Chapter 5288 Tianyu Sword
“Senior, I’m not such a greedy person. We’re all members of the human race. If you are in trouble, it’s only right for me to lend a hand. I don’t need any reward,” Long Chen answered, hastily waving his hand.
Although Long Chen disliked the fellow called Chi Feng, this elder and many others had given him a good impression. He was naturally willing to help them.
“However, let me say this first. If I can help you, I’ll definitely help. But if I can’t, don’t blame me for it,” Long Chen added.
Long Chen didn’t dare to make promises lightly. Offering his assistance was one thing, but throwing his life away for others wasn’t an option. Though they were all human, they had only crossed paths by chance. Long Chen wasn’t at the point where he would sacrifice himself for just anyone.
Long Chen knew that they wanted to deal with the Gold Lion race and the Stone Spirit race. He had no problem helping them, but if the gap in power was too wide, there would be nothing he could do.
The elder, having lived for countless years, understood the implication of Long Chen’s words. Smiling slightly, he reassured Long Chen, “Young friend, don’t worry. We only seek your help, not for you to be our warrior.”
Long Chen nodded in agreement. He was here to assist, not to become their savior or a martyr.
“Come, let me bring you to see Tianyu City’s priceless treasure,” said the elder.
“There’s no need! It must be a closely guarded secret of Tianyu City. As an outsider, I shouldn’t be privy to it,” Long Chen replied.
“No, you must see this treasure. Whether or not this crisis can be averted will depend on it,” said the elder.
The elder didn’t give Long Chen any chance to refuse and directly brought him to the highest tower in the city. As they departed, a pair of cold eyes watched them from the shadows. They were Chi Feng’s. His eyes narrowed as he saw them reach the ancient tower before he slipped back into the darkness.
The tower was surrounded by multiple layers of defenses and heavily guarded. Despite recognizing the elder, the guards made the elder present his token, and only after verifying it did they allow Long Chen and the elder to proceed.
The old gates groaned open, the rust of countless years making the sound particularly harsh. Once the gates were opened to the point that a person could squeeze through, the elder waved his hand and told them to stop. Opening the gates was hard, but closing them was even harder, so they could only open them a bit.
After the two of them walked through, the gates slowly closed behind them. The elder brought Long Chen forward and saw another gate up ahead. The elder then placed a tablet in a notch, and the gates slowly opened.
In an instant, a powerful aura blasted them, nearly sending Long Chen flying. He quickly circulated his energy to defend against it.
“Young friend, you really are powerful!” the elder remarked, impressed that Long Chen hadn’t been knocked back. This aura was a subtle test, and the elder was amazed by Long Chen’s strength. The fact that he only swayed slightly before stabilizing gave the elder confidence.
As the gates opened fully, Long Chen gasped in astonishment. Before him stood a colossal sword. The tower was actually built around this enormous weapon.
Tears welled up in the elder’s eyes as he explained, “This sword is the Tianyu Sword. First came the Tianyu Sword, then came Tianyu City. It was forged by an Immortal Emperor of the human race, Lu Tianyu. In the primal chaos war, Lu Tianyu fought to the death, and the Tianyu Sword fell here while protecting Tianyu City. Over countless battles, all of Immortal Emperor Tianyu’s descendants perished, but the Tianyu Sword remained, using its own power to protect Tianyu City, protecting us useless people.
“It would have been able to leave back then, but in order to protect us, it fought back against the laws of this place to create a space for us in this world. Now, its divine energy is nearly depleted, and Tianyu City is also on the verge of collapsing. Everything will come to an end. When I asked you for help, it was actually a test. If you refused, you were not the one we awaited. But now that you’ve come, I hope that you can save the Tianyu Sword. Even if we all die, it’s fine. Just save it.”
The elder’s words moved Long Chen. He hadn’t expected this sword to be an Immortal Emperor divine weapon. But despite its mighty origins, the sword was now covered in rust, and aside from the aura that blasted out when the gates opened, it no longer emitted any energy.
“Big brother Long Chen, it’s a flame element divine weapon!” exclaimed Huo Linger excitedly.
A flame element divine weapon? Long Chen was startled. If it was a flame element divine weapon, why didn’t he sense the slightest flame fluctuations from it? He was an alchemist and very sensitive toward flame energy, but he didn’t sense anything from it.
Approaching the sword, Long Chen touched its tip. Instantly, his body shook, and his flame energy surged uncontrollably. A terrifying suction force drew out his flame energy, and a dark red flame rune appeared on the rusty blade.
Seeing that, the elder trembled with emotion and clenched his fists. He knew that the Tianyu Sword was now saved, and Long Chen was the one they were waiting for.
Long Chen withdrew his hand, and the rune on the sword slowly faded. He hesitated before turning to the elder. “Senior, I have bad news for you.”
“What is it?” The elder’s expression immediately changed.
“The Tianyu Sword’s item-spirit has perished, and all that remains are its instincts. Even if I can activate it, it will not be the original Tianyu Sword. I’m sorry. I was too late,” said Long Chen.
The elder’s body swayed, and Long Chen hastily caught him as he collapsed. After a long silence, the elder sighed. “When Tianyu City first showed signs of decay, I feared this might be the case. But I didn’t dare to look, holding onto a sliver of hope.”
The elder wept quietly. Unsure how to comfort him, Long Chen simply sat there with him. After some time, the elder calmed down slightly. “This is fine too. It must have been tired. Now, it’s gone to the next world to reunite with its master.”
The elder continued, “Young friend, see if you can still activate it. Even if it’s not what it once was, that’s fine. If you can, the sword will be yours.”
“I’ll give it a try,” Long Chen responded.
But before he could do anything, Huo Linger charged forward, pressing her hand against the sword’s tip.