Reincarnation of the Strongest Sword Maniac

The Heavenly Phoenix Sect Wants Me to Marry Their Saintess?!

Alexander had encountered many unreasonable things throughout his three hundred years of cultivation. He had once entered an ancient tomb and discovered that its owner had arranged nine hundred and ninety-nine traps to protect a single jar of wine. He had once fought a demonic beast for seven days because it stole his lunch. He had even witnessed a Heavenly Emperor spend an entire century trying to prove that his mustache was the most magnificent in the Nine Heavens.

Alexander had seen everything. Or so he thought—until the following morning.

“Say that again.”

The young woman standing in his courtyard smiled politely. “The Heavenly Phoenix Sect would like to propose a marriage alliance between you and our Saintess.”

Alexander stared at her. Then he looked behind her. Then he looked at the sky. Finally, he looked back at her. “…Did I accidentally enter a different novel?”

The woman blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“Nothing.” Alexander rubbed his forehead.

The visitor wore elegant crimson robes embroidered with golden phoenixes. Her long black hair was tied with a jade ornament, and her cultivation aura suggested that she was at least a Spirit Core expert. Two female disciples stood behind her. All three possessed extraordinary appearances and the confidence of people accustomed to being treated with respect.

Unfortunately, they had approached the wrong person.

Alexander pointed toward the gate. “I think you’ve made a mistake.”

The woman smiled. “We haven’t.”

“My name is Alexander Blackwood.”

“We know.”

“I’m sixteen.”

“We know.”

“My cultivation is Body Tempering Level Three.”

“We know that too.”

Alexander paused. “Then your investigation is terrible.”

The woman’s smile twitched. One of the disciples behind her almost laughed.

The visitor took a deep breath. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rebecca Ashford, an elder of the Heavenly Phoenix Sect.”

Alexander nodded. “Pleasure to meet you, Elder Rebecca.”

“The person we wish to introduce you to is our Saintess, Isabella Phoenix.”

Alexander’s expression remained blank. “Congratulations to her.”

Rebecca stared at him. “She is the most talented young woman in our sect.”

“Wonderful.”

“She possesses the legendary Phoenix Spiritual Veins.”

“Impressive.”

“She has already reached the Spirit Foundation Realm.”

Alexander nodded thoughtfully. “She sounds strong.”

Rebecca’s confidence returned. “Indeed. She is one of the greatest geniuses of the younger generation.”

Alexander smiled. “Then why does she need me?”

Silence. The two disciples behind Rebecca looked at each other. Rebecca’s expression became complicated. “Because your Supreme Sword Heart is exceptionally rare.”

Alexander looked at his sword, then at Rebecca. “So you want my sword heart?”

“No!”

“Then you want my body?”

Rebecca nearly choked. “Of course not!”

Alexander sighed in relief. “Good. I was beginning to worry about the marriage proposal.”

Rebecca pressed her fingers against her forehead. The reports said he was an eccentric genius. Nobody had mentioned that he was impossible to speak with. She straightened her robes. “Let me explain. The Heavenly Phoenix Sect believes that a union between exceptional cultivators could benefit both parties.”

Alexander nodded. “Then marry your Saintess to an exceptional cultivator.”

Rebecca stared at him. “You are the exceptional cultivator!”

Alexander looked genuinely surprised. “Oh.” He considered this, then shook his head. “Still no.”

Rebecca’s smile disappeared. “You haven’t even met her.”

“Exactly.”

“Wouldn’t you like to?”

Alexander thought about it. “No.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to marry a stranger.”

Rebecca fell silent. For the first time, she seemed to understand that Alexander wasn’t joking. He wasn’t interested in the Saintess’s beauty, cultivation, bloodline, or status. He simply didn’t want to marry someone he didn’t know.

Rebecca sighed. “Very well. I shall report your answer.” She turned to leave, then paused. “However, I should warn you that the Saintess herself has expressed interest in meeting you.”

Alexander frowned. “Why?”

Rebecca smiled mysteriously. “Perhaps you should ask her.”

Alexander watched the three women leave. Then he sat down and stared at the sky. “…I haven’t even finished rebuilding my cultivation, and people are already trying to arrange my marriage.” He shook his head. “This world has terrible priorities.”

A voice suddenly came from the courtyard entrance. “Who is trying to arrange your marriage?”

Alexander turned. Elena Silverheart stood there, her expression perfectly calm—suspiciously calm. Alexander immediately recognized the danger. “No one.”

Elena raised an eyebrow. “I heard everything.”

Alexander paused. “How much?”

“Enough.”

He sighed. “Then you already know.”

Elena crossed her arms. “So the Heavenly Phoenix Sect wants you to marry their Saintess?”

“Apparently.”

“And you refused?”

“Of course.”

Elena looked away. “Why?”

Alexander stared at her. “Because I don’t want to marry a stranger.”

“Oh.” She was silent for a moment, then asked casually, “What if she were beautiful?”

Alexander answered immediately. “It wouldn’t matter.”

“What if she were extremely talented?”

“It wouldn’t matter.”

“What if she were the most beautiful woman in the Northern Continent?”

Alexander considered this. “It would be inconvenient.”

Elena turned toward him. “Inconvenient?”

“Yes. People would probably keep bothering me about marrying her.”

Elena’s lips twitched. She tried to maintain her serious expression. She failed. A small laugh escaped her.

Alexander smiled. There it was—the sound he had missed for centuries. For a moment, he forgot the Heavenly Phoenix Sect, the Celestial Court, and the mysteries surrounding his reincarnation. He simply enjoyed hearing her laugh.

Elena noticed him staring. Her smile disappeared. “What?”

Alexander shook his head. “Nothing.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Looking at me like that.”

Alexander smiled innocently. “Perhaps you’re imagining things.”

Elena turned away. “I should leave.”

“Already?”

She stopped. Alexander realized what he had said. Elena slowly turned around, her cheeks slightly pink. “…Why?”

Alexander thought about it. “Because I haven’t finished breakfast.”

She stared at him. Then she walked straight toward the gate. “I hope you choke on it!”

Alexander watched her leave. After several seconds, he nodded thoughtfully. “She’s definitely becoming more comfortable around me.”

---

The Azure Sky Sword Sect’s main hall was unusually crowded that afternoon. Several elders had gathered around a large table. Arthur Black sat at the head, drinking wine. Alexander stood in front of him. He had been summoned under the pretense of discussing his cultivation. Unfortunately, he was beginning to suspect that his master simply enjoyed bothering him.

Arthur placed his wine gourd on the table. “Alexander.”

“Master.”

“The Heavenly Phoenix Sect wants you to marry their Saintess.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“What do you think?”

“No.”

Arthur laughed. “Why not?”

“Because I said no.”

“Excellent reasoning.”

Alexander nodded. “I thought so.”

Arthur leaned forward. “However, the situation is more complicated than you realize.”

Alexander’s expression became serious. “Explain.”

Arthur pointed toward the map on the table. “The Heavenly Phoenix Sect controls several territories in the Southern Continent. Their Saintess possesses a rare bloodline that appears only once every few thousand years.”

Alexander remained silent.

Arthur continued. “According to ancient records, the Phoenix Spiritual Veins can resonate with certain sword constitutions.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Resonate?”

“Yes. When two compatible constitutions cultivate together, they may accelerate each other’s progress.”

Alexander immediately understood. The Heavenly Phoenix Sect wasn’t proposing marriage merely because he had a Supreme Sword Heart. They believed his constitution might complement their Saintess’s bloodline.

Arthur nodded. “There’s another problem.”

Alexander waited.

“The Heavenly Phoenix Sect has been searching for a suitable partner for their Saintess for years. Several major clans have already offered marriage alliances.”

Alexander shrugged. “Then they can choose one of them.”

“Unfortunately, the Saintess rejected every candidate.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

Arthur grinned. “Apparently, she dislikes arrogant young masters.”

Alexander considered this. “Then she sounds sensible.”

Arthur burst out laughing. “Hahaha! You really are something!”

Alexander sighed. “Master, is there an actual reason you summoned me?”

Arthur’s laughter gradually stopped. His expression became more serious. “The Heavenly Phoenix Sect didn’t come here simply because of your sword heart.”

Alexander’s smile faded. “What else?”

Arthur tapped the map. “Three days ago, one of their ancient inheritance chambers opened unexpectedly.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “An inheritance chamber?”

“Yes. Their elders discovered a strange inscription inside.”

Arthur reached into his robe and pulled out a small jade slip. He placed it on the table. Alexander picked it up. A faint spiritual light appeared. Ancient characters emerged across its surface.

He read them silently.

*When the Black Sword returns beneath the Nine Heavens, the Phoenix shall awaken, and the sealed gate shall open once more.*

Alexander’s fingers tightened around the jade slip. The hall became silent. Arthur watched him carefully. “Do you recognize this inscription?”

Alexander didn’t answer immediately. He had seen those words before—not in the Northern Continent, not in the Azure Sky Sword Sect, but in the final years of his previous life. Inside the ruins of an ancient civilization that existed before the Nine Heavens were formed. He remembered the chamber. He remembered the black sword engraved on its walls. And he remembered the terrifying presence sealed behind an enormous stone gate.

Alexander slowly placed the jade slip on the table. “Where was this found?”

Arthur’s expression darkened. “Inside the deepest chamber of the Heavenly Phoenix Sect.”

Alexander looked at the inscription again. The Celestial Court had moved early. The Blackwood attack had changed. Now an ancient inheritance had awakened. And somehow, all three events were connected to his return.

He leaned back. For several seconds, he remained silent. Then he laughed softly.

Arthur frowned. “What’s so funny?”

Alexander looked at him. “Nothing.” His eyes became cold. “I was just thinking that my second life is becoming much more troublesome than the first.”

Arthur studied him. “Alexander.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know something you’re not telling me?”

Alexander smiled. “Master, if I knew everything, I wouldn’t need to investigate.”

Arthur narrowed his eyes. It was a reasonable answer. Unfortunately, it was also the kind of answer a suspicious person would give. Arthur sighed. “Fine. You may leave.”

Alexander stood. As he reached the door, Arthur spoke again. “One more thing.”

Alexander closed his eyes. “Yes, Master?”

“The Heavenly Phoenix Sect’s Saintess will arrive tomorrow.”

Alexander turned slowly. “Why?”

Arthur grinned. “She wants to meet you personally.”

Alexander stared at him. Then he looked toward the heavens. “…Can I go into seclusion for ten years?”

Arthur laughed. “No!”

---

Far away, inside the Heavenly Phoenix Sect, a young woman stood before a magnificent mirror. Her long golden hair flowed down her back. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of amber. A golden phoenix mark rested between her eyebrows. She wore an elegant crimson dress, and her aura carried the faint pressure of a powerful bloodline.

This was Isabella Phoenix—the Saintess of the Heavenly Phoenix Sect.

A servant approached and bowed. “Saintess, Elder Rebecca has returned.”

Isabella turned. “What did he say?”

The servant hesitated. “He refused the marriage proposal.”

Isabella remained silent. Then she smiled. “Interesting.”

The servant looked confused. “Saintess?”

Isabella walked toward the window. For years, countless young masters had pursued her. Some wanted her bloodline. Some wanted her position. Others wanted to use her marriage to gain influence over the Heavenly Phoenix Sect. She had rejected all of them.

But Alexander Blackwood was different. He had received a proposal that countless geniuses would have accepted without hesitation. And he had refused without even meeting her. Isabella found that refreshing.

She turned toward Rebecca. “Prepare the carriage.”

Rebecca blinked. “Saintess, where are you going?”

Isabella smiled. “To meet the man who doesn’t want to marry me.” She paused. “And Elder Rebecca?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t tell him I’m coming.”

Rebecca stared at her. “Why?”

Isabella’s smile widened. “Because I want to see his expression when he realizes that the Saintess he rejected has come to visit him.”

For the first time in several years, Isabella Phoenix was genuinely interested in someone. Unfortunately for Alexander Blackwood… he was about to become the center of a romantic disaster he had absolutely no intention of participating in.