Chapter 290: Fight Me, Xu Que!
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After the elite cultivators siding with Xu Que finished bashing up the two cultivators, they became very frantic upon realising that that Xu Que had disappeared.
The female cultivators blamed the men for being too rough and scaring away their brother Fujiwara. The men faulted the women for being so overly warm and friendly towards brother Fujiwara that he had been frightened away!
Whilst the group of them squabbled relentlessly, they also continued their search for the whereabouts of Xu Que!
Xu Que was already inside another tunnel, advancing to the depths of the Sword Catacomb. He finally reached the centre, where he was instantly startled!
In this lava cave, the chilly air formed by sword will was almost like mist, enveloping the whole place.
In such a misty environment, Xu Que could make out numerous ancient swords stuck into the ground. They must have been there for tens of thousands of years. Every sword there was scarred and rusty, as if they had each been involved in an unimaginably ferocious battle.
Some swords had already been broken and looked terribly worn out, yet they stood firmly in their positions.
Some swords had broken blades which resembled crooked teeth, but they still exuded a sharp and chilly atmosphere!
This was a graveyard of countless precious swords that had taken numerous lives. All feelings of resentment and grief had been converted into the ice cold air that covered the area.
Nearly all of the elite cultivators currently inside the Sword Catacomb had lingered here hoping to chance upon any blessing or good fortune.
It was said that many people in the past had obtained precious swords from here. There were also others who had inherited a small amount of sword will from these broken ancient swords, which had nevertheless been of good use over their lifetimes!
However, after so many years, even if remnants of sword will did remain, they would have already been found and taken away by predecessors who had entered centuries before them. The current cultivators had now changed their target to search for precious swords instead.
But there were others who had come here because of Ye Chang Feng, the Legendary Swordsman. They wanted to get into his good books and rely upon him so they could join the Jade Sword Sect.
And hence, when Lin Guan from Spirit Treasures Pavilion had gotten hold of a precious sword, many people had gone after him. These people wanted to snatch away his precious sword and present it to Ye Chang Feng.
When Xu Que arrived here, the first group of people he saw were Ye Chang Feng and his group. They were standing amongst a heap of broken ancient swords, searching for something.
A number of elite cultivators were gathered around Ye Chang Feng and spoke to him from time to time.
It was only natural, as he was right at the top amongst the elite cultivators and had a reputation for being exceptionally gifted in sword cultivation—after all, he had gained the title of Legendary Swordsman!
But now that Xu Que was there, things were going to change.
He stood at the entrance and struck a handsome pose that he thought was cool. Then he activated his dantian and shouted, "this is Takumi Fujiwara from Exploding Heavens Faction. I just arrived here. Please forgive me for my impudence!"
Shoosh!
Instantly, many pairs of eyes were on Xu Que.
However, as the cultivators here had not heard of 'Takumi Fujiwara', they just swept him a cold glance and turned away, unconcerned.
But Ye Chang Feng, the Legendary Swordsman, had a different reaction.
The three words—Exploding Heavens Faction—represented an impassable hurdle in his heart.
The challenge at the Fire Nation where he had been defeated by a nobody had been difficult for him to accept, even though Xu Que had also ultimately fought with the Fire Emperor at the Imperial Palace and won.
But from Ye Chang Feng's perspective, if he could use his True Core Strength, his sword skill techniques would definitely allow him to win. It was a pity then that his True Core Strength was sealed. As a result, he was unable to display his actual prowess.
So when he heard the words 'Exploding Heavens Faction', he immediately looked over as well.
When he saw Xu Que's face, he was immediately dumbstruck:
Takumi Fujiwara from Exploding Heavens Faction?
Who are you fooling this time?
You are obviously Ye Liang Chen … no, you are Xu Que!
Ye Chang Feng was flummoxed. Why has this guy come to Metal Nation? he thought.
...
In the centre, there also happened to be several cultivators who had met the Sword Spirit whom Xu Que had pretended to be. They were there looking for Takumi Fujiwara as well.
As soon as they heard his name, they immediately flocked towards him.
"You are brother Fujiwara? You sure are talented, lovely and innocent!"
"Come, follow me, my grandmaster is looking for you."
"No, don't believe him, brother Fujiwara. I'm your junior, not him."
"Brother Fujiwara, don't bother with them. I know you are honest, forthright, simple and innocent, so don't be fooled by them! I'm your real junior!"
The handful of cultivators behaved exactly like the previous group of people. They surrounded Xu Que and were very friendly towards him. All of them wore enthusiastic smiles on their faces.
Ye Chang Feng was flabbergasted. Thoughts ran through his head.
Why are these people calling Xu Que brother Fujiwara?
What grandmaster are they talking about?
Wait, this is wrong—why are all of you using these positive adjectives to describe him?
Since when was this guy innocent and simple?
Since when was he honest and forthright?
Since when did any these adjectives have anything to do with that guy?
No, absolutely not, this guy has the worst personality ever!
Well, Xu Que's evil doings in Fire Country alone have been too numerous to count. If one was to write them down, the pages would pile up to the height of a mountain …
It was said the current Fire Country had been thrown into chaos by Xu Que. It was probably still be a big mess now as well. Commoners there held a small book every day, shouting for equality and freedom.
Ye Chang Feng glanced at the elite cultivators who were eager to please Xu Que. He was utterly speechless and could not believe his eyes.
He wondered why Xu Que had suddenly become so popular, and had changed his name as well!
This sight before him was too creepy!
Ye Chang Feng had returned from Fire Country rather early, so he was only aware of the fact that the nation had been in chaos. He was not aware of the details of the Fire Emperor dying by Xu Que's hand. Otherwise, he would have escaped as fast as he could.
"Eh? Isn't that brother Fujiwara?"
"Quick! Brother Fujiwara is actually here. Come … brother Fujiwara, grandmaster has been looking for you for a long time! Come back with me, fast!"
"Go away! This is my brother Fujiwara!"
"What do you mean! Just now brother Fujiwara leaned on my chest, it is obvious how close he is with me. Just go away …"
...
At this moment, another group of cultivators arrived. When they saw Xu Que, they immediately headed straight towards him.
In order to fight for the remaining position as the Sword Spirit's disciple, the group of cultivators were desperate to establish a good relationship with Xu Que. Hence, they kept addressing him as their brother, as Xu Que would be Lord Sword Spirit's first disciple.
So, in an instant, Xu Que was once again surrounded by many cultivators.
There were a little over 90 cultivators who had entered the Sword Catacomb. Yet Xu Que was so popular with the majority of the elite cultivators that Ye Chang Feng was completely bowled over by the scene before him.
All along, no matter where he went, he had always been the most dazzling presence of all. But now, he had been robbed of the spotlight—by the person who had defeated him.
It was hard for him to accept.
Flames of anger ignited and burned in Ye Chang Feng's mind.
The stifling feelings from the defeat that day, and the jealousy he felt today, had made him truly miserable.
Finally, Ye Chang Feng could no longer hold back his fury, and shouted in anger—
"Xu Que, come and fight me!"