lian replied indifferently, “When the time is right, I will present the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass and formally ascend to the position of Sword Emperor. However, with my current cultivation at Origin Tracing Realm Stage 7, I lack the strength to restore the Sword Pavilion to its former glory. The Sword Pavilion must continue to exist for a long time. Displaying the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, a divine sword, prematurely would only attract the covetous eyes of the strongest experts from the top-tier powers. Do you think that would be wise?”

Xiao Xiang’er replied, “This disciple has failed to consider the matter thoroughly. Please forgive me, New Sword Emperor.”

The clan heads and elders of the various families exchanged uneasy glances. From Xu Lian’s words, it seemed that he intended to withhold the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass for a long time, revealing it only when he had the strength to ascend to the position of Sword Emperor.

While this reasoning made some sense, it still left them feeling uneasy. Without displaying the divine sword, how could he prove that he had truly obtained the Sword Emperor’s inheritance?

Despite their uneasiness, no one dared to raise any more doubts. After all, the Sword Emperor was the ruler of the Sword Dao and the master of the Sword Pavilion’s fate. Each family had to weigh the consequences of questioning the new Sword Emperor. As long as there was no concrete evidence that Xu Lian did not possess the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, no one would dare to challenge him.