After Being Reborn, I Refuse To Be The Holy Son Of The Sect Anymore

Chapter 17:

The news of Xiao Yang, the Holy Son of Azure Sun Sword Sect, defeating Li Xingyao, the Holy Maiden of the Fuyao Sword Sect, spread like wildfire.

The major forces in the Northern Territory were shaken. Everyone knew the sixty-year cycle of the Northern Territory’s Grand Competition was approaching. Could this signify a shift in power in the Northern Territory?

It was no secret why Li Xingyao descended from the mountains at this time—to establish her dominance. However, no one could have predicted that her first stop would end in defeat at Xiao Yang’s hands, forcing her to return in disgrace.

Li Xingyao was utterly frustrated. Her journey to establish dominance had barely begun, yet it was already over.

Meanwhile, the Azure Sun Sword Sect was celebrating as if it were a grand festival. Their Holy Son had defeated Li Xingyao. With just five months remaining until the Grand Competition, this victory hinted that Azure Sun Sword Sect might claim the top spot this time. If they succeeded, the entire sect would rise to prominence.

Previously, neither Jiang Qitian, the sect master, nor the two elders of the Azure Sun Sword Sect dared to dream of challenging the Fuyao Sword Sect’s dominance in the Northern Territory. But now, things were different. This time, Azure Sun Sword Sect aimed for the throne of the competition.

Jiang Qitian and the others hoped Xiao Yang could quickly enter the secret realm for cultivation. The stronger Xiao Yang became, the greater the sect’s chances of claiming victory. In five months, they believed Azure Sun Sword Sect would finally regain its former glory.

In the past, Azure Sun Sword Sect had been one of the strongest sword sects in the Northern Territory. But now, it had significantly declined. In the last Grand Competition, they ranked only seventh. Resources dwindled, and their territory shrank. If they fell out of the top ten in the upcoming competition, the sect would officially become a second-rate sword sect in the Northern Territory.

Now, Xiao Yang’s unexpected power reignited their ambitions.

Away from the noise, Xiao Yang sought solitude. The Reflection Cave in the back mountain was a restricted area of the sect, where Xiao Yang had hidden himself. No one dared to intrude. Even his junior sister, Jiang Ting, did not come to find him. 

Without the sect master’s permission, even Xiao Yang’s parents couldn’t visit.

In the evening, his third junior brother, Song Qiang, brought him food.

“Senior Brother, you’re incredible!” Song Qiang exclaimed excitedly.

Xiao Yang smiled faintly but said nothing. Having lived a second life, he had rewritten the outcome of this battle entirely. In his previous life, after drinking the tea Jiang Ting handed him, he suffered a miserable defeat in his duel against Li Xingyao.

Like Qin Fei, Xiao Yang’s flying sword was crushed by Li Xingyao. Not only did he lose his reputation, but he also became the sect’s disgrace, with his cultivation nearly ruined—far worse than Qin Fei’s fate.

The culprit was a simple Soft Tendon Dispersing Powder. However, Xiao Yang had already taken the antidote in advance this time. In his past life, upon learning that Qin Fei had used Jiang Ting to harm him, he was devastated. He remembered their heated argument, which plunged their relationship to an all-time low. Meanwhile, Qin Fei played the victim, feigning innocence and garnering sympathy.

Unsurprisingly, everyone sided with Qin Fei, and Xiao Yang became the target of their accusations. When he returned to the Holy Son’s residence after his punishment, it looked as if it had been looted—everything was either stolen or destroyed. The injustice was unbearable.

Recalling his previous life, when he suffered defeat at Li Xingyao’s hands and the subsequent humiliation, Xiao Yang’s anger surged. But in this life, having cultivated the Heavenly Subduing Sword Technique, he effortlessly defeated Li Xingyao, altering his fate completely.

Now, his reputation within the Azure Sun Sword Sect was unmatched. He was the sect’s great benefactor, the strongest among the younger generation, and the object of admiration for countless disciples.

In stark contrast, Qin Fei seemed forgotten.

Song Qiang excitedly recounted the events following Xiao Yang’s victory over Li Xingyao. At the summit of Azure Sun Mountain, Sect Master Jiang Qitian announced that Xiao Yang was granted permission to enter the secret realm for cultivation—a tremendous honor. Since the sect’s founding, only the sect master had been allowed access to the Azure Sun Secret Realm. Xiao Yang was the first Holy Son to receive this privilege, stirring envy among all the disciples.

Jiang Qitian even hosted a grand banquet and proposed a marriage alliance between Xiao Yang and Jiang Ting. In his previous life, Xiao Yang would have been overjoyed by this. But in this life, his heart was unperturbed. Was his master using marriage to bind him to the sect?

Hmph! Never. There was nothing left in the Azure Sun Sword Sect worth his attachment. He was determined to leave.

Song Qiang continued talking excitedly, while Xiao Yang ate in silence.

“Senior Brother, your long-cherished wish is about to come true. Aren’t you happy?” Song Qiang noticed Xiao Yang’s calm demeanor and couldn’t help but ask.

Marrying Jiang Ting had once been Xiao Yang’s dream. As childhood sweethearts, she had promised to marry him when they grew up. But everything changed when Qin Fei appeared.

“Nothing worth celebrating,” Xiao Yang replied with a sigh, putting down his chopsticks.

“Uh…” Song Qiang was stunned. Why was Senior Brother acting so strange today?

After finishing his meal, Xiao Yang watched as Song Qiang tidied up.

“Third Junior Brother…” Xiao Yang called as Song Qiang prepared to leave.

“Senior Brother, do you have any instructions?” Song Qiang asked curiously.

“Be wary of Qin Fei,” Xiao Yang said after a moment of hesitation.

“Why should I be cautious of Sixth Junior Brother?” Song Qiang was surprised, looking puzzled.

“It’s nothing. You can go,” Xiao Yang replied, shaking his head. He knew that Qin Fei’s facade was flawless. Even if he revealed Qin Fei’s true identity as a descendant of the demonic sect, no one would believe him. Instead, they would think he was framing Qin Fei. Only Xiao Yang, reborn, knew Qin Fei’s true nature.

With a confused expression, Song Qiang left with the food container.

Returning to the cave, Xiao Yang resumed his cultivation.

The Heavenly Subduing Sword Technique was truly extraordinary. With just one move, the Heavenly Subduing Sword Finger, he had defeated Li Xingyao. And yet, he had barely scratched the surface of this technique.

With a clear mind, Xiao Yang immersed himself in cultivation. If he could elevate his mastery of the technique, even if Li Xingyao perfected her True Phoenix Sword Technique, she would stand no chance against him.

In the quiet Reflection Cave, sword energy surged. After a night of cultivation, Xiao Yang’s strength hadn’t increased, but his spiritual sense had fused perfectly with his flying sword.

At this moment, he was the sword, and the sword was him—a true union of man and sword.

“It’s time to return and prepare for the secret realm,” Xiao Yang said as he rose and leapt off the rock he had been sitting on.

Standing at the cave’s entrance, he took a deep breath of the morning air, invigorated by the rising sun. He summoned his flying sword, stepped onto it, and flew toward the Holy Son’s residence.

Upon arrival, he saw someone he never expected to encounter there.